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Pressure
When the submarine departed, none of the ten people on board knew it would turn into a nightmare.
Trapped on the sunken vessel and unable to escape, one of them is discovered dead. The tension escalates as the survivors realise there is a murderer among them, who is preparing to strike again and again…
With mounting desperation, people begin to turn on each other. While they struggle to identify who is responsible, each must contend with their own past and the secrets they are hiding.
But who is who? And which of them will be next to die?
Trapped on the sunken vessel and unable to escape, one of them is discovered dead. The tension escalates as the survivors realise there is a murderer among them, who is preparing to strike again and again…
With mounting desperation, people begin to turn on each other. While they struggle to identify who is responsible, each must contend with their own past and the secrets they are hiding.
But who is who? And which of them will be next to die?
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First published May 4, 2018
138 people are currently reading
176 people want to read
About the author
Betsy Reavley
24 books270 followersBetsy Freeman Reavley is the author of Beneath the Watery Moon and A Worm in the Bottle. Carrion, her latest psychological thriller will be released in November 2014.
She was born in Hammersmith, London.
As a child she moved around frequently with her family, spending time in London, Provence, Tuscany, Gloucestershire and Cambridgeshire.
She showed a flair for literature and writing from a young age and had a particular interest in poetry, of which she was a prolific consumer and producer.
In her early twenties she moved to Oxford, where she would eventually meet her husband. During her time in Oxford her interests turned from poetry to novels and she began to develop her own unique style of psychological thriller.
Beneath the Watery Moon is Betsy Reavley’s beautifully written first release and tells the macabre story of a young woman battling against mental illness.
Beneath the Watery Moon is published by Not So Noble Books and is available as an eBook from Amazon.
Betsy Reavley's second novel Carrion is a psychological chiller that address the link between grief and mental illness.
Reavley says "I think people are at their most fascinating when they are faced with life's real horrors." This is what I love to write about.
Betsy Reavley currently lives in North London, with her husband 2 children, dog, cat and chickens. You can follow her on Twitter @BetsyReavley
She was born in Hammersmith, London.
As a child she moved around frequently with her family, spending time in London, Provence, Tuscany, Gloucestershire and Cambridgeshire.
She showed a flair for literature and writing from a young age and had a particular interest in poetry, of which she was a prolific consumer and producer.
In her early twenties she moved to Oxford, where she would eventually meet her husband. During her time in Oxford her interests turned from poetry to novels and she began to develop her own unique style of psychological thriller.
Beneath the Watery Moon is Betsy Reavley’s beautifully written first release and tells the macabre story of a young woman battling against mental illness.
Beneath the Watery Moon is published by Not So Noble Books and is available as an eBook from Amazon.
Betsy Reavley's second novel Carrion is a psychological chiller that address the link between grief and mental illness.
Reavley says "I think people are at their most fascinating when they are faced with life's real horrors." This is what I love to write about.
Betsy Reavley currently lives in North London, with her husband 2 children, dog, cat and chickens. You can follow her on Twitter @BetsyReavley
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
August 13, 2018
This was a great book that had a lot of tension, mystery, psychological terror and of course murder. A wonderful modernized take on the book " Ten Little Indians " and really captured my full attention trying to figure out (who done it?). A submarine, ten people on board, a power failure, claustrophobia arises and a possible murderer made for a very entertaining and intense read about a dive into the deep sea.
All the characters had a complex past so I was kept guessing about who the innocent victims would be or who would finally materialize as the killer. This writer did an excellent job at keeping the reader in suspense throughout the story and not wanting to put the book down.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and want to read more books written by Beverly Reavley!
I highly recommend this well-written book and have given a rating of 4 1/2 🌟🌟🌟🌟⭐ stars!!
All the characters had a complex past so I was kept guessing about who the innocent victims would be or who would finally materialize as the killer. This writer did an excellent job at keeping the reader in suspense throughout the story and not wanting to put the book down.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and want to read more books written by Beverly Reavley!
I highly recommend this well-written book and have given a rating of 4 1/2 🌟🌟🌟🌟⭐ stars!!
August 17, 2018
4.5
Imagine being trapped in a sunken submarine with a deranged killer on board!
During reading this unusual, creepy and unsettling book, I felt claustrophobic, dizzy and suffocated!
Pressure reminded me of Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None, but was also unique in many respects. It is a well written, fast-paced read, with complex and unlikable characters and twists and turns in every corner. Trust me, you will be unable to put the book down till the last page!
I have found a new favorite author and can't wait to read more of her works.
Imagine being trapped in a sunken submarine with a deranged killer on board!
During reading this unusual, creepy and unsettling book, I felt claustrophobic, dizzy and suffocated!
Pressure reminded me of Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None, but was also unique in many respects. It is a well written, fast-paced read, with complex and unlikable characters and twists and turns in every corner. Trust me, you will be unable to put the book down till the last page!
I have found a new favorite author and can't wait to read more of her works.
May 6, 2018
Who done it??
Better than perfection.,if that's possible. A superbly crafted psychological thriller, told in short chapters about each of the character's, which leaves you asking is it them? There is a narrative from childhood to today, of somebody , threading it al together. Don't think anyone would be able to work out the final result.
There are obvious comparisons to Agatha Christie a her story of the ten little...,from the general synopsis. Personally, this is so much better than that.
Better than perfection.,if that's possible. A superbly crafted psychological thriller, told in short chapters about each of the character's, which leaves you asking is it them? There is a narrative from childhood to today, of somebody , threading it al together. Don't think anyone would be able to work out the final result.
There are obvious comparisons to Agatha Christie a her story of the ten little...,from the general synopsis. Personally, this is so much better than that.
April 15, 2018
Have you ever had that discussion where you talk about what the worst possible way to die would be for you? Well I think I now can add being on a submarine to that little list.
The story flicks between characters when they are on the submarine and how they got to be on there. As there are a few characters it did take me a little while to settle into getting to know who is who but that didn't stop me from being fully emerged into what was going on.
I can only describe this story as being claustrophobic and suffocating. I mean that in the bestest possible way. The author drags you into the story so it feels like you are trapped on the vessel with the characters. At times I could totally empathise with the characters as I could feel the madness setting in.
If it wasn't bad enough to be stranded on the submarine the fact that there is a murderer amongst them makes it way more unbearable. I honestly didn't know which one was worse, a possible death from lack of oxygen or being murdered. It was a total guessing game as to who it could be. As soon as I thought it could be one person, something happened which totally squashed that idea and I was back to square one.
Pressure reminded me very much of Agatha Christie's, And Then There Were None. It is crammed pack full of suspense that intensifies the further into the story you get. This is one thriller that will seriously mess with your head with shocks and surprises a plenty. An absolute must read for fans of a gripping psychological thriller that will leave you gasping for air.
My thanks to Bloodhound Books and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
The story flicks between characters when they are on the submarine and how they got to be on there. As there are a few characters it did take me a little while to settle into getting to know who is who but that didn't stop me from being fully emerged into what was going on.
I can only describe this story as being claustrophobic and suffocating. I mean that in the bestest possible way. The author drags you into the story so it feels like you are trapped on the vessel with the characters. At times I could totally empathise with the characters as I could feel the madness setting in.
If it wasn't bad enough to be stranded on the submarine the fact that there is a murderer amongst them makes it way more unbearable. I honestly didn't know which one was worse, a possible death from lack of oxygen or being murdered. It was a total guessing game as to who it could be. As soon as I thought it could be one person, something happened which totally squashed that idea and I was back to square one.
Pressure reminded me very much of Agatha Christie's, And Then There Were None. It is crammed pack full of suspense that intensifies the further into the story you get. This is one thriller that will seriously mess with your head with shocks and surprises a plenty. An absolute must read for fans of a gripping psychological thriller that will leave you gasping for air.
My thanks to Bloodhound Books and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
May 9, 2018
Also at: https://juliapalooza.com/2018/05/09/b...
Pressure is a bold, clever and claustrophobic psychological thriller and I really enjoyed it.
First of all: a closed-circle whodunit AND people being bumped off one by one by an unseen killer – two of my favourite tropes! Second of all: floor plan! I loved this and it did really help me to visualise the story as it played out.
“Who are you, Hercule fucking Poirot?”
Pressure has the feel and set-up of a classic murder mystery but with some extremely modern themes running through it. I’m not going to say anything more about the plot than is in the blurb because I thoroughly enjoyed finding out for myself who and what everyone was and how they came to be there.
I very much liked the book’s structure: scenes from the present day – the current panicked situation on the submarine – interspersed with flashbacks to get to know each one of the characters. The short chapters and the increasing tension make this a very fast paced read and perfectly suited to finishing in one nail-biting sitting.
The story is pretty gruesome throughout and the ending is both twisted and shocking. I highly recommend Pressure. I have had Betsy Reavley’s The Optician’s Wife on my Kindle for a while now and will definitely be bumping it up the TBR.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloodhound Books for the ARC of Pressure.
Pressure is a bold, clever and claustrophobic psychological thriller and I really enjoyed it.
First of all: a closed-circle whodunit AND people being bumped off one by one by an unseen killer – two of my favourite tropes! Second of all: floor plan! I loved this and it did really help me to visualise the story as it played out.
“Who are you, Hercule fucking Poirot?”
Pressure has the feel and set-up of a classic murder mystery but with some extremely modern themes running through it. I’m not going to say anything more about the plot than is in the blurb because I thoroughly enjoyed finding out for myself who and what everyone was and how they came to be there.
I very much liked the book’s structure: scenes from the present day – the current panicked situation on the submarine – interspersed with flashbacks to get to know each one of the characters. The short chapters and the increasing tension make this a very fast paced read and perfectly suited to finishing in one nail-biting sitting.
The story is pretty gruesome throughout and the ending is both twisted and shocking. I highly recommend Pressure. I have had Betsy Reavley’s The Optician’s Wife on my Kindle for a while now and will definitely be bumping it up the TBR.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloodhound Books for the ARC of Pressure.
August 27, 2018
So first off, there are two storylines in this book that flip back and forth from chapter to chapter. One is the story of an unnamed child's adolescence and the other is about what's happening in real time on the sub and how those characters met the producer, Frank Holden who is a first class a-hole, and acquired their spot on the sub.
The structure of this story is what stood out the most to me. It was laid out beautifully-designed to build the suspense and keep you guessing. The whole time you're wondering which one of the crew members had this horrific childhood and could be causing the havoc on the sub. I guessed and guessed and guessed but never did pick the right person. Lol
The only thing I didn't really care for was how fast the story jumped from- departing in the sub, to a malfunctioning sub with a crazy killer on board. It felt like they crashed before they even had a chance to set sail and then the murders happened almost too fast to be realistic. So it would have been nice if their time on the sub was drawn out a little more.
It was still an enjoyable psychological thriller though and it will keep you guessing to the very end!
The structure of this story is what stood out the most to me. It was laid out beautifully-designed to build the suspense and keep you guessing. The whole time you're wondering which one of the crew members had this horrific childhood and could be causing the havoc on the sub. I guessed and guessed and guessed but never did pick the right person. Lol
The only thing I didn't really care for was how fast the story jumped from- departing in the sub, to a malfunctioning sub with a crazy killer on board. It felt like they crashed before they even had a chance to set sail and then the murders happened almost too fast to be realistic. So it would have been nice if their time on the sub was drawn out a little more.
It was still an enjoyable psychological thriller though and it will keep you guessing to the very end!
May 5, 2018
Not sure I’ve ever mentioned this before, but little old me and water do not mix. I hate drinking it, I don’t particularly enjoy flying over it, I don’t like being in it or on it and I most certainly wouldn’t want to be under it. So obviously reading about a submarine stuck at the bottom of the ocean is a perfect choice of book for me. 😄
Pressure has all the hallmarks of Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None. Throw a bunch of people together in a closed environment with no means of escape and put a murderer amongst them. Except this isn’t a fancy manor in the countryside or a remote island but a submarine. Quite frankly, for me it’s the stuff of nightmares.
Due to a technical error, the submarine loses power and ends up at the bottom of the ocean. With limited supply in food and oxygen and no means of escape, tempers start to rise and then someone is found dead. The remaining crew members begin to turn on one another and the pressure builds up in more ways than one.
There are ten people on board. Bit by bit, they are introduced to us. They explain where they came from, their secrets and dreams and how they came to be on the submarine in the first place. None of these characters are particularly likeable and being stuck together like this sure brings out the worst in them. There are also flashback chapters from one of the people on board, describing their absolutely horrid, heartbreaking and harrowing childhood.
I quite early on figured out who the killer was but that didn’t ruin my reading experience at all. Pressure is a gripping and compelling story that held my attention throughout. It’s tense with a dark, threatening and claustrophobic feel to it. While I was worried that the outcome would be completely predictable, I was surprised and glad to see it wasn’t at all. I think this would make an excellent movie, to be honest. You know, if you like water and all. 😉
Pressure has all the hallmarks of Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None. Throw a bunch of people together in a closed environment with no means of escape and put a murderer amongst them. Except this isn’t a fancy manor in the countryside or a remote island but a submarine. Quite frankly, for me it’s the stuff of nightmares.
Due to a technical error, the submarine loses power and ends up at the bottom of the ocean. With limited supply in food and oxygen and no means of escape, tempers start to rise and then someone is found dead. The remaining crew members begin to turn on one another and the pressure builds up in more ways than one.
There are ten people on board. Bit by bit, they are introduced to us. They explain where they came from, their secrets and dreams and how they came to be on the submarine in the first place. None of these characters are particularly likeable and being stuck together like this sure brings out the worst in them. There are also flashback chapters from one of the people on board, describing their absolutely horrid, heartbreaking and harrowing childhood.
I quite early on figured out who the killer was but that didn’t ruin my reading experience at all. Pressure is a gripping and compelling story that held my attention throughout. It’s tense with a dark, threatening and claustrophobic feel to it. While I was worried that the outcome would be completely predictable, I was surprised and glad to see it wasn’t at all. I think this would make an excellent movie, to be honest. You know, if you like water and all. 😉
May 4, 2018
I can’t believe this is my first read by this author. All I can say is where have I been hiding lol I’ll definitely be reading her previous books in the future.
Ten people are trapped on a sunken submarine. Among the people in the submarine is a killer which totally adds to the story. There are plenty of points of view in this story which is usually a negative for me. However the author wrote this in such a way that I didn’t notice , the story flowed really well.
I found this to be a well written story that gave me that claustrophobic feeling. I’d love to see this made into a movie as I’d certainly watch it.
Ten people are trapped on a sunken submarine. Among the people in the submarine is a killer which totally adds to the story. There are plenty of points of view in this story which is usually a negative for me. However the author wrote this in such a way that I didn’t notice , the story flowed really well.
I found this to be a well written story that gave me that claustrophobic feeling. I’d love to see this made into a movie as I’d certainly watch it.
