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A Trick of the Mind(Hardback) - 2014 Edition
Have you committed a crime ...or are you the victim of one?Driving down to the cottage in Southwold she's newly inherited from her Aunty May, Ellie senses she is on the edge of something new. The life she's always dreamed of living as a successful artist seems as though it is about to begin. So excited is she that she barely notices when the car bumps against something on the road. That evening Ellie hears a news flash on the radio. A man was seriously injured in a hit and run on the very road she was driving down that evening. Then Ellie remembers the thump she heard. Could she have been responsible for putting a man in hospital? Unable to hold the doubts at bay, she decides to visit the victim to lay her mind to rest, little knowing that the consequences of this decision will change her life forever.
Hardcover
First published September 11, 2014
23 people are currently reading
590 people want to read
About the author
Penny Hancock
39 books113 followersPenny grew up in South East London and then did an English degree in Newcastle Upon Tyne. For several years she taught English as a foreign language in Italy, Greece and Morocco. She then took a PGCE, got a job as a Primary school teacher in an inner city London school, and moved into her partner Andy’s short-life house in East London, which is now part of the hardcore under the M11 that links their new home in Cambridge with her birth place in Greenwich!
While bringing up their three children, she continued to teach in primary schools, taught English to asylum seekers, and ran adult education classes in writing. She also wrote articles for various papers (The Independent, The Guardian, The Times Ed, The Sunday Express magazine, and Child Education, amongst others) specialising in family and education. Penny has also written readers for English language learners for Cambridge University Press, and a Primary English course for children published by Longmans. It was an Arvon writing course and an MA in creative writing at Anglia Ruskin University that encouraged her to complete her first novel.
Source: http://pennyhancock.com/bio/
While bringing up their three children, she continued to teach in primary schools, taught English to asylum seekers, and ran adult education classes in writing. She also wrote articles for various papers (The Independent, The Guardian, The Times Ed, The Sunday Express magazine, and Child Education, amongst others) specialising in family and education. Penny has also written readers for English language learners for Cambridge University Press, and a Primary English course for children published by Longmans. It was an Arvon writing course and an MA in creative writing at Anglia Ruskin University that encouraged her to complete her first novel.
Source: http://pennyhancock.com/bio/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
September 30, 2014
When do secrets and lies become damaging? I liked this book, didn't love it, but found it an easy read. The latter half of the book stronger than the first.
Driving down to the cottage in Southwold she's newly inherited from her Aunty May, Ellie senses she is on the edge of something new. The life she's always dreamed of living as a successful artist seems as though it is about to begin. So excited is she that she barely notices when the car bumps against something on the road.
Have you committed a crime or are you a victim of one?
Ellie is unsure what she hit and when she hears there is a man in hospital, the victim of a hit and run she is riddled with guilt thinking that she put him there, it's not clear to us as the reader either what she hit, we also know she hit something and there are indication it could have been a person. It kept me guessing and I was in the dark as much as Ellie was.
She is an artist and part-time teacher and has recently ended her relationship with her partner, Finn so has that sense of a new life ahead of her, the new ownership of her Aunt's house, left to her and a sense of freedom from constraints.
The man in hospital it Patrick and Ellie decides she needs to visit him, to alleviate the guilt and perhaps answer questions she has about whether she put him in hospital or not. Patrick remembers Ellie's visit on the day she comes and from there a relationship is born under these slightly strange circumstances. I have to say I did find this a touch unbelievable really, it happens very fast under unusual circumstances. I was wondering if Ellie had lost her marbles completely, not a very intelligent decision, but one necessary for the book to play out.
That is all I can tell you, the rest would spoil it. This is a book of secrets and lies, about the dark side of relationships, about knowing what is real and what is not. There are twists in this book, however I felt they were a bit predictable and I had guessed the end scenario before half way through the book. The clues were a bit too obvious for me.
Ellie's relationship with Patrick deepens and her lifestyle starts to change dramatically, she changes too. She believes it to be fate of some sort, her destiny, no matter how she met him. She's also keen to find out more about her Aunty May, who was a foster parent and used the big house to help raise many foster children. She wants to know about Patrick too, about his life before meeting her, she is keen to get answers to many questions burning inside her.
The plot I did find was slow until about 50% through the book, then I started to enjoy it a lot more as it picked up pace and the plot started to include more action and events that drew me in. Even though I did predict the ending I still enjoyed reading the journey to that point. The plot is also not very believable.
I found Ellie a bit weak as a female character, constantly second-guessing herself and not listening to her instincts, yet she wants to be a successful artist, but she did not come across to me as a strong character, but in hindsight this is probably what was needed for the book to work. But ultimately she makes some ridiculous decisions that an educated, strong and well connected woman would not make.
I found Patrick's character to be the most interesting, we see light and shade in Patrick and there is much below the surface that comes to light as the book progresses. He was a well written character that I felt stole the show in this novel a bit.
By the end of the book the secrets and lies are popping open and the pieces of the puzzle are coming together. What does that mean for Ellie and Patrick's relationship? How they respond to the opening up their world around them is really quite interesting, you see strong character traits coming out at this point and the whole book takes on a different feel to it.
This is a psychological thriller that touches on relationship issues such as controlling dynamics and co-dependency, certainly intentional for the book to achieve what it needs to. I found it a decent read but it did not wow me, I was hoping for a bit more darkness and a faster pace, the first half of the book seemed to drag on but I held on and the latter half was certainly more interesting.
I just wish that I had not worked so many things out before the ending and I am not sure if the author made it intentional that you guessed things as the reader or not. Tell me what you work out before the ending okay?
I received a copy of this novel thanks to the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, this review is purely my only thoughts, impressions and words.
Driving down to the cottage in Southwold she's newly inherited from her Aunty May, Ellie senses she is on the edge of something new. The life she's always dreamed of living as a successful artist seems as though it is about to begin. So excited is she that she barely notices when the car bumps against something on the road.
Have you committed a crime or are you a victim of one?
Ellie is unsure what she hit and when she hears there is a man in hospital, the victim of a hit and run she is riddled with guilt thinking that she put him there, it's not clear to us as the reader either what she hit, we also know she hit something and there are indication it could have been a person. It kept me guessing and I was in the dark as much as Ellie was.
She is an artist and part-time teacher and has recently ended her relationship with her partner, Finn so has that sense of a new life ahead of her, the new ownership of her Aunt's house, left to her and a sense of freedom from constraints.
The man in hospital it Patrick and Ellie decides she needs to visit him, to alleviate the guilt and perhaps answer questions she has about whether she put him in hospital or not. Patrick remembers Ellie's visit on the day she comes and from there a relationship is born under these slightly strange circumstances. I have to say I did find this a touch unbelievable really, it happens very fast under unusual circumstances. I was wondering if Ellie had lost her marbles completely, not a very intelligent decision, but one necessary for the book to play out.
That is all I can tell you, the rest would spoil it. This is a book of secrets and lies, about the dark side of relationships, about knowing what is real and what is not. There are twists in this book, however I felt they were a bit predictable and I had guessed the end scenario before half way through the book. The clues were a bit too obvious for me.
Ellie's relationship with Patrick deepens and her lifestyle starts to change dramatically, she changes too. She believes it to be fate of some sort, her destiny, no matter how she met him. She's also keen to find out more about her Aunty May, who was a foster parent and used the big house to help raise many foster children. She wants to know about Patrick too, about his life before meeting her, she is keen to get answers to many questions burning inside her.
The plot I did find was slow until about 50% through the book, then I started to enjoy it a lot more as it picked up pace and the plot started to include more action and events that drew me in. Even though I did predict the ending I still enjoyed reading the journey to that point. The plot is also not very believable.
I found Ellie a bit weak as a female character, constantly second-guessing herself and not listening to her instincts, yet she wants to be a successful artist, but she did not come across to me as a strong character, but in hindsight this is probably what was needed for the book to work. But ultimately she makes some ridiculous decisions that an educated, strong and well connected woman would not make.
I found Patrick's character to be the most interesting, we see light and shade in Patrick and there is much below the surface that comes to light as the book progresses. He was a well written character that I felt stole the show in this novel a bit.
By the end of the book the secrets and lies are popping open and the pieces of the puzzle are coming together. What does that mean for Ellie and Patrick's relationship? How they respond to the opening up their world around them is really quite interesting, you see strong character traits coming out at this point and the whole book takes on a different feel to it.
This is a psychological thriller that touches on relationship issues such as controlling dynamics and co-dependency, certainly intentional for the book to achieve what it needs to. I found it a decent read but it did not wow me, I was hoping for a bit more darkness and a faster pace, the first half of the book seemed to drag on but I held on and the latter half was certainly more interesting.
I just wish that I had not worked so many things out before the ending and I am not sure if the author made it intentional that you guessed things as the reader or not. Tell me what you work out before the ending okay?
I received a copy of this novel thanks to the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, this review is purely my only thoughts, impressions and words.
February 1, 2015
SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS...
What is it with the modern psychological thriller and endings? A Trick of the Mind suffers from exactly the same problem as at least three other modern novels I have recently read, in that a good, tense story is just ruined by an utterly implausible ending. Is it a fashion amongst publishers at the moment, I wonder? Or are these writers just missing their deadlines and thinking "S**t, gotta turn the manuscript in soon, better bosh out a few ridiculous plot twists - job done!"?
I was an admirer of Penny Hancock's Tideline and this novel shares some of the same themes: a gradually unfolding past tragedy that has coloured the life of the protagonist, the sense of fluidity and increasing menace in various landscapes and waterways. But as the novel reached the third act, I found myself increasingly unable to suspend my disbelief. Ellie suspects her lover of murdering his wife because she threatened to leave him so what does Ellie do? Yes, she leaves him a note announcing her intention of leaving him. Of course! Ellie is forced to go back to Patrick's flat because she has nowhere else to stay. Excuse me, in London? London with its thousands of hotels, B&Bs and hostels? She can afford a plane ticket to New York but she can't spring to one night in a frickin' Holiday Inn?
Enough. A Trick of the Mind is a mostly decent read. But in the spirit of the book, I'm going to end my review in a particularly bad w-
What is it with the modern psychological thriller and endings? A Trick of the Mind suffers from exactly the same problem as at least three other modern novels I have recently read, in that a good, tense story is just ruined by an utterly implausible ending. Is it a fashion amongst publishers at the moment, I wonder? Or are these writers just missing their deadlines and thinking "S**t, gotta turn the manuscript in soon, better bosh out a few ridiculous plot twists - job done!"?
I was an admirer of Penny Hancock's Tideline and this novel shares some of the same themes: a gradually unfolding past tragedy that has coloured the life of the protagonist, the sense of fluidity and increasing menace in various landscapes and waterways. But as the novel reached the third act, I found myself increasingly unable to suspend my disbelief. Ellie suspects her lover of murdering his wife because she threatened to leave him so what does Ellie do? Yes, she leaves him a note announcing her intention of leaving him. Of course! Ellie is forced to go back to Patrick's flat because she has nowhere else to stay. Excuse me, in London? London with its thousands of hotels, B&Bs and hostels? She can afford a plane ticket to New York but she can't spring to one night in a frickin' Holiday Inn?
Enough. A Trick of the Mind is a mostly decent read. But in the spirit of the book, I'm going to end my review in a particularly bad w-
July 10, 2018
Five huge big stars from me for A Trick Of The Mind by Penny Hannock!
As Ellie is driving to the cottage she takes her eyes off the road and hits what she beieves is a branch. While Ellie is listening to the radio in the cottage she braces herself as she hears of a hit and run on the very road she used to get to the cottage.
With Ellie full of worry she visits the man in hospital she believes she has run over.
I won't say what happens but tension builds up where I was holding my breath.
Penny Hannock has created a thriller which no reader will ever guess whats coming. I really do highly recommend reading A Trick Of The Mind.
As Ellie is driving to the cottage she takes her eyes off the road and hits what she beieves is a branch. While Ellie is listening to the radio in the cottage she braces herself as she hears of a hit and run on the very road she used to get to the cottage.
With Ellie full of worry she visits the man in hospital she believes she has run over.
I won't say what happens but tension builds up where I was holding my breath.
Penny Hannock has created a thriller which no reader will ever guess whats coming. I really do highly recommend reading A Trick Of The Mind.
July 6, 2017
**SPOILERS *** SPOILERS *** SPOILERS
It's so hard for me to rate this book because on the one hand it certainly did keep me entertained and I read it compulsively because I just had to see what was going to happen. On the other hand it was such a freakin train wreck of outrageous plot twists and holes that I laughed most of the way through it, and I don't think you're supposed to do that with a thriller. Actually it read little like a psychological thriller and more like the 5 year arcing plot of a really bad soap opera madly typed by a team of coked up writers who were tasked to up ratings no matter the cost to believability.
