Andrew Gross is one of our best thriller writers and this one absolutely delivers. Is the plot less than 100% realistic, as some have complained? Maybe a little, but if you strap in and go with it, it's a great ride. I loved the characters and the plot was so fast-pasted I couldn't put the novel down for more than, say, 15 seconds. Highly recommend. ( )

This is a fast paced thriller, a twisted story of revenge where one man seeks to address the perceived wrongs done to his daughter after she runs down a mother and child whilst high on drugs and is sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Initially you're glued to the pages trying to work out precisely what is going on, then as the story unfolds you're glued to the pages trying to work out who is doing it to the doctor and why, then everything becomes clear and it becomes a race to free his daughter before any harm is done to her.

Overall, whilst not character rich, it's certainly the type of book that will have you wanting to read just a few more pages before bed. Would recommend if you're after a fast crime thriller. ( )

This is definitely a chilling thriller and one that kept my attention from start to finish. The story is intensive and I devoured it in no time. What a thrill ride this book offers.

It opens with a bang and then on it never lets up. Mainly told in first person narration and by giving us third person perspective not only Mr. Gross shows us how he is a maestro in balancing different point of views and also how his writing can masterful orchestrates sequenced leaps in time and able to manage revelation and indirection beautifully. I was glued to each page as the suspense mounts and the stakes grow larger and larger.

Now that I piqued your curiosity time to meet the protagonist. Dr. Henry Streadman, a famous Boca Raton plastic surgeon and owner of several pain- management clinics is on his way to a medical conference in Jacksonville FLA. Soon after leaving the airport and on his drive to the hotel he is stopped by a sheriff’s deputy for a minor road infraction. Bullied by the officer who threaten him as a major criminal he flees for his life after gun shots are heard and Henry only sees a dead police officer hunched in his patrol car…….Suddenly he is a wanted man…

Now that you have an idea where this story is heading I will let you read and enjoy it without saying more.

This is a great read that hooks you right from the start and moves at a frenetic pace. The chase is a reminder of that other innocent but hunted doctor in “The Fugitive”. Henry also has help in proving his innocence, Carrie Holmes who works at the Sheriff’s office makes his life on the run easier. But first they have to find who is behind all this and by the end they eventually acknowledge they clearly are dealing with an insane person….

There are lots of players in this game of cat and mouse and lots of chilling twists to entertain us. This plot is not overly complex but is very captivating. Some may say we have a stereotypical nice guy as a protagonist who at time does hilariously stupid moves, but he is very likeable. Carrie is an innocent young woman eager to help an innocent man and get to the bottom of the mystery. The crazy murderer is adamant to dishing out his own justice and finally we have a few insignificant minor players added to the mix.

“15 Seconds” is a spine chilling thriller I enjoyed passing time with. ( )

15 Seconds is a book that starts fast and keeps going. I'm generally not a big fan of thrillers, but this one drew me in. 19 year-old Amanda has a life that is anything but easy. High on Oxy, and trying to escape her problems, she makes the fatal mistake that will change her life forever. Henry Steadman is on his way to deliver a keynote speech in what he hopes to be a life turning point. Little does he know what type of turning point lies ahead. I wasn't sure how Amanda and Henry's stories were connected, but I can tell you that I wanted to find out.

I read madly through the first half of this book, hanging on every word. Andrew Gross knows just how to build suspense throughout the story. It's definitely tough not to keep reading on. Love getting lost in a book? Here's one that will do that for you. Trust me. Despite the fact that I sometimes felt a bit confused by the web of events, the story was so immersive that I just couldn't stop reading. It was like watching a car wreck, but being unable to look away. You have to know what happens. 15 Seconds is pure adrenaline.

Add in gripping and believable characters, and you have a book that is hard to put down. Henry, Carrie and Amanda all have their own unique backgrounds and personalities. I'd have to say that Carrie is my favorite. Faced with the choice between helping someone she barely knows, and keeping a safe distance, Carrie chooses to be a hero. She definitely kicks butt! Even the secondary characters are fabulously written. I'll say this, Gross knows hows his character building.

The one qualm that I had was that the story slowed significantly as it neared the end. Plus the closer I got the more I was able to see what was going to happen before it did. Not necessarily a bad thing! Trust me, I still definitely enjoyed this read. If you are a thriller fan, or if you are looking for a great place to start, get your hands on a copy of 15 Seconds. Then, hold on tight. ( )

Forgettable....predictable. Eh.

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