This was quite a good book. It was such an intriguing concept that I found myself pushing through to see how the story unfolded. There were times when it got a bit … draggy but it was definitely worth it. One thing that I noticed is that the focus on the main character shifts. In the beginning, my attention was solely on Cal but soon it shifted to other characters. It was only then that I realized that I didn’t really KNOW the character of Cal; Cal was simply a narrator who took part in the events. That was a bit disappointing to me because I would have liked him to play a stronger role and be better at solving the mystery. But at the end of the day, everything was explained to a satisfactory level. As I mentioned before, this was a good novel. It didn’t blow my socks off but I would still give it a solid 3/5 stars (which, from me, is definitely a good thing). ( )

I have to confess, I had high hopes for this book. The premise is fascinating: a mother shoots two of her three children, a visiting friend of her children, her husband and then herself. One child survives untouched physically but emotionally scarred. The visiting friend survives the shooting.

Fast forward twenty five years. The visiting friend, Scottie, shows up at Cal (the surviving child's) office. Cal is now a successful psychologist in Washington D.C. Scottie is odd – a result of surviving the serious shooting, incurring severe physical, mental and emotional damage but with a burning desire to understand more fully what happened the night he was shot.

From here on out, the flaws made themselves known. Cal, who went through this tragedy, is oddly emotionally vacant. At most, he starts having these weird little blackouts. He's a psychologist and he hasn't gone through serious psychotherapy? Well, he does have a counselor/friend who he calls on informally to talk him off the proverbial ledge from time to time.

Scottie? Too weird to stay at home. Too weird to stay with Cal. But not too weird to dump at his counselor/friends house with barely and introduction. And so it goes as they try to unravel the mystery of what happened.

At some point, about ¾ of the way through the book, the whole thing turns into a sloppy mess. Quick wind ups of some things, lots left unexplained and this is the first book in what is going to be a series of mysteries? Thrillers? All involving Cal and....his counselor? Scottie? I stuck with it but after a pretty solid run on some good books, I was left wanting. ( )

This is a psychological thriller featuring a psychologist! Cal Henderson leads a simple life treating those who need his help with little fanfare or drama. However, near the 25th anniversary of his family’s death, the only survivor of that massacre, childhood buddy Scottie, drops into his office complete with disguise. From there the action commences and accelerates as they work together to find out the horrible truth as to what really happened that night. Fortunately, they did not have to work alone – a rogue FBI agent lent them some help, making it even more interesting. I am hoping that there will be more in this series as Cal, Scottie and FBI Jamie are compelling characters, especially when they work together! ( )

The beginning of the book started out good. I was very intrigued by the tragic night and Cal and his best friend, Scottie's survival. Just like them I wanted to learn the truth about that fatal night. I kept reading along with a semi-interest. My intrigue from before had quickly disappeared. Yet, I kept reading as I wanted to learn the truth. However, there seemed something off about Scottie and other truths as Cal went looking. It frustrated me that Cal hardly reacted to anything, even when he sensed things were not right. Eventually he did start to show emotion but by than I was so over this book at chapter 22. Plus, the story was very monotone. ( )