by Paul Cleave
Genres: Suspense Thriller
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
In the latest thriller by the Edgar-nominated author of Joe Victim, someone is helping rape victims exact revenge on their attackers, prompting an edge-of-your-seat, cat-and-mouse chase between old friends, detectives Theodore Tate and Carl Schroder. Carl Schroder and Theodore Tate, labeled "The Coma Cops" by the media, are finally getting their lives back into shape. Tate has returned to the police force and is grateful to be back at home with his wife, Bridget. For Schroder, things are neither good nor bad. The bullet lodged in his head from a shooting six months ago hasn't killed him, but, almost as deadly, it's switched off his emotions. When the body of a convicted rapist is found, obliterated by an oncoming train, Tate works the case, trying to determine if this is murder or suicide. The following night, the bodies of two more rapists surface. It's hard to investigate when everyone on the police force seems to be rooting for the killer. There's a common plea detectives get from the loved ones of victims: When you find the man who did this, give me five minutes alone with him. And that's exactly what someone is doing. Someone is helping these victims get their five minutes alone. But when innocent people start to die, Tate and Schroder find themselves with different objectives, and soon they're battling something they never would've expected: each other.
Fall is the perfect time of year for a good suspense thriller and Five Minutes Alone by Paul Cleave delivered in spades. Suspenseful, with twists and turns Five Minutes Alone, takes you into the minds of several characters in a cat and mouse game. What would you do if you had five minutes alone with the person who hurt you or yours?
Five Caffeinated Reasons to grab a copy of Five Minutes Alone
- Cleave weaves a clever tale of suspense as a killer helps rape victims get revenge against their attackers. The plot is tight, and moves between perspectives as Cleave builds his spider web and characters find themselves trapped.
- Carl Schroder and Theodore Tate known to the media as the “Coma Cops” are finally recovering. Tate is back on the duty, and he and his wife are working to recover from their loss. His life is complicated and messy. Carl however is walking around with a bullet lodged in his head. He’s alive, but it’s a ticking time bomb. He now finds himself permanently retired. Cleave did an excellent job of fleshing out these characters and exposing their flaws and weaknesses. While I didn’t care for either of them, I did find myself completely immersed in their stories.
- If you or your loved one was attacked by someone and forever changed, would you want your five minutes? Cleave presents an interesting question as victims are afforded the opportunity to seek revenge.
- The plot was well-paced, with twists and turns that closed the characters in. Secondary characters added depth to the story and gave it believability. Five Minutes Alone was a nail-biting, page-turner, and I found myself holding my breath as the cops closed in on their suspect.
- Cleave allowed us perspectives from both the killer and Theodore notching up the tension. We are privy to what each knows. The final chapters were none stopped action as the tension increased.
Five Minutes Alone was an engaging thriller. A true cat and mouse game of wits and deception.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Felicia The Geeky Blogger
I forgot this came out today. Off to put it on my library list. I am excited about this one.
kimbacaffeinate
Ooo I hope you love it Felicia.
Joy
Whoa! This sounds amazing! I wouldn’t want to read this alone but yes, I want to read this. Getting the perspective of the killer is a great selling point, too.
kimbacaffeinate
It isn’t scary, but very suspenseful. Thanks Joy
Kiran J.
It looks really good, Kimberley! I think I’ll get it as soon as I can! Great review 🙂
Book Maniac Reviews
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy Kiran, would love to hear your take on it
Melissa (Books and Things)
Interesting. Also something to think about. I’m not sure how I would react, but I know it would be emotional especially if it was a family member who was attacked.
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, I think your perspective would change
Katherine
Great concept! The moral and ethical dilemmas with this one! There sounds like there’s a lot of backstory. Is this a series book or just great on it’s own?
kimbacaffeinate
Standalone..perfect for fall Katherine. I love that it raises questions, such a good book for book club
Heidi
Oh yes it sounds like a riveting thriller and such a tough topic.
kimbacaffeinate
Agreed and the more you explore it, the more questions you ponder.
Angela Adams
Thanks for the review!
kimbacaffeinate
Anytime, this was a good one Angela 🙂
blodeuedd
Something I could get a friend for xmas
kimbacaffeinate
YES, unless it would give them ideas 🙂
Michelle
This sounds pretty good! I’m with Sarah on this one, I’d probably take my time trying to find the killer. Two birds, one stone.
kimbacaffeinate
Exactly.
Rita
So good! I love these kinds of thrillers, so I’m sold! Now going to check out his other titles and what they’re about. Thanks for introducing me to a new for me author!
kimbacaffeinate
I had a feeling you might like this one Rita. I have several good ones coming up over the next month or so that should speak to you.
Sarah
I’m not gonna lie, I probably wouldn’t search to hard for a killer attacking convicted rapists… Does that make me bad person? Definitely sounds like a unique thriller.
kimbacaffeinate
Nope, especially if he got away with it
Candace
This sounds like a unique style and a different sort of read. Very thought provoking!
kimbacaffeinate
It was, thanks Candace 🙂
Anna Simpson
The thought would scare me to the core. Would I want to be as bad or worse than the person I’m alone with? Some questions can’t be answered.
Anna from Shout with Emaginette
kimbacaffeinate
True..what if he did it, you knew he did it but he got away with it and was going to do it again? So many questions.
Debbie Haupt
OMG I want this. Thanks Kimba for the fantastic review!!
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy, I am sure this is right up your alley!
LuAnn Braley
Sounds ominous and totally readable. So what, a double shot – no cream no sugar? :O)
kimbacaffeinate
oh no cream and sugar please:) or a little mocha.
Grace
I’ve never heard of this book, and I like the idea of rape victims getting their revenge. If you say the plot is tight, I believe you. Plus, I love a good suspense thriller. Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
Well thanks for your vote of confidence, I enjoyed this thriller.
Lily
Oh this one sounds beyond twisted but so so good! So the killer kills bad guys? Hmm this sounds pretty interesting and beyond creepy lol!
kimbacaffeinate
Yes Lily and it was quite suspenseful with plenty of twists and turns
Nick
That’s very interesting that the killer is helping rape victims get revenge against their rapists. It’s twisted, but I’m curious to see how this would work!
Great review, Kim.
kimbacaffeinate
It was twisted, and gave you pause to think. Thanks Nick!
kindlemom1
Okay I am jealous of all these wonderful mysteries and thrillers you are reading lately Kim, so perfect for this time of year! I really need to sneak at least one more in before the month is over.
kimbacaffeinate
I am enjoying them myself Ali. Course I read this back in September, but I have been on a kick ever since..weaving them in between romances.
Mary
While getting the POV of the killer/bad dude doesn’t always work for me, it sounds like it does nothing but good in this one, ratcheting up the tension. Nice!
kimbacaffeinate
I love getting it, but this one was completely necessary. I cannot say any more *spoilers darling*
Jennifer Bielman
I love getting in on the perspective of a killer. Now that makes an intense read.
kimbacaffeinate
I agree Jennifer 🙂