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A whirlwind one-night stand turns into a bizarre nightmare for Ragnar Johnson after meeting cancer researcher Rebecca Chase at a local New York City bar. Her mysterious disappearance the following morning initiates a multitude of search parties, including Ragnar's personal investigation. Unfortunately, the police keep interrupting Ragnar's quest to find Rebecca since they earmark him as a possible suspect for a couple of different reasons. Besides the fact that he was the last person seen with Rebecca, Ragnar has a bit of a shady past as well as mental issues. Regardless of the police situation, Ragnar discovers a prominent clue that may uncover Rebecca's whereabouts. What he doesn't know is that there is more to Rebecca's disappearance than he expects, especially when grisly murders begin to surface.
Nash makes Clue seriously look like a kid's game in his page-turning debut. Producing a nail-biting psychological thriller, Nash includes a highly developed and tightly knit cast that will keep readers in a tizzy as they try to figure out "who did what in which room and with what weapon." His narrative, set during a nearly two-week period, continually shifts between present to past events. Nash throws in a flurry of activity along the way. As a result, Nash's story—as one can guess—is replete with twists and turns galore. Adding to its complexities, Nash builds his narrative by incorporating a constant influx of chapter cliffhangers. He also weaves in a handful of subplots, which ultimately culminates at the book's apex. Amid all the wonderful literary tools, Nash shines a light on the ins and outs of cancer research and pertinent medical information. A fast-paced and gripping read, The Girl at the Bar has the potential of wide audience appeal.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review