Fractured: International Hostage Thriller

by Clár Ní Chonghaile

Shortlisted for the Amazon Rising Star Award Longlisted for the Guardian Not the Booker prize 2016 'Clar provides access to the beating hearts on all sides of terror that even our best journalists can't reach…' -- Christopher Bollen, author 'Compelling and relentless…page-turner of a novel' -- Damien Lewis 'A turbulent journey to the world's most forgotten corners' -- Celeste Hicks, author and former BBC journalist 'A stunning debut' -- Nick Brownlee, author and journalist 'This is a layered, textured, wholehearted novel that will stay with me for a long time' -- Lean Cullinan, author Journalist Peter Maguire has been kidnapped in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu. He does not know where he is or what is going to happen to him. The journalist is filled with fear and, as the days go by, this dread of the unknown is shot through with remorse for the mistakes of his past. Peter's mother Nina comes to Somalia to wait for her son's release. His plight forces her to relive another trauma the fatal shooting in Liberia of Shaun Ridge, a young photographer she once loved, and Peter's real father. Abdi, a Somali teenager working with Peter's captors strikes a tenuous friendship with the prisoner based on a shared feeling of captivity. He decides to help Peter escape. Together and they set off into the barren vastness of a land filled with danger. These three people must journey into one of the world's most dangerous places, the human mind, to answer the question: are we ever truly free? Perfect for fans of Homeland , Wilbur Smith and Lee Child

Genres: Thriller, Fiction

272 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2016

About the author

Clár Ni Chonghaile is the author of Fractured (Legend Press, 2016), Rain Falls on Everyone (Legend Press, 2017), The Reckoning (Legend Press, 2018), and No Good Deed (Kindle, 2023).

Clár grew up in Ireland, the eldest of seven children. She left aged 19 to work as a graduate trainee journalist at Reuters in London. Clár has worked as a journalist for over 20 years and has lived in Madrid, Paris, the Ivory Coast, Senegal and Kenya.

Clár now lives in St Albans with her husband and two daughters.

Reviews

[Darcia Helle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fractured has aspects of mystery, suspense, and thriller, but as a whole I think the book fits best within the genre of literary fiction. We have a lot of character introspection throughout the narration, which slows the pace. At the same time, this gives depth to the characters and the content, allowing us time to explore the humanity within the madness. This story, at its heart, is mostly about the people and how circumstances have and will change them.

Some of the references here might be lost on readers unfamiliar with the intricacies of various wars and in-fighting within Africa, though I think the author does an excellent job of maintaining focus on the characters within their specific circumstances. The African setting adds a unique kind of complexity to the story.

Chonghaile writes with simplistic beauty. Every word counts. She puts us in the moment, shows us this unfamiliar world, makes us feel the fear, the anger, and the confusion. The beauty and ease of her words stand in stark contrast to the crumbling world she shows us.

My one quibble is that I thought the three narrating characters shared too many similarities in their style of thought. Their behavior certainly marks them as individuals, but their introspective parts, with long passages of thought, seem to inhabit the same space. I wanted something to mark them as different during these parts; perhaps less beauty in the prose or an inability to see themselves and their world so clearly.

This is a thoughtful, poignant story that leaves us with much to think about.

*I was provided with an advance review copy by the publisher, in exchange for my honest review.*

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fractured is the authors debut novel.

The story is told in the form of alternating chapters between three characters, Peter, Nina and Abdi.

Peter is a journalist who gets kidnapped. The chapters where Peter is captured and is being held captive is enough to turn your blood cold. The fear that Peter felt just flowed from the pages onto me giving me goose bumps.

Abdi is brought up seeing and experiencing things no one should have to see. His mother relies on Abdi to get himself a job so they can save money and move on to better things and into a better area. Sadly Abdi gets caught up with the group who kidnap Peter and a friendship of sorts starts to grow.

Nina is in a horrible position of worrying about her son. Their relationship was not in the best of places before Peter was kidnapped and I think it gives Peter, as well as Nina, time to contemplate over certain secrets that have been hidden for years.

Fractured is a compelling and powerful story that flows wonderfully. It is a chilling and emotional read that really grips the reader. A stunning debut.

Many thanks to Tom Chalmers at Legend Press for an Advanced Readers Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think what I liked most about this remarkably accomplished debut novel is that it is so intelligent in its approach. The author never falls into easy or banal assumptions, never falls into the cliché trap and never lets her characters become stereotypes. On one level, the book is, indeed, a thriller. Peter Maguire, a journalist, is kidnapped and held hostage in Somalia. His fate is uncertain and he is well aware he could be killed at any time. Fast-paced and exciting, the plot revolves around his ultimate fate. But his adventure is only part of the narrative. Told from three points of view - Peter himself, his mother, a retired journalist, and Abdi, a young Somalian who is coerced into guarding Peter - and with a slow reveal, we gradually learn each of the characters’ back stories and share with them in turn the difficult choices and decisions they have to make now in this crisis as well as those they had to deal with earlier in their lives. This is a thoroughly convincing account of life in volatile Somalia – a country I knew little about before reading this book and which I now feel I have a real grasp of. Al-Shabbab, AMISCON – I’d never heard of them, to my shame. And although Islamic fundamentalism, jihadism, recruitment of extremists and hostage taking are all common topics on our daily news, the author here puts a human face to the issues and even-handedly makes all her characters, both good and evil, in some way accessible if not understandable. How we act is impinged on by others far more than we might like to think. Vivid descriptions of Somalia and daily life there, the atrocities that occur far too often, the violence and bloodshed which we normally have filtered for us by our TV screens, gain an immediacy in this compelling and thoughtful novel, which is well-written, well-paced, and very enjoyable indeed. I look forward to reading more by this author.

[Bookread2day · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fractured is a engaging novel about a journalist Peter Magurie who has been kidnapped in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu.

Peter Magurie can remember his name, he don't know where his room is or how long he has been there. He don't know what time it is but he is sure it is daytime as he can smell the outside. The tomb is made of rough brick. Can he get out? Not by the hairs on his chinny-chin.

The narratives are split into three parts Peter the journalist, Nina the mother and Abdi the soldier.

Fractured is a topical novel that will appeal to fans of Homeland and those of you that are interested in political thrillers. This story covers issues with islamic fundamentalists, it questions the motivations of extremists and deals with theme of captivity, which unfortunately resonates all too clearly because of the increasingly frequent use of hostages for political purpose. Fractured takes place in Somalia, a country that has found itself pushed onto front pages for all the wrong reasons.

The author Clar started work on this novel after the birth of her first daughter. Now her daughter is eleven-years-old, that is how long it took Clar to write this novel. Clar feels like her daughter and this novel have grown up together.

Clar has worked as a journalist for over 20 years and has lived in Madrid, Paris, the Ivory Coast, Senegal and Kenya. Whilst in Nairobi, she freelanced for the Guardian and travelled to Somalia to cover the African Union battle against al Shabaab and the plight of thousands of displaced people.
I strongly recommend readers to Fractured, that will be released 1st February 2016.

[Michael Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew Clar back in Nairobi, when she was running as part of the journalist crowd, then we sort of fell out of touch. I knew she had been writing a book (I looked at the first chapter early on), but I didn't realize it had been published until a few weeks ago. So, of course I went out and bought it.

This is pitched as an "international hostage thriller", but in truth it is more of a meditative piece of literary fiction about family, identity and the very human search for redemption. Yes, there is action of sorts, with the main character a journalist taken hostage in Somalia, and some focus on the efforts to free him. But, really, it is about the main character's life and the lives of his parents (particularly his mother), the bad choices they have made and their search to make sense of, and repair, the damage.

As befits her name, Clar write with incredibly clarity, as one would expect from a former journalist. No words are wasted, descriptions are sparse but enlightening, and the characters are completely believable.

I must admit that I particularly enjoyed it because so much of the story felt familiar, with regards to journalism, Somalia's troubled history and the kind of hi-jinks a lot of the journos I knew got involved in (I wasn't a war correspondent, fortunately for my weak bladder, but a lot of my friends got up to this sort of thing). Still, I think this is a story that anybody could pick up, enjoy, and learn a lot about the world and the human condition.

My one nark would be that Clar falls into the trap that so many literary authors do, with characters waxing lyrical in some occasionally unrealistic dialogue - where every word and thought is perfectly formed and beautifully expressed. People just don't speak like that - or if they do, it is only in flashes.

However, since this is so common in the genre, and I enjoyed the rest of the book so much, it isn't worth a mark down. So, five stars for me.

[Veda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is as layered as any human-being. I absolutely love reading books and being with characters that aren't full of clean or should I say black and white narratives. This book worked for me and I am glad I got the chance to experience it.
The last few chapters made me pause and think so much, and maybe in the process I understood life a little more. Who knows! 🙂

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This isn’t normally a book I would opt for myself as I don’t tend to read this kind of subject matter but I was pleasantly surprised by this book. You would be hard pushed to not know about Somalia and in particular the capital city of Mogadishu. We’ve all heard how dangerous the place can be and the author does well at setting the scene in her debut novel, Fractured.
The main character, Peter Maguire, has been captured in Mogadishu and fears for his life. The tale centres around Peter, his mother Nina who travels to Somalia to wait for her sons release and Abdi, a Somali teen who, whilst working for Peter’s captors, strikes up a friendship with Maguire and helps him to escape from captivity – but at what cost?

It is quite clear through the authors descriptions of the country, and in particular the city, that she has visited there and she relays to us, the readers, just how dangerous it actually is. We all hear and see what goes on via the news but that is no comparison to seeing the torture and violence for yourself. The alternating chapters work well – I got drawn into Peter’s fear quite quickly and it was nice to be able to put that to one side for a few minutes and find out about Abdi as otherwise I think I would have felt captive too!

Whilst I mentioned that this wouldn’t necessarily be a book I would have picked up myself, I have to say that I am glad I did read this. The subject matter isn’t usually one of my choosing but the novel was a really interesting read, a great debut and really does beg the question – are we ever truly free?

I was sent an ARC for the purpose of a honest, unbiased review

[Anne Goodwin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fractured is an ambitious debut novel about the parallels between kidnap and its aftermath and the struggle for freedom from the traumas of the mind, in the context of the complex politics of Somalia …
Full review http://annegoodwin.weebly.com/annecdo...

[Craig Gillan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book was well enough written just didn't like Peter or his mother, I thought they were both far too selfish with the choices they made

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in strife-ridden Somalia, “where peace is fickle, war is random and death is the only constant”, this gripping story is told from the perspectives of the three main characters – Peter, a journalist who has been captured and is being held hostage, Abdi, a traumatised Somalian teenager, who is, reluctantly, one of his guards and Nina, Peter’s mother, a retired journalist. As their individual narratives develop the reader becomes involved, not only in all the tensions of the actual kidnapping and its resolution, but also in their past histories and the various choices they have made which have eventually led them to this current dilemma.
This is a tense, dark, and at times, brutal story which I found utterly compelling. The author’s use of language is both powerfully evocative and yet almost delicately poetic; I was left with the feeling that not one word was either wasted or superfluous. The psychology and motivations of her characters were equally convincing; although each is very different, an important thing they have in common is that their decisions are influenced by their reactions to random events – something most of us would recognise! Each one struggles with issues around guilt and redemption and their attempts to resolve the tension between the two is central to this thought-provoking novel. By the time I reached the final page I felt as though I had got to know the characters intimately. I really liked the fact that so much of the story focused on the aftermath of the kidnapping, and how each character dealt with what the crisis had evoked for them.
Another thing I appreciated was how much I learned about the background to the conflicts in Somalia, and the rise of Islamic fundamentalism, with all the impact this has on communities and individual families. The author evocatively captures the human tragedies and fears that so often result from any form of fanaticism. She equally evocatively captures the sights, smells and sounds of the region.
I urge people to read this impressive debut novel; it is deeply moving, at times almost unbearably sad, and yet it is not without hope. I am really looking forward to the author’s next novel.

[Sally Hirst · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very mixed bag. I can't remember what made me buy it, though I suspect that it was being long listed for the Booker that year. It is the story of a journalist who was kidnapped in Somalia. The good is the descriptions of Somalia, the way she weaves in background information you need fairly subtly rather than bludgeoning you with it and the inner thinking of almost everyone except the journalist and his mum. So that accounts for the first two thirds of the book. The last third however is almost all navel-gazing by the journalist and his mother, both of whom seem to have left a trail of self-centred events behind them.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘Fractured’ consists of a three-way narrative between kidnap victim Peter, his mother Nina, and Abdi, the young man assigned as Peter’s guard and carer while he’s in activity, and each of them have very similar stories to tell. Naturally, as the main focus of ‘Fractured’ Peter’s tale takes centre stage, and it’s as visceral, tense, and violent as you can imagine. To distract himself from his pain, and the threat of imminent execution at the hands of terrorist group al Shabaab, Peter recalls his life and the mistakes that have littered it – of which there have been many. While held hostage he forms a fragile bond with the young man who brings him his food, Abdi. Having lost both his brother and father at the hands of terrorists, Abdi is disillusioned, scared, and desperate for change. Together, the two escape their own captivity, and make their way into the African desert night. Meanwhile, Nina is forced to confront her past as she fears history may repeat itself, and while she waits for news of her son, she reflects on her own failings as a wife and mother.

I’m going to be straight-up honest with you here: this is a *hard* book to read, and for me, to ultimately like. Clar Ni Chonghaile has a very dense writing style, and crams every word she can onto the page. With each of her three narratives, the story is told in the ‘now’ but tends to focus on retrospective flashbacks, often jumping back and forth several times a chapter. Think sudden ‘jump-cuts’ in tv drama and you get the picture. These flashbacks are often emotive, and in Nina’s case full of fact heavy info-dumps, often disturbing the flow of the story, making the plotting feel muddled and, at times, convoluted. In fact, Nina’s arc is the most problematic of all, especially as she’s truly hideous. Selfish, manipulative, and obnoxious, we’re supposed to empathise with both her plight and that of her son (who’s also a bit of an arse) yet I felt nothing for her bar contempt, and only slight empathy with Peter during his kidnapping ordeal -which is actually only two-thirds of the novel. Here are two people who, throughout their entire lives, have singularly put themselves before everyone else around them. Whilst they may well soul-search over the course of the story, realise their wrong-doings, and try to redeem themselves, I feel that Clar Ni Chonghaile wants us to like them, but for me, that was impossible.

The character of Abdi is the most sympathetic and well-rounded of the trio, as well as the most politically charged -if at times unrealistically so. Abdi’s timeline is full of truly harrowing events, but unlike the other two, it’s clear to see how they have influenced him and the decisions he makes. My only quibble is, as the political mouthpiece of the ‘Fractured’, Abdi’s internal monologues feel forced at times; whilst what he says is true, would a young man really be grandstanding his opinions in the dead of night, in the middle of the desert, while on the run from people who want to kill him? While that sort of scenario may work wonderfully on HBO (‘Fractured’ has been recommended for fans of shows such as ‘Homeland’) it feels shoe-horned in when it comes to the printed word. Abdi’s tale comes to an abrupt halt two-thirds in, as the rest of the novel focuses on Nina and Peter’s family issues and self-reflection, only reaching it’s conclusion towards the end. This was a shame, as I felt he had more story to tell, and it was infinitely more interesting.

One thing ‘Fractured’ has in spades is tension – you can cut the atmosphere with a knife in some scenes – and that’s truly Clar Ni Chonghaile’s strength throughout. You can feel the dark, dank conditions of Peter’s cell, the fear during shoot-outs, and the inadequacy of the hospitals and facilities. The author’s time as a journalist is put to great use here as she relates scenes impossible to imagine unless lived through, whilst avoiding the sensationalistic style so often utilised by writers in the action/thriller genre.

I’d be really interested to see where Clar Ni Chonghaile goes next with her novel writing, especially if she moves away from her own life experiences, as her talent with descriptive prose is undeniable.

This review was previously published at If These Books Could Talk
Copy of novel supplied by Legend, as part of the Legend 100 Club

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fractured is bold and intense, as hopeful as it is bleak. Every word from its heart is perfectly attuned to capture the shifting mood throughout, and it doesn’t miss a beat.

A story-hungry journalist, his estranged mother, and a Somali teenager. These individuals will endure many challenges presented by a country where the struggle for control takes centre stage, and the consequences are greater than they could ever imagine.

The opening scenes evoke a sense of hopelessness for Peter Maguire, a journalist held captive in a squalid cell by his merciless kidnappers. He is lost, both geographically and mentally, craving his past lives; one built with his girlfriend in France, the other in Liberia, which includes a son he has never seen.

Peter’s basic needs are left in the hands of a young and puzzling character. Abdi has experienced many unkind events in his sketchy life. There are not many options for this lad’s future, other than to face recruitment by a terrorist group wreaking havoc. His duties include bringing food to the prisoner, whose fate he knows to be sealed, but in quieter moment he also exchanges a few words, albeit briefly.

Peter’s current circumstances were more akin to a living tomb. He is waiting for the day the door would open and this half-life would finally be over. But until that happens he exists in hours of darkness and allows regret to consume him, as he would miss the opportunity to right his wrongs.

On his current path, Abdi realises his life is an infinite nothingness. The skinny, unsmiling lad is trying to ignore an invite to join the militants fighting for power while privately questioning the motives behind the kidnapping. His spontaneous decision to aid Peter’s escape arrives with little preparation. Without shoes, or a definitive direction, they flee into the night. As they are evading capture an odd, unspoken friendship ensues.

Peter’s mother, Nina, is restless waiting for news in Paris. Once a journalist herself, she is unable to sit and do nothing, so she jets off to Somalia hoping to make amends for a secret she held back in Peter’s youth. While she is there she will endeavour to chase away the ghosts of her past and try to contribute what ever skills she can collect along the way.

Told in the first person, the haunted trio offer their fragmented stories in turn by voicing their fears, their inner turmoil, and their experiences within this hostile environment, past and present. As they reflect on their lives it is clear they are all imprisoned in one way or another. Are they prepared to accept this fate, or can they leave their torment behind them?

That conclusion can only be reached by immersing yourself in the stunning passages, and often solitary sentences, that were so perfectly formed I personally stopped to re-read them. I’ll leave you with one such poignant moment that creates a powerful impact in a mere few words:

"At first, her face didn’t change, and then it was as if someone had stuck a pin into her neck, letting the air hiss out. She shrank, her shoulders sagging. She stopped fingering the wooden bangle that Peter had brought her on his last trip to Africa. Her hands fell into her lap, like shot birds from the sky."

It’s an outstanding 5/5 from me.

(My thanks to the publisher for providing a paperback copy of this book for review.)

[Jackie Law · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fractured, by Clár Ní Chonghaile, is a political thriller set in and around contemporary Somalia. The country is overflowing with insurgents, power hungry terrorists, and local people reluctantly drawn into the latest bloody conflict by the mayhem their everyday lives have become. It is a fascinating exploration of how and why seemingly ordinary people become killers. It offers a chance of empathy if not understanding.

The protagonist is a journalist, Peter Maguire, who has been kidnapped and held hostage by a group seeking wealth from their unexpected encounter with a white man on the streets of Mogadishu. As he lies beaten on the floor of a crude shelter, mentally numbed and awaiting his fate, Peter strikes up a tentative rapport with one of his captors. Abdi is working for his uncle and feels some sympathy for the westerner:

“I did not want to be a part of reducing a man to less than a goat to be slaughtered when he has no way to defend himself.”

The local people value the ties of kinship and clan, something that strangers to the country sometimes struggle to grasp. They will seek to avenge the injustices rained down on their people, but resent the rules imposed by each set of incomers claiming to have their best interests at heart.

The story is told from three points of view: Peter, Abdi, and Peter’s mother, Nina. Although now retired, divorced and living alone in Paris, Nina was also once an intrepid journalist in troubled Africa. She has lived a life full of regrets and seeks redemption in working to secure the freedom of her only child.

As a reader who struggles to understand the forces driving the relentless killing in these far away places, I was perplexed as much by small details as by the overall picture painted in this tale. There was hatred of the west and their values, yet coca cola seemed to be regarded as an esteemed treat. Those who had travelled and received an education abroad appeared to be revered more than those who had stayed true to the traditions of their homeland.

The author wishes readers to consider the concept of freedom, be it of place or ways of thinking. Each character is hemmed in by their history and struggles against personal and familial expectations. The westerners travelled in an attempt to escape the bonds they had placed around themselves. This was rarely an option for the Africans, hemmed in as they were by poverty and travel restrictions imposed by an unwelcoming world. They were forced to cope with their demons in the full glare of those who bound them in emotional chains.

I enjoyed joining the journey with Abdi and Peter but felt less empathy towards Nina. As a woman this makes me uncomfortable. I wonder how much my own history and expectations feed such prejudices.

This is an unusual but highly readable account of a terrifying ordeal which changes the lives of all involved. The story is not so much about the catalyst though, the kidnapping, as about lives lived and the ripples these cause.

My copy of this book was provided gratis by the publisher, Legend Press.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fractured is a compelling political thriller set in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu. The novel follows journalist, Peter Maguire as he embarks on a journey to Somalia to cover Africa’s combat against terrorism; however, he is captured and held hostage. The narrative is written from three first person perspectives: Peter, Nina and Abdi, in which they alternately narrate their disjointed stories by portraying their chaotic lives and experiences within a hostile environment.

At the heart of the novel, is the concept of freedom and redemption which Clar so cleverly integrates within the three narratives. As Peter, Nina and Abdi reflect on their lives it is clear that they are all ‘fractured’, one way or another. I cannot commend Chonghaile’s language enough; the way in which she describes the events, setting and characters is captivating; her words really make you feel like you’re in the novel. You feel what the characters feel; the fear, the anger and their hope for reconciliation.

What I really liked about the novel is the unlikely friendship between Peter and Abdi. Abdi is a confused teenager who hesitantly joins the terrorist group but questions their motives as he doesn’t fully understand their intentions. Like Peter, he is trapped and so, he recognises the similarities between them which drive him to aid Peter’s escape. Abdi understands true pain and loss, having lost his father, mother and brother; he is vulnerable, lost and trapped in a war which is beyond his control.What I admire about Abdi’s character is his ability to distinguish between right and wrong; he realises that he does not want to witness an innocent man get killed and that is the turning point in his life. He stays true to himself and follows his heart and realises that he wants to make something of his life. Abdi is my favourite character in the novel because his story is the most heart-breaking; I was really rooting for him and wanted him to get that freedom that he so craved.

Clar provides a distressing picture of Somalia’s turmoil and doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of conflict. She really plays with the idea of freedom and questions what it really is. At one point in the novel, Peter says: “I feel as though I have been beaten, pulped into tiny fragments. I have no sense of myself anymore”. It is human nature to make mistakes and Clar addresses this through the choices and regrets the characters have faced. Each character wants to find their place in the world and I think the only way to do this is through forgiveness and being able to forgive yourself and we see that towards the end of the novel.

Clar has produced a gripping tale of the conflict surrounding Africa, a story of hope and redemption that lies at the novel’s core. It is beautifully written, utterly compelling and eye-opening. This page turner of a novel is an absolute must read.

[Leese Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of "Fractured" through Goodreads Giveaways and, in return, I wanted to leave an honest review of the book.

Fractured is a novel about three different people with different stories, but all intertwined together. Beginning with a Western journalist held hostage in Somalia, the story is about his brave escape and survival and the people who helped him along the way. It's a story about life and death and the grey area that sits in between.

