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The Call
TICK. ‘Ben, I need you. Help me.’
TOCK. ‘PLEASE HELP ME!’
TICK. ‘It was an accident…but there’s so much blood…’
DEAD.
In a frantic midnight phone call, Ben learns his wife, Mia, has killed a man. And she needs his help.
When Ben arrives at Mia’s hotel room, the scene is horrific – but over the course of the night it will get much worse.
All their secrets will be uncovered, and they will discover how far they’ll go to protect themselves and each other… will they kill for love? Or will they die for it?
They have twelve hours to save their marriage, and their lives. The clock is ticking…
Told in real-time half-hour chapters, this is a read-in-one-sitting thriller that fans of T.M. Logan and Simon Kernick will devour. Sit down and strap yourself in for the rollercoaster read of 2022.
TOCK. ‘PLEASE HELP ME!’
TICK. ‘It was an accident…but there’s so much blood…’
DEAD.
In a frantic midnight phone call, Ben learns his wife, Mia, has killed a man. And she needs his help.
When Ben arrives at Mia’s hotel room, the scene is horrific – but over the course of the night it will get much worse.
All their secrets will be uncovered, and they will discover how far they’ll go to protect themselves and each other… will they kill for love? Or will they die for it?
They have twelve hours to save their marriage, and their lives. The clock is ticking…
Told in real-time half-hour chapters, this is a read-in-one-sitting thriller that fans of T.M. Logan and Simon Kernick will devour. Sit down and strap yourself in for the rollercoaster read of 2022.
320 pages, Paperback
First published May 26, 2022
35 people are currently reading
584 people want to read
About the author
P.D. Viner
10 books52 followersI am killing again.
I live in Brighton, UK, with my wife, academic, blogger and author Lynneguist, and our teenage daughter.
I have made films, written theatre and created the audio ranges SmartPass and Shakespeare Appreciated.
Now I'm back and murdering with The Call and more to come. I love writing. I'm so happy and so lucky to have Hera Canelo publishing me.
I live in Brighton, UK, with my wife, academic, blogger and author Lynneguist, and our teenage daughter.
I have made films, written theatre and created the audio ranges SmartPass and Shakespeare Appreciated.
Now I'm back and murdering with The Call and more to come. I love writing. I'm so happy and so lucky to have Hera Canelo publishing me.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
January 18, 2022
Ben receives a call in the middle of the night from his wife, Mia, who should be sleeping soundly beside him (but isn't) and what she tells him next will change both of their lives forever.
Ben immediately goes to her aid despite the nagging feeling he has in his stomach telling him things are about to go very wrong. It's an internal warning that he should have heeded.
Wow, I am thrilled to tell you that I really enjoyed this one. I had very little expectations going in because all these psychological thrillers are a dime a dozen these days and this reader has had her expectations dashed more often than I care to admit. But, Hallelujah, we have ourselves a winner. This is a psych thriller, domestic suspense mash up that is filled to the brim with lies and secrets and all that juicy goodness I love in my fiction. My loyalties wavered between Ben and Mia throughout the story.
This book is going to require suspension of disbelief. As I was reading along I was thinking to myself that this situation would never happen in real life and then I had to remind myself of all the 48 Hours Mysteries and Dateline episodes I've seen where reality is indeed scarier than fiction so maybe this isn't too out there. Maybe, just maybe, this could happen with the right circumstances and with people lacking the morals I like to think most of us possess. Either way, realistic or not, I had a heck of a time with this one. P.D. Viners note at the end also gave me a chuckle. He seems like a really great guy and I wish him continued success in is writing career. 4 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Hera Books for my complimentary copy. The arc I received is titled Last Night Together not The Call but they are the same book.
Ben immediately goes to her aid despite the nagging feeling he has in his stomach telling him things are about to go very wrong. It's an internal warning that he should have heeded.
Wow, I am thrilled to tell you that I really enjoyed this one. I had very little expectations going in because all these psychological thrillers are a dime a dozen these days and this reader has had her expectations dashed more often than I care to admit. But, Hallelujah, we have ourselves a winner. This is a psych thriller, domestic suspense mash up that is filled to the brim with lies and secrets and all that juicy goodness I love in my fiction. My loyalties wavered between Ben and Mia throughout the story.
This book is going to require suspension of disbelief. As I was reading along I was thinking to myself that this situation would never happen in real life and then I had to remind myself of all the 48 Hours Mysteries and Dateline episodes I've seen where reality is indeed scarier than fiction so maybe this isn't too out there. Maybe, just maybe, this could happen with the right circumstances and with people lacking the morals I like to think most of us possess. Either way, realistic or not, I had a heck of a time with this one. P.D. Viners note at the end also gave me a chuckle. He seems like a really great guy and I wish him continued success in is writing career. 4 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Hera Books for my complimentary copy. The arc I received is titled Last Night Together not The Call but they are the same book.
July 14, 2022
The CALL is a dark humoured,twisted and chilling psychological thriller which I had a strange relationship with, when I was reading it I enjoyed it, when I had to pick it up to finish it I couldn't decide if I wanted to, my reasoning was the wife needed a punch and the husband needed a shake.
It's starts with one phone call from the wife to the husband needing help, the book is set over a whole evening and from both points of view, it jumps from one extreme to another (literally 🤦)
I'm glad i finished it, I'd definitely recommend it and I'd definitely read this author again📚
It's starts with one phone call from the wife to the husband needing help, the book is set over a whole evening and from both points of view, it jumps from one extreme to another (literally 🤦)
I'm glad i finished it, I'd definitely recommend it and I'd definitely read this author again📚
June 22, 2022
Too many sound effects, so little time.
In addition to narration, this book featured too many unwelcomed sound effects.
One of the characters vomited and there were sound effects. (Was that really necessary?)
There was a sex scene with sound effects. (Was that really necessary?)
Having sound effects with dialogue was a bad call for "The Call".
This book was a DNF for me and I hope that other audiobook producers don't follow this audiobook editor's lead.
In addition to narration, this book featured too many unwelcomed sound effects.
One of the characters vomited and there were sound effects. (Was that really necessary?)
There was a sex scene with sound effects. (Was that really necessary?)
Having sound effects with dialogue was a bad call for "The Call".
This book was a DNF for me and I hope that other audiobook producers don't follow this audiobook editor's lead.
April 2, 2023
*I have no Words*
**3.5 Stars**
This is a story of a couple who were in love and have a daughter who is plagued with health challenges. The father Ben is a cartoonist and His wife Mia a corporate lawyer. As Mia is the breadwinner Ben becomes the stay at home Dad. He is hands on and when there is a huge tragedy Ben is slow at letting Mia know who often worked away as she rose through the ranks at work. Their relationship has changed to having lots of resentment and pain. Neither wants to discuss or admit it and this is what happens instead.
Be prepared to enter the ridiculous. Well Ben is at home one night in bed and he is woken by a vague idea of hearing Mia’s voice. He cannot shift how crap he feels. Why is that? He shortly realises the sound is coming from the answer phone and there are several messages on the landline.
Mia needs help she is in trouble and when they eventually speak she gives him a list of items to bring including bin bags, bleach and a holdall. He must not drive, he must get a cab, stop shy of the address and walk. He arrives not prepared for what he sees, then beggars belief he enters a rabbit hole of deceit and not not to mention all their secrets start to unravel. The story is told from both points of view as they work up to how they have found themselves in this predicament.
As they get to work to clear up what has happened they realise everything in the room is on tape and as they try to cover their tracks things get worse and worse.
It was so over the top for me, I added the audio and it includes virtually every sound affect a touch too much for my taste. The music at some of the madness intervals was more than enough.
This is a couple in pain that end up with blood on their hands.
**3.5 Stars**
This is a story of a couple who were in love and have a daughter who is plagued with health challenges. The father Ben is a cartoonist and His wife Mia a corporate lawyer. As Mia is the breadwinner Ben becomes the stay at home Dad. He is hands on and when there is a huge tragedy Ben is slow at letting Mia know who often worked away as she rose through the ranks at work. Their relationship has changed to having lots of resentment and pain. Neither wants to discuss or admit it and this is what happens instead.
Be prepared to enter the ridiculous. Well Ben is at home one night in bed and he is woken by a vague idea of hearing Mia’s voice. He cannot shift how crap he feels. Why is that? He shortly realises the sound is coming from the answer phone and there are several messages on the landline.
Mia needs help she is in trouble and when they eventually speak she gives him a list of items to bring including bin bags, bleach and a holdall. He must not drive, he must get a cab, stop shy of the address and walk. He arrives not prepared for what he sees, then beggars belief he enters a rabbit hole of deceit and not not to mention all their secrets start to unravel. The story is told from both points of view as they work up to how they have found themselves in this predicament.
As they get to work to clear up what has happened they realise everything in the room is on tape and as they try to cover their tracks things get worse and worse.
It was so over the top for me, I added the audio and it includes virtually every sound affect a touch too much for my taste. The music at some of the madness intervals was more than enough.
This is a couple in pain that end up with blood on their hands.
January 1, 2022
“…after tonight he will hate me and I don’t blame him. I’ve trapped him. It was mean of me to use his wedding vows like that, when he wrote them with so much love, because I’m pretty sure neither of us mentioned anything about helping the other cover up a killing. I don’t think that comes under ‘in sickness or in health and forsaking all others’…”
The Call is the third novel by British author, P.D. Viner. At a minute before midnight in early February, Ben Kingdom wakes from an unusually deep sleep to hear his wife, Mia calling for his help. She’s not there, in the house, and when he calls her mobile, he hears it ringing. Locating it, in her hidden handbag, amongst all the usual essentials she carries, has him puzzled.
And then a phone rings (the landline!!), the answering machine clicks in, and he sees that she has left multiple, increasingly frantic, messages. When he finally talks to Mia, she begs for his help, invoking their marriage vows, is vague about just what has happened, except that it involves a dead man, and gives him very specific instructions on what he must bring if he agrees to help her out: gloves, bleach, towels, garbage bags, a knife and hammer (?!), and how to avoid being seen or tracked.
Can such a beginning fail to intrigue the reader? Little more, however, can be said about the plot of this riveting page-turner without spoilers, although it perhaps doesn’t give too much away to reveal that Viner manages to include arson, dumpster diving with a difference, an unconventional use for a certain date-rape drug, lies, secrets, infidelity and grief.
This is a story that plays out over a mere seven hours and each chapter is headed with a time; the narrative alternates between Mia and Ben, so the reader is privy to both perspectives on what occurs; flashbacks fill in a bit of the couple’s history. One of these narrators turns out to be quite unreliable, continually lying (often by omission), but the other hasn’t been completely candid either.
Many chapters end with a loaded remark that adds another layer, another complication, another twist to the story. Sometimes drama tips into melodrama, and the reader may need to don their disbelief suspenders at times, so the best advice is to just keep them on, go with the flow and enjoy the rollercoaster ride.
Despite the grittiness of the story, there is plenty of black humour, much of it relying on incongruity e.g. Ben ready to disapprove if Mia has shoplifted two cans of drink, just hours after he has helped her conceal a body.
Viner does have a way with words: Ben, in the dumpster “It’s disgusting in here, and there’s barely enough light to see anything clearly. It’s wet, in an oozy bin-juice way; all rot and decay and entropy – the three unknown brothers of the seven deadly dwarves.” A gripping thriller that surprises, at times, by being laugh-out-loud funny.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Hera Books.
The Call is the third novel by British author, P.D. Viner. At a minute before midnight in early February, Ben Kingdom wakes from an unusually deep sleep to hear his wife, Mia calling for his help. She’s not there, in the house, and when he calls her mobile, he hears it ringing. Locating it, in her hidden handbag, amongst all the usual essentials she carries, has him puzzled.
And then a phone rings (the landline!!), the answering machine clicks in, and he sees that she has left multiple, increasingly frantic, messages. When he finally talks to Mia, she begs for his help, invoking their marriage vows, is vague about just what has happened, except that it involves a dead man, and gives him very specific instructions on what he must bring if he agrees to help her out: gloves, bleach, towels, garbage bags, a knife and hammer (?!), and how to avoid being seen or tracked.
Can such a beginning fail to intrigue the reader? Little more, however, can be said about the plot of this riveting page-turner without spoilers, although it perhaps doesn’t give too much away to reveal that Viner manages to include arson, dumpster diving with a difference, an unconventional use for a certain date-rape drug, lies, secrets, infidelity and grief.
This is a story that plays out over a mere seven hours and each chapter is headed with a time; the narrative alternates between Mia and Ben, so the reader is privy to both perspectives on what occurs; flashbacks fill in a bit of the couple’s history. One of these narrators turns out to be quite unreliable, continually lying (often by omission), but the other hasn’t been completely candid either.
Many chapters end with a loaded remark that adds another layer, another complication, another twist to the story. Sometimes drama tips into melodrama, and the reader may need to don their disbelief suspenders at times, so the best advice is to just keep them on, go with the flow and enjoy the rollercoaster ride.
Despite the grittiness of the story, there is plenty of black humour, much of it relying on incongruity e.g. Ben ready to disapprove if Mia has shoplifted two cans of drink, just hours after he has helped her conceal a body.
Viner does have a way with words: Ben, in the dumpster “It’s disgusting in here, and there’s barely enough light to see anything clearly. It’s wet, in an oozy bin-juice way; all rot and decay and entropy – the three unknown brothers of the seven deadly dwarves.” A gripping thriller that surprises, at times, by being laugh-out-loud funny.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Hera Books.
November 12, 2021
I seem to be the first to review this book…lovely. Thrillers are dime a dozen right now, especially of marital variety, so one must exercise caution. I’ve tried to be very selective with my choices (not an easy thing to do with new books, which often have no reviews) and this one definitely worked out. Cover appeal wins out once again.
Never read the author, but would again, based on this. Intriguing plot, good writing, complex characters cut freestyle without any cookie cutter assistance.
Some marriages end in fights and tears, some in loaded silences and mountains of resentments, some just sort of dissolve over the years…but for the couple in this story it’ll all end in blood, someone else’s blood, but still, lots of it. Over one explosive night’s events, a two-decade strong couple still reeling from the death of their young daughter, will reevaluate all they know about each other, will really get to know what each other has become.
This is a story of what happens when your beloved wife calls you in the middle of the night to help her dispose of a body of a man she just killed. Told in real time to maximize the narrative dynamism, the story and the situation spiral out from there, with the ever-mounting pressure and the ever-increasing body count. And yes, the spiraling ends up in a major diabolical sort of situation that seems like a far cry from the simple self-defenceish kind of initial murder, but that’s the nature of these thrillers, gotta systematically turn the dial up, boil that pot and all in it. But then again, presumably it goes a long way to exculpate the protagonists, because sometimes murder is just downright justifiable.
I won’t say any more than that, this thriller, like every thriller, hinges on its plot twists, and unlike every thriller, this one is certainly worth a read. A fun ride through a very dark night. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
Never read the author, but would again, based on this. Intriguing plot, good writing, complex characters cut freestyle without any cookie cutter assistance.
Some marriages end in fights and tears, some in loaded silences and mountains of resentments, some just sort of dissolve over the years…but for the couple in this story it’ll all end in blood, someone else’s blood, but still, lots of it. Over one explosive night’s events, a two-decade strong couple still reeling from the death of their young daughter, will reevaluate all they know about each other, will really get to know what each other has become.
This is a story of what happens when your beloved wife calls you in the middle of the night to help her dispose of a body of a man she just killed. Told in real time to maximize the narrative dynamism, the story and the situation spiral out from there, with the ever-mounting pressure and the ever-increasing body count. And yes, the spiraling ends up in a major diabolical sort of situation that seems like a far cry from the simple self-defenceish kind of initial murder, but that’s the nature of these thrillers, gotta systematically turn the dial up, boil that pot and all in it. But then again, presumably it goes a long way to exculpate the protagonists, because sometimes murder is just downright justifiable.
I won’t say any more than that, this thriller, like every thriller, hinges on its plot twists, and unlike every thriller, this one is certainly worth a read. A fun ride through a very dark night. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
August 21, 2022
I gave this a 0 on StoryGraph but can’t do that on here.
Wow this book was truly awful. It was somewhat plausible for the first few chapters but it just kept getting more and more ridiculous as it went on. Also laced with a shedload of unnecessarily triggering content written with absolutely ZERO tact. Would not recommend this to anyone; in fact I don’t even think I would donate it.
I solemnly swear to never read a book by this author again.
update: I threw this in the bin. Don’t think anyone should have to read this.
Wow this book was truly awful. It was somewhat plausible for the first few chapters but it just kept getting more and more ridiculous as it went on. Also laced with a shedload of unnecessarily triggering content written with absolutely ZERO tact. Would not recommend this to anyone; in fact I don’t even think I would donate it.
I solemnly swear to never read a book by this author again.
update: I threw this in the bin. Don’t think anyone should have to read this.
April 3, 2023
Boring, just boring. Two very strange people in an even stranger relationship, who are unable to have a normal conversation.
Sorry, but not for me. Two stars because the writing is not bad.
Sorry, but not for me. Two stars because the writing is not bad.
November 11, 2021
I don't really know where to start with this book. When I saw the premise for the book, I knew it was something that I needed to read. I love books which are set over a short time period and this one fits the bill.
All I can say about this book is don't start it unless you have a spare few hours ahead of you as once you begin you won't want to put it down. The story starts with a phonecall from Mia to her husband Ben, she's at a hotel and needs help, someone is dead and she needs him to bring bags, a hammer, bleach and various other items.
Ben assists as he loves his wife (even though she was at a seedy hotel with another man) and so begins a night of mayhem, murder, blackmail, arson and a lot, lot more.
You need to read this book with a sense of abandon, forget realism and just enjoy the ride as Mia and Ben have a night they will never forget.
Whilst it will never win the Booker Prize, it is a fun, enjoyable and ridiculous read.
Thanks to Netgalley and Hera Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
All I can say about this book is don't start it unless you have a spare few hours ahead of you as once you begin you won't want to put it down. The story starts with a phonecall from Mia to her husband Ben, she's at a hotel and needs help, someone is dead and she needs him to bring bags, a hammer, bleach and various other items.
Ben assists as he loves his wife (even though she was at a seedy hotel with another man) and so begins a night of mayhem, murder, blackmail, arson and a lot, lot more.
You need to read this book with a sense of abandon, forget realism and just enjoy the ride as Mia and Ben have a night they will never forget.
Whilst it will never win the Booker Prize, it is a fun, enjoyable and ridiculous read.
Thanks to Netgalley and Hera Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 16, 2022
I’m a bit speechless, this story is thriller meets ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf’ mash up and it’s really best read in one go. Broken up in 1/2 hour increments, we follow the fantastical night of Ben and Mia and the dead body and so much more. This book was originally titled “Last Night Together” but is now titled “The Call”. Thank you Netgalley, Hera Books and the author for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
March 10, 2023
I was expecting just another shitty crime but this was a really fun read with lots of unexpected turns and twists.
January 16, 2023
The most unlikeable characters with the most awful plot.
June 1, 2024
What a ... strange set of characters. Who are all shitheads and totally unlikeable. Not one redeemable feature.
November 2, 2023
good story and really fast paced.. the two main characters are both just SO unlikeable in places, times when i hated Mia but liked Ben, and times when i hated Ben but liked Mia😂 overall 4⭐️
August 15, 2022
Really struggled with this one and unfortunately got to 25% and had to admit defeat. I just found it really strange and couldn’t relate to the characters at all 😬
Thank you to NetGalley and Hera for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review
Thank you to NetGalley and Hera for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review
June 13, 2022
From the synopsis I had such high expectations for this book, and was proven wrong before I even finished the first chapter. Reading this book chapter by chapter felt worse than pulling teeth. From the annoying characters, to the constant gaslighting there’s literally nothing good to write about it, I wish I could give it zero stars.
August 20, 2022
I found the two main characters annoying, unlikeable and difficult to relate to. The story itself seemed to have potential, but each chapter seemed more far fetched than the previous. I liked the shifting perspectives/ narration between the two main characters, and the overall pace of the book was good, however the story itself was blah IMO.
July 14, 2022
Well, this book is very fast paced, set in the space of 6 hours. Mia needs her husbands help because a man id dead. All that follows is problem after problem and after awhile became to far fetched and unbelievable. The ending wasn't really finished and it lacks something. Not one i'd re-read.
August 2, 2022
A good start
It started off really well, but then ended up being so far fetched. I enjoyed parts of it but some not so much
It started off really well, but then ended up being so far fetched. I enjoyed parts of it but some not so much
January 27, 2025
In a frantic late-night phone call, Ben learns his wife, Mia, has killed a man. And she needs his help. When Ben arrives at Mia’s hotel room, the scene is horrific – but over the course of the night it will get much worse. All their secrets will be uncovered, and they will discover how far they’ll go to protect themselves and each other… will they kill for love? Or will they die for it?
Told in first person by Ben and Mia, this takes place over the course of a night. Mia has made a terrible mistake and compounded it, needing to call Ben in to help, which he does. But with every horrible action they’re forced to take, something else crops up that just makes it worse. The characterisation is well done - neither of them seems to know the other (after a few years of marriage and losing their child) - though it was hard, at times, to see why Mia had endured her husband as long as she did. Other characters are less well-treated, though there’s a very nice twist with one of them, Tony, later in the book. The locations - a seedy hotel, London after dark, a unit under some arches - are well used and feel nicely lived in. The downside for me was the relentless plot - literally, every time you think they’ve solved their problems, another bigger one crops up and what started out as a believable-at-a-push story quickly becomes far-fetched and not a little ridiculous. And to top that with a very bland final line for each character, it kind of rubbed the shine off the whole thing. It’s not badly written, it is entertaining, but it all ends up a bit unlikely.
Told in first person by Ben and Mia, this takes place over the course of a night. Mia has made a terrible mistake and compounded it, needing to call Ben in to help, which he does. But with every horrible action they’re forced to take, something else crops up that just makes it worse. The characterisation is well done - neither of them seems to know the other (after a few years of marriage and losing their child) - though it was hard, at times, to see why Mia had endured her husband as long as she did. Other characters are less well-treated, though there’s a very nice twist with one of them, Tony, later in the book. The locations - a seedy hotel, London after dark, a unit under some arches - are well used and feel nicely lived in. The downside for me was the relentless plot - literally, every time you think they’ve solved their problems, another bigger one crops up and what started out as a believable-at-a-push story quickly becomes far-fetched and not a little ridiculous. And to top that with a very bland final line for each character, it kind of rubbed the shine off the whole thing. It’s not badly written, it is entertaining, but it all ends up a bit unlikely.
November 7, 2022
Oddly I could not stop listening to this story. But I found it absolutely ridiculous in its premise.
January 6, 2023
Told in alternating POV the book is fast paced with most of the action happening in 8 hours other than some flashbacks. Interesting premise especially in the first 1/3 but it becomes too much with the continued reveals/plot twists. And some of it just seemed too implausible. How many ideas can we stuff in one novel? In the end I felt very meh about this book even though I wondered how it would end...it felt a bit flat or anticlimactic.
February 2, 2023
Pile of shite, what was the actual point of that story?
February 24, 2023
Was really enjoying the book, but felt the end fell away and was abit unrealistic.
May 26, 2022
Wow. I was expecting something crazy with this book, and it definitely delivered! This is a fast paced read, and it has Ben & Mia's viewpoints over one of the worst nights of their lives. I really liked seeing this from both their sides - it really added to the tension, seeing what they were thinking. There's so many secrets revealed by both of them, along with the horrors of the night - just when you think you know what happened & what's going on, you realise you don't. It's intense, gory and gripping, and I really enjoyed it!
Thanks to Hera Books & NetGalley for the DRC in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to Hera Books & NetGalley for the DRC in exchange for an honest review.
August 21, 2022
I thought it was well paced and I enjoyed the way it was written the perspective of both main characters alternatively.
I’m a little confused at the end when it seems they are both home and dry. What about when at least one of the bodies are found?! I’m not convinced they would have done a good enough job covering their tracks and erasing all evidence (DNA, CCTV footage, ANPR cameras etc)
I’m a little confused at the end when it seems they are both home and dry. What about when at least one of the bodies are found?! I’m not convinced they would have done a good enough job covering their tracks and erasing all evidence (DNA, CCTV footage, ANPR cameras etc)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 28, 2022
Mia is an absolutely horrible person. As a result I ended up bring angry with Ben for answering the call. This is a fast paced book and the storyline is different but Mia did spoil it.
May 28, 2022
How far would you go to protect your wife of 20 years? That’s the main question this story asks. Ben and Mia have been married for 20 years they swore that they would always be there for each other.
It’s 11.59 on a February night, Ben is asleep in bed when he hears Mia’s voice calling him but she’s not in bed by his side, he feels groggy as if he is hungover and he can’t seem to remember anything from when he fell asleep. He goes in search of Mia, but she isn’t in the house. Her mobile phone rings but he has to work out where it’s coming from, eventually he realises it’s in a hidden handbag in a cupboard, in the bag are her mobile phone, £200 cash, her purse and usual ID. Then the house phone rings he goes towards it and sees he has a number of missed calls. When he answers Mia is in a state, she needs Ben’s help, she has killed a man, in self defence or so she says and she wants Ben to get some things, a hammer, bleach, gloves, towels, rubbish bags and a knife. When Ben hesitates she uses his wedding vows. He is given strict instructions of how to get where she is, and what to wear so he isn’t spotted on any CCTV cameras.
As Ben arrives at the address he realises it’s a very seedy hotel, what was Mia doing here? He wants to call the police, surely if it was self defence then Mia would be fine. Why wasn’t she home in bed next to him? Ben debates whether to go in but in the end his conscience pushes him forward. When he sees Mia he is shocked, she has bruises on her arms, round her neck and at the tops of her legs. Lying on the floor is a young man. Ben tries to ask what Mia is doing there in the first place but Mia isn’t answering questions right now she gives Ben’s his instructions.
The whole story is told over 7 hours, through the points of view of both Mia and Ben and the clock is ticking. But as they clear up one problem and believe themselves safe something else happens leading to them getting deeper and deeper into trouble. But which of them is telling the truth. There are so many twists and turns in the story. It is clear the marriage is failing, gradually we learn of secrets each of them have been keeping from the other. It’s hard at times to feel sympathy for either of the characters. I probably have more sympathy for Ben than I do for Mia.
Ben still loves Mia, but can the same be said of Mia, does she still love Ben. As the story unravels, the couple find themselves caught up with more bloodshed, arson, blackmail and a lot more.
This is one fast paced, rollercoaster ride that will keep you gripped, you need to have time to read it in one sitting if possible because as each brief chapter ends it ends with yet another dilemma that the couple find themselves in. What at first seems like a simple clean up turns out to be so much more.
I loved the fact that we get both sides of the story, both characters thoughts as to the marriage, when cracks started to appear, the lies each of them have told.
The plot is intriguing, with some complex characters, terrific writing, there are bits you have to abandon all belief but it’s best to just go with the flow you definitely won’t be disappointed. Despite it being mostly gritty there are a few humorous bits. This is a writer to watch out for, I haven’t read any of his previous books but I will be looking them up after reading this one. A brilliant ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star read.
I would like to thank @Hera books for an eARC of this book and @_DanielleLouis_ for inviting me to take part in this blogtour.
It’s 11.59 on a February night, Ben is asleep in bed when he hears Mia’s voice calling him but she’s not in bed by his side, he feels groggy as if he is hungover and he can’t seem to remember anything from when he fell asleep. He goes in search of Mia, but she isn’t in the house. Her mobile phone rings but he has to work out where it’s coming from, eventually he realises it’s in a hidden handbag in a cupboard, in the bag are her mobile phone, £200 cash, her purse and usual ID. Then the house phone rings he goes towards it and sees he has a number of missed calls. When he answers Mia is in a state, she needs Ben’s help, she has killed a man, in self defence or so she says and she wants Ben to get some things, a hammer, bleach, gloves, towels, rubbish bags and a knife. When Ben hesitates she uses his wedding vows. He is given strict instructions of how to get where she is, and what to wear so he isn’t spotted on any CCTV cameras.
As Ben arrives at the address he realises it’s a very seedy hotel, what was Mia doing here? He wants to call the police, surely if it was self defence then Mia would be fine. Why wasn’t she home in bed next to him? Ben debates whether to go in but in the end his conscience pushes him forward. When he sees Mia he is shocked, she has bruises on her arms, round her neck and at the tops of her legs. Lying on the floor is a young man. Ben tries to ask what Mia is doing there in the first place but Mia isn’t answering questions right now she gives Ben’s his instructions.
The whole story is told over 7 hours, through the points of view of both Mia and Ben and the clock is ticking. But as they clear up one problem and believe themselves safe something else happens leading to them getting deeper and deeper into trouble. But which of them is telling the truth. There are so many twists and turns in the story. It is clear the marriage is failing, gradually we learn of secrets each of them have been keeping from the other. It’s hard at times to feel sympathy for either of the characters. I probably have more sympathy for Ben than I do for Mia.
Ben still loves Mia, but can the same be said of Mia, does she still love Ben. As the story unravels, the couple find themselves caught up with more bloodshed, arson, blackmail and a lot more.
This is one fast paced, rollercoaster ride that will keep you gripped, you need to have time to read it in one sitting if possible because as each brief chapter ends it ends with yet another dilemma that the couple find themselves in. What at first seems like a simple clean up turns out to be so much more.
I loved the fact that we get both sides of the story, both characters thoughts as to the marriage, when cracks started to appear, the lies each of them have told.
The plot is intriguing, with some complex characters, terrific writing, there are bits you have to abandon all belief but it’s best to just go with the flow you definitely won’t be disappointed. Despite it being mostly gritty there are a few humorous bits. This is a writer to watch out for, I haven’t read any of his previous books but I will be looking them up after reading this one. A brilliant ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star read.
I would like to thank @Hera books for an eARC of this book and @_DanielleLouis_ for inviting me to take part in this blogtour.
May 28, 2022
Viner pens a gripping, quick-paced, drama- filled story dripping with lies, deceit, and non-stop secrets. It’s told in real-time chapters pulling us in to the fast-paced momentum driving the narrative. We hear the story from the dual point of view of Ben and Mia enabling us to hear their inner thoughts and feelings on everything, and it’s quite the eye opener!
It opens with a frantic, desperate Mia trying to get hold of Ben. He wakes up disoriented with no recollection of how he got to bed. It’s a compelling read from the get go and it doesn’t let up. Mia confesses she’s killed someone and needs Ben’s help, and so begins this twisty rollercoaster ride.
As we get drawn deeper in to their world we see Mia’s manipulative side; she drags Ben into a dire situation and uses him to help her. He’s not allowed to ask questions and is expected to blindly follow her down this dark path she has set them on.
The characters are so well crafted eliciting strong feelings from the reader. We see Mia’s anger and cruelty, and the toxic nature of their relationship. As events unravel and powerful enemies are made, lines keep getting crossed, the crimes committed rack up, and there’s no end in sight!
