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The First 48 Hours
A WOMAN IS SNATCHED FROM THE STREET.
AND IN THE FIRST 48 HOURS, EVERY SECOND COUNTS . . .
A COP NEEDS TO CRACK A DEADLY CASE
He's a detective hunting cold-blooded killers, but does he know more than he admits?
A MOTHER HAS TO SAVE HER DAUGHTER
She's a lawyer who must defend a murderer - but how far will she go to protect her only child?
A COUPLE WILL COMMIT THE PERFECT CRIME
They have a plan - but can they trust each other with their lives?
FOR EACH OF THEM, THE FIRST 48 HOURS MAY ALSO BE THEIR LAST . . .
AND IN THE FIRST 48 HOURS, EVERY SECOND COUNTS . . .
A COP NEEDS TO CRACK A DEADLY CASE
He's a detective hunting cold-blooded killers, but does he know more than he admits?
A MOTHER HAS TO SAVE HER DAUGHTER
She's a lawyer who must defend a murderer - but how far will she go to protect her only child?
A COUPLE WILL COMMIT THE PERFECT CRIME
They have a plan - but can they trust each other with their lives?
FOR EACH OF THEM, THE FIRST 48 HOURS MAY ALSO BE THEIR LAST . . .
400 pages, Paperback
First published November 9, 2023
161 people are currently reading
800 people want to read
About the author
Simon Kernick
74 books1,166 followersSimon Kernick (born 1966 in Slough, Berkshire) is a British thriller/crime writer now living in Oxfordshire with his wife and two daughters. He attended Gillotts School, a comprehensive in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire. Whilst he was a student his jobs included fruitpicker and Christmas-tree uprooter. He graduated from Brighton Polytechnic in 1991 with a degree in humanities. Kernick had a passion for crime fiction writing from a young age and produced many short stories during his time at polytechnic. After graduating Kernick joined MMT Computing in London in early 1992, where a relative was the Chairman and Managing Director. Kernick was a key member of the sales team and was very highly regarded. However, he left the company after 4 years in the hope of trying to secure a publishing deal. Despite interest from a number of publishers Kernick was unable to secure a deal, so he joined the sales force of the specialist IT and Business Consultancy Metaskil plc in Aldermaston, Berkshire in 1998 where he remained until he secured his first book deal (The Business of Dying) in September 2001. His novel Relentless was recommended on Richard & Judy's Summer book club 2007. It was the 8th best-selling paperback, and the best-selling thriller in the UK in the same year
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews
September 15, 2023
A cop, a hunt for cold-blooded killers, a kidnap, a lawyer, a daughter and 48 hours for the mother to try to save the daughter. What does she have to do in order to secure the release? This thriller is told by three very different and contrasting characters, three stories that are woven together, seamlessly and skilfully.
This is another cracking read from this talented author, who has certainly mastered the art of grabbing his readers attention almost immediately with the first of many excellent twists. if I were asked to describe Simon Kernick’s plots in a word, I’d say slick - high praise indeed! The pace is fast throughout, it’s very well thought out, it changes constantly thus keeping you on the edge of your seat, often with jaw attractively open at the “droppers“. There are also some good cliffhangers throughout that keep your attention glued to the unfolding drama and it sure is dramatic.
The style of writing is lively, engaging and colourful with scenes springing to life before your eyes. I like the contrast between the different perspectives. Whilst the lead character is despicable, he’s also amusing with a clutch of one-liners and a wry sense of humour. He thinks on his feet, he has to. The kidnappers point of view couldn’t be more different as this is cold, chilling, creepy and violent. The mothers narrative is fascinating as you witness the lengths she is prepared to go to.
The storyline builds, the tension and suspense mounts as nefarious, savoury and unscrupulous characters try to do their worst. The ending is excellent, methinks just desserts?? Maybe, maybe not.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Headline for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
This is another cracking read from this talented author, who has certainly mastered the art of grabbing his readers attention almost immediately with the first of many excellent twists. if I were asked to describe Simon Kernick’s plots in a word, I’d say slick - high praise indeed! The pace is fast throughout, it’s very well thought out, it changes constantly thus keeping you on the edge of your seat, often with jaw attractively open at the “droppers“. There are also some good cliffhangers throughout that keep your attention glued to the unfolding drama and it sure is dramatic.
The style of writing is lively, engaging and colourful with scenes springing to life before your eyes. I like the contrast between the different perspectives. Whilst the lead character is despicable, he’s also amusing with a clutch of one-liners and a wry sense of humour. He thinks on his feet, he has to. The kidnappers point of view couldn’t be more different as this is cold, chilling, creepy and violent. The mothers narrative is fascinating as you witness the lengths she is prepared to go to.
The storyline builds, the tension and suspense mounts as nefarious, savoury and unscrupulous characters try to do their worst. The ending is excellent, methinks just desserts?? Maybe, maybe not.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Headline for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
July 4, 2024
*Compelling*
**4.5 Stars**
This is a twisty thriller, this drew me in from the start.
