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Broken
What happens when two lives collide?
Camilla’s life is changed forever when her beloved son Christopher is sent to prison. To make matters worse, she’s involved in a crash that leaves her suffering from amnesia. She doesn’t recognise herself or her family.
Meanwhile, Father Joseph’s faith is tested when a deranged psychopath uses the confessional to reveal details about his heinous crimes.
Both trapped in their own nightmare, Camilla and Father Joseph struggle to make sense of the world around them and the monsters in it.
But what will happen when fate intervenes?
Camilla’s life is changed forever when her beloved son Christopher is sent to prison. To make matters worse, she’s involved in a crash that leaves her suffering from amnesia. She doesn’t recognise herself or her family.
Meanwhile, Father Joseph’s faith is tested when a deranged psychopath uses the confessional to reveal details about his heinous crimes.
Both trapped in their own nightmare, Camilla and Father Joseph struggle to make sense of the world around them and the monsters in it.
But what will happen when fate intervenes?
254 pages, Paperback
First published April 15, 2022
6 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
Anna Legat
25 books77 followersAnna Legat is a Wiltshire-based author, best known for her DI Gillian Marsh murder mystery series. A globe-trotter and Jack-of-all-trades, Anna has been an attorney, legal adviser, a silver-service waitress, a school teacher and a librarian. She read law at the University of South Africa and Warsaw University, then gained teaching qualifications in New Zealand. She has lived in far-flung places all over the world where she delighted in people-watching and collecting precious life experiences for her stories. Anna writes, reads, lives and breathes books and can no longer tell the difference between fact and fiction.
To find out more: https://annalegatblog.wordpress.com/
To find out more: https://annalegatblog.wordpress.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
April 25, 2022
This book was certainly not what I was expecting. This story is so cleverly written , I was engaged throughout with its fast-paced , tightly woven plot and skillfully drawn characters.
I would like to thank the TBC Reviewers Request Group & the author for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review
I would like to thank the TBC Reviewers Request Group & the author for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review
April 8, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed Broken. This had a great, fast moving storyline, that was easy to follow, and only a handful of characters to keep track of. I love books that get you into the minds of the characters. It really made me think about the challenges they were going through, moral decisions they had to make, and how sometimes you really have to lose yourself, in order to discover who you truly are. I felt myself relating to that. Loved it!
April 21, 2022
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'Broken' by Anna Legat.
Read and reviewed for ZooLoos Book Tours, Anna Legat and Spellbound Books.
Publication date 15th April 2022.
This is the first book I have read by this author.
I was originally drawn to this book by its eye catching fascinating cover and intriguing sounding synopsis and title. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Spellbound Books. I have yet to read a book published by Spellbound Books that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of a 18 chapters set over five parts. The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in Bristol, England 🏴, UK 🇬🇧. I always enjoy when books are set in the UK as I'm from Wales and have sometimes visited areas mentioned in the book. This makes it easier to picture where the scenes are set at times. I am not far from Bristol and have actually visited on several occasions so am interested to see if I recognise anywhere named.
This book is written in first person perspective and the main protagonists are Camilla Bramley-Jones, Hugh Bramley-Jones, Josh Bramley-Jones, Jane Cuthbert and Joseph Steedman. The benefits of books written in first person perspective are as long as they are well written it makes you feel that you are being spoken to by the protagonist and it can create more of a bond between yourselves and them. If there are several protagonists you also get to see more of what is going on.
An absolutely unique storyline!!
This book is extremely well written with vivid descriptions that really set the scene and put you in the storyline. The cover and synopsis suit the book perfectly.
The storyline was captivating from the first page until the last and I was completely invested in it. It was absolutely rammed full of crime, murder, suspense, fantasy, friendship and everything you could ask for in a page turning psychological thriller. I just could not put this book down and finished it in one sitting. The storyline is extremely unique and I have never read one like it. Anna's imagination and creativity absolutely shines through. I won't go into it in too much detail as I don't want to spoil it for future readers. The way it was written genuinely felt like I was with the characters while they were telling me their story over a cup of tea. I loved the fact that it was set in Bristol and I really enjoyed exploring different areas with the characters by my side. There were several twists that I was not expecting especially when it came to the Prophet. A huge congratulations to Anna for surprising me, it is getting harder and harder with the amount of books I have read but you nailed it. I love how the storyline is a mix of so many genres. I was a bit skeptical in regards to it being a religious fiction and spiritual fiction but Anna included just the correct amount of each genre and blended it all perfectly with the criminal and psychological aspects. I was intrigued by the fact that anything spoken about in a confessional cannot be repeated even when it comes to crime. I actually ended up looking this up as I genuinely didn't think that could be right but it is indeed!! This is also the first book that I have read which has been dated during Covid and the lockdown and it reminded me of all the madness going on. I have read several that happened just before or after but this is the first during which I am quite surprised about. This may be the first book I have read by Anna but it most certainly won't be my last!!!
It is set over multiple time lines. When books show what has happened in the past and what is happening in the present I find it really helps the reader (if it is well done) understand why things are happening and what has lead to the present activities and decisions. It also shows the bigger picture.
Do not start this book until you have cleared your schedules as you will not be able to put it down!!
The characters were all realistic and strong and I was completely invested in both Camilla and Joseph along with several other characters throughout. I absolutely loved Joseph who was unlike any priest I have ever met!!! I adored his down to earth and sarcastic attitude, the fact that he didn't preach to people outside of his church. I have no religion but if he was a real character I would have definitely gone to visit him!! Camilla was a lovely character who my heart went out to on occasions especially being tied down to Hugh who treated her like an elderly mother instead of his wife. Loki, Jeremiah and Ruth, although not main characters, definitely made an impact and their relationship with Joseph was lovely. They all made me laugh on several occasions. I was not a fan of Hugh, Peter or Phillipa, especially Phillipa. Hugh seemed to be quite sexist and treated Camilla more like a mother or a slave than a wife as previously mentioned. Peter was Christophers friend but just stabbed him in the back. Philippa was the worse of the three as she treated Camilla like a glorified babysitter, couldn't care less about her son and seemed to be full of herself. Joshua was absolutely adorable although very cheeky with a huge personality. Joshua made me laugh several times and I felt sorry for him with a mother like Philippa. Mrs Keating was another horrible woman who made herself to be holier than thou but was just a nosy and judgemental bat. I'd love to be a fly on her wall when she got certain news!!! My heart went out to Jane who was trying to do her best for her son while being verbally attacked by snobs like Mrs Keating. I loved watching her personality change throughout the book and I'd love to see what she got up to in the years after. Camilla and Joseph couldn't be any more different which made it even more fascinating watching their lives literally collide together. Regardless of what I thought about who, each character worked perfectly to make this page turning religious thriller!!!
Congratulations Anna on a huge success and I would like to welcome you to my favourite author list 🥂 I am off to add all your past books to my wish list and I'm looking forward to your future ones too 😊
Overall an absolutely unputdownable psychological thriller with the perfect mix of fantasy and religion mixed in with several twists!!
Genres covered in this book include Spiritual Literature, Thriller, Noir Crime, Religious Fiction, Spiritual Fiction, Domestic Thriller, Noir Thriller, Dystopian, Crime Fiction and Inspirational Fiction amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as anyone looking for a book filled with many different genres that will have you hooked.
249 pages.
This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle or free on kindle unlimited (at time of review) via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5/5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
#Broken #AnnaLegat #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour #ZooLoosBookTours #SpellboundBooks
@LegatWriter @ZooloosBT @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86 @SpellBoundBks
https://kcmw86.wixsite.com/bookworm86
https://m.facebook.com/Bookworm1986/?...
https://m.facebook.com/Bookwork86/?__...
https://www.instagram.com/bookwormwhi...
Review for 'Broken' by Anna Legat.
Read and reviewed for ZooLoos Book Tours, Anna Legat and Spellbound Books.
Publication date 15th April 2022.
This is the first book I have read by this author.
I was originally drawn to this book by its eye catching fascinating cover and intriguing sounding synopsis and title. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Spellbound Books. I have yet to read a book published by Spellbound Books that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of a 18 chapters set over five parts. The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in Bristol, England 🏴, UK 🇬🇧. I always enjoy when books are set in the UK as I'm from Wales and have sometimes visited areas mentioned in the book. This makes it easier to picture where the scenes are set at times. I am not far from Bristol and have actually visited on several occasions so am interested to see if I recognise anywhere named.
This book is written in first person perspective and the main protagonists are Camilla Bramley-Jones, Hugh Bramley-Jones, Josh Bramley-Jones, Jane Cuthbert and Joseph Steedman. The benefits of books written in first person perspective are as long as they are well written it makes you feel that you are being spoken to by the protagonist and it can create more of a bond between yourselves and them. If there are several protagonists you also get to see more of what is going on.
An absolutely unique storyline!!
This book is extremely well written with vivid descriptions that really set the scene and put you in the storyline. The cover and synopsis suit the book perfectly.
The storyline was captivating from the first page until the last and I was completely invested in it. It was absolutely rammed full of crime, murder, suspense, fantasy, friendship and everything you could ask for in a page turning psychological thriller. I just could not put this book down and finished it in one sitting. The storyline is extremely unique and I have never read one like it. Anna's imagination and creativity absolutely shines through. I won't go into it in too much detail as I don't want to spoil it for future readers. The way it was written genuinely felt like I was with the characters while they were telling me their story over a cup of tea. I loved the fact that it was set in Bristol and I really enjoyed exploring different areas with the characters by my side. There were several twists that I was not expecting especially when it came to the Prophet. A huge congratulations to Anna for surprising me, it is getting harder and harder with the amount of books I have read but you nailed it. I love how the storyline is a mix of so many genres. I was a bit skeptical in regards to it being a religious fiction and spiritual fiction but Anna included just the correct amount of each genre and blended it all perfectly with the criminal and psychological aspects. I was intrigued by the fact that anything spoken about in a confessional cannot be repeated even when it comes to crime. I actually ended up looking this up as I genuinely didn't think that could be right but it is indeed!! This is also the first book that I have read which has been dated during Covid and the lockdown and it reminded me of all the madness going on. I have read several that happened just before or after but this is the first during which I am quite surprised about. This may be the first book I have read by Anna but it most certainly won't be my last!!!
It is set over multiple time lines. When books show what has happened in the past and what is happening in the present I find it really helps the reader (if it is well done) understand why things are happening and what has lead to the present activities and decisions. It also shows the bigger picture.
Do not start this book until you have cleared your schedules as you will not be able to put it down!!
The characters were all realistic and strong and I was completely invested in both Camilla and Joseph along with several other characters throughout. I absolutely loved Joseph who was unlike any priest I have ever met!!! I adored his down to earth and sarcastic attitude, the fact that he didn't preach to people outside of his church. I have no religion but if he was a real character I would have definitely gone to visit him!! Camilla was a lovely character who my heart went out to on occasions especially being tied down to Hugh who treated her like an elderly mother instead of his wife. Loki, Jeremiah and Ruth, although not main characters, definitely made an impact and their relationship with Joseph was lovely. They all made me laugh on several occasions. I was not a fan of Hugh, Peter or Phillipa, especially Phillipa. Hugh seemed to be quite sexist and treated Camilla more like a mother or a slave than a wife as previously mentioned. Peter was Christophers friend but just stabbed him in the back. Philippa was the worse of the three as she treated Camilla like a glorified babysitter, couldn't care less about her son and seemed to be full of herself. Joshua was absolutely adorable although very cheeky with a huge personality. Joshua made me laugh several times and I felt sorry for him with a mother like Philippa. Mrs Keating was another horrible woman who made herself to be holier than thou but was just a nosy and judgemental bat. I'd love to be a fly on her wall when she got certain news!!! My heart went out to Jane who was trying to do her best for her son while being verbally attacked by snobs like Mrs Keating. I loved watching her personality change throughout the book and I'd love to see what she got up to in the years after. Camilla and Joseph couldn't be any more different which made it even more fascinating watching their lives literally collide together. Regardless of what I thought about who, each character worked perfectly to make this page turning religious thriller!!!
Congratulations Anna on a huge success and I would like to welcome you to my favourite author list 🥂 I am off to add all your past books to my wish list and I'm looking forward to your future ones too 😊
Overall an absolutely unputdownable psychological thriller with the perfect mix of fantasy and religion mixed in with several twists!!
Genres covered in this book include Spiritual Literature, Thriller, Noir Crime, Religious Fiction, Spiritual Fiction, Domestic Thriller, Noir Thriller, Dystopian, Crime Fiction and Inspirational Fiction amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as anyone looking for a book filled with many different genres that will have you hooked.
249 pages.
This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle or free on kindle unlimited (at time of review) via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5/5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
#Broken #AnnaLegat #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour #ZooLoosBookTours #SpellboundBooks
@LegatWriter @ZooloosBT @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86 @SpellBoundBks
https://kcmw86.wixsite.com/bookworm86
https://m.facebook.com/Bookworm1986/?...
https://m.facebook.com/Bookwork86/?__...
https://www.instagram.com/bookwormwhi...
April 15, 2022
📖BOOK TOUR & REVIEW📖
How would you feel if your son was sent to prison?
Camilla is devastated when her son, Christopher, is sent to prison. But it gets worse. Christopher’s girlfriend moves on before he’s even sentenced. And worse! She’s pregnant and engaged to his best friend.
Now Christopher’s son, Joshua, will be raised by this man. What an awful situation to be in, but this complex and tangled mess is so delightful to read about! And what a gorgeous cover.
#broken #annalegat #psychologicalthriller #bookstagrammer #honestreview #bookreview #justfinishedreading #thrilleraddict #thrillerlover #booktour #booktourhost #ZooLoosBookTours
How would you feel if your son was sent to prison?
Camilla is devastated when her son, Christopher, is sent to prison. But it gets worse. Christopher’s girlfriend moves on before he’s even sentenced. And worse! She’s pregnant and engaged to his best friend.
Now Christopher’s son, Joshua, will be raised by this man. What an awful situation to be in, but this complex and tangled mess is so delightful to read about! And what a gorgeous cover.
#broken #annalegat #psychologicalthriller #bookstagrammer #honestreview #bookreview #justfinishedreading #thrilleraddict #thrillerlover #booktour #booktourhost #ZooLoosBookTours
April 17, 2022
Broken by Anna Legat is a unique tale of two separate lives that eventually collide. The characters are very well written. Camilla and Joseph are different, but both have had things happen in their lives. Each trying to put the pieces back together. It was very compelling to watch each of these people journey through this story.
This is a psychological thriller and the bits of paranormal elements added to the atmosphere. This is a very twisty story that takes the reader on quite a rollercoaster. Weaving two people’s lives into an eventually merged ending.
Broken held my attention from beginning to end. The writing was excellent and the story had all the elements of a fantastic story. I can’t wait to read more form this author. Don’t miss out on Broken.
Thank you to Zooloo’s Book Tours for the free review copy. All opinions are my own and unbiased.
This is a psychological thriller and the bits of paranormal elements added to the atmosphere. This is a very twisty story that takes the reader on quite a rollercoaster. Weaving two people’s lives into an eventually merged ending.
Broken held my attention from beginning to end. The writing was excellent and the story had all the elements of a fantastic story. I can’t wait to read more form this author. Don’t miss out on Broken.
Thank you to Zooloo’s Book Tours for the free review copy. All opinions are my own and unbiased.
October 31, 2024
There is a devilishly dark layer of black humour in this novel which lifts it into the very top notch of recent additions to this genre.
I was hooked from the very first page. The narrative is complex and clever, and the writing compelling, with a twist quite unlike anything I have read before.
Although this is a novel about a serial killer it is the razor-sharp characterisation that propels the story forwards.
This is a must-read for anyone who is looking for something original and innovative in crime fiction. You won't be disappointed. I loved it.
I was hooked from the very first page. The narrative is complex and clever, and the writing compelling, with a twist quite unlike anything I have read before.
Although this is a novel about a serial killer it is the razor-sharp characterisation that propels the story forwards.
This is a must-read for anyone who is looking for something original and innovative in crime fiction. You won't be disappointed. I loved it.
November 8, 2024
Meet Hugh the successful barrister and his wife Camilla, better known as Mills, also their son Christopher a banker, who begins in court for fraud. He is sentenced and a course of events unfold. He has said that he is innocent throughout. Mills has a car accident with her grandson Joshua with her this was with a motorbike, Joshua witnesses something very extraordinary, the story unfolds and the twists are simply unbelievable. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel.
April 20, 2022
I adored this book. I read it in two days – I even woke up in the middle of the night and read a few chapters. I just couldn’t put it down. The old cliche but so true.
It starts off like many other books, following the lives of the two main characters. Camilla, a bored middle aged housewife, is married to stuffy barrister Hugh. Their son, Christopher, has been convicted of fraud and sentenced to a lengthy time in prison. He blames his accomplice, but she can’t defend herself as she took an overdose.
Joseph is a Catholic priest at The Sacred Heart Church in a run-down area. Some of his parishioners, particularly the odious Mrs Keating, are smug and holier-than-though and believe that he should not be employing Jane Cuthbert as his cleaner. Poor Jane has had to resort to prostitution as her second job to put her son through university.
Father Joseph owns a barge, which he has renovated from scratch, and he enjoys a drink or five with fellow boat-dwellers Ruthie, her dad, Loki and Jeremiah. He doesn’t actually live on his boat, but he does stay there from time to time.
Camilla’s grandson lives with his mum and her partner Peter, but they are going on honeymoon to Australia for a month, so seven-year-old Joshua has to stay with Camilla, Hugh, and Hugh’s sister Auntie Yvonne. Christopher is obviously out of action for a while, the ‘cheating – thieving bastard’ as Peter calls him.
In the meantime, Father Joseph is getting nervous about one of his regular visitors to the confessional. He calls him the Prophet because he fancies himself a holy man. “‘I’ll be back,’ he says like he is the second coming of Arnold Schwarzenegger”. He is proud of what he has done and will continue to do. He knows he is protected by a Catholic priest’s seal of confession. He is evil but there is nothing Joseph can do. I have to admit that I guessed who he was pretty early on, but it didn’t spoil anything as this isn’t a whodunnit and his identity isn’t that important to the story.
Then one day the two lives collide in a most extraordinary way. I don’t want to say any more. This is the unusual twist and I loved it. The story became different and unique. You may believe that what happens is real or you may see it as a metaphor for the awakening of two souls ‘paralysed by doubt and inaction’. It really doesn’t matter either way. It’s just brilliant.
Many thanks to @zooloo2008 for inviting me to be part of this blog tour.
It starts off like many other books, following the lives of the two main characters. Camilla, a bored middle aged housewife, is married to stuffy barrister Hugh. Their son, Christopher, has been convicted of fraud and sentenced to a lengthy time in prison. He blames his accomplice, but she can’t defend herself as she took an overdose.
Joseph is a Catholic priest at The Sacred Heart Church in a run-down area. Some of his parishioners, particularly the odious Mrs Keating, are smug and holier-than-though and believe that he should not be employing Jane Cuthbert as his cleaner. Poor Jane has had to resort to prostitution as her second job to put her son through university.
Father Joseph owns a barge, which he has renovated from scratch, and he enjoys a drink or five with fellow boat-dwellers Ruthie, her dad, Loki and Jeremiah. He doesn’t actually live on his boat, but he does stay there from time to time.
Camilla’s grandson lives with his mum and her partner Peter, but they are going on honeymoon to Australia for a month, so seven-year-old Joshua has to stay with Camilla, Hugh, and Hugh’s sister Auntie Yvonne. Christopher is obviously out of action for a while, the ‘cheating – thieving bastard’ as Peter calls him.
In the meantime, Father Joseph is getting nervous about one of his regular visitors to the confessional. He calls him the Prophet because he fancies himself a holy man. “‘I’ll be back,’ he says like he is the second coming of Arnold Schwarzenegger”. He is proud of what he has done and will continue to do. He knows he is protected by a Catholic priest’s seal of confession. He is evil but there is nothing Joseph can do. I have to admit that I guessed who he was pretty early on, but it didn’t spoil anything as this isn’t a whodunnit and his identity isn’t that important to the story.
Then one day the two lives collide in a most extraordinary way. I don’t want to say any more. This is the unusual twist and I loved it. The story became different and unique. You may believe that what happens is real or you may see it as a metaphor for the awakening of two souls ‘paralysed by doubt and inaction’. It really doesn’t matter either way. It’s just brilliant.
Many thanks to @zooloo2008 for inviting me to be part of this blog tour.
April 19, 2022
Alternating between two separate stories, timelines and perspectives, Broken takes us across a mother’s turmoil of having her son imprisoned, and a priest’s dilemma on hearing the confession of a murderer.
Camilla tries to bond with her grandson, who has no ties with his jailed father. The child has been told by his mother and her new husband, that his father is a hardened criminal who deserved everything that came his way. Camilla believes her son is innocent, her grandson believes his father is not. Who is right and wrong? And who decides whose version of events is true?
Father Joseph frequently encounters a serial killer, who devoutly comes for confession and seeks forgiveness for his crimes. Only to repeat them, and return to confess again. Can a priest tell on a murderer, something that has been revealed in faith? Would abiding by God’s laws make him an accomplice in murder?
Broken addresses the breaking down of ties – familial and societal; the consequences of our actions, and the repercussions of our inactions. We shatter in many ways – by doing wrong, by unintentionally being pulled into someone’s else’s wrongdoing, by doing nothing and thereby encouraging crime to persist. When right and wrong is unclear, which path do we choose? Even by not choosing, we make a choice by default. I loved the tangents Anna Legat brings to the seemingly unconnected stories, and the way she puts things into perspective in the novel as a whole.
The storyline is taut and fast-paced, engaging like a thriller, and well written literary fiction. The characters are memorable, the dual narratives easy to follow, and shifting points of view make the reader a part of the action. Broken kept me engrossed all through the book, and it’s an unconventional psychological thriller I would recommend.
Camilla tries to bond with her grandson, who has no ties with his jailed father. The child has been told by his mother and her new husband, that his father is a hardened criminal who deserved everything that came his way. Camilla believes her son is innocent, her grandson believes his father is not. Who is right and wrong? And who decides whose version of events is true?
Father Joseph frequently encounters a serial killer, who devoutly comes for confession and seeks forgiveness for his crimes. Only to repeat them, and return to confess again. Can a priest tell on a murderer, something that has been revealed in faith? Would abiding by God’s laws make him an accomplice in murder?
Broken addresses the breaking down of ties – familial and societal; the consequences of our actions, and the repercussions of our inactions. We shatter in many ways – by doing wrong, by unintentionally being pulled into someone’s else’s wrongdoing, by doing nothing and thereby encouraging crime to persist. When right and wrong is unclear, which path do we choose? Even by not choosing, we make a choice by default. I loved the tangents Anna Legat brings to the seemingly unconnected stories, and the way she puts things into perspective in the novel as a whole.
The storyline is taut and fast-paced, engaging like a thriller, and well written literary fiction. The characters are memorable, the dual narratives easy to follow, and shifting points of view make the reader a part of the action. Broken kept me engrossed all through the book, and it’s an unconventional psychological thriller I would recommend.
April 15, 2022
I went into Broken really unsure of what to expect and I have to say, it was like nothing I would have guessed but so good.
The novel is driven mainly by two main protagonists. Camilla’s son has recently been jailed and she isn’t feeling herself. When an accident puts her into a coma she wakes and cannot remember or recognise any of her family or her life. Joseph, a priest, is having a crisis of faith and considering taking off and spending life on his boat. He is being haunted by the confessions of one of his congregation and feels there is nothing he can do about it. How do Camilla and Joseph’s lives entwine?
This is a very character focussed novel and with only two main characters and a handful of ‘supporting’ character, it’s easy to follow and keep track of. Each chapter is told through the eyes of Camilla or Joseph which gave me a really good insight into their minds and thoughts. It almost felt intrusive at times and as though I shouldn’t be there.
The plot is built up through the eyes of each character and it’s difficult to see how their paths are going to cross or how they are going to become part of each other’s lives but it’s a captivating journey that makes for compulsive reading. It was so difficult to put down as I needed to know what was coming next.
I enjoyed the build up to each twist or reveal and there are a lot of thought-provoking questions and situations to ponder over. It made me stop and think about what I would do in that situation as myself, or as each character.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s a real gem of a novel and really unexpected in places. Highly recommended.
The novel is driven mainly by two main protagonists. Camilla’s son has recently been jailed and she isn’t feeling herself. When an accident puts her into a coma she wakes and cannot remember or recognise any of her family or her life. Joseph, a priest, is having a crisis of faith and considering taking off and spending life on his boat. He is being haunted by the confessions of one of his congregation and feels there is nothing he can do about it. How do Camilla and Joseph’s lives entwine?
This is a very character focussed novel and with only two main characters and a handful of ‘supporting’ character, it’s easy to follow and keep track of. Each chapter is told through the eyes of Camilla or Joseph which gave me a really good insight into their minds and thoughts. It almost felt intrusive at times and as though I shouldn’t be there.
The plot is built up through the eyes of each character and it’s difficult to see how their paths are going to cross or how they are going to become part of each other’s lives but it’s a captivating journey that makes for compulsive reading. It was so difficult to put down as I needed to know what was coming next.
I enjoyed the build up to each twist or reveal and there are a lot of thought-provoking questions and situations to ponder over. It made me stop and think about what I would do in that situation as myself, or as each character.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s a real gem of a novel and really unexpected in places. Highly recommended.
April 19, 2022
Broken by Anna Legat is psychological thriller and one I was eager to read. Everything I have read from Anna Legat has always been written so well,creating books that really draw you in to the story. The premise of Broken really had me so intrigued. I did hope that it would be as great as everything else she had published. Off course it is!
A truly different book in the fact that we meet two different characters and their stories are told separately until their lives collide. Camilla's son, Christopher has been sent to prison for fraud. Leaving his mum so distraught,blaming everyone but her son. Confessions from a psychopath have Father Joseph feeling helpless so ends his priesthood and goes travelling on a canal boat. The day comes that both Camilla and Father Joseph end up in a traffic accident and are at the same hospital. They don't know it yet,but their life's are about to change.
A book that took over my life for the time it took to read it. A character driven plot with not many characters to keep track of. Told from the perspectives of Camilla and Father Joseph so I got to know both of them and how they see things. I do like this way of telling a story, it becomes so captivating that it becomes almost an obsession (for me anyway!) to find everything out.
The twists and turns are built up to help to create a thought provoking read. It left me wondering what I would do if I was the character. In their situation. All the separate story threads are expertly woven together to bring a satisfactory conclusion. Definitely a high recommended read!
A truly different book in the fact that we meet two different characters and their stories are told separately until their lives collide. Camilla's son, Christopher has been sent to prison for fraud. Leaving his mum so distraught,blaming everyone but her son. Confessions from a psychopath have Father Joseph feeling helpless so ends his priesthood and goes travelling on a canal boat. The day comes that both Camilla and Father Joseph end up in a traffic accident and are at the same hospital. They don't know it yet,but their life's are about to change.
A book that took over my life for the time it took to read it. A character driven plot with not many characters to keep track of. Told from the perspectives of Camilla and Father Joseph so I got to know both of them and how they see things. I do like this way of telling a story, it becomes so captivating that it becomes almost an obsession (for me anyway!) to find everything out.
The twists and turns are built up to help to create a thought provoking read. It left me wondering what I would do if I was the character. In their situation. All the separate story threads are expertly woven together to bring a satisfactory conclusion. Definitely a high recommended read!
June 12, 2022
A broken hearted mother struggles to accept her son is sentenced to five years in prison. A Catholic priest wants to break the sanctity of the confessional. A killer is on the loose...
Broken is a wonderful mix of domestic drama, mystical mystery and serial killer thriller.
I LOVED this book! It is really tricky to review this without giving the major plot twist away...
Camilla Bramley-Jones is a middle aged woman whose son Christopher is convicted of fraud. She and her husband take in their grandson. Father Joseph Steedman is a priest with a dilemma and feels that offering his resignation is the only option. These two lives collide in an unexpected and captivating way.
Alongside the personal lives of these two main characters, there is also a serial killer at large. Father Joseph has to respect the sanctity of the confessional but that means letting a killer continue on his twisted mission. This subplot provides an extra layer of interest but does not dominate the plot.
The majority of the book is written through Camilla and Joseph's first person perspectives. However, there is a section in the middle when we see other viewpoints. I really liked the distinct personalities of Camilla and Joseph, and their thoughts and feelings.
The ending of the book did not answer all of my questions about how or why, but I was completely satisfied with how the characters lives were resolved.
Broken was brilliantly thought provoking and a cracking good read.
Broken is a wonderful mix of domestic drama, mystical mystery and serial killer thriller.
I LOVED this book! It is really tricky to review this without giving the major plot twist away...
Camilla Bramley-Jones is a middle aged woman whose son Christopher is convicted of fraud. She and her husband take in their grandson. Father Joseph Steedman is a priest with a dilemma and feels that offering his resignation is the only option. These two lives collide in an unexpected and captivating way.
Alongside the personal lives of these two main characters, there is also a serial killer at large. Father Joseph has to respect the sanctity of the confessional but that means letting a killer continue on his twisted mission. This subplot provides an extra layer of interest but does not dominate the plot.
The majority of the book is written through Camilla and Joseph's first person perspectives. However, there is a section in the middle when we see other viewpoints. I really liked the distinct personalities of Camilla and Joseph, and their thoughts and feelings.
The ending of the book did not answer all of my questions about how or why, but I was completely satisfied with how the characters lives were resolved.
Broken was brilliantly thought provoking and a cracking good read.
April 29, 2022
Broken by Anna Legat
What if you lost the memory of who you are?
What if you had to pick up the loose ends of life that weren't yours?
What if you had to fight somebody else's battles?
What would YOU do?
Camilla's life will never be the same after her beloved son Christopher is sent to prison.
Father Joseph's faith is sorely tested when a deranged psychopath uses the sanctity of the confessional to boast about his most heinous crimes.
Both Camilla and Joseph are paralysed by doubt and inaction.
But then their lives collide.
I have only read one previous novel by Anna, which was called Swimming With Sharks; as I really enjoyed this author's writing style, I was happy to be placed on the tour for Broken.
Through the eyes of each character, we glimpse into their mindset and get a deep understanding of each of their lives and struggles. Broken is a thought-provoking book, leaving you pondering how you would react if you were placed in the same situation as each character.
With twists and turns galore, this story of intrigue meshes together to its end.
I am happy to recommend it.
Thank you to the Spellbound Books ARC group for this copy to read and review.
What if you lost the memory of who you are?
What if you had to pick up the loose ends of life that weren't yours?
What if you had to fight somebody else's battles?
What would YOU do?
Camilla's life will never be the same after her beloved son Christopher is sent to prison.
Father Joseph's faith is sorely tested when a deranged psychopath uses the sanctity of the confessional to boast about his most heinous crimes.
Both Camilla and Joseph are paralysed by doubt and inaction.
But then their lives collide.
I have only read one previous novel by Anna, which was called Swimming With Sharks; as I really enjoyed this author's writing style, I was happy to be placed on the tour for Broken.
Through the eyes of each character, we glimpse into their mindset and get a deep understanding of each of their lives and struggles. Broken is a thought-provoking book, leaving you pondering how you would react if you were placed in the same situation as each character.
With twists and turns galore, this story of intrigue meshes together to its end.
I am happy to recommend it.
Thank you to the Spellbound Books ARC group for this copy to read and review.
September 17, 2023
4.5*
This is the strangest book, but in a really good way! You know when people write 'kept me guessing until the very end' in reviews? This one absolutely did - even at past 90% I had no clue how it was likely to pan out, or how the points of view would come together.
There's a serial killer, yes, and we don't know the identity, but this turned out to be almost secondary to the stories of Camilla, a middle-aged, middle class housewife, and Joseph, a motorbike and narrow boat loving priest. The way their stories mesh together is so clever ... and unexpected. Everything about this book is unexpected, all the way through. The paranormal element came as the biggest surprise, though to say any more would be to give spoilers. It creeps up, gradually; I'm not usually into that genre but this seemed curiously believable. Suddenly I found I was reading a different book from the one I started.
The line 'the real monsters are disguised as humans' becomes increasingly relevant, as the true psychopath is revealed...
Anna Legat's writing is a treat to read. Never jarring, intelligent, highly readable, the characters jumping off the page. Definitely recommend.
This is the strangest book, but in a really good way! You know when people write 'kept me guessing until the very end' in reviews? This one absolutely did - even at past 90% I had no clue how it was likely to pan out, or how the points of view would come together.
There's a serial killer, yes, and we don't know the identity, but this turned out to be almost secondary to the stories of Camilla, a middle-aged, middle class housewife, and Joseph, a motorbike and narrow boat loving priest. The way their stories mesh together is so clever ... and unexpected. Everything about this book is unexpected, all the way through. The paranormal element came as the biggest surprise, though to say any more would be to give spoilers. It creeps up, gradually; I'm not usually into that genre but this seemed curiously believable. Suddenly I found I was reading a different book from the one I started.
The line 'the real monsters are disguised as humans' becomes increasingly relevant, as the true psychopath is revealed...
Anna Legat's writing is a treat to read. Never jarring, intelligent, highly readable, the characters jumping off the page. Definitely recommend.
April 15, 2022
Quite an unusual book. Starts off as two separate tales until two lives collide. Well written and fast paced this was an enthralling read. Some very interesting characters and to be fair most of them are not the nicest! Psychological thriller with a hint of the paranormal, this is very well written and full of suspense.
Briefly, when her son Christopher is sent to jail for fraud Camilla is distraught. She blames everyone but Christopher. Father Joseph has been hearing confession from a vicious psychopath, and he can do nothing about it. He has decided to give up the priesthood and travel on his canal boat. But when Camilla and father Joseph end up in hospital after a traffic accident lives are about to change.
A really good read. Spills and thrills, twist and turns, lives and loves - this has it all. The various threads gradually weave themselves into a cohesive climax. How would you cope if you had to sort out someone else’s life? Pretty sure I wouldn’t do well! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Briefly, when her son Christopher is sent to jail for fraud Camilla is distraught. She blames everyone but Christopher. Father Joseph has been hearing confession from a vicious psychopath, and he can do nothing about it. He has decided to give up the priesthood and travel on his canal boat. But when Camilla and father Joseph end up in hospital after a traffic accident lives are about to change.
A really good read. Spills and thrills, twist and turns, lives and loves - this has it all. The various threads gradually weave themselves into a cohesive climax. How would you cope if you had to sort out someone else’s life? Pretty sure I wouldn’t do well! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
April 22, 2022
This story follows the lives of Camilla, a mother whose son has just been sent to prison and Father Joseph who has tough choices to make when a killer uses the confessional to talk about his crimes. The chapters are split between the two characters throughout the book, giving insights to their separate lives… until their lives collide. I liked the split narrative and found that it gave us an opportunity to get to know the characters, who were well developed. I struggled to get into the book unfortunately and found it to be a bit of a slow burner. The story does pick up some pace later on, however I felt that for much of the book I was was struggling to comprehend how the two stories could be in any way connected and felt that it could have given some hints earlier on as to how it fit together. There are some good twists and I liked the idea behind the story… but unfortunately this one wasn’t one that I loved.
October 27, 2024
What a gem of a book! I absolutely loved it. Written with subtle humour and full of irony, it is a domestic thriller with a BIG difference. I normally shy away from anything tinged with fantasy, but I found this irresistible. Camilla isn’t, to be truthful, a particularly likeable character. She is definitely a snob, and whilst I recognise and empathise with maternal love, she is definitely blind to the harm caused by her son. Joseph, on the other hand, is obviously a good man, but he is shackled by his religious beliefs and denying his desperate need to unlock his wilder side. An unpredictable event changes everything, and very much for the better. This book was balm to the soul, full of essential kindness, which left me with a warm and uplifting glow.
October 31, 2024
Broken by Anna Legat was an excellent book from start to finish and I really enjoyed reading this book especially as Anna is a new author to me. This was a book I ended up reading all day and I had to finish it. It was a Gem of a book.
Camilla’s life is changed forever when her beloved son Christopher is sent to prison. To make matters worse, she’s involved in a crash that leaves her suffering from amnesia. She doesn’t recognise herself or her family.
Meanwhile, Father Joseph’s faith is tested when a deranged psychopath uses the confessional to reveal details about his heinous crimes.
Both trapped in their own nightmare, Camilla and Father Joseph struggle to make sense of the world around them and the monsters in it.
I recommend this book....Excellent quick read.
Camilla’s life is changed forever when her beloved son Christopher is sent to prison. To make matters worse, she’s involved in a crash that leaves her suffering from amnesia. She doesn’t recognise herself or her family.
Meanwhile, Father Joseph’s faith is tested when a deranged psychopath uses the confessional to reveal details about his heinous crimes.
Both trapped in their own nightmare, Camilla and Father Joseph struggle to make sense of the world around them and the monsters in it.
I recommend this book....Excellent quick read.
May 6, 2022
Two distinct storylines which inevitably collide in this well written & fast paced novel. Few characters to keep track of but even they aren’t particularly loveable. A psychological tale which maintains the tension throughout.
Camilla’s son is jailed for fraud but, according to her, it’s not his fault. Father Joseph hears confession from a psychopath & feels helpless. They come together & their lives change.
This book really does have it all & certainly poses some questions. A great example of the genre & recommended.
Camilla’s son is jailed for fraud but, according to her, it’s not his fault. Father Joseph hears confession from a psychopath & feels helpless. They come together & their lives change.
This book really does have it all & certainly poses some questions. A great example of the genre & recommended.
April 15, 2022
2.5 rounded up
This was an interesting novel and not quite what I was expecting. The two main characters Camilla and Father Joseph literally collide and their lives are never quite the same again.
There’s a small amount of supporting characters including Camilla’s husband Hugh who is quite unlikeable and Camilla’s grandson Josh who is stronger than he looks in more ways than one.
An easy read, split into 5 parts, each building on the previous one to build the novel as a whole.
This was an interesting novel and not quite what I was expecting. The two main characters Camilla and Father Joseph literally collide and their lives are never quite the same again.
There’s a small amount of supporting characters including Camilla’s husband Hugh who is quite unlikeable and Camilla’s grandson Josh who is stronger than he looks in more ways than one.
An easy read, split into 5 parts, each building on the previous one to build the novel as a whole.
April 17, 2022
A first for me with this author and it won’t be my last, although it was not quite what I was expecting it turned out to be a good read. A story of two halves really, twists and turns to hold my interest and leaving me to see where it led, though I have to say some of the plot I did work out along the way. I won’t write about the storyline as I feel the job if the blurb is to peak your interest and draw you in. But good storyline, good characters and well written.
May 3, 2022
This book is everything I require for a thriller. Few characters to track. Fast and intense plot - very creative, who isn't facinated by priests and Confession? Little to no dragging- written without wasting words.
Amazing.
A mother forced to watch her son be imprisoned, unable to even conceive him possessing desire to harm.
A priest forced to carry a criminal's confession, bragging words haunting his every breath.
Highly recommend.
Amazing.
A mother forced to watch her son be imprisoned, unable to even conceive him possessing desire to harm.
A priest forced to carry a criminal's confession, bragging words haunting his every breath.
Highly recommend.
October 31, 2024
There is a devilishly dark layer of black humour in this novel which lifts it into the very top notch of recent additions to this genre.
I was hooked from the very first page. The narrative is complex and clever, and the writing compelling, with a twist quite unlike anything I have read before.
Although this is a novel about a serial killer it is the razor-sharp characterisation that propels the story forwards.
This is a must-read for anyone who is looking for something original and innovative in crime fiction. You won't be disappointed. I loved it.
I was hooked from the very first page. The narrative is complex and clever, and the writing compelling, with a twist quite unlike anything I have read before.
Although this is a novel about a serial killer it is the razor-sharp characterisation that propels the story forwards.
This is a must-read for anyone who is looking for something original and innovative in crime fiction. You won't be disappointed. I loved it.
November 5, 2024
This was my first read by this author and I always love to go in blind, judging from the cover, whether I'm going to love a read.
This cover intrigued me and gave me thriller vibes, so couldn't wait to jump in!
Right from the start, I was surprised by the writing style which had definite hints of humour blended within the thrilling storyline.
This is something often found in cosy crime thrillers, but was quite refreshing here.
The characters were well written and developed over the course of the book and I got a good sense of personality even though I didn't fully relate to them all.
This was well written and had me gripped and racing to find out how things planned out.
Will look out for more books by this author in the future.
This cover intrigued me and gave me thriller vibes, so couldn't wait to jump in!
Right from the start, I was surprised by the writing style which had definite hints of humour blended within the thrilling storyline.
This is something often found in cosy crime thrillers, but was quite refreshing here.
The characters were well written and developed over the course of the book and I got a good sense of personality even though I didn't fully relate to them all.
This was well written and had me gripped and racing to find out how things planned out.
Will look out for more books by this author in the future.
April 9, 2022
I dont know what I was expecting but it wasnt that! Thoroughly enjoyed this fast paced book, with great characters and a very different type of story, which was a great surprise to me.
I really liked the way the lives weaved together.
Would have been 5 stars but I had guessed a couple of the things that happened.
Great book, my first by this author and I am sure wont be my last.
I really liked the way the lives weaved together.
Would have been 5 stars but I had guessed a couple of the things that happened.
Great book, my first by this author and I am sure wont be my last.
May 4, 2022
This book grabbed me from the beginning. It had an interesting storyline for each of the characters - both Joe and Mills.
Learning what happened to each of them and trying to figure out what to be done was part of the fun, and I enjoyed how the story ended. I am glad for the happy ending for both of these likeable people.
Learning what happened to each of them and trying to figure out what to be done was part of the fun, and I enjoyed how the story ended. I am glad for the happy ending for both of these likeable people.
April 18, 2022
Broken by Anne Legatt.
What if you lost the memory of who you are?
What if you had to pick up the loose ends of life that wasn't yours?
What if you had to fight somebody else's battles?
What would YOU do ?
A really good read. I loved the cover. Great story. 4*.
What if you lost the memory of who you are?
What if you had to pick up the loose ends of life that wasn't yours?
What if you had to fight somebody else's battles?
What would YOU do ?
A really good read. I loved the cover. Great story. 4*.
April 29, 2022
This book took a totally unexpected turn! I enjoyed the book and thought the author did a great job fleshing out the main characters. The twist was also well done and I stayed engaged, anxious to see how things turned out. I thought everyone had a completely satisfactory ending!
May 1, 2022
A good read.
Twists and turns to hold my interest and leaving me to see where it led, It was good the way the two lives was weaved together at first was to separate story's but then they came together...
Would read another book by this author well written.
Twists and turns to hold my interest and leaving me to see where it led, It was good the way the two lives was weaved together at first was to separate story's but then they came together...
Would read another book by this author well written.
April 18, 2022
Starts of with two different stories and then they join together. Fast paced and a good story. Well written and I would like to read more by this author.
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