Rating: 
Summary: Impressively written thriller
Review: Amy Gutman's impressive first novel, EQUIVOCAL DEATH was a slick polished legal thriller which could have been the start of a series. However, with this second book, it is apparent that she would rather pursue the title of "queen of suspense fiction". THE ANNIVERSARY actually is a strong bid for the title.
Three women are haunted by their past relationship with an executed serial killer, Steven Gage. Gage is reported to have murdered over one hundred women so his trial and subsequent execution made worldwide news. Now, on the fifth anniversary of Gage's execution, the three women receive a note saying "Happy anniversary, I haven't forgotten you." Who is sending the note and what does it mean? Callie Thayer, one of the women, fears the possible danger the note represents, not only to her but to her eleven year old daughter. Her fears prove correct as her life is in imminent danger.
In the years since her first novel, Amy Gutman has polished her writing style impressively. She hits this novel with all cylinders running. The plot is compelling, well paced and has plenty of twists, turns and red herrings to keep any reader at the edge of their seat. Characters are so strongly portrayed that it is remarkable this is only her second opus. Length is a bit excessive but the book has so many positive traits that this can be overlooked. A strong recommendation.
Rating:
Summary: great thriller
Review: He is credited with strangling to death over one hundred women and then having sex with them postmortem. His crimes not only impacted the victims themselves but the victim's families, his lawyer and his girlfriend who was the state's star witness during his trial. On the anniversary of his death five years after Steven Gage was executed by the state of Tennessee, three women receive a note saying "Happy Anniversary, I haven't forgotten you!"When Callie Thayer receives the note, she immediately knows what it means and is afraid that her new life in Merritt, Massachusetts will be destroyed when the truth comes out. Melanie White, once Steven's lawyer and now practicing in New York City doesn't make the connection until Carrie calls her asking for help. True Crime writer Dianne Massey, whose book about Steven skyrocketed her to fame doesn't take the note seriously. By the time the dust settles one will die, one will be severely injured and the last will fight for her life against a killer who is determined to have his vengeance. Every once in a while, a book come along that is so exciting and chilling that the reader instinctively knows it will become a bestseller. THE ANNIVERSARY is such a book with its speed of light pacing and its action packed plot focusing on three females in peril. Try as one might, nobody will guess the identity of the killer until the author chooses to reveal the identity. Harriet Klausner
Rating: 
Summary: I enjoyed the book
Review: I really enjoyed reading The Anniversary! Written by Amy Gutman, (author of Equivocal Death) the story introduces you to Callie, a 36 year old woman with a wicked past. Because of her past she has been put into the witness protection program. For many years she was the girlfriend and lover of the notorious serial killer Steven Gage. As soon as she thinks she has escaped her past she gets an anniversary note on the fifth year after Stevens's death. Clues unfold and her nightmare comes true. Someone is after her and someone knows who she is. The Anniversary is a page turner from start to finish. A very good read.
Rating:
Summary: a gripping tale
Review: I was in Border's looking for a good "whodunit" mystery and stumbled upon this book. I began reading it and couldn't stop. This is a good book. I liked how the author flashed back to provide more depth to the current story. The author's writing style reminds me of Mary Higgins Clark and Wendy Corsi Staub. I can't wait to read her first book "Equivocal Death".
Rating:
Summary: An entertaining thrill ride.
Review: It's been five years since the execution of Stephen Gage, a psychopath who killed more than a hundred women. Three women involved the Gage case have taken the five years to move on: the true-crime writer who scored an instant bestseller with Gage's story has started a new book, Gage's ex-girlfriend has started a new life for herself, and his attorney Callie Thayer has changed her name put away any guilt of defending the monster. While these three women have moved on, someone has not and on the anniversary of Gage's execution special messages will be sent warning of the up-coming chaos. Someone has decided to continue the murders started by Gage, and they won't stop until each woman pays the ultimate price. Callie Thayer must fight for her life, and in the process unmask a killer hell-bent on finishing what Stephen Gage started. 'The Anniversary' is a twisting, shocking, and totally entertaining thriller. From page one the reader is catapulted on a roller coaster ride of suspense filled with masterful plot twists, and well drawn characters. Amy Gutman has taken a great plot and filled it with thrills and chills. Smooth writing and razor-sharp suspense will keep readers turning the pages. Nick Gonnella
Rating:
Summary: Three women. Three notes. One fear¿
Review: On the fifth anniversary of the trial and execution of infamous serial killer Steven Gage, three women separately involved in the Gasey case - Callie Thayer, Melanie White, and Diane Massey - each receive an ominous missive that they haven't been forgotten. But almost as quickly as the women can digest the full meaning of the message, the threats leap from the printed page and into reality. Determined to no longer be a passive victim, Callie Thayer commences the battle of her life to expose the personified evil force responsible for so much terror and violence. Nothing prepares her for the entangling web of guilt, suspicion and untruths she will ultimately uncover. Talented author, Amy Gutman, weaves this gripping psychological courtroom thriller with stunning skill and white-knuckle suspense. Riveting, intense and most definitely addictive, I was feverishly impelled to finish The Anniversary in one sitting...and on the edge of my seat the entire time!
Rating:
Summary: A chilling book about a madman bent on revenge.
Review: Steven Gage is a handsome man who has a way with the ladies. Unfortunately, he is also a psychopath who kills over one hundred women before he is arrested and ultimately executed. Gage leaves behind broken families and vulnerable survivors who must find a way to put the past behind them and get on with their lives. In Amy Gutman's new thriller, "The Anniversary," three of the women who had crossed the killer's path receive threatening notes on the anniversary of the execution. Gutman's heroines are striking characters. One is a high-powered lawyer who worked on Gage's last appeal and lost. The failed appeal upset her greatly and almost ruined her career. Another woman was Steven Gage's girlfriend for years and it was her testimony that convicted Gage. She feels guilty for not seeing the signs of her boyfriend's criminal activities and putting a stop to his killing spree. Amy Gutman has written a tense and suspenseful novel with plenty of red herrings to keep the reader off balance. Although it is slightly weakened by some unrealistic touches, "The Anniversary" is still a frightening and thoroughly engrossing thriller that will keep you guessing until the end.
Rating:
Summary: This is what scares us.
Review: Steven Gage was executed for murdering a vast amount of women. Five years later, Callie Thayer, Steven's ex-lover, receives threatening letters and experiences strange occurrences. Callie hadn't expected the nightmare she now lives. Her daughter and boyfriend might be in danger. The perpetrator has made it clear that it is payback time. Is Steven Gage somehow responsible for said nightmare, or is there something far more sinister going on? There are some chilling and disturbing twists in this novel. The Anniversary is quite a clever thriller. The building of tension is intense -- and the aforementioned tension kept me turning the pages until the wee hours of the night. Amy Gutman has created a wonderful novel full of suspense and thrill rides. I couldn't recommend this novel enough.
Rating:
Summary: Book Ahead
Review: The Anniversary will keep you turning pages well into the night, so schedule yourself accordingly before you pick it up. I enjoyed the author's first novel quite a bit, and this time she proves even more masterful. The threads of the plot are deftly woven, the suspense is finely paced and the characters resonate without lapses. If you seek psychological suspense and enjoy reading about women, this one's for you.
Rating: 
Summary: The Legacy of Steven Gage Lives On
Review: The story opens with an exciting prologue giving us insight into Steven Gage as he is given the death sentence for crimes that have not yet been revealed. But glimpses are shown through the eyes of Laura Seton, whose identity is rather vague but it is assumed that she was his girlfriend. Gage responds violently to his death sentence, even trying to attack the judge as he is removed from the courtroom. His primal rage is revealed and lingers throughout the book, even though he was executed and is known to be dead. His image fills the pages of The Anniversary. Thirty-five-year-old Callie Thayer arrives home to find a white envelope stuck in her door. Melanie White also receives an envelope as does Diane Massey. It is received on April 5th, the anniversary of Steven Gage's execution. The note states simply, "Happy Anniversary. I haven't forgotten you." Callie Thayer is a single mom, dating a cop, trying to restart a life that had obviously included a tortured and depressing past. She has a ten-year-old daughter. She's attending college and working. They live in the quiet town of Merritt. At least, it was quiet until April 5th. Melanie White is a lawyer, living happily single, yet engaged, in New York City. Melanie was Gage's lawyer for his appeal following the announcement of the death sentence. She did not succeed in the appeal and he was ultimately executed. Diane Massey is the accomplished writer who wrote the book "The Vanishing Man," an account of Gage's horrendous crimes. Her book is used throughout The Anniversary to provide clues to the current situation. The clues begin early in the book and allow you to build your suspicions. There are numerous characters introduced that could be him, enough so that you sometimes feel a bit cheated on being able to pick the real killer. There are disappointments along the way as you find that it couldn't possibly be who you thought it was and then your cravings are satisfied as the ending answers all your many questions.
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