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Up Close
'A romantic suspense story in the tradition of Hitchcock which won the New Talent Award at the 2011 Festival of Romance.'
How close is too close? Dr Lia Thompson has swapped her native Norfolk for a life in America, but returns to sort out legal matters after her grandmother's death. Unprepared for the viciousness of village gossip, she's vulnerable to insinuations that her grandmother knew something about the recent bomb threats against a nearby army base. Even so the longer she stays, the more she realises this is where she belongs.
Wounded ex-navy man and artist Aidan Morrell has accepted his physical scars, but is still bitter over the army's treatment of his older brother, which had a devastating effect. He expresses himself in his sometimes disturbing paintings and through scuba-diving, and sees Lia with her fear of water as a challenge. The attraction between them is undeniable. Should they dare to let the other get close?
How close is too close? Dr Lia Thompson has swapped her native Norfolk for a life in America, but returns to sort out legal matters after her grandmother's death. Unprepared for the viciousness of village gossip, she's vulnerable to insinuations that her grandmother knew something about the recent bomb threats against a nearby army base. Even so the longer she stays, the more she realises this is where she belongs.
Wounded ex-navy man and artist Aidan Morrell has accepted his physical scars, but is still bitter over the army's treatment of his older brother, which had a devastating effect. He expresses himself in his sometimes disturbing paintings and through scuba-diving, and sees Lia with her fear of water as a challenge. The attraction between them is undeniable. Should they dare to let the other get close?
369 pages, Paperback
First published November 7, 2012
38 people are currently reading
854 people want to read
About the author
Henriette Gyland
9 books27 followersOriginally from Denmark, Henriette Gyland (who also writes as Ella Gyland) has lived in London for many years, surrounded by her family, cats, books and the Scandinavian hygge she tries to create everywhere she goes. As a linguist she loves playing with words and language, and she's addicted to story-telling. She also believes strongly in social responsibility and sustainable living.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
July 27, 2014
After the death of her grandmother, Lia returns to her childhood home to settle the estate. But as she is putting her grandmother's affairs in order she starts to suspect that her death was not an accident. As she investigates she grows closer to Aidan a former Navy clearance diver.
Aidan has his own agenda. He is determined to bring the Ministry of Defense to account for the death of his brother, but his methods could bring the law crashing down on him, and Lia soon realises he could well have been involved in the death of her grandmother.
With the whole town guarding their secrets Lia doesn't know who she can turn to and as she pulls at the threads of the truth, a faceless killer is stalking her.
Up Close is reminiscent of those great Alfred Hitchcock movies of the 1930s and '40s. A lot of authors try to imbue their books with that feel but very few authors actually succeed. Henriette Gyland has succeeded –– well and truly so. I was constantly reminded of Rebecca, Gaslight and perhaps even The Birds (another movie based on a Daphne du Maurier story).
This book is brooding, dark and edge of your seat all at once. Quite an amazing accomplishment.
Aidan has his own agenda. He is determined to bring the Ministry of Defense to account for the death of his brother, but his methods could bring the law crashing down on him, and Lia soon realises he could well have been involved in the death of her grandmother.
With the whole town guarding their secrets Lia doesn't know who she can turn to and as she pulls at the threads of the truth, a faceless killer is stalking her.
Up Close is reminiscent of those great Alfred Hitchcock movies of the 1930s and '40s. A lot of authors try to imbue their books with that feel but very few authors actually succeed. Henriette Gyland has succeeded –– well and truly so. I was constantly reminded of Rebecca, Gaslight and perhaps even The Birds (another movie based on a Daphne du Maurier story).
This book is brooding, dark and edge of your seat all at once. Quite an amazing accomplishment.
January 6, 2013
This novel is romantic suspense at its best – tense, emotional and an edge of the seat read! It had me gripped from the very first page and I didn’t want to put it down until I’d reached the heart-stopping conclusion. A heroine with unresolved issues from the past and painful memories she’s been suppressing for years. A damaged hero with secrets he can’t reveal to anyone, least of all the woman he’s loved since his teens. Murder and acts of terrorism. Nosy neighbours and old resentments. Family tensions. A gorgeous, clever little dog who tries to help solve the mystery. All played out against the background of the wild Norfolk coast, vividly described – wild and isolated, but so wonderful the reader is drawn to it just as much as the heroine is. This is a beautifully written story and I would urge you to read it!
July 22, 2017
*This review contains spoilers*
When Sarah Broadhurst from The Bookseller compared Henriette Gyland’s ‘Up Close’ to ‘Nora Robert’s territory’, I knew instantly that this was going to be a ‘must-read’, and when it was released on Kindle I spent a week umming and ahhing over whether I should download it or wait to buy the paperback. My self-restraint broke, and ‘Up Close’ was downloaded and devoured in the space of 24 hours. That is how fantastic this book is.
The book gets off to a thrilling start as the prologue see’s the gruesome and bone-chilling death of an old lady through the eyes of her killer.
“Die, thought the watcher. Why don’t you just die?”
Cue chills running up your spine.
This is clearly a very interesting and tormented character. Immediately questions spring to mind; who is this person? Why do they feel such strong hate for this, seemingly innocent, old woman? What has the woman done to deserve such a painful death? Henriette Gyland’s description of the killer as ‘The watcher’ brought yet another fundamental question. Is the watcher a man or a woman? Again, this title brings a shiver across my spine. The killer clearly likes to watch his victim in pain, so immediately you are on alert to any character you have yet to meet. Is the killer going to be watching them too when they are alone?
A brilliant start to this thrilling tale. I was drawn in immediately which is a sign of a great suspense novel.
“The watcher’s glee, so long in coming, was tinged with regret.”
Another dimension is given to our killer, and questions immediately ran around in my mind. There was no way I was putting this book down until I had the answers I needed.
As chapter one starts we are introduced to ER Doctor Lia Thompson, who from her opening dream, clearly has demons of her own. Back in Norfolk following the death of her Grandmother, she wishes she was back in Philadelphia, USA.
“She fumbled for her travel alarm clock with its luminous dials and knocked a bottle of pills down from the bedside cabinet.”
It’s funny when you think about the first thing that makes you connect with a character. This sentence did it for me. The number of times I’ve woken at two in the morning and knocked my sleeping tablets on the floor and ended up scrambling around in the dark for them. Lia suddenly becomes very real to me, and very human.
Lia’s first clue that perhaps not everything was as innocent as it seemed with the death of her Grandmother came in the form of ‘Jack’ the Jack Russell, a dog that I love from the instant he arrives at Lia’s front door, with nosy neighbour Mrs. Larwood, even though Lia is far from keen.
“And what am I doing, talking to a dog? I don’t even like them.”
No one can resist them. They worm their way into your heart, and I immediately knew that Jack would soften Lia’s. She comes across as harsh and troubled, and as an animal lover myself, I almost sobbed as Lia thought through what she could do with him.
“That left a rescue centre or, failing that, an injection.”
Within a few pages I had hope though, and smiled soppily at her interaction with her pet pooch.
“…Jack put his head on her leg with a sigh and sent her a look of adoration. Something fell into place inside Lia. Whatever it was that felt so wrong, this, at least, was one thing she could make right.”
However, Jack couldn’t remain my favourite man for long…not with Aidan Morrell around. *swoon*.
“His thick, curly brown hair, still wet, stood out in all directions instead of clinging unattractively to his skull and made him look like an animal shedding its winter coat. His arms and chest, with the remnants of a summer tan, were muscular, his hips slim, legs long, and he had a six-pack to die for. One word repeated itself over and over in Lia’s mind as she tried to keep her cool.
“Wow.”
Yes ‘wow’ is the word to describe Aidan Morrell. With his own tortured soul, he is deeply troubled by his past and holds a dark secret. Having been injured when in the Navy, and having lost his brother, through Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after his time in the army, he has both emotional and physical scars. Aidan is mysterious and quite frankly yummy.
Despite Lia not remembering at first, her and Aidan attended sixth-form college together, and after a stuttering start, they begin a tentative friendship.
As we learn more about Aidan and Lia, and the acquaintences they share in their small coastal village, Gyland is fantastic at both giving us more and more clues towards solving the puzzle of Lia’s Grandmothers mysterious death, but still having you grasping at threads as your emotions and feelings for the characters desperately have you thinking “they wouldn’t do that.” despite all the evidence pointing to it. It was so brilliantly written that I couldn’t put it down until I knew who was the guilty party. Not only has Lia’s Grandmother died in mysterious circumstances but bomb scares near the nearby military base have started.
Lia tries to reconnect with her school friend Suzanne, who became pregnant when they were at sixth-form and who still feels harshly towards Lia for leaving school and Norfolk, when she felt she needed her most.
The relationship between Suzanne and Lia is so interesting. They’ve both grown up and are now in their thirties. So how after all these years can Suzanne still hold this anger towards Lia when they’ve clearly grown up since their school years? Surely she should have come to understand that not everything is as it seems? Is there more at play here? Suzanne’s connection with Aidan also complicates matters, as Suzanne warns Lia off of Aidan fearing he would be hurt.
And then there’s the matter of Aidan and Suzanne’s secret meetings.
“Wordlessly she slid her arms around his neck and gave him a quick kiss, then drew away again.”
There was a lot I realised about myself as a person, and the expectations I have of life and love whilst reading this book. I felt heart ache reading a cleverly written scene between Suzanne and Aidan where they discuss Suzanne’s daughter Zoe. Could Aidan be Zoe’s father? And were they having an affair behind Suzanne’s husband’s back? Maybe not, after all the kiss wasn’t described as that of a lover, maybe they were just friends? Reading this scene made me think hard about life and love.
As a hopeless romantic, I still have the fantasy that I’ll meet my Prince Charming and we’ll live happily ever after. The thought of a young Aidan getting Suzanne pregnant and not taking any responsibility made me feel desperately sad. But then I still loved Aidan as a character, and began to ask myself whether it really mattered what he’d done earlier in his life, as long as now he was a caring and loving individual. After all, don’t we all have things from our past that we regret?
I stormed my way through the rest of the book, loving the story of Lia’s brother that comes to light, who drowned in the bath as a baby. Lia blames herself as she remembers being told not to leave him alone. The characters are given more dimensions and you start to realise that perhaps Lia’s Grandmother wasn’t as innocent an old lady as you might expect. Did her killer know this? Is this why he had such a strong surge of anger towards her as he watched her last moments?
But not all is doom, gloom and tension. The thrilling suspense of the mystery is contrasted wonderfully with the fun, burgeoning love story between Aidan and Lia.
“As if suddenly self-conscious, she drew the dressing gown tight and covered herself up. Aidan looked away. The spell was broken.
‘You have nice legs,’ he said…”
Oh how wonderfully adorable and hopeless this man can be sometimes!
“The opportunity had been there to kiss her, so why hadn’t he?
Am I that repulsive? She thought.
Then her cheeks flamed as she realised why, and she glanced down at her engagement ring…”
Yes, another obstacle in the road to happiness for my two favourite characters, but that doesn’t stop them from doing a little night time diving lessons *wink wink nudge nudge*
No seriously, I meant night time diving lessons…get your mind out of the gutter!
Aidan makes it his personal project to teach Lia, who is afraid of swimming and water after her brother’s death, to scuba dive. It’s brilliant to see Lia, who is normally so self-assured and confident in herself become completely vulnerable and have to give her trust completely to Aidan. It’s a wonderful story to read, and it’s a brilliant way to see the trust build between them before their relationship becomes romantic.
“Lia nodded again, a determined look in her eyes, but she couldn’t disguise a slight trembling of her lips.”
However, nothing can come of Lia and Aidan until she breaks up with her fiancé. I wouldn’t have respected her as much if she hadn’t waited, and I loved the simple way that Lia and her fiancé Brett end their relationship. There always seems to be so much drama in books when a break-up happens; the man immediately demands to know if there’s someone else, says that he’ll never let her go, and follows her around for an age making the girl out to be the one in the wrong. This break-up however, was beautifully simplistic. The parting between two people who realised that they weren’t right for each other.
“Later, at Heathrow, she hugged him tight. When she pulled away, she read the puzzled sadness in his eyes, as if he knew they’d come as far as they could and was unable to explain why.”
I would be lying if I didn’t grin and think “Goodbye Brett, Hello Aidan.”
And hello Aidan indeed.
Despite some problems with misunderstandings after their first night together, they soon come together again and all seems to be rosey. Or it would be if we didn’t have the nagging feeling that Aidan wasn’t being completely truthful about everything.
And then another mysterious death hits the seaside village.
It was exciting to read the penultimate chapters of the book, where doubts hit you left, right and centre as more and more evidence piles up against Aidan, despite your heart longing for there to be some mistake.
When we finally find out what Aidan has been hiding, my heart broke for him. To have such a secret would have been so painful, as he tried to do the right thing by everyone, trying to keep everyone he loved safe. I also loved how the closure of Aidan and Lia’s problems both happened by water. There is something very poignant about confronting their fears and having the painful chapter of their lives close in the setting of the water, just as it had started.
Without giving away the ending, all I will say is that the closing chapters were spectacular. All questions I had throughout the book were answered; Who killed Lia’s Grandmother? Why did she buy a guard dog? Who is Zoe’s father? Who was the mysterious man who Lia saw on the road? Who broke into Lia’s house? Who was it that was planting the bombs?
Absolutely amazing book. 5 stars easily! Beautifully written and had me sitting on the edge of my seat throughout. The mystery and romance was written perfectly. A fantastic read and I definitely recommend to all.
When Sarah Broadhurst from The Bookseller compared Henriette Gyland’s ‘Up Close’ to ‘Nora Robert’s territory’, I knew instantly that this was going to be a ‘must-read’, and when it was released on Kindle I spent a week umming and ahhing over whether I should download it or wait to buy the paperback. My self-restraint broke, and ‘Up Close’ was downloaded and devoured in the space of 24 hours. That is how fantastic this book is.
The book gets off to a thrilling start as the prologue see’s the gruesome and bone-chilling death of an old lady through the eyes of her killer.
“Die, thought the watcher. Why don’t you just die?”
Cue chills running up your spine.
This is clearly a very interesting and tormented character. Immediately questions spring to mind; who is this person? Why do they feel such strong hate for this, seemingly innocent, old woman? What has the woman done to deserve such a painful death? Henriette Gyland’s description of the killer as ‘The watcher’ brought yet another fundamental question. Is the watcher a man or a woman? Again, this title brings a shiver across my spine. The killer clearly likes to watch his victim in pain, so immediately you are on alert to any character you have yet to meet. Is the killer going to be watching them too when they are alone?
A brilliant start to this thrilling tale. I was drawn in immediately which is a sign of a great suspense novel.
“The watcher’s glee, so long in coming, was tinged with regret.”
Another dimension is given to our killer, and questions immediately ran around in my mind. There was no way I was putting this book down until I had the answers I needed.
As chapter one starts we are introduced to ER Doctor Lia Thompson, who from her opening dream, clearly has demons of her own. Back in Norfolk following the death of her Grandmother, she wishes she was back in Philadelphia, USA.
“She fumbled for her travel alarm clock with its luminous dials and knocked a bottle of pills down from the bedside cabinet.”
It’s funny when you think about the first thing that makes you connect with a character. This sentence did it for me. The number of times I’ve woken at two in the morning and knocked my sleeping tablets on the floor and ended up scrambling around in the dark for them. Lia suddenly becomes very real to me, and very human.
Lia’s first clue that perhaps not everything was as innocent as it seemed with the death of her Grandmother came in the form of ‘Jack’ the Jack Russell, a dog that I love from the instant he arrives at Lia’s front door, with nosy neighbour Mrs. Larwood, even though Lia is far from keen.
“And what am I doing, talking to a dog? I don’t even like them.”
No one can resist them. They worm their way into your heart, and I immediately knew that Jack would soften Lia’s. She comes across as harsh and troubled, and as an animal lover myself, I almost sobbed as Lia thought through what she could do with him.
“That left a rescue centre or, failing that, an injection.”
Within a few pages I had hope though, and smiled soppily at her interaction with her pet pooch.
“…Jack put his head on her leg with a sigh and sent her a look of adoration. Something fell into place inside Lia. Whatever it was that felt so wrong, this, at least, was one thing she could make right.”
However, Jack couldn’t remain my favourite man for long…not with Aidan Morrell around. *swoon*.
