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Your Closest Friend
...She found you. Now she won’t let you go.
The unputdownable thriller you won’t be able to resist.
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
Cara shouldn't have survived the attack. But at the last moment, a stranger snatched her to safety. In the hours that followed she told this Good Samaritan secrets she'd never told a soul.
Not even her husband . . .
In the aftermath, Cara is home, healed and safe. Which is when the anonymous threats begin. Someone knows things about her they shouldn't. Cara's Good Samaritan offers to help her - to save her all over again. That night Cara made a friend for life. But what if she isn't a friend at all?
The unputdownable thriller you won’t be able to resist.
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
Cara shouldn't have survived the attack. But at the last moment, a stranger snatched her to safety. In the hours that followed she told this Good Samaritan secrets she'd never told a soul.
Not even her husband . . .
In the aftermath, Cara is home, healed and safe. Which is when the anonymous threats begin. Someone knows things about her they shouldn't. Cara's Good Samaritan offers to help her - to save her all over again. That night Cara made a friend for life. But what if she isn't a friend at all?
Hardcover
First published June 1, 2018
147 people are currently reading
1397 people want to read
About the author
Karen Perry
22 books248 followersKaren Perry is the pen name of Dublin-based authors Paul Perry and Karen Gillece.
Paul Perry is the author of a number of critically acclaimed books. A winner of The Hennessy New Irish Writer of the Year Award, he is a writer and course director in poetry at the Faber Academy in Dublin.
Karen Gillece is the author of four critically acclaimed novels. In 2009 she won the European Union Prize for Literature (Ireland).
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name
Paul Perry is the author of a number of critically acclaimed books. A winner of The Hennessy New Irish Writer of the Year Award, he is a writer and course director in poetry at the Faber Academy in Dublin.
Karen Gillece is the author of four critically acclaimed novels. In 2009 she won the European Union Prize for Literature (Ireland).
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 281 reviews
May 28, 2018
Your Closest Friend by Karen Perry was a psychological thriller that had me hooked from the first page. Cara is caught up in a terrorist attack in London and is pulled to safety by Amy who is working in cafe nearby. This is the start of an obsession for Amy and she will do anything to be near Cara. This is the first book I have read by this author and I will be looking out for more of her work.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Penguin UK- Michael Joseph for inviting me to read this e-book in exchange for an honest review.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Penguin UK- Michael Joseph for inviting me to read this e-book in exchange for an honest review.
August 21, 2018
This is a disturbing, dark and twisted psychological thriller from the writers behind Karen Perry. It opens in dramatic circumstances on the streets of London with a terror attack. Radio producer, Cara Jameson has just left a meeting with her ex, Finn, and is making her way home. To her horror, the terrorist has her in his sights, and a fearful, frozen Cara is fortuitously grabbed by a stranger, Amy, her saviour, and both women hide out, finding refuge in the storeroom. Cara cannot stop talking, and out pours all her secrets, the state of her marriage and husband, Jeff, her feelings towards her stepdaughter, Olivia and much more. Both women live to survive the attack and Cara goes home, thanking her lucky stars, but these events are to presage the start of events that trigger the demise of life as she knows it. In a narrative that gives the perspectives of Cara and Amy, we follow the decisions, actions and behaviour of the obsessive and manipulative Amy as Cara's life falls apart.
Cara begins to receive increasingly alarming texts from an unknown person referring to themselves as her closest friend. Amy gives up her job and Cara makes the ill advised decision to hire her as a nanny for her daughter, Mabel. As her work and personal life begins to spiral out of control, Cara begins to suspect everyone around her. This is a chilling and disturbing story of intrigue, secrets, lies and plentiful twists. The suspense and tension, and growing air of menace make this an exciting and intensely engaging psychological thriller which I enjoyed reading. Many thanks to Penguin Michael Joseph for an ARC.
Cara begins to receive increasingly alarming texts from an unknown person referring to themselves as her closest friend. Amy gives up her job and Cara makes the ill advised decision to hire her as a nanny for her daughter, Mabel. As her work and personal life begins to spiral out of control, Cara begins to suspect everyone around her. This is a chilling and disturbing story of intrigue, secrets, lies and plentiful twists. The suspense and tension, and growing air of menace make this an exciting and intensely engaging psychological thriller which I enjoyed reading. Many thanks to Penguin Michael Joseph for an ARC.
May 31, 2018
First time reading this author and I'm a fan!! (so much so that I immediately put a hold on another Perry book Girl Unknownwhich I just got my hands on today!!)
This is a tightly woven thriller that completely sucked me in from the first chapter.
It all starts with a terror attack in London-saved by a stranger. Hiding in fear, you share your darkest secrets and desires, thinking this is the end. But it's actually only the beginning of a different kind of nightmare...one that will make you question everything you read moving forward.
What's real, what's not? Who's the crazy one, or are they both?
Oh what a tangled web is woven here! The characters felt real, the tension was gripping, and that ending was perfection.
Highly, highly recommend!!!
My thanks to the publisher for the ARC.
This is a tightly woven thriller that completely sucked me in from the first chapter.
It all starts with a terror attack in London-saved by a stranger. Hiding in fear, you share your darkest secrets and desires, thinking this is the end. But it's actually only the beginning of a different kind of nightmare...one that will make you question everything you read moving forward.
What's real, what's not? Who's the crazy one, or are they both?
Oh what a tangled web is woven here! The characters felt real, the tension was gripping, and that ending was perfection.
Highly, highly recommend!!!
My thanks to the publisher for the ARC.
May 26, 2018
I was invited by the publisher to read Your Closest Friends... and I devoured it in a few hours. What a book. This was the first book that I have read by Karen Perry and I will now be seeking out her previous books..
This is the story of 2 women.. Cara and Amy, who get caught up in a shooting in London. Amy saves Caras life by pulling her off the street to safety. In the grips of fear and darkness Cara tells Amy all of her secrets, things that even her husband does not know. Both survive the gunman and go back to their lives. But then Amy reappears in Caras life.. and that is when things begin to turn upside down.
This book is so good, I just could not put it down. Although I knew what was happening it didn't spoil it at all for me. Highly recommend this book.
Thank you Penguin UK- Michael Joseph and NetGalley for inviting me to read this book in exchange for my honest opinions.
This is the story of 2 women.. Cara and Amy, who get caught up in a shooting in London. Amy saves Caras life by pulling her off the street to safety. In the grips of fear and darkness Cara tells Amy all of her secrets, things that even her husband does not know. Both survive the gunman and go back to their lives. But then Amy reappears in Caras life.. and that is when things begin to turn upside down.
This book is so good, I just could not put it down. Although I knew what was happening it didn't spoil it at all for me. Highly recommend this book.
Thank you Penguin UK- Michael Joseph and NetGalley for inviting me to read this book in exchange for my honest opinions.
June 15, 2018
A terror attack in London brings two strangers together, a frightening situation that leads to further nightmares later on. Cara is caught in the middle of a terror attack and fearing for her life when she is whisked to safety by total stranger Amy. Cara hidden away from danger with her new friend Amy begins to tell of her secrets that may return to haunt her in the future.
A novel full of tension and intrigue that kept me enticed to the bitter end. This is a good read from a pair of authors I had previously no knowledge of but will now look out for.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Penguin UK for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
A novel full of tension and intrigue that kept me enticed to the bitter end. This is a good read from a pair of authors I had previously no knowledge of but will now look out for.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Penguin UK for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
July 5, 2018
This book didn't work out for me. I prefer more mystery to the story, you know is she crazy or nor not? However, knowing right from the start that Amy has a screw loose just made this reading experience pretty boring ESPECIALLY since Cara didn't seem to get the hints about it. The ending, the very last chapters, however, is the best part of the books. If the book had been better, more thrilling and less annoying would I have liked the book so much more.
June 13, 2018
Having read karen Perry’s other titles “ girl unknown” and “can you keep a secret” I have been secretly waiting for this book!!
Cara is on a night out when a gunman starts randomly shooting, she is rescued by Amy, fearing she won’t survive she reveals her secrets to her which is then a roller coaster ride of terror!!
From the first sentence you had me hooked, the detail of description made me feel like I was there amongst the panic and terror, I Immediately forgot my surroundings and was plunged into this dramatic scenario wondering what I would have done and desperate not to be parted with this book.
Thank you to netgalley for letting me have this book in exchange for a review.
Cara is on a night out when a gunman starts randomly shooting, she is rescued by Amy, fearing she won’t survive she reveals her secrets to her which is then a roller coaster ride of terror!!
From the first sentence you had me hooked, the detail of description made me feel like I was there amongst the panic and terror, I Immediately forgot my surroundings and was plunged into this dramatic scenario wondering what I would have done and desperate not to be parted with this book.
Thank you to netgalley for letting me have this book in exchange for a review.
June 20, 2018
Book reviews on www.snazzybooks.com
I am a huge Karen Perry fan, and Your Closest Friend is another brilliant read for me that ticks all the boxes - interesting characters, secrets, and mystery mixed with a real sense of atmosphere.
I liked that the beginninf really left me wondering where the book was going to go - I had purposefully not read the synopsis again right before starting the book, so the sense of confusion and havoc surrounding the terrorist attack which takes place right at the start of the book really threw me! I wondered how this would all tie in - but everything soon kicks into action!
The story strikes just the right balance between believable relationships, such as Cara and Jeff's, and the more 'unusual' bonds and ties that hold other characters together. Some characters I warmed to, others seem to be completely mad, but every page left me wanting to move onto the next. I liked that you know some aspects of what's happening before Cara herself, as you read the novel from two perspectives: Cara's and Amy's; at times I wanted to shout out to her!
I never found myself getting bored; the pacing was just right and the way Karen Perry describes Cara's thoughts and feelings felt very convincing. I love her writing and I am so pleased that Your Closest Friend is another hit for me.
Many thanks to Michael Joseph UK for providing a copy of this novel on which I chose to write an honest and unbiased review.
I am a huge Karen Perry fan, and Your Closest Friend is another brilliant read for me that ticks all the boxes - interesting characters, secrets, and mystery mixed with a real sense of atmosphere.
I liked that the beginninf really left me wondering where the book was going to go - I had purposefully not read the synopsis again right before starting the book, so the sense of confusion and havoc surrounding the terrorist attack which takes place right at the start of the book really threw me! I wondered how this would all tie in - but everything soon kicks into action!
The story strikes just the right balance between believable relationships, such as Cara and Jeff's, and the more 'unusual' bonds and ties that hold other characters together. Some characters I warmed to, others seem to be completely mad, but every page left me wanting to move onto the next. I liked that you know some aspects of what's happening before Cara herself, as you read the novel from two perspectives: Cara's and Amy's; at times I wanted to shout out to her!
I never found myself getting bored; the pacing was just right and the way Karen Perry describes Cara's thoughts and feelings felt very convincing. I love her writing and I am so pleased that Your Closest Friend is another hit for me.
Many thanks to Michael Joseph UK for providing a copy of this novel on which I chose to write an honest and unbiased review.
June 2, 2018
I’m always a bit wary when a stranger acts overly friendly towards me so alarm bells were ringing when Amy is suddenly there to help Cara and acts like her best friend.
Amy literally drags her off the street in the midst of a terrorist attack and due to emotions running high, Cara tells her her deepest secrets.
A few weeks pass before they meet again and as Cara needs help with childcare, she asks Amy to move in.
Alarm bells were ringing for me again and I was just waiting for the problems to start. Amy is obsessed with Cara and soon is trying to take over her life.
I won’t say anymore as I don’t want to spoil it but trust me, you’ll be shouting at Cara before the end of the book to make her realise what’s happening!
This is a gripping read.
Thanks to Penguin and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
Amy literally drags her off the street in the midst of a terrorist attack and due to emotions running high, Cara tells her her deepest secrets.
A few weeks pass before they meet again and as Cara needs help with childcare, she asks Amy to move in.
Alarm bells were ringing for me again and I was just waiting for the problems to start. Amy is obsessed with Cara and soon is trying to take over her life.
I won’t say anymore as I don’t want to spoil it but trust me, you’ll be shouting at Cara before the end of the book to make her realise what’s happening!
This is a gripping read.
Thanks to Penguin and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
October 14, 2020
From the first chapter I knew this thriller was going to be a good read to me. Told from the viewpoint of two women Cara and Amy.
Cara is caught up in a terrorist attack and would have died if it wasn't for Amy moving her out of the killer's path. However it becomes clearer as the days pass Amy is not really a hero who saved you She's more possessive over you than anything else.
Amy finds out all of Caras's secrets on the night of the attack and mainly uses them against her. Did Amy do all the things she did out of love for Cara or has a situation like this really happened before?
It keeps you guessing and has a great selection of characters to be fast paced and an enjoyable read.
Cara is caught up in a terrorist attack and would have died if it wasn't for Amy moving her out of the killer's path. However it becomes clearer as the days pass Amy is not really a hero who saved you She's more possessive over you than anything else.
Amy finds out all of Caras's secrets on the night of the attack and mainly uses them against her. Did Amy do all the things she did out of love for Cara or has a situation like this really happened before?
It keeps you guessing and has a great selection of characters to be fast paced and an enjoyable read.
May 28, 2018
With thanks to Netgalley and Penguin for this ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.
I have a few books written by Karen Perry on my TBR list. After reading Your Closest Friend I look forward to reading her back catalogue.
The hairs on the back of my neck stood up from the first page. Married radio producer Cara was rushing home from work after meeting her ex boyfriend Finn for drinks. Then she saw a man come out of nowhere with a gun and started shooting people sitting outside a pub. Then an accomplice comes to the scene and aims a gun at Cara, just then a hand pulls her into a coffee shop.
Hidden upstairs she finds she was saved by Amy an American and Neil. Amy seemed calm and in control, out of terror Cara spills out her marital problems with husband Jeff and how she dislikes her stepdaughter Olivia. Cara explains that she married Jeff on the rebound after breaking up with ex boyfriend Finn. Amy falls in love with Cara and thinks they are meant to be together. After the terrorist attack Cara starts to receive texts from YCF (your closest friend) which are endearing at first but quickly become malevolent. Determined to be with her true love, Amy leaves her job at the coffee shop and Cara offers her the job as nanny to Mabel while Jeff is working abroad.
Each chapter was told from alternate POV of Cara and Amy which I enjoyed. I devoured this book quickly scared to read how Amy was leaving both Cara's professional life and personal life in ashes. I don't want to give any spoilers but the latter part of the book left me shocked, and the cliff hanger was so clever I didn't see it coming.
I recommend this thriller will you gripped from start to finish.
May 15, 2018
I have literally just finished Your Closest Friend and I am reeling! It is a very fast paced thriller with the levels of tension building all the way through it so that when I reached the shocking conclusion I was left with my mouth open and saying OMG!!
Told in the alternating voices of Cara and Amy, we meet both on the evening of a terror attack in London. Cara, standing in the street with an attacker coming toward her, freezes and is pulled in to safety by Amy. While hiding and waiting for the ordeal of the terror attack to be over, Cara, in a heightened sense of fear and anxiety, confides a lot to Amy about herself, her family and her life. Amy believes their meeting to be a sign that they were meant to meet. A game likened to cat and mouse ensues over the following months, but who is telling the truth, who is the real person behind the "YCF" ("Your Closest Friend") texts, can Cara figure it all out before it is too late?
I read this book in about 36 hours. I couldn't put it down and had to find out what was going to happen, and where it was all leading to. It is probably my favourite book so far of 2018. Having read and really enjoyed two previous titles by Karen Perry, I jumped on this book as soon as I saw it on NetGalley, I have to say that this book is a tour de force and probably Karen Perry's best book yet. I loved it and would give it 10 stars if I could. Fantastic.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the Publisher and of course Karen Perry for an advance copy of this book.
Told in the alternating voices of Cara and Amy, we meet both on the evening of a terror attack in London. Cara, standing in the street with an attacker coming toward her, freezes and is pulled in to safety by Amy. While hiding and waiting for the ordeal of the terror attack to be over, Cara, in a heightened sense of fear and anxiety, confides a lot to Amy about herself, her family and her life. Amy believes their meeting to be a sign that they were meant to meet. A game likened to cat and mouse ensues over the following months, but who is telling the truth, who is the real person behind the "YCF" ("Your Closest Friend") texts, can Cara figure it all out before it is too late?
I read this book in about 36 hours. I couldn't put it down and had to find out what was going to happen, and where it was all leading to. It is probably my favourite book so far of 2018. Having read and really enjoyed two previous titles by Karen Perry, I jumped on this book as soon as I saw it on NetGalley, I have to say that this book is a tour de force and probably Karen Perry's best book yet. I loved it and would give it 10 stars if I could. Fantastic.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the Publisher and of course Karen Perry for an advance copy of this book.
July 8, 2018
TW: Terror attack, gun violence, knife violence
I received a free copy of this book from Penguin Ireland in exchange for an honest review.
When Cara is caught up in a London terror attack, she’s pulled to safety by a young woman and in the hours the two are huddled in a dark room together, Cara ends up spilling all her secrets. Then the girl, Amy, shows up at Cara’s workplace and becomes a part of her life just as things start to fall apart.
The opening pages of this book were so terrifying and totally hooked me into this story. I think it’s a situation that has unfortunately become way too much of a possibility of happening to anyone now and really made me as a reader sympathise and form a connection with Cara.
I liked for the most part how the dual narrative played with Amy’s disintegrating frame of mind, and how we knew she was putting together plans to destroy Cara but we didn’t know exactly what those plans were.
I definitely lost my complete devotion to this book about halfway through, I think for a domestic thriller it was a bit on the long side and could have done with being a little bit shorter.
I received a free copy of this book from Penguin Ireland in exchange for an honest review.
When Cara is caught up in a London terror attack, she’s pulled to safety by a young woman and in the hours the two are huddled in a dark room together, Cara ends up spilling all her secrets. Then the girl, Amy, shows up at Cara’s workplace and becomes a part of her life just as things start to fall apart.
The opening pages of this book were so terrifying and totally hooked me into this story. I think it’s a situation that has unfortunately become way too much of a possibility of happening to anyone now and really made me as a reader sympathise and form a connection with Cara.
I liked for the most part how the dual narrative played with Amy’s disintegrating frame of mind, and how we knew she was putting together plans to destroy Cara but we didn’t know exactly what those plans were.
I definitely lost my complete devotion to this book about halfway through, I think for a domestic thriller it was a bit on the long side and could have done with being a little bit shorter.
June 7, 2018
Whoa! Hold on a minute - let me catch my breath. Your Closest Friend sizzles with tension and menace. I thought I had already read my best book of 2018. Wrong. This is it!
Starts at breakneck pace as Cara finds herself caught up in a terrifying terrorist attack on the streets of London - her certain death prevented by Amy, who drags her into a doorway and up a flight of stairs to a storeroom above Pret. In the darkness and desperate to survive Cara divulges to Amy her darkest secrets about her marriage, her husband, her affair…
Days after the attack Cara is back home, back at work as a radio producer, when her life starts to spiral out of control. She starts to receive anonymous threats. And when Amy reappears as if by coincidence Cara turns to her for support - her closest friend? Or her worst nightmare… She invites Amy into her home to help with her family.
This is a psychological thriller that will shred your nerves with its relentless pace. Your Closest Friend is a real page turner. It never lets go. It grabs you from the get go - feel your pulse racing. The effect is hypnotic as you read on knowing that dreadful events are inevitable to a final twist that really had me holding my breath.
A stunning read, better than Gone Girl with a whiff of Single White Female. I doubt that I will read anything better this year.
My thanks to NetGalley and Penguin UK-Michael Joseph for the opportunity to read this e-book.
Starts at breakneck pace as Cara finds herself caught up in a terrifying terrorist attack on the streets of London - her certain death prevented by Amy, who drags her into a doorway and up a flight of stairs to a storeroom above Pret. In the darkness and desperate to survive Cara divulges to Amy her darkest secrets about her marriage, her husband, her affair…
Days after the attack Cara is back home, back at work as a radio producer, when her life starts to spiral out of control. She starts to receive anonymous threats. And when Amy reappears as if by coincidence Cara turns to her for support - her closest friend? Or her worst nightmare… She invites Amy into her home to help with her family.
This is a psychological thriller that will shred your nerves with its relentless pace. Your Closest Friend is a real page turner. It never lets go. It grabs you from the get go - feel your pulse racing. The effect is hypnotic as you read on knowing that dreadful events are inevitable to a final twist that really had me holding my breath.
A stunning read, better than Gone Girl with a whiff of Single White Female. I doubt that I will read anything better this year.
My thanks to NetGalley and Penguin UK-Michael Joseph for the opportunity to read this e-book.
June 9, 2018
On her way home after a illicit meeting with her ex husband,Cara Jameson finds herself caught up in a terror attack on the streets of London.She is staring down the barrel of a gun when suddenly a hand reaches out and drags her into a stairwell.She finds herself spending a number of hours trapped in a shop storeroom with a young woman called Amy.Fearing that the terrorists could burst in at any moment and kill them,they end up sharing secrets about themselves,some of which Cars hasn't even shared with her husband.Eventually they emerge and go their separate ways having formed a bond due to the trauma that they have shared.
Cara tries to put the experience behind her but she is plagued by worry and guilt,unsure of how much information she shared in those hours of darkness.As Cara`s perfect life and marriage start to crumble around her,Amy reappears - set on pursuing a friendship.
But Amy isn't what she seems,and she is prepared to do anything to get what she wants,and she wants Cara....
After a opening chapter that has heart pounding,terrifyingly realistic descriptions of a terror attack on the streets of London,the story continues in chapters that alternate between Cara and Amy`s points of view.I struggled to feel any sympathy for Cara as the story unfolded because she was so selfish and self centred.For a supposedly intelligent woman she made some seriously stupid decisions.Why would a parent ask someone they hardly knew to take care of their apparently beloved child? Why did she take so long to wonder if maybe Amy was behind her sudden problems? She was quick enough to suspect everyone else in her life,I kept expecting her to start having suspicions about her five year old daughter Mabel who was my favourite character in this book.Poor kid,stuck with a psychopathic Nanny,a neglectful mother and a father who was always away on business.I liked Mabel`s older step Sister Olivia because of her obvious dislike of Cara,I wish there had been more heated confrontations between the two characters.As for obsessive,delusional,manipulative Amy,she gave the chills everytime she appeared in the story especially during her interactions with Mabel.To a certain extent her motivations where understandable but there was no excuse for her actions and behaviour.I know there isn't always a reason for a person's thoughts and behaviour but I would have liked there to have been more background information on why she thought and acted the way she did.
The beginning and final confrontation where gripping and intense, but despite the author added a couple of attempts at misleading the reader,the identity of Your Closest Friend is fairly obvious.Despite the totally unexpected last line,I was rather disappointed with how the story ended.Although I struggled at times,I did enjoy this book enough to finish it and would happily read more books by this author in the future.
Many thanks to penguin random house uk / Michael Joseph for a arc of this book via netgalley in exchange for a honest review
Cara tries to put the experience behind her but she is plagued by worry and guilt,unsure of how much information she shared in those hours of darkness.As Cara`s perfect life and marriage start to crumble around her,Amy reappears - set on pursuing a friendship.
But Amy isn't what she seems,and she is prepared to do anything to get what she wants,and she wants Cara....
After a opening chapter that has heart pounding,terrifyingly realistic descriptions of a terror attack on the streets of London,the story continues in chapters that alternate between Cara and Amy`s points of view.I struggled to feel any sympathy for Cara as the story unfolded because she was so selfish and self centred.For a supposedly intelligent woman she made some seriously stupid decisions.Why would a parent ask someone they hardly knew to take care of their apparently beloved child? Why did she take so long to wonder if maybe Amy was behind her sudden problems? She was quick enough to suspect everyone else in her life,I kept expecting her to start having suspicions about her five year old daughter Mabel who was my favourite character in this book.Poor kid,stuck with a psychopathic Nanny,a neglectful mother and a father who was always away on business.I liked Mabel`s older step Sister Olivia because of her obvious dislike of Cara,I wish there had been more heated confrontations between the two characters.As for obsessive,delusional,manipulative Amy,she gave the chills everytime she appeared in the story especially during her interactions with Mabel.To a certain extent her motivations where understandable but there was no excuse for her actions and behaviour.I know there isn't always a reason for a person's thoughts and behaviour but I would have liked there to have been more background information on why she thought and acted the way she did.
The beginning and final confrontation where gripping and intense, but despite the author added a couple of attempts at misleading the reader,the identity of Your Closest Friend is fairly obvious.Despite the totally unexpected last line,I was rather disappointed with how the story ended.Although I struggled at times,I did enjoy this book enough to finish it and would happily read more books by this author in the future.
Many thanks to penguin random house uk / Michael Joseph for a arc of this book via netgalley in exchange for a honest review
May 29, 2018
‘Your Closest Friend’ by Karen Perry published by Penguin UK( Micheal Joseph) on June 1st
So....life is good, you have a wonderful hubby, beautiful daughter and a great radio producer career...but theres this man, the one you TRULY loved, he’s outta your mind though BUT you meet him just once for a drink years later.....you leave the pub and part, you then walk into what you think is a ‘film set’...... but its not, its a terror attack on the streets of London ( based on London Bridge/Borough attacks)....your in shock, you cant move, your going to be shot and probably killed.....and then someone grips you and drags you into a ‘Pret’....you and her and one other run to a safe room and hide....the ‘other’ decides to go it alone and leaves, you are left with this woman.....you tell her, in your fear and anxiety, your darkest secrets, fears and desires until its safe for you to leave.....all is as well as can be, you will never see her again....you have survived a terrible terror attack and this woman helped.......................this woman is psychotic...your problems are about to double, treble and multi multiply as the woman.....well she comes into your life, every bit of it and is obsessed, darkly, scarily and nastily obsessed.......oh, and then your problems start...
Enough to tempt you? Seriously seriously good book, dark, intriguing, scary, realistic, powerful and engrossing........the characters are real with a capital R and the story is, well its just a 100% riveting read
I could gush on for pages about how good this book is but wont, guarantee you will love it, truly great fiction
10/10 5 big stars
December 21, 2021
The ending 😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮
June 21, 2018
Your Closest Friend by Karen Perry explores the compulsive obsession of one woman with another, stemming from the extraordinary circumstances they were thrown into.
Cara is rescued by Amy when she is plucked out of harms way from a crazed terrorist out on the London streets. Cara is at a vulnerable point in her life and opens up to Amy revealing far more than she probably would have, had it not been for the situation they found themselves in. From there on out their lives seem to become all-out entangled, one with the other, as Cara's life begins to unravel and Amy is conveniently there to "pick up the pieces."
With perfect pacing, complex characters, secrets, mystery and mounting tension, I eagerly turned the pages, being led to the point where I knew one of these woman would crack under the immense pressure, but who would buckle at the knees first and what would the fallout from that be?
Admittedly, I had to suspend belief at some of the jaw dropping shockers, but that was doable considering how fear, anxiety and stress can make the best of us behave questionably at times, let alone situations where menacing obsession is at play.
A thrilling read right up until the very final twist.
Thank you to Netgalley, Penguin UK - Michael Joseph and the author for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.
