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Leverage
Leverage is testament to how one innocuous ad in the local paper can turn your world upside down.
Two people come into Beth’s life. ONE gives her a reason to die. THE OTHER gives her no other option.
She appears out of nowhere and wants to be Beth’s friend. It would be sweet if it wasn’t so damned creepy.
Beth can’t shake her. She won’t take no for an answer and Beth’s gentle life becomes a vortex that she can’t control.
Black’s trademark knack of delving into the psyche and finding the pockets of humanity that nobody wants to admit to have never been more in evidence than in Leverage. In this book, she bypasses black and goes to whatever black becomes when it gets darker.
This is a story about power - how much influence can one person have over somebody else?
Be Beth’s friend and find out.
Two people come into Beth’s life. ONE gives her a reason to die. THE OTHER gives her no other option.
She appears out of nowhere and wants to be Beth’s friend. It would be sweet if it wasn’t so damned creepy.
Beth can’t shake her. She won’t take no for an answer and Beth’s gentle life becomes a vortex that she can’t control.
Black’s trademark knack of delving into the psyche and finding the pockets of humanity that nobody wants to admit to have never been more in evidence than in Leverage. In this book, she bypasses black and goes to whatever black becomes when it gets darker.
This is a story about power - how much influence can one person have over somebody else?
Be Beth’s friend and find out.
- GenresThriller
271 pages, ebook
Published June 7, 2017
27 people are currently reading
666 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
March 21, 2023
DNF . This is one sick book. I got 25% in and realized that I don’t read to be terrorized.
June 3, 2021
How Crap. Leverage opened with such a graphic bang that honestly, I wasn't sure if I wanted to continue reading. But the main character, Beth, kept me flipping the pages. I wanted so badly to see how she was going to overcome her situation... only to find that her life gets twisted up in so many knots it was impossible to see what was going to come next.
The characters are believably disturbed. I picked this book up in the morning and I couldn't stop reading all day, each turn of events creeping me out and drawing me in.
The use of animals (rats in a cage, hungry snakes) was a brilliant way to mirror the characters' relationships with each other. I also loved the two houses that were in the story. Labeling the one as the "big house" was a brilliant way to describe it - both as its size and its function.
I love that the backstory was dripped in between lies and truths and a little bit of investigation of a secondary character. And while I was rooting for one ending, the way the author chose to write it was impactful enough to stick with me for a long time.
I will absolutely be reading more from Ms Black as her writing has left a lasting impression!
The characters are believably disturbed. I picked this book up in the morning and I couldn't stop reading all day, each turn of events creeping me out and drawing me in.
The use of animals (rats in a cage, hungry snakes) was a brilliant way to mirror the characters' relationships with each other. I also loved the two houses that were in the story. Labeling the one as the "big house" was a brilliant way to describe it - both as its size and its function.
I love that the backstory was dripped in between lies and truths and a little bit of investigation of a secondary character. And while I was rooting for one ending, the way the author chose to write it was impactful enough to stick with me for a long time.
I will absolutely be reading more from Ms Black as her writing has left a lasting impression!
April 4, 2022
Oh my word, this book is one hell of a page turner. Beth is an independent woman with her own home and a good job. But her best pal, Maggie, reckons she needs a man in her life. She drags the reluctant Beth along to a speed dating evening. A date is made with an attractive young man who rapidly turns out to be just about as despicable as they come. Too late, because before Beth fully realises the danger she is in, he is standing right between her and escape. Things get as graphic as they become violent, and it all ends very badly indeed.
This is where I got annoyed with Beth. All she had to do was go to the police; they would have believed her version of events, because she’s covered in evidence. But Beth chooses not to. She also chooses not to confide in her best friend… something else I didn’t understand. However, women are attacked every single day, and a great many prefer not to speak up. Who can blame them, when the system seems to demand that they be paragons of virtue in order to deserve justice in the first place? So, I got over my irritation with Beth’s refusal to take control of her situation, and got on with enjoying the story.
