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Three Hours Late
Once, so very long ago, she had watched him like this when he came to pick her up from a date...Her stomach fluttered and burned with infatuation and desire. She would watch him walk up the path and think, 'This must be love.'
But that was so very long ago. Now Liz is wary and afraid. She has made a terrible mistake and it cannot be undone.
Alex believes that today will be the day she comes back to him. Today will be the day his wife and young son finally come home. Today they will be a family again.
But Liz knows that some things can never be mended. Some marriages are too broken. Some people are too damaged. Now the most important thing in her life is her son, Luke, and she will do anything in her power to protect him.
So when Alex is a few minutes late bringing Luke back Liz begins to worry and when he is an hour late her concern grows and when he is later still she can feel her whole life changing because: what if Alex is not just late?
The terrible secrets of a marriage, the love that can turn to desperation, the refuge and heartbreak of being a parent, the fragile threads that cradle a family...Three Hours Lateis a gripping and deeply emotional novel of almost unbearable suspense from a writer of great insight and empathy.
But that was so very long ago. Now Liz is wary and afraid. She has made a terrible mistake and it cannot be undone.
Alex believes that today will be the day she comes back to him. Today will be the day his wife and young son finally come home. Today they will be a family again.
But Liz knows that some things can never be mended. Some marriages are too broken. Some people are too damaged. Now the most important thing in her life is her son, Luke, and she will do anything in her power to protect him.
So when Alex is a few minutes late bringing Luke back Liz begins to worry and when he is an hour late her concern grows and when he is later still she can feel her whole life changing because: what if Alex is not just late?
The terrible secrets of a marriage, the love that can turn to desperation, the refuge and heartbreak of being a parent, the fragile threads that cradle a family...Three Hours Lateis a gripping and deeply emotional novel of almost unbearable suspense from a writer of great insight and empathy.
311 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2013
260 people are currently reading
1444 people want to read
About the author
Nicole Trope
44 books1,928 followersNicole Trope writes psychological thrillers about families in crisis and the secrets we keep from ourselves and others. She has always been fascinated by the stories behind the headlines and published her first novel in 2012. In 2026 she will publish her 20th novel with Bookouture. She is a USA Today and Amazon bestseller in the USA, UK, AUS, Canada and Germany. Her books have been translated into German, Italian, Polish, Hungarian and French and Japanese.
She lives in Sydney with her husband and three children
Current Publication: What Have You Done?-October 17th 2025
Next publication: A Perfectly Nice Family: March 6th 2026
She lives in Sydney with her husband and three children
Current Publication: What Have You Done?-October 17th 2025
Next publication: A Perfectly Nice Family: March 6th 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
May 10, 2018
Everyone fucks up pretty bad here. A quick and disturbing read. The whole thing is a manual on how not to go on about getting rid of a mental guy. A tiny situation snowballing into pure trash: really, they should have just let the guy bring the kid back and then went at it, with the police and granddad involvement. They would have been done in a moment.
A good clinical overview of mental health issues, that's what this primarily was. Dysfunctional characters, clock-centered angst, a tad uncouth phrases. And a lot of analysis, a lot of traits clinically listed, many boxes checked. To me, this read like a case study for clinical psychology.
Obviously, the writer did a good job of making the internal thoughts and feelings of the characters plain and accessible for the reader. The general flow of the thoughts remained too studied, stilted somehow. As if the characters kept detaching from whatever woes they had at that moment and took a breather compiling the excruciatingly detailed lists of what is wrong with their internal worlds today. Unless I am very mistaken, people who go about their lives doing just that are extremely rare. Otherwise we might have had no need of psychotherapists and psychologists whatsoever and those worthy people would be forced to go into some other professions, to the better or worse.
Q:
She resumed her run across the oval. (c)
Q:
Alex stood deliberately on every crack he saw, sometimes moving to the other side of the path to make sure he didn’t miss one. (c) OCD much?
Q:
‘This must be love.’
It had been love.
Once it had been love.
…
Now her stomach burned with dread. (c)
Q:
She could see from the way he walked and the way he dressed that he believed something had changed last night. (c)
Q:
It was a charming smile. It included his eyes and encouraged a return gesture. (c) Psycho much?
Q:
It was his choice to make after all. It was always his choice. But which choice would he make? Who was Alex today? (c)
Q:
Her head filled up with white noise. There were no right words. (c)
Q:
… she knew there were worse things you could do than just leave. (c)
Q:
She had to remember how much it hurt to be hit with an open hand and a closed fist and how hard it was to always be trying to figure out the right thing to say. She was always on guard. (c)
Q:
… you can’t hide from your pain... I did it and basically checked out for years after he left. I know I did. (c)
Q:
Liz’s mother wanted to do things, see things, go places. She wanted to move to a bigger house and buy a nicer car and go on holiday. (c)
Q:
...this had seemed like the secret to a good marriage—not actually needing the other person. But Liz didn’t mind being needed; in fact, she quite liked it. If you were needed you could never just be left behind. (c)
Q:
But she had ignored her misgivings, just as she had ignored so many other signs: the way he planned their evenings without asking her what she wanted to do; his obsessive need to always be on time; his dislike of her friends and parents—all rang alarm bells that Liz now knew she should have listened to. (c)
Q:
She knew now that she should have seen all of the little things that had sometimes pricked at her as warning signs. She should have written them all down and it was possible that if she had read them on a list she would have walked away from him.