Here's a laundry list of what we had in one 350 page book; fake amnesia, fake relationship, deceit, paranoid fantasies, psycho killers with fake lives, Deep Dark Secrets, vendettas germinated in childhood, supressed memories, OCD, petty jealousies, bequeathed property from a tragically dead Aunt who had Serious Issues, foster children, mysterious drownings, boating accidents, emotionally unavailable parents, characters descending into insanity, a hit and run (again FAKE!), obstruction of justice, domestic abuse and some of the stupidest stupid behaviour that a character ever stupided, since stupid was invented. The whole premise was based on the idea that a woman who thought she'd run over a man would then hide her crime and then fall into a relationship with that man, which was wildly ridiculous so you have to suspend your disbelief about that and read the book just to see what the twists are. And there were many. I saw them all coming (like how could she have NOT KNOWN that his injury was not recent? It wasn't even an injury, he was BORN WITHOUT A LIMB. He wouldn't have had scars at all, which she would certainly have realised when she LICKED THE STUMP OF HIS MISSING LEG in a, presumably, erotic manner I KID YOU NOT), but it was still funny when they happened.
See what I mean? It's actually quite fun if you get into it and aren't expecting anything approaching realism. The guy pretended she'd cut off his leg in a car accident for Christ's sake. That's as twisted AF. Worthy of Days of Our Lives in its heyday.
It's so hard for me to rate this book because on the one hand it certainly did keep me entertained and I read it compulsively because I just had to see what was going to happen. On the other hand it was such a freakin train wreck of outrageous plot twists and holes that I laughed most of the way through it, and I don't think you're supposed to do that with a thriller. Actually it read little like a psychological thriller and more like the 5 year arcing plot of a really bad soap opera madly typed by a team of coked up writers who were tasked to up ratings no matter the cost to believability.
Here's a laundry list of what we had in one 350 page book; fake amnesia, fake relationship, deceit, paranoid fantasies, psycho killers with fake lives, Deep Dark Secrets, vendettas germinated in childhood, supressed memories, OCD, petty jealousies, bequeathed property from a tragically dead Aunt who had Serious Issues, foster children, mysterious drownings, boating accidents, emotionally unavailable parents, characters descending into insanity, a hit and run (again FAKE!), obstruction of justice, domestic abuse and some of the stupidest stupid behaviour that a character ever stupided, since stupid was invented. The whole premise was based on the idea that a woman who thought she'd run over a man would then hide her crime and then fall into a relationship with that man, which was wildly ridiculous so you have to suspend your disbelief about that and read the book just to see what the twists are. And there were many. I saw them all coming (like how could she have NOT KNOWN that his injury was not recent? It wasn't even an injury, he was BORN WITHOUT A LIMB. He wouldn't have had scars at all, which she would certainly have realised when she LICKED THE STUMP OF HIS MISSING LEG in a, presumably, erotic manner I KID YOU NOT), but it was still funny when they happened.
See what I mean? It's actually quite fun if you get into it and aren't expecting anything approaching realism. The guy pretended she'd cut off his leg in a car accident for Christ's sake. That's as twisted AF. Worthy of Days of Our Lives in its heyday.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2014
Ellie is on the verge of a new life, having ended a long term relationship which she felt was holding her back, she is on her way to spend the weekend at the cottage in Southwold which has been left to her by her aunt. When she feels her car bump something she thinks it is just a tree branch, until local news reports that a hit and run accident on that same stretch of the road has left someone seriously injured.
Riddled with guilt, but not knowing for sure that she is to blame, she visits the victim, Patrick, in hospital to try and put her mind at rest and that visit will change her life completely as she finds herself being drawn more and more to the man in the hospital bed – a man who, amongst other injuries – is suffering from memory loss after the head injury he sustained, and who believes she is, in fact, his girlfriend.
It is a story of a relationship built on a lie, and which turns into one with manipulation and control at its heart as the more the relationship develops, the harder it is for Ellie to come clean. He is rich, handsome and oh so smooth, but is he too good to be true? Ellie had thought her world was on the verge of expanding at the start of the book, but now it appears to be shrinking as she finds herself in a relationship which very quickly seems to be excluding the outside world and everyone in it.
There were times when I got quite exasperated with the book. One thing in particular really niggled me throughout the read but eventually that “niggle” did get resolved, partly, although I still have my doubts to a large extent. There are a lot of twists and turns as well as a couple of red herrings in the plot, some of which did seem to be signposted a little too well and I would have preferred to have been taken by surprise sometimes. On the whole though, it is not a bad read with plenty of drama and tension.
Riddled with guilt, but not knowing for sure that she is to blame, she visits the victim, Patrick, in hospital to try and put her mind at rest and that visit will change her life completely as she finds herself being drawn more and more to the man in the hospital bed – a man who, amongst other injuries – is suffering from memory loss after the head injury he sustained, and who believes she is, in fact, his girlfriend.
It is a story of a relationship built on a lie, and which turns into one with manipulation and control at its heart as the more the relationship develops, the harder it is for Ellie to come clean. He is rich, handsome and oh so smooth, but is he too good to be true? Ellie had thought her world was on the verge of expanding at the start of the book, but now it appears to be shrinking as she finds herself in a relationship which very quickly seems to be excluding the outside world and everyone in it.
There were times when I got quite exasperated with the book. One thing in particular really niggled me throughout the read but eventually that “niggle” did get resolved, partly, although I still have my doubts to a large extent. There are a lot of twists and turns as well as a couple of red herrings in the plot, some of which did seem to be signposted a little too well and I would have preferred to have been taken by surprise sometimes. On the whole though, it is not a bad read with plenty of drama and tension.
June 8, 2015
I quite liked this book, how it started off, the potential plot line. But I got so disappointed with it. His character was predictable and implausible. Her reaction to the accident also implausible and impossible. I didn't believe that when the plot was revealed ands somebody had come forward to confess to the hit and run, that she didn't know about that, that she wouldn't have been scouring the Internet to find out where the police were up to in their investigation. I also didn't believe that she couldn't tell or didn't know that his leg had been amputated as a child. How could she look at it and not see that the scars and tissue had healed over 30 years go compared with a few weeks ago. I didn't care about the Aunt's story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 27, 2015
On the back of The Darkening Hour - a classy thriller, I had a go at this one. This is a well written book, but that aside, there is nothing else here for me. I can find no reason why any of the characters do as they do for the entire duration of it.
March 23, 2015
This was my first experience of Penny Hancock’s work, but it certainly won’t be my last! I was so enthralled by ‘Trick of the Mind’, something about the writing suited me perfectly and I had trouble putting it down – not aided by the fact that so many chapters end in taunting cliff-hangers.
