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In Servitude
When Grace’s beloved sister Glory dies in a car crash, her life spirals out of control.
She discovers Glory was indebted to a local crime lord and laundering money through her café. What’s worse, Grace is now forced to take over.
Defying her anxiety, Grace will stop at nothing to save herself and those Glory left behind from the clutches of Glasgow’s underworld. But her plans unravel when more family secrets emerge and Grace is driven to question everything she believed about her sister – even her death.
Could Glory’s accident have been murder?
She discovers Glory was indebted to a local crime lord and laundering money through her café. What’s worse, Grace is now forced to take over.
Defying her anxiety, Grace will stop at nothing to save herself and those Glory left behind from the clutches of Glasgow’s underworld. But her plans unravel when more family secrets emerge and Grace is driven to question everything she believed about her sister – even her death.
Could Glory’s accident have been murder?
337 pages, Paperback
First published August 23, 2018
126 people are currently reading
858 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
December 7, 2018
Good book!
Grace McBride has just found out her sister Glory died in a car crash. but Grace is not satisfied with the cut and dry way the officers have labeled her death. Grace is sure something has gone wrong. In her investigating she finds that her beloved sister had been doing less than reputable business of late. Even worse, Grace finds herself picking up where her sister left off. Grace now finds herself in a struggle to keep her hands clean and to find out what really happened to her sister.
I tore through this book in a day! This was a very well-thought-out story with lively and vivid characters set with a rich tapestry of twists and turns around every corner. The writing style is quick to the punch, and what Kist lacked in detail, she made up for with excitement. There is not a dull moment in this book.
Like I said I ripped through this book in a day in one sitting. I found it very easy to read and compelling to say the least. I really enjoyed this book and believe others would as well.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a good thrill!
Or you can watch my review on YouTube here:
https://youtu.be/shduCB9ZbaA
Grace McBride has just found out her sister Glory died in a car crash. but Grace is not satisfied with the cut and dry way the officers have labeled her death. Grace is sure something has gone wrong. In her investigating she finds that her beloved sister had been doing less than reputable business of late. Even worse, Grace finds herself picking up where her sister left off. Grace now finds herself in a struggle to keep her hands clean and to find out what really happened to her sister.
I tore through this book in a day! This was a very well-thought-out story with lively and vivid characters set with a rich tapestry of twists and turns around every corner. The writing style is quick to the punch, and what Kist lacked in detail, she made up for with excitement. There is not a dull moment in this book.
Like I said I ripped through this book in a day in one sitting. I found it very easy to read and compelling to say the least. I really enjoyed this book and believe others would as well.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a good thrill!
Or you can watch my review on YouTube here:
https://youtu.be/shduCB9ZbaA
September 8, 2018
This is a story of two sisters Glory and Grace. Glory’s car accident and instant death has Grace is a state of near shock. She rushes to her brother in law Stephen’s home to help out with the kids. Over the days, the truth of Glory’s life soon reveals itself, making Grace scramble to keep up with the news of crime, blackmail, money laundering, underworld bosses, sleazy landlords. On top of that, Grace has to deal with the expectations and helplessness of her parents. Til she digs into the murky past of her sister’s life to get to the truth.
Debut by Heleen Kist, and what a hard hitting suspenseful novel! Heleen pulls all stops to render a novel which lands true to the world of Glasgow, Scotland.
In a land of clichéd thrillers, Heleen’s work stands out like a rare, shining diamond. The book has the twists, the mystery, and the suspense. Each chapter left me with bated breath, waiting eagerly to know what happens next.
Her prose in her descriptions is so lyrical and enchanting, that I could see the scene in my mind. She has described Glory’s life in vivid details. I liked how she has plotted the scenes so sequentially. Each sub plot is well tied up. Her main character Grace has the mind of an investigator and determination and courage of a sister. Even death does not come between sisters.
If there were any niggles, I couldn’t see it, as I was too busy enjoying the story! Ms. Kist, in her debut, has captured the pulse of a reader, she knows exactly what would make her readers race through the pages along with her main character. Heleen is instinctive and intuitive; she has a raw talent which is quite unseen in a newcomer. Her writing has a maturity that is rare in a debut novel. Her book stands easily amongst the bestselling psychological thriller authors.
An unputdownable, roller-coaster, absolutely cracking psychological thriller, where the pages just fly away
Debut by Heleen Kist, and what a hard hitting suspenseful novel! Heleen pulls all stops to render a novel which lands true to the world of Glasgow, Scotland.
In a land of clichéd thrillers, Heleen’s work stands out like a rare, shining diamond. The book has the twists, the mystery, and the suspense. Each chapter left me with bated breath, waiting eagerly to know what happens next.
Her prose in her descriptions is so lyrical and enchanting, that I could see the scene in my mind. She has described Glory’s life in vivid details. I liked how she has plotted the scenes so sequentially. Each sub plot is well tied up. Her main character Grace has the mind of an investigator and determination and courage of a sister. Even death does not come between sisters.
If there were any niggles, I couldn’t see it, as I was too busy enjoying the story! Ms. Kist, in her debut, has captured the pulse of a reader, she knows exactly what would make her readers race through the pages along with her main character. Heleen is instinctive and intuitive; she has a raw talent which is quite unseen in a newcomer. Her writing has a maturity that is rare in a debut novel. Her book stands easily amongst the bestselling psychological thriller authors.
An unputdownable, roller-coaster, absolutely cracking psychological thriller, where the pages just fly away
September 10, 2018
4.5 stars
This book starts with our heroine, Grace, in panic upon receiving the news that her sister, Glory, is dead. From that first chapter, I already decided it's a good story. It should be because I have this belief that any book that starts with a conflict would be a good one. Also I thought Grace would be an unreliable narrator.
I was right with the first, and wrong with the latter.
I should say that the blurb didn't help me at all at guessing what the book would be about. Or did it help me figuring out the story? No. In Servitude is a story of many things. I felt like it's a maze, a labyrinth, with numerous winding paths. Twists and turns. Paths that shouldn't be connected but they are. And in the first glance you think you don't need to take all those paths but you do.
(God, why do I even try analogy. I'm not even good at it. LOL.)
Anyway, that's what Grace did. She took all those paths in order to get out of the mess her sister's death somehow brought. What paths? Well, this book touched several points like family, betrayal, justice, love, trafficking and more. The author successfully managed to take all those stuffs in one book, to deliver one message. And when I thought everything is wrapping up, I was slapped by another revelation, twisting my mind and throwing me into another truth.
And it's fantastic.
I was also surprised that this book showed a not-so-obvious facet of servitude. It's amazing the way the author handled it. From Glory's mysterious deaths and activities before she died, to Grace's urge to always help and make things right. Grace's boyfriend Dave. Glory's husband Stephen. The bad guys, the employees. And the message of the last lines of the book wasn't lost to me. Everyone is in service to something or someone.
And Grace. I said I was wrong guessing she'd be an unreliable narrator. Really she's not. She's more of a frantic one. She doesn't stop. I found myself think like her boyfriend, Dave and I wanna tell her, 'Honey, slow down.' But it was a good thing because she made the story fast paced and highly entertaining. I read this book in less than three hours, I was hyped reading it. I couldn't put it down.
Though maybe I'd love to read other character's thoughts too. Maybe just a break once in a while from reading Grace's frantic ones. The other characters are, I can say enthralling, so it would've been nice to read their thoughts. But Grace would still be my favorite. Her character development was amazing too.
Overall, I highly recommend this book to everyone. It's fast-paced, highly entertaining and sensible. You guys wouldn't want to miss this one. :)
This book starts with our heroine, Grace, in panic upon receiving the news that her sister, Glory, is dead. From that first chapter, I already decided it's a good story. It should be because I have this belief that any book that starts with a conflict would be a good one. Also I thought Grace would be an unreliable narrator.
I was right with the first, and wrong with the latter.
I should say that the blurb didn't help me at all at guessing what the book would be about. Or did it help me figuring out the story? No. In Servitude is a story of many things. I felt like it's a maze, a labyrinth, with numerous winding paths. Twists and turns. Paths that shouldn't be connected but they are. And in the first glance you think you don't need to take all those paths but you do.
(God, why do I even try analogy. I'm not even good at it. LOL.)
Anyway, that's what Grace did. She took all those paths in order to get out of the mess her sister's death somehow brought. What paths? Well, this book touched several points like family, betrayal, justice, love, trafficking and more. The author successfully managed to take all those stuffs in one book, to deliver one message. And when I thought everything is wrapping up, I was slapped by another revelation, twisting my mind and throwing me into another truth.
And it's fantastic.
I was also surprised that this book showed a not-so-obvious facet of servitude. It's amazing the way the author handled it. From Glory's mysterious deaths and activities before she died, to Grace's urge to always help and make things right. Grace's boyfriend Dave. Glory's husband Stephen. The bad guys, the employees. And the message of the last lines of the book wasn't lost to me. Everyone is in service to something or someone.
And Grace. I said I was wrong guessing she'd be an unreliable narrator. Really she's not. She's more of a frantic one. She doesn't stop. I found myself think like her boyfriend, Dave and I wanna tell her, 'Honey, slow down.' But it was a good thing because she made the story fast paced and highly entertaining. I read this book in less than three hours, I was hyped reading it. I couldn't put it down.
Though maybe I'd love to read other character's thoughts too. Maybe just a break once in a while from reading Grace's frantic ones. The other characters are, I can say enthralling, so it would've been nice to read their thoughts. But Grace would still be my favorite. Her character development was amazing too.
Overall, I highly recommend this book to everyone. It's fast-paced, highly entertaining and sensible. You guys wouldn't want to miss this one. :)
November 8, 2018
I was intrigued by reviews of In Servitude due to the setting plus the biography of the author herself! After checking out the fabulous reviews on Amazon (with an amazing 4.8 average out of 5 stars!) I knew that I just had to add it to my reading pile. And what a brilliant decision that turned out to be! In Servitude is an addictive “just one more chapter” read that I devoured in one evening.
Having a personal knowledge of the setting in a novel always increases my enjoyment of it and the author has cleverly used her knowledge of Glasgow and its surrounding areas to deliver an easily accessible sense of place for her readers. But this book shows a very dark side of that city when Grace takes over her sisters business after her unexpected death. Glory died in a car accident and Grace has now taken the decision to support her sisters husband and children whilst reopening the trendy vegan cafe her sister owned. But when criminal activity comes calling at the cafe, Grace sees a side to her sister that she previously had no idea existed. And if Glory concealed that from Grace what more could she have been hiding? So what if her death wasn’t the accident Grace has been lead to believe?
