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Isabel Fielding #1
One for Sorrow
A chilling psychological thriller by the million-copy bestselling author of Silent Child.
Who really killed Maisie Earnshaw?
Within the walls of the high-security psychiatric facility, Crowmont Hospital, reside many violent offenders. To nurse Leah Smith, no matter what, all offenders are patients first and foremost. When Leah is appointed as nurse to Isabel Fielding, she is determined to remain professional despite the shocking crime Isabel allegedly committed in her past.
Years ago, six-year-old Maisie Earnshaw was found face down in a duck pond, her body mutilated. Isabel--at age fourteen, found covered in Maisie's blood--was convicted of murder.
As Leah spends time with Isabel, she comes to know her as a young woman with a sweet, gentle nature, someone she could never see as a murderer. Leah begins to suspect members of the Fielding family of framing Isabel as a young girl, and she's not the only one. True crime blogger James Gorden thinks Isabel is innocent too.
Is Leah allowing her own dark past to taint her judgement as she grows closer to her patient? Or has a young woman been unjustly robbed of her childhood?
Who really killed Maisie Earnshaw?
Within the walls of the high-security psychiatric facility, Crowmont Hospital, reside many violent offenders. To nurse Leah Smith, no matter what, all offenders are patients first and foremost. When Leah is appointed as nurse to Isabel Fielding, she is determined to remain professional despite the shocking crime Isabel allegedly committed in her past.
Years ago, six-year-old Maisie Earnshaw was found face down in a duck pond, her body mutilated. Isabel--at age fourteen, found covered in Maisie's blood--was convicted of murder.
As Leah spends time with Isabel, she comes to know her as a young woman with a sweet, gentle nature, someone she could never see as a murderer. Leah begins to suspect members of the Fielding family of framing Isabel as a young girl, and she's not the only one. True crime blogger James Gorden thinks Isabel is innocent too.
Is Leah allowing her own dark past to taint her judgement as she grows closer to her patient? Or has a young woman been unjustly robbed of her childhood?
311 pages, ebook
First published February 12, 2018
5082 people are currently reading
8871 people want to read
About the author
Sarah A. Denzil
46 books2,497 followersSarah A. Denzil is a Wall Street Journal bestselling suspense writer. She is also known as young adult author Sarah Dalton.
Sarah lives in Yorkshire with her partner, enjoying the scenic countryside and rather unpredictable weather.
She is the author of international bestselling psychological thriller SILENT CHILD, which topped the bestseller lists on Amazon in the US, UK and Australia.
You can read now read AIDEN'S STORY, a short story and sequel to SILENT CHILD. It's completely free here: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/n7lb74chp3
Find out more at: http://www.sarahdenzil.com/
Join the newsletter for updates: http://eepurl.com/cwAmZD
Follow her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahadenzil
Check out her Instagram page:
https://www.instagram.com/sarahadenzil/
Email: sarah@sarahdenzil.com
Sarah lives in Yorkshire with her partner, enjoying the scenic countryside and rather unpredictable weather.
She is the author of international bestselling psychological thriller SILENT CHILD, which topped the bestseller lists on Amazon in the US, UK and Australia.
You can read now read AIDEN'S STORY, a short story and sequel to SILENT CHILD. It's completely free here: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/n7lb74chp3
Find out more at: http://www.sarahdenzil.com/
Join the newsletter for updates: http://eepurl.com/cwAmZD
Follow her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahadenzil
Check out her Instagram page:
https://www.instagram.com/sarahadenzil/
Email: sarah@sarahdenzil.com
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 821 reviews
October 25, 2023
Writing: 3/5 | Plot: 3/5 | Ending: Criminal Minds on bath salts/5
SYNOPSIS
Psychiatric nurse Leah Smith finds herself getting closer to Isabelle Fielding, a young woman accused of murdering her six-year-old friend Marnie years ago. Is Isabelle the killer everyone makes her out to be? Or is Marnie's true killer still at large? Leah Drew is on the case.
MY OPINION
You don't know how happy I was to finish this. I've started THREE books this past week, made it to the 20/25% mark and couldn't take it anymore. Slump much? After my third yeet, I was told myself: Leigh, sit your ass down and finish this Great Value Silent Patient if it kills you.
Yes, for the first half of the book, I considered it a Great Value Silent Patient. Isabelle is speaking sure, but she refuses to address the murder head-on. And Leah, similar to Theo in SP, is determined to get to the bottom of it. BUT THEN... that twist at the start of part two???? I was SHOOOOKKKKEETHHHH!!! As a seasoned thriller reader, I think I can clock a twist from a mile away. But nope. My jaw literally dropped. And yes, there were breadcrumbs! But so subtle and seemingly insignificant that a hoe (me) clearly didn't pick up on them.
So at that point I'm like, Great Value Silent Patient?? Nah this book is in a league of its own. The rest of the book was teed up to be a banger. But, alas, it was not meant to be. Kinda like Liars Anonymous, the author set it up perfectly to truly, and justifiably, wild out to her hearts contents. There could've been twists, on twists, on twists. Instead we got some weird Criminal Mind-esque showdown that had me rolling my eyes. I can see many people vibulating with the ending, but it didn't capitalize on that second act twist. In fact, as I'm manically typing this, that second act twist was pretty irrelevant in the scheme of things. It just made it juicy. But it could've been like uncomfortably wet if you know what I mean (chill you nasty nasts).
Ya'll know I love to bish about an annoying first person narrator, but not today! Sarah avoided using the MC to pontificate mindlessly. It was clear Leah has a good heart (although grouping illegal immigrants in with heroin addicts as "scary" to live with at a bedsit was tres questionable). She's consistently characterized and there's a whole ass redemption arc. Lit with Leigh approved.
All in all, a nice lil mindless read. I'm not in a rush to finish the series, I think it'll just get more ridiculous over the course of it, so I'll pass. The ending was redonk enough for me LOL.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: expertly foreshadowed, brazy twist, Leah is well-characterized, some jokey jokes but tbh not sure if it was intentional?
Cons: ending went off da rails, didn't capitalize on the potential of the second act twist, writing was a bit awk and chonky at times
SYNOPSIS
Psychiatric nurse Leah Smith finds herself getting closer to Isabelle Fielding, a young woman accused of murdering her six-year-old friend Marnie years ago. Is Isabelle the killer everyone makes her out to be? Or is Marnie's true killer still at large? Leah Drew is on the case.
MY OPINION
You don't know how happy I was to finish this. I've started THREE books this past week, made it to the 20/25% mark and couldn't take it anymore. Slump much? After my third yeet, I was told myself: Leigh, sit your ass down and finish this Great Value Silent Patient if it kills you.
Yes, for the first half of the book, I considered it a Great Value Silent Patient. Isabelle is speaking sure, but she refuses to address the murder head-on. And Leah, similar to Theo in SP, is determined to get to the bottom of it. BUT THEN... that twist at the start of part two???? I was SHOOOOKKKKEETHHHH!!! As a seasoned thriller reader, I think I can clock a twist from a mile away. But nope. My jaw literally dropped. And yes, there were breadcrumbs! But so subtle and seemingly insignificant that a hoe (me) clearly didn't pick up on them.
So at that point I'm like, Great Value Silent Patient?? Nah this book is in a league of its own. The rest of the book was teed up to be a banger. But, alas, it was not meant to be. Kinda like Liars Anonymous, the author set it up perfectly to truly, and justifiably, wild out to her hearts contents. There could've been twists, on twists, on twists. Instead we got some weird Criminal Mind-esque showdown that had me rolling my eyes. I can see many people vibulating with the ending, but it didn't capitalize on that second act twist. In fact, as I'm manically typing this, that second act twist was pretty irrelevant in the scheme of things. It just made it juicy. But it could've been like uncomfortably wet if you know what I mean (chill you nasty nasts).
Ya'll know I love to bish about an annoying first person narrator, but not today! Sarah avoided using the MC to pontificate mindlessly. It was clear Leah has a good heart (although grouping illegal immigrants in with heroin addicts as "scary" to live with at a bedsit was tres questionable). She's consistently characterized and there's a whole ass redemption arc. Lit with Leigh approved.
All in all, a nice lil mindless read. I'm not in a rush to finish the series, I think it'll just get more ridiculous over the course of it, so I'll pass. The ending was redonk enough for me LOL.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: expertly foreshadowed, brazy twist, Leah is well-characterized, some jokey jokes but tbh not sure if it was intentional?
Cons: ending went off da rails, didn't capitalize on the potential of the second act twist, writing was a bit awk and chonky at times
November 1, 2023
Here goes my essay...
If I was rating One For Sorrow purely on things such as the mystery, suspense, being thrilling, emotional, gripping, the (limited but done well) mixed media and the character development, and then disregarding one pretty key plot twist, this would be a 4 star rating.
That plot twist though could make it an easy 1 star. I'm going to land on 3 stars, but even that makes me cringe a bit for both ways! It deserves more for the most part, but I can't bring myself to do it and hesitate to even give it 3.
One For Sorrow is about nurse, Leah, who has started a new gig at a psychiatric facility. She has started over in a new town with her younger brother, Tom, after the death of her parents by murder-suicide by her abusive father.
At her new job, she is treating child murderer, Isabel, but doesn't believe Isabel to be guilty so she becomes obsessed with investigating the murder and crossing some big professional lines doing so.
Leah is also battling some psychological issues, turning to alcohol at times.
The plot is juicy, the characters are developed well and it was a good book (even if repetitive at times). I predicted the twist toward the end, but it didn't ruin it. There was just that one big twist half way through that spoiled it for me, cringing as I read the latter parts of the book which were unpleasant. It means I will not read book 2, despite wanting to know what happens and enjoying the author's work, because of the hard topic to read and because I assume it appears regularly (if you've read book 2, please let me know if it isn't).
Below are spoilers, including what the twist I refer to is to provide context to my review and in case people want to go in warned. Don't read on further if you don't want spoilers!!