“His thick, curly brown hair, still wet, stood out in all directions instead of clinging unattractively to his skull and made him look like an animal shedding its winter coat. His arms and chest, with the remnants of a summer tan, were muscular, his hips slim, legs long, and he had a six-pack to die for. One word repeated itself over and over in Lia’s mind as she tried to keep her cool.
“Wow.”
Yes ‘wow’ is the word to describe Aidan Morrell. With his own tortured soul, he is deeply troubled by his past and holds a dark secret. Having been injured when in the Navy, and having lost his brother, through Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after his time in the army, he has both emotional and physical scars. Aidan is mysterious and quite frankly yummy.
Despite Lia not remembering at first, her and Aidan attended sixth-form college together, and after a stuttering start, they begin a tentative friendship.
As we learn more about Aidan and Lia, and the acquaintences they share in their small coastal village, Gyland is fantastic at both giving us more and more clues towards solving the puzzle of Lia’s Grandmothers mysterious death, but still having you grasping at threads as your emotions and feelings for the characters desperately have you thinking “they wouldn’t do that.” despite all the evidence pointing to it. It was so brilliantly written that I couldn’t put it down until I knew who was the guilty party. Not only has Lia’s Grandmother died in mysterious circumstances but bomb scares near the nearby military base have started.
Lia tries to reconnect with her school friend Suzanne, who became pregnant when they were at sixth-form and who still feels harshly towards Lia for leaving school and Norfolk, when she felt she needed her most.
The relationship between Suzanne and Lia is so interesting. They’ve both grown up and are now in their thirties. So how after all these years can Suzanne still hold this anger towards Lia when they’ve clearly grown up since their school years? Surely she should have come to understand that not everything is as it seems? Is there more at play here? Suzanne’s connection with Aidan also complicates matters, as Suzanne warns Lia off of Aidan fearing he would be hurt.
And then there’s the matter of Aidan and Suzanne’s secret meetings.
“Wordlessly she slid her arms around his neck and gave him a quick kiss, then drew away again.”
There was a lot I realised about myself as a person, and the expectations I have of life and love whilst reading this book. I felt heart ache reading a cleverly written scene between Suzanne and Aidan where they discuss Suzanne’s daughter Zoe. Could Aidan be Zoe’s father? And were they having an affair behind Suzanne’s husband’s back? Maybe not, after all the kiss wasn’t described as that of a lover, maybe they were just friends? Reading this scene made me think hard about life and love.
As a hopeless romantic, I still have the fantasy that I’ll meet my Prince Charming and we’ll live happily ever after. The thought of a young Aidan getting Suzanne pregnant and not taking any responsibility made me feel desperately sad. But then I still loved Aidan as a character, and began to ask myself whether it really mattered what he’d done earlier in his life, as long as now he was a caring and loving individual. After all, don’t we all have things from our past that we regret?
I stormed my way through the rest of the book, loving the story of Lia’s brother that comes to light, who drowned in the bath as a baby. Lia blames herself as she remembers being told not to leave him alone. The characters are given more dimensions and you start to realise that perhaps Lia’s Grandmother wasn’t as innocent an old lady as you might expect. Did her killer know this? Is this why he had such a strong surge of anger towards her as he watched her last moments?
But not all is doom, gloom and tension. The thrilling suspense of the mystery is contrasted wonderfully with the fun, burgeoning love story between Aidan and Lia.
“As if suddenly self-conscious, she drew the dressing gown tight and covered herself up. Aidan looked away. The spell was broken.
‘You have nice legs,’ he said…”
Oh how wonderfully adorable and hopeless this man can be sometimes!
“The opportunity had been there to kiss her, so why hadn’t he?
Am I that repulsive? She thought.
Then her cheeks flamed as she realised why, and she glanced down at her engagement ring…”
Yes, another obstacle in the road to happiness for my two favourite characters, but that doesn’t stop them from doing a little night time diving lessons *wink wink nudge nudge*
No seriously, I meant night time diving lessons…get your mind out of the gutter!
Aidan makes it his personal project to teach Lia, who is afraid of swimming and water after her brother’s death, to scuba dive. It’s brilliant to see Lia, who is normally so self-assured and confident in herself become completely vulnerable and have to give her trust completely to Aidan. It’s a wonderful story to read, and it’s a brilliant way to see the trust build between them before their relationship becomes romantic.
“Lia nodded again, a determined look in her eyes, but she couldn’t disguise a slight trembling of her lips.”
However, nothing can come of Lia and Aidan until she breaks up with her fiancé. I wouldn’t have respected her as much if she hadn’t waited, and I loved the simple way that Lia and her fiancé Brett end their relationship. There always seems to be so much drama in books when a break-up happens; the man immediately demands to know if there’s someone else, says that he’ll never let her go, and follows her around for an age making the girl out to be the one in the wrong. This break-up however, was beautifully simplistic. The parting between two people who realised that they weren’t right for each other.
“Later, at Heathrow, she hugged him tight. When she pulled away, she read the puzzled sadness in his eyes, as if he knew they’d come as far as they could and was unable to explain why.”
I would be lying if I didn’t grin and think “Goodbye Brett, Hello Aidan.”
And hello Aidan indeed.
Despite some problems with misunderstandings after their first night together, they soon come together again and all seems to be rosey. Or it would be if we didn’t have the nagging feeling that Aidan wasn’t being completely truthful about everything.
And then another mysterious death hits the seaside village.
It was exciting to read the penultimate chapters of the book, where doubts hit you left, right and centre as more and more evidence piles up against Aidan, despite your heart longing for there to be some mistake.
When we finally find out what Aidan has been hiding, my heart broke for him. To have such a secret would have been so painful, as he tried to do the right thing by everyone, trying to keep everyone he loved safe. I also loved how the closure of Aidan and Lia’s problems both happened by water. There is something very poignant about confronting their fears and having the painful chapter of their lives close in the setting of the water, just as it had started.
Without giving away the ending, all I will say is that the closing chapters were spectacular. All questions I had throughout the book were answered; Who killed Lia’s Grandmother? Why did she buy a guard dog? Who is Zoe’s father? Who was the mysterious man who Lia saw on the road? Who broke into Lia’s house? Who was it that was planting the bombs?
Absolutely amazing book. 5 stars easily! Beautifully written and had me sitting on the edge of my seat throughout. The mystery and romance was written perfectly. A fantastic read and I definitely recommend to all.
January 3, 2018
An absorbing mystery filled with clues that may, or may not, help the reader. Recommended.
December 14, 2012
Up Close begins with intrigue … in the prologue we join a watcher outside the window – a watcher who is waiting for the old woman to die.
“Her evident shock registered, and for one long moment they simply stared at each other, spellbound, frozen in time, as memories of their unwilling bond flashed through both their minds.”
Hooked! Who is the watcher and what is the connection?
Chapter One begins with the reader experiencing Lia Thompson’s nightmare alongside her. She’s in her grandmother, Ivy’s house, having missed the funeral but is there to sell the house as quickly as possible and fly back ‘home.’ We find out that her mother, Connie, doesn’t want anything from the estate. Lia is still jet-lagged having flown in from Philadelphia two days ago. We also find out that Lia wanted to get far away from Norfolk. Lia’s life in Philadelphia is shared and we’re introduced to nearest neighbour Mrs Larwood who brings Ivy’s dog back. Ivy was not a dog lover.
From this first chapter I was intrigued. I wanted to know why Connie didn’t want anything from her own mother’s estate, what happened that made Lia move as far away as she could and why had Ivy bought a dog if she wasn’t a pet lover?
Chapter Two we’re introduced to Aidan Morrell. He’s prepping to dive at Holkham Beach and we’re made aware of an injury he received on a warship in the Gulf. Lia meets Aidan as he comes out of the sea. They were at 6th form college together but Lia doesn’t remember him. She was in a daze for most of that time. Aidan had a crush on her and we’re made aware of something happening with his brother. We’re also made aware that a close member of Lia’s family died when she was a child …but not how.
More questions from me! Why was Lia in a daze? How did Lia’s family member die? What happened to Aidan’s brother? What happened with Lia’s best friend Samantha?
The intrigue only gets deeper as we move further into the plot – and as the intrigue deepens, so does the attraction between Lia and Aidan!
The environment is perfect for the suspense and the secrets. An isolated community with Aidan living alone on the farm and Lia alone in the house; attics; deserted beaches; solitary running and diving; a scene involving snow. I also have to mention the art and how the author uses it as a way of Aidan expressing himself – especially when he starts to feel safe enough to show how he sometimes perceives the world to be … the darker side.
