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Accidents Waiting to Happen
Josh Michaels isn’t wanted dead or alive—just dead. That fact becomes shockingly clear when a stranger runs his car off the road. Instead of a helping hand, the man gives Josh a “thumbs down” and abandons him to what is almost certainly a watery grave. Luckily, Josh cheats death…this time. But when more harrowing “accidents” threaten his life, it’s clear he’s a marked man.
Are his past mistakes coming back to bite him? Or is something more sinister afoot? And how can he convince his family, friends, and especially the cops that he’s in danger? The harder Josh fights to stay alive, the more determined his unknown enemy is to see him dead. And the deeper he digs for answers, the more chilling the truth becomes. As his time and luck rapidly run out, he must unmask an insidious conspiracy bent on making a killing—in more ways than one.
Nerve-jangling noir doesn’t get much blacker than Simon Wood’s top speed trip into cold-blooded murder and hot-blooded vengeance.
Are his past mistakes coming back to bite him? Or is something more sinister afoot? And how can he convince his family, friends, and especially the cops that he’s in danger? The harder Josh fights to stay alive, the more determined his unknown enemy is to see him dead. And the deeper he digs for answers, the more chilling the truth becomes. As his time and luck rapidly run out, he must unmask an insidious conspiracy bent on making a killing—in more ways than one.
Nerve-jangling noir doesn’t get much blacker than Simon Wood’s top speed trip into cold-blooded murder and hot-blooded vengeance.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 27, 2002
About the author
Simon Wood
90 books521 followersSimon Wood is a California transplant from England. He's an ex-competitive racecar driver, a licensed pilot and an occasional private investigator. He shares his world with his American wife, Julie. Their lives are dominated by a longhaired dachshund and five cats. In the last ten years, he's had over 150 stories and articles published. His stories have been included in “Best of” anthologies and he's a frequent contributor to Writer’s Digest. He's the Anthony Award winner and a Crime Writers Dagger Award finalist. He's the author of Working Stiffs, Accidents Waiting to Happen, Paying the Piper, Terminated, We All Fall Down, Deceptive Practices, The Fall Guy, Hot Seat and Did Not Finish. His latest thriller is, Saving Grace. He also writes horror under the pen name of Simon Janus. Those titles include The Scrubs and Road Rash.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
March 1, 2013
First, I must say that this is the first e-book I have read in recent history that was edited well. Probably because it was also published on paper. I found it refreshing that my internal editor was not triggered, and as a result, I enjoyed the story much more.
I met Simon Wood in person a few years ago at Foothill College at a Halloween themed author panel that was part of their Author Series. After finally getting around to reading one of his books, I can tell I am going to be a fan!
As for the story, I found it quite clever. Drawing a character who has done the things Josh Michaels has done and still make him likeable and sympathetic is no easy task. I found the ending to be a little too fast and neat, but I enjoyed the book immensely and am wondering why it took me so long to finally read a Simon Wood book. Certainly it won't take me as long to read a second one!
I met Simon Wood in person a few years ago at Foothill College at a Halloween themed author panel that was part of their Author Series. After finally getting around to reading one of his books, I can tell I am going to be a fan!
As for the story, I found it quite clever. Drawing a character who has done the things Josh Michaels has done and still make him likeable and sympathetic is no easy task. I found the ending to be a little too fast and neat, but I enjoyed the book immensely and am wondering why it took me so long to finally read a Simon Wood book. Certainly it won't take me as long to read a second one!
June 23, 2011
Hold on to your seats, folks. Lots of fast-paced action.
Blackmail entails threats and Josh is being blackmailed by someone whom he thought was gone from his life.
Murder attempts. Sabotage. Terrorizing.
The "Professional" gets paid to kill and he's professional because he plans out his kills by studying his intended victims.
Tyrell, the vice president of an insurance company is starting to panic, believing he is going to be replaced by someone who can make better profits for the company.
Margaret, a fragile older woman with a bad heart is a holder of an insurance policy with the company and someone is terrorizing her.
Blackmail entails threats and Josh is being blackmailed by someone whom he thought was gone from his life.
Murder attempts. Sabotage. Terrorizing.
The "Professional" gets paid to kill and he's professional because he plans out his kills by studying his intended victims.
Tyrell, the vice president of an insurance company is starting to panic, believing he is going to be replaced by someone who can make better profits for the company.
Margaret, a fragile older woman with a bad heart is a holder of an insurance policy with the company and someone is terrorizing her.
July 6, 2008
Accidents Waiting to Happen – 5 Paws
Simon Wood
Dorchester Publishing, 2007, 352 pps.
ISBN No. 0-8439-5830-8
One accident after the other seems to be a new way of life for Josh Michaels. Josh is happily married to Kate. They have one little girl named Abby and one dog named Weiner. Josh was happy with his job and his life until the accidents began. The first seemed to be a simple matter of road rage and no one would believe otherwise except for Josh. Besides all the accidents a blackmailer returns to haunt Josh.
Abby was sick when she was little and in the hospital. Kate seemed distant and shut Josh out while all of her attention was centered on her daughter. Josh had an affair with his secretary and also confessed to her that he had taken a bribe in order to pay the hospital bills. His good friend, Bob Deuce, had managed to get Josh $50,000.00 by way of a viatical settlement where Josh got a portion of the life insurance and the insurance company paid the premiums and became the beneficiary of the policy. All of the money went to Belinda Wong, ex-secretary and blackmailer.
Now Josh has to worry about the fact that Belinda is back and wanting more money as well as trying to figure out why someone wants him dead.
Josh sinks deeper and deeper into his personal nightmare while Kate and Abby distance themselves from him. Bob Deuce believes in Josh and puts himself in danger to try to rescue Josh and help him bring his family back together.
Accidents Waiting To Happen is loaded with suspense and I didn’t want to put it down. I also learned what a viatical insurance settlement means and I learned that I don’t think I want one.
Simon Wood
Dorchester Publishing, 2007, 352 pps.
ISBN No. 0-8439-5830-8
One accident after the other seems to be a new way of life for Josh Michaels. Josh is happily married to Kate. They have one little girl named Abby and one dog named Weiner. Josh was happy with his job and his life until the accidents began. The first seemed to be a simple matter of road rage and no one would believe otherwise except for Josh. Besides all the accidents a blackmailer returns to haunt Josh.
Abby was sick when she was little and in the hospital. Kate seemed distant and shut Josh out while all of her attention was centered on her daughter. Josh had an affair with his secretary and also confessed to her that he had taken a bribe in order to pay the hospital bills. His good friend, Bob Deuce, had managed to get Josh $50,000.00 by way of a viatical settlement where Josh got a portion of the life insurance and the insurance company paid the premiums and became the beneficiary of the policy. All of the money went to Belinda Wong, ex-secretary and blackmailer.
Now Josh has to worry about the fact that Belinda is back and wanting more money as well as trying to figure out why someone wants him dead.
Josh sinks deeper and deeper into his personal nightmare while Kate and Abby distance themselves from him. Bob Deuce believes in Josh and puts himself in danger to try to rescue Josh and help him bring his family back together.
Accidents Waiting To Happen is loaded with suspense and I didn’t want to put it down. I also learned what a viatical insurance settlement means and I learned that I don’t think I want one.
June 28, 2021
This book was wild from the very beginning. It was interesting and had twists and turns that added to the excitement.
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June 23, 2011This was an exciting and tense read right from the first few pages.....Josh Michaels is in a bit of a mess because someone is trying to kill him and he doesn't know why plus the fact that the police won't believe him.....it gets worse with a couple of prior bad situations coming to light and Josh is trying to keep his life together without letting anyone find out about his past mistakes. Add in his cute little family.......a big ole guy for a best friend........a couple of hitmen and an ex-lover (plus a bit of throwing around the 'f-bomb') and you have an explosive.......fast-paced.......thrill-ride that doesn't stop.......right up to the last page.........I really had a good time reading this!!!
July 7, 2011
I really liked this book, it starts right out with action, Josh Michaels is run off the road in what seems like an accident, but it isn't as it seems. Accidents start happening that end up leading back to him. Although it seems a little unrealistic the story is non stop action, I read it in one day on my Kindle. I will definitely read more stories form this author.
August 16, 2013
With an absolutely compelling first chapter, the action and suspense keep on coming. The twists, especially the double one at the culmination of the story, and turns are unforseeable and kept me on the edge of my seat with no idea what was going to happen next. Great pace which picks up considerably as the story progresses. All in all a really good read.
January 19, 2016
Great thriller.
Thanks to Amazon found another author, I will be reading more great thrills written by Simon Wood. Keep reading and wondering what was going to happen to Josh next, could not walk away from my Kindle. Viatical Insurance and how to increase their profits is this book about.
