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Rage Against the Dying by Becky Masterman

Rage Against the Dying

by Becky Masterman

  • Critics' Consensus (2):
  • Readers' Rating (27):
  • Published:
  • Mar 2013, 320 pages
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There are currently 27 reader reviews for Rage Against the Dying
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Patricia H. (Norman, OK)

Are we ever free from the ghosts of our past?
Is an ex-law officer ever really able to leave it behind? Are there some officers for whom truth and justice are more important than rules and protocol? These questions are not directly addresses but certainly give the reader a chance to ponder.

A well written story with two strong believable female characters who have strengths and weaknesses on which the plot depends rather than a string of violent situations. I look forward to future efforts by this author.
Power Reviewer
Lani S. (Narberth, PA)

Riveting Read
As a 61 year old, it was an incredible treat to find such a feisty steel eyed older female heroine the likes of Brigid Quinn. This tough as nails ex-FBI agent is the principle character involved in a homicide case that was never completely solved and involved one of her rookies. The suspense was maintained from the startling opening to the surprise ending. This has GOT to be a best seller and a made for movie or TV series! Run out and read..You won't be sorry!
Shelby L. (Hamden, CT)

Couldn't put it down
Hooray for Brigid Quinn and her creator Becky Masterman. As the title implies, Brigid will not "go gently into that good night" although she has been forced to retire from the FBI. At 59 years old she has created a quiet life for herself and husband but is drawn back into an unsolved case when the police find the supposed killer who confesses to the serial murders that happen yearly along Route 66. The prologue of the book grabs you and the book does not disappoint.
All of the characters are believable, the story plausible, the tension high. This is a winner of a thriller, up there with the best.
Janine W. (Long Beach, NY)

Solid Thriller
Retired FBI agent Brigid Quinn is trying to forget the past and live a quiet life with her new husband when a serial killer is caught and confesses to the murder of her protege. Trying to keep a secret that will destroy the life she has built, Brigid begins to investigate this supposed closed case.

The plot keeps the pages turning, although it does have some flaws. Brigid is an interesting protagonist, but some of her actions are hard to fathom. Overall a good solid thriller and I look forward to her next adventure.
Maggie P. (University Place, WA)

Rage Against Dying
This book was the kind where I kept getting my tea and throw so I could go on reading. Becky Masterman's does have a way with description I like in books. This is not a selection for young adults on down. This is a good thriller where the constants through the chapters keep you straight instead like some books, where if you put down the book your lost.
Good story. Have some tea & give it a read.
Michelle C. (Atlanta, Georgia)

Tough Broad
"Rage Against the Dying" is a good read and has an enjoyable main character. Brigid Q. is a retired FBI agent who is "brought out" of her retirement and her new life to finish off her most difficult case. I enjoyed that the main character was was someone older and who had been around the block, as well as a female. She still has it and takes down a couple of bad guys in her wake. I liked that the book focused on her mental state after a career undercover and spent chasing really bad guys. I think the author left the door open for Brigid to return to some other cases in the future. There were a few places where I thought the book was contrived, such as the killing of the Peasil, and why she did not just come clean on that in the beginning, but overall a good read.
Monica G. (San Antonio, TX)

Retired Doesn't Mean Boring!
The minute I started reading, "Rage Against Dying", and learned that the main character, Brigid Quinn, was 59 years old, I was intrigued.

I've read plenty of serial killer thrillers before but this is the first one I can think of with an older, retired female, FBI agent, who isn't an "accidental" detective or who doesn't just trip her way into a case. Brigid Quinn is a real agent with real experience who has skeletons in her closet, the ghost of a failed mission in her past, and the realities of an unrealistic personal relationship that she's set up to fail.

Brigid Quinn is forced into early retirement and finally finds the life she thinks she's always wanted. A wonderful husband and a family of pugs help Brigid enjoy the banalities of a "normal" life until she is called in to help close out the case that changed her life and took the life of her young protégé.

Suddenly, her "normal" life takes a turn for the worse and try as she might, she cannot gain control of what she had, and worse, cannot let go of this case, even though she can see it all going to hell in a hand basket.
   
I wish there was a "Good " category for rating books. This is really, one of the most original serial killer thrillers I've read in a while. Nicely rounded out characters, fast moving plotline, and a great level of suspense make this a must-read for any suspense/thriller fans out there.
Diane D. (Cape Elizabeth, ME)

Fast & Furious!
Rage Against the Dying by Becky Masterman is just what I look for in a thriller, a great protagonist, a good storyline and lots of suspense! Her retired FBI agent Brigid Quinn is memorable, the thriller moves at a good pace and I enjoyed the descriptive prose. I would definitely read another book by this author.

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