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2024-05-25 2:19 pm

You're Next

by Gregg Hurwitz

Paperback, 2011

Rating

½ (166 ratings; 3.9)

Genres

Publication

Sphere (2011)

Description

The Boss Man has an unexpected motive in destroying Mike Wingate, who's worked his way up from the bottom to become a successful home contractor in Lost Hills, California. To protect his family and himself, Mike, who was raised in a foster home, summons his only friend from those days, the formidable Shep, who has grown up to be a career criminal of considerable skill.

User reviews

LibraryThing member tjm568

I will start by menyioning that [You're Next] is the first Gregg Hurwitz book I read. I had never even heard his name. What I will add is that I have read five or six more of them since I finished this one. I guess that would count as a reccomendation. I enjoyed the book well enough to seek out

other books by Hurwitz. That being said, I don't think it is his best. It is well crafted and suspenceful, and the writing is decent. I felt that the most interesting character in the book was the main characters somewhat shady childhood friend. I think I would enjoy a book with him as the main character. (I have noticed this in other books of his; namely the character Ed Pinkerton in [Do no Harm].)
As I said, the writing was decent and Hurwitz does a nice job of keeping his characters realistic and human. The good guy has his flaws, although the bad guys, while interesting are pretty strictly evil. The author I would most closely compare Hurwitz to is Kyle Mills, although I think I like Mills a bit more. Overall this book is a quick, fun read and definitely worth the effort.

LibraryThing member christinelstanley

I enjoyed You’re Next, the characterisations were good and the story very compelling. I really wanted to find out why Mike was abandoned in a playground at the age of four. It didn’t reach 5 stars since the beginning dragged a bit, the violence was too graphic and the police involvement

unbelievable at times. BUT these are minor points!

LibraryThing member GoudaReads

When he was four years old, Mike’s father dropped him off a school yard and never returned. Mike was christened Mike Doe by the courts, placed in the foster care system, and assigned to a foster home run by a decent but overstretched foster mother. In the home he met Shep, who became his foster

brother, fellow petty criminal, and lifelong friend. When Mike turned 18, he reinvented himself as Mike Wingate and got his life together. He eventually became a successful home builder, married the woman of his dreams, and started a family. Just when Mike’s business takes off, shadowy characters come in to his life. Is the trouble from a business mistake or does the trouble go all the way back to his mysterious childhood? Mike calls on Shep to help him figure out who he is before he loses everything.

Although the premise of the book had potential and the author kept me guessing to the end, as a reader, the payoff was hardly worth the effort. Hurwitz failed to make the characters interesting early in the book, so I struggled to connect for the first hundred pages or so. One the numerous characters finally start to intertwine the story picks up considerably. However, as the pace and action ratcheted up, so did my incredulity. No matter how hard I tried to suspend disbelief, I just couldn’t buy into the story. Overall this felt like a second rate plot from a third rate author. This was my first Gregg Hurwitz book and it will probably also be my last.

LibraryThing member dsdmd

You're Next started off at a slow jog. There was enough suspense to keep you reading but certainly not enough to keep you on the edge of your seat. Unfortunately this took up about half the book. At that point the action and the suspense both took off with the last half of the book finally reaching

the thriller category.

There were a few inaccuracies in the book (e.g. with the HIPPA laws, charts are no longer put on hospital room doors with tabs with the patients' names on them--patient privacy), this didn't distract from the storyline. The characters were mostly well developed, especially Shep, the very loyal foster brother and career criminal and one of my favorites. While there were several murders and attempted murders, I did not think the violence was overdone or overly graphic.

While it may not have been as fast paced as I would have liked, I enjoyed this book and would read more of Mr. Hurwitz.

LibraryThing member cmeilink

This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.

Mike Wingate is a man without an identity. Abandoned by his father when he was four, Mike was raised in foster care and lived his life without knowing who he was or why his parents left him.

Now, married and with a daughter of his own, Mike

finds himself running from men who have one goal–to kill him and his daughter.

Mike enlists the help of his foster brother, Shep, to help him avoid his would-be assassins and discovers that his true identity is making him and his daughter targets in this high-stakes game.

A well-paced story with an intriguing plot and wonderful characters.

I highly recommend this book.

LibraryThing member StanSki

Mike Wingate, abandoned at age 4, raised in a foster home, has grown into a responsible adult, and everything, suddenly, has gone wrong. At this point this book turns dark and foreboding. Mike is obviously targeted for elimination, but why? He's helpless to defend himself , even the cops are out to

get him, rather than to protect him.

