K Britt-Badman

I received a MOBI.file of this book from the author in connection to a giveaway she had on LibraryThing and the following is my honest opinion.

I believe the vast of those you who are reading this review have watched one of the classic movie serials which had popular during the 1930s, 1940s, and early 1950s. Back in the day movies came with a wide variety of bonuses to the feature film; cartoons [Bugs Bunny, Tom/Jerry, etc.], comedy shorts [The Three Stooges, etc.] and many times a movie serial. Movie serials had several episodes, with each episode ending abruptly with a cliffhanger where a protagonist is placed in a dire situation with seemingly NO ESCAPE; and where the beginning the next episode starts with the protagonist once again being place in the same dire situation but then continues with how the situation got handled and our protagonist being able to live for another day.

What the author, Ms. Britt-Badman has done here is to take this cliffhanger component of those movie serials and use it to begin this sequel; specifically, I’m referring to the phrase: I WARNED YOU BITCH, which had been painted on her front door in red paint.

Once again, I loved her almost journalistic style of writing which came across as I read this book; the combination of narrative, dialogue and mental thoughts at the end of individual counseling sessions with each of the clients “Frankie” had at ASF Technologies were just right; adding a sense of authenticity to the storyline.

Not only is Frankie’s fear that Verity’s murderer is still after her, it has intensified. This is despite the on-going assurances from everyone, including the police, he’s dead. However, with mysterious telephone calls consisting of hang-ups, seeing a man who resembles the killer, and strangers sending her gifts; which she feels is meant solely to harass and torment her.

Will Frankie’s torment ever come to an ultimate climax where she can be at peace again? For having given me and her readers a psychological thriller which is meant to have you keep on turning the pages to read what’s going to happen next; I’ve given this book 5 and its author 5 STARS.… (mais)

In the Absence of a Body is Kimberley Britt-Badman’s sequel to her inaugural psychological mystery, In the Strictest Confidence (published March 16, 2016). In the Absence of a Body is a sequel in the truest form. It picks up exactly where the first story endedwith Francesca “Frankie” Wilson finding the threat. I WARNED YOU BITCH painted in red on the front door of her house.

Many of the same likeable characters from the first book reprise in the sequel. They are joined by a set of new clients for Frankie, the counselor. The author improved the chapters (written again in journal-style) covering the sessions Frankie has with her clients. These chapters are intertwined cleverly with the core story. The author intersperses chapters about Frankie’s home and social life.

Frankie is confronted with the chilling belief that a murderer is after her despite assurances form the police and friends that the murderer is dead. Telephone hang-ups (silent calls), a glimpse of a man that looks like the killer, and gifts from unknown donors bedevil her throughout the story.

I rate this book five stars out of five because this is a more challenging and complex story than the author’s debut novel (which I rated four out of five). Her writing has also improved (see my review of In the Strictest Confidence) . I also appreciate that her story is fresh and not formulaic.… (mais)

Book two of the Frankie Wilson story picks up right where book one dropped us, “I WARNED YOU BITCH,” highlighting the need to read In the Absence of Trust prior to diving into this one.

Author, K.Britt-Badman, introduces us to several new characters, including the arrival of girlfriends whom offer unwavering support in light of Frankie’s traumatic year (book one). However, despite this new cast of characters, MANY supporting characters have returned, ratcheting up the suspense before bringing us to the finale which finally solves where book one left off.

There were plenty of dramatic scenes within, as Britt-Badman creatively led us to believe Frankie was going crazy, while keeping our eyes veiled to the true mastermind behind the tension. Book one gave us several unstable characters with whom to believe were responsible but, book two leaves the reader completely unassuming to the real villain. Ultimately, I missed the cohesive layout revolving around Frankie’s patient sessions from book one, but loved the dramatic flair contained within this second novel.

For the full review, please visit: https://fortheloveofthepageblog.wordpress.com/

*Disclaimer: A review copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.… (mais)

Read my full review at https://opinionatedbw.blogspot.ca/
If you read the first Frankie Wilson Story and liked it as much as I did then you already have high hopes for this book, and if you haven't read the first one, what the heck are you waiting for?? Read it already! I am pleased to report that this book is much like the first one, and you will not be disappointed. In the Absence of a Body began right where In the Strictest Confidence left off, which I was grateful for, I wanted to know immediately what happened with Frankie after the way the first book ended. The first couple of chapters had me on the edge of my seat as the author wrapped up the dramatic events of the first book. I was glad that she didn't drag it on throughout the whole book, making this a continuation of the first. It makes In the Absence of a Body a novel in it's own right, instead of having this book ride on the coat tails of the first book, lending it a glory that it doesn't wholly deserve.… (mais)