Cara is rescued by Amy when she is plucked out of harms way from a crazed terrorist out on the London streets. Cara is at a vulnerable point in her life and opens up to Amy revealing far more than she probably would have, had it not been for the situation they found themselves in. From there on out their lives seem to become all-out entangled, one with the other, as Cara's life begins to unravel and Amy is conveniently there to "pick up the pieces."
With perfect pacing, complex characters, secrets, mystery and mounting tension, I eagerly turned the pages, being led to the point where I knew one of these woman would crack under the immense pressure, but who would buckle at the knees first and what would the fallout from that be?
Admittedly, I had to suspend belief at some of the jaw dropping shockers, but that was doable considering how fear, anxiety and stress can make the best of us behave questionably at times, let alone situations where menacing obsession is at play.
A thrilling read right up until the very final twist.
Thank you to Netgalley, Penguin UK - Michael Joseph and the author for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.
May 21, 2023
Setting: London, UK; present day.
Radio producer Cara is walking through London, having just met up with her ex, and finds herself in the centre of a terrorist incident as masked men rampage in the streets shooting and stabbing anyone they come across. Faced with one of the terrorists, Cara freezes but is dragged to safety by a woman who works in a nearby Pret shop. Holed up in a storeroom with another employee, Cara soon finds herself confiding in her rescuer, an American woman called Amy. Amy feels drawn to Cara and her dark past leads her to take some irrational steps in order to maintain contact with Cara. Meanwhile, Cara finds Amy an ideal candidate when her husband Jeff lands himself a job but has to stay in Berlin during the week, leading to childcare issues for the couple's five-year-old daughter. But moving Amy in to the family home causes Cara considerable problems...
Told from the points of view of Amy and Cara, this is a twisted and thrilling read as Amy reveals her obsessive behaviours and hidden past, which may threaten all that Cara holds dear. Will certainly be looking out for more from this author - 9/10.
Radio producer Cara is walking through London, having just met up with her ex, and finds herself in the centre of a terrorist incident as masked men rampage in the streets shooting and stabbing anyone they come across. Faced with one of the terrorists, Cara freezes but is dragged to safety by a woman who works in a nearby Pret shop. Holed up in a storeroom with another employee, Cara soon finds herself confiding in her rescuer, an American woman called Amy. Amy feels drawn to Cara and her dark past leads her to take some irrational steps in order to maintain contact with Cara. Meanwhile, Cara finds Amy an ideal candidate when her husband Jeff lands himself a job but has to stay in Berlin during the week, leading to childcare issues for the couple's five-year-old daughter. But moving Amy in to the family home causes Cara considerable problems...
Told from the points of view of Amy and Cara, this is a twisted and thrilling read as Amy reveals her obsessive behaviours and hidden past, which may threaten all that Cara holds dear. Will certainly be looking out for more from this author - 9/10.
November 11, 2018
Could have been an interesting premise but veered far too quickly into wild implausibility and convenient coincidence. Unless you can get past the initial plot point, where the protagonist decides to hire a near stranger as her child’s live-in nanny without so much as a reference or background check, you just might struggle with the rest.
May 27, 2018
This is a real page turner with lots of twists and turns leading to an OMG conclusion !!!
On her way home from a night out Cara comes face to face with a terrorist. Before she has a chance to think about what is happening someone grabs her arm and pulls her to safety. Her saviour is Amy a girl that works in the shop where they take cover. Whilst hiding from the gunmen Cara, in shock and scared for her life, opens up to her new friend and reveals some well hidden secrets about her life. Once the situation is under control Cara and Amy go their seperate ways safe in the knowledge that the secrets are safe as Cara will never see Amy again. But what if this isn’t the case ?
The story is told from the perspectives of Cara and Amy in alternating chapters. It is a very tense thriller that really does keep you gripped from start to finish.
A definite must for anyone that loves a really tense, edge of your seat style thriller.
Thank you to Penguin UK Michael Joseph and NetGalley for inviting me read this book and give an honest review.
On her way home from a night out Cara comes face to face with a terrorist. Before she has a chance to think about what is happening someone grabs her arm and pulls her to safety. Her saviour is Amy a girl that works in the shop where they take cover. Whilst hiding from the gunmen Cara, in shock and scared for her life, opens up to her new friend and reveals some well hidden secrets about her life. Once the situation is under control Cara and Amy go their seperate ways safe in the knowledge that the secrets are safe as Cara will never see Amy again. But what if this isn’t the case ?
The story is told from the perspectives of Cara and Amy in alternating chapters. It is a very tense thriller that really does keep you gripped from start to finish.
A definite must for anyone that loves a really tense, edge of your seat style thriller.
Thank you to Penguin UK Michael Joseph and NetGalley for inviting me read this book and give an honest review.
June 5, 2018
This is a real page turner which starts with Cara being caught up in a terrorist attack on the streets of London one evening on her way home from work. She is helped to a safe hiding place by Amy and the two have a rather intense two hours with Cara sharing a lot of her life while in a state of high anxiety and fear of her life.
The book is told from the alternate viewpoints of Cara and Amy and quickly gets very unsettling as it becomes apparent that all is not as it appears on the surface in the lives of both Cara and Amy. There are many twists and turns with the plot moving at a good pace. It kept my gripped from start to finish and was a good story with a decent ending.
With thanks to NetGalley and Michael Joseph (Penguin Random House) for inviting me to read a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The book is told from the alternate viewpoints of Cara and Amy and quickly gets very unsettling as it becomes apparent that all is not as it appears on the surface in the lives of both Cara and Amy. There are many twists and turns with the plot moving at a good pace. It kept my gripped from start to finish and was a good story with a decent ending.
With thanks to NetGalley and Michael Joseph (Penguin Random House) for inviting me to read a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 12, 2018
I would like to thank NetGalley and Penguin UK- Michael Joseph for inviting me to read this e-book in which I give my honest opinion.
It’s my first by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Well-paced and kept me hooked.
Told in alternating chapters by Cara and Amy, the books starts with Cara on that night of terror as she comes face to face with an armed gunman.
Amy grabs Cara and they, along with another person, take refuge until they think it’s safe to venture out. The other person, a colleague of Amy, thinks it’s safe and leaves before them and they are left alone. This is when they share secrets with each other, not expecting to ever meet again.
Cara is back at work as a radio producer, and is on air talking about the attack when Amy hears her on the radio and phones in. They reconnect and Cara invites Amy into her home to look after her daughter, a seemingly good arrangement to help out Cara and her working-away husband. It starts to go wrong from here as things are revealed from both Amy and Cara’s past and it all spirals out of control….
steflozbookblog.wordpress.com/2018/06...
It’s my first by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Well-paced and kept me hooked.
Told in alternating chapters by Cara and Amy, the books starts with Cara on that night of terror as she comes face to face with an armed gunman.
Amy grabs Cara and they, along with another person, take refuge until they think it’s safe to venture out. The other person, a colleague of Amy, thinks it’s safe and leaves before them and they are left alone. This is when they share secrets with each other, not expecting to ever meet again.
Cara is back at work as a radio producer, and is on air talking about the attack when Amy hears her on the radio and phones in. They reconnect and Cara invites Amy into her home to look after her daughter, a seemingly good arrangement to help out Cara and her working-away husband. It starts to go wrong from here as things are revealed from both Amy and Cara’s past and it all spirals out of control….
steflozbookblog.wordpress.com/2018/06...
July 13, 2019
Provided by NetGalley for an honest review.
I’d like to say that I enjoyed this book. I didn’t. It started off well and actually, I can’t really pin point where it started to not work for me, but it got to the point where I was shaking my head on disbelief at many points.
It was meant to be scary and thrilling. Instead, I couldn’t wait to finish the book so I wouldn’t have to read any more.
It’s done now. I won’t be recommending it to anyone, sadly.
I’d like to say that I enjoyed this book. I didn’t. It started off well and actually, I can’t really pin point where it started to not work for me, but it got to the point where I was shaking my head on disbelief at many points.
It was meant to be scary and thrilling. Instead, I couldn’t wait to finish the book so I wouldn’t have to read any more.
It’s done now. I won’t be recommending it to anyone, sadly.
August 10, 2018
Thank you to the publishers for providing an ARC of this book through NetGalley.
Oh my god, how stupid are these characters???? Ugh, no thanks. This book was terrible. Moronic characters, unnecessarily complicated plot that was also pretty stupid, and all round just a terrible book.
Okay, I just don't understand how she didn't suspect the nanny at any point in this book.
Oh my god, how stupid are these characters???? Ugh, no thanks. This book was terrible. Moronic characters, unnecessarily complicated plot that was also pretty stupid, and all round just a terrible book.
Okay, I just don't understand how she didn't suspect the nanny at any point in this book.
July 3, 2019
Imagine yourself the MC of a thriller. At every turn you either make the considerate decision or the stupid rookie move nobody ever would consider. You choose the stupid move. Always.
Read the first chapter, rolled my eyes, skimmed the rest of the book.
Never have I ever met such stupid characters. It hurts.
Read the first chapter, rolled my eyes, skimmed the rest of the book.
Never have I ever met such stupid characters. It hurts.
August 18, 2018
Beware who you let through the door…
This was a fast-paced thriller from the queen of suspense- and also the queen of last minute twists, because none of this book played out really how I thought it was going to go. By the end, there was a lot of nervous nail-biting going on.
Your Closest Friend starts with a killer first chapter and doesn’t really let up from there, as it delves deep into the twisted relationship that springs up between the two main characters, Cara and Amy. Amy saves Cara from a terrorist attack in the middle of London, and in return, Cara spills her deepest secrets to her. As you might imagine, that’s a big mistake, and soon Amy is embroiled in Cara’s life- and getting her out might be deadly.
The hook was amazing, and the tension is evident from the first few lines as Perry works to flesh out these two very different characters. One of the things that makes their relationship so compelling is that they’re both so different, but they both have more than their fair share of secrets. Cara is secretly having an affair with her old flame from university, and is struggling to get along with her husband’s estranged daughter, whilst we know almost nothing about Amy beyond the fact that she is obsessed with Cara. And though the terrorist attack brings them together, they have nothing in common.
And the obsession is the thing that forms the crux of the story. Amy’s slow, insidious invasion of Cara’s life is played out in minute detail, and it’s only slowly that the extent of that obsession becomes clear, from taking charge of Cara’s young daughter, to something much, much more sinister. Perry plays this expertly, the revelations come slowly and as a result you feel like you’re being slowly hemmed in, much like Cara. It’s a slow building of tension, and as Amy’s mind starts to disintegrate and we see just how destructive she can be, things start to get hairy.
At every twist and turn, we’re kept guessing, stumbling through a maze of mirrors as some things are hidden and others kept back for maximum impact. Though Cara can often come across as selfish and self-centred- and the identity of Your Closest Friend is pretty obvious- reading things from Amy’s point of view is like gripping an electric wire. The book is electrifying and dark, a tour de force in obsession and desire. I defy you not to start reading- and keep going until the final page.
Three word review: tense. Dark. Addictive.
This was a fast-paced thriller from the queen of suspense- and also the queen of last minute twists, because none of this book played out really how I thought it was going to go. By the end, there was a lot of nervous nail-biting going on.
Your Closest Friend starts with a killer first chapter and doesn’t really let up from there, as it delves deep into the twisted relationship that springs up between the two main characters, Cara and Amy. Amy saves Cara from a terrorist attack in the middle of London, and in return, Cara spills her deepest secrets to her. As you might imagine, that’s a big mistake, and soon Amy is embroiled in Cara’s life- and getting her out might be deadly.
The hook was amazing, and the tension is evident from the first few lines as Perry works to flesh out these two very different characters. One of the things that makes their relationship so compelling is that they’re both so different, but they both have more than their fair share of secrets. Cara is secretly having an affair with her old flame from university, and is struggling to get along with her husband’s estranged daughter, whilst we know almost nothing about Amy beyond the fact that she is obsessed with Cara. And though the terrorist attack brings them together, they have nothing in common.
And the obsession is the thing that forms the crux of the story. Amy’s slow, insidious invasion of Cara’s life is played out in minute detail, and it’s only slowly that the extent of that obsession becomes clear, from taking charge of Cara’s young daughter, to something much, much more sinister. Perry plays this expertly, the revelations come slowly and as a result you feel like you’re being slowly hemmed in, much like Cara. It’s a slow building of tension, and as Amy’s mind starts to disintegrate and we see just how destructive she can be, things start to get hairy.
At every twist and turn, we’re kept guessing, stumbling through a maze of mirrors as some things are hidden and others kept back for maximum impact. Though Cara can often come across as selfish and self-centred- and the identity of Your Closest Friend is pretty obvious- reading things from Amy’s point of view is like gripping an electric wire. The book is electrifying and dark, a tour de force in obsession and desire. I defy you not to start reading- and keep going until the final page.
Three word review: tense. Dark. Addictive.
June 5, 2018
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley.
On her way home following an illicit rendezvous with an old flame Cara is caught up in a terror attack in London. Face to face with an armed terrorist Cara freezes, but she is suddenly plucked off the street to relative safety by Amy. There is no doubt that Cara's life has been saved by Amy's swift actions, but Amy may not be the good Samaritan she first appears to be.
A psychological mystery about a dangerous obsession with some decent suspense, particularly towards the end. This genre has been somewhat overdone of late but this book is one of the good 'uns.
On her way home following an illicit rendezvous with an old flame Cara is caught up in a terror attack in London. Face to face with an armed terrorist Cara freezes, but she is suddenly plucked off the street to relative safety by Amy. There is no doubt that Cara's life has been saved by Amy's swift actions, but Amy may not be the good Samaritan she first appears to be.
A psychological mystery about a dangerous obsession with some decent suspense, particularly towards the end. This genre has been somewhat overdone of late but this book is one of the good 'uns.
June 5, 2018
I really don't know how I never read any of this author's previous books when this was an absolute cracker! Loved it from the off. If you like psychological thrillers, this definitely ticks all the boxes. Talk about page turner, I really could not wait to get back to it after I put it down.
Cara's life tumbles down around her after meeting Amy who pulls her to safety during a London terror attack. Shocked and vulnerable and a bit too much to drink on board Cara tells Amy her deepest secrets. Amy then worms her way into Cara's life and home and manipulates her and everyone around her turning Cara's life upside down. In the meantime Cara is getting threatening texts from "Your Closest Friend".. Don't want to give too much more away but this is a must read. And if I could give it more stars I would!
Cara's life tumbles down around her after meeting Amy who pulls her to safety during a London terror attack. Shocked and vulnerable and a bit too much to drink on board Cara tells Amy her deepest secrets. Amy then worms her way into Cara's life and home and manipulates her and everyone around her turning Cara's life upside down. In the meantime Cara is getting threatening texts from "Your Closest Friend".. Don't want to give too much more away but this is a must read. And if I could give it more stars I would!
May 29, 2018
Your Closest Friend by Karen Perry is a totally absorbing contemporary psychological murder thriller. It will have you questioning from the start... what is real? What is imagined? Who is the menacing figure?
Suspicion lurks around every corner. Being caught up in a terror attack in London soon turns into a terror attack of a very different nature.
Be careful who you share your secrets with. Guard your mouth or you may find the darkest part of your mind becomes activated.
The novel walks a fine line between mental illness and pure evil. Actions are always motivated by something.
Side by side with menace sits family life. Daughters are loved and protected. Who can possibly predict the outcome?
Karen Perry is a marvellous author who draws the reader in with her words. Cosy suburbia soon transforms into horrors from hell. It is all subtly done as comfortable middle class life metamorphosed into a psychological terror. I read on with heart in my mouth towards the nail biting conclusion.
A thrilling, gripping read to be read with the light on.
As this is a mass market psychological thriller, there are some scenes and language some readers may not like.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
Suspicion lurks around every corner. Being caught up in a terror attack in London soon turns into a terror attack of a very different nature.
Be careful who you share your secrets with. Guard your mouth or you may find the darkest part of your mind becomes activated.
The novel walks a fine line between mental illness and pure evil. Actions are always motivated by something.
Side by side with menace sits family life. Daughters are loved and protected. Who can possibly predict the outcome?
Karen Perry is a marvellous author who draws the reader in with her words. Cosy suburbia soon transforms into horrors from hell. It is all subtly done as comfortable middle class life metamorphosed into a psychological terror. I read on with heart in my mouth towards the nail biting conclusion.
A thrilling, gripping read to be read with the light on.
As this is a mass market psychological thriller, there are some scenes and language some readers may not like.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
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