Publisher's Weekly Review
A chance meeting on a California beach between Sam Dryden, a former Delta Ranger on a midnight jog, and Rachel, a 12-year-old fleeing heavily armed men, jump-starts this razor-sharp thriller from Lee (The Breach). Sam, who spent five years doing off-the-books black ops with an elite team, instinctively tries to save this terrified girl, who can't remember her background, or why these men are trying to kill her. Their escape takes them across the country while Rachel's slow recovery of her memory points to a sinister secret government project. Trained to read minds, Rachel possesses skills that make her an uncontrollable deadly weapon. Lee's precise detailing of technology and medical science recalls the best of Tom Clancy and Robin Cook, while his believable hero adds a Jack Reacher vibe. Still grieving over the death of his wife and child, Sam exudes compassion even in the midst of battle. His growing affection for Rachel adds texture to an adrenalin-fueled plot that begs for a sequel. Announced first printing of 100,000. Agent: Janet Reid, FinePrint Literary Management. (Feb.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Kirkus Review
Lee amps up the tension in this nonstop, action-packed thriller that teams two unlikely protagonists: a former soldier with a special skill set and a 12-year-old girl in desperate need of help. Unable to sleep, Sam Dryden stumbles across Rachel while taking an early morning run in his coastal California neighborhood. Rachel's only 12, but Sam senses there's something special about the girl, and not simply because a group of highly trained, heavily armed men are chasing her. When Sam agrees to help her, he finds there's more to Rachel than he or anyone else would first guess, since she's able to read the thoughts of others. Rachel tells him she's sure there's more to her story, but she can't remember anything else other than that she escaped from someplace where she was being held against her will and that those people are out to kill her. Sam believes her, and after she demonstrates her ability to "hear" his thoughts, decides he will help her, no matter what the personal cost. The two then start on two journeys: a physical one to evade the people who want to kill them and a personal crusade to discover what the mysterious men are trying to hide. In Dryden, Lee has created a hero who is skilled, believable and human at the same time, while Rachel comes across as sympathetic and genuine. The action is nonstop and takes place at breakneck speed with no downtime. Lee's writing is smooth and uncontrived, and with this book, he enters the ranks of the best action-thriller writers, all of whom got that way by eschewing coincidence, instead making both characters and readers work through every roadblock while searching for any advantage that can be had. Readers who pick up Lee's latest should be prepared to miss their favorite television shows, since they won't put this book down long enough to watch them.]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
*Starred Review* Ex-soldier Sam Dryden is easing into a midnight run when a young girl darts from the shadows, fleeing a shadowy group of men following close behind. She's desperate but begs Sam to trust that she has a good reason not to go to the police. Instinctively, Sam believes her and helps her escape. Rachel's memory has been clouded by interrogation drugs, so she doesn't know exactly whom her pursuers are, but it's soon evident that their motives are connected to Rachel's powerful ability to read minds. Hunted by an enemy with seemingly infinite resources, including the world's most advanced satellite technology, Dryden strategically employs skills from his past in covert ops, taking Rachel from forest hideout to high-speed chases to track down the tidbits emerging from her memory. But the game changes when Dryden discovers why Rachel is being hunted, and he'll have to weigh his feelings for her against national security. Thriller fans, especially those drawn to conspiracies and espionage, will enjoy the cutting-edge weapons development, the anxiety-ridden showdown between cunning and technology, and the compellingly connected characters.--Tran, Christine Copyright 2010 Booklist
Library Journal Review
Struggling to cope with the death of his wife and daughter, Sam Dryden, who's retired from Special Forces, is taking a midnight run along a California beach boardwalk when a barefoot and terrified young girl collides with him. Seeing the glow from her pursuers' flashlights, Sam is suddenly overwhelmed with the need to protect her at all costs. Realizing that the girl can only remember her name-Rachel-Sam hopes his elite training will keep them both safe long enough to figure out why people want her dead. As Rachel's memory returns, Sam fears what the future may hold and realizes that he must give up what he loves most to protect what he holds dearest. Raul Esparza sets the tension from the start, propelling the listener into a breathless ride of psychological suspense. Using different intonations for each character, he delivers a smooth and consistent performance throughout Lee's (The Breach) series launch. Verdict A highly enjoyable listen and must-have for all libraries.-JoAnn Funderburk, South Garland Branch Lib., TX (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.