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Stench
Rory Norton didn’t always make his living as a motorbike instructor and he went to great lengths to leave his past life behind, to start again.
He thought he had succeeded, until the body of a missing woman is discovered under the floor of his cottage. Only then do the guilt and shame of his wife’s mysterious, untimely death and the accusations about his connection to the missing woman combine to break him.
The question is not how the missing woman died but why, and who is responsible?
Sometimes the truth stinks.
He thought he had succeeded, until the body of a missing woman is discovered under the floor of his cottage. Only then do the guilt and shame of his wife’s mysterious, untimely death and the accusations about his connection to the missing woman combine to break him.
The question is not how the missing woman died but why, and who is responsible?
Sometimes the truth stinks.
311 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 10, 2018
125 people are currently reading
114 people want to read
About the author
A.B. Morgan
12 books43 followersAlison Morgan lives in Bedfordshire where she was born and brought up. She worked in the county for nearly thirty years for the NHS mostly at the front line of mental health services.
Alison retired earlier than anticipated because of an unexpected health challenge which redirected her to write in order to save her own sanity. Her crime thrillers pull on many years of experience within psychiatry.
Other than that: family, friends, rugby, live music, real cider, lively conversation, laughter and more recently motorbikes (mid-life crisis).
Alison retired earlier than anticipated because of an unexpected health challenge which redirected her to write in order to save her own sanity. Her crime thrillers pull on many years of experience within psychiatry.
Other than that: family, friends, rugby, live music, real cider, lively conversation, laughter and more recently motorbikes (mid-life crisis).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
October 11, 2018
This is my first A.B. Morgan book and it was a good one. I loved the title and the cover...very cool!! The story starts with a body of a missing woman being discovered under the floor of Rory Norton's cottage. Hooked me from the beginning!
The main characters were Rory and Anna. Rory makes a living as a motorbike instructor. Anna is an investigative reporter. They meet each other when Anna takes a motorbike course taught by Rory. I liked Rory as a character and I found myself feeling sorry for Anna because of her troubled backstory.
The author was able to hold my interest from the beginning. I would recommend this book to those who love psychological thrillers. I will definitely read more by this author. Thanks to Bloodhound Books and A.B. Morgan for the opportunity to review this book and participate in #BlogBlitz.
The main characters were Rory and Anna. Rory makes a living as a motorbike instructor. Anna is an investigative reporter. They meet each other when Anna takes a motorbike course taught by Rory. I liked Rory as a character and I found myself feeling sorry for Anna because of her troubled backstory.
The author was able to hold my interest from the beginning. I would recommend this book to those who love psychological thrillers. I will definitely read more by this author. Thanks to Bloodhound Books and A.B. Morgan for the opportunity to review this book and participate in #BlogBlitz.
May 24, 2018
The synopsis of this one sounded rather original and i'm always on the lookout for an original plot, this certainly fit the mold in that respect. I also was attracted by the unique cover and the title is unusually short and sharp and works really well. So, did the book live up to my expectations? I must say, I was pleasantly surprised at just how great the story was - hence my award of 5 stars!
AB Morgan has penned a rather awesome novel here. It is different in some quite drastic ways to a lot of other books in the crime genre as it has no police or detectives milling around and it focuses on everyday normal people just doing what they feel they should, doing their civic duty and following their moral compass. As nearly every title has investigators involved in some way, I found the lack of them extremely refreshing.
I haven't read any of Morgan's previous novels, I had never actually heard of her before this, shamefully! I am glad I have been introduced to her writing through STENCH and have since ownloaded all her other books onto my kindle. I wasn't expecting to love it as much as I actually did but I find it fantastic when a book totally shocks you with its quality when you didn't really have any inkling as to the authors talents.
Her characters are believable - with the flaws that every human being has, there are many twists and turns, ups and downs, and a timely inclusion of mental health issues. This leads to a far deeper and more thought provoking and melancholy read than I had imagined. The characters are developed over the course of the story and you feel invested in the outcome/ending. Her writing sucks you in and doesn't let you leave until the book is over!
Overall, this is well worth your time. It reads very differently from other thrillers and the mental illness aspect is just one of the reasons. Morgan has 30 years of experience in the NHS as a mental health nurse specialising in psychosis which has definitely helped make this part of the book reality based. Books written by people with a vast knowledge in certain subjects means that they are usually full of situations that the author has expertise in lending a credibility that would not be there with others.
I would like to thank AB Morgan, Bloodhound Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
AB Morgan has penned a rather awesome novel here. It is different in some quite drastic ways to a lot of other books in the crime genre as it has no police or detectives milling around and it focuses on everyday normal people just doing what they feel they should, doing their civic duty and following their moral compass. As nearly every title has investigators involved in some way, I found the lack of them extremely refreshing.
I haven't read any of Morgan's previous novels, I had never actually heard of her before this, shamefully! I am glad I have been introduced to her writing through STENCH and have since ownloaded all her other books onto my kindle. I wasn't expecting to love it as much as I actually did but I find it fantastic when a book totally shocks you with its quality when you didn't really have any inkling as to the authors talents.
Her characters are believable - with the flaws that every human being has, there are many twists and turns, ups and downs, and a timely inclusion of mental health issues. This leads to a far deeper and more thought provoking and melancholy read than I had imagined. The characters are developed over the course of the story and you feel invested in the outcome/ending. Her writing sucks you in and doesn't let you leave until the book is over!
Overall, this is well worth your time. It reads very differently from other thrillers and the mental illness aspect is just one of the reasons. Morgan has 30 years of experience in the NHS as a mental health nurse specialising in psychosis which has definitely helped make this part of the book reality based. Books written by people with a vast knowledge in certain subjects means that they are usually full of situations that the author has expertise in lending a credibility that would not be there with others.
I would like to thank AB Morgan, Bloodhound Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 4, 2018
I have to start by saying how much I adore the title for this book. It really is different and fits perfectly with the eye catching cover.
Anna and Rory are the main characters in this story. Rory I particularly liked. He was someone that I wanted to know more about and in general he had a lot of appealing aspects. Anna is a strange one. Within no time it is obvious she has mental health issues. I found it harder for me to take to her as it was harder to try and understand what was going on in her head.
The authors back ground of working in mental health services really shines through in this book. I think it brings to light the problems that can occur within the system and there not being enough support where needed. Anna's mother in law as well as people she meets are concerned about her and can see how fragile her mind is. The fact that she is staking a notorious family puts her life even more at risk.
Stench is a very different type of thriller. The author weaves her expertise in a field and brings it to life whilst intriguing her readers with murder and mayhem. It certainly makes for some surprising and unexpected reading.
My thanks to Bloodhound Books for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
Anna and Rory are the main characters in this story. Rory I particularly liked. He was someone that I wanted to know more about and in general he had a lot of appealing aspects. Anna is a strange one. Within no time it is obvious she has mental health issues. I found it harder for me to take to her as it was harder to try and understand what was going on in her head.
The authors back ground of working in mental health services really shines through in this book. I think it brings to light the problems that can occur within the system and there not being enough support where needed. Anna's mother in law as well as people she meets are concerned about her and can see how fragile her mind is. The fact that she is staking a notorious family puts her life even more at risk.
Stench is a very different type of thriller. The author weaves her expertise in a field and brings it to life whilst intriguing her readers with murder and mayhem. It certainly makes for some surprising and unexpected reading.
My thanks to Bloodhound Books for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
May 11, 2018
This is my third book by this author and I loved it just as much as the previous books.
Rory calls in pest control. When they lift the floor boards they discover s body. Talk about a great start to a book.
We then read of Anna who ‘talks’ to her dead husband. She meets Rory when she wants to learn to ride a bike.
This is a well thought out and well written story. Great praise to the author for using her background skills with mental health. Her skill is portrayed throughout the story.
If your looking for a very good psychological thriller then I definitely recommend you read this one.
Rory calls in pest control. When they lift the floor boards they discover s body. Talk about a great start to a book.
We then read of Anna who ‘talks’ to her dead husband. She meets Rory when she wants to learn to ride a bike.
This is a well thought out and well written story. Great praise to the author for using her background skills with mental health. Her skill is portrayed throughout the story.
If your looking for a very good psychological thriller then I definitely recommend you read this one.
May 7, 2018
The title of this book intrigued me and I’m glad I gave it a go.
The book begins with the discovery of a body under the floorboards in Rory’s house.
He has called in pest control because he could hear scratching but never imagined there was a person under there.
The story then goes on to Anna, who is being hounded by her mother in law because she ‘talks’ to her dead husband. Anna is clearly unstable but those around her seem to make matters worse.
Anna decides to learn to ride a motorbike so then meets Rory and his colleagues.
This story had many threads which come together at the end, and when they do, it’s breathtaking.
This is a gripping read and I’d like to thank Bloodhound Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
The book begins with the discovery of a body under the floorboards in Rory’s house.
He has called in pest control because he could hear scratching but never imagined there was a person under there.
The story then goes on to Anna, who is being hounded by her mother in law because she ‘talks’ to her dead husband. Anna is clearly unstable but those around her seem to make matters worse.
Anna decides to learn to ride a motorbike so then meets Rory and his colleagues.
This story had many threads which come together at the end, and when they do, it’s breathtaking.
This is a gripping read and I’d like to thank Bloodhound Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
May 5, 2018
For the past 24 hours I have been absorbed in the world of Anna and Rory, who are two lost souls. The opening chapter is of two men from the council pest control department visiting Rory's property after Rory has complained about a foul smell and there has been complaints about Rory's next door neighbours an undesirable family who's house and yard are a pigsty and have caused rats to scour theirs and Rory's properties. Rory and the two council men pull up the floor boards in his living room to discover the body of a missing woman who turns out to be that of Anna chamberlain, immediately I was drawn in and wanted to find out what had happened to Anna? What had happened for her to end up dead under Rory's house? And is Rory himself guilty of murdering her as the two council men obviously immediately jump to the conclusion of... the second chapter we are transported back to previous weeks where we meet Anna who has been a widow for the past four years after her husband died in the military, I felt sorry for Anna she clearly was struggling with some mental health issues believing her dead husband was talking to her, her path does cross with Rory's, I also really liked Rory's character he was somewhat of a lost soul after his wife died and is trying to make a fresh start for himself. We meet other family members throughout the story line and I had my suspicions about a few of them, however nothing prepared me for the unexpected turn of events at the end which blew my predictions out of the water where we find out what led to Anna's murder, why and also who murdered her , the characters aren't all what they may seem. A fantastic book with many unforgettable turn of events. Thank you to netgalley for this book.
May 17, 2018
My first A B Morgan book but it certainly won’t be the last it was an amazing read and deserving of 5 stars. Just wonderful writing and lots of brilliant characters..this is one heck of a writer..well recommended I loved it.
May 10, 2018
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This is the second book that I have read by this author and after reading this one I have downloaded the other two books she has released that I haven't yet read - I love her writing style! I was intrigued by the blurb for this one and that cover is definitely one that sticks out for me!
From reading the book you can really tell that the author knows her stuff and it bringing to the story real life experience and that or me gives the book an added edge. This is an excellent psychological thriller and it took me just a few hours to read, it is definitely one that grips you!
I haven't hesitated to give the book 5 stars and it is highly recommended by me!
This is the second book that I have read by this author and after reading this one I have downloaded the other two books she has released that I haven't yet read - I love her writing style! I was intrigued by the blurb for this one and that cover is definitely one that sticks out for me!
From reading the book you can really tell that the author knows her stuff and it bringing to the story real life experience and that or me gives the book an added edge. This is an excellent psychological thriller and it took me just a few hours to read, it is definitely one that grips you!
I haven't hesitated to give the book 5 stars and it is highly recommended by me!
April 24, 2018
Anna is an investigative journalist and reporter. She is currently tailing a family whom she has seen kidnapping and abusing their employees. The family have a reputation for being aggressive and violent and she has reported them to the police numerous time to the point that they are rather fed up of her. The thing is that Anna lives in her own world since her husband was killed in action in Afghanistan. She hears his voice and responds to it,despite having had numerous treatments in the four years since he was killed. Rory is the neighbour of the troublesome family and meets Anna when she signs up to do a motorbike course with his company. He is worried about her and when she goes missing, puts himself out to try and find her. A body is found under the floor of his cottage. This is a cleverly thought out plot, one that starts with the discovery and then quickly goes back to how it got there. Rory is a likeable character and you can;t help but feel for Anna. This is a well researched novel and A.B Morgan’s background shows with the skill of putting mental health issues down on paper in a character. This is a real change from a normal crime book as there are no detectives in the mix, nor private investigators, just friends and colleagues doing what they think is right. A wonderful refreshing, clever read.
For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/
or follow me on Twitter @nickijmurphy1
For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/
or follow me on Twitter @nickijmurphy1
May 10, 2018
All reviews can be found on my blog at https://thewritinggarnet.wordpress.com
I have to admit that I wasn't a fan of 'Stench' to begin with as I felt that the pace was a bit too slow for me to sink my teeth into. However, the more of the book I read, the more addicted I became, turning my opinion of 'Stench' from a 'hmmmm' to a 'omg this book!'.
From a motorbike instructor to a petrol garage clerk, from a neighbour with questionable morals to a woman with a vivid mindset - 'Stench' really does have a character for everyone. If you're looking to read a story that is likely to keep you on your toes, gripping the book until your knuckles go white, whilst also making every strand of hair on your body stand to attention, then I can safely say that A B Morgan's novel is for you.
Pardon my vagueness, but those who have already read this book will understand how difficult it is to review without accidentally giving anything away. I'm not one for dropping spoilers in reviews, and I don't intend on starting now, hence my being vague! Plus, 'Stench' has the type of storyline where pieces of information is drip fed to you for the duration of the book, and if you were to find pieces of the puzzle beforehand, your reaction to the events described in the story will most probably be completely different.
Even though my earlier opinion of the novel was uncertain, I couldn't quite believe the difference in my opinion by the end of the book. I was flabbergasted beyond belief, with an unhinged jaw to boot! I seriously wasn't expecting the change in direction, but it was brilliantly executed and upped the ante of the overall storyline.
I loved how the author managed to keep my attention despite the slow pace and drip feeding of information - I was a little bit concerned that the pace might make me feel a little bit bored, but due to the authors fantastic storytelling, it wasn't an issue at all. I was far from bored.
'Stench' is a very, very cleverly written, addictive, shocking and highly thrilling novel which nearly made me cause a fire by how fast I was turning the pages of the book (even though it was a kindle, but you catch my drift!). An outstanding and witty novel with one of the most jaw dropping conclusions I have read in a while. What a belter of a book!
I have to admit that I wasn't a fan of 'Stench' to begin with as I felt that the pace was a bit too slow for me to sink my teeth into. However, the more of the book I read, the more addicted I became, turning my opinion of 'Stench' from a 'hmmmm' to a 'omg this book!'.
From a motorbike instructor to a petrol garage clerk, from a neighbour with questionable morals to a woman with a vivid mindset - 'Stench' really does have a character for everyone. If you're looking to read a story that is likely to keep you on your toes, gripping the book until your knuckles go white, whilst also making every strand of hair on your body stand to attention, then I can safely say that A B Morgan's novel is for you.
Pardon my vagueness, but those who have already read this book will understand how difficult it is to review without accidentally giving anything away. I'm not one for dropping spoilers in reviews, and I don't intend on starting now, hence my being vague! Plus, 'Stench' has the type of storyline where pieces of information is drip fed to you for the duration of the book, and if you were to find pieces of the puzzle beforehand, your reaction to the events described in the story will most probably be completely different.
Even though my earlier opinion of the novel was uncertain, I couldn't quite believe the difference in my opinion by the end of the book. I was flabbergasted beyond belief, with an unhinged jaw to boot! I seriously wasn't expecting the change in direction, but it was brilliantly executed and upped the ante of the overall storyline.
I loved how the author managed to keep my attention despite the slow pace and drip feeding of information - I was a little bit concerned that the pace might make me feel a little bit bored, but due to the authors fantastic storytelling, it wasn't an issue at all. I was far from bored.
'Stench' is a very, very cleverly written, addictive, shocking and highly thrilling novel which nearly made me cause a fire by how fast I was turning the pages of the book (even though it was a kindle, but you catch my drift!). An outstanding and witty novel with one of the most jaw dropping conclusions I have read in a while. What a belter of a book!
June 2, 2018
This is the fourth book by Morgan and with each one she has created increasingly complex personalities for her characters and plots that hold your attention.
I wasn't sure if I was going to like Rory to begin with, but the more I found out about him and his past, the more I did. I was really pleased to 'meet' Barney and Annette again after being introduced to them in, The Camera Lies. They are great together and offer fantastic support for Rory when he needs it.
I thought the plot was very clever with little snippets of information and clues given gradually. Some led me up the garden path whilst others uncovered some real surprises. The ending was one of the best I've read. I actually went back to the beginning and re-read the first few chapters, realising why certain parts had been written in the way they had.
I've enjoyed all Morgan's books to date, but this is my favourite. If you enjoy complex psychological thrillers that mess with your head, then get yourself a copy of this book!
I wasn't sure if I was going to like Rory to begin with, but the more I found out about him and his past, the more I did. I was really pleased to 'meet' Barney and Annette again after being introduced to them in, The Camera Lies. They are great together and offer fantastic support for Rory when he needs it.
I thought the plot was very clever with little snippets of information and clues given gradually. Some led me up the garden path whilst others uncovered some real surprises. The ending was one of the best I've read. I actually went back to the beginning and re-read the first few chapters, realising why certain parts had been written in the way they had.
I've enjoyed all Morgan's books to date, but this is my favourite. If you enjoy complex psychological thrillers that mess with your head, then get yourself a copy of this book!
August 24, 2018
The cover and title of this book alone intrigued me. I love discovering new-to-me authors. There’s something so satisfying about reading a book without all the hype and high expectations. That being said, the author set the bar pretty high for me with Stench.
I was hooked from the very beginning. I found the story completely engaging and original. I actually read this with eyes wide open and jaw dropped. It’s so hard to do this book justice because it was so well written that it’s almost impossible without giving something away.
This might have been my first from A. B. Morgan but I’m telling you, it will NOT be the last! If you have not checked this author out yet, now is the perfect time to run out and grab a copy. You won’t regret it!
Massive thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing a copy of this incredible story that I was more than thrilled to provide an honest review for.
I was hooked from the very beginning. I found the story completely engaging and original. I actually read this with eyes wide open and jaw dropped. It’s so hard to do this book justice because it was so well written that it’s almost impossible without giving something away.
This might have been my first from A. B. Morgan but I’m telling you, it will NOT be the last! If you have not checked this author out yet, now is the perfect time to run out and grab a copy. You won’t regret it!
Massive thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing a copy of this incredible story that I was more than thrilled to provide an honest review for.
May 11, 2018
As soon as I read the blurb for this book I knew I just had to read it, plus coupled with that eye-catching cover, I had to dive straight in. A.B. Morgan has written a few books but I’m ashamed to say that this is the first one of hers that I’ve read. Wow, what a read it was – I was hooked right from the first chapter. I will be reading her other books as soon as I can now!
Stench opens up to a body of a woman being found under the floorboards of Rory Norton’s house. We then jump to Anna who is mourning the loss of her husband, she frequently talks to him and hears him and she wants to learn to ride a motorbike. I loved the two characters of Rory and Anna, Rory is very likeable and I loved how different Anna was. There is also a whole host of different characters throughout the book but I didn’t get confused with all of them.
A.B. Morgan has done a brilliant job with the mental health side of Anna – her experience and knowledge in the field really shines through. The book is quite slow-paced which I loved – the information we were getting throughout the read just made me want to read more. I was gripped and quickly devoured the book.
Stench is certainly a very different kind of read. It is different to what I expecting to read but it was different in a good way! A.B. Morgan’s writing style is just brilliant – it flows off the page and you soon get entwined into the characters’ lives. She has written a very clever book that will get inside your mind, you’ll think about it even when you’re not reading.
Stench is a gripping psychological thriller that had me glued to my kindle. The twists and turns that is thrown at us just blew me away and nothing prepared me for the end. My jaw was on the floor, I needed a stiff drink to recover from it all!
Absolutely brilliant!
Stench opens up to a body of a woman being found under the floorboards of Rory Norton’s house. We then jump to Anna who is mourning the loss of her husband, she frequently talks to him and hears him and she wants to learn to ride a motorbike. I loved the two characters of Rory and Anna, Rory is very likeable and I loved how different Anna was. There is also a whole host of different characters throughout the book but I didn’t get confused with all of them.
A.B. Morgan has done a brilliant job with the mental health side of Anna – her experience and knowledge in the field really shines through. The book is quite slow-paced which I loved – the information we were getting throughout the read just made me want to read more. I was gripped and quickly devoured the book.
Stench is certainly a very different kind of read. It is different to what I expecting to read but it was different in a good way! A.B. Morgan’s writing style is just brilliant – it flows off the page and you soon get entwined into the characters’ lives. She has written a very clever book that will get inside your mind, you’ll think about it even when you’re not reading.
Stench is a gripping psychological thriller that had me glued to my kindle. The twists and turns that is thrown at us just blew me away and nothing prepared me for the end. My jaw was on the floor, I needed a stiff drink to recover from it all!
Absolutely brilliant!
May 7, 2018
Just finished reading this strange book. It is completely different from anything I have read before. It has many caractures and takes quite a bit of thinking to put them in order. The main character is Anne, a woman with mental health issues. I was particularly impressed about the way this book brings to light many failings of the system where mental health is concerned. I did find some of the dialogue funny,bits made me laugh out loud, but it is on a whole quite dark.. if you enjoy a mystery then this is the book for you.
July 7, 2018
This book was exactly what I hope it would be. I enjoyed it. The stench I was hoping was something far more and it was. What a thrilling book for me. I couldn't wait to find out what happened next. There were some great twists in there and the characters Rory and Anna were relatable to me. *This book was given to me for free at my request from Netgalley and I provided this voluntary review.*
April 29, 2018
I will post my review as part of the blog tour.
May 10, 2018
I must admit, I love the cover and title, and I can’t read the word Stench without screwing my nose up slightly. It conjures up so many images, that I don’t want to imagine.
I have read all A B Morgan’s previous books, and love the way she brings mental health the forefront in all her books in a diverse and mysterious manner.
Stench (yes, screwed my nose up again) was a twisty read, with plenty of surprises.
There was an array of characters that had such individuality, but worked well in the story. Morgan’s characters were full of interesting flaws, natures and this made for a compelling and thought provoking read.
There are a few characters that make appearances in this book from a previous book, but it isn’t a follow on.
I found myself really caring about Anna and loved the banter between Rory and Barney.
A truly wonderfully written novel with mystery as well as suspense, yet again Morgan has given us a thought provoking novel, that will tap in to many emotions, and with such believable characters.
4.5 stars,
Thanks to #netgalley and #bloodhoundbooks for an adavanced reader copy, all thoughts on this review are my own. #stench.
I have read all A B Morgan’s previous books, and love the way she brings mental health the forefront in all her books in a diverse and mysterious manner.
Stench (yes, screwed my nose up again) was a twisty read, with plenty of surprises.
There was an array of characters that had such individuality, but worked well in the story. Morgan’s characters were full of interesting flaws, natures and this made for a compelling and thought provoking read.
There are a few characters that make appearances in this book from a previous book, but it isn’t a follow on.
I found myself really caring about Anna and loved the banter between Rory and Barney.
A truly wonderfully written novel with mystery as well as suspense, yet again Morgan has given us a thought provoking novel, that will tap in to many emotions, and with such believable characters.
4.5 stars,
Thanks to #netgalley and #bloodhoundbooks for an adavanced reader copy, all thoughts on this review are my own. #stench.
June 7, 2018
Well done
Well written and interesting characters. The story was beautifully woven into suspense, suspicions, and small lies. I will follow this author, looking forward to more. Thank you😺
Well written and interesting characters. The story was beautifully woven into suspense, suspicions, and small lies. I will follow this author, looking forward to more. Thank you😺
October 25, 2018
I cried several times during this book. That poor woman, that haunted man. The people are so alive, so real, so relateable to. Where I can normally tear through a book in one sitting, I had to take my time with this one, it was so real.
Saying that though I also found it a wonderful book, engrossing, well written and very 'today' with its treatment of mental health problems - for both the sufferer and the people who are helping them.
Saying that though I also found it a wonderful book, engrossing, well written and very 'today' with its treatment of mental health problems - for both the sufferer and the people who are helping them.
May 14, 2018
This is an interesting idea for a novel and the plot points come together at the end very well. Rory brings in Pest Control and finds a recently dead body under his floorboards. The story takes place in two main time zones, before and after the discovery. For me, the action was slightly weakened by the author’s tendency to use passive sentences in places where an active one would have kept focus better. Nevertheless, if you like intrigue, villainy and deliberate lies, you’ll enjoy this.
May 16, 2018
I enjoy stories that build up to a finale, this one is a little different in that it starts with a bit of a bang then settles to slowly drip feeding the reader information to fill out the story. It is an enthralling read and but difficult to precis without spoilers, so I won't. I certainly kept my attention throughout, I slowly got to know the characters and found this to be an absorbing read. Not a straightforward plot but one with satisfying twists to it. Highly recommended for any one who enjoys a psychological crime and suspense story.
May 21, 2018
I have to admit, I kinda balked at the title on this one - it was just so "in your face", but it turned out to be wonderfully fitting.
Told in two timelines and two voices, we are introduced first to Rory Norton, in a bit of a shocker as the council pest control dig up a body from under his floorboards. Rory is an odd bird in this genre of late - in a sea of unlikeable and troublesome leads, he's actually pretty likeable, even with his secrets and even when his own motives are called into suspicion. And then there's Anna, who suffered a breakdown after the death of her husband and who is clearly in the throes of a relapse, talking to her dead husband and stalking some very bad people under the guise of investigative journalism.
We are drawn through Anna's mindset as she is drawn deeper and deeper into her mental breakdown, and through Rory's attempts to get her help, highlighting the problems with mental health care that are, sadly, universal. As Anna falls through the cracks, she becomes a victim of both her own psychosis and of the system itself. All the while, we are introduced to other characters, including a colourful cast of locals (with one kiwi, who gets rather antsy about being mistaken for Australian. Ha!), the evil Fewtrell family, Anna's mother-in-law, her cousin Gemma, and eventually even her parents. There is someone in there everyone can relate to, and for a change, there are no other reasonable suspects, other than the obvious.
Despite a little bit of a slowdown after the initial shocker, the pace definitely picks up and it's obvious that Ms Morgan is wonderful at what she does. "Stench" is one of the most refreshing psychological thrillers I've read in a while, and I have to say, the twist at the end was, for once, one I did not see coming! That in itself makes this one definitely worth picking up.
Crossposted at https://bookishbiker.com/2018/05/revi...
Told in two timelines and two voices, we are introduced first to Rory Norton, in a bit of a shocker as the council pest control dig up a body from under his floorboards. Rory is an odd bird in this genre of late - in a sea of unlikeable and troublesome leads, he's actually pretty likeable, even with his secrets and even when his own motives are called into suspicion. And then there's Anna, who suffered a breakdown after the death of her husband and who is clearly in the throes of a relapse, talking to her dead husband and stalking some very bad people under the guise of investigative journalism.
We are drawn through Anna's mindset as she is drawn deeper and deeper into her mental breakdown, and through Rory's attempts to get her help, highlighting the problems with mental health care that are, sadly, universal. As Anna falls through the cracks, she becomes a victim of both her own psychosis and of the system itself. All the while, we are introduced to other characters, including a colourful cast of locals (with one kiwi, who gets rather antsy about being mistaken for Australian. Ha!), the evil Fewtrell family, Anna's mother-in-law, her cousin Gemma, and eventually even her parents. There is someone in there everyone can relate to, and for a change, there are no other reasonable suspects, other than the obvious.
Despite a little bit of a slowdown after the initial shocker, the pace definitely picks up and it's obvious that Ms Morgan is wonderful at what she does. "Stench" is one of the most refreshing psychological thrillers I've read in a while, and I have to say, the twist at the end was, for once, one I did not see coming! That in itself makes this one definitely worth picking up.
Crossposted at https://bookishbiker.com/2018/05/revi...
May 12, 2018
We start this story as Rory Norton has been hearing scratching and has a putrid smell coming from the floor. He figured it is his filthy neighbors and their rat problem has moved over to his house. But when the lift the floor boards, the body of his neighbor Ann Chamberlain is discovered. Of course he is immediately suspected of killing her.
Weeks previously we meet Anna Chamberlain. She lost her husband four years prior in Afghanistan. She clearly has issues because she still talks to him. Her behavior causes those around her to give her more grief than help she clearly needs. So Anna decides to learn how to ride a motorcycle. There she meets Rory and what follows is one heck of a ride for both of them.
This story started out with a bang and just kept going. I mean how can you not get dragged in when the first chapter is about a man discovering the body if his horrible neighbor dead under his floor boards? Rory is a decent guy and I felt for him in this story. He does have a past and you are kept on the edge of your seat wondering if he really did kill Anna.
Anna clearly has some issues mentally. I did feel sorry for her with the loss of her husband and how it seems those around her are not really there to help. But at the same time she becomes a crazy stalker and you it becomes hard to sympathize with her.
This is a fantastic psychological thriller that started out with a bang then slowly builds the story until you are wrapped tightly in its embrace. This is the second book I have read from this author. AB Morgan is an incredible author. Her books have a permanent place on my bookshelves.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
Weeks previously we meet Anna Chamberlain. She lost her husband four years prior in Afghanistan. She clearly has issues because she still talks to him. Her behavior causes those around her to give her more grief than help she clearly needs. So Anna decides to learn how to ride a motorcycle. There she meets Rory and what follows is one heck of a ride for both of them.
This story started out with a bang and just kept going. I mean how can you not get dragged in when the first chapter is about a man discovering the body if his horrible neighbor dead under his floor boards? Rory is a decent guy and I felt for him in this story. He does have a past and you are kept on the edge of your seat wondering if he really did kill Anna.
Anna clearly has some issues mentally. I did feel sorry for her with the loss of her husband and how it seems those around her are not really there to help. But at the same time she becomes a crazy stalker and you it becomes hard to sympathize with her.
This is a fantastic psychological thriller that started out with a bang then slowly builds the story until you are wrapped tightly in its embrace. This is the second book I have read from this author. AB Morgan is an incredible author. Her books have a permanent place on my bookshelves.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
January 24, 2021
Rory Norton tried to leave his past behind, but the discovery of a body under his floorboards changes everything. Does he have a connection to the dead woman or is it just bad luck on his part?
Anna Chamberlain is an investigative reporter who has a connection to Rory. When she goes missing, Rory tries to find her.
As Stench slides back and forth between the present and the past, it loses the cohesiveness that it needs to be a great thriller. The book also lacks polish, with the addition of poor word choices and stilted sentence structures at times. The ending of the novel reads more like a Scooby Doo episode than a well planned out psychological thriller, so I was less than impressed for that reason. The beginning of the novel makes promises that are not delivered by the conclusion. Stench is not a book that I would recommend to other readers, for the reasons listed above.
Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Reader's Copy of Stench by NetGalley and the publisher, Bloodhound Books. The choice to review this book was my own.
Anna Chamberlain is an investigative reporter who has a connection to Rory. When she goes missing, Rory tries to find her.
As Stench slides back and forth between the present and the past, it loses the cohesiveness that it needs to be a great thriller. The book also lacks polish, with the addition of poor word choices and stilted sentence structures at times. The ending of the novel reads more like a Scooby Doo episode than a well planned out psychological thriller, so I was less than impressed for that reason. The beginning of the novel makes promises that are not delivered by the conclusion. Stench is not a book that I would recommend to other readers, for the reasons listed above.
Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Reader's Copy of Stench by NetGalley and the publisher, Bloodhound Books. The choice to review this book was my own.
May 15, 2018
The blurb talks about a man finding a dead woman under the floorboards of his house and the book does start out that way for the first chapter or two.
Then it focuses on this character "Anna" who hears her dead husband, things happen she doesn't remember, she thinks she works as an investigative reporter for a TV station and on and on and on. The girl is real cray, cray.
One would think that I would want to get to the bottom of what her problem is. However, the dead husband is such a jerk and talks to her in such an abusive way that I was cringing way too much. The mother-in-law is incessantly on Anna's case and getting everyone in town involved so that they, too, are hounding the poor woman.
I got 29% through thinking it would get better for me. Sorry to say, it did not.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Then it focuses on this character "Anna" who hears her dead husband, things happen she doesn't remember, she thinks she works as an investigative reporter for a TV station and on and on and on. The girl is real cray, cray.
One would think that I would want to get to the bottom of what her problem is. However, the dead husband is such a jerk and talks to her in such an abusive way that I was cringing way too much. The mother-in-law is incessantly on Anna's case and getting everyone in town involved so that they, too, are hounding the poor woman.
I got 29% through thinking it would get better for me. Sorry to say, it did not.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
May 4, 2018
This was such an interesting book in many ways. It was clear that the author had a strong knowledgeable background in the treatment of mental health, and, while mental illness is quite often a factor in thrillers, it is a lot more unusual for it to be the victim rather than the killer who is affected. What was sad was that Anna's decline and psychotic episodes went unnoticed by some people and unreported by many more which was quite thought-provoking in itself. The characters themselves were well described and clearly identifiable. I found the story was intriguing with some great twists, and there was a nice interaction between the group of friends. I shall definitely be seeking out more by the same author.
April 7, 2019
I was so excited to read this book and sadly I found it very hard to follow or to keep my interest. I Did not read the book all the way through, I only made it to 54% when I gave up. I am going to try another of this authors books, maybe I just didn’t relate to the characters on this one.
February 21, 2020
Not going to lie, I had a hard time with this book at first. Put it down for awhile as I couldn't get into it. I picked it up months later and kinda got into it.
Interesting plot. Interesting characters. Give it a try. Thanks Netgalley for this arc.
Interesting plot. Interesting characters. Give it a try. Thanks Netgalley for this arc.
June 3, 2018
Average
An average read that was a bit dry at times. The plot was decent and an interesting story but lacks suspense and excitement.
An average read that was a bit dry at times. The plot was decent and an interesting story but lacks suspense and excitement.
July 10, 2018
This book was brilliant, so many twists and turns
The story was so clever and well thought out and the characters were great
Loved it
The story was so clever and well thought out and the characters were great
Loved it
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