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Amongst Friends
Anna and Mike have a plan, to escape her abusive husband. Lee has his own plan, to stop his wife and so-called best friend for good. Who will succeed, and how has a lifelong friendship come to this? The three friends meet in early childhood, coming of age together and supporting each other through problems at school and in family life. Everything changes when Lee and Anna decide to marry. While Mike swaps urban England for rural Spain, Anna finds herself trapped in an abusive marriage, with nowhere to turn. When he discovers his friends’ relationship is far from happy, Mike is compelled to return to Bristol, to a life he thought he’d left behind. He must rebuild the friendship, convince Anna that he can help her find a way out, and make sure that Lee knows nothing of what is going on. With his volatile temper and strong sense of pride, a vengeful Lee is unlikely to allow himself to be made a fool of without a fight. Amongst Friends is the third novel by Katharine E. Smith. It turns traditional story-telling on its head, beginning with the dramatic end to the friendship and gradually unveiling what has happened for things to have gone so wrong. If you like contemporary, psychological fiction, strong characters, and a twist of mystery and intrigue, you won’t want to put this book down. Pick up a copy of Amongst Friends today and discover an exciting, original new voice in British fiction.
292 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 19, 2016
59 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
About the author
Katharine E. Smith
31 books24 followersKatharine E. Smith is a British independent fiction author, as well as the founder of Heddon Publishing. With a degree in Philosophy, Katharine worked in the IT and charity sectors before going freelance as as copywriter, proofreader and editor.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 22, 2016
This is an unusual book, in that the story is told backwards. Starting with a dramatic explosion in 2003 in which one person dies, the story is peeled back to when the three main characters are friends at nursery school, before revealing the final denouement.
It's a risky strategy, as one has to invest totally in the characters in order to care enough to hear their story. There is Anna, a lonely girl whose real family has always been her two best friends. Lee is the friend turned lover, who she eventually marries almost by default. Lee struggles with the aftermath of an abusive father and absentee mother, and is constantly anxious that he might end up falling into the same bad habits.
Finally, there is Mike, the quiet one, who has always held a torch for Anna but has been too shy to say so. He’s very protective of her, so when a mutual friend suggests that Lee could be abusing her, he knows he has to act in some way.
This is a very skilfully written book, with the author making sure we care about each character before revealing their secrets. Lee’s traumatic childhood, his complicated relationship with his father, and Anna’s need for love and acceptance is brilliantly portrayed. And Mike, who could so easily be a doormat, proves his worth.
A far more edgy read than her previous novels, touching on domestic violence and how the victim reacts to it. One really feels for Anna, but cannot see how she can escape from Lee’s increasingly controlling behaviour. A happy ending is not always guaranteed in cases like this and the author knows it. The issue is well-researched and comes across convincingly. It is sometimes difficult to read, but definitely worth it.
After reading three of Katharine E Smith’s novels, I know I’m in safe hands with an author who knows how to balance a story, create realistic worlds and dialogue and above all, keep the reader guessing. This does not disappoint on any level.
It's a risky strategy, as one has to invest totally in the characters in order to care enough to hear their story. There is Anna, a lonely girl whose real family has always been her two best friends. Lee is the friend turned lover, who she eventually marries almost by default. Lee struggles with the aftermath of an abusive father and absentee mother, and is constantly anxious that he might end up falling into the same bad habits.
Finally, there is Mike, the quiet one, who has always held a torch for Anna but has been too shy to say so. He’s very protective of her, so when a mutual friend suggests that Lee could be abusing her, he knows he has to act in some way.
This is a very skilfully written book, with the author making sure we care about each character before revealing their secrets. Lee’s traumatic childhood, his complicated relationship with his father, and Anna’s need for love and acceptance is brilliantly portrayed. And Mike, who could so easily be a doormat, proves his worth.
A far more edgy read than her previous novels, touching on domestic violence and how the victim reacts to it. One really feels for Anna, but cannot see how she can escape from Lee’s increasingly controlling behaviour. A happy ending is not always guaranteed in cases like this and the author knows it. The issue is well-researched and comes across convincingly. It is sometimes difficult to read, but definitely worth it.
After reading three of Katharine E Smith’s novels, I know I’m in safe hands with an author who knows how to balance a story, create realistic worlds and dialogue and above all, keep the reader guessing. This does not disappoint on any level.