It was possible. (c) Oh, yeah. In the land of 'déformation personnelle a la psychologie' people do write lists of traits of people surrounding them.
Q:
The desperation in her voice when she called him at work was like a balm. (c)
Q:
He took care of himself so she would always find him attractive. It should have been important to her to look the way he wanted her to look. (c)
Q:
He tried to control his anger around her but she liked to see him angry. (c) My personal fav. Double whammy.
Q:
He watched the other mothers smiling up at their children, snapping photographs and readying words of praise, and he felt an ache that he preferred to dismiss as hunger. (c)
Q:
He got into trouble a lot for lying, but people preferred the lies. (c) Sadly, yep. Especially lying to themselves - the eternal hit.
Q:
Alex told his father he was just fine and even if he tried to tell him something else, all his father heard was that he was fine. © Yeah, hearing is an almost lost art. Like calligraphy.
Q:
She liked that he was completely in love whereas she was holding a little back. Just a small piece of herself was being kept safe in case. In case it all went wrong. (c)
Q:
Everyone had their own ways of getting through the day. (c)
Q:
Of course, each year the list of triggers got longer and longer and Liz had been able to see a future where everything she did, every breath she took and every sound she made, was a trigger. (c)
Q:
Everyone he worked with was ‘a regular idiot’ or ‘up themselves’ or ‘just trying to cause trouble for me’. (c)
Q:
Even before she married him Liz knew she had to present the side of Alex she hoped to see rather than the Alex she occasionally worried about. She wanted everyone to have a good opinion of him, even if that meant telling outright lies. (c)
Q:
People were truly fucked in the head. Every year Robert thought that he’d seen it all and every year people lowered the bar a little further. (c)
Q:
He hated running late. When he was running late he felt twisted inside. He found it hard to breathe. If someone else was running late he knew, just knew, that they were never coming, that they were lost. He could never be late because then people would think he was lost or not coming at all. He needed people to know that he would always be there.
…
If someone was late Alex knew it was possible that he would never see them again.
Besides, it was rude to be late. (с)
Q:
Alex had all the signs, but having the signs didn’t necessarily mean anything.
Until they meant something. (c)
Q:
How could you say something about a person when all you had left was the smell of vanilla? (c)
A good clinical overview of mental health issues, that's what this primarily was. Dysfunctional characters, clock-centered angst, a tad uncouth phrases. And a lot of analysis, a lot of traits clinically listed, many boxes checked. To me, this read like a case study for clinical psychology.
Obviously, the writer did a good job of making the internal thoughts and feelings of the characters plain and accessible for the reader. The general flow of the thoughts remained too studied, stilted somehow. As if the characters kept detaching from whatever woes they had at that moment and took a breather compiling the excruciatingly detailed lists of what is wrong with their internal worlds today. Unless I am very mistaken, people who go about their lives doing just that are extremely rare. Otherwise we might have had no need of psychotherapists and psychologists whatsoever and those worthy people would be forced to go into some other professions, to the better or worse.
Q:
She resumed her run across the oval. (c)
Q:
Alex stood deliberately on every crack he saw, sometimes moving to the other side of the path to make sure he didn’t miss one. (c) OCD much?
Q:
‘This must be love.’
It had been love.
Once it had been love.
…
Now her stomach burned with dread. (c)
Q:
She could see from the way he walked and the way he dressed that he believed something had changed last night. (c)
Q:
It was a charming smile. It included his eyes and encouraged a return gesture. (c) Psycho much?
Q:
It was his choice to make after all. It was always his choice. But which choice would he make? Who was Alex today? (c)
Q:
Her head filled up with white noise. There were no right words. (c)
Q:
… she knew there were worse things you could do than just leave. (c)
Q:
She had to remember how much it hurt to be hit with an open hand and a closed fist and how hard it was to always be trying to figure out the right thing to say. She was always on guard. (c)
Q:
… you can’t hide from your pain... I did it and basically checked out for years after he left. I know I did. (c)
Q:
Liz’s mother wanted to do things, see things, go places. She wanted to move to a bigger house and buy a nicer car and go on holiday. (c)
Q:
...this had seemed like the secret to a good marriage—not actually needing the other person. But Liz didn’t mind being needed; in fact, she quite liked it. If you were needed you could never just be left behind. (c)
Q:
But she had ignored her misgivings, just as she had ignored so many other signs: the way he planned their evenings without asking her what she wanted to do; his obsessive need to always be on time; his dislike of her friends and parents—all rang alarm bells that Liz now knew she should have listened to. (c)
Q:
She knew now that she should have seen all of the little things that had sometimes pricked at her as warning signs. She should have written them all down and it was possible that if she had read them on a list she would have walked away from him.
