The Invitation

by Patrick MacDonald

Claire Evans is a top forensic pathologist. At the peak of her career, she has successfully overseen countless investigations into some of Britain’s most brutal and complex crimes
Arriving home late one night, she finds what at first appears to be a simple card has been delivered.
But it’s a very far from ordinary piece of mail.
It’s an invitation. To her own funeral.
Uncertain as to whether it’s a hoax or something more sinister, Claire begins to search for answers.
Then her son, Toby, is abducted from his nursery school.
With her son’s life now in jeopardy as well as her own, Claire must identify her tormentor immediately. But it may already be too late…

Genres: Thriller, Ebooks

404 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 29, 2023

About the author

After a successful career as a Company Secretary with a major national charity, I ran my own consultancy for four years working mainly in the not-for-profit sector.

I’ve now stopped doing this so I can concentrate solely on writing.

The Faces That You Meet was my first novel. The second one, Darkness Falling, is described below. I am currently working on a third novel, The Invitation, which is a psychological thriller.

I have an English degree from a Welsh University, Aberystwyth: they let you in if you could spell it. I chose Aberystwyth because I had chronic asthma in my youth and I thought a coastal University might sort it out which rather miraculously it did! I also went to Aberystwyth without bothering to check it out first – this was a mistake because I hadn’t realised it took 3 days to get there. Lots of bands used to pull out of gigs once they realised how impossible it was to get there so the only ones who turned up were the one hit wonders like Led Zeppelin. In all seriousness they did play there once in a hall on the sea front because I think there was a local connection.

I’m also currently working through a very long bucket list. So far I’ve done three tandem parachute jumps (Why? Because I’m an idiot with a death wish) tried paragliding and three years ago started doing stand up.

I’ve been married for 40 years and I have two sons. My youngest is working as a doctor in Bristol, having studied medicine at Birmingham, and the eldest works for Glaxo Smith Klein as a Data Scientist, having completed a PhD at Warwick – obviously any sign of intelligence on their part is all down to my wife. The oldest of four brothers, and therefore the most downtrodden, I’m supposed to be the sensible one, but then that’s not difficult given what clowns the others are. Let’s hope they don’t read this…still no worries there; they’re all illiterate anyway. In terms of success my brother, Mick, has clearly got the jump on me there, but you’ll have to do your own research to find out why.

Reviews

[Paul Petsa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kept me reading and engaged but ultimately unsatisfying.

A reasonably entertaining thriller for the most part but I was disappointed by the way that it concluded relatively quickly.

Although it kept me guessing as to the main villain’s identity, it did it without any foreshadowing and therefore left me feeling a little cheated.

[Sam C. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm convinced this author has never heard two people speak before because the dialogue/conversations in this book are so stiff, meandering, and unintentionally comical.

At various points, I had forgotten that a deranged individual threatening the main character and her child was on the loose, and just stopped caring.

The grand reveal of who was behind the sinister plot was so incredibly predictable, but it didn't even matter at that point.

I wanted an invitation to my own funeral while reading this one.

[Leah Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This could be a really good book with the help of an editor. The most obvious issue is the typos. More than that, however, is the strange over-explanation of completely irrelevant details and shocking under-explanation of important plot points. The ultimate conclusion to the mystery is almost glossed over. Once we find out who the bad-guy is, I thought the motivation for their actions was actually quite clever. Unfortunately, it really should have stopped about there, but instead carries on with some actions that don’t really even make much sense.

[Glasgowgal · Rating 2 out of 5]

The premise was good, but then it just fizzled out. When it took two pages to discuss if anyone wanted toast with their tea, I wanted to scream!

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing really. The idea had a lot of potential but didn’t really go anywhere. I felt the ending was rushed and some things in the story were strung out unnecessarily.

[Geraldine Sproson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this. It was a real page-turner with a compelling central premise and a shocking twist at the end. It's also intensely visual employing a number of the tropes you normally only come across in films or on TV and I could easily imagine this being turned into a film.

The story itself starts with a woman, Claire, arriving home from work one night to find a hand-delivered letter lying on the mat inside her door. Opening it she finds it's an invitation to her own funeral...

The date of her supposed death is 28 days hence and Claire is then in a race against time to identify the perpetrator.

[Tyla Olenchuk · Rating 2 out of 5]

This plot idea had a lot of potential, but instead it withered out without reaching that potential. The protagonists husband is having an affair with her best friend - nothing really comes of that. The protagonist is also having an affair - nothing really comes of that. She also keeps drinking, contrary to her medications - but nothing comes of that. 2 people are responsible for the invitation amd the kidnapping of her son - but the issues aren't related. I reached the end of the book, still wondering when things were going to be tied together in a way that made sense. Apparently the answer to that is Never.

[Jacqueline Tevlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thrilling roller coaster ride of a read...Jacqueline M. Tevlin
Patrick MacDonald 's latest novel "The Invitation" is a gripping page turner. The authentic characters keep you guessing as the murders and threat of murder stack up. If you like a plot full of twists and turns this is for you! A dark and brooding misty Fenland landscape, sets the scene. If you are a visitor to Cambridge and it's many nearby pretty towns, villages and "haunts" this Autumn- pack it in your suitcase for an exciting read...

[Mrs E.A.Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a stunning page turning book with unexpected twists and turns. It is impossible to imagine being invited to your own funeral and things get worse when your own chid is put in mortal danger.

Using forensic science as a backdrop makes for added intrigue, and I felt I was learning as I was reading, as well as enjoying the story. Being based local to where I live, Huntingdonshire made it easy to visulaize where the action was taking place but would have enjoyed the read whereever it has been set.

[Madison Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won’t lie, it took me a little bit to get into it, mostly because it’s based in England and the writings from that side of the world (I’m in the US) is different. Once I started reading more and really grasping the story and verbiage, I was hooked. There’s a BIG twist at the end that I couldn’t even believe. You’re led to believe one thing and it ends up being the complete opposite. It did end a little abruptly though.

[Julie A. Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Read

This book quickly grasped my attention and I spent more than a few nights reading into the early morning hours. The characters were very real to the reader; the author took great strides in creating people you could care about. I look forward to reading more of this author’s work.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

🤔

Had a good strong start then it just seemed to be in big cheat fest. Everyone cheating on everyone and getting upset about being cheated on even though they are a cheater themselves 😆🤷‍♀️.
In amongst that is a pretty decent psychological thriller. All the cheating kind of ruined it for me though.

[Susan Aldridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Sally for giving me a signed copy from this local (to her) author! This is a great thriller set in Cambridgeshire where forensic pathologist Claire Evans is threatened by an invitation to her own funeral. Domestic complications and intriguing cases make this a very interesting read, with the local setting adding to the interest.

[Leah Burgess · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Enjoyed the read. I kept thinking the plot was going in an opposite direction. I do think there was a lot of build up for a quick ending. Would have like to have seen more of why the villain did what they did.

[J Barkess · Rating 1 out of 5]

Strange book

Having come to the end of this my main feeling is 'what was the point'
No real plot and totally unbelievable characters.
I wouldn't recommend or read anything else by this writer.

[Kathy Webb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this Kindle edition book in a Goodreads
Giveaway. Thank you to everyone involved.
Great book! Very entertaining.

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book up until the end. Seems like the villain was plucked from thin air when there were so many other possibilities.

[lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's ok...Not the worst I've read and not the best.

[Marmalade · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good base story but I felt the affairs of the characters wasn't needed, if the book had been about just the base story I would of given it 5 stars.

[Ashleigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

great story but no plot twist?

[Evangeline ✨]

DNF

[Donna Ruhnow · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Invitation held my interest, but seemed choppy and not well thought out or crafted together.

[P D]

This book was engaging from the beginning and I felt completely invested in Claire's journey.

Claire's life is complex. She has a husband and son, a lover and a best friend who would be happy to be more than friends. On top of all this, she is bi-polar. I felt the author tackled the subject of mental health problems sensitively and gave a helpful insight into how her diagnosis was affecting Claire's life, in addition to a detailed account of the medication she was offered and the psychiatric care she received. 'I just want to be normal' - this phrase really stood out for me. While it pertained to how Claire was feeling, it also hinted at how society views mental health problems. In this case, the custody of her own son, Toby, could be dependent on how her condition is viewed. The court proceedings were very well written.

To add to all this, Claire receives an invitation to her own funeral and we follow her as she tries to deduce who is responsible and ultimately, ensure it doesn't happen. The book was well plotted and structured, alternating between different years but also counting down the days until the funeral is due to happen.

Claire is a forensic pathologist. I found the details of the autopsies interesting. The author was clearly knowledgeable on the subject and skillfully wove the facts into the narrative, so the reader feels informed about the process but the story is not interrupted.

There were some points where it seemed like the author was sharing thoughts with the reader,

'At some point I think we all mess up- it's just a question of when,' Such a true statement, which makes the reader think, but I was surprised at this reaction from Claire to Jessica's revelation.

'Every day, we try and control what’s around us, pretend to ourselves that if we do it well enough, then nothing can go wrong. But deep down we also all know how deluded we are.'

'As soon as we are born, we start to die. And I suppose the challenge for all of us is what we do with that information. How should we lead our lives, knowing we are going to die?'

I particularly liked the final thoughts on life at the end.

As the story progressed, I was unable to put it down and this is what made it a five-star read for me.

Fiona Campbell, Editorial review by Reedsy Discovery