Ellie, a part-time school teacher and aspiring artist, wants a fresh start in her life. After her Aunt May’s death, she inherits her beautiful cottage in Southwold. A few nights before a huge art exhibition which is going to feature her art, she drives down to her newly owned cottage, feeling optimistic about the sudden changes in her life. When she hits a bump in the road, she is unconcerned until later that night when there is news of a hit-and-run driver on that very stretch of road, at the same time she was passing.
Half convinced of her own guilt, she visits the victim (Patrick) in hospital, only to find he has some amnesia regarding the event – and seems to think Ellie is his girlfriend. But the twists don’t end there… so many mysteries run parallel to each other and this meant I found the novel quite fast paced, despite the distinct lack of action. The author throws so much suspicion in the mix that it bounces off nearly every character. How much does Patrick remember of that night, and why is he so secretive about his childhood? And is Aunty May the beloved aunt that Ellie remembers, or someone more threatening?
The narrative is so manic and sporadic, we are constantly in doubt of what the truth is – and our protagonist is not the most reliable narrator. I did find Ellie to be fairly unlikeable and her decisions were extremely erratic, but it soon becomes clear that she suffers from some form of undiagnosed psychological disorder. So whilst sometimes I found it hard to empathise with the heroine’s actions, this only made her OCD behaviour more convincing. And by the end we do get an explanatory backstory for her compulsions, which did make me see her in a more forgiving light.
The style of writing itself was extremely descriptive and sensory, and I had to force myself to admire it despite my brain trying to rush ahead to the conclusion. I do love a good mystery now and again, but this gives the word enigma new meaning. I’ve read that many people had deciphered it by the halfway point – I wonder what it was that blinded me from seeing the truth until the very last second? I genuinely found the plot twists unexpected and thrilling.
The author touches upon many psychological issues; violence, child neglect, abusive relationships – and many more. In my opinion, the perfect balance of horror and sensitivity was struck regarding these subjects – so whilst I found some of the reading distressing, it was always accompanied by a profound insight into the topic.
I loved the atmosphere which Hancock created, a perturbing world where delusion lurks in every mind, and something disturbing is always round the corner. I found this book so immersive, it did not take long at all to be drawn into Ellie’s superstitious and anxious world. The author constantly leaves us wondering at the depth in which Ellie’s disorder cripples her judgement – how much we can trust her? I wholeheartedly recommend this book, and will be adding Hancock’s other books to my wish-list. I hope they will be as gripping as ‘Trick of the Mind.’
Ellie, a part-time school teacher and aspiring artist, wants a fresh start in her life. After her Aunt May’s death, she inherits her beautiful cottage in Southwold. A few nights before a huge art exhibition which is going to feature her art, she drives down to her newly owned cottage, feeling optimistic about the sudden changes in her life. When she hits a bump in the road, she is unconcerned until later that night when there is news of a hit-and-run driver on that very stretch of road, at the same time she was passing.
Half convinced of her own guilt, she visits the victim (Patrick) in hospital, only to find he has some amnesia regarding the event – and seems to think Ellie is his girlfriend. But the twists don’t end there… so many mysteries run parallel to each other and this meant I found the novel quite fast paced, despite the distinct lack of action. The author throws so much suspicion in the mix that it bounces off nearly every character. How much does Patrick remember of that night, and why is he so secretive about his childhood? And is Aunty May the beloved aunt that Ellie remembers, or someone more threatening?
The narrative is so manic and sporadic, we are constantly in doubt of what the truth is – and our protagonist is not the most reliable narrator. I did find Ellie to be fairly unlikeable and her decisions were extremely erratic, but it soon becomes clear that she suffers from some form of undiagnosed psychological disorder. So whilst sometimes I found it hard to empathise with the heroine’s actions, this only made her OCD behaviour more convincing. And by the end we do get an explanatory backstory for her compulsions, which did make me see her in a more forgiving light.
The style of writing itself was extremely descriptive and sensory, and I had to force myself to admire it despite my brain trying to rush ahead to the conclusion. I do love a good mystery now and again, but this gives the word enigma new meaning. I’ve read that many people had deciphered it by the halfway point – I wonder what it was that blinded me from seeing the truth until the very last second? I genuinely found the plot twists unexpected and thrilling.
The author touches upon many psychological issues; violence, child neglect, abusive relationships – and many more. In my opinion, the perfect balance of horror and sensitivity was struck regarding these subjects – so whilst I found some of the reading distressing, it was always accompanied by a profound insight into the topic.
I loved the atmosphere which Hancock created, a perturbing world where delusion lurks in every mind, and something disturbing is always round the corner. I found this book so immersive, it did not take long at all to be drawn into Ellie’s superstitious and anxious world. The author constantly leaves us wondering at the depth in which Ellie’s disorder cripples her judgement – how much we can trust her? I wholeheartedly recommend this book, and will be adding Hancock’s other books to my wish-list. I hope they will be as gripping as ‘Trick of the Mind.’
September 11, 2014
An old house with secrets and a need to atone at the heart of Penny Hancock’s new novel. When Ellie is driving along a dark country lane to spend the weekend with friends at the house left to her by her Aunt May she thinks she may have hit something or somebody in the road and so when she realises that a man was seriously injured in a hit and run accident she doesn’t know what to do, eventually she decides to visit the man in hospital. Patrick is lying in hospital, suffering from amnesia and believes Ellie is his girlfriend. Ellie is worried about the consequences of telling the police what really happened on the dark road instead deciding that helping him get better is a good way of making up for the accident, plays along with him, which predictably becomes harder to sustain as their relationship develops.
I find connecting with a book hard if I don’t believe the scenario set and I’m afraid this book falls into that category. I personally don’t know anyone, let alone someone who at the start of the novel has a good circle of friends and is well-educated, would think that falling into the role of Patrick’s girlfriend was a feasible option. The other problem I have with this book is the labouring of certain points; Ellie is obsessive so while the author reminds us that she is touching certain objects three times numerous times, she also points out that Ellie started doing this to keep people safe (including naming the people she was protecting) until I was almost shouting at the book, ‘yes I get it, Ellie is obsessive, she counts to keep people safe, the names of the people she is protecting are X, Y and Z, and this must be because of some trauma that I have yet to discover. 'I just prefer a little more subtlety in the writing as for me part of the pleasure of reading is to join the dots myself.
The second half of the book picked up and was a much more interesting read as the action smoothed over some of the plot holes and Ellie discovers exactly why Aunt May left her the house and begins to realise that Patrick is also hiding some secrets and maybe isn’t the man she thought he was.
Unfortunately my lack of belief in the main thread of the story meant that I didn’t connect with Ellie and had little sympathy for any of the characters, except perhaps the dead Aunt May. However for the many readers who will be able to accept that this is fiction, once you accept the premise apart from a few minor procedural points the plot is reasonably solid and once the setting of the scene has taken place the a pace is brisk and will keep most readers turning the pages to find out what happens next.
I’d like to thank the publishers Simon & Schuster UK for allowing me to read a copy of this book which is due to be published on 11 September 2014 in return for this honest review.
I find connecting with a book hard if I don’t believe the scenario set and I’m afraid this book falls into that category. I personally don’t know anyone, let alone someone who at the start of the novel has a good circle of friends and is well-educated, would think that falling into the role of Patrick’s girlfriend was a feasible option. The other problem I have with this book is the labouring of certain points; Ellie is obsessive so while the author reminds us that she is touching certain objects three times numerous times, she also points out that Ellie started doing this to keep people safe (including naming the people she was protecting) until I was almost shouting at the book, ‘yes I get it, Ellie is obsessive, she counts to keep people safe, the names of the people she is protecting are X, Y and Z, and this must be because of some trauma that I have yet to discover. 'I just prefer a little more subtlety in the writing as for me part of the pleasure of reading is to join the dots myself.
The second half of the book picked up and was a much more interesting read as the action smoothed over some of the plot holes and Ellie discovers exactly why Aunt May left her the house and begins to realise that Patrick is also hiding some secrets and maybe isn’t the man she thought he was.
Unfortunately my lack of belief in the main thread of the story meant that I didn’t connect with Ellie and had little sympathy for any of the characters, except perhaps the dead Aunt May. However for the many readers who will be able to accept that this is fiction, once you accept the premise apart from a few minor procedural points the plot is reasonably solid and once the setting of the scene has taken place the a pace is brisk and will keep most readers turning the pages to find out what happens next.
I’d like to thank the publishers Simon & Schuster UK for allowing me to read a copy of this book which is due to be published on 11 September 2014 in return for this honest review.
November 14, 2014
I loved this book, it was everything I look for in a twisty tale, with hidden secrets from the past emerging at every turn, flawed characters who turn out not to be everything they at first appear to be and a story that keeps you turning the pages. What more could you possibly want in a book? A cute loveable dog perhaps - it has that too in the ever present canine companion Pepper.
Like Penny Hancocks earlier novel, Tideline, the author draws on her own obvious connection with the river and her own experiences in life, working as a teacher to name just one, to ensure the settings and characters are strong and believeable.
In a Trick of the mind we meet Ellie as she is driving to the cottage she has inherited from her recently deceased Aunt, momentarily distracted whilst driving she bumps a tree branch, it's only upon her arrival at the cottage, when she hears on the news about a hit and run accident on the very stretch of road she has just driven, that she starts to believe it could have been her that caused the accident, knocked somone over in fact and things seem to begin to point the finger at this having been the case her wing mirror is smashed, she distinctly remembers a thud, a tree branch in the road - or was it? Is this just a trick of the mind?
However its also at this point we begin to view Ellie as being of a nervous disposition, she is a worrier and has little nervous quirks like always checking over her shoulder, three times, she is easily distracted and quite imaginitive, not a strong person its almost possible to wonder if she is quite right in the head.
As Ellie sets out to discover whether she has in fact been involved in a hit and run, we too wonder di she or didn't she? As she uncovers more about the evening in question it brings a new man into her life, Patrick. Recently out of a relationship herself her needy side comes even more to the fore, as does her need to atone and nurture and she finds herself falling in love.
As her life begins to change in many ways we see her make increasingly rash and foolish decisions and its only when the past begins to reveal the effects events have on shaping a persons personality that we realise the depths people can sink to.
Revealing many layers beneath the surface just like the river portrayed in one of Ellies paintings of water this book is perfect for the mystery lover who can suspend their belief that because they would never do something foolish nobody else would, the psychological chills are great and it never failed to enetertain me and keep me guessing. A real page turner with flawed characters in a flawless story. My grateful thanks to the folks at Simon and Schuster for sending me a copy to review - thus keeping me up until the early hours, reading just one more page!
Like Penny Hancocks earlier novel, Tideline, the author draws on her own obvious connection with the river and her own experiences in life, working as a teacher to name just one, to ensure the settings and characters are strong and believeable.
In a Trick of the mind we meet Ellie as she is driving to the cottage she has inherited from her recently deceased Aunt, momentarily distracted whilst driving she bumps a tree branch, it's only upon her arrival at the cottage, when she hears on the news about a hit and run accident on the very stretch of road she has just driven, that she starts to believe it could have been her that caused the accident, knocked somone over in fact and things seem to begin to point the finger at this having been the case her wing mirror is smashed, she distinctly remembers a thud, a tree branch in the road - or was it? Is this just a trick of the mind?
However its also at this point we begin to view Ellie as being of a nervous disposition, she is a worrier and has little nervous quirks like always checking over her shoulder, three times, she is easily distracted and quite imaginitive, not a strong person its almost possible to wonder if she is quite right in the head.
As Ellie sets out to discover whether she has in fact been involved in a hit and run, we too wonder di she or didn't she? As she uncovers more about the evening in question it brings a new man into her life, Patrick. Recently out of a relationship herself her needy side comes even more to the fore, as does her need to atone and nurture and she finds herself falling in love.
As her life begins to change in many ways we see her make increasingly rash and foolish decisions and its only when the past begins to reveal the effects events have on shaping a persons personality that we realise the depths people can sink to.
Revealing many layers beneath the surface just like the river portrayed in one of Ellies paintings of water this book is perfect for the mystery lover who can suspend their belief that because they would never do something foolish nobody else would, the psychological chills are great and it never failed to enetertain me and keep me guessing. A real page turner with flawed characters in a flawless story. My grateful thanks to the folks at Simon and Schuster for sending me a copy to review - thus keeping me up until the early hours, reading just one more page!
December 9, 2014
What an absolutely absorbing read! This gripped me, this kept me turning pages, this had me at first chapter.
Here we have Ellie, she has inherited a house on the sea front in Southwold. How excited she is, sad that her auntie has died, but excited to have a new life experience open to her. She has the same talent as her aunt, they both paint. Ellie is a school teacher, but she also would love to take her talent as an artist to another level.
Whilst travelling down a country dark lane on her way to her aunts house for the first time since she had died she thuds into something. Because she has these 'ticks' [like tapping things three times, or twisting around twice, that kind of thing] she is arguing with herself that did she really knock someone over? was it an animal, she should go back? She stops her car but there is no damage. She puts it down to a trick of her mind.
And so this adventure begins. It takes you into places you didn't imagine, it brings out things that you just didn't think about. All I know was, at the end when something was revealed it left me GASPING and saying WHAT IN THE HELL, what a clever author this is!!! I want to read more of this authors books, if they are anything like this one.
I just love, ADORE and need to RAVE about how dam good and clever this story is. I don't know how some of these authors dream these great stories up, but all I have to say is KEEP 'EM COMING.
Getting inside Ellie's mind sometimes took a bit of doing, I was asking myself, would I have done that? Well, we can never judge what we would do in any situation unless we ever find ourselves in it. Then we can judge.
Brill-i-a-n-t!
I would like to thank Simon and Schuster UK Fiction for granted me this wonderful thriller via Net Galley
Here we have Ellie, she has inherited a house on the sea front in Southwold. How excited she is, sad that her auntie has died, but excited to have a new life experience open to her. She has the same talent as her aunt, they both paint. Ellie is a school teacher, but she also would love to take her talent as an artist to another level.
Whilst travelling down a country dark lane on her way to her aunts house for the first time since she had died she thuds into something. Because she has these 'ticks' [like tapping things three times, or twisting around twice, that kind of thing] she is arguing with herself that did she really knock someone over? was it an animal, she should go back? She stops her car but there is no damage. She puts it down to a trick of her mind.
And so this adventure begins. It takes you into places you didn't imagine, it brings out things that you just didn't think about. All I know was, at the end when something was revealed it left me GASPING and saying WHAT IN THE HELL, what a clever author this is!!! I want to read more of this authors books, if they are anything like this one.
I just love, ADORE and need to RAVE about how dam good and clever this story is. I don't know how some of these authors dream these great stories up, but all I have to say is KEEP 'EM COMING.
Getting inside Ellie's mind sometimes took a bit of doing, I was asking myself, would I have done that? Well, we can never judge what we would do in any situation unless we ever find ourselves in it. Then we can judge.
Brill-i-a-n-t!
I would like to thank Simon and Schuster UK Fiction for granted me this wonderful thriller via Net Galley
December 17, 2015
I keep persevering with Penny Hancock, because I do like the settings for her books. Real parts of London. BUT, and it's a big but, I find her characters really quite unbelievable. Either that, or really really stupid. So was between a 2 and 3 star read, I did finish the book and it wasn't dreadful, promising storyline, poor execution.
January 2, 2015
Ellie is an unconvincing character - too gullible. Plot is predictable and there are way too many exclamation marks. Meh.
February 13, 2016
Ellie has inherited her Aunty Mays house, a little rundown, but it's near the sea and Ellie has fond memories of her childhood there.
After her Aunt committed suicide, Ellie decides to have her friends down to the house, and while she was on her way her car hits something. Thinking it was just a branch Ellie continues her journey without another thought.
This episode is the beginning of a nightmare for Ellie and she finds herself 'connected' to Patrick in a way that at times seems surreal.
While reading, I found myself thinking up several possibilities for Ellie's plight, even the age old dilemma of it all 'being a dream'. However the reality was much more psychological and menacing.
I enjoyed reading this novel, but for me I didn't really buy into the scenario that was set. I am drawn to plots that draw the reader into a relateable tale and this one didn't do that for me. I understand that it is a work of fiction, and if read just as a story then this is a great book.
It has suspense, and Patrick playing his mind games with Ellie is quite something.
3.5*/5
After her Aunt committed suicide, Ellie decides to have her friends down to the house, and while she was on her way her car hits something. Thinking it was just a branch Ellie continues her journey without another thought.
This episode is the beginning of a nightmare for Ellie and she finds herself 'connected' to Patrick in a way that at times seems surreal.
While reading, I found myself thinking up several possibilities for Ellie's plight, even the age old dilemma of it all 'being a dream'. However the reality was much more psychological and menacing.
I enjoyed reading this novel, but for me I didn't really buy into the scenario that was set. I am drawn to plots that draw the reader into a relateable tale and this one didn't do that for me. I understand that it is a work of fiction, and if read just as a story then this is a great book.
It has suspense, and Patrick playing his mind games with Ellie is quite something.
3.5*/5
May 14, 2016
The plot if this book is full of holes, why would Elie not remember the young foster child with one leg, surely he would stick in the memory? Did no one remember him in the relatively small community of Southwold and mention to Elie his wife dying in suspicious circumstances? Also we are to believe she had erased all memory of the young girl drowning presumably due to trauma. I could see that Patrick couldn't possibly have had his leg taken off a prosthetic fitted, and been taught how to walk without too much difficulty all in the space of three weeks! Also Elie was given the container to use as a studio, with the BOLTS OUTSIDE! No surprise when she found herself locked in, although her escape was clever. I have read two of this authors' books now I won't be looking for any others.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 27, 2017
Spoilers spoilers!!!
I really wanted to enjoy this book. I was interested in the concept but from the beginning it was full of holes. How was Patrick presented by the nurses as a "might not make it " case when all he'd actually done was twist his ankle? How did Ellie not realise that the stump was not newly acquired (especially with all the licking of it she was doing!) How did she not work out the apartment belonged to someone else? How did she not remember a one-legged boy from her childhood? I could go on. I also guessed the ending pretty quickly. Why the three stars then you ask? Because I want to live in Aunt May's house!
I really wanted to enjoy this book. I was interested in the concept but from the beginning it was full of holes. How was Patrick presented by the nurses as a "might not make it " case when all he'd actually done was twist his ankle? How did Ellie not realise that the stump was not newly acquired (especially with all the licking of it she was doing!) How did she not work out the apartment belonged to someone else? How did she not remember a one-legged boy from her childhood? I could go on. I also guessed the ending pretty quickly. Why the three stars then you ask? Because I want to live in Aunt May's house!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 15, 2016
I hate to give books low scores but I don't think I got on well with this book. The second half picks up and I did start to enjoy it but I had already guessed the rest of the plot by that point. I was also endlessly frustrated by the main character.
August 22, 2015
Not consumed a book as fast as this for a very long time.
Really enjoyed it!
Really enjoyed it!
December 16, 2015
Penny Hancock is a master at creating suspense and tension. Loved.
October 25, 2014
Originally posted on beccasbooooks.blogspot.co.uk
First off, I'd like to say a massive thank you to the publishers for accepting me for a digital copy via Net Galley, and secondly, an even bigger thank you to the brilliant author Penny Hancock, for working her magic.
I don't tend to read books like this that often. As you already know, my usual much-loved genre is the lovey-dovey type, where a girl and a boy fall hopelessly, head-over-heels in love with each other. So, whenever I decide that it's time for a switch-up in genre, an incredibly gripping thriller can always do the trick. And thankfully, I found that grip and thrill in A Trick of the Mind by Penny Hancock. This is the first novel that I have read by the author, and before reading, Penny was not on my radar, but I think its safe to say that I'm extremely keen to add some more of her books to my ever-growing to-read list after diving into A Trick of the Mind, and struggling to come back up to the surface, gasping and spluttering. That is the effect that the words within this title had on me, and without a doubt, this is one of the most all-consuming novels that I have ever read.
In A Trick of the Mind, we are introduced to Eleanor, or more commonly known as Ellie. As the story begins, Ellie is driving down a lane towards her Aunty May's house beside the sea. The house was left for Ellie by her Aunty when she took her own life, and due to the warm and loving relationship that Ellie felt had been present between herself and her Aunt, Ellie was more than happy to take on the role of home owner. As Ellie drove down that dark, windy lane, her car hit something. Now normally, Ellie would have stopped. The need to stop and check and reassure herself that nothing bad had happened ran through Ellie's veins. She was neurotic, paranoid and completely overwhelmed by the feeling of unease and worry. On that night though, Ellie was leaving not just to stay in her Aunt's home, but to start fresh. She had left her boyfriend Finn, and she was certain that bigger and better things were coming her way, and of course they were, Definitely bigger, but maybe not better. Ellie's life begins to spiral rapidly out of control.
I absolutely loved how Penny hit me with dilemma straight away. There was a little background information, and then all of a sudden, BAM! The danger was there. I didn't see it coming at all, and I was hooked right from the get-go. Penny's writing was just incredible. There was such a fierce intensity behind her words and phrases, and the oppressive atmosphere that seemed to continue the entire way through really had its effect on me. Every word was dark and dangerous, and there was this constant subtle hint that something was going to happen, something frankly quite terrifying.
Penny's creation of Ellie's character was just superb. I felt like I knew Ellie like one of my closest friends. It was almost as if I knew exactly how her mind worked, the ins and outs. Ever since a child, and for some reason that she cannot remember, Ellie had been compulsive. She'd tap things three times, believing that somehow it would keep her safe. She'd flick a light-switch on and off five times, look over her shoulder twice... The reason for Ellie behaving this way is later revealed to you as the plot progresses, and Penny weaved together the past and the present to ensure that it all made sense to the reader. I could actually feel the freedom that Ellie felt when she was driving down that lane towards her Aunt's house, leaving her boyfriend and her paranoid self behind in the past. It was like Ellie had been a trapped bird, and suddenly, she had been let free. She was free to do whatever she pleased, free to move in whichever directions she wanted to, and it was exhilarating to experience that with her. But as soon as her car took that bump, I knew it was all over. And how right I was. From that moment on, Ellie's compulsive ways swiftly returned and she was right back at square one. It was almost as if the world was out to taunt and haunt her, and everywhere she looked, she was reminded that she should have turned back on that lane when she felt the bump, but instead decided to keep going.
There was actually a very compelling story behind Aunty May and her little house by the sea, but it isn't revealed until much later on within the plot. There's a whole history behind it, and Ellie has always felt like there's something that has shaped her into her paranoid self, but she has never been able to quite put her finger on it. It's almost like a side-story within the novel itself, revolving around Aunty May and her very goose-bump worthy history. Ellie has always wondered why her Aunt left the house to her. They had always been close, both artistic and capable of completely losing themselves to the stroke of a paintbrush, but still, there was always something nagging at the back of Ellie's mind.
A Trick of the Mind was a twisting, intense, chilling read that held me absolutely captive. I couldn't believe it when it took a completely unexpected turn, and I actually gasped out loud about a billion times. It was just INCREDIBLE. THIS is the how thrillers should be written. In such a way that they climb right inside your head, crawl beneath your skin, and shake up your world. Who can you trust? What can you believe? I'm sure you won't be sure of your answers to those questions once you're finished with A Trick of the Mind.
Becca's Books is rating A Trick of the Mind by Penny Hancock with a glowing rating of five cupcakes. I was unable to tear my thoughts away from the progressing story even when my Kindle was back at home and I was at work. It left me wondering, thinking, keenly wanting to figure out where Penny was going to take Ellie and whether she'd still be in one piece by the time the novel came to an end. It had my heart racing, my skin prickling, and I just couldn't leave it alone. Absolutely fantastic, and what an incredible introduction to Penny Hancock's skills and talents as a writer. Definitely going to keep an eye out for more of the authors books. Definitely.
First off, I'd like to say a massive thank you to the publishers for accepting me for a digital copy via Net Galley, and secondly, an even bigger thank you to the brilliant author Penny Hancock, for working her magic.
I don't tend to read books like this that often. As you already know, my usual much-loved genre is the lovey-dovey type, where a girl and a boy fall hopelessly, head-over-heels in love with each other. So, whenever I decide that it's time for a switch-up in genre, an incredibly gripping thriller can always do the trick. And thankfully, I found that grip and thrill in A Trick of the Mind by Penny Hancock. This is the first novel that I have read by the author, and before reading, Penny was not on my radar, but I think its safe to say that I'm extremely keen to add some more of her books to my ever-growing to-read list after diving into A Trick of the Mind, and struggling to come back up to the surface, gasping and spluttering. That is the effect that the words within this title had on me, and without a doubt, this is one of the most all-consuming novels that I have ever read.
In A Trick of the Mind, we are introduced to Eleanor, or more commonly known as Ellie. As the story begins, Ellie is driving down a lane towards her Aunty May's house beside the sea. The house was left for Ellie by her Aunty when she took her own life, and due to the warm and loving relationship that Ellie felt had been present between herself and her Aunt, Ellie was more than happy to take on the role of home owner. As Ellie drove down that dark, windy lane, her car hit something. Now normally, Ellie would have stopped. The need to stop and check and reassure herself that nothing bad had happened ran through Ellie's veins. She was neurotic, paranoid and completely overwhelmed by the feeling of unease and worry. On that night though, Ellie was leaving not just to stay in her Aunt's home, but to start fresh. She had left her boyfriend Finn, and she was certain that bigger and better things were coming her way, and of course they were, Definitely bigger, but maybe not better. Ellie's life begins to spiral rapidly out of control.
I absolutely loved how Penny hit me with dilemma straight away. There was a little background information, and then all of a sudden, BAM! The danger was there. I didn't see it coming at all, and I was hooked right from the get-go. Penny's writing was just incredible. There was such a fierce intensity behind her words and phrases, and the oppressive atmosphere that seemed to continue the entire way through really had its effect on me. Every word was dark and dangerous, and there was this constant subtle hint that something was going to happen, something frankly quite terrifying.
Penny's creation of Ellie's character was just superb. I felt like I knew Ellie like one of my closest friends. It was almost as if I knew exactly how her mind worked, the ins and outs. Ever since a child, and for some reason that she cannot remember, Ellie had been compulsive. She'd tap things three times, believing that somehow it would keep her safe. She'd flick a light-switch on and off five times, look over her shoulder twice... The reason for Ellie behaving this way is later revealed to you as the plot progresses, and Penny weaved together the past and the present to ensure that it all made sense to the reader. I could actually feel the freedom that Ellie felt when she was driving down that lane towards her Aunt's house, leaving her boyfriend and her paranoid self behind in the past. It was like Ellie had been a trapped bird, and suddenly, she had been let free. She was free to do whatever she pleased, free to move in whichever directions she wanted to, and it was exhilarating to experience that with her. But as soon as her car took that bump, I knew it was all over. And how right I was. From that moment on, Ellie's compulsive ways swiftly returned and she was right back at square one. It was almost as if the world was out to taunt and haunt her, and everywhere she looked, she was reminded that she should have turned back on that lane when she felt the bump, but instead decided to keep going.
There was actually a very compelling story behind Aunty May and her little house by the sea, but it isn't revealed until much later on within the plot. There's a whole history behind it, and Ellie has always felt like there's something that has shaped her into her paranoid self, but she has never been able to quite put her finger on it. It's almost like a side-story within the novel itself, revolving around Aunty May and her very goose-bump worthy history. Ellie has always wondered why her Aunt left the house to her. They had always been close, both artistic and capable of completely losing themselves to the stroke of a paintbrush, but still, there was always something nagging at the back of Ellie's mind.
A Trick of the Mind was a twisting, intense, chilling read that held me absolutely captive. I couldn't believe it when it took a completely unexpected turn, and I actually gasped out loud about a billion times. It was just INCREDIBLE. THIS is the how thrillers should be written. In such a way that they climb right inside your head, crawl beneath your skin, and shake up your world. Who can you trust? What can you believe? I'm sure you won't be sure of your answers to those questions once you're finished with A Trick of the Mind.
Becca's Books is rating A Trick of the Mind by Penny Hancock with a glowing rating of five cupcakes. I was unable to tear my thoughts away from the progressing story even when my Kindle was back at home and I was at work. It left me wondering, thinking, keenly wanting to figure out where Penny was going to take Ellie and whether she'd still be in one piece by the time the novel came to an end. It had my heart racing, my skin prickling, and I just couldn't leave it alone. Absolutely fantastic, and what an incredible introduction to Penny Hancock's skills and talents as a writer. Definitely going to keep an eye out for more of the authors books. Definitely.
January 11, 2020
This book made me mad. It was written well enough and could have been an interesting story if done correctly.
I mean it was like watching a horror film where the college girl wanders right into the arms of the axe murderer because she opened the door to a stranger.
How did he convince the nurses to lie about his condition? How did she not notice it wasn’t a fresh wound? Why did she not just go ask the guy at the restaurant what he meant? He murders his wife but let’s the dog survive?
Everything Ellie did I felt like screaming at her how stupid she was being.
I read it so quickly because I just had to finish it out of frustration.
I mean it was like watching a horror film where the college girl wanders right into the arms of the axe murderer because she opened the door to a stranger.
How did he convince the nurses to lie about his condition? How did she not notice it wasn’t a fresh wound? Why did she not just go ask the guy at the restaurant what he meant? He murders his wife but let’s the dog survive?
Everything Ellie did I felt like screaming at her how stupid she was being.
I read it so quickly because I just had to finish it out of frustration.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 29, 2023
The only trick of the mind in this book is the decision to read it. I found the plot implausible and the actions of the main character to be clueless and frustrating. Ellie is on her way to a cottage she has inherited from her aunt when she thinks her car has hit something. This is nothing new for her. She is an anxious woman who uses rituals like tapping things a certain number of times. The new Ellie doesn't stop to check. So begins a predictable plot line. No spoilers here but let's just say that she meets a guy who hurls every red flag imaginable at her but she remains clueless. I can't recommend this.
April 8, 2024
Started reading this book tonight. I said to my husband ‘why is every main character in books I read, always an artist or a writer, why cant they work in Asda or something’. I then said ‘all I need is to find out she has inherited a beautiful old cottage from a distant aunt or something’. I was joking, but…..turned the page and that is exactly what happened. Every cliche in the book!
After that it went from bad to worse. The guy is the victim of a hit and run accident. He would have police at his hospital bedside. But she just wanders in and tells everybody she is his girlfriend. Really?
At this point I’d had enough! DNF, obviously!
After that it went from bad to worse. The guy is the victim of a hit and run accident. He would have police at his hospital bedside. But she just wanders in and tells everybody she is his girlfriend. Really?
At this point I’d had enough! DNF, obviously!
September 29, 2018
I like the way Penny Hancock writes. She weaves past and present, using the natural landscape to build an atmosphere of slow-growing menace. This book was an eye roll of a read at times, with certain plot points coming across as clumsy and obvious, thus making a mockery of the entire story line.
I will read more by Penny Hancock but would hesitate to recommend this because of the plotting. I read a lot of these books and was surprised that a writer of this calibre would pop out a plot with more holes than a doily.
I will read more by Penny Hancock but would hesitate to recommend this because of the plotting. I read a lot of these books and was surprised that a writer of this calibre would pop out a plot with more holes than a doily.
August 23, 2020
A great thriller, although some of the storyline was predictable, there were still a few surprises. I’ll definitely be recommending this one to family & friends. I look forward to reading other books by this author.
May 5, 2021
Loved this. It had been on tbr pile for a few years but although in parts it seemed a bit far fetched I still enjoyed it and loved the scenery am which I kept googling never having been to Southwold. Would make a good made for TV drama.
August 12, 2018
This is a carefully crafted story,well told. It holds the reader's attention throughout. A good read.
July 30, 2019
This book was a page turner indeed! The plot was incredible. Sometimes one’s own insecurities can be damaging to an unimaginable extent. That’s what I’ve learned from this book.
March 8, 2020
The main character in this book drove me crazy, I did not enjoy her at all. I got through the book though.
March 19, 2020
This book was a bit slow to start with had to read quite a bit for the story to come alive! Overall a good read and the ending tied up nicely couldn't put it down once I'd got further into the book.
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