Kim Ebner's Blog, page 6

Dead Letters

Goodreads DescriptionAva Antipova has her reasons for running away: a failing family vineyard, a romantic betrayal, a mercurial sister, an absent father, a mother slipping into dementia. In Paris, Ava renounces her terribly practical undergraduate degree, acquires a French boyfriend and a taste for much better wine, and erases her past. Two years later, she must return to upstate New York. Her twin sister, Zelda, is dead.Even in a family of alcoholics, Zelda Antipova was the wild one, notorious for her mind games and destructive behavior. Stuck tending the vineyard and the girls increasingly unstable mother, Zelda was allegedly burned alive when she passed out in the barn with a lit cigarette. But Ava finds the official explanation a little too neat. A little too Zelda. Then she receives a cryptic message from her sister.Just as Ava suspected, Zelda's playing one of her games. In fact, she's outdone herself, leaving a series of clues about her disappearance. With the police stuck on a red herring, Ava follows the trail laid just for her, thinking like her sister, keeping her secrets, immersing herself in Zelda's drama and her outlandish circle of friends and lovers. Along the way, Zelda forces her twin to confront their twisted history and the boy who broke Ava's heart. But why? Is Zelda trying to punish Ava for leaving, or to teach her a lesson? Or is she simply trying to write her own ending?Featuring a colorful, raucous cast of characters, Caite Dolan-Leach's debut thriller takes readers on a literary scavenger hunt for clues concealed throughout the seemingly idyllic wine country, hidden in plain sight on social media, and buried at the heart of one tremendously dysfunctional, utterly unforgettable family.My ReviewWhat a strange bunch of characters I came across in this book! Ava, who is the main character, has a serious drinking problem and is a self confessed 25 year old alcoholic. From what we hear about Zelda, she too had a drinking problem, but added to that we learn that she was a recreational and prescription drug addict. Their mother, also an alcoholic, suffers from severe dementia and doesn't know who anyone is most of the time. And their father has issues of his own.So, that's the starting point for this very different book, which I actually thoroughly enjoyed. I have read some reviews that refer to this book as a thriller, and I suppose that to a certain extent it is, but it's also a family saga / drama. When Ava hears that her twin sister, who she hasn't spoken to in two years, has died in a fire, she's not convinced. Knowing her sister like she does, this could all just be an elaborate plan to get Ava back into town and back into her life. Ava and Zelda have been highly competitive since birth and so Ava isn't surprised to learn that her sister has set up a game for her to play - she needs to decipher a number of clues to uncover what her sister is trying to tell her, and to lead her to where she is.I loved the premise of this book, and the concept of having to unravel a system of clues using the letters of the alphabet, was very clever. I did think that some of the clues were fairly random though, and I'm not sure that I would have been able to unravel them if I was Ava, but I still enjoyed reading about how she figured them out. This is more of a character driven story, and what appealed to me was learning about Ava and Zelda, and their incredibly strange family. There is a twist towards the end of the book, but I had figured it out by about half way through the read. Having said that, I enjoyed this book in that it hooked me and I looked forward to reading it every day. I was fascinated by the characters and their crazy lives, and I couldn't wait to find out the truth about why Zelda was doing what she was doing. Lovers of traditional, fast paced, racy thrillers may not love this one as it's definitely slower, but I was still hooked!  My Rating: * * * *Publication Date: June 2017 (South Africa)Genre: ThrillerFormat: Trade paperbackSource: Review copy received from the publisher. Many thanks to author, Caite Dolan-Leach and Penguin Random House SA for my copy. It was my pleasure to read and review this title.

The Orphan's Tale

Goodreads DescriptionSixteen-year-old Noa has been cast out in disgrace after becoming pregnant by a Nazi soldier and being forced to give up her baby. She lives above a small rail station, which she cleans in order to earn her keep… When Noa discovers a boxcar containing dozens of Jewish infants bound for a concentration camp, she is reminded of the child that was taken from her. And in a moment that will change the course of her life, she snatches one of the babies and flees into the snowy night. Noa finds refuge with a German circus, but she must learn the flying trapeze act so she can blend in undetected, spurning the resentment of the lead aerialist, Astrid. At first rivals, Noa and Astrid soon forge a powerful bond. But as the facade that protects them proves increasingly tenuous, Noa and Astrid must decide whether their friendship is enough to save one another—or if the secrets that burn between them will destroy everything.My ReviewI decided to read this book after hearing numerous great things about it. It's not a book that falls into one of my favourite genres and so I was taking a bit of a chance with this one.This is a story set in and around Nazi Germany during the war. I generally don't like war stories, and I say generally because I absolutely adored The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, but I decided to try this one because it seemed that the story wasn't primarily about war. And this held true. This is the story about two woman battling their own demons during the war. They both find refuge in a travelling circus, but in return they need to earn their keep by working as trapeze artists, all the while avoiding the Nazi soldiers, for their own specific reasons.Initially I was quite taken with the story. But as the story progressed I found that I was interested in the story without being totally engrossed or invested. I found some of the scenes and events a little unlikely, for example Noa's whirlwind romance with Luc. It just happened so quickly and seemed to lack substance. Also, at times I found that I was missing the mystery and suspense of my favourite genres and I found the story a little slow. This is probably attributable to the fact that I really was out of my comfort zone here, reading a book that I wouldn't normally read. I thus don't think this was the fault of the book itself, but rather my unrealistic expectations that all books should grip one by the throat and not let go. Probably not true of historical fiction novels which tend to be character driven stories.The good news is that I found the ending to be fabulous. Suddenly the tempo picked up, there was action, death, aerial stunts, bombs, fire, you name it. It was also filled with emotion and I did find myself feeling a bit sad. I think the ending really did earn the half star that I refer to below. Without the strong ending, this would have remained a solid 3 star read.Overall, I enjoyed this book. Readers who have a specific interest in WW2 history, or who love historical fiction novels, will love this one. I'm not in the habit of awarding half stars, but if I was, this one would definitely get 3.5 stars.My Rating: * * *Publication Date: 23 February 2017Genre: Historical FictionFormat: PaperbackSource: My own purchased copy.

Perfect Remains

Goodreads DescriptionOn a remote Highland mountain, the body of Elaine Buxton is burning. All that will be left to identify the respected lawyer are her teeth and a fragment of clothing. In the concealed back room of a house in Edinburgh, the real Elaine Buxton screams into the darkness. Detective Inspector Luc Callanach has barely set foot in his new office when Elaine’s missing persons case is escalated to a murder investigation. Having left behind a promising career at Interpol, he’s eager to prove himself to his new team. But Edinburgh, he discovers, is a long way from Lyon, and Elaine’s killer has covered his tracks with meticulous care. It’s not long before another successful woman is abducted from her doorstep, and Callanach finds himself in a race against the clock. Or so he believes … The real fate of the women will prove more twisted than he could have ever imagined.My ReviewIn the one corner of the ring, we have one of the most depraved, sick and terrifying serial killers I've ever come across. And in the other corner, we have the new Detective Inspector, Callanach, who has arrived from France and is yet to earn the respect of his team.With these two characters pitted against each other from the very start of the book, I knew that I was in for a great read. And absolutely great it was. The two characters were so well developed and interesting that I couldn't wait to see how the story would unfold. I was totally hooked from the get-go.At the risk of sounding pretty screwed up, I do like my serial killers to be extremely dark, twisted and depraved. And this serial killer ticked all the boxes for me. There were times when my skin absolutely crawled as I listened (yes, I listened to this book as an audio book) to what he did to his victims and the way he spoke to them, the psychology that he used on them and the treatment that he dished out on a daily basis. I couldn't help but say a little prayer to keep me safe from any potential killers that might be sharing the same city as me. That's how badly this serial killer got under my skin.As mentioned above, I listened to the audio book version of this novel and I couldn't wait to get into my car every day and into the traffic so that I could catch up with DI Callanach and his team. I thought that the narration of this book was absolutely fantastic and the narrator did an exceptional job of all the different accents and of changing his voice in such a way that I knew exactly who was who in the zoo. The performance was a 5 star performance.This is the first book in a new series involving DI Callanach, and I'll definitely be buying the next book as soon as it's published in South Africa. I really loved this first book. Like I say, the characters were great and the cat and mouse game was very gripping. If I had to be a tiny bit critical, my only complaint would be that I found that the middle section of the story lagged slightly and I didn't really enjoy the sub-plot of the pregnant girls. I found that part of the book not quite as gripping as the serial killer story. I thought at first that the two different plots must somehow come together and the fact that they didn't was a slight let down. But this is a small criticism in an otherwise great story.Definitely worth the read!My Rating: * * * *Publication Date: January 2017Genre: Crime ProceduralFormat: AudiobookSource: My own purchased audiobook, purchased through Audible.

Exquisite

Goodreads DescriptionBo Luxton has it all—a loving family, a beautiful home in the Lake District, and a clutch of bestselling books to her name. Enter Alice Dark, an aspiring writer who is drifting through life, with a series of dead-end jobs and a freeloading boyfriend. When they meet at a writers’ retreat, the chemistry is instant, and a sinister relationship develops. Or does it? Breathlessly pacey, taut and terrifying, Exquisite is a startlingly original and unbalancing psychological thriller that will keep you guessing until the very last page.My ReviewI'm an absolute sucker for a great cover! And as the old saying goes, one should never judge a book by its cover, but I often do. Marketing 101 dictates: have an appealing and catchy cover, and if you ask me, this one does. For this reason alone, I was sold on this book. I think the cover is absolutely stunning and I can't put my finger on exactly why. Perhaps it's the dominating black colour, or the shape of the body, which at first glance you don't actually notice as such. Whatever it is, this cover just works for me.But enough about that and back to the book itself. What a fantastic read! I started this book one night in bed, thinking that I'd just read a few pages, and then there I was, warm and snugly, and 70 pages in. I was so gripped by the basic story of Bo and Alice that I couldn't stop reading. When I think back to those first 70 pages, I can't tell you that there was action, drama, murders or creepy characters, because there were none of those things. There were just two woman at different points in their lives, meeting each other for the first time. Because of this, it's difficult to pin point exactly what was so gripping about those pages. But gripping they were!I have spent a lot of time thinking about how best to describe this book. There are many words that come to mind: fascinating, gripping, well written, poetic, but I think the one that sums this book up perfectly is, original. For a bookworm like me, who reads tons of psychological thrillers every year, this book was just so different. I've never read a psychological thriller quite like this one before. I must also say that I went into this one totally blind. In other words, I never read the blurb on the back cover and although I had read and heard plenty of good things about the book, I never actually knew what it was about. I think that also helped. And I recommend reading this book in that way if you can.Some of you might remember from a previous post that I spoke about Orenda Books. They are a publishing house based in the UK who are quickly becoming favourites in the blogging world due to the high quality books that they publish. Well, this is another book published by Orenda Books. The sad news for us South Africans is that Orenda have not yet found a local distributor, although I have it on good authority that they are trying hard. But all it not lost. You can still get your hands on a copy of this book by ordering online, over the Loot website.This is a great read and it will go down as one of my favourites of the year. I'm quite sure that it will be in my top 10 by the end of 2017. Simply put, it's...exquisite!My Rating: * * * * *Publication Date: May 2017 (only available in SA through Loot online store, www.loot.co.za)Genre: Psychological thrillerFormat: PaperbackSource: Review copy received from the publisher. Many thanks to author, Sarah Stovell and Orenda Books (the lovely Karen Sullivan) for my copy. It was my pleasure to read and review this book. And may I say that we hope to see you in South Africa soon!

