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The Edge of Sanity
How far would YOU go to protect your family?
A decent, ordinary man, a man who has already suffered the loss of one child, Daniel Conner is forced by extraordinary circumstances into being a hero. Tortured, forcibly drugged—heroin still pulsating nauseatingly through his veins—his wife and daughter degraded, Daniel knows their kidnapper is beyond reasoning with.
But does being pushed one step beyond endurance justify doing the unthinkable?
High on drugs, indebted to his supplier, and desperate, Charlie Roberts takes Daniel's wife and daughter hostage. Daniel does everything within his power to rescue the situation bloodlessly. Eventually though, Daniel realises that with or without violent mood swings induced by amphetamines and cocaine, Charlie Roberts is a psychopath. He wants more than Daniel's money.
He wants him.
The Edge of Sanity: a harrowing story of hope amid loss and betrayal.
A decent, ordinary man, a man who has already suffered the loss of one child, Daniel Conner is forced by extraordinary circumstances into being a hero. Tortured, forcibly drugged—heroin still pulsating nauseatingly through his veins—his wife and daughter degraded, Daniel knows their kidnapper is beyond reasoning with.
But does being pushed one step beyond endurance justify doing the unthinkable?
High on drugs, indebted to his supplier, and desperate, Charlie Roberts takes Daniel's wife and daughter hostage. Daniel does everything within his power to rescue the situation bloodlessly. Eventually though, Daniel realises that with or without violent mood swings induced by amphetamines and cocaine, Charlie Roberts is a psychopath. He wants more than Daniel's money.
He wants him.
The Edge of Sanity: a harrowing story of hope amid loss and betrayal.
- GenresThriller
244 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 29, 2014
8 people are currently reading
163 people want to read
About the author
Sheryl Browne
38 books884 followersHi, I’m Sheryl Browne writing psychological thriller. My latest psychological thriller MY LOVING HUSBAND is published by fabulous BOOKOUTURE. A member of the Crime Writers’ Association and the Romantic Novelists’ Association, I have several books published and two short stories in Birmingham City University anthologies, where I completed my MA in Creative Writing. I live in Worcestershire with my partner and a variety of disabled dogs. According to readers of my thrillers, I also apparently make an excellent psychopath. ;) Follow my @Bookouture Mailing List and grab a FREE short: https://t.co/bIigwwALCs
𝘼 𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙚. 𝘼 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙞𝙛𝙚. 𝘼 𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙠𝙞𝙡𝙡…
MY LOVING HUSBAND – Can I really trust the man I married?
Do I Really Know You? – She's the friend you trust with your life. But can she trust you with hers?
The Invite – Kaitlin has been looking forward to her engagement party for weeks, but as the champagne corks pop, her dream party soon becomes her worst nightmare…
The Liar's Child – I’ll do anything to protect my daughter…
My Husband's Girlfriend – She told my little boy a secret and now he’s gone…
The Second Wife – SHE MADE HER BED. YOU'LL LIE IN IT.
The Affair – You trusted her. You shouldn't have.
The Babysitter – She's perfect. Too Perfect.
After She's Gone – He's killed your child and kidnapped your wife. What would YOU do?
Sins of the Father - What if you’d been accused of one of the worst crimes imaginable?
Deadly Intent - Tormented to the edge of sanity …
The Rest of My Life - “You can’t run away from commitment forever … “ Two damaged hearts, a sizzling sexual connection. Can love find a way to bring Adam and Sienna together?
Learning to Love – Sometimes help comes from the most unlikely places …
Somebody to Love – Sigh with contentment, scream with frustration. At times you will weep.
Warrant for Love - Blackmail, lies, adultery, heartache. Three love stories wrapped up in one sexiliciously hilarious package.
A Little Bit of Madness – White Knight in Blue rescues The Harbour Rest Home.
𝘼 𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙚. 𝘼 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙞𝙛𝙚. 𝘼 𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙠𝙞𝙡𝙡…
MY LOVING HUSBAND – Can I really trust the man I married?
Do I Really Know You? – She's the friend you trust with your life. But can she trust you with hers?
The Invite – Kaitlin has been looking forward to her engagement party for weeks, but as the champagne corks pop, her dream party soon becomes her worst nightmare…
The Liar's Child – I’ll do anything to protect my daughter…
My Husband's Girlfriend – She told my little boy a secret and now he’s gone…
The Second Wife – SHE MADE HER BED. YOU'LL LIE IN IT.
The Affair – You trusted her. You shouldn't have.
The Babysitter – She's perfect. Too Perfect.
After She's Gone – He's killed your child and kidnapped your wife. What would YOU do?
Sins of the Father - What if you’d been accused of one of the worst crimes imaginable?
Deadly Intent - Tormented to the edge of sanity …
The Rest of My Life - “You can’t run away from commitment forever … “ Two damaged hearts, a sizzling sexual connection. Can love find a way to bring Adam and Sienna together?
Learning to Love – Sometimes help comes from the most unlikely places …
Somebody to Love – Sigh with contentment, scream with frustration. At times you will weep.
Warrant for Love - Blackmail, lies, adultery, heartache. Three love stories wrapped up in one sexiliciously hilarious package.
A Little Bit of Madness – White Knight in Blue rescues The Harbour Rest Home.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
May 24, 2016
Just read it!!
Daniel and Jo Connor’s marriage is in tatters. Their youngest daughter Emma was killed in a car accident. Jo cannot come to terms with her death and instead of trying to work through her problems, she finds solace in the bottle. Daniel can’t verbalize how he feels, so withdraws and shows no emotions. Their daughter Kayla (aged fifteen) feels totally alone and ignored by her two grieving parents, who seem to have forgotten that she even exists and rebels by going off to a nightclub where she meets Charlie Roberts, with looks like Adonis but is the devil himself and this meeting between Kayla and Charlie has shocking repercussions for the whole family.
I’m often a bit nervous when given a new author to review. However, with just the first page read, Sheryl Browne had me hooked in this frenetic tale of a family trying (and failing) to come to terms with the death of their youngest child. How this one catastrophic moment changes their lives is written in such a way that you find yourself feeling like you’re “walking beside them, step-by-painful-step”. You can understand why each one of the family is acting the way they are, and yet you’re not able to help them. All you can do is carry on hoping that they can dig deep within themselves to survive not only Emma’s untimely death but the nightmare going by the name of Charlie Roberts.
Sheryl Browne, you say you were challenged by your son to write this book. May I add my challenge as well? I want more!! This was a very powerful story with people who I could totally relate to. I felt their pain. My only problem is that you’ve written an ending which is going round & round in my head and I’m STILL trying to decide what was going to happen next!!! And that means I’m not going to forget this book for a VERY long time!
Treebeard
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review
Daniel and Jo Connor’s marriage is in tatters. Their youngest daughter Emma was killed in a car accident. Jo cannot come to terms with her death and instead of trying to work through her problems, she finds solace in the bottle. Daniel can’t verbalize how he feels, so withdraws and shows no emotions. Their daughter Kayla (aged fifteen) feels totally alone and ignored by her two grieving parents, who seem to have forgotten that she even exists and rebels by going off to a nightclub where she meets Charlie Roberts, with looks like Adonis but is the devil himself and this meeting between Kayla and Charlie has shocking repercussions for the whole family.
I’m often a bit nervous when given a new author to review. However, with just the first page read, Sheryl Browne had me hooked in this frenetic tale of a family trying (and failing) to come to terms with the death of their youngest child. How this one catastrophic moment changes their lives is written in such a way that you find yourself feeling like you’re “walking beside them, step-by-painful-step”. You can understand why each one of the family is acting the way they are, and yet you’re not able to help them. All you can do is carry on hoping that they can dig deep within themselves to survive not only Emma’s untimely death but the nightmare going by the name of Charlie Roberts.
Sheryl Browne, you say you were challenged by your son to write this book. May I add my challenge as well? I want more!! This was a very powerful story with people who I could totally relate to. I felt their pain. My only problem is that you’ve written an ending which is going round & round in my head and I’m STILL trying to decide what was going to happen next!!! And that means I’m not going to forget this book for a VERY long time!
Treebeard
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review
May 1, 2014
I was offered this book to read by Kim The Bookworm in exchange for an honest review that I'm more than happy to do.
I hadn't previously read anything by Sheryl Browne so her switch to penning a thriller from romantic fiction had no impact on me. But, I can imagine it may shock a few of her readers. She looks like butter wouldn't melt yet she has just written an edgy dark novel that hits you straight between the ribs within the first few pages.
I held my breath, felt sick and cried whilst reading The Edge of Sanity - why? Because Sheryl painted the opening scenes so vividly I wanted good to overcome the bad and desperately cared about each of the family - an achingly difficult book for me to read but one I couldn't put down.
A tragic accident sees them losing their youngest daughter and they go from being a happy connected family of four running their own business to three individuals each seemingly unable to function or take their rightful place alongside each other as part of a family.
The age old problems of communication and guilt is at the heart of their problems. Jo and Dan avoid each other and can't communicate their feelings without it coming across as an attack on the others behaviour. As a direct consequence their actions have a serious and detrimental effect on their teenage daughter.
As a female and mother of a 25yr old daughter I've 'done' the teenage years and lived through the angst and self confidence issues, wanting to fit in, appear older than a teenager and pushed the boundaries - safe in the knowledge that I as a mother or my parents when I was a teenager would let the boundaries be pushed and allow them to give a little safe in the knowledge that those very same boundaries were there to keep my daughter and myself safe.
Emotions ran deep for me whilst reading this book - I felt for each of the family in different ways but I particularly felt for wanted to shake Daniel and Jo and make them twee what was happening under their nose with their eldest daughter. It has to be every families nightmare for their children to come into contact with drugs and the evil effects they have on life.
This book is all consuming, it will eat you and throw you back out but you won't be able to put it down until you find out whether a family at rock bottom can survive.
I hadn't previously read anything by Sheryl Browne so her switch to penning a thriller from romantic fiction had no impact on me. But, I can imagine it may shock a few of her readers. She looks like butter wouldn't melt yet she has just written an edgy dark novel that hits you straight between the ribs within the first few pages.
I held my breath, felt sick and cried whilst reading The Edge of Sanity - why? Because Sheryl painted the opening scenes so vividly I wanted good to overcome the bad and desperately cared about each of the family - an achingly difficult book for me to read but one I couldn't put down.
A tragic accident sees them losing their youngest daughter and they go from being a happy connected family of four running their own business to three individuals each seemingly unable to function or take their rightful place alongside each other as part of a family.
The age old problems of communication and guilt is at the heart of their problems. Jo and Dan avoid each other and can't communicate their feelings without it coming across as an attack on the others behaviour. As a direct consequence their actions have a serious and detrimental effect on their teenage daughter.
As a female and mother of a 25yr old daughter I've 'done' the teenage years and lived through the angst and self confidence issues, wanting to fit in, appear older than a teenager and pushed the boundaries - safe in the knowledge that I as a mother or my parents when I was a teenager would let the boundaries be pushed and allow them to give a little safe in the knowledge that those very same boundaries were there to keep my daughter and myself safe.
Emotions ran deep for me whilst reading this book - I felt for each of the family in different ways but I particularly felt for wanted to shake Daniel and Jo and make them twee what was happening under their nose with their eldest daughter. It has to be every families nightmare for their children to come into contact with drugs and the evil effects they have on life.
This book is all consuming, it will eat you and throw you back out but you won't be able to put it down until you find out whether a family at rock bottom can survive.
May 29, 2016
Back in February I "attended" The Valentine Bonanza Party hosted by Susan Roach of Suzie's BookBlog. I won my choice of a Sheryl Browne novels. Not knowing much about Sheryl, I thought it would be a light chick lit / romance novel (given it had been a Valentines giveaway). But when Sheryl contacted me and said she had two psychological thrillers I could also choose from as well, I was straight off to Amazon to read the synopsis of them both and I opted for The Edge Of Sanity. And then it proceeded to sit on my kindle....
After reading a number of books I had been given to review, I decided to treat myself to a non-review book and I wanted something that would be a treat and but remembering I'd recently won a paper copy of Sheryl Browne's The Rest Of My Life I decided to search out The Edge of Sanity from my virtual pile and off I went.
The book itself was a little slow to start with, I was a bit perplexed whether I was reading a psychological thriller or not but the tension soon appeared in a big way!
Charlie Roberts starts off as just a bit of a good-looking wide boy who has a unique way with the ladies. But as the story goes on he becomes an unstable unattractive nut case, nutter extraordinaire, totally devoid of morality and on the edge of sanity (I see the tumbleweed heading across the plain).
I really felt for Dan and Jo Connor; wracked with guilt and grief after losing one daughter, another being a typical teenager pulling down the communication hatches and doing her own thing and to top it off, their marriage has crumbled like a piece of shortbread. Enter stage left Charlie Roberts turning their lives upside down, putting them through hell all for one thing....cold hard cash.
In the Introduction, the author said she wasn't not sure she pulled it off; for me as a lover of the psychological thriller, it's a definite yes! This book is a great example of writers jumping across genres to publish something totally different and doing it well. Sheryl is know for her contemporary romance novels; I've not read any yet but I will be!
A big thank you to Sheryl Browne for sending me this ebook as my prize from Suzie's book blog Valentine Bonanza Giveaway.
After reading a number of books I had been given to review, I decided to treat myself to a non-review book and I wanted something that would be a treat and but remembering I'd recently won a paper copy of Sheryl Browne's The Rest Of My Life I decided to search out The Edge of Sanity from my virtual pile and off I went.
The book itself was a little slow to start with, I was a bit perplexed whether I was reading a psychological thriller or not but the tension soon appeared in a big way!
Charlie Roberts starts off as just a bit of a good-looking wide boy who has a unique way with the ladies. But as the story goes on he becomes an unstable unattractive nut case, nutter extraordinaire, totally devoid of morality and on the edge of sanity (I see the tumbleweed heading across the plain).
I really felt for Dan and Jo Connor; wracked with guilt and grief after losing one daughter, another being a typical teenager pulling down the communication hatches and doing her own thing and to top it off, their marriage has crumbled like a piece of shortbread. Enter stage left Charlie Roberts turning their lives upside down, putting them through hell all for one thing....cold hard cash.
In the Introduction, the author said she wasn't not sure she pulled it off; for me as a lover of the psychological thriller, it's a definite yes! This book is a great example of writers jumping across genres to publish something totally different and doing it well. Sheryl is know for her contemporary romance novels; I've not read any yet but I will be!
A big thank you to Sheryl Browne for sending me this ebook as my prize from Suzie's book blog Valentine Bonanza Giveaway.
January 28, 2015
Review also posted on my blog http://www.reviewedthebook.co.uk/2014...
Sometimes you build a book up so much in your head that you end up disappointed when it doesn’t reach your expectations. I loved the sound of The Edge of Sanity, thought it was going to be something great, and then when I got to the end of it, I realised how much I’d underestimated it. This was an incredible book!
I’ve never read Sheryl Browne before although I do know this is quite different from the more light-hearted romance she normally writes. I don’t know how enjoyable her other books are but if they’re anywhere near as good as The Edge of Sanity, then she must be a fantastic author!
The Edge of Sanity was gripping, intense and emotional. Jo and Daniel have had their relationship torn apart after the devastating loss of their youngest child. Their oldest daughter Kayla is suffering in the aftermath. Then psychopath Charlie is introduced…
Honestly, the concept of this book sounds good but I just can’t make it sound as good as it is. The author, seemingly effortlessly, draws you in to this traumatic plot to the stage where you just have no idea what’s going to happen next. You have to read because you need to see if this broken family will ever come through and the flawless pacing takes you through this whole experience with them, like you’re witnessing the suffering in real life.
What I loved throughout this book was the characterisation. The characters were written brilliantly. I loved how Kayla, seeing things no fifteen year old would expect, is still that teenage girl. Whatever was happening, she still had that stroppy edge, the odd sarcastic, insulting remark, the emotions and the need to impress. Daniel and Jo – suffering from very real communication problems. Charlie, Steve, Hannah – all great characters too. I have to mention DI Short too, my favourite character in this insanely good book.
The Edge of Sanity was amazing! Heart-wrenching, captivating, dramatic and all-out simply the best thriller I’ve read in… as long as I remember. Brilliant.
5/5.
*Book gifted for honest review.
January 26, 2016
4.5 Stars
The Edge of Sanity pushes the Conner family to the absolute limits of what a person should be able to cope with. Clearly it isn't enough that months earlier they had lost their youngest daughter, and are still clearly all grieving, but are falling apart as a family unit.
Kayla, who is only 15, is really hurting, not just at her sisters death, which she blames herself for, but also at the arguments from her parents. She is rebelling in typical teenage fashion, and with her friend Hannah, going into nightclubs where they are clearly underage.
However on this one fateful night, she finally catches the attention of Charlie Roberts, the hunk she has had her eye on. Little does she know that, that will be one of the biggest mistakes of her life.
For Charlie Roberts is the local drug dealer, a psychopath that is known to the police (who have never made anything stick), and generally doesn't treat women that well. When Kayla lets slip some information, Charlie kidnaps the family, to try and get the biggest payday of his career.
The Edge of Sanity is a gripping story, and the darkest parts of you will be wondering exactly what Charlie is going to do next, to the family. I think its this morbid curiosity that kept me turning the pages eagerly to find out what exactly happens.
There are also revelations about Daniel's childhood that are upsetting, and we also get the perspective of the woman that Charlie had a dalliance with earlier that week. The focus shifts between the various characters which adds to the suspense as you can see how they are feeling.
Sheryl Browne seems to have a scary insight into the mind of a psychopath, as she serves up once again a chilling and suspenseful tale.
The Edge of Sanity pushes the Conner family to the absolute limits of what a person should be able to cope with. Clearly it isn't enough that months earlier they had lost their youngest daughter, and are still clearly all grieving, but are falling apart as a family unit.
Kayla, who is only 15, is really hurting, not just at her sisters death, which she blames herself for, but also at the arguments from her parents. She is rebelling in typical teenage fashion, and with her friend Hannah, going into nightclubs where they are clearly underage.
However on this one fateful night, she finally catches the attention of Charlie Roberts, the hunk she has had her eye on. Little does she know that, that will be one of the biggest mistakes of her life.
For Charlie Roberts is the local drug dealer, a psychopath that is known to the police (who have never made anything stick), and generally doesn't treat women that well. When Kayla lets slip some information, Charlie kidnaps the family, to try and get the biggest payday of his career.
The Edge of Sanity is a gripping story, and the darkest parts of you will be wondering exactly what Charlie is going to do next, to the family. I think its this morbid curiosity that kept me turning the pages eagerly to find out what exactly happens.
There are also revelations about Daniel's childhood that are upsetting, and we also get the perspective of the woman that Charlie had a dalliance with earlier that week. The focus shifts between the various characters which adds to the suspense as you can see how they are feeling.
Sheryl Browne seems to have a scary insight into the mind of a psychopath, as she serves up once again a chilling and suspenseful tale.
August 1, 2015
This book was recently entered and awarded a RED RIBBON in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. Thisi is what our readers thought:
Title: The Edge of Sanity
Author: Sheryl Browne
Star Rating: 4 stars
Number of Readers: 17
Readers’ Comments
‘A very enjoyable thriller with an excellent balance of characterisation and plot. Pacing a little slow in the beginning but picks up the second half. The author works hard to create interesting characters.’ Female reader, aged 45
‘I liked that this thriller dealt with a very important issue: a family facing the loss of a child. That, for me, sas more interesting than the ‘thriller’ part.’ Female reader, aged 56
‘Very pacey with a number of strong characters. I particularly liked the teenage daughter and was interested to see how she dealt with the loss of a sister and being ignored by her parents. Very intense at the end. I was totally gripped by it.’ Male reader, aged 34
‘I do enjoy a good thriller and this is what it is. The characters were so well developed and the central plot: a man who has already lost a daughter facing up to a psycho, is intriguing.’ Male reader, aged 34
‘A bit overly descriptive for me and the beginning was very slow. Much better in the second half.’ Female reader, aged 61
Stats
Editing 8/10
Style 8/10
Cover 6/10
Plot 8/10
Of the 17 readers:
7 thought the cover was good or excellent.
14 would read another book by this author.
9 thought the characterisation was the strongest part.
‘A gripping thriller. Highly recommended and a RED RIBBON winner!’ The Wishing Shelf Awards
Title: The Edge of Sanity
Author: Sheryl Browne
Star Rating: 4 stars
Number of Readers: 17
Readers’ Comments
‘A very enjoyable thriller with an excellent balance of characterisation and plot. Pacing a little slow in the beginning but picks up the second half. The author works hard to create interesting characters.’ Female reader, aged 45
‘I liked that this thriller dealt with a very important issue: a family facing the loss of a child. That, for me, sas more interesting than the ‘thriller’ part.’ Female reader, aged 56
‘Very pacey with a number of strong characters. I particularly liked the teenage daughter and was interested to see how she dealt with the loss of a sister and being ignored by her parents. Very intense at the end. I was totally gripped by it.’ Male reader, aged 34
‘I do enjoy a good thriller and this is what it is. The characters were so well developed and the central plot: a man who has already lost a daughter facing up to a psycho, is intriguing.’ Male reader, aged 34
‘A bit overly descriptive for me and the beginning was very slow. Much better in the second half.’ Female reader, aged 61
Stats
Editing 8/10
Style 8/10
Cover 6/10
Plot 8/10
Of the 17 readers:
7 thought the cover was good or excellent.
14 would read another book by this author.
9 thought the characterisation was the strongest part.
‘A gripping thriller. Highly recommended and a RED RIBBON winner!’ The Wishing Shelf Awards
May 30, 2014
Daniel Conner’s family is tearing itself apart after the death of his youngest daughter, Emma. In their grief they hurt each other and fall prey to self-destructive behaviours. Into this volatile mix comes Charlie Roberts. He seizes the chance to make a tidy sum of money, and takes the family hostage. Can Daniel overcome his demons and save his wife, Jo, and teenage daughter, Kayla?
I’m a fan of Sheryl Browne’s romantic comedies, and I’m pleased to say that I’m a fan of this thriller too. I’ll admit it took me a while to sort out who was who (for some reason I had a little trouble differentiating Charlie from his side-kick), and what was happening as the story jumped from scene to scene. But soon everything came together.
The intense scenes, particularly those between Daniel and Jo, and between Daniel and Charlie, keep the reader turning the pages. Charlie repeatedly threatens Jo and Kayla, goads and beats up Daniel, piling on the pressure in an incredibly cruel way by breaking their hearts over again with references to Emma’s death.
The dramatic core of the story comes from the character of Daniel. I love how the author describes such a physically powerful and attractive man who is crumbling and damaged inside, and who undergoes further psychological, emotional and physical pain at the hands of his captor. A man pushed to breaking point, this story belongs to Daniel.
I’m a fan of Sheryl Browne’s romantic comedies, and I’m pleased to say that I’m a fan of this thriller too. I’ll admit it took me a while to sort out who was who (for some reason I had a little trouble differentiating Charlie from his side-kick), and what was happening as the story jumped from scene to scene. But soon everything came together.
The intense scenes, particularly those between Daniel and Jo, and between Daniel and Charlie, keep the reader turning the pages. Charlie repeatedly threatens Jo and Kayla, goads and beats up Daniel, piling on the pressure in an incredibly cruel way by breaking their hearts over again with references to Emma’s death.
The dramatic core of the story comes from the character of Daniel. I love how the author describes such a physically powerful and attractive man who is crumbling and damaged inside, and who undergoes further psychological, emotional and physical pain at the hands of his captor. A man pushed to breaking point, this story belongs to Daniel.
February 10, 2015
The Edge of Sanity is a new type of book from Sheryl Browne. Best known and loved for her rom-coms, this book is so different and yet so brilliant! Sheryl has created interesting and complex characters within the book and each is fighting their own personal battle. The story shows how one man who is good and decent, will go to any lengths to save and protect the ones he loves. The back story, which is vital to helping us understand Daniel and his family is heart breaking and the reader feels such empathy and sympathy with Daniel. It takes one tragedy to tear the family apart but their love for one another will ultimately be their greatest strength.
The Edge of Sanity is the type of book that I found very hard to put down. It is exciting, frightening and thrilling all at once. It kept me up very late at night reading. One chapter at a time was never enough. I needed to know what happened. The plot is well planned and clever and the story is brilliantly executed. If you like psychological thrillers then this book is definitely one for you. Very highly recommended!
The Edge of Sanity is the type of book that I found very hard to put down. It is exciting, frightening and thrilling all at once. It kept me up very late at night reading. One chapter at a time was never enough. I needed to know what happened. The plot is well planned and clever and the story is brilliantly executed. If you like psychological thrillers then this book is definitely one for you. Very highly recommended!
May 13, 2014
I finished this in two days. So addictive was this book I simply could not put it down. This was a total edge of the seat read, high drama with believable characters - and what characters they were too! Daniel and Jo torn apart by the tragic loss of their youngest child. Kayla their remaining daughter struggling with teenage issues and gradually drifting into dangerous waters. And those dangerous waters - what a character Charlie was. One with no redeeming features whatsoever, unlike his partner Steve. And hot on their trail DCI Short. Wonderful book, more please Sheryl!
May 31, 2015
Just when you think life can't get worse, it does. This story is dark, edgy and emotionally very real. Having witnessed the drug world in friends I can see this story as being something that could very well happen. I love books where i can relate in some way or feel like I know the characters and in the book I feel empathy and I feel connected. Not every author can successfully do that. Definite five stars :)
October 8, 2014
It is a book that has your turning the pages and not wanting to stop! A gripping story filled with tension through to the end. Ms Browne's first thriller and a brilliant one at that. More please.....
May 6, 2022
Just couldnt get into this book for some reason. Almost felt like a YA book in some parts. I can always tell when a book is not grabbing me when I’m in no rush to pick it up, and only read a couple of chapters per night. Therefore gave up at 33%. Lifes too short!
March 29, 2015
Better known for her romance novels, Sheryl Browne really delivers with her first thriller, a powerful and emotional read. The ‘ordinary character in extraordinary situation’ is a well-worn path but here we have the ordinary family, damaged by tragedy and struggling to cope with a new threat.
The major strength of this novel is with its characters, each well defined, credible, interesting and in the case of at least one – truly scary!
An awful accident has left a family shattered. Daniel Conner’s youngest daughter, Emma, died in a car accident. His grieving wife, Jo, blames him and is hitting the bottle. Dan, feeling guilty, has been hiding his emotions. Encouraged as a child by his own father to keep a stiff upper lip, Dan is withdrawn and distant, failing to properly communicate with his wife. She’s hoping he’ll fight for their marriage but he’s unable to converse, and hiding other long held demons. Unable to function, the family have put their boatyard business up for sale, and things are about to get worse.
Watching her parents’ marriage and business fall apart is Kayla, the eldest (now only) daughter. Now at the awkward age of 15, Kayla is suffering her own grief and guilt at her sister’s death. Feeling neglected she’s rebelling, giving her parents lip and going after a good looking older lad called Charlie Roberts, one of the nastiest characters you’ll come across.
A cruel sadist, Charlie is an abusive drug pusher and predatory opportunist. Kayla crosses his path after she discovers that her father is leaving for France having sold the business. Learning of this, Charlie spots the chance of a pay-out and a dark turn of events ensues.
DI Short is gunning for Charlie. He’s ready to move in on the criminal once the time comes, and it’s about to. A missing girl and a missing shotgun have DI Short investigating Charlie. Kayla’s friend Hannah provides a persistent aide and provides some light relief in this tense storyline.
Concerned for their missing daughter, Dan and Jo are frantic and he’s soon being goaded, both physically and psychologically, pushed to the edge of sanity.
The switching third person narrative within the chapters maintains the nail biting suspense throughout. The family dynamic is believable and you’ll root for them. The detective is likable and the horrible bad guy and his sidekick will chill your bones.
The set up rings true (the death of a child causing a family break up) and ordinary family at its heart make for a credible tale of a family pushed to the extreme.
The major strength of this novel is with its characters, each well defined, credible, interesting and in the case of at least one – truly scary!
An awful accident has left a family shattered. Daniel Conner’s youngest daughter, Emma, died in a car accident. His grieving wife, Jo, blames him and is hitting the bottle. Dan, feeling guilty, has been hiding his emotions. Encouraged as a child by his own father to keep a stiff upper lip, Dan is withdrawn and distant, failing to properly communicate with his wife. She’s hoping he’ll fight for their marriage but he’s unable to converse, and hiding other long held demons. Unable to function, the family have put their boatyard business up for sale, and things are about to get worse.
Watching her parents’ marriage and business fall apart is Kayla, the eldest (now only) daughter. Now at the awkward age of 15, Kayla is suffering her own grief and guilt at her sister’s death. Feeling neglected she’s rebelling, giving her parents lip and going after a good looking older lad called Charlie Roberts, one of the nastiest characters you’ll come across.
A cruel sadist, Charlie is an abusive drug pusher and predatory opportunist. Kayla crosses his path after she discovers that her father is leaving for France having sold the business. Learning of this, Charlie spots the chance of a pay-out and a dark turn of events ensues.
DI Short is gunning for Charlie. He’s ready to move in on the criminal once the time comes, and it’s about to. A missing girl and a missing shotgun have DI Short investigating Charlie. Kayla’s friend Hannah provides a persistent aide and provides some light relief in this tense storyline.
Concerned for their missing daughter, Dan and Jo are frantic and he’s soon being goaded, both physically and psychologically, pushed to the edge of sanity.
The switching third person narrative within the chapters maintains the nail biting suspense throughout. The family dynamic is believable and you’ll root for them. The detective is likable and the horrible bad guy and his sidekick will chill your bones.
The set up rings true (the death of a child causing a family break up) and ordinary family at its heart make for a credible tale of a family pushed to the extreme.
January 29, 2016
I received this book in exchange for partaking in the book tour. This book is about a family healing from the loss of their youngest daughter. Jo and Daniel, the parents, are considering separating. Jo has turned to drinking and Daniel is emotionally shut off. In a fit of rebellion, older daughter, Kayla, makes the acquaintance of Charlie Roberts, a seriously disturbed young man. Charlie is a drug dealer without morals and when he hears that the Conner family is coming into money soon, he kidnaps them. Unbeknownst to the family, Detective Short has been waiting a long time to nail Charlie and he is on the case. This isn’t the standard locked-in-the-basement kidnapping, though. Charlie attempts to psychologically torture the family and bend them to his will. He uses drugs, beatings, taunts, lies, and anything else to push the family to the edge of sanity.
I was definitely on the edge of my seat to find out what would happen next in this novel. Short was my favorite character. He wasn’t afraid to break protocol and do what he needed to do to nail Charlie. I admired his persistence and dedication. Daniel was another very strong character. It was fascinating to read about how strong-willed he was in the face of Charlie’s tactics. I know I wouldn’t have had his strength. I love how through this horrible situation, Jo, Daniel, and Kayla saw each other in completely new lights. I really liked how the reader got to be inside everyone’s heads. I especially liked reading about Jo and Daniel’s different emotions and thoughts about each other as they tried to survive the psychopath. There was an element of romance that somehow intertwined perfectly with the dark subject matter. This book was very well-paced. I never felt that it was moving slowly and the ending was the perfect length. If you enjoy psychological thrillers, as I do, I would recommend this novel. 3 out of 5 stars!
I was definitely on the edge of my seat to find out what would happen next in this novel. Short was my favorite character. He wasn’t afraid to break protocol and do what he needed to do to nail Charlie. I admired his persistence and dedication. Daniel was another very strong character. It was fascinating to read about how strong-willed he was in the face of Charlie’s tactics. I know I wouldn’t have had his strength. I love how through this horrible situation, Jo, Daniel, and Kayla saw each other in completely new lights. I really liked how the reader got to be inside everyone’s heads. I especially liked reading about Jo and Daniel’s different emotions and thoughts about each other as they tried to survive the psychopath. There was an element of romance that somehow intertwined perfectly with the dark subject matter. This book was very well-paced. I never felt that it was moving slowly and the ending was the perfect length. If you enjoy psychological thrillers, as I do, I would recommend this novel. 3 out of 5 stars!
February 3, 2015
Thanks to @Brookcottagebks for allowing us a copy of Edge of Sanity to review. This had been sitting on my kindle waiting for me to read and I thought it would make a good read while travelling.
Daniel and Jo have lost their youngest daughter in a tragic car accident, Jo has turned to drink and is blaming Daniel for the accident, Daniel is hiding his emoitions. Both of them are neglecting their oldest daughter Kayla who also blames herself for not looking after her sister on the day of the accident. Leaving the house after a family arguement which sees Daniel annoucing he is leaving for France having sold their boat business Kayla is sneaking in underage to the local club.
Dressed up to attract the attention of an older boy she’s noticed around Kayla it seems is attracting the wrong kind of attention. For the object of her affections is Charlie, and he is a drug addict, drug dealer and psychopath.
Charlie is determined to use the familys trauma against them when he learns after drugging Kayla of the family’s situation and the money that’s just been made from the sale of the boat yard. The drama that ensues sees the family brought to the edge of sanity, dealing with being held hostage and finally their joint grief at the loss of Emma.
Meanwhile a detective is hot on Charlie’s heels determined to get him off the streets….
This is a really gripping novel which gets your in the head ofr both pyschopath and victim and you never know what is coming on the next page. Daniel was a really three dimensional character whose grief and anger poured from the page, he is a character who is constantly on the edge throughout the whole book and you never know at which point he will tip over the edge.
Daniel and Jo have lost their youngest daughter in a tragic car accident, Jo has turned to drink and is blaming Daniel for the accident, Daniel is hiding his emoitions. Both of them are neglecting their oldest daughter Kayla who also blames herself for not looking after her sister on the day of the accident. Leaving the house after a family arguement which sees Daniel annoucing he is leaving for France having sold their boat business Kayla is sneaking in underage to the local club.
Dressed up to attract the attention of an older boy she’s noticed around Kayla it seems is attracting the wrong kind of attention. For the object of her affections is Charlie, and he is a drug addict, drug dealer and psychopath.
Charlie is determined to use the familys trauma against them when he learns after drugging Kayla of the family’s situation and the money that’s just been made from the sale of the boat yard. The drama that ensues sees the family brought to the edge of sanity, dealing with being held hostage and finally their joint grief at the loss of Emma.
Meanwhile a detective is hot on Charlie’s heels determined to get him off the streets….
This is a really gripping novel which gets your in the head ofr both pyschopath and victim and you never know what is coming on the next page. Daniel was a really three dimensional character whose grief and anger poured from the page, he is a character who is constantly on the edge throughout the whole book and you never know at which point he will tip over the edge.
May 5, 2014
Originally posted on:> http://lauraslittlebookblog.blogspot....
3.5/5
This was Sherly's first attempt at writing in the crime genre and I think she did a really good job! I have read her previous novel Somebody to Love which was, as you can tell by the title was very much in the romance genre. So to her previous readers, don't expect anything light and fluffy as this is anything but!
The Edge of Sanity is a gritty, emotional novel about how the loss of a child greatly affects one family. Daniel, Jo and Kayla world has been torn apart since Emma's death. Daniel and Jo's relationship is in a bad way, with Jo blaming Daniel for Emma's death and the communication between them is in tatters. Kayla their 15 year daughter has become a tearaway teen and gets herself into dangerous situations, one of them that lands her whole family in danger by getting involved with Charlie, a man who only thinks of himself.
Charlie is a truly loathsome character. It has no redeeming qualities whatsoever and I hated him. I think he is one the worst characters I have ever come across and I thought Sherly wrote him brilliantly as this is exactly how we are supposed to feel about him. All the time I was reading The Edge of Sanity, I desperately wanted him to have his comeuppance just like DI Scott wants.
This is a great novel for those looking for something suspenseful and a bit darker and at times I had to remind myself that this was written by the same author who wrote Somebody to Love; it was that different. Really cleverly done, but I think I will go back to Sherly's more lighthearted novels :)
3.5/5
This was Sherly's first attempt at writing in the crime genre and I think she did a really good job! I have read her previous novel Somebody to Love which was, as you can tell by the title was very much in the romance genre. So to her previous readers, don't expect anything light and fluffy as this is anything but!
The Edge of Sanity is a gritty, emotional novel about how the loss of a child greatly affects one family. Daniel, Jo and Kayla world has been torn apart since Emma's death. Daniel and Jo's relationship is in a bad way, with Jo blaming Daniel for Emma's death and the communication between them is in tatters. Kayla their 15 year daughter has become a tearaway teen and gets herself into dangerous situations, one of them that lands her whole family in danger by getting involved with Charlie, a man who only thinks of himself.
Charlie is a truly loathsome character. It has no redeeming qualities whatsoever and I hated him. I think he is one the worst characters I have ever come across and I thought Sherly wrote him brilliantly as this is exactly how we are supposed to feel about him. All the time I was reading The Edge of Sanity, I desperately wanted him to have his comeuppance just like DI Scott wants.
This is a great novel for those looking for something suspenseful and a bit darker and at times I had to remind myself that this was written by the same author who wrote Somebody to Love; it was that different. Really cleverly done, but I think I will go back to Sherly's more lighthearted novels :)
January 25, 2016
I'm a fan of Sheryl's books so I went into this optimistically. Needless to say I wasn't disappointed.
It begins as a fairly gentle story about a fairly dysfunctional family who have suffered the loss of their young daughter Emma .. Mum, Dad & sister all have reason to blame themselves for her death in their opinion & all deal with it in their own way. Daniel has deep-seated issues lingering from childhood which mean he is devoid of showing emotion, Jo leans towards the bottle & Kayla aged 15 goes off the rails loitering n nightclubs & mixing with unsavoury characters.
It's her meeting with Charlie the local low-life drug dealer that ramps the pace up & turns this into a suspenseful edge of your seat thriller .. one throw away comment regarding her father's money turns into a living nightmare.
How far will psychopath Charlie go & will Daniel be able to protect his family. I'm not sure how Sheryl gets into the minds of the villains in order to portray how hideously evil they can be .. this takes you on a drug fuelled journey of mania, yet again she has produced a 'baddie' who I dislike with venom. Loss, betrayal, love, hope, fear, anger a myriad of emotions are in this book .. enjoy every page!
Thanks to Sheryl, the publisher & Brook Cottage Books for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest opinion.
It begins as a fairly gentle story about a fairly dysfunctional family who have suffered the loss of their young daughter Emma .. Mum, Dad & sister all have reason to blame themselves for her death in their opinion & all deal with it in their own way. Daniel has deep-seated issues lingering from childhood which mean he is devoid of showing emotion, Jo leans towards the bottle & Kayla aged 15 goes off the rails loitering n nightclubs & mixing with unsavoury characters.
It's her meeting with Charlie the local low-life drug dealer that ramps the pace up & turns this into a suspenseful edge of your seat thriller .. one throw away comment regarding her father's money turns into a living nightmare.
How far will psychopath Charlie go & will Daniel be able to protect his family. I'm not sure how Sheryl gets into the minds of the villains in order to portray how hideously evil they can be .. this takes you on a drug fuelled journey of mania, yet again she has produced a 'baddie' who I dislike with venom. Loss, betrayal, love, hope, fear, anger a myriad of emotions are in this book .. enjoy every page!
Thanks to Sheryl, the publisher & Brook Cottage Books for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest opinion.
June 12, 2014
I have never read any of Sheryl Browne's books before as I normally just stick to the authors I know and love. But I must say this book was gripping. I managed to read it in two days and I just couldn't put it down. This was a book that makes the hair stand up on the back of your neck and puts you on the edge of your seat. Sheryl Browne seems to draw you into this book with its dramatic plot and you literally have no idea what is going to happen next. The characters were brilliant in this book, I felt like I knew them, Kayla even with everything going on is still that stroppy fifteen year old. Jo and Daniel are husband and wife who are going through some very real communication issues and of course Charlie well what can I say about him.... Well you will just have to read the book and make up your own minds....
A must read!
A must read!
August 30, 2014
The Edge of Sanity began with three different stories which became woven together by fear, greed and grief.
It was a tense story which not only had the thriller edge to it, but also delved into the psychological side of a family torn apart by a tragic event. Sheryl Browne has a style of writing that takes you effortlessly along, I really empathised with Daniel and the pressure his family were under, not just by past events but by what was happening to them right at that moment. The tension built up as Daniel was pushed further and further to the brink. I didn't know where the novel was going or how it was all going to pan out.
For me, a book that makes me want to keep asking questions and turning the page late into the night, is a winner - The Edge of Sanity certainly did this.
It was a tense story which not only had the thriller edge to it, but also delved into the psychological side of a family torn apart by a tragic event. Sheryl Browne has a style of writing that takes you effortlessly along, I really empathised with Daniel and the pressure his family were under, not just by past events but by what was happening to them right at that moment. The tension built up as Daniel was pushed further and further to the brink. I didn't know where the novel was going or how it was all going to pan out.
For me, a book that makes me want to keep asking questions and turning the page late into the night, is a winner - The Edge of Sanity certainly did this.
July 21, 2014
Faced with the tragedy of losing their five year old daughter, Daniel and Joanne’s relationship is falling apart. Daniel keeps his feelings to himself, and Joanne is reaching for the bottle. Their teenage daughter Kayla is heading to go off the rails, and when she meet Charlie, a cokehead and all round not so nice character, she is about to lead the family into more danger.
This is a lot different from all the other Sheryl Browne books I have read, this is a psychological thriller, and it will have you gripped from the very start, with a really nasty psychopath of a villain, and the agony, pain, and torment of a family who have already gone through so much. Making this is superb plot leading up to an explosive conclusion.
This is a lot different from all the other Sheryl Browne books I have read, this is a psychological thriller, and it will have you gripped from the very start, with a really nasty psychopath of a villain, and the agony, pain, and torment of a family who have already gone through so much. Making this is superb plot leading up to an explosive conclusion.
March 30, 2015
Although this is a step away from her usual books, Sheryl Browne has brought all her trademark talents to this new step into the world of suspense. She has such a firm grasp of the family dynamic and what makes each member tick, so you are drawn in from the word go. But you are drawn in to a world of heart ache. From the outset this book will grip you and tug at your heartstrings. If you haven’t read anything by Sheryl Browne yet then I’d definitely recommend this one. And for die-hard rom com fans, this book might just seduce you into reading a whole new genre!
April 19, 2015
Altough I marked 4 stars, it should be 4,9... but the sistem doesn't allow it... (sigh)
I think I'd read almost every book that came from Sheryl Browne's "pen" and yes, this one was so much different from the rest of them. But in a good way.
You'll find three stories at the begining and all three clashes together in a one like a storm.
I'm not going to write what the novel is about, several people before me already did that, but if you look for a psychological thriller, you've come to the right place...
I think I'd read almost every book that came from Sheryl Browne's "pen" and yes, this one was so much different from the rest of them. But in a good way.
You'll find three stories at the begining and all three clashes together in a one like a storm.
I'm not going to write what the novel is about, several people before me already did that, but if you look for a psychological thriller, you've come to the right place...
June 22, 2015
3.75 stars really as this was a good book and I am not quite sure why it didn't grip me more ,not just the run of the mill thriller but much more about the psychological effects of the family and how they dealt with ...or rather didn't deal with what had happened and the events that followed., it all made for a good read on the whole.
July 23, 2014
Review to follow.
March 30, 2015
On the edge all round good read. Another winner from Sheryl Browne
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