Enter Jennifer; a creepy little woman-child who encroaches relentlessly upon Beth’s life, causing it to spiral out of control at breakneck speeds. Jennifer is a sickeningly twisted, master manipulator, and poor Beth soon finds out that there are far worst places to be, than the place she occupied in the hours after her date. Two women in a near constant battle of wits, and the stakes just keep getting higher. The drama is intense, relentless. Time and again I was shocked by the lengths Beth goes to just to keep Jennifer sweet. Time and again I was stunned by how utterly wicked Jennifer really is.
In the end I discovered that Beth’s date, that despicable man… he was just the starter course, an amateur at evil. Jennifer is the real thing and, when life pitches you head to head with her kind of evil, you have to put on your big girl pants, bear your teeth, and get stuck in.
Leverage is a pitch black and thrilling ride that plumbs the depths of human depravity. Definitely not for the faint hearted. But my heart is made of sterner stuff and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
This is where I got annoyed with Beth. All she had to do was go to the police; they would have believed her version of events, because she’s covered in evidence. But Beth chooses not to. She also chooses not to confide in her best friend… something else I didn’t understand. However, women are attacked every single day, and a great many prefer not to speak up. Who can blame them, when the system seems to demand that they be paragons of virtue in order to deserve justice in the first place? So, I got over my irritation with Beth’s refusal to take control of her situation, and got on with enjoying the story.
Enter Jennifer; a creepy little woman-child who encroaches relentlessly upon Beth’s life, causing it to spiral out of control at breakneck speeds. Jennifer is a sickeningly twisted, master manipulator, and poor Beth soon finds out that there are far worst places to be, than the place she occupied in the hours after her date. Two women in a near constant battle of wits, and the stakes just keep getting higher. The drama is intense, relentless. Time and again I was shocked by the lengths Beth goes to just to keep Jennifer sweet. Time and again I was stunned by how utterly wicked Jennifer really is.
In the end I discovered that Beth’s date, that despicable man… he was just the starter course, an amateur at evil. Jennifer is the real thing and, when life pitches you head to head with her kind of evil, you have to put on your big girl pants, bear your teeth, and get stuck in.
Leverage is a pitch black and thrilling ride that plumbs the depths of human depravity. Definitely not for the faint hearted. But my heart is made of sterner stuff and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
July 19, 2024
3.5 stars
Wow. This book just had me all over the place, in good ways and bad. My review will probably have to be all over the place, too.
First, this was the most disturbing, graphic, gory book I have ever read. I do not read books that are this graphic. For the first several chapters I seriously felt sick to my stomach. This subsided for the majority of the book, but returned at the ending. For all my discomfort, the story compelled me to keep reading.
The characters were rife with personal issues, which made the story even more interesting.
Unfortunately, the editing absolutely fell apart about halfway through. Quotation marks and commas were either randomly inserted or nonexistent. Many names and common nouns were misspelled. For this sloppiness I had to rate 3.5 stars instead of 4.
The plot stayed interesting and I was always anticipating what bizarre thing would happen next. Several times I had glimmers of hope for a peaceful ending.
Speaking of the ending, it is abrupt but apt.
As shocking, dark, and twisted as Leverage was, I could not put it down.
Wow. This book just had me all over the place, in good ways and bad. My review will probably have to be all over the place, too.
First, this was the most disturbing, graphic, gory book I have ever read. I do not read books that are this graphic. For the first several chapters I seriously felt sick to my stomach. This subsided for the majority of the book, but returned at the ending. For all my discomfort, the story compelled me to keep reading.
The characters were rife with personal issues, which made the story even more interesting.
Unfortunately, the editing absolutely fell apart about halfway through. Quotation marks and commas were either randomly inserted or nonexistent. Many names and common nouns were misspelled. For this sloppiness I had to rate 3.5 stars instead of 4.
The plot stayed interesting and I was always anticipating what bizarre thing would happen next. Several times I had glimmers of hope for a peaceful ending.
Speaking of the ending, it is abrupt but apt.
As shocking, dark, and twisted as Leverage was, I could not put it down.
June 5, 2021
One talented author!
This is one of the few books I read in a day and that speaks volumes for the writing talent of this author. The story was action packed from the very start and the deceit, lies, manipulation and blackmail builds with each chapter keeping the suspense and excitement at full alert. Great characters, graphic descriptions that keep your imagination piqued and a fantastic plot with twists and turns to the very end. Brilliant and highly recommended. Look forward to reading more of Katherine's books.
