Havoc

A Novel

De: Christopher Bollen

Narrado por: Maggi-Meg Reed

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, addictive 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.

©2024 Christopher Bollen (P)2024 HarperCollins Publishers

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.

Extraordinary performance!!

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

Much ado about a so-so book

There was so much chatter about this book I really thought it would be a good read. It was just ok, honestly. The story was not really all that predictable but when all the reveals happen so close to the end, it feel’s gimmicky.

So, why?

Did not enjoy the characters and they remained their constant dark creepy selves throughout the story. Deeply disturbing and disappointing.

Creepy but Compelling

I have enjoyed many of Christopher Bollen’s previous novels - The Destroyers, Orient, The Lost Americans - as his stories are inventive, well-plotted and shall we say distinctive. I read a review that likened this book to Poe and the comparison is apt if you interpret it as how Poe’s contemporary readers likely reacted to his work. To modern readers, Poe can seem a bit formulaic Gothic and we can tuck it away in a somewhat archaic category. This story is really creepy yet absolutely compelling. I wished I could just say “well, enough of that!” But I could not. The ending seemed impossible but inevitable about an hour before the end. I withheld one star because it was really just a little too creepy for my taste. The reading is virtuosic.

Excellent narration, suspenseful story and unexpected

Great audio production for a truly captivating story. Bravo to the actor who narrates as she is truly talented. And to the author who wrote a suspenseful, mysterious and twisted story that kept me on the edge of my seat!

What a ride!

I am still digesting the ending! I definitely recommend this book. It will leave you thinking.

Slow buildup, but totally worth the investment

Whoa, so this is not at all what I was expecting. I really thought this was going to be some kind of supernatural, demigod pranksters who enjoy meddling in peoples' lives. I may have misunderstood because this showed up near my usual recommendations of sci-fi/fantasy/horror. Despite that, this was a very good story, more of a thriller with an unreliable 80 year old narrator. (Also, the voice actor narrator was very good.)

Starts off pretty slow for quite a while. A lot of buildup and development of all of the players, but still a well written and intriguing situation. Can't say much more without spoilers, but when everything falls into place, literally in the final 10 minutes, it is all worth it. Heartbreaking, but worth it. Very much recommend.

Intriguing Story

A well written suspense novel about the complexities of family dynamics and the distortions in reality related to trauma and secrets. Well developed characters and plot. Highly recommended