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Pan Black Thorn A slow-burning, multi-layered mystery about families and their secrets and lies.
Blackthorn Ashes was meant to be their forever home. For the first six families moving into the exclusive new housing development, it was a chance to live a peaceful life on the cliffs overlooking the Cornish sea, safe in the knowledge that it had been created just for them.
But six weeks later, paradise is lost. Six people are dead. And Blackthorn Ashes is left abandoned and unfinished, its dark shadows hiding all manner of secrets.
One of its surviving residents, Agnes Gale, is determined to find out the truth about what happened. Even if that truth is deadlier than she could have ever believed possible . . .
But six weeks later, paradise is lost. Six people are dead. And Blackthorn Ashes is left abandoned and unfinished, its dark shadows hiding all manner of secrets.
One of its surviving residents, Agnes Gale, is determined to find out the truth about what happened. Even if that truth is deadlier than she could have ever believed possible . . .
400 pages, Paperback
First published July 13, 2023
25 people are currently reading
558 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Hilary
39 books586 followersSarah’s debut, Someone Else's Skin, won Theakstons Crime Novel of the Year and was a World Book Night selection. The Observer's Book of the Month ("superbly disturbing”) and a Richard & Judy Book Club bestseller, it was a Silver Falchion and Macavity Award finalist in the US. No Other Darkness, the second in the series was shortlisted for a Barry Award. Her DI Marnie Rome series continued with Tastes Like Fear (longlisted for Theakstons Crime Novel of the Year 2017) and Quieter Than Killing (Observer’s Thriller of the Month). Come and Find Me was published in 2018, with Never Be Broken to come in 2019.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
July 15, 2023
EXCERPT: Her family's fresh start had lasted less than a week before Blackthorn Ashes began to show its true face. No shadows spoilt the carpets, no crude handprints on the walls. No one broke in after dark, swinging a hammer or wielding a knife. In Maythorn, the children died in their sleep. In Hawthorn, Tim and Val went to bed and never woke. Their deaths had been quiet, too quiet to account for the shouting in in her head.
ABOUT 'BLACK THORN': Blackthorn Ashes was meant to be their forever home. For the first six families moving into the exclusive new housing development, it was a chance to live a peaceful life on the cliffs overlooking the Cornish sea, safe in the knowledge that it had been created just for them.
But six weeks later, paradise is lost. Six people are dead. And Blackthorn Ashes is left abandoned and unfinished, its dark shadows hiding all manner of secrets.
One of its surviving residents, Agnes Gale, is determined to find out the truth about what happened. Even if that truth is deadlier than she could have ever believed possible . . .
MY THOUGHTS: I finished Black Thorn in the early hours of this morning and I am no clearer now than I was then on how I feel about this book.
Firstly, I read this in a little over 24 hours, both enthralled and appalled. The relationships are complex and mostly toxic. Our main character, Agnes (pronounced An-yes in the French tradition) is an autistic twenty-nine year old. Her relationship with her mother Ruth, (whom Agnes thinks of as Ruth-less) has always been difficult but she is close to her father, while her relationship with her teenage brother runs hot and cold. He is often embarrassed by her oddness and has his own problems to deal with. And then there's Trevor . . .
The dream of Blackthorn Ashes becomes a nightmare for Agnes' family when they are forced to abandon their forever home. Agnes is left to care for Christie while her mother looks for work and her father lays in a depressed and defeated heap on the sofa. With her family disintegrating around her, Agnes is determined to find out the truth about the deaths on the exclusive estate and her family's involvement.
The story is told in a 'before abandonment' and 'after abandonment' format. Black Thorn is not a fast-paced crime thriller, but an intriguing and compelling mystery, the strength of which lies in its superbly drawn characters.
So, back to the big question: did I like Black Thorn? - I still don't know. It is superbly written. It is disturbing, unsettling. We are fed snippets of information, teased and tormented by the mystery and the relationships of the characters.
I will probably, at some point, give it a second read. Maybe then I will be able to give you a definitive answer.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.1
#BlackThorn #NetGalley
I: @sarah_hilary999 @panmacmillan
T: @Sarah_Hilary @PanMacmillan
#contemporaryfiction #crime #familydrama #friendship
#mystery #psychologicaldrama
THE AUTHOR: Sarah Hilary is a UK crime novelist and former bookseller.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Pan Macmillan via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Black Thorn by Sarah Hilary for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
ABOUT 'BLACK THORN': Blackthorn Ashes was meant to be their forever home. For the first six families moving into the exclusive new housing development, it was a chance to live a peaceful life on the cliffs overlooking the Cornish sea, safe in the knowledge that it had been created just for them.
But six weeks later, paradise is lost. Six people are dead. And Blackthorn Ashes is left abandoned and unfinished, its dark shadows hiding all manner of secrets.
One of its surviving residents, Agnes Gale, is determined to find out the truth about what happened. Even if that truth is deadlier than she could have ever believed possible . . .
MY THOUGHTS: I finished Black Thorn in the early hours of this morning and I am no clearer now than I was then on how I feel about this book.
Firstly, I read this in a little over 24 hours, both enthralled and appalled. The relationships are complex and mostly toxic. Our main character, Agnes (pronounced An-yes in the French tradition) is an autistic twenty-nine year old. Her relationship with her mother Ruth, (whom Agnes thinks of as Ruth-less) has always been difficult but she is close to her father, while her relationship with her teenage brother runs hot and cold. He is often embarrassed by her oddness and has his own problems to deal with. And then there's Trevor . . .
The dream of Blackthorn Ashes becomes a nightmare for Agnes' family when they are forced to abandon their forever home. Agnes is left to care for Christie while her mother looks for work and her father lays in a depressed and defeated heap on the sofa. With her family disintegrating around her, Agnes is determined to find out the truth about the deaths on the exclusive estate and her family's involvement.
The story is told in a 'before abandonment' and 'after abandonment' format. Black Thorn is not a fast-paced crime thriller, but an intriguing and compelling mystery, the strength of which lies in its superbly drawn characters.
