OR

Kindle Price:	$1.99
Sold by:	Amazon.com Services LLC

Promotions apply when you purchase

Read with our free app

You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.

Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions

There was an error. We were unable to process your subscription due to an error. Please refresh and try again.

Follow the author

Kimberly Burnstein

+ Follow

More books from this author

The Katrina Witness: A gripping emotional page turner Kindle Edition

by Kimberly Burnstein (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

4.4 261 ratings

See all formats and editions

A natural disaster turned into a living nightmare. Can one woman survive and begin anew?

Clair Jones and her dog, Sammy, are trapped on a roof as swirling water continues to rise. They are "rescued" by two men with the perfect opportunity. The moment she hears the splash, she realizes her horrible mistake. She soon realizes, they are not heroes, they are monsters.

After witnessing the unspeakable, Clair barely escapes with her life. But though she relocates to Kentucky, she can’t flee the horrors she endured. She will never erase the mistake she made the night she fled… even as love starts to bloom. Sometimes making exactly the right choice can still shatter you.

One day, she recognizes her captors on a newscast. It’s time for them to pay. She knows about their secret, hidden in the clock in the hallway. It’s all she needs to destroy them.

If you like dark drama, unexpected twists, and strong underdog characters, you will love this gripping tale of resilience and retribution.

Praise for The Katrina Witness

5.0 out of 5 stars You'll find yourself staying up late at night, because you need to find out how this will end. - J.M.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great fast moving book that sucks you in from the first line - Audrey B

5.0 out of 5 Starts Suspenseful from beginning to end - Cathy B

5.0 out of 5 stars A taut and riveting dark thriller! - Vampire H

5.0 out of 5 stars Oh, what a thrilling read. I just couldn't turn the pages fast enough!! - Linda C

5.0 out of 5 Stars Beautifully written and the suspense starts on page one making this novel a gripping page turner. -Patrick. H

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CD4ZLDDB
Publisher ‏ : ‎ (July 28, 2023)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 28, 2023
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 1490 KB
Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 260 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #158,453 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #559 in Kidnapping Crime Fiction
- #635 in Vigilante Justice
- #820 in Domestic Thrillers (Kindle Store)

Customer Reviews:
4.4 261 ratings

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Videos

Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video!

Upload your video

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.

Kimberly Burnstein

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Hi there. I'm a retired airline pilot turned writer. I was forced to retire early when I started experiencing recurrent vertigo (turns out that's a pretty bad combination). But, I did get to see the world. I will miss layovers in Paris, London, Hawaii and too many others to list.

Currently, I live in Las Vegas with my husband, two rescues dogs, and three horses. All of them spoiled. I've lived in the San Francisco Bay Area and, previously, Fresno, California. When I talk about being from Fresno I usually add, "don't be jealous." If you've ever been there, you'll know I'm kidding.

I'm sure every writer is an avid reader. Personally, I'm drawn to women's fiction. Give me a strong female lead and I'm sucked in. I love a good twist or revenge at the end (who doesn't?). I also enjoy thrillers. I love a fast paced book that I can't put down and accidentally stay up until 3am because I have to finish it.

I started my debut book, The Katrina Witness, nearly ten years ago. We had waited for my dog, Pepper, to cross over the rainbow bridge before going on our honeymoon in Spain. On the flight over, I read an article about Hurricane Sandy. The article mentioned that they had made a huge effort to save pets because during Katrina they did not, and there were people who refused to evacuate without their beloved animals. In one district, they supposedly shot a couple dogs to get the residents to leave. I was horrified.

As I lay jet lagged in bed, the entire story came to me; almost like from a muse. I had never had any thought of writing, but I absolutely had to write this. I have written, and rewritten this novel probably about fifty times. It was worth the time and effort, it's a thrilling, story of survival, redemption and revenge. I hope you love it.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5

261 global ratings

How customer reviews and ratings work

Reviews with images

See all photos

Sort reviews by

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

antistat

Non-stop suspense while being very realistic

Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2024

Verified Purchase

This book is beautifully crafted, blending physical and emotional jeopardy effectively while sustaining a relentless pace. The book opens on Clair Jones dealing with the effects of Hurricane Katrina. She and her dog are stranded on the roof of her home as flood waters drown New Orleans. Good news. Two men in a motor boat approach. Bad news. They’re not saving her, they’re kidnapping her. The attention to detail and the expertly constructed suspense around Clair’s time as captive of these two scumbags is so intense as to have my stomach in a knot, as if I was there with her. Any more information would definitely put me in spoiler territory (there’s plenty of great twists to spoil) so let me comment on Clair. What a wonderful character! Likable, relatable, funny, but tormented by dark traumas in a life that’s about to get a lot darker. Clair never gives up and neither does the reader. She’s heroic but in the most honest, realistic sense of the word. No cartoonish super hero here, just a person struggling to survive and maintain her decency in an impossible situation. I loved this book.

Helpful

Mary F Hill

The unique setting of The Katrina Witness makes it a standout amongst abduction thrillers!

Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2024

Verified Purchase

In her thriller, Burnstein immediately grabbed my attention by putting the protagonist in an impossible situation--being on a roof with her dog while the flood waters rose. When Claire is abducted by predators posing as rescuers, I understood how this could happen, given the circumstances. In fact, because of the backstory Burstein included throughout the novel, Claire's choices made sense, and I found myself thinking, What would I do? Love that! The author also did a great job of getting inside Claire's head, and this made me like Claire, turn pages, and root for her survival and happiness. The ending was satisfying and logical, and there was one surprise that I didn't see coming. Further, I appreciated the love story element of this well-written novel, as it made the story more hopeful. Similarly, Claire's feistiness added humor and entertainment to a scary topic. I definitely look forward to reading more of Burstein's novels!

Helpful

AmethystDreamer1986

emotional rollercoaster

Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2024

Verified Purchase

"The Katrina Witness" by Kimberly Burnstein pulls you deep into the swirling chaos of Hurricane Katrina with a story that's as heart-pounding as it is heart-wrenching. We meet Clair Jones and her loyal dog Sammy at their most vulnerable—stranded on a rooftop surrounded by rising waters. What appears to be a moment of salvation quickly turns dark when their rescuers reveal themselves as predators. This twist catapults us into a gripping narrative of survival and revenge.

Burnstein masterfully captures the fear and desperation of the disaster, making Clair’s journey from victim to avenger compelling and believable. Her relationship with Sammy adds a tender note to the harshness of her reality, reminding us of the comfort and loyalty pets provide in our darkest hours. As Clair transforms, finding the strength to confront her past and her captors, the story blossoms into a powerful tale of resilience and empowerment. The inclusion of unexpected romance and the satisfying twist of retribution weaves together a story that’s not only about surviving a disaster but finding the courage to rebuild and find happiness again.

For anyone who loves a story that takes you on an emotional rollercoaster—dipping into the depths of human cruelty and rising into the heights of human strength—“The Katrina Witness” is a captivating read. It's a reminder of how, even in our lowest moments, resilience and justice can prevail, bringing light into the darkest of times.

Helpful

Keyla D.

A trip from the darkness to the light

Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2024

Verified Purchase

The Katrina Witness by Kimberly Burnestein is a captivating and thought-provoking account of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The author skilfully weaves together Clair’s story, showcasing the resilience and strength of the human spirit in the face of devastation. The writing style is vivid and engaging, painting a clear picture of the devastation and heartbreak that the disaster left behind.
Stuck on the roof of her house with her dog Sammy after the flood devastated everything around her, Clair sees a sparkle of light when a boat with two men approach them. But things turn out differently than she had hoped.
The story is well-written and definitely a page-turner, and I loved it even though it is in first person, and I normally get bored easily with stories in first person. Probably, it happens if they’re not well-written. This wasn’t the case.
The second part of the story turns into flat-out romance, a genre I don't like and don't read. Still, it was worth my time, and I strongly recommend it.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Latia T Smith

Awesome read

Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2024

Verified Purchase

What a great book. It definitely was a page turner. I can envision every moment. Tragedy is always harsh, but defeat can be bitter sweet.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

ACK

Dark but interesting story

Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2023

The Katrina Witness is a story about a survivor, Clair, and the horrors that she faced during Katrina. The story is a psychological thriller that has many dark elements including rape and enslavement. The story is full of action and suspense, and you want to follow to understand what happens. For me, the internal monologue style combined with the timeline shifts without good scene shifts made this difficult for me to follow at times. If you like the genre, and don’t mind the style or dark themes, then it is an interesting story to read.

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Jarredw

Trigger Warning - Well Written

Reviewed in Canada on January 7, 2024

Verified Purchase

"The Katrina Witness" by Kimberly Burnestein takes readers on a horrific journey through the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. This gripping narrative divides the book into two halves that offer a contrasting emotional experience. The first half delves into the dark and heart-wrenching realities of the post-disaster world, while the second half introduces unexpected elements that leave readers with a surprisingly positive note to ponder.

I want to emphasize the importance of trigger warnings in this review, as the book does contain scenes of rape and violence. These warnings are crucial for prospective readers to be aware of the sensitive content within the story.

I thoroughly enjoyed the author's writing style, which made it easy for me to become engrossed in the narrative. The characters, including the canine character Sammy, are well-developed. Despite not being particularly inclined toward animals, I formed an emotional attachment to Sammy.

I recommend "The Katrina Witness" to anyone searching for a riveting tale of courage and survival in the face of a devastating event. This book skillfully navigates the complexities of human resilience. It serves as a reminder that even in the darkest times, unexpected moments of hope and positivity can emerge.

Tim Levey

An incredibly strong debut

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 23, 2024

Verified Purchase

The Katrina Witness surprised me, in a good way, on many levels. This wouldn’t be my normal choice for fiction but I was taken in by excellent cover and expected it to be a Hero’s Journey that Sammy the dog would be part of. He would probably get in the way as much as provide emotional support. When that part of the story ended early on, I nearly stopped reading, but pushed on. I’m glad that I did.
By the time I was halfway, I was ready to believe that the author had actually lived through a natural disaster, such as Katrina. The background has clearly been well researched and expressed. Also, the narrative around the series of abusive relationships was very realistic. It seemed too accurate to all be dreamt up. By then, there was no way that I was going to bale out and had to find out what happened next.
If anything, I felt that the cozy ‘finding the new normal’ part in the middle took up more chapters than was necessary, but it set up the last twists well and I was delighted when a character re-emerged at the end.
I can quite see that the novel took many years to write and get right. Reading it was time well spent.

Susan Day

A captivating tale

Reviewed in Australia on November 3, 2023

Verified Purchase

This is an enthralling tale of a young woman’s desperate fight for survival, the horrors mother nature can dish out, as well as the depths and heights of human nature. Well written and fast paced, it is bound to be a favorite amongst readers.

Our protagonist Clair is really likeable. She is funny, smart and sassy. A survivor of domestic violence, she is just putting her life together when Hurricane Katrina strikes. Unprepared, but resilient Clair manages to gain access to her roof with her small dog. Sadly, things get worse for her when she is supposedly rescued by two men who aim to kidnap her.

Sadly, things worsen for her as she finds herself in a nightmare scenario. But this doesn’t dull or weaken our hero. Thinking on her feet, with all her wits, she breaks free and eventually finds herself living on a ranch with the very gorgeous, Joe.

I really felt like I was in Clair’s head the whole time. But I was always surprised by her tenacity and courage. She never forgets her past but has managed to use the strengths she gained there to see her through this part of her life.

The cover of the book is amazing and, for me, represents the inner, solitary struggle Clair had on her perilous journey. This is not your typical romantic drama; it’s a whole lot more. If you want an insightful and exciting page-turner, then this is the book for you.

Ocean Bloom

A Gripping Tale of Survival

Reviewed in Canada on October 26, 2023

Verified Purchase

This story drew me in right from the first page and kept my interest throughout. The story starts off with Clair trapped on her rooftop with her dog during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The suspense quickly builds when two men come by in a boat to rescue her, and she can sense something isn’t right. I won’t say anything more as I don’t want to spoil the book for others, but I will say that it was a real page-turner. I could not put this book down, and finished it in two nights. I would definitely recommend this book to those who like thrillers.

While the story confronts dark themes, it also celebrates resilience and the strength of the human spirit. The author’s storytelling prowess was evident throughout, and I was surprised to learn that it was her first book. Well done! I will definitely be looking for more from Ms. Burnstein.

RM

A riveting debut

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 11, 2024

Verified Purchase

‘The Katrina Witness’ highlights the opportunities for criminals when a natural disaster strikes and society is in chaos. Clair and her beloved dog are stranded on the roof of her house, surrounded by flood water after hurricane Katrina. She is wary of the two men offering rescue in their boat, but with no other aid on offer, she takes a tentative step into their care.

A riveting page turner, although difficult to read in parts because of the abuse and violence. The author excels in relating a visually vivid account of what it would be like to be caught up in a terrifying, inescapable situation.

In the second half of the book, the gripping, edge-of-your-seat plot changes, and it becomes a romance. The reader is introduced to extremely kind and generous characters, an idyllic setting and lifestyle, in stark contrast to the first half, and I felt this dichotomy was too extreme, didn't seem realistic.

Clair's ongoing trauma and her response to it was believable, and the resolution at the end of the book was satisfying, although I found it implausible that a fabricated story would be so easily believed. If it had been detected as false, the repercussions would have been devastating, but this wasn’t mentioned or taken into consideration.

5 stars for the excellent first half, 3 for the second. Overall - 4 stars.

OR

Buy for others

Buying and sending eBooks to others

Follow the author

Image Unavailable

The Katrina Witness: A gripping emotional page turner Kindle Edition

A natural disaster turned into a living nightmare. Can one woman survive and begin anew?

Customers who bought this item also bought

Product details

Videos

About the author

Kimberly Burnstein

Customer reviews

Reviews with images

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Top reviews from other countries