Good as Dead: A Novel

As long as you aren't a stickler for accuracy of every detail, and can just sit back the story as it written, this book will take you on a journey that is chock-full of "I didn't see that coming!" moments. I rather enjoyed the tale just as it is. I have to mention how much I appreciate the author's decision to minimize the use of strong profanity while still giving us an interesting story with some moral dilemmas to ponder.

This book started out good and just got better and better! I loved how Susan introduced normal situations and characters, and then connected the dots in surprising and satisfying ways. The writing style is very natural and descriptive, with increasing tensions and consequences as it builds. I cannot believe this is a first novel, but I'm looking forward to more from Susan!

I have this problem with all of Susan Walter's books: I just can't stop reading.She's a master at the craft of writing, creating characters who feel like old friends and plotting storylines that peak your interest.Every book is as thrilling and captivating as the last when it's been written by Susan Walter, and I can't wait for the next one.

I was surprised at how well the characters intertwined in the plot. I don't want to give too much away but hang in there for the exciting ending. Please keep writing Ms. Walter!

This was an enjoyable read with quite a few characters. I did wonder at the incompetent police force and their handling of the accident.

Everyone involved in this story is touched in some way. It's so sad to replace integrity with "things." This was good reading but also sad. You cannot hide from the truth forever.

I almost always fall asleep reading, but this one kept me up all night. Though the story was somewhat predictable, the deeply flawed but likeable characters, and the intriguing plot kept me reading...now I'm going to feel "good as dead" all day at work!

Excellent! Incredibly writen story. Makes you look into yourself for answers. I am looking forward to more of Susan’s books.

This book starts three months ago then goes to the present then three months ago then again back to the present then again three months ago. Highly irritating to read, luckily it was free so the good thing about Kindle and two clicks and it's gone to the big dustbin in the sky.

Rating: 3.7/5This intelligently-written, well-paced suspense thriller is Susan Walter's debut novel - and a pretty impressive one it is too.Following the death of her husband in a hit-and-run incident Holly Kendrick finds herself compromised and manoeuvred into a position where she agrees to sign up to being kept in life of luxury by the guilty party in return for her silence. But, when her neighbours in the well-to-do area of California where she has relocated begin to grow increasingly inquisitive, so her situation, and that of her benefactor, become increasingly uncomfortable.The narrative is told from the viewpoints of six key protagonists and takes place across two alternating time frames: The present day and events around the time of the hit-and-run, three months earlier. On the face of it, this sounds as though it could have the potential to become excessively complex and awkward to follow. However, the author employs a clear, structured approach with clear signposting that makes it straightforward to follow. Susan Walter also makes a good job of giving each of the characters a distinctive and authentic voice, so there is no danger of losing track of whose viewpoint we are seeing at any given time.The style is quite filmic which, given the author's background as a Hollywood screenwriter, should not come as any great surprise. It is often said that you should "write what you know" and it is clear that Susan Walter has woven some of her own background knowledge and experiences into the storyline, which adds an air of authenticity. As with many fictional works of this type, there are times when the reader is required to grant the writer some dramatic licence and to suspend disbelief to a degree, but, for the most part, Susan Walter keeps this on the right side of line and doesn't stretch credulity too far.In addition to being a suspense thriller that is suitably tense and taut, the book poses questions such as "Do people have a destiny? And what happens if their intended path is interrupted?" as well as raising some moral dilemmas that invite the reader to question how they might behave in a given scenario.Overall, an engaging read that many fans of the genre should enjoy.

Holly and her daughter, Savannah have been paid to keep quiet. Holly's husband has been killed but, in return for millions of dollars, they have to remain silent about what happened. WHAT?!This explosive narrative had me thinking it would make a great film. There is plenty of under-hand actions and I loved watching the secrecy and paranoia. However, it was quite confusing to get to grips with the different character identities: Walter changes perspectives at every chapter. After time, I was able to remember the personalities and connections of the character but I would have preferred if all of the chapters were helpfully labelled with character names.This is a fast-paced thriller with plenty of suspense. Revelations in the narrative left my jaw hanging and I was not prepared for some of them! Arguably, it is a bit far-fetched, when you consider that a grieving mother and daughter are willingly bought out of sharing key evidence to the police. Yet, Walter's characterisation emphasises their desperation because of their limited finances and poor lifestyle. Indeed, this is demonstrated further with Libby and Andy's circumstances and I found it interesting the parallels that are established between the two families. Both living in LA, there are hopes and dreams for a bright and glittering future; it is only Holly and Savannah that seemingly have this but at a significant, moral cost.I enjoyed the final scenes of this book but I think I was hoping for a few more unexpected revelations. I did have my suspicions about Holly's character but they proved unfounded in the end. I think because of the amount of suspicion about Evan and the financial cushion that is provided, I could not help but think there was more to Holly than portrayed. As it was, I did spend most of the book trying to figure out what the connection was between Jack and Holly.I lost myself in this book over a couple of days. I found I could not put it down, so interested I was about the truth coming out. With Holly and Savannah living opposite a retired investigative journalist, I think I knew that justice would be served. However, the manner which Walter moves to this point is energetic, gripping and unexpected. A great read.

I am undecided about this book which is why I have given it only three stars. I did not like the way that it was written from the perspective of six different people with most chapters split in two, past and present, which meant a lot of to-ing and fro-ing and with quite a wait to get around to a particular character again. Savannah, one of the main characters, seemed very knowledgeable about a lot of things for an almost sixteen/just sixteen-year-old and the way she spoke and the amount of confidence she had were that of a much older person. The storyline itself was interesting and made for a good read but I think it could have been so much better if a different style of writing had been used.

This is a fairly light read which I initially thought would be dark and twisted.The story is a bit far fetched (although who knows with Hollywood) but the characters were believable enough, I liked and disliked all in equal measure at different times throughout the book.The end was a bit disappointing but this is not real life.I would recommend this book.