Genres
Publication
Sphere (2015), 528 pages
Description
"Why would a man serving a long prison sentence escape the day before he's due to be released? Audie was sentenced to ten years for a Texas robbery in which four people died, including two members of his own gang. Seven million dollars have never been recovered from the robbery, and everybody believes Audie knows where the money is. For a decade Audie has been beaten, stabbed, and threatened by inmates and guards, all desperate to know the secret. The day before he is due to be released, Audie suddenly vanishes. The hunt for Audie, and the money, is on. But Audie's not running to save his own life--instead, he's trying to save someone else. In what promises to be his most popular thriller yet, Michael Robotham has created the ultimate underdog hero, an honorable criminal shrouded in mystery and ready to lead readers on a remarkable chase. "-- "Audie was sentenced to 10 years for a robbery in which four people died, including two members of his gang. Five million dollars has never been recovered from the robbery, and everybody believes Audie knows where the money is. For 10 years Audie has been beaten, stabbed, and threatened by inmates and guards, all desperate to know the secret. The day before he is due to be released, Audie suddenly vanishes. The hunt for Audie, and the money, is on. But Audie's not running to save his own life--instead, he's trying to save someone else. In what promises to be his most popular thriller yet, Robotham has created the ultimate underdog hero, an honorable criminal shrouded in mystery and ready to lead readers on a remarkable chase"--… (more)
Media reviews
Deadly Pleasures Mystery Magazine
I loved the premise of this book and the suspense built up in the first chapter. ... Unfortunately, the book deteriorates rapidly after the fine beginning...Robotham piled implausibility upon implausibility...the final straw in the author's tin ear for dialogue and American speech.
User reviews
LibraryThing member smik
Australian author Michael Robotham, already acclaimed both in Australia and internationally, takes a different direction in this novel: not the next in his Ruiz and O'Loughlin series set in Britain, but a stand-alone set in Texas. For me it shows another step, a necessary one, for Robotham in his
Audie Palmer is a survivor - first of all from a gunshot that shattered his cranium, and then a decade where every other inmate in the prison seemed to want to be the one who killed Audie Palmer. As the day for his release looms Audie knows he is not going to make it to freedom alive.
The story is told from Audie's point of view, but in the third person, and we gradually piece together Audie's life before the armed robbery, and then his part in the robbery. We understand what has kept him going for a decade and why he escapes the day before his release date. But will he survive on the run as he tries to put the record straight?
There is a cinematographic quality to this story and I would not be surprised to find it optioned for a film.
LIFE OR DEATH puts Robotham right up there with modern crime fiction writers. It is a tightly plotted thriller with a roller coaster of suspense. It has made it into my top 5 reads for this year.
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development as a novelist. And one that I think will be popular with American readers.Audie Palmer is a survivor - first of all from a gunshot that shattered his cranium, and then a decade where every other inmate in the prison seemed to want to be the one who killed Audie Palmer. As the day for his release looms Audie knows he is not going to make it to freedom alive.
The story is told from Audie's point of view, but in the third person, and we gradually piece together Audie's life before the armed robbery, and then his part in the robbery. We understand what has kept him going for a decade and why he escapes the day before his release date. But will he survive on the run as he tries to put the record straight?
There is a cinematographic quality to this story and I would not be surprised to find it optioned for a film.
LIFE OR DEATH puts Robotham right up there with modern crime fiction writers. It is a tightly plotted thriller with a roller coaster of suspense. It has made it into my top 5 reads for this year.
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LibraryThing member Suzannie1
awesome book , loved it , Audie Palmer escaped prison one day before he is due to be released, a fabulous story about what happened to him in prison , why he was there and what happened in the supposed bank robbery that he commmitted , entirely believable and had me staying up late to read it .
LibraryThing member atticusfinch1048
Life or Death – Beautiful Thriller
Life or Death that is the question that Michael Robotham poses to the reader throughout this excellent suspense thriller. I would go as far as to say it is a beautiful thriller in that it is an enjoyable read that is so well written the prose is beautiful and
Audie Palmer has spent the last ten years of his life in prison for an armed robbery in which four people were killed and he pleaded guilty to the charges. According to the press and the wider world there is seven million dollars missing from the robbery and Palmer is the one who knows where the money is hidden. Palmer has had to avoid the attention of fellow inmates, criminal gangs and the guards every day who all want the money. He endures everything that they throw at him but somehow he survives. Then the day before his release he escapes from prison and nobody can understand why.