It was possible. (c) Oh, yeah. In the land of 'déformation personnelle a la psychologie' people do write lists of traits of people surrounding them.
Q:
The desperation in her voice when she called him at work was like a balm. (c)
Q:
He took care of himself so she would always find him attractive. It should have been important to her to look the way he wanted her to look. (c)
Q:
He tried to control his anger around her but she liked to see him angry. (c) My personal fav. Double whammy.
Q:
He watched the other mothers smiling up at their children, snapping photographs and readying words of praise, and he felt an ache that he preferred to dismiss as hunger. (c)
Q:
He got into trouble a lot for lying, but people preferred the lies. (c) Sadly, yep. Especially lying to themselves - the eternal hit.
Q:
Alex told his father he was just fine and even if he tried to tell him something else, all his father heard was that he was fine. © Yeah, hearing is an almost lost art. Like calligraphy.
Q:
She liked that he was completely in love whereas she was holding a little back. Just a small piece of herself was being kept safe in case. In case it all went wrong. (c)
Q:
Everyone had their own ways of getting through the day. (c)
Q:
Of course, each year the list of triggers got longer and longer and Liz had been able to see a future where everything she did, every breath she took and every sound she made, was a trigger. (c)
Q:
Everyone he worked with was ‘a regular idiot’ or ‘up themselves’ or ‘just trying to cause trouble for me’. (c)
Q:
Even before she married him Liz knew she had to present the side of Alex she hoped to see rather than the Alex she occasionally worried about. She wanted everyone to have a good opinion of him, even if that meant telling outright lies. (c)
Q:
People were truly fucked in the head. Every year Robert thought that he’d seen it all and every year people lowered the bar a little further. (c)
Q:
He hated running late. When he was running late he felt twisted inside. He found it hard to breathe. If someone else was running late he knew, just knew, that they were never coming, that they were lost. He could never be late because then people would think he was lost or not coming at all. He needed people to know that he would always be there.
…
If someone was late Alex knew it was possible that he would never see them again.
Besides, it was rude to be late. (с)
Q:
Alex had all the signs, but having the signs didn’t necessarily mean anything.
Until they meant something. (c)
Q:
How could you say something about a person when all you had left was the smell of vanilla? (c)
February 22, 2017
Ho hum... I thought this book was good, but not great. I didn't get really attached to the main characters as I tend to in a fantastic book. I think they weren't developed extensively enough.
However, it did have a reasonably good story line behind it, but wasn't dissimilar from other books I've read on the same subject of abusive relationships. Unfortunately it wasn't a book that made me excited to get back to reading it... It just didn't seem to 'pull me in'.
However, it did have a reasonably good story line behind it, but wasn't dissimilar from other books I've read on the same subject of abusive relationships. Unfortunately it wasn't a book that made me excited to get back to reading it... It just didn't seem to 'pull me in'.
November 21, 2015
Liz’s ex Alex is late bringing their three year old son Luke back from his access visit. Only 20 minutes so far, but Liz has a gut feeling that something is very wrong. This is not only the story of what happened on that day but is also the story of Liz and Alex from when they first met to the day she finally plucked up courage to leave him. It is a story of domestic abuse and as we follow their story, with the benefit of hindsight we can see all the little warning signs that Liz had chosen to ignore over the years. We see the manipulation, the mind control, the separation of Liz from her family and friends and worst of all, we see the little pushes and shoves escalate until finally Liz snaps and leaves.
We also see into Alex’s mind and get a really good idea of how he is thinking, how he is twisting everything to himself to portray himself as the victim, to Alex if nobody else. Interspersed with Liz and Alex’s points of view, we also hear the stories of the women Liz has got to know at a domestic violence support group and also past cases that the local police have dealt with. Upon reading it you could say that it is not just Liz and Alex’s story but the story of every victim of domestic violence. It is a very hard hitting read that pulls no punches, the stories it tells are harrowing and heart breaking and you cannot help thinking “there but for the grace of God ..”.
It was not quite the read I was expecting, I thought (and it is probably my own fault for not reading the blurb properly) that it was going to be more focussed on what was happening to Luke, and I did feel at times that the back stories were taking me away from that a little. There were times when I wanted to get away from Liz and Alex history as it did seem to drag a little at times. Having said that, I have to say that the author did pull the two sections together extremely cleverly in a climax that absolutely had me on the edge of my seat. It is a very powerful book that is well worth a read.
We also see into Alex’s mind and get a really good idea of how he is thinking, how he is twisting everything to himself to portray himself as the victim, to Alex if nobody else. Interspersed with Liz and Alex’s points of view, we also hear the stories of the women Liz has got to know at a domestic violence support group and also past cases that the local police have dealt with. Upon reading it you could say that it is not just Liz and Alex’s story but the story of every victim of domestic violence. It is a very hard hitting read that pulls no punches, the stories it tells are harrowing and heart breaking and you cannot help thinking “there but for the grace of God ..”.
It was not quite the read I was expecting, I thought (and it is probably my own fault for not reading the blurb properly) that it was going to be more focussed on what was happening to Luke, and I did feel at times that the back stories were taking me away from that a little. There were times when I wanted to get away from Liz and Alex history as it did seem to drag a little at times. Having said that, I have to say that the author did pull the two sections together extremely cleverly in a climax that absolutely had me on the edge of my seat. It is a very powerful book that is well worth a read.
June 4, 2013
Three Hours Late is the second heart wrenching novel by author Nicole Trope. Having been blown away by her debut, The Boy Under the Table, I had high expectations for this follow up and I wasn't disappointed.
After Liz hugs her toddler son goodbye and watches him leave with her estranged husband for an access visit, she leans against the door and berates herself for her weaknesses. Despite finding the courage to leave her volatile husband, Liz is still reluctant to let go of the man he can be when not hurling demands, insults and punches at her. Standing there, she resolves to be stronger, when Alex returns Luke at 2 o'clock they will talk and Liz will make sure he understands their marriage is over. But Alex is late and as Liz frantically watches the time pass she begins to wonder just how far Alex will go to punish her.
I read Three Hours Late with a breathless sense of anticipation. From the moment Alex fails to return with Luke on time, the tension is unbearable as the minutes tick by.
It's with keen insight and compassion that Trope unravels the thought process of an abused woman, laying bare Liz's battered psyche to reveal the history of her marriage and her confusion and shame about its collapse. Though it may be politically incorrect, I have to admit my sympathy for Liz was tempered by my frustration with many of the choices she makes. Intellectually I understand how the dynamic of domestic violence develops but at the same time it is incomprehensible to me that women allow the cycle to repeat ad nauseum.
Incredibly, I actually developed some sense of empathy for Alex. His background reveals his actions perpetuate the cycle of misogyny and domestic violence that destroyed his own parents marriage. Yet Alex's breathtaking lack of self awareness is both pitiable and infuriating. I think Trope is brave to give Alex a voice that brings some balance the horror of the situation, it is more comfortable to believe Alex is a monster than simply a troubled man drowning in emotional pain.
The narrative is also shared by members of Liz's family, members of her domestic violence support group and the police who provide different perspectives on the issues that contribute to and perpetuate domestic violence, and its distressing consequences.
Three Hours Late is a compelling and confronting novel, probing an emotive issue with sensitivity. Though a novel skewed towards an adult audience, I think this should be compulsory reading for mature teens who could benefit enormously from Liz's hindsight. I found Three Hours Late impossible to put down and I recommend it without hesitation.
August 29, 2013
It took me while to decide on a rating for this book. Somewhere probably between three and a half and four stars would be best. This is in some ways a hard book to read and in other ways a compelling read. The topic of domestic violence is one that needs to be covered and this book does a good job of showing it and the consequences for others in the family.
Liz says goodbye to son, three year old, Luke, as her estranged husband Alex takes him for a few hours. He is due to be back at 2pm. 2pm comes and goes with no Alex and Luke. I liked the way the reader goes through the minutes that Alex is overdue bringing Luke back and how Liz feelings change as the time ticks on. As well as feeling her panic, the reader is given a glimpse into the family through flashbacks into her upbringing and Alex’s as well as into her marriage with Alex. Sometimes this is from her point of view at times from his. Needless to say they never view events the same way.
This is a riveting read that has the reader turning pages at a frantic pace. It’s a stark look at the topic of domestic violence, making wise choices and how the past and the way a person is brought up can affect their attitudes and actions. For those of us who have never been in a situation of domestic violence, I found it incomprehensible that women continually make excuses for getting knocked around and stay with the abuser as long as they do, even though I know from reading and some people I know personally this is the case.
This is an important book and a heart stopping page turner. But I also I found it difficult to cope with the almost continual use of the crude language and the F word and others littered throughout. They are uttered by almost everyone except the three year old Luke and Rebecca the woman who runs the support group. For me this spoilt what could have been an amazing book.
Liz says goodbye to son, three year old, Luke, as her estranged husband Alex takes him for a few hours. He is due to be back at 2pm. 2pm comes and goes with no Alex and Luke. I liked the way the reader goes through the minutes that Alex is overdue bringing Luke back and how Liz feelings change as the time ticks on. As well as feeling her panic, the reader is given a glimpse into the family through flashbacks into her upbringing and Alex’s as well as into her marriage with Alex. Sometimes this is from her point of view at times from his. Needless to say they never view events the same way.
This is a riveting read that has the reader turning pages at a frantic pace. It’s a stark look at the topic of domestic violence, making wise choices and how the past and the way a person is brought up can affect their attitudes and actions. For those of us who have never been in a situation of domestic violence, I found it incomprehensible that women continually make excuses for getting knocked around and stay with the abuser as long as they do, even though I know from reading and some people I know personally this is the case.
