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Rage Against the Dying by Becky Masterman

Rage Against the Dying

by Becky Masterman

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  • Published:
  • Mar 2013, 320 pages
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There are currently 27 member reviews
for Rage Against the Dying
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  • Monica G. (San Antonio, TX)
    Retired Doesn't Mean Boring!
    The minute I started reading, "Rage Against Dying", and learned that the main character, Brigid Quinn, was 59 years old, I was intrigued.

    I've read plenty of serial killer thrillers before but this is the first one I can think of with an older, retired female, FBI agent, who isn't an "accidental" detective or who doesn't just trip her way into a case. Brigid Quinn is a real agent with real experience who has skeletons in her closet, the ghost of a failed mission in her past, and the realities of an unrealistic personal relationship that she's set up to fail.

    Brigid Quinn is forced into early retirement and finally finds the life she thinks she's always wanted. A wonderful husband and a family of pugs help Brigid enjoy the banalities of a "normal" life until she is called in to help close out the case that changed her life and took the life of her young protégé.

    Suddenly, her "normal" life takes a turn for the worse and try as she might, she cannot gain control of what she had, and worse, cannot let go of this case, even though she can see it all going to hell in a hand basket.
       
    I wish there was a "Good " category for rating books. This is really, one of the most original serial killer thrillers I've read in a while. Nicely rounded out characters, fast moving plotline, and a great level of suspense make this a must-read for any suspense/thriller fans out there.
  • Deborah D. (Old Forge, NY)
    Enjoyable read
    I enjoy a good mystery or thriller and was not disappointed. The story kept my interest and moved right along. There were times when you wonder who is the hunter and who is being hunted. A good book that brings up questions and keeps you guessing
    what will happen next.
  • Diane D. (Cape Elizabeth, ME)
    Fast & Furious!
    Rage Against the Dying by Becky Masterman is just what I look for in a thriller, a great protagonist, a good storyline and lots of suspense! Her retired FBI agent Brigid Quinn is memorable, the thriller moves at a good pace and I enjoyed the descriptive prose. I would definitely read another book by this author.
  • Judy K. (oshkosh, wisconsin)
    Yes the unsolved case of the triller
    A Nancy Drew thriller is what I would call this book. I did enjoy the book but it was not a page turner as I was expecting based on the cover jacket.
    It is about a strong women who can succeed in a male dominate job which she had. This strong women also tried a new life style which was confusing in the story. The story picked up towards the end of the book. In my opinion I am still trying to solve the case of the thriller in this book.
  • Yvette T. (Boca Raton, FL)
    Where Is the Rage?
    Like many readers, I was drawn in by the prologue but quickly became puzzled. Brigid believes the man in the prologue was hired to kill her. Where does one find an assassin specializing in old women? It isn't until much later in the book that an explanation is even attempted. The characters were not well-developed. Brigid's marriage to the "perfesser" was as much of a mystery as anything else in the book. I think the novel is a very good first draft, not a final product. The story line was good enough to keep me reading, but this was not a page turner for me. (I hope that there is a good copyeditor waiting in the wings.)
  • Sue K. (Floral Park, NY)
    Rage Against the Dying
    I still haven't figured out if I enjoyed this book. I brought with me on vacation so I could read it in a relaxed environment. The story started out strong and kept me attached but then I found it a bit draggy. However, it picked up again towards the end.
    I am not sure if it was me but I found at times the plot became a bit predictable and sometimes hard to follow. A bit gory, so I would not recommend it to any one with a weak stomach nor would I recommend it to any one who has experience any type of physical abuse. I did enjoy the way the author portrayed the main character as a strong women and one who can succeed in a male dominate job which she had. I would love to read other reviews about this book to see if it was just me or if others had similar views to mine.
  • Jean T. (Paducah, KY)
    No Rage Just Disappointment
    As a mystery lover and someone who grew up in Tucson and did volunteer work with Law Enforcement in that area a few decades ago, I was excited to start a stroll down memory lane as the book opened. I enjoyed the introduction of Brigid as a smart sassy woman "of a certain age" who happens to be a former FBI agent. Carlo and her relationship with him were quite intriguing. The general writing and pace of the book were enjoyable. However, Brigid's actions and motivations as described stretched my credulity too thin, which resulted in a sense of disappointment overall. I would gladly read another book in a series featuring Brigid Quinn with the hope the author would develop the primary characters with a bit more depth and substantiate a more realistic plot line. I believe this book would be of interest for mystery lovers with a particular fondness for books in the private investigator sub-genre.

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