May 3, 2018
This is a gripping book which you just can’t put down.
A group go on the submarine to make a film so there are actors, a cameraman and Frank who organised this whole thing. Alongside them is a small crew.
At the beginning of the book the lights go out and they realise they are stranded at the bottom of the ocean....
Soon a body is discovered and everyone looks at each other wondering who the killer is.
As more people die the tension mounts.
Each chapter is told from a different characters point of view and there are also chapters from a child who is being abused by her mother. It is not clear which of the characters is this child and it keeps you guessing right until the end.
This is a great read and I would like to thank Bloodhound Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
A group go on the submarine to make a film so there are actors, a cameraman and Frank who organised this whole thing. Alongside them is a small crew.
At the beginning of the book the lights go out and they realise they are stranded at the bottom of the ocean....
Soon a body is discovered and everyone looks at each other wondering who the killer is.
As more people die the tension mounts.
Each chapter is told from a different characters point of view and there are also chapters from a child who is being abused by her mother. It is not clear which of the characters is this child and it keeps you guessing right until the end.
This is a great read and I would like to thank Bloodhound Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
September 1, 2025
The chance of a lifetime – a unique opportunity for all involved to create a film aboard a submarine turns into a nightmare as the sub sinks. And then a murder takes place… This is what Betsy Reavley’s gruesome and chilling thriller is all about: Agatha Christie’s ‘And Then There Were None’ ten times scarier…
| Introduction |
The Pica Explorer is the submarine where it will all happen: a chance to stand in the spotlights once again – and for the first time as an actor, a chance for the captain and his crew to earn a bit of money and to be part of a unique project, and last but not least a chance for Frank Holden, who used to be “one of UK’s biggest directors,” to avert bankruptcy and, even worse, being forgotten. But somehow, everything falls to pieces when the Pica Explorer is losing power and slowly but surely is heading for the bottom of the sea…
| Storyline |
“You have never known real darkness until you have been deep underwater.” – opening words chpt.2
The pressure is building up both outside of the submarine as well as inside. The silence is not a peaceful one but feels more like the silence before the storm. Before the shock sets in and panic rises. There are ten people assembled aboard the Pica Explorer – the captain and his crew, the actors, and Frank Holden and his entourage, to shoot a unique film and bring back the days of glory for both the director as the actors. The film means funds for the captain, Patrick, and a chance to work with the best, a move forward in her career for young Zara. In between the chapters aboard the Pica Explorer, where people get more desperate with the passage of time, we learn about the backgrounds of everyone and find out that each has his or her own reason to be aboard the submarine at that specific moment in time.
There are sad stories and stories of love, heartache and failure, and more.. The most disturbing parts are the ‘Child’ chapters, speaking of a childhood filled with violence, horrible abuse and negligence. What sort of vicious and vile person can act this way?! And who can grow up like this without being afflicted by it? Who is this child, who is the adult and, more importantly, how is this related to the current situation aboard the Pica Explorer? As if the situation is not enough, someone is found dead. Murdered. Accusations fly around and the tension rises to unspeakable heights. As if ten people locked up in the confined space of a sinking submarine isn’t enough, it now appears a murderer is amongst them…
| My Thoughts |
What a captivating read! I had to read on and could not stop before I knew how it would end. Who would survive? Would the Pica Explorer ever see the surface again? I cannot answer these questions for you – that would be spoiling the plot but let me tell you that at times, I felt I could hardly breathe myself! The author builds up her plot chapter by chapter, the ‘present day’ of life on the Pica Explorer entwined with chapters where we get more insight into the characters and, more disturbingly, with chapters called ‘Child.’ Is the grownup version of this neglected and abused child we feel so sorry for aboard the Pica Explorer? If so, I nailed it down to three ‘suspects’ but that was as far as I got! Whilst the pressure is building up inside the submarine, you feel the tension rising when yet another occurrence takes place, another shocking event. You might guess what as I referred to Agatha Christie’s ‘And Then There Werre None’ but.. nope! A captivating, chilling, at times gruesome thriller by our own lady of suspense: Betsy Reavley!
| Introduction |
The Pica Explorer is the submarine where it will all happen: a chance to stand in the spotlights once again – and for the first time as an actor, a chance for the captain and his crew to earn a bit of money and to be part of a unique project, and last but not least a chance for Frank Holden, who used to be “one of UK’s biggest directors,” to avert bankruptcy and, even worse, being forgotten. But somehow, everything falls to pieces when the Pica Explorer is losing power and slowly but surely is heading for the bottom of the sea…
| Storyline |
“You have never known real darkness until you have been deep underwater.” – opening words chpt.2
The pressure is building up both outside of the submarine as well as inside. The silence is not a peaceful one but feels more like the silence before the storm. Before the shock sets in and panic rises. There are ten people assembled aboard the Pica Explorer – the captain and his crew, the actors, and Frank Holden and his entourage, to shoot a unique film and bring back the days of glory for both the director as the actors. The film means funds for the captain, Patrick, and a chance to work with the best, a move forward in her career for young Zara. In between the chapters aboard the Pica Explorer, where people get more desperate with the passage of time, we learn about the backgrounds of everyone and find out that each has his or her own reason to be aboard the submarine at that specific moment in time.
There are sad stories and stories of love, heartache and failure, and more.. The most disturbing parts are the ‘Child’ chapters, speaking of a childhood filled with violence, horrible abuse and negligence. What sort of vicious and vile person can act this way?! And who can grow up like this without being afflicted by it? Who is this child, who is the adult and, more importantly, how is this related to the current situation aboard the Pica Explorer? As if the situation is not enough, someone is found dead. Murdered. Accusations fly around and the tension rises to unspeakable heights. As if ten people locked up in the confined space of a sinking submarine isn’t enough, it now appears a murderer is amongst them…
| My Thoughts |
What a captivating read! I had to read on and could not stop before I knew how it would end. Who would survive? Would the Pica Explorer ever see the surface again? I cannot answer these questions for you – that would be spoiling the plot but let me tell you that at times, I felt I could hardly breathe myself! The author builds up her plot chapter by chapter, the ‘present day’ of life on the Pica Explorer entwined with chapters where we get more insight into the characters and, more disturbingly, with chapters called ‘Child.’ Is the grownup version of this neglected and abused child we feel so sorry for aboard the Pica Explorer? If so, I nailed it down to three ‘suspects’ but that was as far as I got! Whilst the pressure is building up inside the submarine, you feel the tension rising when yet another occurrence takes place, another shocking event. You might guess what as I referred to Agatha Christie’s ‘And Then There Werre None’ but.. nope! A captivating, chilling, at times gruesome thriller by our own lady of suspense: Betsy Reavley!
May 4, 2018
There’s nowhere to run, and you’re trapped in a submarine with a killer, and then the first body is found… You immediately know this is going to be a murderous read; surely, it’s safer to stay with the group, but anyone could be the killer – how do you survive? That is the dilemma facing those trapped in the submarine. This novel unfolds with the events on the submarine, but also how each of the ten characters came to be onboard.
Most interesting, for me, was the narration of an unknown child, interspersed throughout. Trying to figure out who this child was because you’re 99% sure they’re trapped in the submarine as an adult and killing off people one by one. After the first murder, I thought I had it all figured out, but as you hear from each character, it seems they all have a motive to kill. Despite getting snippets from all ten characters, the plot is easy to follow, mainly because the main narration takes place in one location (the submarine) so this minimises the possibility for confusion.
One of the features this novel has, that I really like, is unlikeable characters – and I’m not talking about just one, there are multiple characters to dislike! And the unlikeability came very early on for one of the characters, it completely blindsided me and let me know that this would be a dark read – I can’t say I shed a tear at this character’s fate.
When I first started reading this novel, it took me a while to get into the plot; it’s very different to Frailty, and not necessarily a case of “if you like one, you’ll like the other.” Pressure reminded me of those “slasher-style” horror films but in book form; a group of people trapped together with no way out and they (and you, the reader) have to guess the killer before every dies. If you’re looking for a quick and fun read, in a claustrophobic setting, Pressure may be the book for you.
*My thanks to Bloodhound Books for providing me with a copy of this book*
Most interesting, for me, was the narration of an unknown child, interspersed throughout. Trying to figure out who this child was because you’re 99% sure they’re trapped in the submarine as an adult and killing off people one by one. After the first murder, I thought I had it all figured out, but as you hear from each character, it seems they all have a motive to kill. Despite getting snippets from all ten characters, the plot is easy to follow, mainly because the main narration takes place in one location (the submarine) so this minimises the possibility for confusion.
One of the features this novel has, that I really like, is unlikeable characters – and I’m not talking about just one, there are multiple characters to dislike! And the unlikeability came very early on for one of the characters, it completely blindsided me and let me know that this would be a dark read – I can’t say I shed a tear at this character’s fate.
When I first started reading this novel, it took me a while to get into the plot; it’s very different to Frailty, and not necessarily a case of “if you like one, you’ll like the other.” Pressure reminded me of those “slasher-style” horror films but in book form; a group of people trapped together with no way out and they (and you, the reader) have to guess the killer before every dies. If you’re looking for a quick and fun read, in a claustrophobic setting, Pressure may be the book for you.
*My thanks to Bloodhound Books for providing me with a copy of this book*
May 5, 2018
3.5 review to follow
May 24, 2018
4.5 stars
RTC
RTC
May 7, 2018
It’s always exciting when Betsy Reavely has a new book out and I couldn’t wait to get stuck in to Pressure, although having read this authors dark and sometimes distressing work before, I knew it was possibly going to be a tough read in places! And it was! But I have to say, before I go into any more detail about why it was rather disturbing at times, that if ever one of Betsys books cried out to be made into a movie then it’s Pressure. Honestly, it’s one that would freak the hell out of most people and it would translate perfectly to the big screen!
Now me and water aren’t really friends and the thought of being stuck at the bottom of the ocean fills me with more dread than I would even like to think about! Especially if I was stuck with people that I really didn’t (or even want!!) to know! But that’s what happens when a group of people who wouldn’t normally be all together, end up stuck on a submarine at the bottom of the sea with a dwindling oxygen supply and a murderer amongst them. The narrative is broken down into three parts with one telling the story of what is happening on the submarine, one narrated by “the child” and the other is the introduction (one by one) of the occupants stuck onboard. Now comparisons to And Then There Were None are spot on, I thought, as one by one everyone gets bumped off. I’ve seen some reviews saying that there were too many characters but with a plot such as this one, especially due to where it is set, I think it needed a vast array of different personalities involved. What I will say is that although we are introduced to each of them one by one, I would have like a longer introduction to them all and observed their interactions for more time on the submarine before everything started to fall apart. I made the mistake of putting the book down overnight and the next morning had to flick back to everyone’s chapter one at a time to remind myself quickly of who they were.
Pressure is a fast paced thriller which is genuinely terrifying. It plays on our own fears of being unable to escape from a nightmarish situation, one that we know isn’t as impossible as it sounds. Betsy always takes her inspiration from real life events and creates her own personal and stylish take on that incident so that we too can experience the emotional distress behind it. If you like dark and disturbingly realistic scenarios then this is the thriller for you.
Now me and water aren’t really friends and the thought of being stuck at the bottom of the ocean fills me with more dread than I would even like to think about! Especially if I was stuck with people that I really didn’t (or even want!!) to know! But that’s what happens when a group of people who wouldn’t normally be all together, end up stuck on a submarine at the bottom of the sea with a dwindling oxygen supply and a murderer amongst them. The narrative is broken down into three parts with one telling the story of what is happening on the submarine, one narrated by “the child” and the other is the introduction (one by one) of the occupants stuck onboard. Now comparisons to And Then There Were None are spot on, I thought, as one by one everyone gets bumped off. I’ve seen some reviews saying that there were too many characters but with a plot such as this one, especially due to where it is set, I think it needed a vast array of different personalities involved. What I will say is that although we are introduced to each of them one by one, I would have like a longer introduction to them all and observed their interactions for more time on the submarine before everything started to fall apart. I made the mistake of putting the book down overnight and the next morning had to flick back to everyone’s chapter one at a time to remind myself quickly of who they were.
Pressure is a fast paced thriller which is genuinely terrifying. It plays on our own fears of being unable to escape from a nightmarish situation, one that we know isn’t as impossible as it sounds. Betsy always takes her inspiration from real life events and creates her own personal and stylish take on that incident so that we too can experience the emotional distress behind it. If you like dark and disturbingly realistic scenarios then this is the thriller for you.
April 19, 2018
This novel is about ten people trapped on a submarine with oxygen running out and a killer on the loose. Each chapter tells you a little about each person trapped on board along with chapters about one of the characters who was abused as a child by its mother. This is one of those books that you just don’t want to put down, even though it leaves you holding your breath and having a pounding heart! This is a fast paced novel and I look forward to reading more by Betsy. I would highly recommend this novel.
May 6, 2018
What could be more claustrophobic than being trapped somewhere where the oxygen is literally running out? No wonder this book is called “Pressure” as I could feel pressure pushing on my chest almost the whole story. In an homage to Agatha Christie’s “And Then There Were None” Betsy Reavley has created the perfect locked-room setting as the occupants come to realise they are trapped in more ways than one.
Ten people are on a submarine filming a movie when they suddenly lose power and sink to the bottom. What was supposed to be a low-budget movie has turned into a nightmare scenario of its own, as stuck on the seabed quickly running out of power and oxygen, these ten strangers are confronted with the fact that one of them is a murderer.
Told from multiple points of view (there are quite a lot so be ready for that), the narration alternates from past to present giving a little back story on everyone and how each character came to be on the submarine and how they are all actually connected to each other. None of these characters are particularly likeable and being stuck together certainly brings out the worst in them. Also the reader hears from the point of view of someone known only as The Child and the upsetting story of the horrific abuse they suffered at the hands of their mother.
As the oxygen levels decrease, the tension levels of the story increase until the atmosphere is almost suffocating. The author has clearly researched life on a submarine and oxygen deprivation and I had to keep reminding myself to breathe so I didn’t begin to suffer the same ills as the occupants on board The Pica Explorer.
The further into the book you go the more the multiple threads from the beginning of the book seem to weave themselves together. I kept changing my mind over who to trust and who not to as the author led me along numerous wrong turns! Cleverly plotted and written well, the words just seemed to flow from page to page and I found myself immersed in the fate of the occupants of The Pica Explorer.
Bursting with suspense and intrigue, Pressure is an atmospheric thriller that’ll keep you glued to the pages and guessing right to the end.
Ten people are on a submarine filming a movie when they suddenly lose power and sink to the bottom. What was supposed to be a low-budget movie has turned into a nightmare scenario of its own, as stuck on the seabed quickly running out of power and oxygen, these ten strangers are confronted with the fact that one of them is a murderer.
Told from multiple points of view (there are quite a lot so be ready for that), the narration alternates from past to present giving a little back story on everyone and how each character came to be on the submarine and how they are all actually connected to each other. None of these characters are particularly likeable and being stuck together certainly brings out the worst in them. Also the reader hears from the point of view of someone known only as The Child and the upsetting story of the horrific abuse they suffered at the hands of their mother.
As the oxygen levels decrease, the tension levels of the story increase until the atmosphere is almost suffocating. The author has clearly researched life on a submarine and oxygen deprivation and I had to keep reminding myself to breathe so I didn’t begin to suffer the same ills as the occupants on board The Pica Explorer.
The further into the book you go the more the multiple threads from the beginning of the book seem to weave themselves together. I kept changing my mind over who to trust and who not to as the author led me along numerous wrong turns! Cleverly plotted and written well, the words just seemed to flow from page to page and I found myself immersed in the fate of the occupants of The Pica Explorer.
Bursting with suspense and intrigue, Pressure is an atmospheric thriller that’ll keep you glued to the pages and guessing right to the end.
May 7, 2018
When washed up film director Frank Holden decides to make one last attempt to reach the top of the film industry again, he tries to do it on the cheap with newbies and has-beens. He really is a sleaze ball that will make your skin crawl and your blood boil! Money is money though and if it puts food on the table and an actor’s face on the big screen, then with so many just wanting that one lucky break, there are people willing to grab the opportunity with both hands.
The filming is to take place on a submarine, again done on the cheap, with a bloke who knows a bloke and before too long a major fault develops rendering it useless on the sea bed. What began as an aliens living under the sea adventure film quickly turns into an underwater disaster movie with a maniac on board. Oh boy, can they work out who is really playing ten little Indians before it is too late?
As the story develops it dips back and forth between present day and the past, with each of the characters having their own chapter, for you to find out about them and how they came to take these acting roles. But in amongst it all is the voice of the child. It could be disturbing for those that have trouble reading about child abuse and neglect but it is a necessity. I didn’t particularly take to any of the main characters but I was fascinated with the story line. The most reasonable person can snap under pressure if pushed too much and pressure is mounting up from everywhere. If you are looking for a read with an unusual setting then welcome aboard the Pica Explorer. Just bring along your own supply of oxygen.
This is a stand alone read, loved the end!
The filming is to take place on a submarine, again done on the cheap, with a bloke who knows a bloke and before too long a major fault develops rendering it useless on the sea bed. What began as an aliens living under the sea adventure film quickly turns into an underwater disaster movie with a maniac on board. Oh boy, can they work out who is really playing ten little Indians before it is too late?
As the story develops it dips back and forth between present day and the past, with each of the characters having their own chapter, for you to find out about them and how they came to take these acting roles. But in amongst it all is the voice of the child. It could be disturbing for those that have trouble reading about child abuse and neglect but it is a necessity. I didn’t particularly take to any of the main characters but I was fascinated with the story line. The most reasonable person can snap under pressure if pushed too much and pressure is mounting up from everywhere. If you are looking for a read with an unusual setting then welcome aboard the Pica Explorer. Just bring along your own supply of oxygen.
This is a stand alone read, loved the end!
May 8, 2018
A few of my worst fears are as follows; deep water, enclosed spaces, the sea…and being murdered. I really wouldn’t like to be murdered! So obviously a book about a group of people trapped in a malfunctioning submarine slowly being picked off by a psychotic maniac totally pushed all my buttons! As a total thrill seeker I will actively seek out a book that is going to freak me out and make me think “what would I do?”. Now there is no chance you’ll ever find me on a submarine but to be able to immerse myself into this story was a dark delight. I have a vivid imagination and Pressure played out like a horror movie in my mind – I was there shivering in the freezing darkness, smelling the rank odour of bodies beginning to decompose and praying for a solution.
The story is told from quite a few different POV’s including the cast of the movie to be filmed and crew of the submarine. There is also a narrator identified only as Child giving an account of historical abuse at the hands of their mother. This may seem like a lot to get your head around but each chapter is quite short and I found them easy to follow. It seems like each character has an underlying reason to be involved in the film but who is out for murder??
Pressure is the ultimate locked room mystery and I advise you put a few hours aside and read this in one seating just don’t forget to breathe!!
The story is told from quite a few different POV’s including the cast of the movie to be filmed and crew of the submarine. There is also a narrator identified only as Child giving an account of historical abuse at the hands of their mother. This may seem like a lot to get your head around but each chapter is quite short and I found them easy to follow. It seems like each character has an underlying reason to be involved in the film but who is out for murder??
Pressure is the ultimate locked room mystery and I advise you put a few hours aside and read this in one seating just don’t forget to breathe!!
July 30, 2018
"You have never known real darkness until you have been deep underwater." (GULP!)
Considering I have a fear of the sea, especially underwater, and don't get me started on my phobia of sharks, or the fact my sailor husband was away at sea for almost two months at the time I read Pressure, this probably wasn't the most pleasurable and relaxing book for me to read.
However, I did really enjoy it. It felt like quite a quick, easy read with a good mix of characters and some very tense moments. It definitely felt VERY claustrophobic.
The last three words of this story sent a shiver down my spine! I actually felt physically sick.
I finished reading this a couple of weeks ago, and I can feel my heart rate increasing as I type this. Pressure is definitely a book I recommend to anyone who enjoys claustrophobic thrillers. It's the first book I've read by this author, but I'll be checking out her other books after enjoying this one.
I borrowed this through Amazon Kindle Unlimited.
Considering I have a fear of the sea, especially underwater, and don't get me started on my phobia of sharks, or the fact my sailor husband was away at sea for almost two months at the time I read Pressure, this probably wasn't the most pleasurable and relaxing book for me to read.
However, I did really enjoy it. It felt like quite a quick, easy read with a good mix of characters and some very tense moments. It definitely felt VERY claustrophobic.
The last three words of this story sent a shiver down my spine! I actually felt physically sick.
I finished reading this a couple of weeks ago, and I can feel my heart rate increasing as I type this. Pressure is definitely a book I recommend to anyone who enjoys claustrophobic thrillers. It's the first book I've read by this author, but I'll be checking out her other books after enjoying this one.
I borrowed this through Amazon Kindle Unlimited.
May 11, 2018
I would like to thank Netgalley and Bloodhound Books for a review copy of Pressure, a stand alone novel set on a submarine stranded under the sea.
Frank Holden is making a movie set on a submarine and has gathered together a small cast of actors, technicians and crew but when the submarine breaks down they have seven days of air before they all die. It's a stressful situation but nothing compared to what happens when the murders start.
There is much to admire about this novel but I didn't like the format which I found confusing and distracting. The present day narrative, titled with a time stamp, is a first person narrative from Zara, the film's assistant director's point of view. It is interspersed with first person narratives giving the history of how all 10 characters came to be on the submarine and a first person narrative from someone called The Child. It is extremely difficult to keep track of who is speaking and the constantly shifting perspective makes it hard to get absorbed in the novel. The Child's narrative is yet another standard tale of abuse and while it eventually offers an explanation for the events it is drawn out and nothing that hasn't been done before.
Once the reader swallows the idea that so many people who either hate or have a grudge against Frank Holden would choose to spend two months in the cramped confines of a submarine with him Ms Reavley does a great job of creating a tense, edgy atmosphere. Some of this is due to her well hidden perpetrator but mostly it is due to her characters' reactions as they all slowly crack in different ways. It helps that her main narrator, Zara, seems flaky from the start.
Pressure is a well crafted novel which will appeal to many readers.
Frank Holden is making a movie set on a submarine and has gathered together a small cast of actors, technicians and crew but when the submarine breaks down they have seven days of air before they all die. It's a stressful situation but nothing compared to what happens when the murders start.
There is much to admire about this novel but I didn't like the format which I found confusing and distracting. The present day narrative, titled with a time stamp, is a first person narrative from Zara, the film's assistant director's point of view. It is interspersed with first person narratives giving the history of how all 10 characters came to be on the submarine and a first person narrative from someone called The Child. It is extremely difficult to keep track of who is speaking and the constantly shifting perspective makes it hard to get absorbed in the novel. The Child's narrative is yet another standard tale of abuse and while it eventually offers an explanation for the events it is drawn out and nothing that hasn't been done before.
Once the reader swallows the idea that so many people who either hate or have a grudge against Frank Holden would choose to spend two months in the cramped confines of a submarine with him Ms Reavley does a great job of creating a tense, edgy atmosphere. Some of this is due to her well hidden perpetrator but mostly it is due to her characters' reactions as they all slowly crack in different ways. It helps that her main narrator, Zara, seems flaky from the start.
Pressure is a well crafted novel which will appeal to many readers.
May 6, 2018
WOW. WOW WOW. This is a must buy and must read. Pressure is going straight into my top 20 of 2018. Bloody brilliant! Cannot top that story… A well deserved five stars. Wow. Will not forget that story in a hurry.. I am seriously impressed and want to rave about this book. BUY IT! You will not regret it.
I have not read anything similar to this story before and I loved every minute of it! A real who dunnit with a twist. It had suspense all the way through which kept me hooked and wide eyed. A brilliantly written and clever story line… A unbelievable cliff hanger.. Many twists, turns and dark chapters lie ahead! Parts are a little brutal and made my stomach clench including child abuse scenes.
I would highly recommend this story to you all. Outstanding. I loved how there was a little map of the layout of the submarine in the front of the book and how the story was told through each character and how they ended up in their position… Do you think you can solve who the killer is? I didn’t and the outcome had my jaw dropping and shocked! I would love for this story to be turned into a film, I’d watch it. Well done Betsy!
Soo… Did I love this book?
Yes I did, so I will shut up now. Buy it.
I have not read anything similar to this story before and I loved every minute of it! A real who dunnit with a twist. It had suspense all the way through which kept me hooked and wide eyed. A brilliantly written and clever story line… A unbelievable cliff hanger.. Many twists, turns and dark chapters lie ahead! Parts are a little brutal and made my stomach clench including child abuse scenes.
I would highly recommend this story to you all. Outstanding. I loved how there was a little map of the layout of the submarine in the front of the book and how the story was told through each character and how they ended up in their position… Do you think you can solve who the killer is? I didn’t and the outcome had my jaw dropping and shocked! I would love for this story to be turned into a film, I’d watch it. Well done Betsy!
Soo… Did I love this book?
Yes I did, so I will shut up now. Buy it.
May 8, 2018
Betsy Reavley has gone and smashed it with her newest book Pressure, pure unadulterated tension which will intensify the fire within your imagination.
Pressure is centred around a low budget film set on a submarine, after a malfunction on the sub it sinks to the bottom of the ocean, oxygen is depleting, unable to escape, one of them is discovered murdered. Secrets, lies and the past all entangled within a claustrophobic atmosphere that could be death the of them all.
So many questions to be answered, Who’s next?, Why is it happening?, What secrets are surfacing from the past? Will anyone make it out alive? More to the point will we find out who the killer is?
Betsy had produced a narrative that I’m in awe of, how well the characters are portrayed, the short sharp chapters, the actual feeling of being in that sub, gasping for air while reading, I honestly thought holy shit am I next, a top notch psychological thriller.
It took me a while to read not because it was slow but it was my inability to hold my nerve and turn those pages, I was actually scared to turn them, fearing the worst with every page. The twists and turns, the flawless way Betsy sparked my imagination in the book giving me that 360° view which spiralled uncontrollably, dizzying my points of view of who was the culprit. Betsy you even made me have one of those maddening giggle moments when you realise no matter how hard you try your end game is not what you expected.
I know I haven’t given any spoilers or any in-depth information for Pressure as this book speaks volumes for itself, I just think it wouldn’t be fair as it’s got to be read to be believed.
Adrenaline surged through my body time and time again, Pressure is the ultimate psychological thriller. Put what your doing down Now…….Go Buy A Copy, you won’t be disappointed I can guarantee it.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books, Betsy Reavley and Sarah Hardy for the advanced readers copy in exchange for an unbiased and honest review. Thank you again to Sarah for allowing me the opportunity to be part of the Blog Blitz for Betsy Reavley it was an absolute honour.
Pressure is centred around a low budget film set on a submarine, after a malfunction on the sub it sinks to the bottom of the ocean, oxygen is depleting, unable to escape, one of them is discovered murdered. Secrets, lies and the past all entangled within a claustrophobic atmosphere that could be death the of them all.
So many questions to be answered, Who’s next?, Why is it happening?, What secrets are surfacing from the past? Will anyone make it out alive? More to the point will we find out who the killer is?
Betsy had produced a narrative that I’m in awe of, how well the characters are portrayed, the short sharp chapters, the actual feeling of being in that sub, gasping for air while reading, I honestly thought holy shit am I next, a top notch psychological thriller.
It took me a while to read not because it was slow but it was my inability to hold my nerve and turn those pages, I was actually scared to turn them, fearing the worst with every page. The twists and turns, the flawless way Betsy sparked my imagination in the book giving me that 360° view which spiralled uncontrollably, dizzying my points of view of who was the culprit. Betsy you even made me have one of those maddening giggle moments when you realise no matter how hard you try your end game is not what you expected.
I know I haven’t given any spoilers or any in-depth information for Pressure as this book speaks volumes for itself, I just think it wouldn’t be fair as it’s got to be read to be believed.
Adrenaline surged through my body time and time again, Pressure is the ultimate psychological thriller. Put what your doing down Now…….Go Buy A Copy, you won’t be disappointed I can guarantee it.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books, Betsy Reavley and Sarah Hardy for the advanced readers copy in exchange for an unbiased and honest review. Thank you again to Sarah for allowing me the opportunity to be part of the Blog Blitz for Betsy Reavley it was an absolute honour.
April 28, 2018
Wow, another humdinger of a book by this author!
I have to admit that the thought of being stuck on a submarine with no way out, scares the bejesus out of me. When those Russian submariners were unable to be rescued some years back, I found myself shivering with the thought of it. Ms Reavley puts those fears into words a little TOO well, for my liking! Added to that scenario, an unknown killer who is picking off the passengers, one by one, and the tension goes up exponentially.
I had no clue how this book was going to end, nor did I guess the killer - job done, I'd say!
4.5 stars from me :)
I have to admit that the thought of being stuck on a submarine with no way out, scares the bejesus out of me. When those Russian submariners were unable to be rescued some years back, I found myself shivering with the thought of it. Ms Reavley puts those fears into words a little TOO well, for my liking! Added to that scenario, an unknown killer who is picking off the passengers, one by one, and the tension goes up exponentially.
I had no clue how this book was going to end, nor did I guess the killer - job done, I'd say!
4.5 stars from me :)
May 8, 2018
Trust me to pick a book where the subject gives me the heebee jeebees. Imagine if you will, being trapped on a submarine. The air will soon run out and to top it all off, there is a murderer or murderess killing the people on the submarine one by one and there is little chance of rescue.
The chapters cycle between telling us a little bit about the individuals on the submarine, the current claustrophobic and horrifying situation, and the heart breaking experience one of the people on the submarine had as a child growing up in an extremely abusive home.
Overall, I enjoyed the story but I found that the suspense lost a bit of steam when the story would suddenly jump from the submarine to the characters prior experiences and the story of the abused child. I think I would have preferred if the scene had been set with the experiences of the people on the submarine explained first, and then the current situation alternating with the abused child's memories. Other than that, I really did enjoy the novel and didn't really suspect who the killer was until close to the end. This is the first book I have read by Betsy Reavley and I am definitely planning to read more of her books.
I received a copy of this book from Bloodbound Books via Netgalley for free in exchange for an honest review.
The chapters cycle between telling us a little bit about the individuals on the submarine, the current claustrophobic and horrifying situation, and the heart breaking experience one of the people on the submarine had as a child growing up in an extremely abusive home.
Overall, I enjoyed the story but I found that the suspense lost a bit of steam when the story would suddenly jump from the submarine to the characters prior experiences and the story of the abused child. I think I would have preferred if the scene had been set with the experiences of the people on the submarine explained first, and then the current situation alternating with the abused child's memories. Other than that, I really did enjoy the novel and didn't really suspect who the killer was until close to the end. This is the first book I have read by Betsy Reavley and I am definitely planning to read more of her books.
I received a copy of this book from Bloodbound Books via Netgalley for free in exchange for an honest review.
April 16, 2018
Having read Betsy’s previous books I was awaiting the next one with anticipation.
I thoroughly enjoy how the author delves in to human nature and brings out the darkness that lurks beneath the surface.
Pressure, did this in spades!
A clever concept imagine being on a failing submarine and then to be trapped with a killer?
I tried extremely hard to put myself in the position of the people on the sub, imagining you are going to die a slow death if not rescued, but trying to preserve your life for as long as possible from a killer! I was totally engrossed in this read and as the horror unfolded I still wasn’t sure who the killer was!
This was one page turner of a book,that was full of atmosphere, diverse characters and a host of issues that they had to overcome. The claustrophobic element brought in tension and the despair of the characters was portrayed extremely well within the pages.
A very fast paced, easy read that will possibly leave you with questions, on how you would manage in this situation, but all answers are in the book of the characters demise.
This is going to be one of my favourite books by Reavley for a variety of reasons and so highly recommend it. If you like crime mystery novels, that heighten your tension and play on your psyche. Pressure is definitely a read for you.
I thoroughly enjoy how the author delves in to human nature and brings out the darkness that lurks beneath the surface.
Pressure, did this in spades!
A clever concept imagine being on a failing submarine and then to be trapped with a killer?
I tried extremely hard to put myself in the position of the people on the sub, imagining you are going to die a slow death if not rescued, but trying to preserve your life for as long as possible from a killer! I was totally engrossed in this read and as the horror unfolded I still wasn’t sure who the killer was!
This was one page turner of a book,that was full of atmosphere, diverse characters and a host of issues that they had to overcome. The claustrophobic element brought in tension and the despair of the characters was portrayed extremely well within the pages.
A very fast paced, easy read that will possibly leave you with questions, on how you would manage in this situation, but all answers are in the book of the characters demise.
This is going to be one of my favourite books by Reavley for a variety of reasons and so highly recommend it. If you like crime mystery novels, that heighten your tension and play on your psyche. Pressure is definitely a read for you.
May 4, 2018
Holy freaking hell Betsy is back with a new psychological thriller and she is on fire! I have read all her book's and loved all of them....yes I am a massive fan. So I couldn't wait get stuck into Pressure. And has always we are taken on a dark and twisted journey telling the story set on a submarine....different or what?!
The story starts off with an OMG prologue then the story alternates between a child telling a story, the pica explorer and different characters on the sub getting us plenty of character build up. I have to say what a bitch the child'd mother is boy did she make me angry. We soon realise that the child is the killer but we have no idea who it is on the sub. LOVE IT!!!!
So ten people on board having no idea it was going to turn into their worst nightmare when they set off to film a movie. They soon become trapped when it starts to sink and they realise there is a murderer among them. With the tension building you will be hooked line and sinker until the every end.
Crikey what a twisted imagination the author has Pressure is jam packed full of OMFG moments which had my heart was racing and had my eyes popping out my head with some rather gruesome descriptions.Not forgetting the moments where I forgot to breath!
The author weaves one well and truly crafted story where you feel the anxiety to the extent that It actually made me feel claustrophobic and tickled stomached. This is totally different to any other story that I have read by the author and I could image this being a film. Pressure is one hell of a fast paced easy read which I highly recommend giving it all the stars.
Massive thank you to Sarah Hardy for inviting me to take part in the epic blitz
The story starts off with an OMG prologue then the story alternates between a child telling a story, the pica explorer and different characters on the sub getting us plenty of character build up. I have to say what a bitch the child'd mother is boy did she make me angry. We soon realise that the child is the killer but we have no idea who it is on the sub. LOVE IT!!!!
So ten people on board having no idea it was going to turn into their worst nightmare when they set off to film a movie. They soon become trapped when it starts to sink and they realise there is a murderer among them. With the tension building you will be hooked line and sinker until the every end.
Crikey what a twisted imagination the author has Pressure is jam packed full of OMFG moments which had my heart was racing and had my eyes popping out my head with some rather gruesome descriptions.Not forgetting the moments where I forgot to breath!
The author weaves one well and truly crafted story where you feel the anxiety to the extent that It actually made me feel claustrophobic and tickled stomached. This is totally different to any other story that I have read by the author and I could image this being a film. Pressure is one hell of a fast paced easy read which I highly recommend giving it all the stars.
Massive thank you to Sarah Hardy for inviting me to take part in the epic blitz
May 3, 2018
This is my first Betsy Reavley novel and Pressure is one hell of an introduction to her work.
The basic premise of Pressure is a variation on the ‘trapped together, one of us is a murderer’ type. The novel succeeds in immersing the reader in a too-tight setting, conveying very realistically the confines of both the submarine and the options available to its characters. In some parts the novel feels like an old siege movie in the ilk of Assault on Precinct 13 or Escape from New York, in that the overwhelming inability to leave, to even breathe, is ever-present for the characters and the reader.
Where Reavley’s novel differs, is in Pressure, the enemy is very much within, with the multiple threats of oxygen deprivation, close quarters and a murderer pressing in on the cast from all sides at all times. For me, the novel smacked of very modern, snarky slasher movies, isolated, alone, being hunted, but displayed all the char also of an old fashioned, set-in-a-manor whodunit.
The plotting is excellent and the pacing spot-on. A deep sense of foreboding and growing peril permeates the entire novel. Where Reavley excels though, is in her characterisation and the manner in which she conveys her characters emotions, virtues, flaws, vulnerability and cruelty.
Infinitely complex and viscerally-authentic, Reavley characters are fucked-up, heroic, cowardly and complex. Reavley’s use of shifting POV and narrative styles is skilfully-utilised and gave true life to the characters.
The POV shifts continuously, rotating through more than a few persons. I’m rarely a fan of this type of POV shifting, but Reavley has succeeded in altering the POV from person to person, whilst still maintaining the relentless flow and forward momentum of the narrative. This is not an easy thing to do, but when it works, Christ it really works, and Reavley utilized this device perfectly, bringing a tangible sense of immersion, unstoppable forward-momentum and augmented tension.
