The Big Exit, by David Carnoy ($25.95)
Summary of The Big Exit
By the acclaimed author of the remarkable debut novel, Knife Music, The Big Exit is a suspenseful crime novel that keeps the surprises coming right up to the end. Richie Forman is freshly out of prison. By night, he makes a living impersonating Frank Sinatra in San Francisco’s lounges and corporate parties. But then his ex-best friend — the man who stole his fiancée while he was in prison — is found hacked to death in his garage, and Richie is the prime suspect. In a murder mystery with the twists and turns of a microchip, Carnoy weaves his characters like a master. He has written an authentic, unputdownable thriller that is sure to chill and delight.
My review of The Big Exit
I haven’t had the opportunity to read Knife Music, but I can tell you this: After reading The Big Exit, I will, without question. Admittedly, I am already a fan of the thriller genre, so David Carnoy already had a leg up with The Big Exit. But, wow. Just…wow.
From page one, I was drawn in. I was enthralled, intrigued, absorbed by Carnoy’s masterful storytelling. It was smart, sharp, and believable. It didn’t miss a step…it didn’t force me to suspend disbelief…it didn’t lose my interest for one single paragraph. Good — no, great — thrillers like this don’t come along every day. There are a lot of elements that go into making a great thriller…characters, dialogue, storyline, plot twists, to name a handful. The Big Exit nails all of them. It also didn’t hurt that I am a huge fan of Frank Sinatra, so I found the side job of one of the characters (as a Sinatra impersonator) just terribly endearing. The legal aspect of the book didn’t hurt either, as legal thrillers are pretty much my favorite.
It’s hard to believe that The Big Exit is but the second novel of David Carnoy — it is superb, the twists and turns and surprises flow seamlessly throughout a brilliant storyline, and it is neither predictable nor formulaic.
This is one of those rare books that you will find yourself reading whenever you find a few free minutes — during commercials, sitting in a doctor’s office, waiting for the oven to preheat, and lying in bed, fighting sleep so you can get just a few more pages under your belt (each of these examples is true!). The Big Exit is a must-read. On every level, in every aspect, it will exceed all your expectations. Mr. Carnoy, you can quit your day job. You have found your calling. In spades.
About David Carnoy, author of The Big Exit
While David Carnoy lives in New York City with his wife and children, his novels take place in Silicon Valley, where he grew up and went to high school (Palo Alto). His debut novel, Knife Music (2010), was a Top-10 bestseller on the Kindle and also a bestseller on the Nook. More medical thriller than high-tech thriller, to research the novel Carnoy spent a lot of time talking with doctors, visiting trauma centers, and trailed a surgeon at a hospital in Northern California to help create the book’s protagonist, Dr. Ted Cogan.
The Big Exit (2012) isn’t a sequel to Knife Music per se. However, a few of the characters from Knife Music figure prominently in the story. His second novel has more of a high-tech slant and reflects Carnoy’s experiences as an executive editor at CNET.com, where he currently works and is trying resolve his obsession with consumer electronics products. He went to college at Wesleyan University and has an MFA in creative writing from Columbia University.
“A lot people ask me how I have time to write novels when I have a full-time job and four little kids and I just say I got a hold of some of those pills Bradley Cooper’s character popped in the movie Limitless,” Carnoy says. He adds that if Bradley Cooper is reading this, he’d make “an excellent Dr. Ted Cogan for the film version of Knife Music.”
Carnoy is also fan of The Big Lebowski and all Coen brothers movies except The Ladykillers. (I love this guy!)
And, I love his wonderful novel, which I couldn’t recommend more highly. You won’t be disappointed!
You can purchase The Big Exit on Amazon.
I was not compensated for writing this book. I received a copy of The Big Exit for review. My opinions are 100% honest and 100% mine. This post contains an affiliate link.
WOW!! You’ve made me want to read it again!
WOW..just wow! What a review!! I have this book in my TBR pile and after reading your review, can’t wait to start turning the pages. Excellent post. Thank you!
Because you reviewed it well, and I know how picky you are, I must be FAB! Great vacation reading for me!!
I’ve not read this yet. Sounds good. Thanks.
I love a good thriller, and this is already on my Amazon ereader wish list!
Jenna…I’m pretty sure that it’s currently being offered at a great price…*checking*…as of right now, it’s at $2.99. Soooooo….
Kristin recently posted..Who do they think I am? The Bloggess?
Loved the book myself. I know how movies are compared to reading and someday when this is made they too will screw this up. Never does justice to the book.
one of my favorite genres. Trying to get my husband to actually read a book that is not work related.
I love Frank Sinatra too…a big favorite of my Dad’s so when I see his name or hear his music, it reminds me of great memories.
I like when an author makes reference to old characters from another book, even if hot a sequel.
thanks for the great review!
This sounds like a good book, I’ll be looking for it at my library!
I am a fun of thriller-suspense books. Looks like I am going to like this as well.
It’s good
Sonds great! Thanks for the review!
I will need to remember this author’s name because my Gramma loves reading mystery/thrillers and she is always looking for good books to occupy herself with. Thanks for the great review!
this sounds like a great book!! definitely thinking about purchasing it for my kindle app soon!
I am very excited to read this book after reading your review! Thank you!
Nice review! I would love to read this one! Now that I am starting to love the suspense genre!
have not read it but am going to
I would love to read this book, great review
raventally00@aol.com
great review – ordering the book now!
What a good review going to look for it on Goodreads and add it to my shelf
Sounds like something my son might be interested in. I’ll have to share it with him. Thanks.
thank you for doing this review!
I love a good suspense novel!
Your review has me putting this on my to read list. David Carnoy is a new Author for me but I’m going to pick up both books so I can read them. Thanks so much for review. I’m sold.
Carol L.
You just got me hooked up with another great author. Thanks.
Sounds exciting,prison,murder mystery fun!
I enjoyed this book.
I am a huge fan of crime novels…and this one sounds really good. Definitely going on my TBR list