With the FBI, Dreyfus County Sheriff and the US Marshall Service all hunting him he also has a price on his head. We learn through the book that some people have very specific reasons as to why they want Palmer to die and that Palmer has a secret he wishes to deliver before he is killed. He knows he has a target on his back and is running for his life so that he can hide and deliver his secret and at the same time stay alive and away from prison.
Whether Palmer is believed by the person he wants to deliver the secret or the law enforcement officers actually care about what he has to say he knows he has to survive. The people who do not want him to deliver that secret keep increasing the bounty on his head to find and kill him. The question is whether he can and will survive and who can help him. The bodies pile up in the process and it seems like his luck, if he had any, is running out.
Robotham’s voice throughout the thriller is haunting and you identify with at times with Audie Palmer. We see both the good and bad of the human psyche which is one of the major driving forces throughout the book. Life or Death will leave you breathless and exhilarated at the same time and it is a pure pleasure to read.
Life or Death that is the question that Michael Robotham poses to the reader throughout this excellent suspense thriller. I would go as far as to say it is a beautiful thriller in that it is an enjoyable read that is so well written the prose is beautiful and
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engaging the plot outstanding and the imagery as clear as day.Audie Palmer has spent the last ten years of his life in prison for an armed robbery in which four people were killed and he pleaded guilty to the charges. According to the press and the wider world there is seven million dollars missing from the robbery and Palmer is the one who knows where the money is hidden. Palmer has had to avoid the attention of fellow inmates, criminal gangs and the guards every day who all want the money. He endures everything that they throw at him but somehow he survives. Then the day before his release he escapes from prison and nobody can understand why.
With the FBI, Dreyfus County Sheriff and the US Marshall Service all hunting him he also has a price on his head. We learn through the book that some people have very specific reasons as to why they want Palmer to die and that Palmer has a secret he wishes to deliver before he is killed. He knows he has a target on his back and is running for his life so that he can hide and deliver his secret and at the same time stay alive and away from prison.
Whether Palmer is believed by the person he wants to deliver the secret or the law enforcement officers actually care about what he has to say he knows he has to survive. The people who do not want him to deliver that secret keep increasing the bounty on his head to find and kill him. The question is whether he can and will survive and who can help him. The bodies pile up in the process and it seems like his luck, if he had any, is running out.
Robotham’s voice throughout the thriller is haunting and you identify with at times with Audie Palmer. We see both the good and bad of the human psyche which is one of the major driving forces throughout the book. Life or Death will leave you breathless and exhilarated at the same time and it is a pure pleasure to read.
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LibraryThing member dpappas
The biggest mistake a man can make in prison is to believe he matters at all.
I am a huge fan of Michael Robotham's Joe O'Loughlin series so I was really excited to read this standalone (even though I was a bit bummed that it wasn't another book about Joe). Robotham created such thrilling books with
This book follows Audie Palmer a man who escapes from prison the day before he is set to be released. Audie had been sent to prison for robbing an armored truck and the money, seven million dollars, was never recovered. Everyone is baffled as to why Audie would escape when he was about to be released.
I loved how much of a mystery Audie was in the beginning. You didn't quite know what to believe about him. The more I read this the more I really started to like him. I don't want to give too much away but it is safe to say that Audie went through a lot. I really enjoyed how his backstory unfolded slowly throughout the story.
This story also follows a couple of secondary characters that are important to the story. I liked following Moss and Desiree. They were both likeable and interesting characters. I was a bit annoyed with some of the other secondary characters but that's because they were jerks.
The events towards the end of the book were awesome. I could basically say all the cliches about how thrilling it was but I'll spare you. Okay maybe I'll give you one and say that it will leave you gasping for breath.
If you're not already a fan of Michael Robotham from his Joe O'Loughlin series this book will make you one. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the galley.
