Review: They Won't Be Hurt by Kevin O'Brien

Print Length pages: 544 pages 

Publisher: Pinnacle (July 31st, 2018)

From Goodreads.com: Never take a killer at his word . . . 

ONCE YOU LET THEM IN
The lights are on at the Singleton vacation home on Lopez Island, Washington, illuminating the horror within. Scott Singleton, former NFL star turned television evangelist, lies dead. The bodies of his wife and four of their five children are found on the second floor, bound, gagged, and stabbed repeatedly. The oldest daughter was shot in her boyfriend’s car. And the police’s main suspect—the property caretaker—has disappeared.
 
THEY WILL NEVER
In her secluded vineyard home two hours away, Laura Gretchell is on edge. Her husband is out of town on business, and the children are understandably shaken. Laura tries to tell herself there’s no reason to fear. Then the door handle rattles, and the real terror begins.
 
LET YOU GO
They’re in her house, holding her children hostage, and Laura has only one option: do exactly what the intruders say. But as Laura races to find the information they seek, she realizes that the enemies within her own home are only part of the nightmare. Because someone wants to keep the truth hidden at any cost, no matter how many more must die . . .

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My Rating: 3 stars out of 5

This book started off really strong, so nuch so that I was convinced I had a 5 star read on my hands, but then things just ..... fell apart. Laura acts and reacts in a way that I could never imagine a mother as doing, not even under the duress she was in. As a mother myself, I could not imagine behaving nor speaking in the manner that she does. 

I will say that this story is full of the unexpected, there were times when I was surprised at the direction the author took when I was so sure the book was heading in a different direction entirely. There was also a lot to this book that I felt could have been condensed or left out altogether - something that I feel would have helped with the flow of the story making it less repetitive, and also that would have helped keep and hold the readers interest. Unlike other books I have read in this genre, I found this one easy to set down and come back to at a later time. 

I do believe this story may appeal to fans of psychological thrillers, and I would read more from this author, however this particular story was just not for me.

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

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                           They Won't Be Hurt is available from Amazon.com