I usually enjoy reading books that feature areas I know well. In this case, Morro Bay and the surrounding area. There are some mistakes or odd terms in this one, however:

* On the book flap Morro Bay is called Morrow Bay. (should be Morro Bay)

* Inside the book the rock is called Morro Bay Rock. (should be Morro Rock)

* Book flap and elsewhere says the boy jumped off a cliff. Morro Rock is not a cliff.

* Although the time period is contemporary - early 21st century - the city of Santa Maria is said to have 10,000 citizens, when in fact it has over 100,000. Other references are similarly out of sync, including references to a tourist stand by the rock. There is no tourist stand there, probably hasn't been for at least 30 years.

My guess is that 1) the author last visited this area in the 1970s, when his real nephew did jump from the rock; and 2) the persons writing the blurbs didn't actually read the book or check geographical references.

Errors like these bother me. It wouldn't be that hard to get up-to-date accurate information.

As to the story. Jay Erlich flies to California to help his older brother Charlie after his brother's son is found dead at the base of Morro Rock, a presumed suicide. Certain things don't quite click for Erlich, a busy surgeon, and he stays in the area, putting off appointments or finding replacements to do his work, and distressing his wife.

It comes to light that Charlie, in his younger days, was acquainted with a charismatic cult leader on the order of Charlie Manson. In fact, his story is pretty much Charlie Manson moved to the central coast. While this man is still in prison Jay begins to wonder if he has power still to manipulate people on the outside.

The plot is strange indeed, and for me far from believable. ( )

Eyes Wide Open is a good read despite the fact that I kept having flashbacks to the similarities between the story and the Charles Manson case. The differences in brothers, Jay's and Charlie's, lives made for an interesting basis for the story and Jay's willingness to get involved to help Charlie eventually bridged that gap. I find it difficult to write at length about a mystery thriller without giving away too much information so read this novel with your eyes wide open. ( )

The Author Andrew Gross seems to have a gift when it comes to writing suspense. Although I figured out the basic plot early on, the events leading up to it kept me guessing. This was a well developed story that messed with my mind and made me think as the characters were introduced and the plot was revealed. I really enjoyed the character shifts that took place, mainly the development of Detective Don Sherwood's larger role in the story.

Overall, this was a well written story that I would recommend for fans of psychological thrillers. ( )

Watch out who you run around with. They may seem like your friends but WATCH OUT. They may be using you for their own benefit.

Charlie likes to party a lot. His father does the same. They hang out with a group of people who are not very likable. They all get into trouble. Charlie calls the police and most of them go to jail. Some have 20 years sentences, others get 15 year sentences. The head of the group receives a life sentence.

Many years later, suicides are happening around town. Are these REALLY suicides or are people in the group coming back and planning revenge? How can this be when the head of the group is in jail?

The prologue of this book is full of suspense. It starts to drag after that. And then the suspense picks up about towards the end. It could have a sequel but not sure if Gross intends to write it.

Andrew Gross co-authors with James Patterson. This is the first book I've read of his where he is only author. ( )

Well written. Reasonably smooth read. Story had some unpredicted twists. Overall a very solid book. Worth a read. ( )