So, back to the big question: did I like Black Thorn? - I still don't know. It is superbly written. It is disturbing, unsettling. We are fed snippets of information, teased and tormented by the mystery and the relationships of the characters.
I will probably, at some point, give it a second read. Maybe then I will be able to give you a definitive answer.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.1
#BlackThorn #NetGalley
I: @sarah_hilary999 @panmacmillan
T: @Sarah_Hilary @PanMacmillan
#contemporaryfiction #crime #familydrama #friendship
#mystery #psychologicaldrama
THE AUTHOR: Sarah Hilary is a UK crime novelist and former bookseller.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Pan Macmillan via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Black Thorn by Sarah Hilary for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
April 13, 2023
4+.
A delivery driver thinks his current location in Cornwall seems like the end of the world. It’s Blackthorn Ashes, eighteen houses (when complete) perched on a cliff overlooking the sea. There’s Hawthorne, Redthorn, then Maythorn where a street party and bbq is in progress followed by an unneighbourly quarrel. Six families live here, the first to move into this exclusive development. Happy days ahead. Hold that thought .... six weeks later six people are dead, the development abandoned and unfinished. Agnes Gale, a former resident, now living on a caravan park, wants to find out exactly how and why this paradise turns sour.
This is another very good book for this talented author as it goes into top gear immediately with a sinister tone and a tension fuelled atmosphere. There’s a sort of ‘fairytale’, gothic vibe to some of the storytelling with the ghost houses providing a spooky backdrop to the drama. In addition, the author creates an unsettled, off kilter feel via the weather, the location and the characters. The writing has intensity, there are elements of fear and a claustrophobic sensation as danger lurks despite the lovely calming influence of a wonderful character in Errol. What evolves is a mystery within a mystery and almost a declaration of psychological warfare with suspenseful scenes and multiple plot twists so your mind chops and changes with theories. The characterisation is outstanding especially the portrayal of autistic Agnes and I applaud the author for a character on the spectrum being centre stage - and indeed why ever not?? All the characters have depth especially Christie, Agnes’ brother, Errol and Trevor who exudes a sense of threat.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoy this very good, atmospheric novel that is beautifully written.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Pan McMillan for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
A delivery driver thinks his current location in Cornwall seems like the end of the world. It’s Blackthorn Ashes, eighteen houses (when complete) perched on a cliff overlooking the sea. There’s Hawthorne, Redthorn, then Maythorn where a street party and bbq is in progress followed by an unneighbourly quarrel. Six families live here, the first to move into this exclusive development. Happy days ahead. Hold that thought .... six weeks later six people are dead, the development abandoned and unfinished. Agnes Gale, a former resident, now living on a caravan park, wants to find out exactly how and why this paradise turns sour.
This is another very good book for this talented author as it goes into top gear immediately with a sinister tone and a tension fuelled atmosphere. There’s a sort of ‘fairytale’, gothic vibe to some of the storytelling with the ghost houses providing a spooky backdrop to the drama. In addition, the author creates an unsettled, off kilter feel via the weather, the location and the characters. The writing has intensity, there are elements of fear and a claustrophobic sensation as danger lurks despite the lovely calming influence of a wonderful character in Errol. What evolves is a mystery within a mystery and almost a declaration of psychological warfare with suspenseful scenes and multiple plot twists so your mind chops and changes with theories. The characterisation is outstanding especially the portrayal of autistic Agnes and I applaud the author for a character on the spectrum being centre stage - and indeed why ever not?? All the characters have depth especially Christie, Agnes’ brother, Errol and Trevor who exudes a sense of threat.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoy this very good, atmospheric novel that is beautifully written.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Pan McMillan for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
July 24, 2023
0.5 / 5 👎
I know my review is an outlier, but this book for me didn’t do anything. I was disappointed by the plot and felt like it didn’t have that gut punch. I didn’t like the premise, and the only thing that pissed me off the most reading the book is the whacky back and forth ‘before abandonment’ and ‘after abandonment’. Few chapters have very specific dates I.e 4 days before abandonment, 9 days after - why so specific on dates, what purpose does it serve. As much as I tried to invest into the plot, I was confused with events happening before and after. My other bone to pick is the introduction was an information overload, you’ve given the name of the first 6 tenants of the building scheme, with the kids names and I lost track on who was who. Why do books do this- completely baffles me.
The plot is about a residential build near the edge of the sea, near Cornwall names Blackthorn ashes. 6 homes have been built with 12 available spaces in the further. 6 families have joined the community to live in this area, but a few weeks later after the build, 6 people died due carbon monoxide poisoning and the development of the area is abandoned. The story is centred around a 29 year old Agnes Gale who is autistic who aims to find out what lead to the downfall.
WHY THE LOW RATING:
One thing that annoyed me the most is the accuracy of the book and the processes involved in the development, i.e the planning permission stage which in the UK is a law requirement whenever you propose to build anything on land (Town and country planning act 1990). (I did a module in uni about this) and I hate the fact that this book failed to show the processes and failed to show the planning regulations involved for example where is the quantity surveyors, where were the architects- where is the environmental agency involvement/ ground investigation?
You simply cannot rely on a two man band to do this, it’s inaccurate - more people are involved in this. There is a rigorous process involved where all parties involved must agree, I simply refuse to believe the plot of this book can fail that drastically and that’s what pisses me off the most. I get you can get dodgy builders, I get you can get incompetent people doing jobs- what I don’t get is how they didn’t explain how they managed to get any approval for the development. It simply would NOT have passed to development stage, you would be breaking all building laws to even build ‘Blackthorn Ashes’. I’m sorry don’t put detail on brickwork that is out of plumb but fail to give more details on the contaminated ground and the events to eliminate/ mitigate this issue when as the ‘developer you know it’s the issue’. It’s almost like the saying ‘don’t dangle a piece of cheese and ask us to ignore it’. You are simply informing a hazard exist that is detrimental to those that inhabit it after build but turning a massive blind eye. This fails all construction design management regulations (CDM 2015) in the UK, which is a law requirement, where contractors (not just contractors- client and designers) are required to follow.
Sorry but this book didn’t do research on this, as an engineer who works in the industry this has not got my stamp of approval. It’s trash- that’s why its pissed me off. Thank you for doing research on expansion joints and settlement which is correct. But that’s the only thing they got right. Please don’t ever write books without giving context and doing proper research. The book does not make any sense on that regard, no planning development will overlook a step. Basically what I am saying is that simply the plot from a logical standpoint will not even work, the council will have rejected the development before any works are built. The UK has one of the most rigorous planning requirements, your development can be rejected on very small grounds of disagreement. With the contaminated ground, no development will be undertaken unless the hazard is resolved. This book presents this in such POOR manner I simply cannot be quiet on this because it is life and death. We hold ourselves to the highest regard because that’s the risk, I guess the only good thing this book shows is if you illegally build (even though the book promoted this as not an illegal development and they also don’t show any Cornwall Council involvement) this is what happens. People die from this. This is why there’s so many processes involved. How is this even a plot??? Shame on Sarah for this - will never read a book from this author again. This is why research is so critical. This was one excuse my crude language here: one fucking frustrating read for me. Thank you for listening to my ted talk.
I know my review is an outlier, but this book for me didn’t do anything. I was disappointed by the plot and felt like it didn’t have that gut punch. I didn’t like the premise, and the only thing that pissed me off the most reading the book is the whacky back and forth ‘before abandonment’ and ‘after abandonment’. Few chapters have very specific dates I.e 4 days before abandonment, 9 days after - why so specific on dates, what purpose does it serve. As much as I tried to invest into the plot, I was confused with events happening before and after. My other bone to pick is the introduction was an information overload, you’ve given the name of the first 6 tenants of the building scheme, with the kids names and I lost track on who was who. Why do books do this- completely baffles me.
The plot is about a residential build near the edge of the sea, near Cornwall names Blackthorn ashes. 6 homes have been built with 12 available spaces in the further. 6 families have joined the community to live in this area, but a few weeks later after the build, 6 people died due carbon monoxide poisoning and the development of the area is abandoned. The story is centred around a 29 year old Agnes Gale who is autistic who aims to find out what lead to the downfall.
WHY THE LOW RATING:
One thing that annoyed me the most is the accuracy of the book and the processes involved in the development, i.e the planning permission stage which in the UK is a law requirement whenever you propose to build anything on land (Town and country planning act 1990). (I did a module in uni about this) and I hate the fact that this book failed to show the processes and failed to show the planning regulations involved for example where is the quantity surveyors, where were the architects- where is the environmental agency involvement/ ground investigation?
You simply cannot rely on a two man band to do this, it’s inaccurate - more people are involved in this. There is a rigorous process involved where all parties involved must agree, I simply refuse to believe the plot of this book can fail that drastically and that’s what pisses me off the most. I get you can get dodgy builders, I get you can get incompetent people doing jobs- what I don’t get is how they didn’t explain how they managed to get any approval for the development. It simply would NOT have passed to development stage, you would be breaking all building laws to even build ‘Blackthorn Ashes’. I’m sorry don’t put detail on brickwork that is out of plumb but fail to give more details on the contaminated ground and the events to eliminate/ mitigate this issue when as the ‘developer you know it’s the issue’. It’s almost like the saying ‘don’t dangle a piece of cheese and ask us to ignore it’. You are simply informing a hazard exist that is detrimental to those that inhabit it after build but turning a massive blind eye. This fails all construction design management regulations (CDM 2015) in the UK, which is a law requirement, where contractors (not just contractors- client and designers) are required to follow.
Sorry but this book didn’t do research on this, as an engineer who works in the industry this has not got my stamp of approval. It’s trash- that’s why its pissed me off. Thank you for doing research on expansion joints and settlement which is correct. But that’s the only thing they got right. Please don’t ever write books without giving context and doing proper research. The book does not make any sense on that regard, no planning development will overlook a step. Basically what I am saying is that simply the plot from a logical standpoint will not even work, the council will have rejected the development before any works are built. The UK has one of the most rigorous planning requirements, your development can be rejected on very small grounds of disagreement. With the contaminated ground, no development will be undertaken unless the hazard is resolved. This book presents this in such POOR manner I simply cannot be quiet on this because it is life and death. We hold ourselves to the highest regard because that’s the risk, I guess the only good thing this book shows is if you illegally build (even though the book promoted this as not an illegal development and they also don’t show any Cornwall Council involvement) this is what happens. People die from this. This is why there’s so many processes involved. How is this even a plot??? Shame on Sarah for this - will never read a book from this author again. This is why research is so critical. This was one excuse my crude language here: one fucking frustrating read for me. Thank you for listening to my ted talk.
July 12, 2023
Blackthorn Ashes was meant to be their forever home. For the first six families moving into the exclusive new housing development, it was a chance to live a peaceful life on the cliffs overlooking the Cornish Sea, safe in the knowledge that it had been created just for them. But six weeks later, paradise is lost. Six people are dead. and Blackthorn Ashes is left abandoned and unfinished, it's dark shadows hiding all manner of secrets. One of its surviving residents, Agnes Gale, is determined to find out the truth about what happened.
At an exclusive development of new homes, the beauty if the surrounding scenery holds a terrible secret, the houses had been built on contaminated land. And just six weeks later, six residents are dead. Agnes Gale has autism. She knew that there was something wrong at Blackthorn Ashes, but no one would listen.
This is quite a dark read. The premise is quite unique, The pace is steady, The characters are well developed. The story flips back and forth in time telling us the events leading up to the evacuation day and what occurs afterwards. The suspense gradually builds. I didn't know who to believe. This is one of those stories that will stay with you long after you've finished it.
II would like to thank #NetGalley #PanMcmillan and the author #SarahHilary for my ARC of #Blackthorn in exchange for an honest review.
At an exclusive development of new homes, the beauty if the surrounding scenery holds a terrible secret, the houses had been built on contaminated land. And just six weeks later, six residents are dead. Agnes Gale has autism. She knew that there was something wrong at Blackthorn Ashes, but no one would listen.
This is quite a dark read. The premise is quite unique, The pace is steady, The characters are well developed. The story flips back and forth in time telling us the events leading up to the evacuation day and what occurs afterwards. The suspense gradually builds. I didn't know who to believe. This is one of those stories that will stay with you long after you've finished it.
II would like to thank #NetGalley #PanMcmillan and the author #SarahHilary for my ARC of #Blackthorn in exchange for an honest review.
July 17, 2023
Other readers have already said it: it´s hard to review/rate this one. The writing´s very good, the idea/plot is sound, but somehow it doesn´t turn out well. Drags a lot,and ends up being rather unbelievable. There´s such a thing as too many twists,too much of everything,and this book is a good example of how that doesn´t work.
May 4, 2023
Rating: 3.2/5
Perhaps the biggest obstacle facing readers of "Black Thorn" will depend upon the expectations they may have when they pick it up. I am not entirely convinced that the publisher's official synopsis does the author too many favours. After reading the marketing blurb, I suspect that many people may be anticipating an out and out mystery thriller revolving around multiple deaths at an exclusive new housing development - but what "Black Thorn" delivers is something quite different to the mental image that prospective readers may have envisaged. Yes, this story has mystery at its heart and it is not devoid of some thrilling elements either - but I would see this more as a brooding psychological and domestic drama.
If you like your reading material to rattle along at a rollicking pace, then this may well not be your cup of tea. Although the opening sections are quite pacy, it is then not until the final quarter of the novel that matters really build up a head of steam again. In the intervening period there is some very intelligent and considered writing, with the narrative alternating between the time following on from the tragic events at Blackthorn Ashes with flashbacks to various points prior to those same events. Readers who appreciate well-drawn characters will have plenty to admire, as that is certainly one of Sarah Hilary's strong suits.
Overall, I both liked and admired this novel - but I stopped short of really, really liking it. Why? Well, I suspect that may well be due, at least in part, to the fact that it took me a while to adjust my expectations from the type of novel I thought I would be reading to accommodate the one that I was actually experiencing. Perhaps other readers will not be affected in the same way.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review.
Perhaps the biggest obstacle facing readers of "Black Thorn" will depend upon the expectations they may have when they pick it up. I am not entirely convinced that the publisher's official synopsis does the author too many favours. After reading the marketing blurb, I suspect that many people may be anticipating an out and out mystery thriller revolving around multiple deaths at an exclusive new housing development - but what "Black Thorn" delivers is something quite different to the mental image that prospective readers may have envisaged. Yes, this story has mystery at its heart and it is not devoid of some thrilling elements either - but I would see this more as a brooding psychological and domestic drama.
If you like your reading material to rattle along at a rollicking pace, then this may well not be your cup of tea. Although the opening sections are quite pacy, it is then not until the final quarter of the novel that matters really build up a head of steam again. In the intervening period there is some very intelligent and considered writing, with the narrative alternating between the time following on from the tragic events at Blackthorn Ashes with flashbacks to various points prior to those same events. Readers who appreciate well-drawn characters will have plenty to admire, as that is certainly one of Sarah Hilary's strong suits.
Overall, I both liked and admired this novel - but I stopped short of really, really liking it. Why? Well, I suspect that may well be due, at least in part, to the fact that it took me a while to adjust my expectations from the type of novel I thought I would be reading to accommodate the one that I was actually experiencing. Perhaps other readers will not be affected in the same way.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review.
July 30, 2023
Blackthorn Ashes is a new exclusive housing development on the cliffs in Cornwall. The first 6 houses are completed and the new residents have moved in, to start making happy memories in their dream homes.
Fast forward a few weeks and paradise is lost, six people are dead and Blackthorn Ashes is left abandoned and unfinished.
Agnes is determined to find out what the truth is, she always felt like there was something not right with the houses but no one would listen to her.
I loved this book, the countdown to the evacuation date kept the tension building as we find out what happened in teasing bite sized flashbacks.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
Fast forward a few weeks and paradise is lost, six people are dead and Blackthorn Ashes is left abandoned and unfinished.
Agnes is determined to find out what the truth is, she always felt like there was something not right with the houses but no one would listen to her.
I loved this book, the countdown to the evacuation date kept the tension building as we find out what happened in teasing bite sized flashbacks.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 28, 2023
Once in a while, an author comes up with a completely different way of telling a crime fiction story. 'Black Thorn' is one of those stories. Crime fiction, yes. But with a twist.
Blackthorn Ashes was supposed to be a fresh, new start for the Gale family. An exclusive new housing development on the cliffs overlooking the Cornish sea promising all sorts of things. But paradise, this is most definitely not. Something rotten is going on behind those glossy exteriors and a mere six weeks later, six people are dead, all the houses have been abandoned, and the Gale family is living in a caravan.
At the centre of the story is Agnes Gale. Agnes has autism and is able to pick up on certain things that most people would not. She knows Blackthorn Ashes isn't right, but nobody believes her. Her little brother positively hates her for ruining, what he believes to be, a good thing. Agnes' relationship with her mother has always been fraught, and now her father is sinking into a deep depression. Agnes believes that the only thing that can help her family is to find out what really happened on the night six people died. But the truth is far uglier than she expects.
The chapters alternate between events leading up to the collapse of the happy place, and everything that happens afterwards. The cracks and faults aren't just in the houses. Many can be found in the complicated, and sometimes rather toxic, relationships between these characters. All of which are complex and multilayered, and show that you never really know people. There are lies and secrets galore, many I failed to solve before they were revealed to me. I often felt I thought I had it, only to find out I was on the wrong track completely.
If you're looking for a fast-paced crime fiction story, this isn't it. I will admit to struggling with it a little bit at the beginning. 'Black Thorn' is incredibly character driven. Oftentimes quite thought-provoking as well in that whole "how far would you go to protect the people you care about" way. All throughout the story, the author lays bare weaknesses, and how this cast of characters deals with those, and also past events that come back to haunt them.
This is a story of families falling apart, of dreams crashing down around you, of your life going completely off the rails. It is a dark and sad tale, full of intrigue and psychological insight. This is not your usual crime fiction story, as I said. It goes way deeper, it is clever, and it is brilliantly written with a fantastic main character in Agnes at the forefront. So very different from the Marnie Rome series, yet quite possibly even more absorbing, evocative and just plain top-notch.
Blackthorn Ashes was supposed to be a fresh, new start for the Gale family. An exclusive new housing development on the cliffs overlooking the Cornish sea promising all sorts of things. But paradise, this is most definitely not. Something rotten is going on behind those glossy exteriors and a mere six weeks later, six people are dead, all the houses have been abandoned, and the Gale family is living in a caravan.
At the centre of the story is Agnes Gale. Agnes has autism and is able to pick up on certain things that most people would not. She knows Blackthorn Ashes isn't right, but nobody believes her. Her little brother positively hates her for ruining, what he believes to be, a good thing. Agnes' relationship with her mother has always been fraught, and now her father is sinking into a deep depression. Agnes believes that the only thing that can help her family is to find out what really happened on the night six people died. But the truth is far uglier than she expects.
The chapters alternate between events leading up to the collapse of the happy place, and everything that happens afterwards. The cracks and faults aren't just in the houses. Many can be found in the complicated, and sometimes rather toxic, relationships between these characters. All of which are complex and multilayered, and show that you never really know people. There are lies and secrets galore, many I failed to solve before they were revealed to me. I often felt I thought I had it, only to find out I was on the wrong track completely.
If you're looking for a fast-paced crime fiction story, this isn't it. I will admit to struggling with it a little bit at the beginning. 'Black Thorn' is incredibly character driven. Oftentimes quite thought-provoking as well in that whole "how far would you go to protect the people you care about" way. All throughout the story, the author lays bare weaknesses, and how this cast of characters deals with those, and also past events that come back to haunt them.
This is a story of families falling apart, of dreams crashing down around you, of your life going completely off the rails. It is a dark and sad tale, full of intrigue and psychological insight. This is not your usual crime fiction story, as I said. It goes way deeper, it is clever, and it is brilliantly written with a fantastic main character in Agnes at the forefront. So very different from the Marnie Rome series, yet quite possibly even more absorbing, evocative and just plain top-notch.
April 28, 2023
I read Fragile by Sarah Hilary in 2021, so when the publisher reached out and suggested I try Black Thorn I jumped at the chance. This was an unusual read that managed to keep me captivated. I was not able to predict where this story was going to go. It’s a dark story about loss and the lengths a mother would go to, to protect her children. This was not what I was expecting at all.
The author creates a scenic read with this book allowing you to visualise the environment as you read. I loved the detail about the architecture of Blackthorn Ashes – these houses sounded amazing.
When six people are found dead in Blackthorn Ashes the dream development is found to be unsafe and the entire community is evacuated from their new homes. Agnes, an autistic young woman is determined to find out what happened and who was to blame – no matter how horrific or how close to home the blame may be.
This book kept me captivated as I turned the pages. I could not predict where the story was going to go. It was a sad, moving story that I could not walk away from.
Agnes was a brilliant character. I loved how she picked up on things no-one else noticed. The sounds and smells that only she picked up on. Her family didn’t believe her and brushed away her concerns. Her little brother treated her terribly no matter how hard she tried. It was sad how he called her crazy. I loved this young woman’s determination to uncover the truth while doing her best to protect her family. Her mother put so much pressure on her.
This book was an unusual read that was full of emotion and characters you were never sure how to place. I enjoyed the uncertainty of this read.
If you are looking for a deep, emotional read about a mother’s determination to protect her child no matter the cost – then this is a book that would appeal to you.
https://featzreviews.com/black-thorn-...
The author creates a scenic read with this book allowing you to visualise the environment as you read. I loved the detail about the architecture of Blackthorn Ashes – these houses sounded amazing.
When six people are found dead in Blackthorn Ashes the dream development is found to be unsafe and the entire community is evacuated from their new homes. Agnes, an autistic young woman is determined to find out what happened and who was to blame – no matter how horrific or how close to home the blame may be.
This book kept me captivated as I turned the pages. I could not predict where the story was going to go. It was a sad, moving story that I could not walk away from.
Agnes was a brilliant character. I loved how she picked up on things no-one else noticed. The sounds and smells that only she picked up on. Her family didn’t believe her and brushed away her concerns. Her little brother treated her terribly no matter how hard she tried. It was sad how he called her crazy. I loved this young woman’s determination to uncover the truth while doing her best to protect her family. Her mother put so much pressure on her.
This book was an unusual read that was full of emotion and characters you were never sure how to place. I enjoyed the uncertainty of this read.
If you are looking for a deep, emotional read about a mother’s determination to protect her child no matter the cost – then this is a book that would appeal to you.
https://featzreviews.com/black-thorn-...
July 16, 2023
Sometimes you've got a book you really want to like but you just can't. It just doesn't work and falls flat after the, actually, great start. It's Black Thorn by Sarah Hilary and came out a few days ago, the 13th. I received a copy from Pan Macmillan via Netgalley.
The premise sounds interesting and that's because of the intriguing blurb. A forever home, in a new community, quite exclusive and with stunning views. Except, six weeks later 6 people are dead. That's the start and that's what caught my eye when requesting this book.
However, the description of the book is not really what the actual story is about. True, it focuses on the 6 casualties but from an unexpected, and rather uninteresting, point of view. The main characters are quite dull and not likeable at all. It all takes too long, it's too slow, and really nothing really happened that was thrilling or exciting whatsoever. The only interesting chapter was the very first one. To be honest, don't bother with this one.
1,5/5⭐
The premise sounds interesting and that's because of the intriguing blurb. A forever home, in a new community, quite exclusive and with stunning views. Except, six weeks later 6 people are dead. That's the start and that's what caught my eye when requesting this book.
However, the description of the book is not really what the actual story is about. True, it focuses on the 6 casualties but from an unexpected, and rather uninteresting, point of view. The main characters are quite dull and not likeable at all. It all takes too long, it's too slow, and really nothing really happened that was thrilling or exciting whatsoever. The only interesting chapter was the very first one. To be honest, don't bother with this one.
1,5/5⭐
May 11, 2023
Such a brilliant story on so many levels. The sense of place is very important in this novel by Sarah Hilary but it's also a story of family, a story of new beginnings and disaster and how we process what happens in our lives. But it's crime fiction so there's also a crime at the beginning and as we learn more and more about place and the characters it plays out showing us the cracks.
I loved this crime fiction story by Sarah, if you read her novels you will know there is also a social justice or a issue that is placed in the highights that we can't turn away from. If you haven't read her previous books this is a great place to start.
I loved this crime fiction story by Sarah, if you read her novels you will know there is also a social justice or a issue that is placed in the highights that we can't turn away from. If you haven't read her previous books this is a great place to start.
April 24, 2023
I was immediately hooked woth this one. The premise is unique and the story is original. The tension starts being built from the very start and the eerie atmosphere stays with the story throughout.
The pace is good and the alternate timelines keep everything feeling like its always moving forward. The characters were well written and realistic and there's some really good twists and turns thrown in.
A fresh take ona thriller that is actually more than just a simple thriller. A complexly written must read
The pace is good and the alternate timelines keep everything feeling like its always moving forward. The characters were well written and realistic and there's some really good twists and turns thrown in.
A fresh take ona thriller that is actually more than just a simple thriller. A complexly written must read
June 4, 2023
Maybe I was expecting something else from this book - but I really struggled with it. I didn’t like any of the characters, the jumping around in time didn’t really help me follow the plot, and I speed read the second half of the book just to finish it. It sounds like many others have liked it, but it wasn’t for me sadly.
I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.
I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.
May 30, 2024
The cover of this book features a one word ‘review’ by one of my favourite authors: Liz Nugent.
It reads, “unforgettable.”
There’s another review on the back of the book, this time by Erin Kelly, calling this “nail-biting.”
Those two nods of approval made me get this book out of the library, even though I was a bit apprehensive about the premise.
Full of hope, I made the decision to read this.
And, boy oh boy, do I regret it!
This was unforgettable, all right. Unforgettably bad!
It really underscores the importance of avoiding any construction on shoddy grounds - on bad foundations.
And yet!
Despite emphasising this point, the author paradoxically constructs the entire story on the weakest of premises!
It's difficult to overlook the glaring fact that the plot’s entire foundation lacks credibility. It blatantly disregards the most obvious and basic building regulations, laws, and law enforcement processes to the point of complete absurdity.
Honestly, I kept trying to mobilise the suspension of belief and engage with this as fiction, but it was too much.
The book's premise is utterly nonsensical.
In addition to its flawed foundation, the novel is also plagued by poorly developed characters, flat dialogue, a crude and insensitive portrayal of gender identity and mental health issues, and an excruciatingly slow pace that lulls readers to sleep (I fell asleep twice while reading this!)
In the midst of all this slurry, there are shoots of strong writing. This is what keeps you going (if you decide to keep going). But in the end, the mess is inescapable.
I just don’t understand how on earth this book opens with not one but TWO pages featuring raving reviews from respectable authors.
Did they read something else!?
Or maybe, just maybe, they didn’t read this at all.
It reads, “unforgettable.”
There’s another review on the back of the book, this time by Erin Kelly, calling this “nail-biting.”
Those two nods of approval made me get this book out of the library, even though I was a bit apprehensive about the premise.
Full of hope, I made the decision to read this.
And, boy oh boy, do I regret it!
This was unforgettable, all right. Unforgettably bad!
It really underscores the importance of avoiding any construction on shoddy grounds - on bad foundations.
And yet!
Despite emphasising this point, the author paradoxically constructs the entire story on the weakest of premises!
It's difficult to overlook the glaring fact that the plot’s entire foundation lacks credibility. It blatantly disregards the most obvious and basic building regulations, laws, and law enforcement processes to the point of complete absurdity.
Honestly, I kept trying to mobilise the suspension of belief and engage with this as fiction, but it was too much.
The book's premise is utterly nonsensical.
In addition to its flawed foundation, the novel is also plagued by poorly developed characters, flat dialogue, a crude and insensitive portrayal of gender identity and mental health issues, and an excruciatingly slow pace that lulls readers to sleep (I fell asleep twice while reading this!)
In the midst of all this slurry, there are shoots of strong writing. This is what keeps you going (if you decide to keep going). But in the end, the mess is inescapable.
I just don’t understand how on earth this book opens with not one but TWO pages featuring raving reviews from respectable authors.
Did they read something else!?
Or maybe, just maybe, they didn’t read this at all.
March 30, 2023
Sarah Hilary can do no wrong. There, I said it! I adore her DI Marnie Rome series so I couldn't wait to get into this standalone novel, Black Thorn. I was not disappointed.
A luxury estate, a dream home... and sudden deaths. Agnes' return to her family after more than a decade is difficult - her relationship with her mother, the anger of her brother, and her father's dream estate that makes Agnes feel very ill at ease. When the deaths happen and the half-finished luxurious haven abandoned, Agnes starts to unpick the truth of what has really been going on.
Hilary's characters are, as always, so full of depth. It's something I really appreciate about Hilary's writing, and the care she takes in crafting each one. The story is told before and after the abandonment, building the tension and suspense. I think I must've doubted every character at one point!
A fascinating, if tragic, exploration of families and their relationships. This is more than a crime novel, or thriller, and I guarantee you'll think about these characters for days after closing that back cover. .
A luxury estate, a dream home... and sudden deaths. Agnes' return to her family after more than a decade is difficult - her relationship with her mother, the anger of her brother, and her father's dream estate that makes Agnes feel very ill at ease. When the deaths happen and the half-finished luxurious haven abandoned, Agnes starts to unpick the truth of what has really been going on.
Hilary's characters are, as always, so full of depth. It's something I really appreciate about Hilary's writing, and the care she takes in crafting each one. The story is told before and after the abandonment, building the tension and suspense. I think I must've doubted every character at one point!
A fascinating, if tragic, exploration of families and their relationships. This is more than a crime novel, or thriller, and I guarantee you'll think about these characters for days after closing that back cover. .
July 21, 2023
I’d really like to read the book described in the blurb, as it bears little resemblance to this story, past the first chapter. So disappointing that the intriguing juxtaposition of luxury and contamination wasn’t explored.
The houses are just the backdrop to a strange rambling tale about a dysfunctional family. It’s disjointed and really very tedious- well before the end I didn’t care what happened to any of them.
The book was a chore with no pay off.
The houses are just the backdrop to a strange rambling tale about a dysfunctional family. It’s disjointed and really very tedious- well before the end I didn’t care what happened to any of them.
The book was a chore with no pay off.
November 13, 2023
I thought there were some interesting descriptions and phrasing and enjoyed some of the passages but I found the whole premise a bit unbelievable. Two blokes building a luxury housing estate when things turn incredibly bad. It just wasn’t believable or realistic.
I didn’t understand the focus on an Amazon delivery driver in the beginning. Or the ruthless parent.
I didn’t understand the focus on an Amazon delivery driver in the beginning. Or the ruthless parent.
August 10, 2023
What started off good went downhill rapidly. Its like it wasn't even written correctly, all this's etc. Lost the plot excuse the pun, and in the words of the book abandoned it! Though I did read the last few pages. Very disappointing indeed.
May 28, 2024
Overload with un likeable characters from the start. And who would invite a delivery guy in, get him a drink and burger and let him use your toilet? Bye bye Black Thorn
July 13, 2023
Blackthorn Ashes: an exclusive development seems like a dream come true for the first six families to move in. All too soon, things start to go wrong, tempers are frayed, & deaths occur. The survivors are evacuated out of the site, never to return - except Agnes fears her younger brother, Christie, is drawn to the place. She decides to find out what happened, but finds out that everyone is hiding something.
I struggled with this one. The synopsis made me think it was going to be a dark fast-paced thriller & the first chapter was exactly that. The reader is first introduced to Blackthorn Ashes & its residents through the eyes of a parcel delivery driver & we get the feeling that although everything seems ok on the surface, underneath there's something rotten in the undercurrents. After the initial opening chapter though, the pace seems to slow down to a crawl. There are some hints that perhaps there is a supernatural explanation for all the oddness but that it soon discarded for a study in the banality, & conversely, the shocking secrets that can dwell inside people.
The narrative is mainly from the point of view of Agnes (although not always) & it was intriguing to have a main character who highlights the experiences of someone with ASD - I have no experience with the subject at all so I have no idea if it was rightly conveyed & can't really say anything else. Agnes is 30ish & just returned home from London after fleeing her relationship with Laura, just in time to move to a new housing development her father is a partner in. Her relationships with her younger brother (younger by 16 years) Christie & her parents are fraught, especially with Agnes' feelings about the sense of danger at Blackthorn Ashes. The deaths mostly happen off page & it's the aftermath that the author is concerned with here. I liked Agnes & her friend, Errol, but everyone was kind of horrible & it was a relief to finish it to be honest. 2.5 stars (rounded down)
TWs: child death, animal cruelty/death (brief), death, grooming/predatory relationship.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Pan Macmillan, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
I struggled with this one. The synopsis made me think it was going to be a dark fast-paced thriller & the first chapter was exactly that. The reader is first introduced to Blackthorn Ashes & its residents through the eyes of a parcel delivery driver & we get the feeling that although everything seems ok on the surface, underneath there's something rotten in the undercurrents. After the initial opening chapter though, the pace seems to slow down to a crawl. There are some hints that perhaps there is a supernatural explanation for all the oddness but that it soon discarded for a study in the banality, & conversely, the shocking secrets that can dwell inside people.
The narrative is mainly from the point of view of Agnes (although not always) & it was intriguing to have a main character who highlights the experiences of someone with ASD - I have no experience with the subject at all so I have no idea if it was rightly conveyed & can't really say anything else. Agnes is 30ish & just returned home from London after fleeing her relationship with Laura, just in time to move to a new housing development her father is a partner in. Her relationships with her younger brother (younger by 16 years) Christie & her parents are fraught, especially with Agnes' feelings about the sense of danger at Blackthorn Ashes. The deaths mostly happen off page & it's the aftermath that the author is concerned with here. I liked Agnes & her friend, Errol, but everyone was kind of horrible & it was a relief to finish it to be honest. 2.5 stars (rounded down)
TWs: child death, animal cruelty/death (brief), death, grooming/predatory relationship.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Pan Macmillan, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
November 12, 2023
Setting: Cornwall, UK; modern day.
Good friends Adrian and Trevor have joined forces to build a prestigious development of houses in a Cornish cliff-top location, which was formerly the site of a power station. As the novel begins, six of the houses are occupied and several more are partly-built. Adrian lives in one of the houses with his wife Ruth, teenage son Christie and 29-year-old autistic daughter Agnes, who has recently returned home after spending the previous 13 years in London.
Agnes's autism makes her hypersensitive and, since moving in with her parents, she is convinced that something is not right in the new house and the estate generally, much to the annoyance of Christie who sees this as a new start from his own previous problems. After the houses have been occupied for several weeks, on the day following a serious storm six residents are found dead and the remaining residents are forced to abandon their homes....
Told largely from the point of view of Agnes, the story jumps back and forth in time between 'x days before abandonment' and 'y days after abandonment'. In this way, the reader gradually becomes aware of the various issues surrounding the estate itself and some of its residents. There is also a back-story involving teenage Agnes and Adrian's business partner Trevor. There are several unexpected twists and turns in the story as the book progresses, both before and after the event, as the whole chain of events gradually becomes clear.
I really enjoyed the author's Marnie Rome series and her previous stand-alone novel Fragile but I was not so enamoured with this one: I found that the constant jumping back and forth in the timeline and a lack of a conclusive ending detracted from my enjoyment, hence only a 3-star rating - 6.5/10.
Good friends Adrian and Trevor have joined forces to build a prestigious development of houses in a Cornish cliff-top location, which was formerly the site of a power station. As the novel begins, six of the houses are occupied and several more are partly-built. Adrian lives in one of the houses with his wife Ruth, teenage son Christie and 29-year-old autistic daughter Agnes, who has recently returned home after spending the previous 13 years in London.
Agnes's autism makes her hypersensitive and, since moving in with her parents, she is convinced that something is not right in the new house and the estate generally, much to the annoyance of Christie who sees this as a new start from his own previous problems. After the houses have been occupied for several weeks, on the day following a serious storm six residents are found dead and the remaining residents are forced to abandon their homes....
Told largely from the point of view of Agnes, the story jumps back and forth in time between 'x days before abandonment' and 'y days after abandonment'. In this way, the reader gradually becomes aware of the various issues surrounding the estate itself and some of its residents. There is also a back-story involving teenage Agnes and Adrian's business partner Trevor. There are several unexpected twists and turns in the story as the book progresses, both before and after the event, as the whole chain of events gradually becomes clear.
I really enjoyed the author's Marnie Rome series and her previous stand-alone novel Fragile but I was not so enamoured with this one: I found that the constant jumping back and forth in the timeline and a lack of a conclusive ending detracted from my enjoyment, hence only a 3-star rating - 6.5/10.
April 25, 2024
‘Executive style family homes with stunning views in an exclusive retreat on the Cornish coast‘
The perfect combination for luxury dream living – who wouldn’t be tempted by the prospect?
And yet, all is not what it appears..
The seemingly perfect veneer has its cracks, unseen at first, but when they begin to appear, great fissures open up in the fabric of this community with catastrophic consequences.
This stunning novel kept me enthralled from start to finish. I was captivated by Hilary’s clever use of imagery to depict the layers of unseen tensions, resentment, secrets & lies, paralleled with the construction, then destruction, of the new houses at Blackthorn Ashes.
Perfect on the outside, but unstable, built on toxic ground, with corners cut in their construction.
As the houses begin to crumble, so do relationships as tensions bubble to the surface.
The structure of the novel is equally fractured between chapters being ‘before abandonment‘ and ‘after abandonment‘, each time revealing more of the truth.
Agnes Gale is an autistic young woman who has returned to her family after a broken relationship in London. It is Agnes who senses the creaks and groans within the houses. She is aware of the undercurrent here and in relationships and is hyper-vigilant of the sense of impending disaster.
The remaining characters – her family members as well as the other residents – are equally flawed, human and vulnerable. Suspicion and allegations fly until the truth is finally revealed.
It is a melting pot for a gripping, tense and captivating thriller! One not to be missed.
The perfect combination for luxury dream living – who wouldn’t be tempted by the prospect?
And yet, all is not what it appears..
The seemingly perfect veneer has its cracks, unseen at first, but when they begin to appear, great fissures open up in the fabric of this community with catastrophic consequences.
This stunning novel kept me enthralled from start to finish. I was captivated by Hilary’s clever use of imagery to depict the layers of unseen tensions, resentment, secrets & lies, paralleled with the construction, then destruction, of the new houses at Blackthorn Ashes.
Perfect on the outside, but unstable, built on toxic ground, with corners cut in their construction.
As the houses begin to crumble, so do relationships as tensions bubble to the surface.
The structure of the novel is equally fractured between chapters being ‘before abandonment‘ and ‘after abandonment‘, each time revealing more of the truth.
Agnes Gale is an autistic young woman who has returned to her family after a broken relationship in London. It is Agnes who senses the creaks and groans within the houses. She is aware of the undercurrent here and in relationships and is hyper-vigilant of the sense of impending disaster.
The remaining characters – her family members as well as the other residents – are equally flawed, human and vulnerable. Suspicion and allegations fly until the truth is finally revealed.
It is a melting pot for a gripping, tense and captivating thriller! One not to be missed.
November 19, 2023
Black Thorn is a multilayered delight that keeps you hooked from the first page with it's twist and vivid cast of characters. It's a book with so many layers that every page brings a new twist and surprise.
August 11, 2023
3.5 rounded up. A slow burner, this one really won't be to everyone's taste.
June 23, 2024
Not the page turner i was expecting a few twists and turns not the ending you expect Not the best book I have read but entertaining.
July 4, 2025
1.75 stars
June 11, 2024
For 'Read' see 'Gave Up'. Just couldn't get into it and, like many other reviewers, couldn't take to any of the characters.
Life's too short for dull books.
Life's too short for dull books.
July 15, 2024
Disappointing. The story starts well with Rory, a delivery driver with a chip on his shoulder, dropping off parcels for the first time at an expensive housing development on the Cornish coast. Rory is cynical about the people who live there until he arrives and is blown away by the view from the houses.
I'm beginning to warm to Rory as the narrator and expect him to be a main character. However he appears to drop out of the narrative in favour of a bunch of teenagers (?) - ages are vague - whose topics of conversation seem to be burgers and who is vegan. I drifted away.
I'm beginning to warm to Rory as the narrator and expect him to be a main character. However he appears to drop out of the narrative in favour of a bunch of teenagers (?) - ages are vague - whose topics of conversation seem to be burgers and who is vegan. I drifted away.
September 13, 2024
So boring, first chapter took ages and was about nothing so gave up
Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews