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Life Ruins
just. Becca, tossed out of university and just let go from her dead-end job, is certain she knows who the victim is. But no one will believe her, and she can hardly even trust herself.
Kay, recently widowed and coming to terms with life on her own, suddenly finds herself forced to get involved. For years she and her husband fostered difficult children – including Becca, whom trouble follows like a stray puppy. And now Becca seems to be in the worst trouble of her life.
And then Jared and Becca meet. Becca, strong-minded and fiercely independent, is confident they can figure out what’s going on. She pulls Kay into the mix, knowing they’ll need all the help they can get… because the police don’t believe them. And more girls are vanishing.
Separately, Kay, Becca and Jared believe their lives have hit rock bottom. But drawn together under extraordinary circumstances, they’ll discover the strength to fight back… and ultimately rebuild their lives from the ruins.
Set amidst the bleak landscape of the east Yorkshire coast, LIFE RUINS combines haunting landscapes that will appeal to readers of PETER MAY and ANN CLEVES with the thoughtful, internal crime writing of DENISE MINA in a new and unforgettable novel.
Kay, recently widowed and coming to terms with life on her own, suddenly finds herself forced to get involved. For years she and her husband fostered difficult children – including Becca, whom trouble follows like a stray puppy. And now Becca seems to be in the worst trouble of her life.
And then Jared and Becca meet. Becca, strong-minded and fiercely independent, is confident they can figure out what’s going on. She pulls Kay into the mix, knowing they’ll need all the help they can get… because the police don’t believe them. And more girls are vanishing.
Separately, Kay, Becca and Jared believe their lives have hit rock bottom. But drawn together under extraordinary circumstances, they’ll discover the strength to fight back… and ultimately rebuild their lives from the ruins.
Set amidst the bleak landscape of the east Yorkshire coast, LIFE RUINS combines haunting landscapes that will appeal to readers of PETER MAY and ANN CLEVES with the thoughtful, internal crime writing of DENISE MINA in a new and unforgettable novel.
480 pages, ebook
Published February 7, 2019
11 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
January 14, 2019
This is a hauntingly bleak character driven debut from Danuta Kot, set on the Yorkshire coast in Bridlington and Whitby. Jared Godwin is a cave and tunneling enthusiast, a climber who has serious health issues with his back who lives on a run down caravan site. He is a witness to an incident, and Becca Armitage is convinced she knows the identity of a brutally assaulted girl barely clinging on to life, but the police do not believe her. The two of them encounter each other at the police station, forging a connection with each other despite past history and trust issues. Ex-social worker Kay McKinnon is struggling to come to terms with the death of her husband, Matt. The couple fostered troubled youngsters, including Becca, a magnet for bad luck and trouble. Becca thinks that Kay could help her and Jared and the dangers they face. The challenges the three face offer each the opportunity to address the gaping holes in their lives as their relationships develop.
Kot gives us a great sense of location, atmospheric in the picture that is depicted of poverty and few life opportunities for the young, and the dark undercurrents present in the coastal area. The characterisation feels authentic as Kay, Jared and Becca worry about the disappearing girls and the mystery of the abandoned mines. This is not a perfect read, there is an unevenness in the narrative and the plotting could have been better. However, I enjoyed the novel, particularly in how it captures the location and outlines the depressive future faced by the young. The relationship between the Kay, Becca and Jared was a joy to behold, each needed each other at this point in their lives. Many thanks to Simon and Schuster for an ARC.
Kot gives us a great sense of location, atmospheric in the picture that is depicted of poverty and few life opportunities for the young, and the dark undercurrents present in the coastal area. The characterisation feels authentic as Kay, Jared and Becca worry about the disappearing girls and the mystery of the abandoned mines. This is not a perfect read, there is an unevenness in the narrative and the plotting could have been better. However, I enjoyed the novel, particularly in how it captures the location and outlines the depressive future faced by the young. The relationship between the Kay, Becca and Jared was a joy to behold, each needed each other at this point in their lives. Many thanks to Simon and Schuster for an ARC.
October 11, 2018
A tense and atmospheric crime read that has that page turning quality and some fantastic characters in the core three- Kay, Becca and Jared.
The mystery element is cleverly woven but is very standard in a lot of ways, not new but done really well.
Life Ruins strengths comes via the aforementioned characters and their relationship- along with the fostering element that binds two of them together and allows the budding friendship between Becca and Jared to be extremely compelling. Trust and history make both wary but thrown into a dangerous situation they have to work together.
Another strength is the beautifully described setting, Whitby and the surrounds and the old mines/tunnel aspect is used to create tension fuelled moments.
It does fall down slightly in its plotting, with the usual girls in peril, men are bad scenario which utilises the odd cliched plot device but that's secondary really to the heart of the novel which comes via the human drama.
I enjoyed it, read it fast and look forward to more from Danuta Kot.
The mystery element is cleverly woven but is very standard in a lot of ways, not new but done really well.
Life Ruins strengths comes via the aforementioned characters and their relationship- along with the fostering element that binds two of them together and allows the budding friendship between Becca and Jared to be extremely compelling. Trust and history make both wary but thrown into a dangerous situation they have to work together.
Another strength is the beautifully described setting, Whitby and the surrounds and the old mines/tunnel aspect is used to create tension fuelled moments.
It does fall down slightly in its plotting, with the usual girls in peril, men are bad scenario which utilises the odd cliched plot device but that's secondary really to the heart of the novel which comes via the human drama.
I enjoyed it, read it fast and look forward to more from Danuta Kot.
October 19, 2018
A story set in Yorkshire around the towns of Whitby, Bridlington and the village of Kettleness with coastal cliffs, hidden coves and unexplored tunnels. Into this setting enters Jared a troubled young man with an acute back injury resulting in an addiction to painkillers, Becca leaving her university course for an uncertain life, and fostered periodically by the recently widowed Kay struggling to come to terms with life after the death of her beloved Matt. I was hoping that both the setting, and the somewhat damaged characters, would be the basis for an exciting adventure especially after the discovery of a body hidden deep underground and the emergence of some shady characters most notably Greaseball Harry affectionately known as GBH. Unfortunately my initial enthusiasm was not realized as the story quickly developed into an unremarkable meandering and at best mediocre tale. I was not impressed with the author and her style of writing, not even the untamed bleak Yorkshire coastal landscape could save this sorry tale. Many thanks to the good people at netgalley for a gratis copy in exchange for an honest review and that is what I have written
March 4, 2020
This is a cleverly written story depicting the lives of the three main characters, Becca, Jared, and Kay. All three very different but all dealing with their own levels of pain from the past which are given frequent reference and are used to give perspective to the actions and personalities of each of them. The perspective often also changes from chapter to chapter to allow us to see the evolving story from each of their viewpoints and add additional intrigue. As the novel continues, each of their stories intertwines to the point where they find themselves linked together in a dark mystery with twists along the way that I certainly didn’t see coming. The narrative describing the beautiful Yorkshire coastal landscape is beautiful, and I love the detail of the views, caves, and exploration that make up so much of the story. Unfortunately some of the more predictable elements of the story and plotting in general let down the novel to make it a 4 star read for me. However, as previously mentioned, there were enough highlights and twists still to warrant it such a highly rated read.
November 2, 2020
this novel was very slow to get going and felt it could be alot shorter though as the plot seemed to get bogged down
August 31, 2021
⭐️ 3 ⭐️
A good, character-driven, crime thriller.
The story is set in and around Bridlington, Whitby and Kettleness on the East coast; places I know well and could clearly visualise from the detailed narrative. Told from three points of view, it flows easily from chapter to chapter.
Featuring well-drawn, relatable main characters, and some tense, nail-biting moments.
I was drawn into this dark, grim, gritty tale from the beginning. My interest did wane about halfway through, but I still found it an enjoyable read.
A solid three stars.
Many thanks to the publisher for the eARC, in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
A good, character-driven, crime thriller.
The story is set in and around Bridlington, Whitby and Kettleness on the East coast; places I know well and could clearly visualise from the detailed narrative. Told from three points of view, it flows easily from chapter to chapter.
Featuring well-drawn, relatable main characters, and some tense, nail-biting moments.
I was drawn into this dark, grim, gritty tale from the beginning. My interest did wane about halfway through, but I still found it an enjoyable read.
A solid three stars.
Many thanks to the publisher for the eARC, in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
November 4, 2018
My first impression of this novel, after reading the first two chapters, was that I thought it was going to be dull. A somewhat elderly lady out walking on the cliffs did not I still a passion to delve into the story. But I did and am glad that I stuck with it
The introduction of Jared and Becca brought a welcomed transition to the crux of the story and from there I was entertained until the end.
I am claustrophobic and genuinely struggled to read the parts set within the depth of the caves and mines which tells me the author did a good job in conveying the tenseness of the situation.
Although I kind of guessed quite early on where it was all heading, I found this a tense and enjoyable read. My only complaint was that the younger characters seemed a bit stereotyped and cliched and there was use of the “c” word on a few occasions, which I hate.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC.
The introduction of Jared and Becca brought a welcomed transition to the crux of the story and from there I was entertained until the end.
I am claustrophobic and genuinely struggled to read the parts set within the depth of the caves and mines which tells me the author did a good job in conveying the tenseness of the situation.
Although I kind of guessed quite early on where it was all heading, I found this a tense and enjoyable read. My only complaint was that the younger characters seemed a bit stereotyped and cliched and there was use of the “c” word on a few occasions, which I hate.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC.
August 1, 2019
Life Ruins is a superbly written novel by Danuta Kot. With some very engaging writing and characters, this is an atmospheric story that will draw you effortlessly into the pages.
I think what Danuta Kot succeeds at most in this book, is the setting and her characters. Set in Whitby, and along the East Yorkshire coast, you really do get a sense of the seaside town, with its cliffs and the old mines left to crumble away. I could imagine the dark, twisty roads and the abandoned caravan site very crisply in my mind. It created a very spooky atmosphere. I could sense that dangerous people were lurking in the shadows. From that moment on, I wanted to know what was going on here.
I found the two lead characters, Jared Godwin and Becca Armitage very engaging. Both come from totally different backgrounds. Becca grew up in foster care and now works at a café which provides food and shelter to the homeless after being thrown out of university. She has a very close relationship with her foster parent, Kay, who lives alone after being recently made widowed, with her dog, Milo.
Jared, meanwhile, is a risk-taker. He enjoys living life on the edge, particularly by exploring abandoned mines and pushing himself even further to get that buzz of brushing close with death. But several years earlier he was involved in a devastating accident when his friend drowned which he holds himself personally responsible for. You can see just how much this affects him.
This is the kind of book which made me think, oh I’ll just read one more chapter, and then another, and another. As I mentioned, for me, it was the atmosphere and the characters that made this book particularly engaging. I was rooting for Becca and Jared. At first, you can’t see how their lives are going to come together. Danuta Kot does so in a very intriguing way when Jared witnesses a horrifying attack on a young girl who Becca believes is her friend. And from this point on a very dark story begins to emerge which puts Becca, Jared and Kay in very grave danger.
This is a very enjoyable and an engaging mystery. I would say that this book is more character-driven, but I was kept asking questions as the plot darkened. A lot of the time, it does feel that Jared and Becca are on their own in their quest to find answers. This is especially when the police didn’t seem to want to listen to what they had to say. Life Ruins is very well done.
I think what Danuta Kot succeeds at most in this book, is the setting and her characters. Set in Whitby, and along the East Yorkshire coast, you really do get a sense of the seaside town, with its cliffs and the old mines left to crumble away. I could imagine the dark, twisty roads and the abandoned caravan site very crisply in my mind. It created a very spooky atmosphere. I could sense that dangerous people were lurking in the shadows. From that moment on, I wanted to know what was going on here.
I found the two lead characters, Jared Godwin and Becca Armitage very engaging. Both come from totally different backgrounds. Becca grew up in foster care and now works at a café which provides food and shelter to the homeless after being thrown out of university. She has a very close relationship with her foster parent, Kay, who lives alone after being recently made widowed, with her dog, Milo.
Jared, meanwhile, is a risk-taker. He enjoys living life on the edge, particularly by exploring abandoned mines and pushing himself even further to get that buzz of brushing close with death. But several years earlier he was involved in a devastating accident when his friend drowned which he holds himself personally responsible for. You can see just how much this affects him.
This is the kind of book which made me think, oh I’ll just read one more chapter, and then another, and another. As I mentioned, for me, it was the atmosphere and the characters that made this book particularly engaging. I was rooting for Becca and Jared. At first, you can’t see how their lives are going to come together. Danuta Kot does so in a very intriguing way when Jared witnesses a horrifying attack on a young girl who Becca believes is her friend. And from this point on a very dark story begins to emerge which puts Becca, Jared and Kay in very grave danger.
This is a very enjoyable and an engaging mystery. I would say that this book is more character-driven, but I was kept asking questions as the plot darkened. A lot of the time, it does feel that Jared and Becca are on their own in their quest to find answers. This is especially when the police didn’t seem to want to listen to what they had to say. Life Ruins is very well done.
July 28, 2019
''If you populate an area with prey,the predators will not be far behind.''
In a neat allegory with Whitby's most famous,un-dead celebrity, Dracula, Danuta Kot has created a gripping and moving thriller about the life being sucked out of northern towns . They are half filled ghost towns that come to a sort of life around summer time, but this book is set in January, a brutally cold winter which emphasises the empty shop fronts, abandoned caravan parks,the homeless population with a drop-in centre which is hanging onto its' existence by a thread...all of it creating a perfect breeding ground for mosnters.
A haunting prologue reveals the death of an unidentified young girl, washed up in a state of decay, a momentary headline in the local newspaper all that remains of life as seemingly insubstantial as the flotsam on the waves that brought her to shore.
Kay McKinnon-known to her foster kids as 'Special K'-lives a quiet life , struggling to cope with the loss of her husband Matt, feeling old, tired and unsure of where life will take her. Her vulnerability at this time has led her to stop fostering-the last girl she fostered, Mairead, was returned to social services when Matt became ill and she has yet to move past the guilt she feels over this teen.
Becca, an ex-foster child of Matt and Kay's has resurfaced in nearby town of Bridlington,working at the drop-in centre after dropping out of university- many strings were pulled to get Becca this job but she is feeling more keenly than ever the weight of her tortured childhood, difficult teens and is uncertain what to do next.
Jared, an adrenaline addict recovering from a fall which he was lucky to survive, is living in one of the ghostly caravan parks whilst he decides on his next move.Haunted by an awful accident, he remains estranged from his family and friendless, existing online on the dark web.
All of them are existing in a state of flux, haunted and lost. But when Becca and Jared become involved in an horrific attack on a young girl, they not only find that their pasts are used as whipping sticks to undermine them, the authorities which they should be able to go to for help may be the very last people they should be talking to...
A chance encounter, a seemingly random act of violence and suddenly all 3 are entangled in a web of deceipt, deaths and crime that is proving increassin gly deadly...do any of them have the strength to fight to the bitter end?
All 3 main characters are flawed, vulnerable and hurting for various reasons which I do not want to delve into in depth because it could be considered spoilers.
Daunta Kot uses them to explore how society treats the abused, the used, the underclass and the situations which lead them to crime and how they come to harm by neatly exposing the underbelly of how they fall through the cracks-quite literally.
I don't particularly like to use trigger warnings, each blogger to their own, but there were points in the book which detail caving so precisely that as someone who gets claustrophobic I didn't realise I was holding my breath until my husband poked me to start breathing again. It was intensely anxiety inducing which is exactly the author's intent, so this is just a headsup for those who do not like enclosed spaces.
I was hooked by the the premise that 'Life Ruins' is recommended for fans of 'Broadchurch' and 'The Missing',I would agree with this assertion wholeheartedly. It is gripping, gruelling, and very affecting and I loved it. It is not one that one can skim or speed through, you really need to focus on the plot-or at least I did-to see the details. Even though the over arching storyline is quite clear, I had to re-read several parts to put 2 and 2 together.
The titel,'Life Ruins', is both statement and description. These people have been battered by life events but are still standing but also, life ruins-it can be used against you as a weapon, especially in terms of prejudice against those with mental health issues, undiagnosed PTSD, grief....all the things which are depserately underfunded, misunderstood and maligned.
It's a great read, a gripping thriller and I am looking forward to 'Someone Who Isn't Me' being published in 2020!
In a neat allegory with Whitby's most famous,un-dead celebrity, Dracula, Danuta Kot has created a gripping and moving thriller about the life being sucked out of northern towns . They are half filled ghost towns that come to a sort of life around summer time, but this book is set in January, a brutally cold winter which emphasises the empty shop fronts, abandoned caravan parks,the homeless population with a drop-in centre which is hanging onto its' existence by a thread...all of it creating a perfect breeding ground for mosnters.
A haunting prologue reveals the death of an unidentified young girl, washed up in a state of decay, a momentary headline in the local newspaper all that remains of life as seemingly insubstantial as the flotsam on the waves that brought her to shore.
Kay McKinnon-known to her foster kids as 'Special K'-lives a quiet life , struggling to cope with the loss of her husband Matt, feeling old, tired and unsure of where life will take her. Her vulnerability at this time has led her to stop fostering-the last girl she fostered, Mairead, was returned to social services when Matt became ill and she has yet to move past the guilt she feels over this teen.
Becca, an ex-foster child of Matt and Kay's has resurfaced in nearby town of Bridlington,working at the drop-in centre after dropping out of university- many strings were pulled to get Becca this job but she is feeling more keenly than ever the weight of her tortured childhood, difficult teens and is uncertain what to do next.
Jared, an adrenaline addict recovering from a fall which he was lucky to survive, is living in one of the ghostly caravan parks whilst he decides on his next move.Haunted by an awful accident, he remains estranged from his family and friendless, existing online on the dark web.
All of them are existing in a state of flux, haunted and lost. But when Becca and Jared become involved in an horrific attack on a young girl, they not only find that their pasts are used as whipping sticks to undermine them, the authorities which they should be able to go to for help may be the very last people they should be talking to...
A chance encounter, a seemingly random act of violence and suddenly all 3 are entangled in a web of deceipt, deaths and crime that is proving increassin gly deadly...do any of them have the strength to fight to the bitter end?
All 3 main characters are flawed, vulnerable and hurting for various reasons which I do not want to delve into in depth because it could be considered spoilers.
Daunta Kot uses them to explore how society treats the abused, the used, the underclass and the situations which lead them to crime and how they come to harm by neatly exposing the underbelly of how they fall through the cracks-quite literally.
I don't particularly like to use trigger warnings, each blogger to their own, but there were points in the book which detail caving so precisely that as someone who gets claustrophobic I didn't realise I was holding my breath until my husband poked me to start breathing again. It was intensely anxiety inducing which is exactly the author's intent, so this is just a headsup for those who do not like enclosed spaces.
I was hooked by the the premise that 'Life Ruins' is recommended for fans of 'Broadchurch' and 'The Missing',I would agree with this assertion wholeheartedly. It is gripping, gruelling, and very affecting and I loved it. It is not one that one can skim or speed through, you really need to focus on the plot-or at least I did-to see the details. Even though the over arching storyline is quite clear, I had to re-read several parts to put 2 and 2 together.
The titel,'Life Ruins', is both statement and description. These people have been battered by life events but are still standing but also, life ruins-it can be used against you as a weapon, especially in terms of prejudice against those with mental health issues, undiagnosed PTSD, grief....all the things which are depserately underfunded, misunderstood and maligned.
It's a great read, a gripping thriller and I am looking forward to 'Someone Who Isn't Me' being published in 2020!
September 4, 2021
3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫stars
Set on the Yorkshire coast, in a cold wet January, this novel oozes a bleak and dreary atmosphere that really adds to the gritty tension of the plot.
It’s told from the perspective of three different characters; Kay, a recently widowed and retired foster carer, living in an isolated spot near Whitby; Becca, a young woman with a troubled and abusive past. After being fostered by Kay, she has started to turn her life but has made a terrible mistake that seems to be haunting her; and Jared, a young man who spends his life exploring forgotten caves and tunnels. He’s recovering from a broken back and the memories of some tragic events in his past.
Hot headed and independent Becca, is forced to team up with Jared when they realise they both have information about a girl who has gone missing. The trouble is, no one believes their stories, so they have to find the evidence together.
I found this to be a page turner, especially as I got further into the book. I did guess most of the twists and had a good idea who was behind it all quite early on, but it was still an enjoyable read and difficult to put down.
Overall, I found this a gripping thriller, mostly due to the tense atmosphere and vivid description of the locations.
Set on the Yorkshire coast, in a cold wet January, this novel oozes a bleak and dreary atmosphere that really adds to the gritty tension of the plot.
It’s told from the perspective of three different characters; Kay, a recently widowed and retired foster carer, living in an isolated spot near Whitby; Becca, a young woman with a troubled and abusive past. After being fostered by Kay, she has started to turn her life but has made a terrible mistake that seems to be haunting her; and Jared, a young man who spends his life exploring forgotten caves and tunnels. He’s recovering from a broken back and the memories of some tragic events in his past.
Hot headed and independent Becca, is forced to team up with Jared when they realise they both have information about a girl who has gone missing. The trouble is, no one believes their stories, so they have to find the evidence together.
I found this to be a page turner, especially as I got further into the book. I did guess most of the twists and had a good idea who was behind it all quite early on, but it was still an enjoyable read and difficult to put down.
Overall, I found this a gripping thriller, mostly due to the tense atmosphere and vivid description of the locations.
September 3, 2019
I love the cover of this book; it's so bleak and menacing and perfectly portrays the theme of Life Ruins. I was completely mesmerised by Danuta Kot's poetic writing from the very first page where she brought the dramatic and dangerous East Yorkshire coastline to life and from that point on, I simply couldn't put this book down.
There are three very intriguing main characters in Life Ruins, that all have interesting back stories. Kay is a recently widowed foster carer adjusting to life on her own, Becca is her tempestuous foster daughter taking her first few steps into independence and Jared is a troubled young man recovering from an accident. How their stories intertwine is simply sublime and I read in open eyed awe as the story unfolded, with my heart pounding and my palms sweating as I approached the breathtaking conclusion at breakneck speed.
The story is set in Bridlington, a seaside town on the East Yorkshire coast. Gone are the days when families would flock to the seaside towns of the UK for their summer holidays and a lot of towns have become run-down because of this. With no money coming in from tourists, shops close down and the vulnerable people move in. There is a line in Life Ruins about this that took my breath away and made all the hairs stand up on the back of my neck: "If you populate an area with prey, the predators will not be far behind."
I found Danuta Kot's writing to be very visual in quite a unique way; not only did she perfectly set out the scene's appearance but she also manages to portray the feelings of the characters. Not only the characters' emotions, but I sometimes felt as if the landscape itself had hidden emotions that only Danuta Kot could reveal through her vivid imagery.
I think it is a little misleading to say that Life Ruins is a debut novel as Danuta Kot has written books under the names of Danuta Reah and Carla Banks. I'm pleased it mentioned this in the 'About the author' note below as I'll definitely be adding some of her previous books to my reading queue based on the outstanding quality of Life Ruins.
Tense and gripping, Life Ruins is a powerful, thought-provoking read that perfectly encapsulates the despair and desolation of a run-down town as the predators move in for their prey.
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
There are three very intriguing main characters in Life Ruins, that all have interesting back stories. Kay is a recently widowed foster carer adjusting to life on her own, Becca is her tempestuous foster daughter taking her first few steps into independence and Jared is a troubled young man recovering from an accident. How their stories intertwine is simply sublime and I read in open eyed awe as the story unfolded, with my heart pounding and my palms sweating as I approached the breathtaking conclusion at breakneck speed.
