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Die Festung
Bonnie kommt auf einer abgelegenen Festung vor der Küste Englands an, um an einer mysteriösen Reality-TV-Show teilzunehmen. Im Wettbewerb mit sieben Fremden muss sie eine Reihe von Rätseln lösen, um das Preisgeld zu gewinnen. Die Spannung zwischen den Kandidaten steigt. Wer wird am Ende mit Ruhm und Reichtum die Festung verlassen? Zugleich wird Bonnie das schleichende Gefühl nicht los, dass sie und ihre Mitspieler nicht allein in der Festung sind. Dann wird der erste Teilnehmer tot aufgefunden, und Bonnie beginnt eine dunkle Wahrheit zu verstehen: Es gibt einen Mörder in der Festung, und jeder könnte der Nächste sein. Wenn Bonnie entkommen will, muss sie gewinnen...
438 pages, ebook
First published February 29, 2024
95 people are currently reading
2296 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 353 reviews
January 12, 2024
Oh my word! I never want to do an escape room after reading this. What an incredible debut from this author, I will absolutely be looking out for more.
An escape room TV programs, 8 contestants, a large money prize. What is not to love about that? Well, what they are not told is that it is being held in an ex military fortress in the middle of the ocean off the coast of Portsmouth. And that only one will get out alive. What starts as fun and puzzles, matching their wits and brains, soon becomes a deadly game.
That is all you need to know. This book will suck you in and make you keep reading. It is tense and suspenseful, with so many twists and turns. It is shocking and very very dark. I loved it.
Thanks to Random House Uk for my advanced copy of this book to read. Publishes on February 29th and is a must read for locked room fans.
An escape room TV programs, 8 contestants, a large money prize. What is not to love about that? Well, what they are not told is that it is being held in an ex military fortress in the middle of the ocean off the coast of Portsmouth. And that only one will get out alive. What starts as fun and puzzles, matching their wits and brains, soon becomes a deadly game.
That is all you need to know. This book will suck you in and make you keep reading. It is tense and suspenseful, with so many twists and turns. It is shocking and very very dark. I loved it.
Thanks to Random House Uk for my advanced copy of this book to read. Publishes on February 29th and is a must read for locked room fans.
March 4, 2024
A group of eight strangers take part in a reality TV show in an isolated fortress off the coast of England - it would've been nice for the cast/characters to have been from diverse backgrounds representative of the UK population.
Loved the story. Super creepy, gave me SAW vibes (less gory but just as harrowing) and that weird 'redemption'(?) vibe.
One of the best thrillers I'll read this year for sure.
Loved the story. Super creepy, gave me SAW vibes (less gory but just as harrowing) and that weird 'redemption'(?) vibe.
One of the best thrillers I'll read this year for sure.
December 5, 2023
Eight strangers are shipped off to live on a remote sea fort off the coast of England. They must solve a series of puzzles to survive and be crowned the winner. All have as many secrets to hide and as much of a reason to want to win the prize funds as each other. But that is just one of the reasons why this is going to make Channel 5's latest reality TV show, The Fortress, such a good watch.
I LOVE reading thrillers that have a reality TV or podcast element to them. When I discovered that this one featured both I knew I was going to enjoy my time with it but to find it also heavily featured strong puzzles, a well-thought out plot, and a truly twisted final quarter was a gladly received surprise.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, L. D. Smithson, and the publisher, Bantam, for this opportunity.
I LOVE reading thrillers that have a reality TV or podcast element to them. When I discovered that this one featured both I knew I was going to enjoy my time with it but to find it also heavily featured strong puzzles, a well-thought out plot, and a truly twisted final quarter was a gladly received surprise.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, L. D. Smithson, and the publisher, Bantam, for this opportunity.
February 9, 2024
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
The Escape Room is a fast paced, edge of your seat read perfect for fans of twisty, locked room thrillers. I devoured this book in two sittings, and it kept me up all night reading with bated breath!
We follow eight contestants as they compete on a reality TV programme held at an abandoned Fortress. The games begin as soon as they are dropped off on the island and have to work out how to enter the Fortress. As they scramble to outwit each other, build small teams, and work under pressure to work out each puzzle and complete it, they soon come to realise that something isn't quite right. When they are suddenly in a race not only to win but to literally survive; alliances change, and no one can be trusted.
I've always wanted to do an escape room, and so this book called to me. The twists are sharp, sudden, and clever and make you question everything and everyone from start to finish. I loved the way it all pieced together at the end and was left slightly open to possibly have a sequel.
The Escape Room is a fast paced, edge of your seat read perfect for fans of twisty, locked room thrillers. I devoured this book in two sittings, and it kept me up all night reading with bated breath!
We follow eight contestants as they compete on a reality TV programme held at an abandoned Fortress. The games begin as soon as they are dropped off on the island and have to work out how to enter the Fortress. As they scramble to outwit each other, build small teams, and work under pressure to work out each puzzle and complete it, they soon come to realise that something isn't quite right. When they are suddenly in a race not only to win but to literally survive; alliances change, and no one can be trusted.
