The House of Balestrom

By William Butler

A tragic death. Two sisters...one who marries for love...the other marries into THE HOUSE OF BALESTROM. When Susan's husband, Victor Balestrom, dies in a mysterious and tragic accident, Susan is suspected of murdering him. With the Balestrom family, manipulated by Camille Balestrom, pointing fingers. Susan calls on her sister, Sara and her husband David to come to the private island owned by the Balestrom family to be by her side during this tragic moment in her life.
But Sara and David's visit become twisted and manipulated by someone in the family, who not only want Susan to pay for her crimes, but want revenge as well. Will Sara discover who is behind everything before it is too late? Who is the mysterious man roaming the island grounds--the man who terrorizes Sara at every turn? Secrets are abound and will be revealed all the way to its tragic end

• Language: English
• Publisher: William Butler
• Release date: Aug 30, 2011
• ISBN: 9781466012943

William Butler

William was born in Morehead City, NC. He moved around a lot as a child living in various places such as NY, GA, FL, VA, until his family settled back in NC, where he lives now. He runs the blog Bang Noir and writes articles for examnier.com. His debut novel, Bang was published in December 2010.

Book preview

The House of Balestrom

William Butler

The House of Balestrom

Published by William Butler at Smashwords

Copyright 2011 by William Butler

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either a product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental

DEDICATION

To Mom

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Coming Soon

Chapter One:

The House of Balestrom

The House of Balestrom stood intimidating above the tree lines. Its beautiful red roof and Victorian arches reached up to the sky like hands. The day was clear and bright as the lake that separated land and island quietly moved around the ferry that crossed it. Sara leaned on the banister as she watched the island get slowly closer. She sighed because the ride was almost over and she wanted to continue to take in the sight of the house. David nudged her with his shoulder and pointed in the direction of the island as more of the house came into view. Both of them were excited to be there, though the circumstance of their journey to the House of Balestrom was a sad one. When Susan called Sara telling her of the news that her husband had died and that she wanted Sara and David to come over to be with her during her time of grief, Sara agreed to it fast.

Sara was not sure where they were going so both of them looked up Balestrom House on the internet, discovering many strange things about the house and the Balestrom family. They never thought that one family was documented so well—especially a family neither of them had ever heard of before now. They read up on the family and realized that they were out of place. Sara and David were not bankers or businessmen like the Balestroms. They were merely like every other American—an average person with a day job.

David was a teacher like Sara. They both met at a teacher’s conference in North Carolina. Both of them began to talk the first day at the conference and fell in love. When the conference ended, Sara did not want to leave David’s side. He felt the same way and so they both decided to give it a shot. They rented a place in North Carolina, while finding new jobs there or other places until they decided where they would fit in. They settled on Minnesota.

Minnesota became their place, where they could recreate themselves and be together. David proposed to Sara when they bought their first house together. He held a small dinner with friends they had met from the school system they worked for. David had got on one knee during the toast and proposed. Sara cried and screamed with happiness. She could not stop saying yes to him, as they hugged and kissed. Their friends were excited for them as well. Sara immediately called Susan up to tell her the great news about her engagement.

Oh, Susan, the ring is so beautiful, Sara exclaimed over the phone to her sister. She kept staring at it while she told Susan about what David did and how he proposed and how she could not stop saying yes. She laughed thinking about it over and over again. We are going to have a spring wedding and I want you to be here, she said into the receiver.

I will try darling, but I can’t make any promises, Susan said. You know I am not even in the states right now, she added.

You’re not in the states, she said sounding shocked. Where are you?

Dear I’m in Turkey, she said. I met this nice man from London, when I was visiting Belize. He is an amazing man and he told me about some property he owned in Turkey and that I should come and see it, so here I am darling.

Susan was always meeting interesting men who did things for her. They would take her off to places and spend a great deal of money on her. She was lucky in that way. She travelled more than Sara ever had the chance to do. Sara had only been to London once and that was when she took an internship over there for college. But she was so happy to know that Susan was not wasting her life away with just anyone. Susan’s life was so unpredictable and carefree. Sara wished she could live like that, but she was too afraid of the world. She needed structure and something physical. She could not live out of Hotel rooms and yachts with people she had never met. It seemed to Sara that Susan did not even have a place of her own. She could remember a few years ago, Susan mentioning that she needed to go by her apartment and pick up something for her trip to L.A., but that was the only time.

Sara could imagine Susan’s house being beautifully decorated and untouched. Susan would laugh at her house, because it was so lived in.

You have to be here, Sara exclaimed. I need my sister by my side. Besides Mom and Dad haven’t seen you in a long time and they keep asking about you.

I swear they act like I don’t call them, Susan said.

They act that way with me too, Sara added with a smile.

I will be there then, she said. You’re my sister and you need me. But with one condition.

What’s the condition?

Well two conditions. One, I am not a bridesmaid and two, you don’t throw me the bouquet, she said, laughing.

Done, Sara laughed. I won’t make you a Bridesmaid. But you can be my Best Maid, she said.

A what?

A Best Maid, she said. It’s like a Best Man, but you’re the female version. Sara laughed.

Wow, Sara, that doesn’t sound traditional at all, Susan said sounding surprised.

Well maybe you’re being a bad influence on me, she said. They both laughed at each other over the phone.

Susan did come to Sara’s wedding. She came in enough time to add her opinion to the construction of the wedding, despite how David’s parents objected. The wedding was successful and Susan gave Sara several wedding gifts. One gift was a check for fifty-thousand dollars and the other was two plane tickets to Paris, which included a package deal for newlyweds. When Sara and David saw the check, they both were amazed. Sara had no idea that Susan had such money. Several guests and family members asked Susan what she did for a living, but she would casually avoid the question by changing the subject or she would just laugh and say, who needs to work.

The man Susan brought with her to the wedding was what their mother would call a catch. He was six-five with dark brown hair. He wore a beautiful suit that was blue. He wore it like a model. He even had the face of a model. He walked up to Sara and David kissing her hand and shaking David’s. He wished them both a bright and happy future as he smiled at them with pearl white teeth. He was so clean and chiseled. The next day Sara finally got to see—in her opinion—why Susan brought Mr. Chiseled—Mr. Chiseled being what everyone was calling him. Some would have thought that Susan was with him because of his beautiful features and strong body, which he proudly showed off when everyone went to the beach to lay out and swim. Both men and women looked at him in amazement and even—lust, which made Sara giggle like a little school girl.

Can you believe what we are seeing, David said, looking Mr. Chiseled up and down. There isn’t any fat on that man’s body. It’s all lean muscle, he said, gawking.

Stop staring, Sara laughed, swatting at David.

I can’t help it.

If you don’t stop he will think that you like him, she teased. David laughed and looked away bashfully. Every now and then Sara would catch David looking at his own body. He would flex an arm here or there to see where his muscles were. Sara would laugh and then touch David’s leg. All your muscles are right here, she said, taking her finger and poking David in the head.

Great, he said. Now he was determined to start working out. Sara knew why Susan brought Mr. Chiseled and it was not for attention—well attention for her, but more of a distraction from her. She wanted to avoid people’s stares and questions. Mr. Chiseled was with Susan for fun. It was the kind of fun that you could only have from someone that was not your husband, but more of a lover. Why Susan wanted to avoid people was a mystery to Sara, but it was how Susan had always been—private.

A few more years had gone by and Susan called Sara to tell her that she had married. It came as a shock because Susan had never talked about a man being in her life. At first, Sara thought it was Mr. Chiseled whom Susan had married, but it turned out to be a Mr. Victor Balestrom. Sara had never heard of him and yet never met him. She was a little upset that she was not invited to the wedding—and yet no one was invited to the wedding.

I’m so sorry dear, it was one of those things that just happened, she said.

I understand, it’s your life, but oh, Susan, I just wanted to be there for you like you were for me on my wedding day.

I’m sorry, darling, she said. I can’t help it. I just had to snatch this one up before he got away. He is not like my other two husbands. He is so much better than them.

What, Sara said. You were married twice before?

Yes, I thought I told you, Susan said, surprised.

No, Sara said. When did this happen and where are they now?

Sara, dear, everything is good, Susan said. I was married twice before, but they both passed away a few years after we married. How do you think I had all that money?

I don’t know, Susan, but now I’m worried about you.

Oh, my dear Sara, please don’t worry about me. Be happy for me, she said. He’s a keeper and I will make everything up to you.

You promise, Sara asked.

Yes, dear I promise.

Susan kept her promise. Every year when a holiday would come up, she started sending Sara and David cards. The cards had photos of Susan and Victor on them and inside the cards would be a brief note and a check. The check would vary each year. It was never below a thousand dollars though. This made Sara and David feel bad because they could not give back to Susan and Victor. They almost wanted to send the money back at times, but then something would happen to where they would need the money. It helped when they got it, but not without feeling guilty when they cashed it. So they both decided to start saving the money when they got it, so they could meet up with Susan and Victor one day. But that day changed for all of them, when Sara received a phone call from Susan late one night.

Hello, Sara said into the phone half-asleep.

He’s dead.

What, Sara asked into the phone. She could not recognize Susan’s voice at first.

He’s dead, Sara, Susan cried into the phone. My Victor is dead.

Susan, what happened?

I don’t know… he just died. Susan cried and Sara could barely understand her. I need you, she said. I need you to be here with me, Sara, please come and be at my side. I can’t bury him without you being here.

Of course, I will be there. Both David and I will be there for you. We will leave immediately, Sara said. They said they loved each other and Sara hung up the phone.

What happened?

Susan’s husband has died and she wants us to go to her and be with her, she said.

He reached out to Sara and touched her shoulder. He hugged her.

Yes, we should do that. I will clear my schedule and call the school and let them know that we have to leave, David said, kissing Sara on the cheek and then crawled out of the bed so he could start making the arrangements. They booked a flight to Maine, then taking a cab to the ferry where they stood now.

Sara and David could see the house from the distance as the ferry moved slowly closer to the island. It was weird for them having to ride a ferry across a lake to get to someone’s home. It was not like crossing the street or driving down the road, this was much more than that. It was a process—a moment to sit back and relax before you arrived where you were going. This was the privileged life and Sara could feel it deep inside herself. The feelings were foreign to her and yet exciting. She could not wait to see Susan and hold her in her arms. She never wanted to let her sister go.

The ferry pulled closer to the island and Sara could see where they were going to dock the ferry so they could get off on the island the house stood on. An entire island owned by the Balestrom family since the eighteen hundreds. Sara remembered reading about it on the internet. An island all for the family—private—secluded from the mainlanders. The money the Balestrom family must have to maintain the island and the house itself. The internet could not tell David and her how big the house was, it merely said that the Balestrom House had several wings to it…that the main wing or main house was where the family stayed. They rarely explored the other part of the house and on occasion, the family would allow people to come and tour the grounds and the older parts of the house for historical reasons.

This is amazing, David said, smiling. The house was barely in view, but he could see several paths that possibly led to it. His heart thumped hard in his chest as the ferry docked. It opened its gate and a few cars pulled out while others walked off the ferry and onto the port landing. Sara smiled at David’s enthusiasm. She was just as excited as he was, if not more. Her sister had moved far up into the world. Sara knew Susan was rich but after marrying Victor, she was never going to have to work again—if she ever worked in the first place. They walked off the docking station until they came to land. Wait where is the ferry going?

How will we leave if we need to, Sara asked. David and Sara walked quickly back toward the ferry, but it was already pulling off. A man laughed at them from their right. Sara turned to him. What’s so funny? We may need to leave.

You have nothing the worry about, he said. The man was wearing all white—white golf shirt, shoes and slacks. He had sandy blonde hair, dark blue eyes and his skin was pale. He looked like a ghost and yet attractive and down to earth.

But how will we get off the island?

The ferry returns on a schedule. But if there were an emergency then the house would ring the ferry, who would come out to pick up anyone here. There are also emergency boats all around the island as well as the Balestrom’s own personal boat at the boat house, the man informed them. David and Sara sighed with relief. They thought that the Balestrom’s owned the ferry, but they were obviously wrong and felt embarrassed for thinking it. I’m Ralph Turner… he extended his hand. David took it first shaking it and then Sara. I’m here to escort you to the house.

Escort, Sara said and then looked behind Ralph to see a golf buggy. Ralph smiled and reached for their bags, taking them from their hands. I am so sorry; we are not use to this.

It’s okay ma’am, Ralph said. He placed their stuff onto the back of the golf buggy and then motioned for them to get in. They did, as Ralph started the buggy up and pulled off heading down one of the paths to the house. This kind of life takes some getting used to. I remember my first time here. I was so scared at first, but I found my way around and now I’m good.

How long have you worked for the Balestroms Ralph?

I worked for them for about two years now.

Do you live here on the island too?

Oh, no, he said. None of us live on the island, except for the servants that maintain the inside of the house. I come here from the mainland. The job pays decent and it helps put food and clothes on my family’s back.

Tell us about this place, David said. It’s almost like we traveled to another world coming here. David laughed feeling slightly intimidated over the island.

I would love to tell you about the island—or what we call Balestrom Island, he chuckled. Old Cyrus Balestrom bought the island in the eighteen hundreds. There was barely any life on the island when he bought it. He built a small shack where he moved his wife and six kids in. Cyrus Balestrom had big plans for his family and for the island. He was going to make it an attraction to where the entire world would know who they were…it was like their own little kingdom. Ralph paused for a moment and Sara saw him glance at them through the rearview mirror. Cyrus was a visionary, much like all the Balestroms. They have money in everything, he added. Sara detected something in Ralph’s tone of voice when he spoke to them about the Balestrom family. He could not tell if he was resentful of them or envious, either way the feeling made her cautious.

She could see how many people would feel that way about a large wealthy family like the Balestroms. She herself could feel where her place would be if she came to work for them too. Even visiting made her feel small and unimportant. She now wondered if any of this kind of life has influenced Susan. Would Susan treat Sara and David like a—servant? No…no…Susan wouldn’t do that to them. She loved them too much, why else would she want them to come to her and be with her at this horrible time.

So Cyrus started to build the house, David asked.

No, he never had a chance, Ralph said. Cyrus died before he could even lay the foundation. The only thing that was built on the island by Cyrus was the shack, which is the horse stable now.

If Cyrus didn’t build the house, then who did?

His son Cyrus the second, built the main house where the family resides now. He also started construction on the north and east wing of the house before his tragic death, Ralph said.

Death?

Yes, Ralph said. Cyrus Balestrom the second was murdered one night at a New Years Eve party they were holding in the main house. Ralph began to tell them about that night in 1959 before the clock struck twelve. As he spoke his words formed images in Sara’s mind. She saw the lavish dresses and well-groomed men dancing and laughing. The house itself was decorated with reefs still hanging from Christmas. Sara’s heart raced as she felt the pulse of the music being played by a small band Cyrus commissioned to play at his party. People wore masks and hats with the year 1960 written on them. It was a beautiful night. Ralph continued to tell the story coming to the part where a young woman approached Cyrus. She wore a beautiful black gown with dark red and gold colored wings on her back. In her hand she held a masquerade mask which she let fall to the floor as she walked up to Cyrus, who was talking to his daughter Elisa.

Cyrus, she called to him for his back was to her. His posture stiffened. He was not expecting her to be there. Elisa looked at her father’s expression and slowly looked around him at the woman who called his name. Elisa did not recognize her. The woman looked like someone who stepped out of a fairy tale with her red and gold wings and black gown. Her costume was beautiful and lavish. It was one of the better costumes at the entire party. Cyrus touched Elisa’s shoulder, pulling her from looking at the woman any longer. He turned around hiding Elisa behind him.

Tara, he said softly. What brings you here?

Are you really asking me that? She walked closer to him. Her hand went to her chest as she breathed hard. I came to see you since you can’t come and see me, she said.

Now Tara, he said holding up his hands to her as if he was trying to calm her down. But it was more like he was trying not to let her cause a scene. Why don’t you go home and I will call you later.

Call me, she laughed. Call me later. I don’t want you to call me later Cyrus. Tara reached out with her hand taking a hold of Cyrus’s shirt cuff. He pulled away from her quickly ripping his cuff from her grip. The sound of fabric tearing caused people at the party to listen in and stare.

Tara… he started to yell, but Morgan—Cyrus’s wife walked over to them.

What’s going on here, she asked looking Tara over. She wrapped her arms through Cyrus’s only to take his hand. It was her way of saying Cyrus was hers and no one else’s. Morgan knew of Tara. She knew what Tara was to Cyrus and she knew what Tara was carrying inside her. Cyrus turned his head to Morgan all the while looking down at the floor. Cyrus had no idea that Morgan knew Tara was pregnant, because if he did he would have been extremely angry with them both. Morgan was going to take care of Tara and the baby, but Tara just could not let Cyrus go.

Come with me Cyrus, she shook when she said this. Her eyes meeting Morgan’s, which made Tara cry. The man she loved was standing in front of her and she wanted him to leave with her. Her heart raced as she reached out to Cyrus again. Please, Cyrus, come with me. Let’s get away from this place. From this house… she screamed. The music had stopped and everyone was watching. Tara shook and cried and held her chest with one hand while she reached for Cyrus with the other. Cyrus looked at Tara and for a moment, he looked as if he would go with her, but instead Cyrus lowered his head shaking it from side to side. He pitied Tara for how she was acting. He turned to Morgan who still held onto his arm. They both turned to walk away, which was an instruction for the crowd to snub Tara. The friends of any Balestrom know that they are taken care of as long as they are in good graces with the family. But once a Balestrom turns his back on you, you became—nothing. It was as if you did not exist any longer. Cyrus! Tara screamed his name loud and harsh. Her voice quivered with anger and sadness. Cyrus did not turn around he kept walking. The crowd screamed as Tara pulled a gun from a pocket in her gown. She pulled the trigger without hesitating shooting Cyrus in the back of the head killing him.

Sara gasped in horror at what Ralph had told them. She could not believe the tragedy and the scandal. She could not imagine being next to her husband as he is shot. She wrapped her arms through David’s and held him tight. He smirked and kissed her forehead.

The Balestroms are known for tragedy, Ralph said.

So how did Victor Balestrom die, David asked.

Oh, David, Sara said. She could not believe he even asked that question, but deep down she wanted to know too. Was Victor killed like Cyrus? Poor Susan, Sara thought. The thought of Susan having to deal with Victor dying or even being murdered made her feel uneasy. Maybe she should rescue Susan from this nightmare and bring her back to Minnesota with them. It seemed like a logical answer and she would bring it up to Susan when she sees her. The buggy pulled down another path. They passed through trees on both sides of them. They could feel themselves journey deeper into the island. They finally arrived to cleared land where they took one more path up to a gate. The front yard of Balestrom House spread for miles, hitting trees on all sides of them. Trees lined the single path leading up to the gate of the house.

Ralph pulled the buggy up to the black Iron Gate and stopped. There was a tall red and white stonewall extending out as far as the eye could see. On the black Iron Gate the letter B, fashion in an Old English style text. Ralph pressed a button on the roof of the buggy. The gate hummed to life, clicked and then opened for them to enter. It was as if they were accepted into The House of Lords other than that they would not be able to pass. Ralph drove the buggy through the gate as it closed behind them. In front of them was a huge white gazebo, with tall hedges not far from that. Sara glanced at an opening in the hedges and saw what looked like a beautiful flower garden.

I see you noticed the flower garden, Ralph said. That wasn’t here until your sister joined the family. She wanted beauty and she created it. She has single handedly made Balestrom House look amazing. It is known for its lavish flower gardens now, which attracts tourists and magazines from all over the world. They all want to photograph the gardens.

Susan did all that, Sara said. How did you know Susan was my sister? Ralph smiled.

You look like her.

You never answered my question, David said. You never told us how Victor died.

I know sir, Ralph said. It’s a touchy subject. No one really knows how Mr. Balestrom died. All I know is that one day Victor Balestrom was running around the island getting his daily run in and the next he was dead. It happened so sudden. There are the rumors though…

Rumors?

Yes, that she killed him, he said. Ralph watched Sara through the rearview mirror. Sara’s forehead wrinkled with worry.

No, she said. That can’t be true. Susan could never harm another person. She helps so many people out.

Hey now you’re upsetting my wife, David said feeling defensive.

Sorry. I’m not trying to do that. I just wanted you to know what you were getting into before you settled in, Ralph said. I promise you that your sister had nothing to do with Victor Balestrom’s death. Sara started to cry. She buried her face into David’s arm. She squeezed him tight wishing that nothing like that would ever happen to David. The thought of not having him by her side made her emotional. She loved David and would do whatever she could to keep him with her—forever. He was her rock—her angel—even her soul mate. Life would not be the same without him. She could now imagine what Susan must be going through. How Susan loved Victor. Sara knew Susan loved Victor by the way she would write about him in the letters she wrote to her.