Thanks to Amazon found another author, I will be reading more great thrills written by Simon Wood. Keep reading and wondering what was going to happen to Josh next, could not walk away from my Kindle. Viatical Insurance and how to increase their profits is this book about.
August 26, 2022
Once again, Simon Wood has pulled off an intriguing story rich with imagery and strong characters. You're thrust into the action immediately and hooked. Josh Michaels, the main character, is thrown into a world of deceit, mystery and misfortune as a colorful cast of characters unfolds and the plot thickens. A must-read to the end.
August 30, 2008
This was my first crack at Simon Wood, and I really enjoyed the book. It's been a bit since I read it, but I would recommend it to anyone that loves a good energetic mystery. He's getting better with each book!
April 13, 2016
Accidents Waiting to Happen review
Accidents Waiting to Happen is an exciting thriller written by author Simon Wood. The main character is mostly unsympathetic but the story is compelling.
Accidents Waiting to Happen is an exciting thriller written by author Simon Wood. The main character is mostly unsympathetic but the story is compelling.
July 12, 2016
Accidents Waiting to Happen
I enjoyed the suspense all through the book. I tried to figure out the motive for the accidents before getting really into the book... Was happy to find out Josh wasn't killed off and was able to get back to his family and start over.
I enjoyed the suspense all through the book. I tried to figure out the motive for the accidents before getting really into the book... Was happy to find out Josh wasn't killed off and was able to get back to his family and start over.
March 15, 2011
I loved every single detail of this book!
August 13, 2015
Great read
This was a well written book. Although you knew the killer it still kept interest. Easy to read and interesting.
This was a well written book. Although you knew the killer it still kept interest. Easy to read and interesting.
August 3, 2017
Well, Simon Wood did it again! This book had me flying by the seat of my pants. It's like seeing some really horrific picture or terrifying movie scene where you want to make it stop but at the same time you can't seem to look away because it's so morbidly fascinating in some strange way. I always ask myself why I keep reading/listening but I can't help it. His work leaves me traumatized, but in a good way lol. By the end of this one, I think I was suffering from Stockholm syndrome because I was starting to have compassion for The Professional. I wasn't crazy about Josh's wife. I can see her being upset and maybe not being able to forgive but seems like she didn't care that he was in danger. I could never guess where the author was taking me. That's one thing about his books, they are always full of surprises. The ending was AMAZING! I never expected the way this ended. I had to sit back and close my eyes for a second to let it all sink in. You will cuss, you will cry but you will also be punching the air screaming "YES"!
If you are listening to this in audiobook form, you will love the narrator. I think he is my favorite out of all Simon's narrators. Very good at doing voices.
**Just a side note here, I can't understand the one star reviews on here. Of course, everyone is entitled to their opinion. But let me say this, don't base your purchase of this book on the one star reviews. Yes you know who the killer is and why. The biggest thrill is seeing how it all plays out and if they are stopped and also, who close to Josh has to die. I'm not paid to write this review and I'm not reading/listening for free. I found Simon Wood's books on Kindle Unlimited which also happens to offer the listening for free with it. If you like Stephen King, you will LOVE Simon Wood. He is even better than King.
If you are listening to this in audiobook form, you will love the narrator. I think he is my favorite out of all Simon's narrators. Very good at doing voices.
**Just a side note here, I can't understand the one star reviews on here. Of course, everyone is entitled to their opinion. But let me say this, don't base your purchase of this book on the one star reviews. Yes you know who the killer is and why. The biggest thrill is seeing how it all plays out and if they are stopped and also, who close to Josh has to die. I'm not paid to write this review and I'm not reading/listening for free. I found Simon Wood's books on Kindle Unlimited which also happens to offer the listening for free with it. If you like Stephen King, you will LOVE Simon Wood. He is even better than King.
August 10, 2017
Classic Simon Wood
Accidents Waiting To Happen almost gave me an ulcer. Josh's anxiety, stress, and panic seems to absorb through your fingers from the pages, or Kindle. You feel the helplessness of it all. And there's the classic Simon Wood curveballs that make you stop and question the book, all the way back to page one. Some characters you love, like Wiener, some you hate, like Bell, and some you just don't know if you like or not.
Accidents Waiting To Happen is an original and intriguing story. It makes you wonder...
Accidents Waiting To Happen almost gave me an ulcer. Josh's anxiety, stress, and panic seems to absorb through your fingers from the pages, or Kindle. You feel the helplessness of it all. And there's the classic Simon Wood curveballs that make you stop and question the book, all the way back to page one. Some characters you love, like Wiener, some you hate, like Bell, and some you just don't know if you like or not.
Accidents Waiting To Happen is an original and intriguing story. It makes you wonder...
August 24, 2021
Wow!! My first book by Simon Wood. I will surely read the others. So many twists and turns. True suspense.
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December 31, 2012Accidents Waiting to Happen, by Simon Wood, b-plus, Narrated by James Langton, Produced by Brilliance Audio, Downloaded from audible.com.
Josh Michaels, a building construction engineer, is driving home from a business trip. As he approaches a bridge to cross a river, a SUV barrels up behind him. He slows down so the driver can pass, which he does, but then he turns around and deliberately gets into Josh’s path and ends up pushing him off the road and into the river. Josh manages to get out of the car, and, even though he can’t really swim, he dog paddles his way toward shore. He looks up at the bridge and sees the driver of the SUV standing on the bridge watching him, doing nothing to help him, and ultimately pointing a thumbs down at him and getting into his van and driving away. Josh is forced to understand that the accident was on purpose, that he was meant to be killed. He survives, but of course the police won’t believe him about the man trying to kill him and taunting him from the bridge, so Josh decides he’ll just have to work this out for himself and get rid of the killer-whoever he is, and whatever the reason he wants Josh killed. But what is the reason? Josh has some shady business deals in his past which he stupidly revealed to his secretary when she was his mistress and then broke up with her when he decided to go back to his wife. Belle, the former mistress, is blackmailing him both about the shady business deal and about the fact that his wife doesn’t know about the affair. His best friend is an insurance agent, and he begins to get wind of some very ugly things happening to clients of his and other agents who take out settlements with a particular company against their life insurance policies. Some of those people are starting to die. Is it because they’re living too long for the insurance company to benefit from the policies they buy? Is it the company at all that is trying to kill him and others? As several other accidents occur that he manages to escape, and others die, he becomes more and more convinced that someone wants him dead. His friend thinks it’s the insurance policy that bought his life insurance policy and settled with him. This is an action-packed thriller with a hapless victim who is always a step behind what is going on and trusts the wrong people. It’s quite good, and parts of it are very funny. Simon Wood is a good writer who describes feelings and events very well, and while the voices James Langton invents for the characters don’t quite work, he still does a good job of narrating this book.
Josh Michaels, a building construction engineer, is driving home from a business trip. As he approaches a bridge to cross a river, a SUV barrels up behind him. He slows down so the driver can pass, which he does, but then he turns around and deliberately gets into Josh’s path and ends up pushing him off the road and into the river. Josh manages to get out of the car, and, even though he can’t really swim, he dog paddles his way toward shore. He looks up at the bridge and sees the driver of the SUV standing on the bridge watching him, doing nothing to help him, and ultimately pointing a thumbs down at him and getting into his van and driving away. Josh is forced to understand that the accident was on purpose, that he was meant to be killed. He survives, but of course the police won’t believe him about the man trying to kill him and taunting him from the bridge, so Josh decides he’ll just have to work this out for himself and get rid of the killer-whoever he is, and whatever the reason he wants Josh killed. But what is the reason? Josh has some shady business deals in his past which he stupidly revealed to his secretary when she was his mistress and then broke up with her when he decided to go back to his wife. Belle, the former mistress, is blackmailing him both about the shady business deal and about the fact that his wife doesn’t know about the affair. His best friend is an insurance agent, and he begins to get wind of some very ugly things happening to clients of his and other agents who take out settlements with a particular company against their life insurance policies. Some of those people are starting to die. Is it because they’re living too long for the insurance company to benefit from the policies they buy? Is it the company at all that is trying to kill him and others? As several other accidents occur that he manages to escape, and others die, he becomes more and more convinced that someone wants him dead. His friend thinks it’s the insurance policy that bought his life insurance policy and settled with him. This is an action-packed thriller with a hapless victim who is always a step behind what is going on and trusts the wrong people. It’s quite good, and parts of it are very funny. Simon Wood is a good writer who describes feelings and events very well, and while the voices James Langton invents for the characters don’t quite work, he still does a good job of narrating this book.
April 6, 2012
I read the German edition called "Abgezockt":
Als Josh Michaels mit seinem Auto von der Straße abgedrängt wird, hält er es zunächst für einen Unfall.
Aber die Anschläge auf sein Leben gehen weiter. Offenbar versucht ein Unbekannter, ihn umzubringen. Immer soll es aussehen wie ein böser Zufall. Könnte das vielleicht an Joshs Job bei einer Versicherung liegen?
Nicht nur ein angeblicher Autounfall, bei dem er nur knapp mit dem Leben entkommt, erschüttert Josh´s heile Familienwelt, sondern auch der Anruf einer Erpresserin. Es handelt sich um Bell, seine frühere Sekretärin, mit der ihn einmal eine heiße Affäre verband. Sie hat Freude daran, ihn weiterhin seelisch unter Druck zu setzen und läßt keine Gelegenheit aus, ihn zu quälen. Der Leser erfährt aber auch, dass Josh selbst kein Saubermann ist. Die Verfehlungen aus seiner Vergangenheit holen ihn nach und nach ein. Josh beichtet diese seinem Freund Bob, einem Versicherungsmakler, der trotz allem weiter zu ihm steht.
Im Hintergrund steht der Manager einer dubiosen Gesellschaft, die Lebensversicherungen von unheilbar Kranken aufkauft. Aber was geschieht, wenn die Patienten nicht fristgerecht das Zeitliche segnen? Schließlich geht es um fette Gewinne und Dividende. Ein tödliches Monopoly um Versicherungspolicen und Menschenleben beginnt!
Es stellt sich heraus, dass ein äußerst geschickter Profikiller auf Josh angesetzt wurde. Josh vermutet zunächst Bell hinter den Anschlägen. Dann verbünden sich Bell und der Killer anscheinend tatsächlich und machen ihm das Leben zur Hölle. Weitere Menschen verlieren ihr Leben. Josh und sein Freund Bob versuchen, das Netz aus Intrigen zu entwirren, die Josh immer mehr selbst als Verdächtigen dastehen lassen und seine Familie in höchste Gefahr bringen. Schließlich kommen Josh und sein Freund Bob der Wahrheit auf die Spur und es folgt ein spannender Showdown mit dem Drahtzieher.
SIMON WOOD weiß seine Leser mit jeder Seite packend zu unterhalten. Er schreibt mitreißend und detailverliebt. Dieses Buch hat die Bezeichnung Thriller absolut verdient!
Als Josh Michaels mit seinem Auto von der Straße abgedrängt wird, hält er es zunächst für einen Unfall.
Aber die Anschläge auf sein Leben gehen weiter. Offenbar versucht ein Unbekannter, ihn umzubringen. Immer soll es aussehen wie ein böser Zufall. Könnte das vielleicht an Joshs Job bei einer Versicherung liegen?
Nicht nur ein angeblicher Autounfall, bei dem er nur knapp mit dem Leben entkommt, erschüttert Josh´s heile Familienwelt, sondern auch der Anruf einer Erpresserin. Es handelt sich um Bell, seine frühere Sekretärin, mit der ihn einmal eine heiße Affäre verband. Sie hat Freude daran, ihn weiterhin seelisch unter Druck zu setzen und läßt keine Gelegenheit aus, ihn zu quälen. Der Leser erfährt aber auch, dass Josh selbst kein Saubermann ist. Die Verfehlungen aus seiner Vergangenheit holen ihn nach und nach ein. Josh beichtet diese seinem Freund Bob, einem Versicherungsmakler, der trotz allem weiter zu ihm steht.
Im Hintergrund steht der Manager einer dubiosen Gesellschaft, die Lebensversicherungen von unheilbar Kranken aufkauft. Aber was geschieht, wenn die Patienten nicht fristgerecht das Zeitliche segnen? Schließlich geht es um fette Gewinne und Dividende. Ein tödliches Monopoly um Versicherungspolicen und Menschenleben beginnt!
Es stellt sich heraus, dass ein äußerst geschickter Profikiller auf Josh angesetzt wurde. Josh vermutet zunächst Bell hinter den Anschlägen. Dann verbünden sich Bell und der Killer anscheinend tatsächlich und machen ihm das Leben zur Hölle. Weitere Menschen verlieren ihr Leben. Josh und sein Freund Bob versuchen, das Netz aus Intrigen zu entwirren, die Josh immer mehr selbst als Verdächtigen dastehen lassen und seine Familie in höchste Gefahr bringen. Schließlich kommen Josh und sein Freund Bob der Wahrheit auf die Spur und es folgt ein spannender Showdown mit dem Drahtzieher.
SIMON WOOD weiß seine Leser mit jeder Seite packend zu unterhalten. Er schreibt mitreißend und detailverliebt. Dieses Buch hat die Bezeichnung Thriller absolut verdient!
January 22, 2015
"When An Accident Is Not A Mishap"
Josh Michael is traveling to Sacramento from Bakersfield, traveling on the slower back roads rather than the I-5 freeway. Without warning, while approaching a bridge over the Sacramento River, a black SUV approached quickly in his rear view mirror. Though Josh is going 70 m.p.h., The SUV was going faster. Josh slows a bit to allow the SUV to pass him. When they were side by side, the SUV swerves in front of Josh's front end causing Josh to over-react and lose control of the car which plummets into the Sacramento River. Josh, a non-swimmer is frantic, but does eventually get out of the sinking car. He wakes at Sutter Memorial Hospital wondering if it's Saint Peter dressed in white standing beside his bed. The doctor tells him he'll be spending the night and he is lucky to be alive with only a few bruises. Then his wife Kate and 6 year-old daughter, Abby, rush to his bedside. His best friend Bob Deuce waits outside for the latest news about Josh. He's then questioned by the police, and Josh feels they believe it to be only an accident, even though Josh felt the driver had purposely driven him off the road. The man who was driving the other vehicle had stopped on the bridge, stood on the rail, and as Josh's car began to sink, gave a thumbs-down signal. The day he arrives home from the hospital, he gets a call from a woman, Belinda 'Bell' Wong, a woman he hasn't seen in two years. They had previously had an affair and she knows of a crime he did which is significant enough to get Josh thrown in jail. To keep his secrets, Bell has blackmailed him and returned to Sacramento demanding more money. Needless to say, Josh's life is turned upside down, and the tension is rising. This is an exemplary written, high action, page turner you'll not want to put down. It's a thriller from cover to cover. Author Simon Wood is certainly a creative and exciting author; I'll be reading more of his stories.
Josh Michael is traveling to Sacramento from Bakersfield, traveling on the slower back roads rather than the I-5 freeway. Without warning, while approaching a bridge over the Sacramento River, a black SUV approached quickly in his rear view mirror. Though Josh is going 70 m.p.h., The SUV was going faster. Josh slows a bit to allow the SUV to pass him. When they were side by side, the SUV swerves in front of Josh's front end causing Josh to over-react and lose control of the car which plummets into the Sacramento River. Josh, a non-swimmer is frantic, but does eventually get out of the sinking car. He wakes at Sutter Memorial Hospital wondering if it's Saint Peter dressed in white standing beside his bed. The doctor tells him he'll be spending the night and he is lucky to be alive with only a few bruises. Then his wife Kate and 6 year-old daughter, Abby, rush to his bedside. His best friend Bob Deuce waits outside for the latest news about Josh. He's then questioned by the police, and Josh feels they believe it to be only an accident, even though Josh felt the driver had purposely driven him off the road. The man who was driving the other vehicle had stopped on the bridge, stood on the rail, and as Josh's car began to sink, gave a thumbs-down signal. The day he arrives home from the hospital, he gets a call from a woman, Belinda 'Bell' Wong, a woman he hasn't seen in two years. They had previously had an affair and she knows of a crime he did which is significant enough to get Josh thrown in jail. To keep his secrets, Bell has blackmailed him and returned to Sacramento demanding more money. Needless to say, Josh's life is turned upside down, and the tension is rising. This is an exemplary written, high action, page turner you'll not want to put down. It's a thriller from cover to cover. Author Simon Wood is certainly a creative and exciting author; I'll be reading more of his stories.
May 7, 2017
Really good read keeps you on edge the whole book
Great book keeps you reading just to see what's next. Looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.
Great book keeps you reading just to see what's next. Looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.
November 11, 2012
Josh Michaels, a young man with a wife and little girl he adored, while driving back to his home in Sacramento, California, is forced off the highway and into the river in what appears to be an accident born from what he thinks of as reckless stupidity on the part of the other driver. But the actions of that driver, before he gets back into his car and speeds away, convince Josh that it is anything but. Josh survives the ‘accident,’ but starts to doubt his ability to continue to survive the ensuing events, all appearing to be accidents by increasingly obviously [to him] staged attempts to end his life. Josh is staggered as he comes to this unavoidable conclusion and cannot believe that he is the target of a killer, but has no choice but to accept this fact and attempt to figure out who wants him dead, and why, if he is to survive. To make matters worse, if that’s possible, past indiscretions and errors in judgment are now coming back to haunt him.
At Chapter 4 the reader meets “the professional,” the man hired to kill another person, a woman, as well as Josh. Who has hired him? Is there a connection between the two intended victims [something not readily apparent]? And what is the motive? As ‘the professional’ himself muses, “a seemingly motiveless murder was just as hard to solve as a well-planned accident.”
Simon Wood has fashioned an exciting and well-written novel of suspense, with a nail-biting conclusion during which this reader held her breath in anticipation of what new horrors might be in store.
Recommended.
At Chapter 4 the reader meets “the professional,” the man hired to kill another person, a woman, as well as Josh. Who has hired him? Is there a connection between the two intended victims [something not readily apparent]? And what is the motive? As ‘the professional’ himself muses, “a seemingly motiveless murder was just as hard to solve as a well-planned accident.”
Simon Wood has fashioned an exciting and well-written novel of suspense, with a nail-biting conclusion during which this reader held her breath in anticipation of what new horrors might be in store.
Recommended.
October 11, 2013
While this is Wood's first book- I have just read it after reading several of his subsequent books. And while I can tell it's a debut- this book has many of the elements that I love about his books, namely the fact that the plot line always keeps me guessing. Accidents Waiting To Happen did not disappoint there- as I felt like I was in one of those car commercials with the sharp, ever so windy road. This book took me for quite the ride and I love it for that reason.
The first chapter of this book is a grabber- something I enjoy! Josh Michaels is heading home to Sacramento from a business trip in Bakersfield, CA when someone drives him right off the road and into the murky Sacramento River. His car is starting to sink and unfortunately for Josh- he can't swim- or at least not well. Was it a case of road rage gone to the next level or something more sinister?
I was not dissuaded by the protagonist's faults- to me that just make him more human and fallible, the only reason I felt I couldn't give this story a full five star review was that some of the dialogue with the daughter, Abby, was a bit stilted with sometimes her age seeming to be younger than her eight years and other times right on course. Other than that I really liked this book.
The first chapter of this book is a grabber- something I enjoy! Josh Michaels is heading home to Sacramento from a business trip in Bakersfield, CA when someone drives him right off the road and into the murky Sacramento River. His car is starting to sink and unfortunately for Josh- he can't swim- or at least not well. Was it a case of road rage gone to the next level or something more sinister?
I was not dissuaded by the protagonist's faults- to me that just make him more human and fallible, the only reason I felt I couldn't give this story a full five star review was that some of the dialogue with the daughter, Abby, was a bit stilted with sometimes her age seeming to be younger than her eight years and other times right on course. Other than that I really liked this book.
December 8, 2007
Simon Wood, has done an fabulous job in writing Accidents Waiting to Happen. This was a very good read with a great story line.
Josh Michaels has a pretty good life. He has a beautiful wife and loving daughter. A good job and great friends. So why is it that someone wants him dead. On his way home from work a driver forces him off the road and into a river, where he is left to die. The man who forces him off the road looks on in mild amusement as Josh, is stuck in his sinking car. Looking to the man for the help, he is given the THUMBS DOWN signal.
After getting out of the hospital Josh has a few more near misses and wonders what is going on? So will you! You will want to keep turning the page to find out what is going to happen next. And will Josh and his best friend be able to stop these near miss death experience from occurring anymore and will they be able to find out who is behind them. You will have to read "Accidents Waiting To Happen" to find out. You will enjoy the book and it's outcome.
Josh Michaels has a pretty good life. He has a beautiful wife and loving daughter. A good job and great friends. So why is it that someone wants him dead. On his way home from work a driver forces him off the road and into a river, where he is left to die. The man who forces him off the road looks on in mild amusement as Josh, is stuck in his sinking car. Looking to the man for the help, he is given the THUMBS DOWN signal.
After getting out of the hospital Josh has a few more near misses and wonders what is going on? So will you! You will want to keep turning the page to find out what is going to happen next. And will Josh and his best friend be able to stop these near miss death experience from occurring anymore and will they be able to find out who is behind them. You will have to read "Accidents Waiting To Happen" to find out. You will enjoy the book and it's outcome.
July 28, 2011
Accidents waiting to happen is pure suspense throughout the length of the book. I read it in one night, because I couldn't believe what could or would happen next. Would an insurance company really send out hit men to make their money on viatical insurance claims? In the 80s, insurance companies thought they were doing a big favor to people that were terminal or had AIDS. Breakthroughs in AIDS care has now given AIDS patients 10 or more years, which isn't helping the insurance companies. They offered viatical policies (you get a big sum of money to pay for your meds, debts and get everything in order, then the insurance company is your beneficiary) to high risk clients, for example, those that fly planes or go rock climbing. Josh Michael's car goes into a river after a road rage incident and he can't swim. Was it road rage though?
October 2, 2013
This was so pathetically amateurish I would have sworn it was self-published. The main character is such a tool: he takes a bribe, he cheats on his wife, he accidentally kills an old lady, and he tracks HIV positive blood over most of northern California. The hitman trying to kill him is so incredibly dumb. The point of a hitman is to efficiently and quietly kill someone; you don't menace them for weeks like Robert Mitchum in "Cape Fear," revealing yourself to all and sundry. And just to take the stupidity up a notch the author relies on that shopworn cliche of catching the bad guy on tape.
It's the kind of book I probably only paid $1-$2 for and still want my money back.
That is all.
It's the kind of book I probably only paid $1-$2 for and still want my money back.
That is all.
March 21, 2015
If any Thriller readers have not yet found Simon Wood you don't know what you are missing. I have read several of his books and they all have one thing in common: they are totally gripping, full of suspense in the true sense of the word and very realistic.
Josh is a typical 'man' his life is a car crash, full of mistakes and as he fixes one mistake he creates more. Simon has created a realistic character that you have to love.
The story is very believable based on greed and total lack of compassion by a man determined to get to the top and trample anyone who gets in his way.
Excellent book but don't start reading until you have plenty of time because you won't be able to put it down.
Josh is a typical 'man' his life is a car crash, full of mistakes and as he fixes one mistake he creates more. Simon has created a realistic character that you have to love.
The story is very believable based on greed and total lack of compassion by a man determined to get to the top and trample anyone who gets in his way.
Excellent book but don't start reading until you have plenty of time because you won't be able to put it down.
July 3, 2015
I was up into the wee hours of the morning because I wanted to finish this book. A hitman is after Josh and has failed twice. The police do not even believe Josh. Throw in a scorned ex-mistress, and Josh trying to cover up other past sins, you are in for the ride of a life time.
I have read another one of Simon Woods books and he has been added to my list of favorite suspense/thriller authors. The ending was a shocker! I will not reveal anymore due to possible spoilers. It is a must read.
Although it was well written and edited I found a part of the book a little bit unbelievable, but still plausible.
I have read another one of Simon Woods books and he has been added to my list of favorite suspense/thriller authors. The ending was a shocker! I will not reveal anymore due to possible spoilers. It is a must read.
Although it was well written and edited I found a part of the book a little bit unbelievable, but still plausible.
July 30, 2010
Excellent read by Simon Wood. He promises action packed thrillers and he always delivers.
The Errors of Our Ways!
What happens when our wrongness is exposed? Josh Michaels is about to find out! Josh makes one mistake trying to make things better for his family. He has no idea what lies ahead.
This is a debut novel for Simon Wood and it is an impressive one. Twist and turns on every page, you will not be able to put this one down until the last page. Simon does a hell of a job interlocking stories and creating devious characters.
The Errors of Our Ways!
What happens when our wrongness is exposed? Josh Michaels is about to find out! Josh makes one mistake trying to make things better for his family. He has no idea what lies ahead.
This is a debut novel for Simon Wood and it is an impressive one. Twist and turns on every page, you will not be able to put this one down until the last page. Simon does a hell of a job interlocking stories and creating devious characters.
March 21, 2011
Awesome read! I finished Accidents Waiting to Happen in the wee hours of this morning, because I had to see how it was possible for all the ends to tie together. The main character epitomizes how one error in judgement, can snowball into an avalanche of pain, hurt and destruction! Be careful what you do today, because tomorrow you may be faced with consequences, only a writer like Simon Wood can so brilliantly create! Just when you think it can't get worse....ohhhh it does!! If you haven't acquainted yourself with the storytelling of Mr Wood, what can you possibly be waiting for???
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