Synopsis

A terrifying gift. A government cover-up. And a past that won’t stay buried.

Elouise thought she had left the past behind. After a tragic accident, she woke with chilling ability to see glimpses of people’s pasts and futures. She’s spent years trying to live a normal life. But when a powerful senator pulls her into a high-stakes game of deception and control, she realizes her gift is no longer a secret—it’s a weapon. And he intends to use it.

She must make an impossible choice: play his deadly game or risk everything to expose the truth.

Danger closes in. Now, Elouise is running for her life, hunted by those who will do anything to silence her.

Who can she trust? The boyfriend who swore to protect her? Or the man who wants to own her gift—at any cost?

A Glimpse Too Far is a pulse-pounding thriller filled with menace, betrayal, and a race against time. Will the truth be uncovered before it’s too late?

Amazon * BookBaby

Excerpt

The drive home was tense. The roads were slick with fresh snow, and the wipers worked overtime to clear the windshield. Edward kept a firm grip on the wheel, navigating cautiously around the bends. Elouise sat in the back, still humming the songs from the musical, her voice soft as the snow that continued to fall heavily around them.

Suddenly, headlights pierced the snowy darkness. From around the bend, an oncoming car swerved out of control. Everything happened in a blur: metal scraping, tires screeching, and the world flipping upside down. The car rolled once or twice before coming to a crushing halt.

Sirens filled the air as firemen and paramedics swarmed the scene, pulling them from the wreckage. Elouise lay motionless, her eyes closed, her curls tangled and limp. The paramedics worked frantically as they loaded her into the ambulance.

On the way to the hospital, her heart stopped.

– Excerpted from A Glimpse Too Far by Karen Charles, BookBaby, 2025. Reprinted with permission.

Review

This novel is based on a true story, and after reading it, I am intrigued by the true story itself. The author answered this question from another reviewer, and it is based on a palm reader providing information that happened later on.

This novel spans approximately 12 years. It starts when Elouise is eight and dies in a car crash before being revived. What follows is her ability to see events just by touch. This is a blessing and a curse, and it takes a lot of time to accept it and learn how to navigate her world without too many incidents. She is approached later in life by a Senator who wants her to work for him. Is he on the up and up? Or is he hoping to use her for his own gain?

There is adventure, mystery, action, and a little suspense. I’m not sure I would categorize this as a psychological thriller, at least not in comparison to others I have read. However, I found the story to be engaging, and I wondered how she would survive each journey until the truth is revealed. I enjoyed how she interacted with horses, and she was something of a horse whisperer.

There is even some romance in the novel for Elouise. This relationship evolves, and while I appreciate the boyfriend’s concern for her, he also puts her in danger, albeit unknowingly.

This is a worthwhile read, and we give it 4 paws up.

About the Author

Karen Charles is the author of Freeman Earns a Bike, a children’s book, and two thrillers based on true stories. Fateful Connections takes place in the aftermath of 9/11, and Blazing Upheaval takes place during the Rodney King riots in Los Angeles and the Northridge earthquake. She has two businesses: a global company that trains international teachers to teach American English, and an Airbnb on a beautiful bay in Washington State, where she resides with her husband. Her latest book is the psychological thriller, A Glimpse Too Far.

Website * Facebook * X