A World I Never Made

by James LePore

Book Overview

Pat Nolan, an American man, is summoned to Paris to claim the body of his estranged daughter Megan, who has committed suicide. The body, however, is not Megan's, and it becomes instantly clear to Pat... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0981956858
• Release Date: March 2010
• Publisher: Story Plant, The
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 0.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.8" x 1.3" x 4.3"

Customer Reviews

Compelling Suspense, Stunning Conclusion

Pat Nolan flies to Paris to identify the body of his estranged daughter, Megan. She seemed fine when he spoke to her on Christmas Day, and her suicide several days later does not make sense. When Pat arrives in Paris, he discovers it is not his daughter's body. Believing she is in danger and the suicide note holds important clues to her whereabouts, he identifies the body as Megan and has it cremated the same day as requested in the note. He then begins a search for his missing daughter that takes him farther, physically and emotionally, than he ever thought possible. With very few clues, and the help of beautiful French detective Catherine Laurence, Pat travels across France to such places as Marrakech, Casablanca, Tangiers, Germany, and the Czech Republic. Along the way, he becomes a target of the French police and a band of international terrorists. While the reader follows Pat and Catherine on their increasingly dangerous journey, the author tells Megan's story beginning a year before her alleged suicide. She spent the previous ten years traveling throughout Europe as a writer while meeting men willing to pay for her companionship. Along the way, she meets Abdel Lahani, a Saudi businessman. Lahani, it turns out, is not the typical mark and Megan becomes involved in a game far more dangerous and widespread than she could ever imagine. A World I Never Made includes an interesting and diverse cast of characters. Besides those already mentioned, others include French Deputy Chief Inspector Genevieve LeGrand; Marie Sancerre, a 14 year-old street flower vendor who keeps popping up in strange places; Daniel Pelletier, Catherine's beloved uncle and retired French gendarme (police officer); Annabella Jeritza, a Gypsy fortuneteller who befriended Megan; Annabella's grandson Doro; Abdullah al-Azim, a Syrian pharmacist who helps Megan when she needs him most; and Max French, an American FBI agent. LePore has written a fascinating suspense story of power and treachery, broken relationships and redemption. Interweaving the two story lines throughout the book can sometimes cause the reader to lose track of the relationship between characters if one is not paying close attention. However, telling Pat and Megan's stories at the same time adds impact as they head towards a stunning and unexpected conclusion. An attorney for over twenty years, LePore's first novel is an impressive start to a great second career. I highly recommend the compelling suspense story of vivid characters and haunting storyline that will stay with the reader long after the final page.

Not a dull moment throughout the book

Bravo Mr. James LePore. I couldn't put the book down. A homerun out of the park for a well written first novel. The characters were well defined and the ongoing relationship between Pat Nolan and Catherine Laurence was refreshing. Two people who loss so much in the beginning gets a chance to experience a love in the end. It was such a pleasure to be a part of your first works, definitely looking forward to the second novel.

Wonderfully Suspenseful

This intelligent storyline weaves a suspenseful premise with engaging characters who demand our attention from the first page. James LePore develops the depth of his character, Pat Nolan, in an appealing and complex fashion. Without realizing it, we are drawn into the dark-sided soul of this seemingly ordinary father only to find that the inner daemons that haunt him are the hinged reasons for his journey to Paris. Pat Nolan must face every parent's nightmare as he is asked to identify the body of his daughter. As readers, we are drawn immediately into the plot, bridging continents and hopefully the relationship between father and daughter. I'm anxious to find out what happens to the characters that I just met through the talented writing of James LePore. The storyline flows with a gratifying pace and leaks just enough information to keep me wanting more. I would absolutely purchase this book when published!

Wish there was more

I thoroughly enjoyed the few pages available from Mr. LePore's "A World I Never Made". Unfortunately, I was completely drawn into the story by the end of page 15 when the excerpt ended and had to just sit there wishing for more. Mr. LePore has created a story with just the right balance between character development and pace: we get to understand the characters (quite an accomplishment given only 15 pages to digest) yet the pace keeps up so we are continuously drawn towards the next page. I am looking forward to having the opportunity to read the entire book.

Along For An Exciting Ride

I was hooked immediately. Before I knew it I was sitting next to Pat Nolan in Inspector LeGrand's office in Paris stunned about what I had just learned about Megan. Something about this does not feel right. I want to know what Pat Nolan and I are going to do next and I want to know now!