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Genesis Flood
Two women. One devastating tsunami. And a decision that will change people’s lives forever.
Eighteen-year-old Jeannie has suffered a life of abuse at the hands of her stepfather. Now Jeannie thinks she is pregnant and wonders how she will ever escape him. When she disappears after a tsunami, her stepfather senses that she is not dead, that she is running from him, and he vows to track her down.
Anna’s husband, Jamie, has borderline personality disorder. Obsessed with Anna, he believes theirs is a perfect marriage; only a baby would make it better. As far as he is concerned, only death is capable of parting them. Then the tsunami hits and Anna is gone. Demented with grief, he goes to extraordinary lengths to recreate the life he and his dead wife should have had.
Two strangers, connected only by trauma and disaster, whose lives collide forever, set off a chain reaction that will have devastating consequences for another, innocent, woman…
Eighteen-year-old Jeannie has suffered a life of abuse at the hands of her stepfather. Now Jeannie thinks she is pregnant and wonders how she will ever escape him. When she disappears after a tsunami, her stepfather senses that she is not dead, that she is running from him, and he vows to track her down.
Anna’s husband, Jamie, has borderline personality disorder. Obsessed with Anna, he believes theirs is a perfect marriage; only a baby would make it better. As far as he is concerned, only death is capable of parting them. Then the tsunami hits and Anna is gone. Demented with grief, he goes to extraordinary lengths to recreate the life he and his dead wife should have had.
Two strangers, connected only by trauma and disaster, whose lives collide forever, set off a chain reaction that will have devastating consequences for another, innocent, woman…
304 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 25, 2023
1 person is currently reading
33 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 22, 2024
Stunning read. Buy now for Christmas!
Was unsure what to expect. But it's a fantastic first novel from an obviously talented writer. The start is brutally powerful and sets the scene both in terms of narrative and in the brilliant 'visualisation' Cox's words create. You are taken into the middle of challenging places and situations and you really feel the pain and pleasure of the charactors. Written in what I would describe as a 'scene by scene' style, charactors tell their own stories and this accentuates the realism. The book is one you don't want to put down. Indeed it forces you to continue so you don't miss a thing. And just when you think things are settled and clear, Cox throws in surprises and twists. I said WTF more than once as the journey took unexpected turns. The book I read after this was from a Sunday Times best selling author and I found it dull, with cliched charactors and far less impressive. Genesis Flood was far better. Highly recommended.
Was unsure what to expect. But it's a fantastic first novel from an obviously talented writer. The start is brutally powerful and sets the scene both in terms of narrative and in the brilliant 'visualisation' Cox's words create. You are taken into the middle of challenging places and situations and you really feel the pain and pleasure of the charactors. Written in what I would describe as a 'scene by scene' style, charactors tell their own stories and this accentuates the realism. The book is one you don't want to put down. Indeed it forces you to continue so you don't miss a thing. And just when you think things are settled and clear, Cox throws in surprises and twists. I said WTF more than once as the journey took unexpected turns. The book I read after this was from a Sunday Times best selling author and I found it dull, with cliched charactors and far less impressive. Genesis Flood was far better. Highly recommended.
June 9, 2024
From the first page to the last, I was hooked. This book is definitely unputdownable; an absolute stonker of a page turner, a tumultuous ride of highs and lows, from start to finish.
The characters are multifaceted and believable; they draw you in with each page. The book is written from the first person point of view - each character narrates their own chapters.
I often skim read books - missing paragraphs or even pages on occasion if I’m getting bored. I read e-v-e-r-y single word of this book, the imagery is not gratuitous; the plot is inspired and takes you on a journey of unpredictable surprises.
This is up there with some of the best books I have ever read. I cannot wait to read her next one.
The characters are multifaceted and believable; they draw you in with each page. The book is written from the first person point of view - each character narrates their own chapters.
I often skim read books - missing paragraphs or even pages on occasion if I’m getting bored. I read e-v-e-r-y single word of this book, the imagery is not gratuitous; the plot is inspired and takes you on a journey of unpredictable surprises.
This is up there with some of the best books I have ever read. I cannot wait to read her next one.
September 15, 2025
Genesis flood is an intriguing debut novel from a local North Devon author, that I am sure we shall hear a lot more from. A skilful psychological thriller full of inventive plot twists that keeps the reader fully engaged right to the very epilogue. The central themes of physical and psychological abuse are delivered with intelligence and care, ensuring the narrative isn’t clogged up by voyeurism or sentiment. This novel is powerful and sometimes challenging as it explores abuse from the perpetrator and victims’s viewpoints. Once started, it is very difficult to put down and I am looking forward to Shelley Cox’s next novel.
May 1, 2024
A fantastic and enjoyable book to read, it was so well written and keep me glued to the pages, I could not put it down and read it within two days.
This is one of the best books that I have read in a long time, would definitely recommend to those readers who like to be kept enthralled by a story.
This is one of the best books that I have read in a long time, would definitely recommend to those readers who like to be kept enthralled by a story.
November 27, 2024
4.5 stars, not quite a 5 although I couldn't put it down.
I ordered and read a sample of Genesis Flood on my Kindle and was a little unsure if I liked it enough to purchase the book. I'm very glad I did.
The book spans many years and the main theme is of abuse and it's lasting effects, but it's not depressing in any way, more of a thriller really. There were a few eye-rolling moments when I thought, well that was a bit unlikely, or, how did he/she manage to get away with that? However the author takes great pains, sometimes later in the story, to explain how things were possible, so I decided to take a general leap of faith. I have to say I didn't really like the short epilogue although it kind of concluded all the loose ends so others probably wouldn't agree.
In general the narrative flows nicely and there are several unexpected twists and turns throughout the book. It was a pleasure to read. I'm looking forward to the next one.
I ordered and read a sample of Genesis Flood on my Kindle and was a little unsure if I liked it enough to purchase the book. I'm very glad I did.
The book spans many years and the main theme is of abuse and it's lasting effects, but it's not depressing in any way, more of a thriller really. There were a few eye-rolling moments when I thought, well that was a bit unlikely, or, how did he/she manage to get away with that? However the author takes great pains, sometimes later in the story, to explain how things were possible, so I decided to take a general leap of faith. I have to say I didn't really like the short epilogue although it kind of concluded all the loose ends so others probably wouldn't agree.
In general the narrative flows nicely and there are several unexpected twists and turns throughout the book. It was a pleasure to read. I'm looking forward to the next one.
September 6, 2024
I am a slow reader but this book is so gripping I read it in two days! The plot, characters and twists were so immersive. I honestly can’t believe this is a debut novel, it’s one of the best books I’ve read in years. Please release more Shelley Cox, you’ve got talent! 🤗
September 15, 2024
If you only read one book this year then read this. Beautifully written and with a fantastic plot, interesting characters and a few twists to keep you on your toes, it’s absolutely amazing. One of the best books I’ve read in a long time. Can’t wait for your second novel!
August 18, 2025
An excellent book by Shelley Cox, extremely well written. A great story line with interesting characters and plenty of twists and turns. I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish and highly recommend it.
January 26, 2024
An amazing debut novel with twists you don’t see coming
June 23, 2024
This is by far the best book I've read in years! It's an emotional rollercoaster and the twists are as big as the waves of the tsunami! Please read this book, you will not regret it 🙏
August 31, 2024
Fantastic book! Once I started I could not put it down! 😍😍
September 8, 2024
Could not put this book down. A brilliant book.
July 13, 2025
Fantastic! Definitely one of the best books I’ve read this year, I could not put it down!
September 9, 2025
Full of twists and turns! Wasn’t what I expected but so glad I read it.
September 8, 2024
Loved this book, so many twists you don’t see coming!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews