“The Prisoner”

Who are these people and is any single one of them telling the truth?

“The Prisoner” unfolds in the first-person present tense narrative of Amelie Lamont. It is immediate, chilling, and uncertain. Amelie is a victim, but much, much more than that.  Her life is filled with guilt as dark as the hood that covers her head and as paralyzing as the tape that covers her mouth. They brought her food, so they don’t want to kill her – or do they? And it is not about her alone, there is also Ned.

The story continues in Amelie’s first person narrative, alternating between her past and present with chapters conveniently labeled. Readers learn a lot about Amelie, and a lot about Ned; slowly their relationship evolves. There is, of course, that terrifying present and her desperate attempts to escape — her planning, observing, and evaluating. What she does not perceive, however, are the truly grim events that brought to that dark room.

Readers are along for the wild ride as Amelia’s story unfolds. The laughs are so ordinary; the marks on the wall are so optimistic; the sound of the gun being cocked is so dreadful. However, things are not what they seem to be; danger is everywhere, but not from where it first seemed to be.

“The Prisoner” is filled with guilt and uncertainty; it is fast and frightening. There are a lot of complicated story threads to tie up, and the end is unexpected. I received a review copy of “The Prisoner” from B.A. Paris and St. Martin’s Press.

“The Prisoner” is available in print, as an e-book, and on audio from independent bookstores, online booksellers, retail stores, public libraries, and anywhere you get your books.