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The Devil's Work
A gripping psychological thriller from the bestselling author of Follow You Home and The Magpies.
It was the job she had dreamed of since childhood. But on her very first day, when an unnerving encounter drags up memories Sophie Greenwood would rather forget, she wonders if she has made a mistake. A fatal mistake.
What is her ambitious young assistant really up to? And what exactly happened to Sophie’s predecessor? When her husband and daughter are pulled into the nightmare, Sophie is forced to confront the darkest secrets she has carried for years.
As her life begins to fall apart at work and at home, Sophie must race to uncover the truth about her new job…before it kills her.
It was the job she had dreamed of since childhood. But on her very first day, when an unnerving encounter drags up memories Sophie Greenwood would rather forget, she wonders if she has made a mistake. A fatal mistake.
What is her ambitious young assistant really up to? And what exactly happened to Sophie’s predecessor? When her husband and daughter are pulled into the nightmare, Sophie is forced to confront the darkest secrets she has carried for years.
As her life begins to fall apart at work and at home, Sophie must race to uncover the truth about her new job…before it kills her.
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First published September 13, 2016
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About the author
Mark Edwards
36 books5,952 followersMark Edwards writes psychological thrillers in which scary things happen to ordinary people.
He loves hearing from readers and always responds. Mark can be contacted in the following ways:
Email: mark@markedwardsauthor.com
Twitter @mredwards
Facebook/Instagram: @markedwardsauthor
You can download a free box set of 'Short Sharp Shockers' by visiting www.markedwardsauthor.com/free
Mark has sold over 5 million books since his first solo novel, The Magpies, was published in 2013 and has topped the bestseller lists numerous times. His other novels include Follow You Home, Here To Stay and The Psychopath Next Door. He has also published six books co-authored with Louise Voss. His next novel, The Wasp Trap, will be published in the UK/Australia in July 2025 and the US/Canada in September 2025.
Mark lives in the West Midlands, England, with his wife, their three children, two cats and a golden retriever.
He loves hearing from readers and always responds. Mark can be contacted in the following ways:
Email: mark@markedwardsauthor.com
Twitter @mredwards
Facebook/Instagram: @markedwardsauthor
You can download a free box set of 'Short Sharp Shockers' by visiting www.markedwardsauthor.com/free
Mark has sold over 5 million books since his first solo novel, The Magpies, was published in 2013 and has topped the bestseller lists numerous times. His other novels include Follow You Home, Here To Stay and The Psychopath Next Door. He has also published six books co-authored with Louise Voss. His next novel, The Wasp Trap, will be published in the UK/Australia in July 2025 and the US/Canada in September 2025.
Mark lives in the West Midlands, England, with his wife, their three children, two cats and a golden retriever.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 832 reviews
November 5, 2016
Whoa! Mark Edwards certainly knows how to ramp up the tension a notch to create a brilliant psychological thriller.
After raising her daughter for the last 4 years,
Sophie Greenwood is ready to get her career back on track, and everything seems to be falling into place when she is offered a position with Jackdaw Publishing, her dream job.
Sophie however, finds that Cassie, one of her assistants, seems hell bent on making trouble for her, and she's immediately suspicious of her motives. She then discovers that her predecessor just simply disappeared - no one knows where she went , even her Facebook account has been closed. Sophie has good reason to think that Cassie was behind it.
Her working life, far from being the dream job that she expected, is actually turning into a nightmare into which her husband and daughter are dragged unwillingly too. It's also clear that Sophie is going to have to confront some dark secrets from her past, secrets that she's managed to bury deep inside.
The story is split between the present day and Sophie's days at University.
There is one particular scene much later in the book, that is set in Sophie's office building ( on the face of it a very ordinary location ) but it's after hours when all the other staff have left, and if this chapter doesn't have your nerves jangling, and make you want to hide in a corner then I'll be very surprised!
Full of twists and turns & OMG's, it's a gripping read & to be highly recommended.
*Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for my ARC for which I have given a fair and honest review*
After raising her daughter for the last 4 years,
Sophie Greenwood is ready to get her career back on track, and everything seems to be falling into place when she is offered a position with Jackdaw Publishing, her dream job.
Sophie however, finds that Cassie, one of her assistants, seems hell bent on making trouble for her, and she's immediately suspicious of her motives. She then discovers that her predecessor just simply disappeared - no one knows where she went , even her Facebook account has been closed. Sophie has good reason to think that Cassie was behind it.
Her working life, far from being the dream job that she expected, is actually turning into a nightmare into which her husband and daughter are dragged unwillingly too. It's also clear that Sophie is going to have to confront some dark secrets from her past, secrets that she's managed to bury deep inside.
The story is split between the present day and Sophie's days at University.
There is one particular scene much later in the book, that is set in Sophie's office building ( on the face of it a very ordinary location ) but it's after hours when all the other staff have left, and if this chapter doesn't have your nerves jangling, and make you want to hide in a corner then I'll be very surprised!
Full of twists and turns & OMG's, it's a gripping read & to be highly recommended.
*Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for my ARC for which I have given a fair and honest review*
February 9, 2017
Have you ever worked a job you felt placed you in the midst of Hell? I think if we were all honest we have that one job we could place quite nicely in this category. I remember mine as if it were yesterday; it was the summer after I graduated high school and my dad was keen on getting me a job to bridge the gap between senior year and beginning college. My friend Depreena was working at the local Applebee’s as a hostess and decided to drag me right into her daily drama, sharing in her misery at the place we later dubbed “The Crapplebee’s”. After many nights of police being called (and taking multiple hours to cross the parking lot we both shared) due to large dine and dashes, to personal drama between coworkers resulting in life and death matters, the final straw was being held at gun point while leaving a shift at 3am where a disgruntled (and very drunk) patron was waiting in the dark. Thankfully I had an awesome co-worker who immediately took over the situation and got me out as quickly as possible. (THANKS YUSEF!!) I’ll never forget that delight of a job, and while we had good times with the bad, I thankfully never had to endure what our protagonist Sophie went through. Geez Louise.
I’ll admit my nerves were full on frayed while reading this. I was impressed by how sucked into the story I felt and how anxious I became over a fictional story. I’ve always heard that Mark Edwards is the king of messing with your head, and after reading my first story by him I’m inclined to agree. The story was broken up into multiple parts, full of twists and turns I didn’t see coming; I particularly liked a big one that came around 75% into the book. The plot flips between present and past with ease, and I actually found myself looking forward to the “past” sections unlike in most books I read; typically I feel these chop up the flow of the present plot but that was not the case here. The pacing was consistently fast throughout the entire book, which made for a stellar quick read. I have two of his other books that have been sitting on my shelf for awhile (Follow You Home & The Magpies) which I am inclined to move up in priority after reading this one and enjoying it so immensely.
Sophie was a tad hard for me to connect with initially; I wanted to smack her a few times and yell at her to get her act together. However, after staying with her awhile, she grew on me and felt myself cheering for her until the very end. There are some very heavy subjects in the book; sure there is a bit of graphic violence and disturbing content, but you expect that mostly in psychological thrillers these days. What set this apart, without spoiling anything, was some unique plot planning and subject matter that is all of the above but on a whole different level. I’ve always been a fan of the cover work associated with Mark Edwards’ books and this one is no different. I love the consistency of the fonts and how they tend to always pique my interest! Overall, an exciting and thrilling mystery with enough suspense to keep you up reading into the wee hours of the morning. I truly enjoyed reading this one and quickly became grateful for my uneventful (in comparison) life.
*Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for my copy in exchange for an honest and fair review. The publisher has graciously offered 1 copy of The Devil's Work as a giveaway on my blog; you can enter at the link is listed above!
**I couldn’t find the right place to put this, but I wanted to acknowledge what a fine job the author did at writing a fair assessment on women and the battle between staying at home with your kids or returning to work. It felt refreshing to see a man write with such honesty and non-judgement on how either choice is the right one, it all just depends on the individual. Sophie struggles with the guilt of going back to work but realizes it was her dream all along. He also depicts the truths of how staying at home with young children is neither glamorous or constantly enjoyable for most women. Thank you Mr. Edwards for including these subjects with such care and honesty.
I’ll admit my nerves were full on frayed while reading this. I was impressed by how sucked into the story I felt and how anxious I became over a fictional story. I’ve always heard that Mark Edwards is the king of messing with your head, and after reading my first story by him I’m inclined to agree. The story was broken up into multiple parts, full of twists and turns I didn’t see coming; I particularly liked a big one that came around 75% into the book. The plot flips between present and past with ease, and I actually found myself looking forward to the “past” sections unlike in most books I read; typically I feel these chop up the flow of the present plot but that was not the case here. The pacing was consistently fast throughout the entire book, which made for a stellar quick read. I have two of his other books that have been sitting on my shelf for awhile (Follow You Home & The Magpies) which I am inclined to move up in priority after reading this one and enjoying it so immensely.
Sophie was a tad hard for me to connect with initially; I wanted to smack her a few times and yell at her to get her act together. However, after staying with her awhile, she grew on me and felt myself cheering for her until the very end. There are some very heavy subjects in the book; sure there is a bit of graphic violence and disturbing content, but you expect that mostly in psychological thrillers these days. What set this apart, without spoiling anything, was some unique plot planning and subject matter that is all of the above but on a whole different level. I’ve always been a fan of the cover work associated with Mark Edwards’ books and this one is no different. I love the consistency of the fonts and how they tend to always pique my interest! Overall, an exciting and thrilling mystery with enough suspense to keep you up reading into the wee hours of the morning. I truly enjoyed reading this one and quickly became grateful for my uneventful (in comparison) life.
*Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for my copy in exchange for an honest and fair review. The publisher has graciously offered 1 copy of The Devil's Work as a giveaway on my blog; you can enter at the link is listed above!