The shifting POV also served to heighten the impact of the roulette wheel of who the reader has deduced is the killer.
Reavley also plays around with her narrative style, switching between first-person, past tense and present tense to differentiate the flashbacks from the main narrative. This also worked well and kept the separate sections distinct for the reader.
The highlight of the book for me was the sections placed throughout told form the POV of The Child. Extremely dark, gruelling really, these short interludes acted as intermezzi and demonstrated the depth of the author’s understanding of human suffering and our capacity for foulness and endurance. I wanted more of The Child, but also dreaded having to return to their pitiable world. These Interludes, for me elevate Pressure, taking a good read and converting it into a great one.
Containing elements of a Thriller, at times dabbling into Horror, Pressure is an uncomfortable read, but hugely entertaining, which is a bit fucked up and entirely magnificent.
The basic premise of Pressure is a variation on the ‘trapped together, one of us is a murderer’ type. The novel succeeds in immersing the reader in a too-tight setting, conveying very realistically the confines of both the submarine and the options available to its characters. In some parts the novel feels like an old siege movie in the ilk of Assault on Precinct 13 or Escape from New York, in that the overwhelming inability to leave, to even breathe, is ever-present for the characters and the reader.
Where Reavley’s novel differs, is in Pressure, the enemy is very much within, with the multiple threats of oxygen deprivation, close quarters and a murderer pressing in on the cast from all sides at all times. For me, the novel smacked of very modern, snarky slasher movies, isolated, alone, being hunted, but displayed all the char also of an old fashioned, set-in-a-manor whodunit.
The plotting is excellent and the pacing spot-on. A deep sense of foreboding and growing peril permeates the entire novel. Where Reavley excels though, is in her characterisation and the manner in which she conveys her characters emotions, virtues, flaws, vulnerability and cruelty.
Infinitely complex and viscerally-authentic, Reavley characters are fucked-up, heroic, cowardly and complex. Reavley’s use of shifting POV and narrative styles is skilfully-utilised and gave true life to the characters.
The POV shifts continuously, rotating through more than a few persons. I’m rarely a fan of this type of POV shifting, but Reavley has succeeded in altering the POV from person to person, whilst still maintaining the relentless flow and forward momentum of the narrative. This is not an easy thing to do, but when it works, Christ it really works, and Reavley utilized this device perfectly, bringing a tangible sense of immersion, unstoppable forward-momentum and augmented tension.
The shifting POV also served to heighten the impact of the roulette wheel of who the reader has deduced is the killer.
Reavley also plays around with her narrative style, switching between first-person, past tense and present tense to differentiate the flashbacks from the main narrative. This also worked well and kept the separate sections distinct for the reader.
The highlight of the book for me was the sections placed throughout told form the POV of The Child. Extremely dark, gruelling really, these short interludes acted as intermezzi and demonstrated the depth of the author’s understanding of human suffering and our capacity for foulness and endurance. I wanted more of The Child, but also dreaded having to return to their pitiable world. These Interludes, for me elevate Pressure, taking a good read and converting it into a great one.
Containing elements of a Thriller, at times dabbling into Horror, Pressure is an uncomfortable read, but hugely entertaining, which is a bit fucked up and entirely magnificent.
May 6, 2018
Crikey! I didn't think claustrophobia could be written so effectively into a book but my goodness, Betsy Reavley managed it in Pressure. A super-fast paced thriller that I felt I had to read just as fast, as if my own reading-oxygen was in short supply.
I think it was a very novel idea to not just set the book on a submarine, but for the characters to be actors and film crew rather than sailors. It added to the tension when things went wrong and the sub became trapped at the bottom of the sea because nobody knows how to fix it. Add to the already tense mix that there's a killer on board and I could barely breathe with an equal mix of excitement and terror. As characters begin to be killed off, I was both looking for the killer and wondering who would be next.
With so many characters, books tend to get confusing and although I couldn't remember exactly who everybody was at times, some of the characters stuck in my mind due to the amazing back-stories that Betsy Reavley has created. Everyone is on the submarine for a different reason, some to make a name for themselves and some to get revenge. With so many reasons for a person to become unhinged, it makes Pressure totally unpredictable as even down to the last few chapters, I didn't know who to suspect.
Unusual and thrilling, Pressure kept me guessing right to the very end. It certainly showed how appearances can be deceptive and the danger lurking beneath the masks that so many people wear. Beneath the surface certainly has a double meaning in Pressure; beware what lies beneath...
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
I think it was a very novel idea to not just set the book on a submarine, but for the characters to be actors and film crew rather than sailors. It added to the tension when things went wrong and the sub became trapped at the bottom of the sea because nobody knows how to fix it. Add to the already tense mix that there's a killer on board and I could barely breathe with an equal mix of excitement and terror. As characters begin to be killed off, I was both looking for the killer and wondering who would be next.
With so many characters, books tend to get confusing and although I couldn't remember exactly who everybody was at times, some of the characters stuck in my mind due to the amazing back-stories that Betsy Reavley has created. Everyone is on the submarine for a different reason, some to make a name for themselves and some to get revenge. With so many reasons for a person to become unhinged, it makes Pressure totally unpredictable as even down to the last few chapters, I didn't know who to suspect.
Unusual and thrilling, Pressure kept me guessing right to the very end. It certainly showed how appearances can be deceptive and the danger lurking beneath the masks that so many people wear. Beneath the surface certainly has a double meaning in Pressure; beware what lies beneath...
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
April 19, 2018
So, in the afterword, the author of Pressure admits that the book is strange. Maybe I just read a lot of strange stuff because I didn’t think it was strange at all.
I will tell you that it’s not quite what I expected. (Okay, honestly I was expecting some sort of homage to The Poseidon Adventure, but on a submarine. And this is totally on me since it doesn’t even hint at that in the description.)
The most challenging thing for me about the book was the fact that there are so very many POV characters. There are 10 main characters and I think almost all of them (if not actually all of them) get get POV chapters. I get why but that’s a bit…much. The dialogue needs a little work as well. One of the characters was born (I think) in Sweden and the stilted dialogue worked for her, but it was a bit jarring for the other characters.
But, stepping away to the plot, we get an engaging and highly suspenseful thriller. While I’m not sure I entirely bought that the ‘who’ in the ‘whodunnit’ portion of this did all these things, I was extremely entertained by it. I had a lot of fun guessing and finally managed to guess our ‘who’ absurdly late into the book.
I do think I’d try the author again in the future.
*ARC Provided via Net Galley
I will tell you that it’s not quite what I expected. (Okay, honestly I was expecting some sort of homage to The Poseidon Adventure, but on a submarine. And this is totally on me since it doesn’t even hint at that in the description.)
The most challenging thing for me about the book was the fact that there are so very many POV characters. There are 10 main characters and I think almost all of them (if not actually all of them) get get POV chapters. I get why but that’s a bit…much. The dialogue needs a little work as well. One of the characters was born (I think) in Sweden and the stilted dialogue worked for her, but it was a bit jarring for the other characters.
But, stepping away to the plot, we get an engaging and highly suspenseful thriller. While I’m not sure I entirely bought that the ‘who’ in the ‘whodunnit’ portion of this did all these things, I was extremely entertained by it. I had a lot of fun guessing and finally managed to guess our ‘who’ absurdly late into the book.
I do think I’d try the author again in the future.
*ARC Provided via Net Galley
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