The story is told through varying points of view from Peter, the journalist who is held captive in Somalia, his mother, Nina, a retired journalist herself who becomes involved in the quest to free him, despite battling her own demons and having to confront her own mistakes of the past and Abdi, a teenage Somali soldier who has experienced the loss of his brother and both of his parents and bravely helps Peter to escape his fate of certain death.

While Peter eventually escapes his capturers and makes it out of Somalia alive, he is still a prisoner of his own life, his own mind, his uncertainty and the demons that plague him. He sets out on his own quest to find out who he is and what he wants from his life, seeking answers from his mother and the family in America that he didn't know he had.

It's a real page-turner. Action packed and filled with emotion, the story had me hooked from the start. I felt a real sense of empathy towards all of the main characters, despite each of them having their clearly defined flaws. I wanted Peter to find his happiness, and to learn about where he came from and who he really is. I wanted Nina to be at peace with the mistakes she had made in the past and to move forward with a clear conscience. I wanted Abdi to find his place in the world and escape the horrors of the daily violence and bloodshed that had taken the place of his home.

Clar writes in a way that is so descriptive and filled with imagery that you can envision the scene in front of you and feel the heartache that comes along with daily life in a war-torn country. While this isn't a book I usually would have read, I'm really glad I did. I thoroughly enjoyed the rollercoaster of emotions that I was thrust into and the suspense and hope that was littered throughout the story. In a time when war, violence and extremism is reported in our news on an almost daily basis, Fractured is a story that lets you in to what people are facing in lands that we only get a small glimpse of.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a hard one to rate, for me. I would probably say 3.5 stars but have rounded up.

I loved the different viewpoints and how it showed the realities of war affecting human behaviour. I loved the lack of clichés and stereotypes and I loved the writing style, which was easy to read and yet enjoyable to savour.

The novel is brilliant in the way it explores the randomness of our lives, which is tricky to do in a novel because the form implicitly has design behind its events. The story of Peter's real father was fascinating, although I'm not sure if I relate to this more because my own father died when I was too young to remember him. Still, it was elegantly and effectively done.

As another reviewer said, this book fits more easily into literary fiction than genres of thriller or suspense.

I do have a few irks with it that, in the end, I couldn't ignore. While I enjoyed the fact that it avoided the mawkishness I find so irritating in other novels, there were points when I could have done with a bit more emotional tension. Like the point when Peter sees Nina in the middle of Somalia after he'd escaped from his captors. I can understand his shock and inability to process what was happening, but there was a real lack of reflection on that moment from Nina's perspective. The novel seemed to build up to that point and I just didn't feel the relief I expected on her part.

My other irk was, strangely, the opposite - it got a little bit over the top occasionally. It is flat-out unconvincing to me that a man would launch into a speech about what a walking mass of contradictions he is in response to his mum asking how he is. And then for her to respond with a mirror metaphor. It just got a bit much at times.

Still, I really enjoyed this novel and certainly look forward to more work from this author.

*I was sent this book free by Legend Press in return for an honest review.*

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a novel I think fractured works on a number of levels, it begins with a sense of suspense, Peter Maguire, a journalist is taken hostage in Somalia and is held to ransom. The plot continues by delving into his past and explores the decision of his fate. However it follows a few different characters closely, the others being his mother, Nina who comes to help and Abdi a Somalian boy who is struggling to remain an individual and stay out of Al-Shabbab grasp. These characters help with the wider discussions in the novel, those revolving around love, loss, how individuals cope with situations and how their choices have affected others.
What I particularly liked about the novel is that the characters are well aware and candid about their misgivings as humans. The situation they’re thrust into evokes unpleasant memories, drawing on how they acted and they are honest with their shortcomings. Furthermore their actions are never meant to be heroic. It is understood that at particular times of crisis you do what is necessary with the knowledge that there will be repercussions, which was refreshing to read.
And as for the situation they find themselves in, I thought it was good to see something that is so topical at this moment in literary form. It was extremely educational to learn about AMISCOM and Al-Shabbab, as the crisis in Somalia is often overlooked by western news.
The character Abdi also put the novel on a grander scale because of the lack of voice many of the people who occupy these war zones are given. It gave it humility that was necessary, because through him it is with great clarity you can see the real tragedy of being trapped in such a volatile environment.
Overall I found it an utterly convincing narrative that the author tackled with great dignity, but still managed to create an engrossing and enjoyable account and I can’t wait to see what more she has to offer.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone who watches and listens to the world news will be familiar with the name of Somalia's capital city Mogadishu. I knew where it was, I knew that it was a dangerous place, and I knew that reporters tell us about deaths and terrorism on what seems to be an almost daily basis. I admit that I did not know the history of this troubled place, I struggle to understand the reasoning behind the political unrest in this country on the other side of the world.

Clar Ni Chonghaile has spent time in Somalia, and it is clear from her concise and at times, quite brual prose that she knows a great deal about this place. There is an underlying feeling of dread and terror within this story that does not go away, but is evened out by the humanity of the characters that populate the novel.

