The Page 69 Test is so called because Marshall McLuhan suggested that you should choose your reading by turning to page 69 of a book and, if you like it, read it. And now The Nightmare Thief is subjected to the Page 69 Test:
“In The Nightmare Thief, an ‘urban reality game’ goes wrong and traps a group of college students in the Sierra Nevada wilderness, fighting for survival along with series heroine Jo Beckett. The novel’s a thriller: it features action, life-and-death danger, and relentless killers hunting down injured innocents.
“And that’s what you’ll find on Page 69.”
You can find out what else I said here.
lying for a living 
In no way whatsoever am I disparaging Mr. McLuhan’s “Page 69 Test” – it’s as good a way as any to find good fiction and new writers.
My method differs somewhat. On my way to finding new (to me) writers, I start with my favorite writers’ recommendation. It’s kind of a cool ripple effect. When Stephen King was writing his column at Entertainment Weekly, he was a great source for book recommendations. That how I found out about John Connolly and our own Meg O’Death. I read “China Lake” in one frantic/sleepless sitting. Since then, I’ve been hooked. I discovered George Pelecanos’ stuff while reading an interview with Dennis Lehane. A literary chain reaction.
Meg is also kind enough to provide excellent recommendations several times per year. (see post below) It was from Meg that I found out about Jeff Abbott, Sharon Kendrick and others.
My fellow commenters on this blog have also provided top-notch recommendations. If memory serves, I believe I found out about Steig Larsson’s Millenium Trilogy right here.
Call it the digital version of ‘word of mouth’…whatever it is, it’s worked well for me. My ‘to-be-read’ pile looks like it has some winners in it. I always give a book a chance – not just a page.