If She Wakes by Michael Koryta

 

A potential world-changing discovery in energy is rumored to have been made.  But if so, the knowledge is hidden and only two women can unlock the key, both unlikely heroes.

Tara was giving a famous scientist who'd come to her college to give a talk a ride between venues when a wreck occurs.  The man is killed and Tara is left in a coma, completely paralyzed.  When she awakes, she realizes that she is conscious and able to think but everyone around her thinks she is still brain dead.  How can she impart the knowledge she has?

Abby Reynolds was a famous stock car racer who became a stunt driver in the movies.  But her nerve was shot when she wrecked her car one night with her movie star boyfriend in the passenger seat.  He was left in a coma until his family decided to suspend life support.  Since then, Abby has been a villain on social media and has come back East to decide what to do next in her life.  Somehow, she has been drawn into the web of entanglements and assassins looking for the information on the scientist's phone.  Can she find the knowledge and survive long enough to share it?

Both women have allies.  Tara has her sister, Shannon, who has been by her side protecting her for their entire lives.  Abby has Hank, the man who first sponsored her as a race car driver and who is letting her work as an insurance investigator until she recovers her nerve.  Both are also drawn into the machinations as various entities try to recover the discovery that could mean billions.

This was my first novel by Michael Koryta.  It was extremely suspenseful with lots of twists and turns.  Although he is male and most of the main players in the novel female, he gets their characters perfectly.  There are several villains and they are creepy and scary in the right proportions.  I read this book holding my breath for at least half of it and was surprised by the ending.  This book is recommended for mystery readers.