This is an important book and a heart stopping page turner. But I also I found it difficult to cope with the almost continual use of the crude language and the F word and others littered throughout. They are uttered by almost everyone except the three year old Luke and Rebecca the woman who runs the support group. For me this spoilt what could have been an amazing book.
January 7, 2026
In this Australian-based domestic thriller, Liz has left her husband Alex after a series of assaults he has inflicted on her - and taken their son Luke to live with her mother.
But Alex is not happy with Liz's decision to terminate their marriage and is convinced he can persuade her to change her mind - even though his idea of their 'perfect' relationship is very much one where he rules the roost and makes all the decisions!
Despite having no formal agreement through the courts, Liz has been allowing Alex to take Luke out for access visits. Liz tells Alex to have Luke back by 2 p.m. - but Alex has other ideas. When he is late bringing Luke back, Liz starts to get worried - and even more so when she receives phone calls from Alex, insisting that she should move back into their family home, failing which he is not inclined to return Luke to his mother.
When Liz first contacts the police, they are reluctant to get involved, saying that Alex hasn't broken any laws as they don't have a formal agreement. But as time goes on and Alex's calls get more concerning, the police launch a search - but will they be too late?....
This was a gripping read but certainly not one for those who might be triggered by constant, detailed and disturbing references to cases of domestic violence. A fast-moving tale with great characters which I read in under a day - 9/10.
But Alex is not happy with Liz's decision to terminate their marriage and is convinced he can persuade her to change her mind - even though his idea of their 'perfect' relationship is very much one where he rules the roost and makes all the decisions!
Despite having no formal agreement through the courts, Liz has been allowing Alex to take Luke out for access visits. Liz tells Alex to have Luke back by 2 p.m. - but Alex has other ideas. When he is late bringing Luke back, Liz starts to get worried - and even more so when she receives phone calls from Alex, insisting that she should move back into their family home, failing which he is not inclined to return Luke to his mother.
When Liz first contacts the police, they are reluctant to get involved, saying that Alex hasn't broken any laws as they don't have a formal agreement. But as time goes on and Alex's calls get more concerning, the police launch a search - but will they be too late?....
This was a gripping read but certainly not one for those who might be triggered by constant, detailed and disturbing references to cases of domestic violence. A fast-moving tale with great characters which I read in under a day - 9/10.
July 3, 2013
This book covered the topic of domestic violence. It was well written and towards the end I couldn't put it down.
The one thing that stood out in this book for me was was when Liz asks her mother do want Luke to have a father in prison? No of course not replies her mother.
After reading this book I believe no mother or child should live through domestic violence. Not only live through it but then to carry the physical and emotional scars with them for life. So yes they would've been better off having him in prison.
This was a very gripping and emotional novel. A must read I highly recommend this one.
The one thing that stood out in this book for me was was when Liz asks her mother do want Luke to have a father in prison? No of course not replies her mother.
After reading this book I believe no mother or child should live through domestic violence. Not only live through it but then to carry the physical and emotional scars with them for life. So yes they would've been better off having him in prison.
This was a very gripping and emotional novel. A must read I highly recommend this one.
January 10, 2017
I usually really enjoy Nicole Trope's books but this was a let down. The story started off suspenseful enough, the story line of marriage gone bad/domestic violence & a child in the centre of a bitter break up...unbalanced father refuses to return the child, leads to police being called...just the ending was a real let down. After the author promising that real life stories aren't like the sappy happy endings you see in the movies & the author appeared brave enough to take the story to what is often in real life a tragic ending, we are then slapped with a very corny sappy happy ending that you do see in the movies. Seriously... right down to the mother ending up with one of the policemen on the scene. Give me a break.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 11, 2013
Liz had moved back in with her mother five months previously, bringing her beloved three year old son, Luke with her. She had been beaten by her husband one time too many, and she had had enough. But Alex wouldn’t let her go, he was obsessive and determined to have her come home with him again, for them to be a family again.
Alex knew everything was her fault, but he was prepared to forgive her. He couldn’t live without her, missed putting Luke to bed, reading him a bedtime story, so Liz had to come home. She knew he loved her, didn’t she? Just a little slap, and he didn’t mean it….But she knew he didn’t like dry chicken, why did she serve it to him? Just because Luke jammed his finger, the kid was alright!
When Alex picked Luke up on Saturday morning, Liz told him to bring him home by 2pm. So when he didn’t return at that time, Liz began to worry. No-one could understand why she was so worried…after all, it was only twenty minutes. But Liz knew Alex and the fact that he was paranoid about being on time, for anything..so he wouldn’t be late bringing Luke home, unless he was doing it on purpose just to hurt her!
The following three hours detailed Liz’s gradual emotional collapse as she waited for Alex, terrified one minute, hopeful the next. The suspense and heightening expectation was heartbreaking.
I’m not entirely sure how I feel about this book. The beginning and the ending were great – fast paced, gripping, suspenseful, but the middle left me a little flat. It seemed to have an extreme amount of non-information, filler really to add pages to the book. The topic of domestic violence was harrowing and emotional, but written well. Liz’s support network was adequate, and her deep love for her son was paramount. I enjoyed the book, but I didn’t love it.
