Havoc

A Novel

By: Christopher Bollen

Narrated by: Maggi-Meg Reed

A Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist

A New York Times' ""Best Thriller of the Year""

In the vein of The Bad Seed comes a twisty, atmospheric psychological suspense about a meddlesome elderly guest at a decadent luxury hotel who believes she has left her problematic past behind, until she decides to interfere in the lives of a young mother and her eight-year-old son, and finally meets her wicked match.

The war between age and youth has never been so vicious.

Eighty-one-year-old widow Maggie Burkhardt came to the Royal Karnak to escape. But not in quite the same way as most other guests who are relaxing at this threadbare luxury hotel on the banks of the Nile. Maggie, a compulsive fixer of other people’s lives, may have found herself in hot water at her last hotel in Switzerland and just might have needed to get out of there fast... But here at the Royal Karnak, under the hot Saharan sun, she has a comfortable suite, a loyal confidante in the hotel manager, Ahmed, and a handful of sympathetic friends, similar “long-termers” who understand her still-vivid grief for her late husband, Peter. Here, she is merely the sweet old lady in Room 309.

One morning, however, Maggie notices a new arrival at check-in: a mournful-looking young mother named Tess and her impish eight-year-old, Otto. Eager to help, Maggie invites them into her world. But it isn’t long before Maggie realizes that in her longing to be a part of their family, she has let in an enemy much stronger than she bargained for. In scrawny, homely Otto, Maggie Burkhardt has finally met her match.

A propulsive, addictively-readable breakout from the critically acclaimed author of A Beautiful Crime and The Lost Americans, Havoc is brilliant, twisty psychological suspense that will get under your skin like the most unforgettable Hitchcock classics.

What an ending

This was a slow story, but it built up and grips you. I love the ending. Narrator made it all the more enchanting

Entering enough although not great

This was…interesting. Maggie was a mostly likable character, at least from the outside. Once you get into her head and her “meddlesome ways”, not so much. “Meddlesome” is such an understatement. You can definitely sympathize with her wanting desperately to “belong” someplace with people that love and care about her. She found that special place within the walls of the Royal Karnak. The arrival of new guests Otto and his mother (Tess) really brings out the worst in both characters. I honestly was never fond of Otto. I’m sure that’s because the author had already endeared Maggie in my heart. The worst of her “meddling” deeds have yet to be done. There were times when I got annoyed and tired of the back and forth. It became so stupid, childish, unnecessary, and extreme. It didn’t make sense to me that you would ultimately harm people you cared about just to get back at a child - regardless of how evil he might be. I did have some suspicions/predictions here and there of the eventual outcome. I think the author did a good job with the last few chapters, where everything comes together.

Great Twisted Plotline

Narrator was wonderful, a unique setting and story line. I found it kept my attention quite well, overall. The main character was a real pill…

Great narration!

Great story. Funny and unpredictable. Took a bit to get going and the end was a bit shaky, but would recommend overall.

Extraordinary performance!!

Highly engaging story and unusual characters in an exotic locale. Highly recommended you let the author transport you.