Or Else: A Thriller

Written by Joe Hart

Narrated by Graham Halstead

Edgar Award Winner for Best Paperback Original.

A secret love becomes a fatal affair in a twisting novel of suspense by Wall Street Journal bestselling author Joe Hart.

When novelist Andy Drake returns to his hometown to care for his ailing father, a reconnection with his childhood friend Rachel escalates into a secret love affair. For Rachel, struggling to maintain the facade of a picture-perfect life, it’s an escape from an emotionally abusive marriage. Then Andy receives an anonymous note warning him to end the affair. Or else.

Whoever’s been watching is going to make Andy pay. Weeks later, Rachel’s husband, David, is shot to death. Rachel and her two young sons vanish without a trace. One misstep, one careless reveal, and Andy could look as guilty as sin. Clue by clue, as his investigation into the mystery unfolds, Andy discovers that he and Rachel weren’t the only ones keeping secrets.

Nothing in this quiet neighborhood is as it seems. No one peeking from behind the curtains of their homes can be trusted. And the worst is yet to come. Because David isn’t the only one who will die.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio
• Release date: Apr 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9781713650935

Joe Hart

Joe Hart is the CEO of Dale Carnegie & Associates. Since 1912, Dale Carnegie Training has helped millions of people and businesses around the world improve their performance. In over eighty countries and in more than thirty languages, the company applies Dale Carnegie’s founding principles to inspire individual and organizational transformation, excellence, and success by tapping into each person’s potential. Take command of your business performance, career, and your future by visiting DaleCarnegie.com to learn more.

Reviews for Or Else

[rrqbwzdwn4 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The story had great character build up loved the narrator

[ladyanello · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I feally enjoyed this story, the writing and the narrator.

[Catherine Penrod · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The story was interesting although I did have much of it figured out. I like the book’s phrasing - smart and fun. Narrator was excellent.

[carole888fort · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Or Else by Joe Hart is a mysterious story that begins with an illicit affair. Andy Drake had moved back to his hometown to look after his father who is suffering from the onset of dementia. The two men live across the street from each other and down the street lives Rachel, a married mother of two. Andy and Rachel had been childhood friends and soon the two find solace in an affair. Before long, Rachel’s husband is found shot to death and Rachel and her children have disappeared. There are numerous subplots in Or Else but the novel keeps the reader interested throughout. The pace is quick and the characters are varied and well-drawn. This is an old-fashioned whodunit and the body count grows. The novel unwinds in an unexpected fashion, making this a satisfying read. Joe Hart has written a solid mystery and I look forward to reading more of his books. Highly recommended. Thank you to Thomas & Mercer, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[dokfintong · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Andy is an author so when his dad is diagnosed with early dementia he is able to relocate back to his hometown. He's fortunate to get a house on the block where he was raised. He can help Dad without being too intrusive and he's no stranger in the town. Andy works on his new book during the day, and he and Dad have settled into a rhythm of shared meals and TV evenings. Kel, another of the three siblings, lives farther away and is caring for two youngsters, but she comes by when she can.So much remains the same from the old days: Neighbors, friends from church. Rachel, Andy's old flame lives up the street with David, her husband who was a jerk even in high school. Somehow, madly, Andy and Rachel start an affair. Stupid, yes, but so wonderful.Suddenly though, people start dying. David's business partner kills himself. Mary the church secretary is kicked by her horse. Then David is shot dead by a burglar. Andy's instincts say that something is going on and when he starts poking around he stirs up hornets. But there seems to be too much going on. The pieces of the mystery don't fit together at all. Andy keeps poking, of course, and is almost killed in the final showdown.This is an exciting and readable book. Much of the writing is clever and fun. As a nitpicky reader I have some questions that I would ask the author, but these concerns didn't really interfere with my enjoyment. I think you will like it too.I received a review copy of "Or Else" by Joe Hart from Thomas and Mercer through NetGalley.com.

[edwardsgt · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Novelist Andy Drake returns to his hometown to care for his ailing father and kindles an affair with a married childhood friend. Suddenly someone warns him off starting a chain of local deaths and the disappearance of his lover and her young children. Captures well the challenges of caring for someone with dementia and the minutiae of small town life. The plot isn't obvious and cleverly constructed around interlocking but otherwise unconnected events.