I Will Ruin You: A Novel

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars | 1,317 ratings

Price: 22.04

Last update: 10-21-2024


About this item

"Linwood Barclay's I Will Ruin You is a page-turner that also has important things to say. You'll get your money's worth out of this one."–Stephen King

In the latest novel from New York Times bestselling author Linwood Barclay, a teacher’s act of heroism inadvertently makes him the target of a dangerous blackmailer who will stop at nothing to get what he wants.

How would you react in a life-or-death situation?

It’s a question everyone asks themselves, but few have to face in real life. English teacher Richard Boyle certainly never thought he would find himself talking down a former student intent on harming others, but when Mark LeDrew shows up at Richard’s school with a bomb strapped to his chest, Richard immediately jumps into action. Thanks to some quick thinking, he averts a major tragedy and is hailed as a hero, but not all the attention focused on him is positive.

Richard’s brief moment in the spotlight puts him in the sights of a deranged blackmailer with a score to settle. The situation rapidly spirals out of control, drawing Richard into a fraught web of salacious accusations and deadly secrets. As he tries to uncover the truth he discovers that there’s something deeply wrong in the town—something that ties together Mark, the blackmailer, and a gang of ruthless drug dealers, and Richard has landed smack in the middle of it. He’s desperate to find a way out, but everyone in his life seems to be hiding something, and trusting the wrong person could cost him everything he loves.

What price will he pay for one good deed?


Top reviews from the United States

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Linwood Barclay at his Best!
Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2024
Linwood Barclay never fails to produce a very suspenseful novel. I pride myself on figuring out the who-dun-it, but was shocked at the ending of this book!
Chris M.
4.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing
Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2024
While the storyline was attention grabbing, I just didn't stay interested in the characters. Hero teacher saves the day by intercepting a bomber, but the aftermath that follows is intriguing.
Annie52
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read!
Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2024
I have read all of Barclay's books. His earliest books with Zack Walker were my favorites. I really didn't like the Promise Falls series. I really enjoyed reading "I Will Ruin You" and would recommend it to anyone who likes suspense thrillers about everyday people.
mnmloveli
3.0 out of 5 stars Solid read
Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2024
‘24 - 3 STARS

DESCRIPTION : How would you react in a life-or-death situation?
It’s a question everyone asks themselves, but few have to face in real life. English teacher Richard Boyle certainly never thought he would find himself talking down a former student intent on harming others, but when Mark LeDrew shows up at Richard’s school with a bomb strapped to his chest, Richard immediately jumps into action. Thanks to some quick thinking, he averts a major tragedy and is hailed as a hero, but not all the attention focused on him is positive. Richard’s brief moment in the spotlight puts him in the sights of a deranged blackmailer with a score to settle. The situation rapidly spirals out of control, drawing Richard into a fraught web of salacious accusations and deadly secrets. As he tries to uncover the truth he discovers that there’s something deeply wrong in the town—something that ties together Mark, the blackmailer, and a gang of ruthless drug dealers, and Richard has landed smack in the middle of it. He’s desperate to find a way out, but everyone in his life seems to be hiding something, and trusting the wrong person could cost him everything he loves. What price will he pay for one good deed?

REVIEW :

I have read 15 previous books by Mr. Barclay, (11) 4/5 stars, (1) 3 star and (3) 1 star. His most recent books, The Lie Maker (‘23) and Look Both Ways (‘22) I gave 5 Stars each and his previous four other books, Take Your Breath Away (‘22), Find You First (‘21), Elevator Pitch (‘19) and A Noise Downstairs (‘18) all received 4 stars.

I always enjoy this author’s writing but the plot of this book, at least up to 50%, is really all over the place. I’m hoping the second half would bring it all together and it did ! Way too many characters for my taste. I thought it was a solid mystery.
Laurel-Rain Snow
5.0 out of 5 stars THRILLING CAT & MOUSE GAME...
Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2024
How would you react in a life-or-death situation?

It’s a question everyone asks themselves, but few have to face in real life. English teacher Richard Boyle certainly never thought he would find himself talking down a former student intent on harming others, but when Mark LeDrew shows up at Richard’s school with a bomb strapped to his chest, Richard immediately jumps into action. Thanks to some quick thinking, he averts a major tragedy and is hailed as a hero, but not all the attention focused on him is positive.

Richard’s brief moment in the spotlight puts him in the sights of a deranged blackmailer with a score to settle. The situation rapidly spirals out of control, drawing Richard into a fraught web of salacious accusations and deadly secrets. As he tries to uncover the truth he discovers that there’s something deeply wrong in the town—something that ties together Mark, the blackmailer, and a gang of ruthless drug dealers, and Richard has landed smack in the middle of it. He’s desperate to find a way out, but everyone in his life seems to be hiding something, and trusting the wrong person could cost him everything he loves.

What price will he pay for one good deed?

My Thoughts:

Through the intensity of I Will Ruin You, the reader is taken along a twisted journey to finding the truth, after a former student tries to detonate a bomb at the school he attended.

Richard Boyle is our primary character who is determined to find answers, even as events unfold around him in very desperate ways.

Can he protect his family? Can he discover the truth that is hidden behind the nefarious events? What dark doors will he open along the way?

I couldn’t stop reading, and finished the book in one day, scarcely getting up from my chair or eating my meals. 5 stars for sure!

***

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