by Joseph Finder
Genres: Suspense, Thriller
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
When single father Danny Goodman suddenly finds himself unable to afford the private school his teenage daughter adores, he has no one to turn to for financial support. In what seems like a stroke of brilliant luck, Danny meets Thomas Galvin, the father of his daughter’s new best friend, who also happens to be one of the wealthiest men in Boston. Galvin is aware of Danny’s situation and out of the blue offers a $50,000 loan to help Danny cover his daughter’s tuition. Uncomfortable but desperate, Danny takes the money, promising to pay Galvin back. What transpires is something Danny never imagined. The moment the money is wired into his account, the DEA comes knocking on his door. Danny’s impossible choice: an indictment for accepting drug money that he can’t afford to fight in court, or an unthinkably treacherous undercover assignment helping the government get close to his new family friend. As Danny begins to lie to everyone in his life, including those he loves most in the world, he must decide once and for all who the real enemy is or risk losing everything—and everyone—that matters to him.
Suspicion by Joseph Finder is an intense thriller where a father down on his luck borrows money from the father of his daughter’s best friend and ends up in a cat and mouse game that could cost him his life. While not without flaws, Suspicion was a fast-paced tale that kept me flipping the pages.
Caffeinated Aspects
- Suspicion was an engaging thriller with twists and turns that kept me flipping the pages and unsure of the characters.
- Finder presents an interesting dilemma for Danny. As a parent, I know the lengths I would go to for my own children. Would I have taken the money? This question makes the events surreal and amped up the suspense. Danny is an ordinary guy who finds himself swimming with sharks.
- Twists and turns had me flipping the pages and questioning character’s motives. Finder keeps the reader unsure as he notches up the danger and slowly reveals motives. Red herrings made the story unpredictable, and I loved the chase to the truth.
- Finder’s descriptions, pacing and clever plot kept the intensity high. This was an easy read and the four hundred pages quickly passed by.
Decaffeinated Aspects
- The tale needed more development in the beginning of the novel. I wish that Finder had fleshed out the details and personalities of Danny and his daughter. I had trouble feeling for the daughter, who presents as a whiny teen. *but are not all teen girls that way?* I felt a little background would have perhaps endeared them to me.
- There were moments that had me rolling my eyes and questioning the plausibility. I had to let go, and just go with it.
- As much as I admired some of Danny’s strengths and the fact that he cares for his daughter, I did not really like him. This kept me from becoming emotionally invested in the outcome. Stupidity and sheepish behavior are not aspects I look for in a hero.
Overall, Suspicion was a suspenseful tale and I certainly had no difficulty consuming it. Weaknesses aside, this was action packed and had, me guessing the outcome.
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
Katherine
This sounds like an interesting thriller and what a concept! I think pretty much any parent could relate to that kind of dilemma. It is too bad that the characters aren’t more developed but that does seem to happen more in thrillers than other genres. I’ll have to look for this one!
kimbacaffeinate
Yeah, it was like someone trimmed off all the fat and served the meat. Sometimes that fat makes the dish juicer.
Jennifer Bielman
Wow, what a crappy situation. I feel bad for Danny, but I don’t like that you didn’t like him. Hmmm…
kimbacaffeinate
I just didn’t know enough about him to care and some of his actions made me twitchy, but overall I enjoyed it.
Lily B
fast paced thrillers can be a lot of fun o.o sorry some of it was a little hard to believe.
kimbacaffeinate
I let go and had fun with it Lily.
Melissa (Books and Things)
Oh thriller!! Despite the eye rolling this one sounds entertaining. I have a feeling I would like more development too, but I may be able to deal with it. LOL
Melissa (Books and Things)
Oh and Happy Halloween!
kimbacaffeinate
Hope your Halloween was delightful. We had a fire and handed out treats, it was fun but we both woke up with a cough and cold. Grr.
Angela Adams
Interesting twist that we have a single father with this plot dilemma…most novels find a single mother in these types of situations. Thanks for the post!
kimbacaffeinate
So true Angela, usually it is the other and ends up with a hero in a romantic suspense..LOL
Lily
The thing about mystery and thriller books is that they either work or they don’t and while I hate admitting that it’s very true 🙁 I’m not sure where I would fall under for this one, either the “this one works” or the “this one doesn’t work” pile and it’s pretty difficult. Either way thanks for the heads up about this one Kimba! Also, happy Halloween 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I recommend it despite the drawbacks for me. I liked that it flowed well and kept me engaged.
ShootingStarsMag
Sounds like you have to suspend disbelief a bit, but overall, I’m curious!
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, but I am glad I read it.
Tanja
I don’t think I have heard of this one. I do like the idea and also I like thrillers with unpredictable twists and turns, but I’d have problems with those unbelievable elements. It’s just bugs me too much. Great review, Kim 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Yeah, sometimes you have to let go.
Heidi
Ouch. I don’t think I would like the hero either and unrealistic eye rolling reads never sit well with me either, think this is a pass. Have a Happy Halloween.
kimbacaffeinate
Despite it, it was gripping and I needed to know..LOL
Linnae
This release sounds perfect for moi! I love it when a story keeps me guessing and yes, all teenage girls whine. It’s a rite of passage for womanhood. It’s too bad Danny isn’t a sympathetic character but then he did take money from a basic stranger which is a huge NO in my book. Thanks for the heads up on this book. It’s now on my birthday list.
kimbacaffeinate
I really got caught up in this Linnae and totally recommend it despite wanting more.
Candace
I have been enjoying some mysteries and thrillers but I’m not sure I would like this or not. Thanks for the honest review though, I hadn’t heard of it before.
kimbacaffeinate
The plot was very good and kept me intrigued, I just needed a little more, but I still recommend it.
Nick
I like my characters to be more developed even though I typically read mystery books for the thrill and the action. It still sounds like it was a decent book though.
Great review, Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
I still recommend it, just go in knowing it is more plot driven.
kindlemom1
Even though this wasn’t perfect I love that it kept you questioning and flipping the pages.
Happy Halloween Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
Me too Ali. I needed to know and that is a good sign
Braine
I’m too nitpicky when it comes to characters esp if the story is driven by them. The dad sounds like he’ll irritate me and I might have problems dealing with the impossible plausibles.
Happy Halloween!
kimbacaffeinate
The plot was quite good despite the issues, and I needed to know.
Debbie Haupt
Thanks Kim I’ve heard good things about some of his other novels although I’ve never read him before. Thanks for your honest as always review I think I’ll think a little more about this one.
Happy Halloween!! Boo!
xo
kimbacaffeinate
I will definitely try him again.
Sarah
I’m blown away that someone is extremely suspicious of a $50,000 dollar loan. Even between friends, that’s a large sum of money!
kimbacaffeinate
Yeah, but to the guy who lent it..he spokes cigars that cost more than most make in a year. I felt he sold this aspect.
Diana Leigh
Don’t know that these characters would draw me in. Maybe.
kimbacaffeinate
If you read it, read it for the suspenseful plot.
Berls
I feel like I’ve seen this one somewhere else recently, but I can’t remember where. On one hand it really interests me – like you said, as a parent you can relate. What wouldn’t I do for my stepson? On the other hand, I need connections to my characters. I mean, my stepson certainly has the teenage angst thing down right now (and we’re all going crazy) but I can deal with it because I know the good, sweet boy hiding behind the mood swings. LOL! So, I don’t know about this one yet. Going on my maybe list. Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
I think I could have liked them, but this tale is more plot driven. That extra could have pushed this to the next level, since I was totally drawn in by the suspense.
Jenny
I’ve definitely read a couple books lately where I’ve had to silence that part of me that constantly questions plausibility and just let myself get carried through on entertainment value alone. The minute I start asking too many questions, the story falls apart. Sounds like this was that kind of story for you Kim, but I’m glad it was a solid enough read:)
kimbacaffeinate
It was a fun suspenseful read overall Jenny, but yes I know exactly what you mean.
Faye
I think all mysteries (and mystery thrillers) should strive to make the readers guessing and on their toes, and if those book was able to successfully do that with you, then I think it did its job 😉 You know, it’s weird – I know teen girls are really whiny (our generation now is bordering to hopeless if you believe the internet hahaha), but I always keep them to a certain standard in books. I want them not to be flawless but not to be ridiculous and whiny either. I certainly understand why you would be annoyed!
kimbacaffeinate
I do love it when the author keeps me guessing for as long as possible. Thanks Faye.
Melliane
The story sounds interesting with the questions and all but with your problems I wonder if I would have enjoyed it… I think it would have annoyed me a lot too, mainly about the credibility of the events. Not sure I’ll try this one.
kimbacaffeinate
Despite those issues, I totally enjoyed this Melliane.