Gretchen: A Thriller Paperback – July 23, 2019

This book starts off with a mother-daughter relationship that is continually more and more strained. Lucy (the daughter) knows something is off with her mother. Their constant moving leaves Lucy feeling lonely. They are constantly on the move to avoid Lucy's dad from finding them - afraid he might take Lucy away again. Lucy must keep her violet eyes a secret to avoid recognition by the general public. During an outing, Lucy eyes aren't hidden, and someone makes eye contact, which results in Lucy and her mom needing to leave immediately and relocate.During their relocation to a new place, Lucy meets Gretchen. Gretchen is obsessed with puzzles, and she's an odd person. Lucy needs the friendship, so she tolerates Gretchen. Unfortunately, Gretchen isn't just odd. She has serious problems, which Lucy and her mom encounter during their time on the Sabin farm.This book is captivating. I spent several nights reading until I couldn't keep my eyes open. It has so many twists and turns. I enjoyed the ups and downs.I gave it four stars because I felt like the chapters labeled "Mother" didn't get the proper attention they deserved in the first half of the book as a reader because I was reading them from the viewpoint of Lucy's mom not the proper character which made me feel like I missed out on a lot of context. To keep from spoiling the read, I'm not going to elaborate further.That being said, it was thrilling to read, and I would recommend it for those needing a little adventure.

Couldn't figure out why this was categorized as a thriller at first and nearly gave up because it wasn't thrilling at all. Until it was. And then it was again. And then some more.Great read, filled with surprises.Still a little confused about the violet eyes and about another character's skin being described as "pulsing."

It was a gripping read, but I would have like to know HOW and WHY Gretchen and her father are so crazy, and I would also like to know what happened to them afterwards. I assume they were captured by police, but I would have like the WHAT happened afterwards. I found the descriptions of everything in the creepy house so unimaginable, that I felt like an outsider. It was very far out of my frame of reference, therefore it did not get close to my heart. I read the extra information, but it did not shed any light on WHAT happened to Gretchen and her father afterwards. Her father is supposedly a concert pianist with the Boston Symphony. Nothing in the course of the story matches that career. I am a performing musician myself, and I know how a performing musician's life works. I would also like to know why Gretchen doesn't have any other clothes, but rather so many duplicates of one dress. I would also like to know how she would be so clued up and technologically abled with all that stuff, being so young and home-schooled, and crazy. This is one weird book, but it is a gripping read, and will keep one on the edge of your seat, up to the end. I would like to know if other people also have these questions, or if they know the answers, if they would post them, so that I can find out.

One of my favorite books of the year!!!! Going into this I wasn't quite sure what the synopsis was and I am glad I didn't investigate further! Awesome and quick read I couldn't put it down!

I don't usually read new authors but this one was recommended by as a great read.I will say that I did enjoy the characters and the well rounded stories behind each of them. The felt real and tangible, like people you've known in your life.The twists in the book keep you moving further and definitely make this book hard to put down.My only critique is that the book felt like it was geared, mostly, to youthful readers.Overall I enjoyed the read and found I wanted to continue turning pages after the story concluded.

Love this book. I actually had to force myself to slow down my reading, take to to savor the environment created. This is far more than another suspense tale. It is art.I am not usually a reader of Thrillers, but I read Shannon’s new book because I know her to be an excellent writer, with incredible imagination. She did not disappoint. Instead Shannon exceeded expectations.I like to read about strong female characters, especially when the author is a woman. Sorry, but I don’t see how a man could possibly have the insights to write the kind of deep psychology found in the work of Shannon Kirk. I’m a fan for life and can’t wait for her next book.Another thing I like about all of her books, and is again very strong in Gretchen, is how Shannon weaves in expert facts. Readers are not only entertained, thrilled, but we also learn something new and interesting. I may even try to do a puzzle soon. If only I can find one with bones. (Inside joke. Read the book to understand.)Try the book. I’ve loaned it out already and got it back the next day with heaps of praise. Fast read, fun, spooky and yes, once again Shannon makes me cry. Kirk is amazing.

Gretchen was a great, fast read that had some strong female characters. It was a good change from the male hero to the female. Great plot, research and story flow. Some repetitive thoughts but doesn't diminish the quality of the story.

This book was absolutely amazing kept me guessing my brain swirling with information and saying wait what I loved this authors other book method 15/33 and I loved this one

This is a fabulous thriller. One of the best stories and author I've read. Keeps me on the edge of my seat. I hated to have to put the book down. Great story and writing technique. Very scary.

So this is my first book by this author, I started it the day I purchased it and couldn’t believe I had read over half the book in one sitting.It was a weird relationship between Lucy and her mom, constantly on the run since a kidnap attempt at the age of 2 so they’ve been on the road for 13 years. But there something I could never put my finger on about there relationship.While out for a picnic a man and his son recognise Lucy, right away they upsticks and move this time to a rental that right next to a house, where a girl and her father live, here you meet Gretchen and yes the bad gets Bad.Lucy keeps secrets from her mom, a lot of secrets but then her mom has bigger secrets. And then there’s Gretchen.There are puzzles in it but that’s Gretchen obsession, so don’t be put off about the puzzles if your not a puzzler.But if you like a dark story and many many shocks this is the book for you

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. I'm a fussy reader and rarely leave reviews but this book deserves credit. The characters are intruiging especially Gretchen. The storyline is unique and well paced with just the right amount of creepiness. I would live to see this book made into a movie. Will definitely read more from this author!

First experience with this author. Well written thriller

Bad story line, bad writing, stupid characters. There is absolutely nothing redeemable about this book. Thank God I only paid 99c.