This is one of the few books I read in a day and that speaks volumes for the writing talent of this author. The story was action packed from the very start and the deceit, lies, manipulation and blackmail builds with each chapter keeping the suspense and excitement at full alert. Great characters, graphic descriptions that keep your imagination piqued and a fantastic plot with twists and turns to the very end. Brilliant and highly recommended. Look forward to reading more of Katherine's books.
May 2, 2022
This is the third book that I’ve read by Catherine black. I read this book highly because she the author is so unpredictable and I expected nothing less this time and that is the truth unpredictable a key in some spots no happy stuff but a good read nevertheless
November 14, 2022
Absolutely Brilliant!
This is a very dark and sinister tale! But if you love a deep psychological thriller, then read this!
Very cleverly put together, this book will have you totally gripped!
Highly recommended!
This is a very dark and sinister tale! But if you love a deep psychological thriller, then read this!
Very cleverly put together, this book will have you totally gripped!
Highly recommended!
August 4, 2024
DNF… I couldn’t get into the writing style and too slow moving for me. Took 4 pages to explain something that really only needed 1 page. I kind of wonder what will happen so might try to pick it up again and skim through it but I prefer a book to grab my attention from the start and this just wasn’t it…
November 19, 2022
Book Review
Basic Details:
Book Title: Leverage
Subtitle:
Author: Katherine Black
Genre: Thriller
Part of a series? No
Order in series:
Best read after earlier books in series?
Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Overall score:
I scored this book 5/5
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Short Summary of the book:
Another cleverly written book by this author. Meet Beth, whose friend persuades her to go speed dating. This is where she meets Marc. But is all as it seems? And is an offer of help really the best help Beth could accept? Lots of intrigue, manipulative behaviour and psychological games. What else could you expect from this author?
What I liked about the book:
This book was action-packed, full of intrigue and twists and turns.
What I didn’t like about the book:
There was nothing I disliked about the book.
My favourite bits in the book:
I loved the entire book.
My least favourite bits in the book:
I enjoyed the entire book.
Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?
I understand the author has written many other books, and I’ve read several.
What books could this be compared to and why?
The book finds itself in the category of psychological thrillers. It is written to a very high standard.
Recommendation:
In summary, I would recommend this book for the following readers:
Children No
Young Adult Maybe
Adult Yes
If you like suspenseful psychological thrillers, this book may be the book for you.
I look forward to reading more by this author.
Book Description by Author:
Leverage is testament to how one innocuous ad in the local paper can turn your world upside down.
Two people come into Beth’s life. ONE gives her a reason to die. THE OTHER gives her no other option.
She appears out of nowhere and wants to be Beth’s friend. It would be sweet if it wasn’t so damned creepy.
Beth can’t shake her. She won’t take no for an answer and Beth’s gentle life becomes a vortex that she can’t control.
Black’s trademark knack of delving into the psyche and finding the pockets of humanity that nobody wants to admit to have never been more in evidence than in Leverage. In this book, she bypasses black and goes to whatever black becomes when it gets darker.
This is a story about power - how much influence can one person have over somebody else?
Be Beth’s friend and find out.
About the Author:
.
Basic Details:
Book Title: Leverage
Subtitle:
Author: Katherine Black
Genre: Thriller
Part of a series? No
Order in series:
Best read after earlier books in series?
Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Overall score:
I scored this book 5/5
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Short Summary of the book:
Another cleverly written book by this author. Meet Beth, whose friend persuades her to go speed dating. This is where she meets Marc. But is all as it seems? And is an offer of help really the best help Beth could accept? Lots of intrigue, manipulative behaviour and psychological games. What else could you expect from this author?
What I liked about the book:
This book was action-packed, full of intrigue and twists and turns.
What I didn’t like about the book:
There was nothing I disliked about the book.
My favourite bits in the book:
I loved the entire book.
My least favourite bits in the book:
I enjoyed the entire book.
Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?
I understand the author has written many other books, and I’ve read several.
What books could this be compared to and why?
The book finds itself in the category of psychological thrillers. It is written to a very high standard.
Recommendation:
In summary, I would recommend this book for the following readers:
Children No
Young Adult Maybe
Adult Yes
If you like suspenseful psychological thrillers, this book may be the book for you.
I look forward to reading more by this author.
Book Description by Author:
Leverage is testament to how one innocuous ad in the local paper can turn your world upside down.
Two people come into Beth’s life. ONE gives her a reason to die. THE OTHER gives her no other option.
She appears out of nowhere and wants to be Beth’s friend. It would be sweet if it wasn’t so damned creepy.
Beth can’t shake her. She won’t take no for an answer and Beth’s gentle life becomes a vortex that she can’t control.
Black’s trademark knack of delving into the psyche and finding the pockets of humanity that nobody wants to admit to have never been more in evidence than in Leverage. In this book, she bypasses black and goes to whatever black becomes when it gets darker.
This is a story about power - how much influence can one person have over somebody else?
Be Beth’s friend and find out.
About the Author:
.
October 26, 2022
Leverage is exciting right from the beginning. It starts with a bang and doesn’t let up with the action until the end. Technical stuff first:
The book is written in 3rd person and seen mostly from Beth’s POV, but occasionally we see a different perspective when the story calls for it. The chapters are fairly lengthy, but they are so good it feels like no time at all to read them. The writing was engaging and the plot was thrilling.
The story follows Beth — a woman who is living a comfortable but boring life and is ready for a bit of excitement. After a single date, her entire life becomes a nightmare . It makes you question what you would do in certain situations and how far you would go to save your own skin, and really made you ask, how much can a person take before they crack?
Jennifer is one of the most complex characters I’ve ever read. She’s unpredictable and she is frightening at times. I hated her but I was fascinated by her at the same time.
A word of warning. This book contains a very graphic sexual assault near the beginning. If that is a trigger for you, then you may want to skip over this book. But if not, this book promises heart racing, anxiety inducing excitement, a thrilling plot and fantastic characters with their own voices and personalities, wonderful descriptions and writing that suck you into the story. Highly recommend.
The book is written in 3rd person and seen mostly from Beth’s POV, but occasionally we see a different perspective when the story calls for it. The chapters are fairly lengthy, but they are so good it feels like no time at all to read them. The writing was engaging and the plot was thrilling.
The story follows Beth — a woman who is living a comfortable but boring life and is ready for a bit of excitement. After a single date, her entire life becomes a nightmare . It makes you question what you would do in certain situations and how far you would go to save your own skin, and really made you ask, how much can a person take before they crack?
Jennifer is one of the most complex characters I’ve ever read. She’s unpredictable and she is frightening at times. I hated her but I was fascinated by her at the same time.
A word of warning. This book contains a very graphic sexual assault near the beginning. If that is a trigger for you, then you may want to skip over this book. But if not, this book promises heart racing, anxiety inducing excitement, a thrilling plot and fantastic characters with their own voices and personalities, wonderful descriptions and writing that suck you into the story. Highly recommend.
February 23, 2022
I thought, when I decided to read this book, that I was getting psychological suspense; you know, where the protagonist gets hounded every which way by someone packing a massive grudge but somehow it all works out? Wrong. That would have been light romance by comparison with the horror of Leverage, the book that gave me nightmares in broad daylight, that made me want to slash my own wrists to cheer myself up.
OK. In the first two chapters Beth goes speed dating, goes on an actual date and gets sexually assaulted; and that’s the happy part. Author Katherine Black goes on to plumb the depths of derangement in a cycle of psychotic behaviour from an antagonist who even Dante would have a problem placing in his Inferno; and that’s if Lucifer didn’t batten down the hatches and bolt all the doors and windows before turning off the lights and pretending he wasn’t home.
No-one gets out of this unscathed, including this reader; speaking of whom, on second thoughts the wrist thing would be too messy, and I’ve seen enough blood for one book. I’m off to play some Leonard Cohen instead; even he couldn’t want it darker than Leverage.
OK. In the first two chapters Beth goes speed dating, goes on an actual date and gets sexually assaulted; and that’s the happy part. Author Katherine Black goes on to plumb the depths of derangement in a cycle of psychotic behaviour from an antagonist who even Dante would have a problem placing in his Inferno; and that’s if Lucifer didn’t batten down the hatches and bolt all the doors and windows before turning off the lights and pretending he wasn’t home.
No-one gets out of this unscathed, including this reader; speaking of whom, on second thoughts the wrist thing would be too messy, and I’ve seen enough blood for one book. I’m off to play some Leonard Cohen instead; even he couldn’t want it darker than Leverage.
July 17, 2022
Dark thriller!
Beth is a nurse who has a nice home and good friends. However, this is about to change. Her life spirals out of control in this dark, intense psychological thriller.
Agreeing to attend a speed dating night with Maggie her best friend, is Beth’s first big mistake. Taking up the offer to follow Marc back to his house so he can change his shirt, is her second. Her third is letting Jennifer (White Phantom) into her life.
There’s so many twists in this story with danger at every turn, it is hard to put down.
LEVERAGE is very well written with great characters and graphic description, which keeps you engrossed throughout.
I’m sure I am not the only reader who wanted to shout or shake Beth to get the hell away from Jennifer and go to the police. If this had been a film, I would have definitely been covering my eyes in places and shouting at the screen.
This is the first book by Katherine Black that I have read, I will be checking out her others.
Highly Recommended to those who love a dark psychological thriller.
Beth is a nurse who has a nice home and good friends. However, this is about to change. Her life spirals out of control in this dark, intense psychological thriller.
Agreeing to attend a speed dating night with Maggie her best friend, is Beth’s first big mistake. Taking up the offer to follow Marc back to his house so he can change his shirt, is her second. Her third is letting Jennifer (White Phantom) into her life.
There’s so many twists in this story with danger at every turn, it is hard to put down.
LEVERAGE is very well written with great characters and graphic description, which keeps you engrossed throughout.
I’m sure I am not the only reader who wanted to shout or shake Beth to get the hell away from Jennifer and go to the police. If this had been a film, I would have definitely been covering my eyes in places and shouting at the screen.
This is the first book by Katherine Black that I have read, I will be checking out her others.
Highly Recommended to those who love a dark psychological thriller.
September 20, 2022
I’ve had this book to read for some time, having previously read Katherine’s brilliantly sweet and terribly dark Nowhere Boulevard (highly recommended, not to be missed). There are some similarities in the style (which I truly love) but not the plot.
Although I took a bit of a dislike to Beth as a person (but love the depth of character) I was always on her side (whilst often despairing). From following her date home to change (ah come on girl! that old chestnut?!) to relying too heavily on Maggie, and then, dangerously Jenn (we’ve all been there, sister) - I desperately wanted her to sort her shit and take back her destiny. I whopped every time I saw a chink of light at the end of the tunnel and despaired every time she walked away from it!
Did I find Beth a little frustrating and recklessly complicit in her own downfall? Yes, I did. Did I root for her salvation at every step? Absolutely! Would I recommend the physiological thriller, Leverage by Katherine Black? YES!! 100%! (and Nowhere Boulevard).
Although I took a bit of a dislike to Beth as a person (but love the depth of character) I was always on her side (whilst often despairing). From following her date home to change (ah come on girl! that old chestnut?!) to relying too heavily on Maggie, and then, dangerously Jenn (we’ve all been there, sister) - I desperately wanted her to sort her shit and take back her destiny. I whopped every time I saw a chink of light at the end of the tunnel and despaired every time she walked away from it!
Did I find Beth a little frustrating and recklessly complicit in her own downfall? Yes, I did. Did I root for her salvation at every step? Absolutely! Would I recommend the physiological thriller, Leverage by Katherine Black? YES!! 100%! (and Nowhere Boulevard).
July 5, 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lUUq...
Mind games? Oi, Jennifer: more than one person is disgusted with you. Sadly, Jennifer and this story aren’t leaving my head soon, either. I am not normally a fan of thrillers, psychological or otherwise, but I’m glad I broke genre love for this read. Like with a good scary movie, Leverage makes you stop and think about the smallest of details for too long. A simplistic series of mental still frames painted over a snake eating dinner gives me shivers. Honestly, I’m not minding them, this time around.
I think I’ve found an author in this genre I want to stalk to Jennifer levels. Might be in the name, but I doubt it. Black does well to cultivate specific POVs that drive the tension to keep the page turning absentmindedly. Forget about children being ignored in favor for a book. The laundry can keep piling up. Worth every second. Can’t wait to read more of her books in the future.
Mind games? Oi, Jennifer: more than one person is disgusted with you. Sadly, Jennifer and this story aren’t leaving my head soon, either. I am not normally a fan of thrillers, psychological or otherwise, but I’m glad I broke genre love for this read. Like with a good scary movie, Leverage makes you stop and think about the smallest of details for too long. A simplistic series of mental still frames painted over a snake eating dinner gives me shivers. Honestly, I’m not minding them, this time around.
I think I’ve found an author in this genre I want to stalk to Jennifer levels. Might be in the name, but I doubt it. Black does well to cultivate specific POVs that drive the tension to keep the page turning absentmindedly. Forget about children being ignored in favor for a book. The laundry can keep piling up. Worth every second. Can’t wait to read more of her books in the future.
June 11, 2021
Leverage was a definite page turner even if at times I was annoyed at Beth for not opening her eyes. Several times during the reading, I was actually shouting at her not to do some of the things Phantom asked, but she did them anyway. Whatever Phantom asked, Beth did, which took a little of the surprise away.
The ending was excellent which I didn’t expect, and I can quite easily see this book being made into a film.
This is the second book I’ve read from the author and will definitely be reading more!
The ending was excellent which I didn’t expect, and I can quite easily see this book being made into a film.
This is the second book I’ve read from the author and will definitely be reading more!
January 12, 2022
I love a good dark thriller and Leverage certainly delivered. Black takes you on a journey of psychological manipulation on a scale you wouldn't believe. It gets as evil and dark as can be with Jennifer the antagonist of the story. I did want to slap Beth, the 'victim', a couple of times for the decisions she made, but the methods Jennifer pursued to manipulate Beth were astounding and seemed to be working a little too well! Or did they? I leave you to find out. Highly recommended for anyone with nerves of steel!
April 13, 2022
After reading the first couple of pages I thought the book would progress either into a funny chick lit or a very dark book. Fortunately it was very dark - my favourite type of book. Initially I had sympathy for Beth, but has she got drawn into Jennifer’s world my sympathy disappeared along with Beth’s common sense. Jennifer is a manipulative psychopathic character who clearly hid this character flaw very well initially. I highly recommend the book and will now never engage a stranger in conversation on public transport; because you never know who you’re really talking to.
October 1, 2021
This is my third book by Katherine and I’m pretty sure it won’t be my last.
What can I say about Katherine Black? I’ve had Leverage on my TBR list for quite some time now and I have to say I wasn’t disappointed. Katherine grips you from the first page and you don’t want to put it down until you are finished. This has been my third book by Katherine and I’m pretty sure it won’t be my last.
What can I say about Katherine Black? I’ve had Leverage on my TBR list for quite some time now and I have to say I wasn’t disappointed. Katherine grips you from the first page and you don’t want to put it down until you are finished. This has been my third book by Katherine and I’m pretty sure it won’t be my last.
September 6, 2021
Katherine Black grabs you fast and pulls you instantly into the story. I little on the edgy side, to say the least, you have to hand it to her, as it's a hard book to put down. You might not find it comforting and you may question the characters motives, but you won't be board, as it will keep you entertained right to the end.
November 14, 2020
Kept me guessing right till the end, some nail biting parts not my usual book but kept me intrested.
October 10, 2024
Brilliant read
This was such a good psychological book. I love psychotic characters in books. Plenty of shocking moments. Hope the author has other books out
This was such a good psychological book. I love psychotic characters in books. Plenty of shocking moments. Hope the author has other books out
December 14, 2024
This was an entertaining dark twisted psychological thriller and my first book by this author. I understand that our main protagonist Beth would have frustrated the hell out of most readers as she was recklessly complicit to her own downfall but where is the fun in handing yourself over to the police and there we have the end of a dull story. Not this one Black then introduces us to my very favorite antagonist Jennifer a seemingly innocent girl who quickly develops into a disturbing psychopathic manipulative character who then contrives to set poor Beth the most bizarre collection of tasks that lead her more and more into the abyss. This then becomes a fast paced battle of wits between them both. As the plot develops my sympathy for Beth disappears as her character gets more complex and out of control and then you are left feeling is she herself starting to enjoy or simply losing her mind or both. I also like the way we learn the origins of this disturbed family through an unlikely hero in best friend Maggie. Cant finish this review without mentioning a large snake. We do have some graphic animal cruelty which I dont always advocate but this was I believe a necessary inclusion for the character development at the early stages of Beth and Jennifer's relationship.
I was going with 4.5 stars at the start of the review and then the more I typed it became 5.
This was one of my favourite books of the year (and although my reading speed does not allow for vast quantities of completion) there have been more established authors than Black that have been pushed down the fav list.
I was going with 4.5 stars at the start of the review and then the more I typed it became 5.
This was one of my favourite books of the year (and although my reading speed does not allow for vast quantities of completion) there have been more established authors than Black that have been pushed down the fav list.
February 27, 2025
Excellent tense thriller.
Leverage
by Katherine Black.
My rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A truly fast-paced, dark and intense psychological thriller that had me in suspense throughout. A real page turner.
Beth, a nurse is single, independent, and lives in her own flat.
Her best friend Maggie thinks she needs to find herself a man and persuades her to go on a speed dating event.
Beth meets Marc, and they seem to get along well with each other.
A date is arranged, and they meet up in a coffee shop, things go well for a while, but suddenly Marc showed signs of a nastier side of himself that rang alarm bells.
Back at Marc's house, he showed his true intentions, entrapment, domination and sexual abuse, attacked and beaten, Beth fought back and managed to make her escape.
Later Beth was approached and befriended by Jennifer a crazy and sinister, murderous psychotic who got and had Beth completely under har spell with blackmail, threats and making out all her callous and cruel behaviour into Beth's doing and her fault.
WILL BETH EVER ESCAPE FROM JENNIFER'S VICE!!!!!!
Leverage is an extremely suspense filled thriller that had completely engrossed with amazing brilliant descriptive characters and settings that added to the intensity and reading experience. I found myself shouting under my breath at Beth to get out of the grips of the psychopath Jennifer.
This in my opinion a must read book, but is not for the faint-hearted, pitch black and fantastically portrayed and graphic.
I have read a few books by Katherine Black and so highly recommend them.
Leverage
by Katherine Black.
My rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A truly fast-paced, dark and intense psychological thriller that had me in suspense throughout. A real page turner.
Beth, a nurse is single, independent, and lives in her own flat.
Her best friend Maggie thinks she needs to find herself a man and persuades her to go on a speed dating event.
Beth meets Marc, and they seem to get along well with each other.
A date is arranged, and they meet up in a coffee shop, things go well for a while, but suddenly Marc showed signs of a nastier side of himself that rang alarm bells.
Back at Marc's house, he showed his true intentions, entrapment, domination and sexual abuse, attacked and beaten, Beth fought back and managed to make her escape.
Later Beth was approached and befriended by Jennifer a crazy and sinister, murderous psychotic who got and had Beth completely under har spell with blackmail, threats and making out all her callous and cruel behaviour into Beth's doing and her fault.
WILL BETH EVER ESCAPE FROM JENNIFER'S VICE!!!!!!
Leverage is an extremely suspense filled thriller that had completely engrossed with amazing brilliant descriptive characters and settings that added to the intensity and reading experience. I found myself shouting under my breath at Beth to get out of the grips of the psychopath Jennifer.
This in my opinion a must read book, but is not for the faint-hearted, pitch black and fantastically portrayed and graphic.
I have read a few books by Katherine Black and so highly recommend them.
June 17, 2024
Intense and powerful psychological thriller that pulls no punches
This dark and twisted story is beautifully plotted. Just when you think the situation can’t get any worse, the author ups the ante to almost unbearable proportions. The monstrous Jennifer is a truly remarkable creation and a masterclass in the study of the psychopath. However, I found myself just as fascinated by the MC, Beth. My initial sympathy for her drained away as Jennifer propelled her from crisis to crisis, her manipulation made easy by Beth’s cowardice and her willingness to preserve her own skin at the expense of others. At first, I wanted to shake her and tell her to get a grip, but as the story progressed, I began to dislike her even more than Jennifer – which illustrates how skilfully the author directed each stage of Beth’s descent into madness, our empathy for her plight turning to disgust at her self-serving actions. With Beth’s abrogation of responsibility for her deeds, her best friend, Maggie, becomes the real heroine of the piece. Conversely, Maggie is not that likeable at the start, but as events unfold, she comes into her own. This is cleverly done; the reader needs someone to root for, and when the stage is reached where you feel the MC deserves everything she gets, Maggie – another strongly drawn character – is there to step into the breach. The conclusion is shocking and although this taut, disturbing thriller is not for the faint-hearted, it’s really rather brilliant.
This dark and twisted story is beautifully plotted. Just when you think the situation can’t get any worse, the author ups the ante to almost unbearable proportions. The monstrous Jennifer is a truly remarkable creation and a masterclass in the study of the psychopath. However, I found myself just as fascinated by the MC, Beth. My initial sympathy for her drained away as Jennifer propelled her from crisis to crisis, her manipulation made easy by Beth’s cowardice and her willingness to preserve her own skin at the expense of others. At first, I wanted to shake her and tell her to get a grip, but as the story progressed, I began to dislike her even more than Jennifer – which illustrates how skilfully the author directed each stage of Beth’s descent into madness, our empathy for her plight turning to disgust at her self-serving actions. With Beth’s abrogation of responsibility for her deeds, her best friend, Maggie, becomes the real heroine of the piece. Conversely, Maggie is not that likeable at the start, but as events unfold, she comes into her own. This is cleverly done; the reader needs someone to root for, and when the stage is reached where you feel the MC deserves everything she gets, Maggie – another strongly drawn character – is there to step into the breach. The conclusion is shocking and although this taut, disturbing thriller is not for the faint-hearted, it’s really rather brilliant.
February 3, 2025
“Leverage” by Katherine Black is an intense psychological thriller that delves deep into the dark recesses of manipulation and power. Full of suspense and tension, the story weaves a web of blackmail and deceit, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. Black expertly creates an atmosphere of dread as Beth is forced into morally gray situations, where her choices have high stakes. With its intricate plotting and relentless pace, Leverage delivers a chilling, unflinching look at the lengths people will go to when pushed to their limits. This is a must-read for fans of intense psychological dramas.
September 26, 2025
Beth a nurse, undergoes some harrowing events when she meets Marc and a girl called Jennifer. This story was full of laughter, full of turmoil, full of hate, and rollercoaster rides, which you just wanted to jump from. As all the different events started to unfold, you actually wondered where or how Beth was going to end up, was she going to come to her fateful end, or was everything going to be put right by her, burying the secrets that she held. It was an amazing book and I screamed at every single page, telling Beth to get out of the situations. Katherine Black is a very, very good author, and I will definitely follow her journey and read some more of her other novels.
January 20, 2025
Okay, so maybe I am a sociopath or psychopath, I didn't find this tale horrific. Yes, not even the rat bit, and I own and love my rats! As a person who has had far too many sexual abuses and three full-on rapes, I applauded the outcome to Marc. However, I really wish Beth had some backbone... even just a little fight in her. I honestly wish I had done the same to my attackers, and I know I wouldn't be reluctant to go to the police. Unfortunately, my attacks did not allow for this outcome. I did love the ending though!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 23, 2024
This is a very graphic book, which I do enjoy, but I very much disliked the writing style. I also could not get myself to like or care for any of these characters. After about 50% I just started skimming. The editing is bad and it's just... the same for too many pages. And then an info dump on our evil Jennifer? It felt easy. I did like the last couple of sentences, great creepy ending.
March 27, 2025
This deeply disturbing book gripped me from chapter one. It was thrilling and shocking and disgusting and scary and I loved every awful moment of it. While I desperately wanted the main character to “woman up”, I could see why she did what she did. The ending shocked me. Geez the whole book shocked me!
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September 28, 2025a DNF
I did not need that detailed of a murder of their beloved pet while they both stood there
I'm not into that type of thing
I did not need that detailed of a murder of their beloved pet while they both stood there
I'm not into that type of thing
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