The Killing Game: A tense, gripping thriller you DON'T want to miss

I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't this. But this was quite good. It flowed well. Was fast paced. It even offered a little depth with a critique of humanity and a reminder of the important things in life. It was like an action book crossed with a something more ... literary? That's not quite right, but it is hard to put a finger on it. Suffice to say that I liked it.

J J Johnson is a publicist .. she's worked so long and so hard to become a success. Now she can make or break careers of the rich and famous. Meeting a client at a very exclusive restaurant, she's pleased to see several famous people she either loves or hates. But her life, as she knows it, is about to change. He walks into the restaurant wearing fatigues, a face mask, a bomb jacket and carrying a really large assault rifle. He knows almost everyone in the restaurant .. who they are.. how much money they have ... But it becomes clear that money is not what he wants. This is a super-thriller filled with twists and turns and surprises that make you gasp. It is very well written. The characters are sharply drawn; kudos to the author for having characters that I absolutely did not like. My opinion wavered back and forth the more I read. There were times I felt more empathy for the bomber than for the others. Lots of lives will be taken..most for the only reason that the bomber wanted them dead. A secondary story weaves in and out of the action inside the restaurant. One young man has hidden in the men's room ... the bomber does not know he's there. There are reporters who have no problem paying for 'exclusive' information. The cops have zipped lips ... at least most of them do. Who is he? What does he want? And what is his connection to two of the diners? I stayed riveted through the entire book. The ending was 'explosive' and though I could guess the ending, it still took me by moment of surprise. Highly recommended to anyone who likes a really good thriller! Many thanks to the author / Bookouture / Netgalley who provided a digital copy. All opinions are my own.

Great writing as usual but a bit too casual and blasé about death. Original plot though!