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The Helpdesk: A fast-paced, entertaining and gripping thriller
Someone is always watching
James Fitzpatrick is a high-profile partner in one of London's most successful law firms. He's married to Bella. She's beautiful and clever, a teacher at one of London's most prestigious schools.
They have the perfect lives.
But then, one night, a career-ending error sees James contact the IT helpdesk in desperation. A woman called Charlotte answers his call, setting in motion a series of events that would shatter James' and Bella's lives.
But who is the woman at the other side of the computer screen? And why is she out for revenge?
James Fitzpatrick is a high-profile partner in one of London's most successful law firms. He's married to Bella. She's beautiful and clever, a teacher at one of London's most prestigious schools.
They have the perfect lives.
But then, one night, a career-ending error sees James contact the IT helpdesk in desperation. A woman called Charlotte answers his call, setting in motion a series of events that would shatter James' and Bella's lives.
But who is the woman at the other side of the computer screen? And why is she out for revenge?
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 19, 2023
12 people are currently reading
171 people want to read
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February 13, 2023
Thank you Hachette Books Ireland and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. IYKYK, my reviews are always honest.
2.5 rounded down
Writing: 2.5/5 | Plot: 2.5/5 | Ending: you're trolling/5
SYNOPSIS
James and Bella seem to live a charmed life. But when the high-flying lawyer makes a connection with Charlotte, the IT help desk employee tasked with retrieving his lost files, and Bella returns to her PhD thesis, things get reaaaalllll ugly.
MY OPINION
This book was very much MEH. It's one of those times I really wish Goodreads would toss us those .5 ratings. A 2 is kinda harsh but a 3 is way too generous. Tbh I considered this a 2.5 rounded up for most of the book until the ending said hold my beer and tanked harder than the NASDAQ in 2008.
The plot relies solely on the unwillingness of any of characters to properly communicate. If they could just sit down and have an adult conversation, the whole ting would've been a wrap in about 30 minutes. And lastly, before I get into some spoilies, nothing really pops off until about 50%. It's a lot of conversational monologuing and setting the scene and then BAM! sh!t starts going sideways and comes to a very abrupt, jarring ending. The book could've been about 100 pages shorter.
SPOILERS SCROLL AHEAD
I'm actually going to kick things off by talking about the end. What in the flying fk was THAT?????? Is this a joke??? The ending was so Scooby Doo, it's actually an insult to Scooby himself. It made Scooby look like Raymond Reddington from Blacklist. In true Scooby Doo fashion, the whole gang is rounded up for the big reveal and subsequent walkthrough of events. After the final showdown, the detective asks — without cautioning nor arresting anyone — "Was that your plan all along then?" and "How were you involved?" and "What did you decide to do?" in the middle of the living room with a de@d body on the floor. At one point, the baddie says "that pretty much sums it up." You actually can't be serious??? Was this really the best you could do????
Ok so moving on from that asstastic ending, we have the next bane of my existence: Bella. JFC. Write a more unlikable character, I dare you. And at the end, I still wasn't clear what role she was meant to play. Protagonist? Antihero? Nah. Just a super twat. She is completely insufferable and irrational. So she sends a soul-baring email to her husband, which is deleted by his jealous side ting, and when he doesn't acknowledge it because he never even saw it, she decides the rational move is to sleep with the supply teacher at her school???????
You couldn't even light his phone up with some angry texts demanding an explanation? They've been married for quite some time, too. This isn't early days in a relationship where you're still pretending you aren't crazy enough to double-text. Nah, us married homies will double, triple, quadruple text your ass until we get an answer. The first resort should not be to blow up your entire marriage with an affair. And then when he confronts her, she's like "yeah and I LIKED IT!! Should've slobbed on his knob too!!!!" bro what??? Aren't you supposed to be getting your PhD in PSYCHOLOGY??? You have the emotional maturity of my dog Nobu's wet farts. Stop it. Stop it right now.
Now, if she was intentionally unlikeable... ok I guess? But we still didn't get any background into WHY she's such an annoying, selfish, emotionally immature whacko. Yeah her parents showed up to the wedding and were like oh btw she cray cray, but it never went farther than that. WHY was she cray cray??? Give me a lil abusive childhood or something. I can't accept this LOL.
I thought after the confession ting, James would finally locate his scrotum and leave her ass and her funky ass seasonal furniture, but nope. Bella went full delusional and was like "ok so we both cheated. and yes I did throw a bottle at you and break a wine glass over your head. but, I forgive you and let's move on." and james is like "omg tysm!!!" WHAT??? There was literally NO ONE to cheer for. I guess Charlotte but she was very weird. How do you not remember your dad yet do the most to avenge his death? Why was she such a stalker to begin with??? Who forgives their BFF for shebanging their dad's murderer??? Jail. All of them.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: the premise was interesting, James' pov was funny at times
Cons: plot relied on miscommunication, characters sucked ass, ending was basically a hate crime against my eyes and brain, too long... too much time spent on setting the scene
2.5 rounded down
Writing: 2.5/5 | Plot: 2.5/5 | Ending: you're trolling/5
SYNOPSIS
James and Bella seem to live a charmed life. But when the high-flying lawyer makes a connection with Charlotte, the IT help desk employee tasked with retrieving his lost files, and Bella returns to her PhD thesis, things get reaaaalllll ugly.
MY OPINION
This book was very much MEH. It's one of those times I really wish Goodreads would toss us those .5 ratings. A 2 is kinda harsh but a 3 is way too generous. Tbh I considered this a 2.5 rounded up for most of the book until the ending said hold my beer and tanked harder than the NASDAQ in 2008.
The plot relies solely on the unwillingness of any of characters to properly communicate. If they could just sit down and have an adult conversation, the whole ting would've been a wrap in about 30 minutes. And lastly, before I get into some spoilies, nothing really pops off until about 50%. It's a lot of conversational monologuing and setting the scene and then BAM! sh!t starts going sideways and comes to a very abrupt, jarring ending. The book could've been about 100 pages shorter.
SPOILERS SCROLL AHEAD
I'm actually going to kick things off by talking about the end. What in the flying fk was THAT?????? Is this a joke??? The ending was so Scooby Doo, it's actually an insult to Scooby himself. It made Scooby look like Raymond Reddington from Blacklist. In true Scooby Doo fashion, the whole gang is rounded up for the big reveal and subsequent walkthrough of events. After the final showdown, the detective asks — without cautioning nor arresting anyone — "Was that your plan all along then?" and "How were you involved?" and "What did you decide to do?" in the middle of the living room with a de@d body on the floor. At one point, the baddie says "that pretty much sums it up." You actually can't be serious??? Was this really the best you could do????
Ok so moving on from that asstastic ending, we have the next bane of my existence: Bella. JFC. Write a more unlikable character, I dare you. And at the end, I still wasn't clear what role she was meant to play. Protagonist? Antihero? Nah. Just a super twat. She is completely insufferable and irrational. So she sends a soul-baring email to her husband, which is deleted by his jealous side ting, and when he doesn't acknowledge it because he never even saw it, she decides the rational move is to sleep with the supply teacher at her school???????
You couldn't even light his phone up with some angry texts demanding an explanation? They've been married for quite some time, too. This isn't early days in a relationship where you're still pretending you aren't crazy enough to double-text. Nah, us married homies will double, triple, quadruple text your ass until we get an answer. The first resort should not be to blow up your entire marriage with an affair. And then when he confronts her, she's like "yeah and I LIKED IT!! Should've slobbed on his knob too!!!!" bro what??? Aren't you supposed to be getting your PhD in PSYCHOLOGY??? You have the emotional maturity of my dog Nobu's wet farts. Stop it. Stop it right now.
