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Reeve LeClaire #1
The Edge of Normal
In many ways, Reeve LeClaire looks like a typical twenty-two year old girl. She’s finally landed her own apartment, she waitresses to pay the bills, and she wishes she wasn’t so nervous around new people. She thinks of herself as agile, not skittish. As serious, not grim. But Reeve is anything but normal.
Ten years ago, she was kidnapped and held captive. After a lucky escape, she’s spent the last six years trying to rebuild her life, a recovery thanks in large part to her indispensable therapist Dr. Ezra Lerner. But when he asks her to help another girl rescued from a similar situation, Reeve realizes she may not simply need to mentor this young victim—she may be the only one who can protect her from a cunning predator who is still out there, watching every move.
From the author of the #1 non-fiction bestseller Perfect Victim: The True Story of the Girl in the Box comes a novel that draws you into a chilling and engrossing world. With masterful plot twists and shifting points of view that make it as irresistible as Gone Girl, Carla Norton's The Edge of Normal is a stunning debut thriller.
Ten years ago, she was kidnapped and held captive. After a lucky escape, she’s spent the last six years trying to rebuild her life, a recovery thanks in large part to her indispensable therapist Dr. Ezra Lerner. But when he asks her to help another girl rescued from a similar situation, Reeve realizes she may not simply need to mentor this young victim—she may be the only one who can protect her from a cunning predator who is still out there, watching every move.
From the author of the #1 non-fiction bestseller Perfect Victim: The True Story of the Girl in the Box comes a novel that draws you into a chilling and engrossing world. With masterful plot twists and shifting points of view that make it as irresistible as Gone Girl, Carla Norton's The Edge of Normal is a stunning debut thriller.
308 pages, Hardcover
First published April 24, 2013
87 people are currently reading
7,292 people want to read
About the author
Carla Norton
12books320followersIs my fiction inspired by true events? Absolutely. My first book was a true account of a shocking crime. PERFECT VICTIM, which I co-wrote with the prosecutor, made the reading list for the FBI's Behavioral Sciences Unit and was a #1 New York Times bestseller.
The case haunted me, and now that astonishing true story fuels two works of fiction: THE EDGE OF NORMAL and WHAT DOESN'T KILL HER. Reeve, my fictional heroine, is a young survivor of kidnapping and captivity. Scarred, flawed, and psychologically unbalanced, ‘Edgy Reggie� has a hot sense of justice. And she’s absolutely fearless.
After PERFECT VICTIM, I wrote another true crime, DISTURBED GROUND. This is the shocking true story of a shape-shifting ex-con, a woman who fooled everyone -- neighbors, clergy, even cops -- while in fact she was the rarest of all criminals: a female serial killer.
THE EDGE OF NORMAL: Thriller Award Finalist; Royal Palm Literary Award Winner.
WHAT DOESN'T KILL HER: Nancy Pearl Book Award Winner.
Jeffery Deaver calls THE EDGE OF NORMAL the "perfect blend of literary style, psychological insight & edge-of-the-seat thriller."
Taylor Stevens says WHAT DOESN’T KILL HER is "a smart, tightly written, psychological thrill ride.� (The book is titled HUNTED overseas.)
**Please feel free to contact me via ŷ if you'd like to ask a question. Thank you!
The case haunted me, and now that astonishing true story fuels two works of fiction: THE EDGE OF NORMAL and WHAT DOESN'T KILL HER. Reeve, my fictional heroine, is a young survivor of kidnapping and captivity. Scarred, flawed, and psychologically unbalanced, ‘Edgy Reggie� has a hot sense of justice. And she’s absolutely fearless.
After PERFECT VICTIM, I wrote another true crime, DISTURBED GROUND. This is the shocking true story of a shape-shifting ex-con, a woman who fooled everyone -- neighbors, clergy, even cops -- while in fact she was the rarest of all criminals: a female serial killer.
THE EDGE OF NORMAL: Thriller Award Finalist; Royal Palm Literary Award Winner.
WHAT DOESN'T KILL HER: Nancy Pearl Book Award Winner.
Jeffery Deaver calls THE EDGE OF NORMAL the "perfect blend of literary style, psychological insight & edge-of-the-seat thriller."
Taylor Stevens says WHAT DOESN’T KILL HER is "a smart, tightly written, psychological thrill ride.� (The book is titled HUNTED overseas.)
**Please feel free to contact me via ŷ if you'd like to ask a question. Thank you!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 541 reviews
October 26, 2016
Carla Norton has worked as an editor, an author of true crime, and published a few books on the writing craft. The Edge of Normal is her first piece of fiction and serves as a bit of a lesson on the difference between constructing an account from life and composing through the use of the imagination. Many make the mistake of believing you can jump back and forth between the two - but they are, in fact, distinctly unique literary enterprises, each requiring its own set of skills.
Norton's fictional protagonist, Reeve LeClaire, was kidnapped several years ago. She was held hostage by a sexual deviant and brutally abused. Now free and on the road to recovery, Reeve has been asked to provide emotional support to a fresh victim of similar circumstance. She agrees and swiftly finds herself going on the offensive; working to track the perpetrator down.
Victim-turned-vigilante thrillers are, at their base, studies of reinitialized strivings toward empowerment and draw their fascinations from a legitimate source of internal conflict. Research is necessary in order to effectively relay the dynamic. Norton had done some. Yet at a certain point that knowledge has to be surrendered to the character one is writing. This is how a personality is built. This is how a history is fashioned. There is, alas, a tendency in novice novelists to cling to this kind of information - it is, after all, a product of many long hours of study, laboriously culled - and they resist the hand-off. That happened in many places here, and is most apparent during the scene in which Reeve is attempting to convince her therapist she's knowledgeable on the subject of captivity syndrome. Now I didn't doubt that she was until her author put her on the defensive. And when she began to list the many experts she'd read (with her analyst supplementing additional names), I slipped straight out of the story to accommodate Norton's need to confirm her authority. Not Reeve's authority, nor her therapist's authority, but my writer's authority and, really, who cares? I'm not your workshop instructor. I'm your reader. What are you doing in my novel?
Add to this a troublesome habit of trading description for comparison (he wasn't "gangly and bespectacled," no, he simply looked like Bill Gates...or Mike Tyson, or Justin Bieber), deciphering critical twists ten pages after they happened (nothing's going to kill suspense more completely than discarding tension altogether), and certain places where she just didn't think things through (if you know the sexual predator is kidnapping girls in outdoor settings, you probably wouldn't be going for a jog in the mountains to relieve your stress - especially if you'd been kidnapped before), and one winds up with a thriller one spends more time arguing against than actually reading. Or at least I did.
Norton is a talented writer. I can tell she takes this seriously. Perhaps in time she'll draw some of those aforementioned distinctions...and relax enough on the fictional front to get out of her own way.
Norton's fictional protagonist, Reeve LeClaire, was kidnapped several years ago. She was held hostage by a sexual deviant and brutally abused. Now free and on the road to recovery, Reeve has been asked to provide emotional support to a fresh victim of similar circumstance. She agrees and swiftly finds herself going on the offensive; working to track the perpetrator down.
Victim-turned-vigilante thrillers are, at their base, studies of reinitialized strivings toward empowerment and draw their fascinations from a legitimate source of internal conflict. Research is necessary in order to effectively relay the dynamic. Norton had done some. Yet at a certain point that knowledge has to be surrendered to the character one is writing. This is how a personality is built. This is how a history is fashioned. There is, alas, a tendency in novice novelists to cling to this kind of information - it is, after all, a product of many long hours of study, laboriously culled - and they resist the hand-off. That happened in many places here, and is most apparent during the scene in which Reeve is attempting to convince her therapist she's knowledgeable on the subject of captivity syndrome. Now I didn't doubt that she was until her author put her on the defensive. And when she began to list the many experts she'd read (with her analyst supplementing additional names), I slipped straight out of the story to accommodate Norton's need to confirm her authority. Not Reeve's authority, nor her therapist's authority, but my writer's authority and, really, who cares? I'm not your workshop instructor. I'm your reader. What are you doing in my novel?
Add to this a troublesome habit of trading description for comparison (he wasn't "gangly and bespectacled," no, he simply looked like Bill Gates...or Mike Tyson, or Justin Bieber), deciphering critical twists ten pages after they happened (nothing's going to kill suspense more completely than discarding tension altogether), and certain places where she just didn't think things through (if you know the sexual predator is kidnapping girls in outdoor settings, you probably wouldn't be going for a jog in the mountains to relieve your stress - especially if you'd been kidnapped before), and one winds up with a thriller one spends more time arguing against than actually reading. Or at least I did.
Norton is a talented writer. I can tell she takes this seriously. Perhaps in time she'll draw some of those aforementioned distinctions...and relax enough on the fictional front to get out of her own way.
September 16, 2013
THE EDGE OF NORMAL is a thriller, a genre I've been reading more of this year. I blame GONE GIRL. It's not that I loved GONE GIRL (I just liked it), but that publishers are giving their thrillers more of a push. And why not? Thrillers have a wide ranging appeal. They're fast, but have to be clever to deliver twists. They're driven by plot, but often require psychological depth.