Plenty of times I was tense and alert. I have to admit that I detest underwater scenes on movies although I do love the water and enjoy swimming underwater myself. The scene in the swimming pool after it is closed while Lia is learning to dive and the climax underwater on a group dive left me feeling shaken and nauseous!
Lia and Aiden’s connection is there from the beginning but because Lia is engaged, they both make excuses for why they can’t do anything about the attraction. Later, the intimacy between Lia and Aiden is beautifully written. Their relationship is not an easy one with underlying secrets but I loved the fact that Lia was always led by her own belief about Aiden and not by what the evidence seemed to be presenting.
The Armed Forces is a central connection to the plot in Up Close. Gyland is not afraid to tackle Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and how it affects the lives of the sufferer and their families.
I love plots that drop subtle clues and lead the reader to try and work out where the story is heading, to unravel those clues to find an answer … Up Close is exactly this type of story. It wasn’t until I reached page 297/384 that I had an inkling of where we were being led. As I continued to read I became surer although there is another incident that made me question what I believed. This is such a fabulous plot with the different strands weaving together to leave us with a story that gives the wow factor.
There is also personification (if you read my reviews you’ll know I love this!) On page 238:
“The wind had dropped, and the trees in the garden, their branches held high in a last act of defiance, seemed to have accepted finally that this was the season of death.”
Beautiful and very apt for that particular place in the plot!
I don’t think there’s any doubt about how I felt about Up Close … alongside the romance we have the suspense and intrigue … not only is it a keeper for me but it has gone straight onto my Top 20 reads of 2012. What an amazing debut novel! Henriette Gyland is definitely an author to watch. I’m a fan!
I would like to thank Choc Lit for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.
“Her evident shock registered, and for one long moment they simply stared at each other, spellbound, frozen in time, as memories of their unwilling bond flashed through both their minds.”
Hooked! Who is the watcher and what is the connection?
Chapter One begins with the reader experiencing Lia Thompson’s nightmare alongside her. She’s in her grandmother, Ivy’s house, having missed the funeral but is there to sell the house as quickly as possible and fly back ‘home.’ We find out that her mother, Connie, doesn’t want anything from the estate. Lia is still jet-lagged having flown in from Philadelphia two days ago. We also find out that Lia wanted to get far away from Norfolk. Lia’s life in Philadelphia is shared and we’re introduced to nearest neighbour Mrs Larwood who brings Ivy’s dog back. Ivy was not a dog lover.
From this first chapter I was intrigued. I wanted to know why Connie didn’t want anything from her own mother’s estate, what happened that made Lia move as far away as she could and why had Ivy bought a dog if she wasn’t a pet lover?
Chapter Two we’re introduced to Aidan Morrell. He’s prepping to dive at Holkham Beach and we’re made aware of an injury he received on a warship in the Gulf. Lia meets Aidan as he comes out of the sea. They were at 6th form college together but Lia doesn’t remember him. She was in a daze for most of that time. Aidan had a crush on her and we’re made aware of something happening with his brother. We’re also made aware that a close member of Lia’s family died when she was a child …but not how.
More questions from me! Why was Lia in a daze? How did Lia’s family member die? What happened to Aidan’s brother? What happened with Lia’s best friend Samantha?
The intrigue only gets deeper as we move further into the plot – and as the intrigue deepens, so does the attraction between Lia and Aidan!
The environment is perfect for the suspense and the secrets. An isolated community with Aidan living alone on the farm and Lia alone in the house; attics; deserted beaches; solitary running and diving; a scene involving snow. I also have to mention the art and how the author uses it as a way of Aidan expressing himself – especially when he starts to feel safe enough to show how he sometimes perceives the world to be … the darker side.
Plenty of times I was tense and alert. I have to admit that I detest underwater scenes on movies although I do love the water and enjoy swimming underwater myself. The scene in the swimming pool after it is closed while Lia is learning to dive and the climax underwater on a group dive left me feeling shaken and nauseous!
Lia and Aiden’s connection is there from the beginning but because Lia is engaged, they both make excuses for why they can’t do anything about the attraction. Later, the intimacy between Lia and Aiden is beautifully written. Their relationship is not an easy one with underlying secrets but I loved the fact that Lia was always led by her own belief about Aiden and not by what the evidence seemed to be presenting.
The Armed Forces is a central connection to the plot in Up Close. Gyland is not afraid to tackle Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and how it affects the lives of the sufferer and their families.
I love plots that drop subtle clues and lead the reader to try and work out where the story is heading, to unravel those clues to find an answer … Up Close is exactly this type of story. It wasn’t until I reached page 297/384 that I had an inkling of where we were being led. As I continued to read I became surer although there is another incident that made me question what I believed. This is such a fabulous plot with the different strands weaving together to leave us with a story that gives the wow factor.
There is also personification (if you read my reviews you’ll know I love this!) On page 238:
“The wind had dropped, and the trees in the garden, their branches held high in a last act of defiance, seemed to have accepted finally that this was the season of death.”
Beautiful and very apt for that particular place in the plot!
I don’t think there’s any doubt about how I felt about Up Close … alongside the romance we have the suspense and intrigue … not only is it a keeper for me but it has gone straight onto my Top 20 reads of 2012. What an amazing debut novel! Henriette Gyland is definitely an author to watch. I’m a fan!
I would like to thank Choc Lit for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.
December 5, 2012
I was very keen to start reading this book, as everything about it intrigued me. The cover is fascinating, it’s eerie and spooky and hints at a mystery. This mystery deepens even more when the blurb is read, as it hints at secrets, a death that might not be all it seems, and a selection of characters that we might need to be wary of.
In Up Close, we meet Lia Thompson, a Doctor who has been living in the states with her fiancé Brett. When Lia’s grandmother Ivy dies suddenly, Lia returns to Norfolk in England to sort out her grandmother’s belongings. However, Lia gets more than she bargained for. Not only is she having to get used to living in an old house with appliances that she can’t work, but she is astounded to discover that her grandmother purchased a little dog called Jack before she died. On top of that, Lia has to deal with nosy neighbours who seem to know more than what they let on, and an array of faces from the past. Soon, it appears that there may be more to her grandmother’s death, but can Lia discover what it is, or is it all in her head? And who can she turn to?
I have to say I was absolutely gripped by the book. The story opens with Ivy’s death, which instantly had me hooked as there were immediately hundreds of questions running through my mind that needed to be answered! The mystery deepened as I progressed further into the book, and this only added to my questions. At one point I had an idea of what I thought had happened, only for there to be another twist and for all my ideas to be blown away. Wow. I literally could not guess where Henriette would take me on this journey, and I was constantly on the edge of my seat, racing through the pages in a frenzy to find out what was going to happen next.
Up Close is told from two different perspectives: Lia and Aidan’s. Lia’s parts are fascinating, she is instantly likeable as a character – the reader discovers things at the same time as she does and so there is an instant connection with her. As a reader I desperately wanted her to get to the bottom of all of this and I hoped she would find clues that would lead her to the answers she wanted. I became very emotionally involved with Lia, I felt confusion when she did, I felt fear and uncertainty as she realised that Ivy’s death was a lot more complex than how it first seemed, and I could picture her clearly in my mind.
Aidan’s chapters were very interesting to read, as it helped me to learn a bit more about him. Aidan is a man who keeps to himself, seems to have a lot of secrets, and is careful about what he reveals to others. However, through his chapters, we slowly over time gain an insight into his personality, his thoughts and what his plans are. However, Henriette does a fantastic job of keeping suspense to Aidan’s parts, never giving us the full picture, so as a reader we are left questioning Aidan’s movements, turning the pages in a bid to discover the next piece of the puzzle.
There is some romance to the story, and a few very well-written sub-plots to give the reader an extra part to intrigue them, and this adds a brilliant mix to the story, providing more depth and allowing the reader something extra to focus on!
Up Close is a chilling, suspense-filled story that keeps you guessing. It is not just a thrilling book – it has romance and the plot is complex, with both love and hate running through the story, making this book so much more than what it seems. There are so many twists and turns that you will be gripped to the pages until the very end. A powerful and fantastic debut.
In Up Close, we meet Lia Thompson, a Doctor who has been living in the states with her fiancé Brett. When Lia’s grandmother Ivy dies suddenly, Lia returns to Norfolk in England to sort out her grandmother’s belongings. However, Lia gets more than she bargained for. Not only is she having to get used to living in an old house with appliances that she can’t work, but she is astounded to discover that her grandmother purchased a little dog called Jack before she died. On top of that, Lia has to deal with nosy neighbours who seem to know more than what they let on, and an array of faces from the past. Soon, it appears that there may be more to her grandmother’s death, but can Lia discover what it is, or is it all in her head? And who can she turn to?
I have to say I was absolutely gripped by the book. The story opens with Ivy’s death, which instantly had me hooked as there were immediately hundreds of questions running through my mind that needed to be answered! The mystery deepened as I progressed further into the book, and this only added to my questions. At one point I had an idea of what I thought had happened, only for there to be another twist and for all my ideas to be blown away. Wow. I literally could not guess where Henriette would take me on this journey, and I was constantly on the edge of my seat, racing through the pages in a frenzy to find out what was going to happen next.
Up Close is told from two different perspectives: Lia and Aidan’s. Lia’s parts are fascinating, she is instantly likeable as a character – the reader discovers things at the same time as she does and so there is an instant connection with her. As a reader I desperately wanted her to get to the bottom of all of this and I hoped she would find clues that would lead her to the answers she wanted. I became very emotionally involved with Lia, I felt confusion when she did, I felt fear and uncertainty as she realised that Ivy’s death was a lot more complex than how it first seemed, and I could picture her clearly in my mind.
Aidan’s chapters were very interesting to read, as it helped me to learn a bit more about him. Aidan is a man who keeps to himself, seems to have a lot of secrets, and is careful about what he reveals to others. However, through his chapters, we slowly over time gain an insight into his personality, his thoughts and what his plans are. However, Henriette does a fantastic job of keeping suspense to Aidan’s parts, never giving us the full picture, so as a reader we are left questioning Aidan’s movements, turning the pages in a bid to discover the next piece of the puzzle.
There is some romance to the story, and a few very well-written sub-plots to give the reader an extra part to intrigue them, and this adds a brilliant mix to the story, providing more depth and allowing the reader something extra to focus on!
Up Close is a chilling, suspense-filled story that keeps you guessing. It is not just a thrilling book – it has romance and the plot is complex, with both love and hate running through the story, making this book so much more than what it seems. There are so many twists and turns that you will be gripped to the pages until the very end. A powerful and fantastic debut.
February 19, 2014
Okay, this is definitely on of those books in which I wish, wish, WISH, I give reviews that are in between whole numbers. I really dithered between giving Up Close 2 or 3 stars, and would call this a solid 2.5.
Second, there are so many variables that go into rating. There is the quality of writing, plotting, meaningfulness, all that stuff. And then there is the personal preferences of the reader. So, since I have absolutely no interest in reading about the history of WWII, for example, a brilliantly written book on that subject would be a 5 star for some, but a 1 star for me.
All that preamble out of the way:
I enjoyed Up Close. It was a light read which takes place on the gloomy, windy, wonderful English coast, and has elements of romance, mystery, and suspense. So for that, I feel it deserves 3 stars. However, Up Close was more heavy on the romance and light on the suspense than I prefer. I hardly ever read pure romantic fiction, so that emphasis was not my cup of tea. Furthermore, the mystery aspect of the story was transparent; I guessed what the reveal was right at the beginning of the novel, which was a letdown.
To my mind, the main characters in Up Close were too clichéd to really hold my interest. Aiden, the tormented, dark, handsome, love interest, seemed too emotionally volatile to be an appealing hero. And Lia, our heroine, while not unlikeable, was just a little too generic to seem real.
Things I did like about Up Close included the diving aspect of the story; I always love when an author introduces the reader to some type of hobby, for example, I loved the mountain-climbing aspect of Nicci French's Killing Me Softly, or the quilting references in Linda Gillard's House of Silence. However, I did feel frustration for Lia when Aiden and his diving buddies pressured her into joining them, despite her fear of the water.
Another thing that I did find thought provoking was how Henriette Gyland explored the theme of what romantic love actually is. In one section, Lia muses that she . These ideas bring up the eternally mystifying and satisfying complexities of love and friendship.
So in summary, I did enjoy Up Close, but it was too simplistic, had too many sex scenes, and not enough psychological suspense for my taste. I would recommend it as a light read for anyone who enjoys romantic fiction.
Second, there are so many variables that go into rating. There is the quality of writing, plotting, meaningfulness, all that stuff. And then there is the personal preferences of the reader. So, since I have absolutely no interest in reading about the history of WWII, for example, a brilliantly written book on that subject would be a 5 star for some, but a 1 star for me.
All that preamble out of the way:
I enjoyed Up Close. It was a light read which takes place on the gloomy, windy, wonderful English coast, and has elements of romance, mystery, and suspense. So for that, I feel it deserves 3 stars. However, Up Close was more heavy on the romance and light on the suspense than I prefer. I hardly ever read pure romantic fiction, so that emphasis was not my cup of tea. Furthermore, the mystery aspect of the story was transparent; I guessed what the reveal was right at the beginning of the novel, which was a letdown.
To my mind, the main characters in Up Close were too clichéd to really hold my interest. Aiden, the tormented, dark, handsome, love interest, seemed too emotionally volatile to be an appealing hero. And Lia, our heroine, while not unlikeable, was just a little too generic to seem real.
Things I did like about Up Close included the diving aspect of the story; I always love when an author introduces the reader to some type of hobby, for example, I loved the mountain-climbing aspect of Nicci French's Killing Me Softly, or the quilting references in Linda Gillard's House of Silence. However, I did feel frustration for Lia when Aiden and his diving buddies pressured her into joining them, despite her fear of the water.
Another thing that I did find thought provoking was how Henriette Gyland explored the theme of what romantic love actually is. In one section, Lia muses that she . These ideas bring up the eternally mystifying and satisfying complexities of love and friendship.
So in summary, I did enjoy Up Close, but it was too simplistic, had too many sex scenes, and not enough psychological suspense for my taste. I would recommend it as a light read for anyone who enjoys romantic fiction.
August 24, 2013
I was really pleased to win this from Goodreads. I enjoy a mystery and this was a delightful page-turner. Written about England, I enjoyed the different words, e.g., boot for trunk. The main character, Lia, returns to her homeland after the death of her grandmother. Lia's mother, not wanting the estate and anything to do with the settlement, turns it all over to her. Lia is under the assumption that her grandmother died of a heart attack, but on further examination it appears she was poisoned. And so the mystery proceeds. Really had me guessing, which I so enjoy. Great read!
February 14, 2015
Not sure why but I found this a hard read. I think I just didn't really like any of the characters and as a result didn't care too much about what happened.
The writing was however good and it was quite dark and atmospheric.
The writing was however good and it was quite dark and atmospheric.
May 21, 2013
I really enjoyed this book, it's full of mystery and keeps you guessing from the start! It's written beautiful and tells the story of love, trust, betrayal and mystery!
August 7, 2014
Very enjoyable and nicely written 'mystery/romance'.
December 4, 2017
This is a gripping story of love, death, overcoming fear and mysteries. I liked it from the start and found it interesting the whole way through. It kept me guessing and I fell in any trap the author laid out. It was just the kind of read I needed right about now.
May 17, 2017
Another Brilliant book my this amazing author.
Full of murder romance and relationships between characters. Excellent.
Full of murder romance and relationships between characters. Excellent.
July 23, 2019
Great story, different, I enjoyed this book
December 25, 2019
Recommend this book. it keeps you wondering. The end is surprising.
January 5, 2024
Too romantic for my liking
Read
October 12, 2016An easy read but not very interesting.
December 2, 2012
I have mixed feelings about this one. I liked some of it and didn't like some of it, but at the same time, must give the author an extra point for uniqueness.
Quick summary: Lia's grandmother has passed away. She heads back to her England to settle the estate and it comes to light that someone may have murdered her grandmother. Was it her mother? Was it a stranger? In the background, there's an issue with bombs on military bases. Lia thinks she knows who is responsible. She meets a sexy artist and takes up diving, all the while dredging up the past and slowly uncovering a mystery, a little Jack Russell terrier at her side.
Because of this: 'A romantic suspense story in the tradition of Hitchcock which won the New Talent Award at the 2011 Festival of Romance.' I was expecting more suspense/thriller/fear than it contained. I'm a huge Hitchcock fan.
Strangers on a Train, it is not. Matter of fact, it doesn't get mysterious and suspenseful until about 20% into the novel. That is my number one complaint. I was really bored in the beginning as the heroine gets situated in her grandmother's house, learns to work a stove, chatters with nosy neighbors and old friends. I found the book pretty long-winded at times, to be honest. You can skim and not miss much.
BUT onto the good stuff. When it does get into the mystery, it's a good one. This is hard to say with a mystery as I must be careful not to reveal too much... The ending. I saw one twist coming from the moment the heroine almost hit a man in the street... BUT I was convinced someone else had done the crimes and was still surprised. There was also a paternity issues I wasn't quite sure of, and I love to be kept guessing so I liked that too.
I found the heroine's attitude toward her grandmother's death to be a put off at first, but it was very well explained as I kept reading. There's lots of past bits, family anger, and discovering oneself. I especially liked how Lia makes some very deep reflections and life changes as the story unfolds.
Full review is on Book Babe: http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2012/...
Quick summary: Lia's grandmother has passed away. She heads back to her England to settle the estate and it comes to light that someone may have murdered her grandmother. Was it her mother? Was it a stranger? In the background, there's an issue with bombs on military bases. Lia thinks she knows who is responsible. She meets a sexy artist and takes up diving, all the while dredging up the past and slowly uncovering a mystery, a little Jack Russell terrier at her side.
Because of this: 'A romantic suspense story in the tradition of Hitchcock which won the New Talent Award at the 2011 Festival of Romance.' I was expecting more suspense/thriller/fear than it contained. I'm a huge Hitchcock fan.
Strangers on a Train, it is not. Matter of fact, it doesn't get mysterious and suspenseful until about 20% into the novel. That is my number one complaint. I was really bored in the beginning as the heroine gets situated in her grandmother's house, learns to work a stove, chatters with nosy neighbors and old friends. I found the book pretty long-winded at times, to be honest. You can skim and not miss much.
BUT onto the good stuff. When it does get into the mystery, it's a good one. This is hard to say with a mystery as I must be careful not to reveal too much... The ending. I saw one twist coming from the moment the heroine almost hit a man in the street... BUT I was convinced someone else had done the crimes and was still surprised. There was also a paternity issues I wasn't quite sure of, and I love to be kept guessing so I liked that too.
I found the heroine's attitude toward her grandmother's death to be a put off at first, but it was very well explained as I kept reading. There's lots of past bits, family anger, and discovering oneself. I especially liked how Lia makes some very deep reflections and life changes as the story unfolds.
Full review is on Book Babe: http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2012/...
November 25, 2012
The setting is deepest Norfolk with it's chilling winds, deserted fens. swirling fogs and close-knit communities. Dr Lia Thompson has arrived back to her roots; a cold, damp and unsettling old house that she must sort through after the sudden death of her grandmother. Lia has a new life, she is a successful A&E doctor in America, engaged to a high-flying lawyer and seemingly settled, it's difficult for her to have to start dealing with the memories that are evoked as she goes through her grandmother's possessions. Then there are the niggling doubts that start to crop up. Why did her grandmother get a dog? What made her order a high-spec security system and did this traditional, set in her ways old woman really order a take away curry just before she died?
And then there is Aiden, injured during an accident whilst serving in the Navy, now producing some quite disturbing works of art and most definitely hiding something. How much does he really know about the death of Lia's grandmother?
Up Close is a chilling story that literally sent a shiver or two down my spine. It's a complex story, with a cast of characters that are not to be trusted, who have back-stories that interleave together to create a quite unexpected conclusion. Lia and Aiden are complicated characters who at first fight against their attraction to each other, hurting each other in the process. There is real passion in this story, not just the blossoming romance, but also the passion felt by the characters for what they believe in - there is also an undercurrent of hate running through the book - terrible deeds carried out in the past that have shaped the characters and their futures.
This is a clever and gripping read - with a twist.
And then there is Aiden, injured during an accident whilst serving in the Navy, now producing some quite disturbing works of art and most definitely hiding something. How much does he really know about the death of Lia's grandmother?
Up Close is a chilling story that literally sent a shiver or two down my spine. It's a complex story, with a cast of characters that are not to be trusted, who have back-stories that interleave together to create a quite unexpected conclusion. Lia and Aiden are complicated characters who at first fight against their attraction to each other, hurting each other in the process. There is real passion in this story, not just the blossoming romance, but also the passion felt by the characters for what they believe in - there is also an undercurrent of hate running through the book - terrible deeds carried out in the past that have shaped the characters and their futures.
This is a clever and gripping read - with a twist.
November 22, 2012
Those clever people at Choc lit tapped into my psyche again and came up with a tempting and enthralling romantic psychological thriller that ticks all my boxes.
Lia Thomson has recently returned to the UK after having moved to the USA where she has a successful career as a doctor. Back in Norfolk, having recently inherited her grandmothers cottaage, where she was brought up, afterthe sudden and rather mysterious death of her Gran. Mysteries from both past and present begin to haunt her, memories of the death of her little brother Eddie return, even though she was only 4 when he died, disturbing nightmares of water and drowning recur and she begins to uncover sinister facets of her Grandmothers life and death.
Having lived here as a child its inevitable that she'll meet some of her former schoolfriends, she becomes reacquaintanced with her former friend Susannah and when she meets Aidan Morrell she finds him very changed from the companion of her youth, years in the army have left him battle scarred and bitter and he seeks solace in his interests of deep sea diving and painting. He's just the complication she doesn't need especially as he is engaged to the rich and successful Brett waiting for her back in the USA.
The whole book has a dark and sinister feel and is much more than just a romantic novel its a tense and quite disturbing thriller which kept me turning the pages well into the night. Highly recomended to anyone who enjoyed Ninepins or Revenge of the Tide
Lia Thomson has recently returned to the UK after having moved to the USA where she has a successful career as a doctor. Back in Norfolk, having recently inherited her grandmothers cottaage, where she was brought up, afterthe sudden and rather mysterious death of her Gran. Mysteries from both past and present begin to haunt her, memories of the death of her little brother Eddie return, even though she was only 4 when he died, disturbing nightmares of water and drowning recur and she begins to uncover sinister facets of her Grandmothers life and death.
Having lived here as a child its inevitable that she'll meet some of her former schoolfriends, she becomes reacquaintanced with her former friend Susannah and when she meets Aidan Morrell she finds him very changed from the companion of her youth, years in the army have left him battle scarred and bitter and he seeks solace in his interests of deep sea diving and painting. He's just the complication she doesn't need especially as he is engaged to the rich and successful Brett waiting for her back in the USA.
The whole book has a dark and sinister feel and is much more than just a romantic novel its a tense and quite disturbing thriller which kept me turning the pages well into the night. Highly recomended to anyone who enjoyed Ninepins or Revenge of the Tide
December 5, 2013
A thrilling début novel from an author I had never read before or actually even heard of. Picked up the paperback in the library as I find the publishers Choc Lit often have titles in their catalogue that appeal to me. Thrillers are not my first choice of genre and I was initially put off by the fact that this is considered to be a romantic suspense story in the tradition of Hitchcock. However I like to read novels outside of my comfort zone and decided to give it a try. The suspense in the storyline was intriguing enough to keep me turning the pages, although I found the descriptions of the Norfolk setting and the characterisations more gratifying.
The Norfolk setting is perfect for this mysterious tale as the protagonist Lia Thompson returns home from America to sort out her grandmother's affairs after her death. It turns out not to be as straight forward as she had expected as it seems her death may not have been from natural causes. Although the primary plot is to find out how her grandmother died and why, there are sub plots where we learn of Lia's own past and that of local Aidan who knew her, but not well before she left the area. Aidan is carrying a lot of emotional baggage and the tension builds as these two become friends. The other important part of the story is the terrorist threats that local military bases have been getting. How do these things all link together? Well the consequences are devastating but I do not write spoilers!
If you are looking for a novel with suspense and are a fan of the thriller genre then I would recommend you read to find out for yourself.
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July 2, 2017
If you've got things you need to get done, then don't pick this book up!! Because once you do you will not want to put it down again until you find out how it all ends!! That has been my experience reading this book today and I loved every single minute of it!
