Book 0.5), Hanover House: (Evelyn Talbot series

Finished this thriller in 2 days - the story was captivating and the author did a great job with the narrative. It kept my attention and at parts I'm holding my breath.

Can't wait to read the sequel which has just been released!

The writing is great, the plot moves along and is a good one. I believe what probably leaves me vaguely dissatisfied if the setting. Alaska is a state of mind as much as it is a state. Those who haven't lived in Alaska for a reasonable amount of time or who never move past the city don't seem to get it.

I really enjoyed the character development of Dr. Evelyn Talbot and the rest of the characters. The storyline is believable and yet frightening. I liked the subject of the book, I have also wondered what makes a psychopath tick. Can't wait for more of the books to come out.

Fortunately, I bought this book on Kindle so it was inexpensive, but it was not worth even those few dollars. It got off to a very poor start and went downhill from there. I persevered until ch 12 and then quit! How can people give such drivel more than one star? I guess that is the audience for whom this author is writing (I use the term 'writing' very loosely here.).

Wow, I am really impressed by this prequel and can't believe it's going to be September before the next installment is out! Brenda Novak is one of my favorites. Every time I thought something was going one way the story took off in a different direction. Keep them coming Brenda!!!!

Review: HANOVER HOUSE by Brenda Novak

I can't wait till the next book In this set! I raced through HANOVER HOUSE non-stop. Many readers will enjoy the budding romance, on-again off-again (and not for the usual reasons) between protagonist Dr. Evelyn Talbot and the Alaskan State Police officer who patrols the tiny village of Hilltop, Alaska, where the brand-new first-of-its-kind maximum security institution for the incarceration and study of psychopaths is under construction. I was engrossed by the theme, and by Evelyn' s strengths, and by her bete noir' s implacability. Yet Evelyn perseveres, still alive, and far beyond mere survival.

I reviewed a digital ARC generously provided by the author and publisher via NetGalley, for review purpose only, at no remuneration.

I am a victim of similar things and am completely obsessed with figuring out the minds of serial killers. I agree if we can find links we can help children who have started to show those traits. Lol this author and book, can't wait to read them all!!!

If you like suspense, sexual tension and plot twists, this is the book for you. I read it in 3 days and found myself looking over my shoulder at night when I was out. Can't wait for the next installment....will they or won't they?

I loved this story. You can relate to the characters, and the heroine is so brave! I cannot wait to read the second book to see what happens. I feel like I'm in Alaska in a white out blizzard just waiting for the next terrifying moment, while at the same time rooting for the two main characters to fall in love. So good. Fast read for me, I couldn't put it down.

I enjoyed this book, although I didn't realize it was a prequel and that I'll have to wait for the rest of the series. The story was well written and the pace was steady. I loved the setting and the concept of the story.

I like everything that Brenda Novak writes and this book did not disappoint. I enjoyed the story line and the way the characters interacted with each other. I like how you kind of figured out who the bad guy was but of course the character didn't know until the end. I would recommend this book for a good suspenseful read.

I am a victim of similar things and am completely obsessed with figuring out the minds of serial killers. I agree if we can find links we can help children who have started to show those traits. Lol this author and book, can't wait to read them all!!!

If you like suspense, sexual tension and plot twists, this is the book for you. I read it in 3 days and found myself looking over my shoulder at night when I was out. Can't wait for the next installment....will they or won't they?

I loved this story. You can relate to the characters, and the heroine is so brave! I cannot wait to read the second book to see what happens. I feel like I'm in Alaska in a white out blizzard just waiting for the next terrifying moment, while at the same time rooting for the two main characters to fall in love. So good. Fast read for me, I couldn't put it down.

I enjoyed this book, although I didn't realize it was a prequel and that I'll have to wait for the rest of the series. The story was well written and the pace was steady. I loved the setting and the concept of the story.

I like everything that Brenda Novak writes and this book did not disappoint. I enjoyed the story line and the way the characters interacted with each other. I like how you kind of figured out who the bad guy was but of course the character didn't know until the end. I would recommend this book for a good suspenseful read.

This book was an amazing prequel to the chronicles. It was in my opinion a very unique suspense book with a bit of romance added. It also sets the premise and what we can expect from the series. Evelyn didn't have a past like any other person. She survived a deadly attack from her then boyfriend. But this attack didn't break her but made her stronger. It gave her purpose and she decided to study psychopaths in a new medical center. I am a very curious person and also found serial killers interesting to read about. I also loved that this center is located in Alaska, because I really like stories set in remote areas. It adds a bit of extra creepiness/suspense to the story. Adding Alaskan State Trooper, Sergeant Amarok to the book and you have a winner. I really enjoyed reading about him and I loved how persistent he was. I definitely think Evelyn needs a friend and protector while she is studying these dangerous and twisted individuals. I can't wait for the next book to release! I recommend this book to everyone who loves a good suspense!

Here we go again with someone writing about an Alaskan setting without knowing anything about it. Because I've lived in Alaska I found it beyond annoying that the author had not done her due diligence.

1 - there are not Alaska Troopers assigned to villages. Just does not happen. They are assigned to centers around the state and often either are pilots or require pilots to get in and out of small areas. There are, however, VPSO's as described.

2 - There are areas without cell coverage, but anyone really concerned with communications would have a satellite phone. Further, there is Internet coverage for the area which is alluded to, and therefore there would be connectivity available through various Internet based services that could operate on a cell phone. Note: satellite based Internet available pretty much anywhere these days. Not paying attention.

3 - One hour from Anchorage (assuming they used main roads and not teleportation) is not actually all that far. Palmer, Alaska (where there is a prison) is 55 minutes from Anchorage.

4 - Then there is the female lead - a psychiatrist who has apparently not gone through enough psychotherapy herself to deal with her issues. She's inappropriate in terms of sexual come-ons with the male lead (trooper). Is this supposed to be a romance or a thriller? Because it feels like a badly plotted romance. A psychological thriller along the lines of the Dr. Alan Gregory books is better thought out than this. Possibly because this author does not understand the requirements of mental health professionals. (Argh!)

I had hoped for a book of the quality of writing of Steven White's Alan Gregory character. This is not it. The premise is fine, the lead character is very weak and poorly developed, the trooper needs training and should be moved back to Fairbanks or Anchorage for those purposes (I used to work with troopers on a professional basis) and my "suspension of disbelief" was close to nil for most of the book. He's too young to be a Sgt.

The author could have developed Fire Island (near Anchorage) as a potential location OR gone to Adak (now a deserted military base) on the chain for a remote location that is escape proof, although all the staff would have had to be on-site. I had the feeling that the author was looking for an exotic locale and didn't do her homework.

This could have been blockbuster material if adequately researched and developed. I am disappointed.