A police officer needs to crack a case, the trouble is, he has an advantage, why?…..
A well known criminal defence lawyer who is not popular due to the villains she defends. She finds herself in the unenviable position that may push her to break the law, why???
And there is a couple who think they have mastered the perfect crime. The trouble is they often go off script.
All four of these people have something to lose, there is a link between all of them but who is pulling the strings?. Can they be trusted? And who will come out on top?
This book was easy to follow and the main characters were deliciously dark and I could throughly enjoyed it.
**4.5 Stars**
This is a twisty thriller, this drew me in from the start.
A police officer needs to crack a case, the trouble is, he has an advantage, why?…..
A well known criminal defence lawyer who is not popular due to the villains she defends. She finds herself in the unenviable position that may push her to break the law, why???
And there is a couple who think they have mastered the perfect crime. The trouble is they often go off script.
All four of these people have something to lose, there is a link between all of them but who is pulling the strings?. Can they be trusted? And who will come out on top?
This book was easy to follow and the main characters were deliciously dark and I could throughly enjoyed it.
June 8, 2024
Simon Kernick is always guaranteed to deliver a fast paced thriller peopled with the sort of characters no sensible person would wish to encounter in real life, and this novel is no exception.
Keith Fisher is a corrupt cop in the Anti-Kidnap and Extortion Unit, but little do his colleagues know he is also working for the other side. Katherine “Delvina” Steele Perkins is an undertaken, who, along with her compliant thug of a husband Vincent, under the moniker “The Vanishers”, runs a lucrative sideline in kidnapping. Becca Barraclough is a defence lawyer whose main claim to fame seems to be managing to get two vicious murderers acquitted.
However, Becca’s Achilles heel is her daughter Elle who decided a more ethical career path than her mother and is now a nurse. When The Vanishers abduct Elle, Becca finds herself having to commit a near impossible crime to retrieve her daughter. The only person she feels she can turn to is former client, crime boss Colin Blisterfield, ironically known as “The Voice Of Reason”. Little does she know that Blisterfield also has his involvement in the kidnapping.
Once again, Simon Kernick has managed to craft a well-plotted and engrossing thriller where the pages turn almost automatically.
Keith Fisher is a corrupt cop in the Anti-Kidnap and Extortion Unit, but little do his colleagues know he is also working for the other side. Katherine “Delvina” Steele Perkins is an undertaken, who, along with her compliant thug of a husband Vincent, under the moniker “The Vanishers”, runs a lucrative sideline in kidnapping. Becca Barraclough is a defence lawyer whose main claim to fame seems to be managing to get two vicious murderers acquitted.
However, Becca’s Achilles heel is her daughter Elle who decided a more ethical career path than her mother and is now a nurse. When The Vanishers abduct Elle, Becca finds herself having to commit a near impossible crime to retrieve her daughter. The only person she feels she can turn to is former client, crime boss Colin Blisterfield, ironically known as “The Voice Of Reason”. Little does she know that Blisterfield also has his involvement in the kidnapping.
Once again, Simon Kernick has managed to craft a well-plotted and engrossing thriller where the pages turn almost automatically.
December 16, 2023
4.25 / 5
Solid book, definitely will recommend this book will not disappoint. The book follows three stories intertwined with one another: a cop on the hunt needing his break to crack a deadly case, a lawyer who is forced to defend a murderer to protect her only child and a couple who run a kidnapping business. Three stories, 48 hours and one secret connects them all. Wow.
If you read this book, you’re in for a read. There’s not a single dull moment. It has you on your toes, it’s unpredictable, dark and humorous at points. I definitely enjoyed reading this book. The plot is well written, everything is clear there’s no confusion on the events, Kernick deserves credit here. Will be keeping my eyes out on his next book. It’s clear he’s taken the time to review over his book, think about the plot and how the characters play out. It’s well crafted and clear from the start, such a high quality book. The style of writing shown in this book I prefer, it’s engaging it’s not dry and bland. A really good book I’ll recommend to anyone who wants a good read, you’ll definitely enjoy this one!
Solid book, definitely will recommend this book will not disappoint. The book follows three stories intertwined with one another: a cop on the hunt needing his break to crack a deadly case, a lawyer who is forced to defend a murderer to protect her only child and a couple who run a kidnapping business. Three stories, 48 hours and one secret connects them all. Wow.
If you read this book, you’re in for a read. There’s not a single dull moment. It has you on your toes, it’s unpredictable, dark and humorous at points. I definitely enjoyed reading this book. The plot is well written, everything is clear there’s no confusion on the events, Kernick deserves credit here. Will be keeping my eyes out on his next book. It’s clear he’s taken the time to review over his book, think about the plot and how the characters play out. It’s well crafted and clear from the start, such a high quality book. The style of writing shown in this book I prefer, it’s engaging it’s not dry and bland. A really good book I’ll recommend to anyone who wants a good read, you’ll definitely enjoy this one!
October 25, 2023
An author I used to buy every book by and first book seen from him for a few years…anyway he is back and back with a sledgehammer of a book
As is his trademark its
Fast
Furious
Hectic
Claustrophobic and
Time Heavy ( everything revolves around the time things take )
Nasty is too subtle a word for the characters within this story, utterly vile some of them and it all revolves around a kidnapping ring where no one is hurt! More than that wont say except there’s more twists than any book read for a long time and will probably be one of my books of the year
A Kilimanjaro of a book ( not sure what that means but came to mind when thinking how to describe how good it is )
As is his trademark its
Fast
Furious
Hectic
Claustrophobic and
Time Heavy ( everything revolves around the time things take )
Nasty is too subtle a word for the characters within this story, utterly vile some of them and it all revolves around a kidnapping ring where no one is hurt! More than that wont say except there’s more twists than any book read for a long time and will probably be one of my books of the year
A Kilimanjaro of a book ( not sure what that means but came to mind when thinking how to describe how good it is )
December 28, 2024
Apart from the power farting, Becca googling how to fire a Glock and the Goddess designation, it was a solid thriller. Seriously this book is so full of twists and turns that what you think you know will change in twenty minutes and again in ten and again…well you get my drift.
Fish (the detective) have a 1940s American Pulp Noir vibe, he exudes corruption and self preservation. This is my first book by this author and it will not be my last.
Fish (the detective) have a 1940s American Pulp Noir vibe, he exudes corruption and self preservation. This is my first book by this author and it will not be my last.
October 31, 2023
"The First 48 Hours" by Simon Kernick it's a gripping thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Kernick's talent for crafting fast-paced, suspenseful stories is on full display here.
The story revolves around a detective hunting down cold-blooded killers, but as the plot unfolds, you begin to question whether he knows more than he's letting on. Alongside him is a mother who must defend a murderer to protect her kidnapped daughter. The moral dilemmas and tension in this situation are palpable. And then there's a cunning couple attempting the perfect crime.
What I love about Kernick's writing is his ability to throw unexpected twists and turns at every corner. The characters are complex, and you can't help but become deeply invested in their fates. The cop's hidden agenda took me by surprise, and I couldn't put the book down until I found out how it all unraveled.
If you enjoy high-stakes thrillers with intricate characters and a relentless pace, "The First 48 Hours" is a must-read. Whether you're a longtime Kernick fan or new to his work, this book won't disappoint.
Very grateful to the publisher for my review copy through NetGalley, opinions are my own
The story revolves around a detective hunting down cold-blooded killers, but as the plot unfolds, you begin to question whether he knows more than he's letting on. Alongside him is a mother who must defend a murderer to protect her kidnapped daughter. The moral dilemmas and tension in this situation are palpable. And then there's a cunning couple attempting the perfect crime.
What I love about Kernick's writing is his ability to throw unexpected twists and turns at every corner. The characters are complex, and you can't help but become deeply invested in their fates. The cop's hidden agenda took me by surprise, and I couldn't put the book down until I found out how it all unraveled.
If you enjoy high-stakes thrillers with intricate characters and a relentless pace, "The First 48 Hours" is a must-read. Whether you're a longtime Kernick fan or new to his work, this book won't disappoint.
Very grateful to the publisher for my review copy through NetGalley, opinions are my own
November 9, 2023
Time taken to read - < 3 days (in and out)
Pages - 339
Publisher -
Source - Arc (out to buy today)
Blurb from Goodreads
THE FIRST 48 HOURS ARE CRITICAL...
AND THE CLOCK IS TICKING
A COP NEEDS TO CRACK A DEADLY CASE
He's a detective hunting cold-blooded killers, but does he know more than he admits?
A MOTHER HAS TO SAVE HER DAUGHTER
She's a lawyer who must defend a murderer - but how far will she go to protect her only child?
A COUPLE WILL COMMIT THE PERFECT CRIME
They have a foolproof plan but will they get away with the money...and their lives?
THREE STORIES. TWO DAYS. DOES ONE SECRET CONNECT THEM ALL?
THE FIRST 48 HOURS...MAY ALSO BE THEIR LAST.
My Review
A specialist kidnap group, deadly professional and so good they haven't hit the police radar, until now. It is simple, pay up, don't contact the cops and get your kid back & until now that is what has happened. The opening chapter pulls us into a kidnapping and a chance to see just how serious these kidnappers are.
So the book circulates between three main story lines, the cop investigating, the lawyer who represents all manners of bad guys, she is really good at what she does and her clients are some of the shadiest individuals. Lastly, the bad guys and we see how they operate, we meet some real sick individuals, twisted, depraved and controlling.
I think the thing with this one is we are introduced to the players real quick and yet Kernick manages to shock and pull out the rug from under you a few times. Fast paced and enough to keep you hooked and intrigued. I am not always a huge fan of multicharacter points of view because it can be distracting, disjointed and takes away from the story, not so in this one. You are with a character and glued to what is happening and happy to jump to the next and see what they are up to!
It has been a wee while since I read Kernick and this reminded me how much I do enjoy the twisted creepos world he creates and sucks you into, 4/5 for me this time. Today is publication day so grab your copy now.
Pages - 339
Publisher -
Source - Arc (out to buy today)
Blurb from Goodreads
THE FIRST 48 HOURS ARE CRITICAL...
AND THE CLOCK IS TICKING
A COP NEEDS TO CRACK A DEADLY CASE
He's a detective hunting cold-blooded killers, but does he know more than he admits?
A MOTHER HAS TO SAVE HER DAUGHTER
She's a lawyer who must defend a murderer - but how far will she go to protect her only child?
A COUPLE WILL COMMIT THE PERFECT CRIME
They have a foolproof plan but will they get away with the money...and their lives?
THREE STORIES. TWO DAYS. DOES ONE SECRET CONNECT THEM ALL?
THE FIRST 48 HOURS...MAY ALSO BE THEIR LAST.
My Review
A specialist kidnap group, deadly professional and so good they haven't hit the police radar, until now. It is simple, pay up, don't contact the cops and get your kid back & until now that is what has happened. The opening chapter pulls us into a kidnapping and a chance to see just how serious these kidnappers are.
So the book circulates between three main story lines, the cop investigating, the lawyer who represents all manners of bad guys, she is really good at what she does and her clients are some of the shadiest individuals. Lastly, the bad guys and we see how they operate, we meet some real sick individuals, twisted, depraved and controlling.
I think the thing with this one is we are introduced to the players real quick and yet Kernick manages to shock and pull out the rug from under you a few times. Fast paced and enough to keep you hooked and intrigued. I am not always a huge fan of multicharacter points of view because it can be distracting, disjointed and takes away from the story, not so in this one. You are with a character and glued to what is happening and happy to jump to the next and see what they are up to!
It has been a wee while since I read Kernick and this reminded me how much I do enjoy the twisted creepos world he creates and sucks you into, 4/5 for me this time. Today is publication day so grab your copy now.
October 25, 2023
Wow. Just wow. Buckle up for this one, I can’t remember another book with so many twists thrown into page turning thrills.
A group of kidnappers are making good money from targeted kidnappings, helped by a crooked cop who knows the system and is on the investigation team. Not many good guys or girls in this and quite a lot of bad ones.
Can our crooked cop delay the investigation long enough for a final score, and what will he do when things start to spiral out of control?
Simon Kernick at his best here, this is the very definition of a page turning thriller with lots of shocks you didn’t think were coming.
Brilliant thrill ride.
A group of kidnappers are making good money from targeted kidnappings, helped by a crooked cop who knows the system and is on the investigation team. Not many good guys or girls in this and quite a lot of bad ones.
Can our crooked cop delay the investigation long enough for a final score, and what will he do when things start to spiral out of control?
Simon Kernick at his best here, this is the very definition of a page turning thriller with lots of shocks you didn’t think were coming.
Brilliant thrill ride.
November 9, 2023
So many unpredictable twists, this has kept me quessing throughout. I was pleasantly surprised that there was quite a lot of humour for a thriller but also those moments when you think ‘what have I just read?’
Fish and Becca are fascinating main characters - both flawed and self absorbed, we have been given a little pathway into their psyche through which Simon Kernick allows us to gain some understanding of their reasoning and behaviour, resulting in not always an easy read. Throw in a few more interesting characters - some more palatable than others (!) and the entertainment keeps flowing from start to finish.
Fish and Becca are fascinating main characters - both flawed and self absorbed, we have been given a little pathway into their psyche through which Simon Kernick allows us to gain some understanding of their reasoning and behaviour, resulting in not always an easy read. Throw in a few more interesting characters - some more palatable than others (!) and the entertainment keeps flowing from start to finish.
December 23, 2023
Simon Kernick is one of my favourite ever authors, although this is the first book of his I have read in ages and I definitely wasn't disappointed.
Lots of twists and turns throughout, with quite a complex storyline (although don't confuse this with complex meaning confusing - more than anything it proved how clever the author was as everything was thought about)
Great read, that has more than shown that the author definitely still has it.
Would highly recommend.
Lots of twists and turns throughout, with quite a complex storyline (although don't confuse this with complex meaning confusing - more than anything it proved how clever the author was as everything was thought about)
Great read, that has more than shown that the author definitely still has it.
Would highly recommend.
April 8, 2024
Detective Keith Fisher is on the hunt. The Vanishers kidnapping gang have struck again, their latest victim the daughter of a highly regarded lawyer, but with a past. Just how far will she go to save her only child?
Partly set in the legal industry, I had high hopes for this book. It starts off good and easy to follow. However, I did find myself losing track of who's who and what exactly is happening. The side story of one of the main characters was a bit odd, too! All in all, I was a bit deflated, particularly at the end, just a bit meh
Partly set in the legal industry, I had high hopes for this book. It starts off good and easy to follow. However, I did find myself losing track of who's who and what exactly is happening. The side story of one of the main characters was a bit odd, too! All in all, I was a bit deflated, particularly at the end, just a bit meh
September 13, 2023
This was a fantastic read from a new author for me and well what a gripping story it was. From the opening chapter this book went hell for leather into a story of kidnap, murder, betrayal, secrets and a whole lot more and with twists aplenty I was never sure who to trust. I love it when I read a book like this with a fresh and addictive story line, great character development and excellent writing as I read a lot of thrillers and sometimes can be disappointed at the the predictable plot and this certainly wasn’t one of those! So a read I can highly recommend and I will certainly be looking out for more books by Simon Kernick many thanks to him for a super read.
My thanks also to NetGalley and Headline for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion
My thanks also to NetGalley and Headline for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion
September 11, 2023
I have long been a fan of Simon Kernick and I think this is probably my favourite of his. It may be called The First 48 hours but trust me, when you get started on this, you will rush through it in less than 48 hours!
The opening chapter is one of the best I have read in a crime/thriller novel. We are told about the Vanishers, a kidnap group who capture the children of relatively well-off parents, and return them unharmed so long as the ransom is paid and the Police are not contacted. We know through our Senior Officers from the Kidnap Team that the latest parents have contacted the Police and the scene plays out beautifully with a gut punch ending to the chapter which will keep you reading on for hours.
As the book progresses, we are introduced to a number of stories, all interlinked in some way and we are drip fed snippets of information as we make our way through the story. I don't want to say too much more for fear of any spoilers however the way it all comes together is simply masterful.
What I often get annoyed with in thrillers is the 'book with a stunning twist at the end which will leave you breathless' which is either 1) predictable or 2) so ridiculous that it doesn't work. What Kernick does so well in this book, is paces the story perfectly keeping you wanting just one more chapter. What really makes it work, for me, is the twists throughout the novel...just when you think you have it sussed, there is a link or twist in the stories which you did not expect and turns the whole novel on its head.
I would recommend this one to anyone who wants to spend a few hours with a well-paced, thrilling novel that will keep you turning the pages and your mind engaged.
And when you are done, come back so we can discuss that ending!!
Thanks to Netgalley and Headline for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The opening chapter is one of the best I have read in a crime/thriller novel. We are told about the Vanishers, a kidnap group who capture the children of relatively well-off parents, and return them unharmed so long as the ransom is paid and the Police are not contacted. We know through our Senior Officers from the Kidnap Team that the latest parents have contacted the Police and the scene plays out beautifully with a gut punch ending to the chapter which will keep you reading on for hours.
As the book progresses, we are introduced to a number of stories, all interlinked in some way and we are drip fed snippets of information as we make our way through the story. I don't want to say too much more for fear of any spoilers however the way it all comes together is simply masterful.
What I often get annoyed with in thrillers is the 'book with a stunning twist at the end which will leave you breathless' which is either 1) predictable or 2) so ridiculous that it doesn't work. What Kernick does so well in this book, is paces the story perfectly keeping you wanting just one more chapter. What really makes it work, for me, is the twists throughout the novel...just when you think you have it sussed, there is a link or twist in the stories which you did not expect and turns the whole novel on its head.
I would recommend this one to anyone who wants to spend a few hours with a well-paced, thrilling novel that will keep you turning the pages and your mind engaged.
And when you are done, come back so we can discuss that ending!!
Thanks to Netgalley and Headline for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 18, 2023
Another cracking crime thriller from Simon Kernick.
We can identify three threads to this story.
Delvina, one of ‘The Vanishers’ who works with her under the thumb husband and his cousin to kidnap for ransom.
Becca. Lawyer who has got some pretty nasty criminals off in her time and now needs one of the worst to help her find her kidnapped daughter.
Fish. Policeman and criminal. Part of the team tracking down the kidnappers, but also part of the kidnapping team.
A clever twist on the standard police v criminals thriller which is fast paced and kept me wondering if or when Fish would be found out by his colleagues.
Some rather nasty characters are encountered in this one, mostly with their own agendas and all hiding something from each other whilst playing it straight.
As the story progressed as told from the three points of view, it was interesting to know what was going on in each of their minds and what they were planning.
A thoroughly engrossing thriller which I devoured.
We can identify three threads to this story.
Delvina, one of ‘The Vanishers’ who works with her under the thumb husband and his cousin to kidnap for ransom.
Becca. Lawyer who has got some pretty nasty criminals off in her time and now needs one of the worst to help her find her kidnapped daughter.
Fish. Policeman and criminal. Part of the team tracking down the kidnappers, but also part of the kidnapping team.
A clever twist on the standard police v criminals thriller which is fast paced and kept me wondering if or when Fish would be found out by his colleagues.
Some rather nasty characters are encountered in this one, mostly with their own agendas and all hiding something from each other whilst playing it straight.
As the story progressed as told from the three points of view, it was interesting to know what was going on in each of their minds and what they were planning.
A thoroughly engrossing thriller which I devoured.
September 26, 2023
Och, if you've ever read the author before then you know what to expect..... sheer magic!! Yet another thriller that is written to such a high standard with such clever twists and turns that it leaves you reeling. It's not a surface level, quick read.... these book have so many levels, complex characters and so many wee threads that twist and weave together perfectly! There's no plot holes, the plot is original and it's just impossible not to get completely sucked in. It's cleverly written, well paced and I can't say enough good things about it
August 5, 2024
I really enjoyed this book!
Fisher, Delvina, and Becca live totally separate lives but are interconnected during this 48-hour period after Elle is kidnapped.
This is a seriously fast past story, with loads of twists and turns!
I enjoyed how each chapter started with the day and time. It really set the scene in the story and showed how quickly things progressed!
I really did not expect the twist in the end. This book left me in desperate need of a chiropractor. It had that many twists and turns!
I'll definitely be looking at other books from this author.
Fisher, Delvina, and Becca live totally separate lives but are interconnected during this 48-hour period after Elle is kidnapped.
This is a seriously fast past story, with loads of twists and turns!
I enjoyed how each chapter started with the day and time. It really set the scene in the story and showed how quickly things progressed!
I really did not expect the twist in the end. This book left me in desperate need of a chiropractor. It had that many twists and turns!
I'll definitely be looking at other books from this author.
March 10, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
Look, i'm a massive Simon Kernick fan, having read every single one of his books to date. This had all the usual hallmarks of being fast paced, action packed and being a real page turner.
However, it is clear that Kernick peaked somewhere around the time he wrote Ultimatum, and there have been dimishing returns from his more recent books. The plots have become predictable, the characters more one-dimensional.
It's still a good, fun story, a great choice for a beach read. It's just not especially high quality writing.
Look, i'm a massive Simon Kernick fan, having read every single one of his books to date. This had all the usual hallmarks of being fast paced, action packed and being a real page turner.
However, it is clear that Kernick peaked somewhere around the time he wrote Ultimatum, and there have been dimishing returns from his more recent books. The plots have become predictable, the characters more one-dimensional.
It's still a good, fun story, a great choice for a beach read. It's just not especially high quality writing.
January 15, 2024
A rollercoaster, a fast ride, a twisty and complex thriller where there's plenty of flawed characters. A book I cannot put down and thoroughly enjoyed
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
February 19, 2024
The equivalent of 9 nuggets, chips and a medium Diet Coke: too much to really be satisfying, but you finish it anyway. Everyone (gangsters, corrupt cops, mysterious contract killers) is out for themselves and dreaming of retiring abroad, no-one is going to survive.
December 28, 2024
The First 48 Hours is a fast paced, wild read that has it all.
Kidnapping, corrupt police officer, murder, secrets and characters you love to despise.
The book is dark and also funny at times and three stories evolve into one.
There is only 48 hours to bring the latest kidnapping to a conclusion as the bodies pile up .
Simon Kernick as always writes a taut thriller that will have you hooked from the first to last page and he keeps you guessing.
The First 48 Hours is no exception so clear your calendar because its a hard book to put down.
Kidnapping, corrupt police officer, murder, secrets and characters you love to despise.
The book is dark and also funny at times and three stories evolve into one.
There is only 48 hours to bring the latest kidnapping to a conclusion as the bodies pile up .
Simon Kernick as always writes a taut thriller that will have you hooked from the first to last page and he keeps you guessing.
The First 48 Hours is no exception so clear your calendar because its a hard book to put down.
December 27, 2025
{2,5 stars}
It was okay. I just didn’t really care for any of these characters. I was so lost in the beginning that I think I didn’t connect to any of the characters. It was thrilling and the twists were nice, but far fetched. It felt more like I had to finish it rather than I wanted to finish it.
It was okay. I just didn’t really care for any of these characters. I was so lost in the beginning that I think I didn’t connect to any of the characters. It was thrilling and the twists were nice, but far fetched. It felt more like I had to finish it rather than I wanted to finish it.
September 15, 2024
Fantastic book, twists and turns right to the last page. Excellent read.
January 11, 2026
Brilliant! It had my heart racing in the last few chapters and I was trying not to read the next page to find out what happened.
December 16, 2023
Absolutely brilliant.
December 10, 2023
This is classic Kernick. Slick, clever and that trademark relentless pace. Absolutely compelling from start to finish and I just had to read it in one day- no way could I sleep before the end! The characters - not all of the likeable - are wonderfully portrayed and they take you on a rollercoaster of a story. This is proper edge of your seat stuff and has easily become my top read of the year. Flawless
October 13, 2023
This was a fast paced thriller focussing on what appears to be three unrelated storylines. As the book moves on, it becomes clear that they do interlink with each other and we are led on a high action thriller to the end. I did find the first half of the book slower and it took a while for me to get into the storylines of the three different characters, and found swapping between them a little disjointed. However, once over the half way mark, I'd settled into their stories and enjoyed the chase to the end, with some good twists and turns along the way. I do enjoy this author's books and have read many over the years. Whilst it wasn't my favourite, it was an enjoyable read.
November 13, 2023
I’m up and down with Simon Kernick’s books and this one was a bit in the middle. A clever plot but I really disliked the characters who seemed to come out of a “select a villain/ police officer/ goodie” bag and I wasn’t convinced.
That said the complex story is thrilling in pace and has a satisfactory ending on the whole just leaving enough questions to keep you wondering.
That said the complex story is thrilling in pace and has a satisfactory ending on the whole just leaving enough questions to keep you wondering.
January 28, 2026
I went into The First 48 Hours by Simon Kernick feeling quietly optimistic. The premise grabbed me straight away, and I was ready for something tense and propulsive, but my experience ended up being a bit of an emotional tug of war.
I really struggled with the opening pages. The writing felt clunky and awkward, to the point where I kept stumbling over sentences instead of settling into the story. It made the prologue feel like hard work, which is never what you want at the start. That said, the end of that prologue completely blindsided me. It was sharp, shocking, and suddenly I was paying full attention. That moment alone convinced me to keep going.
Once past that, the book found its feet. I liked how morally uncomfortable it made me feel, especially the strange position of rooting for both the bad guy and the good guy at the same time. That tension worked well and kept me turning the pages. The premise itself felt carefully thought through, and, for the most part, the story moved along at a decent pace. The twists genuinely caught me out, which doesn’t always happen for me with this kind of thriller, and I enjoyed not seeing things coming for once.
Unfortunately, the awkwardness in the writing never fully disappeared. It kept pulling me out of the story in little but frustrating ways. One moment that really stuck with me was when Fish refers to money as “two and fifty hundred thousand”. I had to reread it because it sounded so wrong. I’m assuming it was meant to be “two hundred and fifty thousand”, but the phrasing was so odd that it broke the flow completely. These sorts of issues cropped up often enough to become distracting, which was a shame given how invested I was in the plot.
I was also left baffled by the title. The First 48 Hours ends up meaning absolutely nothing. The phrase isn’t referenced in any meaningful way, and I’m fairly sure the events of the book actually take place over longer than forty-eight hours anyway. It felt like a strange and slightly irritating choice, and because of our book club theme, it was far more noticeable than it might otherwise have been. Instead of feeling clever, the title just felt misleading.
Then there’s the ending, which is where everything unravelled for me. After following Becca and Elle so closely, they’re essentially brushed aside with no real sense of aftermath. I wanted to know what happened to them, how everything landed, and what the consequences were, but none of that was properly explored. Instead, the book finishes on a mild cliffhanger that doesn’t feel earned. It’s not dramatic enough to excite me, but it’s unresolved enough to feel unsatisfying, like the story simply stopped rather than concluded.
I came away feeling disappointed because this had all the ingredients of a four-star read for me. The ideas were strong, the twists worked, and there were moments I genuinely enjoyed. But between the persistent clunkiness and an ending that left too many loose threads, it slipped down to a three. A frustrating read overall, mostly because it could have been so much better.
I really struggled with the opening pages. The writing felt clunky and awkward, to the point where I kept stumbling over sentences instead of settling into the story. It made the prologue feel like hard work, which is never what you want at the start. That said, the end of that prologue completely blindsided me. It was sharp, shocking, and suddenly I was paying full attention. That moment alone convinced me to keep going.
Once past that, the book found its feet. I liked how morally uncomfortable it made me feel, especially the strange position of rooting for both the bad guy and the good guy at the same time. That tension worked well and kept me turning the pages. The premise itself felt carefully thought through, and, for the most part, the story moved along at a decent pace. The twists genuinely caught me out, which doesn’t always happen for me with this kind of thriller, and I enjoyed not seeing things coming for once.
Unfortunately, the awkwardness in the writing never fully disappeared. It kept pulling me out of the story in little but frustrating ways. One moment that really stuck with me was when Fish refers to money as “two and fifty hundred thousand”. I had to reread it because it sounded so wrong. I’m assuming it was meant to be “two hundred and fifty thousand”, but the phrasing was so odd that it broke the flow completely. These sorts of issues cropped up often enough to become distracting, which was a shame given how invested I was in the plot.
I was also left baffled by the title. The First 48 Hours ends up meaning absolutely nothing. The phrase isn’t referenced in any meaningful way, and I’m fairly sure the events of the book actually take place over longer than forty-eight hours anyway. It felt like a strange and slightly irritating choice, and because of our book club theme, it was far more noticeable than it might otherwise have been. Instead of feeling clever, the title just felt misleading.
Then there’s the ending, which is where everything unravelled for me. After following Becca and Elle so closely, they’re essentially brushed aside with no real sense of aftermath. I wanted to know what happened to them, how everything landed, and what the consequences were, but none of that was properly explored. Instead, the book finishes on a mild cliffhanger that doesn’t feel earned. It’s not dramatic enough to excite me, but it’s unresolved enough to feel unsatisfying, like the story simply stopped rather than concluded.
I came away feeling disappointed because this had all the ingredients of a four-star read for me. The ideas were strong, the twists worked, and there were moments I genuinely enjoyed. But between the persistent clunkiness and an ending that left too many loose threads, it slipped down to a three. A frustrating read overall, mostly because it could have been so much better.
September 23, 2023
The Vanishers are a skilled team of kidnappers. After they abduct their victim they demand a ransom, stressing that the abductee will be returned unharmed as long as the family does not contact the police. To date, they've kept their word. When Henry Day is kidnapped his parents turn to the police, breaking the rules set by the kidnappers.
I vividly remember reading my first Simon Kernick book. Back in 2007 Relentless was picked as one of the Richard & Judy summer reads and I couldn't put it down, I loved the action-packed story that never let up for a second. This set me off reading anything else the author published. It's only as I turned to The First 48 Hours that it struck me that it's been a while since I've actually read anything by Simon Kernick, simply because there are so many other books out there.
While this is more of a police procedural than anything else, we learn very early on that it's a little different. The Vanishers pick their targets carefully, demand payment by Bitcoin and release their victim unharmed. It has been impossible to identify the criminals as they've left no clues. The reason they've been so successful is that the person organising everything is police officer Keith "Fish" Fisher. Not only is he a police officer, he's actually the head of the NCA Anti-kidnap team.
The fact that the person masterminding the kidnappings is also trying to find the kidnappers means that Fish is aware that the family of the latest victim has contacted the police. This contact results in devastating consequences. Both the police and the public are made clearly aware that the kidnappers will follow through with their threats.
The book then moves to a completely different character, Becca Barraclough, a successful defense barrister who believes that everyone deserves the best defense possible, no matter what they've been accused of. It's her job to try and plant reasonable doubt in the jury's mind. You immediately wonder how Becca's storyline is connected to the Vanishers, and then her daughter is kidnapped. This time around it isn't money that the kidnappers demand.
There are very few redeeming qualities among the array of characters that feature in the story. Many of the characters come across as caricatures of criminals, their driving force is self-preservation and they are more than willing to double-cross each other if that means they'll escape.
Despite the short time frame of the storyline, I felt that the pacing was erratic. It was only towards the end that I felt it picked up and there was an element of danger. Thankfully, the conclusion was very satisfying.
If you enjoyed my review please check out my book blog, Reading For Leisure
https://readingforleisure.blogspot.com/
or follow me on Twitter
@Debbie_Hart_UK
or on Threads
@debbiehartuk
I vividly remember reading my first Simon Kernick book. Back in 2007 Relentless was picked as one of the Richard & Judy summer reads and I couldn't put it down, I loved the action-packed story that never let up for a second. This set me off reading anything else the author published. It's only as I turned to The First 48 Hours that it struck me that it's been a while since I've actually read anything by Simon Kernick, simply because there are so many other books out there.
While this is more of a police procedural than anything else, we learn very early on that it's a little different. The Vanishers pick their targets carefully, demand payment by Bitcoin and release their victim unharmed. It has been impossible to identify the criminals as they've left no clues. The reason they've been so successful is that the person organising everything is police officer Keith "Fish" Fisher. Not only is he a police officer, he's actually the head of the NCA Anti-kidnap team.
The fact that the person masterminding the kidnappings is also trying to find the kidnappers means that Fish is aware that the family of the latest victim has contacted the police. This contact results in devastating consequences. Both the police and the public are made clearly aware that the kidnappers will follow through with their threats.
The book then moves to a completely different character, Becca Barraclough, a successful defense barrister who believes that everyone deserves the best defense possible, no matter what they've been accused of. It's her job to try and plant reasonable doubt in the jury's mind. You immediately wonder how Becca's storyline is connected to the Vanishers, and then her daughter is kidnapped. This time around it isn't money that the kidnappers demand.
There are very few redeeming qualities among the array of characters that feature in the story. Many of the characters come across as caricatures of criminals, their driving force is self-preservation and they are more than willing to double-cross each other if that means they'll escape.
Despite the short time frame of the storyline, I felt that the pacing was erratic. It was only towards the end that I felt it picked up and there was an element of danger. Thankfully, the conclusion was very satisfying.
If you enjoyed my review please check out my book blog, Reading For Leisure
https://readingforleisure.blogspot.com/
or follow me on Twitter
@Debbie_Hart_UK
or on Threads
@debbiehartuk
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