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The Bycatch Principle
On a lonely moor, an isolated security complex hides a dirty secret. A er six years of being held captive without charge, een-year-old David Jessop is forced to make a desperate strike for freedom. Somebody wants to hide the truth. Somebody wants him dead. Just what is the Unit? In order to survive, David must discover why the Unit exists and the real reason he was taken away all those years ago. Alone and on the run, he needs answers. Fast.
Praise for The Bycatch PrincipleCharlie Carroll, author of The Lip: ‘A high-octane thriller that grips and wrenches at the heart.’
Roz Watkins, author of The Red House: ‘An original, thought-provoking and gripping read.’
Kit Fielding, author of The Undead Gypsy: ‘At once a beautifully written thriller and a gritty tale of abandonment and subterfuge.’
Professor Catherine Leyshon, author of Recovering Inspiration in the Spaces of Creative ‘This story had me hooked. Cornwall’s glorious, dramatic landscapes provide the perfect setting for this pacy thriller … You’ll want to walk every step of the way with David as he finds his place in the world.’
Dr Amanda Light, post-doctoral ‘The reader is instantly drawn into this strange, unnerving world. An intriguing page turner that will leave you cheering David on as he uncovers dark secrets and endures the pain of disconcerting truths.’
Praise for The Bycatch PrincipleCharlie Carroll, author of The Lip: ‘A high-octane thriller that grips and wrenches at the heart.’
Roz Watkins, author of The Red House: ‘An original, thought-provoking and gripping read.’
Kit Fielding, author of The Undead Gypsy: ‘At once a beautifully written thriller and a gritty tale of abandonment and subterfuge.’
Professor Catherine Leyshon, author of Recovering Inspiration in the Spaces of Creative ‘This story had me hooked. Cornwall’s glorious, dramatic landscapes provide the perfect setting for this pacy thriller … You’ll want to walk every step of the way with David as he finds his place in the world.’
Dr Amanda Light, post-doctoral ‘The reader is instantly drawn into this strange, unnerving world. An intriguing page turner that will leave you cheering David on as he uncovers dark secrets and endures the pain of disconcerting truths.’
307 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 16, 2023
2 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 18, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick and intriguing read that explores the nature vs nurture argument while taking you along on a thrilling journey that makes it difficult to put the book down. David Jessop is a 15-year-old who is institutionalized and subjected to six years of treatment for an unknown reason. When circumstances lead David to escape the institution and glean pieces of information about why he was placed there, he begins to uncover secrets that put his life at risk. As David seeks to get answers, piece together his past, and stay a step ahead of those trying to stop him, we are given insight to his internal struggles and the transformative power of hope and human connection. The book highlights some very real problems regarding addiction, mental health, and the resulting Pygmalion Effect when we label children. It was definitely a fun read and the author’s descriptive writing makes me want to visit Cornwall!
I received an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I received an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 3, 2025
A tense, thought-provoking thriller with real emotional punch
The Bycatch Principle is an atmospheric, high-stakes thriller that blends action with a surprisingly tender emotional core. From the first pages, the mystery of “the Unit” and David’s stolen childhood creates an unsettling sense of urgency, and the book never really lets you breathe until the very end.
David is a compelling protagonist—traumatised, stubborn, and resourceful—and following him through the wild, remote landscape becomes as gripping as uncovering the conspiracy itself. The moorland setting is vividly drawn, giving the story a haunting, cinematic quality that heightens both the tension and the loneliness of his escape.
What really sets this apart is the mix of fast-paced thriller energy with thought-provoking questions about power, secrecy, and what it means to be free. There are brutal moments, tender ones, and twists that genuinely land.
If you like thrillers that balance action with emotional depth and a strong sense of place, this is a standout read—unsettling, gripping, and ultimately hopeful.
The Bycatch Principle is an atmospheric, high-stakes thriller that blends action with a surprisingly tender emotional core. From the first pages, the mystery of “the Unit” and David’s stolen childhood creates an unsettling sense of urgency, and the book never really lets you breathe until the very end.
David is a compelling protagonist—traumatised, stubborn, and resourceful—and following him through the wild, remote landscape becomes as gripping as uncovering the conspiracy itself. The moorland setting is vividly drawn, giving the story a haunting, cinematic quality that heightens both the tension and the loneliness of his escape.
What really sets this apart is the mix of fast-paced thriller energy with thought-provoking questions about power, secrecy, and what it means to be free. There are brutal moments, tender ones, and twists that genuinely land.
If you like thrillers that balance action with emotional depth and a strong sense of place, this is a standout read—unsettling, gripping, and ultimately hopeful.
October 17, 2023
Since he was ten years old, David Jessop has been a resident in the unit. Six years of intervention therapy have taught him nothing more than trust no-one and never give anything away. In all that time he's never had a single visitor, not even his mother.
When he finds himself in the outside world again, he sets off to find her and get some answers. But soon he becomes embroiled in a political fight against a Minority Report style plan to identify and incarcerate potential violent offenders. His personal quest turns into a high stakes fight for the truth with ramifications for all of society.
Despite being written off by the authorities, David is an extremely likeable character. At the beginning of the book he is surly and stubborn but when tested he turns out to be intelligent and resourceful as well as determined and loyal.
The Bycatch Principle is a coming of age story with moments of real heartbreak and plotted with the precision and pace of a high octane thriller.
When he finds himself in the outside world again, he sets off to find her and get some answers. But soon he becomes embroiled in a political fight against a Minority Report style plan to identify and incarcerate potential violent offenders. His personal quest turns into a high stakes fight for the truth with ramifications for all of society.
Despite being written off by the authorities, David is an extremely likeable character. At the beginning of the book he is surly and stubborn but when tested he turns out to be intelligent and resourceful as well as determined and loyal.
The Bycatch Principle is a coming of age story with moments of real heartbreak and plotted with the precision and pace of a high octane thriller.
November 8, 2023
I became so consumed in my personal life that I was reading this book little by little. It’s good, actually. The writing is spectacular and kept me intrigued throughout.
The descriptive details of this book is so thoroughly written and the pacing is great! I love books in this genre so I was expecting to be blown away and the author didn’t disappoint!
I genuinely cannot wait to read more by this author. And I am incredibly disappointed in myself that it took me a while to read a book this good.
In all honesty, I love the ending the best. It feels so…relatable. You don’t have to be involved in someone’s life just because you’re family. You get to choose your family. I needed to realize that and I love the fact that this book helped me with that.
The descriptive details of this book is so thoroughly written and the pacing is great! I love books in this genre so I was expecting to be blown away and the author didn’t disappoint!
I genuinely cannot wait to read more by this author. And I am incredibly disappointed in myself that it took me a while to read a book this good.
In all honesty, I love the ending the best. It feels so…relatable. You don’t have to be involved in someone’s life just because you’re family. You get to choose your family. I needed to realize that and I love the fact that this book helped me with that.
October 25, 2023
I would give this 3.5 stars but I've rounded up to 4. I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book.
I enjoy the pacing and tone of this book. It felt like the author really understands the teenage voice and it felt very realistic.
The issues raised in the book are very important and delivered in a very manageable way.
The reason I knocked stars off is I'm not sure the author has a good understanding of Conduct Disorder and it felt like the terms were thrown in there when the book would've stood just as well on its own.
I enjoy the pacing and tone of this book. It felt like the author really understands the teenage voice and it felt very realistic.
The issues raised in the book are very important and delivered in a very manageable way.
The reason I knocked stars off is I'm not sure the author has a good understanding of Conduct Disorder and it felt like the terms were thrown in there when the book would've stood just as well on its own.
December 15, 2023
I picked this up because the cover and title sounded interesting, once I read the blurb, I wanted to know more. Diving into it, I was hooked from the first page. The whole premise sounded very intriguing and the story was well-written enough to pull you in straight away. I loved getting to know David, getting to see how life treated him and how everything had shaped him. The twists and turns left me guessing until the very end and overall it was a book I thoroughly enjoyed and would be happy to read again. Highly recommended!
December 15, 2023
A book with a message! David seems like any other teenager, except he’s been locked away for years and closely monitored. Could he be dangerous in more ways than one?
Seen through his eyes, we’re drawn into a dystopian and credible world where freedom can exact a heavy price. It’s a gripping thriller with a compelling central character and doesn’t shy away from the realities of society’s downtrodden and forgotten people. A tale for our times.
Seen through his eyes, we’re drawn into a dystopian and credible world where freedom can exact a heavy price. It’s a gripping thriller with a compelling central character and doesn’t shy away from the realities of society’s downtrodden and forgotten people. A tale for our times.
December 19, 2023
A very well written exciting read with an intriguing premise. Seen through the eyes of teenager David, we experience a dystopian future where the labelling of youngsters results in disturbing consequences. It is a thoughtful story showing how easily freedom could be taken away from those in society who ‘don’t fit’.
January 6, 2026
Not my usual type of book but I couldn't put it down. It was a real page-turner with well drawn characters who were brought to life on the pages
I thoroughly enjoyed it and I equally thoroughly recommend it
I thoroughly enjoyed it and I equally thoroughly recommend it
July 7, 2024
Gripping page turner
Loved every page immensely. Couldn't put it down, literally walked into a few walls, as I took it everywhere. Wonderful, refreshingly, unique read.
Loved every page immensely. Couldn't put it down, literally walked into a few walls, as I took it everywhere. Wonderful, refreshingly, unique read.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews