A Psychological Thriller by D. L. Fisher
Married life is challenging for Gabby and Greg Rizzo, caught up in past mistakes (or so they think) and unable to communicate and connect as well as they used to. Gabby is acting strange, constantly tired and no longer looking after herself; Greg is full of resentment and with his mind elsewhere. That is why getting away for a few days, accompanying their ‘enfant prodige’ son Cameron to an inter-state baseball tournament, seems ideal. Hopefully they’ll be able to rekindle the spark in their marriage and continue living a happy life together.
Their hopes come crushing down when their son mysteriously disappears from his hotel bed the night before his first match. The dreamy, four-star resort they are staying in, chosen by Gabby’s ubiquitous best friend and neighbour Susie, suddenly turns into a nightmare where nobody can be trusted and everybody seems to have something to hide (spoiler alert: they do). As dark secrets and even darker truths come to the surface, a double homicide committed hundreds of miles away and apparently connected with Cameron’s disappearance threatens to definitively shatter Gabby and Greg’s life. Will Cameron be found in the end? But also: will all of our protagonists make it out alive?
The web of actions, reactions, lies and deceit D.L. Fisher has managed to build within her story is nothing but outstanding. Don’t be tricked by the slow start – I myself wondered if there was more to this tale than a mother in distress and a marriage on the rocks – this book will draw you in page, after page, after page, until the explosive, completely unexpected – and honestly quite shocking, but in a good way – finale.
Fisher’s writing is flawless and appears effortless; opting for alternating points of view between Gabby and Greg (first person narration), with excerpts of Gabby’s diaries thrown in the mix for context, was a winning choice.
The verdict: if I was told this book was traditionally published, I would actually believe it. I know I would buy it just by looking at the cover and reading the synopsis (which I would not encourage anyone to do, always read at least a few pages before making a decision). A compelling yet easy read, well written and impeccably edited. Chapeau, D.L. Fisher. We cannot wait to read more.
‘Win, Lose Or Die’ is available for purchase at: https://amzn.to/47NDiRr
