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.
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.
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.
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.
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...