My rating: 4 of 5 stars
HARDCOVER BOOK - 1455559520 / 9781455559527
ELECTRONIC BOOK - 1455559512 / 9781455559510
Available in the U.S. March 6, 2018.
WHO IS NOLA BROWN?
Nola is a mystery
Nola is trouble.
And Nola is supposed to be dead.
Her body was found on a plane that mysteriously fell from the sky as it left a secret military base in the Alaskan wilderness. Her commanding officer verifies she's dead. The US government confirms it. But Jim "Zig" Zigarowski has just found out the truth: Nola is still alive. And on the run.
Zig works at Dover Air Force Base, helping put to rest the bodies of those who die on top-secret missions. Nola was a childhood friend of Zig's daughter and someone who once saved his daughter's life. So when Zig realizes Nola is still alive, he's determined to find her. Yet as Zig digs into Nola's past, he learns that trouble follows Nola everywhere she goes.
Nola is the U.S. Army's artist-in-residence-a painter and trained soldier who rushes into battle, making art from war's aftermath and sharing observations about today's wars that would otherwise go overlooked. On her last mission, Nola saw something nobody was supposed to see, earning her an enemy unlike any other, one who will do whatever it takes to keep Nola quiet.
Together, Nola and Zig will either reveal a sleight of hand being played at the highest levels of power or die trying to uncover the US Army's most mysterious secret-a centuries-old conspiracy that traces back through history to the greatest escape artist of all: Harry Houdini.
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Who is Nora Brown? Who is this woman that is killed when an airplane crashed? I have to admit that I did not read the blurb before I read the book which meant that I did not know much about the plot. Which when I now know what the blurb reveals makes me very glad. I liked being surprised, I like starting a book knowing next to nothing about a book. That's also what I try to do when I write reviews, trying to explain how good a book is without giving away too much. That's why thrillers are the hardest reviews to write. Because you know spoilers...
However, I will say this about this book, Jim "Zig" Zigarowski is the most unlikely, but likable hero I have read about in a while. Zig is a mortician, works at Dover Air Force Base and he realizes that the body of Nora Brown is someone he knows. A child that knew his daughter Maggie when she was little and still alive. And, he feels a responsibility for Nora, who once saves Maggie's life, one this the last stop of her journey. But, whiles preparing her does he make a startling discovery, that's not Nora...
The Escape Artist is a thrilling and well-written mystery novel about a young woman that is supposed to be dead, but turns out to be very much alive. Alive and kicking and looking for answers. I found the book to be engrossing to read and I liked the team of Zig and Nora, a very unlikely team. However, that's probably why I liked them both so much. It's a great book that I recommend warmly.
I want to thank Grand Central Publishing for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!
The Escape Artist by Brad Meltzer
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Brad Meltzer is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Inner Circle, The Book of Fate, and seven other bestselling thrillers. In addition to his fiction, Brad is one of the only authors to ever have books on the bestseller list for nonfiction (History Decoded), advice (Heroes for My Son and Heroes for My Daughter), children's books (I Am Amelia Earhart and I Am Abraham Lincoln) and even graphic books (Justice League of America). He is also the host of Brad Meltzer's Decoded on the History Channel, and Brad Meltzer's Lost History on H2. He currently lives in Florida. You can find much more about him at BradMeltzer.com. You can also see what he's doing right now at Facebook.com/BradMeltzer and on Twitter @bradmeltzer.
WEBSITE: http://bradmeltzer.com
FACEBOOK: @BradMeltzer
TWITTER: @bradmeltzer
INSTAGRAM: @bradmeltzer
PRAISE FOR BRAD MELTZER:
"This novel is like a launched torpedo slashing through 400 pages of deep water before reaching impact. Enjoy one of the best thriller rides ever."
---David Baldacci
"THE ESCAPE ARTIST has a magic trick up its sleeve. Part Lisbeth Salander, part Homeland's Carrie Mathison. One of the most memorable characters I've read in years. Look out--Nola's coming. This is Meltzer in peak form."
---Lisa Scottoline
"Brad Meltzer has done it again! THE ESCAPE ARTIST is an exciting, cutting-edge thriller you will not be able to put down. If you love twists, tension, and tons of amazing characters, treat yourself to this gripping tale by one of the absolute best in the business."
---Brad Thor
"Meltzer is a master and this is his best. Not since The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo have you seen a character like this. Get ready to meet Nola. If you've never tried Meltzer, this is the one."
---Harlan Coben
"THE ESCAPE ARTIST is a slingshot of a novel. Brad Meltzer expertly pulls it back and lets it go, propelling the unlikeliest of heroes forward in a high stakes, high tension thriller that never lets you catch your breath. My advice: Buckle up!"
---Michael Connelly
"Stellar...With its remarkable plot and complex characters, this page-turner not only entertains but also provides a fascinating glimpse into American history."
---Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“"Meltzer has based his literary career on conspiracy-themed stories, and he's very good at them. In Nola and Zig, too, he's created two of his most compellingly fresh characters. Nola, in particular, represents a high point in the author's career: a strong, resourceful, mysterious female lead who could go toe-to-toe with Jack Reacher, Bob Lee Swagger, and the other guys. First of a new series, according to the publisher, and that's just fine."
---Booklist
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