Life and Death in a Day

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My legs are programmed to trot briskly and my arms to pump up and down like pistons, but I force myself to stroll past the stalls and pavement cafes. To enjoy just being somewhere, rather than rushing from somewhere, to somewhere. Inhaling deep lungfuls of air, instead of my usual shallow breaths. I take a moment to just stop and look around me.

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And smile to myself. For the first time in a long time, I can, quite literally, smell the coffee. It can help you do the things you should do but don't feel like doing. It can keep you from procrastinating when an unpleasant duty faces you.

But it can also help you do those things that you want to do. It helps you seize those precious moments that, if lost, may never be retrieved. It's the life in your years. I'm wholly devoted to while we're here. If you want time you must make it. Why is this so? Too often it is because they are always getting ready to live. Before they know it, time runs out. I dropped it carelessly, Ah! I didn't know, I held opportunity. Back off and take its picture.

I want to have lived the width of it as well. And why are you waiting? Of what relevance to an individual is such a statistic? Am I to concern myself with an allotment of days I never had and was never promised?

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Must I check off each day of my life as if I am subtracting from this imaginary hoard? No, on the contrary, I will add each day of my life to my treasure of days lived. And with each day, my treasure will grow, not diminish. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time. No matter how weary or dreary you may feel, you possess the certainty that, during the day that lies before you, absolutely anything may happen.

And the fact that it practically always doesn't, matters not a jot. The possibility is always there. Being alive is the special occasion. What a fabulous list of quotes! Each and every one of them is a gem and I know I'll be writing a few of these down and taping them to my mirror as a reminder to myself. When I'm weary and overburdened, I love to turn to an article like this to remind me there really is an alternative to a lifestyle that's too busy. If you enjoy really well written thrillers, then you will enjoy this.

I have never read anything by this author before, but as this is a stand-alone novel it is a great introduction to his work and I will certainly be reading more by him in the future. View all 4 comments. Originally posted on The Book Nympho Audie Campbell escapes from prison on the eve of his release after having served ten years behind bars.

What follows next is his odyssey to an ultimate goal where only he is privy to knowing. The story juxtaposes the past and present in a fairly unique way. It's delivered more topically than chronologically, making it more difficult to follow but tons more interesting.

There were many questions to be answered and having them revealed strategically served the s Originally posted on The Book Nympho Audie Campbell escapes from prison on the eve of his release after having served ten years behind bars. There were many questions to be answered and having them revealed strategically served the story very well. I enjoyed the story and was often pretty tense as Audie faced some brutal situations and people.

I also liked that some of the heroes were unconventional and while it wasn't the ending I was expecting, it still was satisfying. The narrator was outstanding, bringing a well written story to life with perfect timing and outstanding character distinction. View all 6 comments. Jul 22, Emma rated it really liked it. This was an excellent thriller! I read it because Stephen King enjoyed it and I belong to a group who follows his recommendations. Why does the world have so little need of him? I really can't say too much about the actual story without spoiling it for you and then you won't be 'thrilled' by how the events pan out.

I started with 4. I started with no knowledge and the basic premise of the book that is in the blurb: This intriguing question is all you need to get started!

The book is a little slow in the middle which is why it just misses 5 stars but as the story begins to come into focus, you'll realise the story is pretty poignant. I've never read anything by this author before but I will definitely be back for more! Give it a go! Michael Robotham is a terrific writer of suspense crime novels and this latest stand alone novel does not disappoint.

The main character, Audie Palmer has survived 10 years of harsh prison treatment for his role in an armed robbery involving the death of four people but inexplicably escapes 24h before his release. At first the FBI wonder if he is out to find the missing money seven million dollars or out for revenge or maybe he has an alternative reason that he has never mentioned to anyone? A Michael Robotham is a terrific writer of suspense crime novels and this latest stand alone novel does not disappoint. Audie Palmer is a great character, very likeable, smart and in control, he thinks things through and sticks to his own code of honor and I found myself on his side even though he is a convicted felon.

The tension starts off high with Audie on the run and is turned up even higher through the many twists and turns of the novel as Audie fights to achieve his goal. View all 8 comments. I was quite looking forward to reading this one, though unfortunately I was a bit disappointed. I have read three other novels by Michael Robotham and enjoyed them.

This one just didn't really work for me. I found it a bit slow and difficult to get into. It wasn't until the last couple of chapters that I found myself really engaged with the book and actually enjoying reading it. The ending did keep me in suspense and I was very satisfied with how it ended.

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It's just a shame it took me right unti I was quite looking forward to reading this one, though unfortunately I was a bit disappointed. It's just a shame it took me right until the end to really get hooked. There was a big focus on a love story throughout the novel.

I'm not really a romantic person, so I think this may have contributed to my lack of enjoyment and interest. I did like the main character, Audie Palmer, and I did want the best for him and felt some level of sympathy for how his life turned out. I think overall I just found the story a bit convoluted at times. It was ok, but not the best Michael Robotham book I have read. I realise I am in the minority with my thoughts and rating of this one.

I must be missing something! US March , whichever part of the world you may be from, and release you are reading. For sure, I want a front row seat when the film releases, as can only imagine the cast! An engrossing, vivid, and descriptive emotional crime thriller; a conspiracy, a man fights against all odds-he never gives up, to save those he protects and loves; a poignant love story.

Where things are not always as they seem. Palmer has served the last 10 years in prison, a third of his life, for the Texas robbery of an armored truck. During his prison term, Audie has been beaten, stabbed, poisoned, tortured; however, he has not talked, asked for protection, remaining cool and calm. Palmer is smart, and is on the run. There are bad guys, crooked cops, and feds all trying to track him down to lead them to the money or kill him. However, he is not after any money — he has spent ten years in prison, and now is out to save and protect a life.

However, what person can be trusted? Audie wasn't meant to end up in prison. He was the good kid, smart in school and college; however, his one weakness was his love for his no-good brother, Carl and he winds up behind bars. Audie touches so many lives and is connected with many characters we meet in, and out of prison. The connection between him and Moss, another inmate is powerful, and the author uses wit and humor combined with deep emotions of the heart and human dynamics, making the novel appeal to a wide variety of readers, outside the typical psychological, crime thriller genre.

A suspenseful, fast-paced heart pounding, page-turner, leaving you turning into the wee hours of the morning, and characters which will linger, long after the book ends I listened to the audiobook, and John Chancer, was outstanding-- with a wide variety of voices, perfectly matched for all the southern characters. Would highly recommend the audiobook as exceptional; however, there were so many beautiful words, you may want to buy the e-book as well.

From literary, psychological, crime, mystery, thriller, suspense; conspiracy, drama, murder, racial and social injustices; love and loss— A tour de force of crime writing, far exceeding the hype, well-deserving of 10 stars. Anything less would seem inadequate, when attempting to describe the exceptional writing, the multi-layered plot, and the superbly developed characters; crafted with skillful precision and depth, grabbing you from the first page to the last. Yes, Michael Robotham, you were indeed, destined to write this inspiring book.

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You have a gift. Thank you for sharing it with the world. You are welcome in the US anytime! Possibly Atlanta, or Florida next? Life or Death deserves all of the high ratings that it is receiving! Goodreads friends if you have this on your to-reads, pick it up sooner rather than later! Audie has just spent the last 10 years in jail.

The day before he is about to released he escapes. What is he hiding? Why did he escape? I was totally surprised with how much I loved Life or Death. I found it a bit hard to get into maybe the first 50ish pages , but once you get the characters straight and the timelines then it is an intens Life or Death deserves all of the high ratings that it is receiving! I found it a bit hard to get into maybe the first 50ish pages , but once you get the characters straight and the timelines then it is an intense thriller that keeps bringing you back to why did Audie escape?

I loved all the different views of the characters and each character added their own charm to the story Audie, Moss and Desiree. My only tiny criticism is that I wished that the author had added dates or at least past and future. I would be halfway through a chapter when I realized that it was a past memory and not part of the future.

Can't wait to check out Robotham's other novels! Nov 23, Maureen DeLuca rated it really liked it. This was a new author for me, and wow- I'm glad I got read this novel. Life or Death introduces us to Audie Palmer. Audie has been sentenced to ten years in prison for his putative participation in a 7-mil armored truck heist. The day before he is set to be released - Audie breaks out of prison- and now the mystery begins. WHY on earth would you break out of prison when you will be released the next day?!

Much of this book goes to the back story of where Audie grew up, his family, his brother an This was a new author for me, and wow- I'm glad I got read this novel. Much of this book goes to the back story of where Audie grew up, his family, his brother and then meeting the 'true' love of his life.

We also learn how very difficult it was for Audie to be in prison - for everyone believes that he has or know who has the 7 million dollars that was stolen. The book held my interest and it did keep you guessing throughout. A nice read for sure and I'm looking forward to reading more of this author! Jul 31, Pat rated it it was amazing.

Indeed, why would a man about to be paroled escape from prison on the eve of his release? Four people died in the course of the robbery and Audie himself was grievously injured and not expected to survive. The money was never recovered. Audi pleaded guilty and never gave his version of events or dobbed in anyone else. Yet Audie had an a Outstanding, brilliant. Yet Audie had an amazing equanimity about him. He didn't rail against the unfairness of life, he just dealt with each day as it came. The story follows Audie after his escape, his road is long and twisty and tortuous.

He had a plan but it is starting to unravel. He had a promise to keep but is not sure he will be able to keep it, or even keep his life as the forces arrayed against gather in number and intensity. This is an entirely stand alone novel. Audie's character is brilliantly drawn, you can't help liking him while at the same time wondering if and how he will survive his quest. Although fiction, this story is about the triumph of the human spirit in adversity.

The minor characters form a brilliant supporting cast in one of Robotham's best ever books to date. I just loved it. Another excellent novel by one of my favourite authors Michael Robotham. The opening features a man who escapes from prison the day before he is to be released, why? This novel is well constructed and full of some really good characters, there are twists and turns and plenty of action. What more could you ask for. I am quickly running out of Michael Robotham books to read, in fact there is only one to go.

An excellent writer who deserves more recognition. An engrossing and intriguing piece of crime fiction, beautifully written. I found its format refreshing - the absence of the conventional whodunnit with a psychopathic perp and a dedicated detective doggedly determined to deliver the denouement. My interest never flagged, as Robotham gently unrolled the developments in this complex story. For me his reveals were like peeling away the layers of an onion. There was always something deeper, mysterious, to be further clarified. The protagonist, Audi An engrossing and intriguing piece of crime fiction, beautifully written.

The protagonist, Audie Palmer, is not your typical crim, being highly intelligent, strongly determined and devilishly clever as he battles to survive on the outside. He had escaped from prison a mere 24 hours before he was due to be released after serving 10 years for an armed robbery with violence.

His flight triggers not one but several trackers determined to run him to ground and make him pay - but what for? We're not sure and one of the virtues of the book is the gradual uncovering of Audie's motives. Michael Robotham writes with subtlety and style, and I could not put down this excellent mystery novel.

Dec 09, DeAnna rated it it was amazing. I'm not a real fan of crime or conspiracy novels, but I really enjoyed this one. I came upon this author by reading The Secrets She Keeps. I loved that book so I wanted to read more by Robotham. I'm glad I did and now some of his other books are on my TBR shelf. I want to correct that statement and instead recommend they be issued as a cure for narcolepsy, because I defy anyone to try and sleep while reading his latest work, Life or Death, because I sure as hell could not.

Why risk adding years to his sentence by becoming a felon once more? This was a simply sensational tale. Not only do the people come to life as the present and past unfold, but the different settings, the American landscape from the borders with Mexico to Texas, also develop a life of their own. You can smell the heat, taste the brackish water or the greasy eggs in an out-of-the-way diner, feel the sand, hear the flyscreens squeaking on rusty hinges as forlorn and deadbeat extras make an appearance.

Despite having a horrible headache that required codeine, I stayed up till 3am to finish the book. I had to know what happened to Audie who you come to champion so hard it hurts! But if you like crime novels, edge of your seat thrillers, character driven works that also pay homage to setting, and are just superbly written, then I cannot recommend this highly enough. Having never read any of his work I was looking forward to reading another new author.

The synopsis sounded fantastic and to be honest the only criticism I have is that the cover does not do the book justice. Aside from that there is little to grumble about. Audie Palmer is a quiet and unassuming bloke; the only difference Wow. Audie Palmer is a quiet and unassuming bloke; the only difference is that he decides to break out of prison one day before he was due to be released. All three of them are fabulous characters to read and they really make you connect with the story all the more. There are so many questions surrounding Audie, and why he ended up inside.

The story is told by peeling back layers very slowly, all the while giving the readers snippets of information from secondary threads of the story. This book truly had me gripped from the very beginning to the very end and I was sad that I had finished it. I would highly recommend this book and have already lined up the next Robotham. This just did not grab me. I gave it pages and nothing in there hooked me like the premise did. Plus I became increasingly frustrated by how, once the main character escapes, he kind of dawdles around.

You would think that if you escape one day before your release date, you might've had some time pressures to make you act quickly. View all 3 comments. August 7th from Little Brown. Audie Palmer has spent a decade in prison for an armed robbery in which four people died, including two of his gang. Five million dollars has never been recovered and everybody believes that Audie knows where the money is. For ten years he has been beaten, stabbed, throttled and threatened almost daily Publication Date: One day before he is due to be released, Audie Palmer makes his escape from Jail and appears to go on the run — but why?

Another 24 hours would have seen him free. What follows is a heart stopping race against time as Audie attempts to evade his would be captors and right a wrong — there is a lot more going on than meets the eye and it is truly compelling stuff.

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