Reviews — What Others Are Saying About
The Hostage
“A thrilling romp through a legal and forensic cliff-hanger! A masterfully woven tale of law enforcement challenges, anti-police sentiment, courtroom justice, impacted families, motherhood, and grace. There’s more than one hostage in this book – each facing a momentous and uncertain outcome.”
Tom Gede, Attorney-at-Law, San Francisco, CA
“The hostage rescue description is really accurate. I’ve been on similar missions during my time in police service, and my heart rate actually went up as I read it. The post incident procedure is exactly what happens. These and other realistic scenarios add to the impact of the book. And the court scenes were the best I’ve read, gripping and yet humorous.”
Ian Chadwick, Specialist Firearms Officer (Retired), London Metropolitan Police
“An emotionally engaging novel! Brian is a superbly constructed character, and he functions — alongside of Jenny — as a compelling protagonist. I absolutely loved the diary entries of Elspeth. She bridges the past, present, and future in a very powerful way, and her story is wonderful and original. Finally the representation of miscarriage and infertility — rarely tackled in literature — was a great strength of this book.”
Anna Hall-Zieger, Professor, Creative Writing, Texas A&M University
“The story begins with a crime and then proceeds to highlight the effect it has on multiple characters. As the police procedure evolved, I actually felt a part of the plot. The characterisations — major and minor — and the technical details were all absolutely spot-on. Perfect! A fine ending to an engaging trilogy!”
Bill Tillbrook, Chief Superintendent (Retired), Commander, Specialist Firearms Command, London Metropolitan Police
The Mission
“First Kryske gave us The Witness, a gripping legal and psychological drama. Now the verdict is in on The Mission, which highlights the atmosphere of terrorism following the 9/11 attacks. Men as well as women will enjoy this timely, riveting, suspenseful story.”
John-Edward Alley, Partner (Retired), Ford & Harrison, LLP
“Spot on! Portrayals of police ops were accurate and realistic. This American author has done extensive research. Realistic characters as well; some of them even reminded me officers I knew on the Job. Good storyline. A really good read!”
Ian Chadwick, Specialist Firearms Officer (Retired), London Metropolitan Police
Police van in London
“I was privileged to command men and women much like the characters in this very authentic and enjoyable book. The firearms officers read very lifelike from a professional perspective; indeed their frequent intensity is exactly as I have seen from the longer-serving more experienced staff. And Kryske was also able to spring a couple of surprises on me!”
Bill Tillbrook, Chief Superintendent (Retired), Commander, Specialist Firearms Command, London Metropolitan Police
“A heartbreaking yet ultimately hope filled story, The Mission chronicles the trauma and recovery of sudden grief, something the author clearly understands from her experience with Hurricane Katrina. Intense, moving, profound.”
Marjorie A. Husbands, MA, Licensed Professional Counselor
Viaduct Bridge in Hampstead Heath, London
The Witness
“When I saw The Witness was set in London, I immediately thought of my two favorite authors, Anne Perry and P.D. James. I now have a favorite author who in my opinion surpasses both. Characters have depth and the reader is drawn into the story as though being part of the scene.”
Thomas Jennings, Vice President, Occidental Chemical Corp.
“I was completely engrossed in this fascinating, sensitive story of a courageous young woman pushing through the damage of trauma to recover her life.”
Anglotopia
“I’m always grateful for authors like Kryske who really explore both the psychological and physical side of the protagonist’s trauma. Nothing was sugar coated. It was brutal, sad, and made me angry. It made me laugh, feel despair and helplessness, but I also felt triumph and love.”
Goodreads
Street scene in Hampstead, London
“With rare acumen for character development, pacing, and plot twists, The Witness is an instant classic.”
Goodreads
“The psychological success and drama were absolutely gripping. This is a multidimensional view that engaged the brain as well as the emotions. It gave me insights into the difficulty of recovering from trauma. I was fascinated by the portrayal of the British legal system.”
Amazon
“The Witness is the kind of book that keeps you up past your bedtime because you can’t bear to put it down. Thought provoking moral questions and characters worth meeting again made this a great read.”
Amazon
“The cycle of emotions, the pain, the fear, the guilt, the anger, and the anxiety to just get back to normal were all there. Touches of humor made it so real, too.”
Amazon
Street scene in Hampstead, London
“I could not put the book down once I started reading it! There was drama, mystery, and suspense.”
Amazon
“It has been a long time since I got so involved with a book! The Witness really affected me. The plot moved so quickly that each chapter seemed to bring a new surprise. Some situations made me gasp, some made my cry, and as hard as it is to believe, there were many funny moments, too. Each character seemed like a real person. I really cared about each one.”
Amazon
“This emotionally intense story was difficult to put aside. Unlike other crime stories that focus on the capture and punishment of the perpetrator, this one focuses on the healing of the victim. This unique approach makes the story interesting and thought provoking.”
Amazon
Goodge Street tube station, London
“I was attracted to The Witness by the cover, but it was the rush and suspense of the writing that pulled me through the 477 pages. The Witness is a well-crafted page turner! Bloody brilliant!”
Amazon
“The verdict is in: bravo Naomi Kryske for your premier novel. I felt like I truly came to know and care about your memorable cast of characters in a well researched story.”
Amazon
“I can’t remember when I have read a more absorbing book! The Witness describes the physical and psychological hurdles of a young woman following a violent assault, through police interviews and legal testimony, and until she learns to trust again. The courtroom chapters were realistic, fast paced, and filled with suspense. So much was dependent on the testimony of this one witness! I understand that the system is adversarial, but I was still angry at the way the defense lawyers treated her. The elegant quality of the writing in The Witness reminded me of Jodi Picoult’s, and there was more intensity than in any of John Grisham’s legal dramas. This book left a lasting impression on me!”
Barnes & Noble
Whitestone Pond, Hampstead, London
“An American testifying in a British court: suspenseful and surprising! The court scenes are gripping, and the differences between our justice systems add to the drama. Remarkable character development and intense writing combine to make an impressive first novel, which readers are sure to find entertaining.”
John-Edward Alley, Partner (Retired), Ford & Harrison, LLP
Police van in London
“A most enjoyable read. There is real depth to the characters, including the firearms officers, and during the courtroom scenes I found myself rooting for Jenny and hoping that the defence barristers would get their just desserts! The interplay between the cops and Jenny is really well thought through, and The Witness somehow captured the unique cop’s humour, a rare achievement in the literary world. I look forward to the sequels.”
Bill Tillbrook, Chief Superintendent (Retired), Commander, Specialist Firearms Command, London Metropolitan Police
“It’s refreshing to read a crime/suspense novel where the feelings of the victim are not overlooked. Police in London place a high priority on victims and their needs and have specially trained officers to deal with them. To Naomi Kryske I say, “Well done!””
Heather Toulson, Detective Inspector, London Metropolitan Police
“Masterful portrayal of traumatic stress in a story full of suspense, humor, and poignant moments. I began reading about a victim, a potential legal witness, but got so much more: real, reassuring aids to healing and recovery. The characters are so genuine and some of the situations so vividly written that I’ll never forget them. The story really moves, both with regard to plot and the effect it has on the reader.”
Marjorie A. Husbands, MA, Licensed Professional Counselor
Hampstead street scene
“I laughed and cried reading this book! I didn’t want The Witness to end, but I stayed up until 1:30 in the morning to finish it. I can’t wait for the sequel! There is a sequel, isn’t there?”
Jennifer Risner, Euless, TX
“The Witness is a really great read! The character development is fantastic. The author makes the reader feel like they’ve not only met the characters but have known them for a long time. Sinclair and Casey are the kinds of characters of which series are made.”
Stephanie Meeks, Dallas, TX
Street scene in Hampstead
“I couldn’t put it down! The Witness is a real page turner. The characters seem so real that I think I’d know them if I met them in the street. Some of the descriptions are brilliant, and there are so many quotable lines. The story really struck a chord with me. I’ve had trauma in my life, and it gave me hope.”
Barbara Horner, Dallas, TX
“The authenticity of The Witness impressed me. The author truly captured the sounds and smells of the London setting as well as the terror that a woman must feel when assaulted and then how hard it is to recover. The characters were well defined, and it was beautiful the way the relationships developed in this inspirational and suspenseful book.”
Barbara Yule, Garland, TX