I am a huge fan of Michael Robotham's Joe O'Loughlin series so I was really excited to read this standalone (even though I was a bit bummed that it wasn't another book about Joe). Robotham created such thrilling books with
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his O'Loughlin series and managed to make this book just as thrilling.This book follows Audie Palmer a man who escapes from prison the day before he is set to be released. Audie had been sent to prison for robbing an armored truck and the money, seven million dollars, was never recovered. Everyone is baffled as to why Audie would escape when he was about to be released.
I loved how much of a mystery Audie was in the beginning. You didn't quite know what to believe about him. The more I read this the more I really started to like him. I don't want to give too much away but it is safe to say that Audie went through a lot. I really enjoyed how his backstory unfolded slowly throughout the story.
This story also follows a couple of secondary characters that are important to the story. I liked following Moss and Desiree. They were both likeable and interesting characters. I was a bit annoyed with some of the other secondary characters but that's because they were jerks.
The events towards the end of the book were awesome. I could basically say all the cliches about how thrilling it was but I'll spare you. Okay maybe I'll give you one and say that it will leave you gasping for breath.
If you're not already a fan of Michael Robotham from his Joe O'Loughlin series this book will make you one. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the galley.
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LibraryThing member MikeBruscellSr
Unfamiliar with Michael Robotham's writing I did not know what I was getting into when I picked up "Life or Death", but by the end of the first page I knew I had found a gem of a book written by a highly-skilled storyteller. Robotham is seamless in his presentation, every aspect of the book is
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intricately and expertly interwoven to create a fantastic journey through one man's life and the meaning of character, integrity and love in a world full of strife, hardship, bad luck, circumstance and fate. Each detail rings true, the dialogue is real and honest and believable, the characters revealed slowly like the peeling of an onion, layer by layer, with a bit of uncertainty left as each revelation is made. Treat yourself to "Life or Death" you will be most pleased to have spent time under Robotham's expert weaving of this tale.... Show Less
LibraryThing member shelleyraec
Life or Death is Michael Robotham’s tenth novel, a rare stand alone from one of Australia’s favourite crime fiction author’s, best known for his O’Loughlin/Ruiz series.
Inspired by a real life news report, Robotham has built his story around the character of Audie Palmer who, after serving
It soon becomes obvious however that Audie isn’t motivated by money, hunted by the authorities and criminals alike, he is on a mission to save a life. Despite what Audie stands accused of, he quickly becomes such a likeable character, a victim of bad luck and worse luck, he demonstrates an enviable strength of character to rise above it all. He is the ultimate underdog, battling to do the right thing in the face of overwhelming odds.
Flashbacks provide the details of Audie’s back story, explaining his present predicament. The twists and turns of the plot are well executed, even if a touch predictable. I read Life or Death in a matter of hours, Robotham’s fluid writing, and tight pacing ensures this is a page turner.
An entertaining read with a great premise, appealing characters and a strong and satisfying ending, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Life or Death.
Inspired by a real life news report, Robotham has built his story around the character of Audie Palmer who, after serving
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ten years in prison, escapes the day before his scheduled release. No one understands why Audie would run when he risks an extended sentence if caught, but it’s assumed that it has something to do with the unrecovered $7 million dollars stolen during the robbery he was convicted of committing.It soon becomes obvious however that Audie isn’t motivated by money, hunted by the authorities and criminals alike, he is on a mission to save a life. Despite what Audie stands accused of, he quickly becomes such a likeable character, a victim of bad luck and worse luck, he demonstrates an enviable strength of character to rise above it all. He is the ultimate underdog, battling to do the right thing in the face of overwhelming odds.
Flashbacks provide the details of Audie’s back story, explaining his present predicament. The twists and turns of the plot are well executed, even if a touch predictable. I read Life or Death in a matter of hours, Robotham’s fluid writing, and tight pacing ensures this is a page turner.
An entertaining read with a great premise, appealing characters and a strong and satisfying ending, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Life or Death.
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LibraryThing member JudithDCollins
International best-selling author, Australian Michael Robotham, is at the “top of his game”, crossing many genres and an ocean, for the setting of his latest novel, LIFE OR DEATH.
Choosing the American southern state of Texas, delivering one of the most brilliantly written, and powerful
An engrossing, vivid, and descriptive emotional crime thriller; a conspiracy, a man fights against all odds-he never gives up, to save those he protects and loves; a poignant love story. Where things are not always as they seem.
