Galley Talk: Black Out

I am a big fan of Lisa Unger's work—I chose Beautiful Lies as my favorite paperback of 2006. When I received Black Out [Shaye Areheart, May 27] I admit that I was a bit disappointed that it was billed as a “stand-alone.” But as soon as I started reading, I was hooked by the story told in a strong female voice, and I couldn't wait to see what twists and turns lay ahead. Annie Powers seems to have it all: a loving husband, a beautiful daughter and a wonderful life. But as her story unfolds, we discover Annie's past is clouded with violence and death. Feeling an almost overwhelming sense of menace, Annie realizes that the past she thought she had buried is very much a part of her present. Unger's ability to have the tension build, bit by unrelenting bit, while at the same time creating an empathetic character make this an outstanding thriller that I look forward to sharing with my customers.