At wits end, Mike turns to his old pal and partner-in-crime, Shep from the foster home.For the first 100 pages or so, I thought this was a disappointing effort from Greg Hurwitz, but when it got going, it was a great read, if the ending was a bit far-fetched.

LibraryThing member DBower

I received this book through early reviewers having never read any of Mr. Hurwitz's previous work. I am now a huge fan and plan to go back and read his other books. This book was amazing with great characters (both good and evil), a great plot (though a bit unrealistic at times), and a pace that

leaves you breathless at times. His writing is the quality that makes you feel part of the story and in this book that is quite scary at times. The story is about Mike Wingate who after a hard childhood (in which he was abandoned by his father, raised in a foster home, and was involved in petty crimes) is now a husband, father, and is beginning to make it as a green builder. When all seems to be going well, he and his family are targeted by powerful people who want him out of the picture. Who can he turn to for help in finding out what is going on? He turns to his friend, Shep, from his foster home days who lives his life as a safecracker, is street smart, and as loyal a friend as one can have. Can Shep help save Mike, his wife Annabelle, and his daughter Kat from those seeking to destroy them and in the meantime find out what Mike has done to cause their wrath? I strongly recommend this book!

LibraryThing member Nebraska_Girl1971

I received this book through Early Reviewers; this is my first book that I have read by Gregg Hurwitz. It is about a man who was abandoned by his parents at the age of 4 - but nor one knows why or even who he is. Through the story, "Mike" finds out who is and why his parents disappeared when he was

a young child. Overall, this book is action filled and keeps moving, but mostly it is about the love a father has for his daughter and how he is going to save her from all the hurt and uncertainty he had as a child. I would recommend this book to those who love lots of action and suspense.

LibraryThing member lrkutch

You're Next by Gregg Hurwitz is the second book I have read by the author. The book is action packed and suspenseful; especially towards the end of the novel. It also shows the love a father has for his daughter and ultimately his family and his unwavering strength to bring his family back

together. He faces obstacle after obstacle in his journey to do so. If you like fast paced novels that have surprising and unexpected twists than this should be your next read.

LibraryThing member Kevinbw309

You're Next by Gregg Hurwitz is a thriller about a man named Mike Wingate. Mike, having been abandoned at age four, grew up in foster care. Although he and his foster brother, Shep, got into a bit of trouble in their adolescence, Mike has worked hard and finally achieved the life he always dreamed

of. He has a beautiful wife, an 8-year-old daughter, and owns his own construction company, which is about to finish a job that will give them a financially secure future. But things suddenly take a turn for the worst. Some unknown force is coming after him. And this force is somehow connected to a past that he doesn't even remember. When the police prove to be of no help, he turns to his foster brother Shep, who chose an alternate route in life. Shep promises to help Mike, his wife, Annabel, and his daughter, Kat, to find out who is after his family, and why. As the mystery slowly unravels, Mike starts finding out who he is and where he came from. And why his past is coming back to haunt him.

Full of twists with plenty of suspense, You're Next is a great read. Although a little slow at times, this book is definitely worth reading. With characters everyone can relate to and wonderfully written details, this book is a great addition to the thriller/suspense genre.

LibraryThing member njstitcher

Mike Wingate is haunted by a past he can't remember. Abandoned by his father when he is four, he remembers little about his early years and does not know if his parents are alive or dead. A tough foster home - he manages to stay in the same one from age 4 to 17 - juvenile run-ins with the law all

shape him as an adult. Yet somehow he manages to become a model citizen. It all falls apart when he realizes that someone for some reason wants him and his family dead. I will not give away the rest of the plot. I took me a couple of days to get into this book, but once I did, I literally could not put it down. Fast-paced, plot twists, good characters all keep your interest in the outcome. The reason he is being hunted down comes a little out of left field. The ease in which Mike gets out of trouble as a young man also stretch plausibility. But overall, you forget those issue as you get caught up in the chase and the wrenching decision he has to make to save his family. I found his relationship with his daughter particularly touching and she was one of the most enjoyable characters.

LibraryThing member MikeD

Loved this book....a slightly slow start, but stay with it, well worth the effort! Kept me guessing until the very end, and makes you want more.

LibraryThing member ktswjw

You're Next starts a bit slow but becomes a suspenseful page turner as the threat, and the action, increases. Mike WIngate is a man with a mystery - abandoned as a child, he doesn't know who he is or where he came from - but someone else does. When a local housing project brings Mike an award and

media coverage, his unknown past comes to his door intent on finishing a crime that began when Mike was a child.
I really enjoyed this book - Mike and his family are sympathetic characters - and what Mike learns about family, friendship, and loyalty help to make this book more than just another beach read. And the reason Mike is being hunted is a real surprise - and a nice twist to the story. A definite keeper!

LibraryThing member Bumpersmom

INCREDIBLE! I really enjoyed this book. This is one of those authors who grabs your attention within the first few paragraphs and keeps you hooked all the way to the final sentence. We have a murder mystery, action, suspence thriller with lots of twists and turns to keep you turning page after page

and not wanting to put the book down. And, for once the story is unique as to the why and who is being targeted. Even the bad guys are different from your usual villans. The whole story comes together quite nicely and leaves the reader satisfied.

LibraryThing member mikedraper

Gregg Hurwitz is one of the constantly good writers and he provides another enjoyable read in "You're Next."

Mike Wingate is left at a playground by his father when Mike was age four. Mike's father told him that it wasn't his fault and then disappeared from Mike's life.

What happened that could cause

a parent to apparently abandon a young child? The answer to this question stimulated my curiosity as I read the book.

Mike is raised in a foster home and befriends a boy named Shep. They become inseparable but get into a lot of trouble.

Mike is given a break and with hard work, builds up his construction business and finds happiness with his wife, Annabel and precocious daughter, Kat, age eight.

After Mike's photo is in the paper for winning a prize, a number of shady people beging following him in a threatening manner. When Mike complains to the police, they seem more interested in Mike's unusual background and don't help.

Finally, when Mike gets a notice "You're Next," he calls his friend Shep for help.

I enjoyed Mike as a character and was interested that he was trying to determine who was trying to hurt him and his family and why.

The search for Mike's prusuers takes him to a place that the reader cannot forsee and the conclusion is done with cinematic description and is satisfying and engrossing.

LibraryThing member BookDivasReads

Imagine being dropped off and abandoned at a playground as a four-year-old child. Now imagine that you spend the next fourteen years in the foster care system and the only "family" you now have is basically a juvenile delinquent. You don't know why your parents disappeared or even what your last

name was but you are determined to turn your life around. This is Michael Wingate's life in You're Next by Gregg Hurwitz.

This psychological thriller builds layer upon layer of intrigue by providing glimpses into Michael's past. But these glimpses only reveal the past after he was abandoned. Obviously abandonment leaves emotional and mental scars, and Michael has his fair share. As a result he is determined to never let down his daughter Katherine. Michael is now a successful contractor and is about to win an award for building green homes that aren't completely green. When Michael is confronted by a stranger at the award's party and basically threatened, he is first confused and then later angry. The anger builds when his daughter is threatened and his wife, Annabel, is seriously injured. What does all of this have to do with Michael? Could his unknown past be rearing its ugly head and intruding on his present? How much of a past could a four-year-old child have had?

Michael embarks on a hunt for the answers. The only person he knows he can depend on is his childhood best friend and surrogate brother, Shep. When pushed to the edge Michael pushes back and uncovers a history of dirty little secrets that are best kept uncovered. How far is Michael willing to go? Read the book, trust me on this one. If you don't add any other book to your reading list, You're Next is definitely one to read. Kat is a lovable and precocious child with a core of inner strength. Michael is a man that wants to do right at any cost but realizes that lifetime sometimes has to be lived in the murkier gray areas. Shep is, well words can't describe Shep but he is the type of friend you want when backed into a corner and facing really bad guys. I enjoyed reading You're Next so much that I've promptly added many other works by Mr. Hurwitz to my TBR list. I've found another favorite author!

LibraryThing member everfresh1

Good fast plot, but the characters are somewhat stereotypical. Still, good read if you like such kind of books.

LibraryThing member ken1952

Well defined characters and a fast pace make this thriller an enjoyable read. Hurwitz does a wonderful job in establishing the father daughter relationship that is so important in the book. And the villains are very creepy.

LibraryThing member Twink

Gregg Hurwitz is another new to me author. I chose to listen to his latest book You're Next.

The opening prologue is guaranteed to snare you. A young boy - 4 years old - is taken by his father to a playground....and left. Young Michael Doe grows up in foster care, not knowing who he is, but always

watching out that front window for his dad to return. Another child at the home - Shep, who is partially deaf, becomes his only family. Mike is smart though and has plans to 'make it' in the world.

His dreams come true - he's a contractor with an award winning housing development. But, his picture in a local paper seems to trigger someone or something...from his past? Who knows? All he knows is that the cops won't help, his family is in danger and so he calls on the one friend he knows will never let hi m down - Shep.

Hurwitz keeps us guessing and guessing on the real reason behind Michael being a target and who he really is. In no way, shape or form would I have ever guessed it! The two 'bad guys' chasing Michael are truly frightening. Although violence is always a threat, it's even more insidious in a subtle presentation....like your daughter's stuffed animal being taken while you're all asleep in the house.

Hurwitz builds layer upon layer of tension and relentlessly ramps up the action, chapter after chapter. I liked Mike as the 'everyman' forced to defend his family. But it was Shep that I was really drawn to - I think he has his own story to tell.

The reader was one of my all time favourites - Scott Brick. Brick's voice is incredibly expressive. He easily captured the tension and action. His portrayal of the deaf Shep was done exceptionally well.

Yes, You're Next is a bit OTT (Over the Top). But those looking for a thriller that will keep them glued to page or disc will find it here.

LibraryThing member quirkygurl

I had a little bit of trouble getting into the novel, which admittedly might be my fault. This is the first "real" tangible book I've read in a good while, and I can see now how effortless e-reading has become for me. That said, there is a fair amount of backstory in the beginning with a dash of

foreshadowing, but the real action takes a little time to get heated up. This slow-burn was frustrating and I was anxious to get to the meat of the plot. I did find the backstory interesting, it's just that when I read a suspense novel, I expect the suspense to commence early enough to hook me right away.

While it's mostly suspense, YOU'RE NEXT also delves into familial relationships, trust, what it means to be an honest person, and the bonds formed by brothers-in-foster hood. Over all, it's a compelling read. Just push through the slower beginning and you won't be disappointed.

LibraryThing member suetu

Another all-nighter with Gregg Hurwitz

I’ve been reading Greg Hurwitz since the very beginning of his career. It’s no surprise to me that the man knows how to write. Still, I have to admit that the description of this novel’s plot struck me as a little ho-hum. The thing is, the description was

perfectly accurate, but this novel was the furthest thing from ho-hum! In fact, I thought I was going to read straight through the night; once I started reading, I couldn’t put this book down.

Actually, You’re Next is exactly the sort of story that Hurwitz excels at. He takes a likeable and relatable man and places him into an incomprehensible and terrifying situation. Mike Wingate is a self-made man—so self-made that he literally invented his own name. He has a rather tragic past. He was abandoned by his father as a four-year-old. He suspects that his mother is dead. He grows up in a rough foster home never truly knowing his past or his own identity. He bonds fiercely with a foster brother, but as they grow up, they grow apart, with Shep becoming a career criminal and Mike becoming a respected businessman and devoted husband and father. As the novel opens, Mike’s life has never been better—and then it all starts to unravel. Dangerous men seem to be making inexplicable threats against Mike and his family. The situation escalates rapidly, and Mike has to fight with everything he’s got.

Even now, it still doesn’t sound that exciting to me. There are several reasons why I think the novel works so well. First, Hurwitz does a great job of making you really care about this family in peril. As a reader, I was very invested in their fates. Shep is a terrific character, and the villains are suitably villainous. The other thing that Hurwitz does so well is pacing. It didn’t take long at all to get sucked into this book, and I wasn’t lying… I think I was up past 3:00AM reading. I had to force myself to turn off the lights. My pulse was racing so much as I read that I wasn’t sleepy at all! Needless to say, I finished the book in record time the next day. The ultimate explanation of why this family was targeted was completely unexpected.

I won’t pretend that You’re Next is great literature, but it was pretty darn entertaining. I’m a satisfied reader. And description or no, I’ll have more faith in the future. Mr. Hurwitz hasn’t let me down yet.

LibraryThing member monkeygirl351

Pretty good thriller. Didn't really know where it was going for the first half, which I also thought was kinda slow. It really started picking up in the second half and had a nice plot twist, so basically redeemed itself in the second half.

LibraryThing member eviltammy

Had a bit of trouble getting into the book, but after a few chapters, things picked up and sped right along. Hurwitz writes good thrillers, but I didn't think this was his best. The action parts were good and the motive behind the evil plot was believable, but, even given that the character knew

nothing of his past, the twist was out there. I'll still be reading the next book he does.

LibraryThing member katiefeldmom

The article that Robert Crais did for BN.com where he spotlighted 7 authors was how I found "You're Next". I finished it last night and it is definitely up there as one of the best books I've read in a long time. Had me hooked from page 1 and I could not put it down. I fell in love with the

characters (even Shep) and from the start knew right away how much Michael loved his family.

LibraryThing member eclipse75048

I thought this was one of Hurwitz's better novels. Good pacing, tight story, believable plot. Creepy antagonists, murder, mayhem, it's got it all.

Awards

RUSA CODES Reading List (Shortlist — 2012)

British Book Award (Shortlist — 2011)

Language

Original language

English

Original publication date

2010

Physical description

7.8 inches

ISBN

9780751542110

More

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