I've always wanted to do an escape room, and so this book called to me. The twists are sharp, sudden, and clever and make you question everything and everyone from start to finish. I loved the way it all pieced together at the end and was left slightly open to possibly have a sequel.
August 20, 2024
Ready to have your mind blown? You must read this book if the answer is yes. What, what, what did I just read. I thought I knew what I was reading - until I didn’t. What a ride - what a twist. What a fab story.
The “Director” has chosen the perfect participants for his reality-TV escape-room style show. Clara is one of those lucky chosen people but before filming begins she hurts herself and begs her sister, who looks exactly like her, to take her spot. If Bonnie can win the show then they will be able to keep their late mother’s house.
The story starts off with some easier escape room challenges. The contestants think it’s all fun and games. Until it’s not. As the story progresses so do the escape rooms. Soon they won’t be able to escape at all. As the intensity heats up you’ll be begging for an escape of your own.
Strap in because this is one nail-biting thrill of a ride. Your heart will be pacing and your palms will be sweating. And just when you think you have everything figured out you’re tipped upside down and sideways. Up is down and down is up in this twisty book you won’t be able to put down.
Can’t wait to read The Shame Game coming in 2025!
The “Director” has chosen the perfect participants for his reality-TV escape-room style show. Clara is one of those lucky chosen people but before filming begins she hurts herself and begs her sister, who looks exactly like her, to take her spot. If Bonnie can win the show then they will be able to keep their late mother’s house.
The story starts off with some easier escape room challenges. The contestants think it’s all fun and games. Until it’s not. As the story progresses so do the escape rooms. Soon they won’t be able to escape at all. As the intensity heats up you’ll be begging for an escape of your own.
Strap in because this is one nail-biting thrill of a ride. Your heart will be pacing and your palms will be sweating. And just when you think you have everything figured out you’re tipped upside down and sideways. Up is down and down is up in this twisty book you won’t be able to put down.
Can’t wait to read The Shame Game coming in 2025!
March 24, 2024
This is realistically a 2.5, and maybe the ending should have pushed the star rating up, but there was so much that bothered me for most of the reading, that I’m going to stick with a 2.
Firstly, the marketing as “perfect for fans of The Traitors” (clearly why Amazon suggested it to me) feels a bit of a loose link. Yes there is a reality tv element but that’s about it. Also, the title of ‘The Escape Room’ makes sense with the ending, but not with the actual tasks they had to do. It was more like extreme dares than individual puzzles - and as an escape room fan that bothered me.
Also this book doesn’t seem to be marketed as YA, but it really reads like YA. That’s not to say YA is bad in comparison, but the characters felt really young and then I’d only remember they weren’t really when it’d suddenly remind me someone was 40 and divorced. I honestly think they should have all just been YA characters and that would have made it seem much less jarring. But all in all character development was pretty poor - very 2D and I’m not sure I really rooted for anyone.
Firstly, the marketing as “perfect for fans of The Traitors” (clearly why Amazon suggested it to me) feels a bit of a loose link. Yes there is a reality tv element but that’s about it. Also, the title of ‘The Escape Room’ makes sense with the ending, but not with the actual tasks they had to do. It was more like extreme dares than individual puzzles - and as an escape room fan that bothered me.
Also this book doesn’t seem to be marketed as YA, but it really reads like YA. That’s not to say YA is bad in comparison, but the characters felt really young and then I’d only remember they weren’t really when it’d suddenly remind me someone was 40 and divorced. I honestly think they should have all just been YA characters and that would have made it seem much less jarring. But all in all character development was pretty poor - very 2D and I’m not sure I really rooted for anyone.
August 12, 2024
’ONLY ONE SURVIVES’
The Escape Room was probably one of my best random supermarket purchases to date.
Going on holiday with my friends meant the book I needed had to be easy to consume and not anything too complex. And that’s exactly how I would describe The Escape Room, but don’t let that put you off at all.
So yes, whilst this had a simple prose and pretty basic character development, it didn’t mean that it wasn’t utterly enjoyable. I found the plot to be extremely fun and engaging, I mean who doesn’t love an inescapable escape room, and the characters to be perfectly stereotyped to fit their roles (the jock, the bimbo, the nerd, the old guy, etc). I found the twists to be pretty well-done, and I can’t say I was bored for a single moment.
The Escape Room gets 4/5 stars and I can’t recommend it enough as a palette cleanser and the book to get you out of a slump!
The Escape Room was probably one of my best random supermarket purchases to date.
Going on holiday with my friends meant the book I needed had to be easy to consume and not anything too complex. And that’s exactly how I would describe The Escape Room, but don’t let that put you off at all.
So yes, whilst this had a simple prose and pretty basic character development, it didn’t mean that it wasn’t utterly enjoyable. I found the plot to be extremely fun and engaging, I mean who doesn’t love an inescapable escape room, and the characters to be perfectly stereotyped to fit their roles (the jock, the bimbo, the nerd, the old guy, etc). I found the twists to be pretty well-done, and I can’t say I was bored for a single moment.
The Escape Room gets 4/5 stars and I can’t recommend it enough as a palette cleanser and the book to get you out of a slump!
November 3, 2023
Eight strangers arrive at The Fortress ready to compete in a reality television competition, which is in the style of an escape room, where they must answer complex puzzles. Soon it becomes clear that not all is as it seems and true intent is much more sinister than they could ever imagine. Who will survive and what is the true purpose?
This is a debut standalone for L.D. Smithson and was a good one; managing to be dark, claustrophobic and complex. I found out while reading that she has published a series under a different name, which I have also read a few of and enjoyed. I was originally attracted to the cover and the plot, as I have read a few books recently based on reality TV shoes and find these really intriguing. The Escape Room offers a unique spin on this idea, which manages to stand out in a crowded area and be entertaining.
As I enjoy escape rooms I knew I would enjoy the overall premise and although it hasn’t fully put me off doing escape rooms in the future, it has definitely made me wary! The book is focused on aspects of psychology and due to the author’s background this has been done well, helping add an extra layer to the overall story and I learnt some interesting things. I really loved the puzzles involved and found myself trying to solve the clues myself and was proud when I got a few right! This helped to engage the reader in the story and create an intriguing narrative. The characters, although not all likeable, were well written and easily identifiable. The story may have been slightly unbelievable but this helped make it intense and entertaining. Overall this is a chilling, clever, atmospheric thriller, which I will tell others to try and I will definitely be reading more from this author in the future. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.
This is a debut standalone for L.D. Smithson and was a good one; managing to be dark, claustrophobic and complex. I found out while reading that she has published a series under a different name, which I have also read a few of and enjoyed. I was originally attracted to the cover and the plot, as I have read a few books recently based on reality TV shoes and find these really intriguing. The Escape Room offers a unique spin on this idea, which manages to stand out in a crowded area and be entertaining.
As I enjoy escape rooms I knew I would enjoy the overall premise and although it hasn’t fully put me off doing escape rooms in the future, it has definitely made me wary! The book is focused on aspects of psychology and due to the author’s background this has been done well, helping add an extra layer to the overall story and I learnt some interesting things. I really loved the puzzles involved and found myself trying to solve the clues myself and was proud when I got a few right! This helped to engage the reader in the story and create an intriguing narrative. The characters, although not all likeable, were well written and easily identifiable. The story may have been slightly unbelievable but this helped make it intense and entertaining. Overall this is a chilling, clever, atmospheric thriller, which I will tell others to try and I will definitely be reading more from this author in the future. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.
February 21, 2024
The Escape Room presents a captivating mixed-media thriller novel that centres on a group of eight strangers who have signed up for a perilous reality television show.
The book opens with a bang, someone is dead and a child is wandering in the snow found by a local postman. We are then transported to a Podcast called – Expect the Unexpected in which the protagonist of the book Bonnie is talking about the TV show she was on and how horrific it was.
The story then jumps back in time to when the contestants are being chosen and onto their time at ‘The Fortress’ a Solent Fort off the coast of the UK where the eight contestants pit themselves against one another and have to find clues to be the last one standing and the winner of a large cash prize.
The Escape Room was irresistibly engrossing. I read it in just two days not wanting to put it down once I’d begun. Its intriguing premise and chilling atmosphere kept me thoroughly engaged from start to finish.
The tension mounts steadily and will hold you in suspense. It will have you rooting for some of the contestants, and hoping that others meet a grizzly end. Bonnie is a fab character. She is articulate, calm, and competent.
With its dark and ominous tone, numerous twists, turns, and enigmatic puzzles, The Escape Room is utterly enjoyable and a riveting read. I can’t recommend it highly enough to all thriller lovers.
The book opens with a bang, someone is dead and a child is wandering in the snow found by a local postman. We are then transported to a Podcast called – Expect the Unexpected in which the protagonist of the book Bonnie is talking about the TV show she was on and how horrific it was.
The story then jumps back in time to when the contestants are being chosen and onto their time at ‘The Fortress’ a Solent Fort off the coast of the UK where the eight contestants pit themselves against one another and have to find clues to be the last one standing and the winner of a large cash prize.
The Escape Room was irresistibly engrossing. I read it in just two days not wanting to put it down once I’d begun. Its intriguing premise and chilling atmosphere kept me thoroughly engaged from start to finish.
The tension mounts steadily and will hold you in suspense. It will have you rooting for some of the contestants, and hoping that others meet a grizzly end. Bonnie is a fab character. She is articulate, calm, and competent.
With its dark and ominous tone, numerous twists, turns, and enigmatic puzzles, The Escape Room is utterly enjoyable and a riveting read. I can’t recommend it highly enough to all thriller lovers.
August 17, 2024
رواية رائعة، فيها الكثير من الإثارة ❤❤❤
February 29, 2024
After her sister sustains a broken leg at the most inopportune moment, Bonnie agrees to take her place on a mysterious reality TV show: The Fortress - where eight contestants will compete to win the prize money by solving an elaborate escape room. The contestants are taken to a remote sea fort off the coast of the UK where their phones don't work & they have no other way of contacting anyone. They seem to have been left completely alone, & after the first challenge, it becomes clear that solving the puzzles literally means life or death for each of them.
This seems to be the first book by the author & they've hit a home run with their first swing. It has killer pace, devious twists, & one heck of an ending. The narrative is mainly from Bonnie's point of view, with an occasional chapter from a mysterious figure 'The Director'. I found myself investing in Bonnie's story & I couldn't wait to find out what/who was behind it all. The author does a great job with ratcheting up the tensions between the members of the group as their loyalties shift with each challenge. Overall I found it a gripping read & recommend it to anyone who likes entertaining thrillers. 4.5 stars (rounded up)
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Random House UK/Transworld Publishers/Bantam, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
This seems to be the first book by the author & they've hit a home run with their first swing. It has killer pace, devious twists, & one heck of an ending. The narrative is mainly from Bonnie's point of view, with an occasional chapter from a mysterious figure 'The Director'. I found myself investing in Bonnie's story & I couldn't wait to find out what/who was behind it all. The author does a great job with ratcheting up the tensions between the members of the group as their loyalties shift with each challenge. Overall I found it a gripping read & recommend it to anyone who likes entertaining thrillers. 4.5 stars (rounded up)
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Random House UK/Transworld Publishers/Bantam, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
September 1, 2025
L.D. Smithson is a pseudonym for Leona Deakin so it’s not a debut novel but her first standalone.
This book is truly good, you can tell this author is a psychologist, the plot consisted of intricate puzzles and chapters that were so interesting and suspenseful that you want to read the next after you finish one. I just couldn’t put the book down! I was enthralled from the first chapter, there was something new and fresh in each one which it is not an easy task. The characters were all different and exciting and the ending…wow. Without divulging too much these strangers are inside a fortress without any means of escape and toward the middle nothing to distract themselves with. The quality of the writing was also impressive. I will definitely read any other book that Smithson or Deakin has to offer.
This book is truly good, you can tell this author is a psychologist, the plot consisted of intricate puzzles and chapters that were so interesting and suspenseful that you want to read the next after you finish one. I just couldn’t put the book down! I was enthralled from the first chapter, there was something new and fresh in each one which it is not an easy task. The characters were all different and exciting and the ending…wow. Without divulging too much these strangers are inside a fortress without any means of escape and toward the middle nothing to distract themselves with. The quality of the writing was also impressive. I will definitely read any other book that Smithson or Deakin has to offer.
March 20, 2024
oh wow this was amazing. i cant decide if i should give this 4 stars or 4.5 stars but this was so so so good
June 27, 2025
"Die Festung" ist ein wirklich spannender Thriller, der mich gut unterhalten konnte und vor allem in der letzten Hälfte ans Buch gefesselt hat.
Das Positive:
Einige aus der Leserunde fanden das Buch nicht wirklich spannend, dem muss ich jedoch widersprechen. Es war zwar kein Thriller, bei dem zack, zack immer das Nächste passierte und vor Actionszenen platzt, aber das hat meiner Meinung nach auch ganz gut zum Buch gepasst. Die Protagonisten waren allesamt recht unterschiedlich und nach anfänglichen Namensschwierigkeiten konnte ich mir irgendwann doch jeden merken. Das Buch regt außerdem stark zum Nachdenken an, weil es sich v.a. mit dem Thema Reality-TV auseinandersetzt: Würde man als Zuschauer erkennen können, wenn ein solches Format echt und nicht fake ist? Es ging auch viel darum, welche Kommentare und Posts die Zuschauer zur Sendung verfassten und das war so realitätsnah dargestellt, dass ich kaum einen Unterschied zu echten Kommentaren/Posts sehen konnte. Die zu lösenden Rätsel auf der Festung waren im Buch mit erwähnt, d.h. man konnte sich selbst an den Rätseln versuchen und die waren teilweise ganz schön schwierig. Chapeau an den Autor, dass er sich sowas ausdenken kann!
Das Negative:
Ohne zu spoilern, kann ich kaum so richtig erklären, was mich gestört hat. Ich fasse mich mal so vage wie möglich: Das Ende war irgendwie sehr unausgeglichen: die interessanten Stellen viel zu kurz und die erklärenden Passagen viel zu ausschweifend, das Pacing war manchmal merkwürdig und Teile der Auflösung haben mich nicht wirklich überrascht. Das Thema Religion wird hier relativ wichtig und das fand ich anstrengend, weil's mich persönlich einfach nicht interessiert und ich das Thema satt habe. Die Protagonisten waren zwar alle sehr verschieden, aber es wurde auch sehr auf Klischees und manchen Äußerlichkeiten herumgeritten, das war irgendwann ziemlich lästig. Die Umgebung wurde mir manchmal zu wenig beschrieben, ein paar mehr Anhaltspunkte wie das Ganze dort aussehen sollte, wären schon gut gewesen.
