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Afraid: Be careful who you trust
Author(s): Mandasue Heller ISBN: 9781444769555 Binding: Paperback Published: 2015-10-27 If you like Martina Cole, you'll love Mandasue Heller's thrilling new novel. When fifteen-year-old Skye's mother finally does something so shocking that it can't be hushed up, the police turn her over to the social workers - and that's when the nightmare begins. No one will let her talk to her father; the woman who is supposed to be helping her dumps her in a terrifying 'home' that's more like a jail. But she still has one friend to turn to: the sympathetic girl she's met in an internet chat room, the one who seems to have a home life as unhappy as Skye's. And Jade offers her a safe place to stay... Alone in Manchester, nearly penniless, Skye is willing to trust Jade. Even when it isn't Jade who turns up at the rendezvous, but a grown-up man who says he's Jade's brother...
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2015
78 people are currently reading
479 people want to read
About the author
Mandasue Heller
36 books447 followersMandasue was born in Cheshire and moved to Manchester in 1982. She spent ten years living in the notorious Hulme Crescents which have since become the background to her novels. Not only is she a talented writer, but she has also sung in cabaret and rock groups, seventies soul cover bands and blues jam bands.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
November 12, 2015
I had a really hard time deciding on a rating for this book. On the one hand I read the book very fast which often means that I really enjoyed it but on the other hand I had a few issues with it.
This was the first book by Mandasue Heller that I have read. I can see she's written many more books and has quite a large following. After seeing all of the five star ratings and reading the book description, I was curious. The plot sounded very dark but interesting.
Right away I felt for the main character, fifteen-year-old Skye. She has had a hard life so far, dealing with bullies at school and parents that are always fighting. What else can go wrong for Skye?
Oh so much more.....
After a very serious incident between her parents, the social workers are called in and Skye is placed in a girls home. From there things seem to go from bad to worse. She wants to escape. She has a good friend named, Jade that she's been talking to online for quite awhile. When Jade offers her help Skye jumps at the chance to get away.
I felt while some of it was believable (at times frighteningly so) there were a few situations that were just a bit too out there for me. Yes these things could happen but in my opinion not so many of them at once or so quickly. Kind of hard to explain because I don't want to give any of the plot away. I know there are some evil people out there and that terrible things can happen to people and I also realize it's fiction and that things are exaggerated for entertainment purposes. However, there were a few times when I was thinking there's no way that would happen. But I will say it was never boring and did hold my interest.
The story is told from Skye and her father, Jeff's point of view and was easy enough to follow. I also thought that the characters were fairly well developed. The book is fast paced and deals with many disturbing subjects. Some of it very difficult to read about. Internet predators, bullying, child exploitation, murder, rape, pedophilia, dysfunctional family relationships and more.
Overall it was a decent book that kept me reading as I really wanted to know how everything turned out.
3.5 stars
This was the first book by Mandasue Heller that I have read. I can see she's written many more books and has quite a large following. After seeing all of the five star ratings and reading the book description, I was curious. The plot sounded very dark but interesting.
Right away I felt for the main character, fifteen-year-old Skye. She has had a hard life so far, dealing with bullies at school and parents that are always fighting. What else can go wrong for Skye?
Oh so much more.....
After a very serious incident between her parents, the social workers are called in and Skye is placed in a girls home. From there things seem to go from bad to worse. She wants to escape. She has a good friend named, Jade that she's been talking to online for quite awhile. When Jade offers her help Skye jumps at the chance to get away.
I felt while some of it was believable (at times frighteningly so) there were a few situations that were just a bit too out there for me. Yes these things could happen but in my opinion not so many of them at once or so quickly. Kind of hard to explain because I don't want to give any of the plot away. I know there are some evil people out there and that terrible things can happen to people and I also realize it's fiction and that things are exaggerated for entertainment purposes. However, there were a few times when I was thinking there's no way that would happen. But I will say it was never boring and did hold my interest.
The story is told from Skye and her father, Jeff's point of view and was easy enough to follow. I also thought that the characters were fairly well developed. The book is fast paced and deals with many disturbing subjects. Some of it very difficult to read about. Internet predators, bullying, child exploitation, murder, rape, pedophilia, dysfunctional family relationships and more.
Overall it was a decent book that kept me reading as I really wanted to know how everything turned out.
3.5 stars
December 28, 2014
oooooh wowzers... not sure if it is a real word but its kind of, the toned down version of what I actually said when I opened my parcel and found this book inside.. Oh god was I excited.
So a big THANK YOU to Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton for sending me a review copy.
This book, is based around 14 yr old skye. who's life has just turned upside down, Not that it was a perfect family life to start with, but after yet another argument between Mum and Dad, dad is stabbed, and Skye ends up being placed into the care of Social Services. This is where Skyes life completly changes.
To get away from life in the care home, and what Skye belives is a living hell, Skye turns to her online friend Jade who offers her somewhere to stay, after chatting with Jade online Skye know's they have a similar life, and can relate to what each other is going through. Jade is also from an unhappy family filled with arguments and fights, Skye really feels like she has found a friend in Jade. Unfortunatly for Skye, Jade is not at all what Skye expected... And this is really where Skye's hell begins. This all pretty much happens in the first few chapters, so I dont feel i'm giving to much away, However I don't want to go into any more detail as to what happens etc for fear of spoiling the story for anyone.
The book really kicks off on a high, and continues all the way through, keeping you wanting more.
Bullying, peodophile, on line grooming. this book covers a whole range of pretty much what is in the news nowadays. It's sad when you think you just are not suprised at some of the things that happen when children are put into care.
My all time fav Mandasue Heller book has always been THE FRONT. and while this is just as good, The Front still remains my fav....
Keep going Mandasue, I'm awaiting your next book now,..
A great start to the new reading year. published 1st January 2015.
So a big THANK YOU to Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton for sending me a review copy.
This book, is based around 14 yr old skye. who's life has just turned upside down, Not that it was a perfect family life to start with, but after yet another argument between Mum and Dad, dad is stabbed, and Skye ends up being placed into the care of Social Services. This is where Skyes life completly changes.
To get away from life in the care home, and what Skye belives is a living hell, Skye turns to her online friend Jade who offers her somewhere to stay, after chatting with Jade online Skye know's they have a similar life, and can relate to what each other is going through. Jade is also from an unhappy family filled with arguments and fights, Skye really feels like she has found a friend in Jade. Unfortunatly for Skye, Jade is not at all what Skye expected... And this is really where Skye's hell begins. This all pretty much happens in the first few chapters, so I dont feel i'm giving to much away, However I don't want to go into any more detail as to what happens etc for fear of spoiling the story for anyone.
The book really kicks off on a high, and continues all the way through, keeping you wanting more.
Bullying, peodophile, on line grooming. this book covers a whole range of pretty much what is in the news nowadays. It's sad when you think you just are not suprised at some of the things that happen when children are put into care.
My all time fav Mandasue Heller book has always been THE FRONT. and while this is just as good, The Front still remains my fav....
Keep going Mandasue, I'm awaiting your next book now,..
A great start to the new reading year. published 1st January 2015.
December 27, 2014
Christmas definitely came early when this book was posted through my letterbox and I couldn't wait to get started. I'm already predicting 2015 to be a very exciting year for fiction and it starts for me with Afraid. Mandasue's 2014 release, Respect, was probably one of her best so far and so I had high expectations for Afraid, and it did not disappoint in the slightest.
Mandasue knows what she's talking about when she writes her books. She knows the setting, having lived it and the characters that she creates. I feel this gives her somewhat of an edge, bringing to her books a gritty realism, with realistic and believable characters who are put into horrific situations. Being set in Manchester, it isn't a world away from where I live in Liverpool and some things are very recognisable to me. The emotional connection you feel towards the characters is greater, because of how real they feel.
It's hard to believe in 2015 that teenagers around the world are still falling victim to Internet predators, but it still is a problem that is prevalent and it forms the basis for Afraid when the book's main character Skye, meets somebody online who she believes to be a girl the same age as her called Jade. When a fight between her mother and father goes too far, Skye is sent to a children's home, more like a jail and nothing like Tracy Beaker, Skye soon finds herself scared and alone with nobody she feels she can turn to, apart from her online friend Jade. Arranging to meet Jade, Skye turns up to be confronted not by a teenage girl, but a grown man...
One of my blogging resolutions is to not give away too much of the plot in my reviews, so the above paragraph is pretty much all I can say. I can say however that in terms of the storyline, this is one of Mandasue's most gripping. From the outset I really took to Skye, and could feel her pain throughout the book. At times you just wanted to scream at her, remembering back to when I was 14 or 15 I was thinking I'd never be that naive, but I was never in a situation where I couldn't turn to my family and so Skye's predicament and the situation she finds herself in, probably is very true to life. In the beginning I did feel that Skye came across younger than she actually was but that soon changed when her life changes drastically. Skye and her parents I feel are victims of a flawed system, and throughout the book I found myself wanting the very best for the three of them. How some of the characters, those in authority especially, acted left me seething.
Skye is soon forced to grow up very fast, becoming an adult faster than any teenager should ever have to. Mandasue's villains are always so good, or should that be bad, that you feel actual hatred for them. The man in this book was especially evil, and despite the uncomfortable nature at times, I simply couldn't stop reading. The book is actually quite emotional in places, especially towards the end. Again to say any more would of course ruin the story, so all I can say is I highly recommend this book. It moves along at just the right pace, a pace that left me unwilling and unable to put it down, and I had this read in just two sittings. I'm still thinking about Skye now, and think this book will stick in my memory longer than most. I can't wait for Mandasue's next book, and with a move to Pan Macmillan, it's a very exciting time for Mandasue and her fans.
Mandasue knows what she's talking about when she writes her books. She knows the setting, having lived it and the characters that she creates. I feel this gives her somewhat of an edge, bringing to her books a gritty realism, with realistic and believable characters who are put into horrific situations. Being set in Manchester, it isn't a world away from where I live in Liverpool and some things are very recognisable to me. The emotional connection you feel towards the characters is greater, because of how real they feel.
It's hard to believe in 2015 that teenagers around the world are still falling victim to Internet predators, but it still is a problem that is prevalent and it forms the basis for Afraid when the book's main character Skye, meets somebody online who she believes to be a girl the same age as her called Jade. When a fight between her mother and father goes too far, Skye is sent to a children's home, more like a jail and nothing like Tracy Beaker, Skye soon finds herself scared and alone with nobody she feels she can turn to, apart from her online friend Jade. Arranging to meet Jade, Skye turns up to be confronted not by a teenage girl, but a grown man...
One of my blogging resolutions is to not give away too much of the plot in my reviews, so the above paragraph is pretty much all I can say. I can say however that in terms of the storyline, this is one of Mandasue's most gripping. From the outset I really took to Skye, and could feel her pain throughout the book. At times you just wanted to scream at her, remembering back to when I was 14 or 15 I was thinking I'd never be that naive, but I was never in a situation where I couldn't turn to my family and so Skye's predicament and the situation she finds herself in, probably is very true to life. In the beginning I did feel that Skye came across younger than she actually was but that soon changed when her life changes drastically. Skye and her parents I feel are victims of a flawed system, and throughout the book I found myself wanting the very best for the three of them. How some of the characters, those in authority especially, acted left me seething.
Skye is soon forced to grow up very fast, becoming an adult faster than any teenager should ever have to. Mandasue's villains are always so good, or should that be bad, that you feel actual hatred for them. The man in this book was especially evil, and despite the uncomfortable nature at times, I simply couldn't stop reading. The book is actually quite emotional in places, especially towards the end. Again to say any more would of course ruin the story, so all I can say is I highly recommend this book. It moves along at just the right pace, a pace that left me unwilling and unable to put it down, and I had this read in just two sittings. I'm still thinking about Skye now, and think this book will stick in my memory longer than most. I can't wait for Mandasue's next book, and with a move to Pan Macmillan, it's a very exciting time for Mandasue and her fans.
December 30, 2015
Mandasue Heller is right at the top of her game with this very frightening new novel AFRAID. I have never read a book by Mandasue Heller before. I totally recommend AFRAID to all crime readers. If you have not put this novel on to read list now is the time to do so.
Afraid is about a fifteen-year old girl, Skye who is going through hell at home as her mother stabs her father. Social workers get involved and put her in a home that is more like a jail than a home.
As the girls make trouble for Skye in the home she has been sent to Skye runs away into the hands of a friend she has met through the internet chat room. Skye runs into more trouble with her new friend from the internet. It is heart breaking that young girls believe who they are talking to on the internet. Afraid has your heart racing wondering what will happen next. It is a very sad story that touches your heart as it doesn't matter where Skye goes she is always surrounded by trouble.
Afraid is about a fifteen-year old girl, Skye who is going through hell at home as her mother stabs her father. Social workers get involved and put her in a home that is more like a jail than a home.
As the girls make trouble for Skye in the home she has been sent to Skye runs away into the hands of a friend she has met through the internet chat room. Skye runs into more trouble with her new friend from the internet. It is heart breaking that young girls believe who they are talking to on the internet. Afraid has your heart racing wondering what will happen next. It is a very sad story that touches your heart as it doesn't matter where Skye goes she is always surrounded by trouble.
July 20, 2015
There is that much improbable stuff going on in this novel whats another you might ask.
A naive girl with a bipolar mum and hard working dad and it all goes downhill from there on from the social worker to the landlord to the best friend and her mum to the looney guy living out in the sticks to the dog to the street kid chloe to the weirdo Police to shirley the office lady to the whole thing!
its coro on speed.
and I didnt like it I thought it was too convoluted and improbable. I thought it lacked the nice development process and was a speed dating experience of everything had to be done by the end of the chapter.
Definitely wont be reading any more of this author's books unless she pads them out a bit more and lets the characters become more than 2 dimensional parodies of real life people.
A naive girl with a bipolar mum and hard working dad and it all goes downhill from there on from the social worker to the landlord to the best friend and her mum to the looney guy living out in the sticks to the dog to the street kid chloe to the weirdo Police to shirley the office lady to the whole thing!
its coro on speed.
and I didnt like it I thought it was too convoluted and improbable. I thought it lacked the nice development process and was a speed dating experience of everything had to be done by the end of the chapter.
Definitely wont be reading any more of this author's books unless she pads them out a bit more and lets the characters become more than 2 dimensional parodies of real life people.
September 30, 2015
This was just okay, not bad, not good. Well, good for a quick read.
I just didn't really connect with any of the characters at all, nor did I believe them. The parts about Jeff were boring, and I flicked through them to get to the Skye parts. I had no sympathy for any of them. Skye was stupid, Jeff was the biggest *insert appropriate curse word* I've ever read about. And Andrea taking a few tablets and being okay again after a major mental breakdown, because that's how it works out in the real world.
I liked the plot, I guess, which was why I expected so much more. I was constantly waiting for something big to happen, but it fell kind of flat. And the cheesy ending just killed it for me, I wish I never read the epilogue. I'd have been somewhat pleased with it. It was realistic on those last few pages, where we saw how much he'd messed with her head, and I actually felt it.
None of them got any punishment for their outrageous, despicable actions. Oh, I felt the message of this book was atrocious, and it seemed to me like they were actually saying abuse was okay as long as you're mentally ill.
Anyway, if you're like me, bored and looking for a quick read, then this is your book.
I just didn't really connect with any of the characters at all, nor did I believe them. The parts about Jeff were boring, and I flicked through them to get to the Skye parts. I had no sympathy for any of them. Skye was stupid, Jeff was the biggest *insert appropriate curse word* I've ever read about. And Andrea taking a few tablets and being okay again after a major mental breakdown, because that's how it works out in the real world.
I liked the plot, I guess, which was why I expected so much more. I was constantly waiting for something big to happen, but it fell kind of flat. And the cheesy ending just killed it for me, I wish I never read the epilogue. I'd have been somewhat pleased with it. It was realistic on those last few pages, where we saw how much he'd messed with her head, and I actually felt it.
None of them got any punishment for their outrageous, despicable actions. Oh, I felt the message of this book was atrocious, and it seemed to me like they were actually saying abuse was okay as long as you're mentally ill.
Anyway, if you're like me, bored and looking for a quick read, then this is your book.
January 21, 2015
I have always been a fan of Mandasue heller of both her books and her music. Having read all her other books I was looking forward to this one and hoping I wouldn't be disappointed.Just the opposite in fact as I think this is probably her best book to date.I can thoroughly recommend it.
January 2, 2015
Time taken to read - 1 day
Publisher - Hodder & Stoughton
Pages - 344
Blurb from Goodreads
Mandasue Heller's thrilling novel is set on the gritty streets of Manchester.
When fifteen-year-old Skye's mother finally does something so shocking that it can't be hushed up, the police turn her over to the social workers - and that's when the nightmare begins.
She doesn't know if her father is alive or dead; the woman who is supposed to be helping her dumps her in a terrifying 'home' that's more like a jail. But she still has one friend to turn to: the sympathetic girl she's met in an internet chat room, the one who seems to have a home life as unhappy as Skye's. And Jade offers her a safe place to stay . . .
Alone in Manchester, nearly penniless, Skye is willing to trust Jade. Even when it isn't Jade who turns up at the rendezvous, but a grown-up man who says he's Jade's brother . . .
My Review
Set in Manchester, Skye Benson is fifteen years old living with her mum and dad, bullied at school, parents fighting and mum has some mental health issues. After a particularly horrific physical fight between her parents, Skye ends up in a children's home with more bullies. Feeling trapped, unable to find out what is going on with her parents, Skye reaches out to a friend she met on the internet, Jade. Jade can help out, she has the same issues with parents, is the same age and understands Jade completely. When Skye meets Jade it is her older brother who shows up, Skye has no reason not to trust him and gets in the car.
Oooooh this book is a doozy, it has some really dark gritty themes which can be really hard going to read, however the story pulls you in and you have to find out how it plays out. The stories jump between what is happening with Skye and then back to her father where the police, one officer in particular has a vendetta against Jeff Benson. Now his daughter is missing he has the perfect excuse to hound Jeff as his life is falling apart. Skye on the other hand is finding out that Jade's brother Tom is willing to help her anyway he can, now that the police are "after her".
What follows is a stomach turning, well executed plan to get Skye into his way of thinking and whilst the police are pre occupied with Skye's dad, Tom has all the time in the world with her. This story will have the hair on your neck standing up, makes you realize how quickly someone can ruin your life and an insight into Stockholm syndrome and the conditions required to evoke this psychological phenomenon.
The book is fast paced, harrowing, covers many themes including childing exploitation, rape, pedophilia, murder, family violence and relationships to name just a few. It is not an easy read due to the subject content however it is done well enough that you know exactly what is transpiring without focusing purely on the stomach turning details. Due to the story line there does need to be some detail on some of the sexual content and for that I would warn readers before picking up the book. I think Heller has done very well in how she has handled it and it does not deflect or detract from the actual story line.
I think this is one of those books that will stay with you for a long time after putting it down. This is a great author, I can't recommend her high enough. I was a big apprehensive picking this one up as I haven't been enjoying books so much lately, I am glad I did though. 5/5 for me this time and thanks to the publicist over at Hodder & Stoughton for giving me an advanced reading copy. This book came out yesterday so you can grab your own copy now!
Publisher - Hodder & Stoughton
Pages - 344
Blurb from Goodreads
Mandasue Heller's thrilling novel is set on the gritty streets of Manchester.
When fifteen-year-old Skye's mother finally does something so shocking that it can't be hushed up, the police turn her over to the social workers - and that's when the nightmare begins.
She doesn't know if her father is alive or dead; the woman who is supposed to be helping her dumps her in a terrifying 'home' that's more like a jail. But she still has one friend to turn to: the sympathetic girl she's met in an internet chat room, the one who seems to have a home life as unhappy as Skye's. And Jade offers her a safe place to stay . . .
Alone in Manchester, nearly penniless, Skye is willing to trust Jade. Even when it isn't Jade who turns up at the rendezvous, but a grown-up man who says he's Jade's brother . . .
My Review
Set in Manchester, Skye Benson is fifteen years old living with her mum and dad, bullied at school, parents fighting and mum has some mental health issues. After a particularly horrific physical fight between her parents, Skye ends up in a children's home with more bullies. Feeling trapped, unable to find out what is going on with her parents, Skye reaches out to a friend she met on the internet, Jade. Jade can help out, she has the same issues with parents, is the same age and understands Jade completely. When Skye meets Jade it is her older brother who shows up, Skye has no reason not to trust him and gets in the car.
Oooooh this book is a doozy, it has some really dark gritty themes which can be really hard going to read, however the story pulls you in and you have to find out how it plays out. The stories jump between what is happening with Skye and then back to her father where the police, one officer in particular has a vendetta against Jeff Benson. Now his daughter is missing he has the perfect excuse to hound Jeff as his life is falling apart. Skye on the other hand is finding out that Jade's brother Tom is willing to help her anyway he can, now that the police are "after her".
What follows is a stomach turning, well executed plan to get Skye into his way of thinking and whilst the police are pre occupied with Skye's dad, Tom has all the time in the world with her. This story will have the hair on your neck standing up, makes you realize how quickly someone can ruin your life and an insight into Stockholm syndrome and the conditions required to evoke this psychological phenomenon.
The book is fast paced, harrowing, covers many themes including childing exploitation, rape, pedophilia, murder, family violence and relationships to name just a few. It is not an easy read due to the subject content however it is done well enough that you know exactly what is transpiring without focusing purely on the stomach turning details. Due to the story line there does need to be some detail on some of the sexual content and for that I would warn readers before picking up the book. I think Heller has done very well in how she has handled it and it does not deflect or detract from the actual story line.
I think this is one of those books that will stay with you for a long time after putting it down. This is a great author, I can't recommend her high enough. I was a big apprehensive picking this one up as I haven't been enjoying books so much lately, I am glad I did though. 5/5 for me this time and thanks to the publicist over at Hodder & Stoughton for giving me an advanced reading copy. This book came out yesterday so you can grab your own copy now!
December 24, 2015
This book is so badly written, I actually made this goodreads account just to leave this review because I felt this is such an unrealistic and badly written book.
I can't believe the number of five star reviews for this book, it's so badly written and it a shame
because I wanted to like it.
The premise seems so interesting and therefore it seemed to promise so much but its just so under developed and unrealistic.
The characters are two dimensional and other than Skye don't make you care about them in the slightest, her dad just makes me feel a little like he deserves all he gets and despite claims of caring for his daughter the book doesn't make me feel like a second that he actually does.
That's just the first issue, going on from there the book is just so unrealistic as every point, the way the social workers and staff in the school and children's home act is not at all how it would be in real life and I say this as someone who knows our social system very well. Overall this book gave me the impression that it had been written by a teenager who fantasies about social care being like Tracey Beaker... I also found the behavior of the police completely unbelievable, the police wouldn't talk to the people the way they talk to Jeff in this book because it would be a massive risk to their own jobs. The book felt so un-researched and irritated me throughout because it was just so unbelievable.
I got my partner to try reading it to it check it wasn't just me but he completely agreed with me that it felt like it was written by a young teenager.
I can't believe the number of five star reviews for this book, it's so badly written and it a shame
because I wanted to like it.
The premise seems so interesting and therefore it seemed to promise so much but its just so under developed and unrealistic.
The characters are two dimensional and other than Skye don't make you care about them in the slightest, her dad just makes me feel a little like he deserves all he gets and despite claims of caring for his daughter the book doesn't make me feel like a second that he actually does.
That's just the first issue, going on from there the book is just so unrealistic as every point, the way the social workers and staff in the school and children's home act is not at all how it would be in real life and I say this as someone who knows our social system very well. Overall this book gave me the impression that it had been written by a teenager who fantasies about social care being like Tracey Beaker... I also found the behavior of the police completely unbelievable, the police wouldn't talk to the people the way they talk to Jeff in this book because it would be a massive risk to their own jobs. The book felt so un-researched and irritated me throughout because it was just so unbelievable.
I got my partner to try reading it to it check it wasn't just me but he completely agreed with me that it felt like it was written by a young teenager.
September 7, 2019
After reading the book description, I thought I was going to really enjoy this book. Although I did finish reading it, I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would.
Skye is 15 and living a troubled life that one day gets even worse. She ends up in what should have been a terrifying situation that would leave most adults feeling 'afraid,' but instead seems to just accept, and at times be happy with her lot. She doesn't appear to be a stupid girl, but her reactions didn't seem to be right somehow.
Also due to the large number of teenage characters it sometimes felt as though the book was trying to appeal to teenage readers whilst being marketed and packaged towards adult readers.
Mental illness also plays a large role in this story and it seems to be used as an excuse for bad and violent behaviour, which I didn't appreciate.
An interesting enough read, but not a favourite.
Skye is 15 and living a troubled life that one day gets even worse. She ends up in what should have been a terrifying situation that would leave most adults feeling 'afraid,' but instead seems to just accept, and at times be happy with her lot. She doesn't appear to be a stupid girl, but her reactions didn't seem to be right somehow.
Also due to the large number of teenage characters it sometimes felt as though the book was trying to appeal to teenage readers whilst being marketed and packaged towards adult readers.
Mental illness also plays a large role in this story and it seems to be used as an excuse for bad and violent behaviour, which I didn't appreciate.
An interesting enough read, but not a favourite.
May 9, 2020
Oh. My. God. it was sooooooooooooo bad. I was looking for a page turner, found this one on a shelf (got a bag of books like this from a friend once), and thought that a good crime story might be just what I needed, I couldn't have been more wrong 😆 How the hell did it get 4.26* on here?????
March 13, 2023
Another great book by Mandasue . Was a roller coaster of emotions . Made me smile and made me sad at times . Roll on the next book.
January 3, 2015
what a writer and what a story couldnt put this book down and had me in tears at time. story from the heart looking forward to lots and lots more of MH crime readers you will love this one
November 2, 2017
Another great book by this author, story flows nicely from one chapter to the next. The story was gripping, so much so that I read the book in 2 days.
Looking forward to her next book already.
Looking forward to her next book already.
December 31, 2015
Round up to 2.5 stars. Interesting plot, but ridiculously stupid characters.
June 19, 2017
This book is about young teenager Skye, who is placed into care after an incident at home. She decides to run away and takes up her friend Jade's offer of a place to stay. Skye has never met Jade, only talking her online in a chatroom, but she trusts her. So when a man picks her up saying he is Jade's brother, Skye automatically trusts him. That's when the story takes a horrifying turn.
I loved this book so much. From the first page, I was hooked, and I didn't want to stop reading.
It's very realistic-unfortunately things like this happen all too often.
The book is very well written and Skye especially is a realistic character that the reader immediately connects with.
A really gripping read, it is a scary book because it deals with issues that really do happen.
I loved this book so much. From the first page, I was hooked, and I didn't want to stop reading.
It's very realistic-unfortunately things like this happen all too often.
The book is very well written and Skye especially is a realistic character that the reader immediately connects with.
A really gripping read, it is a scary book because it deals with issues that really do happen.
February 5, 2022
Not worthy of more than 3 stars - predictable and unbelievable, quick to read but some glaring mistakes in the text.
January 12, 2015
This one was certainly an uncomfortable read – in the sense that it deals with a harrowing subject that one wishes wasn't a subject at all.
From the synopsis, it is pretty obvious what we are going to be dealing with here. The poor, downtrodden 15-year-old Skye is living a nightmare. Her mother is mentally unstable and finally flips during yet another argument with Skye's father and stabs him. Owing to this, and the fact that she has been on Social services' radar for some time anyway, Skye is taken into 'care' – care being a loosely used term... and yet her real troubles have far from begun.
Having run from her hellish care home - and with no idea where her mum has been taken or how to get in touch with her recovering father – Skye has nowhere else to turn other than to QTPye, her online friend who understands exactly what Skye is going through.
Cue QTPye, aka Jade's, brother Tom, who turns up to save Skye from her nightmare in place of Jade who 'got held up'. Tom takes Skye to his run down and secluded house where she will be safe from the authorities who are trying to ruin her life. It is at this point that an already hopeless and tragic story really becomes extremely harrowing...
Heller deals with the disturbing subject of online grooming and paedophilia very aptly. Without being too graphic during some of the more disturbing moments in the story, she is able to address the frightening reality of how easy it is for vulnerable children to be manipulated into the most harmful situations. The subject of grooming is not just here for its own sake either. Of course it is what the story is essentially about, but it is woven into a very well written plot. And all main characters are well developed, with impressive internal dialogue and authentic discourse.
Skye's ordeal is mercifully interspersed with a look at how her father is coping with things his end – finding himself homeless, jobless, and vilified by the community following false accusations of violence towards his wife and sexually abusing his daughter, he is then imprisoned for allegedly murdering Skye. Ok so I said mercifully, he does have a very tough time of it himself, but it's still nothing compared to what his daughter is going through whilst everyone else believes she is dead.
I wouldn't advise reading this one if you're into 'happily-ever-afters', whether you think things end well or not in this story is all relative. You might come away feeling thankful that everything turned out ok, but actually it didn't, not really.
Overall, a stark yet sensitive take on a very dark and gritty subject. As difficult to put down as it was to read!
My thanks to the publisher for providing this book for review
From the synopsis, it is pretty obvious what we are going to be dealing with here. The poor, downtrodden 15-year-old Skye is living a nightmare. Her mother is mentally unstable and finally flips during yet another argument with Skye's father and stabs him. Owing to this, and the fact that she has been on Social services' radar for some time anyway, Skye is taken into 'care' – care being a loosely used term... and yet her real troubles have far from begun.
Having run from her hellish care home - and with no idea where her mum has been taken or how to get in touch with her recovering father – Skye has nowhere else to turn other than to QTPye, her online friend who understands exactly what Skye is going through.
Cue QTPye, aka Jade's, brother Tom, who turns up to save Skye from her nightmare in place of Jade who 'got held up'. Tom takes Skye to his run down and secluded house where she will be safe from the authorities who are trying to ruin her life. It is at this point that an already hopeless and tragic story really becomes extremely harrowing...
Heller deals with the disturbing subject of online grooming and paedophilia very aptly. Without being too graphic during some of the more disturbing moments in the story, she is able to address the frightening reality of how easy it is for vulnerable children to be manipulated into the most harmful situations. The subject of grooming is not just here for its own sake either. Of course it is what the story is essentially about, but it is woven into a very well written plot. And all main characters are well developed, with impressive internal dialogue and authentic discourse.
Skye's ordeal is mercifully interspersed with a look at how her father is coping with things his end – finding himself homeless, jobless, and vilified by the community following false accusations of violence towards his wife and sexually abusing his daughter, he is then imprisoned for allegedly murdering Skye. Ok so I said mercifully, he does have a very tough time of it himself, but it's still nothing compared to what his daughter is going through whilst everyone else believes she is dead.
I wouldn't advise reading this one if you're into 'happily-ever-afters', whether you think things end well or not in this story is all relative. You might come away feeling thankful that everything turned out ok, but actually it didn't, not really.
Overall, a stark yet sensitive take on a very dark and gritty subject. As difficult to put down as it was to read!
My thanks to the publisher for providing this book for review
January 11, 2015
Thanks to Bookbridgr, I received a copy of this in exchange for an honest review...
Where do you turn to if you can't trust anyone?
Mandasue Heller's thrilling new novel is set on the gritty streets of Manchester. We meet fifteen-year-old Skye, who's life has just been turned upside down when her mother finally does something so shocking that it can't be hushed up, the police have turned her over to the social workers. She doesn't know if her father is alive or dead; the woman who is supposed to be helping her dumps her in a terrifying 'home' that's more like a jail. But she still has one friend to turn to: the sympathetic girl she's met in an internet chat room, the one who seems to have a home life as unhappy as Skye's, Jade in turn offers her a safe place to stay but is it all as it seems or is there something more sinister awaiting her? Alone in Manchester, nearly penniless, Skye is willing to trust Jade. Even when it isn't Jade who turns up at the rendezvous, but a grown-up man who says he's Jade's brother and this is when her nightmare begins.
This book is absolutely brilliant, it had me gripped from the first few pages right through to the end, there were some great twists and turns too. I even had to slow down reading it as I didn't want it to end. The story does cover alot of subjects and situations which we're all too familiar with on a daily basis, from bullying, online grooming, violence to paedophilia, whether it's on the news or in the papers, this story was near enough to real life. It is a pretty gritty book and parts and I did squirm through so it's definitely not for the fainthearted. This is the first time that I've read a book by Mandasue Heller, I didn't just like it, I LOVED it and it definitely didn't disappoint. I would definitely recommend this book. I know that his book will stick in my memory longer than most because of the subject matter. I am really looking forward to Mandasue's next book already.
Where do you turn to if you can't trust anyone?
Mandasue Heller's thrilling new novel is set on the gritty streets of Manchester. We meet fifteen-year-old Skye, who's life has just been turned upside down when her mother finally does something so shocking that it can't be hushed up, the police have turned her over to the social workers. She doesn't know if her father is alive or dead; the woman who is supposed to be helping her dumps her in a terrifying 'home' that's more like a jail. But she still has one friend to turn to: the sympathetic girl she's met in an internet chat room, the one who seems to have a home life as unhappy as Skye's, Jade in turn offers her a safe place to stay but is it all as it seems or is there something more sinister awaiting her? Alone in Manchester, nearly penniless, Skye is willing to trust Jade. Even when it isn't Jade who turns up at the rendezvous, but a grown-up man who says he's Jade's brother and this is when her nightmare begins.
This book is absolutely brilliant, it had me gripped from the first few pages right through to the end, there were some great twists and turns too. I even had to slow down reading it as I didn't want it to end. The story does cover alot of subjects and situations which we're all too familiar with on a daily basis, from bullying, online grooming, violence to paedophilia, whether it's on the news or in the papers, this story was near enough to real life. It is a pretty gritty book and parts and I did squirm through so it's definitely not for the fainthearted. This is the first time that I've read a book by Mandasue Heller, I didn't just like it, I LOVED it and it definitely didn't disappoint. I would definitely recommend this book. I know that his book will stick in my memory longer than most because of the subject matter. I am really looking forward to Mandasue's next book already.
January 7, 2015
I'm always eager to read Mandasue Hellers books, she has a style of writing that just grips you right from the start. Such a touching, frightening, story, & sadly quite real to what does happen so often in reality. Wonderful story telling by this brilliant author as always, And her books just keep getting better & better.
January 27, 2015
Another 5 star book. My second read from the author and what a page turner this one was. Real simple character names to remember and a great story. I thought it was a little weak on the ending but nevertheless really enjoyed this one. 5/5.
June 14, 2018
4½ stars
This was a really sad story but it was done in such a way by the author that made it very readable. Mandasue Heller has a way of writing that gets the reader completely submerged in the tale no matter how hard the storyline is and she tells it with such a gritty realism.
This was a really sad story but it was done in such a way by the author that made it very readable. Mandasue Heller has a way of writing that gets the reader completely submerged in the tale no matter how hard the storyline is and she tells it with such a gritty realism.
January 6, 2015
Her best book yet .... !!!
January 4, 2015
Yet again another page turner from Mandasue Heller!
January 9, 2015
loved it
January 10, 2015
omg excellent!
January 28, 2015
Fantastic,gritty read by Mandasue Heller. Pick up your copy today you will not be disappointed.
February 26, 2024
Another great book from this author, I so look forward to many more. She has you hooked from page one and keeps you hooked until the very end.
August 4, 2015
mandasue heller,s books make you want to keep turning the pages till the end brill books.
January 31, 2015
excellent as always
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