Synopses & Reviews
Will, Jeffrey, and Nolan are lifelong friends. Each has gone their separate ways as adults, living their own lives while forging their own careers. They have no reason to believe anything extraordinary will befall them. Until one shocking moment changes everything.
Will is a part-time drummer who spends the rest of his time in recording studios. Then one night Jeffrey attempts to rob a convenience store, drags a young woman into Wills car, and shouts a single word: “Drive!” Shaken and confused, Will obeys.
Suddenly these ordinary men find themselves completely out of their element, holding a young girl hostage without the slightest idea of what to do next. They are already guilty of kidnapping and robbery; it is only a matter of time before they find out just what else theyre capable of. For these four people, three days will decide their fate—freedom and prison, innocence and guilt—and life and death.
Review
“Michael Kardos’s soulful stories take place in that hard-luck corner of New Jersey where rock and roll dreams crash into blue-collar reality.”
—Tom Perrotta Tom Perrotta
Review
“Excellent first novel. . . . Kardos makes the most of his intriguing setup, populated with plausible characters and enhanced by a vicious closing sting.”
—Publishers Weekly [HC starred review] Publishers Weekly
Review
“Kardos’ debut novel features finely drawn characters, clever plotting, a fine surprise ending, and graceful and economical storytelling.”
Booklist Booklist
Review
“An agonizing moral nightmare interspersed with flashbacks to happier times whose import becomes clear only in the final chapter.”
Kirkus [starred review]
Review
“Takes you on an unexpected journey. . . . You think you know which way the author is driving the narrative, only to have it swerve several times before the fascinating conclusion.”
Library Journal [starred review] Library Journal
Review
“[Kardos] first novel combines tension and thrills, with a welcome devotion to character development and quality writing.”
Criminal Element
Review
“Narrator Ray Chase delivers a strong, subtle performance. . . . Listeners will be pulled into this sometimes dark, often compelling, and always intriguing story.”
—Publishers Weekly Library Journal
Review
“Chases reading humanizes the characters. . . . The surprise ending will please listeners of this engaging debut novel.”
—Booklist Criminal Element
Review
“Ray Chase narrates, his vocal quality, accents, and pacing flawless. Surprises abound in this suspense-filled, character-driven novel that is sure to please listeners who want more than just action in a thriller.”
—Library Journal
Synopsis
A small-time rock band drummer is caught up against his will in the kidnapping of a young girl, leading him down a spiraling path of violence and mayhem.
About the Author
MICHAEL KARDOS is the author of the collection
One Last Good Time. His stories have appeared in
The Southern Review,
Crazyhorse, and many other magazines and anthologies, and were notable stories in the 2009 and 2010 editions of
Best American Short Stories. He lives in Starkville, MS, and co-directs the creative writing program at Mississippi State University and edits the journal
Jabberwock Review.
Voice actor, writer, and musician RAY CHASE has provides the voices for major commercial campaigns such as Coke Zero, and Top Ten iPhone app successes. He began his career by reading aloud in the car for his mother and sister on the way to school. They didn’t seem to mind so much. He hopes you don’t either.