The Victim

British author Manning (Don’t Look Now) explores the life-altering consequences that can ensue from split-second decisions in this clever thriller. Connor “Con” Norton, a vicious psychopath, accosts Gem Golding, a public relations executive, outside a London supermarket, demanding her car keys and forcing her to the ground. From that point, the author portrays two vastly different versions of the future depending on whether Gem opts to act as “Gem, the Warrior” or as “Gem, the Victim.” Characters affecting both future paths include Det. Insp. Elliot Day, just demoted from Scotland Yard to the Hackney CID , who desperately wants to solve this apparently simple carjacking; Gem’s boyfriend, Drew Bentley, a control freak who exploits Gem’s carjacking incident to manipulate her while concealing a past relationship of his with Con; and journalist Matt Revell, who uses Gem’s story to further his career. Manning adroitly manipulates the alternative story lines up to the shocking ending. Lovers of psychological suspense will be mesmerized. [em]Agent: Madeline Milburn, Madeline Milburn (U.K.). (Aug.) [/em]