I found myself swept away on a tide of family secrets as I followed Grace and her search for the truth about her sister. The family dynamics were perfectly crafted here with plenty of recognisable situations that I think we can all relate to. There are always things that we hide from even the closest of family members but Glory seemed to have got herself involved in something much darker than anyone would have expected of her. Heleen Kist has built up a tense storyline as those lies came back to haunt the family. I loved Grace! As I followed her relationships I was able to unravel her character through those interactions which felt authenticity portrayed. There were twists and turns throughout this shocking thriller which brings me to THAT ending! I defy anyone to predict the final few pages that I definitely did NOT see coming!
If you’re after a gripping page turner then I would highly recommend In Servitude! With its intricately plotted storyline and contemporary writing style, it’s hard to believe that it’s a debut novel! I love the promise of things to come from Heleen Kist and awaited her next novel with anticipation!
Having a personal knowledge of the setting in a novel always increases my enjoyment of it and the author has cleverly used her knowledge of Glasgow and its surrounding areas to deliver an easily accessible sense of place for her readers. But this book shows a very dark side of that city when Grace takes over her sisters business after her unexpected death. Glory died in a car accident and Grace has now taken the decision to support her sisters husband and children whilst reopening the trendy vegan cafe her sister owned. But when criminal activity comes calling at the cafe, Grace sees a side to her sister that she previously had no idea existed. And if Glory concealed that from Grace what more could she have been hiding? So what if her death wasn’t the accident Grace has been lead to believe?
I found myself swept away on a tide of family secrets as I followed Grace and her search for the truth about her sister. The family dynamics were perfectly crafted here with plenty of recognisable situations that I think we can all relate to. There are always things that we hide from even the closest of family members but Glory seemed to have got herself involved in something much darker than anyone would have expected of her. Heleen Kist has built up a tense storyline as those lies came back to haunt the family. I loved Grace! As I followed her relationships I was able to unravel her character through those interactions which felt authenticity portrayed. There were twists and turns throughout this shocking thriller which brings me to THAT ending! I defy anyone to predict the final few pages that I definitely did NOT see coming!
If you’re after a gripping page turner then I would highly recommend In Servitude! With its intricately plotted storyline and contemporary writing style, it’s hard to believe that it’s a debut novel! I love the promise of things to come from Heleen Kist and awaited her next novel with anticipation!
March 4, 2021
An intelligent and entertaining suspense novel, IN SERVITUDE follows Grace as she deals with the death of her sister, Glory, and the secrets Glory left behind. I very much enjoyed the book, including the ending - which I did not see coming!
I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator Kat Harrison did an impressive job of bringing the story to life for this format.
I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator Kat Harrison did an impressive job of bringing the story to life for this format.
November 2, 2018
What a heartbreaking opening. In the first chapter Grace is told that her sister Glory has been killed in the road accident. In the subsequent chapters she discovers that she had lost the sister she thought she had a long time ago because this was like some hellish alternate universe. Had her sister been murdered? And could she have possibly been the criminal that these low say she was?
Grace is a top class lady whose first thought was to protect her sister’s family from finding out what Glory had been up to her neck in! Glory had a perfect life, loving husband, 2 kids and a her own business so what had gone wrong. I can’t even imagine the bitterness and hurt that Grace was feeling.
This story makes you really think about every what if because it pushes family loyalties to the ultimate limit in every possible sense, with so many moral judgement calls and shocking disclosures, excuses and shift of blame. Grace was like a child seeing the world around her for the very first time and finding things out that couldn’t be forgotten.
I was continually shocked with how the story developed and loved how Grace found the courage to keep pushing for the truth even though inside she was anything but calm. Grace is a super character that you just know will never give up. A story that makes you wonder if you ever really know your family, close friends and even yourself.
The story is edgy from the beginning to dramatic conclusion. A superb debut from an author with a dark mind. Super excited to see what comes next from her.
Grace is a top class lady whose first thought was to protect her sister’s family from finding out what Glory had been up to her neck in! Glory had a perfect life, loving husband, 2 kids and a her own business so what had gone wrong. I can’t even imagine the bitterness and hurt that Grace was feeling.
This story makes you really think about every what if because it pushes family loyalties to the ultimate limit in every possible sense, with so many moral judgement calls and shocking disclosures, excuses and shift of blame. Grace was like a child seeing the world around her for the very first time and finding things out that couldn’t be forgotten.
I was continually shocked with how the story developed and loved how Grace found the courage to keep pushing for the truth even though inside she was anything but calm. Grace is a super character that you just know will never give up. A story that makes you wonder if you ever really know your family, close friends and even yourself.
The story is edgy from the beginning to dramatic conclusion. A superb debut from an author with a dark mind. Super excited to see what comes next from her.
September 20, 2018
In Servitude is a story of family drama, crime and captivating characters. Heleen Kist tells the story of Grace McBride after her sister dies in a car crash. Her planned out life is no longer what she thought it would be. The pressure mounts as Grace tries to figure out what her sister had gotten herself into before her death. Was it an accident or.... You will find twists and unexpected endings in this debut novel - In Servitude by Heleen Kist.
October 4, 2018
This story really will make you have a think about how well you actually know your family and friends. When Grace’s sister Glory dies, she realises that there is a lot that she never really knew about her sister.
From the outside, Glory’s life is pretty much an idyllic one. A loving husband, two boys and a thriving cafe. Not all is as it seems though and as Grace gets more involved in her sisters life, the more she unravels.
I really liked Grace. The fact that she is grieving for her sister doesn’t stop her from trying to do her best in her sister’s memory as well as for her two adorable nephews. Realising that a loved one is wrapped up in illegal activity, well I would have gone running for the hills. Not Grace though, I loved how gutsy she is and not afraid to take on the bad guys.
In Servitude is a dark and suspenseful read that draws you in and keeps you there. I was very much invested in what was going on in Grace’s life and the twists and turns as they happened. Hard to believe it’s the authors debut. Very excited to see what she brings us next.
My thanks to the author for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
From the outside, Glory’s life is pretty much an idyllic one. A loving husband, two boys and a thriving cafe. Not all is as it seems though and as Grace gets more involved in her sisters life, the more she unravels.
I really liked Grace. The fact that she is grieving for her sister doesn’t stop her from trying to do her best in her sister’s memory as well as for her two adorable nephews. Realising that a loved one is wrapped up in illegal activity, well I would have gone running for the hills. Not Grace though, I loved how gutsy she is and not afraid to take on the bad guys.
In Servitude is a dark and suspenseful read that draws you in and keeps you there. I was very much invested in what was going on in Grace’s life and the twists and turns as they happened. Hard to believe it’s the authors debut. Very excited to see what she brings us next.
My thanks to the author for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
September 7, 2018
This book. I mean, the cover is gorgeous, and the synopsis drew me in, but I wasn’t expecting this book to be as incredible as it was. In Servitude has made it to my favorite books read this year.
The characters are so well developed and compelling. We are introduced to new characters in such a way that moves the plot along.
I’m obsessed with this plot. Twist after twist, In Servitude kept me hooked the entire time. I read this in only a few hours, and I couldn’t put it down. There’s betrayal, murder, struggle and love. It’s the complete package. Brilliant writing with a fast-paced plot.
I highly recommend this novel!!
The characters are so well developed and compelling. We are introduced to new characters in such a way that moves the plot along.
I’m obsessed with this plot. Twist after twist, In Servitude kept me hooked the entire time. I read this in only a few hours, and I couldn’t put it down. There’s betrayal, murder, struggle and love. It’s the complete package. Brilliant writing with a fast-paced plot.
I highly recommend this novel!!
September 15, 2018
As though losing a twin sister isn’t bad enough. Grace is dragged into the chaos of her dead sister's life and it does terrible things to her and her relationships. There were times I wanted to shake her, tell her to calm down... but then I realised it was not just what she was doing but also how she was being affected that made this gripping and terrifying. A small spoiler : the dog survives unhurt. I couldn’t recommend it otherwise!
September 3, 2018
This was a great debut novel! Just when I thought things were finished, there was a shocker of an ending!
In Servitude dives into the theme of family and how much would you put yourself through in order to protect your family. Grace’s sister, Glory, passed away suddenly and after her death, Grace is left with a ton of questions, including did she know her sister. I was a bit surprised at how much Grace went through in order to protect her sister. It didn’t seem super realistic, especially with some of Grace’s dangerous actions.
I did get a bit lost sometimes with the novel and I wish the author had focused a bit more on some sections instead of trying to fit in everything. At one time, around the half way mark it seemed that the novel was wrapping up and I had no idea what was going to happen in the second half.
An impressive debut and I’m interested to read more of the author’s future work!
In Servitude dives into the theme of family and how much would you put yourself through in order to protect your family. Grace’s sister, Glory, passed away suddenly and after her death, Grace is left with a ton of questions, including did she know her sister. I was a bit surprised at how much Grace went through in order to protect her sister. It didn’t seem super realistic, especially with some of Grace’s dangerous actions.
I did get a bit lost sometimes with the novel and I wish the author had focused a bit more on some sections instead of trying to fit in everything. At one time, around the half way mark it seemed that the novel was wrapping up and I had no idea what was going to happen in the second half.
An impressive debut and I’m interested to read more of the author’s future work!
March 3, 2019
First off I want to thank the author for providing me with a copy of this book via R&R Book Tours in exchange for my honest review.
I think this was a great debut novel. It touches on so many subjects and handles each one appropriately and tastefully. Every time I picked up this book I was sucked in and I didn't want to stop reading it. It was fast paced and the first chapter pretty much sets the mood for the entire book.
I really liked the main character Grace. Even though she is grieving the loss of her sister she stays strong for her family and does everything in her power to keep them safe. I will say that what she did at the end of the book seemed totally out of character to me. Yes she's a control freak but this took it to a whole other level to me and I was a little disappointed with it.
This is full of twists and turns that I dare say you won't see coming.
January 8, 2019
First of all, a huge thank you to the author, Heleen Kist for reaching out to me via Twitter and offering a complimentary digital copy of her debut novel, In Servitude in exchange for an honest review. As you may have realised if you've read my review policy recently, I'm being very selective about the books I will accept for review and am having to say "no" to the vast majority of them. I have a huge backlog of reviews, four bookshelves worth of unread books on my own TBR that I'd love to get to at some point and I just have to be a bit more strict with myself and what I choose to read. This is all a rather long-winded way of getting round to the point which is..... it's got to be quite a special request that has me intrigued, makes me drop my rules and regulations and want to read it. As soon as I read the synopsis of In Servitude and was made aware of the number of five star reviews on Amazon/Goodreads - well, it would have to be a much stronger and less curious person than I who was able to resist!
I have to briefly mention that whilst this wasn't a five star read for me, I really appreciated what the author was trying to achieve and there were moments of the narrative where I was completely gripped and desperate to know what was going to happen next. Rattling along at an astronomically fast pace, In Servitude begins with the tragic death of Grace's sister Glory, continues with the surprising events that Grace discovers connected with her sister and the Glasgow criminal underworld and concludes with some eye-watering, astonishing and unexpected revelations that left me with a whole new respect for the author, her timing and story-telling abilities.
the author describes it, as a perfect mixture of beauty, culture, grittiness and as with most other cities around the world, potential danger in the wrong parts. As Grace takes over her sister's business venture, a vegan cafe, she becomes enveloped in the seedier element of the city and is shocked to discover that she didn't know her sister half as well as she liked to think she did. Grace is determined, independent and brave in the face of adversity and emotional trauma and I admired the way she dealt with an impossibly crazy situation in order to try and "do the right thing," and protect her sister's memory.
The ending? Well quite honestly, it knocked me sideways. I believe I just stared at my Kindle for a few minutes in confusion (which was swiftly followed by excitement) until Mr B, my long-suffering other half, had to ask if I was feeling well! It was the most perfect conclusion to an interesting psychological thriller which I devoured within just two days as the rapid pace of the narrative wouldn't allow for anything longer than that. Heleen Kist is certainly a promising new author in the genre and I look forward to seeing what she produces next.
For my full review and many more, please visit my blog at http://www.bibliobeth.com
I have to briefly mention that whilst this wasn't a five star read for me, I really appreciated what the author was trying to achieve and there were moments of the narrative where I was completely gripped and desperate to know what was going to happen next. Rattling along at an astronomically fast pace, In Servitude begins with the tragic death of Grace's sister Glory, continues with the surprising events that Grace discovers connected with her sister and the Glasgow criminal underworld and concludes with some eye-watering, astonishing and unexpected revelations that left me with a whole new respect for the author, her timing and story-telling abilities.
the author describes it, as a perfect mixture of beauty, culture, grittiness and as with most other cities around the world, potential danger in the wrong parts. As Grace takes over her sister's business venture, a vegan cafe, she becomes enveloped in the seedier element of the city and is shocked to discover that she didn't know her sister half as well as she liked to think she did. Grace is determined, independent and brave in the face of adversity and emotional trauma and I admired the way she dealt with an impossibly crazy situation in order to try and "do the right thing," and protect her sister's memory.
The ending? Well quite honestly, it knocked me sideways. I believe I just stared at my Kindle for a few minutes in confusion (which was swiftly followed by excitement) until Mr B, my long-suffering other half, had to ask if I was feeling well! It was the most perfect conclusion to an interesting psychological thriller which I devoured within just two days as the rapid pace of the narrative wouldn't allow for anything longer than that. Heleen Kist is certainly a promising new author in the genre and I look forward to seeing what she produces next.
For my full review and many more, please visit my blog at http://www.bibliobeth.com
August 19, 2018
Knowing that I travel a lot, always with kindle in hand, a friend who was working with the author, asked me to read In Servitude prior to it being published. When I travel, I like books I can put down, pick up later and then quickly jump back in, and In Servitude didn’t disappoint.
I found the characters and the story line of In Servitude quite enthralling. It’s written in such a way that new characters, most of whom revolve around the main character’s journey, are introduced with a twist or turn in the story, so that I was always reading the next chapter to know what happened next. It felt quite serial and cinematic in that way.
The story line of a sister who discovers her recently deceased twin was caught up in mob-like activities, who must care for her newly orphaned nephews and bereft brother-in-law, while tending parents who are ill, running her own business and a business run by her sister that - due to mob ties - she cannot abandon, along with an evolving relationship with her boyfriend also fits nicely into the narrative that somehow women are expected to multi-task, and be sweet and pretty while doing so. The main character of In Servitude does all this, and more as the mob-world scenarios evolve, but she’s gritty. There were times I found the character too tough skinned, too unwilling to ask for help, but I found as I read on that these were my own expectations that women were supposed to – at all costs – remain sweet and nice, while the world tumbles down around them. The main character here is likable, but she kicks some ass and breaks through stereotypes.
I recommend this book. It’s a page turner. The characters are interesting and challenge preconceptions. The story-line evolves constantly, never drags or slows down, and with Glasgow as the background, you get a sense that you’re visiting somewhere new.
I found the characters and the story line of In Servitude quite enthralling. It’s written in such a way that new characters, most of whom revolve around the main character’s journey, are introduced with a twist or turn in the story, so that I was always reading the next chapter to know what happened next. It felt quite serial and cinematic in that way.
The story line of a sister who discovers her recently deceased twin was caught up in mob-like activities, who must care for her newly orphaned nephews and bereft brother-in-law, while tending parents who are ill, running her own business and a business run by her sister that - due to mob ties - she cannot abandon, along with an evolving relationship with her boyfriend also fits nicely into the narrative that somehow women are expected to multi-task, and be sweet and pretty while doing so. The main character of In Servitude does all this, and more as the mob-world scenarios evolve, but she’s gritty. There were times I found the character too tough skinned, too unwilling to ask for help, but I found as I read on that these were my own expectations that women were supposed to – at all costs – remain sweet and nice, while the world tumbles down around them. The main character here is likable, but she kicks some ass and breaks through stereotypes.
I recommend this book. It’s a page turner. The characters are interesting and challenge preconceptions. The story-line evolves constantly, never drags or slows down, and with Glasgow as the background, you get a sense that you’re visiting somewhere new.