Peter Maguire is held captive in a dark cell. He knows that he may die at any time, and his feelings of helplessness are uppermost in the narration. Peter's mother Nina has arrived in this war-torn country, hoping against hope that her son will be returned whilst all the time, dealing with the painful memories that his situation evokes in her.

Abdi, the young boy who is tasked with guarding Peter struggles with his feelings. He has witnessed the horror of this mindless war at first hand, losing family members and struggling to cope with what is expected of him, yet what really doesn't come naturally to him.

Clar Ni Chonghaile is a superb writer who brings another dimension to the things that we see reported on the news. She has an empathy that shines through, an understanding that can only be gained from first-hand knowledge and a way with words that transfix and educate her readers.

A really admirable debut novel that throbs with realism, with violence and with horror.

http://randomthingsthroughmyletterbox...

[Vicki Bowles · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the published Legend Press in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This book is not my usual genre of chick lit or women's fiction. But it appealed to me because it is so relevant today, in this sad world of extremism and violence. And I have to confess to loving TV series such as 24 and Strike Back.

The story is told from three points of view - Peter, the hostage, his mother, Nina and Abdi, torn by his beliefs. Each of them goes through their own personal hell, whether physical or mental, and we learn how dire circumstances can lead to change for the better.

The descriptive language is beautiful, immersing the reader in the claustrophobic terror of Peter's kidnapping and his 'fear that someone, somewhere, has a pair of scissors poised over the fabric of my existence'. We learn of his flaws, his inability to commit fully to a woman and accept anything but monetary responsibility for his own son.

We learn about Nina, and her sadness at having pushed her son away for so many years because of his father, and her determination to get him back.

And finally Abdi, the Somali teen who has his own personal tragedies to deal with, who risks his own life to assist the journalist.

The story is full of peril and observations of life in war-torn Africa, descriptions of its people, both the innocent and the fundamentalists. There is a climatic scene which had me holding my breath, my eyes open wide with fear and excitement. If this doesn't make it to either the small screen or cinema, I'll be very surprised.

Fractured is an intense, emotional gut-wrencher of a novel which delves beneath the physical struggles at its heart.

Fractured is published by Legend Press on February 1st 2016

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a novel about a story-hungry journalist, his estranged mother, and a Somali teenager. It is bold, intense, it has a plot that makes you just have to finish the next page, the next chapter and before you know it, the entire book.

You are thrown into the story quite abruptly as it is narrated by Peter Maquire, a journalist who has been kidnapped and is being held hostage in Somalia. His existence in captivity is best described as being bleak, quite as you imagine it would be if it was you and not Peter. To escape the bleakness, Peter tries to travel back in time, in his mind and remember the smallest details of his life before captivity and as he does so, you experience life with him, wondering if he will ever leave captivity.

Abdi, the young Somalian boy whose job it is to guard Peter, reminds the reader all too well what life in war torn Somalia is like, though as a character, I did find myself hoping he would befriend Peter.

Nina is Peters mother, she has been flown in to try and help secure Peters release and throughout her time during the novel, I felt she somehow blamed herself for the situation Peter was in, as though her own life and some of the decisions she has taken is somehow to blame. She was mildly irritating as a character but the setting and story telling help you to forget that.

A superb novel, not one I would have chosen to read ordinarily but one I am glad I have been able to read.

[Katrina Vasey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author has a stunning ability to capture moments and emotions and vocalise them in a way that is so relatable, yet one would not be able to articulate. The novel is gritty and doesn't shy away from the harsh topics of terrorism or the current political situation in places like Somalia. The varied voices presented to the reader make for interesting comparisons and are different enough that the reader is constantly kept on their toes; this book is hard to put down and I read this in two sittings!

If I were to critique the book, I would say that at times the language felt a little too philosophical and dramatic, especially noticeable in the Nina chapters where she became incredibly wistful at points. However, this was only on occasion and the majority of the book was incredibly well written.

It was nice to see that the novel continued beyond the events of the kidnapping so that we could see what happened to the characters afterwards, rather than end with the climax of the kidnapping storyline as many novels would have. This novel is very very relevant right now and shows great potential for the author; can't wait to see what she writes next!

This is recommended for fans of Homeland/ 24 style shows. Whilst it is not awfully gruesome, the genre carries certain expectations and the author doesn't sugarcoat the truths of living conditions, violence etc.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fractured is an engrossing, pacey novel about a journalist kidnapped in Somalia. It examines his relationships with his captors and the country he is in, as well as relationships back home with his parents and girlfriend/partner and with another woman who has born his son. With fascinating insights into the interlinked worlds of crime and extremism, it will leave you with plenty to think about. The author writes beautifully, with an occasional stunning turn of phrase.

I really enjoyed reading Fractured – there was plenty to keep the pages turning and I would really recommend it to anyone. For me, however, one thing rather jarred. The narrative is ‘written by’ three different characters – the prisoner, his mother and a local boy who is with the captors, i.e. they are all first person accounts. All three have a very similar voice, which could be understandable regarding the mother and son, both journalists, but as for the Somali boy, it just didn’t ring true. There is also a letter written by a fourth character, an American, with exactly the same voice. I feel it would have worked far better if written in the third person and/or with fewer points of view – or if the author had known how to vary her writing style.

However, don’t let that put you off – the style is lovely and the story will stay with you for some time, I’m sure.

[Martin Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really gripping novel based on a kidnapping of a journalist in war torn Somalia. As the book itself alludes, this is a part of the world where there is a lot going on but gets largely ignored and/or forgotten by the world's media. I'm afraid that I found the cover quite uninspiring or eye-catching, but don't let this put you off what is a really good read. The journalist in question faces a seemingly hopeless situation which leads to a lot of soul searching, not only by him, but by people close to him as well. In this way the author is able to draw on the various characters' backgrounds and fast forward to how they would react in the scenarios laid out before them. The story is gripping and tense at times and moves along at a pace. The author herself has a background of journalism and life in Africa and has drawn on her life experiences to good effect in creating very believable characters and the complicated lives that reflect how a lot of people are. I found this to be really enjoyable though it seemed to end about two thirds in before re-igniting as a piece in a different key altogether. Really good stuff... and it sounds like Clar's next novel is starting on fertile ground to whet the appetite of any reader.

[Suzy Bowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was sent a review copy of this book by Legend Press at first felt a bit disappointed as this is really not my normal style of reading matter. How wrong I was, as soon as I read the first page I was hooked.

The story is of a journalist held hostage in Somalia told from his own perspective plus that of his mother and of Abdi, a young guy recruited by the terrorist group to “take care” of the prisoner. The book is topical, realistic and makes one look at Islamic fundamentalism and terrorism from a different perspective. It taught me a lot I didn’t know about Somalia. The writing is excellent the characters believable and I felt sympathetic towards them.

Many other reviewers have gone into more detail of the story so I will just finish by saying that this is an excellent first novel from a writer I sincerely hope will be writing more of this calibre and I heartily recommend it.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastically written debut novel. Journalist Peter has been kidnapped in Somalia. His isolation is broken by Abdi, a Somalian teenager who has lost his family. Nina, Peter's mother, desperate for news if her son, comes to Somalia, to wait and feel less hopeless.

Each character is fractured, with a past full of secrets. In my opinion, Abdi is the star of the story. Although young, he has been aged by the brutality of life in Mogadishu. I had tears running down my cheeks a number of times whilst reading this book. I particularly enjoyed the fact the plot went beyond Peter's escape, to life afterwards. (There is the spoiler don't say you weren't warned)

I was lucky enough to be given a copy of this book through Goodreads giveaways. On first glance, it is not necessarily a book I would have picked to read, but thoroughly enjoyed it. And I look forward to the authors second novel.

[Irene Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free advance e-copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This is a political thriller set in Somalia where terrorist acts, jihad, bloodshed, and death are part of everyday life. “Fractured” is written from the perspectives of three different characters: Peter, a kidnapped journalist; Nina, his mother; and Abdi, a Somali boy, the kidnapped journalist’s caretaker who has grown up around daily violence and death. This is a very well written book with a captivating story. As the story unfolds the reader becomes very aware of how heartbreaking life is in Somalia. The author makes us aware of how each individual copes with love, loss, and the situations they find themselves in and how their choices affect others. The characters and plot are well developed and the reader feels how volatile life in Somalia can be. I’m anxious to read more from this author.

[David Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although initially confused by the title, for a terrorist kidnapping, it soon became obvious that this was the story of three broken families brought together by events in war-torn Somalia. Peter McGuire’s kidnap ordeal and perhaps ignited by this traumatic experience added to his lack of self- belief in who he actually was and where his destiny lay. The writer’s journalistic experience shines through this gripping psychoanalytical tale of the main characters infused with cliché’s and intimate details of the African country. The violence is underplayed, not as I expected, and the title is fully suited as it brings out the human frailties of us all, such that my eyes and mind were glued to the pages in the twenty four hours I took to read.

[Hazel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a debut novel by this particular author and, to be honest, not one that I would have chosen to read myself but was lucky enough to have been sent an advance copy from the publisher, Legend Times Group, in return for an honest review and I am really pleased they did as I really enjoyed it.

Full review on my blog - Reading Stuff 'n' Things

[Polly Krize · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A look at the massive problems in Somalia from all sides. A journalist, Peter, is kidnapped, ostensibly to be held for ransom. Abdi, one of his captors helps in his escape, putting pressure on his clan to help. Peter's mother arrives from Paris as support, her own memories cascading on her. This is a gritty, well-written book, recommended.