Now, if she was intentionally unlikeable... ok I guess? But we still didn't get any background into WHY she's such an annoying, selfish, emotionally immature whacko. Yeah her parents showed up to the wedding and were like oh btw she cray cray, but it never went farther than that. WHY was she cray cray??? Give me a lil abusive childhood or something. I can't accept this LOL.
I thought after the confession ting, James would finally locate his scrotum and leave her ass and her funky ass seasonal furniture, but nope. Bella went full delusional and was like "ok so we both cheated. and yes I did throw a bottle at you and break a wine glass over your head. but, I forgive you and let's move on." and james is like "omg tysm!!!" WHAT??? There was literally NO ONE to cheer for. I guess Charlotte but she was very weird. How do you not remember your dad yet do the most to avenge his death? Why was she such a stalker to begin with??? Who forgives their BFF for shebanging their dad's murderer??? Jail. All of them.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: the premise was interesting, James' pov was funny at times
Cons: plot relied on miscommunication, characters sucked ass, ending was basically a hate crime against my eyes and brain, too long... too much time spent on setting the scene
December 10, 2022
James is driving himself very hard at work as his law firm are preparing a critical report concerning a business merger that may or may not go ahead. He’s running on fumes through lack of sleeps and it’s affecting his marriage to Bella. She is a very smart woman, a PhD student turned teacher at a prestigious London school. The report is complete, James uploads it and the something goes catastrophically wrong as somehow it gets lost in the ether, so panic mode ensues. He desperately calls the Tech Help Desk and Charlotte answers his call. She helps retrieve the file and seems to save the day and James’ bacon. However, hold that thought - who exactly is Charlotte? How and why does she know details about his life that he doesn’t divulge? Most importantly, why does this set in motion a sequence of events and the derailment of James and Bella’s life? The story is principally told by James, Bella and Charlotte.
Where to start with this one??! It seems to start as a very good character driven study which is really interesting as you start in one place of judgement and then revelations come barrelling in that forces you to adapt your thinking. It starts at a relatively ‘gentle’ pace but does it ever ramp up because this is about what motivates characters especially the desire to control and there are several dark shades of that here. What’s so entertaining is the flux of seeming to be in control which changes swiftly to out of control mode. It’s about power, the imperative to dominate which affects the decisions you make, the action, reaction or lack of action which turns the plot stroll to a pacy jog. There are some scenes that are shocking demonstrations of control and domination which also reveal obsessions. Along the route to the end the proverbial hits the fan on several occasions, lines and wires are crossed and what initially seems that be separate storytelling strands begin to come together nicely in a gripping, absorbing read as situations escalate to Ben Nevis proportions.
My only reservation and hence the four not five stars is the ultimate ending as characters explain the rationale behind what unfolds but given the drama of what precedes it, my expectations are for fireworks which doesn’t happen!
Overall though, this is a very ambitious novel and Shane Dunphy definitely pulls it off demonstrating clearly that absolute power corrupts absolutely.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Hachette Books, Ireland for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
Where to start with this one??! It seems to start as a very good character driven study which is really interesting as you start in one place of judgement and then revelations come barrelling in that forces you to adapt your thinking. It starts at a relatively ‘gentle’ pace but does it ever ramp up because this is about what motivates characters especially the desire to control and there are several dark shades of that here. What’s so entertaining is the flux of seeming to be in control which changes swiftly to out of control mode. It’s about power, the imperative to dominate which affects the decisions you make, the action, reaction or lack of action which turns the plot stroll to a pacy jog. There are some scenes that are shocking demonstrations of control and domination which also reveal obsessions. Along the route to the end the proverbial hits the fan on several occasions, lines and wires are crossed and what initially seems that be separate storytelling strands begin to come together nicely in a gripping, absorbing read as situations escalate to Ben Nevis proportions.
My only reservation and hence the four not five stars is the ultimate ending as characters explain the rationale behind what unfolds but given the drama of what precedes it, my expectations are for fireworks which doesn’t happen!
Overall though, this is a very ambitious novel and Shane Dunphy definitely pulls it off demonstrating clearly that absolute power corrupts absolutely.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Hachette Books, Ireland for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
December 19, 2022
My Rating System: 3.5 rounded up to 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ticked a lot of boxes, held my attention PRETTY ENTERTAINING!!!
Someone is always watching and sometimes it’s who you least expect.
James Fitzpatrick is a legal eagle in one of London’s most prestigious and successful law firms. He is married to his gorgeous and smart wife Bella. She is a teacher at one of London’s richest schools. They have the perfect lives… or do they?
On night James makes what he thinks is a career destroying error and his last resort is to hope that the IT Helpdesk can help fix is problem. Welcome Charlotte, who sets in motion a series of events that is set to shatter James and Bella’s perfect world.
Who is the woman from the Helpdesk and why is she out for revenge??
I have read one other novel by this author and quite liked it but didn’t love it so when I saw this standalone with a premise like the above I was like… sure sign me up. I was delighted when I was approved. Let me start by saying I BLASTED through this one it did not feel like 300+ pages and that was already a huge plus for me (if you have read my last review - which was like having teeth pulled without anaesthetic). Have I upgraded my rating due to having bad book hangover… we will never know because I truly enjoyed this one… save for a few issues that I will go into (without spoilers).
So, up first is the POV you all know by now I love the multiple POV, multi-timeline type novels and this one did not disappoint. I think that is why I got through it so quickly every time we had a POV change I was like NOOOO I need to know more so I kept reading - just one more chapter… eeek!! There are also chapters that are excerpts from Bella’s failed PHD research which at first I was like oh god this is going to be academic and boring (sorry guys I am in for the thrills and kills) but it was really interesting. I don’t actually know if this research is made up or real … but I enjoyed those chapters as much if not more than some of the POV changes.
The writing for me was on point… I really liked the conversational monologue style that the reader is treated to. It was light hearted in points and the character was often having WTF moments that we could have along with them. This is set in the UK so had some sayings and slang that are familiar to me, even though I myself am Australian I have English family members and grew up with a lot of that lingo in my repertoire so really enjoyed it.
There is quite a lot happening in this one, we have Jame’s who is a work-aholic and is out for the big promotion. Enter the Helpdesk due to deleted documents that he cannot get back and will basically have him castrated by his big-wig bosses if he can’t get his sh*t sorted.
Bella is having all sorts of dramas at school and there is an underlying storyline about the ‘failed’ PHD that unfolds as we go along and find out more and more about this. This storyline does distract a little from the Helpdesk story but the author managed to bring it all back together at some point so it does make sense however I had some issues with Bella’s story.
There are some extra marital issues between Bella and James and I think seriously for the shocking amount of truly despicable behaviour I am a bit shocked at what ended up happening there… but no spoilers from me on that…
One of the minor characters I had to laugh at was the Detective - he was quirky as all get out and spoke in a very formal and robotic way. I hope this was intentional because I found it quite amusing even maybe when it wasn’t supposed to be but I liked the addition of this guy and got a kick out of him.
Now onto the major issues I had - there are a few plot holes, things like a character that makes a fairly large appearance throughout the book disappears (not as a storyline) but just is no longer mentioned again and we don’t know what happens to them.
The ending was rushed and everyone spilled their guts so to speak and we got a full disclosure this is why x did this and that and there were no things left to the imagination. Even the bit that was supposed to be did this or that happen… was pretty obvious.
Some of the reasoning for why things happened was a bit out there and all basically as explained in the last 10 -15% and you find out that everything is not as it seems but not in the way you are maybe hoping or expecting… I guess for me it was all mostly going pretty well, keeping me engaged and intrigued but the ending let it down a bit. It didn’t ruin it for me but the few inconsistencies and last minute wrap up lost stars from me.
Overall I would recommend this to people if you like an easy read with quirky characters and I found it pretty entertaining. You will likely guess who was doing what by the end… I mostly did but that was fine for me. Oh and one other quick thing, I would not classify this as a thriller at all - it was in the Mystery & Thriller section of NetGalley and would definitely call it a domestic mystery more than a thriller.
Thank you very much to Hachette Books Ireland, NetGalley and the author for an advanced copy for my honest review.
Someone is always watching and sometimes it’s who you least expect.
James Fitzpatrick is a legal eagle in one of London’s most prestigious and successful law firms. He is married to his gorgeous and smart wife Bella. She is a teacher at one of London’s richest schools. They have the perfect lives… or do they?
On night James makes what he thinks is a career destroying error and his last resort is to hope that the IT Helpdesk can help fix is problem. Welcome Charlotte, who sets in motion a series of events that is set to shatter James and Bella’s perfect world.
Who is the woman from the Helpdesk and why is she out for revenge??
I have read one other novel by this author and quite liked it but didn’t love it so when I saw this standalone with a premise like the above I was like… sure sign me up. I was delighted when I was approved. Let me start by saying I BLASTED through this one it did not feel like 300+ pages and that was already a huge plus for me (if you have read my last review - which was like having teeth pulled without anaesthetic). Have I upgraded my rating due to having bad book hangover… we will never know because I truly enjoyed this one… save for a few issues that I will go into (without spoilers).
So, up first is the POV you all know by now I love the multiple POV, multi-timeline type novels and this one did not disappoint. I think that is why I got through it so quickly every time we had a POV change I was like NOOOO I need to know more so I kept reading - just one more chapter… eeek!! There are also chapters that are excerpts from Bella’s failed PHD research which at first I was like oh god this is going to be academic and boring (sorry guys I am in for the thrills and kills) but it was really interesting. I don’t actually know if this research is made up or real … but I enjoyed those chapters as much if not more than some of the POV changes.
The writing for me was on point… I really liked the conversational monologue style that the reader is treated to. It was light hearted in points and the character was often having WTF moments that we could have along with them. This is set in the UK so had some sayings and slang that are familiar to me, even though I myself am Australian I have English family members and grew up with a lot of that lingo in my repertoire so really enjoyed it.
There is quite a lot happening in this one, we have Jame’s who is a work-aholic and is out for the big promotion. Enter the Helpdesk due to deleted documents that he cannot get back and will basically have him castrated by his big-wig bosses if he can’t get his sh*t sorted.
Bella is having all sorts of dramas at school and there is an underlying storyline about the ‘failed’ PHD that unfolds as we go along and find out more and more about this. This storyline does distract a little from the Helpdesk story but the author managed to bring it all back together at some point so it does make sense however I had some issues with Bella’s story.
There are some extra marital issues between Bella and James and I think seriously for the shocking amount of truly despicable behaviour I am a bit shocked at what ended up happening there… but no spoilers from me on that…
One of the minor characters I had to laugh at was the Detective - he was quirky as all get out and spoke in a very formal and robotic way. I hope this was intentional because I found it quite amusing even maybe when it wasn’t supposed to be but I liked the addition of this guy and got a kick out of him.
Now onto the major issues I had - there are a few plot holes, things like a character that makes a fairly large appearance throughout the book disappears (not as a storyline) but just is no longer mentioned again and we don’t know what happens to them.
The ending was rushed and everyone spilled their guts so to speak and we got a full disclosure this is why x did this and that and there were no things left to the imagination. Even the bit that was supposed to be did this or that happen… was pretty obvious.
Some of the reasoning for why things happened was a bit out there and all basically as explained in the last 10 -15% and you find out that everything is not as it seems but not in the way you are maybe hoping or expecting… I guess for me it was all mostly going pretty well, keeping me engaged and intrigued but the ending let it down a bit. It didn’t ruin it for me but the few inconsistencies and last minute wrap up lost stars from me.
Overall I would recommend this to people if you like an easy read with quirky characters and I found it pretty entertaining. You will likely guess who was doing what by the end… I mostly did but that was fine for me. Oh and one other quick thing, I would not classify this as a thriller at all - it was in the Mystery & Thriller section of NetGalley and would definitely call it a domestic mystery more than a thriller.
Thank you very much to Hachette Books Ireland, NetGalley and the author for an advanced copy for my honest review.
March 12, 2023
The Helpdesk came out in January and ai finally picked it up over the weekend. It was a fast read that I finished in 2 sittings. The blurb was very vague, there is so much more to it than an IT Helpdesk worker accessing a wealthy lawyers computer and taking over it and his life. But I suggest that that is what you need to know, go in blind on the rest like I did.
The story is told from 3 points of view. First there is James, the lawyer who is desperate to make partner. Working late into the night, he manages to lose a crucial file and needs the help of the Helpdesk. This is where Charlotte comes in. And then we have Bella, James wife and a teacher at a prestigious London school. Their lives are about to be turned upside down, but why? You need to read it to find out.
For the most part this was a quick and enjoyable read. The ending was a letdown for me though. It felt rushed and silly. It was like it all happened, brushed under the carpet, the end. I had hoped for a bit more than that.
Thanks to Hachette Australia for my copy of this book to read and review.
The story is told from 3 points of view. First there is James, the lawyer who is desperate to make partner. Working late into the night, he manages to lose a crucial file and needs the help of the Helpdesk. This is where Charlotte comes in. And then we have Bella, James wife and a teacher at a prestigious London school. Their lives are about to be turned upside down, but why? You need to read it to find out.
For the most part this was a quick and enjoyable read. The ending was a letdown for me though. It felt rushed and silly. It was like it all happened, brushed under the carpet, the end. I had hoped for a bit more than that.
Thanks to Hachette Australia for my copy of this book to read and review.
December 7, 2022
SA Dunphy's thriller The Helpdesk started well. James is a tax lawyer who's desperate to make partner, but his dreams hang in the balance when a vital report goes missing as he assists in a merger. Frantic, he calls the IT helpdesk, where a woman called Charlotte is able to recover the file. James is relieved and grateful, and feels a connection with Charlotte - a connection that's renewed as things continue to go wrong with his system. I loved this premise, and the sections of the novel that dealt with James's job were gripping. However, the book strays well away from its opening by introducing a subplot about James's wife, Bella, a teacher at a prestigious private school, and her (highly implausible) unfinished PhD on aggressive behaviour by high-flying corporate businessmen. In the afterword, Dunphy says that he had originally intended to focus only on the helpdesk plot but found Bella's voice so compelling that he had to work her more fully into the novel. For me, a tighter focus would have worked better, as the way the two strands are linked becomes increasingly silly, and less original than the opening of the novel. The plot also relies on what I think is a very cheap trick; first-person narrators who are not flagged as unreliable not telling the reader what they are actually doing or thinking, which sacrifices realism for the sake of a twist. Disappointing. 2.5 stars.
I received a free proof copy of this novel from the publisher for review.
I received a free proof copy of this novel from the publisher for review.
February 8, 2023
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'The Helpdesk' by S.A Dunphy.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for S.A Dunphy and Hatchette Ireland Books.
Publication date 19th January 2023.
This is the seventh book I have read by this author but his fourth book by S.A Dunphy.
I was originally drawn to this book by its intriguing eye catching cover, synopsis and title. I am also a huge fan of Shane Dunphy and if this is half as good as Shane's previous books it is sure to be a page turning read. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Hatchette Books. I have yet to read a book published by Hatchette that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists 49 chapters and set over 2 parts. The chapters are short to medium in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in London, England 🏴, UK 🇬🇧. The bonus for me of books that are partly or fully based in the UK is that I live in the UK and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book which makes it easier to picture. The fact that this book is based in England is even better as I have visited London and holidayed in England in many times so may even recognise some places Shane has set the book around.
This book is written in first person perspective with the main protagonists being James Fitzpatrick, Bella Fitzpatrick, Detective Sergeant Harvey Brennan and Charlotte Odette. The benefits of books written in first person perspective with multiple protagonists are as long as they are well written it makes you feel that you are being spoken to by the protagonist and it can create more of a bond between yourselves and them. When there are several protagonists you also get to see more of what is going on.
'The Helpdesk' discusses some topics that may upset some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Shane discusses/includes sexual assault and some strong language.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVED IT!! Well I must say Shane you are very talented man!!! What another absolutely addictive read!! I am already eagerly awaiting your next book regardless of the genre!! You are a man of many talents!!
This book is extremely well written with vivid descriptions that places you write in the heart of the storyline and leaves you hearing the traffic of London and feeling your heart race. The title, cover and synopsis work perfectly with the storyline.
This is the fourth crime novel I have read by Shane and he is one of those rare authors who books are fantastic and yet also keep getting better and better. I have read most of his non fiction books from when he was working as a child protection worker and loved them all. They were heartbreaking and I shed many tears but they were fantastic books. Shane then started writing crime novels and was intrigued by the change of genre. This isb the first standalone crime novel I have read by him (I believe it is the first he has written but may be wrong) and I cannot wait for him to bring his next one out!! I am very pleased to say that Shane writes fiction just as fantastically as non fiction!!!
This storyline is definitely unique which I loved. I'm a big fan of crime but it can be tedious reading similar storylines so this one was a nice refreshing change. It is such a thought provoking book that left me thinking about it says after reading it and considering how much we rely on technology and also on strangers to help with this technology. It is extremely paced and addictive. I was completely absorbed from page one until the fantastic explosive ending which I most definitely was not expecting!! . It is ram packed with suspense, adultery, tension, humour, obsessions, plots, mystery, romance, control, and everything you want in an unputdownable page turner. I was constantly trying to work out who the "good" and "bad" characters were and my mind kept flipping from one to the other throughout as each secret was revealed. Every single chapter ended on a point where I just had to know what happened next and I just could not put it down which ended up with me devouring it in one sitting!! I absolutely love the multiple points of views as it gives us so much insight into who was doing what and what they were thinking it brings the whole story to life leaving you feeling like you are sitting in front of each of them while they tell you their story. The only criticisms I have is that the ending did seem to be slightly rushed and I would like to have known more about what happened with Caleb but neither of these spoilt the storyline as a whole for me so I will be rating this amazing book a 5/5!!
There were so many twists and turns throughout leading you to one red herring and then another whilst constantly questioning yourself who is actually behind everything all along and if you can trust any of the protagonists. The book wrapped up with everything explained (it's a pet hate of mine where a book ends and vital parts seem to have gotten lost in the storyline and never mentioned again). One of the best things about this series too is that although it is predominantly a crime mystery it has sprinkles of humour scattered throughout which lightens it up from time to time and Shane does it well. I was shocked when I did discover who was behind everything that had been going and and the reasons behind everything. I had genuinely believed it was for other reasons by other people entirely so well done Shane on shocking me, not an easy feat considering how many crime books I have read!! I really couldn't recommend this book to anyone and everyone more and I would absolutely love to see this made into a movie!
The fact that Shane has obviously either done some research or knows alot about technology, law and police procedures shines through so another congratulations is deserved. I have read several books where the author either has not done enough or hasn't done any research into their chosen topic and the book is then littered with unnecessary mistakes which spoils the storyline.
Clear your schedules before even turning a page in this book as it is utterly addictive and you will not be able to put it down!!
Each of the main characters were strong, realistic and their own unique personalities and I was intrigued by each one of them. The storyline is very character focused and it drip feeds you just enough information for you to try and work out what each of them is up to without giving too much away. I went from feeling sorry for some of them to being disgusted a few pages later then to annoyed and so forth. There were several times where I felt positive towards one character and completely disliking another just for the feelings to be flipped a few chapters later. I wish I could go into more details about how I felt about them but now that I know who was doing what and why I would be too worried about letting anything out and spoiling things for future readers so I will have to leave it there but if you have read this book and are up for a chat about it please pop me a message!!
Congratulations Shane, a man of many talents, on yet another absolutely fantastic explosive addition to a very addictive series. This is why you are my favourite male author!! Here is to yet another success 🍻!!!
Overall an absolutely addictive, unique and unputdownable crime mystery that you will devour in one sitting!!
Genres covered in this novel include Psychological Thriller, Crime Thriller, Crime Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Modern Fiction, Mystery, Suspense and Thriller amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Shalini Boland, 'Gone Girl', Angela Marsons, Carol Wyer anyone and EVERYONE!!! What are you waiting for? Grab your copy now!!
343 pages.
This book is just 99p to purchase on kindle and £8.99 in paperback via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
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Review for 'The Helpdesk' by S.A Dunphy.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for S.A Dunphy and Hatchette Ireland Books.
Publication date 19th January 2023.
This is the seventh book I have read by this author but his fourth book by S.A Dunphy.
I was originally drawn to this book by its intriguing eye catching cover, synopsis and title. I am also a huge fan of Shane Dunphy and if this is half as good as Shane's previous books it is sure to be a page turning read. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Hatchette Books. I have yet to read a book published by Hatchette that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists 49 chapters and set over 2 parts. The chapters are short to medium in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in London, England 🏴, UK 🇬🇧. The bonus for me of books that are partly or fully based in the UK is that I live in the UK and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book which makes it easier to picture. The fact that this book is based in England is even better as I have visited London and holidayed in England in many times so may even recognise some places Shane has set the book around.
This book is written in first person perspective with the main protagonists being James Fitzpatrick, Bella Fitzpatrick, Detective Sergeant Harvey Brennan and Charlotte Odette. The benefits of books written in first person perspective with multiple protagonists are as long as they are well written it makes you feel that you are being spoken to by the protagonist and it can create more of a bond between yourselves and them. When there are several protagonists you also get to see more of what is going on.
'The Helpdesk' discusses some topics that may upset some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Shane discusses/includes sexual assault and some strong language.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVED IT!! Well I must say Shane you are very talented man!!! What another absolutely addictive read!! I am already eagerly awaiting your next book regardless of the genre!! You are a man of many talents!!
This book is extremely well written with vivid descriptions that places you write in the heart of the storyline and leaves you hearing the traffic of London and feeling your heart race. The title, cover and synopsis work perfectly with the storyline.
This is the fourth crime novel I have read by Shane and he is one of those rare authors who books are fantastic and yet also keep getting better and better. I have read most of his non fiction books from when he was working as a child protection worker and loved them all. They were heartbreaking and I shed many tears but they were fantastic books. Shane then started writing crime novels and was intrigued by the change of genre. This isb the first standalone crime novel I have read by him (I believe it is the first he has written but may be wrong) and I cannot wait for him to bring his next one out!! I am very pleased to say that Shane writes fiction just as fantastically as non fiction!!!
This storyline is definitely unique which I loved. I'm a big fan of crime but it can be tedious reading similar storylines so this one was a nice refreshing change. It is such a thought provoking book that left me thinking about it says after reading it and considering how much we rely on technology and also on strangers to help with this technology. It is extremely paced and addictive. I was completely absorbed from page one until the fantastic explosive ending which I most definitely was not expecting!! . It is ram packed with suspense, adultery, tension, humour, obsessions, plots, mystery, romance, control, and everything you want in an unputdownable page turner. I was constantly trying to work out who the "good" and "bad" characters were and my mind kept flipping from one to the other throughout as each secret was revealed. Every single chapter ended on a point where I just had to know what happened next and I just could not put it down which ended up with me devouring it in one sitting!! I absolutely love the multiple points of views as it gives us so much insight into who was doing what and what they were thinking it brings the whole story to life leaving you feeling like you are sitting in front of each of them while they tell you their story. The only criticisms I have is that the ending did seem to be slightly rushed and I would like to have known more about what happened with Caleb but neither of these spoilt the storyline as a whole for me so I will be rating this amazing book a 5/5!!