Alles in allem ein spannender Thriller mit einigen Schwächen. Ich würde das Buch trotz meiner Kritikpunkte weiterempfehlen.
Das Positive:
Einige aus der Leserunde fanden das Buch nicht wirklich spannend, dem muss ich jedoch widersprechen. Es war zwar kein Thriller, bei dem zack, zack immer das Nächste passierte und vor Actionszenen platzt, aber das hat meiner Meinung nach auch ganz gut zum Buch gepasst. Die Protagonisten waren allesamt recht unterschiedlich und nach anfänglichen Namensschwierigkeiten konnte ich mir irgendwann doch jeden merken. Das Buch regt außerdem stark zum Nachdenken an, weil es sich v.a. mit dem Thema Reality-TV auseinandersetzt: Würde man als Zuschauer erkennen können, wenn ein solches Format echt und nicht fake ist? Es ging auch viel darum, welche Kommentare und Posts die Zuschauer zur Sendung verfassten und das war so realitätsnah dargestellt, dass ich kaum einen Unterschied zu echten Kommentaren/Posts sehen konnte. Die zu lösenden Rätsel auf der Festung waren im Buch mit erwähnt, d.h. man konnte sich selbst an den Rätseln versuchen und die waren teilweise ganz schön schwierig. Chapeau an den Autor, dass er sich sowas ausdenken kann!
Das Negative:
Ohne zu spoilern, kann ich kaum so richtig erklären, was mich gestört hat. Ich fasse mich mal so vage wie möglich: Das Ende war irgendwie sehr unausgeglichen: die interessanten Stellen viel zu kurz und die erklärenden Passagen viel zu ausschweifend, das Pacing war manchmal merkwürdig und Teile der Auflösung haben mich nicht wirklich überrascht. Das Thema Religion wird hier relativ wichtig und das fand ich anstrengend, weil's mich persönlich einfach nicht interessiert und ich das Thema satt habe. Die Protagonisten waren zwar alle sehr verschieden, aber es wurde auch sehr auf Klischees und manchen Äußerlichkeiten herumgeritten, das war irgendwann ziemlich lästig. Die Umgebung wurde mir manchmal zu wenig beschrieben, ein paar mehr Anhaltspunkte wie das Ganze dort aussehen sollte, wären schon gut gewesen.
Alles in allem ein spannender Thriller mit einigen Schwächen. Ich würde das Buch trotz meiner Kritikpunkte weiterempfehlen.
December 24, 2023
As an avid enthusiast of escape rooms, I eagerly delved into this debut novel, which unfolds as a thrilling locked-room mystery set within the captivating backdrop of an escape-room style reality show. The story introduces seven strangers who arrive in a remote location to compete in a game that quickly becomes deadly.
The narrative is addictive and suspenseful and keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The follows a podcaster interviewing the main character in the aftermath of the TV show letting the reader know that something truly terrifying has happened but we are slowly brought along to find out the full extent of the horrors that occurred.
Themes of success, influencer culture, fame and money are interwoven into the plot to make this one not just a run-of-the-mill mystery/thriller. The story is fast-paced and features cleverly paced plot twists which leave the reader guessing and eager to discover the get to the next revelation.
The characters are diverse and unique enough that its not too difficult to learn whose who and to keep track of their motivations, secrets and backstories. The true personalities of the characters are uncovered amongst the backdrop of this high-stakes games making for a dynamic and engaging read. The combination of a compelling plot, well-developed characters, and skillful pacing make it a recommendation-worthy read for fans of the genre.
The narrative is addictive and suspenseful and keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The follows a podcaster interviewing the main character in the aftermath of the TV show letting the reader know that something truly terrifying has happened but we are slowly brought along to find out the full extent of the horrors that occurred.
Themes of success, influencer culture, fame and money are interwoven into the plot to make this one not just a run-of-the-mill mystery/thriller. The story is fast-paced and features cleverly paced plot twists which leave the reader guessing and eager to discover the get to the next revelation.
The characters are diverse and unique enough that its not too difficult to learn whose who and to keep track of their motivations, secrets and backstories. The true personalities of the characters are uncovered amongst the backdrop of this high-stakes games making for a dynamic and engaging read. The combination of a compelling plot, well-developed characters, and skillful pacing make it a recommendation-worthy read for fans of the genre.
July 16, 2024
omg could not put this book down! one of the best i've read this year
April 1, 2024
The Escape Room is a dark, gripping read that was surprisingly thought provoking.
I used to love reality shows in my younger days (I don’t get much time to watch any these days) so this book instantly appealed to me, especially it’s comparison to The Traitors TV show which I’ve been hearing a lot about. I was immediately drawn into the story and the dangerous situation the characters find themselves in. It quickly becomes apparent to the reader that not everything is as it seems from the isolated setting of an abandoned sea fort to the increasingly dangerous challenges the group are set. The sense of unpredictability helped increase the tension in the book making the book hard to put down as I wanted to see how everything would end up.
The book is told mainly from the point of view of Bonnie a she negotiates being a contestant on the show with flashbacks to the contestant interviews when they applied for the show and an podcast interview with Bonnie about her experiences on the show. I didn’t particularly warm to any of the characters on the show as they all had flaws which made them very unlikable and I often found their attitudes toward each other weren’t very nice at all. The only slight exception to this was Bonnie who on one hand annoyed me as she seemed the most worried about how the viewers would be viewing her but on the other showed lots of courage in dangerous situations and seemed to actually care about her fellow contestants.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be recommending it to others. I thought the book was incredibly gripping and the tension in the book never really let off making it very hard to put the book down. There were lots of twists that took me by surprise and just seemed to keep coming. Just when I thought everything had been revealed there would be another twist that sent the story in a completely different direction. I found parts of the story quite thought provoking as it has definitely made me think more about reality shows not just how far they could go but how much audiences would be willing to accept before turning off. It also shines the light on social media and how harming it can be on other people. I’ve never been particularly interested in Escape Rooms and now, after reading this book, I’m definitely never trying one.
Huge thanks to Chloe Rose from Transworld for inviting me onto the blog tour and for my copy of this book. If you are looking for a gripping thriller with a difference then I highly recommend this book.
I used to love reality shows in my younger days (I don’t get much time to watch any these days) so this book instantly appealed to me, especially it’s comparison to The Traitors TV show which I’ve been hearing a lot about. I was immediately drawn into the story and the dangerous situation the characters find themselves in. It quickly becomes apparent to the reader that not everything is as it seems from the isolated setting of an abandoned sea fort to the increasingly dangerous challenges the group are set. The sense of unpredictability helped increase the tension in the book making the book hard to put down as I wanted to see how everything would end up.
The book is told mainly from the point of view of Bonnie a she negotiates being a contestant on the show with flashbacks to the contestant interviews when they applied for the show and an podcast interview with Bonnie about her experiences on the show. I didn’t particularly warm to any of the characters on the show as they all had flaws which made them very unlikable and I often found their attitudes toward each other weren’t very nice at all. The only slight exception to this was Bonnie who on one hand annoyed me as she seemed the most worried about how the viewers would be viewing her but on the other showed lots of courage in dangerous situations and seemed to actually care about her fellow contestants.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be recommending it to others. I thought the book was incredibly gripping and the tension in the book never really let off making it very hard to put the book down. There were lots of twists that took me by surprise and just seemed to keep coming. Just when I thought everything had been revealed there would be another twist that sent the story in a completely different direction. I found parts of the story quite thought provoking as it has definitely made me think more about reality shows not just how far they could go but how much audiences would be willing to accept before turning off. It also shines the light on social media and how harming it can be on other people. I’ve never been particularly interested in Escape Rooms and now, after reading this book, I’m definitely never trying one.
Huge thanks to Chloe Rose from Transworld for inviting me onto the blog tour and for my copy of this book. If you are looking for a gripping thriller with a difference then I highly recommend this book.
November 15, 2025
If I could give it more ⭐️’s I would!
I absolutely loved this book, it was so good to have a different storyline for a thriller, and the ending.. 😮💨
I absolutely loved this book, it was so good to have a different storyline for a thriller, and the ending.. 😮💨
March 21, 2024
On a remote sea fort off the coast of England, Bonnie and seven strangers are competing against each other in a series of puzzles for a reality TV show. With the public watching their every move, they start to turn on each other. It then turns deadly when the first contestant is found dead. If Bonnie wants to escape alive, she needs to win…
It has been a long time since a thriller has completely thrown me for a loop. Although I had a lot of theories that were along the right lines, nothing could’ve helped me predict how this book would end. If this wasn’t a buddy read, I would’ve flown through it in a day because it was so fast paced and I was hooked straight away!
I loved the writing — I truly couldn’t get enough of it and didn’t want the book to end. As my degrees are in Psychology, I was obsessed with the psychological aspects and couldn’t wait to see what happened next. I loved the mixed media aspects with the podcast incorporated. This book gave me the vibes of the Saw movies, as well as reminded me of Patricia Wants to Cuddle by Samantha Allen, which I also loved.
I really love the characters and how they developed. I was rooting for quite a lot of them as I loved getting to know them. I loved the relationships between the contestants as well as the tension that rose between them. I thought the sibling relationships were such an interesting but relatable dynamic especially as I am an older sibling and would do anything for my siblings. I really enjoyed the plot and thought that it was so interesting. I couldn’t get enough of the isolated and eerie setting, which built so much tension.
⚠️ CWs: fire, murder, torture, cursing, injury/injury detail, victim blaming, fatphobia; mentions domestic abuse, death & child abuse ⚠️
It has been a long time since a thriller has completely thrown me for a loop. Although I had a lot of theories that were along the right lines, nothing could’ve helped me predict how this book would end. If this wasn’t a buddy read, I would’ve flown through it in a day because it was so fast paced and I was hooked straight away!
I loved the writing — I truly couldn’t get enough of it and didn’t want the book to end. As my degrees are in Psychology, I was obsessed with the psychological aspects and couldn’t wait to see what happened next. I loved the mixed media aspects with the podcast incorporated. This book gave me the vibes of the Saw movies, as well as reminded me of Patricia Wants to Cuddle by Samantha Allen, which I also loved.
I really love the characters and how they developed. I was rooting for quite a lot of them as I loved getting to know them. I loved the relationships between the contestants as well as the tension that rose between them. I thought the sibling relationships were such an interesting but relatable dynamic especially as I am an older sibling and would do anything for my siblings. I really enjoyed the plot and thought that it was so interesting. I couldn’t get enough of the isolated and eerie setting, which built so much tension.
⚠️ CWs: fire, murder, torture, cursing, injury/injury detail, victim blaming, fatphobia; mentions domestic abuse, death & child abuse ⚠️
September 24, 2024
As Above, So Below meets The Crystal Maze - 2 Stars
I wanted to enjoy this book, I really did, but it just felt so boring and unfinished.
It was hard to follow (I did it in Audio form so unsure if this had an impact), as it was jumping back and forth, and some of it was done in the style of a podcast (much like Good Girl, Bad Blood, and I didn't much like that one either).
motive also seems so haphazardly added and a bit half-arsed, feels like the bare minimum of effort went into researching.
The benefit to this was that I was able to tick off a Reading Challenge tile on my reading log.
I wanted to enjoy this book, I really did, but it just felt so boring and unfinished.
It was hard to follow (I did it in Audio form so unsure if this had an impact), as it was jumping back and forth, and some of it was done in the style of a podcast (much like Good Girl, Bad Blood, and I didn't much like that one either).
motive also seems so haphazardly added and a bit half-arsed, feels like the bare minimum of effort went into researching.
The benefit to this was that I was able to tick off a Reading Challenge tile on my reading log.
September 8, 2024
Clunky, awkward writing with dull, predictable characters that made me roll my eyes almost every chapter. The fat-shaming of Maria by some of the other characters is uncomfortable and the author doesn’t do nearly enough to counter it. It’s almost as if she believes the insults herself.
The plot is a great concept and is occasionally thrilling. But I genuinely had a better time with this before anything ‘exciting’ started happening. Also
the twist comes too soon and then just sort of flatlines from there which was annoying.
The plot is a great concept and is occasionally thrilling. But I genuinely had a better time with this before anything ‘exciting’ started happening. Also
the twist comes too soon and then just sort of flatlines from there which was annoying.
March 19, 2024
I read this with my book club and we were in agreement on this one; absolutely dreadful. I would not have carried on had it not been a book club book. I think part of the problem for me is that I’m also reading a Val mcdermid book and the writing in smithson’s book in no way compares to mcdermid. I actually felt like I was reading a teen novel. Clumsy plot devices, badly drawn characters and a predictable outcome and the clues were so tedious…
January 31, 2024
LD Smithson's The Escape Room, like a number of recent thrillers (Karen Hamilton's The Contest and Ruth Kelly's The Villa spring to mind) focuses on a set of contestants competing on a reality TV show in an isolated location. Given the success of shows like Squid Game and The Traitors, this new twist on the psychological thriller makes sense, even if the results have been mixed. In this novel, set on a sea fort off the coast of southern England, we focus on Bonnie, who never wanted to go on the show in the first place and is secretly taking the place of her confident younger sister Clara. At first, Bonnie is excited to prove that she too can be an effective puzzle-solver, but things start to go wrong after the first contestant fails a challenge and is locked up (this definitely reminded me of The Crystal Maze). Will the group be able to escape with their lives?
I thought this was a decent enough thriller. Bonnie irritated me somewhat because she felt judgmental at times and a bit dim (there's a game which relies on both people choosing the same option without conferring; Bonnie is furious at them both choosing the option which she thinks is immoral, but never considers that they may have felt forced into it because they thought they knew what the other person was going to choose). The secondary cast, however, are more distinctive than the usual set of strangers you get in thrillers, and I liked Bonnie's relationship with her sister. It's pacy, though I skimmed the details of the puzzle games - I think Smithson could have mixed it up a bit by including more 'physical' and 'skill' challenges, to borrow from The Crystal Maze again. I was also bored by the motives of the evil mastermind behind all this. I was watching Speed for the first time recently and my friend commented 'This is great, his motive is just money, end of', and I think this is a lesson more thriller writers should learn rather than attempting cod-psychology. Nevertheless, this was an escapist, entertaining read and I'd recommend it to fans of reality TV thrillers. 3.5 stars.
I received a free proof copy of this novel from the publisher for review.
I thought this was a decent enough thriller. Bonnie irritated me somewhat because she felt judgmental at times and a bit dim (there's a game which relies on both people choosing the same option without conferring; Bonnie is furious at them both choosing the option which she thinks is immoral, but never considers that they may have felt forced into it because they thought they knew what the other person was going to choose). The secondary cast, however, are more distinctive than the usual set of strangers you get in thrillers, and I liked Bonnie's relationship with her sister. It's pacy, though I skimmed the details of the puzzle games - I think Smithson could have mixed it up a bit by including more 'physical' and 'skill' challenges, to borrow from The Crystal Maze again. I was also bored by the motives of the evil mastermind behind all this. I was watching Speed for the first time recently and my friend commented 'This is great, his motive is just money, end of', and I think this is a lesson more thriller writers should learn rather than attempting cod-psychology. Nevertheless, this was an escapist, entertaining read and I'd recommend it to fans of reality TV thrillers. 3.5 stars.
I received a free proof copy of this novel from the publisher for review.
December 16, 2024
Oh boy, this will make me really precautious whenever I will go visit escape rooms (hmm probably not anytime soon haha). From the title I already knew it will be right up my alley- I'm a big fan of escape rooms as I love solving puzzles and the mystery of it all. It did take some time to warm up to me but once the real game started I simply couldn't put it down! It had some plot twists I didn't see coming and it all wrapped quite well together although the game part, which I enjoyed the most, ended quite abruptly. Definitely will keep an eye out for the author's future releases!
August 2, 2024
4.5⭐️
Loved this!!!
The twists were great. Very good pacing accompanying short chapters and easy writing made for a speedy read!
The answers to the puzzles they had to solve weren’t immediately revealed so it was fun to try work it out before the characters! Nothing was convoluted so everything made sense, meaning the twists weren’t crazy out there!
Very very solid read and would 100% recommend!
Loved this!!!
The twists were great. Very good pacing accompanying short chapters and easy writing made for a speedy read!
The answers to the puzzles they had to solve weren’t immediately revealed so it was fun to try work it out before the characters! Nothing was convoluted so everything made sense, meaning the twists weren’t crazy out there!
Very very solid read and would 100% recommend!
August 12, 2025
DNF ... bei Seite 178.
Die Charaktere hinterlassen überhaupt keinen Eindruck, so dass sie mir total egal sind und auch das Escape Room Szenario ist für mich überhaupt nicht interessant/spannend...
Die Charaktere hinterlassen überhaupt keinen Eindruck, so dass sie mir total egal sind und auch das Escape Room Szenario ist für mich überhaupt nicht interessant/spannend...
August 28, 2024
Turns out I loooove mystery thrillers. Can’t remember another book of this length that I read in less than a day. Definitely thrilling and spooky
May 8, 2025
I actually had goosebumps from the last few pages - a truly unique and propulsive thriller
February 22, 2024
This amazing book has you wondering who's and what's from start to finish. It is a locked room mystery and it was just brilliant.
Eight people are part of a game show, the set is off the coast and the idea is to solve puzzles to win and leave. There can be only one winner and the show is being televised. the contestants have been carefully selected and come with their own sense of identity. It doesn't take long before tensions start to build and sides are formed.
I adored everything about this book, from the twist at the beginning and the ones that followed. When you think you have things sorted then another one comes along. It starts to make you wonder if up is up and down is down. The author has successfully brought out the best and the worst in his characters and within a locked room environment their true traits start to emerge.
From entering the venue and discovering what the puzzles entail, the truth of the game emerges. While I thought I started to understand it, well the author tweaked the rules and things started to change. From what I originally thought this book would be, to what it finally turned out to be was poles apart.
I am not a fan of reality TV and have not watched any of the shows apart from The Crystal Maze, which I adored, and that is about it. I have briefly glanced at some of the others but they have not held my interest. The game the author has created for his characters is something else though. If it was an actual reality televised show with real people, would I watch it... definitely not!!! Read the book and you will find out why.
This is a book that had me on tenterhooks all the way through. The characters are interesting and the end section of the book is just as twisted as the game section of the book.
If you are a fan of locked room, psychologically twisted mystery thrillers then this is a book you should be looking at reading. I adored it and would definitely recommend it.
Eight people are part of a game show, the set is off the coast and the idea is to solve puzzles to win and leave. There can be only one winner and the show is being televised. the contestants have been carefully selected and come with their own sense of identity. It doesn't take long before tensions start to build and sides are formed.
I adored everything about this book, from the twist at the beginning and the ones that followed. When you think you have things sorted then another one comes along. It starts to make you wonder if up is up and down is down. The author has successfully brought out the best and the worst in his characters and within a locked room environment their true traits start to emerge.
From entering the venue and discovering what the puzzles entail, the truth of the game emerges. While I thought I started to understand it, well the author tweaked the rules and things started to change. From what I originally thought this book would be, to what it finally turned out to be was poles apart.
I am not a fan of reality TV and have not watched any of the shows apart from The Crystal Maze, which I adored, and that is about it. I have briefly glanced at some of the others but they have not held my interest. The game the author has created for his characters is something else though. If it was an actual reality televised show with real people, would I watch it... definitely not!!! Read the book and you will find out why.
This is a book that had me on tenterhooks all the way through. The characters are interesting and the end section of the book is just as twisted as the game section of the book.
If you are a fan of locked room, psychologically twisted mystery thrillers then this is a book you should be looking at reading. I adored it and would definitely recommend it.
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