It’s shocking to see the full extent of Mia’s lies and the lengths she goes to. There’s a heartbreaking tragedy from their past, and we discover Ben is hiding secrets of his own! As the danger intensifies, sinister and disturbing revelations are uncovered.
At the heart of the story is love, it’s a force of its own that guides us and it explores just how far we are prepared to go to protect those we love. What are we truly capable of when in survival mode? Human nature is put under the microscope and it’s not a pretty sight!
This tense, chilling tale keeps us on the edge of our seat. There’s chaos aplenty as life as they know it is crumbling all around them. I just had to keep reading to find out how things would end for Ben and Mia, and it’s an unpredictable, suspense-filled read that really gets you thinking!
With thanks to @_DanielleLouis_, @PhilViner, and @HeraBooks for a place on the tour and the opportunity to read and review this book
It opens with a frantic, desperate Mia trying to get hold of Ben. He wakes up disoriented with no recollection of how he got to bed. It’s a compelling read from the get go and it doesn’t let up. Mia confesses she’s killed someone and needs Ben’s help, and so begins this twisty rollercoaster ride.
As we get drawn deeper in to their world we see Mia’s manipulative side; she drags Ben into a dire situation and uses him to help her. He’s not allowed to ask questions and is expected to blindly follow her down this dark path she has set them on.
The characters are so well crafted eliciting strong feelings from the reader. We see Mia’s anger and cruelty, and the toxic nature of their relationship. As events unravel and powerful enemies are made, lines keep getting crossed, the crimes committed rack up, and there’s no end in sight!
It’s shocking to see the full extent of Mia’s lies and the lengths she goes to. There’s a heartbreaking tragedy from their past, and we discover Ben is hiding secrets of his own! As the danger intensifies, sinister and disturbing revelations are uncovered.
At the heart of the story is love, it’s a force of its own that guides us and it explores just how far we are prepared to go to protect those we love. What are we truly capable of when in survival mode? Human nature is put under the microscope and it’s not a pretty sight!
This tense, chilling tale keeps us on the edge of our seat. There’s chaos aplenty as life as they know it is crumbling all around them. I just had to keep reading to find out how things would end for Ben and Mia, and it’s an unpredictable, suspense-filled read that really gets you thinking!
With thanks to @_DanielleLouis_, @PhilViner, and @HeraBooks for a place on the tour and the opportunity to read and review this book
April 8, 2023
I rounded it up to 4 stars. At first , I didn’t like the writing style, it was coming across slightly immature. Especially after seeing the review on the book “If you like TM Logan books you’ll like this” that made me more wary as I’ve read The Curfew and really disliked it. The writing style was similar as it felt like random and unnecessary stuff was being said and just extending the word count. However, I found myself starting to enjoy the story more. It was different to other thrillers I’ve read and came across like a movie plot. I disliked both mains characters especially the husband but cannot go into it without ruining it but it’s in my spoiler section ..
SPOILERS AHEAD
I didn’t like both the main characters. At first you’re made to feel sympathy for the husband until you find out he’s a disgusting cheat (he did it first years ago) but trying to make you feel like he’s still a good person with regrets and thinks he has morals . Which I disagree with and not just because of the cheating but because he knew his wife went through such trauma but kept thinking about others grief. Simultaneously kept trying to say he loves her so much and can go through anything with her. That’s incorrect on his side as they experienced a loss together in the pass but drifted apart and he cheated repeatedly. Yes no one’s perfect but you cannot love someone so much that instead of trying to fix it or leave , you repeatedly cheat and then hope you can just have the happy marriage again. You have to read the book to understand more of my dislike for him lol
The wife was annoying because she came across heartless especially before finding out he’s a cheat and she knew. You come to understand that to an extent as she’s been through a lot and it’s a reaction to that.
SPOILERS AHEAD
I didn’t like both the main characters. At first you’re made to feel sympathy for the husband until you find out he’s a disgusting cheat (he did it first years ago) but trying to make you feel like he’s still a good person with regrets and thinks he has morals . Which I disagree with and not just because of the cheating but because he knew his wife went through such trauma but kept thinking about others grief. Simultaneously kept trying to say he loves her so much and can go through anything with her. That’s incorrect on his side as they experienced a loss together in the pass but drifted apart and he cheated repeatedly. Yes no one’s perfect but you cannot love someone so much that instead of trying to fix it or leave , you repeatedly cheat and then hope you can just have the happy marriage again. You have to read the book to understand more of my dislike for him lol
The wife was annoying because she came across heartless especially before finding out he’s a cheat and she knew. You come to understand that to an extent as she’s been through a lot and it’s a reaction to that.
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