Reeve LeClaire was held captive for three years. Her kidnapper was caught only because of a freak car accident. Six years later, she's still recovering when her therapist asks her to travel across the country and speak to young girl, Tilly, who was recently rescued from her kidnapper. He thinks it will help both Reeve and Tilly. It does, but it soon becomes apparent that there's more going on in Tilly's case, and that it isn't as open and shut as it seemed. There's two other missing girls, Abby and Hannah, and Tilly could be the key to finding them in time.
THE EDGE OF NORMAL switches between points of view, and it's a rare example of villain point of view done well. The passages narrated by the villain reveal how he keeps staying one step ahead, when otherwise the plotting might fall apart. The passages are also careful not to reveal his real name. You know he's in other scenes, but it's often hard to guess which person he might be.
I also liked that the book wasn't overly sensational. This is Carla Norton's fiction debut, but she has a background in true crime writing. Reeve and Tilly have been through terrible things, but the focus on them is not that terrible things happened, but how they're moving on. Reeve keeps a secret for Tilly perhaps longer than she should, but it's clear she wants the girl to have as much control and trust as possible.
I also like that unlike many thriller heroines, Reeve goes to the police pretty quickly. (She's laughed off, because the plot wouldn't work otherwise, but I like that she went to the authorities like a normal person.) Reeve gets a couple of potential romantic storylines, but they don't go very far since they aren't about perfunctory romance, but Reeve opening up to chance.
THE EDGE OF NORMAL will leave you at the edge of your seat. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and hope Norton keeps on with this fiction thing. THE EDGE OF NORMAL has fascinating, complex characters, a twisting, fast-paced plot, and it lingers in the mind afterwards. It's everything a good thriller should be.
March 30, 2015
Reeve is a kidnap survivor. She also survived being raped and tortured for 4 years, from the age of 12 to 16, before she was rescued. Several years have passed and she is still trying to put her life together.
A short trip away, three young girls are missing. One is found and located ... she , too, has been raped and tortured for over a year. Reeve's psychiatrist has been called in to talk to the family and victim as he is the foremost expert in these kinds of situations. This time, he is asking Reeve to come with him .... as sort of mentor to the young girl. He feels the experience will help both of them.
Reeve gets heavily involved in finding the two still missing girls...and he might be a lot closer to her than she thinks.
The book was good, at times exceptional. I really liked Reeve. She's a young woman still trying to find who she is and I enjoyed watching her grow stronger. The only criticism I have is with the ending. The storyline builds to an explosive situation .. and then it just kind of stops. It was a bit abrupt and I was left wanting something a little more.
This is first in a series and I will not hesitate to read the next one WHAT DOESN'T KILL HER.
A short trip away, three young girls are missing. One is found and located ... she , too, has been raped and tortured for over a year. Reeve's psychiatrist has been called in to talk to the family and victim as he is the foremost expert in these kinds of situations. This time, he is asking Reeve to come with him .... as sort of mentor to the young girl. He feels the experience will help both of them.
Reeve gets heavily involved in finding the two still missing girls...and he might be a lot closer to her than she thinks.
The book was good, at times exceptional. I really liked Reeve. She's a young woman still trying to find who she is and I enjoyed watching her grow stronger. The only criticism I have is with the ending. The storyline builds to an explosive situation .. and then it just kind of stops. It was a bit abrupt and I was left wanting something a little more.
This is first in a series and I will not hesitate to read the next one WHAT DOESN'T KILL HER.
August 30, 2013
Reeve had been held as a plaything for a sexual sadist for four long years. It has taken her six long years under the care of Dr. Lerner, her psychiatrist, before she could even begin to heal and get on with her life. Even after that time she still has dreams and moments of panic. When another young girl Tilly is rescued, held under similar circumstances, Dr, Lerner asks Reeve to help.
This is a good solid book, a hard book to read in many ways because of the subject matter but thankfully the author does not dwell on these scenes. The best part of this story is without doubt the character of Reeve. Of course I don't have the background to be fully informed but I did feel she embodied the different aspects of recovering from this type of trauma. There was one part in this book that did not quite ring true, but all the same this is an exciting thriller.
This is a good solid book, a hard book to read in many ways because of the subject matter but thankfully the author does not dwell on these scenes. The best part of this story is without doubt the character of Reeve. Of course I don't have the background to be fully informed but I did feel she embodied the different aspects of recovering from this type of trauma. There was one part in this book that did not quite ring true, but all the same this is an exciting thriller.
September 10, 2018
At the tender age of twelve Reeve LeClaire was abducted and kept for four years. Now in her twenties she has a fragile stability getting flash backs shivering remembering being locked in the boot of a car. Reeve has now started to rebuild her life visiting her psychiatrist Dr Lerner who is an expert helping a lot of kids that have been kidnapped. Dr Lerner asks Reeve if she will help Tilly Cavanaugh who was kidnapped and rescued from a basement. The story sent shivers right through me.
This is a debut thriller that realistically mirrors recent news headlines of captivity.
What has made me shiver even more today is that on the Good Morning Britian I read on the screen that a child is reported missing every 5 minutes
This is a debut thriller that realistically mirrors recent news headlines of captivity.
What has made me shiver even more today is that on the Good Morning Britian I read on the screen that a child is reported missing every 5 minutes
August 13, 2013
4.5 stars
I appreciated this book so much more than recent forays into grown-up suspense (think ). There were plenty of adult themes, but they weren't peppered with obscenities. In other novels, I feel that using the f-bomb every other word is extremely distracting, and while this book did use language, it did so in a seemingly natural way rather than a jarring one. Aside from that, this book was extremely well done. It had me on the edge of my seat biting my nails and flipping the pages as fast as I could on my Kindle.
The omniscient narrator worked well since we get a chance to see the bad guy up close and personal. I think Carla Norton had a good handle on what it must be like inside a twisted and sadistic person's mind. But she also nailed the mind of the victim or rather survivor. I think Reeve would prefer to be called a survivor.
I liked Reeve a lot. There were some things that were started like her ritual in getting to the doctor's office that seemed to magically disappear when she began talking to Tilly. I would have liked to see her deal with her issues while reaching out to the family. She was tough without being bitter, and that is a hard balance to write a character who has been affected but not warped by her mistreatment.
This book deals with serious and disturbing issues so if things like sexual abuse of children bother you, you might want to skip this one. But everything was handled well and really shines a light on missing girls and their experiences. I can't wait to see what the author has in store for her next book.
I appreciated this book so much more than recent forays into grown-up suspense (think ). There were plenty of adult themes, but they weren't peppered with obscenities. In other novels, I feel that using the f-bomb every other word is extremely distracting, and while this book did use language, it did so in a seemingly natural way rather than a jarring one. Aside from that, this book was extremely well done. It had me on the edge of my seat biting my nails and flipping the pages as fast as I could on my Kindle.
The omniscient narrator worked well since we get a chance to see the bad guy up close and personal. I think Carla Norton had a good handle on what it must be like inside a twisted and sadistic person's mind. But she also nailed the mind of the victim or rather survivor. I think Reeve would prefer to be called a survivor.
I liked Reeve a lot. There were some things that were started like her ritual in getting to the doctor's office that seemed to magically disappear when she began talking to Tilly. I would have liked to see her deal with her issues while reaching out to the family. She was tough without being bitter, and that is a hard balance to write a character who has been affected but not warped by her mistreatment.
This book deals with serious and disturbing issues so if things like sexual abuse of children bother you, you might want to skip this one. But everything was handled well and really shines a light on missing girls and their experiences. I can't wait to see what the author has in store for her next book.
November 14, 2020
� Overall Rating 4¾ | Narration 4¼
� Reeve LeClaire #1
� Suspense Thriller
� Kidnapping
� Amateur Sleuthing
� Deeply affecting without being overly graphic
Wow, this was intense and heebie-jeebie kind of creepy. To up the creep factor, you're also privy to the pedophile's headspace. Which...yeah...I don't have to say how absolutely fucked that is. Since you know who the bad-guy is near the beginning of the story is not so much a mystery...but it's definitely quite thrilling.
A lot of listeners didn't like the narration by Christina Delaine, I didn't find it all that bad, other than it wouldn't go loud enough for me to hear it well...I listened to the second book right after this one and the volume discrepancy wasn't an issue in that one. A separate male narrator would have made this perfect...I'm waiting for this to be a standard in audiobooks.
� Libby Listen through my Library
� Length � 11H 31M
� Plot � 4.7/5
� Characters � 5/5
� The Feels � 4.5/5
� Twisty-ness/Mystery/Thrills � 5/5
� Ending � 4.5/5
� Reeve LeClaire #1
� Suspense Thriller
� Kidnapping
� Amateur Sleuthing
� Deeply affecting without being overly graphic
Wow, this was intense and heebie-jeebie kind of creepy. To up the creep factor, you're also privy to the pedophile's headspace. Which...yeah...I don't have to say how absolutely fucked that is. Since you know who the bad-guy is near the beginning of the story is not so much a mystery...but it's definitely quite thrilling.
