The Anniversary: A Novel

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: 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!