Tag: Thriller

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Fiction Thriller

Stay Home, Ava Pierce

Stay Home is a mystery thriller which evolves around London during the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic. It centres around two main characters; Caitlin a mother of two and wife, who has been having an affair with the victim Daniel, and Ali, a just-about-functioning, lonely alcoholic whose main hobby is neighbourhood watch.

When Caitlin discovers Daniel dead one morning when she is supposed to be on her ‘daily run’ she is reluctant to tell a soul. After all she is breaking the lockdown rules, not to even mention reporting the incident to the police will unlock the truth of her affair and therefore she risks losing her family as a result of her deceptive secret. However, little does Caitlin know she is being watched.

I was really excited to read this book as it was the first mystery I have read which centres around the pandemic we are living through. Although, I was nervous- was it a bit soon? I have to say the bravery of the author did pay off!

Admittedly, I did find the start slow. However, the pace of the storyline started to pick up and before I knew it I was racing through the book, finding it difficult to put down as twists and turns occurred. I have to say I particularly loved the character development of Ali, Ava Pierce led me to really emphasise with her pain, and I enjoyed the growth of Ali and Caitlin’s ‘chalk and cheese’ companionship throughout the novel and how ultimately they were not very different from each other at all.

Without giving any spoilers, I did find the ending a tad predictable. Perhaps I just read too many thrillers and my guessing game has got good? As a result of this, was Stay Home the best thriller I have read? Unfortunately, not. However, that does not undermine how much I enjoyed the journey of the novel and I would give it a solid 3 stars.

Overall, a very current read, relatable and full of twists and turns.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Categories
Fiction Thriller

A Stranger on the Beach, Michele Campbell

Caroline appears to have the perfect life. She is married, has a daughter, is very wealthy and has a luxurious beach house which most of us would only dream of. However, her world comes crashing down when she throws a party and her husband Jason turns up with another woman.

As her world begins to crumble Caroline goes to drink her sorrows in her local bar and in an act of desperation, she ends up having a one-night stand with mysterious bar tender Aiden. Whilst the fling means nothing to Caroline, it means everything to Aiden, and when Jason goes missing it is not long before we discover Aiden has secrets of his own.

Having recently read ‘It’s Always the Husband’ by Michele Campbell, I was excited to see how ‘A Stranger on the Beach’ would compare. I have nothing but praise for the way this book was written as the author switches between the two protagonists.  From early on you discover that Caroline and Aiden’s recollection of events are different meaning that you are left not knowing who to trust. This is carried well throughout the novel and every time I thought I had worked it out the plot spun in a completely different direction.

There are psychological thrillers and then there is A Stranger on the Beach.

Categories
Fiction Thriller

The Pact, Amy Heydenrych

Freya has not had the easiest path to her success. Her mother gave her up when she was a baby, she was passed from family to family and she lived in her car because she couldn’t afford to rent when she first went to college. So, when Freya gets her dream job at high tech company Atypical, she is thrilled.

Freya discovers that Atypical headhunted her and she very quickly shows quite how skilled she is. She makes a great impression in her first few weeks, especially on her new colleague Jay.

Unfortunately, whilst all seems to be going well for Freya this is short lived as co-worker, and Jay’s ex, Nicole, begins to bully Freya. After weeks of being tormented, Freya snaps and Jay hatches a plan to get back at Nicole playing a prank. It was only supposed to be a joke, but no one is laughing when the next morning Nicole is found dead.

I really enjoyed this dark novel and Amy Heydenrych never left behind many clues as to what would happen next. Whilst exploring topics such as office bullying, sexual harassment and gender inequality, this compelling novel will have you guessing to the very end with twists and turns right to the very end. Told through the voices of Freya and a journalist Isla, the truth about what happened that night unfolds.