Tattletale

Goodreads DescriptionOnce upon a time, there was a little girl who believed in fairytales. Now she is out to get your happy ending. One day changes Jody's life forever. She has shut herself down, haunted by her memories and unable to trust anyone. But then she meets Abe, the perfect stranger next door and suddenly life seems full of possibility and hope. One day changes Mags' life forever. After years of estrangement from her family, Mags receives a shocking phone call. Her brother Abe is in hospital and no-one knows what happened to him. She meets his fiance Jody, and gradually pieces together the ruins of the life she left behind. But the pieces don't quite seem to fit...My ReviewMy feelings about this book are difficult to pin down. There are parts of it that I loved and then other parts of it that I thought were very average. The book starts with a couple of chapters that don't seem to link to anything in the story, however, as a fan of psychological thrillers I've come to expect that now and again. By the end of the story however, everything had fallen into place and the opening chapters made perfect sense. The whole story pulled together well.I thought that the majority of the story was slow going and I didn't always feel invested in the story or the main characters. The story is told from three different points of view: Mags, Jody and Mira. I thought that Mags was a fairly unlikable character with her hard outer shell, hard drinking habits and apparent lack of caring for her brother, Abe. Jody, Abe's fiancee, was just a fruit loop, plain and simple. And Mira, Abe's neighbour, seemed to be rather insipid and lacking in strength or character. What I did like about this book was the revenge that takes place towards the end and also the court scene's, although these aren't very detailed. Being a lawyer myself, I'm always a sucker for a good court scene, with lawyers testing their wits against their opponents. Although the court scenes that I mention never really get to full tilt, I enjoyed them nevertheless.The mystery around Abe, his life and his fall, all led me to keep turning the pages. There was enough suspense and intrigue to keep the reader engaged. I wanted to know what had happened to Abe and who was responsible for it.I did find some of the events in the story slightly unlikely. Furthermore, some of the characters who really didn't like each other throughout the book then become good friends by the end, which I also thought was pretty unrealistic. Be that as it may, I found that I liked this story. It doesn't have the major twists and turns of a lot of psychological thrillers that I've read, and it won't go down as one of my favourites of the year, but it's a nice enough read. A solid read, but not a great one.My Rating: * * *Publication Date: April 2017Genre: Psychological ThrillerFormat: Trade paperbackSource: My own purchased copy.

Abattoir of Dreams

Goodreads DescriptionThe past is never far away. Michael Tate has not had an easy life. With his father in prison, and his mother dead, Michael was sent to Woodside Children’s Home. Now an adult, Michael wakes up from a coma in hospital suffering from amnesia and paralysis. Confused and terrified, he is charged with the fatal stabbing of his girlfriend, Becky. He also learns he attempted to end his own life.Detective Inspector John Carver is determined that Michael is sent to prison.With no way of defending himself, Michael is left in his hospital bed awaiting transfer to remand.But then strange things begin to happen and his childhood comes back to haunt him. Can Michael ever escape the past?Will he ever discover the truth about Becky’s murder?And why is DI Carver so eager to make him suffer? The Abattoir of Dreams is a bitter sweet story of murder, innocence and abuse.My ReviewThis is a difficult book to define. It seems to have a little bit of everything, and it doesn't fit neatly into any one genre. If you love suspense novels, you'll enjoy it. If you love novels with supernatural elements, then you'll enjoy it. If you love family saga's, then you'll enjoy it. There are also small elements of horror and romance. It's a book that slips easily between all these different genres, making is truly unique. This is the story about Michael, a man who wakes up in a hospital bed, paralyzed from the waist down and with amnesia, unable to remember a single thing about his past or who he is. And he definitely doesn't remember stabbing his girlfriend twenty one times, which he has been accused of doing. The reader is then taken back into Michael's past, a young boy living a very difficult childhood. In fact, the majority of this book focuses on Michael's life as a boy, his time spent at the children's home and his friendship with another boy that he meets there. And it's a fascinating but uncomfortable journey.  The author uses plenty of dialogue in this story, with very little description, which, personally, is something that I love. I often find that books written in this way draw the reader in, are fast paced and the reader is left with a very clear sense of who the characters are. And that's another strength of this story: the characterization is great. The evil characters, and take it from me, there are a number of them, were easy to despise. I loathed them all and if I could have stepped into the pages of the book and given them a piece of my mind, I would have. On second thought though, they were all so despicable and cruel that I think I might have been just as scared as Michael was.This book is very dark, touching on some serious subject matter like woman and child abuse, police brutality, bullying and murder. Some of the scenes are very graphic and thus uncomfortable to read, but yet gripping at the same time. There's a part of me that was cringing and close to tears while reading these scenes, and then at the same time I couldn't wait to turn the pages to see how the scenes would play out. One thing is certain though, you won't be bored with this one. But you do need to have a strong constitution. If you like your reads to be gentle and smelling of roses, then this one definitely won't be for you. But if difficult topics, dark characters and even darker scenes are your thing, then give this one a try. I loved it.My Rating: * * * *Publication Date: 8 February 2017Genre: Literary FictionFormat: Trade paperbackSource: My own purchased copy.