How tragic it was to lose such a man. How lonely it would feel not to have him lying next to her in bed at night. The emptiness Susan must feel. Victor’s pillow still having the impression in it where he would lay his head. The clothes he would never wear again still hanging in the closet. The toiletries still placed where he left them last, even strands of hair tangled in the hairbrush he used.

Oh, please let’s not talk about this anymore, Sara begged. Her face turned red from crying. Oh, this is horrible.

I’m sorry ma’am, Ralph said. I really didn’t mean to make you cry.

David held her tight, rubbing her arm to calm her down. He knew how Sara was and he knew

Reviews for The House of Balestrom

[destinyisntfree · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Let me first say that House of Balestrom was nowhere near what I expected it to be. Looking at the cover, you expect, well, maybe historical fiction, or a tale about a rich family or something. You expect that it being a rich family means they will have secrets. What you do not, by any means, expect is the level of intrigue that is held within the pages.

Mr. Butler is a gifted storyteller. While the beginning of the book gets off to a slow start, it will quickly suck you in once you get to the meat of it. You cannot seem to walk away. Be warned that your spouse may feel neglected, your children shall go hungry and your pets will not get out.

Sara is the type of character you love and Camille is the type of character you love to hate. Susan, well, I still have not decided how I feel about her.

The degree of manipulation that occurs within these pages may somewhat remind you of watching Jerry Springer, but at the same time, it may just remind you of home. In some small way, every one of us has at least one of these characters within our own family, if only you are willing to look deep enough.

The reason I had to rate this at 3-1/2 stars is due to editing. Some of the grammar and sentence structure was a little spotty. It is a testament to the skill in storytelling that I kept reading, though, because I have had books where the errors were distracting enough to keep me from reading the book. That was not the case here.

I don't know if there will be a sequel or not, and maybe somehow the author will weigh in on this, but if there is, I will be interested to see what is going to happen to the characters and how they will continue on in their individual paths.

If you want a book that will transcend expectations and leave you wondering "What the hell just happened here," than this is the book for you!

[senorag163 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I thought my family was strange but this Balestrom family beats even us. Not by much mind you! Sisters Sara and Susan could not be more different and the secrets, well all I can say is WOW. Sara is called to the island where her sister lives due to the unexpected death of her husband (or was it unexpected?) and as soon as Sara sets foot on the island she is stepping into another world. A world of lies, secrets, not so nice people, murder? and all around strangeness. And what kind of person is Susan? Is she a cold blooded killer or just getting a raw deal? Oh, we find out and I will not give it away.All of the above for me is just about a guarantee of a great book. I like families that have skeletons and are not your Leave it to Beaver type of family. Trust me, the Beaver could never have been part of this bunch!We get a hint of what will be happening in the chapter titles. I really liked that. Before I started the chapter I would try to figure out what was about to take place. I was wrong more than I was right! The twists and turns had my head spinning at times, a good spinning, I had to keep reading and never did I see what was coming at the end. The only complaint that I had and again, it's just my opinion is that at times the writing was hard to read, didn't flow smoothly in some places and I had to re-read. A great suspense book with a touch of what I call Gothic horror and creepiness added in. I look forward to more from Mr. Butler.~this book was received free from the author for review consideration~See what Telly Says About Things

[tarenn_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

THE HOUSE OF BALESTROM by William Butler is an exciting supense thriller set on an island. "The House of Balestrom" is full of secrets,lies and deception with diastrous ends. It has a few murders, a lotof secrets,manipulations,secrets to be revealed,a bit of adultery,secrets from long ago,and a family of manipulaters. You have two sisters,Susan and Sara. One marries for love,Sara,while the other marries for "money",Susan. One thinks she knows her sister while the other hides secrets from her sister."The House of Balestrom" has many secrets,disatrous things,deaths that is passed from generation to generation and a family of manipulaters. This is a fast paced story that will have you yearning for more. It has twists and turns you NEVER see coming and a susprise ending that will leave you in awe. I hope to learn more of Susan,Sara and of course Alexander Balestrom in the future. A must read for any suspense, and thriller readers. A great read that will have you loving some characters while wanting to poke the eyes out of others. This author is a great storyteller who will have you longing for more,and hoping to never meet the Balestroms. This book was received for review from the author. Details can be found at Createspace and My Book Addiction and More.