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Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780062936196 |
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| Publisher: | HarperCollins Publishers |
| Publication date: | 02/18/2020 |
| Sold by: | HARPERCOLLINS |
| Format: | NOOK Book |
| Pages: | 320 |
| Sales rank: | 144 |
| File size: | 3 MB |
About the Author
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
No Bad Deed: A Novel
4.4 out of 5
based on
0 ratings.
19 reviews.
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4 out of 5 stars
I would like to thank NetGalley and William Morrow for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Veterinarian Cassie Larkin is driving home from work one night when she sees a man assaulting a woman on the side of the road. Feeling like she has no choice but to help Cassie pulls over, gets out of her car and tries to help the woman. When the man sees her he tells her to go away. That he has no plans to hurt her but Cassie does all she can to stop him, including calling the police and getting closer. When the man escapes he takes her van. She knows that he now has her address and the keys to her home.
The next day happens to be Halloween and when Cassie's husband Sam disappears as he is taking her daughter Audrey trick or treating Cassie knows she must do everything she can to find her husband even if it puts her life in jeopardy.
Heather Chavez has written a fast paced mystery that keeps you interested until the last moment when it all comes to a head, revealing a shocking twist.
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Cassie Larkin is driving home from her veterinary office when she sees a man and woman fighting on the side of the road. She calls 911, and then gets out of her minivan and chases after the man, trying to help the victim. When Cassie physically tries to stop him, he turns on her and threatens “Let her die, and I’ll let you live.” Cassie can't let her die and he escapes in Cassie's minivan. Now he has her name, address, the names of her husband and children, all of her personal information. The next day is Halloween, and Cassie's husband disappears while trick-or-treating with their six-year-old daughter. Are these disturbing events a coincidence or the beginning of a horrifying nightmare?
I loved this book. It was one of those that I couldn't put down because I needed to keep going to find out what happened next. It was a roller coaster ride from start to finish. Definitely a must read for all suspense lovers.
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It was immediately engaging from the first chapter! Cassie saves a woman from a violent attacker and suddenly her life starts falling apart. Coincidence or has she become a target. All the characters seem to be unreliable and I wasn’t sure who was legit and who could be trusted.
The book was fast paced and full of red herrings. It was suspenseful and had me completely engrossed. All my theories were blown and I was surprised at the final reveal. I love thrillers that can completely puzzle me! This was so good!! Highly recommend!
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When veterinarian Cassie Larkin heads home after a long day at her clinic, she passes a vicious assault against a woman on the side of the road. After she calls 911, she tries to protect the already injured woman by fighting the man. He speaks to her but she does not understand his comments. Then he breaks away and steals her car with her keys and ID inside. Later on this long evening, she identifies him as Carver Sweet, a violent criminal with past offenses against women.
The next night is Halloween and Cassie’s husband Sam takes their young daughter trick or treating. He disappears leaving the little girl to be rescued by neighbors. Cassie worries that Carver may be involved. Not totally trusting the police, she now tries to protect her daughter and teenage son while searching for Sam. What follows is one of the twistiest domestic thrillers I have read. False clues, things not as they first seem, odd characters, chases, and a plot that careens to a wild ending make No Bad Deed absolutely unputdownable!
No Bad Deed is Heather Chavez’ debut novel and, wow, what a debut it is! Somehow she manages to make things that don’t seem possible in a real life situation not only real but completely engrossing. I can’t wait to see what her talent turns out next. A definite 5 stars.
Thanks to NetGalley, Harper Collins Publishers and Heather Chavez for this ARC.
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Kudos to Heather Chavez on a great debut novel! I was grabbed from the very start and found this book to be captivating and very thrilling. I had to put it down to attend to real life and all I could think about was when I was going to get to sit down and read again to finish!!
The only qualms I had was at right about the 75% point, the story turned very unbelievable to me with the main character tracking down a convicted pedophile, but even with that and the rest of the book being a stretch (although some parts can/have happened in real life), it was highly entertaining.
Looking for a good domestic-type thriller? This is it!
Thank you to Netgalley for approving this free arc for an honest review.
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Buckle your seatbelts folks, this is one wild ride! “No Bad Deed” is a twisty, suspenseful thriller and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.. Cassie tries to intervene in what appears to be a brutal assault, and that one decision upends her life in this absolutely thrilling debut novel. Great characters, a hero to root for, intricate plot that just keeps unwinding and throws the reader in so many directions you’ll be dizzy. Just a great overall read, 5 emphatic stars. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through @NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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Driving home from her veterinary clinic, Cassie sees a man and woman fighting on the side of the road. She calls 911 but also gets out of her vehicle. Things go bad, and the man escapes with her vehicle and purse - he now has her name, address, and information about husband and kids. Then Cassies husband disappears.
No Bad Deed has a strong opening followed by a slow burn mystery. The plot is far more intricate than it initially appears. Cassie is different than what we often see in women characters, which is an interesting change. What I've said is rather vague, but I don't want to give anything that would be a spoiler. I'd recommend No Bad Deed for fans of suspense.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC. The opinions in this review are honest and my own.
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This book took hold of me from the beginning and did not let go until the very end. I read this in one day because I simply could not put it down. I really liked the main character and disliked almost everyone else because no one can be trusted. The atmosphere of the book was constantly eerie. You had no idea what was happening only that it was bad and getting worse with everything the main character uncovered. It really played out in my head like a movie. So many lies and betrayals.
I would highly recommend this book.
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Thank you to Harper Collins for gifting an Ebook copy if this book for review.
This is an impressive debut thriller! The pacing was perfect for the number of twists and surprises that this book held. Just when you think you have it all figured out, something changes, then new clues emerge, you have a new suspect in mind, then sometimes realize you were right to begin with. If that seemed like a jumbled explanation, wait until you get on this roller coaster! I believe the author handled every additional detail, clue, and event, with precision.
This is a family drama-thriller-suspense. We quickly turn the pages to follow the trail as a woman races against time and an unknown, twisted opponent to save the lives of her family.
I literally could not turn the pages fast enough; I enjoyed this book from start to about 80%. To be honest, the ending felt a little less exciting. We go from running through the story and literally holding my breath while reading certain parts, to complete calm without much transition. That being said, I am still a big fan of this book! It’s been a while since I’ve had to remind myself to take breaths while reading. Thank you for that! I’m rating this book 4.5 stars!
Heather Chavez knows how to spin a mystery thriller! Highly recommend!
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NO BAD DEED by Heather Chavez is an action packed thriller. The story mainly takes place in Santa Rosa, California. The protagonist, Cassie Larkin is on her way home from work when she sees a man and woman fighting on the side of the road. After calling 911, Cassie decides to try to help the woman. The attacker takes off in Cassie’s vehicle with her purse so he now knows who she is and where she lives. This leads to a very twisted and suspenseful few days for Cassie and her family and friends.
Cassie is definitely a compelling character that a reader can root for. She had very distinct flaws and virtues. But her goals were clear and her motivations seemed believable, with well-drawn and appropriate emotions. The secondary characters were less developed but still enhanced the story. There are several themes explored in the book including family, friendship, murder, child abuse, marriage fidelity, domestic violence and much more.
The prose was well-written, engrossing, absorbing, and vividly descriptive. The plot was suspenseful, clever, shocking, intense and riveting. The ending was dramatic and made me pause, reflect, and contemplate
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Overall, I was drawn into the book with the first paragraph and I was fully engaged in this tangled crime thriller.
This was a fantastic debut novel by an author I hope releases another book soon. If you like thrillers with lots of twists, turns and action, you may enjoy this book as much as I did.
Thanks to HarperCollins Publishers – William Morrow and Heather Chavez for an ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
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4.5 thrilling stars/5!!
I am very impressed with No Bad Deed as being a debut suspense/thriller book. This was a fast-paced, heart pounding and an addictive reading experience for me. The story was so cleverly plotted that I could never figure out what was really going on and how the author will resolve the twisted line of events that she has weaved throughout the book. There was a lot of characters to follow and many events to keep track of, however in the end it was all worth it. I loved the ending, and yes, it was all a little far-fetched but this is what makes this book so gripping and exciting.
While reading this book I kept thinking about another book, or rather a series of books, the Stillhouse Lake series written by Rachel Caine. The main character, Cassie, reminded me so much of Gwen Proctor, and her relentless quest to keep her children safe and sound. Cassie is a strong and resourceful character that will stop at nothing to keep her kids safe and get her husband back home alive. She quickly became my personal, fictional hero, even though I found her a little reckless and naive at times.
I highly recommend this book to anyone that is looking for a fast-paced, action packed thriller that will keep the reader guessing till the final pages.
Thank you NetGalley, William Morrow publisher, and the author for providing me with an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
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“If my kids had been with me, it wouldn’t have happened. I would have stayed in the minivan, doors locked, windows rolled up. Just like the 911 operator instructed.” Instead Cassie confronts a knife-wielding assassin, who warns her, “Let her die, and I’ll let you live.” When the man races up and steals her van with her purse and personal information, Cassie worries about his threat—not just to herself but also to her family. And so the propulsive new thriller, No Bad Deed, begins.
The wild whipsaw twists in No Bad Deed just keep coming fast and furiously. The police identify the man based on Cassie’s description. However, before they find him, Cassie’s husband, Sam, goes missing while trick or treating the next evening after leaving their six-year-old Audrey with an acquaintance. Is the assassin carrying out his threat? Or has Sam finally had enough of his and Cassie’s constant arguing? After all, his last words to Cassie were, “We need to talk.”
Prepare to stay up late or call in sick after you begin reading this so-compelling-you-literally-cannot-stop-reading-it psychological thriller! 5 seriously sleepy stars!
Thanks to William Morrow and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.
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No Bad Deed is a psychological thriller that will have you guessing until the end!
Cassie witnesses a brutal attack on the side of the road, a man beating a woman. Going against her better judgment, she intervenes and puts herself and her family at risk. The woman survives but Cassie’s life starts to unravel. Her husband disappears shortly after and Cassie frantically searches for him. How well does she know her husband? Lies, betrayals and secrets… who is telling the truth?
No Bad Deed is a cleverly crafted psychological thriller. It was easy to read and a tough one to put down. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves psychological thrillers.
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This book was phenomenal. From the very first paragraph to the last, the reader is swept up in a wild, twisting narrative, formed by one woman's trust and resolve in family and in herself. This is one of those fabulously enticing thrillers that ties into itself and details from the beginning make their way through to the end, showcasing the authors foresight and completeness of thought in the writing. The reader will find themselves trying to connect the dots of the story through past clues of prior chapters, which naturally connects the reader to the main characters in an exciting way. You actually WANT the characters, all the good ones, to win . . . BUT who are the "good" characters? IT IS NOT ALWAYS CLEAR! The writing style itself is incredibly well-done, the dialogue and narration fits the tone and is well-crafted to bring personality to the characters. The heroine (and I would definitely call the mother that is the subject of this story, a heroine, WOW!) is akin to those of Austen and Rowling, her personality is relatable, you understand her motives, her backstory fits perfectly with what she deals with in the story. An unbelievable thriller that literally made me gasp, curse, and cry out-loud. Highly recommend.
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No Bad Deed is a twisty page turner that I simply couldn’t put down. The plot twists continually took me off guard and had me second guessing what I thought I knew. Though there is very little to connect the reader to Sam, Cassie’s husband, as he is only spoken of and is on the scene very little, the remaining cast of characters is host to several relatable and often times likable people. I especially loved Cassie’s father, though he isn’t the most likely to receive a “Father of the Year” award anytime soon. He also delivers some of the best of those plot twists I mentioned earlier. The setting is very down played in this novel, as for the better part of the book I didn’t even realize it was set in or near the Napa valley. This wasn’t a deal breaker for me as I didn’t feel a better sense of setting would have added anything extra to the story line. This novel is about that heart pounding suspense and not the author’s details of the wine country.
I will say that the only issue I had in what would have otherwise been a perfect book, was the small issue with how realistic one certain part of the plot is. The story centers around Cassie and what she believes to be true about her husband, who she learns has been accused of sleeping with a student of his. In the novel, he was suspended from his job and hasn’t been to work in several weeks but she isn’t aware of any of this. WTF?? How would she not have known this? What town would this not have been all over the news or at the very least the topic of TONS of town gossip? The author tries to explain this away by leading us to believe that Cassie has been very distant from family life and working long hours at the vet clinic. Ok, very believable. Vets have long hours. But no one coming into the vet acted differently? Her friends didn’t hear and warn her? Her own son, a student at the same school her husband works at kept his secret and didn’t tell his mom? I just can’t get past this and think that this could have happened in this way. My mind kept dwelling on this throughout the book which stopped me from giving it the 5 stars I wish I could have given.
Thank you to the publisher for providing an advanced copy of the book given in exchange for an honest review.
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I seem to be in the minority with my opinion of No Bad Deed so maybe it’s just me. But I found much about this book that left me unsatisfied. A number of authors I like and respect provided favorable advance reviews and the premise was very interesting, so I was looking forward to a fast-paced read with some twists and turns and a lot of action. I attributed some of the early gaps in logic to a debut author, and some clever phrasing like, “I had spent so much time with the police lately I wondered if I should whip up some friendship bracelets,” relieved the tension of the story and showed promise as a writer, balancing out the deficiencies a bit. However, I soon came to feel that if there were many more fortuitous links or connections and the story got much more complicated I would need to draw a chart to keep track of everything. This wasn’t six degrees of separation but more like one degree, where everybody knows the next person who knows the next person who knows the next person who has done or seen or heard or been to the very thing or place that conveniently provides the perfect answer or piece of the puzzle Cassie needs. It didn’t feel like Cassie was necessarily so clever or resourceful or brave but more like when author Chavez had written herself into a corner she just wrote herself a door so Cassie could walk out. And the bad temper she had as a child seems to have made her into some kind of invincible superhero at this point in her life.
