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Dare to Remember
Reeling from a brutal attack that leaves her best friend dead and her badly injured, Lisa Fulbrook flees to the countryside to recuperate. With only vague memories of the event, she isolates herself from her friends and family, content to spend her days wandering the hills with her dog, Riley.
However, Lisa is soon plagued, not only by vivid flashbacks, but questions, how did their assailant know them? Why were they attacked? And what really happened that night?
As she desperately tries to piece together the memories, Lisa realises that there's another truth still hidden to her, a truth she can't escape from. A truth that may have been right in front of her all along.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 219 reviews
March 19, 2017
A lost memory of a tragic night.
Lisa awakens in the hospital with little to no knowledge of how she got there. Her last memories are of her and her flat-mate going to a local pub with friends. That and the strong aroma of whiskey. When Lisa discovers she is a survivor of a brutal attack, she struggles to get her life back on track. Frightened of the outside world, she moves to a small village as a recluse and attempts to regain control of her life and her memories.
Most of the book is spent waiting for Lisa to reveal what happened the night of the attack with flashbacks revealing just minute bits of the night in question. Finally Lisa resorts to restorative justice. A program that puts the victim and accused together in a controlled environment to allow both to get answers and be heard with the goal to heal and move forward. Can or will Lisa get the answers to fill in those missing pieces of the puzzle from that night?
It's a short book, less than 300 pages, but felt longer and slow moving. Although listed as both a psychological thriller and a crime drama, I would be hard pressed to call this a thriller. There were no shocking elements or real twists. Suspense perhaps, or yes, crime drama would be a much closer fit. Not exactly what I expected after reading the description, but none the less a good read.
Thank you to NetGalley, Legend Press and Susanna Beard for a reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.
3.5*
Lisa awakens in the hospital with little to no knowledge of how she got there. Her last memories are of her and her flat-mate going to a local pub with friends. That and the strong aroma of whiskey. When Lisa discovers she is a survivor of a brutal attack, she struggles to get her life back on track. Frightened of the outside world, she moves to a small village as a recluse and attempts to regain control of her life and her memories.
Most of the book is spent waiting for Lisa to reveal what happened the night of the attack with flashbacks revealing just minute bits of the night in question. Finally Lisa resorts to restorative justice. A program that puts the victim and accused together in a controlled environment to allow both to get answers and be heard with the goal to heal and move forward. Can or will Lisa get the answers to fill in those missing pieces of the puzzle from that night?
It's a short book, less than 300 pages, but felt longer and slow moving. Although listed as both a psychological thriller and a crime drama, I would be hard pressed to call this a thriller. There were no shocking elements or real twists. Suspense perhaps, or yes, crime drama would be a much closer fit. Not exactly what I expected after reading the description, but none the less a good read.
Thank you to NetGalley, Legend Press and Susanna Beard for a reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.
3.5*
September 9, 2017
This is like nothing I've ever read before. I can't quite put my finger on it, it's something about the slowness and redundancy of going through daily life added to an overall sense of dread and wondering.
After a tragic event, Lisa is left to put together the pieces and try to get her life back on track. This is highly psychological but certainly not a thriller - it is slow in pace and quite redundant at times. There is no doubt that this is a very talented author, and I am very impressed that this is a debut. However, it absolutely took a different route than I thought it would, and had it not been for the unsatisfying conclusion, I would have given this a high 4 stars.
Thank you to Netgalley, Legend Press and Susanna Beard for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
After a tragic event, Lisa is left to put together the pieces and try to get her life back on track. This is highly psychological but certainly not a thriller - it is slow in pace and quite redundant at times. There is no doubt that this is a very talented author, and I am very impressed that this is a debut. However, it absolutely took a different route than I thought it would, and had it not been for the unsatisfying conclusion, I would have given this a high 4 stars.
Thank you to Netgalley, Legend Press and Susanna Beard for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 6, 2017
DARE TO REMEMBER is the debut well written novel by author Susanna Beard. This novel has been tagged as a shocking Page-Turning Psychological Thriller, but I feel it more closely matches an emotional psychological drama. It follows two years in the life of a young woman, Lisa Fulbrook who survived a brutal attack in her own home which left her best friend, Ali Mayfield dead. Lisa’s journey through this traumatic event and fight for the “truth” in order to allow her to get her life back, sets the tone for the novel.
“A young woman died when she fell from the window of a first-floor flat yesterday evening; another woman was found seriously injured inside. A man in his thirties was apprehended by passers-by as he left the building and was later arrested.”
When Lisa woke up in hospital, with her mum by her side, she demanded to know what had happened. Her mum told her that her best friend, Ali was dead. Lisa had no recollection of the event. After being released from the hospital, Lisa never went back to her flat, but went to her mums to recuperate. Life would never be the same for her! She was now suffering from nightmares and flees to the countryside to set up home-based work to generate some income…while she attends therapy to restore parts of her memory.
With only vague memories of the event, she isolates herself from her friends and family, content to spend her days wandering the hills with her dog, Riley. Lisa establishes a friendship with her next- door neighbor, an elderly man, John, who surrendered his dog, Riley, to her, when he couldn’t look after the animal properly. Lisa soon grew attached to Riley and enjoyed their daily walks., where she met another dog walker, Jessica.
“Riley is her lifeline. She knows that. He provides comfort, companionship and a kind of rhythm."
If you're a dog lover like me, you'll enjoy the interaction and love between a person and their pet, how animals give unconditional love and play a major role in the healing process.
But Lisa had to know what happened that terrible night…and more important why were they attacked?
Lisa needs to be able to live a normal life without nightmares and flashbacks and fear of men and crowds and loud noises. She must search for the truth.
This is a wonderful debut novel by British author Susanna Beard, and offers strong writing, and believable well-developed characters that come alive on the page. Highly recommend.
I received an ARC via Netgalley.
“A young woman died when she fell from the window of a first-floor flat yesterday evening; another woman was found seriously injured inside. A man in his thirties was apprehended by passers-by as he left the building and was later arrested.”
When Lisa woke up in hospital, with her mum by her side, she demanded to know what had happened. Her mum told her that her best friend, Ali was dead. Lisa had no recollection of the event. After being released from the hospital, Lisa never went back to her flat, but went to her mums to recuperate. Life would never be the same for her! She was now suffering from nightmares and flees to the countryside to set up home-based work to generate some income…while she attends therapy to restore parts of her memory.
With only vague memories of the event, she isolates herself from her friends and family, content to spend her days wandering the hills with her dog, Riley. Lisa establishes a friendship with her next- door neighbor, an elderly man, John, who surrendered his dog, Riley, to her, when he couldn’t look after the animal properly. Lisa soon grew attached to Riley and enjoyed their daily walks., where she met another dog walker, Jessica.
“Riley is her lifeline. She knows that. He provides comfort, companionship and a kind of rhythm."
If you're a dog lover like me, you'll enjoy the interaction and love between a person and their pet, how animals give unconditional love and play a major role in the healing process.
But Lisa had to know what happened that terrible night…and more important why were they attacked?
Lisa needs to be able to live a normal life without nightmares and flashbacks and fear of men and crowds and loud noises. She must search for the truth.
This is a wonderful debut novel by British author Susanna Beard, and offers strong writing, and believable well-developed characters that come alive on the page. Highly recommend.
I received an ARC via Netgalley.
February 5, 2017
On GR, this book still has the tagline "Shocking. Page-Turning. Psychological Thriller." It's not a thriller, and I didn't find it shocking at all. It is however quite a page-turner. On Amazon, the tagline has been changed to "psychological crime drama", which is certainly a more accurate label.
Dare to Remember chronicles two years in the life of a young woman who survived an attack in her own home that left her best friend dead. Experiencing survivor's guilt and suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, she initially completely withdraws from life. But she is determined not to remain a victim for the rest of her life, so she regularly attends therapy and tries to restore those parts of her memory of that fateful day that had vanished after the attack. Having moved to a small village, she does her utmost to remain isolated but establishes a relationship with her elderly neighbor and his dog and with another woman and dog walker from the village.
I found this to be a very gentle and slowly simmering book, which is why that tagline annoyed me. It wasn't at all what I had expected. I kept waiting for something major to happen, for some shocking twist. Instead, this turned into a deeply emotional story. Several tears were shed. If you're a dog lover like me, you'll enjoy the aspects of this story that show how pets can help us heal and keep us going even if that's the last thing we want at the time. The writing was quite simple, but really effective, and combined with the well-developed characters, the story really drew you in and held my attention easily. A wonderful debut by British author Susanna Beard!
I received an ARC via Netgalley.
Dare to Remember chronicles two years in the life of a young woman who survived an attack in her own home that left her best friend dead. Experiencing survivor's guilt and suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, she initially completely withdraws from life. But she is determined not to remain a victim for the rest of her life, so she regularly attends therapy and tries to restore those parts of her memory of that fateful day that had vanished after the attack. Having moved to a small village, she does her utmost to remain isolated but establishes a relationship with her elderly neighbor and his dog and with another woman and dog walker from the village.
I found this to be a very gentle and slowly simmering book, which is why that tagline annoyed me. It wasn't at all what I had expected. I kept waiting for something major to happen, for some shocking twist. Instead, this turned into a deeply emotional story. Several tears were shed. If you're a dog lover like me, you'll enjoy the aspects of this story that show how pets can help us heal and keep us going even if that's the last thing we want at the time. The writing was quite simple, but really effective, and combined with the well-developed characters, the story really drew you in and held my attention easily. A wonderful debut by British author Susanna Beard!
I received an ARC via Netgalley.
August 19, 2017
If it wasn't for Christmas, new year and my birthday this book would have never been laid down until I had finished it from cover to cover.
Lisa and Ali were just two young women. Enjoying life. Kicking back and having fun until......
Something very bad happened and Ali was killed.
Lisa is undergoing therapy, it's helping her to talk about things but she only at first remembers herself in hospital.
Bit by bit things unfold.
Lisa needs time away, she needs her own company, a time to heal.
She moves into her new place. A good connection is formed with her elderly neighbor who has a dog. He's unable to take his dog out now so Lisa does, often, for lovely park and country walks.
Her day to day life moves on at a slow pace. She has purpose in seeing to her neighbor, walking the dog and now even adopting the dog, her friend, her companion.
She meets Jessica one day. Another friendship slowly blooms although Lisa wasn't eager to let that happen.
Night times though we're different, flashbacks.
Disturbing images and thoughts yet Lisa can't remember what it is she needs to remember.
Why is she feeling like this.
Her therapist is great. suggestions are made yet Lisa cannot always fulfill them.
I could hardly pull myself away from this fabulous read that kept my interest from page one to the end.
The characters were well grounded in my mind. I hung on every word, every sentence.
Fabulous authors talent to clear my head of everything around me and keep me focused on this story.
Great plot, great conclusion
My thanks to Legend Press via Net Galley for my personal copy. (less)
Lisa and Ali were just two young women. Enjoying life. Kicking back and having fun until......
Something very bad happened and Ali was killed.
Lisa is undergoing therapy, it's helping her to talk about things but she only at first remembers herself in hospital.
Bit by bit things unfold.
Lisa needs time away, she needs her own company, a time to heal.
She moves into her new place. A good connection is formed with her elderly neighbor who has a dog. He's unable to take his dog out now so Lisa does, often, for lovely park and country walks.
Her day to day life moves on at a slow pace. She has purpose in seeing to her neighbor, walking the dog and now even adopting the dog, her friend, her companion.
She meets Jessica one day. Another friendship slowly blooms although Lisa wasn't eager to let that happen.
Night times though we're different, flashbacks.
Disturbing images and thoughts yet Lisa can't remember what it is she needs to remember.
Why is she feeling like this.
Her therapist is great. suggestions are made yet Lisa cannot always fulfill them.
I could hardly pull myself away from this fabulous read that kept my interest from page one to the end.
The characters were well grounded in my mind. I hung on every word, every sentence.
Fabulous authors talent to clear my head of everything around me and keep me focused on this story.
Great plot, great conclusion
My thanks to Legend Press via Net Galley for my personal copy. (less)
May 25, 2020
For my full review, visit me at https://mrsbrownsbooks.wordpress.com/...
This was an odd story. The blurb caught my attention but the execution of the narrative left me feeling extremely lethargic and claustrophobic. However, Beard has done this deliberately for the reader to be on a level with protagonist, Lisa. Whilst the story did not blow me away, it was interesting the emotional impact it had on me.
For my full review, visit me at https://mrsbrownsbooks.wordpress.com/...
This was an odd story. The blurb caught my attention but the execution of the narrative left me feeling extremely lethargic and claustrophobic. However, Beard has done this deliberately for the reader to be on a level with protagonist, Lisa. Whilst the story did not blow me away, it was interesting the emotional impact it had on me.
For my full review, visit me at https://mrsbrownsbooks.wordpress.com/...
September 30, 2017
A few days have passed since I finished Dare to Remember, and honestly, I have already forgotten some of the plot. I suppose that tells you why I couldn't rate it higher. That being so, it wasn't bad, just not very memorable.
The writing was good and the plot logical, but it is mis-marketet, as many fellow reviewers point out, as a fast paced, edge-of-your-seat kind of thriller, when really it is quite slow and more of a meditation of grief and loss than it is an active mystery. I think I was just expecting something else with this book. I think what made it sort of disappointing in the end was that the main character, whose story is being told quite intimately, never felt very well-developed to me. First of all, I think this book would have hugely benefited from being told in the first, rather than third person, to make it feel as though we as readers are really included in Lisa's life. She felt quite band and unformed, though not unlikable. The setting, too, was quite vague, which might have been intentional to add mystery, but felt like a missed opportunity for me. All in all, not a bad book by any means, but unfortunately one I don't think I will remember very long, especially since I read so many in this genre.
I won this in a Goodreads giveaway and have written what I think is a fair and fitting review.
Find more reviews and bookish fun at http://www.princessandpen.com
The writing was good and the plot logical, but it is mis-marketet, as many fellow reviewers point out, as a fast paced, edge-of-your-seat kind of thriller, when really it is quite slow and more of a meditation of grief and loss than it is an active mystery. I think I was just expecting something else with this book. I think what made it sort of disappointing in the end was that the main character, whose story is being told quite intimately, never felt very well-developed to me. First of all, I think this book would have hugely benefited from being told in the first, rather than third person, to make it feel as though we as readers are really included in Lisa's life. She felt quite band and unformed, though not unlikable. The setting, too, was quite vague, which might have been intentional to add mystery, but felt like a missed opportunity for me. All in all, not a bad book by any means, but unfortunately one I don't think I will remember very long, especially since I read so many in this genre.
I won this in a Goodreads giveaway and have written what I think is a fair and fitting review.
Find more reviews and bookish fun at http://www.princessandpen.com
December 24, 2016
This one was great.
I'd caution against the tagline. It was a page turner absolutely but it is more psychological drama than thriller. It is more considered than that, in my opinion more grounded in reality than your usual read in this genre - For me "Dare to Remember" was a journey through trauma, a tale of one woman's fight back from a life changing, life haunting event that has a hugely authentic feel and an emotionally coherent heart to it.
That is not to say that there is not a mystery element, or that there are no surprises, you get that too - but quietly and beautifully - Lisa knows there are things she needs to remember and that is where the twists come. What I loved about Dare to Remember was the fact that the resolution had its roots in the entirety of what had come before, Susanna Beard leads you to that moment, which when it comes is also quiet yet speaks volumes.
We see Lisa hide away, we see her start to emerge - we see the people around her who help her to come back to herself, we see the huge steps forward and the very realistic setbacks. Survivors guilt, distrust, panic, irrational deep set fear, Lisa goes through it all but also finds solace in unexpected places.
So we are back to this one was great.
Highly Recommended.
I'd caution against the tagline. It was a page turner absolutely but it is more psychological drama than thriller. It is more considered than that, in my opinion more grounded in reality than your usual read in this genre - For me "Dare to Remember" was a journey through trauma, a tale of one woman's fight back from a life changing, life haunting event that has a hugely authentic feel and an emotionally coherent heart to it.
That is not to say that there is not a mystery element, or that there are no surprises, you get that too - but quietly and beautifully - Lisa knows there are things she needs to remember and that is where the twists come. What I loved about Dare to Remember was the fact that the resolution had its roots in the entirety of what had come before, Susanna Beard leads you to that moment, which when it comes is also quiet yet speaks volumes.
We see Lisa hide away, we see her start to emerge - we see the people around her who help her to come back to herself, we see the huge steps forward and the very realistic setbacks. Survivors guilt, distrust, panic, irrational deep set fear, Lisa goes through it all but also finds solace in unexpected places.
So we are back to this one was great.
Highly Recommended.
February 5, 2017
I love psychological thrillers, they are without a doubt my favourite genre. Anything that states it is part of this genre or that there is something shocking that lurks between the pages is sure to have me wanting to read it.
Lisa has been through an horrific event. She has lost her best friend Ali and is struggling to get on with her life. She moves to a remote little village in the hope of escaping the horrible events that have left her physically and mentally scarred.
Unfortunately for Lisa she can’t escape the events and sees a therapist to help her come to terms with her friends death. I think what is more frustrating for Lisa is that she can’t actually remember what happened. She feels that by remembering it will help her heal and move on and also make her feel less guilty with Ali’s family that she survived and Ali didn’t.
The story is full of suspense and I was dying to know what the actual turn of events were that led to Ali’s death. There is such a build up in the book that I was rushing to get to the end for all to be revealed to me. I have to admit that this was the only thing that let the story down slightly, was the ending. It just didn’t quite live up to the expectations that I had in my mind from the tag line with the title. Don’t get me wrong it is definitely a psychological thriller as well as being a page turner. For me though it is one very much of suspense than actual shocking. It is still a great read though, I think for me because I read so many in this genre that when a book declares its going to be shocking, having read more than a few that have blown me away, it really needs to literally blow me away.
Dare To Remember is without a doubt a novel that will have the reader gripped and desperate to reach the end for answers. The author does well to keep the reader guessing throughout and it certainly had me on the edge of my seat in anticipation. A good debut novel by an author who is certainly one to watch out for.
My thanks to Lucy at Legend Press for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
Lisa has been through an horrific event. She has lost her best friend Ali and is struggling to get on with her life. She moves to a remote little village in the hope of escaping the horrible events that have left her physically and mentally scarred.
Unfortunately for Lisa she can’t escape the events and sees a therapist to help her come to terms with her friends death. I think what is more frustrating for Lisa is that she can’t actually remember what happened. She feels that by remembering it will help her heal and move on and also make her feel less guilty with Ali’s family that she survived and Ali didn’t.
The story is full of suspense and I was dying to know what the actual turn of events were that led to Ali’s death. There is such a build up in the book that I was rushing to get to the end for all to be revealed to me. I have to admit that this was the only thing that let the story down slightly, was the ending. It just didn’t quite live up to the expectations that I had in my mind from the tag line with the title. Don’t get me wrong it is definitely a psychological thriller as well as being a page turner. For me though it is one very much of suspense than actual shocking. It is still a great read though, I think for me because I read so many in this genre that when a book declares its going to be shocking, having read more than a few that have blown me away, it really needs to literally blow me away.
Dare To Remember is without a doubt a novel that will have the reader gripped and desperate to reach the end for answers. The author does well to keep the reader guessing throughout and it certainly had me on the edge of my seat in anticipation. A good debut novel by an author who is certainly one to watch out for.
My thanks to Lucy at Legend Press for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
August 31, 2017
"Dare to remember" is the story of a young woman named Lisa who undergoes a life changing trauma when an acquaintance follows her and her flatmate home from a pub. By night's end her flatmate and best friend Ali is dead and she will spend the next month in hospital with life threatening injuries.
The problem? Lisa Fulbrook is so injured that she misses the trial and sentencing - AND - she cannot remember what happened that night. Why did Ali die while she lived? Why them?
When she is finally released from hospital, Lisa moves to a quiet village to recuperate. She rents a small house and works from home. She goes out only to shop for the necessities and when she does, she bundles up with a scarf to hide the angry knife scar on her neck. She shuns social contact for the most part, but befriends John, an elderly man who lives next door. A widower, he lives alone except for the companionship of his small black spaniel, Riley. When John becomes unwell, Lisa takes over the walking and general care of Riley. Having this small fur person in her life gets her through some of her most harrowing and lonely times.
"Riley is her lifeline"
While walking Riley, Lisa meets a new friend and fellow dogwalker, Jessica. Though Lisa is withdrawn at first, Jessica's gregarious nature wins Lisa over and the two become friends. Even Jessica's friendship though cannot alleviate Lisa's increasing depression.
As the months pass, Lisa valiantly tries to remember the sequence of events that occurred the night of the attack. Grieving for her friend Ali, she suffers from survivor's guilt and disturbing flashbacks plague her days... and her dreams. Her regular trips into the city for psychotherapist appointments do not seem to be helping. The circumstances of the attack continue to elude her and Lisa feels disengaged with life, as though she is just marking time.
"She's had enough drama to last her a lifetime."
Events unfold that force Lisa to become involved with other people. All the time, the reader wonders if she will remember what happened to her. And... if she does, will she be glad that she remembered, or devastated?
The entire time I was reading this novel I kept wondering, "Is Lisa as genuine as she seems? or, is the author tricking me and Lisa is an unreliable narrator? As letting you know the answer to that question would be a spoiler (and I never divulge spoilers!), I guess you'll have to read the book yourself to find out.
Though it is touted as a psychological thriller, I think the novel is more of a slow-paced suspense novel. There is no real mystery here, and no huge twists or thrills. Just a well-written book that explores how people can be affected by trauma and how interpersonal interaction can help them adapt and strive through it. The novel also explores 'restorative justice' and examines how it can benefit the victims of crime.
The fact that "Dare to remember" is Susanna Beard's debut novel is belied by the skillful writing and thought provoking plot. All in all, an enjoyable read for those who don't need a fast pace or tension-filled pages, and who like endings that are neatly tied up.
Thanks to Legend Press via NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this novel for review.
The problem? Lisa Fulbrook is so injured that she misses the trial and sentencing - AND - she cannot remember what happened that night. Why did Ali die while she lived? Why them?
When she is finally released from hospital, Lisa moves to a quiet village to recuperate. She rents a small house and works from home. She goes out only to shop for the necessities and when she does, she bundles up with a scarf to hide the angry knife scar on her neck. She shuns social contact for the most part, but befriends John, an elderly man who lives next door. A widower, he lives alone except for the companionship of his small black spaniel, Riley. When John becomes unwell, Lisa takes over the walking and general care of Riley. Having this small fur person in her life gets her through some of her most harrowing and lonely times.
"Riley is her lifeline"
While walking Riley, Lisa meets a new friend and fellow dogwalker, Jessica. Though Lisa is withdrawn at first, Jessica's gregarious nature wins Lisa over and the two become friends. Even Jessica's friendship though cannot alleviate Lisa's increasing depression.
As the months pass, Lisa valiantly tries to remember the sequence of events that occurred the night of the attack. Grieving for her friend Ali, she suffers from survivor's guilt and disturbing flashbacks plague her days... and her dreams. Her regular trips into the city for psychotherapist appointments do not seem to be helping. The circumstances of the attack continue to elude her and Lisa feels disengaged with life, as though she is just marking time.
"She's had enough drama to last her a lifetime."
Events unfold that force Lisa to become involved with other people. All the time, the reader wonders if she will remember what happened to her. And... if she does, will she be glad that she remembered, or devastated?
The entire time I was reading this novel I kept wondering, "Is Lisa as genuine as she seems? or, is the author tricking me and Lisa is an unreliable narrator? As letting you know the answer to that question would be a spoiler (and I never divulge spoilers!), I guess you'll have to read the book yourself to find out.
Though it is touted as a psychological thriller, I think the novel is more of a slow-paced suspense novel. There is no real mystery here, and no huge twists or thrills. Just a well-written book that explores how people can be affected by trauma and how interpersonal interaction can help them adapt and strive through it. The novel also explores 'restorative justice' and examines how it can benefit the victims of crime.
The fact that "Dare to remember" is Susanna Beard's debut novel is belied by the skillful writing and thought provoking plot. All in all, an enjoyable read for those who don't need a fast pace or tension-filled pages, and who like endings that are neatly tied up.
Thanks to Legend Press via NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this novel for review.
February 7, 2017
The first thing I did when I had finished this book- I took away
"Shocking. Page-Turning. Psychological Thriller."
from the title. (Thanks to my GR librarian rights I dare).
Because
a)If it IS a page turner or NOT decides the reader and not the publisher,
and
b)I disagree to label this novel as a "Shocking. Page-Turning. Psychological Thriller." It is not shocking, and not a thriller. Well it was a page-turner, for sure.
Besides, a genre itself has to stay away from any title, IMO.
Dare to Remember is a psychological DRAMA. A good written one.
It is a solid debut work, in a simple but beautiful and powerful language.
I read the whole book almost in one sitting and remained extremely tense while reading. The plot kept me permanently in the state when I expected something extremely bad and shocking would happen very soon, or on the next page. This nail-biting suspense of the plot is maybe typical for Stephen King's books however was unusual for this melancholically slow paced story that Susanna Beard skillfully created. Maybe I should blame "Shocking. Page-Turning. Psychological Thriller" in the title, but I think it is exactly what the author wanted to achieve with her book. It is this almost invisible mystery element, this BIG unsolved uncertainty, these many unanswered questions that the crime left and this strange feeling of GUILT that doesn't let Lisa go. WHY? WHAT really happened there?!
Lisa lost her roommate and her best friend in a brutally attack that happened in their small apartment. She survived and her body is recovering, but mental damages and suffering caused by this crime are enormous. The worst of all- she lost her memories. She can recall EVERYTHING before the attack, but she doesn't know WHAT really happened. All her life is divided into BEFORE and AFTER. BEFORE she LIVED, AFTER - panic attacks, trauma, loneliness, isolation, no friends, no social life. But she tries, she moves forward, even if she has doubts that she'll ever feel strong and confident and ready to face the world again.
Bit by bit she becomes her memories back, flashlights, fragments, pieces that help to reconstruct the events. Could she answer the very important question: WHY? And where is this guilt comes from? Did she blocked her memory because of the shocking truth?
This book was a pleasant surprise, an engaging plot, very interesting and well-discovered main and second characters (not to forget a fabulous four-legged friend) and a great message at the end.
Highly recommended.
***Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***
Because
a)If it IS a page turner or NOT decides the reader and not the publisher,
and
b)I disagree to label this novel as a "Shocking. Page-Turning. Psychological Thriller." It is not shocking, and not a thriller. Well it was a page-turner, for sure.
Besides, a genre itself has to stay away from any title, IMO.
Dare to Remember is a psychological DRAMA. A good written one.
It is a solid debut work, in a simple but beautiful and powerful language.
I read the whole book almost in one sitting and remained extremely tense while reading. The plot kept me permanently in the state when I expected something extremely bad and shocking would happen very soon, or on the next page. This nail-biting suspense of the plot is maybe typical for Stephen King's books however was unusual for this melancholically slow paced story that Susanna Beard skillfully created. Maybe I should blame "Shocking. Page-Turning. Psychological Thriller" in the title, but I think it is exactly what the author wanted to achieve with her book. It is this almost invisible mystery element, this BIG unsolved uncertainty, these many unanswered questions that the crime left and this strange feeling of GUILT that doesn't let Lisa go. WHY? WHAT really happened there?!
Lisa lost her roommate and her best friend in a brutally attack that happened in their small apartment. She survived and her body is recovering, but mental damages and suffering caused by this crime are enormous. The worst of all- she lost her memories. She can recall EVERYTHING before the attack, but she doesn't know WHAT really happened. All her life is divided into BEFORE and AFTER. BEFORE she LIVED, AFTER - panic attacks, trauma, loneliness, isolation, no friends, no social life. But she tries, she moves forward, even if she has doubts that she'll ever feel strong and confident and ready to face the world again.
Bit by bit she becomes her memories back, flashlights, fragments, pieces that help to reconstruct the events. Could she answer the very important question: WHY? And where is this guilt comes from? Did she blocked her memory because of the shocking truth?
This book was a pleasant surprise, an engaging plot, very interesting and well-discovered main and second characters (not to forget a fabulous four-legged friend) and a great message at the end.
Highly recommended.
***Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***
February 7, 2017
I would not call this a shocking psychological thriller, as Good Reads does. Amazon is better off referring to it as a psychological crime drama. It's slow paced and easy to read. I actually read it in one sitting. I think it's a realistic account of dealing with trauma. The main character was quite easy to identify with for me. She's just a normal woman who experienced something terrible.
An evening out with her best friend has ended horribly. Lisa is injured and scared physically and emotionally forever. Her best friend Ali is dead, killed by a man that they thought was their friend. Traumatized and unable to deal with everyday life, Lisa moves away from everyone she knows and rents a small house. She is obsessive about locking and double checking doors and windows. She doesn't want any visitors, even her own mother. She's frightened of men and doesn't want to make any friends. She just wants to be alone.
This begins to change when she starts conversing with her neighbor, a kind elderly man she doesn't find intimidating. Walking his dog for him ends up striking a friendship between the two, and she eventually takes over total care for the pup as he has a difficult time with it. The dog brings her immense comfort as she struggles to regain her memory from that night and accept what happened to her. She soon makes another friend, a local woman who is going through a difficult time of her own. Her healing process is long and difficult, but she's getting there.
I loved her relationship with the dog, Riley! Animals can be such a comfort. They don't judge, and they're usually happy to lay in bed when we're feeling depressed. He reminded me of my own dog, who is always there for me when I'm sad or sick.
I was given an ARC of this book from Net Galley and Legend Press, thank you! My review is honest and unbiased.
An evening out with her best friend has ended horribly. Lisa is injured and scared physically and emotionally forever. Her best friend Ali is dead, killed by a man that they thought was their friend. Traumatized and unable to deal with everyday life, Lisa moves away from everyone she knows and rents a small house. She is obsessive about locking and double checking doors and windows. She doesn't want any visitors, even her own mother. She's frightened of men and doesn't want to make any friends. She just wants to be alone.
This begins to change when she starts conversing with her neighbor, a kind elderly man she doesn't find intimidating. Walking his dog for him ends up striking a friendship between the two, and she eventually takes over total care for the pup as he has a difficult time with it. The dog brings her immense comfort as she struggles to regain her memory from that night and accept what happened to her. She soon makes another friend, a local woman who is going through a difficult time of her own. Her healing process is long and difficult, but she's getting there.
I loved her relationship with the dog, Riley! Animals can be such a comfort. They don't judge, and they're usually happy to lay in bed when we're feeling depressed. He reminded me of my own dog, who is always there for me when I'm sad or sick.
I was given an ARC of this book from Net Galley and Legend Press, thank you! My review is honest and unbiased.
May 23, 2021
I seriously enjoyed this book. The plot was plausible, the characters were well developed and relatable. That said, however, this is not a “thriller” and it does disservice to the book to billed that way. This is a story about trauma, PTSD and the resilience of the human mind and spirit to overcome those things.
February 10, 2017
Sometimes you pick up a book expecting one thing but getting something completely different (GOOD different not bad different!) and Dare to Remember is one such book. I was expecting the usual psychological thriller from the blurb on the back but was pleasantly surprised by the beautifully developed plot and depth of emotion laid bare here. In fact, this wasn’t so much a psychological thriller as a suspenseful piece of women’s fiction in my opinion and I found it all the more enjoyable for that. After the first few pages I was sucked into Lisa’s solitary existence and couldn’t put it down, reading long into the night, totally bewitched by the stunning prose and insightful exploration of post traumatic stress disorder.
Dare to Remember is intelligently written and intriguing with a perfectly crafted cast of characters who drive the storyline forward at a relaxed pace due to the longer chapters. This is no adrenaline rush, rollercoaster ride to discover what happened the night Lisa was attacked and her flatmate and best friend dead. Instead, we follow Lisa as she struggles with her survivors guilt and devastating grief. She cuts herself off from her family and friends and moves away, unable to cope with work or familiar places all of which remind her of Ali. But a chance meeting with an adorable black spaniel starts her on the road to unexpected friendships and a need to begin her healing process including possible closure about what happened that night.
To me, weirdly enough, I actually would have been quite happy NOT to find out exactly what happened the night Lisa was attacked. It was obviously an horrendous and brutal crime which left its mark on her both physically and mentally, but I was more taken by the day to day life of Lisa and enjoyed watching her come to terms with the changes in her surroundings and circumstances. I loved Riley and the walks he shared with Lisa and eventually Jess and Bobby. But my favourite character was John. His relationship with Lisa was so incredibly touching, and gradually built upon, until the only worry I had about the approaching denouement was not what was about to come out about “that night” but the welfare of John!
Dare to Remember is a wonderful, touching debut and I can’t wait to read more by Susanna Beard. Many thanks to Lucy Chamberlain for my review copy.
Dare to Remember is intelligently written and intriguing with a perfectly crafted cast of characters who drive the storyline forward at a relaxed pace due to the longer chapters. This is no adrenaline rush, rollercoaster ride to discover what happened the night Lisa was attacked and her flatmate and best friend dead. Instead, we follow Lisa as she struggles with her survivors guilt and devastating grief. She cuts herself off from her family and friends and moves away, unable to cope with work or familiar places all of which remind her of Ali. But a chance meeting with an adorable black spaniel starts her on the road to unexpected friendships and a need to begin her healing process including possible closure about what happened that night.
To me, weirdly enough, I actually would have been quite happy NOT to find out exactly what happened the night Lisa was attacked. It was obviously an horrendous and brutal crime which left its mark on her both physically and mentally, but I was more taken by the day to day life of Lisa and enjoyed watching her come to terms with the changes in her surroundings and circumstances. I loved Riley and the walks he shared with Lisa and eventually Jess and Bobby. But my favourite character was John. His relationship with Lisa was so incredibly touching, and gradually built upon, until the only worry I had about the approaching denouement was not what was about to come out about “that night” but the welfare of John!
Dare to Remember is a wonderful, touching debut and I can’t wait to read more by Susanna Beard. Many thanks to Lucy Chamberlain for my review copy.
August 22, 2021
One word: AWFUL!!
Stay away from this book, really. It is bad, like so so so bad!
The worst book I've ever read, truly.
The plot will make you think there is that great mystery about that night, about who really attacked Lisa and her friend, if the true killer will come back, if her life will be endangered..
NOTHING!!
The killer is known from the first page. In fact, he was arrested by the police and already sentenced.
The whole story is Lisa trying to remember what happened that night, to understand why her friend died and why she lived. Who cares seriously?!
The writing style is painful ''She gets up, she sits, she walks the dog, she drinks'' a lot of telling and not showing, some random characters here and there bringing nothing to the story.
This is NOT a thriller NOR a mystery. It is just the silly story of a girl whose friend was murdered because when the murderer asked her to choose, she said ''Her'' instead of ''Me'"
There. I said it. This is the BIG revelation, this is what you will be finding at the end of the book.
This is WHAT HAPPENED THAT NIGHT!
The shocking and gripping psychological thriller you're hoping for? 404 not found!
0 stars, to avoid!!
Stay away from this book, really. It is bad, like so so so bad!
The worst book I've ever read, truly.
The plot will make you think there is that great mystery about that night, about who really attacked Lisa and her friend, if the true killer will come back, if her life will be endangered..
NOTHING!!
The killer is known from the first page. In fact, he was arrested by the police and already sentenced.
The whole story is Lisa trying to remember what happened that night, to understand why her friend died and why she lived. Who cares seriously?!
The writing style is painful ''She gets up, she sits, she walks the dog, she drinks'' a lot of telling and not showing, some random characters here and there bringing nothing to the story.
This is NOT a thriller NOR a mystery. It is just the silly story of a girl whose friend was murdered because when the murderer asked her to choose, she said ''Her'' instead of ''Me'"
There. I said it. This is the BIG revelation, this is what you will be finding at the end of the book.
This is WHAT HAPPENED THAT NIGHT!
The shocking and gripping psychological thriller you're hoping for? 404 not found!
0 stars, to avoid!!
April 6, 2021
Oh my goodness I wasted 3 day ploughing through this slow boring repitative story and the end was.... Nothing a big no
April 14, 2017
This is the story of Lisa who wakes up in hospital after being brutally attacked and her best friend Ali was killed,killed by a man that they thought was their friend. Traumatised and unable to deal with everyday life, Lisa moves away from everyone she knows and rents a small house. She is obsessive about locking and double checking doors and windows.
Unfortunately for Lisa she can’t escape the events and sees a therapist to help her come to terms with her friends death. I think what is more frustrating for Lisa is that she can’t actually remember what happened. She feels that by remembering it will help her heal and move on and also make her feel less guilty with Ali’s family that she survived and Ali didn’t.
A good read :)
Thank you to the Author the publisher and netgalley for a chance to read this book :)
Unfortunately for Lisa she can’t escape the events and sees a therapist to help her come to terms with her friends death. I think what is more frustrating for Lisa is that she can’t actually remember what happened. She feels that by remembering it will help her heal and move on and also make her feel less guilty with Ali’s family that she survived and Ali didn’t.
A good read :)
Thank you to the Author the publisher and netgalley for a chance to read this book :)
February 25, 2017
Full review to come later, an awesome psychological thriller with beautiful twist an awesome read
January 5, 2017
I would like to thank Netgalley and Legend Press who invited me to read an advance copy of Dare To Remember, the tale of how how Lisa deals with the aftermath of a vicious attack she has no memory of.
The novel opens a few months after the attack with what Lisa can remember of the evening it took place. She remembers being in the pub but the death of her flat mate and best friend, Ali, is a blank as is her own attack. The novel cuts to the present where Lisa lives alone in a small village, works from home and has no friends or social life, she has isolated herself. The novel takes place over roughly 18 months and describes how she recovers both her life and her memory.
The blurb calls Dare To Remember a "shocking, page turning, psychological thriller". I may have misunderstood these terms because I didn't find it particularly thrilling or shocking although I did find it a page turner. What it is, to my mind (an avid crime fiction reader), is a fairly gentle but fascinating study of how various events lead Lisa to regain her courage to face life, come to terms with the attack and recover her memory of it. It is by no means shocking, in fact I expected the dénouement, given the hype, to be much worse than it actually is.
Lisa is an interesting character and very sympathetic. I couldn't help but feel for her in her misery and confusion and admire her courage and determination to try and get past her victimhood.
Dare To Remember is a good effort for a debut novel. Some of the situations seem a little forced as if the author has tried to think them up to propel Lisa forward but on the whole the novel is a page turner with a likeable protagonist. I have no hesitation in recommending it as a good read.
The novel opens a few months after the attack with what Lisa can remember of the evening it took place. She remembers being in the pub but the death of her flat mate and best friend, Ali, is a blank as is her own attack. The novel cuts to the present where Lisa lives alone in a small village, works from home and has no friends or social life, she has isolated herself. The novel takes place over roughly 18 months and describes how she recovers both her life and her memory.
The blurb calls Dare To Remember a "shocking, page turning, psychological thriller". I may have misunderstood these terms because I didn't find it particularly thrilling or shocking although I did find it a page turner. What it is, to my mind (an avid crime fiction reader), is a fairly gentle but fascinating study of how various events lead Lisa to regain her courage to face life, come to terms with the attack and recover her memory of it. It is by no means shocking, in fact I expected the dénouement, given the hype, to be much worse than it actually is.
Lisa is an interesting character and very sympathetic. I couldn't help but feel for her in her misery and confusion and admire her courage and determination to try and get past her victimhood.
Dare To Remember is a good effort for a debut novel. Some of the situations seem a little forced as if the author has tried to think them up to propel Lisa forward but on the whole the novel is a page turner with a likeable protagonist. I have no hesitation in recommending it as a good read.
November 25, 2018
What a touching read. I expected a little more from this book BUT I wasn't exactly disappointed. The story is set at a steady pace and by the end of the book I felt like the characters were my friends.
This is my first book by Susanna Beard and I can't wait to read her other book!
Definitely give this book a try!
This is my first book by Susanna Beard and I can't wait to read her other book!
Definitely give this book a try!
June 21, 2021
This was the most boring “thriller” I’ve ever encountered. Absolutely terrible.
February 6, 2017
A gripping tale of one woman’s path to recovery after suffering a terrible trauma; I refuse to believe this is Susanna Beard’s debut novel, gripping, compelling and highly recommended.
This book kept me turning pages well into the early AM. Beard keeps the story moving at a steady pace, the chapters are quite long [compared to the chapter lengths you usually find in this genre] but Beard does not waste paragraphs telling us unnecessary information, she details for us the interesting bits, what we want to know. And because there were no wasted words, I was gripped to this story and my interest never wavered, not even for a second.
Dare to Remember is a story that grabs you emotionally and pulls you into Lisa’s journey to recovery. This isn’t an edge-of-your-seat thriller but a deep and dark look at the how we can overcome trauma. Lisa struggles to recall events of the night her best friend, Ali, died and until she finds the truth she is unable to move on. Lisa is such a likeable character, you become so invested in her quest for the truth and it’s this quest that essentially keeps you turning pages because you know it’s the key to her recovery.
When Lisa befriends Jessica, who is overcoming her own difficulties, we see a beautiful friendship forming between the two women. Beard gives us a dark insight into the psychology of the relationships we form and the barriers we put up to protect ourselves.
The suspense Beard created throughout this read was immense and had me wishing I could read faster to find out how it would end, what really happened the night Ali died. I liked the conclusion of this story and thought it was the right ending to the story that was told, keeping it believable. Before reading this book, I didn’t see the tagline that is being used to market the book on some book sites – “Shocking. Page-Turning. Psychological Thriller” – I only read the blurb and was intrigued. If you read books based on the tagline, I must echo the words of my fellow reviewers, there is no shocking plot twist and this book is also being referred to as a Psychological Drama rather than Thriller. I only mention this because I would hate for you to think this books ending fell short because you were awaiting a grand reveal that shocked you, and it just did not come.
Beard states that she is fascinated by the psychology of relationships and the impact of events on people’s lives, and that is exactly what she delivers in this book; journey with Lisa as she reaches into the depths of her mind to recall past events and battles to overcome the lasting impact of that night that changed her entire life.
*My thanks to Lucy at Legend Press for providing me with a digital copy of this book*
This book kept me turning pages well into the early AM. Beard keeps the story moving at a steady pace, the chapters are quite long [compared to the chapter lengths you usually find in this genre] but Beard does not waste paragraphs telling us unnecessary information, she details for us the interesting bits, what we want to know. And because there were no wasted words, I was gripped to this story and my interest never wavered, not even for a second.
Dare to Remember is a story that grabs you emotionally and pulls you into Lisa’s journey to recovery. This isn’t an edge-of-your-seat thriller but a deep and dark look at the how we can overcome trauma. Lisa struggles to recall events of the night her best friend, Ali, died and until she finds the truth she is unable to move on. Lisa is such a likeable character, you become so invested in her quest for the truth and it’s this quest that essentially keeps you turning pages because you know it’s the key to her recovery.
When Lisa befriends Jessica, who is overcoming her own difficulties, we see a beautiful friendship forming between the two women. Beard gives us a dark insight into the psychology of the relationships we form and the barriers we put up to protect ourselves.
The suspense Beard created throughout this read was immense and had me wishing I could read faster to find out how it would end, what really happened the night Ali died. I liked the conclusion of this story and thought it was the right ending to the story that was told, keeping it believable. Before reading this book, I didn’t see the tagline that is being used to market the book on some book sites – “Shocking. Page-Turning. Psychological Thriller” – I only read the blurb and was intrigued. If you read books based on the tagline, I must echo the words of my fellow reviewers, there is no shocking plot twist and this book is also being referred to as a Psychological Drama rather than Thriller. I only mention this because I would hate for you to think this books ending fell short because you were awaiting a grand reveal that shocked you, and it just did not come.
Beard states that she is fascinated by the psychology of relationships and the impact of events on people’s lives, and that is exactly what she delivers in this book; journey with Lisa as she reaches into the depths of her mind to recall past events and battles to overcome the lasting impact of that night that changed her entire life.
*My thanks to Lucy at Legend Press for providing me with a digital copy of this book*
February 5, 2017
I thought this book was a psychological thriller but I think this one is based on only psychological terms. Lisa was feeling guilty all the time. There was a brief encounter with Jessica's husband Mark, other than that I couldn't find any thriller in the book. The book was a page-turner because I wondered that little memory so much. Though it didn't satisfy me, I still liked the book. It was well written in the psychological parts, but I didn't like narration from a third person.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
April 26, 2021
Really enjoyable book
I really liked this book. It really took the time to explain how the main character was feeling, and as a sufferer of anxiety myself, I could relate easily to her in a way or at least understand her fear and empathise with it. It could have been more darker and have twists and turns but instead it is a good solid read and I'm glad I read it. Well written, good plot, descriptive writing and good characters.
I really liked this book. It really took the time to explain how the main character was feeling, and as a sufferer of anxiety myself, I could relate easily to her in a way or at least understand her fear and empathise with it. It could have been more darker and have twists and turns but instead it is a good solid read and I'm glad I read it. Well written, good plot, descriptive writing and good characters.
April 7, 2018
This was a fairly gripping book from start to finish, I did find it a little slow in places, but it didn't put me off from wanting to finish the story so as to find out how it all ends.
The storyplot was a good one, well thought out and certainly had me guessing trying to figure out what would happen next.
I loved the dog Riley who has a fairly big part to play throughout the story.
The storyplot was a good one, well thought out and certainly had me guessing trying to figure out what would happen next.
I loved the dog Riley who has a fairly big part to play throughout the story.
February 3, 2017
“Mum, please tell me. What happened? Why am I here?”
Her mum glanced up at the nurse, who gave a small nod, a black curl escaping the cap pinned into her hair.”
“You were attacked, both of you, at the flat.”
“Attacked? By who?” A flush of panic ran through her. “What happened? Where’s Ali?”
“I’m so sorry, darling, but…”
What has happened is a slow unraveling as Lisa Fulbrook escapes to the solitude of the country to recover physically and mentally. The most important parts of her that she needs to recover are her memories of what happened to her best friend Ali. With flashbacks and terrors, she begins to wonder if she is to blame. Everything is a fog, and in this fog something doesn’t sit right with her. “She never went back to the flat. Her previous life was reduced to a small bag of belongings. Lisa shoved it, unopened, under the bed.”
Lisa seems to be suffering a form of PTSD, but why have the memories escaped her? Just what did happen? Who was the man, the criminal and how did they know him? Rather than a shocking thriller, this is more of a psychological drama/trauma. It is a victim’s story of confronting their monster even if that monster is inside of them. We often imagine ourselves as the hero in any story we hear. Surely, if I were in said situation I would fight, I would conquer. Truth is far more sticky, in the moment of any crime animal instincts overrule our rational mind. Sometimes we are more coward than the courageous lion!
No one seems to blame Lisa, until she sees Ali’s brother. Why does he have so much animosity towards her? She was a victim, she has the wound to prove it, she lost so much blood. What does he know that she cannot recall? Memory is a slippery fish, just as she catches one the rest swim off into the murky depths of her soul. The criminal begins to come into focus along with her own responsibility in the violent moment. Lisa has gone from being young, carefree, she and Ali flirting with life as any young woman does to living in a isolated place, keeping the world far from her. How does one conquer themselves? How do you fight your own mind to reach truth?
The novel is quiet and disturbing. It isn’t action packed, much more an excavation of the internal. For anyone that likes psychological dramas, this is for you. The reader is in the darkness of Lisa’s memory lapses as much as Lisa herself. You care enough to want to unravel the mystery but there isn’t any heart pounding terror happening along the way. There were times I felt the element of terror would have entered more, particularly for someone that suffered so much trauma. The novel ambles along and many readers of ‘thrillers’ don’t have the patience. For those that do, it’s a walk in the head. I enjoyed it but more from the victim’s perspective and there were times it moved too slowly for me. I expected the truth to be much more shocking, but all the same it was still strange.
Publication Date: February 1, 2017
Legend Press
Her mum glanced up at the nurse, who gave a small nod, a black curl escaping the cap pinned into her hair.”
“You were attacked, both of you, at the flat.”
“Attacked? By who?” A flush of panic ran through her. “What happened? Where’s Ali?”
“I’m so sorry, darling, but…”
What has happened is a slow unraveling as Lisa Fulbrook escapes to the solitude of the country to recover physically and mentally. The most important parts of her that she needs to recover are her memories of what happened to her best friend Ali. With flashbacks and terrors, she begins to wonder if she is to blame. Everything is a fog, and in this fog something doesn’t sit right with her. “She never went back to the flat. Her previous life was reduced to a small bag of belongings. Lisa shoved it, unopened, under the bed.”
Lisa seems to be suffering a form of PTSD, but why have the memories escaped her? Just what did happen? Who was the man, the criminal and how did they know him? Rather than a shocking thriller, this is more of a psychological drama/trauma. It is a victim’s story of confronting their monster even if that monster is inside of them. We often imagine ourselves as the hero in any story we hear. Surely, if I were in said situation I would fight, I would conquer. Truth is far more sticky, in the moment of any crime animal instincts overrule our rational mind. Sometimes we are more coward than the courageous lion!
No one seems to blame Lisa, until she sees Ali’s brother. Why does he have so much animosity towards her? She was a victim, she has the wound to prove it, she lost so much blood. What does he know that she cannot recall? Memory is a slippery fish, just as she catches one the rest swim off into the murky depths of her soul. The criminal begins to come into focus along with her own responsibility in the violent moment. Lisa has gone from being young, carefree, she and Ali flirting with life as any young woman does to living in a isolated place, keeping the world far from her. How does one conquer themselves? How do you fight your own mind to reach truth?
The novel is quiet and disturbing. It isn’t action packed, much more an excavation of the internal. For anyone that likes psychological dramas, this is for you. The reader is in the darkness of Lisa’s memory lapses as much as Lisa herself. You care enough to want to unravel the mystery but there isn’t any heart pounding terror happening along the way. There were times I felt the element of terror would have entered more, particularly for someone that suffered so much trauma. The novel ambles along and many readers of ‘thrillers’ don’t have the patience. For those that do, it’s a walk in the head. I enjoyed it but more from the victim’s perspective and there were times it moved too slowly for me. I expected the truth to be much more shocking, but all the same it was still strange.
Publication Date: February 1, 2017
Legend Press
February 9, 2017
Billed as a page-turning thriller, Dare To Remember is one of those books that keep you reading until late into the night. For me, it is more of a suspense drama than a thriller, but it certainly is full of twists and turns, with a story line that is incredibly well paced.
Lead character Lisa is living a solitary life in a remote cottage in the country. She's suffered trauma and tragedy over the past months and hiding herself away is her only way of coping. However, she's not really coping very well. Her memory of the night when her best friend was murdered in front of her, and she herself was left badly injured is patchy, but there are flashes here and there. Memories make their way back to her, but she can't quite hold on to them. It's as though they are dangled in front of her, only to be snatched away just as she reaches for them.
Despite her determination to hide away, Lisa's good heart means that she soon becomes involved with her elderly neighbour and his dog Riley. In fact, Riley becomes her loyal and ever present companion as she walks for miles, contemplating her future, and her past. She also befriends a woman in the village who has her own demons to contend with.
Susanna Beard writes with confidence and grace. Her characters are vibrant and incredibly realistic. Lisa's sessions with her psychotherapist create another layer to this clever and very compassionate story.
At times unsettling, but utterly compelling. Dare To Remember is an intriguing and imaginative novel. Recommended by me.
http://randomthingsthroughmyletterbox...
Lead character Lisa is living a solitary life in a remote cottage in the country. She's suffered trauma and tragedy over the past months and hiding herself away is her only way of coping. However, she's not really coping very well. Her memory of the night when her best friend was murdered in front of her, and she herself was left badly injured is patchy, but there are flashes here and there. Memories make their way back to her, but she can't quite hold on to them. It's as though they are dangled in front of her, only to be snatched away just as she reaches for them.
Despite her determination to hide away, Lisa's good heart means that she soon becomes involved with her elderly neighbour and his dog Riley. In fact, Riley becomes her loyal and ever present companion as she walks for miles, contemplating her future, and her past. She also befriends a woman in the village who has her own demons to contend with.
Susanna Beard writes with confidence and grace. Her characters are vibrant and incredibly realistic. Lisa's sessions with her psychotherapist create another layer to this clever and very compassionate story.
At times unsettling, but utterly compelling. Dare To Remember is an intriguing and imaginative novel. Recommended by me.
http://randomthingsthroughmyletterbox...
March 23, 2021
The memory loss after a traumatic event has been done to death in the thriller world and the more I read the more I feel like it's a lazy way to keep secrets from the reader. It gets irritating too when a big part of the book is the character stressing over why they can't remember.
The thing is though, I wasn't shocked by the revelations at the end, it seemed to be building up to a big surprise finish but there weren't any surprises or shocks. Which makes the memory loss feel even more redundant, we might as well have been told the full story at the start and have the rest of the book be about how Lisa deals with the fallout and the guilt that she feels.
So it wasn't very thrilling, it was more like a look at the grieving process but for that, I thought it was fine. It's well written and has an interesting, sympathetic character, I wanted to know her story, to see if she manages to find her way through her grief, and I honestly just enjoyed reading about her day to day life. It has a nice, slow pace, which suits the plot and interest thrown in by way of the people in the village that Lisa starts to connect with.
I enjoyed reading this, I just don't think it should be marked as a thriller.
The thing is though, I wasn't shocked by the revelations at the end, it seemed to be building up to a big surprise finish but there weren't any surprises or shocks. Which makes the memory loss feel even more redundant, we might as well have been told the full story at the start and have the rest of the book be about how Lisa deals with the fallout and the guilt that she feels.
So it wasn't very thrilling, it was more like a look at the grieving process but for that, I thought it was fine. It's well written and has an interesting, sympathetic character, I wanted to know her story, to see if she manages to find her way through her grief, and I honestly just enjoyed reading about her day to day life. It has a nice, slow pace, which suits the plot and interest thrown in by way of the people in the village that Lisa starts to connect with.
I enjoyed reading this, I just don't think it should be marked as a thriller.
July 28, 2017
I received a copy of this book courtesy of NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I hate to give a bad review, but I am struggling to come up with any redeeming qualities in this book. It is frequent that I have a hard time getting involved with a book, but I felt that way from start to finish with this book.
They defiantly could cut a lot of repetitive information out of this book and made it shorter. The characters were not well developed. I did not feel attached to any of them and I did agree with their decisions. It was not a very believable story line and there was no foundation for anything that happened.
Many questions are left unanswered. This was not a page-turner for me. If I hadn’t received this book from neutrally in exchange for my honest review, I would have stopped reading midpoint. But, I felt a responsibility to read the entire book before writing my review.
I would not recommend this book.
They defiantly could cut a lot of repetitive information out of this book and made it shorter. The characters were not well developed. I did not feel attached to any of them and I did agree with their decisions. It was not a very believable story line and there was no foundation for anything that happened.
Many questions are left unanswered. This was not a page-turner for me. If I hadn’t received this book from neutrally in exchange for my honest review, I would have stopped reading midpoint. But, I felt a responsibility to read the entire book before writing my review.
I would not recommend this book.
January 11, 2017
First let me say that I like this a lot but it wasn't really what I expected with it being described as 'shocking'. There was tension and I was gripped by it but probably slightly ruined it for myself by constantly anticipating the promised 'shocking' element. I felt there was almost a cosy element to it with all the long walks with the dog and the relationships between Lisa and her new neighbours. This proves that a book doesn't need to be fast paced in order to be a page turner and I strongly recommend this debut from Susannah Beard and look forward to reading more from her.
I received a free copy of Dare to Remember via NetGalley and my thanks to Legend Press for that.
I received a free copy of Dare to Remember via NetGalley and my thanks to Legend Press for that.
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