A lot of listeners didn't like the narration by Christina Delaine, I didn't find it all that bad, other than it wouldn't go loud enough for me to hear it well...I listened to the second book right after this one and the volume discrepancy wasn't an issue in that one. A separate male narrator would have made this perfect...I'm waiting for this to be a standard in audiobooks.
� Libby Listen through my Library
� Length � 11H 31M
� Plot � 4.7/5
� Characters � 5/5
� The Feels � 4.5/5
� Twisty-ness/Mystery/Thrills � 5/5
� Ending � 4.5/5
August 14, 2013
The Edge of Normal by Carla Norton is a Minotaur publication set for release in September of 2013.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the DRC of this book.
Reeve LaClaire is the survivor of kidnapping, rape, and torture. She was held captive for over 3 years and now a decade later, she is still unable to live a "normal" life. She is close to her father, but her sister has the 'shouldn't she be over it by now' attitude. Reeve also finds it difficult to be touched, to hold down a steady job, and to have friends, much less lovers.
The media attention that has followed her since her abduction caused her change her name from Regina to Reeve. The nasty moniker "Edgy Reggie" as she was dubbed after she was found is blessedly a thing of the past. Dr. Lerner is still her doctor after all this time.
When another young girl is found after spending a significant time imprisoned, Dr. Lerner is consulted. However, Tilly Cavanaugh's parents are reluctant to bring him on board due to his being a man. They want to know if Reeve will come and visit Tilly and speak of her experiences with Dr. Lerner.
Once Reeve agrees to see Tilly, a number of things begin to take shape. First of all there are two other missing girls. Tilly's kidnapper has been arrested, but there is no word from Tilly or the kidnapper- Randy Vanderholt about the other girls.
Tilly's experiences are remarkably like Reeve's. The two girls bond uneasily at first, but eventually they are both able to open up about the horrors they both endured.
Despite the arrest of Randy, things still don't seem to add up entirely. Tilly may have information she had been concealing for the protection not only of herself, but her family as well. But, once Reeve discovers Tilly's secret, she goes on a one woman mission to find the other girls and prevent more kidnappings. She is sure there is still at least one more predator out there and he may be a wolf in sheep's clothing.
This book explores the difficult topic of surviving the experience of being held prisoner, being tortured, and raped repeatedly over a period of years. The psychological damage that one would have to live with on a daily basis, and the inability of others to relate to being that type of victim. Families walking on eggshells, friends not knowing what to say or now to act around you, feeling distanced from the world as a whole. The physical and emotional scars that linger.
The first part of the book deals with the aspect of Tilly's reliance on Reeve and her attempt to gain back some normalcy in her life. We also see law enforcement trying to gather as much information about the kidnapping and not really being all that sensitive to the victim or those trying to treat the girl. We are of course shown the media barrage that follows in the aftermath. Seeing your face of television, having the details of your experience splashed all over 200 cable channels, being analyzed and picked over. However, not all the members of the press were unfeeling. One member of the press was of great help in this case.
The second part of the book deals with Tilly's startling revelation, Reeve being sworn to secrecy, and her own investigation. The heart pounding conclusion was incredibly intense.
The recent headlines regarding the Ariel Castro kidnappings has this subject fresh in our minds. But, this author has wrote true crime books about this subject a while back. She draws on her expertise to bring us a taut, emotional, and terrifying novel. Reeve, gets a new outlook on life after her experiences with Tilly and becomes a true hero.
I would recommend this book to mystery/thriller readers. Be warned that the subject matter is emotional, but the author handled these subjects with delicacy and didn't put graphic descriptions in the book just for shock value. The author writes the story as though we are living events right along with the characters.
This was very well written, suspenseful thriller - I thing it deserves an A.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the DRC of this book.
Reeve LaClaire is the survivor of kidnapping, rape, and torture. She was held captive for over 3 years and now a decade later, she is still unable to live a "normal" life. She is close to her father, but her sister has the 'shouldn't she be over it by now' attitude. Reeve also finds it difficult to be touched, to hold down a steady job, and to have friends, much less lovers.
The media attention that has followed her since her abduction caused her change her name from Regina to Reeve. The nasty moniker "Edgy Reggie" as she was dubbed after she was found is blessedly a thing of the past. Dr. Lerner is still her doctor after all this time.
When another young girl is found after spending a significant time imprisoned, Dr. Lerner is consulted. However, Tilly Cavanaugh's parents are reluctant to bring him on board due to his being a man. They want to know if Reeve will come and visit Tilly and speak of her experiences with Dr. Lerner.
Once Reeve agrees to see Tilly, a number of things begin to take shape. First of all there are two other missing girls. Tilly's kidnapper has been arrested, but there is no word from Tilly or the kidnapper- Randy Vanderholt about the other girls.
Tilly's experiences are remarkably like Reeve's. The two girls bond uneasily at first, but eventually they are both able to open up about the horrors they both endured.
Despite the arrest of Randy, things still don't seem to add up entirely. Tilly may have information she had been concealing for the protection not only of herself, but her family as well. But, once Reeve discovers Tilly's secret, she goes on a one woman mission to find the other girls and prevent more kidnappings. She is sure there is still at least one more predator out there and he may be a wolf in sheep's clothing.
This book explores the difficult topic of surviving the experience of being held prisoner, being tortured, and raped repeatedly over a period of years. The psychological damage that one would have to live with on a daily basis, and the inability of others to relate to being that type of victim. Families walking on eggshells, friends not knowing what to say or now to act around you, feeling distanced from the world as a whole. The physical and emotional scars that linger.
The first part of the book deals with the aspect of Tilly's reliance on Reeve and her attempt to gain back some normalcy in her life. We also see law enforcement trying to gather as much information about the kidnapping and not really being all that sensitive to the victim or those trying to treat the girl. We are of course shown the media barrage that follows in the aftermath. Seeing your face of television, having the details of your experience splashed all over 200 cable channels, being analyzed and picked over. However, not all the members of the press were unfeeling. One member of the press was of great help in this case.
The second part of the book deals with Tilly's startling revelation, Reeve being sworn to secrecy, and her own investigation. The heart pounding conclusion was incredibly intense.
The recent headlines regarding the Ariel Castro kidnappings has this subject fresh in our minds. But, this author has wrote true crime books about this subject a while back. She draws on her expertise to bring us a taut, emotional, and terrifying novel. Reeve, gets a new outlook on life after her experiences with Tilly and becomes a true hero.
I would recommend this book to mystery/thriller readers. Be warned that the subject matter is emotional, but the author handled these subjects with delicacy and didn't put graphic descriptions in the book just for shock value. The author writes the story as though we are living events right along with the characters.
This was very well written, suspenseful thriller - I thing it deserves an A.
October 27, 2013
In many ways, Reeve LeClaire looks like a typical twenty-two year old girl. But Ten years ago, she was kidnapped and held captive. After a lucky escape, she’s spent the last six years trying to rebuild her life, a recovery thanks in large part to her indispensable therapist Dr. Ezra Lerner. But when he asks her to help another girl rescued from a similar situation, Reeve realizes she may not simply need to mentor this young victim—she may be the only one who can protect her from a cunning predator who is still out there, watching every move.
An excellent and addictive thriller due mostly to the accomplished portrayal of a victim in recovery � a survivor, a woman who knows her own limits and sets out to test those limits when asked to help another girl in a similar situation. Reeve is extremely likeable and very sympathetic, and so invested was I in her future that I could barely put this book down.
When her therapist, Dr Lerner, asks for her help she is reluctant � unsure if she is in the right headspace to be of any use and having finally managed to eek out an existance for herself that is out of the spotlight, ultimately she agrees to become a mentor for Cassie, a girl who has recently been rescued from captivity.
As the relationship between the two girls develops, it becomes apparent that everything is not clear cut � and that danger still lurks close by.
It is rare to find a thriller that is as subtle yet sophisticated as this one � the cleverly drawn relationship between Cassie and Reeve, the understated trust Reeve has with Dr Ezra Lerner, the way both she and Cassie react to the ongoing police investigation, all brilliantly compelling. Then add to that mix a truly unsettling villain, the fate of other girls still missing and some truly edge of the seat moments and you have a perfect storm.
Yes I loved this one. Of all the wonderful thriller and crime fiction tales I have been reading lately this one touched my heart as well as made it go boom. Highly Recommended.
Happy Reading Folks!
An excellent and addictive thriller due mostly to the accomplished portrayal of a victim in recovery � a survivor, a woman who knows her own limits and sets out to test those limits when asked to help another girl in a similar situation. Reeve is extremely likeable and very sympathetic, and so invested was I in her future that I could barely put this book down.
When her therapist, Dr Lerner, asks for her help she is reluctant � unsure if she is in the right headspace to be of any use and having finally managed to eek out an existance for herself that is out of the spotlight, ultimately she agrees to become a mentor for Cassie, a girl who has recently been rescued from captivity.
As the relationship between the two girls develops, it becomes apparent that everything is not clear cut � and that danger still lurks close by.
It is rare to find a thriller that is as subtle yet sophisticated as this one � the cleverly drawn relationship between Cassie and Reeve, the understated trust Reeve has with Dr Ezra Lerner, the way both she and Cassie react to the ongoing police investigation, all brilliantly compelling. Then add to that mix a truly unsettling villain, the fate of other girls still missing and some truly edge of the seat moments and you have a perfect storm.
Yes I loved this one. Of all the wonderful thriller and crime fiction tales I have been reading lately this one touched my heart as well as made it go boom. Highly Recommended.
Happy Reading Folks!
November 1, 2015
I received this book from a ŷ First Reads giveaway.
This is a very emotional and raw thriller with gruesome detail so please be of mature audience.
This book features a girl, Reeve, who has gone through sheer hell for a period of life and is recovering from that. Just trying to get a grip on reality. Then it happens again and Reeve is asked to help. She can barely make it through daily life but now shes being asked to relive it to help. Is it worth the little sanity she has?
The ultimate choice of right or wrong in a situation you never wanted to happen again. This is real and heartbreaking. So realistic, at some points I had to take a break in fear of my heart about to break. Give this a try if you like suspense with plot twists. Overall very great book.
4.5/5 Stars
This is a very emotional and raw thriller with gruesome detail so please be of mature audience.
This book features a girl, Reeve, who has gone through sheer hell for a period of life and is recovering from that. Just trying to get a grip on reality. Then it happens again and Reeve is asked to help. She can barely make it through daily life but now shes being asked to relive it to help. Is it worth the little sanity she has?
The ultimate choice of right or wrong in a situation you never wanted to happen again. This is real and heartbreaking. So realistic, at some points I had to take a break in fear of my heart about to break. Give this a try if you like suspense with plot twists. Overall very great book.
4.5/5 Stars
October 23, 2013
Worst.Audio.Narration.Ever.
I'm not even exaggerating. It was AWFUL. And the story itself was almost a repeat of every single thing I hated about The Never List. Ugh. I'm so disappointed.
Review soon.
October 8, 2013
2013 has produced a plethora of fiction based on the theme of abduction, and the emotional and traumatic journey to recovery undergone by women held captive at the hands of abusers, and with the revelation of the Ariel Castro case in America, there is much to be said about art mirroring life. Admittedly having read at least four with this theme last year with varying degrees of success, I was a little ambivalent at facing another, but thankfully The Edge of Normal has neatly circumvented the woeful plotting and laboured narratives of the others I have read this year, and really struck a chord in its depiction of Reeve St Claire as a survivor of long term abduction, and her journey back to life.
Called upon to counsel and offer support to a young girl, Tilly, recently liberated from an abductor, Reeve quickly establishes a rapport with her, and through the careful coercion of her psychiatrist, Dr Lerner, not only builds on her own recovery but becomes intrinsically involved in the pursuit of Tilly’s abductor. Naturally, Reeve finds herself in danger as her utter determination to stop this particularly manipulative and brutal man, still holding another girl captive, and as the story unfolds the empathy we have established with this fragile young woman, becomes even more potent. Perhaps through the author’s own professional experience of working with survivors of abuse, there is an extremely authoritative and authentic representation of Reeve’s character and the hurdles she must overcome to survive the other side of her horrific experiences, and this for me was the most compelling aspect of the narrative. Likewise, I found the characterisation of the abductor himself, an outwardly charming and professional man in a position of authority, who dispassionately manipulates other men to do his dirty work for him, extremely effective in the story. I would question slightly how if Reeve would necessarily place herself in the extreme danger she does towards the close of the plot, but was more than happy to suspend my disbelief, such was the strength of Norton’s storytelling overall. Compounded by the tentative relationship between Reeve and police detective Nick Hudson, which thankfully did not resort to some chocolate box resolution, and Reeve’s continuing journey from her fragility as a victim to a more self-assured and confident woman, I found this a thought provoking and very engaging read.
Called upon to counsel and offer support to a young girl, Tilly, recently liberated from an abductor, Reeve quickly establishes a rapport with her, and through the careful coercion of her psychiatrist, Dr Lerner, not only builds on her own recovery but becomes intrinsically involved in the pursuit of Tilly’s abductor. Naturally, Reeve finds herself in danger as her utter determination to stop this particularly manipulative and brutal man, still holding another girl captive, and as the story unfolds the empathy we have established with this fragile young woman, becomes even more potent. Perhaps through the author’s own professional experience of working with survivors of abuse, there is an extremely authoritative and authentic representation of Reeve’s character and the hurdles she must overcome to survive the other side of her horrific experiences, and this for me was the most compelling aspect of the narrative. Likewise, I found the characterisation of the abductor himself, an outwardly charming and professional man in a position of authority, who dispassionately manipulates other men to do his dirty work for him, extremely effective in the story. I would question slightly how if Reeve would necessarily place herself in the extreme danger she does towards the close of the plot, but was more than happy to suspend my disbelief, such was the strength of Norton’s storytelling overall. Compounded by the tentative relationship between Reeve and police detective Nick Hudson, which thankfully did not resort to some chocolate box resolution, and Reeve’s continuing journey from her fragility as a victim to a more self-assured and confident woman, I found this a thought provoking and very engaging read.
November 10, 2014
Norton does not give us an edge of your seat thriller or a psychological portrayal of a victim become vigilante. What we get is mystery with little action. What we get is the suspense of a whodunnit where we already know who the perp is so we also know that its just a matter of time before he is caught.
Reeve at first is a sympathetic character but she has only slight flaws. There is nothing abnormal about her. Her flaws are shown as mild symptoms of PTSD; like hypervigilance (being acutely aware of other people and one's surroundings and cued into any prospective lurking danger)and the fact that she can't stand close physical proximity/ touching/ hugging. So she ends up coming out as a flat character. As does the perp, whose only goal is to masquerade as a good guy meanwhile being the super-intelligent villain underneath.
Norton presents Reeve as a vigilante but does not explain to us how she shifted from victim to vigilante. Norton actually uses Reeve in the end to forward the plot by giving her both an uncharacteristic trusting nature (which flies in the face of her overall character) and a level-headed-ness that allows her to
I give this a rating of 2.6 barely grazing the 50% margin. It is an okay read but not memorable. I did like the premise, but not a lot of the content. I would recommend, "Room," to those interested in the psychological after effects of this type of crime. I was left with a feeling of, "Dammit this could have been so much more." Yet its unrealistic storytelling was a real let down. I compare, The Edge of Normal, to a mediocre episode of CSI or Law and Order's Special Victims Unit. Then again I prefer books to TV - can you tell?
Reeve at first is a sympathetic character but she has only slight flaws. There is nothing abnormal about her. Her flaws are shown as mild symptoms of PTSD; like hypervigilance (being acutely aware of other people and one's surroundings and cued into any prospective lurking danger)and the fact that she can't stand close physical proximity/ touching/ hugging. So she ends up coming out as a flat character. As does the perp, whose only goal is to masquerade as a good guy meanwhile being the super-intelligent villain underneath.
Norton presents Reeve as a vigilante but does not explain to us how she shifted from victim to vigilante. Norton actually uses Reeve in the end to forward the plot by giving her both an uncharacteristic trusting nature (which flies in the face of her overall character) and a level-headed-ness that allows her to
I give this a rating of 2.6 barely grazing the 50% margin. It is an okay read but not memorable. I did like the premise, but not a lot of the content. I would recommend, "Room," to those interested in the psychological after effects of this type of crime. I was left with a feeling of, "Dammit this could have been so much more." Yet its unrealistic storytelling was a real let down. I compare, The Edge of Normal, to a mediocre episode of CSI or Law and Order's Special Victims Unit. Then again I prefer books to TV - can you tell?
December 10, 2013
It has been ten years since Reeve LeClaire was kidnapped and held captive. For the past six years, since her rescue, she has been trying to recover, with the help of her therapist, Dr. Ezra Lerner.
Living in San Francisco, miles away from Seattle where the abduction happened, she is truly starting over. But there are still many issues. Not quite normal, she is still on the edge.
Then a series of abductions in Northern California require the assistance of Dr. Lerner, when one girl is found and brought home. Dr. Lerner asks Reeve to accompany him, to act as a mentor for little Tilly.
They share a bond, these two. But then Tilly reveals a dark secret to Reeve. A secret she is sworn not to tell anyone. Will keeping Tilly's secret endanger Reeve's life? And who is the master mind behind the kidnappings? What unique qualities does he possess that enable him to fly beneath the radar and evade suspicion? How is he able to successfully carry out his machinations without anyone noticing?
An intense, page-turning psychological thriller, "The Edge of Normal" was truly a nail-biting tale, with chapters bringing multiple narrators, including the voice of the master mind. Just when everything seems to be coming together, there are more surprises ahead.
Many of the characters were unlikeable, and while Reeve was definitely someone with whom I could engage, some of her behaviors were foolhardy and risky. Too much so for someone with her history, in my opinion. But I enjoyed the story and could not put it down. 4.5 stars.
Living in San Francisco, miles away from Seattle where the abduction happened, she is truly starting over. But there are still many issues. Not quite normal, she is still on the edge.
Then a series of abductions in Northern California require the assistance of Dr. Lerner, when one girl is found and brought home. Dr. Lerner asks Reeve to accompany him, to act as a mentor for little Tilly.
They share a bond, these two. But then Tilly reveals a dark secret to Reeve. A secret she is sworn not to tell anyone. Will keeping Tilly's secret endanger Reeve's life? And who is the master mind behind the kidnappings? What unique qualities does he possess that enable him to fly beneath the radar and evade suspicion? How is he able to successfully carry out his machinations without anyone noticing?
An intense, page-turning psychological thriller, "The Edge of Normal" was truly a nail-biting tale, with chapters bringing multiple narrators, including the voice of the master mind. Just when everything seems to be coming together, there are more surprises ahead.
Many of the characters were unlikeable, and while Reeve was definitely someone with whom I could engage, some of her behaviors were foolhardy and risky. Too much so for someone with her history, in my opinion. But I enjoyed the story and could not put it down. 4.5 stars.
February 13, 2016
- My Description -
Reeve (Regina) LeClaire was held captive for 4 years.
She was brutally raped, humiliated, and horribly tortured.
Through an accident, she was found alive (and not well) inside a car trunk.
After a lengthy trial, her captor (Daryl Flint) is sent to prison.
She sees a psychologist to help deal with the aftermath.
She changes her name.
She gets a job.
She's better now.
She's almost normal.
Years pass.
Then young females begin to disappear.
Tilly Cavanaugh is found alive (and not well) inside a dark and hidden basement.
She was brutally raped, humiliated, and horribly tortured.
A mirror image to Reeve.
Her captor (Randy Vaderholt) is sent to the local jail.
He's just a puppet for the true captor.
A man of many puppets.
Who is this mysterious man?
How many young girls will be abducted?
Will they be found alive?
- My Review -
How could this one not be given a solid 5?
I enjoyed it immensely.
This felt so real. This book was very visual.
It was full of atmosphere, intrigue & suspense. Ohh my!
August 13, 2014
The concept was good. The writing was precise. But there was no suspense or passion to this story. It just sort of plodded along.
October 1, 2013
The Edge of Normal is the first fiction novel written by Carla Norton. Immediately the plot sucks readers in with the failed attempt to move Reeve LeClaire from one hiding place to another ten years earlier. It's the perfect mix of irony and realism. I don't want to spoil it because I thought it was pretty good.
The main plot in The Edge of Normal begins with Reeve speaking to her therapist Dr. Lerner. They discuss how much she's recovered since her abduction and captivity. Reeve isn't able to see the changes but Dr. Lerner insists they are there. Then news of a newly escaped victim, a young girl named Tilly, thrusts Dr. Lerner and Reeve back into the spotlight. The spotlight also places Reeve in danger of the person who's trying desperately to keep his secrets untold.
Carla Norton does not skimp on the details of the heinous crimes done to these girls while in captivity. The violence Reeve endured by the sexual sadist in this novel gave me chills. I could not imagine another human being treating someone that way. The Edge of Normal is not for the faint of heart, but it is such a worth it read.
On her journey to becoming "normal" Reeve discovers she can help Tilly, and others in her same situation. With her high intelligence, she is able to piece together clues that the police are either ignoring, or not made aware of. No one knows the dungeons like she does and she's hoping to find this accomplice for Tilly and every other girls sake. Reeve really evolves into a character that will stick with readers past the last page. I would love to see her featured in future novels by this author.
The Edge of Normal also showcases Carla Norton's knowledge of the differences between Captivity syndrome, Stockholm syndrome, and PTSD. This psychological insight gives The Edge of Normal a depth many suspenseful thrillers lack.
The one gripe I have is that the characters, outside of Reeve, Tilly, and the predator Duke, all seem to be under developed. There's a scene with Tilly's older brother that leaves me wishing he'd been kept out of the book. I don't know why every teenager has to be as selfish as they are written. It's enfuriating!! Also, the prosecutor Burke is a jerk. I mean what sadist crawled up her anus and decided to live there? Are all prosecutors that numb to cases and only want to win that they forget how to care? And a woman prosecutor at that who seemingly has no sympathy.
The Edge of Normal will have readers on the edge of their seats (cliche...I know but I had to say it). I am so happy I did not allow this to gather dust on my shelf. I recommend this novel to lover's of suspenseful thrillers laced with psychological insight. The Edge of Normal is such an awesome, page turning debut!
*Won through a ŷ giveaway*
The main plot in The Edge of Normal begins with Reeve speaking to her therapist Dr. Lerner. They discuss how much she's recovered since her abduction and captivity. Reeve isn't able to see the changes but Dr. Lerner insists they are there. Then news of a newly escaped victim, a young girl named Tilly, thrusts Dr. Lerner and Reeve back into the spotlight. The spotlight also places Reeve in danger of the person who's trying desperately to keep his secrets untold.
Carla Norton does not skimp on the details of the heinous crimes done to these girls while in captivity. The violence Reeve endured by the sexual sadist in this novel gave me chills. I could not imagine another human being treating someone that way. The Edge of Normal is not for the faint of heart, but it is such a worth it read.
On her journey to becoming "normal" Reeve discovers she can help Tilly, and others in her same situation. With her high intelligence, she is able to piece together clues that the police are either ignoring, or not made aware of. No one knows the dungeons like she does and she's hoping to find this accomplice for Tilly and every other girls sake. Reeve really evolves into a character that will stick with readers past the last page. I would love to see her featured in future novels by this author.
The Edge of Normal also showcases Carla Norton's knowledge of the differences between Captivity syndrome, Stockholm syndrome, and PTSD. This psychological insight gives The Edge of Normal a depth many suspenseful thrillers lack.
The one gripe I have is that the characters, outside of Reeve, Tilly, and the predator Duke, all seem to be under developed. There's a scene with Tilly's older brother that leaves me wishing he'd been kept out of the book. I don't know why every teenager has to be as selfish as they are written. It's enfuriating!! Also, the prosecutor Burke is a jerk. I mean what sadist crawled up her anus and decided to live there? Are all prosecutors that numb to cases and only want to win that they forget how to care? And a woman prosecutor at that who seemingly has no sympathy.
The Edge of Normal will have readers on the edge of their seats (cliche...I know but I had to say it). I am so happy I did not allow this to gather dust on my shelf. I recommend this novel to lover's of suspenseful thrillers laced with psychological insight. The Edge of Normal is such an awesome, page turning debut!
*Won through a ŷ giveaway*
August 23, 2013
You may also read my review here:
Reeve LeClaire, formerly Regina, or “Edgy Reggie�, is now 22 years old, but when she was 12, she was kidnapped and held captive for 4 years. For six years now she’s been rebuilding her life. She loves her job at a sushi restaurant, and has been keeping regular appointments with Dr. Ezra Lerner, a therapist specializing in the psychological aspects of captivity. When the news breaks that a little girl, Tilly, has been rescued from a similar situation, and her captor arrested, Dr. Lerner asks Reeve to work with Tilly as a mentor, someone that understands where she’s been and can show her where she can go from here. Reeve reluctantly agrees, and finds herself growing attached to this little girl and her family. There’s only one problem: there’s another man out there, one that will stop at nothing to keep procuring young girls for his own sick personal harem. He’s no one to trifle with, but he may just have met his match with Reeve.
The Edge of Normal, much like The Never List by Koethi Zan, covers a pretty timely subject: that of victims in captivity. We’ve all seen the headlines of how Ariel Castro held 3 women over a period of 10 years, and it’s a terrifying reality. This is Carla Norton’s first fiction novel, but she’s well known for her non fiction account of a woman held captive in a coffin-like box for seven years. It would be so easy to mine the perverse acts that these women have to endure for shock, but The Edge of Normal is not that book. The Edge of Normal is Reeve’s story. She’s no longer a victim, and helping someone else goes a long way over recognizing her self- worth and new place in the world after her childhood was stolen from her. She yearns for intimate relationships, not just romantic, but just connecting to another person besides her therapist and the well-meaning yet sometimes smothering attention of her family. She finds that with Tilly, and when she begins to dig deeper into Tilly’s story, she becomes a woman on a mission. The Edge of Normal is suspenseful, scary, and ultimately, very satisfying. It also brings us one of the most repulsive and arrogant bad guys in a long while. Seriously, repulsive is the tip of the iceberg with this dude. The author gives us glimpses of his world, and it’s a very dark, disturbing place. The Edge of Normal is one of the most entertaining thrillers I’ve read in a while, and certainly not to be missed!
Reeve LeClaire, formerly Regina, or “Edgy Reggie�, is now 22 years old, but when she was 12, she was kidnapped and held captive for 4 years. For six years now she’s been rebuilding her life. She loves her job at a sushi restaurant, and has been keeping regular appointments with Dr. Ezra Lerner, a therapist specializing in the psychological aspects of captivity. When the news breaks that a little girl, Tilly, has been rescued from a similar situation, and her captor arrested, Dr. Lerner asks Reeve to work with Tilly as a mentor, someone that understands where she’s been and can show her where she can go from here. Reeve reluctantly agrees, and finds herself growing attached to this little girl and her family. There’s only one problem: there’s another man out there, one that will stop at nothing to keep procuring young girls for his own sick personal harem. He’s no one to trifle with, but he may just have met his match with Reeve.
The Edge of Normal, much like The Never List by Koethi Zan, covers a pretty timely subject: that of victims in captivity. We’ve all seen the headlines of how Ariel Castro held 3 women over a period of 10 years, and it’s a terrifying reality. This is Carla Norton’s first fiction novel, but she’s well known for her non fiction account of a woman held captive in a coffin-like box for seven years. It would be so easy to mine the perverse acts that these women have to endure for shock, but The Edge of Normal is not that book. The Edge of Normal is Reeve’s story. She’s no longer a victim, and helping someone else goes a long way over recognizing her self- worth and new place in the world after her childhood was stolen from her. She yearns for intimate relationships, not just romantic, but just connecting to another person besides her therapist and the well-meaning yet sometimes smothering attention of her family. She finds that with Tilly, and when she begins to dig deeper into Tilly’s story, she becomes a woman on a mission. The Edge of Normal is suspenseful, scary, and ultimately, very satisfying. It also brings us one of the most repulsive and arrogant bad guys in a long while. Seriously, repulsive is the tip of the iceberg with this dude. The author gives us glimpses of his world, and it’s a very dark, disturbing place. The Edge of Normal is one of the most entertaining thrillers I’ve read in a while, and certainly not to be missed!
February 23, 2015
The Edge of Normal
“So chi sei. So cos’hai sofferto. Perché io sono come te. Ma quello che so non basterà a salvarti.�
Qual è il limite della normalità? Se lo chiede spesso Regina Victoria LeClaire, la ragazzina rapita a dodici anni e tenuta prigioniera per quasi quattro. A 22 anni ha cambiato legalmente il proprio nome in Reeve, per cercare di superare il suo passato di vittima e gli assalti mediatici che hanno caratterizzato il suo ritorno a casa.
Reeve ci prova con insistenza ad essere come le altre ragazze della sua età, ma c’� sempre qualcosa che in lei non funziona più. Sa che il termine “normale� non piace al suo psichiatra e terapista, specializzato in sindrome da cattività prolingata. Reeve è stata tenuta prigioniera e abusata da un maniaco per tutta
l’adolescenza, e se riesce, in apparenza, a sembrare identica alle sue coetanee è solo merito della sua tenacia e dell’aiuto del dottor Ezra Lerner. Reeve vorrebbe lasciarsi tutto alle spalle, dimenticare, ma sa che non è così che funziona con la sua mente e con le ferite ancora visibili sul suo corpo, cicatrici fisiche e mentali che non si potranno rimarginare mai completamente.
A Jefferson City in California, in pochi anni, sono scomparse tre ragazze, vittime di predatori sessuali. Quando una delle tre, Tilly, ricompare, il dottor Lerner viene chiamato per gestire il caso da stress post traumatico e chiede a Reeve di aiutarlo.
Reeve ha capito che per salvarsi bisogna imparare a salvare gli altri ed è disposta a mettersi in gioco.
In LA SOPRAVVISSUTA, la giornalista e scrittrice CARLA NORTON ha preso spunto dalla realtà ed creato un ottimo personaggio femminile che è al tempo stesso, fragile e tormentata, empatica e battagliera ed anche sorprendentemente intuitiva. Reeve resta coinvolta nell’indagine. È lei che chiede di poter fare di più, perché comprende il legame tra la sottrazione di Tilly e quella delle altre due ragazzine.
Reeve è un personaggio dinamico, che stupisce per l’impennata caratteriale e per l’intraprendenza del suo spirito, deciso a superare la sua condizione di vittima.
La trama è avvincente, complessa, con il duplice punto di vista di Reeve e di “Signor Mostro� (così Tilly ha ribattezzato l’uomo che alberga nei suoi incubi). Quando tutto sembra volgere per il meglio, un colpo di scena, rimette tutti i personaggi in gioco in un finale che potrebbe trasformare le vicende di Reeve da romanzo autoconclusivo, o stand alone, a serie di thriller psicologici su casi di sindrome da cattività, cosa che mi auguro.
Carla Norton ha cominciato come giornalista corrispondente da Tokyo, dove si trovava quando è avvenuta la fuga di Colleen Stan, la donna tenuta per quasi sette anni dentro una cassa di legno da una coppia di maniaci. Su quella storia ha scritto il suo primo bestseller, Perfect Victim che è diventato un libro di testo dell’unità di scienze comportamentali di Quantico, la sede in cui vengono addestrati i profiler dell’FBI. Il romanzo, infatti, non narra solo la terribile esperienza della giovane Colleen, ma è anche un libro esempio che, a detta dell’autrice stessa, tutte le ragazze dovrebbero leggere per essere istruite e proteggersi.
March 19, 2016
I just had to pick up The Edge of Normal since I heard that it is in the works for an upcoming movie. I'm sort of working my way backwards. I read What Doesn't Kill Her first (see my review) and was really taken with it. I wanted to know more about the main character of Reeve.
Reeve had been abducted and held hostage by an unbalanced wacko for four years. You can only imagine how stilted and withdrawn that she becomes after a chance rescue. Carla Norton could have left her in a fetal position. Reeve eventually becomes functioning in society after some time. She still remains cautious and can easily revert back into her cocoon when unsure of her bearings. Now that is what makes Norton's character believable. She sculpts Reeve, not as a super hero/mega human, but a damaged soul who will forever bear her emotional and physical scars. Norton has her finger on the pulse of her characters and they are presented in a strong acceptable manner throughout the book.
Carla Norton must have had many a dream of the "boogie man" under her bed as a child. Her devious, repulsive captors are beyond creepy. It scares the jelly beans out of me to just imagine that, in real life, there are sub-humans who walk this earth exactly like this. Norton has done her research and it is apparent throughout the book. It is my sincere hope that she will continue to follow through with additional books based on the character of Reeve in assisting the FBI with future cases. Reeve is one resilient young woman to march through the pages and Norton is one stellar author to pull this off with her heads-above talent.
Reeve had been abducted and held hostage by an unbalanced wacko for four years. You can only imagine how stilted and withdrawn that she becomes after a chance rescue. Carla Norton could have left her in a fetal position. Reeve eventually becomes functioning in society after some time. She still remains cautious and can easily revert back into her cocoon when unsure of her bearings. Now that is what makes Norton's character believable. She sculpts Reeve, not as a super hero/mega human, but a damaged soul who will forever bear her emotional and physical scars. Norton has her finger on the pulse of her characters and they are presented in a strong acceptable manner throughout the book.
Carla Norton must have had many a dream of the "boogie man" under her bed as a child. Her devious, repulsive captors are beyond creepy. It scares the jelly beans out of me to just imagine that, in real life, there are sub-humans who walk this earth exactly like this. Norton has done her research and it is apparent throughout the book. It is my sincere hope that she will continue to follow through with additional books based on the character of Reeve in assisting the FBI with future cases. Reeve is one resilient young woman to march through the pages and Norton is one stellar author to pull this off with her heads-above talent.
October 6, 2013
I am such of fan of edgy suspense! And narrator Christina Delaine has the perfect husky alto voice to pull off all the parts. (I realized after I started that she also reads Chelsea Cain's suspense series, which I also like.) Reeve LeClaire escaped her kidnapper in a fluke accident 6 years earlier, and she's recovering. Not quite there but working on it with a good psychiatrist. When he asks her to talk with a young girl who also recently escaped her captor, she demurs at first, then agrees, as she too was mentored by a young woman recovering from captivity syndrome. She develops a close relationship with Tilly--but soon discovers that the man they charged with the crime is only an underling. There's someone still worse, and he's still out there. Since it's suspense, we know the identify of the bad guy but that doesn't lessen the impact of every scene in which Reeve is stalked and terrified, especially the harrowing climax. An interview with the author at the end reveals that she's working on a sequel, which I suspected, based on the open ending. A chilling novel, with the ominous tone and foreboding established in the first scenes, well-drawn characters, multiple plot twists and surprises. On another level this is an intriguing story of self-discovery, as Reeve moves from powerless victim to a powerful woman to reckon with. Plots differ but the feel of the book made me think of Before I Go to Sleep by S. J. Watson, another haunting, intense novel with psychological overtones.
December 2, 2014
Het verhaal zit zó ontzettend goed in elkaar, je blijft maar doorlezen en gruwelen van hetgeen je leest. De dader is duidelijk aanwezig tussen de andere personages, hij heeft zich zelfs voorgesteld aan de lezer, maar wie hij nou eigenlijk is wordt pas later in het verhaal duidelijk.
Deze auteur heeft de karakters heel geloofwaardig neergezet, wat de psychologische werking van dit verhaal nog vergroot naar mijn mening.
Stap voor stap kom je dichter bij de waarheid terwijl je aan het lezen bent in de lekker korte hoofdstukken, steeds uit een ander perspectief gezien. Carla Norton schrijft heel beeldend, je kijkt naar een film als het ware. Ook de plaats waar een en ander zich afspeelt zie je voor je. Dat maakt het nog spannender.
In Langs de afgrond laat de auteur je meevoelen wat voor gevolgen het soms jarenlang misbruik door een verknipte dader voor een slachtoffer kan hebben en hoe deze daardoor langs de afgrond van geestelijke gezondheid moet balanceren. Een knappe titel van een geweldig goed boek.
Het is werkelijk een thriller die de aandacht verdient van de thrillerliefhebbers onder ons, met een heel goed plot en geloofwaardige personages. Een aanrader. Ik wil graag een volgende thriller van haar hand lezen. A star is born!
Ik waardeer dit boek met 4,5/5 sterren.
Deze auteur heeft de karakters heel geloofwaardig neergezet, wat de psychologische werking van dit verhaal nog vergroot naar mijn mening.
Stap voor stap kom je dichter bij de waarheid terwijl je aan het lezen bent in de lekker korte hoofdstukken, steeds uit een ander perspectief gezien. Carla Norton schrijft heel beeldend, je kijkt naar een film als het ware. Ook de plaats waar een en ander zich afspeelt zie je voor je. Dat maakt het nog spannender.
In Langs de afgrond laat de auteur je meevoelen wat voor gevolgen het soms jarenlang misbruik door een verknipte dader voor een slachtoffer kan hebben en hoe deze daardoor langs de afgrond van geestelijke gezondheid moet balanceren. Een knappe titel van een geweldig goed boek.
Het is werkelijk een thriller die de aandacht verdient van de thrillerliefhebbers onder ons, met een heel goed plot en geloofwaardige personages. Een aanrader. Ik wil graag een volgende thriller van haar hand lezen. A star is born!
Ik waardeer dit boek met 4,5/5 sterren.
July 28, 2015
I love a good thriller, especially one that's dark and disturbing, and lucky me as that's what I got when I picked up "The Edge of Normal." I can't even remember how I came across the novel but no matter as I'm so glad I did. Carla Norton ("Norton") weaves a dark and chilling tale about kidnapped children who are held for months and/or years; tortured, starved, and sexually abused at the hands of pure evil - evil that lurks behind the façade of those who walk among us. "The Edge of Normal," a brilliant and well-written suspenseful-thriller that is sure to intrigue fans of such genre as it's truly a dark, intense and thought-provoking novel, with characters that come across as realistic as can be. Such an intriguing and riveting tale full of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end, reading each and every word well into the late hours, leaving me with feelings of such satisfaction and pleasure when I reached the end, by the same token feelings such disappointment as the story had come to an end. Norton's debut fiction novel is a true thriller that should not be missed. I anxiously look forward to her next work of fiction.
December 3, 2014
Dit is een debuut thriller wat mijn aandacht kreeg bij het lezen van de quotes op het boek.
Reeve is vroeger ontvoerd en jaren mishandeld en zij kwam vrij doordat zij verplaatst werd naar een ander onderkomen.
Op een gegeven moment word Reeve gevraagd door de ouders van Tilly om hun dochter bij te staan die hetzelfde is overkomen. Zij gaat dit doen en geleidelijk aan wint zij het vertrouwen van Tilly, waardoor zij Tilly kan helpen haar trauma te verwerken, maar tevens ook haar eigen trauma.
Ze ontdekken dat de dader zelf nog niet is opgepakt en er start een kat en muis spel.
Wat het ook extra spannend maakt is dat er vanuit de dader geschreven en gedacht word.
Ik heb dan ook spannende uren doorgebracht met dit boek en zal het zeker adviseren aan anderen!
Reeve is vroeger ontvoerd en jaren mishandeld en zij kwam vrij doordat zij verplaatst werd naar een ander onderkomen.
Op een gegeven moment word Reeve gevraagd door de ouders van Tilly om hun dochter bij te staan die hetzelfde is overkomen. Zij gaat dit doen en geleidelijk aan wint zij het vertrouwen van Tilly, waardoor zij Tilly kan helpen haar trauma te verwerken, maar tevens ook haar eigen trauma.
Ze ontdekken dat de dader zelf nog niet is opgepakt en er start een kat en muis spel.
Wat het ook extra spannend maakt is dat er vanuit de dader geschreven en gedacht word.
Ik heb dan ook spannende uren doorgebracht met dit boek en zal het zeker adviseren aan anderen!
Read
May 7, 2022Once again I am having a problem rating a book. Much of the book was tense and suspenseful, and I was willing to suspend belief when necessary. The main character, Reeve, however, just seemed not to be real. On the one hand she is understandably still in recovery, dependent upon her Doctor and experiencing panic attacks just walking down the street. On the other hand, Hence, my rating problem.
January 30, 2019
Finalmente un thriller come si deve. Mi ha tenuta incollata fino a notte fonda. Trama credibile, scrittura fluida ed essenziale, riporta i dettagli ma senza perdersi. Nessuna scena fine a se stessa o sciocchezze. Non per nulla l'autrice è un'esperta dell'argomento e non per nulla in cima alla lista dei ringraziamenti c'è Jeffrey Deaver. Molto molto bello nel suo genere.
July 15, 2015
This was a good one. Lots of brutality though. The ending was excellent.
September 3, 2013
I give this book a 5+ rating! Bravo to the author!!!
Wow! This is an amazing book you DON'T WANT TO MISS READING! If you LOVE this genre, then you, like myself, may vote 'this book' as THE BOOK OF THE YEAR for this genre!
The protagonist in this story is Reeve LeClaire, who went through hell and back when an abductor captures her. She is held captive in a stark, horrid, dark basement for about 4 years and suffers through severe abuse that is hardly imaginable. She makes an amazing escape on her own, saving her own life. Even though they capture the man who abducted her and he is in prison serving time, she is still being watched. She has no clue this is happening, but starts to wonder after a while. Although the terror lived on in her mind as it would anyone if this were to happen to them, a special therapist, a doctor who specializes in treating people who go through these types of horrid ordeals such as this, Dr Ezra Lerner, comes along to help her. He gets her through recovery, which is quite remarkable. She is now living a normal life, although she still remembers. Years into her therapy she confides in Dr Lerner that even though she knows her abductor is in prison, she tells him *intellectually, I know it*, but she really means that deep down it still haunts her.
One day a young girl by the name of Tilly who had been abducted also, escapes her abductor, just like Reeve did. Immediately Dr. Ezra Lerner is called in to help this girl. Dr. Lerner gets an idea that would help Reeve further her recovery and Tilly's by asking her to come help with Tilly and her recovery right away. The two girls together would be able to relate to each other. With trepidation, Reeve agrees. Off she goes to try to help.
In the meantime, there are two more girls who have been abducted. This all seems like it has to point to one man, a serial killer, who is taking these girls because the MO (Method of Operation) is the seems to be like it was for Reeve, and the police believe this has to be the same abductor for all three of these girls, and possibly Reeve, too. Somehow Reeve thinks it goes a little deeper than that, and she starts her own search for this monster.
The monster finds out that Reeve is helping Tilly, eventually. He does not like this. Little does he know that Reeve is catching on to him. She puts herself into the limelight of trouble, and it's all she can do to try to remain safe herself. Does it work, though?
In this book it goes back and forth between places, yet we get to read what the serial killer is thinking and doing, learning about him, too. We learn what is driving him, and how he is threatening others, too, and everything in between.
You will be shocked, scared, unable to comprehend how a living human being can be so sick, while looking over your shoulder, rooting and cheering Reeve on!
Simply put - an amazing read NOT to be missed!
I loved this book! It was written with excellence! I was able to connect with the the characters, especially Reeve. I could feel what they were feeling, the FEAR, the worry, and more. The character of Reeve is completely believable, and when I think back to the book, I still think of her and the other characters as being so realistic. All the characters are so life-like. The suspense had you on the edge of your seat the entire time. There was not one place, until the 'end' is "The End" that you aren't wondering about the 'what if's', and even then you wonder if this really could/would happen someday in real life. This is, by FAR, the BEST thrill book of true Psychological Suspense this year, at least in my opinion! To go without reading this book is to miss the BEST OF THE BEST of chilling/thrilling Psychological suspense story, ever! This one is a MUST READ! Scroll down and read 'about the author', and that will tell you even more about 'why' you need to read this book!
I LOVE to read Psychological/Suspense/Thrillers, and guess where I found this book from again? Yep! You guessed it! The "Book Buzz 2013" book! They offered several chapters from this book, and my finger hit that REQUEST button so fast, and it was one of the BEST books I've read! I LOVED this story! LOVED it! I received this book for FREE from the Publisher, St Martin's Press/Montaur Books and through NetGalley, in exchange to read and write a review about it. It is NOT required for from this review to be either positive or negative, but of my own honest opinion. "Free" means I was provided with ZERO MONIES to read this book nor to write this review, but to enjoy the pure pleasure of reading it. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255,
Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Wow! This is an amazing book you DON'T WANT TO MISS READING! If you LOVE this genre, then you, like myself, may vote 'this book' as THE BOOK OF THE YEAR for this genre!
The protagonist in this story is Reeve LeClaire, who went through hell and back when an abductor captures her. She is held captive in a stark, horrid, dark basement for about 4 years and suffers through severe abuse that is hardly imaginable. She makes an amazing escape on her own, saving her own life. Even though they capture the man who abducted her and he is in prison serving time, she is still being watched. She has no clue this is happening, but starts to wonder after a while. Although the terror lived on in her mind as it would anyone if this were to happen to them, a special therapist, a doctor who specializes in treating people who go through these types of horrid ordeals such as this, Dr Ezra Lerner, comes along to help her. He gets her through recovery, which is quite remarkable. She is now living a normal life, although she still remembers. Years into her therapy she confides in Dr Lerner that even though she knows her abductor is in prison, she tells him *intellectually, I know it*, but she really means that deep down it still haunts her.
One day a young girl by the name of Tilly who had been abducted also, escapes her abductor, just like Reeve did. Immediately Dr. Ezra Lerner is called in to help this girl. Dr. Lerner gets an idea that would help Reeve further her recovery and Tilly's by asking her to come help with Tilly and her recovery right away. The two girls together would be able to relate to each other. With trepidation, Reeve agrees. Off she goes to try to help.
In the meantime, there are two more girls who have been abducted. This all seems like it has to point to one man, a serial killer, who is taking these girls because the MO (Method of Operation) is the seems to be like it was for Reeve, and the police believe this has to be the same abductor for all three of these girls, and possibly Reeve, too. Somehow Reeve thinks it goes a little deeper than that, and she starts her own search for this monster.
The monster finds out that Reeve is helping Tilly, eventually. He does not like this. Little does he know that Reeve is catching on to him. She puts herself into the limelight of trouble, and it's all she can do to try to remain safe herself. Does it work, though?
In this book it goes back and forth between places, yet we get to read what the serial killer is thinking and doing, learning about him, too. We learn what is driving him, and how he is threatening others, too, and everything in between.
You will be shocked, scared, unable to comprehend how a living human being can be so sick, while looking over your shoulder, rooting and cheering Reeve on!
Simply put - an amazing read NOT to be missed!
I loved this book! It was written with excellence! I was able to connect with the the characters, especially Reeve. I could feel what they were feeling, the FEAR, the worry, and more. The character of Reeve is completely believable, and when I think back to the book, I still think of her and the other characters as being so realistic. All the characters are so life-like. The suspense had you on the edge of your seat the entire time. There was not one place, until the 'end' is "The End" that you aren't wondering about the 'what if's', and even then you wonder if this really could/would happen someday in real life. This is, by FAR, the BEST thrill book of true Psychological Suspense this year, at least in my opinion! To go without reading this book is to miss the BEST OF THE BEST of chilling/thrilling Psychological suspense story, ever! This one is a MUST READ! Scroll down and read 'about the author', and that will tell you even more about 'why' you need to read this book!
I LOVE to read Psychological/Suspense/Thrillers, and guess where I found this book from again? Yep! You guessed it! The "Book Buzz 2013" book! They offered several chapters from this book, and my finger hit that REQUEST button so fast, and it was one of the BEST books I've read! I LOVED this story! LOVED it! I received this book for FREE from the Publisher, St Martin's Press/Montaur Books and through NetGalley, in exchange to read and write a review about it. It is NOT required for from this review to be either positive or negative, but of my own honest opinion. "Free" means I was provided with ZERO MONIES to read this book nor to write this review, but to enjoy the pure pleasure of reading it. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255,
Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
June 8, 2013
Warning � Do not read The Edge of Normal home alone or you will terrify the life out of yourself! I was skitty and jumpy after reading this and ready to leap out of my skin at any unexpected noise. Or being honest, even expected noises. My phone rang beside me at one stage and I was so engrossed in the book that I startled a little and answered the call with a timid, squeaky voice!
My Recap:
Reeve LeClaire is a survivor. She survived being kidnapped and held captive for four years between the ages of 12 and 16. Now age 22, she is slowly rebuilding a life. Wary of people and uneasy in crowds, she might appear to be living a normal life but she really is on the edge of a normal life taking timid, baby steps to reclaim her life.
And now another kidnapped girl has been rescued and Reeve has been asked to mentor this young victim. Will she finally be able to connect with another person and let them in to her life? Or has she just landed herself into a dangerous situation as another potential victim?
What I thought:
Let me just put this out there loud and clear, this book terrified me. It’s intense and chilling. The stalker is cunning, intelligent and as evil as they come. Bad, bad mix. What makes it even more frightening is that you know that girls and women all around the world have gone though what Reeve experienced and worse they continue to do so. This book is not written from an exploitation point of view though; it’s an interesting study into the recovery of a victim. It’s not overly graphic for which I’m thankful as I was disturbed enough by what I did read.
Reeve is a vulnerable character but so likeable. She is solitary, thoughtful and tries to study all the published studies on victims to help herself rebuild a life. Her character shows growth during the book and it’s lovely to see her letting her guard down a little, it feels so hopeful for her future.
I really enjoyed this book even if it did make my heart race like a steam train. I needed to read fast to make sure all would be ok. What I didn’t like is the situations that Reeve put herself in, making herself a vulnerable, potential victim. I don’t think this was realistic. I can’t imagine someone with her history doing what she did.
Leaving that aside though, this is an engrossing read. It feels well researched and the talks between Reeve and her therapist are really interesting. Add to that the tension that is building and building all the way through The Edge of Normal and you have a book that is face paced and too scary to put down.
Highly recommended to all fans of thrillers and suspense books. If you like James Patterson or Lisa Gardner, then I think you would enjoy this one also.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
My Recap:
Reeve LeClaire is a survivor. She survived being kidnapped and held captive for four years between the ages of 12 and 16. Now age 22, she is slowly rebuilding a life. Wary of people and uneasy in crowds, she might appear to be living a normal life but she really is on the edge of a normal life taking timid, baby steps to reclaim her life.
And now another kidnapped girl has been rescued and Reeve has been asked to mentor this young victim. Will she finally be able to connect with another person and let them in to her life? Or has she just landed herself into a dangerous situation as another potential victim?
What I thought:
Let me just put this out there loud and clear, this book terrified me. It’s intense and chilling. The stalker is cunning, intelligent and as evil as they come. Bad, bad mix. What makes it even more frightening is that you know that girls and women all around the world have gone though what Reeve experienced and worse they continue to do so. This book is not written from an exploitation point of view though; it’s an interesting study into the recovery of a victim. It’s not overly graphic for which I’m thankful as I was disturbed enough by what I did read.
Reeve is a vulnerable character but so likeable. She is solitary, thoughtful and tries to study all the published studies on victims to help herself rebuild a life. Her character shows growth during the book and it’s lovely to see her letting her guard down a little, it feels so hopeful for her future.
I really enjoyed this book even if it did make my heart race like a steam train. I needed to read fast to make sure all would be ok. What I didn’t like is the situations that Reeve put herself in, making herself a vulnerable, potential victim. I don’t think this was realistic. I can’t imagine someone with her history doing what she did.
Leaving that aside though, this is an engrossing read. It feels well researched and the talks between Reeve and her therapist are really interesting. Add to that the tension that is building and building all the way through The Edge of Normal and you have a book that is face paced and too scary to put down.
Highly recommended to all fans of thrillers and suspense books. If you like James Patterson or Lisa Gardner, then I think you would enjoy this one also.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
September 9, 2013
The Edge of Normal is a chilling debut fiction novel by Carla Norton, best known for her true crime expose, . Winner of the Royal Palm Literary Award for best unpublished mystery, it is being published in most major markets.
Regina Victoria LeClaire was twelve when she was kidnapped and held prisoner for nearly four years by a sexual sadist. Her escape was miraculous but at twenty two, Reeve, as she is now known, is still struggling to overcome the horror of her experience. When news breaks that a missing girl has been found after enduring similar circumstances to those Reeve suffered, Reeve's therapist, Dr Lerner, invites her to join him with a view to befriending the young victim and help in her recovery. Reeve is reluctant, worried Tilly's story will endanger her own fragile equilibrium, but she quickly bonds with the young girl whose fear is still strong, despite her captor being jailed. Then Tilly reveals a secret to Reeve that she refuses to share with anyone else, there was not one man involved in her abduction but two, and the one she named Mister Monster is still out there.
We know from the outset who Mister Monster is, he is a local police officer, a surveillance expert, and a cunning predator who has developed an elaborate system to satisfy his sadistic pleasures. An omniscient narrator allows us to witness how this monster is able to evade detection and allows the reader a glimpse into the depravity that drives him.
Reeve is an interesting protagonist, uniquely suited to be the heroine of this story. It is wonderful to see her shed her identity as a victim and begin to view herself as a survivor. It is equally satisfying, if perhaps a little bit of a stretch, to have Reeve be the one to unravel the monster's intricate layers of self protection.
The plot is fairly predictable but the tension is sustained in part by the unknown fate of two other missing girls, Hannah and Abby, and Reeve and Tilly's vulnerability to the monster. The pace is fast, short chapters encourage you to keep turning the pages and the resolution is pleasingly neat.
Norton draws on her knowledge and understanding of similar crimes to deliver a taut thriller in The Edge of Normal. Well written and absorbing, I'm happy to recommend it to fans of author's like Chevy Stevens and heather Gudenkauf.
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