Despite the flaws, I was still invested in the story – new author, maybe unstructured and undisciplined and trying a little too hard, but the mystery of who was pulling the strings had me turning pages. Until the last 50 pages of so, that is. It seemed as if someone else had taken over. The writing was dismal, like bad fan fiction or the author had no idea how to wrap things up and threw in every possible scenario. I would not have finished reading the book if I hadn’t been so curious about what Sam was really up to and if he would survive. Turns out that by the end I didn’t really care anyway.
Thanks to LibraryThing and William Morrow Books for providing an advance copy for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
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saved this book to read on vacation. It did not disappoint. I was raised to help someone who was in trouble. Cassie, a veterinarian, was on her way home one night. She stopped to help someone on the side of the road. Thus starts this fast-paced novel and the consequences of stopping to help someone. The author delivers just enough hints to keep the reader reading. Fast paced! Look forward to reading another Heather Chavez novel. Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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If you are looking for a solid, fast-paced thriller, you might want to check this one out. It's one of those books that is fun to read because you aren't entirely sure what's going to happen next and so you just sit back and enjoy the show. My only real criticism is it gets a tad bit confusing near the end but overall this was a good read.
Driving home one night, veterinarian Cassie Larkin sees a woman and man fighting on the side of the road. She calls 911, but against better judgment, she gets out of the car hoping she can stop the violent man from attacking the woman. The man escapes before the police arrive and steals Cassie's car which of course has her purse with identifying information. Great, now he knows where she lives. The next day Cassie's husband disappears while trick-or-treating with their daughter. What is going on and is it connected to that man who was attacking the woman? Cassie is going to have to dig for the truth, but is she going to like what she finds out? Oh and because this is a thriller there is a high probability her life is in danger. Buckle up folks for this crazy ride!
This is an action packed novel and that is by far the strength as it was one thing after another to hold your interest. While I wouldn't say Cassie is my favorite lead character of all time, I at least felt invested enough in wanting to find out what was going to happen to her and her family.
One reason this wasn't a 5 star read for me is there were many characters in this book and eventually it became difficult to keep track of everyone. When you are near the end of a book and you are confused about who is who in regards to some of the characters, that's not a good thing. Also, at times while reading I did want to question whether or not something was entirely realistic. However, this book is meant to be more of a fun, popcorn eating type thriller so I figured it was best to just go with the flow and not analyze it to death.
Overall, I recommend this book if you are looking for a decent thriller that explores the subject of what a person might be willing to do in order to protect their family.
Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins for providing me with an advance digital copy in exchange for an honest review!
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Driving home after another late night at the veterinary clinic, Cassie Larkin spots a man and woman fighting on the side of the road. She dials 911 and plans to wait for help to arrive but when she realizes the woman's life is in danger she leaves the safety of her car to help. The man, a known criminal named Carver Sweet, issues her a threat before stealing her car with her purse and all of her personal information inside. With assurance of her safety from the police, she returns home to her family where ongoing tensions with her husband leave her feeling uncertain of their relationship. When her husband disappears the next night, while trick or treating with their daughter, Cassie can't help but think Carver is behind it. Conflicting information about her husband’s disappearance leaves Cassie searching for answers but what she discovers may place her family as a killer’s next target.
No Bad Deed is a thrilling new mystery novel from debut author Heather Chavez. I never know quite what to expect with debut novels but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised with this one. The story begins with Cassie, a veterinarian, whose overtime at work is causing family tension especially with her husband Sam. Cassie feels as if their relationship is on the verge of falling apart but she is in denial that he would leave her and the kids. After she engages in a life or death situation with a known criminal, a series of events, that appears to be unrelated, place Cassie and her family in danger. She has to discover the truth about her husband’s disappearance and piece together a puzzle that will tie her past to her present. This was one of the better thrillers I have read in quite a while and I will definitely be adding this author to my watch list for upcoming novels. The characters were relatable, the writing was engaging, and the plot was entertaining and compelling...I ended up finishing this in an afternoon.
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