What do you think?
Rate this book
The Story Starts Here
The powerful, page-turning new thriller from the author of A Death in Sweden and Ice in the Blood.
The Story Starts Here for Ben Foley, an 18 year old expat who gets expelled from his international high school in Strasbourg, then gets home to find his parents missing, blood in the kitchen and a scrawled cryptic note from his mom which ends with the warning, "Don't call the police!"
Lost and adrift in Europe, Ben has no one to turn to, no one he can trust and no idea how to get himself out of this situation. To make matters worse, he's already a suspect in the murder of his parents and he's being pursued by the people who really killed them. They want something he possesses, but Ben doesn't know what it is or why. All he knows is that his parents were not the people he thought they were, and they've left him woefully unprepared to deal with the secrets they've kept from him.
As one character brutally points out to him, Ben Foley has a lot of growing up to do, and no time to do it in...
The Story Starts Here for Ben Foley, an 18 year old expat who gets expelled from his international high school in Strasbourg, then gets home to find his parents missing, blood in the kitchen and a scrawled cryptic note from his mom which ends with the warning, "Don't call the police!"
Lost and adrift in Europe, Ben has no one to turn to, no one he can trust and no idea how to get himself out of this situation. To make matters worse, he's already a suspect in the murder of his parents and he's being pursued by the people who really killed them. They want something he possesses, but Ben doesn't know what it is or why. All he knows is that his parents were not the people he thought they were, and they've left him woefully unprepared to deal with the secrets they've kept from him.
As one character brutally points out to him, Ben Foley has a lot of growing up to do, and no time to do it in...
450 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 21, 2025
61 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
Kevin Wignall
41 books560 followersArmy Child till age nine.
Settled back in a small town in the west of England.
Lancaster University - degree in Politics &
International Relations.
Writer.
Also writes as K.J. Wignall
Email: kevin@kevinwignall.com
Settled back in a small town in the west of England.
Lancaster University - degree in Politics &
International Relations.
Writer.
Also writes as K.J. Wignall
Email: kevin@kevinwignall.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 25, 2025
Ben Foley’s day is not going well. First of all, he’s expelled from school and then arrives home to find his parents missing and a very mysterious note from his mother. As the day progresses, his expulsion fades into insignificance as his life teeters out of control and it becomes very apparent he’s in great danger.
Although aspects of the story are far fetched, I really enjoy the thrills, spills and let’s settle for surprises that are in store for Ben. It’s an exciting read, Ben sure has to grow up quickly and he masters a gun remarkably fast! With accuracy too!
Good escapist reading.
Kindle Unlimited.
Although aspects of the story are far fetched, I really enjoy the thrills, spills and let’s settle for surprises that are in store for Ben. It’s an exciting read, Ben sure has to grow up quickly and he masters a gun remarkably fast! With accuracy too!
Good escapist reading.
Kindle Unlimited.
September 2, 2025
As always Wignall moves the story along with his cast of amoral characters but this had way too many improbable situations that just made it too unbelievable. The story takes place in a number of European locations ( Strasberg,Brussels, Prague) and involves the grey area of gun and weapon sales.
September 4, 2025
A great start
I forgot how much I love this author’s writing. It’s a short, tight plot where everything happens in a week’s time. Ben is 18 and just got expelled by the school principal for selling drugs. He dreads going home to tell his parents. But he can’t find his parents when he gets home. Instead, he finds some blood in the kitchen and a mysterious note from his mother. This is the start of a scary and thrilling week for Ben. Up to this point, Ben’s world is very small. With his parents’ disappearance, he realizes that his life and future are so much bigger than he realized. He has to do a lot of growing up in just a few days.
The plot is thrilling, scary, adventurous. There’s murder, betrayal, danger and so many dark moments where Ben has to really mature and be smarter than everyone around him. I love seeing how Ben navigates the mystery of what his parents really were and his reaction to discovering their secrets. And realizing that they’re his secrets now too.
I’d love to see this as the start of a series where Ben’s world is expanded and the business he’s in. I’d definitely read that.
I forgot how much I love this author’s writing. It’s a short, tight plot where everything happens in a week’s time. Ben is 18 and just got expelled by the school principal for selling drugs. He dreads going home to tell his parents. But he can’t find his parents when he gets home. Instead, he finds some blood in the kitchen and a mysterious note from his mother. This is the start of a scary and thrilling week for Ben. Up to this point, Ben’s world is very small. With his parents’ disappearance, he realizes that his life and future are so much bigger than he realized. He has to do a lot of growing up in just a few days.
The plot is thrilling, scary, adventurous. There’s murder, betrayal, danger and so many dark moments where Ben has to really mature and be smarter than everyone around him. I love seeing how Ben navigates the mystery of what his parents really were and his reaction to discovering their secrets. And realizing that they’re his secrets now too.
I’d love to see this as the start of a series where Ben’s world is expanded and the business he’s in. I’d definitely read that.
August 1, 2025
Un Putdownable As Usual
Mr. Wignall always delivers. This is an amazing book that grabs you right away and keeps you interested until the very end.
I am a sucker for teenaged based thrillers. A kid gets expelled from high school and dreads going home to his parents. Turns out they’ve been murdered and he goes about finding out why and who.
Through the course of a week the boy matures faster than anyone should ever have to.
Totally enjoyable and fast paced. I recommend this and all of Kevin’s work!
Mr. Wignall always delivers. This is an amazing book that grabs you right away and keeps you interested until the very end.
I am a sucker for teenaged based thrillers. A kid gets expelled from high school and dreads going home to his parents. Turns out they’ve been murdered and he goes about finding out why and who.
Through the course of a week the boy matures faster than anyone should ever have to.
Totally enjoyable and fast paced. I recommend this and all of Kevin’s work!
August 18, 2025
Although Kevin Wignall is one of my favorite authors…this book just didn’t quite do it for me. While the initial plot concerning the protagonist, Ben Foley, coming home to discover that his parents had been murdered and the killers were waiting for him laid a great foundation for the story…the endless gun battles, double crosses, and narrow escapes were over the top. In addition, it was hard to imagine that an 18-year old boy was able to outsmart professional killers and assassins all across Europe. In any event, this quick and easy read was not up to par with Wignall’s previous novels.
July 31, 2025
Might Be Wignall's Best
This plot grabbed me from the start. And who wouldn't be grabbed by it? A teenage boy, finds his parents gone, blood in the house, and a post-it note from his mother with minimal instructions. Made for exceptional reading for three days. Top notch, Kevin.
Maybe not quite as good as A Death in Sweden, but very close.
This plot grabbed me from the start. And who wouldn't be grabbed by it? A teenage boy, finds his parents gone, blood in the house, and a post-it note from his mother with minimal instructions. Made for exceptional reading for three days. Top notch, Kevin.
Maybe not quite as good as A Death in Sweden, but very close.
January 6, 2026
Excellent! Though not your usual YA storyline.
I always enjoy Kevin’s books. He’s gotten ever better with each new book and this - fast paced with an excellent plot and beautifully written - I read in two sittings. Would recommend highly.
I always enjoy Kevin’s books. He’s gotten ever better with each new book and this - fast paced with an excellent plot and beautifully written - I read in two sittings. Would recommend highly.
July 25, 2025
This is a great read! I was gripped from start to finish. This very talented author has once again written a compelling story, filled with well-crafted characters. Hard to put this book down.
July 26, 2025
Excellent book!!
I thoroughly enjoyed this. Very believable plots, and no typos!! Mr. Signal has an exceptional knack for story telling. Looking b forward tonmore.
I thoroughly enjoyed this. Very believable plots, and no typos!! Mr. Signal has an exceptional knack for story telling. Looking b forward tonmore.
July 28, 2025
Ben Foley, an
August 2, 2025
Just ok
Compared to other Wignall books this one was very eh to me. Not really sure why I even finished it. Surprisingly disappointing.
Compared to other Wignall books this one was very eh to me. Not really sure why I even finished it. Surprisingly disappointing.
August 21, 2025
story starts here book
As usual Kevin Wignall has written another very good book and a story that keeps you going without stopping. Read it in a day. Good read!
As usual Kevin Wignall has written another very good book and a story that keeps you going without stopping. Read it in a day. Good read!
September 26, 2025
enjoyed it
Probably not the best one by Kevin Wignall but it is certainly an enjoyable read! Very good writing, detailed, and hard to put down. Waiting for the next one impatiently…
Probably not the best one by Kevin Wignall but it is certainly an enjoyable read! Very good writing, detailed, and hard to put down. Waiting for the next one impatiently…
July 27, 2025
As always another excellent book from this author. Highly recommended
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews