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(AP) - "The October List" (Grand Central Publishing), by Jeffery Deaver
A story told backward has been done in film and print, but Jeffery Deaver gives it his own unique spin in "The October List."
A 6-year-old girl named Sarah has been kidnapped and her mother, Gabriela, has been given a deadline. Not only must she pay a huge ransom, but she must also deliver a mysterious document called the October List.
Gabriela has no idea what she's been asked to find, so she reaches out to Daniel Reardon, an expert in hostile situations. The doorbell rings and the situation spirals out of control.
Since the novel is told in reverse order, the first chapter of the story also ends the tale. As the story goes backward in time, the scope of the conspiracy unfolds. When the last/first page is turned, the complete picture will shock the reader. (The next step is to go back through the story and see how everything fits.)
Don't skip ahead to the beginning and spoil the fun that's guaranteed for anyone interested in a thriller that forces readers to use their brains in a creative way.
Deaver is a master of manipulation and "The October List" is a small but powerful book.
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