****
*** Spoilers below ***
****
This issue I acknowledge is real, it happens, it is beyond devastating, but do I want to read it in fiction? No. Is it necessary in this book? Also, no (in my opinion). Is it good for a representation? Maybe, I am not sure and I don't hold it against the author for whatever the reasons may be, maybe shock value? Awareness? Don't know but it's not for me.
At about 56% into this, we find out that not only was Leah's dad abusive but also her brother Tom is, in addition to being her brother, also her son. Born when she was 13. For the remaining 44% of the book, we have references to her brother change to her son and the relationship of mother/son throughout.
I know it can happen, but for me reading fiction, I don't like it. One aspect I thought was because of subsequent parts of the book, the author may have chosen it to depict the love and "die for" attitude Leah has toward her son with maternal instincts. But to me, that is unnecessary.
The relationship before the twist, when we knew her as his older sister, was written so well she actually was a mother figure and the protection of a younger brother and the whole book in that respect would have worked and been just as good (well, better imo) if he was only her younger brother. As a sibling, all things that happened - I'd try protect my sisters the same way she protected her "son". So her being mother, it just isn't relevant to that either. There are other ways to write how bad abuse is.
As this made unpleasant each page that mentioned Leah and Tom, mother/son/brother because of how awful it is to think about, I wanted to 1 star it. But if I forget that part, it's a 4 star book. Unfortunately, assuming I'd be going into book 2 reading about Leah and Tom I'm going to have to pass on what I imagine is a really good sequel.
If I was rating One For Sorrow purely on things such as the mystery, suspense, being thrilling, emotional, gripping, the (limited but done well) mixed media and the character development, and then disregarding one pretty key plot twist, this would be a 4 star rating.
That plot twist though could make it an easy 1 star. I'm going to land on 3 stars, but even that makes me cringe a bit for both ways! It deserves more for the most part, but I can't bring myself to do it and hesitate to even give it 3.
One For Sorrow is about nurse, Leah, who has started a new gig at a psychiatric facility. She has started over in a new town with her younger brother, Tom, after the death of her parents by murder-suicide by her abusive father.
At her new job, she is treating child murderer, Isabel, but doesn't believe Isabel to be guilty so she becomes obsessed with investigating the murder and crossing some big professional lines doing so.
Leah is also battling some psychological issues, turning to alcohol at times.
The plot is juicy, the characters are developed well and it was a good book (even if repetitive at times). I predicted the twist toward the end, but it didn't ruin it. There was just that one big twist half way through that spoiled it for me, cringing as I read the latter parts of the book which were unpleasant. It means I will not read book 2, despite wanting to know what happens and enjoying the author's work, because of the hard topic to read and because I assume it appears regularly (if you've read book 2, please let me know if it isn't).
Below are spoilers, including what the twist I refer to is to provide context to my review and in case people want to go in warned. Don't read on further if you don't want spoilers!!
****
*** Spoilers below ***
****
This issue I acknowledge is real, it happens, it is beyond devastating, but do I want to read it in fiction? No. Is it necessary in this book? Also, no (in my opinion). Is it good for a representation? Maybe, I am not sure and I don't hold it against the author for whatever the reasons may be, maybe shock value? Awareness? Don't know but it's not for me.
At about 56% into this, we find out that not only was Leah's dad abusive but also her brother Tom is, in addition to being her brother, also her son. Born when she was 13. For the remaining 44% of the book, we have references to her brother change to her son and the relationship of mother/son throughout.
I know it can happen, but for me reading fiction, I don't like it. One aspect I thought was because of subsequent parts of the book, the author may have chosen it to depict the love and "die for" attitude Leah has toward her son with maternal instincts. But to me, that is unnecessary.
The relationship before the twist, when we knew her as his older sister, was written so well she actually was a mother figure and the protection of a younger brother and the whole book in that respect would have worked and been just as good (well, better imo) if he was only her younger brother. As a sibling, all things that happened - I'd try protect my sisters the same way she protected her "son". So her being mother, it just isn't relevant to that either. There are other ways to write how bad abuse is.
As this made unpleasant each page that mentioned Leah and Tom, mother/son/brother because of how awful it is to think about, I wanted to 1 star it. But if I forget that part, it's a 4 star book. Unfortunately, assuming I'd be going into book 2 reading about Leah and Tom I'm going to have to pass on what I imagine is a really good sequel.
February 22, 2018
WOW! I loved this book. So many emotions happening all at once... very hard to put down.
Without giving too much away the characters had me fooled! Nothing is what it seems, you need to keep reading ...just one more chapter....
Leah Smith starts her new job at high-security psychiatric facility of Crowmont Hospital. Here one of her patients is Isabel Fielding who is accused of murdering a 6 year old 7 years ago. Leah starts to believe that Isabel is innocent.
Such a big fan of Sarah Denzil, all of her books are page turning and addictive. They all have very stronger and believable characters. Highly Reccommended.
Without giving too much away the characters had me fooled! Nothing is what it seems, you need to keep reading ...just one more chapter....
