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The Lucky Eight
When the plane crashed, 160 people perished. Now someone killing off the survivors.
Five years ago, a horrific airline disaster made headlines around the world. On the anniversary of the fatal crash, a number of those who were spared gather to mark the occasion. By morning, Nick Gilbert, a celebrity chef and one of the party, lies dead. Detective Rachel Lewis leads the investigation and within days another survivor is stabbed to death. It seems certain that a killer is targeting the lucky eight.
Clodagh Kinsella recovered from the injuries she sustained in the crash, but lost her sister that day. The bereavement shared by Clodagh and her sister’s husband led them to a romance of their own. Yet lately, Clodagh knows something isn’t right. As the noose tightens on the group and Rachel comes across more questions than answers, it’s only a matter of time before Clodagh will have to face the consequences of a mistake she made before the plane went down…
A tense and gripping crime thriller, perfect for fans of Lesley Kara and Mari Hannah.
Five years ago, a horrific airline disaster made headlines around the world. On the anniversary of the fatal crash, a number of those who were spared gather to mark the occasion. By morning, Nick Gilbert, a celebrity chef and one of the party, lies dead. Detective Rachel Lewis leads the investigation and within days another survivor is stabbed to death. It seems certain that a killer is targeting the lucky eight.
Clodagh Kinsella recovered from the injuries she sustained in the crash, but lost her sister that day. The bereavement shared by Clodagh and her sister’s husband led them to a romance of their own. Yet lately, Clodagh knows something isn’t right. As the noose tightens on the group and Rachel comes across more questions than answers, it’s only a matter of time before Clodagh will have to face the consequences of a mistake she made before the plane went down…
A tense and gripping crime thriller, perfect for fans of Lesley Kara and Mari Hannah.
277 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 22, 2021
67 people are currently reading
606 people want to read
About the author
Sheila Bugler
31 books109 followersI'm the author of the Ellen Kelly and Dee Doran crime novels. My first stand alone novel, The Lucky Eight, is published in July 2021.
I grew up in a small town in the west of Ireland. After studying Psychology at University College Galway, I left Ireland and worked in Italy, Spain, Germany, Holland, Argentina and London before finally settling in Eastbourne, where I now live with my husband, Sean, and our two children.
I grew up in a small town in the west of Ireland. After studying Psychology at University College Galway, I left Ireland and worked in Italy, Spain, Germany, Holland, Argentina and London before finally settling in Eastbourne, where I now live with my husband, Sean, and our two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
June 21, 2021
Plane disasters seem to be the “thing” this summer in the mystery/suspense world. Let’s hope these authors don’t know something the rest of us aren't privy to…
In Sheila Bugler's The Lucky Eight we find ourselves at the 5 year reunion of a small group of the survivors of a plane crash. Over the years this group, deemed the "Lucky Eight" by the press, has bonded over their shared trauma and some have even found romance among the wreckage. But when one is found murdered, all of the sudden they find themselves the unlucky seven, wondering who among them is a murderer, and if one will soon find themselves the next victim.
The story unfolds from two different perspectives: Rachel, the investigator in charge of the case and Clodagh, one of the crash survivors who suffers from memory loss due to the incident. Rachel is largely forgettable, though the author made a good attempt to humanize her with some glimpses into her home life. Clodagh is a sympathetic character I wanted to root for, and it was nice to have an unreliable narrator for a reason other than mental illness or drinking.
I have to say, it took me a really long time to be able to keep people straight in this novel. Not just who was who and what relationship they had to each other, but I even found it hard to keep track of which characters were part of the “Lucky Eight” and which were just the Eight’s guests at the reunion. There’s a prologue with a brief article about the crash and I wonder if it would have helped if that article name checked all of the Eight, versus just three of them.
3.5 stars. This was a decent thriller but nothing that knocked my socks off or surprised me all that much. The chapters were short and the pace was quick, making this a great beach read. As long as you're not flying to your destination that is.
Publication date: July 22, 2021
Many thanks to NetGalley and Canelo Crime for an advance copy of this book for review.
In Sheila Bugler's The Lucky Eight we find ourselves at the 5 year reunion of a small group of the survivors of a plane crash. Over the years this group, deemed the "Lucky Eight" by the press, has bonded over their shared trauma and some have even found romance among the wreckage. But when one is found murdered, all of the sudden they find themselves the unlucky seven, wondering who among them is a murderer, and if one will soon find themselves the next victim.
The story unfolds from two different perspectives: Rachel, the investigator in charge of the case and Clodagh, one of the crash survivors who suffers from memory loss due to the incident. Rachel is largely forgettable, though the author made a good attempt to humanize her with some glimpses into her home life. Clodagh is a sympathetic character I wanted to root for, and it was nice to have an unreliable narrator for a reason other than mental illness or drinking.
I have to say, it took me a really long time to be able to keep people straight in this novel. Not just who was who and what relationship they had to each other, but I even found it hard to keep track of which characters were part of the “Lucky Eight” and which were just the Eight’s guests at the reunion. There’s a prologue with a brief article about the crash and I wonder if it would have helped if that article name checked all of the Eight, versus just three of them.
3.5 stars. This was a decent thriller but nothing that knocked my socks off or surprised me all that much. The chapters were short and the pace was quick, making this a great beach read. As long as you're not flying to your destination that is.
Publication date: July 22, 2021
Many thanks to NetGalley and Canelo Crime for an advance copy of this book for review.
August 8, 2021
I kept hoping that I would get into this book, but I never did. The characters were unremarkable and not all that likable. The plot was pretty scattered, too. There were lots of random facts thrown out, but they don’t ever add up to much. It just feels like things are happening with little meaning behind it.
July 23, 2021
Finished reading: June 10th 2021
"This case was going to be messy and complex and drawn out. All of it conducted beneath the unforgiving glare of the tabloid press."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
P.S. Find more of my reviews here.
June 4, 2021
First off I want to say a huge thank you to Love Book Tours, the publisher Canelo Crime, and the author Sheila Bugler for the invite to read and review The Lucky Eight. And I'm so glad that I said yes because not only did I find a new author to read but her story reminds me of some of my favorite who done it stories and movies, where a group of friends comes together and suddenly there's a murder and everyone has secrets that they don't want to come out, mixed with the fact that the eight friends came together because they were the Lucky Eight, the only survivors of a trouble plane crashed that happened five years ago. As your reading it one moment you think you know who the murder is and then the next you realize that you have no clue rights so ever. The story is fast pace and keeps the twist and turns a coming.
July 22, 2021
Rating: 2.0/5
Having read the accompanying marketing blurb, I was looking forward to reading this very much. It sounded as if it could be a modern take on the tried and trusted "And Then There Were None" formula that can work so well in the crime thriller genre. Sadly, this is nothing of the sort. In spite of the promising premise it is ultimately very ordinary and has too many shortcomings to make it anything more than "just another murder mystery".
Although the narrative is only told from two perspectives (that of Clodagh and DI Rachel Lewis) there is a pretty large cast of characters for readers to try to keep track of: From Clodagh's side there are the eponymous "Luck Eight" survivors of the plane crash, plus their extended circle of significant others. Then from Rachel's sections there is the team investigating the crime. I like to think that I am pretty adept at retaining a fair amount of pertinent detail, but I found this a struggle. It doesn't make for enjoyable reading when you constantly have to either check back to remind yourself who somebody is and the nature of their relationship to another character, or else make copious notes along the way, so that you don't forget.
Other readers may feel differently, but I wasn't comfortable with the author's style either. The dialogue was particularly poor and often quite stilted. There are a number of sections that are needlessly verbose and suggest that they are being used as nothing more than padding to increase the word count. Although the story takes place in a modern setting, and there are nods to diversity and the woke generation, stylistically this is not just clumsily melodramatic at times, but also reminiscent of a form of mystery writing that was more common some decades ago.
Overall, a passable way to spend some time, but certainly nothing special.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review.
Having read the accompanying marketing blurb, I was looking forward to reading this very much. It sounded as if it could be a modern take on the tried and trusted "And Then There Were None" formula that can work so well in the crime thriller genre. Sadly, this is nothing of the sort. In spite of the promising premise it is ultimately very ordinary and has too many shortcomings to make it anything more than "just another murder mystery".
Although the narrative is only told from two perspectives (that of Clodagh and DI Rachel Lewis) there is a pretty large cast of characters for readers to try to keep track of: From Clodagh's side there are the eponymous "Luck Eight" survivors of the plane crash, plus their extended circle of significant others. Then from Rachel's sections there is the team investigating the crime. I like to think that I am pretty adept at retaining a fair amount of pertinent detail, but I found this a struggle. It doesn't make for enjoyable reading when you constantly have to either check back to remind yourself who somebody is and the nature of their relationship to another character, or else make copious notes along the way, so that you don't forget.
Other readers may feel differently, but I wasn't comfortable with the author's style either. The dialogue was particularly poor and often quite stilted. There are a number of sections that are needlessly verbose and suggest that they are being used as nothing more than padding to increase the word count. Although the story takes place in a modern setting, and there are nods to diversity and the woke generation, stylistically this is not just clumsily melodramatic at times, but also reminiscent of a form of mystery writing that was more common some decades ago.
Overall, a passable way to spend some time, but certainly nothing special.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review.
July 5, 2021
Secrets, relationship issues, and murder- essentially the whole premises of the book.
Everyone's reviews keep talking about how in the suspense genre plane crashes have become the thing for this summer but I picked up this book and only had the show "Manifest" to compare it to.
The story is told in two perspectives: Rachel Lewis, the lead detective on the now murder case of one of the Lucky Eight, and Clodagh Kinsella, one of the Lucky Eight who survived on the terrific plane crash five years prior. The story is mainly told through Clodagh's perspective and it's fascinating on how she functions years after the accident having lost her sister and memory loss. She's an easy character to sympathize with and all other characters in the books actually had a role and their own personality.
Nick gets murdered as it is the five year reunion of those who survived the plane crash, all the victims are now suspects. At first I was a bit confused as to why they kept trying to tie the plane accident to Nick's murder even though everyone was there. Throughout the book, more details are revealed and I really thought I knew who it was. Apparently not and I was shocked when I found out about it. I think the whole reason why essentially everything happened was good and I love when characters are more connected than you think so I did like that about this book.
I was feeling 'eh' about the book until about 30% when I truly felt things getting started. The ending seemed to wrap everything up nicely but the one thing I am not so sure about it why it was mentioned so many times as to why the plane crashed. If that last chapter was supposed to satisfy me, it did not prove a suitable explanation for me. I haven't read many suspense/murder mystery books but I did enjoy this read.
I just reviewed The Lucky Eight by Sheila Bugler. #TheLuckyEight #NetGalley
Everyone's reviews keep talking about how in the suspense genre plane crashes have become the thing for this summer but I picked up this book and only had the show "Manifest" to compare it to.
The story is told in two perspectives: Rachel Lewis, the lead detective on the now murder case of one of the Lucky Eight, and Clodagh Kinsella, one of the Lucky Eight who survived on the terrific plane crash five years prior. The story is mainly told through Clodagh's perspective and it's fascinating on how she functions years after the accident having lost her sister and memory loss. She's an easy character to sympathize with and all other characters in the books actually had a role and their own personality.
Nick gets murdered as it is the five year reunion of those who survived the plane crash, all the victims are now suspects. At first I was a bit confused as to why they kept trying to tie the plane accident to Nick's murder even though everyone was there. Throughout the book, more details are revealed and I really thought I knew who it was. Apparently not and I was shocked when I found out about it. I think the whole reason why essentially everything happened was good and I love when characters are more connected than you think so I did like that about this book.
I was feeling 'eh' about the book until about 30% when I truly felt things getting started. The ending seemed to wrap everything up nicely but the one thing I am not so sure about it why it was mentioned so many times as to why the plane crashed. If that last chapter was supposed to satisfy me, it did not prove a suitable explanation for me. I haven't read many suspense/murder mystery books but I did enjoy this read.
I just reviewed The Lucky Eight by Sheila Bugler. #TheLuckyEight #NetGalley
September 21, 2023
Told from two perspectives Rachel the leading detective in charge of present day murders. Clodagh who was on board an aircraft disaster five years previously. One of the eight survivors.
Nicknamed by the press the lucky eight to the unlucky seven, six and would at least been five if not for Rachel.
Both the leads are interesting to the fast pace of this crime thriller. Rachel takes the edge for me a detective not to be messed with. Clodagh does pull at your heartstrings though. Having been through so much you do not want her to die.
Special mention to Abe the partner in crime.
Nicknamed by the press the lucky eight to the unlucky seven, six and would at least been five if not for Rachel.
Both the leads are interesting to the fast pace of this crime thriller. Rachel takes the edge for me a detective not to be messed with. Clodagh does pull at your heartstrings though. Having been through so much you do not want her to die.
Special mention to Abe the partner in crime.
January 20, 2023
“Luck is a very thin wire between survival and disaster, and not many people can keep their balance on it.” – Hunter S. Thompson
It was five years ago that Air Euro flight 975 crashed at Gatwick Airport after the pilots failed an attempted “go-round” maneuver.
153 passengers and seven airline staff were lost in an instant after the plane lost speed and crashed back down near the end of the runway.
And it’s in the opening pages of the story that we learn that five years has passed since the tragedy. Five years gone by, but for the families of the victims, the devastation, and searing pain of the loss is still very fresh. And even the nation as a whole still seemed to be coming to terms with that day of immense loss…a day that spared only a very few.
Eight, to be exact.
They became known as, “The Lucky Eight.”
Among those who perished was Irish actress Vivienne Kinsella. Her sister, Clodagh, was one of the lucky few.
We also learn that every year the “Lucky Eight” gather to memorialize the anniversary of the day of loss. They gather to mourn the loss of the victims and share stories with each other. They come together as very different people, all from a wide variety of life situations, but they have one major aspect of life in common…they all survived the crash…and they’re all still learning to live with it.
But this year’s gathering of the survivors is unique as it is the five-year anniversary. Five years seems to be sufficient time as to make it a more special commemoration, and to that end, Nick Gilbert, perhaps the most famous of the survivors, arranges and pays for the memorial gathering to be held at the exclusive luxury hotel named the Blue Dolphin Villa.
The event itself is held in one of the hotel’s grand ballrooms, a room much too large for the relatively few gathered, but eagerly offered by the manager who is honored that they chose his hotel to hold this noteworthy event that was sure to attract attention from far and wide.
The survivors and their significant others come together, catching up, sharing their experiences, and once again offering comfort to one another. There is laughter, tears, and drinks flowing freely, and late into the night, everyone begins to make their way to their rooms, unaware that tragedy has just struck, and in the blink of an eye they were no longer eight…they were now only seven.
And it’s amidst this astonishing set of circumstances that we are introduced to Detective Inspector Rachel Lewis of the CID, (Criminal Investigation Department). DI Lewis has been called in when a guest of the Blue Dolphin Villa has been found dead on the beach immediately outside the hotel. But he’s not just any guest, but none other than nationally known celebrity chef Nick Gilbert, and one of “The Lucky Eight.” Nick was the man who arranged for the five-year gathering to be held at the Blue Dolphin, and what was even stranger, he was found dead on the beach by another of the survivors, Clodagh Kinsella. The local police took all this into account, and because of the unique circumstances, and international fame of the victim and the person who found him, the CID was called in.
DI Rachel Lewis arrives at the scene, learning about these details, bit by bit as she looks down at the blank expression on the face of the late Nick Gilbert. She considers the situation she finds herself in, quickly coming to terms with the fact that this is not just a murder case, but much more alarmingly, the mother of all media storms…
Wow! What an opening!
By the time I reached this point, I was only 31 pages into this 356-page book and already I was captivated by a story about the very unexpected murder of a member of such an exclusive group of high-profile survivors. I found myself curious as to what would lead to Nick’s death, and why it was Clodagh who found him on the beach in the very early hours of the morning. What was going on here? I want to know and read on excitedly.
And as I did, I found myself engrossed in an amazing story, one filled with unusual circumstances and intriguing characters, including: A charming costumer designer standing-in as a door attendant, a sinister woman disguised as a ditzy girlfriend, a hotel manager who prefers to leave the views to his guests, a courageous but elusive flight attendant, a pesto making disaster, and best of all an indignant seagull.
I also enjoyed the “good cop, bad cop” routine of Senior Investigative Officer Rachel and “Ade” her partner. Bugler creates an especially entertaining atmosphere between these two characters, and it was one of my favorite parts of the story.
And I’d be remiss if I failed to mention the mouth-watering moments in this story, my favorite being the description of an Ethiopian Yirgacheffe Chelelktu coffee as, “Fruity, with an undercurrent of caramel and rich, smooth coffee flavor.” I could literally smell and taste the deliciousness of this outstanding beverage.
And finally, there were the colorful British slang terms that generously populated this story, all of which were previously unknown to me. These included: tosh, cack-handed, tosspot, bint, bolt hole, and stroppy, to name a few.
This story captivated me right from start to finish, and even though things were very busy for me, both at work and home, I stole away any chance I had to get to the next thrilling chapter. This is my first Sheila Bugler novel, but already I’ve come away convinced that she’s an ace crime thriller storyteller!
It was five years ago that Air Euro flight 975 crashed at Gatwick Airport after the pilots failed an attempted “go-round” maneuver.
153 passengers and seven airline staff were lost in an instant after the plane lost speed and crashed back down near the end of the runway.
And it’s in the opening pages of the story that we learn that five years has passed since the tragedy. Five years gone by, but for the families of the victims, the devastation, and searing pain of the loss is still very fresh. And even the nation as a whole still seemed to be coming to terms with that day of immense loss…a day that spared only a very few.
Eight, to be exact.
They became known as, “The Lucky Eight.”
Among those who perished was Irish actress Vivienne Kinsella. Her sister, Clodagh, was one of the lucky few.
We also learn that every year the “Lucky Eight” gather to memorialize the anniversary of the day of loss. They gather to mourn the loss of the victims and share stories with each other. They come together as very different people, all from a wide variety of life situations, but they have one major aspect of life in common…they all survived the crash…and they’re all still learning to live with it.
But this year’s gathering of the survivors is unique as it is the five-year anniversary. Five years seems to be sufficient time as to make it a more special commemoration, and to that end, Nick Gilbert, perhaps the most famous of the survivors, arranges and pays for the memorial gathering to be held at the exclusive luxury hotel named the Blue Dolphin Villa.
The event itself is held in one of the hotel’s grand ballrooms, a room much too large for the relatively few gathered, but eagerly offered by the manager who is honored that they chose his hotel to hold this noteworthy event that was sure to attract attention from far and wide.
The survivors and their significant others come together, catching up, sharing their experiences, and once again offering comfort to one another. There is laughter, tears, and drinks flowing freely, and late into the night, everyone begins to make their way to their rooms, unaware that tragedy has just struck, and in the blink of an eye they were no longer eight…they were now only seven.
And it’s amidst this astonishing set of circumstances that we are introduced to Detective Inspector Rachel Lewis of the CID, (Criminal Investigation Department). DI Lewis has been called in when a guest of the Blue Dolphin Villa has been found dead on the beach immediately outside the hotel. But he’s not just any guest, but none other than nationally known celebrity chef Nick Gilbert, and one of “The Lucky Eight.” Nick was the man who arranged for the five-year gathering to be held at the Blue Dolphin, and what was even stranger, he was found dead on the beach by another of the survivors, Clodagh Kinsella. The local police took all this into account, and because of the unique circumstances, and international fame of the victim and the person who found him, the CID was called in.
DI Rachel Lewis arrives at the scene, learning about these details, bit by bit as she looks down at the blank expression on the face of the late Nick Gilbert. She considers the situation she finds herself in, quickly coming to terms with the fact that this is not just a murder case, but much more alarmingly, the mother of all media storms…
Wow! What an opening!
By the time I reached this point, I was only 31 pages into this 356-page book and already I was captivated by a story about the very unexpected murder of a member of such an exclusive group of high-profile survivors. I found myself curious as to what would lead to Nick’s death, and why it was Clodagh who found him on the beach in the very early hours of the morning. What was going on here? I want to know and read on excitedly.
And as I did, I found myself engrossed in an amazing story, one filled with unusual circumstances and intriguing characters, including: A charming costumer designer standing-in as a door attendant, a sinister woman disguised as a ditzy girlfriend, a hotel manager who prefers to leave the views to his guests, a courageous but elusive flight attendant, a pesto making disaster, and best of all an indignant seagull.
I also enjoyed the “good cop, bad cop” routine of Senior Investigative Officer Rachel and “Ade” her partner. Bugler creates an especially entertaining atmosphere between these two characters, and it was one of my favorite parts of the story.
And I’d be remiss if I failed to mention the mouth-watering moments in this story, my favorite being the description of an Ethiopian Yirgacheffe Chelelktu coffee as, “Fruity, with an undercurrent of caramel and rich, smooth coffee flavor.” I could literally smell and taste the deliciousness of this outstanding beverage.
And finally, there were the colorful British slang terms that generously populated this story, all of which were previously unknown to me. These included: tosh, cack-handed, tosspot, bint, bolt hole, and stroppy, to name a few.
This story captivated me right from start to finish, and even though things were very busy for me, both at work and home, I stole away any chance I had to get to the next thrilling chapter. This is my first Sheila Bugler novel, but already I’ve come away convinced that she’s an ace crime thriller storyteller!
July 13, 2021
After a tragic accident five years ago, the survivors - The Lucky Eight - have over time formed quite a strong bond. A support network I guess, helping each other through the ups and downs, the feelings of survivors guilt.
But on the fifth anniversary, one of the eight is found dead, most likely murdered and now the group are questioning just how well they know one another.
Going from feeling grateful to have pulled through such a horrific event all those years ago, those feelings flipped, perhaps they weren't lucky, just on borrowed time.
The author combines friendships, relationships and murder brilliantly.
There is a real diverse cast of characters and I have to say there were moments when I felt they were all guilty of something. It was refreshing to see that all of them had flaws, even if some tried to hide them from the outside world.
Although many perspectives are explored throughout the novel, the main focus seemed to be on Clodagh Kinsella - sister of a famous actress who did on the flight and Detective Rachel, as she works with her partner Ade to try and find the killer.
Plenty of secrets and even more questions arise the further into the book we get.
I loved how the author had intricately intertwined the lives of each of the survivors, little connections that we were slowly made aware of as the tension rose.
I'll admit to changing my mind quite frequently throughout as to just who had committed the crime.
More of a psychological crime thriller, I liked the feeling as I read that I was a detective too, a feeling of determination to try and work out the culprit before they did in the story. And it was great to see the emotions of the aftermath of such a tragic event were explored too. There was a attention to detail, taking in the whole picture not just focusing on the crime itself.
I'd describe The Lucky Eight as a classic whodunnit novel. A well written story with an abundance of suspects that is filled with plenty of curiosity and intrigue.
But on the fifth anniversary, one of the eight is found dead, most likely murdered and now the group are questioning just how well they know one another.
Going from feeling grateful to have pulled through such a horrific event all those years ago, those feelings flipped, perhaps they weren't lucky, just on borrowed time.
The author combines friendships, relationships and murder brilliantly.
There is a real diverse cast of characters and I have to say there were moments when I felt they were all guilty of something. It was refreshing to see that all of them had flaws, even if some tried to hide them from the outside world.
Although many perspectives are explored throughout the novel, the main focus seemed to be on Clodagh Kinsella - sister of a famous actress who did on the flight and Detective Rachel, as she works with her partner Ade to try and find the killer.
Plenty of secrets and even more questions arise the further into the book we get.
I loved how the author had intricately intertwined the lives of each of the survivors, little connections that we were slowly made aware of as the tension rose.
I'll admit to changing my mind quite frequently throughout as to just who had committed the crime.
More of a psychological crime thriller, I liked the feeling as I read that I was a detective too, a feeling of determination to try and work out the culprit before they did in the story. And it was great to see the emotions of the aftermath of such a tragic event were explored too. There was a attention to detail, taking in the whole picture not just focusing on the crime itself.
I'd describe The Lucky Eight as a classic whodunnit novel. A well written story with an abundance of suspects that is filled with plenty of curiosity and intrigue.
July 20, 2021
3.83 stars
Enjoyability 7/10
Out of the 160 people who boarded the plane, only 8 survived the crash. Dubbed "The Lucky Eight" by the media, their lives were forever changed that day. Each year, to honour the occasion and lives lost, the survivors meet on the anniversary of that fatidical day. On their 5th reunion, one of them is found dead. His death is suspicious enough, but when a second survivor is found days later clearly stabbed, detective Rachel Lewis wonders if the survivors are being targeted.
I think that The Lucky Eight is a solid, entertaining book. Unfortunately, one of my literary pet peeves is when a character throws on the reader's face that they are privy to important information but doesn't share it. I feel this takes away my opportunity to solve the puzzle fairly. This happened quite a few times in this book and by more than one character. I found the repeated mention of a character's secret off-putting. I get it's hard to imply a character is hiding something without revealing it. But dangling it in front of the reader so explicitly affected my enjoyment. If this doesn't bother you, you are going to love this book. The Lucky Eight is a page turning surprising thriller.
On a random note, what I enjoyed in The Lucky Eight was Bugler's choice to make the investigation real. Rachel read as a real detective facing real hurdles. There was time pressure for her to solve the crime, as there would be in real life, but I appreciated that the author chose not to rush the narrative and kept each day's events accurate. #ItsTheLittleThings
Disclaimer: I first read it as an ARC. In exchange for an honest review, I am thankful to Canelo, Sheila Bugler, and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of The Lucky Eight.
Enjoyability 7/10
Out of the 160 people who boarded the plane, only 8 survived the crash. Dubbed "The Lucky Eight" by the media, their lives were forever changed that day. Each year, to honour the occasion and lives lost, the survivors meet on the anniversary of that fatidical day. On their 5th reunion, one of them is found dead. His death is suspicious enough, but when a second survivor is found days later clearly stabbed, detective Rachel Lewis wonders if the survivors are being targeted.
I think that The Lucky Eight is a solid, entertaining book. Unfortunately, one of my literary pet peeves is when a character throws on the reader's face that they are privy to important information but doesn't share it. I feel this takes away my opportunity to solve the puzzle fairly. This happened quite a few times in this book and by more than one character. I found the repeated mention of a character's secret off-putting. I get it's hard to imply a character is hiding something without revealing it. But dangling it in front of the reader so explicitly affected my enjoyment. If this doesn't bother you, you are going to love this book. The Lucky Eight is a page turning surprising thriller.
On a random note, what I enjoyed in The Lucky Eight was Bugler's choice to make the investigation real. Rachel read as a real detective facing real hurdles. There was time pressure for her to solve the crime, as there would be in real life, but I appreciated that the author chose not to rush the narrative and kept each day's events accurate. #ItsTheLittleThings
Disclaimer: I first read it as an ARC. In exchange for an honest review, I am thankful to Canelo, Sheila Bugler, and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of The Lucky Eight.
July 25, 2021
So what’s it about? The action starts from page one with a plane crash on a holiday flight from Crete to London. Out of 168 passengers and crew, only eight survive, amongst them Clodagh Kinsella and Nick Gilbert, a famous chef. The survivors become known as the Lucky Eight through the extensive press coverage and media attention, although not all of the eight agree.
Bonded by their shared tragedy, the Lucky Eight meet up annually to mark the anniversary of the crash and commemorate the passengers who didn’t survive. But tragedy strikes again on the fifth anniversary when Clodagh finds a dead body on the beach and realises it’s Nick and local police detective DI Rachel Lewis is called in to investigate.
The autopsy shows that Nick has been murdered, and as the investigation deepens, the intricacies of the group and their immediate friends begins to unravel.
This book was fabulous and had everything I could hope for in a thriller. It was fast paced, exciting, full of twists and turns, and although the book focussed on a number of different characters, the author did an excellent job of bringing them all to life.
The story is told from the viewpoint of both DI Lewis and Clodagh which kept it interesting as DI Lewis is on the outside looking in while Clodagh is caught up in the drama. The fact that Clodagh suffers from memory loss caused by the plane crash adds another level of intrigue to her narration.
I loved the concept of the book and the premise is very different to any thriller I’ve read before. It’s a perfect summer read and I devoured it in a few evenings.
The Lucky Eight is an exciting ‘whodunit’ that kept me guessing right up to the last chapter and I’d recommend it any thriller fans.
Bonded by their shared tragedy, the Lucky Eight meet up annually to mark the anniversary of the crash and commemorate the passengers who didn’t survive. But tragedy strikes again on the fifth anniversary when Clodagh finds a dead body on the beach and realises it’s Nick and local police detective DI Rachel Lewis is called in to investigate.
The autopsy shows that Nick has been murdered, and as the investigation deepens, the intricacies of the group and their immediate friends begins to unravel.
This book was fabulous and had everything I could hope for in a thriller. It was fast paced, exciting, full of twists and turns, and although the book focussed on a number of different characters, the author did an excellent job of bringing them all to life.
The story is told from the viewpoint of both DI Lewis and Clodagh which kept it interesting as DI Lewis is on the outside looking in while Clodagh is caught up in the drama. The fact that Clodagh suffers from memory loss caused by the plane crash adds another level of intrigue to her narration.
I loved the concept of the book and the premise is very different to any thriller I’ve read before. It’s a perfect summer read and I devoured it in a few evenings.
The Lucky Eight is an exciting ‘whodunit’ that kept me guessing right up to the last chapter and I’d recommend it any thriller fans.
July 27, 2021
The Lucky Eight - Sheila Bugler
This book made me think of LOST to begin with. Eight survivors of a plane crash. The mystery, intensity and confusion of working out if one of the passengers murdered one of the others kept me guessing and over thinking everything at all times. I really appreciated the twists throughout this read. I’ve not a read a book yet with a plane crash scenario built in so I absolutely loved this.
I adored the buildup of the characters and the reunion five years later. The passenger who turned up murdered I didn’t expect. But I won’t give anything away in this review. For a book with a mass amount of characters I felt they all had an extremely strong part to play and the author did an incredible job of keeping each and every character alive. For me with a fear of flying I loved that there wasn’t much centred around the actual disaster but more about the characters and the suspicions.
I found this an extremely fast paced read not like a lot of thrillers that can be long with a massive build up so it was perfect for me. I still am no better at figuring out suspects. The ending completely shocked me.
This book made me think of LOST to begin with. Eight survivors of a plane crash. The mystery, intensity and confusion of working out if one of the passengers murdered one of the others kept me guessing and over thinking everything at all times. I really appreciated the twists throughout this read. I’ve not a read a book yet with a plane crash scenario built in so I absolutely loved this.
I adored the buildup of the characters and the reunion five years later. The passenger who turned up murdered I didn’t expect. But I won’t give anything away in this review. For a book with a mass amount of characters I felt they all had an extremely strong part to play and the author did an incredible job of keeping each and every character alive. For me with a fear of flying I loved that there wasn’t much centred around the actual disaster but more about the characters and the suspicions.
I found this an extremely fast paced read not like a lot of thrillers that can be long with a massive build up so it was perfect for me. I still am no better at figuring out suspects. The ending completely shocked me.
July 22, 2021
Thanks to NetGalley and Canelo Crime for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. I’ll post that review - of this twisty mystery - upon publication.
Updated 7/22/21
3.5 stars
This is a great, low pressure summer thriller that features eight lucky (?????!) characters but focuses on some more than others.
The Lucky Eight are the survivors of a plane crash that happened five years earlier, and when the novel begins, they are commemorating this event at their annual gathering. As if things couldn't get more depressing, one of them ends up dead, and it becomes apparent immediately that this was no natural event. These folks endure plane crashes and murders! Lucky?! You tell me...
There is a lot to like about the structure of this piece. First, Clodagh, one of the survivors, is an intriguing character. As a result of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) she incurred in the crash, Clodagh has transformed from a high powered and well respected solicitor to an individual who struggles with memory, order, and details. This makes her a stellar figure in this whodunit because she literally has no clue what is real or not. Readers go right into that whirlpool with her, and the result is that this work contains actual mystery and thrill. If you are also a bit exhausted by the predictable nature of so many recent installments in this genre, you will certainly appreciate these welcome characteristics!
Because there are so many characters, it can be challenging to feel as connected to some as others who - in hindsight - would be useful to know better. At the end, I found myself happy with the overall experience but not as enthused as I might be with some added character development and further dispersal of those connections. While this isn't my top thriller of the summer, I did enjoy it and do recommend it if you're feeling lucky (actually lucky, not relative to this lot).
Updated 7/22/21
3.5 stars
This is a great, low pressure summer thriller that features eight lucky (?????!) characters but focuses on some more than others.
The Lucky Eight are the survivors of a plane crash that happened five years earlier, and when the novel begins, they are commemorating this event at their annual gathering. As if things couldn't get more depressing, one of them ends up dead, and it becomes apparent immediately that this was no natural event. These folks endure plane crashes and murders! Lucky?! You tell me...
There is a lot to like about the structure of this piece. First, Clodagh, one of the survivors, is an intriguing character. As a result of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) she incurred in the crash, Clodagh has transformed from a high powered and well respected solicitor to an individual who struggles with memory, order, and details. This makes her a stellar figure in this whodunit because she literally has no clue what is real or not. Readers go right into that whirlpool with her, and the result is that this work contains actual mystery and thrill. If you are also a bit exhausted by the predictable nature of so many recent installments in this genre, you will certainly appreciate these welcome characteristics!
Because there are so many characters, it can be challenging to feel as connected to some as others who - in hindsight - would be useful to know better. At the end, I found myself happy with the overall experience but not as enthused as I might be with some added character development and further dispersal of those connections. While this isn't my top thriller of the summer, I did enjoy it and do recommend it if you're feeling lucky (actually lucky, not relative to this lot).
June 24, 2021
"You need to find the one thing that would hurt them most and make them think it's happened. That's what I'm about to do right now. Wish me luck."
There are quite a few 'plane disaster' books coming out right now, some I'm loving and some not so much. This one involved a plane that crashed on the runway five year ago and its aftermath. There were only eight 'lucky' survivors who meet up every year to pay tribute to those who died. There was very little of the actual plane crash, with only small flash back scenes on occasion. Only six of the eight survivors are actually in the book, however there were so many side characters (partners and spouses) that I could barely keep track. When one of the survivors is murdered at the reunion, all of the other survivors become suspects. At first I was intrigued, thinking this was going to be a murder mystery whodunnit. Unfortunately, it was pretty slow burn, with only one other major death. By the half way point I was wondering where the story was going.
The ending stretched the imagination and I was frustrated by the fact the same story could have been told with or without the plane crash.
**I received an advanced copy from the publisher via Netgalley.
There are quite a few 'plane disaster' books coming out right now, some I'm loving and some not so much. This one involved a plane that crashed on the runway five year ago and its aftermath. There were only eight 'lucky' survivors who meet up every year to pay tribute to those who died. There was very little of the actual plane crash, with only small flash back scenes on occasion. Only six of the eight survivors are actually in the book, however there were so many side characters (partners and spouses) that I could barely keep track. When one of the survivors is murdered at the reunion, all of the other survivors become suspects. At first I was intrigued, thinking this was going to be a murder mystery whodunnit. Unfortunately, it was pretty slow burn, with only one other major death. By the half way point I was wondering where the story was going.
The ending stretched the imagination and I was frustrated by the fact the same story could have been told with or without the plane crash.
**I received an advanced copy from the publisher via Netgalley.
July 13, 2021
3.5⭐️ page turning thriller.
The Lucky Eight is about eight survivors of a plane crash at a reunion 5 years on, when we discover there's been a murder, someone is missing and even more twists begins to unfold. This gripped me very early on with a bit of a Final Destination (the movie) vibe, without the supernatural and slasher element!
This thriller is written from two perspectives, that of Rachel the detective and Clodagh one of the plane crash survivors, which is a thriller format I really enjoy! It was also good to have LGBTQ+ representation amongst the characters too.
I have to admit at the start it took me a while to get the hang of all the characters, and their intertwing relationships, but once I did it was good to watch the secrets, lies and betrayals unfold.
This book kept me guessing until the very end! So I recommend it as a solid thrilling page turner.
**Thanks to LoveBooksTours for an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest review**
The Lucky Eight is about eight survivors of a plane crash at a reunion 5 years on, when we discover there's been a murder, someone is missing and even more twists begins to unfold. This gripped me very early on with a bit of a Final Destination (the movie) vibe, without the supernatural and slasher element!
This thriller is written from two perspectives, that of Rachel the detective and Clodagh one of the plane crash survivors, which is a thriller format I really enjoy! It was also good to have LGBTQ+ representation amongst the characters too.
I have to admit at the start it took me a while to get the hang of all the characters, and their intertwing relationships, but once I did it was good to watch the secrets, lies and betrayals unfold.
This book kept me guessing until the very end! So I recommend it as a solid thrilling page turner.
**Thanks to LoveBooksTours for an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest review**
July 18, 2021
A good mystery about the murders of some of the eight survivors of a plane crash five years later. A quick read with some surprises.
October 28, 2021
I really enjoyed this book, the characters were not the most pleasant but that made it more real as nobody is perfect, I would definitely recommend this book.
October 31, 2024
An interesting mystery but just a bit too many characters for me to keep track of.
I really liked the idea of the mystery - this group that survived and then got back together for an anniversary years later. And there, one of them dies.
However, even though the story is only told from 2 POV technically, there is still a pretty big group of characters of the surviving 8 and all the others at the reunion. I liked the twists and wondering who all wasn't unreliable and who was honest. But I kept forgetting who was who and losing connections to people and it kept me from really loving this one.
Interesting mystery that I did find entertaining!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
I really liked the idea of the mystery - this group that survived and then got back together for an anniversary years later. And there, one of them dies.
However, even though the story is only told from 2 POV technically, there is still a pretty big group of characters of the surviving 8 and all the others at the reunion. I liked the twists and wondering who all wasn't unreliable and who was honest. But I kept forgetting who was who and losing connections to people and it kept me from really loving this one.
Interesting mystery that I did find entertaining!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
July 19, 2023
This has literally taken me like a YEAR to read, it took me forever to get into the writing style and icl nothing happens until like page 140 which really annoyed.
HOWEVER
It actually got quite good, I ended up really enjoying it and the plot improved, it was almost worth the battle to get through it but not quite
HOWEVER
It actually got quite good, I ended up really enjoying it and the plot improved, it was almost worth the battle to get through it but not quite
November 23, 2023
3⭐️
I’m very picky when reading mystery so it was so hard for me to get into this book as it dragged on so much however, it got better close to the very end.
I’m very picky when reading mystery so it was so hard for me to get into this book as it dragged on so much however, it got better close to the very end.
February 3, 2022
The non-realistic dialogue made every scene seem stupid and pointless. This took away from what should have been a good thriller. Very disappointing...
April 14, 2022
Wonderful
September 10, 2023
I really enjoyed this book and would thoroughly recommend it. I looked forward to staying each new chapter and want disappointed. Great writing and plot.
July 23, 2021
All of my reviews can be found at https://damppebbles.com/
I love disaster thrillers and mysteries, particularly those featuring a plane crash/disappearance/hijack. If you’re a regular visitor to damppebbles you may have noticed a teeny tiny increase in the number of books I’ve read recently featuring aircraft. I can’t help it, I love them! But what I’ve really enjoyed about all of these books is that they all take a slightly different approach. And that’s certainly the case with The Lucky Eight. Because, at heart, I’m a crime fiction nut and I adore police procedurals and mysteries. And that’s where The Lucky Eight absolutely shines.
Five years ago Air Euro Flight 975 crashed on landing at Gatwick airport killing all onboard except for eight ‘lucky’ survivors. Every year, on the anniversary of the crash, the survivors meet in remembrance of those they lost. But by the following morning, one of the group, a notorious celebrity chef, is dead. Detective Inspector Rachel Lewis of the Surrey and Suffolk Major Crime Team is tasked with investigating what happened to Nick Gilbert. Tensions run high amongst the group and Rachel has her work cut out. Before long, another of the survivors is found stabbed to death. The pressure is on. Can Rachel and her team discover who wants the lucky eight dead before it’s too late…
The Lucky Eight is a well-written crime thriller with an intriguing mystery at its heart. DI Rachel Lewis and DC Ade Benjamin are thrown into the deep end and have to pick apart a group which, although not the best of friends, have a strong bond and secrets they would prefer to keep. I found the character of Clodagh absolutely fascinating. Her sister, actress Vivienne Kinsella, died when the plane crashed. Clodagh, also on the plane at the time of the incident, has had memory problems ever since. She knows deep down that something happened, something she did contributed to the accident but her memory refuses to recall what it was.
I really liked DI Rachel Lewis but I loved her colleague, DC Ade Benjamin, who I felt had a bit more grit to her. Rachel, being the boss, does everything by the book. Whereas Ade felt a little less formal in her approach. I do hope this isn’t the last we see of these two characters as they make quite a formidable team and I would really like to spend some more time with them, Ade in particular. There were also plenty of characters to dislike including career obsessed Adam and creepy Simon.
Speaking of the characters, I felt a smidge confused at times because there are quite a few characters and they are all connected in different ways (lovers, ex-lovers, siblings). But as soon as I got into the rhythm of the book it all clicked into place, so I put full blame for the confusion on my own shoulders. I would also say it’s a little slow at the start as it felt like it took a while for the chef’s death to be confirmed as murder. But as soon as Rachel is made SIO, the investigation really picks up the pace.
Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. I enjoyed The Lucky Eight and would happily read more by this author. It’s an intriguing mystery which had me glued to my Kindle. I did have an inkling as to who was behind the murders but the reasons why came as a complete surprise, and I loved that. All in all, an entertaining read which I recommend.
I love disaster thrillers and mysteries, particularly those featuring a plane crash/disappearance/hijack. If you’re a regular visitor to damppebbles you may have noticed a teeny tiny increase in the number of books I’ve read recently featuring aircraft. I can’t help it, I love them! But what I’ve really enjoyed about all of these books is that they all take a slightly different approach. And that’s certainly the case with The Lucky Eight. Because, at heart, I’m a crime fiction nut and I adore police procedurals and mysteries. And that’s where The Lucky Eight absolutely shines.
Five years ago Air Euro Flight 975 crashed on landing at Gatwick airport killing all onboard except for eight ‘lucky’ survivors. Every year, on the anniversary of the crash, the survivors meet in remembrance of those they lost. But by the following morning, one of the group, a notorious celebrity chef, is dead. Detective Inspector Rachel Lewis of the Surrey and Suffolk Major Crime Team is tasked with investigating what happened to Nick Gilbert. Tensions run high amongst the group and Rachel has her work cut out. Before long, another of the survivors is found stabbed to death. The pressure is on. Can Rachel and her team discover who wants the lucky eight dead before it’s too late…
The Lucky Eight is a well-written crime thriller with an intriguing mystery at its heart. DI Rachel Lewis and DC Ade Benjamin are thrown into the deep end and have to pick apart a group which, although not the best of friends, have a strong bond and secrets they would prefer to keep. I found the character of Clodagh absolutely fascinating. Her sister, actress Vivienne Kinsella, died when the plane crashed. Clodagh, also on the plane at the time of the incident, has had memory problems ever since. She knows deep down that something happened, something she did contributed to the accident but her memory refuses to recall what it was.
I really liked DI Rachel Lewis but I loved her colleague, DC Ade Benjamin, who I felt had a bit more grit to her. Rachel, being the boss, does everything by the book. Whereas Ade felt a little less formal in her approach. I do hope this isn’t the last we see of these two characters as they make quite a formidable team and I would really like to spend some more time with them, Ade in particular. There were also plenty of characters to dislike including career obsessed Adam and creepy Simon.
Speaking of the characters, I felt a smidge confused at times because there are quite a few characters and they are all connected in different ways (lovers, ex-lovers, siblings). But as soon as I got into the rhythm of the book it all clicked into place, so I put full blame for the confusion on my own shoulders. I would also say it’s a little slow at the start as it felt like it took a while for the chef’s death to be confirmed as murder. But as soon as Rachel is made SIO, the investigation really picks up the pace.
Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. I enjoyed The Lucky Eight and would happily read more by this author. It’s an intriguing mystery which had me glued to my Kindle. I did have an inkling as to who was behind the murders but the reasons why came as a complete surprise, and I loved that. All in all, an entertaining read which I recommend.
April 26, 2022
Can you imagine surviving a plan crash that has killed 160 people? Such is the position for the eight who do just that, and who are then dubbed “The Lucky Eight” from that point onwards. Each of them lost a loved one that day, as well as incurring life-changing injuries, if not physical then the mental and emotional strain would be immense. That crash changed their lives, and with it came a lot of guilt for having survived.
Each year, they gather together to honour those who died and to support each other going forward. It’s not been easy for any of them, but some are struggling more than others.
Clodagh Kinsella lost her sister that day, and also suffers from a lapse in memory of a few hours of that day, hours in which she feels instinctively that something important happened. Now, living with her sister’s husband, those niggles are more apparent than ever. It is she who finds the dead body of victim number one, a man who had texted her because he had something to tell her, and now she’ll never know what he had to say. Was it about those missing hours? Did he know something?
For someone supposedly called “lucky”, poor Clodagh would dispute that claim, especially when she finds a second body, also from a fellow survivor who had texted her with something important to tell her. Now both people who wanted to tell her something are dead, and she is reliving those moments over and over, catching mere glimpses of memory but, frustratedly, not enough to make any sense. Why were Nick and Tara killed? Will she be next? Or is she to blame? These are the questions that now haunt her as her relationship falls apart – as if she didn’t have enough to worry about.
Leading the investigation, and in charge of a major case for the first time, is Rachel Lewis. She doubts herself, and worries she’s not up to the job, despite her team having the utmost confidence in her. As she and her officers unravel the clues, they are led in many directions and under significant pressure to close the case. At one point, they seem to have the culprit in custody, but something doesn’t feel right about it. Rachel has to trust her instincts to catch the killer before another of The Lucky Eight becomes victim number three.
This is a page-turning read with many twists along the way. The main characters are well fleshed out and the reader gets to know them quite well and, in so doing, wants them to succeed. There’s one bugbear for me, and that is being told so many times that there’s “something important” for Clodagh to know, and then for that snippet of information to be unforthcoming at every opportunity – that felt a little convenient for the plot rather than a natural consequence of the story. Whether this annoying drip, drip of info made me purposely look elsewhere for the killer, I don’t know, but I did work it out early on.
Even so, it’s a well-paced read that quickly becomes hard to put down.
Each year, they gather together to honour those who died and to support each other going forward. It’s not been easy for any of them, but some are struggling more than others.
Clodagh Kinsella lost her sister that day, and also suffers from a lapse in memory of a few hours of that day, hours in which she feels instinctively that something important happened. Now, living with her sister’s husband, those niggles are more apparent than ever. It is she who finds the dead body of victim number one, a man who had texted her because he had something to tell her, and now she’ll never know what he had to say. Was it about those missing hours? Did he know something?
For someone supposedly called “lucky”, poor Clodagh would dispute that claim, especially when she finds a second body, also from a fellow survivor who had texted her with something important to tell her. Now both people who wanted to tell her something are dead, and she is reliving those moments over and over, catching mere glimpses of memory but, frustratedly, not enough to make any sense. Why were Nick and Tara killed? Will she be next? Or is she to blame? These are the questions that now haunt her as her relationship falls apart – as if she didn’t have enough to worry about.
Leading the investigation, and in charge of a major case for the first time, is Rachel Lewis. She doubts herself, and worries she’s not up to the job, despite her team having the utmost confidence in her. As she and her officers unravel the clues, they are led in many directions and under significant pressure to close the case. At one point, they seem to have the culprit in custody, but something doesn’t feel right about it. Rachel has to trust her instincts to catch the killer before another of The Lucky Eight becomes victim number three.
This is a page-turning read with many twists along the way. The main characters are well fleshed out and the reader gets to know them quite well and, in so doing, wants them to succeed. There’s one bugbear for me, and that is being told so many times that there’s “something important” for Clodagh to know, and then for that snippet of information to be unforthcoming at every opportunity – that felt a little convenient for the plot rather than a natural consequence of the story. Whether this annoying drip, drip of info made me purposely look elsewhere for the killer, I don’t know, but I did work it out early on.
Even so, it’s a well-paced read that quickly becomes hard to put down.
August 12, 2021
My thanks to NetGalley, publisher Canelo and author Sheila Bugler for the electronic review copy.
So, eight people survived an horrific plane crash and 5 of them, together with periphery others, mark the 5th anniversary at luxury accommodation on the coast of West Sussex. After dinner and an alcohol-fuelled evening, Clodagh Kinsella (whose famous sister Vivienne was killed in the crash) discovers the body of Nick Gilbert, now a celebrity chef, on the private beach at sunrise. Clodagh, for some months, has been Adam Murray's girlfriend - Adam having been her sister's husband, and now administers the Kinsella foundation to support the victims and their families.
A murder enquiry ensues - a police procedural - with DI Rachel Lewis in charge, assisted by DC Ade Benjamin. In the meantime they discover that Robbie Fuson, another survivor, had disappeared months previously, and then Nick's girlfriend in London gets murdered. What's the connection?
Along the way we hear how Rachel constantly thinks about her wife Grace - but as a character doesn't appear at all until much later and only briefly.
Clodagh's long-term memory has been affected by the crash and she hasn't worked since - except her only importance in this story is the fact that slowly she starts to remember - she feels somehow responsible until she finally KNOWS she is.
Adam, a failed crime writer, built new fame writing about his idyllic marriage to Clodagh's sister, and his agent Jake is, quite frankly, insufferable.
Basically, this is all about Clodagh beginning to remember - remembering what they were all doing on the same island on holiday and why they were all on that aircraft,
I really am kind of 50/50 about this book. It has some good points: I enjoyed the interactions between DI Rachel Lewis and DC Ade Benjamin and the resilience of Ade as a character. I thoroughly loved the character of Ivan - Clodagh's best friend - in fact I think he "lifted" the whole book for me, and Rachel's boss, Sharon, and her faith and trust in her DI. However, I practically detested all the other characters - because - Adam Murray and his agent Jake are selfishness personified; Rachel herself appears to possess no self-worth and portrays a quivering wreck in front of Sharon and all others really aren't worthy of note - not even Clodagh.
My honest opinion is 1.5 stars - but I'll generously round-up to 2. Sorry, but the bad points really did outweigh the good.
So, eight people survived an horrific plane crash and 5 of them, together with periphery others, mark the 5th anniversary at luxury accommodation on the coast of West Sussex. After dinner and an alcohol-fuelled evening, Clodagh Kinsella (whose famous sister Vivienne was killed in the crash) discovers the body of Nick Gilbert, now a celebrity chef, on the private beach at sunrise. Clodagh, for some months, has been Adam Murray's girlfriend - Adam having been her sister's husband, and now administers the Kinsella foundation to support the victims and their families.
A murder enquiry ensues - a police procedural - with DI Rachel Lewis in charge, assisted by DC Ade Benjamin. In the meantime they discover that Robbie Fuson, another survivor, had disappeared months previously, and then Nick's girlfriend in London gets murdered. What's the connection?
Along the way we hear how Rachel constantly thinks about her wife Grace - but as a character doesn't appear at all until much later and only briefly.
Clodagh's long-term memory has been affected by the crash and she hasn't worked since - except her only importance in this story is the fact that slowly she starts to remember - she feels somehow responsible until she finally KNOWS she is.
Adam, a failed crime writer, built new fame writing about his idyllic marriage to Clodagh's sister, and his agent Jake is, quite frankly, insufferable.
Basically, this is all about Clodagh beginning to remember - remembering what they were all doing on the same island on holiday and why they were all on that aircraft,
I really am kind of 50/50 about this book. It has some good points: I enjoyed the interactions between DI Rachel Lewis and DC Ade Benjamin and the resilience of Ade as a character. I thoroughly loved the character of Ivan - Clodagh's best friend - in fact I think he "lifted" the whole book for me, and Rachel's boss, Sharon, and her faith and trust in her DI. However, I practically detested all the other characters - because - Adam Murray and his agent Jake are selfishness personified; Rachel herself appears to possess no self-worth and portrays a quivering wreck in front of Sharon and all others really aren't worthy of note - not even Clodagh.
My honest opinion is 1.5 stars - but I'll generously round-up to 2. Sorry, but the bad points really did outweigh the good.
July 23, 2021
Sheila Bugler’s The Lucky Eight is an explosive crime thriller guaranteed to keep readers guessing.
Five years ago, the news had been dominated by a horrific airline disaster that had claimed the lives of 160 passengers. On the anniversary of this tragic incident, the survivors have gathered to mark this sad occasion, however, by morning celebrity chef Nick Gilbert and another survivor are found dead. Detective Inspector Rachel Lewis is leading this investigation and when another survivor is found stabbed to death, it becomes clear that there is a dangerous killer on the loose intent on murdering every single person who had not perished in the accident.
For Clodagh Kinsella, that tragic day is etched on her mind. She had barely emerged unscathed from the crash and had also lost her sister on that day. Torn apart by grief and wracked by despair, she had found herself seeking solace in the arms of her equally broken-hearted brother in law. A romance had quickly developed between the two, but lately Clodagh cannot help but feel that something isn’t quite right. Is Clodagh just being paranoid? Or is there someone out there intent on making Clodagh pay for embarking on a relationship with her brother-in-law and for a mistake she had made before the crash?
As Rachel begins her investigation, she finds herself going down one dead end after another. In a race against time, will she manage to find out who is targeting the lucky eight before it is simply too late? Can she uncover the truth somebody is going to great lengths to keep hidden? Or has the luck for the lucky eight finally run out?
Sheila Bugler’s The Lucky Eight is a sharp, tense, suspenseful and twisty crime thriller packed with plenty of shocks and surprises to keep readers absolutely riveted to the page. A deftly constructed and brilliantly plotted tale that examines the complexities of human relationships, the devastating effects of grief and the lengths people go to for the ones they love, Sheila Bugler’s The Lucky Eight is an addictive and absorbing crime thriller that is a struggle to put down.
Five years ago, the news had been dominated by a horrific airline disaster that had claimed the lives of 160 passengers. On the anniversary of this tragic incident, the survivors have gathered to mark this sad occasion, however, by morning celebrity chef Nick Gilbert and another survivor are found dead. Detective Inspector Rachel Lewis is leading this investigation and when another survivor is found stabbed to death, it becomes clear that there is a dangerous killer on the loose intent on murdering every single person who had not perished in the accident.
For Clodagh Kinsella, that tragic day is etched on her mind. She had barely emerged unscathed from the crash and had also lost her sister on that day. Torn apart by grief and wracked by despair, she had found herself seeking solace in the arms of her equally broken-hearted brother in law. A romance had quickly developed between the two, but lately Clodagh cannot help but feel that something isn’t quite right. Is Clodagh just being paranoid? Or is there someone out there intent on making Clodagh pay for embarking on a relationship with her brother-in-law and for a mistake she had made before the crash?
As Rachel begins her investigation, she finds herself going down one dead end after another. In a race against time, will she manage to find out who is targeting the lucky eight before it is simply too late? Can she uncover the truth somebody is going to great lengths to keep hidden? Or has the luck for the lucky eight finally run out?
Sheila Bugler’s The Lucky Eight is a sharp, tense, suspenseful and twisty crime thriller packed with plenty of shocks and surprises to keep readers absolutely riveted to the page. A deftly constructed and brilliantly plotted tale that examines the complexities of human relationships, the devastating effects of grief and the lengths people go to for the ones they love, Sheila Bugler’s The Lucky Eight is an addictive and absorbing crime thriller that is a struggle to put down.
August 3, 2021
The Lucky Eight
By: Sheila Bugler
Thank you to Canelo Crime and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!!
Five years ago, 160 people died in a plane crash and only eight survived. Clodagh Kinsella, a survivor of the plane crash, lost her sister in it. Struggling with memory loss, she only remembers bits and pieces from that day. The survivors get together for the five-year anniversary to celebrate their lives, and remember the ones that were lost. Being together as a group brings up a lot of mixed emotions, and some people have dealt with the tragedy better then others. An eventful evening leads to the discovery of the body of one of the survivors. Has the Lucky Eight run out of luck?
Detective Rachel Lewis leads the investigation into Nick’s death. Eager to please her boss, she wastes no time trying to get answers. Getting answers proves more difficult then she thought, as she tries to get the group’s stories straight. Not everyone is being honest with her, and some members have even disappeared. Then, another member of the group is killed. Detective Rachel Lewis realizes it is a race against time before the killer kills their next target. Will she solve the case or will it be too late?
If you enjoyed Final Destination, then this book is for you!!
I read relatively fast, but this book took me some time to get into. In the beginning, I was a little confused by all that was going on. Once I learned who was who, the story was easier to follow. All the characters, major and minor, are very different from one another. Each character was very relatable!
The story is told from Clodagh and Rachel’s point of view. I like reading a book that gives more then one character’s point of view. Clodagh is definitely an unreliable narrator, and it gives an edge to the story. You are not sure you can trust Clodagh and what she is saying due to the memory loss. I loved Detective Rachel Lewis and Detective Ade’s dynamic. I hope to see the pair together in a future novel. I thoroughly enjoy whodunits, and with this novel I had the killer figured out a quarter way in. With that being said, I enjoyed reading this novel!!
By: Sheila Bugler
Thank you to Canelo Crime and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!!
Five years ago, 160 people died in a plane crash and only eight survived. Clodagh Kinsella, a survivor of the plane crash, lost her sister in it. Struggling with memory loss, she only remembers bits and pieces from that day. The survivors get together for the five-year anniversary to celebrate their lives, and remember the ones that were lost. Being together as a group brings up a lot of mixed emotions, and some people have dealt with the tragedy better then others. An eventful evening leads to the discovery of the body of one of the survivors. Has the Lucky Eight run out of luck?
Detective Rachel Lewis leads the investigation into Nick’s death. Eager to please her boss, she wastes no time trying to get answers. Getting answers proves more difficult then she thought, as she tries to get the group’s stories straight. Not everyone is being honest with her, and some members have even disappeared. Then, another member of the group is killed. Detective Rachel Lewis realizes it is a race against time before the killer kills their next target. Will she solve the case or will it be too late?
If you enjoyed Final Destination, then this book is for you!!
I read relatively fast, but this book took me some time to get into. In the beginning, I was a little confused by all that was going on. Once I learned who was who, the story was easier to follow. All the characters, major and minor, are very different from one another. Each character was very relatable!
The story is told from Clodagh and Rachel’s point of view. I like reading a book that gives more then one character’s point of view. Clodagh is definitely an unreliable narrator, and it gives an edge to the story. You are not sure you can trust Clodagh and what she is saying due to the memory loss. I loved Detective Rachel Lewis and Detective Ade’s dynamic. I hope to see the pair together in a future novel. I thoroughly enjoy whodunits, and with this novel I had the killer figured out a quarter way in. With that being said, I enjoyed reading this novel!!
July 15, 2021
I have loved Sheila’s Eastbourne series which features journalist Dee Doran, I was hoping that this would be another instalment, but alas no! That disappointment was only with me briefly, as I was soon invested in the lives – and deaths – of The Lucky Eight.
Our new detective is Rachel Lewis; formerly partnered with Ed, Dee Doran’s love interest, she is determined to make an impression with her first case as lead investigator. The action begins immediately, and Rachel’s character develops along with the story. Whilst we do learn more about Rachel’s private life, the book remains focused on the story, and the rest remains in the background. This is not a criticism as the character development is excellent.
This is a true ensemble piece which, to me, felt like a nod to Agatha Christie’s style of writing. Lots of suspects with motive, but alibis which remove opportunity. I certainly felt like I was part of the investigating team, following each lead and discarding the red herrings. Rachel, and her partner Ade, kept digging for the truth and the story had me guessing right to the end.
The relationships of the survivors felt almost incestuous, with new couples being formed in the aftermath of the accident. Most remarkable was Clodagh and Adam. Despite knowing each other from college days, entering into a relationship with the husband of a dead sister seems wrong on many levels. As identities are revealed, we soon learn that they are not the only unlikely couple.
The Lucky Eight gives the reader a glimpse at the lives of modern celebrities. It shows us how image is more important, to some, than truth. How easy it is to manipulate the truth to reflect a certain perception and bolster popularity.
I’m ready to hear about Rachel’s next case and hope she’ll be back soon.
Our new detective is Rachel Lewis; formerly partnered with Ed, Dee Doran’s love interest, she is determined to make an impression with her first case as lead investigator. The action begins immediately, and Rachel’s character develops along with the story. Whilst we do learn more about Rachel’s private life, the book remains focused on the story, and the rest remains in the background. This is not a criticism as the character development is excellent.
This is a true ensemble piece which, to me, felt like a nod to Agatha Christie’s style of writing. Lots of suspects with motive, but alibis which remove opportunity. I certainly felt like I was part of the investigating team, following each lead and discarding the red herrings. Rachel, and her partner Ade, kept digging for the truth and the story had me guessing right to the end.
The relationships of the survivors felt almost incestuous, with new couples being formed in the aftermath of the accident. Most remarkable was Clodagh and Adam. Despite knowing each other from college days, entering into a relationship with the husband of a dead sister seems wrong on many levels. As identities are revealed, we soon learn that they are not the only unlikely couple.
The Lucky Eight gives the reader a glimpse at the lives of modern celebrities. It shows us how image is more important, to some, than truth. How easy it is to manipulate the truth to reflect a certain perception and bolster popularity.
I’m ready to hear about Rachel’s next case and hope she’ll be back soon.
July 27, 2021
As a lover of crime thrillers, I knew that when given the chance to read this that I had to do it. This is the first book that I have read by the author, and it most certainly will not be the last.
After a tragic airline crash five yeas previously, the eight survivors, ‘The Lucky Eight’ through their own misfortune have formed a unique bond and have supported each other over the passing years. However, on the fifth anniversary, one of them is found dead, murdered, and suddenly those that are left are questioning how well they actually do know each other…
The cast of characters are a fantastic mix, complex, diverse and downright sneaky. All of them were hiding something from real life, and I have to admit that as I was reading, I did make them all guilty of something! The main focus though was on two characters, the first was Detective Rachel, who along with her partner Ade, worked really hard on trying to find the killer, although at times and as they dug deeper, to be asking more questions than finding answers. The other was on Clodagh, whose sister, famous actress, was killed on the flight and Clodagh has to face up to the choices that she made five years ago.
Another book that kept me up late into the night, as I wanted to keep riding this brilliant rollercoaster of a book. Just when I thought I had worked out who it was, yet another theory was thrown in to the narrative to keep me turning those pages to see if I could untwist the web of secrets and lies and discover the truth.
I highly recommend this brilliant written immersive, fast paced novel to anyone, but particularly psychological crime thriller fans. The writing style really made me feel like I was part of the Detective team too and they were asking me to be their silent partner and get my view on the case too.
This was a gifted copy in return for an honest review.
After a tragic airline crash five yeas previously, the eight survivors, ‘The Lucky Eight’ through their own misfortune have formed a unique bond and have supported each other over the passing years. However, on the fifth anniversary, one of them is found dead, murdered, and suddenly those that are left are questioning how well they actually do know each other…
The cast of characters are a fantastic mix, complex, diverse and downright sneaky. All of them were hiding something from real life, and I have to admit that as I was reading, I did make them all guilty of something! The main focus though was on two characters, the first was Detective Rachel, who along with her partner Ade, worked really hard on trying to find the killer, although at times and as they dug deeper, to be asking more questions than finding answers. The other was on Clodagh, whose sister, famous actress, was killed on the flight and Clodagh has to face up to the choices that she made five years ago.
Another book that kept me up late into the night, as I wanted to keep riding this brilliant rollercoaster of a book. Just when I thought I had worked out who it was, yet another theory was thrown in to the narrative to keep me turning those pages to see if I could untwist the web of secrets and lies and discover the truth.
I highly recommend this brilliant written immersive, fast paced novel to anyone, but particularly psychological crime thriller fans. The writing style really made me feel like I was part of the Detective team too and they were asking me to be their silent partner and get my view on the case too.
This was a gifted copy in return for an honest review.
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