The Perfect Escape

by Daniel Hurst, Laura Brydon (narrator), Dan Bottomley (narrator)

I just wanted a place where we could get away from it all. But coming here was one of the worst mistakes of my life...

After the year Aidan and I have had, we needed some respite. My husband is overworked, whilst I'm anxious about the past, so renting a night at this converted barn house in the countryside seems like the perfect place for the pair of us to relax and unwind. It might be situated at the bottom of a large garden, but it's private enough that we don't have to mingle with the homeowners who live nearby. Or at least that's what I thought...

No sooner have we checked in for our peaceful stay, Aidan and I are invited to share a drink with the owners, Bridgette and Logan, in their opulent home. I want to politely refuse. After all, we came here to get away from people. But Aidan accepts the invitation and that's when things start spiralling out of control. That's when I realise that this is not going to be the perfect escape after all...

A fast paced and gripping psychological thriller from the author of The Couple In The Cabin , My Daughter's Boyfriend and the number one bestselling novel The Doctor's Wife.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Mystery, Audiobook, Fiction, Suspense, Psychological Thriller

6 pages, Audible Audio

First published July 15, 2023

About the author

Daniel Hurst is an Amazon #1 bestselling author of fast paced psychological thrillers. His most popular titles include Til Death Do Us Part, The Passenger and The Doctor's Wife, the latter title reaching #1 on the Amazon UK Kindle store in February 2023. A regular KDP Select All Star since he became a full-time author in 2021, Daniel prides himself on writing fast, releasing stories often and engaging with his readers.

You can visit him at www.danielhurstbooks.com, where you can also download a copy of his FREE thriller 'Just One Second.'

Reviews

[Nina (ninjasbooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

So incredible repetitive in the beginning, and there was a lot of spoon-feeding. The last half with all the action and twists made it worth it however.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I dare say one day I might, just might guess the twists and turns that are going to come in a DH book….alas not this time as again’The Perfect Escape’ foiled me and I was almost 100% sure how it was going to go….and I was staggeringly wrong
It goes without saying this was a great read, yet another one that I started and couldn’t stop reading as had to know what was going to happen next, and without fail things happened in every chapter
The questions I had regarding a few issues were answered as the book went on and the loopholes cleverly closed as the plot thickened and the actions of those involved became frighteningly clearer
It’s fun, it’s horrifying, it feels real and it’s why I love reading when you have a guaranteed excellent story like this

[Jayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listening to Daniel Hurst's "The Perfect Escape" was a perfect escape.

This intriguing domestic thriller was fast-paced, twisty, gasp-worthy, and delightfully unpredictable.

The book's male and female protagonists were all "bad guys" and, surprisingly, I enjoyed this unique aspect of the book.

The book showcased many eye-rolling moments, but Daniel Hurst made this book work.

I listened to the audiobook read by Laura Brydon, Dan Bottomley, Deirdra Whelan, and Andy Creswell.

I always enjoy full-cast audiobooks and all narrators did a superb job with the narration.

4.5 stars

[Sherri Thacker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Secrets, revenge and lies are what Daniel Hurst does best! Deirdra Whelan is fast becoming one of my favorite audio narrators!! She just makes everything come to life! This audio book had me on the edge of my seat from the very first word! The epilogue was not what I was expecting! Way to go Daniel!

[Anisha · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was good, until the believability of this waned..I mean it's fiction but everything that kept happening just felt like the author was trying to go down the rabbit hole with every event that happened. "Let's see if I can shock the audience by having this person do this. Oh but just kidding, actually this is what happened. Wait no no, THIS happened." idk what kind of trope that is but it isn't for me.

[Auđur · Rating 3 out of 5]

2,7*

[KKEC Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Perfect Escape by Daniel Hurst

Published: July 15, 2023
Pages: 216
Genre: Psychological Thriller
KKECReads Rating: 5/5
I purchased a copy of this book on Amazon, and I leave my review voluntarily.

Daniel Hurst is the author of several bestselling psychological thrillers, including 'The Passenger,' 'We Used To Live Here,' and 'Til Death Do Us Part.' His books have been the #1 Psychological Thrillers in the UK and Australia and regularly feature in the Amazon Top 100 charts.

“Disappear.”

Fay and Aiden are spending a night at a remote cottage to take a break from the hustle and bustle of their daily lives. Bridgette and Logan renovated the barn at the end of their garden and used it as a vacation stay. Neither couple expected their secrets to be revealed.

Going on vacation is not supposed to be scary, Daniel Hurst! I loved the imagery descriptions. So serene and peaceful, calm and beautiful. It played beautifully with the utter chaos happening.

Daniel has such a skill for creating devious characters. Fay seemed like such ab easygoing character, maybe a little high-strung, but nothing too concerning. Aiden seemed secretive from the start but also had an aloofness about him. Bridgette seemed suspicious from the beginning, and Logan was oblivious.

This story takes off from page one, and I promise you by the end of chapter two, you won’t be able to put this book down. The twists turns, and the truth comes hurtling from the darkness at breakneck speed.

I love how Hurst weaves his plots, captivating readers from page one. It is impossible to figure out the twist, until it is slapping you in the face.

[daniela weber · Rating 4 out of 5]

probably the silliest popcorn
domestic thriller I've EVER read,
this book comes full of adrenaline, 
hidden intentions, weird solutions: 
a typical daniel hurst storyline. :)

[CammieOH · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmmmm. Just ridiculous.

[Donna Mallery · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Daniel Hurst. While his books do “over the top” things, his books are just a joy to read! His ability to make you laugh or at least smirk is what keeps me anxious for his next novel! His books are easily read in a day. In this book, we have Fay and her husband who choose to stay in a renovated barn that is situated on the property of the owner. The owners, Bridgette and Logan, invite Fay and Aiden to their house for a bit of wine and company. What happens in that house is shocking. And then the twists start coming and you yearn for more! I thoroughly enjoyed this crazy story! Just take it easy on those long run on sentences Daniel!! They drive me nuts!

[AmBerGUR · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t expect anything much. I only just wanted some fast paced thriller to read. It was just that a fast paced a bit boring at times and the twists are meh 🫤 so 2 stars and I’m being generous.

[Pheadra · Rating 2 out of 5]

0I am a regular reader of this author's books because they are compelling and offer easy reading escapism. I'm also aware that often, in his stories, one has to suspend belief up to a point. This story, however, was "ridiculous!" To quote a main character's words..."It's ridiculous, but I burst out laughing then, not because I'm actually amused by what's happened, but because I simply can't comprehend the absurdity of it all. If being so unfortunate as to marry a man who cheated on me and broke the law wasn't enough, I ended up killing a woman after simply pushing her over before I then booked a night's stay with a psycho who knew who I really was and what I was running from. 2 and a half stars

[Jodi KH · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m hooked on Daniel Hurst.
His books are great quick reads where nobody is ever who you’d imagine.
A couple books a night “off the grid” only to discover that their host is just as much of a criminal as they are.
Moral of the story: never doubt a woman scorned

[Krista (Mrs K Book Reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

NOTHING OR NO ONE IS AS THEY APPEAR. LIES and more LIES.

I am glad i went into this book blind as this one wild rollercoaster after another.

Hurst has a crazy imagination, and this one was insanity at its best. The final twist (Epilogue) was wow.... Never underestimate a scorned woman.

[Wiseask · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Perfect Escape is another nearly perfect domestic thriller from Daniel Hurst. Like in so many of his novels, all of his characters here are either hiding secrets or are not who they pretend to be — or both.

We are told in the opening chapters that Fay and Aiden, in their late thirties, are a married couple from the north of England looking for an overnight escape from the stresses of the business they own together.

They booked an overnight stay at a secluded renovated barn in the south of England near the coast without the distractions of any Internet, cell phone service or television. The barn provided them with the very private getaway they were seeking.

Logan and Bridgette, a married couple in their forties, own and operate the barn. At the outset, no one including Logan knew that Bridgette was holding a young woman named Holly prisoner in the basement of their house located nearby.

But when Bridgette invites Fay and Aiden up to the house to share drinks and conversation and more with her and Logan, the story begins to spiral out of control in dark and unexpected directions.

To say more at this point will risk ruining the delicious suspense and malicious surprises that Daniel Hurst has in store for you in his cleverly crafted tale where the title has more meanings than meets the eye.

[Margaret · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had somewhat of an interesting beginning though I think that the narrators were not the right choice, I could not connect to the characters at all. The turns and twists kept me reading but the storyline was ridiculous.

[reagan lanae · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️! The frick did I just read?

[Meagan Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rated 3.5
I appreciated how twisted this got

[Melinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well if this isn’t a double cliche of men are cheats and women are crazy. To be fair though it does make for a solid thriller. When a married couple, Aidan and Fay, plan a getaway to unwind from reality and the doom of their business they book a night away at a barn where the only rule is there is zero technology. Already sketchy, am I right? To make things more interesting the owners of the barn who also live on the property invite the couple over for an evening nightcap and that’s when things get all types of messed up. I rated this a low 4 just because I feel like the ending could’ve had a better delivery but overall the book had interesting twists and the characters had depth.

[Nancy · Rating 1 out of 5]

A one-dimensional and just plain dumb book- so sorry to say. Reads very amateurish— I’m honestly not sure how something like this actually gets published. It’s a completely ridiculous and implausible story line.

No depth, no character development. Rolled my eyes the whole way through. Do yourself a favor and skip this book.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

Fast paced and gripping. The Perfect Escape was exactly that- plus it was an addictive binge listen/read. I have yet to have found a Daniel Hurst novel I have not enjoyed. I loved how straightforward this psychological thriller was. Like all of Hurst’s books, this was short, clever and had me questioning everything.

I also loved how this story had a healthy mix of character and plot driven elements. The alternating perspectives and the multiple character secrets made for a greatly engaging story. The characters are hard not to love and hate due to their devilishly flawed personalities.

In short, Hurst has a writer’s talent to hook you and keeps you intrigued until the very end-I am always guessing who is villain and who is the victim. As I’ve written in another review of Hurts work, he is male version of Kiersten Modglin in the psychological thriller genre. (Audio)

[Ian Rosales · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Perfect Escape is a wild ride! Fay and Aidan, looking for a romantic getaway, rent this idyllic cottage. But things quickly go south when they meet the owners, Bridgette and Logan. These two are seriously creepy, and the whole situation feels off. Weird noises, unsettling conversations... you get the picture. Turns out, Bridgette and Logan are not who they seem. They're playing a twisted game, manipulating Fay and Aidan for their own sick amusement. It's a race against time as Fay and Aidan try to figure out what's really going on and escape their clutches. The ending is a total shock! It's definitely a page-turner, but be warned, some of the twists might be a little predictable for seasoned thriller readers. If you're into suspenseful stories with a touch of the macabre, give it a try."

[Alexis Blouch · Rating 4 out of 5]

HOLY CRAP!?!? This book was a roller coaster for me and I ate it up. I started it tonight and had to finish. I legit was losing my marbles

[Matt Heiges · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story was ok but the writing was bad

[Eilidhs World · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

GOOD READ 🥳🥳

I really enjoying this book 📚 so much happening and it becomes very dramatic.. I love how there are soo many twists through out the book and of course Daniel never fails to keep his reader engrossed.. 🤗

I liked all the characters.. it became quite suspense in parts.. I would definitely recommend this read

4 stars ⭐️

[Krispyh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not one of his best ones tbh, wee bit disappointed and felt thar it was a little unrealistic 😑

[Alice Pearson · Rating 3 out of 5]

started well but predictable ending

Far too long. I skimmed through most of it after the first few chapters.

Got going towards the end but lacked the suspense.
Didn’t care for any of the characters. All liars shallow and deserve each other.
Average read.

[Ali R · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I admit this book gets and keeps your attention and you want to keep reading to see what happens next, this is definitely not one of Hurst’s best stories . I agree with all the reviews that say the plot twists go to the extreme and are very over the top.

There’s only so much of my belief I can suspend while reading and with this book the more I read, the more far fetched everything seemed . And it didn’t help that all the characters ended up being unlikeable. Good thing barely anyone got a happy ending .

[Heather Nolan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not his best work


I am a fan of Daniel Hurst but this book was a bust. This one waa written with little heart... Impossible to believe and had me hating all the characters.

[John · Rating 1 out of 5]

It starts out good but even a story can’t be this ridiculous I very seldom give one star.