**I couldn’t find the right place to put this, but I wanted to acknowledge what a fine job the author did at writing a fair assessment on women and the battle between staying at home with your kids or returning to work. It felt refreshing to see a man write with such honesty and non-judgement on how either choice is the right one, it all just depends on the individual. Sophie struggles with the guilt of going back to work but realizes it was her dream all along. He also depicts the truths of how staying at home with young children is neither glamorous or constantly enjoyable for most women. Thank you Mr. Edwards for including these subjects with such care and honesty.
September 13, 2017
Sophie is a stay at home Mom and it was really tough to bring up a child on a single wage in one of the most expensive cities in the world. Her and her husband ran up debts and their car was close to death so Sophie ends up getting her dream job at Jack Daw Books, she always wanted to work at a publishing company since she was little. Sophie is curious about the library in the basement. She asks someone how you can have access to it and they tell her that you can get in by an invitation only and thought it was because they didn't want anyone to touch those super old valuable books. Then finds out that it is suppose to be haunted. Someone commuted suicide down there and died. People started seeing strange things down there.
There is a co-worker who Sophie thinks is a psychopath. No one knows what happened to Miranda, the girl who Sophie took her job, when she disappeared. Sophie also begins to think the reason why this person is a psychopath is because she wants to move up in the company and will do anything to move up the ladder. This psychopath starts scheming things not caring who she hurts. She shows her boss an email that she received from Matt which was very sexual. Matt swore to his boss that he never did this. Sophie begins to believe him. On Matt's way home someone attacks him and he ends up unconscious in the hospital. Sophie begins to think that this psychopath has an accomplice. Other bizarre and scary situations happen.
A large white mouse is super glued to Sophie's front door of her house. She then thinks that her life is at stake, and that this psychopath wants her job. She also finds out that she is texting her husband and that something is going on between them. Her husband thinks that Sophie is becoming unstable and needs medication because she is so on edge. The plot then thickens even more. So much is going on in this book.
I was left speechless when I finished this book. It definitely made my top ten list. I loved every minute of this book. I could not put this book down. I was so scared for Sophie. I loved Sophie and her daughter Daisy. Daisy was just adorable. Frederick Bird, the owner was such a mean old man. I found this book so suspenseful that if someone would of tried to scare me while I was reading it, they would of done a very good job. I would read this at night and got up out of bed to make sure all my windows and doors were locked. I thought this book deserved all 5 stars or even more, I would give this one 10 stars if I could. I have read one other book by this author and loved that one too. I bet all of his books are like this, so I definitely will be reading a lot of his books. This one is so amazing.
I highly recommend it to those that love a suspenseful thriller.
November 5, 2016
Dear Mr. Edwards,
I am once again writing you a letter to express my feelings about your latest novel. Could you do it again? Could you succeed yet another time after your last two stunning wins? YES, YOU DID IT AGAIN, Mr. Edwards! You have now for the third time turned me into a paranoid, obsessive-compulsive with a totally messed up mind! Do you get a kick out of doing this to people? I have to think you do…
Can’t you just write a straightforward story, Mr. Edwards? Apparently you are not capable of that. You insist on throwing out a premise that immediately starts to niggle at us, then once you have our attention, you start dropping little clues (or little “not clues”) in an annoyingly incessant fashion. Are these millions of mini attention grabbers actual breadcrumbs or are they fake? And the suspense! Good grief. Unrelenting. So add nervous wreck to my condition. It got to the point where I felt like a pinball in a pinball machine. Bounced around all over the place—not knowing where the hell I was or where I was going. I had no peace at all while reading this book, not even for a minute.
Whew. And you know, you are getting pretty cocky, Mr. Edwards. You throw out only a few characters in this little tale. Trying to make it easy for us to guess the baddies, right? More like making us THINK we can guess them correctly. Actually, Mister, I figured out the baddies (kind of) early on, only to have you arrogantly throw a wrench in my thoughts and make me change my mind at 92%. To the wrong answer!! That was mean…
Not only that, you rubbed my face in it, Mr. Showoff. I was trying to make myself feel better by knowing that at least at one point I knew who the baddies were before you made me change my mind; but then you wrote that epilogue that told me that even though I had them figured out (temporarily), my thinking was aaaaallllll wrong! In other words, I made nothing more than a lucky guess. How mortifying!! You are a cruel man, Mr. Edwards, a cruel, cruel man.
So here I am, a broken woman. I was so confident I knew your style, that I would beat you this time. But noooooo, I am a total failure. But, I’m warning you, Mister Thriller Writer, I’m not taking it anymore. Next time I’M going to win. So go on, get back into that little office of yours, get out your typewriter, and write me your best stuff. I will be fully recovered in about a year, and I’ll be waiting.
Still your fan (though hating to admit it),
Love,
Christine XO
Many thanks to Net Galley and Thomas and Mercer for an ARC of this novel. The opinions expressed in my review are unbiased and totally mine.
I am once again writing you a letter to express my feelings about your latest novel. Could you do it again? Could you succeed yet another time after your last two stunning wins? YES, YOU DID IT AGAIN, Mr. Edwards! You have now for the third time turned me into a paranoid, obsessive-compulsive with a totally messed up mind! Do you get a kick out of doing this to people? I have to think you do…
Can’t you just write a straightforward story, Mr. Edwards? Apparently you are not capable of that. You insist on throwing out a premise that immediately starts to niggle at us, then once you have our attention, you start dropping little clues (or little “not clues”) in an annoyingly incessant fashion. Are these millions of mini attention grabbers actual breadcrumbs or are they fake? And the suspense! Good grief. Unrelenting. So add nervous wreck to my condition. It got to the point where I felt like a pinball in a pinball machine. Bounced around all over the place—not knowing where the hell I was or where I was going. I had no peace at all while reading this book, not even for a minute.
Whew. And you know, you are getting pretty cocky, Mr. Edwards. You throw out only a few characters in this little tale. Trying to make it easy for us to guess the baddies, right? More like making us THINK we can guess them correctly. Actually, Mister, I figured out the baddies (kind of) early on, only to have you arrogantly throw a wrench in my thoughts and make me change my mind at 92%. To the wrong answer!! That was mean…
Not only that, you rubbed my face in it, Mr. Showoff. I was trying to make myself feel better by knowing that at least at one point I knew who the baddies were before you made me change my mind; but then you wrote that epilogue that told me that even though I had them figured out (temporarily), my thinking was aaaaallllll wrong! In other words, I made nothing more than a lucky guess. How mortifying!! You are a cruel man, Mr. Edwards, a cruel, cruel man.
So here I am, a broken woman. I was so confident I knew your style, that I would beat you this time. But noooooo, I am a total failure. But, I’m warning you, Mister Thriller Writer, I’m not taking it anymore. Next time I’M going to win. So go on, get back into that little office of yours, get out your typewriter, and write me your best stuff. I will be fully recovered in about a year, and I’ll be waiting.
Still your fan (though hating to admit it),
Love,
Christine XO
Many thanks to Net Galley and Thomas and Mercer for an ARC of this novel. The opinions expressed in my review are unbiased and totally mine.
September 25, 2016
All Sophie Greenwood ever wanted was a position at a publishing firm she admired and respected. Once she married and settled down with a child, life soon became repetitive and monotonous until out of nowhere she was headhunted for a job at the place she always dreamed of working, Jackdaw Publishing. Scattered throughout the book, are episodes recalling her life at University and the time spent with her closest friends Jasmine and her boyfriend Liam. Although Sophie fancied the “bad boy”, referring to Liam as a crow among pigeons, she still pined away for him but understood he was off limits and unattainable. The story continues along at a nice easy pace, until a sense of foreboding begins to fester and grow at Jackdaw Publishing with Sophie becoming more paranoid and suspicious of her coworkers. Once she realizes all is not well with her new job, the tension and fear increases at a rapid pace. Author, Mark Edwards has written a brilliant, gripping, and exciting psychological thriller. Without a doubt it is one of the best books read this year and is highly recommended.
** Thank you to Publisher Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review. **
** Thank you to Publisher Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review. **
February 6, 2017
Wow, breathless when I finished this one! On the edge of my seat all the way through.
Talk about the job from hell!
Sophie returns to the work force after taking 4 years off to raise her daughter. She lands her dream job… or does she? Everything starts to go south both at work and at home. Probably just the stress of returning to work, right? Or is someone deliberately sabotaging her life?
A taught psychological thriller that was hard to put down. And just when I thought I had it figured out....nope! Not even close. Absolutely kept me guessing right up to the end. This was the second book I have read by Mark Edwards. I will definitely be reading more of his work.
Talk about the job from hell!
Sophie returns to the work force after taking 4 years off to raise her daughter. She lands her dream job… or does she? Everything starts to go south both at work and at home. Probably just the stress of returning to work, right? Or is someone deliberately sabotaging her life?
A taught psychological thriller that was hard to put down. And just when I thought I had it figured out....nope! Not even close. Absolutely kept me guessing right up to the end. This was the second book I have read by Mark Edwards. I will definitely be reading more of his work.
February 3, 2020
Mind blowing, riveting intriguing, many what I can "aha" moments only to find out I was wrong!
I am always so eager when another book comes out from this authors desk to us readers. I cannot wait to get my hands on it, devour it, because I know from my past experiences reading this authors books I have had so much enjoyment I can forget everything around me and just be in the moment.
This book was of no exception.
The book comes alive. For many of us avid readers we can read an excellently driven book just like someone who is watching a movie.
Sophie Greenwood is the main character in this lead. However, she becomes embroiled with others along the way. Shes started a job in Jackdaw books, its an ace of a job for her, something she always wanted to do.
However things just aren't all what they seem with Cassie, the attractive aloof one in the office.
And what happened to one of the girls who used to work there who mysteriously upped and left with what seems a plausable explanation.