The Fact Of A Body

Goodreads DescriptionBefore Alexandria Marzano-Lesnevich begins a summer job at a law firm in Louisiana, working to help defend men accused of murder, she thinks her position is clear. The child of two lawyers, she is staunchly anti-death penalty. But the moment convicted murderer Ricky Langley’s face flashes on the screen as she reviews old tapes―the moment she hears him speak of his crimes―she is overcome with the feeling of wanting him to die. Shocked by her reaction, she digs deeper and deeper into the case. Despite their vastly different circumstances, something in his story is unsettlingly, uncannily familiar. Crime, even the darkest and most unsayable acts, can happen to any one of us. As Alexandria pores over the facts of the murder, she finds herself thrust into the complicated narrative of Ricky’s childhood. And by examining the details of Ricky’s case, she is forced to face her own story, to unearth long-buried family secrets, and reckon with a past that colors her view of Ricky's crime. But another surprise awaits: She wasn’t the only one who saw her life in Ricky’s. An intellectual and emotional thriller that is also a different kind of murder mystery, THE FACT OF A BODY is a book not only about how the story of one crime was constructed―but about how we grapple with our own personal histories. Along the way it tackles questions about the nature of forgiveness, and if a single narrative can ever really contain something as definitive as the truth. This groundbreaking, heart-stopping work, ten years in the making, shows how the law is more personal than we would like to believe―and the truth more complicated, and powerful, than we could ever imagine. My ReviewWow, this is a difficult book to review. It almost feels wrong to talk about having loved this book or to say how much I enjoyed it. The difficult subject matter makes these descriptions seem ill advised and insensitive. But I really have no other words to describe how potent and interesting I found this read to be.From the book blurb it's clear that this book is about a murder and about the author's legal career. But let me tell you, this book is so much more than that. In fact, the author's legal career actually takes second or maybe even third place to the other themes running through this book. Ultimately, this is a book about two stories: the murder of 6 year old Jeremy by child molester, Ricky Langley, and also about the author's difficult and traumatic past.You'd be correct is wondering how the author's memoir can link to the murder of a 6 year old boy, especially when the author wasn't involved in the case in any way. Well, trust me, the author does a superb job of linking the two stories and of showing the reader how our perception of events, and even of right and wrong, is strongly influenced by our own experiences.I found this book to be a fantastic read. But I must warn you, the subject matter discussed in this book is difficult. The author never sensationalizes the difficult topics, but I can say with certainty that some readers may battle with the themes. So, just as a word of warning, this book deals extensively with child abuse, sexual molestation of children, pedophilia, murder and the pressure placed on children to keep the secrets of these sick individuals.Before reading this book, I really never realized how wide spread the problem of child abuse is. With my wonderful childhood, it's always been difficult to believe and understand that other children are having such a different experience to mine. And here I must commend the author for her bravery and strength of spirit in coming forward and disclosing the traumatic events of her childhood. That must be a very difficult thing to do, and I feel that the author does such a good job of disclosing her past and intertwining it with that of Ricky Langley's.The thing with this book is that it really leaves you with a lot to think about. Issues like the death penalty, what makes people who they are, how our own experiences lead to our beliefs, such concepts are still bouncing around in my head after finishing this book a short while ago. And I have the feeling that I won't be able to start another book until I've settled my thoughts.This is a superbly clever and honest memoir. It fascinates the reader in that it does so much more than just tell the author's personal story. It's her story yes, but it's also the story of child molester, Ricky Langley. For any readers that have an interest in true crime, this will be a book that you'll devour. I loved it for many reasons. It is a complex and well written memoir. I flew through the pages. Read it.My Rating: * * * * *Publication Date: June 2017 (South Africa)Genre: Memoir / Non-FictionFormat: Trade paperbackSource: Review copy received from the publisher. Many thanks to author, Alexandra Marzano-Lesnevich and PanMacmillan SA for my copy. It was my pleasure to read and review this book.

Dead Woman Walking

Goodreads DescriptionJust before dawn in the hills near the Scottish border, a man murders a young woman. At the same time, a hot-air balloon crashes out of the sky. There’s just one survivor. She’s seen the killer’s face – but he’s also seen hers. And he won’t rest until he’s eliminated the only witness to his crime. Alone, scared, trusting no one, she’s running to where she feels safe – but it could be the most dangerous place of all . . .My ReviewHave you ever wanted to take a ride in a hot air balloon? To soar above the African plains, or above the fairy chimneys in Cappadocia in Turkey? I have a serious fear of flying and I battle to even get myself on to a Boeing, so I must be honest and say that I've never felt the desire to be trapped in a small basket, soaring high above the ground, with nothing but a large balloon above my head. But I know of plenty of people who would absolutely love the opportunity to take such a flight. Well, if you are one of those people, then don't read this book!The opening few chapters of this book deal with a hot air balloon ride that has gone terribly wrong. And let me tell you, in the hands of a highly skilled author like Sharon Bolton, I was literally feeling the terror. If I had wanted to do a balloon ride at some stage, I think I would have changed my mind after reading this book.The fact that us readers can be made to feel the absolute terror and hopelessness of such a situation just goes to show what an amazing author Sharon Bolton is. She has always been one of my favourites, and once again, she came to the party with this book. I absolutely flew through it, gulping down the short chapters with glee. This book is jam packed with action and adventure, so much so that you won't be bored for a single second. This is a read that will have you hooked. The book moves between scenes from the present day and the past, between the survivor's attempt at escaping the killer that has seen her face, and scene's from her past, where her relationship with her nun sister is set out. Coupled with this plot line, is another one dealing with the harvesting and sale of human organs on the black market. All this adds up to a gripping and lively plot. And of course, there are a few twists and turns along the way, especially towards the end, and they were great too.If you've read any of Sharon Bolton's previous books and if you're already a fan, then grab this one and get stuck in. You won't be disappointed. And if this is an author that you haven't tried before, then now's your chance. This is a highly addictive, fast paced, punchy read. The whole thing is gripping and very readable. I just loved this one! I devoured it in a matter of days. It is pure escapist entertainment. And what more could us Bookworm's want! It ticked my boxes.My Rating: * * * * *Publication Date: May 2017 (South Africa)Genre: Psychological thrillerFormat: Trade paperbackSource: Review copy received from the publisher. Many thanks to author, Sharon Bolton and Penguin Random House SA for my copy. It was my pleasure to read and review this title.

The Witchfinder's Sister

Goodreads DescriptionThe number of women my brother Matthew killed, so far as I can reckon it, is one hundred and six...  1645. When Alice Hopkins' husband dies in a tragic accident, she returns to the small Essex town of Manningtree, where her brother Matthew still lives. But home is no longer a place of safety. Matthew has changed, and there are rumours spreading through the town: whispers of witchcraft, and of a great book, in which he is gathering women's names. To what lengths will Matthew's obsession drive him? And what choice will Alice make, when she finds herself at the very heart of his plan?My ReviewThis book is ultimately a tale of fiction but it is based on real life events, to the extent that they are known. The witch hunter, Matthew Hopkins, actually existed and he is responsible for sending over 100 woman to their deaths. Some speculate that it was actually many more than that, perhaps as many as 300.It would seem that it was very easy to be labelled as a witch in 1645. Any woman who didn't fit squarely into society's expectations of them was not safe. Perhaps a woman had had a miscarriage, or someone had been injured in their presence, or even injured after being in their presence, or even a woman who was slightly mentally challenged, any of these things could see you hang.I've always had a fascination with the Salem witch trials and with the whole concept of witch hunting. It's always seemed so bizarre and so totally barbaric, even for those times. But few people actually know that before the infamous Salem witch trials, many woman were slaughtered in Manningtree, in Essex. This is a book about that time.I really enjoyed this read. I thought that it was well written and although a little slow at times, it never drew to a grinding halt. I was always interested in the story. I was really keen to get to the heart of the book, being the actual witch hunting and trials, and that didn't happen until quite near the end. The book focuses more on the characters and the reasons for their actions, rather than the actual witch hunts and trials.It is clear that the author did a lot of research before writing this book. Her descriptions of the settings, the houses, the clothes, the living conditions and even of people's responsibilities and their places in society, seemed to be spot on. I felt myself transported back to that time and place, enduring the hardships that the characters endured. It also made me feel what it must have been like to be a woman living in those times, never sure if the next knock at the door would be some pompous man hurling allegations of witchcraft around.This book is a good mix between history and fiction, but there is also an element of suspense involved. I wanted to turn the page to find out what was going to happen next. As I mentioned earlier, do not expect the rollicking pace of a traditional thriller or suspense novel, but rather the slow turning of a wheel, enabling the reader to savor and enjoy the story. For anyone with an interest in history, and / or witch hunting, then this is a must. But because the story is more about people, I think this book will appeal to a wider audience as well. I thought it was great.My Rating: * * * *Publication Date: May 2017 (South Africa)Genre: Historical fictionFormat: Trade paperbackSource: Review copy received from the publisher. Many thanks to author, Beth Underdown and Penguin Random House SA for my copy. It was my pleasure to read and review this book.

Safe With Me

Goodreads Description Thirteen years ago someone did something very bad to Anna. Now it’s her turn to get even …  Anna lives a solitary existence, taking solace in order and routine. Her only friend is the lonely old lady next door. She doesn’t like to let people to get too close – she knows how much damage they can do.  Then one ordinary day Anna witnesses a devastating road accident and recognises the driver as Carla, the woman who ruined her life all those years ago. Now it’s Anna’s chance to set things straight but her revenge needs to be executed carefully …  First she needs to get to know Liam, the man injured in the accident. She needs to follow the police investigation. She needs to watch Carla from the shadows…  But as Anna’s obsession with Carla escalates, her own secrets start to unravel. Is Carla really dangerous or does Anna need to worry about someone far closer to home? My ReviewI often find it very difficult to like a book where I seriously dislike the lead character. This book must have one of the most annoying and unlikable lead characters out of all the books I have read. The truth of the matter is that Anna was absolutely awful, and I couldn't stand her.With that in mind, the fact that I awarded 4 stars to this book is a major accomplishment. The thing is, even though Anna was so awful, in some perverse way that made the book addictive. She was such a meddler, and such a whack-job, that I couldn't wait to see what she would do next, or where her interfering little self would take her. And I couldn't wait for her world to come crashing down. It sounds terrible to say, but yes, I really wanted things to go wrong for her.It's clear from the beginning of the book that something really bad had happened to Anna thirteen years earlier. This obviously makes you feel sorry for her. Her hatred of the woman who caused the accident in which Liam was injured, was interesting and as the reader, you really wanted to rally behind Anna. I wanted the woman to get her comeuppance. Slowly but surely though, Anna's true nature is disclosed and it didn't take me long before I started to dislike her and her deceptive ways. If I was Liam's grandmother, I would have shoved her out the door, slammed it in her face and turned the key, never to let her in again.But, this was still a great psychological thriller. The twists towards the end of the book were good, Anna's irritating character as well as my desire to work out what had happened in the past, kept me hooked. I actually listened to this book as an audiobook, and I liked the narration. The narrator had the perfect voice for Anna, or so I thought.For those of you that haven't yet read "Blink" by the same author, do yourselves a favour and get hold of that one as well. It was excellent. As far as I'm concerned, this is an author to follow if you are a fan of psychological thrillers. I'm happy to say that her latest book "Liar" is now also available (on Kindle that is), and I can't wait to read that one as well.My Rating: * * * *Publication Date: November 2016Genre: Psychological thrillerFormat: AudiobookSource: My own purchased audiobook, purchased through Audible.