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A Novel
by Gillian French
A page-turning, compelling thriller about a woman who will stop at nothing to uncover the truth behind her sister's disappearance.
Shaw Connolly is no stranger to trauma. As a fingerprints analyst, she's one of the first on-site for crimes, including murder scenes and a mysterious string of arsons popping up throughout the rural Maine community her department serves. But the tragedy of her little sister's disappearance sixteen years ago has always weighed on her the most; Thea is never far from her thoughts or dreams, and Shaw knows that her obsession with finding the truth about Thea is driving her husband away and impacting her two boys. Still, she can't let it go and has even started taking disturbing calls from a man named Anders Jansen who all but claims to have committed the crime.
Anders taunts Shaw with hints and innuendo about what supposedly happened all those years ago. His calls go to the next level as he reveals just how much he knows about Shaw's personal life, like her stalled career and ruined marriage. As his stalking escalates to threats on her and her family's lives, he begins to show just how dangerous he might be. Shaw is too desperate for answers to hang up now, just when she's getting close to finding proof. The only question left is what she must lose to learn the truth.
A taut, atmospheric thriller from Edgar Award-finalist young adult author Gillian French, Shaw Connolly Lives to Tell introduces a compelling new voice in adult suspense fiction.
"French lays the foundation so expertly...What lingers most in the memory is a chilling atmosphere equally shivery with cold and despair." ―Kirkus Reviews
"Fast-paced and witty… What sets this book apart is its ability to include humor alongside the heaviness that accompanies grief, crimes, and loss in a way that still feels authentic…Readers familiar with French will love this book, as will those who like true crime, strong female protagonists, and stories where the dog is the hero." ―Library Journal
"French, an Edgar-nominated YA author, writes Shaw's character with undeniable depth by way of witty and often humorous dialogue throughout absolute tragedy, showing the extent of human endurance…A swift plot and constant pressure on Shaw create an enthralling mystery thriller that highlights the grip grief can have on a person." ―Booklist
"Riveting… French skillfully weaves together an intricate plot involving past and present, bringing both to life while believably developing her cast of characters… a wild journey full of thrilling twists and turns." ―BookPage
"Shaw Connolly Lives to Tell got its hooks into me from the very first page. Gillian French is a gifted storyteller who knows how to tease the reader with well-timed twists and disclosures―just as stalker Anders Jensen knows exactly how to keep forensic technician Shaw Connelly off-balance and guessing. And the Maine setting? Perfect in its ice-cold dread." ―Paul Doiron
This information about Shaw Connolly Lives to Tell was first featured
in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.
Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Gillian French is an Edgar Award, Bram Stoker Award, and two-time International Thriller Award nominated author of mystery and suspense. Her previous novels include Grit, The Lies They Tell, The Missing Season, and Sugaring Off, all published for a young adult audience. She lives in rural Maine with her husband and four sons.
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