Leah Smith starts her new job at high-security psychiatric facility of Crowmont Hospital. Here one of her patients is Isabel Fielding who is accused of murdering a 6 year old 7 years ago. Leah starts to believe that Isabel is innocent.
Such a big fan of Sarah Denzil, all of her books are page turning and addictive. They all have very stronger and believable characters. Highly Reccommended.
October 31, 2018
An eerie and chilling dark tale that was the perfect Halloween read! A shocking murder and a mutilated body, a psychiatric hospital with criminally-insane patients and a sweet young girl that doesn’t fit the profile of a psychopathic killer...what more can you ask for? My first book by Sarah Denzil and it was amazing! I’m a new fan and I can’t wait to read more of her work. Once the twists started coming—which were totally unpredictable—I couldn’t put it down!
This is a sad and chilling tale about the gruesome murder of six-year-old Maisie Earnshaw and 14-year-old Isabel Fielding...the girl convicted of the murder. Both girls came from families that were respected members of the community.
Isabel, Owen—Isabel’s younger brother—and Maisie were off playing by the Fielding’s duck pond, while their parents were sipping cocktails and discussing business. When the children became suddenly quiet, both mothers went to check on them. Maisie’s mutilated body was face-down, floating in the duck pond. Isabel was covered in her blood—it was even smeared on her lips—and Owen was splattered with blood. Owen told the police that he watched Isabel do it...although he never cried out for help.
A true-crime blogger—James Gorden—believes she’s been wrongly convicted. His blog posts suggest she is either innocent, or may have been goaded into committing the crime by someone else. Her father had an undocumented absence during the time of the murder. But was it enough time to murder Maisie, then return to the house and clean up? He also has a shady past...but is he a psychopath capable of murder? Her brother Owen is a very clever child, with a history of behavioral problems and violent outbursts. And if he watched the murder—as he claims—why didn’t he scream for help? Isabel has always denied committing the heinous act, and had no previous history of violence or indications of mental illness. Was she able to hide the fact she was a sociopath? Or is the killer still out there?
Leah Smith has just started a new job as a nurse in a high-security psychiatric facility that houses violent offenders. She is assigned three patients, one of which is the high-profile offender Isabel.
Leah sees Isabel as a sweet and kind young woman with a gentle nature...more child-like, actually. Isabel rescued an injured bird and nursed him back to health. She even refuses to kill any bugs she finds in her room. Leah can’t imagine this compassionate girl as a violent murderer.
I can’t praise this book enough...it was one of the best books I’ve read this year!
This is a sad and chilling tale about the gruesome murder of six-year-old Maisie Earnshaw and 14-year-old Isabel Fielding...the girl convicted of the murder. Both girls came from families that were respected members of the community.
Isabel, Owen—Isabel’s younger brother—and Maisie were off playing by the Fielding’s duck pond, while their parents were sipping cocktails and discussing business. When the children became suddenly quiet, both mothers went to check on them. Maisie’s mutilated body was face-down, floating in the duck pond. Isabel was covered in her blood—it was even smeared on her lips—and Owen was splattered with blood. Owen told the police that he watched Isabel do it...although he never cried out for help.
A true-crime blogger—James Gorden—believes she’s been wrongly convicted. His blog posts suggest she is either innocent, or may have been goaded into committing the crime by someone else. Her father had an undocumented absence during the time of the murder. But was it enough time to murder Maisie, then return to the house and clean up? He also has a shady past...but is he a psychopath capable of murder? Her brother Owen is a very clever child, with a history of behavioral problems and violent outbursts. And if he watched the murder—as he claims—why didn’t he scream for help? Isabel has always denied committing the heinous act, and had no previous history of violence or indications of mental illness. Was she able to hide the fact she was a sociopath? Or is the killer still out there?
Leah Smith has just started a new job as a nurse in a high-security psychiatric facility that houses violent offenders. She is assigned three patients, one of which is the high-profile offender Isabel.
Leah sees Isabel as a sweet and kind young woman with a gentle nature...more child-like, actually. Isabel rescued an injured bird and nursed him back to health. She even refuses to kill any bugs she finds in her room. Leah can’t imagine this compassionate girl as a violent murderer.
I can’t praise this book enough...it was one of the best books I’ve read this year!
April 22, 2023
Leah Smith, a psychiatric nurse, is new at Crowmont Hospital and is put in charge of Isabel Fielding, who was found guilty of murdering 6-year-old Maisie Earnshaw when Isabel was 14. Leah develops a close relationship with her patient and starts to have doubts about Isabel's guilt.
Although this wasn't a bad story, I was a little disappointed. It was well written and a pretty fast read but I felt like Leah did some really dumb things that hopefully a real psychiatric nurse wouldn't do. As Part 2 started there were a couple of unexpected plot twists, but going forward from there it seemed like there was a lot of repetition although the second part was more anxiety-inducing than the first part. As mentioned by other reviewers, the book ends in a cliffhanger to prepare the reader for the second book but I'm going to read an excerpt from it before I decide whether to continue.
I purchased the Kindle version of this book from amazon.ca for $0.00! What a deal!
Although this wasn't a bad story, I was a little disappointed. It was well written and a pretty fast read but I felt like Leah did some really dumb things that hopefully a real psychiatric nurse wouldn't do. As Part 2 started there were a couple of unexpected plot twists, but going forward from there it seemed like there was a lot of repetition although the second part was more anxiety-inducing than the first part. As mentioned by other reviewers, the book ends in a cliffhanger to prepare the reader for the second book but I'm going to read an excerpt from it before I decide whether to continue.
I purchased the Kindle version of this book from amazon.ca for $0.00! What a deal!
January 25, 2019
At risk of a slight spoiler, potential readers should know that this one ends inconclusively, setting up its sequel. I like a series - I’m writing one myself - but we deserve a clean ending too. I had very mixed feelings.
Negative: (1) Too violent. Of course we expect violence with serial killers and it’s not explicit. Maybe I’m becoming squeamish. But I find torture scenes unpleasant. (2) Too long, but as an Audible with an attractive price, length is scarcely a problem. (3) Some of Leah’s relationships are simply too bizarre.
Positive: (1) Leah’s a very attractive character, flawed but endearing. (2) setting in maximum security hospital is well done. (3) Isabel, the accused teenaged murderess, is a fascinating character as well, and one whom readers will find sympathetic. (4) I was genuinely scared for Leah, psychologically more than physically.
So I felt I passed my time agreeably but didn’t profit morally or spiritually.
Negative: (1) Too violent. Of course we expect violence with serial killers and it’s not explicit. Maybe I’m becoming squeamish. But I find torture scenes unpleasant. (2) Too long, but as an Audible with an attractive price, length is scarcely a problem. (3) Some of Leah’s relationships are simply too bizarre.
Positive: (1) Leah’s a very attractive character, flawed but endearing. (2) setting in maximum security hospital is well done. (3) Isabel, the accused teenaged murderess, is a fascinating character as well, and one whom readers will find sympathetic. (4) I was genuinely scared for Leah, psychologically more than physically.
So I felt I passed my time agreeably but didn’t profit morally or spiritually.
March 5, 2018
Did think I would love this book from the start,would give it 3.5 rating as not what I expected the characters didn't have me fully engaged some parts were far fetched.couldnt give it the four stars.its was okay read but not brilliant.
October 15, 2018
After hearing so many great things about this author from fellow readers, I knew I had to take the plunge and give her books a go. What a book to start off with as well!
The whole setting for this story was just genius. Having lived in Rotherham for a number of years, I knew the area as well as surrounding one quite well so loved that it was set somewhere I knew personally. Not that you will really recognise the cottage that Leah and her brother find themselves living in or the hospital that Leah works in. Well I didn't anyway. It just added an eeriness to the story though which I loved.
The story really ticks so many boxes, a child killer, a high security hospital and a main character who is also fighting her own demons. There was so much to intrigue the reader that from picking the book up I didn't want to put it down and ended up reading it in two sittings.
One For Sorrow is such a fabulously dark and twisted read. I knew from the opening pages it was going to be good but by heck I didn't for see the twists and turns as they happened. It's one of those stories that you will be constantly second guessing and jumping at conclusions only to be totally wrong. A great introduction to a new author for me and can't wait to read more.
The whole setting for this story was just genius. Having lived in Rotherham for a number of years, I knew the area as well as surrounding one quite well so loved that it was set somewhere I knew personally. Not that you will really recognise the cottage that Leah and her brother find themselves living in or the hospital that Leah works in. Well I didn't anyway. It just added an eeriness to the story though which I loved.
The story really ticks so many boxes, a child killer, a high security hospital and a main character who is also fighting her own demons. There was so much to intrigue the reader that from picking the book up I didn't want to put it down and ended up reading it in two sittings.
One For Sorrow is such a fabulously dark and twisted read. I knew from the opening pages it was going to be good but by heck I didn't for see the twists and turns as they happened. It's one of those stories that you will be constantly second guessing and jumping at conclusions only to be totally wrong. A great introduction to a new author for me and can't wait to read more.
January 6, 2023
Story 3.5 stars**
Audio 3.75 stars**
Narrator Jasmine Blackborow
Audio 3.75 stars**
Narrator Jasmine Blackborow
August 11, 2019
One for Sorrow (Kindle Edition) by Sarah A. Denzil.
This story was so much more than I thought it would be. Leah Smith and her brother Tom have moved to a new place on the outskirts of a farm. Leah is starting a new job at Crowmont an institution for criminally insane patients. Leah has worked before at another similar hospital as a nurse. The emotions run high and not just among the patients. Leah comes with her own baggage from childhood scars.
I did get a bit frustrated with Leah during the first half of this book. The second half of the book never lets up. What was up was down; what was night became day. Intense is the word for this story.
This was a psychological thriller that had me completely spellbound.
This story was so much more than I thought it would be. Leah Smith and her brother Tom have moved to a new place on the outskirts of a farm. Leah is starting a new job at Crowmont an institution for criminally insane patients. Leah has worked before at another similar hospital as a nurse. The emotions run high and not just among the patients. Leah comes with her own baggage from childhood scars.
I did get a bit frustrated with Leah during the first half of this book. The second half of the book never lets up. What was up was down; what was night became day. Intense is the word for this story.
This was a psychological thriller that had me completely spellbound.
April 30, 2019
I had such high hopes but this moved way too slow to be excited.
The plot sounded brilliant and I jumped into this feet first, keen and eager. The first few chapters delivered and intrigued, but, by 40% in it was lagging a lot.
I lost focus so read two other books then tried again. No joy. The plot was even slower and chapters with not much happening. Too introspective with not enough buzz for the reader.
Even after a halfway point twist it still did not grab me at all. I had such high hopes to go into book two but this just did not do a thing to keep me hooked. After reading over 100 books this sadly somehow missed the mark. 2.5 from me.
The plot sounded brilliant and I jumped into this feet first, keen and eager. The first few chapters delivered and intrigued, but, by 40% in it was lagging a lot.
I lost focus so read two other books then tried again. No joy. The plot was even slower and chapters with not much happening. Too introspective with not enough buzz for the reader.
Even after a halfway point twist it still did not grab me at all. I had such high hopes to go into book two but this just did not do a thing to keep me hooked. After reading over 100 books this sadly somehow missed the mark. 2.5 from me.
September 2, 2019
This dark, twisty psychological thriller was totally riveting. I knew it was going to be twisty, but I never expected the story to go where it did! There is a bit of a cliffhanger at the end, but I'm happy to see that there's already a sequel, Two for Joy, available. The Kindle edition is affordably priced, and it's also on Kindle Unlimited.
May 5, 2018
This was just so well done. Everything was designed to make you question what you thought. Characters were peeled open, put back together and peeled open again. All was definitely not as it seemed and misdirection was rife.
Leah Smith and her younger brother Tom have moved from London to Hutton to start afresh after the death of their parents. Leah is a psychiatric nurse and is starting a new job at the nearby high security psychiatric hospital, Crowmont. She is a good nurse who really cares for her patients, but she is particularly drawn to Isabel Fielding. Seven years ago the 13/14 year old Isabel was convicted of brutally killing a six year old girl while the two sets of parents were enjoying cocktails on the patio. But Isabel seems so normal and sweet, could she really have killed a child?
Yet Leah herself is a bit messed up due to conflicting feelings about her parents, particularly her father who was not a nice man. She is not sleeping well and even finds herself sleepwalking a few times. She looks up Isabel's case online and finds a blog by James Gorden who seems convinced that Isabel's brother or father was the actual killer. So far it is a potentially fluffy psy thriller that gives you a feeling of general unease about what is actually going on. Then BAM, everything is turned upside down and you are soon catapulted into full on terror and suspense. It was even more shocking for being so unexpected. I mean obviously I thought SOMETHING would happen but, wow, it exceeded all my expectations. And that ending...well, let's just say it leaves the door open for a possible sequel which I would definitely have to read!
Leah Smith and her younger brother Tom have moved from London to Hutton to start afresh after the death of their parents. Leah is a psychiatric nurse and is starting a new job at the nearby high security psychiatric hospital, Crowmont. She is a good nurse who really cares for her patients, but she is particularly drawn to Isabel Fielding. Seven years ago the 13/14 year old Isabel was convicted of brutally killing a six year old girl while the two sets of parents were enjoying cocktails on the patio. But Isabel seems so normal and sweet, could she really have killed a child?
Yet Leah herself is a bit messed up due to conflicting feelings about her parents, particularly her father who was not a nice man. She is not sleeping well and even finds herself sleepwalking a few times. She looks up Isabel's case online and finds a blog by James Gorden who seems convinced that Isabel's brother or father was the actual killer. So far it is a potentially fluffy psy thriller that gives you a feeling of general unease about what is actually going on. Then BAM, everything is turned upside down and you are soon catapulted into full on terror and suspense. It was even more shocking for being so unexpected. I mean obviously I thought SOMETHING would happen but, wow, it exceeded all my expectations. And that ending...well, let's just say it leaves the door open for a possible sequel which I would definitely have to read!
November 6, 2018
A deliciously dark, creepy and twisted read! It does take a massively weird twist at about 50%, but if you can suspend your disbelief and just enjoy the book, this is a great one!
One For Sorrow is a really creepy psychological thriller following Leah, who's just started work as a nurse in a high-security psychiatric facility. One of her main charges is Isabel, who was convicted years ago of murdering her friend. But Leah has her doubts and, as her own troubled past swirls in the background, she decides to investigate a little more.
A very fun, entertaining story altogether. Yes, some parts were pretty far fetched, but from the thread of birds throughout, to the creepy setting of a psychiatric hospital to the unreliable narrator, this book ticked so many boxes. Another fantastic, creepy thriller from Denzil!
One For Sorrow is a really creepy psychological thriller following Leah, who's just started work as a nurse in a high-security psychiatric facility. One of her main charges is Isabel, who was convicted years ago of murdering her friend. But Leah has her doubts and, as her own troubled past swirls in the background, she decides to investigate a little more.
A very fun, entertaining story altogether. Yes, some parts were pretty far fetched, but from the thread of birds throughout, to the creepy setting of a psychiatric hospital to the unreliable narrator, this book ticked so many boxes. Another fantastic, creepy thriller from Denzil!
November 24, 2020
I thought this sounded good and have book 2 and 3 also I was looking forward to the 3 books
This book was in my opinion a total load of rubbish
From the get go it’s obvious that Leah has serious mental health problems I thought ok Leah’s mental health will be revealed in due course
Then Leah is working in a mental health hospital and the reader is expected to believe that a place full of psychiatrists and mental health trained nurses who can spot someone with mental health problems at a distance don’t see Leah as obviously mentally ill ...yeah
The other characters are so boring The only one I felt sorry for was Tom. He has been dealt such a poor hand landed with Leah and Co.
Then the final straw...I finished to find there is no ending and I have to read book 2 for further update. Thank you no never again. Ive had more than enough thank you very much. I am now waiting to drop book 1 plus the two others off at the charity shop I could in no way recommend this
This book was in my opinion a total load of rubbish
From the get go it’s obvious that Leah has serious mental health problems I thought ok Leah’s mental health will be revealed in due course
Then Leah is working in a mental health hospital and the reader is expected to believe that a place full of psychiatrists and mental health trained nurses who can spot someone with mental health problems at a distance don’t see Leah as obviously mentally ill ...yeah
The other characters are so boring The only one I felt sorry for was Tom. He has been dealt such a poor hand landed with Leah and Co.
Then the final straw...I finished to find there is no ending and I have to read book 2 for further update. Thank you no never again. Ive had more than enough thank you very much. I am now waiting to drop book 1 plus the two others off at the charity shop I could in no way recommend this
December 31, 2020
I enjoyed the first half, but the second was exasperating, unpleasant and unlikely.
September 8, 2024
I didn’t actually mean to read this book when I clicked on my kindle I thought I’d clicked on something else…but oh my god am I glad I went with it!!! From the first chapter I was HOOKED! twists and turns throughout and this book needs so much more exposure!!!
March 1, 2018
The premise was promising.
Unfortunately, the book did not fulfill expectations. Choppy and unsatisfactory.
Unfortunately, the book did not fulfill expectations. Choppy and unsatisfactory.
March 3, 2018
A really good read and look forward to the next ...4 stars
September 15, 2019
Wow, what an exciting, creepy story! Need book #2 right now!
March 21, 2022
This may be the best book I'll read this year! Simply superb and a new author I will be reading much more of.
February 24, 2018
Great book shame about the ending.
This is the first book I have read since James Herbert's The Rats, back when I was a teenager, that really gave me chills. Its rare to find a story that gets a grip on the fear circuits, but this one did.
The question of did she/didnt she, remained throughout, added to which are some really clever and unexpected twists and this book was really on my favourites list. Unfortunately, the ending?????
The ending seemed as though it was written by a different author. It was disjointed and lacked the real terror that the rest of the book had built up.
It produced more questions than it answered, those that it did, just didn't fit and as a result really let the book down. I hate reviews that give spoilers and therefore cant go into detail without doing so.
The story could easily turn in to a sequel and that would be not only a great opportunity to continue what is fundamentally a really riveting read that has plenty of scope for more, especially with the cliffhanger at the end, but would provide the author the opportunity to bring more cohesion to the ending.
Its 4* not the 5* it should have been for the reasons I mentioned above. This is just my opinion and even so, I still recommend reading One For Sorrow and I will definitely be on the lookout for more by this author. X
This is the first book I have read since James Herbert's The Rats, back when I was a teenager, that really gave me chills. Its rare to find a story that gets a grip on the fear circuits, but this one did.
The question of did she/didnt she, remained throughout, added to which are some really clever and unexpected twists and this book was really on my favourites list. Unfortunately, the ending?????
The ending seemed as though it was written by a different author. It was disjointed and lacked the real terror that the rest of the book had built up.
It produced more questions than it answered, those that it did, just didn't fit and as a result really let the book down. I hate reviews that give spoilers and therefore cant go into detail without doing so.
The story could easily turn in to a sequel and that would be not only a great opportunity to continue what is fundamentally a really riveting read that has plenty of scope for more, especially with the cliffhanger at the end, but would provide the author the opportunity to bring more cohesion to the ending.
Its 4* not the 5* it should have been for the reasons I mentioned above. This is just my opinion and even so, I still recommend reading One For Sorrow and I will definitely be on the lookout for more by this author. X
February 28, 2018
wow! One for sorrow is a great phschological thriller thats hard to put down. lots of twists. highly reccomend.
November 5, 2022
This was an ok read. It had a really promising start and was a twisty and easy read but the last third felt pretty far fetched and I didn’t really connect with any characters from the start.
January 16, 2019
Rozpoczynając lekturę "Morderczyni" spodziewałam się raczej lekkiego thrillera, który niczym specjalnym mnie nie zaskoczy. Przyznaję, myliłam się!
Początek nie zwiastuje wielkich emocji i przyspieszonego bicia serca - poznajemy Leah, pielęgniarkę psychiatryczną, która próbuje poskładać swoje życie na nowo po niedawnych tragicznych wydarzeniach. Kobieta zaprzyjaźnia się z jedną ze swoich pacjentek, oskarżoną o brutalne morderstwo małej dziewczynki. Między pielęgniarką, a Isabel rozpoczyna się swoista gra, czytelnik nie ma pewności, czy dziewczyna rzeczywiście jest winna zarzucanego jej czynu, sama Leah gubi się w domysłach, próbuje jednak dowieść niewinności swojej pacjentki.
Te pierwsze rozdziały płyną sobie spokojnie jeden za drugim, brawa należą się autorce przede wszystkim za umiejscowienie części akcji w szpitalu psychiatrycznym. Prawda jest jednak taka, że to druga część powieści robi tutaj prawdziwą robotę i można ją porównać do przejażdżki emocjonalnym rollercoasterem. Nagle zaczyna dziać się tak dużo, tak szybko i tak makabrycznie, że czyta się tę książkę z wypiekami na twarzy. Nie spodziewałam się tu szaleńczych zwrotów akcji, a tak się składa, że w połowie naliczyłam już z pięć dość zdumiewających twistów. Wiele wrażeń dostarcza także zakończenie, które zapowiada poniekąd drugą część tej historii.
Spokojnie możecie wrzucić "Morderczynię" do księgarnianego koszyka, nie będziecie zawiedzeni, powiedziałabym nawet, że miło Was ta powieść zaskoczy :)
Początek nie zwiastuje wielkich emocji i przyspieszonego bicia serca - poznajemy Leah, pielęgniarkę psychiatryczną, która próbuje poskładać swoje życie na nowo po niedawnych tragicznych wydarzeniach. Kobieta zaprzyjaźnia się z jedną ze swoich pacjentek, oskarżoną o brutalne morderstwo małej dziewczynki. Między pielęgniarką, a Isabel rozpoczyna się swoista gra, czytelnik nie ma pewności, czy dziewczyna rzeczywiście jest winna zarzucanego jej czynu, sama Leah gubi się w domysłach, próbuje jednak dowieść niewinności swojej pacjentki.
Te pierwsze rozdziały płyną sobie spokojnie jeden za drugim, brawa należą się autorce przede wszystkim za umiejscowienie części akcji w szpitalu psychiatrycznym. Prawda jest jednak taka, że to druga część powieści robi tutaj prawdziwą robotę i można ją porównać do przejażdżki emocjonalnym rollercoasterem. Nagle zaczyna dziać się tak dużo, tak szybko i tak makabrycznie, że czyta się tę książkę z wypiekami na twarzy. Nie spodziewałam się tu szaleńczych zwrotów akcji, a tak się składa, że w połowie naliczyłam już z pięć dość zdumiewających twistów. Wiele wrażeń dostarcza także zakończenie, które zapowiada poniekąd drugą część tej historii.
Spokojnie możecie wrzucić "Morderczynię" do księgarnianego koszyka, nie będziecie zawiedzeni, powiedziałabym nawet, że miło Was ta powieść zaskoczy :)
March 1, 2021
You know how there is Psychological Thrillers or Pscho-Suspense? I think One for Sorrow definitely should be under Psycho-Horror! I've read books by Sarah Denzil before and they were strong but this one, whew, I almost had to stop during one scene toward the end. However, that one scene was so crucial to the story that I really just couldn't put the book down. I'm not going to summarize the entire story so let me just say that Denzil's writing is excellent. You get lulled a bit by the every day routine of both the patien, Isabel, and her psyciatric nurse, Leah, until you are suddenly shocked awake with the twist. Although"the twist" was something you knew was coming... you really did. Right? One for Sorror is excellent. It's a pschological thrill ride, a horrifying suspense show, and a fabulous piece of women's fiction too. I loved it. Minus one star for the squemish.
April 13, 2018
Liked the first part but 2nd part was too dark/disturbing
The 2nd part of the book was so disturbing to me that I deeply regret finishing it. The writing was good that's why I'm giving it 2 stars, but would not recommend this book. Part 2 could have gone in a different direction, not sure where exactly, and could have been redeemed.
The 2nd part of the book was so disturbing to me that I deeply regret finishing it. The writing was good that's why I'm giving it 2 stars, but would not recommend this book. Part 2 could have gone in a different direction, not sure where exactly, and could have been redeemed.
November 4, 2018
Griping! I am supposed to be working on an annotated bibliography, but I had to finish this one first. It enticed me away from my duties, and now I need to read the second one. Maybe just a chapter or two...
November 10, 2021
It was great for the first half then it literally in part two took a nosedive and became so bizarre.
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