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Thicker Than Water
Six years after floods made her family homeless, Jess Dyer has found safety on the wild North Yorkshire coast.
Ruth Dyer is forging a role as doctor to their community of refugees and the rock around which the family revolves.
But the family is haunted by memories of the journey north and the loss of their mother Sonia. And their community is under attack from the local population.
When Jess answers a distress call at sea, she brings strangers to their village and puts Ruth in jeopardy. Jess has to calm the community, mount a rescue mission and keep her brother Ben from tipping into insanity.
Will she succeed? And will she find Ruth before it’s too late?
‘Thicker Than Water’ is a gripping thriller about family, belonging and revenge.
Previously published as 'Exile'
Ruth Dyer is forging a role as doctor to their community of refugees and the rock around which the family revolves.
But the family is haunted by memories of the journey north and the loss of their mother Sonia. And their community is under attack from the local population.
When Jess answers a distress call at sea, she brings strangers to their village and puts Ruth in jeopardy. Jess has to calm the community, mount a rescue mission and keep her brother Ben from tipping into insanity.
Will she succeed? And will she find Ruth before it’s too late?
‘Thicker Than Water’ is a gripping thriller about family, belonging and revenge.
Previously published as 'Exile'
364 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 8, 2018
526 people are currently reading
249 people want to read
About the author
Rachel McLean
104 books629 followersMy name's Rachel McLean and I write stories you can't put down, with characters you'll be rooting for.
I'm best known for my Dorset Crime series, which has sold over a million copies. The first book in that series, The Corfe Castle Murders, won the 2021 Kindle Storyteller Award.
Here's what Clare Balding (the lead judge) had to say about the book:
'I particularly enjoyed the detail of the landscape and the humorous oddities of Dorset life. I enjoyed the richness of the characters, complexity of life for a working mother who is thrown into a new environment and has to prove herself, all over again.'
But The Corfe Castle Murders is by no means my only book. I've published five series and am working on two new ones, all of which connect. You'll find characters from each series in one or more of the other ones, so you (and I) get to follow them as they take on new challenges.
For example:
DCI Lesley Clarke is Zoe's boss in the DI Zoe Finch series and then moves to Dorset where she becomes the star of the Dorset Crime series.
DS Mo Uddin is Zoe's best friend and sidekick, then moves to Scotland for the McBride & Tanner series.
DC Tina Abbott is a key character in the Dorset Crime series and plays an important role in the new Lyme Regis Women's Swimming Club series of mysteries which stars her mum, Annie.
Zaf Williams starts off in the DI Zoe Finch series then moves to London and is one of the stars of the London Cosy Mysteries series (along with his colleague Diana and Gus the cat).
Dr Petra McBride appears in no fewer than three series and I'm planning a new series for her in 2026.
And not to be outdone, Zoe Finch has two series in which she stars: the DI Zoe Finch series of 'Deadly' books, and the Cumbria Crime series.
Once you get to know these characters, you'll find plenty of books to keep you entertained. And I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoy writing them.
You can read a full list of the series and books on my books page. Each series is designed to be read in order but which series you go for first is really up to you.
I'm best known for my Dorset Crime series, which has sold over a million copies. The first book in that series, The Corfe Castle Murders, won the 2021 Kindle Storyteller Award.
Here's what Clare Balding (the lead judge) had to say about the book:
'I particularly enjoyed the detail of the landscape and the humorous oddities of Dorset life. I enjoyed the richness of the characters, complexity of life for a working mother who is thrown into a new environment and has to prove herself, all over again.'
But The Corfe Castle Murders is by no means my only book. I've published five series and am working on two new ones, all of which connect. You'll find characters from each series in one or more of the other ones, so you (and I) get to follow them as they take on new challenges.
For example:
DCI Lesley Clarke is Zoe's boss in the DI Zoe Finch series and then moves to Dorset where she becomes the star of the Dorset Crime series.
DS Mo Uddin is Zoe's best friend and sidekick, then moves to Scotland for the McBride & Tanner series.
DC Tina Abbott is a key character in the Dorset Crime series and plays an important role in the new Lyme Regis Women's Swimming Club series of mysteries which stars her mum, Annie.
Zaf Williams starts off in the DI Zoe Finch series then moves to London and is one of the stars of the London Cosy Mysteries series (along with his colleague Diana and Gus the cat).
Dr Petra McBride appears in no fewer than three series and I'm planning a new series for her in 2026.
And not to be outdone, Zoe Finch has two series in which she stars: the DI Zoe Finch series of 'Deadly' books, and the Cumbria Crime series.
Once you get to know these characters, you'll find plenty of books to keep you entertained. And I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoy writing them.
You can read a full list of the series and books on my books page. Each series is designed to be read in order but which series you go for first is really up to you.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
March 22, 2019
THICKER THAN WATER previously published as Exile is the debut dystopian thriller novel by Rachel McLean. Set in the future, the UK has been destroyed by a terrible flood.
The books in the Series include:
1) Thicker Than Water (Debut Novel)
2) Sea of Lies
Six years after floods made her family homeless, Jess Dyer, her brother Ben and his wife Ruth have found safety on the wild North Yorkshire coast.
Ruth Dyer is imitating a role as doctor to their community of refugees.
When Jess answers a distress call at sea, she brings three strangers to their village and puts Ruth in jeopardy. Four women including Ruth are kidnapped and Jess has to calm the community, organise a rescue mission and keep her brother Ben calm.
Will Jess succeed? And will she find Ruth before it’s too late?
Thicker Than Water is a gripping family drama thriller, with short chapters, narrated by Jess, Ruth and a creepy character, Robert. This is a story of belonging and revenge. Looking forward next to reading the sequel, Sea of Lies.
The books in the Series include:
1) Thicker Than Water (Debut Novel)
2) Sea of Lies
Six years after floods made her family homeless, Jess Dyer, her brother Ben and his wife Ruth have found safety on the wild North Yorkshire coast.
Ruth Dyer is imitating a role as doctor to their community of refugees.
When Jess answers a distress call at sea, she brings three strangers to their village and puts Ruth in jeopardy. Four women including Ruth are kidnapped and Jess has to calm the community, organise a rescue mission and keep her brother Ben calm.
Will Jess succeed? And will she find Ruth before it’s too late?
Thicker Than Water is a gripping family drama thriller, with short chapters, narrated by Jess, Ruth and a creepy character, Robert. This is a story of belonging and revenge. Looking forward next to reading the sequel, Sea of Lies.
March 6, 2019
I really enjoyed this dystopian view of the UK after a flood wipes out half the country. I didn't realise there was a book before this one that has more detail in about the flood and while it didn't detract from reading this book and they do work well as stand alone stories I think I would have liked to have read it. I will be going back to do so.
I live in Leeds which is mentioned often in the book and Withernsea where a chunk of the tale takes place is somewhere we went sometimes on school holidays so for me one of the enjoyable aspects of the book was trying to picture places I know well as waterlogged, landlocked or damaged. I thought the descriptive elements of aftermath worked really well. Another easy visualisation was the journey to rescue several of the village inhabitants. I could quite easily picture it as a mini-series (maybe I've just watched too much Walking Dead!) but I could really picture how this would be split over a few episodes.
The bulk of the story then; 4 women are kidnapped one evening and Jess and a few others set off to get rescue them. The relationships are tested and we learn that not everyone is as they seem. I quite liked how it ended with people divided on Martin (which leads nicely to book 3) and I'm still not sure personally if I like Ben. I had a few issues with him and still hadn't quite warmed to him by the end. Maybe the other books might help me warm to him more. I did like Jess and I'm intrigued by how a relationship for her might work out (trying to avoid spoilers).
It's a quick read and moves along at quite a fair pace. Some interesting character development and overall I really liked this book and look forward to finding out how it started and what happens next.
I live in Leeds which is mentioned often in the book and Withernsea where a chunk of the tale takes place is somewhere we went sometimes on school holidays so for me one of the enjoyable aspects of the book was trying to picture places I know well as waterlogged, landlocked or damaged. I thought the descriptive elements of aftermath worked really well. Another easy visualisation was the journey to rescue several of the village inhabitants. I could quite easily picture it as a mini-series (maybe I've just watched too much Walking Dead!) but I could really picture how this would be split over a few episodes.
The bulk of the story then; 4 women are kidnapped one evening and Jess and a few others set off to get rescue them. The relationships are tested and we learn that not everyone is as they seem. I quite liked how it ended with people divided on Martin (which leads nicely to book 3) and I'm still not sure personally if I like Ben. I had a few issues with him and still hadn't quite warmed to him by the end. Maybe the other books might help me warm to him more. I did like Jess and I'm intrigued by how a relationship for her might work out (trying to avoid spoilers).
It's a quick read and moves along at quite a fair pace. Some interesting character development and overall I really liked this book and look forward to finding out how it started and what happens next.
July 28, 2019
Floods has destroyed the country, and Jess Ryder along with her brother Ben and his wife Ruth and children and a group of survivors joined together to form a small community of refugees on the North Yorkshire coast. Answering a SOS from the sea, Jess, the acting steward, rescued 3 men and gave them shelter. The very next day, 4 women including Ruth had disappeared. The men had kidnapped them. The entire book revolved on their rescue.
My first book by Rachel McLean, I could devour it over a few hours. The writing made me imagine how such a dystopian world would be where there was no antibiotics. It felt like the beginning of life even when most had lived a fast paced technology filled lives, and here they had nothing. Quite scary!
The characters were varied, there were many good characters but the villain had his own dark aura cast on the story. He was quite creepy and lecherous. Amongst all the kidnappers, the author managed to cast a ray of hope with a character called Martin.
My niggles too started swimming toward me, the initial half post kidnapping was only filled with the governing council talking. The latter half was action filled and with short chapters it was a fast read.
My first book by Rachel McLean, I could devour it over a few hours. The writing made me imagine how such a dystopian world would be where there was no antibiotics. It felt like the beginning of life even when most had lived a fast paced technology filled lives, and here they had nothing. Quite scary!
The characters were varied, there were many good characters but the villain had his own dark aura cast on the story. He was quite creepy and lecherous. Amongst all the kidnappers, the author managed to cast a ray of hope with a character called Martin.
My niggles too started swimming toward me, the initial half post kidnapping was only filled with the governing council talking. The latter half was action filled and with short chapters it was a fast read.
March 11, 2019
Thicker Than Water is a scarily realistic dystopian thriller set in a future where the UK has been decimated by a devastating flood. It is six years after the floods and Jess Dyer,her brother Ben and his wife Ruth have found safety in a village on the wild north Yorkshire coast. The community has its own council,laws,everything has to be rationed,there is the usual tensions and disagreements that you find in any community but despite all the hardships,they are getting through each day,the best that they can. But Jess's decision to answer a SOS at sea and bring three strangers into the community has devastating consequences. Four women including Ruth are kidnapped and Jess finds herself having to calm the community,mount a rescue mission and keep her brother from tipping into insanity.
Why have the women been taken? Can Jess find them before it is too late?
The story is narrated from the perspectives of a number of vivid characters including Jess,Ruth and creepy,sinister Robert and told in short,snappy chapters that give the reader a very bad case of just one more chapter syndrome. All the characters were well rounded and realistic,I loved gutsy,feisty Ruth and couldn't help rooting for her during her encounters with sinister Robert. I also liked Jess but I can't say I was very impressed with her brother Ben. The descriptive elements of the story were breath taking and as I read the story it wasn't difficult to visualise the devastation and destruction that the flood had caused.
This is a gripping,fast paced story of obsession revenge and belonging that had me hooked in from the first page. I haven't read the previous book that goes into more detail about the flood but that didn't spoil my enjoyment of Thicker Than Water which works well as a stand alone. I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be reading The Flood to find out how it all started and look forward to finding out what is going to happen next in Sea Of Lies.
Many thanks to Rachel Gibley of Rachel's Random Resources Tour Hosts and publishers Catawampus Press for a arc of this book in exchange for a honest review and the opportunity to take part in the Blog Blitz
Why have the women been taken? Can Jess find them before it is too late?
The story is narrated from the perspectives of a number of vivid characters including Jess,Ruth and creepy,sinister Robert and told in short,snappy chapters that give the reader a very bad case of just one more chapter syndrome. All the characters were well rounded and realistic,I loved gutsy,feisty Ruth and couldn't help rooting for her during her encounters with sinister Robert. I also liked Jess but I can't say I was very impressed with her brother Ben. The descriptive elements of the story were breath taking and as I read the story it wasn't difficult to visualise the devastation and destruction that the flood had caused.
This is a gripping,fast paced story of obsession revenge and belonging that had me hooked in from the first page. I haven't read the previous book that goes into more detail about the flood but that didn't spoil my enjoyment of Thicker Than Water which works well as a stand alone. I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be reading The Flood to find out how it all started and look forward to finding out what is going to happen next in Sea Of Lies.
Many thanks to Rachel Gibley of Rachel's Random Resources Tour Hosts and publishers Catawampus Press for a arc of this book in exchange for a honest review and the opportunity to take part in the Blog Blitz
March 10, 2019
Wow, this author sets out to make you think and she certainly succeeds in this thrilling, timely, dystopian story. With all the warnings about the impact of global warning and climate change this story imagines the impact of devastating floods on life in the UK, focussing on a family who escaped from flooded London travelling to live in a small, isolated community on the North Yorkshire coast near to Filey. However, this is not a tranquil existence as other locals resent them, things we take for granted are no longer available, there's no reliable power sources, law and order has broken down and they are under constant threat from them.
When they spot a ship in distress and rescue the three strangers on board they hadn't expected the impact on their community, families, lives and relationships. There are secrets from the past coming to haunt some of them, vengeance is being sought and danger surrounds them all.
This is a well paced, character driven thriller where obsessions affect behaviours and reactions. It is only through the relationships amongst this close knit community that they have any hope of surviving but even that is now in peril. Can they work together, putting some concerns behind them to move on to a future together or will the past be seriously detrimental and threaten the safety and well being of them all? This is part of a series but still works well as a standalone - I haven't read any other books in the series and still enjoyed this one.
I requested and was gifted a copy of this book and this is my honest opinion after choosing to read it.
When they spot a ship in distress and rescue the three strangers on board they hadn't expected the impact on their community, families, lives and relationships. There are secrets from the past coming to haunt some of them, vengeance is being sought and danger surrounds them all.
This is a well paced, character driven thriller where obsessions affect behaviours and reactions. It is only through the relationships amongst this close knit community that they have any hope of surviving but even that is now in peril. Can they work together, putting some concerns behind them to move on to a future together or will the past be seriously detrimental and threaten the safety and well being of them all? This is part of a series but still works well as a standalone - I haven't read any other books in the series and still enjoyed this one.
I requested and was gifted a copy of this book and this is my honest opinion after choosing to read it.
March 11, 2019
The story starts with a prologue in the present and in chapter one the clock has been turned forward 6 years.
The author outlines live in a small community of people being brought together after a serious ordeal and now they are trying to survive with the little means they have. Although it’s though they seem to be able to make it work until disaster strikes again and the past that was hidden for a long time comes back to haunt some of them, but affecting the whole village.
Can they work together to solve everything or do some prefer to go solo? Can they go back to their peaceful life or have some relationships been broken for ever?
The author leaves us in the dark for a very long time before she starts unravelling the past but this only wants to make you keep on reading.
The very short chapters which I like very much add speed to the story and there is a lot going on.
The only thing that was not clear for be was that I can’t really situate the story in time. Is it dystopian? I can’t imagine that after six years the situation would still be the it was in the story in our society?
There were parts that I liked, but it was not really my cup of tea. 3 stars.
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
The author outlines live in a small community of people being brought together after a serious ordeal and now they are trying to survive with the little means they have. Although it’s though they seem to be able to make it work until disaster strikes again and the past that was hidden for a long time comes back to haunt some of them, but affecting the whole village.
Can they work together to solve everything or do some prefer to go solo? Can they go back to their peaceful life or have some relationships been broken for ever?
The author leaves us in the dark for a very long time before she starts unravelling the past but this only wants to make you keep on reading.
The very short chapters which I like very much add speed to the story and there is a lot going on.
The only thing that was not clear for be was that I can’t really situate the story in time. Is it dystopian? I can’t imagine that after six years the situation would still be the it was in the story in our society?
There were parts that I liked, but it was not really my cup of tea. 3 stars.
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
March 11, 2019
This is my first read by this author and it won’t be my last. This story surprised me in that it’s not my normal kinda read and I enjoyed it.. that says it all lol
Set in the future this story is based around Jess and Ruth. After a flood destroys most of their country a small population of people set up their own community.
I really liked this story. Good plot with an interesting storyline. Relatable characters added so much to the story. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.
Set in the future this story is based around Jess and Ruth. After a flood destroys most of their country a small population of people set up their own community.
I really liked this story. Good plot with an interesting storyline. Relatable characters added so much to the story. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.
March 13, 2019
Thicker than water by Rachel McLean.
This was a fantastic read with likeable characters. I didn't like Ted at all. Or Robert. Lots of action. Looking forward to the next book. 5*.
This was a fantastic read with likeable characters. I didn't like Ted at all. Or Robert. Lots of action. Looking forward to the next book. 5*.
March 11, 2019
Thicker Than Water by Rachel McLean is a gripping tale about a group of people getting back to normalcy after a devastating flood. There’s so much I want to say about this book but since it won’t be polite of me to jam all my thoughts in this one section, I will, ever so elegantly, keep my control and follow the discipline of giving you a clean and segregated review.
Phew! That took a lot of effort! If you want to know my thoughts and an in-depth review, then please stay on this page and keep reading.
Summary
The setting of the story is in somewhere-in-the-future England that has been devastated by floods. A community of people have gathered and formed a ‘village’ and are picking up the pieces of their disrupted lives. When Ruth and a few other girls from the village are abducted, Ruth’s sister-in-law, Jess, and a few others take it upon themselves to find them.
With challenging conditions and volatile tempers, Jess somehow finds the courage to lead the journey. But does she realise whom she is dealing with? And will she be able to keep her promise to Ben, her brother, to get Ruth back?
What I Liked
I loved the book! It is what I’d like to call a thriller with a difference. When I started the book, I couldn’t have imagined the route it would take. And then after a few abductions, the plot changes completely!
The start was slow for me but as the story progressed, I simply couldn’t put it down. The writing style, impeccable as usual.
More than the story, the characters are what caught my attention. They are a mixed bag and the author has succeeded in making them seem so genuine. Their emotions and actions mirror what a real person would have done in the same situation. Brilliant!
What I Did Not Like
To be frank, I didn’t enjoy the first half much. It went on and on about how the floods affected everyone. But that’s about it. As I said, the story takes a different shape once you really get into it.
Other Details
I have always have loved Rachel’s’ writing style. It is unique in a way that keeps the reader fixated, not an easy gift to come by.
Thicker Than Water has a sequel and it is called Sea of Lies. I will be reviewing that as well, so watch this space. Man, I can’t wait to find out what happens to the characters.
Would I Recommend It?
Of course! I have been a fan of the author’s writing and, trust me, she never disappoints!
Phew! That took a lot of effort! If you want to know my thoughts and an in-depth review, then please stay on this page and keep reading.
Summary
The setting of the story is in somewhere-in-the-future England that has been devastated by floods. A community of people have gathered and formed a ‘village’ and are picking up the pieces of their disrupted lives. When Ruth and a few other girls from the village are abducted, Ruth’s sister-in-law, Jess, and a few others take it upon themselves to find them.
With challenging conditions and volatile tempers, Jess somehow finds the courage to lead the journey. But does she realise whom she is dealing with? And will she be able to keep her promise to Ben, her brother, to get Ruth back?
What I Liked
I loved the book! It is what I’d like to call a thriller with a difference. When I started the book, I couldn’t have imagined the route it would take. And then after a few abductions, the plot changes completely!
The start was slow for me but as the story progressed, I simply couldn’t put it down. The writing style, impeccable as usual.
More than the story, the characters are what caught my attention. They are a mixed bag and the author has succeeded in making them seem so genuine. Their emotions and actions mirror what a real person would have done in the same situation. Brilliant!
What I Did Not Like
To be frank, I didn’t enjoy the first half much. It went on and on about how the floods affected everyone. But that’s about it. As I said, the story takes a different shape once you really get into it.
Other Details
I have always have loved Rachel’s’ writing style. It is unique in a way that keeps the reader fixated, not an easy gift to come by.
Thicker Than Water has a sequel and it is called Sea of Lies. I will be reviewing that as well, so watch this space. Man, I can’t wait to find out what happens to the characters.
Would I Recommend It?
Of course! I have been a fan of the author’s writing and, trust me, she never disappoints!
March 11, 2019
Thicker Than Water is the debut novel by author Rachel McLean. A post-disaster thriller.
Set in the near future on the North Yorkshire coast and the UK has flooded, the Thames Barrier breached and a lot of the country is now under water…..the survivors have settled into small isolated communities, scraping a living from the land and what they can find.
They have set up a kind of government where a steward is in charge, but most decisions are made by discussions and votes. Jess is the new steward but her brother, Ben is very upset as he feels he she has stolen his job…how important is family ? And will the be able to resolve their issues?
Ben’s wife, Ruth was a vet but now administers to everyone using the meagre supplies they have…
One night, Jess sees a distress signal at sea and the community manage to rescue three men from the freezing water, and get them to land. There is some discussion as to what to do with them , but they find somewhere far them to stay…while discussion continues…..
But……then they disappear….and some of the women with them, including Ruth…
This is where the story really gets going….there’s kidnap, secrets, and a daring rescue attempt. Who is Robert ? What is his relationship to Ben?
A really gripping thriller with so much happening to keep you totally engrossed…..wonderful expressive writing. I’d love to know more about how the country fell apart in such away and I’ll be looking out for more by Rachel McLean that’s for sure….
Thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the ebook in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.
Set in the near future on the North Yorkshire coast and the UK has flooded, the Thames Barrier breached and a lot of the country is now under water…..the survivors have settled into small isolated communities, scraping a living from the land and what they can find.
They have set up a kind of government where a steward is in charge, but most decisions are made by discussions and votes. Jess is the new steward but her brother, Ben is very upset as he feels he she has stolen his job…how important is family ? And will the be able to resolve their issues?
Ben’s wife, Ruth was a vet but now administers to everyone using the meagre supplies they have…
One night, Jess sees a distress signal at sea and the community manage to rescue three men from the freezing water, and get them to land. There is some discussion as to what to do with them , but they find somewhere far them to stay…while discussion continues…..
But……then they disappear….and some of the women with them, including Ruth…
This is where the story really gets going….there’s kidnap, secrets, and a daring rescue attempt. Who is Robert ? What is his relationship to Ben?
A really gripping thriller with so much happening to keep you totally engrossed…..wonderful expressive writing. I’d love to know more about how the country fell apart in such away and I’ll be looking out for more by Rachel McLean that’s for sure….
Thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the ebook in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.
March 11, 2019
I have read Rachel McLean's books before, and I noticed the writing style she has and the way she does it is such an amazing way that make us curious about the story and to learn more about this dystopian like world. And in "Thicker Than Water" we get that too.
From the blurb I know it would be, yet again, a book that would capture my attention from beginning to finish. And I was right. As we get into the story more with each page, we learn more about what happened and understand the world and the new society that is created.
Speaking about society, the characters were quite intriguing. The tension between them and the mystery surrounding them and the plot were one of the elements that made me enjoy the novel. Jess, Ben, Ruth... Each one of them with their own demons, ideas, goals... And of course things get an unexpected turn when strangers appear.
Overall, it was a action and thrilling packed journey, that has family, community, suspicion, betrayal, mystery and beliefs. The pace helped with the suspense and the well-written characters and plot kept me connected with the all storyline.
That all been said, I quite enjoyed the book and I won't talk about it in detail because I recommend you all to check it out and get sucked in to this thrilling book, trying to discover the truth and uncover the mysteries.
From the blurb I know it would be, yet again, a book that would capture my attention from beginning to finish. And I was right. As we get into the story more with each page, we learn more about what happened and understand the world and the new society that is created.
Speaking about society, the characters were quite intriguing. The tension between them and the mystery surrounding them and the plot were one of the elements that made me enjoy the novel. Jess, Ben, Ruth... Each one of them with their own demons, ideas, goals... And of course things get an unexpected turn when strangers appear.
Overall, it was a action and thrilling packed journey, that has family, community, suspicion, betrayal, mystery and beliefs. The pace helped with the suspense and the well-written characters and plot kept me connected with the all storyline.
That all been said, I quite enjoyed the book and I won't talk about it in detail because I recommend you all to check it out and get sucked in to this thrilling book, trying to discover the truth and uncover the mysteries.
May 28, 2019
Thicker Than Water
Having enjoyed previous books by Rachel McLean, I was eager to try Thicker Than Water, I wasn’t disappointed!
Thicker Than Water follows the Dyers as they strive to forge roles in their new community following devastating floods that wiped out the country. I loved that this dystopian type novel was set in the North, and that I was familiar with some of the settings; it really added to the imagery in my head!
This book is a real page turner and there will be some surprises along the way as we follow Jess and Ruth, with some twists thrown in to keep the intrigue peaking. I really enjoyed this story and would definitely recommend it to others! Five stars from purplebookstand.
Having enjoyed previous books by Rachel McLean, I was eager to try Thicker Than Water, I wasn’t disappointed!
Thicker Than Water follows the Dyers as they strive to forge roles in their new community following devastating floods that wiped out the country. I loved that this dystopian type novel was set in the North, and that I was familiar with some of the settings; it really added to the imagery in my head!
This book is a real page turner and there will be some surprises along the way as we follow Jess and Ruth, with some twists thrown in to keep the intrigue peaking. I really enjoyed this story and would definitely recommend it to others! Five stars from purplebookstand.
March 3, 2019
After reading a few from this author I was looking forward to reading her new series . Again, set in the future , we come across as self mad , self sufficient community after floods in England changed life beyond recognition. But your past can still haunt you !! Where I still find I like Rachel’s style of writing and can easily become immersed in her stories, I can’t say I enjoyed this as much as her last series . Still a good read but , maybe , lacking a little depth . My thanks to tbc reviewers and the author for the opportunity to read . 3.5 stars
May 3, 2019
Often people say there is nothing funnier than families or something like that at least. And this story of family and the tangle web of lies.. an excellent book and the characters enveloped me in the story drawing me in.. excellent book I shared with friends who also rated it highly.
March 17, 2019
An excellent dystopic thriller set in post-flood Britain. Survivors who escaped to a village in the north of England are threatened by the appearance of men from a neighbouring community. I love the descriptions of settings and the way the tension builds. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author
March 11, 2019
Rachel McLean certainly has the knack when it comes to writing only too believable dystopian thrillers; her Division Bell trilogy imagined a political landscape shaped by fear of terrorism and in Thicker Than Water she creates a near future in which cataclysmic flooding has irrevocably changed the country.
The book's brief introduction outlines the start of the flood but the majority of the novel is set six years after the event. Jess Dyer, her brother, Ben and his wife, Ruth fled from London and eventually found a place of refuge in a small community on the North Yorkshire coast. One of the many things I enjoyed about Thicker Than Water is that although there are occasional mentions of the immediate aftermath of the floods and the various struggles the characters went through before arriving in the village, the storyline is now mostly focused on what has become their new normality. Younger children can't remember a world with twenty-four-hour power, more toys than they have time to play with and food that isn't strictly rationed. The residents of the community have formed a council to handle all decision making and Jess has been newly elected its steward - bringing her into conflict with her brother who was the previous incumbent and who had hoped to extend his tenure beyond the usual two year period.
As much as Thicker Than Water is about change - the community are constantly aware that as refugees they are vulnerable to attack from disgruntled locals and can expect little support from a hostile police force - it's also about recognising that new circumstances don't negate what has happened in the past or mean that people forced to live side by side will be able to form a peaceful utopian society. The man who was a racist bully previously is still a racist bully, sibling guilt and anger doesn't just disappear and long-kept secrets from the past can still come to light.
Much of the tension in the book comes from Jess' fateful decision to rescue and give shelter to three men stranded out at sea. The resulting aftermath sees Ruth become a vital character in the novel as she learns not only what she is capable of but also uncovers the reason for one of the strangers to have such a deep desire to seek revenge. I loved how Thicker Than Water constantly reinforces the various ways in which women can be strong - from Ruth's resilience and resourcefulness, to Jess' courage in the face of dismissive doubts about her capabilities as steward, to the quieter shows of strength from Dawn, who spends her days managing things to keep her husband calm, and her daughter, Sarah who has been brought up in her father's domineering shadow but is still able to find an inner fortitude that allows her to rely on her own instincts even under extreme duress.
The vivid sense of place means that I could easily picture this altered landscape of scattered communities existing among the floodplains and marshlands and the challenges of living with limited resources are perceptively depicted. After including the Division Bell trilogy in my list of top reads for 2018, it gives me immense pleasure to be able to just as strongly recommend Thicker Than Water with its superb characterisation and intelligent, thought-provoking plot.
The book's brief introduction outlines the start of the flood but the majority of the novel is set six years after the event. Jess Dyer, her brother, Ben and his wife, Ruth fled from London and eventually found a place of refuge in a small community on the North Yorkshire coast. One of the many things I enjoyed about Thicker Than Water is that although there are occasional mentions of the immediate aftermath of the floods and the various struggles the characters went through before arriving in the village, the storyline is now mostly focused on what has become their new normality. Younger children can't remember a world with twenty-four-hour power, more toys than they have time to play with and food that isn't strictly rationed. The residents of the community have formed a council to handle all decision making and Jess has been newly elected its steward - bringing her into conflict with her brother who was the previous incumbent and who had hoped to extend his tenure beyond the usual two year period.
As much as Thicker Than Water is about change - the community are constantly aware that as refugees they are vulnerable to attack from disgruntled locals and can expect little support from a hostile police force - it's also about recognising that new circumstances don't negate what has happened in the past or mean that people forced to live side by side will be able to form a peaceful utopian society. The man who was a racist bully previously is still a racist bully, sibling guilt and anger doesn't just disappear and long-kept secrets from the past can still come to light.
Much of the tension in the book comes from Jess' fateful decision to rescue and give shelter to three men stranded out at sea. The resulting aftermath sees Ruth become a vital character in the novel as she learns not only what she is capable of but also uncovers the reason for one of the strangers to have such a deep desire to seek revenge. I loved how Thicker Than Water constantly reinforces the various ways in which women can be strong - from Ruth's resilience and resourcefulness, to Jess' courage in the face of dismissive doubts about her capabilities as steward, to the quieter shows of strength from Dawn, who spends her days managing things to keep her husband calm, and her daughter, Sarah who has been brought up in her father's domineering shadow but is still able to find an inner fortitude that allows her to rely on her own instincts even under extreme duress.
The vivid sense of place means that I could easily picture this altered landscape of scattered communities existing among the floodplains and marshlands and the challenges of living with limited resources are perceptively depicted. After including the Division Bell trilogy in my list of top reads for 2018, it gives me immense pleasure to be able to just as strongly recommend Thicker Than Water with its superb characterisation and intelligent, thought-provoking plot.
March 30, 2019
It's slightly bizarre reading a dystopian novel set in the area you live in, walk around in and drive through nearly every other day. It does however make it easier to picture the surroundings, although to be fair the author does a good job of describing them.
Jess finds her every word and decision being challenged by the people she is supposed to protect. She is a woman and she has inadvertently usurped her brother Ben. His supporters and Ben think she has betrayed her brother and isn't capable of keeping their small community protected.
When she sees a boat in distress one evening she decides to override the concerns of others and take some strangers in. To offer shelter to those in need. Little does she realise that this is the beginning of a nightmare for the town and her family.
Although this can be read as a standalone novel I think it's a given that reading the series will give the reader a bigger picture and allow the author to show where her premise is going. I would like to know what separates the small community from everyone and why are they a target for attacks?
McLean captures the narrow mindedness of a small community. The expectations of old lives vs the new expectations in line with the dangers of a world or country in the midst of a survival crisis. The inability to comprehend that where certain aspects of life, before the natural catastrophe took place, were easy and not worth a second thought, they have now become dangerous and life-threatening. One scratch, a cough or a rash can be fatal.
It's a dystopian, apocalyptic and futuristic tale, which is perhaps more of a reality than one would prefer to imagine. I think that is also an element of the premise I enjoyed, the more realistic approach to the end of the world as we know it or scenario which could be the beginning of the end, as opposed to something more fictional or less likely. The straw that breaks the camels back and throws the country into complete chaos and desperation.
*I received a courtesy copy*
Jess finds her every word and decision being challenged by the people she is supposed to protect. She is a woman and she has inadvertently usurped her brother Ben. His supporters and Ben think she has betrayed her brother and isn't capable of keeping their small community protected.
When she sees a boat in distress one evening she decides to override the concerns of others and take some strangers in. To offer shelter to those in need. Little does she realise that this is the beginning of a nightmare for the town and her family.
Although this can be read as a standalone novel I think it's a given that reading the series will give the reader a bigger picture and allow the author to show where her premise is going. I would like to know what separates the small community from everyone and why are they a target for attacks?
McLean captures the narrow mindedness of a small community. The expectations of old lives vs the new expectations in line with the dangers of a world or country in the midst of a survival crisis. The inability to comprehend that where certain aspects of life, before the natural catastrophe took place, were easy and not worth a second thought, they have now become dangerous and life-threatening. One scratch, a cough or a rash can be fatal.
It's a dystopian, apocalyptic and futuristic tale, which is perhaps more of a reality than one would prefer to imagine. I think that is also an element of the premise I enjoyed, the more realistic approach to the end of the world as we know it or scenario which could be the beginning of the end, as opposed to something more fictional or less likely. The straw that breaks the camels back and throws the country into complete chaos and desperation.
*I received a courtesy copy*
March 10, 2019
I chose to read this book after receiving a free copy. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.
I read The Division Bell trilogy and liked it, so I was happy to read Thicker Than Water. It took me quite a while to get into A House Divided (the first Division Bell book), and when I started this book, I was afraid it was going to be the same. Thankfully, I was wrong!
A community on the North Yorkshire coast has worked hard to survive after floods that wiped out their homes six years ago. They’re self-sufficient but on edge because they know there is danger lurking outside their community, and they always need to be on guard. At the same time, though, many believe they should help others in need. But how do they know when they can trust strangers?
Even with all of their precautions, they rescue strangers who are actually predators and they kidnap four of the women. Jess, the new leader of the community, heads a rescue party to save the women. Her sister-in-law, Ruth, is one of those kidnapped, and her brother is not dealing with it well.
Meanwhile, Ruth is a strong woman and is determined to find a way to escape. The tension is intense as she makes her plans and deals with a man who she knows is going to rape her soon. Can she put him off long enough? She also knows there’s at least one other woman being kept captive. How can she save her? Or can she?
Thicker Than Water is filled with suspense as well as the complications of the relationships between characters who are realistic. I enjoy Rachel McLean’s writing and the more I read, the better it gets! I can’t wait to read Sea of Lies.
I read The Division Bell trilogy and liked it, so I was happy to read Thicker Than Water. It took me quite a while to get into A House Divided (the first Division Bell book), and when I started this book, I was afraid it was going to be the same. Thankfully, I was wrong!
A community on the North Yorkshire coast has worked hard to survive after floods that wiped out their homes six years ago. They’re self-sufficient but on edge because they know there is danger lurking outside their community, and they always need to be on guard. At the same time, though, many believe they should help others in need. But how do they know when they can trust strangers?
Even with all of their precautions, they rescue strangers who are actually predators and they kidnap four of the women. Jess, the new leader of the community, heads a rescue party to save the women. Her sister-in-law, Ruth, is one of those kidnapped, and her brother is not dealing with it well.
Meanwhile, Ruth is a strong woman and is determined to find a way to escape. The tension is intense as she makes her plans and deals with a man who she knows is going to rape her soon. Can she put him off long enough? She also knows there’s at least one other woman being kept captive. How can she save her? Or can she?
Thicker Than Water is filled with suspense as well as the complications of the relationships between characters who are realistic. I enjoy Rachel McLean’s writing and the more I read, the better it gets! I can’t wait to read Sea of Lies.
March 13, 2019
this is an incredibly well crafted thriller meets dystopian world tale.
Following a not quite apocalyptic, but nevertheless devastating flood the story picks up 6 years downthe line with a band of refugees living in a holiday village on the North Yorkshire coast. The village seem pretty self sufficient, even having their own council and leadership as well as growing their own food. However immediately it becomes obvious that the world outside the village do not welcome them as 2 youths invade the village with a banner reading "go home" and references are made to the police not helping the community in previous times of unrest and trouble.
It is unclear why the refugees are so unwelcome but they do not mix at all with the local community, except for a small band of young men who do out to work at land reclamation projects to bring in money for things they cannot produce themselves.
The community is a good reflection of society everywhere with strong leaders, family secrets, lies and infighting and the way that the main characters are always on edge really brings to life the battle they fight just to exist in their new world and it turns out they are right to be suspicious of almost everything when a group of outsiders kidnap women from the village.
The writing keeps you reading, compulsively, to find out why Ruth was targeted, what Ben did, whether the bad people will come good and whether the community will survive.
An excellent read, made all the more chilling by the fact it is a dystopian scenario that is not particularly far fetched.
Following a not quite apocalyptic, but nevertheless devastating flood the story picks up 6 years downthe line with a band of refugees living in a holiday village on the North Yorkshire coast. The village seem pretty self sufficient, even having their own council and leadership as well as growing their own food. However immediately it becomes obvious that the world outside the village do not welcome them as 2 youths invade the village with a banner reading "go home" and references are made to the police not helping the community in previous times of unrest and trouble.
It is unclear why the refugees are so unwelcome but they do not mix at all with the local community, except for a small band of young men who do out to work at land reclamation projects to bring in money for things they cannot produce themselves.
The community is a good reflection of society everywhere with strong leaders, family secrets, lies and infighting and the way that the main characters are always on edge really brings to life the battle they fight just to exist in their new world and it turns out they are right to be suspicious of almost everything when a group of outsiders kidnap women from the village.
The writing keeps you reading, compulsively, to find out why Ruth was targeted, what Ben did, whether the bad people will come good and whether the community will survive.
An excellent read, made all the more chilling by the fact it is a dystopian scenario that is not particularly far fetched.
February 26, 2019
The book is set in the near future, six years after floods have devastated Britain and whole towns and cities are left uninhabitable. Jess Dyer and her family travelled north and found a safe haven in a small village near Filey on the North Yorkshire coast. They, and the rest of the villagers, have built a safe self-sufficient community, but all that is put at risk when they see an SOS signal from a boat off the shore and allow the three men onboard into their village.
I have to say I absolutely loved this book. It wasn’t what I expected from the blurb, but I devoured it in one day. I just couldn’t put it down. The story of a community trying to survive was addictive. One of the reasons I wanted to read the book is that it is set in East Yorkshire, close to where I live and so know lots of the places mentioned, and it was quite chilling to read about them being devastated, made into ghost towns by the floods. There are quite a lot of characters but Ms McLean managed to make them all memorable, especially Jess and Ruth, and the ‘baddie’, Robert. The story is told in fairly short chapters from the perspective of the different characters. Soon we begin to realize that all is not what it seems and that some of the villagers have secrets.
This is the first book I have read by Rachel McLean but I’m sure it won’t be the last. I believe there is going to be a sequel to this book and I can’t wait to read more about this little community.
I have to say I absolutely loved this book. It wasn’t what I expected from the blurb, but I devoured it in one day. I just couldn’t put it down. The story of a community trying to survive was addictive. One of the reasons I wanted to read the book is that it is set in East Yorkshire, close to where I live and so know lots of the places mentioned, and it was quite chilling to read about them being devastated, made into ghost towns by the floods. There are quite a lot of characters but Ms McLean managed to make them all memorable, especially Jess and Ruth, and the ‘baddie’, Robert. The story is told in fairly short chapters from the perspective of the different characters. Soon we begin to realize that all is not what it seems and that some of the villagers have secrets.
This is the first book I have read by Rachel McLean but I’m sure it won’t be the last. I believe there is going to be a sequel to this book and I can’t wait to read more about this little community.
March 18, 2019
This book is set in the UK after devastating floods have wiped out a lot of the country and forced people to venture up North to find refuge. We meet Jess and her family and friends in their village, where they are pretty much self-sufficient and have to protect their community from outsiders.
Jess has been newly elected to look after her village when she spots a boat off the coast that’s in trouble. Although the Villagers aren’t keen on a rescue mission, they go ahead and bring back the three men they’ve rescued…..with dire consequences…..4 of the women from the village are kidnapped, including Jess’ sister-in-law Ruth.
There are a lot of angry and worried people in the village, and Jess has to work out the best way forward…… They have no choice but to head off and try to find the missing women…..but will they be successful? Where are the being held? What is happening to them? And why were they kidnapped in the first place?
I wasn’t sure about this book to start with but got completely sucked in….and then couldn’t put it down! I just wanted to find out what happened and get to the end!! And now I can…not…WAIT to read the next book by McLean! I will most definitely be looking to read more from her!
If you’re looking for a book that will keep you turning the page, with excitement, suspense and drama then you need to check this out!!
Jess has been newly elected to look after her village when she spots a boat off the coast that’s in trouble. Although the Villagers aren’t keen on a rescue mission, they go ahead and bring back the three men they’ve rescued…..with dire consequences…..4 of the women from the village are kidnapped, including Jess’ sister-in-law Ruth.
There are a lot of angry and worried people in the village, and Jess has to work out the best way forward…… They have no choice but to head off and try to find the missing women…..but will they be successful? Where are the being held? What is happening to them? And why were they kidnapped in the first place?
I wasn’t sure about this book to start with but got completely sucked in….and then couldn’t put it down! I just wanted to find out what happened and get to the end!! And now I can…not…WAIT to read the next book by McLean! I will most definitely be looking to read more from her!
If you’re looking for a book that will keep you turning the page, with excitement, suspense and drama then you need to check this out!!
March 3, 2019
This book is small but certainly packed full of excitement.
Nature fights back at the start of the book and destroys the flood defences of the UK leaving the people to fight for survival. A group of about 200 set up home in what was a holiday camp near Filey on the east coast. They form their own council, laws and systems to make life work.
One night Jess, the newly appointed Steward, spots a distress signal out in the North Sea and a rescue mission saves 3 men. From that point on the lives of the residents of the little village change beyond belief.
What can they do to solve what's happened? Jess has to fight the politics of the group, while trying to resolve what's happened.
I loved the relationship between Jess and her brother Ben, the previous Steward whose job she took. All the characters are exactly the kind of folk you'd find down any street in the UK and Mother Earth kicking back makes this book particularly poignant in this time of global warming.
Rachel McLean has a book club where, once you're a member, you get access to the stories of how some of the residents arrived in the village. Needless to say I've already joined and eagerly await this prequel.
Thicker Than Water is definitely worth reading.
Nature fights back at the start of the book and destroys the flood defences of the UK leaving the people to fight for survival. A group of about 200 set up home in what was a holiday camp near Filey on the east coast. They form their own council, laws and systems to make life work.
One night Jess, the newly appointed Steward, spots a distress signal out in the North Sea and a rescue mission saves 3 men. From that point on the lives of the residents of the little village change beyond belief.
What can they do to solve what's happened? Jess has to fight the politics of the group, while trying to resolve what's happened.
I loved the relationship between Jess and her brother Ben, the previous Steward whose job she took. All the characters are exactly the kind of folk you'd find down any street in the UK and Mother Earth kicking back makes this book particularly poignant in this time of global warming.
Rachel McLean has a book club where, once you're a member, you get access to the stories of how some of the residents arrived in the village. Needless to say I've already joined and eagerly await this prequel.
Thicker Than Water is definitely worth reading.
March 5, 2019
Having previously read and enjoyed the Division Bell Trilogy by Rachel McLean, I looked forward to reading this book.
The story is about a village that is surviving six years on after terrible floods have destroyed most the country. We experience the life, trial and tribulations of the villagers. The village try to live normal lives, including having law and order which they do by appointing a council. The head of the council is the Steward, who has the final say when it comes to making decisions in the village. Jess is appointed Steward after a very controversial decision is made. One of Jess' actions lead to the danger of the villagers. Jess has to take action to resolve what she started. However, all is not as it seems.
I was really intrigued by the synopsis of this book and the front cover also caught my attention. I have not read the prequel, so was unaware of the storyline. The story had me gripped from the beginning and I was really interested to see where the story lead. The plot had me engrossed, holding my attention, full of unexpected twists. The one problem I had with the book is that I felt it was unnecessarily long, I feel certain chapters could have been put together. Overall a very enjoyable and gripping read.
The story is about a village that is surviving six years on after terrible floods have destroyed most the country. We experience the life, trial and tribulations of the villagers. The village try to live normal lives, including having law and order which they do by appointing a council. The head of the council is the Steward, who has the final say when it comes to making decisions in the village. Jess is appointed Steward after a very controversial decision is made. One of Jess' actions lead to the danger of the villagers. Jess has to take action to resolve what she started. However, all is not as it seems.
I was really intrigued by the synopsis of this book and the front cover also caught my attention. I have not read the prequel, so was unaware of the storyline. The story had me gripped from the beginning and I was really interested to see where the story lead. The plot had me engrossed, holding my attention, full of unexpected twists. The one problem I had with the book is that I felt it was unnecessarily long, I feel certain chapters could have been put together. Overall a very enjoyable and gripping read.
July 23, 2019
Thicker Than Water is Book one in ‘The Village’ series by Rachel McLean. It’s a fast paced, gripping family thriller about belonging and revenge. Set six years after major floods have destroyed England, it focuses on a small refuge village on the North Yorkshire coast, a wild and remote place and its surviving occupants. Main characters Jess and her brother Ben, along with his wife Ruth are realistic and likeable. Tragedy occurs when Jess answers a distress call at sea and brings outsiders into the Village, resulting in the kidnap of Ruth. Jess and Ben along with other villagers mount a rescue mission but they also want answers to why Ruth was kidnapped and what is the connection between brother Ben and his wife’s kidnappers?
I was hooked from page one, and found the writing fast paced, clever and easy to read. I have now read and enjoyed the second book in the trilogy , Sea of Lies.
I was hooked from page one, and found the writing fast paced, clever and easy to read. I have now read and enjoyed the second book in the trilogy , Sea of Lies.
March 11, 2019
First book I have read by Rachel McLean and was not disappointed. Gripping from the start being set on the north Yorkshire coast slightly in the future after Thames floods.
With disaster having hit once and the loss of Sonia (Jess and Ben's mother) the village have started moving on until disaster hits again. Questioning can the village work together to solve the mystery that has happened? Will all relationships remain as solid as had been before?
The story unfolds slowly with snippets of information passed across but in such a way it still keeps you intrigued and wanting to read on.
I enjoyed the small chapters split from different characters viewpoints which makes you quickly question views and points made from different perspectives aswell as adding speed to the story.
With disaster having hit once and the loss of Sonia (Jess and Ben's mother) the village have started moving on until disaster hits again. Questioning can the village work together to solve the mystery that has happened? Will all relationships remain as solid as had been before?
The story unfolds slowly with snippets of information passed across but in such a way it still keeps you intrigued and wanting to read on.
I enjoyed the small chapters split from different characters viewpoints which makes you quickly question views and points made from different perspectives aswell as adding speed to the story.
May 1, 2019
I received a copy of this book from TBC reviewers- thank you
I've been lucky enough to have read a few of Rachel's books in the past and knew I was in for another fabulous read. she didn't disappoint.
As an author Rachel seems to favour setting her books in the near future with just enough of a twist on current events to really make you think. This books talks about flooded areas communities having to set up and be self sufficient- a really powerful image. In the area that the book talks about (East Yorkshire) there has been flooding issues in recent years and she manages to pull together another stunning'what if' novel
A brilliant read- thank you
I've been lucky enough to have read a few of Rachel's books in the past and knew I was in for another fabulous read. she didn't disappoint.
As an author Rachel seems to favour setting her books in the near future with just enough of a twist on current events to really make you think. This books talks about flooded areas communities having to set up and be self sufficient- a really powerful image. In the area that the book talks about (East Yorkshire) there has been flooding issues in recent years and she manages to pull together another stunning'what if' novel
A brilliant read- thank you
March 16, 2019
I enjoyed this book. You will find her reasons for the theme at the end of the book, but in this current climate (no pun intended!) it really does make you think.
She has took a scenario that is well within the realms of possibility and created some very well rounded characters especially in Jess and Ben. I found myself wanting to know more about their back story and this is drip fed to you as the story unfolds.
Although the main story is about revenge, there are lots of other themes explored such as sibling rivalry, regret, leadership and loyalty.
I am looking forward to reading the next in the series. It was also nice to see in the acknowledgements a mention for Birmingham.
She has took a scenario that is well within the realms of possibility and created some very well rounded characters especially in Jess and Ben. I found myself wanting to know more about their back story and this is drip fed to you as the story unfolds.
Although the main story is about revenge, there are lots of other themes explored such as sibling rivalry, regret, leadership and loyalty.
I am looking forward to reading the next in the series. It was also nice to see in the acknowledgements a mention for Birmingham.
May 22, 2019
Not really a fan of dystopian worlds in books or films so initially wasn’t fussed on the England based in the future where people are forced to be self-sufficient due to the floods, but I know it’s reliant to the plot. Wasn’t overly ‘thriller’ for my liking, although it did have its moments. That’s just my opinion though. On positive notes, I’m happy that the next book focuses on Martin as he was one of the more interesting characters, and want to see how Ted and Sarah’s relationships within the village are continued. I enjoyed Robert as a villain and the introduction of the everyday farm house gave it a spooky feel. Now to start on the next one....
Thank you to TBC for my copy
Thank you to TBC for my copy
August 25, 2019
This book is set in a village where self-sufficiency is the key - the country has been devastated by floods, and it appears only isolated communities are left. This story focuses on one such community, which has a policy of taking in those in need. This backfires on them, and they are left trying to rescue their missing people, battling another community.
It was fascinating to read of the village and the way they manage themselves, and the glimpses of the world beyond were tantalising. Some of the actions were a bit odd, but the story itself flowed along nicely and kept me reading. I'm looking forward to continuing on to the next books in the series.
It was fascinating to read of the village and the way they manage themselves, and the glimpses of the world beyond were tantalising. Some of the actions were a bit odd, but the story itself flowed along nicely and kept me reading. I'm looking forward to continuing on to the next books in the series.
November 16, 2019
I have to say this was not at all what I expected but I loved it none the less. It is the first book in a trilogy and sets the scene brilliantly. After floods destroy the country Jess and her family settle on the North Yorkshire coast building a self-sufficient community. All seems well until they rescue a boat in distress and allow the 3 men onboard to join their community. The next day 4 women disappear. The rescue mission is intriguing and gripping and the characters varied and complex.
Thank-you to The Book Club Reviewer Group and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Thank-you to The Book Club Reviewer Group and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book.
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