LIFE OR DEATH opens with the escape of Audie Palmer, from prison on the day before he is due to be released. Palmer has served the last 10 years in prison, a third of his life, for the Texas robbery of an armored truck. Four people were killed, two gang members, and the $7 million dollars stolen in the robbery has never been recovered. During his prison term, Audie has been beaten, stabbed, tortured; however, he has not talked, asked for protection, remaining cool and calm.
Palmer is smart, and is on the run. There are bad guys, crooked cops, and feds all trying to track him down to lead them to the money, or kill him. However, he is not after any money – he has spent ten years in prison, and now is out to save and protect a life. However, what person can be trusted?
Audie wasn't meant to end up in prison. He was the good kid, smart in school and college; however, his one weakness was his love for his no good brother, Carl and he winds up behind bars. Audie touches so many lives and is connected with many characters we meet in, and out of prison. The connection between he and Moss, another inmate is powerful, and the author uses wit and humor combined with deep emotions of the heart and human dynamics, making the novel appeal to a wide variety of readers, outside the typical psychological, crime thriller genre.
Robotham keeps you on the edge-of- your seat, with twists, turns, dangers, suspense, and intensity, skillfully integrating flashbacks of Palmer’s life before prison, and the truth about the day of the robbery, all ignite as it nears its gripping and powerful conclusion.
LIFE OR DEATH is the best mix of my favorite male authors:Greg Iles, Paul Cleave, John Grisham, Harlan Coben, Dean Koontz, Michael Connelly, and David Baldacci, all rolled into one riveting novel. A suspenseful, fast-paced heart pounding, page-turner, leaving you turning into the wee hours of the morning, and characters which will linger, long after the book ends...
I listened to the audiobook, and John Chancer, was outstanding-- with a wide variety of voices, perfectly matched for all the southern characters. Would highly recommend the audiobook as exceptional; however, there were so many beautiful words, you may want to buy the e-book as well.
From literary, psychological, crime, mystery, thriller, suspense; conspiracy, drama, murder, racial and social injustices; love and loss—A tour de force of crime writing, far exceeding the hype, well-deserving of 10 stars. Anything less would seem inadequate, when attempting to describe the exceptional writing, the multi-layered plot, and the superbly developed characters; crafted with skillful precision and depth, grabbing you from the first page to the last.
Yes, Michael Robotham, you were indeed, destined to write this inspiring book. You have a gift. Thank you for sharing it to the world. You are welcome in the US anytime! Possibly Atlanta, or Miami next?
Choosing the American southern state of Texas, delivering one of the most brilliantly written, and powerful
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thrillers of 2014-2015! Whichever part of the world you may be from, and release you are reading. For sure, I want a front row seat when the film releases, as can only imagine the cast! An engrossing, vivid, and descriptive emotional crime thriller; a conspiracy, a man fights against all odds-he never gives up, to save those he protects and loves; a poignant love story. Where things are not always as they seem.
LIFE OR DEATH opens with the escape of Audie Palmer, from prison on the day before he is due to be released. Palmer has served the last 10 years in prison, a third of his life, for the Texas robbery of an armored truck. Four people were killed, two gang members, and the $7 million dollars stolen in the robbery has never been recovered. During his prison term, Audie has been beaten, stabbed, tortured; however, he has not talked, asked for protection, remaining cool and calm.
Palmer is smart, and is on the run. There are bad guys, crooked cops, and feds all trying to track him down to lead them to the money, or kill him. However, he is not after any money – he has spent ten years in prison, and now is out to save and protect a life. However, what person can be trusted?
Audie wasn't meant to end up in prison. He was the good kid, smart in school and college; however, his one weakness was his love for his no good brother, Carl and he winds up behind bars. Audie touches so many lives and is connected with many characters we meet in, and out of prison. The connection between he and Moss, another inmate is powerful, and the author uses wit and humor combined with deep emotions of the heart and human dynamics, making the novel appeal to a wide variety of readers, outside the typical psychological, crime thriller genre.
Robotham keeps you on the edge-of- your seat, with twists, turns, dangers, suspense, and intensity, skillfully integrating flashbacks of Palmer’s life before prison, and the truth about the day of the robbery, all ignite as it nears its gripping and powerful conclusion.
LIFE OR DEATH is the best mix of my favorite male authors:Greg Iles, Paul Cleave, John Grisham, Harlan Coben, Dean Koontz, Michael Connelly, and David Baldacci, all rolled into one riveting novel. A suspenseful, fast-paced heart pounding, page-turner, leaving you turning into the wee hours of the morning, and characters which will linger, long after the book ends...
I listened to the audiobook, and John Chancer, was outstanding-- with a wide variety of voices, perfectly matched for all the southern characters. Would highly recommend the audiobook as exceptional; however, there were so many beautiful words, you may want to buy the e-book as well.
From literary, psychological, crime, mystery, thriller, suspense; conspiracy, drama, murder, racial and social injustices; love and loss—A tour de force of crime writing, far exceeding the hype, well-deserving of 10 stars. Anything less would seem inadequate, when attempting to describe the exceptional writing, the multi-layered plot, and the superbly developed characters; crafted with skillful precision and depth, grabbing you from the first page to the last.
Yes, Michael Robotham, you were indeed, destined to write this inspiring book. You have a gift. Thank you for sharing it to the world. You are welcome in the US anytime! Possibly Atlanta, or Miami next?
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LibraryThing member caroline123
Good book. Held my interest throughout. I've not read a bad book yet by the author.
LibraryThing member maneekuhi
Finally, a book with a long, explosive (figuratively) climax that actually works - without being cooked too long. I can remember reading Robotham's "Shatter" (highly recommended) several years ago and being blown away by an incredibly tense scene in the opening chapter. He certainly hasn't lost his
Audie has served his 15 years in prison for an armored truck robbery to which he pleaded guilty, and one day before his scheduled release, he escapes! What a great plot - how can any reader refrain from immediately wondering "Why?". So begins a story that slowly, teasingly reveals more and more details through numerous flashbacks. The story moves forward well, introducing new characters, new subplots, more complexities, all without losing the reader. Some of the plot points are a bit of a stretch and the romance didn't work for me, but this book is a winner all the way. And what a great ending. As you approach the climax, you feel like you have come to the proverbial fork in the road, but now you have about a dozen different ways you may go.....
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touch, and keeps this 449 page story moving at a good pace.Audie has served his 15 years in prison for an armored truck robbery to which he pleaded guilty, and one day before his scheduled release, he escapes! What a great plot - how can any reader refrain from immediately wondering "Why?". So begins a story that slowly, teasingly reveals more and more details through numerous flashbacks. The story moves forward well, introducing new characters, new subplots, more complexities, all without losing the reader. Some of the plot points are a bit of a stretch and the romance didn't work for me, but this book is a winner all the way. And what a great ending. As you approach the climax, you feel like you have come to the proverbial fork in the road, but now you have about a dozen different ways you may go.....
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LibraryThing member Sharn
The only thing keeping me from giving 5 is that there were a few places where I didn't like the writing or how a scene was told (which is unusual for me reading a Robotham novel) and it bothered me how many short jokes there were - I get it, Desiree was short no need to beat me over the head with
Just like the synopsis says, Audie Palmer escapes jail one day before his release after 10yrs - why on earth would he do this? The story that's told explains it all in such a masterful way that only Robotham is capable of delivering.
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that fact.Just like the synopsis says, Audie Palmer escapes jail one day before his release after 10yrs - why on earth would he do this? The story that's told explains it all in such a masterful way that only Robotham is capable of delivering.
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LibraryThing member nicx27
Audie Palmer escapes from prison on the last day of his 10 year sentence. He was serving time for an armed robbery during which people died. He's keeping a promise but we don't find out what it is until towards the end of the book. The big question is why would you escape when you are just about to
Audie is a great character. He's resisted many attempts on his life in prison and is a calm person and I was really hoping things would turn out ok for him. We follow Audie as he escapes from prison and sets out to fulfil his promise. We learn more about his life through flashbacks and as the story progresses it all unfolds quite nicely. There are some great supporting characters, in particular the FBI agent, Desiree Furness, who I liked very much. This is a fast-paced thriller and my first by this author. I would definitely read more. A very well-plotted read, with a love story at its heart.
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be released?Audie is a great character. He's resisted many attempts on his life in prison and is a calm person and I was really hoping things would turn out ok for him. We follow Audie as he escapes from prison and sets out to fulfil his promise. We learn more about his life through flashbacks and as the story progresses it all unfolds quite nicely. There are some great supporting characters, in particular the FBI agent, Desiree Furness, who I liked very much. This is a fast-paced thriller and my first by this author. I would definitely read more. A very well-plotted read, with a love story at its heart.
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LibraryThing member gmmartz
"Life or Death" was the first Robotham novel I didn't love. The plot was fine and the story moved along at a good pace, but the writing was very pedestrian and the dialogue wasn't up to par. In addition to plugging the occasional Brit phrase in the dialogue of Texans who are involved in the
I don't quite understand, I guess, why the author didn't base this story in Britain or Australia and write as he's done so successfully in the past. I almost had the feeling that Mr. Robotham 'dumbed down' his prose a bit, perhaps to make it less Brit and more appealing to the American audience. Again, the story wasn't the problem for me, the writing was.
I 'discovered' this author a couple years ago and have read everything that's out there by him, and I hope he returns to more familiar territory.
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criminal justice system, there are many other examples of American English sentences being spoken that I just couldn't picture the characters speaking. I don't quite understand, I guess, why the author didn't base this story in Britain or Australia and write as he's done so successfully in the past. I almost had the feeling that Mr. Robotham 'dumbed down' his prose a bit, perhaps to make it less Brit and more appealing to the American audience. Again, the story wasn't the problem for me, the writing was.
I 'discovered' this author a couple years ago and have read everything that's out there by him, and I hope he returns to more familiar territory.
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LibraryThing member rkreish
Disclosure: I received a review copy from the publisher.
Life or Death is a high concept book: Audie Palmer escapes from prison the night before he is scheduled to be released after serving a ten-year term for participating in an armored car heist where several people died. The seven million dollar
It took me a while to warm up to this book because the plot felt a little too familiar to me: it's pretty reminiscent of Jo Nesbø's The Son and one of the past seasons of Justified. Audie is a noble character with a very tragic story: he was in a coma for months recovering from a gunshot wound to the head after the robbery. Robotham also has the habit of of laying on the meaningful passages a bit thick in the Audie storyline in the past. Those sections just felt a little clunky to me, and I found myself reading quickly to get back to the current chase section.
Robotham's approach to characters, because there is quite a large number of them, is to focus on a few key characteristics plus a few key events that have made them who they are. FBI special agent Desiree Furness, for example, is constantly described as tiny, and she is obsessed with her stature. That may be realistic, but it felt a little repetitive to me. Anyway, despite yelling "Oh, please," to myself a few times as I was reading, the story was very compelling for me. Robotham is very good at ratcheting up the tension, and eventually I became very emotionally invested in Audie's plight.
I'm a picky reader when it comes to thrillers-- almost as picky as I am about books told in first-person. Because thrillers have so much action, I usually find the characters get short shrift, but in this case, I was ambivalent about the book because Audie's story seemed pretty familiar in the beginning. He definitely grew on me, and the book ended very strongly.
Life or Death is a high concept book: Audie Palmer escapes from prison the night before he is scheduled to be released after serving a ten-year term for participating in an armored car heist where several people died. The seven million dollar
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haul has not been found in the over ten years since the robbery. The book takes place in two timelines: first there is Audie in the present day being chased by various people who believe he has the money, among other reasons. Second there is Audie's past, including his relationship with his criminal older brother Carl and his first love, a woman who works for his crime lord boss.It took me a while to warm up to this book because the plot felt a little too familiar to me: it's pretty reminiscent of Jo Nesbø's The Son and one of the past seasons of Justified. Audie is a noble character with a very tragic story: he was in a coma for months recovering from a gunshot wound to the head after the robbery. Robotham also has the habit of of laying on the meaningful passages a bit thick in the Audie storyline in the past. Those sections just felt a little clunky to me, and I found myself reading quickly to get back to the current chase section.
Robotham's approach to characters, because there is quite a large number of them, is to focus on a few key characteristics plus a few key events that have made them who they are. FBI special agent Desiree Furness, for example, is constantly described as tiny, and she is obsessed with her stature. That may be realistic, but it felt a little repetitive to me. Anyway, despite yelling "Oh, please," to myself a few times as I was reading, the story was very compelling for me. Robotham is very good at ratcheting up the tension, and eventually I became very emotionally invested in Audie's plight.
I'm a picky reader when it comes to thrillers-- almost as picky as I am about books told in first-person. Because thrillers have so much action, I usually find the characters get short shrift, but in this case, I was ambivalent about the book because Audie's story seemed pretty familiar in the beginning. He definitely grew on me, and the book ended very strongly.
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LibraryThing member susandennis
This was not the best book I ever read but it was pretty darned good. A man breaks out of prison days before his release date... and a really nice, complicated, compelling tory follows. I read one of Robotham's books years ago and have no clue why I waited so long for another. I won't wait this
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long for a third, for sure, Show Less
LibraryThing member kbranfield
Set in Texas, Michael Robotham's newest release, Life or Death, is an absolutely outstanding mystery about a prisoner who escapes one day before his release from prison. By all accounts, Audie Palmer is a very intelligent man so what on earth would prompt him to make such a foolhardy decision? The
Audie has been a surprisingly model prisoner throughout his incarceration and he has managed to survive numerous attempts on his life by both fellow inmates and dishonest guards. He has never discussed the robbery nor has he disclosed the whereabouts of the missing money. When he first escapes, he does not appear to have a clear plan or destination in mind and there is no obvious reason for his prison break.
The news about Audie's escape is stunning and no one is more shocked than his close friend and fellow inmate Moss Webster. Moss has no clue why Audie would escape, and in fact, he is a little hurt that Audie did not confide in him. No one in the prison believes Moss's claims of ignorance and he endures a fairly violent punishment for his perceived lack of forthrightness with authorities.
FBI Special Agent Desiree Furness is equally shocked by Audie's disappearance. Although she did not work on the original robbery, she was later assigned to the case once the trail for the money and one of the alleged robbers went cold. Throughout the manhunt for Audie, Desiree is stymied by the lack of a clear motive for his escape and she eventually grows suspicious that there is more to the original case than meets the eye.
Sheriff Ryan Valdez is the arresting officer from the armored truck robbery and he is one of the first to arrive at the prison once news of Audie's escape emerges. On the surface, his motive for inserting himself into the search for Audie seems plausible. However it is soon clear that there might a far more sinister reason for his involvement in the current case.
The truth about Audie and the armored truck robbery is slowly revealed through flashbacks. At one time, Audie had a bright future but his older brother's criminal activities put Audie under a cloud of suspicion that set him on a collision course with disaster. After losing his college scholarship, Audie drifted along until he lost his heart to a beautiful young woman and their effort to begin a new life takes a very tragic turn. Now Audie is determined to right a horrific wrong, but will he accomplish his goal before his luck runs out?
Life or Death is a riveting and intriguing mystery. Audie is an extremely sympathetic and likable character and it impossible not to root for him despite not having all of the facts about him, his past or the events that led to his incarceration. The novel is well-written and the plot is unique and engaging. Although it is a bit of a slow starter, Life or Death quickly gains momentum and thunders to pulse pounding and exciting conclusion and Michael Robotham wraps up all of the loose ends with a very satisfying epilogue. An exceptional read that I highly recommend to anyone who reads crime dramas.
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answer to that question can only be found in the tangled web of secrets surrounding the armored car heist and the unrecovered seven million dollars from the robbery.Audie has been a surprisingly model prisoner throughout his incarceration and he has managed to survive numerous attempts on his life by both fellow inmates and dishonest guards. He has never discussed the robbery nor has he disclosed the whereabouts of the missing money. When he first escapes, he does not appear to have a clear plan or destination in mind and there is no obvious reason for his prison break.
The news about Audie's escape is stunning and no one is more shocked than his close friend and fellow inmate Moss Webster. Moss has no clue why Audie would escape, and in fact, he is a little hurt that Audie did not confide in him. No one in the prison believes Moss's claims of ignorance and he endures a fairly violent punishment for his perceived lack of forthrightness with authorities.
FBI Special Agent Desiree Furness is equally shocked by Audie's disappearance. Although she did not work on the original robbery, she was later assigned to the case once the trail for the money and one of the alleged robbers went cold. Throughout the manhunt for Audie, Desiree is stymied by the lack of a clear motive for his escape and she eventually grows suspicious that there is more to the original case than meets the eye.
Sheriff Ryan Valdez is the arresting officer from the armored truck robbery and he is one of the first to arrive at the prison once news of Audie's escape emerges. On the surface, his motive for inserting himself into the search for Audie seems plausible. However it is soon clear that there might a far more sinister reason for his involvement in the current case.
The truth about Audie and the armored truck robbery is slowly revealed through flashbacks. At one time, Audie had a bright future but his older brother's criminal activities put Audie under a cloud of suspicion that set him on a collision course with disaster. After losing his college scholarship, Audie drifted along until he lost his heart to a beautiful young woman and their effort to begin a new life takes a very tragic turn. Now Audie is determined to right a horrific wrong, but will he accomplish his goal before his luck runs out?
Life or Death is a riveting and intriguing mystery. Audie is an extremely sympathetic and likable character and it impossible not to root for him despite not having all of the facts about him, his past or the events that led to his incarceration. The novel is well-written and the plot is unique and engaging. Although it is a bit of a slow starter, Life or Death quickly gains momentum and thunders to pulse pounding and exciting conclusion and Michael Robotham wraps up all of the loose ends with a very satisfying epilogue. An exceptional read that I highly recommend to anyone who reads crime dramas.
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LibraryThing member ftbooklover
Audie has spent the last ten years in prison, accused of killing four people and stealing seven million dollars. His sentence would have been longer, but his attorney made a deal while he was in a coma. On the day before he is to be paroled, Audie escapes from prison. Nobody knows why he would do
Life or Death does contain some elements of mystery in the story of Audie, why he was imprisoned, and why he escaped with only one day left on his sentence, but the majority of the book is the story of a tragic life. There are some twists and turns in the story, but they are fairly predictable. Audie spends lots of time in the story contemplating choices he has made in the past and trying to determine if they have made any difference in his life or if his whole life has been based on fate. As a result, there is really only one way this story could have ended, but instead, it takes a safer route that defeats the theme that was presented throughout the rest of the story. A different ending would have made a much greater impact and have been much more logical. Overall, this is a decent book, that starts a little slow and leaves the reader feeling a bit defeated.
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that, but the theory is that he is mentally unbalanced because on the day of the robbery, he was shot in the head and had to be put back together like "a jigsaw puzzle." Once he escapes, Audie doesn't behave as a typical escapee from prison. Instead of running to a faraway country, he stays in town and finds places to sleep where he won't be noticed or caught. He has a plan which includes visiting the home of his arresting officer and talking to his sister. Meanwhile, Moss, who was in the prison cell next to Audie is taken from prison and sent on a mission to find Audie and bring him back. He isn't sure why these unknown men want Audie, but the more time he spends looking for him, the less he wants to bring Audie back to men who will surely kill him.Life or Death does contain some elements of mystery in the story of Audie, why he was imprisoned, and why he escaped with only one day left on his sentence, but the majority of the book is the story of a tragic life. There are some twists and turns in the story, but they are fairly predictable. Audie spends lots of time in the story contemplating choices he has made in the past and trying to determine if they have made any difference in his life or if his whole life has been based on fate. As a result, there is really only one way this story could have ended, but instead, it takes a safer route that defeats the theme that was presented throughout the rest of the story. A different ending would have made a much greater impact and have been much more logical. Overall, this is a decent book, that starts a little slow and leaves the reader feeling a bit defeated.
Show Less
Awards
Edgar Award (Nominee — Novel — 2016)
Crime Writers' Association Awards (Winner — 2015)
Barry Award (Nominee — Novel — 2016)
Macavity Award (Nominee — 2016)
Australian Book Industry Awards (Shortlist — General Fiction — 2015)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2014-07-29
Physical description
528 p.; 7.87 x 5.12 inches
ISBN
0751552917 / 9780751552911
Other editions
Life or Death by Michael Robotham (Paperback)