NO EXIT a gripping thriller full of heart-stopping twists

Product Information

I was immediately hooked by the beginning of this story, and if this book is nothing else, it is certainly a page-turner! With her senses on full alert, Darby decides to gather her thoughts by getting some fresh air in the parking lot. This book kind of gave me the same anxiety I felt with The Cabin at the End of the World, one of my favorites of the year. I identified with her from the start, she cares about others-but she hates to get involved, you know? Darby is a college student and she just got word that her mom, who she hasn't always gotten along the best with, is sick with cancer.

Despite the perfect plot the author totally lost the opportunity in writing a convincing gripping thriller. Her Honda Civic is struggling to get through the snow, her phone battery's nearly dead, and she's left with no choice - she has to stop at the next rest stop and wait out the storm. There's violence, cussing, abuse (both child and adult), guns and more and it is like that throughout the whole novel. Seeing other vehicles in the lot, Darby realizes she isn't the only traveler waylaid by the dangerous weather.A plot thrilling enough to conjure up those things that often accompany a notable suspense flick—I’m talking perching rigidly on the edge of my seat, I won’t dare look away, as I mindlessly shovel handfuls of popcorn from bucket to mouth. She also meets Ashley, a young and charming if not arrogant man and Lars, a creep ball and mouth breather. Her mobile phone had zero reception, its battery reached almost zero percent, and she forgot to take the mobile charger. The time she dreamt that her throat closed up in seventh grade Social Studies class and she vomited a three-inch maggot, pale and bloated, writhing on her desk? It's quite a motley crew to pass the time with, especially when there's no real entertainment save endless card games.

I can't get into any level of detail as to the culprit of the kidnapping - it's definitely spoiler territory. With road closures, no cellphone reception, and dwindling battery life there is literally no exit until dawn.right from the beginning, the reader is made aware of who kidnapped the girl, so the story becomes more about escaping and survival, rather than figuring out who the bad guy is. Darby is desperately trying to contact her sister and police in hopes that they can help them get out. I mean, it's obvious the whole point of it is so the author can continuously bring up the ever-dwindling charge on Darby's phone. Darby is a terrific character—complex, flawed, impulsive, and yet determined to fight the odds and save the little girl's life.

With her phone battery waning and the conditions becoming continuously more treacherous, Darby gets off the exit at a nearby rest stop. She is forced to overcome the reservations she originally carried and goes full throttle until the shocking climax of the story.The van door is locked, and she certainly can't make too much of a fuss, because she has nowhere to escape to. What I felt in my life is that waking up early makes us more productive and sets a positive tone for the whole day. This might make a great adrenaline-rush Jason Bourne-ish type of movie, but I've read more believable and intense suspense/thrillers. A small hand becomes visible through the back window of the Astro van belonging to one of these strangers, and it isn't a doll---there is a child locked in an animal kennel.