The 2 main characters - Lia and Aiden - both went to school together but both led very different lives since. Lia was living in America, Aiden had stayed in Norfolk and it is only when Lia's grandmother passes away that she is drawn back and her old life confronts her once more.
But is there more to her grandmothers' death than just a heart attack? Suspicion starts to arise as to the real cause and just why did she buy a dog and pay for a security system to be fitted in the lead up to her death? Lia suspects it is just idle gossip, but she soon starts to feel uneasy and begins to question things from her past.
Aiden is another damaged soul, and takes to diving to escape the realities of life. He's always had a crush on Lia but she never gave him a second glance before and now she's back with an engagement ring on her finger. His own past leaves him unwilling to trust many and he's much happier keeping to himself.
Really enjoyed how this story was allowed to unfold at a pleasing pace. Old family resentments, lies, deception and betrayals all feature highly, with the rugged and desolate Norfolk used to great effect, and it really did keep me guessing throughout - and often not in ways I thought it would!
The clever use of 2 main characters with such troubled pasts really added to the layers that this story was allowed to explore and I will definitely be reading more from this author in the future!
The 2 main characters - Lia and Aiden - both went to school together but both led very different lives since. Lia was living in America, Aiden had stayed in Norfolk and it is only when Lia's grandmother passes away that she is drawn back and her old life confronts her once more.
But is there more to her grandmothers' death than just a heart attack? Suspicion starts to arise as to the real cause and just why did she buy a dog and pay for a security system to be fitted in the lead up to her death? Lia suspects it is just idle gossip, but she soon starts to feel uneasy and begins to question things from her past.
Aiden is another damaged soul, and takes to diving to escape the realities of life. He's always had a crush on Lia but she never gave him a second glance before and now she's back with an engagement ring on her finger. His own past leaves him unwilling to trust many and he's much happier keeping to himself.
Really enjoyed how this story was allowed to unfold at a pleasing pace. Old family resentments, lies, deception and betrayals all feature highly, with the rugged and desolate Norfolk used to great effect, and it really did keep me guessing throughout - and often not in ways I thought it would!
The clever use of 2 main characters with such troubled pasts really added to the layers that this story was allowed to explore and I will definitely be reading more from this author in the future!
February 25, 2013
Originally posted at: http://www.longandshortreviews.com/bo...
If you’re looking for a good page-turner, Up Close is for you. Ms. Gyland wasted no time in getting to the suspense. I’m a big fan of romantic suspense and this one reminded me a lot of some of the older classics of the genre written by Mary Stewart and Victoria Holt. I loved the setting and the author did such a good job describing it that I felt like I was there watching the scenes take place. If you like suspense novels set in England, and not necessary the big cities, this is one you might like to check out.
There were lots of creepy aspects to the book as well, noises in the attic at night, things seeming to be moved, and lots of people who were hiding secrets. One thing I liked was the unique hobby of the hero, that of underwater diving. Ms. Gyland obviously did lots of research on the topic and it showed in the plot.
While the heroine did sometimes seem to put herself into dangerous situations that could have been avoided, I felt this could be overlooked because the story was so well-crafted. The secondary characters were all great and fun to read about too. And although I did figure out some of the secrets the characters were keeping, I nevertheless felt compelled to read on.
After reading Up Close, I’m definitely looking forward to the author’s next book. If like me, you love curling up with a good book on a cold winter’s day, I say this one is a must read for you.
If you’re looking for a good page-turner, Up Close is for you. Ms. Gyland wasted no time in getting to the suspense. I’m a big fan of romantic suspense and this one reminded me a lot of some of the older classics of the genre written by Mary Stewart and Victoria Holt. I loved the setting and the author did such a good job describing it that I felt like I was there watching the scenes take place. If you like suspense novels set in England, and not necessary the big cities, this is one you might like to check out.
There were lots of creepy aspects to the book as well, noises in the attic at night, things seeming to be moved, and lots of people who were hiding secrets. One thing I liked was the unique hobby of the hero, that of underwater diving. Ms. Gyland obviously did lots of research on the topic and it showed in the plot.
While the heroine did sometimes seem to put herself into dangerous situations that could have been avoided, I felt this could be overlooked because the story was so well-crafted. The secondary characters were all great and fun to read about too. And although I did figure out some of the secrets the characters were keeping, I nevertheless felt compelled to read on.
After reading Up Close, I’m definitely looking forward to the author’s next book. If like me, you love curling up with a good book on a cold winter’s day, I say this one is a must read for you.
January 21, 2013
Up Close deftly probes the places we hide from ourselves and our past. Only the death of her grandmother brings Lia back home. Her seaside hometown of Norfolk is inhabited with friends she has grown out of and family she never understood. Combing the beach, Lia meets a guy she knew in college who is an expert diver. Lia is bothered by a recurring nightmare in which she drowns. Aidan offers to teach her to dive, and Lia accepts to conquer her phobia of being underwater.
They dance the line between friends and lovers as she begins to settle into her grandmother’s house and the unhurried pace of Norfolk. In the dark confines of the attic, vivid memories from Lia’s childhood begin to surface until she remembers how her younger brother actually drowned. Unwilling to expose someone she loves, Lia keeps silent. But questions surrounding the strange death of Lia’s grandmother arise, and Aidan and Lia’s families are both implicated. Suspicion and circumstance pull the two apart.
For anyone who has gone back home after a long absence, this novel will hit you in unexpected places. The conflict between Aidan and Lia feels genuine. Aidan is sexy, complicated with all the ruminations you expect from a modern guy. Throughout the story, Gyland steers you into bodies of water, plunging you under to play upon your deepest primal fears. Put on your diving mask for this watery, romantic mystery!
They dance the line between friends and lovers as she begins to settle into her grandmother’s house and the unhurried pace of Norfolk. In the dark confines of the attic, vivid memories from Lia’s childhood begin to surface until she remembers how her younger brother actually drowned. Unwilling to expose someone she loves, Lia keeps silent. But questions surrounding the strange death of Lia’s grandmother arise, and Aidan and Lia’s families are both implicated. Suspicion and circumstance pull the two apart.
For anyone who has gone back home after a long absence, this novel will hit you in unexpected places. The conflict between Aidan and Lia feels genuine. Aidan is sexy, complicated with all the ruminations you expect from a modern guy. Throughout the story, Gyland steers you into bodies of water, plunging you under to play upon your deepest primal fears. Put on your diving mask for this watery, romantic mystery!
August 28, 2014
This book had characters that felt real. A lot of the time characters are made to have a "thing", their own shtick if you will, and then the author has a difficult time deviating from that thing for any reason. This book had that, in some ways, but it wasn't over the top or unrealistic. It was refreshing to read a story where the characters were realistic, because that allowed the story to have some freedom to go beyond normal.
This was a mystery that had my interest from chapter one. Many times I thought I had it all figured out, but it was so multi-faceted and each time I thought I knew what had happened I was thrown for a loop in the next chapter. I was excited to keep reading and figure out how these seemingly unrelated issues actually weaved together. Towards the end, as I was piecing the puzzle together, it was still not completely known to me until it was actually made known. I like that in a book, especially a mystery.
This was a very entertaining and enjoyable 4 star read. I genuinely liked the book. I'm not giving it 5 stars because there were some aspects of the story that didn't make a whole lot of sense to me. Nothing major or plot-altering, but just a few statements that were made that never got cleared up in the end. It could just be me making too big a deal out of the unimportant, but it still nags at me a little. With that said, I did really enjoy this book and looked for opportunities in my day to pick it up and read it.
This was a mystery that had my interest from chapter one. Many times I thought I had it all figured out, but it was so multi-faceted and each time I thought I knew what had happened I was thrown for a loop in the next chapter. I was excited to keep reading and figure out how these seemingly unrelated issues actually weaved together. Towards the end, as I was piecing the puzzle together, it was still not completely known to me until it was actually made known. I like that in a book, especially a mystery.
This was a very entertaining and enjoyable 4 star read. I genuinely liked the book. I'm not giving it 5 stars because there were some aspects of the story that didn't make a whole lot of sense to me. Nothing major or plot-altering, but just a few statements that were made that never got cleared up in the end. It could just be me making too big a deal out of the unimportant, but it still nags at me a little. With that said, I did really enjoy this book and looked for opportunities in my day to pick it up and read it.
April 3, 2014
Up close starts out with a murder, observed by the killer- stalking its prey. From the prologue I was hooked. It is a taut suspense story that unfurled itself as you get deeper into all the secrets of the past. It isn’t just Lia’s past that is haunted, it is Aidan’s too.
Aidan and Lia rekindle their romance but Lia is unsure. As she digs deeper into the mystery she begins to doubt everyone. There is a feeling of tension as the book goes on, leading you up to the reveal. That is why I found it very hard to put down.
Norfolk itself is like a character; adding its own gothic bleakness. At times it almost feels haunted with its foggy marshes and empty winter scenes.
Aidan is lovely character: fiercely loyal, broken but a hero at heart. He is full of mystery and surprise, and not who he first appears to be. I could see why Lia was drawn to him, now and all those years ago. Lia is nobody’s fool and unravels the mystery on a slow boil; always revving the suspense up.
I would consider Up Close as a crime mystery with a romantic element. I loved the dark atmospheric feel to the book, It reminded me of those gothic Mary Stewart novels. I really enjoyed this book from cover to cover- and I would recommend to anyone who likes stories with great dramatic twists at the end.
Up Close is such a unique book that it will stay with me for a long time .
Aidan and Lia rekindle their romance but Lia is unsure. As she digs deeper into the mystery she begins to doubt everyone. There is a feeling of tension as the book goes on, leading you up to the reveal. That is why I found it very hard to put down.
Norfolk itself is like a character; adding its own gothic bleakness. At times it almost feels haunted with its foggy marshes and empty winter scenes.
Aidan is lovely character: fiercely loyal, broken but a hero at heart. He is full of mystery and surprise, and not who he first appears to be. I could see why Lia was drawn to him, now and all those years ago. Lia is nobody’s fool and unravels the mystery on a slow boil; always revving the suspense up.
I would consider Up Close as a crime mystery with a romantic element. I loved the dark atmospheric feel to the book, It reminded me of those gothic Mary Stewart novels. I really enjoyed this book from cover to cover- and I would recommend to anyone who likes stories with great dramatic twists at the end.
Up Close is such a unique book that it will stay with me for a long time .
February 4, 2013
Really enjoyed this book. A bit of suspense, a mystery and a romance too – all the things I love in a novel.
It took me a little while to warm to the main character, Lia, but as I got to know her better and understand her, I did feel a real empathy for her. This was actually quite refreshing as I felt Lia was a very realistic character – just like in real life, it takes time to get to know someone and not until you know them properly, can you form a balanced opinion of them.
Aidan had several layers to his character too and although I was sure I could trust him, the way the plot unravelled had me questioning his actions.
The plot revolved around military issues; the impact of going to war and the after effects which had obviously been well researched by the author. There were other aspects woven into the plot too, which keeps the reader guessing and trying to put together the pieces to solve the mystery. The clues are there, some more subtle than others, together with a twist at the end. I don’t want to say much more for fear of spoiling the plot but for those who enjoy romance and suspense, this is one I’d highly recommend and will certainly look out for future novels by this author.
It took me a little while to warm to the main character, Lia, but as I got to know her better and understand her, I did feel a real empathy for her. This was actually quite refreshing as I felt Lia was a very realistic character – just like in real life, it takes time to get to know someone and not until you know them properly, can you form a balanced opinion of them.
Aidan had several layers to his character too and although I was sure I could trust him, the way the plot unravelled had me questioning his actions.
The plot revolved around military issues; the impact of going to war and the after effects which had obviously been well researched by the author. There were other aspects woven into the plot too, which keeps the reader guessing and trying to put together the pieces to solve the mystery. The clues are there, some more subtle than others, together with a twist at the end. I don’t want to say much more for fear of spoiling the plot but for those who enjoy romance and suspense, this is one I’d highly recommend and will certainly look out for future novels by this author.
April 11, 2013
I found this novel to be darker and more gripping than the tag/genre 'romantic suspense' suggests. I know Norfolk well from holidaying there - that fact, and the intriguing blurb prompted me to purchase the novel. And I wasn't disappointed. The author has depicted the stripped back beauty of the place and captured the eeriness of the marshes in winter to perfection. The marshes are a character in their own right and act as a kind of fairground mirror, reflecting and distorting the flaws and imperfections of the protagonists. Brooding Aiden, the difficult Susannah, the brother who died from drowning, Connie who won't accept her inheritance -and the mysterious, unexpected death of the heroine's grandmother. Lia (the heroine) feels threatened - and with good cause, but holds her nerve right to the end. Even when exploring the attics and trusting Aiden enough to go diving alone with him. Each page turns up a fresh set of questions until by the end, like Lia, I didn't know who to trust!! I won't say more and spoil the ending (which I didn't see coming, by the way!)I will simply say - if you like romance with a complex plot(and subplots) this is the novel for you. A great debut.
December 9, 2012
I kept wondering and wondering, yes this book brought me quite the mystery to solve.
Lia is a doctor who comes to Norfolk to settle her grandmother's estate as her mother refuses too. Yes drama at the beginning. Lia is smart, sensible, but with a few issues from her past.
Norfolk is painted as harsh, those who live there, well live there, they know the land. But it fits well with the story, because something is going on. Someone was watching Lia's grandmother, and did someone kill her? That is the mystery. Because strange things keep on happening while Lia stays there.
There is also a friendship that slowly builds, a friendship that might or might not lead to romance. Aidan has his own issues from the war, and there is secrets he is keeping too. Those I did figure out..after a while. I also liked how their story was built, there was friendship and something that could be more. It was real.
The mystery was good, so many questions and so many different roads to take.
A good suspense novel, with a hint of romance.
Lia is a doctor who comes to Norfolk to settle her grandmother's estate as her mother refuses too. Yes drama at the beginning. Lia is smart, sensible, but with a few issues from her past.
Norfolk is painted as harsh, those who live there, well live there, they know the land. But it fits well with the story, because something is going on. Someone was watching Lia's grandmother, and did someone kill her? That is the mystery. Because strange things keep on happening while Lia stays there.
There is also a friendship that slowly builds, a friendship that might or might not lead to romance. Aidan has his own issues from the war, and there is secrets he is keeping too. Those I did figure out..after a while. I also liked how their story was built, there was friendship and something that could be more. It was real.
The mystery was good, so many questions and so many different roads to take.
A good suspense novel, with a hint of romance.
November 17, 2017
Henriette Gyland er dansk, men bor i England og skriver på engelsk. Up Close er første bok i en serie som heter Twist in the tale. Dette er det som på engelsk kalles «romantic suspence». Noe som betyr at du får servert en kriminal historie sammen med romantikk. Med andre ord vet du hva du går til.
Hovedpersonen i denne boken heter Lia. Hun er fra Norfolk i England, men bor i Boston sammen med forloveden sin. Da mormoren hennes dør drar hun til England for å ta seg av begravelse og arv. Det er der hun vokste opp, hos mormoren. Etter uoverensstemmelser mellom henne og moren da hun var en tenåring. Mens hun er i Norfolk møter hun igjen Aidan som hun gikk på skole med, og søt musikk oppstår.
Krim-biten er to-delt. Lia begynner å mistenke at mormoren ikke døde en naturlig død. Og det har gått av flere bomber rundt en militærforlegning i nærheten. Lia er opptatt av mormoren og Aidan av bombene. Men han fordi han forstår noe, og hun fordi hun ikke kan fatte det som skjer. Tilsammen kommer de nok over en løsning skal du se.
Betraktninger
Hovedpersonen i denne boken heter Lia. Hun er fra Norfolk i England, men bor i Boston sammen med forloveden sin. Da mormoren hennes dør drar hun til England for å ta seg av begravelse og arv. Det er der hun vokste opp, hos mormoren. Etter uoverensstemmelser mellom henne og moren da hun var en tenåring. Mens hun er i Norfolk møter hun igjen Aidan som hun gikk på skole med, og søt musikk oppstår.
Krim-biten er to-delt. Lia begynner å mistenke at mormoren ikke døde en naturlig død. Og det har gått av flere bomber rundt en militærforlegning i nærheten. Lia er opptatt av mormoren og Aidan av bombene. Men han fordi han forstår noe, og hun fordi hun ikke kan fatte det som skjer. Tilsammen kommer de nok over en løsning skal du se.
Betraktninger
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