With thanks to the Reading Room and the publisher for my copy to read and review.
Alex knew everything was her fault, but he was prepared to forgive her. He couldn’t live without her, missed putting Luke to bed, reading him a bedtime story, so Liz had to come home. She knew he loved her, didn’t she? Just a little slap, and he didn’t mean it….But she knew he didn’t like dry chicken, why did she serve it to him? Just because Luke jammed his finger, the kid was alright!
When Alex picked Luke up on Saturday morning, Liz told him to bring him home by 2pm. So when he didn’t return at that time, Liz began to worry. No-one could understand why she was so worried…after all, it was only twenty minutes. But Liz knew Alex and the fact that he was paranoid about being on time, for anything..so he wouldn’t be late bringing Luke home, unless he was doing it on purpose just to hurt her!
The following three hours detailed Liz’s gradual emotional collapse as she waited for Alex, terrified one minute, hopeful the next. The suspense and heightening expectation was heartbreaking.
I’m not entirely sure how I feel about this book. The beginning and the ending were great – fast paced, gripping, suspenseful, but the middle left me a little flat. It seemed to have an extreme amount of non-information, filler really to add pages to the book. The topic of domestic violence was harrowing and emotional, but written well. Liz’s support network was adequate, and her deep love for her son was paramount. I enjoyed the book, but I didn’t love it.
With thanks to the Reading Room and the publisher for my copy to read and review.
June 18, 2015
The raw and real exposure of domestic violence in an Australian setting is exactly why I liked this novel. I also liked that each and every character was flawed; we had no perfect characters here.
The crescendo chapter with Alex and Luke in the car in the park was heart stopping, I was absolutely emotionally in the grips of the moment and it was so well written and so devastating. "Usually he cried with the knowledge that any moment now his mother or father would make it all better but now the tears just slipped silently down his face". I think my heart actually broke when I read that sentence.
The only thing that irked me, and I wish it hadn't but it really did, was the bandaid happy ending slapped onto the end of it. It felt like Trope had contemplated going to a really dark place with this novel, but changed her mind at the last minute to appease her readers. If she'd had the backbone to do it, I think she would have made a more shocking point and an impact on the tragedy of family domestic violence.
The crescendo chapter with Alex and Luke in the car in the park was heart stopping, I was absolutely emotionally in the grips of the moment and it was so well written and so devastating. "Usually he cried with the knowledge that any moment now his mother or father would make it all better but now the tears just slipped silently down his face". I think my heart actually broke when I read that sentence.
The only thing that irked me, and I wish it hadn't but it really did, was the bandaid happy ending slapped onto the end of it. It felt like Trope had contemplated going to a really dark place with this novel, but changed her mind at the last minute to appease her readers. If she'd had the backbone to do it, I think she would have made a more shocking point and an impact on the tragedy of family domestic violence.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2016
A quick read, although I wasn't constantly on the edge of my seat like other reviewers, the pace picked up towards the end. Liz's son is 3 hours late from being returned from a visit with his father. Liz knows as soon as 20 minutes pass the due time that something is wrong.
This book delves into the depths and horrors of domestic abuse. The women who suffer, the men who inflict it and the families that are shattered by it. And the sad fact that, all too often, lives are lost.
A good read - love that it's set in Australia!
This book delves into the depths and horrors of domestic abuse. The women who suffer, the men who inflict it and the families that are shattered by it. And the sad fact that, all too often, lives are lost.
A good read - love that it's set in Australia!
Read
September 9, 2013perserved to page 97 and then gave up - very repetative - you can see where the story is going but it is getting there very slowly
November 23, 2015
This was hard to rate as it was interesting but not riveting. Slow and repetitive at times.
February 4, 2017
Wow! Amazing story - full review to follow
June 17, 2025
Three Hours Late, author Nicole Trope.
Mixed feelings about reading this book. The main storyline was easy to pickup from the very start… domestic violence. It is a disturbing read with no surprises and reflects how confronting any news of DV can be.
I felt there was to much repeating and flashbacks during the majority of the book however it was very well written and it was the ending that brought it all together. I admit to tearing up towards the end and an author that can effect that emotion deserves full stars.
Mixed feelings about reading this book. The main storyline was easy to pickup from the very start… domestic violence. It is a disturbing read with no surprises and reflects how confronting any news of DV can be.
I felt there was to much repeating and flashbacks during the majority of the book however it was very well written and it was the ending that brought it all together. I admit to tearing up towards the end and an author that can effect that emotion deserves full stars.
May 4, 2018
fabulous read
September 11, 2021
I couldn't put it down once I started.
January 17, 2015
"We long for lives filled with drama and excitement...but when it comes we can only desire the routine and the mundane, because in the moments that bore us with their repetition we can at least be sure that we are safe."
Liz finally leaves her husband when the marks he leaves on her are ones that cannot be hidden by clothing. She leaves the next day, taking their young son Luke with her, but even in the act of leaving she cannot be free of him. Alex believes that she will come back, and for five months tries everything to convince her to return.
Finally, one terrible day, while spending time with his son, he once again punishes Liz for not being the perfect wife. He is late bringing Luke back. Thus begins the drama, because Liz knows what Alex is capable of, and now she has to convince the police that this is more than an angry husband trying to make his ex-wife angry by staying out a little late.
A lot can happen in three hours.
A very well written story, where the hidden story of the domestic violence is told sympathetically, through the eyes of many characters, not just Liz. We all read the stories of parents who do terrible things to their children, and it is impossible, as an outsider, to understand how and why this happens. Three Hours Late addresses some of these thoughts, while being so well crafted that you are compelled to keep reading, to find out what is going to happen.
Liz finally leaves her husband when the marks he leaves on her are ones that cannot be hidden by clothing. She leaves the next day, taking their young son Luke with her, but even in the act of leaving she cannot be free of him. Alex believes that she will come back, and for five months tries everything to convince her to return.
Finally, one terrible day, while spending time with his son, he once again punishes Liz for not being the perfect wife. He is late bringing Luke back. Thus begins the drama, because Liz knows what Alex is capable of, and now she has to convince the police that this is more than an angry husband trying to make his ex-wife angry by staying out a little late.
A lot can happen in three hours.
A very well written story, where the hidden story of the domestic violence is told sympathetically, through the eyes of many characters, not just Liz. We all read the stories of parents who do terrible things to their children, and it is impossible, as an outsider, to understand how and why this happens. Three Hours Late addresses some of these thoughts, while being so well crafted that you are compelled to keep reading, to find out what is going to happen.
June 12, 2013
The sensitive and highly emotive issue of domestic violence is examined with a discerning albeit stomach-clenching touch in Nicole Trope’s latest novel, Three Hours Late. The suspense is rendered with an expert touch, delivering readers an edge-of-the-seat novel that will have them holding their breath right until the end. For most readers, it will be a ‘just one more chapter’ read, quickly finished to allay the mounting plot tension; some, however, may find it more difficult to take in too much at once owing to feelings triggered by their own experiences, requiring reading with small breaks.
The rest of this review is here: http://writenotereviews.wordpress.com...
The rest of this review is here: http://writenotereviews.wordpress.com...
July 4, 2013
What an incredible, well written and highly emotional book. I really enjoyed ‘Three Hours Late” by Nicole Trope and it’s a book that once you get started you will want to complete in the one afternoon like I did – so be prepared to become attached not far into the book. Be warned though that the subject of domestic violence makes this book a bit of a hard slog at times to actually continue – but you know you have to continue, so although it is hard to keep going, you still have to know what happens to the little boy that is taken by his father. Without spoiling it for you I will not go right into it – but I will recommend this as an important and also informative read showing you all sides of a family affected by domestic violence……
July 24, 2013
Warning- do not pick up this book if you don't have time to finish it. It was a gripping account of a young mother based on an afternoon's time-frame.
Yes, everything can change in an afternoon. Because I was so eager to find out what happens, and didn't want to miss any crucial details, I found myself flipping back and forwards. It would have been easier to read it from cover to cover, but the long-winded flashbacks did not win my urge to find out what happens next.
Yes, everything can change in an afternoon. Because I was so eager to find out what happens, and didn't want to miss any crucial details, I found myself flipping back and forwards. It would have been easier to read it from cover to cover, but the long-winded flashbacks did not win my urge to find out what happens next.
July 5, 2014
Really well written by author Nicole Trope. A story of domestic violence and what people will do to hurt someone they supposedly love. The story is told from both male and female perspectives and how people excuse their behaviour or make excuses for the other person. One of those books you read in one sitting.
April 27, 2013
This is one of those stories where the guilty are as much a victim as the victims are. I had my heart in my mouth for most of the book and couldn't wait to finish it.
August 16, 2013
This deceptively easy-to-read novel actually contains incredible insights about the psychology of abusive men and abused wives. I was riveted and sobbed like a baby at the end. Recommended.
March 16, 2014
I always know that I'm reading a book that suits me when I get it finished on a weekend. The ending was not predicable and you really felt the characters pain. Loved it.
October 25, 2015
What a page turner. Was really unsure which way this story was going to end, I did not know right until everything had happened. I am definitely going to read more of this author.
March 6, 2020
Disgusting
The language in this book is horrible. I had to stop reading. Then Ms. Trope had to throw in God's name in vain just to make it more disgusting.
The language in this book is horrible. I had to stop reading. Then Ms. Trope had to throw in God's name in vain just to make it more disgusting.
December 6, 2018
Warning about the subject matter in this one, it could be triggering. But this is an important book, an important topic that we need to look at with the kind of empathy and understanding Trope has done here. Violent relationships don't just happen because alcohol is involved or the man is 'bad' through and through, or he 'snaps'. They happen because society is set up in such a way that we don't always see abuse for what it is, misogyny is accepted as part of life but not part of the problem, women are judged for their choices no matter what they are...it's all part of a complex web that Three Hours Late spins in expert silken threads.
Alex and Liz meet at university, fall deeply in love quickly. Their relationship becomes unhealthy early on, but you can see how Liz didn't see that. You see the gaslighting going on, and how hard she really tries to 'fix' Alex, when Alex won't even admit there's anything wrong with how he is. It's tragic, but so understandable. Liz could be any of us, meeting 'that guy' at a vulnerable time in her life. And the feeling of being trapped in the situation because trying to extricate yourself only makes the abuse worse...anyone who still asks 'why didn't she leave?' ought to read this book. The extent of the emotional manipulation is shown here in slowly unfolding layers. The timeline goes back and forth between the present and past, something that doesn't always work but that does work with great effect here. Other relationships and points of view are detailed as well. Liz's parents', Alex's toxic history with his father that he sees as perfectly normal because it's all he's ever known, the relationships between the women at the domestic violence support group--its all drawn out so brilliantly. The real tragedy here is that Alex didn't see reaching out for help as an option, because he was taught that real men don't need help. Real men don't get sad or cry. Alex was not an evil person, he was a man who didn't know how to deal with his feelings of grief and loss and not only that had never been afforded space to even admit they existed. If only he had actually dealt with his emotions, none of the book's events might have even occurred.
One tiny teeny thing that bugged me was so many of the characters names either started with L or had L in them so it was hard to keep track of who was who in the opening chapters. Liz, Luke, Alex, Ellen, even the cop's name was Lisa. It was just a strange list of name choices I think, but ultimately didn't detract from the story.
The second book I've read by Nicole Trope and it was even better than the first. Deep and sensitive examination of an abusive relationship that haunts until the final page.
Alex and Liz meet at university, fall deeply in love quickly. Their relationship becomes unhealthy early on, but you can see how Liz didn't see that. You see the gaslighting going on, and how hard she really tries to 'fix' Alex, when Alex won't even admit there's anything wrong with how he is. It's tragic, but so understandable. Liz could be any of us, meeting 'that guy' at a vulnerable time in her life. And the feeling of being trapped in the situation because trying to extricate yourself only makes the abuse worse...anyone who still asks 'why didn't she leave?' ought to read this book. The extent of the emotional manipulation is shown here in slowly unfolding layers. The timeline goes back and forth between the present and past, something that doesn't always work but that does work with great effect here. Other relationships and points of view are detailed as well. Liz's parents', Alex's toxic history with his father that he sees as perfectly normal because it's all he's ever known, the relationships between the women at the domestic violence support group--its all drawn out so brilliantly. The real tragedy here is that Alex didn't see reaching out for help as an option, because he was taught that real men don't need help. Real men don't get sad or cry. Alex was not an evil person, he was a man who didn't know how to deal with his feelings of grief and loss and not only that had never been afforded space to even admit they existed. If only he had actually dealt with his emotions, none of the book's events might have even occurred.
One tiny teeny thing that bugged me was so many of the characters names either started with L or had L in them so it was hard to keep track of who was who in the opening chapters. Liz, Luke, Alex, Ellen, even the cop's name was Lisa. It was just a strange list of name choices I think, but ultimately didn't detract from the story.
The second book I've read by Nicole Trope and it was even better than the first. Deep and sensitive examination of an abusive relationship that haunts until the final page.
October 20, 2022
Three Hours Late is a real suspense thriller that you won't want to miss. This story is written by Nicole Trope who has never disappointed me. When a father comes to spend time with his young son and doesn't return on time the story takes a deadly turn of events. So much mental abuse and the wife knows she needs to escape when it turns physical. The suspense builds with the passing of each minute. The characters really draw you into this story. The conclusion will have you wondering so many things.
I was not given a complimentary copy of this book to read and review. I was not approached to post a favorable response and all opinions are my own. I have rated this story with five stars for meeting my expectations of a wonderful story that I can highly recommend to others.
I was not given a complimentary copy of this book to read and review. I was not approached to post a favorable response and all opinions are my own. I have rated this story with five stars for meeting my expectations of a wonderful story that I can highly recommend to others.
January 16, 2018
2.5 Stars
Didn't like this one as much as I'd expected to. I wasn't invested in the story or particularly interested in the characters which was disappointing.
Liz has finally left her husband Alex, after years of abuse. Five months down the track and he's late returning their son Luke. Not only that, but he's pissed at her for not agreeing to come back home - especially after what had happened the night before.
It just wasn't gripping enough for me, and I actually struggled to pick it back up each time I'd put it down.
Didn't like this one as much as I'd expected to. I wasn't invested in the story or particularly interested in the characters which was disappointing.
Liz has finally left her husband Alex, after years of abuse. Five months down the track and he's late returning their son Luke. Not only that, but he's pissed at her for not agreeing to come back home - especially after what had happened the night before.
It just wasn't gripping enough for me, and I actually struggled to pick it back up each time I'd put it down.
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