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Bolt-hole

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You’re an ordinary man living an ordinary life until your wife and young family are killed.
The police believe it to be a tragic accident – an unsolved hit and run, but you discover that this is far from the truth.

You instigate a meticulous plan; one of revenge but also of self-preservation. But despite your best efforts the plan begins to unravel and before long you’re on the run and hiding away in a series of bolt-holes as you desperately cling to your freedom.

Written in the first person, Bolt-hole describes the very personal account of university academic, Julian Scott’s turmoil as he comes to terms with the death of his family and strives to achieve a form of resolution.

201 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 3, 2013

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75 people want to read

About the author

A.J. Oates

1 book1 follower

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5 stars
21 (26%)
4 stars
26 (33%)
3 stars
23 (29%)
2 stars
5 (6%)
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3 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Profile Image for Samantha.
62 reviews
May 15, 2024
Fun and engaging read. I liked that the twists and turns kept things interesting without getting too complicated and far-fetched as so many popular thrillers do. I found myself being surprised throughout and had no idea how it was going to end until I got there. Having spent some time in the Peak District and my husband being born and raised in Sheffield probably only helped me enjoy it all the more. I probably won’t read the book again but I enjoyed it - 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
86 reviews3 followers
January 26, 2020
found it hard to get into. not my favourite
Profile Image for Cathy Cole.
Author 6 books21 followers
March 12, 2017
I really enjoyed this book - the main character sucked me in. I really felt for him, even though I abhorred his actions - kudos to the author for that alone.
Profile Image for Misfits farm.
2,119 reviews87 followers
July 18, 2016
Bolt hole – AJ Oates 4*
Julian loses 5 members of his family in a hit and run. His wife, 2 children and his parents are all killed when a van runs into them on the pavement. The driver cannot be found or any forensic evidence. Julian is obviously distraught. He has a PhD and works in a scientific lab which gave him a quality of life, but now feels his time at this is over. Life has changed and even before this the pressures of work are not for him.
I won’t give anything away as this is not quite what you expect from this learned man having read the first few pages. Then again, preparation is everything as is forethought. This is such a well described book that you can picture Julian on his “adventure”. From sitting on a rock looking out into the Peak district or to sitting in the pub getting the worse for wear with an old school friend. One loose comment that he remembers weeks later has set off a chain of events to change things irreparably. I devoured this book and like a good wine it slipped down very easily. You sympathise with Julian’s loss, admire his planning but wonder what has gone on in his mind whilst simultaneously thinking “would another person do that?” I don’t want to give anything away so can’t say too much other than give this a go- you won’t be disappointed.
Profile Image for Steven Kay.
Author 4 books9 followers
September 13, 2014
My interview with A J Oates is at : http://stevek1889.blogspot.co.uk/2014...
There can’t be many better value ways to spend an evening on your own than a couple of beers and Bolt-hole on your Kindle for 77p. It is a hard book to review without giving too much away and risking spoiling it. Suspense builds very quickly and is maintained so that once you are a few pages in there is never any question of not making it to the end. And, of all the things, you find yourself rooting for a brutal murderer! Full review at: http://stevek1889.blogspot.co.uk/2014...
Profile Image for Janet.
818 reviews
June 23, 2013
Simple plot that was well written and kept me wanting to read more ... Loved it
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews