A Deep Deceit

by Hilary Bonner

'A very classy crime yarn' Manchester Evening NewsAlthough to all appearances Suzanne and Carl Peters live an idyllic life in pretty St Ives, beneath the veneer of domestic bliss lurks a dark secret which threatens to destroy everything they hold dear. For the last seven years they have lived a lie, lived in fear that the violence of the past will catch up with them, and now it seems that their worst nightmares are coming true.Suzanne was a damaged child, and she has grown into a damaged woman. For seven years Carl has protected her from her terrors, sheltered her from the world for which she seems ill-equipped, but when a series of poison pen letters disturb long-buried ghosts, Suzanne and Carl's carefully guarded world explodes with shocking consequences.Engrossing, chilling and utterly compelling, A Deep Deceit is a tour de force of sexual intrigue and obsessive love with a startling sting in its tail.

Genres: Crime

280 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 25, 2001

About the author

Hilary Bonner is an English crime novelist, best known for her psychological thrillers.

Almost all Bonner’s novels are inspired by real life events, often drawing on her journalistic past with The Sun, The Mail on Sunday, and Daily Mirror. The Times described her as ‘keeping on the public agenda the stories our masters would prefer buried.’

She shares her life with her partner, the actress Amanda Barrie, and, with their dog Coco. She divides her time between her house in rural Somerset and her flat at the heart of Covent Garden.

Reviews

[Maggie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Reading the synopsis of the story gave the impression of a really good read but in reality a serious let down. It is obvious from the start that the main female character has serious mental health issues but described in a way that did not endear to the reader. No interest in story and especially characters from the start. The boyfriend was equally 'drippy'. The plot was obvious from close to the start yet had to wade through alot of 'going on and on' to get to what could be seen in the first place. This one certainly NOT recommended.

[Aneesah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book, more for the meaning and analogies than the writing if that makes sense. It was an exciting read and led you to the end in a way that you didn't know what was going to happen. The ending provided closure and hope. A love story that makes you wonder if intentions really mean more than anything when it comes to love and shows we all need it more than anything. Psychologically intriguing.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put it down !

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intriguing book, with elements of shock and surprise, it keeps you guessing all the way through, nothing is as it first appears. There is emotional trauma, intruding on the happy relationship between Karl and Suzanne, beginning when they are threatened by secrets from the past, as they receive poison pen letters and unpleasant graffiti is scratched into Karl's car and on to their front door. We wonder who could be responsible for this act, and did that someone know their secret.

There is tragedy and heartbreak, with flashbacks to Suzanne's relationship with her abusive husband, Karl was her protector and takes her far away from her painful past, to live in a cottage in St Ives. Karl is ever the gentle protector, who seeks to shelter Suzanne from harm, especially when her nightmares from the past threaten to overwhelm her.

A gripping and engaging story, with chilling elements, keeping the reader on the edge of her (or his) seat, it takes off slowly but quickly picks up pace, and is difficult to put down, there are so many twists and turns, it holds your attention and keeps you interested right until the final words.

I can recommend this, a great read, to anyone who enjoys a psychological thriller and the woman in jeopardy genre. Suzanne is a well rounded and believable heroine, Karl a sympathetic and gentle hero, both are characters who the reader can empathize with and understand. I look forward to reading more work by Hilary Bonner.