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About Face
When D.I Richard Shaw is called to an abandoned warehouse to investigate the body of a recently pregnant woman, all the signs are that the woman died of natural causes. But why was she there? And where is her baby?
Richard’s meeting with the dead woman’s midwife is the first breakthrough, although Annie unsettles Richard more than he would like to admit.
As the investigation unravels, Richard soon realises that the horrors of Afghanistan have reached the streets of Worcester. And as the body count grows, Richard knows that he has only days to bring down one of the ugliest international crime networks to infiltrate Europe.
Richard’s meeting with the dead woman’s midwife is the first breakthrough, although Annie unsettles Richard more than he would like to admit.
As the investigation unravels, Richard soon realises that the horrors of Afghanistan have reached the streets of Worcester. And as the body count grows, Richard knows that he has only days to bring down one of the ugliest international crime networks to infiltrate Europe.
336 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2016
5 people are currently reading
488 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
December 26, 2016
Coming from a healthcare background, I found it very easy to relate to the main female character in this story, however, once the story got going, not to the unpredictable and surprising set of events! This book had everything I wanted; suspense, action, plot twists and some romance there too. I really enjoyed getting lost in the story, and appreciated the light that it shone on some of the real issues that face asylum seekers in the U.K. I loved the intertwining stories and read it very quickly. I would definitely recommend.
June 29, 2017
Clear descriptions of actions, events and the characters. Pace of plot picks up nicely, enjoyed the book.
August 22, 2017
Superb debut book! I really got involved with all the characters. Could not put the book down, finished it in a day! Hope there is a sequel on the way.
March 8, 2017
I was lucky enough to receive a free copy of this book through Goodreads Giveaways. I devoured this book in a day!! Fabulously fast paced story line with interesting characters. I will certainly be keeping an eye out for the sequel.
June 4, 2017
Very Enjoyable easy read.. Should be taken on holiday and recommended by Richard and Judy.
By Philippa
By Philippa
October 29, 2016
If you think Shrub Hill is just a sleepy hollow(?) somewhere between St Mary Mead and Midsomer Mayhem then think again! It might well have been, before Wendy Williams paced its pot-holed pavements gathering inspiration for her debut novel, but no longer! If you head that way be sure to tell your nearest and dearest first! This well-researched, up-to-date, crime thriller has a thoroughly believable cast of fascinating, humanly-frail characters that come alive as the pages turn. Hero (or is he?) and heroine hunt the vicious villains, trying to get ahead of their game but, too often, finding they are one step behind. How can they prevent these thugs from violating any more victims in their search for .. [something very important] ? Clinical detail (and I really mean that) abounds; the tension and pace rise towards a gripping climax. Despite all the above, the plot unfolds in an all too realistic manner - one feels really caught-up in the story. Twist in the tail? - you'll just have to read About Face to find out! A great read - cliché I know, but truly difficult to put down. It just begs for the film and, more importantly, when's the second of the "Face Trilogy" going to be published, Wendy?
June 4, 2018
I thought this was an excellent first entry in a challenging field. Reading this book reminded me of reading a Roy Grace novel-- no small compliment! The story kept moving without becoming too convoluted. I found myself devouring the story in huge chunks, then, all of a sudden, some minor detail from pages ago would spring back into action. I thought it was skillfully written. The ending left me kind of sad, but, then again, that's not necessarily a bad thing. After pondering this, I have decided that it is a brave first-time-out female author who resists the urge to have the prince and princess ride off happily ever after into the sunset. Maybe it's better that they don't, as now we have fodder for a second story. This book will also satisfy the 2018 Watauga County Public Library Reading Challenge categories: A Debut Novel; A Book With The Color Blue In The Title OR On The Cover; A Book With A Female Detective; a Book With A Body Part in The Title; A Book With The Color Red In The Title OR On The Cover. I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways. It is autographed.
August 20, 2016
One of the best books I've read in a long time.
I was very lucky to be able to read a preview copy of this book. I can't remember the last time I binge read a book over a couple of days (If I'd been a faster reader I would have probably done it in one). There is something captivating about the story, it's quite different to other crime novels I've read and I had tremendous difficulty getting myself to put the book down.
Wendy has created some memorable characters that are brilliantly human, honest and relatable. I was soon absorbed in the plot, a clever story that had lots of little twists that were perfectly placed and yet surprising. The snappy dialogue between the characters created a fast pace and there was just enough description to allow you to visualise the scene without it slowing the plot too much.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and would definitely recommend it.
I was very lucky to be able to read a preview copy of this book. I can't remember the last time I binge read a book over a couple of days (If I'd been a faster reader I would have probably done it in one). There is something captivating about the story, it's quite different to other crime novels I've read and I had tremendous difficulty getting myself to put the book down.
Wendy has created some memorable characters that are brilliantly human, honest and relatable. I was soon absorbed in the plot, a clever story that had lots of little twists that were perfectly placed and yet surprising. The snappy dialogue between the characters created a fast pace and there was just enough description to allow you to visualise the scene without it slowing the plot too much.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and would definitely recommend it.
September 30, 2016
An excellent read. Extremely well written with very likable characters. An amazing story with plenty of surprises. Especially the ending. I cannot wait for the next installment of About Face! Would make a great movie as well!
January 1, 2017
Purchased this book after listening to Hursty and Helen on Free radio (see page 44) taking about, About Face. What an amazing page turner it turned out to be, couldn't put it down. Cannot wait for your next book Wendy.
May 3, 2020
Another one of the subgenre (that I call) Mysteryromance. Good story but I would like to know the part the detective's brother plays, at least for certain. Perhaps that will be revealed in a future book.
June 10, 2020
I enjoyed this 1st novel by Wendy Williams. It was well a plotted and fast paced mystery with terrorists in suburban England. A nice bit of romance was thrown in and it worked. The ending allows for a sequel which I would read if Wendy Williams chooses to write it.
October 28, 2016
Great book - likeable characters with a good story line.
Would have read in one go if I had had time - was difficult to find a place to put down. A real page turner.
Highly recommended
Would have read in one go if I had had time - was difficult to find a place to put down. A real page turner.
Highly recommended
February 2, 2017
I loved this book, a real page turner! I couldn't put it down. Well done Wendy on a great story, I look forward to the next one!
June 7, 2018
Absolutely loved it, felt as if I were in the car going down the M50!
Great characters, interesting plot, would love to read more of Wendy's work!
Great characters, interesting plot, would love to read more of Wendy's work!
September 5, 2018
I will definitely be buying this book for sure
June 2, 2022
About Face by Wendy Williams is a super intense crime-thriller.
The book starts with a story of a married couple, Ali and Soraya, deeply in love who is forced to separate. Their life in Afghanistan had become dangerous and to protect his wife and unborn child, Ali sent Soraya to England. Soraya wants Ali to come with her but he says he will meet her in 6 days, little did he know what awaits them.
It immediately grips the attention of the reader.
The book enters into chapter one with the death of an unidentified, well dressed woman in her late twenties(Soraya). Detective Diane Masterton and Richard Shaw are in charge of the case and found out that she died immediately after giving birth in the warehouse.
Chapter one ends with many questions, like, how did she die?, where is the baby? What was she doing here? And who was with her then?
Surrounding the case many characters develop, like, Annie, Patrick and others.
Set in and around Worcester, this crime-thriller is fast paced with well defined characters and unforeseen twists and turns, which makes it an irresistible read. I was intrigued by the details this book provides especially on asylum seekers.
The book starts with a story of a married couple, Ali and Soraya, deeply in love who is forced to separate. Their life in Afghanistan had become dangerous and to protect his wife and unborn child, Ali sent Soraya to England. Soraya wants Ali to come with her but he says he will meet her in 6 days, little did he know what awaits them.
It immediately grips the attention of the reader.
The book enters into chapter one with the death of an unidentified, well dressed woman in her late twenties(Soraya). Detective Diane Masterton and Richard Shaw are in charge of the case and found out that she died immediately after giving birth in the warehouse.
Chapter one ends with many questions, like, how did she die?, where is the baby? What was she doing here? And who was with her then?
Surrounding the case many characters develop, like, Annie, Patrick and others.
Set in and around Worcester, this crime-thriller is fast paced with well defined characters and unforeseen twists and turns, which makes it an irresistible read. I was intrigued by the details this book provides especially on asylum seekers.
March 25, 2023
This was a cracking police procedural and felt very realistic. Loved the style of writing in this book and flipped between the characters really well. The author did a great job with the characters they were all very believable. Very good twist at the end. Loved this and hope there will be another instalment of the charismatic DI Shaw
November 21, 2016
Very good for a debut novel. Fast paced with well developed characters. I hope that this is going to be a series of books. I really enjoyed it
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews