Title: Thirteen Across
Author: Dan Grant
Publisher: Thriller
ISBN: 978-1-7325040-5-9
Genre: Thriller
Pages: 411
Reviewed by: Ella Vincent
Hollywood Book Reviews
Thirteen Across is an exciting thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Dan Grant has written a novel that will entertain readers. This book tells the story of Kate Morgan, an FBI special agent, whose life is upended after a terror attack on a subway in Washington, DC that’s carried out by Phillip Barnes. Barnes specifically targets Morgan by sending her messages and crossword puzzles she has to solve or else he will unleash more attacks. Kate has to solve the puzzles with help from a crossword expert, Will Shortz and keep America safe with Army Captain Rachel Pratt. As she tries to prevent more terror attacks, she faces more danger than ever before as she uncovers dangerous secrets.
Thirteen Across has compelling characters, especially Kate. She is a powerful female protagonist, but still exhibits vulnerability as she deals with the aftermath of the terror attacks on Washington. Rachel is a complex character who has to be tough as an Army soldier, but is harboring painful secrets from her past. Phillip Barnes is the perfect villain as a diabolical antagonist who is pursuing a personal vendetta against Kate. Even Will Shortz is a character that endures pressure as his knowledge of crossword puzzles is literally a matter of life and death.
The puzzles in the novel are a pivotal part of Thirteen Across. The puzzle answers are clues that are crucial to solving the crime and offer informative bits of history to readers. Thirteen Across is well-researched, with the character Will Shortz based on a real-life puzzlemaster with the same name. The novel also has detailed information about the government agencies in Washington and the branches of the military that adds realism to the text. Illustrations of the puzzles throughout the book are a pleasant visual touch as well. Grant’s writing is so gripping that readers can easily imagine themselves in Washington as Kate tries to save the city from danger.
Thirteen Across would be best for fans of puzzle-based mysteries or thrillers with twists and turns like Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code. Kate Morgan is a character that is just as compelling as Robert Langdon in The Da Vinci Code. The book would also be ideal for readers that like Tom Clancy’s technothrillers about the military and espionage. Thirteen Across is a thrilling novel that will intrigue readers and leave them wanting more Kate Morgan adventures from Dan Grant.