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The Aftermath
The Fire. The Fallout. The Aftermath.
Seamus Monaghan is still haunted by the unexplained fire that killed his vibrant but troubled wife, Carole, three years ago. Why was she taken from him in such a horrific way?
Dominic has protected his brother, Seamus, since they were orphaned as young boys. But is that bond strong enough to survive the fallout from the fire?
Andrea loves her fiancé Seamus, but will the fire's aftermath destroy their future together?
Time moves on, but can the embers of the past ever be truly extinguished?Read the stunning new standalone thriller from Paul Gitsham, creator of the DCI Warren Jones series.
“Intense, chilling and filled with a creeping menace, The Aftermath is a book that will keep readers turning the pages long into the night. I couldn’t put it down." - LIsa Hall author of Between You And Me.
“Dark and suspenseful. I loved it." – Tana Collins, author of the Inspector Jim Carruthers series.
"Another triumph from Gitsham - dark, tense and compelling from the first page until the last chilling twist. I read it in one nail-biting sitting." – Lucy Martin, author of Last To Leave.
"Nail-biting twists that will keep you guessing until the very end." – Antony Johnston, author of the Brigitte Sharp thrillers and The Dog Sitter Detective Series.
"I was gripped from the first page to the last because nothing - and no one - is as it seems. The Aftermath is mesmerising." – Roger Corke, author of Deadly Protocol.
Seamus Monaghan is still haunted by the unexplained fire that killed his vibrant but troubled wife, Carole, three years ago. Why was she taken from him in such a horrific way?
Dominic has protected his brother, Seamus, since they were orphaned as young boys. But is that bond strong enough to survive the fallout from the fire?
Andrea loves her fiancé Seamus, but will the fire's aftermath destroy their future together?
Time moves on, but can the embers of the past ever be truly extinguished?Read the stunning new standalone thriller from Paul Gitsham, creator of the DCI Warren Jones series.
“Intense, chilling and filled with a creeping menace, The Aftermath is a book that will keep readers turning the pages long into the night. I couldn’t put it down." - LIsa Hall author of Between You And Me.
“Dark and suspenseful. I loved it." – Tana Collins, author of the Inspector Jim Carruthers series.
"Another triumph from Gitsham - dark, tense and compelling from the first page until the last chilling twist. I read it in one nail-biting sitting." – Lucy Martin, author of Last To Leave.
"Nail-biting twists that will keep you guessing until the very end." – Antony Johnston, author of the Brigitte Sharp thrillers and The Dog Sitter Detective Series.
"I was gripped from the first page to the last because nothing - and no one - is as it seems. The Aftermath is mesmerising." – Roger Corke, author of Deadly Protocol.
299 pages, Paperback
Published September 19, 2024
2 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Paul Gitsham
18 books89 followersThe first book I ever wrote was a novelization of ET. I was five years old, had a yellow pencil, an exercise book with ET on the front and boundless enthusiasm.
After being told the devastating news that I couldn't write ET because it had already been done, I resolved to write my own stories. They were still somewhat derivative - a time-travelling detective who drives a sports car that can A) talk to him and B) needs to hit 120 mph to time-travel... I was a kid of the eighties, feel free to look for influences.
I dabbled with writing through school and university, but it wasn't until a spell of "under-employment" (the politically correct term for sitting on my arse as a receptionist whilst looking for a position more suited to my PhD) that I entered NaNoWriMo. I never hit that vaunted 50,000 words but I DID put down 30K of speculative fiction and started to take things a bit more seriously.
As always, life intervenes and that story slowly bloomed to a disorganised mess of about 70k over the next few years. It's still there, tucked away on the hard drive and I've promised myself that one day I will come back to it.
By now though, somebody else was starting to whisper in my ear. I'd always wanted to write a detective novel, but had struggled to come up with a protagonist that I really connected with - or one that didn't seem a rehash or bad pastiche of my favourite existing characters. And that was when DCI Warren Jones started to nag me. Loudly. And Insistently. I wrote that first draft in less than six months.
The series now numbers six full-length novels and four novellas. Book 7 is due out in summer 2021, with more in the pipeline.
And as for the future? Well Warren has lots more stories to tell and then there's that first, aborted attempt at speculative fiction. I reread it the other day and you know what? It isn't that bad...
After being told the devastating news that I couldn't write ET because it had already been done, I resolved to write my own stories. They were still somewhat derivative - a time-travelling detective who drives a sports car that can A) talk to him and B) needs to hit 120 mph to time-travel... I was a kid of the eighties, feel free to look for influences.
I dabbled with writing through school and university, but it wasn't until a spell of "under-employment" (the politically correct term for sitting on my arse as a receptionist whilst looking for a position more suited to my PhD) that I entered NaNoWriMo. I never hit that vaunted 50,000 words but I DID put down 30K of speculative fiction and started to take things a bit more seriously.
As always, life intervenes and that story slowly bloomed to a disorganised mess of about 70k over the next few years. It's still there, tucked away on the hard drive and I've promised myself that one day I will come back to it.
By now though, somebody else was starting to whisper in my ear. I'd always wanted to write a detective novel, but had struggled to come up with a protagonist that I really connected with - or one that didn't seem a rehash or bad pastiche of my favourite existing characters. And that was when DCI Warren Jones started to nag me. Loudly. And Insistently. I wrote that first draft in less than six months.
The series now numbers six full-length novels and four novellas. Book 7 is due out in summer 2021, with more in the pipeline.
And as for the future? Well Warren has lots more stories to tell and then there's that first, aborted attempt at speculative fiction. I reread it the other day and you know what? It isn't that bad...
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 20, 2024
Oh my days what have I just read!! I didn't get the chance to devour this book and I tell you, I wanted to. Each time I got a chance to read, I was hooked, I didn't want to stop. It was just beyond epic and most definitely one of my top books I have read this year!!
I had a feeling on one twist that was revealed, but it was still such a shock! The way the book was laid out flitting between all the different timelines was such a brilliant effect. It kept you on your toes as you are racing to find out what happened before and after the fire and a new strand, before and after the storm. Each storyline was addictive and every word, sentence, paragraph, page kept you entertained and on your toes. I needed to know what was happened. What happened to Carole?
I can the author has a series, and if it's anything like The Aftermath I need to read them now. His characters are flawed, confrontational and loveable. You care about them and you feel the emotions. I could even forgive the actions of some people, not that I agree with what they did, but I get it. I would love a follow up to this one, just so I know the characters are ok at the end.
Paul knows how to write the characters, and he hid so much so well. As I mentioned, I had a feeling on one twist, but there was a couple of things that began to fall into place and then when you have the final review, despite the inklings I still feel like I had the rug pulled out from under me. His characters hid their intentions so well. Just awesome!!
I had a feeling on one twist that was revealed, but it was still such a shock! The way the book was laid out flitting between all the different timelines was such a brilliant effect. It kept you on your toes as you are racing to find out what happened before and after the fire and a new strand, before and after the storm. Each storyline was addictive and every word, sentence, paragraph, page kept you entertained and on your toes. I needed to know what was happened. What happened to Carole?
I can the author has a series, and if it's anything like The Aftermath I need to read them now. His characters are flawed, confrontational and loveable. You care about them and you feel the emotions. I could even forgive the actions of some people, not that I agree with what they did, but I get it. I would love a follow up to this one, just so I know the characters are ok at the end.
Paul knows how to write the characters, and he hid so much so well. As I mentioned, I had a feeling on one twist, but there was a couple of things that began to fall into place and then when you have the final review, despite the inklings I still feel like I had the rug pulled out from under me. His characters hid their intentions so well. Just awesome!!
October 8, 2024
I’m a huge fan of DCI Warren Jones series, one of those series that I read in one or two sittings and keeps me reading till late in the night.
I’m not a huge fan of domestic thriller but, HEY, this was written by Paul Gitsham and I couldn’t miss it.
It’s a twisty and gripping novel featuring characters that are flawed and on the grey moral spectrum
The past is affecting the present and it could damage any promise of happiness.
There’s a growing number of suspects, surprising twists and an adrenaline-fuelled final.
Paul Gitsham can writes and this book doesn’t disappoint as the plot is solid and the characters fleshed out.
I hope to read soon another DCI Warren novel but ì’m also curious about any new books that will be written by this author.
Highly recommended
Many thanks to Paul Gitsham and Rachel’s Random Resources for this digital copy, all opinions are mine.
I’m not a huge fan of domestic thriller but, HEY, this was written by Paul Gitsham and I couldn’t miss it.
It’s a twisty and gripping novel featuring characters that are flawed and on the grey moral spectrum
The past is affecting the present and it could damage any promise of happiness.
There’s a growing number of suspects, surprising twists and an adrenaline-fuelled final.
Paul Gitsham can writes and this book doesn’t disappoint as the plot is solid and the characters fleshed out.
I hope to read soon another DCI Warren novel but ì’m also curious about any new books that will be written by this author.
Highly recommended
Many thanks to Paul Gitsham and Rachel’s Random Resources for this digital copy, all opinions are mine.
October 12, 2024
When Paul Gitsham releases a new book, it's always time to sit up and buy it. The Aftermath is different in that it's a thriller and not part of his DCI Warren Jones series. I saw Paul in July, and he was obviously getting the word out that his next book was a standalone thriller. I knew then I needed to read it. Whatever this author writes, I need to read!
The Aftermath introduces the reader to several characters. I didn't know who to trust from the start. They are all flawed and feel real. I spent most of my time reading, and feeling like I thought I knew it all. Surprise! I seriously didn't. The way the story weaves in and out throwing shade here and twists there. I was gripped!
As the story unfolded and the plot thickened, I came to the conclusion that it felt like I was in a hall of mirrors. The web of deception is so intricately written. To the point that everything I believed wasn't right. This proved to make me even more determined to get to the bottom of it all! I just had to keep reading. I know I read quickly, but this book! Well, I almost inhaled it
A thriller by an author that hooks you in and keeps you in the palm of his hand all the way from first to the last page! The Aftermath definitely does that.
Thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and the author for my gifted ebook to write my review for the book tour.
The Aftermath introduces the reader to several characters. I didn't know who to trust from the start. They are all flawed and feel real. I spent most of my time reading, and feeling like I thought I knew it all. Surprise! I seriously didn't. The way the story weaves in and out throwing shade here and twists there. I was gripped!
As the story unfolded and the plot thickened, I came to the conclusion that it felt like I was in a hall of mirrors. The web of deception is so intricately written. To the point that everything I believed wasn't right. This proved to make me even more determined to get to the bottom of it all! I just had to keep reading. I know I read quickly, but this book! Well, I almost inhaled it
A thriller by an author that hooks you in and keeps you in the palm of his hand all the way from first to the last page! The Aftermath definitely does that.
Thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and the author for my gifted ebook to write my review for the book tour.
October 10, 2024
This book is mesmerising. I was lucky enough to be gifted an advance copy of the Aftermath by the author and it is a mesmerising tale. I was gripped from the first page to the last because nothing - and no one - is as it seems.
After the first few chapters, you wonder how the author is going to sustain the plot for an entire novel. After all, everything is cut and dried, isn't it? And that is his skill - lulling the reader into that false sense of security.
Bit of a plot spoiler here: don't take anything - and I mean anything - at face value. Very soon, as one revelation tumbles out, followed by another, you realised that everything you learned in the first few chapters is nothing more than a veneer and something much deeper and darker is happening beneath - but what?
That is why this book is a humdinger. Snap it up so you be one of the first to say "of course, I read The Aftermath early on, before it became a best-seller"!
After the first few chapters, you wonder how the author is going to sustain the plot for an entire novel. After all, everything is cut and dried, isn't it? And that is his skill - lulling the reader into that false sense of security.
Bit of a plot spoiler here: don't take anything - and I mean anything - at face value. Very soon, as one revelation tumbles out, followed by another, you realised that everything you learned in the first few chapters is nothing more than a veneer and something much deeper and darker is happening beneath - but what?
That is why this book is a humdinger. Snap it up so you be one of the first to say "of course, I read The Aftermath early on, before it became a best-seller"!
June 23, 2025
Wow this is a fast paced twisty thriller. Mostly centred around a fire 3 years ago and a storm recently. The current story told over just 6 days.
Carole is the unfortunate victim of the fire. was it suicide as it was claimed or was there more to it.
Seamus moves on and ends up with Andrea. Her ex husband Marcus has disappeared. What really happened to him?
There is Dominic, the caring brother, who stepped up into a father figure when the boys became orphans at a young age. The brothers run a security company, which brings some cool tech into the story.
I liked Andrea, and rooted for her most. The rest of them weren't very likeable at all. Even Carole, the supposed victim throughout, had her own story.
I absolutely flew through this, i couldn't wait to find out what the truth was. As i would expect with a crime thriller, the twists were brilliant and unexpected.
I cant wait for more standalones if they are written like this.
Carole is the unfortunate victim of the fire. was it suicide as it was claimed or was there more to it.
Seamus moves on and ends up with Andrea. Her ex husband Marcus has disappeared. What really happened to him?
There is Dominic, the caring brother, who stepped up into a father figure when the boys became orphans at a young age. The brothers run a security company, which brings some cool tech into the story.
I liked Andrea, and rooted for her most. The rest of them weren't very likeable at all. Even Carole, the supposed victim throughout, had her own story.
I absolutely flew through this, i couldn't wait to find out what the truth was. As i would expect with a crime thriller, the twists were brilliant and unexpected.
I cant wait for more standalones if they are written like this.
October 14, 2024
I'm reviewing this as part of a tour with Rachel's Random Resources.
This is a gripping domestic thriller. At the start, we learn that one of the characters, Seamus, tragically lost his wife, Carole, in a fire three years ago. No-one knows what caused this fire.
From the start, I was drawn into the atmosphere, and interested in the characters and their lives, both before and after the incident. There was some time-shifting, but that was something that I enjoyed, getting to know about the characters and their experiences at different points in time. This was a page turner that kept me guessing, and I was gripped enough to read it in its entirety over a couple of hours. After reading this, I would be interested in reading some more books by this author.
Thank you to Rachel's Random Resources, and to the author and publisher, for the opportunity to read and review this.
This is a gripping domestic thriller. At the start, we learn that one of the characters, Seamus, tragically lost his wife, Carole, in a fire three years ago. No-one knows what caused this fire.
From the start, I was drawn into the atmosphere, and interested in the characters and their lives, both before and after the incident. There was some time-shifting, but that was something that I enjoyed, getting to know about the characters and their experiences at different points in time. This was a page turner that kept me guessing, and I was gripped enough to read it in its entirety over a couple of hours. After reading this, I would be interested in reading some more books by this author.
Thank you to Rachel's Random Resources, and to the author and publisher, for the opportunity to read and review this.
October 10, 2024
This gripping thriller had me hooked from the start, and while I initially thought I had it all figured out, I couldn’t have been more wrong. The twists and turns kept me guessing, making it impossible to take anything at face value. Reminiscent of Agatha Christie’s *And Then There Were None,* this book weaves a web of deception where what you believe to be real is merely an illusion. Perfect for the spooky season, it’s the kind of story destined for the big screen, and you’ll be glad you read it first!
Thank you to the publisher, the author, and Rachel's Random Resources for providing me with an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to the publisher, the author, and Rachel's Random Resources for providing me with an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
February 4, 2025
Certainly one of the best books I have read for a while. (5 Stars) . Due to a late at night road accident a woman ends up on life support in hospital. Her identification leads to a police investigation into an unsolved 3 year old murder / suicide. Enjoyed the way all the events and clues came together .
Still some big questions ,is Semous still married to Carole? What will happen to the security company when it all comes out ? I doubt there will be a sequel so these questions will remain unanswered.
Still some big questions ,is Semous still married to Carole? What will happen to the security company when it all comes out ? I doubt there will be a sequel so these questions will remain unanswered.
August 23, 2025
The Aftermath is a dark, standalone thriller from Paul Gitsham, weaving grief, family bonds, and buried secrets into a chilling tale of suspense. Haunted by the fire that killed his wife, Seamus Monaghan struggles to rebuild his life with the woman he now loves but the past refuses to stay buried. As hidden truths ignite and loyalties fracture, no one is safe from the devastating fallout.
October 16, 2024
Keeps you in suspense from beginning to end
This book was so different from Paul Gitsham’s other books, Thoroughly enjoyed it. Kept you in suspense from the start. Would highly recommend this book for lovers of suspense.
This book was so different from Paul Gitsham’s other books, Thoroughly enjoyed it. Kept you in suspense from the start. Would highly recommend this book for lovers of suspense.
January 9, 2025
I'm not usually a fan of stories that swap between the past and the present but this book is an exception. With each switch you think you are getting to know the characters but are you?
A great read from start to end.
A great read from start to end.
October 13, 2024
The Aftermath was my first read by author Paul Gitsham and what a great introduction it was! Dark and twisty, with characters who all seemed to be hiding something, this domestic thriller certainly kept me guessing throughout.
There were quite a few characters to keep track of, particularly who was in a relationship with who but they were well-developed and their individual storylines were intriguing to watch unfurl. I enjoy characters who aren’t picture perfect and flawless - most of these were definitely pushing the boundaries morality (some more than others!)
I don’t want to spoil any of the reveals or storylines, so I’ll just sum it up as a marvellous read; solid plot line, flawed and shady characters, an historic grizzly death that is somehow linked to a modern-day mystery and a moody backdrop that perfectly accentuates the creepiness of the unravelling secrets. Give it a go!
Thank you @rachelsrandomresources for my #gifted copy of The Aftermath to read and review 🙏🏻
There were quite a few characters to keep track of, particularly who was in a relationship with who but they were well-developed and their individual storylines were intriguing to watch unfurl. I enjoy characters who aren’t picture perfect and flawless - most of these were definitely pushing the boundaries morality (some more than others!)
I don’t want to spoil any of the reveals or storylines, so I’ll just sum it up as a marvellous read; solid plot line, flawed and shady characters, an historic grizzly death that is somehow linked to a modern-day mystery and a moody backdrop that perfectly accentuates the creepiness of the unravelling secrets. Give it a go!
Thank you @rachelsrandomresources for my #gifted copy of The Aftermath to read and review 🙏🏻
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews