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    The Test
    The Test
    The Test
    Ebook371 pages11 hours

    The Test

    By Patricia Gussin

    3.5/5

    ()

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    About this ebook

    New York Times and USA Today Best-selling Author

    What Was Meant to Bring This Fractured Family Together May Only Succeed in Ripping Them Apart—Forever

    Renowned philanthropist and billionaire Paul Parnell had reached the pinnacle of monetary success, but not without cost. Had he put too much emphasis on work, and spent too little time with his family?

    Determined to leave something far more valuable than money to his six children, Paul instructs his lawyers to create an unusual last will and testament. This unorthodox will, which stipulates that the lion's share of Paul's two billion dollar estate be given to the heirs who pass "the test," was Paul's last hope of creating a lasting legacy by inspiring his children to give back to society and embrace a code of moral values.

    The six children: Rory, Frank, Dan, Monica, Carla, and Ashley, have only one year to make a difference. But what a difference one year will make.

    Before these six very different siblings can complete the test, they'll be forced to face their personal demons, and the incredibly evil influence that could claim one of their own.

    Fans of John Grisham will love the intrigue of The Test
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherOceanview Publishing
    Release dateOct 5, 2009
    ISBN9781933515434
    The Test
    Author

    Patricia Gussin

    Best-selling author Patricia Gussin is a physician who grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, practiced in Philadelphia, and now lives on Longboat Key, Florida. She is also the author of Shadow of Death, Thriller Award nominee for “Best First Novel”, Twisted Justice, The Test, and And Then There Was One. She and her husband, Robert Gussin, are the authors of What’s Next…For You?

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    Reviews for The Test

    3.5/5

    16 ratings4 reviews

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    • 3/5
      Billionaire Paul Parnell was a typical tycoon. He spent all his time making money any way he could and it was only in his last days that he realized the cost to him and his family. His six children had little or no relationship with each other, and most expected his money to always be there. So before he died he devised a test to try to bring his family back together and teach them the life lessons he failed to teach them when he had the chance. The only way they could claim their inheritance was to pass this test within a year. Even though the book is advertised as being about “The Test” and the synopsis is mostly about the test, the book only starts out being about the test and quickly looses that thread to become a murder mystery as someone targets the family members and the year counts down. Frank is the matriarch son and as such wants control of all the money. Dan is the rebel who left the family years ago. Ashley and Carla are the youngest sisters of Paul’s second wife Vivian. Rory is Vivian’s daughter. And then there is Monica. I found this to be an enjoyable easy read with a somewhat predictable story line. The book had quite a few story lines going at once that seemed a little disconnected or unnecessary, and the ending never did completely explain the outcome of the test to my satisfaction, but overall I would recommend the book.
    • 4/5
      When Paul Parnell died, he left behind a fortune in the billions, adult children by three different mothers, and a number of grandchildren and in-laws. Prior to his death, Paul realized that one of the regrets of his life was not being active and available in the lives of his children. His trusted lawyer is instructed to create an iron-clad will that requires his 6 surviving children to examine their lifestyles, morals, and values, and make decisions on what is important to each. The final disposition of family fortune will depend on the decisions made by the children over the next year.The family dynamics are interesting and somewhat convulted here, much like they are in any family of step children, half siblings, etc. It's interesting to watch the interplay between the sons and daughters, and the way they view themselves and each other. The author uses recent political and international events to weave throughout the story, adding an additional level of realism. The novel chronicles the next year in the family, and marks numerous ups, downs, sadness and happy events. In some cases, there is almost too much going on, and I found myself having to backtrack once or twice, just to check out familial relationships. In a novel with this many characters, plot twists and subplots, that's to be expected. Some of the twists the book used were easy to see coming, some were not. It definitely held my interest thoughout.If you enjoy suspense and family intrigue, you will enjoy this book. I plan to read more of this author's work in the future.
    • 5/5
      Paul Parnell is a billionaire who has just died. He made his money but near the end of his life he began to think about if it was too late for his grown children to learn life lessons. So he devised a test – if they wanted their money they could have it. After a year. If they pass the test.The problem? None of the children even deal with each other. They don’t really like each other. And there’s a surprise sixth child. That goes over as well as one would expect. Some children want the money, others want nothing to do with it, and maybe one misses Paul Parnell.Rory is a wifely type looked down upon by her siblings because she is a child of one of Paul’s ex-wives and not of blood. Frank is a senator whose only goal is his political future. Dan is the black sheep, wanting nothing to do with the family name or the family money. Monica is the surprise sixth child, a famous singer whose parentage was known only to Paul. Carla is a model with a more than serious drug problem. And Ashley is the child who was still at home. Working on her medical degree and doting on Paul.What will they learn? What secrets lie in wait to be discovered? Who will crack? Will they pass the test?I loved, loved, LOVED this book. I found some of the characters extremely unlikeable but after the introduction of the test I raced through the book to find out what happened. There were surprising agendas, unforeseen plot twists, betrayals, and even death. Sometimes I was shocked, sometimes appalled, and sometimes just amused. You will truly follow the pages of this book to learn what the children are up to. In the process they will discover what they are truly made of. And in the end, we find out who passed the test. And who may not have.
    • 3/5
      Enjoyable book, well-written.

    Book preview

    The Test - Patricia Gussin

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