Tabitha King grips readers by their throats and drags them along for a roller-coaster ride in her novel "Survivor."

"Survivor" details seven years in the life of Kissy Mellors, a photographer with a cropped punk hairdo, an attitude and the ability to overcome any emotion by turning tail and running.

Despite the twisted tale of circumstances and constant emotional strain, King remains cool, calm and detached in telling her tale. King is in control, and Kissy is in control, even as the world around Kissy dissolves into chaos. This detached air permeates the plot and keeps the book from becoming a truly good read.