There were so many twists and turns throughout leading you to one red herring and then another whilst constantly questioning yourself who is actually behind everything all along and if you can trust any of the protagonists. The book wrapped up with everything explained (it's a pet hate of mine where a book ends and vital parts seem to have gotten lost in the storyline and never mentioned again). One of the best things about this series too is that although it is predominantly a crime mystery it has sprinkles of humour scattered throughout which lightens it up from time to time and Shane does it well. I was shocked when I did discover who was behind everything that had been going and and the reasons behind everything. I had genuinely believed it was for other reasons by other people entirely so well done Shane on shocking me, not an easy feat considering how many crime books I have read!! I really couldn't recommend this book to anyone and everyone more and I would absolutely love to see this made into a movie!
The fact that Shane has obviously either done some research or knows alot about technology, law and police procedures shines through so another congratulations is deserved. I have read several books where the author either has not done enough or hasn't done any research into their chosen topic and the book is then littered with unnecessary mistakes which spoils the storyline.
Clear your schedules before even turning a page in this book as it is utterly addictive and you will not be able to put it down!!
Each of the main characters were strong, realistic and their own unique personalities and I was intrigued by each one of them. The storyline is very character focused and it drip feeds you just enough information for you to try and work out what each of them is up to without giving too much away. I went from feeling sorry for some of them to being disgusted a few pages later then to annoyed and so forth. There were several times where I felt positive towards one character and completely disliking another just for the feelings to be flipped a few chapters later. I wish I could go into more details about how I felt about them but now that I know who was doing what and why I would be too worried about letting anything out and spoiling things for future readers so I will have to leave it there but if you have read this book and are up for a chat about it please pop me a message!!
Congratulations Shane, a man of many talents, on yet another absolutely fantastic explosive addition to a very addictive series. This is why you are my favourite male author!! Here is to yet another success 🍻!!!
Overall an absolutely addictive, unique and unputdownable crime mystery that you will devour in one sitting!!
Genres covered in this novel include Psychological Thriller, Crime Thriller, Crime Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Modern Fiction, Mystery, Suspense and Thriller amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Shalini Boland, 'Gone Girl', Angela Marsons, Carol Wyer anyone and EVERYONE!!! What are you waiting for? Grab your copy now!!
343 pages.
This book is just 99p to purchase on kindle and £8.99 in paperback via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
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January 21, 2023
James and Bella live a seemingly charmed life. James is on his way to becoming partner at his prestigious law firm, while Bella teaches at one of the top schools in London. When James makes a potentially career ending error at work he rings the IT helpdesk. The woman who answers the phone becomes their worst nightmare.
I think one of the main issues I had with this book is that it didn’t stick to the plot. I don’t want to give too much away, but the above synopsis doesn’t capture the book well. The book takes a while to get going, with a lot of unnecessary build up. Maybe I had different expectations for this book, I was imagining it to delve into the dark side of technology and hacking and to be honest I thought it was a much smaller part of the book then I wanted. I thought the book focused more on Bella’s storyline and past.
The characters themselves are unlikeable, each with their own issues. The lack of communication between the characters is what causes a lot of the issues. James is married to his job, his wife Bella is now unhappy in their marriage and is having trouble at work, while Charlotte at the helpdesk is made to seem more mysterious than she is.
It could have been my own expectations leading to this, but I found this book disappointing.
Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette Books Ireland for the copy of this book. My review is honest and unbiased.
I think one of the main issues I had with this book is that it didn’t stick to the plot. I don’t want to give too much away, but the above synopsis doesn’t capture the book well. The book takes a while to get going, with a lot of unnecessary build up. Maybe I had different expectations for this book, I was imagining it to delve into the dark side of technology and hacking and to be honest I thought it was a much smaller part of the book then I wanted. I thought the book focused more on Bella’s storyline and past.
The characters themselves are unlikeable, each with their own issues. The lack of communication between the characters is what causes a lot of the issues. James is married to his job, his wife Bella is now unhappy in their marriage and is having trouble at work, while Charlotte at the helpdesk is made to seem more mysterious than she is.
It could have been my own expectations leading to this, but I found this book disappointing.
Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette Books Ireland for the copy of this book. My review is honest and unbiased.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 15, 2022
My first encounter with the work of this author...but most definitely not my last! Such a gripping plot and easily a 5 star rating from me.
James and Bella met at Uni in Dublin, she became obsessed with a felon she studied as part of her studies in psychology, while he became a highflier in the city. Fast forward 10 years, and his career is going strong, while she finds herself a teacher in a secondary school, her dreams of being a TV psychologist ripped to shreds by the influence of her previous obsession. The current state of play finds Bella attracted to a colleague, and James very much enamoured with Charlotte, his helpful IT 'help-desk' saviour. Im not going to say more was I don't want to provide spoilers, but I will just say READ THIS NOVEL, you will not regret it!! Entertainment at its finest! So well written and such a unique plot - no mean feat in this genre!
My thanks to Netgalley, author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an advance copy.
James and Bella met at Uni in Dublin, she became obsessed with a felon she studied as part of her studies in psychology, while he became a highflier in the city. Fast forward 10 years, and his career is going strong, while she finds herself a teacher in a secondary school, her dreams of being a TV psychologist ripped to shreds by the influence of her previous obsession. The current state of play finds Bella attracted to a colleague, and James very much enamoured with Charlotte, his helpful IT 'help-desk' saviour. Im not going to say more was I don't want to provide spoilers, but I will just say READ THIS NOVEL, you will not regret it!! Entertainment at its finest! So well written and such a unique plot - no mean feat in this genre!
My thanks to Netgalley, author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an advance copy.
February 12, 2023
The most unusual/interesting book I’ve read in a long time
The Helpdesk was well reviewed in the SMH (I think) but the review did not do the book justice. It must have pricked my interest enough to buy a copy.
I’ve not read Mr Dunphy before so had no idea what I was in for. Based on the review I had read; a who-done-it with a modern-day twist.
How wrong was that? I’m not going to regurgitate the plot, that would spoil it for you. But if you take on this book, keep at it. It’s constantly twisting and turning. You think you know where we are going, only to be thrown off course.
It all eventually gets resolved! My four star rating is a reflection that the resolution left me a little annoyed. Another hundred pages could have made a big difference and produced an outstanding finale.
Is the book worth a read?
Too right it is!
Regards,
Peter
The Helpdesk was well reviewed in the SMH (I think) but the review did not do the book justice. It must have pricked my interest enough to buy a copy.
I’ve not read Mr Dunphy before so had no idea what I was in for. Based on the review I had read; a who-done-it with a modern-day twist.
How wrong was that? I’m not going to regurgitate the plot, that would spoil it for you. But if you take on this book, keep at it. It’s constantly twisting and turning. You think you know where we are going, only to be thrown off course.
It all eventually gets resolved! My four star rating is a reflection that the resolution left me a little annoyed. Another hundred pages could have made a big difference and produced an outstanding finale.
Is the book worth a read?
Too right it is!
Regards,
Peter
August 15, 2025
I quite liked the way this was written from different points of view, it definitely kept me interested.
I enjoyed the plot however the end was a bit fantastical.
I enjoyed the plot however the end was a bit fantastical.
January 2, 2026
2.5 rounded down
October 15, 2023
A first for me (or at least in some many years)but I read the book in a day. It was an unputdownable read and had me in its grip from start to finish. I had this book judged months ago that I would read it at some stage but my goodness I'd no idea how great of a work of fiction it is.
I enjoy the law world and Shane has given the reader the sense of displeasure those working in it may feel, and the push and pull of balancing work and home life through the eyes of James.
We're given a sense of Bella's upbringing by a functioning alcoholic one that doesn't wreak havoc but leaves his mark on her all the same, in that it leads the reader to wonder did she bring that uncertainty into her marriage with James, drawn to his haughty tautiness but effectively ending up with a man that shut her out too, his addiction-work. The way James feels she's putting up a wall between them with her studies, her return to, when he thought they were set on their combined chosen paths.
There is a great profile on relationships between a couple within the book and that's what drove me to read in one day.
The rescue from the assault was dealt with well, the removal of weight on her. That invasion of space, self, very well written piece and true to life.
Charlotte is a woman with so little going on in her life, it seems, she starts to build one around James and hoping to be the equilibrium in James' overworked life. I felt sorry for her.
It's the twists and turns in this book so deftly written that make it such a strong read for me, the skill of reveals, so gradual such as the parentage of one of the attackers.
I enjoyed the imagery in this book, 'I enjoy a nice notebook myself'. I liked the visual of the detectives taking the proffered biscuits yet getting the job done. Tintin and his dog snowy painting was delightful. Everything that you thought you knew then gets turned around, perhaps the guilty not so and the innocent quite cunning. Once again a truly spectacular work from a huge talent. A book I should have read months ago but everything in due time.
I enjoy the law world and Shane has given the reader the sense of displeasure those working in it may feel, and the push and pull of balancing work and home life through the eyes of James.
We're given a sense of Bella's upbringing by a functioning alcoholic one that doesn't wreak havoc but leaves his mark on her all the same, in that it leads the reader to wonder did she bring that uncertainty into her marriage with James, drawn to his haughty tautiness but effectively ending up with a man that shut her out too, his addiction-work. The way James feels she's putting up a wall between them with her studies, her return to, when he thought they were set on their combined chosen paths.
There is a great profile on relationships between a couple within the book and that's what drove me to read in one day.
The rescue from the assault was dealt with well, the removal of weight on her. That invasion of space, self, very well written piece and true to life.
Charlotte is a woman with so little going on in her life, it seems, she starts to build one around James and hoping to be the equilibrium in James' overworked life. I felt sorry for her.
It's the twists and turns in this book so deftly written that make it such a strong read for me, the skill of reveals, so gradual such as the parentage of one of the attackers.
I enjoyed the imagery in this book, 'I enjoy a nice notebook myself'. I liked the visual of the detectives taking the proffered biscuits yet getting the job done. Tintin and his dog snowy painting was delightful. Everything that you thought you knew then gets turned around, perhaps the guilty not so and the innocent quite cunning. Once again a truly spectacular work from a huge talent. A book I should have read months ago but everything in due time.
December 10, 2022
The Helpdesk is a thriller about a lawyer who calls the IT helpdesk one night, only for his high-flying career and marriage to start falling into disarray. James is a lawyer at a City firm in London, hoping to be made partner. His wife Bella is a teacher at a private school, but wants to return to her PhD, and the two of them barely see each other any more. One night, the key document James needs to send to the client in a big deal disappears and he calls the IT helpdesk, where Charlotte fixes the issue for him. After this, James and Bella's lives seem to change, and Charlotte may be somehow involved.
The title of this book intrigued me because I've worked doing IT support, so despite the fact I don't tend to read many thrillers like this, I decided to give it a go. The opening was as you'd expect, a man obsessed with his job, and then he calls the helpdesk. The narrative is told from a range of first person perspectives, which for me felt like it took away a lot of the potential tension as you saw from James, Bella, and Charlotte's perspective, as well as a police detective perspective that felt entirely unnecessary. As the book progresses, you may start to realise that these characters are not necessarily telling you what is happening, though it is presented like they are, and that brings about a lot of the narrative and twists.
I was disappointed that the helpdesk element, whilst key to the plot, didn't contribute enough tension or interesting narrative, and the resolution of that part of the plot actually downplayed the importance of the mystery of things going wrong after a support call, which is a good concept. Without wanting to spoil the book, I won't say more, but The Helpdesk is a decent quick read thriller, but one that relies on a much more predictable and stereotypical plot than the premise sounded like.
The title of this book intrigued me because I've worked doing IT support, so despite the fact I don't tend to read many thrillers like this, I decided to give it a go. The opening was as you'd expect, a man obsessed with his job, and then he calls the helpdesk. The narrative is told from a range of first person perspectives, which for me felt like it took away a lot of the potential tension as you saw from James, Bella, and Charlotte's perspective, as well as a police detective perspective that felt entirely unnecessary. As the book progresses, you may start to realise that these characters are not necessarily telling you what is happening, though it is presented like they are, and that brings about a lot of the narrative and twists.
I was disappointed that the helpdesk element, whilst key to the plot, didn't contribute enough tension or interesting narrative, and the resolution of that part of the plot actually downplayed the importance of the mystery of things going wrong after a support call, which is a good concept. Without wanting to spoil the book, I won't say more, but The Helpdesk is a decent quick read thriller, but one that relies on a much more predictable and stereotypical plot than the premise sounded like.
February 15, 2023
The Helpdesk by Shane Dunphy is a tale of deception and lies. James and Bella are a married couple with a relationship that is struggling. James has always had ambition to make it in The City as a successful lawyer for a top firm. He has worked hard to get to where he is but his need for recognition and wealth has blinded him to his own personal life.
Bella is a teacher at a private school but it is a position that Bella took due to an earlier incident in her career that resulted in a change of direction. As their marriage slowly dissolves, both James and Bella fall victim to an unexpected event that throws their lives, both personally and professionally into disarray.
It all started when James ran into a technical issue at work. In a panic he rang an outsourced helpdesk and spoke with Charlotte. Charlotte responded with great patience and understanding. She listened to James and he appreciated her help. But this phone call was the catalyst that resulted in James and Bella becoming embroiled in something unpredictable and very disconcerting.
The Helpdesk is a book that I had very mixed feelings about. In reading the premise my expectations were of a totally different read and I was a little disappointed in how the tale unravelled. It is described as gripping which is definitely what it could have been, but something just fell flat. There were a few too many far fetched scenarios that just didn’t ring true. I didn’t like any of the characters but this is never an issue for me as I don’t have to like a character when reading a book. Shane Dunphy has them well depicted with quite despicable behaviour presented by all three.
The Helpdesk revolves around a complex plot, one in which greed and power take centre stage but unfortunately, while the writing style is sound, the premise was just not realistic enough for me.
Bella is a teacher at a private school but it is a position that Bella took due to an earlier incident in her career that resulted in a change of direction. As their marriage slowly dissolves, both James and Bella fall victim to an unexpected event that throws their lives, both personally and professionally into disarray.
It all started when James ran into a technical issue at work. In a panic he rang an outsourced helpdesk and spoke with Charlotte. Charlotte responded with great patience and understanding. She listened to James and he appreciated her help. But this phone call was the catalyst that resulted in James and Bella becoming embroiled in something unpredictable and very disconcerting.
The Helpdesk is a book that I had very mixed feelings about. In reading the premise my expectations were of a totally different read and I was a little disappointed in how the tale unravelled. It is described as gripping which is definitely what it could have been, but something just fell flat. There were a few too many far fetched scenarios that just didn’t ring true. I didn’t like any of the characters but this is never an issue for me as I don’t have to like a character when reading a book. Shane Dunphy has them well depicted with quite despicable behaviour presented by all three.
The Helpdesk revolves around a complex plot, one in which greed and power take centre stage but unfortunately, while the writing style is sound, the premise was just not realistic enough for me.
August 24, 2023
The Helpdesk follows the lives of James and Bella, who have one of those incredibly rare perfect blissful lives, all until James makes an error on his work PC and needs to call the company’s IT Helpdesk. Charlotte picks up the phone and soon all three of their lives begin to collide and all sense of control goes out the window.
The blurbs sets the reader up for a rollercoaster thriller about the dangers of hacking, cyber security and the effects it can have, however the book reads more like a slow-burn character study of Bella and an examination of the concepts of power and control. While not necessarily a bad change of trajectory, I do feel it leaves the reading expecting a different type of book which sets up certain expectations.
Shane writes in his afterword that he originally intended to follow the helpdesk plot line but felt the need to follow Bella’s narrative, while some readers will enjoy this, I would have preferred a deeper exploration of the helpdesk plot and less of Bella.
Overall, I think it was an enjoyable read, maybe just not what I was expecting. I think if readers go in with the expectation of a slower character driven suspense novel they will take far more enjoyment from it.
As a side note I’m a huge fan of Shane’s other writing and his gripping writing style does pop up throughout this book. For those who would like to explore more of Shane’s writing I’ve a list of books of his below which I could not put down!
What I Liked
•How Dunphy looks at the concepts of power, greed and control
•Multiple POVs which added tension
Read If You Like
•Unlikeable Messy Characters
•Character study based suspense
Must Read Books by Shane/SA Dunphy
•Boyle & Keneally Series
•Dave Dunnigan Series
•Stories From The Margins Series
•Wednesday’s Child
•Last Ditch House
•Hush, Little Baby
•Will Mummy Be Coming Back For Me?
The blurbs sets the reader up for a rollercoaster thriller about the dangers of hacking, cyber security and the effects it can have, however the book reads more like a slow-burn character study of Bella and an examination of the concepts of power and control. While not necessarily a bad change of trajectory, I do feel it leaves the reading expecting a different type of book which sets up certain expectations.
Shane writes in his afterword that he originally intended to follow the helpdesk plot line but felt the need to follow Bella’s narrative, while some readers will enjoy this, I would have preferred a deeper exploration of the helpdesk plot and less of Bella.
Overall, I think it was an enjoyable read, maybe just not what I was expecting. I think if readers go in with the expectation of a slower character driven suspense novel they will take far more enjoyment from it.
As a side note I’m a huge fan of Shane’s other writing and his gripping writing style does pop up throughout this book. For those who would like to explore more of Shane’s writing I’ve a list of books of his below which I could not put down!
What I Liked
•How Dunphy looks at the concepts of power, greed and control
•Multiple POVs which added tension
Read If You Like
•Unlikeable Messy Characters
•Character study based suspense
Must Read Books by Shane/SA Dunphy
•Boyle & Keneally Series
•Dave Dunnigan Series
•Stories From The Margins Series
•Wednesday’s Child
•Last Ditch House
•Hush, Little Baby
•Will Mummy Be Coming Back For Me?
March 27, 2023
Nice story line; horrible people
I have read several of.this author's books and enjoyed them. I was pretty enthused about reading this one. The plot was decent but I found the characters unsympathetic and in some instances, downright unlikeable.
In Mr. Dunphy's other mysteries, the main characters had a sense of humor and were likeable. They had a sense of purpose and moral code that made it easy to fear for them in dangerous situations and breathe a sigh of relief when the danger past.
In this one, the nasties were very nasty but the people towards whom they direct their nastiness weren't all that sympathetic. Each of them had things about them that made them self-absorbed and I often found myself thinking, "What an ass you are." and " Whoa, that's scary crazy. Right about now, I'd be out that door and send for my things later. "
One intriguing part of the plot that struck a cord for me was when the central male character suddenly lost an incredibly important document on his computer. Like a lot of us, he pressed send and weeks of research went into the stratospher. Unable to find it on his own, he desperately contacts the company's tech support and even though the support person is able to retrieve his work and send it on to the intended recipient, that incident allows the tech person.into.his files and his.life.
As I recently had an experience with a bogus support site claiming to be Microsoft, which I thankfully caught onto before any permanent damage was done, that part really sent a shiver down my spine.
I have read several of.this author's books and enjoyed them. I was pretty enthused about reading this one. The plot was decent but I found the characters unsympathetic and in some instances, downright unlikeable.
In Mr. Dunphy's other mysteries, the main characters had a sense of humor and were likeable. They had a sense of purpose and moral code that made it easy to fear for them in dangerous situations and breathe a sigh of relief when the danger past.
In this one, the nasties were very nasty but the people towards whom they direct their nastiness weren't all that sympathetic. Each of them had things about them that made them self-absorbed and I often found myself thinking, "What an ass you are." and " Whoa, that's scary crazy. Right about now, I'd be out that door and send for my things later. "
One intriguing part of the plot that struck a cord for me was when the central male character suddenly lost an incredibly important document on his computer. Like a lot of us, he pressed send and weeks of research went into the stratospher. Unable to find it on his own, he desperately contacts the company's tech support and even though the support person is able to retrieve his work and send it on to the intended recipient, that incident allows the tech person.into.his files and his.life.
As I recently had an experience with a bogus support site claiming to be Microsoft, which I thankfully caught onto before any permanent damage was done, that part really sent a shiver down my spine.
January 9, 2023
James is a successful lawyer on the rise in a prestigious legal firm, and married to the smart, beautiful, and capable Bella. On the surface, he has it all - until the night he makes a potentially career-ending error, which sets in motion a chain of catastrophic events.
At first it seems that James is out of the woods when helpdesk operator Charlotte retrieves the information he has seemingly lost. But just who is Charlotte exactly? And why does James keep thinking about her...?
Things I loved about the book: multiple POVs, genuinely engaging and well-paced, interesting and flawed characters.
Things that weren't my favourite: the ending felt a little rushed, and everything was laid bare with motivations and reasons, and it felt a little too clear cut and black and white (I like a little it left to the imagination).
This is my first book by this author but it won't be the last. An enjoyable, well plotted read with great twists and turns. I look forward to reading more from Shane Dunphy.
Thank you to NetGalley, and to the publisher, for granting me a free advance copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
At first it seems that James is out of the woods when helpdesk operator Charlotte retrieves the information he has seemingly lost. But just who is Charlotte exactly? And why does James keep thinking about her...?
Things I loved about the book: multiple POVs, genuinely engaging and well-paced, interesting and flawed characters.
Things that weren't my favourite: the ending felt a little rushed, and everything was laid bare with motivations and reasons, and it felt a little too clear cut and black and white (I like a little it left to the imagination).
This is my first book by this author but it won't be the last. An enjoyable, well plotted read with great twists and turns. I look forward to reading more from Shane Dunphy.
Thank you to NetGalley, and to the publisher, for granting me a free advance copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
May 13, 2024
I have mixed views about this book. The premise is clever and engaging and the author gets across the sheer horror James felt when he lost his report. Charlotte, the helpdesk techie, was intriguing initially but then I felt it all went a bit crazy. Bella is a damaged soul who because she doesn't talk to her husband makes some serious mistakes which nearly cost her very dearly. In general I bought into the characters and wanted to see what happened, which helps me enjoy a book.
However, my major issue is the final part of the book where everything is explained. I don't want to include any spoilers but the ending is totally far fetched. I can't see a savvy billionaire reacting the way this guy does and I also can't believe that the main characters would get off so easily. It also seems like a lot of risks to take with the rest of your lives to get revenge. Also the past connections between the main characters doesn't really make sense.
I am giving the book a 3 as it did engage me but I am not sure if I would recommend it to anyone.
However, my major issue is the final part of the book where everything is explained. I don't want to include any spoilers but the ending is totally far fetched. I can't see a savvy billionaire reacting the way this guy does and I also can't believe that the main characters would get off so easily. It also seems like a lot of risks to take with the rest of your lives to get revenge. Also the past connections between the main characters doesn't really make sense.
I am giving the book a 3 as it did engage me but I am not sure if I would recommend it to anyone.
December 28, 2022
A late night call to a tech hotline leads to a twisted, complicated story of deception, violence, greed and murder. James, working eighteen hour days for weeks at a time, is on his way to making partner at his law firm when he loses an important email attachment. He reaches Charlotte at tech support and his problem is solved. So he thinks. His wife Bella, a teacher at an exclusive private school, has worries of her own. An unexpected career change, trouble with students and an attraction to another teacher are all situations that she can’t or won’t discuss with James.
Without spoilers, I can’t say more about the plot. What I can say is that The Helpdesk is not like any other thriller. It’s deftly plotted, faced paced, surprising at every turn of the page and impossible to put down. None of the main characters is very likable and all are connected in very different ways. You’ll think you know what is going to happen but you’ll be wrong every time. 5 stars
Without spoilers, I can’t say more about the plot. What I can say is that The Helpdesk is not like any other thriller. It’s deftly plotted, faced paced, surprising at every turn of the page and impossible to put down. None of the main characters is very likable and all are connected in very different ways. You’ll think you know what is going to happen but you’ll be wrong every time. 5 stars
March 5, 2023
Is this a mystery, suspense or murder story? Suspense for sure, it's difficult to put down, but the murderer is named from the outset so where's the mystery?
Bella is a loose cannon, James a guy you feel for and Bella really does not deserve him.
The story moves at pace, it never lets you come up for air and nor do you want to.
By chapter 40 you think you know who the co-conspirator is and how things are going to pan out. My mind was racing by chapter 44 going through all the possible combinations.
Is it Charlotte and Bella or is it Caleb in collaboration with Bella or is Bella in league with Tristan and the whole trying to destroy each other a cover up or are Bella and James really the ones fooling everyone else, the only thing we really know is Bella is behind the whole scheme but with who?
The final chapters bring everything together beautifully but don't expect a happy ending because as with real life time is the only healer
Bella is a loose cannon, James a guy you feel for and Bella really does not deserve him.
The story moves at pace, it never lets you come up for air and nor do you want to.
By chapter 40 you think you know who the co-conspirator is and how things are going to pan out. My mind was racing by chapter 44 going through all the possible combinations.
Is it Charlotte and Bella or is it Caleb in collaboration with Bella or is Bella in league with Tristan and the whole trying to destroy each other a cover up or are Bella and James really the ones fooling everyone else, the only thing we really know is Bella is behind the whole scheme but with who?
The final chapters bring everything together beautifully but don't expect a happy ending because as with real life time is the only healer
March 23, 2023
What a disappointment. If you think this is about a man who has a tech issue and calls the helpdesk who ends up controlling and destroying his life through a computer… well it’s not. Yes it’s what the title and the cover wants you to believe but it’s nothing of this. I was so disappointed, I felt manipulated from start to finish, duped. This is a story about narcissism, cheating, and nonsense. None of the characters were actually likable. Something could have happened to them, I couldn’t care less. The writing was quiet poor a some stage… taking 3 paragraphs to describe a taser, well I don’t care! And the ending… like what the hell was that? Just out of nowhere everything just makes sense? No it does not! And I read the author’s acknowledgment… well Shane you should have stuck with your editor’s idea from the start, instead of letting Bella take over the whole space because she was not worth it.
April 13, 2023
Thankyou to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this ARC.
This is my first title from this author, i really enjoyed and will be reading more from them in the future.
I really enjoy books with multiple POV and this book delivered that.
This book has a very unique story line which drew me in and i really liked the cover that also drew me in and made me want to read this title.
This book covers lies, betrayal, deceit and murder and i loved it.
I would recommend this to anyone.
Thankyou
5/5 stars
This is my first title from this author, i really enjoyed and will be reading more from them in the future.
I really enjoy books with multiple POV and this book delivered that.
This book has a very unique story line which drew me in and i really liked the cover that also drew me in and made me want to read this title.
This book covers lies, betrayal, deceit and murder and i loved it.
I would recommend this to anyone.
Thankyou
5/5 stars
June 13, 2023
James and Bella are a loving couple with a great life. James is a high flying lawyer and one night misplaces a very important file. He rings his IT helpdesk and a lovey girl Charlotte fixes his problem for him. But then life takes a frightening turn, things start to go very wrong for him and Bella. But who is causing these problems? Who is behind it all and why?
I loved this story, plenty of twists and turns. I look forward to Shanes next book, he always delivers.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and Shane Dunphy for granting me an advance copy.
I loved this story, plenty of twists and turns. I look forward to Shanes next book, he always delivers.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and Shane Dunphy for granting me an advance copy.
July 8, 2023
Like, WTF did I just read. Only reason for the two is I read until the end. No character at all had a hint of likeability. James/Bella/Charlotte are all just so bizarre. The miscommunication - or lack of communication - between everyone just fizzles and there’s no pop. The ending, Lordy, it all just happens. The big finale scene was 3 pages. I can’t but admire Charlotte’s capacity to high end all IT problems and in the end allegedly becoming a billionaire but f’ing hell. The only bright spark is Caleb, he deserves so much better.
I can’t deny I liked the premise. But the result fell flat.
I can’t deny I liked the premise. But the result fell flat.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2022
It's hard to say too much about the plot of this book without revealing spoilers, but it is a bit of a tense thriller mystery?
Overall I think I quite liked it, but the book was very slow going. We were quite far in before anything exciting actually started happening, and that didn't leave much time to build the tension. The ending also wasn't great. I liked the characters though, and the whole premise of it!
I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Overall I think I quite liked it, but the book was very slow going. We were quite far in before anything exciting actually started happening, and that didn't leave much time to build the tension. The ending also wasn't great. I liked the characters though, and the whole premise of it!
I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
January 13, 2023
Whilst the start of the book wasn’t an exciting part of the plot I was completely taken up with it. I worried with James and believed I was going to really enjoy the book. However the whole lack of a decent conversation between any of the characters spoiled it for me. If that is what the plot has to hang on I don’t think it’s enough.
There are some very unsettling scenes too which come out of the blue and not my cup of tea.
There are some very unsettling scenes too which come out of the blue and not my cup of tea.
January 17, 2023
It's a psychological thriller, well plotted and tense. James and Bella are two well written and interesting characters, the villain is the most interesting but I wouldn't like to meet this character.
I liked the book even if the revelation was a bit more Agatha Christie than the rest of the book.
Entertaining but I prefer Boyle & Keneally.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
I liked the book even if the revelation was a bit more Agatha Christie than the rest of the book.
Entertaining but I prefer Boyle & Keneally.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
March 13, 2023
Help Desk
First I want to say Congrats to Shane. Once against he pulled out all the stops. The characters came together in the end. Bella was very brave in interviewing Grosenevor. How can one bad mistake end her career. Charlotte came across as very sneaky but she went out of her way to help something but invaded his privacy. Was this an act of Revenge. Did she know all along who James was.
First I want to say Congrats to Shane. Once against he pulled out all the stops. The characters came together in the end. Bella was very brave in interviewing Grosenevor. How can one bad mistake end her career. Charlotte came across as very sneaky but she went out of her way to help something but invaded his privacy. Was this an act of Revenge. Did she know all along who James was.
April 17, 2024
An easy read with enough going on to keep you entertained. The narrative is told from various perspectives- the husband, the wife and the help desk staff member. What is really going on? It’s all revealed at the end. I started out not liking any of the characters but warmed to them by the end. It doesn’t paint big corporate in a positive light but I’m ok with that. I couldn’t shake my view that it was unbelievable though
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