August 28, 2021
"In Servitude" is an utterly enthralling psychological suspense novel. I listened to the audio version. I can't remember the last time I went about my daily business whilst wearing headphones because I couldn't stop listening! The audiobook is brilliantly narrated by Kat Harrison. She really brings the author's words (and characters) to life.
The book opens with the death of Glory but what are the true circumstances of her demise? Her sister, Grace, is determined to find out, despite the obstacles she faces along the way.
I loved the local references to my beloved Southside of Glasgow. Kist really reveals the heart and humour of the residents. The characters are authentic and well-drawn. I enjoyed trying to put all of the puzzle pieces together. Heleen Kist is a first-class writer (I also highly recommend "Stay Mad, Sweetheart") and I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.
The book opens with the death of Glory but what are the true circumstances of her demise? Her sister, Grace, is determined to find out, despite the obstacles she faces along the way.
I loved the local references to my beloved Southside of Glasgow. Kist really reveals the heart and humour of the residents. The characters are authentic and well-drawn. I enjoyed trying to put all of the puzzle pieces together. Heleen Kist is a first-class writer (I also highly recommend "Stay Mad, Sweetheart") and I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.
September 10, 2018
Review originally posted at A Lovely Book Affair.
*Received a copy from the author/Digital Reads Blog Tours in exchange for an honest review.
** Actual rating: 4.5 stars
While thrillers and suspense are still part of a genre that is pretty new to me, I find them so, well, thrilling. The topic of financial crime was incredibly interesting, and even though I knew zero about it before reading this book and wouldn’t be able to explain for the life of me what some of those crimes actually entailed, I appreciated the fact that everything was laid out plainly. It was all easy to understand, but still without being too obvious to give any of the plots away.
Heleen Kist is a great writer. The twists and turns she manages to interject keeps you wanting to get through as quick as you can so you can know everything that’s happening. The fact that this was her debut novel stuns me because of how great it was.
The characters of the novel were great. They all had these different aspects to them that made the story itself come together so well.
Everything progressed at such a good pace. The build up to the conclusion of the novel constantly kept me engrossed. There was never a point where it got boring and I wanted to skip ahead to find out what would happen in the end. It was always kept interesting. Some crime books make you yawn until your eyes are watering trying to build up to come crazy conclusion. This book always had me wanting to read just one more chapter so I could know what the heck was going to happen.
There were so many times at the beginning where I thought it could have been multiple different people, but eventually I made my guess and I was right. Thank god because in my opinion it was the most satisfying ending.
Seriously, you should read this book. If you’re looking for an excellent suspense novel to keep you on your toes, then you absolutely need to read this one.
*Received a copy from the author/Digital Reads Blog Tours in exchange for an honest review.
** Actual rating: 4.5 stars
While thrillers and suspense are still part of a genre that is pretty new to me, I find them so, well, thrilling. The topic of financial crime was incredibly interesting, and even though I knew zero about it before reading this book and wouldn’t be able to explain for the life of me what some of those crimes actually entailed, I appreciated the fact that everything was laid out plainly. It was all easy to understand, but still without being too obvious to give any of the plots away.
Heleen Kist is a great writer. The twists and turns she manages to interject keeps you wanting to get through as quick as you can so you can know everything that’s happening. The fact that this was her debut novel stuns me because of how great it was.
The characters of the novel were great. They all had these different aspects to them that made the story itself come together so well.
Everything progressed at such a good pace. The build up to the conclusion of the novel constantly kept me engrossed. There was never a point where it got boring and I wanted to skip ahead to find out what would happen in the end. It was always kept interesting. Some crime books make you yawn until your eyes are watering trying to build up to come crazy conclusion. This book always had me wanting to read just one more chapter so I could know what the heck was going to happen.
There were so many times at the beginning where I thought it could have been multiple different people, but eventually I made my guess and I was right. Thank god because in my opinion it was the most satisfying ending.
Seriously, you should read this book. If you’re looking for an excellent suspense novel to keep you on your toes, then you absolutely need to read this one.
September 20, 2018
I really enjoyed this book, it’s not my usual genre but I’m very glad I read it. The characters were great and I liked the way it kept me guessing, every time I thought I knew who was bad and who was good, another spanner was thrown into the works and I had to rethink. I also thought the end was very well written, I would definitely recommend it.
February 24, 2020
full review coming soon
February 21, 2020
Review to come!
October 23, 2018
You have GOT to read this book!!
Never have I read such a GREAT first book from an author. Miss Kist you have got to keep writing. the story line kept me turning the pages. your characters were so believable and had such depth. Thank you for letting me spend time reading your creation.
Never have I read such a GREAT first book from an author. Miss Kist you have got to keep writing. the story line kept me turning the pages. your characters were so believable and had such depth. Thank you for letting me spend time reading your creation.
October 21, 2018
A real page-turner of a book that kept me going with 'just one more chapter' until I'd finished it all. The main character is believable and really engaging. There is a chilling sense of unease throughout the book, not knowing who she can trust. The story maintains crediblity throughout and yet still twists and turns in directions I didn't expect. I loved it.
October 15, 2018
A must read for everyone that likes a fast paced, modern day crimestory with ‘real’ characters. “Nobody is all good or all bad”. Clever writing, many turns and twists - to the very end - but never chaotic. Hope there’s more to come from this promising new novelist!
October 9, 2018
The details of Glasgow were amazing as I have never been. But what captured me most were the suspenseful moments, right up until the ending. Normally, I can live without a lot of contrivances but I truly enjoyed the way she created these twists. I cannot wait for the next book. I'm a cat person, but I also loved the dog. Put an animal in there and you've got me...
October 2, 2018
Absolutely thrilling. Loved this from start to finish. It always kept me on the edge of my seat and had so many twists and turns I never knew what was going to happen.
December 23, 2018
I do enjoy a good psychological thriller, so I was excited for the opportunity to receive this book for the Digital Blog Tours. As I stated above, the story is about Glory's sister, Grace, picking up the pieces after Glory's death from a car accident. So, not only does Grace have so much on her plate with her job and complicated relationship with boyfriend, Dave, but she also takes on helping her brother-in-law with her two nephews after Glory's passing.
Glory also had a cafe she ran so that means another bit added to Grace's plate. Here's the real kicker, Grace finds a shoe box full of money one day. Something doesn't add up. The accountant states that Glory has trusts in her sons' names, the cafe is making profit (although there is not much business happening) and most of which is in Grace's name.
All of this is just so confusing...and unlike Glory, or at least that's what Grace thinks.
I enjoyed this story. It had a few twists that kept me on my toes. I do think Grace got a little too naive when it came to her sister, or the situation, and she got too wrapped in getting revenge. On top of all that, her father kind of encourages the criminal act to help support her mentally disabled mother (won't say what's going on because trying to keep it spoiler free.)
I will say that the ending really caught me off guard. Almost to the point to where I'm not sure how to take it. It's one of those endings where it kind of fit, but it didn't, and then again, you don't know how it should end in the first place. Yeah, it was that kind of ending, but don't let that stop you from reading the book. Perhaps you would see the ending a lot differently than I did. It could happen.
All in all, I give the book 3 and a half stars.
The writing style was easy to follow and simple. Some parts were a bit dragging, but not enough to lose interest. Grace was totally naive, but that does grow out of her as the story progresses. The ending is a bit of a shock, but not in a way that ruins the story.
Glory also had a cafe she ran so that means another bit added to Grace's plate. Here's the real kicker, Grace finds a shoe box full of money one day. Something doesn't add up. The accountant states that Glory has trusts in her sons' names, the cafe is making profit (although there is not much business happening) and most of which is in Grace's name.
All of this is just so confusing...and unlike Glory, or at least that's what Grace thinks.
I enjoyed this story. It had a few twists that kept me on my toes. I do think Grace got a little too naive when it came to her sister, or the situation, and she got too wrapped in getting revenge. On top of all that, her father kind of encourages the criminal act to help support her mentally disabled mother (won't say what's going on because trying to keep it spoiler free.)
I will say that the ending really caught me off guard. Almost to the point to where I'm not sure how to take it. It's one of those endings where it kind of fit, but it didn't, and then again, you don't know how it should end in the first place. Yeah, it was that kind of ending, but don't let that stop you from reading the book. Perhaps you would see the ending a lot differently than I did. It could happen.
All in all, I give the book 3 and a half stars.
The writing style was easy to follow and simple. Some parts were a bit dragging, but not enough to lose interest. Grace was totally naive, but that does grow out of her as the story progresses. The ending is a bit of a shock, but not in a way that ruins the story.
January 19, 2019
In Servitude starts with very dramatic and emotional scenes as Grace discovers that her sister Glory has died in a car crash. In the nightmare days which follow she has to cope not only with her own shock and grief but also with her grieving brother-in-law, telling her young nephews about their mother and supporting her father and mother, who she also discovers has dementia. Grace has always been very close to her sister so it comes as quite a shock to find out that Glory has been keeping some rather dark secrets from her.
My goodness, this is quite the page-turner. With its short chapters and fast-paced action, this is a book I raced through. It’s one of these books where you keep thinking ‘just one more chapter’ but then you get to the end of that chapter and you have to keep reading because of what the author has revealed. I wouldn’t have thought I’d enjoy a book about money-laundering and the Glasgow criminal underworld but Grace is such a likeable and ordinary person that I had to read on to find out how she was going to cope with all that was thrown at her. And the author certainly threw plenty at this feisty and determined character!
In Servitude is an tense thriller, fast-paced and rather addictive. It’s full of twists and turns, shocks and surprises which means that once you start to read, you may well find it hard to put down! I’m really looking forward to reading whatever Heleen Kist writes next.
My goodness, this is quite the page-turner. With its short chapters and fast-paced action, this is a book I raced through. It’s one of these books where you keep thinking ‘just one more chapter’ but then you get to the end of that chapter and you have to keep reading because of what the author has revealed. I wouldn’t have thought I’d enjoy a book about money-laundering and the Glasgow criminal underworld but Grace is such a likeable and ordinary person that I had to read on to find out how she was going to cope with all that was thrown at her. And the author certainly threw plenty at this feisty and determined character!
In Servitude is an tense thriller, fast-paced and rather addictive. It’s full of twists and turns, shocks and surprises which means that once you start to read, you may well find it hard to put down! I’m really looking forward to reading whatever Heleen Kist writes next.
September 10, 2018
Now, I have never shed tears in the first few chapters of a novel, but this one starts fast and completely engulfs you in a plot so twisted, that you won't see half of it coming even if you tried.
Grace gets thrown into a crazy tale of money laundering, that her sister seemed to be a part of, and Grace cannot fathom why her sister would ever involve herself in such a thing. While trying to figure out just how far her sister got sucked into this world of crime and why; she comes up with multiple theories to explain away the position her sister left her in.
Then she gets bullied into taking over this craziness. While trying to get herself out of this mess, she uncovers an even larger problem, which needs to be dealt with. And, as if this wasn't enough, her parents also need help and her father places her in a terrible position.
There is something on the edges of each page, that you know is coming, hinting at a deeper truth no-one wants to tell. When this truth finally comes out, be prepared to want to throw this book across the room (I wanted to - but it's a Kindle, so...)
Suspenseful, thrilling, keeping you on the edge of your seat... A must-read for fans of James Patterson books!
Grace gets thrown into a crazy tale of money laundering, that her sister seemed to be a part of, and Grace cannot fathom why her sister would ever involve herself in such a thing. While trying to figure out just how far her sister got sucked into this world of crime and why; she comes up with multiple theories to explain away the position her sister left her in.
Then she gets bullied into taking over this craziness. While trying to get herself out of this mess, she uncovers an even larger problem, which needs to be dealt with. And, as if this wasn't enough, her parents also need help and her father places her in a terrible position.
There is something on the edges of each page, that you know is coming, hinting at a deeper truth no-one wants to tell. When this truth finally comes out, be prepared to want to throw this book across the room (I wanted to - but it's a Kindle, so...)
Suspenseful, thrilling, keeping you on the edge of your seat... A must-read for fans of James Patterson books!
March 17, 2019
Grace and Glory are sisters. Then Glory is killed in a car accident. Grace decides to reopen her sisters vegan café her sister ran to help support Glory’s husband and children. But then she learns that Glory was into a lot more than she knew. Glory was laundering money and so much more. When Grace decided to reopen the café all of Glory’s past dealings have now fallen into her lap.
Oh my, where to begin. I was not expecting where this book was going to take me from the blurb. On the surface you have two sisters, one with a husband and children and another with a boyfriend. Grace is heartbroken at the death of Gloy and wants to help Glory’s family out. But then all kinds of secrets start coming out of the wood work to show that Grace didn’t know Glory as well as she thought she did.
This is an amazing first book from author Heleen Kist. Completely unexpected yet it drew me in, left me lost and confused, and when I thought I might have an idea of what may be going on I had the rug ripped out below me. This is a wonderful thriller and one I recommend checking out.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
Oh my, where to begin. I was not expecting where this book was going to take me from the blurb. On the surface you have two sisters, one with a husband and children and another with a boyfriend. Grace is heartbroken at the death of Gloy and wants to help Glory’s family out. But then all kinds of secrets start coming out of the wood work to show that Grace didn’t know Glory as well as she thought she did.
This is an amazing first book from author Heleen Kist. Completely unexpected yet it drew me in, left me lost and confused, and when I thought I might have an idea of what may be going on I had the rug ripped out below me. This is a wonderful thriller and one I recommend checking out.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
November 26, 2018
In Servitude is a psychological suspense novel that is set in Glasgow. It opens with news of a car accident; Glory has died. She has left behind a husband and two young boys, her sister, her parents and a cafe.
Grace steps up to support her brother-in-law, Stephen, and her nephews. Everyone is shocked, but why would her father especially ask her, rather than Glory's husband, to look out all of Glory’s financial papers? The next days and weeks are hard, grief-stricken as they all are. Then, one day, when Grace is walking the dog, she’s approached by a stranger who suggests that she re-opens a nearby, currently closed café. Deciding to give it her attention, Grace is surprised to discover that the vegan-themed café in an odd setting is actually making money. But, when she digs into the financing and a ‘special’ delivery arrives, Grace is shocked by what she finds. See here for full review https://wp.me/p2Eu3u-bSh
Grace steps up to support her brother-in-law, Stephen, and her nephews. Everyone is shocked, but why would her father especially ask her, rather than Glory's husband, to look out all of Glory’s financial papers? The next days and weeks are hard, grief-stricken as they all are. Then, one day, when Grace is walking the dog, she’s approached by a stranger who suggests that she re-opens a nearby, currently closed café. Deciding to give it her attention, Grace is surprised to discover that the vegan-themed café in an odd setting is actually making money. But, when she digs into the financing and a ‘special’ delivery arrives, Grace is shocked by what she finds. See here for full review https://wp.me/p2Eu3u-bSh
October 5, 2019
This is one of the best-written books I have read all year. In Servitude by Heleen Kist starts off with a bang, “Glory was dead,” and the tension does not let up.
Grace, the surviving twin, tries to unscramble how her sister, Glory, died and to figure out why Glory left her majority ownership of the restaurant with all its secrets. As she does this, she tries to be of service to Stephen, Glory’s husband, her two young nephews, and the family dog.
Glory is also of service to her parents. Mom’s post-stroke condition demands more attention than dad can provide without money to put her in a nursing home. How can Glory help without losing her moral principals?
The writing is tight, the action continuously suspenseful, and the information bombshells keep the reader rapt in the story. I highly recommend this book for those who enjoy suspenseful novels written in the first person.
Grace, the surviving twin, tries to unscramble how her sister, Glory, died and to figure out why Glory left her majority ownership of the restaurant with all its secrets. As she does this, she tries to be of service to Stephen, Glory’s husband, her two young nephews, and the family dog.
Glory is also of service to her parents. Mom’s post-stroke condition demands more attention than dad can provide without money to put her in a nursing home. How can Glory help without losing her moral principals?
The writing is tight, the action continuously suspenseful, and the information bombshells keep the reader rapt in the story. I highly recommend this book for those who enjoy suspenseful novels written in the first person.
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