The 13th Hour: Chaos by Richard Doetsch
Synopsis:
On a warm Fourth of July in the quiet town of Byram Hills, Nick Quinn watches as his wife and daughter die in an unprecedented terrorist attack.
Amid the disaster, Nick is approached by a dying friend who hands Nick an antique pocket watch.
Emotionally shattered and desperate, Nick takes the watch and is shocked to find himself propelled back in time to where he was an hour ago, before the attack on his town. Quickly stopping the course of events, his relief is shattered as life spirals in an even more tragic direction.
At the top of each hour, the watch sends Nick back two hours to live one hour again, a backwards march to relive each hour of his day. A twelve-hour journey providing precious but limited time to protect Julia and Katy and uncover the source of the ever growing threat.
But each time Nick thinks he’s solved the crime and secured the future, he uncovers new levels of deception, agony, and betrayal, ultimately revealing a far more sinister plot with unexpected players and grim, global consequences.
If Nick hasn’t set things right by the 13th hour, not only will his wife and daughter be lost forever to the chaos, but an even greater catastrophe will be unleashed upon the world.
Review:
Chaos is a stand-alone sequel to The 13th Hour. In fact, it was several years ago, so I didn’t remember all of the details of the first. So, I can say for certainty that you can read these out of order. The whole novel is technically in reverse. Yes, the chapters are reversed for a reason, as Nick jumps back in time an hour each chapter. It seems confusing, but it makes sense as you read. Though, it’s definitely a complex, woven plot that is far from simple.
Full of intense suspense, surprises, and intriguing mystery – this fast-paced novel is a must-read for thriller and sci-fi fans alike. The characters are well-developed and engaging. And the fantastic pacing and plot kept me guessing till the 13th hour. I enjoyed every bit of this one.