Review: You’re Next by Gregg Hurwitz

Then: Michael Wingate was abandoned at the age of four by his father.  His only memories consist of seeing his father covered in blood and the park where his father left him.  He promised he returned, that promise was broken.

Now: Mike is happily married with a wonderful wife and an eight-year-old daughter.  His construction company has just finished work on a “green” housing development, a venture that will guarantee his family’s financial security. But when he discovers the project wasn’t as green as promised, Mike’s future is at risk. 

Simultaneously, Mike begins to get harrased by some pretty unsavory people.  Initially, he believes it is all tied to his company. Soon, however, he realizes it’s all tied to his past, a past he can’t remember.  When he reports the attacks to the police, they seem more interested in investigating him than protecting him. Ultimately, he must call upon Shep, Mike’s only friend from his foster-care days, to help protect his family.  Without the help of the authorities, no one is safe; Mike must do the unthinkable, repeating history, to keep his family safe.

You’re Next is one of those books for which you abandon all your free time. Don’t think about starting the book and expect to stop midway.  The characters & unpredictable storyline grab you from the beginning. You can’t help but feel for Mike; a former foster-child, just trying to provide for his family now that he’s an adult.  He has quite the interesting past, making the reader assume that his adolescent behavior is responsible for the trauma his family is experiencing now. However, when the truth is revealed, it is completely and totally unexpected.

Hurwitz does a tremendous job of illiciting fear & terror in the reader as well.  I’m not one to scare easily, but I found myself checking the doors & windows to make sure they were locked, turning off my cell phone for fear of terrorizing text messages.  Hurwitz did what many authors are unable to do: terrify me! Highly recommended!