I am trying hard not to reveal things and spoil peoples enjoyment of this book.
There are good books, there are average books and there are books that stand out in the crowd [and lets face it, the book world now a days is very crowded] but Mark Edwards books shine out like a beacon.
They are not just middle of the road books that we can say, OH yes, that was a good book...
Its more like, OH YES I remember that book it was .....da da da.......Its one that stays with you for a very, very long time.
Its one of my 'unputdownable' books until I finished it.
I loved it so much I just had to congratulate the author by email.
My thanks to [the author of course] and to his PA for sending me this to read. And Thomas & Mercer via Net Galley
I am always so eager when another book comes out from this authors desk to us readers. I cannot wait to get my hands on it, devour it, because I know from my past experiences reading this authors books I have had so much enjoyment I can forget everything around me and just be in the moment.
This book was of no exception.
The book comes alive. For many of us avid readers we can read an excellently driven book just like someone who is watching a movie.
Sophie Greenwood is the main character in this lead. However, she becomes embroiled with others along the way. Shes started a job in Jackdaw books, its an ace of a job for her, something she always wanted to do.
However things just aren't all what they seem with Cassie, the attractive aloof one in the office.
And what happened to one of the girls who used to work there who mysteriously upped and left with what seems a plausable explanation.
I am trying hard not to reveal things and spoil peoples enjoyment of this book.
There are good books, there are average books and there are books that stand out in the crowd [and lets face it, the book world now a days is very crowded] but Mark Edwards books shine out like a beacon.
They are not just middle of the road books that we can say, OH yes, that was a good book...
Its more like, OH YES I remember that book it was .....da da da.......Its one that stays with you for a very, very long time.
Its one of my 'unputdownable' books until I finished it.
I loved it so much I just had to congratulate the author by email.
My thanks to [the author of course] and to his PA for sending me this to read. And Thomas & Mercer via Net Galley
August 25, 2017
Picture this: it is a warm and sunny late winters afternoon and I am curled up in the sunshine reading the final 20% of The Devil's Work by Mark Edwards. A gentle breeze stirs the curtain and the edge caresses my neck. I shriek. Leaping from the chair I drop my Kindle and spin around to see who is going to strangle me.
It happened.
Seldom have I ever had such a strong physical reaction to a book. Mark Edwards had my heart pounding and my imagination working overtime. He even disturbed my sleep. Hence I am up writing this review at 2.30 am instead of battling sleep filled with menace and shadowy figures.
THE BLURB
It was the job she had dreamed of since childhood. But on her very first day, when an unnerving encounter drags up memories Sophie Greenwood would rather forget, she wonders if she has made a mistake. A fatal mistake.
What is her ambitious young assistant really up to? And what exactly happened to Sophie’s predecessor? When her husband and daughter are pulled into the nightmare, Sophie is forced to confront the darkest secrets she has carried for years.
As her life begins to fall apart at work and at home, Sophie must race to uncover the truth about her new job…before it kills her.
Mark Edwards has done a superb job with both his characterisation and the plot. Written over two timelines, the years 2000 and 2012, he cleverly intertwines the stories to create the maximum suspense and suspicion. He even had me suspecting peripheral characters!
This is not the first book I have read by this author, but it is definitely the best.
Thank you to Thomas and Mercer via Netgalley for providing a digital copy of The Devil's Work by Mark Edwards for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
It happened.
Seldom have I ever had such a strong physical reaction to a book. Mark Edwards had my heart pounding and my imagination working overtime. He even disturbed my sleep. Hence I am up writing this review at 2.30 am instead of battling sleep filled with menace and shadowy figures.
THE BLURB
It was the job she had dreamed of since childhood. But on her very first day, when an unnerving encounter drags up memories Sophie Greenwood would rather forget, she wonders if she has made a mistake. A fatal mistake.
What is her ambitious young assistant really up to? And what exactly happened to Sophie’s predecessor? When her husband and daughter are pulled into the nightmare, Sophie is forced to confront the darkest secrets she has carried for years.
As her life begins to fall apart at work and at home, Sophie must race to uncover the truth about her new job…before it kills her.
Mark Edwards has done a superb job with both his characterisation and the plot. Written over two timelines, the years 2000 and 2012, he cleverly intertwines the stories to create the maximum suspense and suspicion. He even had me suspecting peripheral characters!
This is not the first book I have read by this author, but it is definitely the best.
Thank you to Thomas and Mercer via Netgalley for providing a digital copy of The Devil's Work by Mark Edwards for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
April 9, 2020
this book is a perfect example of the psychological thriller, and refreshingly, it is one of the few being published today that isn't trying to be Gone Girl.
our heroine, sophie greenwood, has everything going for her: a happy marriage to a successful journalist named guy, a beautiful four-year-old daughter named daisy, and she's about to start work at her dream job, jackdaw books, the legendary children's publishing house. sophie will be re-entering the workforce for the first time after daisy's birth, and is eager to make a good first impression. the only apprehension she has is buried deep in her past; her close friendship with jasmine - the troubled granddaughter of jackdaw's founder back in her university days - a relationship that had tragic consequences.
but that was years ago and far away, and sophie is excited to get back into the rigor and challenges of the workplace, after four years of sippy cups and baby talk.
however, from the start, the challenges she faces are much more sinister than she had anticipated: an awkward lunch meeting with jasmine's grandfather - franklin bird himself, during which he comes off a little creepy, the mystery surrounding her predecessor's sudden departure, the rumors about a suicide in the basement library, and an infestation of cockroaches in sophie's new desk; a creature to which she has a particular aversion.
and that's just the first day.
from that point forward, situations arise that seem to be targeting sophie and her family directly: her husband comes under very public fire for an offensive tweet he claims he never posted, accusations of sexual harassment lead to the dismissal of one of her team members, emails go missing, sabotaging important projects, and sophie's beautiful and ambitious assistant seems to be watching her every move, clawing for advancement.
desperate to prove that her four-year hiatus hasn't affected her abilities, sophie stays later and later at the office, putting additional childcare pressures on mark, who is trying to salvage his reputation and his career against the tweet-backlash, and only causing more friction in their relationship.
by the time things escalate into truly threatening territory: the beating of a co-worker, a hooded man following her home, a frightening situation involving daisy at an office function, a mouse glued to her front door, and some arson - sophie is completely unsettled, wary of her co-workers, and has nowhere to turn.
while sophie's present-day story is building, the novel also shifts back in time to sophie's university days, where her friendship with jasmine unfolds slowly to its dramatic conclusion, and there are also some chapters told from the POV of the villain, tantalizingly unidentified until edwards is ready to reveal.
there are excellent twists in this book, and the day-to-day publishing business is oddly fascinating. edwards has a fantastic handle on office politics, and the ability to infuse ordinary circumstances with atmospheric tension and dread. the ending is admittedly a bit cray, but with this genre you always have to suspend disbelief, allow for coincidence, and accept that the antagonist is going to have both a preternatural sense of timing and an uncanny ability to predict a victim's response to a threat. psychological suspense is not a genre that is meant to hold a mirror up to reality, but to provide good shivery thrills and surprising twists, taking the reader off-guard as it does the same to its characters.
this doesn't have the stick-to-your-ribs staying power of the (very few) books that take the genre and do something unexpected with it that inspires legions of copycats, but it's a solid and engaging suspense novel totally worth your time.
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our heroine, sophie greenwood, has everything going for her: a happy marriage to a successful journalist named guy, a beautiful four-year-old daughter named daisy, and she's about to start work at her dream job, jackdaw books, the legendary children's publishing house. sophie will be re-entering the workforce for the first time after daisy's birth, and is eager to make a good first impression. the only apprehension she has is buried deep in her past; her close friendship with jasmine - the troubled granddaughter of jackdaw's founder back in her university days - a relationship that had tragic consequences.
but that was years ago and far away, and sophie is excited to get back into the rigor and challenges of the workplace, after four years of sippy cups and baby talk.
however, from the start, the challenges she faces are much more sinister than she had anticipated: an awkward lunch meeting with jasmine's grandfather - franklin bird himself, during which he comes off a little creepy, the mystery surrounding her predecessor's sudden departure, the rumors about a suicide in the basement library, and an infestation of cockroaches in sophie's new desk; a creature to which she has a particular aversion.
and that's just the first day.
from that point forward, situations arise that seem to be targeting sophie and her family directly: her husband comes under very public fire for an offensive tweet he claims he never posted, accusations of sexual harassment lead to the dismissal of one of her team members, emails go missing, sabotaging important projects, and sophie's beautiful and ambitious assistant seems to be watching her every move, clawing for advancement.
desperate to prove that her four-year hiatus hasn't affected her abilities, sophie stays later and later at the office, putting additional childcare pressures on mark, who is trying to salvage his reputation and his career against the tweet-backlash, and only causing more friction in their relationship.
by the time things escalate into truly threatening territory: the beating of a co-worker, a hooded man following her home, a frightening situation involving daisy at an office function, a mouse glued to her front door, and some arson - sophie is completely unsettled, wary of her co-workers, and has nowhere to turn.
while sophie's present-day story is building, the novel also shifts back in time to sophie's university days, where her friendship with jasmine unfolds slowly to its dramatic conclusion, and there are also some chapters told from the POV of the villain, tantalizingly unidentified until edwards is ready to reveal.
there are excellent twists in this book, and the day-to-day publishing business is oddly fascinating. edwards has a fantastic handle on office politics, and the ability to infuse ordinary circumstances with atmospheric tension and dread. the ending is admittedly a bit cray, but with this genre you always have to suspend disbelief, allow for coincidence, and accept that the antagonist is going to have both a preternatural sense of timing and an uncanny ability to predict a victim's response to a threat. psychological suspense is not a genre that is meant to hold a mirror up to reality, but to provide good shivery thrills and surprising twists, taking the reader off-guard as it does the same to its characters.
this doesn't have the stick-to-your-ribs staying power of the (very few) books that take the genre and do something unexpected with it that inspires legions of copycats, but it's a solid and engaging suspense novel totally worth your time.
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September 3, 2016
“Welcome to the madhouse.”
If someone said those words to me on my first day of work, I’d probably laugh it off. Just a bit of sarcastic humor and harmless fun, right? I don't know though, this story might make me a little leery.
Sophie has spent the last four years raising her daughter, but she’s ready to get back to the world of publishing. She’s managed to land her dream job with Jackdaw Books and she isn't going to let her past dictate her future.
Right away, it becomes pretty obvious she’s got a problem on her hands though. Bad things start happening and it’s all directed at her. She tries to piece together who could be behind the sick pranks, the missing emails and the horrible twitter post. Could it just be someone trying to push her out? Someone desperate for her job?
There was only one answer that seemed plausible. I was right there with Sophie in the belief that she had it all figured it out. It seemed blatantly obvious who the mastermind was. But wait. It couldn’t be. Just when I thought the truth was going to be exposed . . . talk about a twist. Completely changed my entire view of the story.
I think the most unnerving part was Sophie trying to get someone, anyone to believe her. Her boss, the woman in HR, her husband, the detective; everyone brushed her off! They all seemed to think she was going mad. At one point, I even started to waver and consider, could she just be crazy?
“No one ever knows what’s going on inside someone else’s head.”
This is the second book, I’ve read by Mark Edwards and the gripping quality of his writing has continued to impress me. I read this in two sittings because I couldn’t bear to put it down. Not for a minute. It was a fast-paced, on the edge of my seat, desperate to know what’s going on, type of story. I definitely wouldn’t hesitate to pick up another one of his books.
*Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
If someone said those words to me on my first day of work, I’d probably laugh it off. Just a bit of sarcastic humor and harmless fun, right? I don't know though, this story might make me a little leery.
Sophie has spent the last four years raising her daughter, but she’s ready to get back to the world of publishing. She’s managed to land her dream job with Jackdaw Books and she isn't going to let her past dictate her future.
Right away, it becomes pretty obvious she’s got a problem on her hands though. Bad things start happening and it’s all directed at her. She tries to piece together who could be behind the sick pranks, the missing emails and the horrible twitter post. Could it just be someone trying to push her out? Someone desperate for her job?
There was only one answer that seemed plausible. I was right there with Sophie in the belief that she had it all figured it out. It seemed blatantly obvious who the mastermind was. But wait. It couldn’t be. Just when I thought the truth was going to be exposed . . . talk about a twist. Completely changed my entire view of the story.
I think the most unnerving part was Sophie trying to get someone, anyone to believe her. Her boss, the woman in HR, her husband, the detective; everyone brushed her off! They all seemed to think she was going mad. At one point, I even started to waver and consider, could she just be crazy?
“No one ever knows what’s going on inside someone else’s head.”
This is the second book, I’ve read by Mark Edwards and the gripping quality of his writing has continued to impress me. I read this in two sittings because I couldn’t bear to put it down. Not for a minute. It was a fast-paced, on the edge of my seat, desperate to know what’s going on, type of story. I definitely wouldn’t hesitate to pick up another one of his books.
*Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 24, 2016
I always find Mark Edwards books gripping and an excellent read and this latest novel is no exception. So engrossed was I in this outstanding psychological thriller that I read it in two sittings only a nights sleep to separate them.
When the job of Sophie Greenwood dreams becomes available she has no hesitation returning to work after spending time raising her daughter Daisy. She joins publishing company Jackdaw books and on her very first day she wonders if she has made a mistake. Sophie is suspicious of her attractive assistant Cassie and also what really happened to her predecessor. What starts out as a dream quickly turns into a nightmare both at work and at home when Sophie is forced to confront the darkest secrets she has carried for years.
The book jumps from present to past as flashbacks to Sophie's time at University are told and add more meat to the bones. This book is a great read and is full of twists and turns that lead you up cul-de-sacs and really grip the reader in wanting to read more and more.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Thomas & Mercer for sending me a copy of this novel in exchange for a honest review.
When the job of Sophie Greenwood dreams becomes available she has no hesitation returning to work after spending time raising her daughter Daisy. She joins publishing company Jackdaw books and on her very first day she wonders if she has made a mistake. Sophie is suspicious of her attractive assistant Cassie and also what really happened to her predecessor. What starts out as a dream quickly turns into a nightmare both at work and at home when Sophie is forced to confront the darkest secrets she has carried for years.
The book jumps from present to past as flashbacks to Sophie's time at University are told and add more meat to the bones. This book is a great read and is full of twists and turns that lead you up cul-de-sacs and really grip the reader in wanting to read more and more.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Thomas & Mercer for sending me a copy of this novel in exchange for a honest review.
September 3, 2016
I’ve worked with my fair share of crazy people, but thankfully nothing as bad as those who work at Jackdaw books!
Sophie Greenwood thinks that she has just landed the job of her dreams as a marketing manager at Jackdaw books. She experiences tension quickly with her colleague, Cassie. She thinks that Cassie is out to steal her job from under her. Things start happening that make Sophie question her sanity. Her relationship with her husband is put to the test, and her dream job is soon in jeopardy.
The narrative switches back and forth from the present to the time when Sophie was in college. Secrets slowly start to unravel and it becomes clear that Sophie’s life is at risk.
The Devil’s Work is filled with unpredictable twists and turns. Every time I thought that I had things figured out, another twist would occur and I would have to start guessing all over again. I highly recommend!
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Sophie Greenwood thinks that she has just landed the job of her dreams as a marketing manager at Jackdaw books. She experiences tension quickly with her colleague, Cassie. She thinks that Cassie is out to steal her job from under her. Things start happening that make Sophie question her sanity. Her relationship with her husband is put to the test, and her dream job is soon in jeopardy.
The narrative switches back and forth from the present to the time when Sophie was in college. Secrets slowly start to unravel and it becomes clear that Sophie’s life is at risk.
The Devil’s Work is filled with unpredictable twists and turns. Every time I thought that I had things figured out, another twist would occur and I would have to start guessing all over again. I highly recommend!
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
September 11, 2025
This is split into 2 timelines; in the present (2015), Sophie is excited to start her dream new job with a publishing house. In the past (1999), we follow Sophie as she starts university, where she contends with bullies and also explores her close relationship with her friend Jasmine and her boyfriend Liam.
In the present, odd things start to happen at work. First it starts with little things going missing, like notebooks. Then things start escalating and extend to her home life.
It is pretty obvious from early on that the problems at work are because of her colleague Cassie. A manipulative character who is behind a lot of the mischief. Sophie seems clueless at first but soon starts to see how Cassie engineers situations for her benefit, even down to texting Sophie's husband. This, however, takes an unexpected turn.
As the story progresses, we get some short chapters scattered throughout from mystery characters who seem intent on seeing Sophie suffer. We are not initially told who they are.
We get a few more revelations as we near the conclusion of the story. Some of which I wasn't expecting but weren't exactly surprising either.
There aren't any massive shocking bombshells or twists that made this a standout; it kept me reading, but this is a pretty average psychological thriller.
In the present, odd things start to happen at work. First it starts with little things going missing, like notebooks. Then things start escalating and extend to her home life.
It is pretty obvious from early on that the problems at work are because of her colleague Cassie. A manipulative character who is behind a lot of the mischief. Sophie seems clueless at first but soon starts to see how Cassie engineers situations for her benefit, even down to texting Sophie's husband. This, however, takes an unexpected turn.
As the story progresses, we get some short chapters scattered throughout from mystery characters who seem intent on seeing Sophie suffer. We are not initially told who they are.
We get a few more revelations as we near the conclusion of the story. Some of which I wasn't expecting but weren't exactly surprising either.
There aren't any massive shocking bombshells or twists that made this a standout; it kept me reading, but this is a pretty average psychological thriller.
November 7, 2016
4.5 stars
Mark Edwards is quickly becoming one of my top 5 go to authors and in his latest, The Devil's Work, he has not left me disappointed!
While not as suspenseful as some of his other work, it's still there, along with some scenes that just kept me glued to my seat with intensity.
There is so much to like here, and it goes well beyond the 'ease' of Edwards writing style. I read this with my fav buddy reader who is also an avid Edwards fan. One thing we both commented on after reading the first few chapters is how easy it is to just slip into the world he creates. It's like putting on your favorite pair of slippers.
Another aspect of his writing style that gets me every time is the way Edwards takes the reader on a journey....dropping breadcrumb clues along the way. With such a short character pool this time around, it was even more critical to pay attention to these delicious crumbs to help determine what the heck may be going on. My buddy and I tore these little tidbits apart, making guesses and dissecting things, often thinking we had it all figured out but finding out later that he had tricked us once again.
This might sound strange, but even with Edwards more dark and disturbing story lines, there is an element of 'fun' when reading his books. He likes to trick and mislead, and I really enjoy trying NOT to be mislead!
Well I think this review is long enough to not have to get into the actual plot....I don't think it's needed actually. If you like suspense from an author who likes to keep his readers on their toes, you need to pick this book up immediately. You won't be disappointed!!
Unbiased review for this ARC
Mark Edwards is quickly becoming one of my top 5 go to authors and in his latest, The Devil's Work, he has not left me disappointed!
While not as suspenseful as some of his other work, it's still there, along with some scenes that just kept me glued to my seat with intensity.
There is so much to like here, and it goes well beyond the 'ease' of Edwards writing style. I read this with my fav buddy reader who is also an avid Edwards fan. One thing we both commented on after reading the first few chapters is how easy it is to just slip into the world he creates. It's like putting on your favorite pair of slippers.
Another aspect of his writing style that gets me every time is the way Edwards takes the reader on a journey....dropping breadcrumb clues along the way. With such a short character pool this time around, it was even more critical to pay attention to these delicious crumbs to help determine what the heck may be going on. My buddy and I tore these little tidbits apart, making guesses and dissecting things, often thinking we had it all figured out but finding out later that he had tricked us once again.
This might sound strange, but even with Edwards more dark and disturbing story lines, there is an element of 'fun' when reading his books. He likes to trick and mislead, and I really enjoy trying NOT to be mislead!
Well I think this review is long enough to not have to get into the actual plot....I don't think it's needed actually. If you like suspense from an author who likes to keep his readers on their toes, you need to pick this book up immediately. You won't be disappointed!!
Unbiased review for this ARC
August 5, 2016
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Mark Edwards, and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with a copy of this book, which allows me to provide you with this review.
In his latest psychological thriller, Mark Edwards pushes things to the limit again while drawing the reader into a world of suspense and horror. After a four year hiatus, Sophie Greenwood is looking to get back to work in the highly competitive world of book publishing. Recently hired by Jackdaw Books, Sophie is living her dream, though it does stir up a little unease. Sophie has dreamed of working for Jackdaw since she was a little girl, but its owner, Franklin Bird, has kept her from living that dream until now. Introduced to her new team, Sophie seeks to acclimate herself to the hustle and bustle of the job while having numerous flashbacks to her early college days and best friend, Jasmine, who happens to be the granddaughter of the aforementioned Mr. Bird. As the days go on, things begin happening in the workplace that leave Sophie extremely vulnerable or off her mark, some of which might be tied back to her assistant, Cassie Said. Sophie has seen Cassie's schoolgirl innocence change at the drop of a hat, producing a take-no-prisoners woman who will accept no blame for even the smallest foible. After her daughter briefly goes missing during a workplace event, Sophie begins to turn her concerns into outright accusations, sure that Cassie is trying to push her buttons. When Sophie's husband, Guy, gets caught up in the mess and is found to be interacting with Cassie, home life takes a definite turn towards the frigid, leaving Guy and Sophie at a crossroads. While it could be a number of coincidences, Sophie cannot shake that there is something sinister going on, with her as the central target. While Sophie's flashbacks continue, the reader sees a parallel in the dramatic update in that storyline with Sophie's current paranoia. Could someone be trying to get rid of Sophie from her position at Jackdaw? She begins digging around and discovers there may be more going on that meets the eye. However, Sophie learns the hard way that sometimes things are best left alone, unless you're willing to face the dire consequences. Edwards develops this thriller in such a way that no reader will be able to put it down until all is revealed.
Just as his biographical note states, Mark Edwards is an author of psychological thrillers where innocent people are pulled into extraordinary situations. This novel is by no means an exception to the rule. The reader is slowly pulled deeper into the plot until there is no escape. With a wonderful balance of present and past narratives, the reader views Sophie Greenwood as a well-adjusted student, then mum, who is looking to achieve her dreams. Life progresses peacefully until one event turns everything on its head and Sophie is forced to scramble in order to protect herself. All characters are highly realistic and keep the story flowing nicely, each with their own nuances, if not flesh-out backstory. It is the subtle progression of the plot and the fluid narrative that makes this book great, in true Edwards fashion. The author wants the reader to wonder, to ponder, to remain uncertain as they navigate further along. Edwards hits the reader with drama and action at the most opportune times, when their guard is down. One could almost say the reader is Sophie Greenwood, feeling her pain and understanding her angst. However, there is always that niggling wonder as to whether things are being extrapolated to fit what is easiest for Sophie to explain. By the time the reader reaches the end, everything comes crashing down and there is no doubt, though by then it may be too late for Sophie, and is surely past the point of no return for the reader. Mark Edwards will subsume you, if not invade your every thought. Beware reader, once you start this novel, you'll never be able to put it down, even if you want to!
Kudos, Mr. Edwards for another stellar piece of work. Be it writing alone or part of a team, you never fail to impress.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
In his latest psychological thriller, Mark Edwards pushes things to the limit again while drawing the reader into a world of suspense and horror. After a four year hiatus, Sophie Greenwood is looking to get back to work in the highly competitive world of book publishing. Recently hired by Jackdaw Books, Sophie is living her dream, though it does stir up a little unease. Sophie has dreamed of working for Jackdaw since she was a little girl, but its owner, Franklin Bird, has kept her from living that dream until now. Introduced to her new team, Sophie seeks to acclimate herself to the hustle and bustle of the job while having numerous flashbacks to her early college days and best friend, Jasmine, who happens to be the granddaughter of the aforementioned Mr. Bird. As the days go on, things begin happening in the workplace that leave Sophie extremely vulnerable or off her mark, some of which might be tied back to her assistant, Cassie Said. Sophie has seen Cassie's schoolgirl innocence change at the drop of a hat, producing a take-no-prisoners woman who will accept no blame for even the smallest foible. After her daughter briefly goes missing during a workplace event, Sophie begins to turn her concerns into outright accusations, sure that Cassie is trying to push her buttons. When Sophie's husband, Guy, gets caught up in the mess and is found to be interacting with Cassie, home life takes a definite turn towards the frigid, leaving Guy and Sophie at a crossroads. While it could be a number of coincidences, Sophie cannot shake that there is something sinister going on, with her as the central target. While Sophie's flashbacks continue, the reader sees a parallel in the dramatic update in that storyline with Sophie's current paranoia. Could someone be trying to get rid of Sophie from her position at Jackdaw? She begins digging around and discovers there may be more going on that meets the eye. However, Sophie learns the hard way that sometimes things are best left alone, unless you're willing to face the dire consequences. Edwards develops this thriller in such a way that no reader will be able to put it down until all is revealed.
Just as his biographical note states, Mark Edwards is an author of psychological thrillers where innocent people are pulled into extraordinary situations. This novel is by no means an exception to the rule. The reader is slowly pulled deeper into the plot until there is no escape. With a wonderful balance of present and past narratives, the reader views Sophie Greenwood as a well-adjusted student, then mum, who is looking to achieve her dreams. Life progresses peacefully until one event turns everything on its head and Sophie is forced to scramble in order to protect herself. All characters are highly realistic and keep the story flowing nicely, each with their own nuances, if not flesh-out backstory. It is the subtle progression of the plot and the fluid narrative that makes this book great, in true Edwards fashion. The author wants the reader to wonder, to ponder, to remain uncertain as they navigate further along. Edwards hits the reader with drama and action at the most opportune times, when their guard is down. One could almost say the reader is Sophie Greenwood, feeling her pain and understanding her angst. However, there is always that niggling wonder as to whether things are being extrapolated to fit what is easiest for Sophie to explain. By the time the reader reaches the end, everything comes crashing down and there is no doubt, though by then it may be too late for Sophie, and is surely past the point of no return for the reader. Mark Edwards will subsume you, if not invade your every thought. Beware reader, once you start this novel, you'll never be able to put it down, even if you want to!
Kudos, Mr. Edwards for another stellar piece of work. Be it writing alone or part of a team, you never fail to impress.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
September 3, 2016
Thank you to Net Galley, The publishers and the author for an ARC Copy.
It was the job she had dreamed of since childhood. But on her very first day, when an unnerving encounter drags up memories Sophie Greenwood would rather forget, she wonders if she has made a mistake. A fatal mistake.
What is her ambitious young assistant really up to? And what exactly happened to Sophie’s predecessor? When her husband and daughter are pulled into the nightmare, Sophie is forced to confront the darkest secrets she has carried for years.
As her life begins to fall apart at work and at home, Sophie must race to uncover the truth about her new job…before it kills her.
In his latest psychological thriller, Mark Edwards pushes things to the limit again while drawing the reader into a world of suspense and horror.
It was the job she had dreamed of since childhood. But on her very first day, when an unnerving encounter drags up memories Sophie Greenwood would rather forget, she wonders if she has made a mistake. A fatal mistake.
What is her ambitious young assistant really up to? And what exactly happened to Sophie’s predecessor? When her husband and daughter are pulled into the nightmare, Sophie is forced to confront the darkest secrets she has carried for years.
As her life begins to fall apart at work and at home, Sophie must race to uncover the truth about her new job…before it kills her.
Sophie Greenwood is looking to get back to work in the highly competitive world of book publishing. Recently hired by Jackdaw Books, Sophie is living her dream, though it does stir up a little unease. Sophie has dreamed of working for Jackdaw since she was a little girl.
As the days go on, things begin happening in the workplace that leave Sophie extremely vulnerable or off her mark, some of which might be tied back to her assistant, Cassie Said.
With a wonderful balance of present and past narratives two stories unfold with tension and chilling suspense.
To me Mark Edwards best book to date, once you start reading, you just cannot stop, and when you cannot wait to get back to your book and read you know it is good.
Fast paced, chilling, gripping and wonderful supporting characters of red herrings.
Full of shocks, twists that were not expected.
A clear four star from me.
It was the job she had dreamed of since childhood. But on her very first day, when an unnerving encounter drags up memories Sophie Greenwood would rather forget, she wonders if she has made a mistake. A fatal mistake.
What is her ambitious young assistant really up to? And what exactly happened to Sophie’s predecessor? When her husband and daughter are pulled into the nightmare, Sophie is forced to confront the darkest secrets she has carried for years.
As her life begins to fall apart at work and at home, Sophie must race to uncover the truth about her new job…before it kills her.
In his latest psychological thriller, Mark Edwards pushes things to the limit again while drawing the reader into a world of suspense and horror.
It was the job she had dreamed of since childhood. But on her very first day, when an unnerving encounter drags up memories Sophie Greenwood would rather forget, she wonders if she has made a mistake. A fatal mistake.
What is her ambitious young assistant really up to? And what exactly happened to Sophie’s predecessor? When her husband and daughter are pulled into the nightmare, Sophie is forced to confront the darkest secrets she has carried for years.
As her life begins to fall apart at work and at home, Sophie must race to uncover the truth about her new job…before it kills her.
Sophie Greenwood is looking to get back to work in the highly competitive world of book publishing. Recently hired by Jackdaw Books, Sophie is living her dream, though it does stir up a little unease. Sophie has dreamed of working for Jackdaw since she was a little girl.
As the days go on, things begin happening in the workplace that leave Sophie extremely vulnerable or off her mark, some of which might be tied back to her assistant, Cassie Said.
With a wonderful balance of present and past narratives two stories unfold with tension and chilling suspense.
To me Mark Edwards best book to date, once you start reading, you just cannot stop, and when you cannot wait to get back to your book and read you know it is good.
Fast paced, chilling, gripping and wonderful supporting characters of red herrings.
Full of shocks, twists that were not expected.
A clear four star from me.
September 19, 2016
Mark Edwards has crafted a very clever psychological thriller based on the theme of chaos and gossip and competition in the workplace. There were so many pieces to the puzzle of this story, with alternating chapters between past and present, I honestly had no idea how the pieces were going to come together. And it was thoroughly well done. I finished this book having all my questions answered, every detail accounted for.
There are many nail biting moments, and constant questioning of every character's motivation. I really enjoyed the development of the story and how it concluded as well.
All around very strong thriller, well done sir!
Thank you, Netgalley, for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
There are many nail biting moments, and constant questioning of every character's motivation. I really enjoyed the development of the story and how it concluded as well.
All around very strong thriller, well done sir!
Thank you, Netgalley, for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 17, 2025
A brilliant chilling novel! Absolutely loved it. Mark Edwards I do believe this is your best book yet! Wow. So, a fan of anything I've read by Mark this was no exception. He's a consistently good author, not disappointed me yet.
This is a book that will mess with your head. A dark psychological thriller that keeps you guessing on a journey of dark twists and turns. When a dream job turns out to be nothing that you expected how do you cope?
You kind of don't. It could be your worst nightmare.
Tapping into a range of human emotion, the book is engrossing and intriguing from the very first page. I had no problem being attentive and eager to read each page in this book.
The book had me brain-straining to try to piece clues together to work out what was truth and what the reveals were going to be. I didn't do that well. I got some fabulous surprise moments.
Some scenes are dramatic and harrowing and the grand finale ending is likely to put your blood pressure up! Totally brilliant fiction. I liked the dark edges to this latest book from Mark a lot.
5 stars from me. I think it's his best book yet and predict it will be a runaway success. If you've read Mark before or not, either way pop this on your list to read/buy/borrow.
I was provided with an ARC version of this book. All review opinions are entirely my own.
Thanks SO much for taking a little time to read my review. Your likes and comments mean a lot to me. 😻
Feel free to add me as a friend or follow me for more book reviews. You can browse through my many great books reviewed for your next awesome book to enjoy.
If you are an Author or Publisher and you’d like me to consider reading and reviewing your book(s) please just message me.
You can also find me on Amazon UK where I am a Top 500 Reviewer.
This is a book that will mess with your head. A dark psychological thriller that keeps you guessing on a journey of dark twists and turns. When a dream job turns out to be nothing that you expected how do you cope?
You kind of don't. It could be your worst nightmare.
Tapping into a range of human emotion, the book is engrossing and intriguing from the very first page. I had no problem being attentive and eager to read each page in this book.
The book had me brain-straining to try to piece clues together to work out what was truth and what the reveals were going to be. I didn't do that well. I got some fabulous surprise moments.
Some scenes are dramatic and harrowing and the grand finale ending is likely to put your blood pressure up! Totally brilliant fiction. I liked the dark edges to this latest book from Mark a lot.
5 stars from me. I think it's his best book yet and predict it will be a runaway success. If you've read Mark before or not, either way pop this on your list to read/buy/borrow.
I was provided with an ARC version of this book. All review opinions are entirely my own.
Thanks SO much for taking a little time to read my review. Your likes and comments mean a lot to me. 😻
Feel free to add me as a friend or follow me for more book reviews. You can browse through my many great books reviewed for your next awesome book to enjoy.
If you are an Author or Publisher and you’d like me to consider reading and reviewing your book(s) please just message me.
You can also find me on Amazon UK where I am a Top 500 Reviewer.
September 13, 2016
The Devil's Work is the first book I have read by Mark Edwards, and how I missed reading books by him before is beyond me. The Devil's Work is a haunting, heart-pounding, and very well-written thriller and I will try to write a spoiler free review since I don't want to give the plot, even for a second, away.
To be honest, there were moments in the book, when I did not think I would be able to continue reading the book. Not that the book was bad, more like I could picture how Sophie would slowly be destroyed at her new work. And it was agonizing to read how a childhood dream of working at her favorite publishing company was slowly turning into a nightmare instead. Either is someone out to get her, or she is just being paranoid. The thing is this is the kind of book where one starts to suspect pretty much everyone to being after Sophie if she is not just being too paranoid of course. But, the flashbacks to Sophie time at University points to something bad having happened back then, something that could be the reason for Sophie's life turning upside down?
I thought the twists in the book were clever and, despite moments in the book when Sophie annoyed me (for doing or failing to do things) was this book both engaging and so very, very tragic. My first thought was giving this book 4.5 stars, but looking back and reflecting on the story, and how tragic it was and engaging not to mention the fantastic twist towards the end of the book is sealing the deal: It's a 5-star book!
I want to thank Thomas & Mercer for providing me with a free copy through Netgalley for an honest review!
To be honest, there were moments in the book, when I did not think I would be able to continue reading the book. Not that the book was bad, more like I could picture how Sophie would slowly be destroyed at her new work. And it was agonizing to read how a childhood dream of working at her favorite publishing company was slowly turning into a nightmare instead. Either is someone out to get her, or she is just being paranoid. The thing is this is the kind of book where one starts to suspect pretty much everyone to being after Sophie if she is not just being too paranoid of course. But, the flashbacks to Sophie time at University points to something bad having happened back then, something that could be the reason for Sophie's life turning upside down?
I thought the twists in the book were clever and, despite moments in the book when Sophie annoyed me (for doing or failing to do things) was this book both engaging and so very, very tragic. My first thought was giving this book 4.5 stars, but looking back and reflecting on the story, and how tragic it was and engaging not to mention the fantastic twist towards the end of the book is sealing the deal: It's a 5-star book!
I want to thank Thomas & Mercer for providing me with a free copy through Netgalley for an honest review!
June 26, 2016
Read this in one sitting yesterday.
Its interesting in the explosion of the psychological thriller how difficult it is to find the good ones. There are lots of good ones to be fair but you you can't always find them. Mark Edwards for me has ALWAYS written good ones so I was looking forward to this and well. Read in one sitting so obviously I was not disappointed.
If anything I would say this is his best one yet, not only a banging thriller but beautifully plotted with many surprises, some really intriguing characters and a strong narrative voice that keeps things real. Scary real at times. Emotionally real at others. Often both at the same time. Plus really addictive storytelling in his usual style and in this case a beautifully layered multi faceted tale that also has zombies. ;)
Setting it in the world of publishing it appealed to me on more levels than one - managing to keep the reader off balance in the "what the heck" stakes was done with a fair amount of flair and the whole thing fairly rocked along to a heart stopping conclusion. Loved it. Consider me happy.
Highly Recommended.
Its interesting in the explosion of the psychological thriller how difficult it is to find the good ones. There are lots of good ones to be fair but you you can't always find them. Mark Edwards for me has ALWAYS written good ones so I was looking forward to this and well. Read in one sitting so obviously I was not disappointed.
If anything I would say this is his best one yet, not only a banging thriller but beautifully plotted with many surprises, some really intriguing characters and a strong narrative voice that keeps things real. Scary real at times. Emotionally real at others. Often both at the same time. Plus really addictive storytelling in his usual style and in this case a beautifully layered multi faceted tale that also has zombies. ;)
Setting it in the world of publishing it appealed to me on more levels than one - managing to keep the reader off balance in the "what the heck" stakes was done with a fair amount of flair and the whole thing fairly rocked along to a heart stopping conclusion. Loved it. Consider me happy.
Highly Recommended.
February 8, 2017
Wow is my response to this book. From the very first page - which I felt had been written to intrigue and tickle every inquisitive nerve in my body - to the last I was absolutely captivated by the journey of Sophie Greenwood as she finally lands her dream job. I have enjoyed other books from this author but there was an element of menace in this one that was evident with every page turn. As the story continued I found myself suspecting everyone of misdeeds, even my poor old Amazon delivery guy when he knocked the door. The writing was powerful, entrancing and skilful as it dared me to pick up my kindle every possible chance I had. Although I was desperate to reach the end to untangle the expertly woven web of intrigue that had ensnared me, I also did not want this story to end. I can not recommend this book highly enough. Now waiting for your next Mr Edwards.
September 17, 2016
This was my first taste of a Mark Edwards book, but it won't be my last. I need to start by saying--Mark Edwards--you got me! This book has earned five enormous brilliant blinding stars for rocking my boat so hard, it almost capsized. I had to stay up past midnight to see how this was going to end and I need to come up for some air while I take a minute to ponder what I just actually read.
Wow, this book was one fast, fun ride. I read it in two days, stopping for a bit of sleep. This book has everything a great story needs: a likable protagonist, strong supporting characters, realistic dialogue, and a slow build up tense events and threatening situations that lead to a climactic ending that shocks and surprises.
The story starts with Sophie getting the job she has wanted since she was a child, and quickly turns into a lesson on being careful what you wish for as she meets a stream of co-workers who turn her dream job into a living nightmare. As the clashes with one gorgeous co-worker in particular escalate, her family gets pulled into the nightmare and the tension rises. She is convinced that this person is after her job, if not more. Events occur that seem to be linked with Sophie's mysterious past, and she begins to have flashbacks to her days in college. These flashbacks are seamlessly interwoven through the story and with each one a bit of her past is unraveled. During these I definitely felt I was being teased along, gaining just enough information each time to know that the story held much much more in store than I had originally thought.
As the drama unfolds, the flashbacks and the present merge in a gripping race to save her family. When she finally begins to piece the horrifying reality together, she rushes directly into more danger than she's aware exists, and a surprising character reappears in her life, wanting to hurt her deeply by taking the one thing she loves most. I was as shocked as Sophie to see who her biggest enemy really was and tore through the pages hoping she would be able to overcome the trap she had fallen into.
I highly recommend that everyone take part of the thrilling ride that is "The Devils Work". And one final BRAVO to Edwards for this gripping novel!!!
Finally, I would like to thank NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Mark Edwards for the opportunity to read this wonderful thriller!
Wow, this book was one fast, fun ride. I read it in two days, stopping for a bit of sleep. This book has everything a great story needs: a likable protagonist, strong supporting characters, realistic dialogue, and a slow build up tense events and threatening situations that lead to a climactic ending that shocks and surprises.
The story starts with Sophie getting the job she has wanted since she was a child, and quickly turns into a lesson on being careful what you wish for as she meets a stream of co-workers who turn her dream job into a living nightmare. As the clashes with one gorgeous co-worker in particular escalate, her family gets pulled into the nightmare and the tension rises. She is convinced that this person is after her job, if not more. Events occur that seem to be linked with Sophie's mysterious past, and she begins to have flashbacks to her days in college. These flashbacks are seamlessly interwoven through the story and with each one a bit of her past is unraveled. During these I definitely felt I was being teased along, gaining just enough information each time to know that the story held much much more in store than I had originally thought.
As the drama unfolds, the flashbacks and the present merge in a gripping race to save her family. When she finally begins to piece the horrifying reality together, she rushes directly into more danger than she's aware exists, and a surprising character reappears in her life, wanting to hurt her deeply by taking the one thing she loves most. I was as shocked as Sophie to see who her biggest enemy really was and tore through the pages hoping she would be able to overcome the trap she had fallen into.
I highly recommend that everyone take part of the thrilling ride that is "The Devils Work". And one final BRAVO to Edwards for this gripping novel!!!
Finally, I would like to thank NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Mark Edwards for the opportunity to read this wonderful thriller!
July 28, 2016
Sophie has been a stay at home mum but returns to work when her daughter Daisy is four years old. Sophie has a happy marriage and has just secured her dream job in publishing, life couldn't be better. This story moves between past and present from when Sophie was at University till today, this provides the reader with back story about her life from then until now. Once back at work Sophie's finds herself with a new assistant, someone she has not taken to and seems to not be a very likable character, is there more to her than meets the eye? Sophie seems to think so and is very guarded in regard to her work and her husband when around this woman. There is also a question about what happened to the previous boss who seemed to have just disappeared and never returned to her position. Eventually Sophie will have to face demons that have been with her for a very long time and this makes for some great reading. Once again Mark Edwards has provided us with a great book and I can't wait until the next one.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 8, 2017
Dark, dark novel.
Psychological thriller, abused children grow up to be abusive adults. Didn't like any of the characters, parts was really slow. Make sure when you're coming to day 51, make sure it's not you're bedtime.
Psychological thriller, abused children grow up to be abusive adults. Didn't like any of the characters, parts was really slow. Make sure when you're coming to day 51, make sure it's not you're bedtime.
October 10, 2016
I always know when I pick up a book by Mark Edwards I’m in for a gripping read and The Devils work certainly lived up to my expectations. It’s a highly intense psychological thriller that pulls you in from the first intriguing chapter and keeps you in its grips to the very last page. Sophie appears to have it all, her dream job and a loving family. From the first day in her new job at Jackdaw Books, it becomes apparent bad things seem to happen to employees and Sophie is no exception, it’s not long before things begin to happen to Sophie that affect both her work and home life. As Sophie’s mistrust of her work colleagues grew I too found myself becoming more suspicious of each and everyone of them.
The author presents the readers with numerous characters some less likeable than others, I found Sophie’s work colleague Cassie especially difficult to take to, she appeared power hungry and manipulative, traits I always find to be not particularly endearing, but the author made her pivotal to the plot, and she certainly adds a sense of mistrust and intrigue to this chilling tale. I found the protagonist Sophie to be an intriguing character, and I was desperate to find out more about her past and the secrets she appeared to be hiding, and how they fitted into the story. The story is very well plotted with plenty of twists and turns, that are guaranteed to keep the most hardened psychological thriller fan reading.
Mark Edwards is a very talented author, in my opinion he is able to create an air of malice and creepiness that runs through the whole book, so that you are forever on tenterhooks, wondering what dangers lie ahead for Sophie and her family, you know the danger is there, but you are never quite sure what is going to happen next. At times the anxiety and fear that radiated from her was palatable, and the sense of trepidation was overwhelming. The author manages to fill every chapter with suspense, and as the story reached its dramatic conclusion my heart was in my mouth. The Devils Work had everything I love in a psychological thriller a gripping plot, plenty of intrigue and suspense, an intense read that doesn’t give to much away all in one go, and what I love up the author is his ability to turn what appear to be normal situations into a creepy psychological thriller.
There are plenty of psychological thrillers out at the moment some of which are a mediocre read that I soon forgot about when I finished reading them, fortunately The Devils Work is an outstanding example of how a psychological thriller should be written, If you’re looking for a gripping thriller that will grab you by the throat and won’t let go, this is a book for you.
The author presents the readers with numerous characters some less likeable than others, I found Sophie’s work colleague Cassie especially difficult to take to, she appeared power hungry and manipulative, traits I always find to be not particularly endearing, but the author made her pivotal to the plot, and she certainly adds a sense of mistrust and intrigue to this chilling tale. I found the protagonist Sophie to be an intriguing character, and I was desperate to find out more about her past and the secrets she appeared to be hiding, and how they fitted into the story. The story is very well plotted with plenty of twists and turns, that are guaranteed to keep the most hardened psychological thriller fan reading.
Mark Edwards is a very talented author, in my opinion he is able to create an air of malice and creepiness that runs through the whole book, so that you are forever on tenterhooks, wondering what dangers lie ahead for Sophie and her family, you know the danger is there, but you are never quite sure what is going to happen next. At times the anxiety and fear that radiated from her was palatable, and the sense of trepidation was overwhelming. The author manages to fill every chapter with suspense, and as the story reached its dramatic conclusion my heart was in my mouth. The Devils Work had everything I love in a psychological thriller a gripping plot, plenty of intrigue and suspense, an intense read that doesn’t give to much away all in one go, and what I love up the author is his ability to turn what appear to be normal situations into a creepy psychological thriller.
There are plenty of psychological thrillers out at the moment some of which are a mediocre read that I soon forgot about when I finished reading them, fortunately The Devils Work is an outstanding example of how a psychological thriller should be written, If you’re looking for a gripping thriller that will grab you by the throat and won’t let go, this is a book for you.
July 30, 2016
After the birth of her daughter, Sophie has been a stay at home Mum for four years.
When the job of her dreams becomes available to her at a publishing company (jackdaw books) she has no hesitation in in accepting the job offer.
The book jumps from the present day to the past when Sophie was at University.
This is a fantastic read that will not disappoint.
I would like to thank Net Galley, Thomas Mercer and the author Mark Edwards for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
When the job of her dreams becomes available to her at a publishing company (jackdaw books) she has no hesitation in in accepting the job offer.
The book jumps from the present day to the past when Sophie was at University.
This is a fantastic read that will not disappoint.
I would like to thank Net Galley, Thomas Mercer and the author Mark Edwards for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 22, 2016
Sophie Greenwood lands her dream job after taking time out raising her four year old daughter Daisy.
The job is with Jackdaw books, a company that published many of her favourite childhood books and a publishing company that she had always wanted to work for.
On her first day there things dont go according to plan as she is introduced to her team. She immediately becomes suspicious of her younger and attractive assistant Cassie, a young woman who seems to only be interested in furthering her career and at any cost. Sophies predecessor left the job in a hurry and hasnt been seen or heard from since and Sophie begins to wonder if Cassie had anything to do with her departure and disappearance.
What we have is an excellently told story of suspicion and trust, a whodunit style story. We get flashbacks to Sophies early college years where she became close friends with Jasmine, the grand daughter of the owner of Jackdaw books, a man that Jasmine despises for as yet unknown reasons, a man that Sophie met briefly for lunch on her first day with Jackdaw.
I wont go into much more detail as it will give the plot away but what we have is a great thriller told in the past and present and a "whodunit" element that keeps you guessing throughout the read. I wasnt sure if Sophie was imaging half the stuff that was telling throughout the book, so you really were kept on the edge until the very end.
I loved the setting of the work place in this story. It had little echoes of John Grishams The Firm to it, although a completely different story. I loved the characters of Sophie and Cassie and indeed Jasmine. Very well written, totally believable characters.
My only slight criticism is the ending, which I am still a little unsure of. Overall though, I thoroughly enjoyed this read. A great story, original and really well told. A page turner for sure. On more than one occasion I had that " one more chapter" episode to see what would happen next.
As stated this is my first read of a Mark Edwards novel and I will certainly be looking in to his other work based on the strength of this one.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Mark Edwards and Thomas and Mercer for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The job is with Jackdaw books, a company that published many of her favourite childhood books and a publishing company that she had always wanted to work for.
On her first day there things dont go according to plan as she is introduced to her team. She immediately becomes suspicious of her younger and attractive assistant Cassie, a young woman who seems to only be interested in furthering her career and at any cost. Sophies predecessor left the job in a hurry and hasnt been seen or heard from since and Sophie begins to wonder if Cassie had anything to do with her departure and disappearance.
What we have is an excellently told story of suspicion and trust, a whodunit style story. We get flashbacks to Sophies early college years where she became close friends with Jasmine, the grand daughter of the owner of Jackdaw books, a man that Jasmine despises for as yet unknown reasons, a man that Sophie met briefly for lunch on her first day with Jackdaw.
I wont go into much more detail as it will give the plot away but what we have is a great thriller told in the past and present and a "whodunit" element that keeps you guessing throughout the read. I wasnt sure if Sophie was imaging half the stuff that was telling throughout the book, so you really were kept on the edge until the very end.
I loved the setting of the work place in this story. It had little echoes of John Grishams The Firm to it, although a completely different story. I loved the characters of Sophie and Cassie and indeed Jasmine. Very well written, totally believable characters.
My only slight criticism is the ending, which I am still a little unsure of. Overall though, I thoroughly enjoyed this read. A great story, original and really well told. A page turner for sure. On more than one occasion I had that " one more chapter" episode to see what would happen next.
As stated this is my first read of a Mark Edwards novel and I will certainly be looking in to his other work based on the strength of this one.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Mark Edwards and Thomas and Mercer for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 13, 2016
Devil's Work is another great read from the pen of Mark Edwards. I swear this author's writing is just getting better and better!
Sophie Greenwood lands the job of dreams. With a young daughter and journalist husband at home she is able to embark on what she has always wanted. A job in her dream publishing house and at first she is simply thrilled. Unfortunately that thrilling feeling soon turns into moments of self doubt as nightmarish occurrences start to happen. There's a mystery surrounding her predecessor's sudden departure from the company and then a colleague within her team is soon ousted from his job. Suspicions start to lie with her junior, Cassie as the nightmare continues and Sophie is forced to deal with memories from her past. The book flits between timeframes, Sophie's current day and her university days and it becomes one heck of a ride as the story unfolds.
It's a terrific read with thrills and spills everywhere. The sinister feel never really lets go and I honestly did not see what was the actual reality towards the end. That was brilliantly played!! If you're looking for a compelling, exciting read and you just happen to be a book lover too (what a bonus ...... a book set in a publishing house ... swoon!!), then look no further.
Highly recommend.
Thanks to those concerned for my ARC from NetGalley. Really enjoyed!
Sophie Greenwood lands the job of dreams. With a young daughter and journalist husband at home she is able to embark on what she has always wanted. A job in her dream publishing house and at first she is simply thrilled. Unfortunately that thrilling feeling soon turns into moments of self doubt as nightmarish occurrences start to happen. There's a mystery surrounding her predecessor's sudden departure from the company and then a colleague within her team is soon ousted from his job. Suspicions start to lie with her junior, Cassie as the nightmare continues and Sophie is forced to deal with memories from her past. The book flits between timeframes, Sophie's current day and her university days and it becomes one heck of a ride as the story unfolds.
It's a terrific read with thrills and spills everywhere. The sinister feel never really lets go and I honestly did not see what was the actual reality towards the end. That was brilliantly played!! If you're looking for a compelling, exciting read and you just happen to be a book lover too (what a bonus ...... a book set in a publishing house ... swoon!!), then look no further.
Highly recommend.
Thanks to those concerned for my ARC from NetGalley. Really enjoyed!
February 13, 2025
Ending was just chock full of surprises. Humbling to realize my anticipated conclusions were shamefully way out in left field and a real testament to Mark Edward's astounding cunning and cleverness. In this novel, there was not just one climatic.. . "OMG! Now that is frigg'n unbelievable!" surprise at the end - There were multiple. . . and left me in awe at how ingeniously all the lose ends were tied together so seamlessly, and with an unquestionably compelling and flawless authenticity. Needless to say, these lose ends are the dysfunctional, narcissistic, and damaged souls running rampant all throughout, and why I love Mr. Edwards writing!
September 13, 2016
A special thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Following, Mark Edwards' Follow You Home landing on my Top 50 Books of 2015, and Best Horror Suspense Thriller of the Year, another horror suspense twisty psycho-thriller, THE DEVIL'S WORK, a book within a book. Mixed with Edwards' own signature devilish wit.
2015--Sophie Greenwood is married to Guy (married for six years) and has a beautiful four-year-old daughter, Daisy. Recently she has landed her highly anticipated dream job at Jackdaw Books London, one of UKs most successful children’s publishers. She was re-entering the world of work, at the very publishing firm she had dreamed of joining.
Her new team mates: Tracey, Cassie, and Matt, senior marketing executive, with Simon, the marketing director and her immediate boss. There was also her predecessor, Miranda- a mysterious departure.
Sophie would create books, work with them, sell them, and inspire children to enter magical worlds. However, soon turns into a nightmare. Someone wants her gone.
She has a dark past. Shadows are lurking.
There was also Franklin Bird. This could be a problem.
Now eighty- five, the former old man, head of the firm, wants to take her to lunch. Will he remember her? At lunch she gets the sick feeling he knows about her painful secret.
Before having Daisy, Sophie worked at Lawrence House as a marketing manager in their children’s book division. Guy worked freelance. Guy did not know about her connection to Jackdaw Books. It had all happened years before they met. She felt no need to tell him. She thought they were dead.
Jasmine Smith was her roommate in college, and the granddaughter of Bird. A tragic past. Jasmine had problems.
From day one, there is trouble brewing at Jackdaw. Something is not quite right. In addition, there is a mysterious basement in the publishing house. Some thought it was haunted. Rumors of a suicide. What happened in the basement?
Alternating from Sussex 1999, to the present, the author unravels a triangle between Liam, Jasmine, and Sophie. (watch out, for those threesomes)--they will get you in some trouble. Also a brother Sebastian, and friend Becky from the past.
In the meantime, at work, Sophie is threatened and paranoid. On the verge of panic every day. Watching and waiting. Someone is out to sabotage her.
In addition, her husband Guy’s Twitter account is hacked and he is suspended. Between someone gluing dead rats to brutal gory details of the past- combined with a book, The Devil’s Work - a manuscript, an evil scheme, obsession, blackmail, revenge, a murder, an abducted child, and Gothic horrors.
From madness to insanity, a race against time--someone is out to get Sophie and destroy her new life. The ongoing mystery? Who, what, why? A captor, a torturer--someone wants to "drive the devil out" of anyone who is bad.
Chilling! Edwards keeps readers guessing, who is the mastermind behind the shocking madness. Appears the devil has an accomplice. A Folie à deux. The inducer who infects their partner with their psychosis.
A twisty nightmare of gore, horror, suspense, and mystery. As always, the author keeps you glued to the pages while keeping one eye open, afraid to turn the next page. A perfect Halloween read.
JDCMustReadBooks
Following, Mark Edwards' Follow You Home landing on my Top 50 Books of 2015, and Best Horror Suspense Thriller of the Year, another horror suspense twisty psycho-thriller, THE DEVIL'S WORK, a book within a book. Mixed with Edwards' own signature devilish wit.
2015--Sophie Greenwood is married to Guy (married for six years) and has a beautiful four-year-old daughter, Daisy. Recently she has landed her highly anticipated dream job at Jackdaw Books London, one of UKs most successful children’s publishers. She was re-entering the world of work, at the very publishing firm she had dreamed of joining.
Her new team mates: Tracey, Cassie, and Matt, senior marketing executive, with Simon, the marketing director and her immediate boss. There was also her predecessor, Miranda- a mysterious departure.
Sophie would create books, work with them, sell them, and inspire children to enter magical worlds. However, soon turns into a nightmare. Someone wants her gone.
She has a dark past. Shadows are lurking.
There was also Franklin Bird. This could be a problem.
Now eighty- five, the former old man, head of the firm, wants to take her to lunch. Will he remember her? At lunch she gets the sick feeling he knows about her painful secret.
Before having Daisy, Sophie worked at Lawrence House as a marketing manager in their children’s book division. Guy worked freelance. Guy did not know about her connection to Jackdaw Books. It had all happened years before they met. She felt no need to tell him. She thought they were dead.
Jasmine Smith was her roommate in college, and the granddaughter of Bird. A tragic past. Jasmine had problems.
From day one, there is trouble brewing at Jackdaw. Something is not quite right. In addition, there is a mysterious basement in the publishing house. Some thought it was haunted. Rumors of a suicide. What happened in the basement?
Alternating from Sussex 1999, to the present, the author unravels a triangle between Liam, Jasmine, and Sophie. (watch out, for those threesomes)--they will get you in some trouble. Also a brother Sebastian, and friend Becky from the past.
In the meantime, at work, Sophie is threatened and paranoid. On the verge of panic every day. Watching and waiting. Someone is out to sabotage her.
In addition, her husband Guy’s Twitter account is hacked and he is suspended. Between someone gluing dead rats to brutal gory details of the past- combined with a book, The Devil’s Work - a manuscript, an evil scheme, obsession, blackmail, revenge, a murder, an abducted child, and Gothic horrors.
From madness to insanity, a race against time--someone is out to get Sophie and destroy her new life. The ongoing mystery? Who, what, why? A captor, a torturer--someone wants to "drive the devil out" of anyone who is bad.
Chilling! Edwards keeps readers guessing, who is the mastermind behind the shocking madness. Appears the devil has an accomplice. A Folie à deux. The inducer who infects their partner with their psychosis.
A twisty nightmare of gore, horror, suspense, and mystery. As always, the author keeps you glued to the pages while keeping one eye open, afraid to turn the next page. A perfect Halloween read.
JDCMustReadBooks
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