December 29, 2016
I wasn't sure by the middle of this book if I liked the style or not, but the characters and personalities kept drawing me in. A good study in Psyche, as well as British culture. One can't help but keep reading as the three friends' lives and stories unfold.
January 24, 2018
This is a brave and ambitious book examining the effect of dysfunctional family lives, from benign neglect to physical and mental abuse, on a trio of young adults who have been best friends since the age of four.
The unusual and experimental structure starts with effectively the penultimate event in the story's timeline, followed by subsequent chapters each a little earlier in the timeline than the previous one. This allows for close analysis of the characters' development with the feel almost of a detective story, with clues slowly revealed as to how the trio ended up in such trouble. Factors that seem initially puzzling slowly become clear as the story unfolds.
I admired the clarity of thought and mature, considered perspective on the relationships, and although it's in many ways a tragic story of troubled lives, it's also positive in that it encourages the reader not to rush to judge others till fully acquainted with what has made them they was they are. This is a key theme that I try to address in my own novels (The Sophie Sayers Village Mysteries), so it really resonated with me.
This is also a loving tribute to Bristol, fondly described with name-checks for key sights throughout, anchoring the universal story firmly in the city. In fact, Bristol features so strongly that it's almost a character in its own right, a dependable constant in the fractured lives of the three friends. That aspect reminded me of the way Woody Allan uses Manhattan in the film of that name.
My only niggle with the book was that Lee's casual speech, dropping initial h's and final g's on -ing words quickly became an irritant, and it wasn't really necessary. It also came across as unnecessarily patronising. I think the reader would draw the same conclusions about Lee without that affectation - his character is sufficiently well drawn without emphasizing his roughness in that way. Nor did it sound particularly Bristolian, whereas the famous Bristol accent (think Vicky Pollard), was absent. But that's a tiny issue in an otherwise excellent novel.
Having read the author's two previous novels, I should say this was darker and much less uplifting, but I gather her new series returns to a light, more upbeat mood. I'll be sure to read it, as I'm enjoying following the development of this author's career, and will probably enjoy whatever novels she writes.
The unusual and experimental structure starts with effectively the penultimate event in the story's timeline, followed by subsequent chapters each a little earlier in the timeline than the previous one. This allows for close analysis of the characters' development with the feel almost of a detective story, with clues slowly revealed as to how the trio ended up in such trouble. Factors that seem initially puzzling slowly become clear as the story unfolds.
I admired the clarity of thought and mature, considered perspective on the relationships, and although it's in many ways a tragic story of troubled lives, it's also positive in that it encourages the reader not to rush to judge others till fully acquainted with what has made them they was they are. This is a key theme that I try to address in my own novels (The Sophie Sayers Village Mysteries), so it really resonated with me.
This is also a loving tribute to Bristol, fondly described with name-checks for key sights throughout, anchoring the universal story firmly in the city. In fact, Bristol features so strongly that it's almost a character in its own right, a dependable constant in the fractured lives of the three friends. That aspect reminded me of the way Woody Allan uses Manhattan in the film of that name.
My only niggle with the book was that Lee's casual speech, dropping initial h's and final g's on -ing words quickly became an irritant, and it wasn't really necessary. It also came across as unnecessarily patronising. I think the reader would draw the same conclusions about Lee without that affectation - his character is sufficiently well drawn without emphasizing his roughness in that way. Nor did it sound particularly Bristolian, whereas the famous Bristol accent (think Vicky Pollard), was absent. But that's a tiny issue in an otherwise excellent novel.
Having read the author's two previous novels, I should say this was darker and much less uplifting, but I gather her new series returns to a light, more upbeat mood. I'll be sure to read it, as I'm enjoying following the development of this author's career, and will probably enjoy whatever novels she writes.
March 5, 2022
A powerful book written with an understanding of real people in an all too real scenario. ‘Amongst Friends’ explores how hard it is to have been brought up in a loveless situation and what it does to young people. What counts is not outward appearance or financial security but genuine love.
Katharine E Smith loves Bristol. She brings the city to life – especially what it is like to be young here. If you’re not from Bristol and you find yourself whizzing by on the M5, it is well worthwhile coming off at Junction 18 and exploring the places in the book. You are quickly into Lawrence Weston. Then mount the ridge to Kingsweston with its marvellous views across the Severn in one direction and the woods and fields to the south in the other. Descend into the opulent Sneyd Park, a stark contrast to Lawrence Weston, to comprehend the contrast of the friends’ situations. Walk across the Clifton Downs above the Avon Gorge, which both feature prominently in the book, and take a bus from the Water Tower down into Park Street via Whiteladies Road to College Green, where the young people hang out.
The book goes backwards in time tracing the course of the friends to the time when they first meet in nursery school. If you don’t want to go backwards in time, don’t be put off; it reads just well forwards. Start at the chapter headed, ‘The Beginning, 1981’ and then take each chapter that precedes it until you get to the first chapter, then conclude with the two chapters set in 2003.
But, however you read it, this book will stay with you. It’s one of those you don’t forget.
Katharine E Smith loves Bristol. She brings the city to life – especially what it is like to be young here. If you’re not from Bristol and you find yourself whizzing by on the M5, it is well worthwhile coming off at Junction 18 and exploring the places in the book. You are quickly into Lawrence Weston. Then mount the ridge to Kingsweston with its marvellous views across the Severn in one direction and the woods and fields to the south in the other. Descend into the opulent Sneyd Park, a stark contrast to Lawrence Weston, to comprehend the contrast of the friends’ situations. Walk across the Clifton Downs above the Avon Gorge, which both feature prominently in the book, and take a bus from the Water Tower down into Park Street via Whiteladies Road to College Green, where the young people hang out.
The book goes backwards in time tracing the course of the friends to the time when they first meet in nursery school. If you don’t want to go backwards in time, don’t be put off; it reads just well forwards. Start at the chapter headed, ‘The Beginning, 1981’ and then take each chapter that precedes it until you get to the first chapter, then conclude with the two chapters set in 2003.
But, however you read it, this book will stay with you. It’s one of those you don’t forget.
February 9, 2025
Amongst Friends
I loved the Cornwall and Connections series of books so was excited to read this one when I realised there were other books from Katherine.
I normally read Katherine's books within 2-3 says max but I really struggled with this one with it taking me a couple of weeks.
The story is told backwards. There is a huge major event at the beginning and then the whole book recaps the lives of the three main characters by going back year by year. By the time I got to the end, and back to the present, I had forgotten what had happened at the start. I then felt the ending was rushed and was disappointed.
I am gutted to say that this one isn't for me as I do love the Cornwall and Connections series. I highly recommend those books if you're exploring this author.
I loved the Cornwall and Connections series of books so was excited to read this one when I realised there were other books from Katherine.
I normally read Katherine's books within 2-3 says max but I really struggled with this one with it taking me a couple of weeks.
The story is told backwards. There is a huge major event at the beginning and then the whole book recaps the lives of the three main characters by going back year by year. By the time I got to the end, and back to the present, I had forgotten what had happened at the start. I then felt the ending was rushed and was disappointed.
I am gutted to say that this one isn't for me as I do love the Cornwall and Connections series. I highly recommend those books if you're exploring this author.
May 24, 2019
I loved this when I started it. It took a while to get used to the book going backwards and then it became intriguing and easy to read, but then, nothing happened!! I found the reverse context great for some parts but there was no climax, no epic finish, just nothingness. For all it tried to explore each character it actually ended up leaving quite a lot out of what could have been good storylines. Nice idea didn’t quite work for me in context.
October 3, 2020
Enjoyed the book but not sure about the going backwards as there were already hints as to what had happened in the past. But well written and very good perceptive insights into the various characters and their development and relationships with each other.
A clever little book. Certainly worth a read.
A clever little book. Certainly worth a read.
December 24, 2020
Strange story. I must have totally missed who the body was that was in the house??
It was a little bit back and forth with the years. I’ve read all the Cornwall series and was extremely disappointed in this read!
It was a little bit back and forth with the years. I’ve read all the Cornwall series and was extremely disappointed in this read!
November 6, 2017
Thoroughly enjoyed this. Arghhhh so many questions, and at the end what then? - signs of a good book.
The timeline really appealed, the mention of items from the era was fabulously nostalgic.
The timeline really appealed, the mention of items from the era was fabulously nostalgic.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews