The Dark Tide

by: Andrew Gross

Published by: Harper Collins Publishers

Reviewed by Caryn St. Clair

Charles Friedman had his entire day planned out when he remembered that his car was due for servicing. Because of this, he did not drive into the city as was his custom, but rather he took the train. Unfortunately, on that very morning terrorists bombed that very train.

On the very same morning, a young man, A J Raymond, was the victim of a hit-and-run accident. In Raymond’s pocket was a Post-it Note with Charles Friedman’s name and cell phone number. That slip of paper brought Ty Hauck, the investigating officer, to the Friedman home for the first time.

While it was hard for Karen Friedman and her children at first, but within a few months, life began to return to normal. Normal that is until two men claiming to be auditors hired by Charles’s investors show up implying that quite a large sum of money was missing from Charles’s business. Karen is suddenly afraid for the children and her safety and turns to Hauck for help. After making a startling discovery on the anniversary of the bombing, Karen realizes that there was much about Charles that she did not know.

Although Gross has coauthored several novels with James Patterson, this is his second novel written alone. It’s a great debut. Although readers may guess some of the twists to the plot before they happen, enough surprises happen along the way to keep the reader turning the pages. What starts as a bombing and a hit and run leads to a complex tale of international financial fraud with the consequences spanning out far beyond Greenwich, Connecticut.

I have but two minor quibbles with the book. Some of the actions of various characters are perhaps a bit unrealistic, and some of the dialog between the two people (who constantly call each other by name) is awkward. Overall, however, Gross has woven together a first-rate thriller leaving readers to wonder: “What do you really know about your neighbors, or even your own spouse?”

Armchair Interviews says: Outstanding thriller.

Author’s Website: http://www.AndrewGrossBooks.com