The story is set in Bridlington, a seaside town on the East Yorkshire coast. Gone are the days when families would flock to the seaside towns of the UK for their summer holidays and a lot of towns have become run-down because of this. With no money coming in from tourists, shops close down and the vulnerable people move in. There is a line in Life Ruins about this that took my breath away and made all the hairs stand up on the back of my neck: "If you populate an area with prey, the predators will not be far behind."
I found Danuta Kot's writing to be very visual in quite a unique way; not only did she perfectly set out the scene's appearance but she also manages to portray the feelings of the characters. Not only the characters' emotions, but I sometimes felt as if the landscape itself had hidden emotions that only Danuta Kot could reveal through her vivid imagery.
I think it is a little misleading to say that Life Ruins is a debut novel as Danuta Kot has written books under the names of Danuta Reah and Carla Banks. I'm pleased it mentioned this in the 'About the author' note below as I'll definitely be adding some of her previous books to my reading queue based on the outstanding quality of Life Ruins.
Tense and gripping, Life Ruins is a powerful, thought-provoking read that perfectly encapsulates the despair and desolation of a run-down town as the predators move in for their prey.
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
October 23, 2018
I would like to thank Netgalley and Simon and Schuster UK Fiction for an advance copy of Life Ruins, a stand alone novel set on the Yorkshire coast.
Jared Godwin is recovering from an almost fatal accident in a caravan in Bridlington when a young woman is attacked almost in front of him. In the meantime former social worker Kay McKinnon is trying to come to terms with her husband’s death a year previously and get her foster daughter, Becca Armitage, on a career path. Becca, in turn, is dealing with some problems she wants to keep from Kay. How these three characters converge is the meat of the novel.
Life Ruins is an interesting read, compulsive in parts but strangely unfulfilling in others. The narrative switches between the three protagonists so the novel is quite far advanced before they start to converge and it starts to make more sense. Before that I I found it difficult to concentrate on as it is a series of unrelated incidents spread over three characters with hints of events in the past that are impacting their present but no real explanations. I understand the teaser nature of these hints but they don’t intrigue me, they annoy me and make me want to switch off as I’m more of a spit it out and move on type.
The plot itself is good with plenty of action and tension and a well concealed motive although some of the perpetrators are easily guessable. I found the ending a bit of a letdown - there is no resolution to Becca’s original problem and the rest seems to go out with a whimper rather than a bang. This is probably because it is much more of a character driven novel than I normally read.
I can’t say that I liked any of the characters or would want to spend time with them in real life as they all seem like really hard work. Having said that they are all well drawn, warts and all, and are very realistic. It is testament to Ms Kot’s writing that she can elicit a reaction.
Life Ruins is a solid read and while it didn’t overly appeal to me I can see many readers really enjoying it and rating it highly.
Jared Godwin is recovering from an almost fatal accident in a caravan in Bridlington when a young woman is attacked almost in front of him. In the meantime former social worker Kay McKinnon is trying to come to terms with her husband’s death a year previously and get her foster daughter, Becca Armitage, on a career path. Becca, in turn, is dealing with some problems she wants to keep from Kay. How these three characters converge is the meat of the novel.
Life Ruins is an interesting read, compulsive in parts but strangely unfulfilling in others. The narrative switches between the three protagonists so the novel is quite far advanced before they start to converge and it starts to make more sense. Before that I I found it difficult to concentrate on as it is a series of unrelated incidents spread over three characters with hints of events in the past that are impacting their present but no real explanations. I understand the teaser nature of these hints but they don’t intrigue me, they annoy me and make me want to switch off as I’m more of a spit it out and move on type.
The plot itself is good with plenty of action and tension and a well concealed motive although some of the perpetrators are easily guessable. I found the ending a bit of a letdown - there is no resolution to Becca’s original problem and the rest seems to go out with a whimper rather than a bang. This is probably because it is much more of a character driven novel than I normally read.
I can’t say that I liked any of the characters or would want to spend time with them in real life as they all seem like really hard work. Having said that they are all well drawn, warts and all, and are very realistic. It is testament to Ms Kot’s writing that she can elicit a reaction.
Life Ruins is a solid read and while it didn’t overly appeal to me I can see many readers really enjoying it and rating it highly.
March 30, 2019
Disclaimer: I am related to the author, but I am attempting to write an unbiased review.
First of all, "Life Ruins" is not one of those English crime novels set in a genteel village, with country house weekends, afternoon teas, and dastardly goings-on in the boat-shed. Life Ruins is a thoroughly modern English crime novel, set in a bleak Yorkshire coast landscape of run-down fishing towns and empty winter seaside resorts, dingy caravan parks, unemployment, and a failing welfare system. The characters are people at the margins of society: vulnerable people, with few resources they can call on if they find themselves in trouble. Becca, abuse survivor, college drop-out, struggles to keep her dead-end job which just about allows her to live from week to week. Jarred, injured in an accident, unable to work and homeless, battles addiction to prescription pain killers. Kay, one-time foster parent for Becca, recently widowed, faces old age and loneliness and questions her relevance. Bad luck, perceived threats, a possible stalker, a violent attack, and other misfortunes, seem to dog their lives. Are these events connected somehow, or is it just what happens to you when your life is bumping along the bottom? As the story unfolds, the danger slowly becomes apparent, but without resources to fall back on, they have to rely on their wits and their instincts, and take the risk of trusting each other, in order to survive.
The structure of the book does make the first part a bit frustrating, as the story jumps between apparently unrelated events and an array of characters. Stick with it though! As the different plot lines start to intertwine, the book becomes much more engaging, with a terrific sense of menace, and an exciting finish.
First of all, "Life Ruins" is not one of those English crime novels set in a genteel village, with country house weekends, afternoon teas, and dastardly goings-on in the boat-shed. Life Ruins is a thoroughly modern English crime novel, set in a bleak Yorkshire coast landscape of run-down fishing towns and empty winter seaside resorts, dingy caravan parks, unemployment, and a failing welfare system. The characters are people at the margins of society: vulnerable people, with few resources they can call on if they find themselves in trouble. Becca, abuse survivor, college drop-out, struggles to keep her dead-end job which just about allows her to live from week to week. Jarred, injured in an accident, unable to work and homeless, battles addiction to prescription pain killers. Kay, one-time foster parent for Becca, recently widowed, faces old age and loneliness and questions her relevance. Bad luck, perceived threats, a possible stalker, a violent attack, and other misfortunes, seem to dog their lives. Are these events connected somehow, or is it just what happens to you when your life is bumping along the bottom? As the story unfolds, the danger slowly becomes apparent, but without resources to fall back on, they have to rely on their wits and their instincts, and take the risk of trusting each other, in order to survive.
The structure of the book does make the first part a bit frustrating, as the story jumps between apparently unrelated events and an array of characters. Stick with it though! As the different plot lines start to intertwine, the book becomes much more engaging, with a terrific sense of menace, and an exciting finish.
November 21, 2019
3.75 stars, rounded up to 4.0
A fast moving story, where characters and setting are even more prominent than the plot, the atmosphere of a cold wet January in England 2016 is vividly portrayed.
Mostly concerned with two misfits, and a foster mother, we are brought into their lives, and the dead end atmosphere of the north east of England in the winter, and resort towns that have seen better days with the down and outs populating areas where tourists and families used to gather.
To this scene, we find that there are some ugly goings on, things that don't seem to be right, and our two misfits, Jared and Becca, are determined to find out more about these things after the brutal murder of a girl found in a rundown caravan park (presumably one of Becca's acquaintances.)
Becca's foster mother, Kay, unwittingly becomes involved with the proceedings that follow also.
The scenes involving Jared (and Becca in one of those scenes) exploring tunnels, disused mines, were well described, making me feel a bit claustrophobic at times.
The constant bad weather is ever present, yet Jared, (and to some extent, Becca) seem to be indifferent to it.
Jared seems to be hardy soul, it's as if he thought winter to be a great time to go walking, exploring, climbing, camping, etc.
Some of the nasty characters involve a corrupt caravan park manager, a teenage pimp, and another guy who may not be all he seems, but to reveal more there is to spoil things.
A novel written in a straightforward manner, with plenty of short chapters, makes a quick read.
This one was pretty good, it kept me gripped.
A fast moving story, where characters and setting are even more prominent than the plot, the atmosphere of a cold wet January in England 2016 is vividly portrayed.
Mostly concerned with two misfits, and a foster mother, we are brought into their lives, and the dead end atmosphere of the north east of England in the winter, and resort towns that have seen better days with the down and outs populating areas where tourists and families used to gather.
To this scene, we find that there are some ugly goings on, things that don't seem to be right, and our two misfits, Jared and Becca, are determined to find out more about these things after the brutal murder of a girl found in a rundown caravan park (presumably one of Becca's acquaintances.)
Becca's foster mother, Kay, unwittingly becomes involved with the proceedings that follow also.
The scenes involving Jared (and Becca in one of those scenes) exploring tunnels, disused mines, were well described, making me feel a bit claustrophobic at times.
The constant bad weather is ever present, yet Jared, (and to some extent, Becca) seem to be indifferent to it.
Jared seems to be hardy soul, it's as if he thought winter to be a great time to go walking, exploring, climbing, camping, etc.
Some of the nasty characters involve a corrupt caravan park manager, a teenage pimp, and another guy who may not be all he seems, but to reveal more there is to spoil things.
A novel written in a straightforward manner, with plenty of short chapters, makes a quick read.
This one was pretty good, it kept me gripped.
July 26, 2019
Kay is foster mum to Becca. Becca works in a cafe at a drop in centre for the homeless, she hates it, loser in an overall !! But the youngsters trust her and she is good with them…..but when her past comes back to haunt her….just who wants her out of the way?
Jared, recovering from a 50 metre fall, in constant pain and addicted to pain pills, still has the craving for the danger of climbing, caving and tunnels…….when he visits a disused railway tunnel and nearly gets stuck, he panics, especially when he sees a face and flowers……at first he thinks it’s just a lack of oxygen….but soon realises there may be a body down there….
Circumstances bring Jared and Becca together as they try to find out where Paige is…..but this puts them and Kay in danger…..
The police don’t believe Becca, due to her previous troubles, and Jared is a bit questionable in their eyes….can they find the truth and survive?
Powerful and thought provoking. It highlights the problems faced by the homeless and the members of society on the fringe……how their previous issues colour the way they are treated……sometimes when you cry wolf….there really is a wolf!! I was hooked from start to finish….brilliant.
Thank you to Anne Cater and Random Things Tours for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the book and this is my honest, unbiased review.
Jared, recovering from a 50 metre fall, in constant pain and addicted to pain pills, still has the craving for the danger of climbing, caving and tunnels…….when he visits a disused railway tunnel and nearly gets stuck, he panics, especially when he sees a face and flowers……at first he thinks it’s just a lack of oxygen….but soon realises there may be a body down there….
Circumstances bring Jared and Becca together as they try to find out where Paige is…..but this puts them and Kay in danger…..
The police don’t believe Becca, due to her previous troubles, and Jared is a bit questionable in their eyes….can they find the truth and survive?
Powerful and thought provoking. It highlights the problems faced by the homeless and the members of society on the fringe……how their previous issues colour the way they are treated……sometimes when you cry wolf….there really is a wolf!! I was hooked from start to finish….brilliant.
Thank you to Anne Cater and Random Things Tours for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the book and this is my honest, unbiased review.
July 18, 2019
Brilliant, fast-paced novel.
March 3, 2020
Thought provoking
September 7, 2021
If there’s one thing I like doing, it’s discovering new authors. Danuta Kot is certain a new author for me. I read the synopsis of ‘Life Ruins’ and it certainly sounded intriguing. I couldn’t wait to start reading and so without further ado, I made myself comfortable and eagerly began to read. Well I really enjoyed reading ‘Life Ruins’ but more about that in a bit.
I must be honest and say that it took me a little while to get into ‘Life Ruins’, which has more to do with the fact that I was tired when I started reading and I was finding it a bit hard to concentrate. Once I got into the story then that was it and I was away as the saying goes. I found reading ‘Life Ruins’ became addictive in the sense that if I had to put the book down for any reason then I would be itching to get back to reading it. I was intrigued by the story and by the characters. I had my own theories as to what was going to happen and so I had to keep reading to see if I was on the right track or if I had wandered down the wrong path entirely. The pages turned over at a fair old pace as I made my way through the story. I became so wrapped up in the story that I lost all track of time and just how quickly I was getting through ‘Life Ruins’. All too quickly I reached the end of the story. I found ‘Life Ruins’ to be a tense and dramatic read, which kept me guessing and which kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.
‘Life Ruins’ is extremely well written. The author has one of those writing styles that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. I love the way in which Danuta grabs the readers attention and slowly reels them into the story. For me, the story hit the ground running and maintained a fairly fast pace throughout. Reading ‘Life Ruins’ was a bit like being on a scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with several twists and turns along the way. I felt as though I was part of the story and that’s thanks to Danuta’s very vivid and realistic storytelling.
In short, I really enjoyed reading ‘Life Ruins’ and I would recommend this book to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Danuta’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*
I must be honest and say that it took me a little while to get into ‘Life Ruins’, which has more to do with the fact that I was tired when I started reading and I was finding it a bit hard to concentrate. Once I got into the story then that was it and I was away as the saying goes. I found reading ‘Life Ruins’ became addictive in the sense that if I had to put the book down for any reason then I would be itching to get back to reading it. I was intrigued by the story and by the characters. I had my own theories as to what was going to happen and so I had to keep reading to see if I was on the right track or if I had wandered down the wrong path entirely. The pages turned over at a fair old pace as I made my way through the story. I became so wrapped up in the story that I lost all track of time and just how quickly I was getting through ‘Life Ruins’. All too quickly I reached the end of the story. I found ‘Life Ruins’ to be a tense and dramatic read, which kept me guessing and which kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.
‘Life Ruins’ is extremely well written. The author has one of those writing styles that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. I love the way in which Danuta grabs the readers attention and slowly reels them into the story. For me, the story hit the ground running and maintained a fairly fast pace throughout. Reading ‘Life Ruins’ was a bit like being on a scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with several twists and turns along the way. I felt as though I was part of the story and that’s thanks to Danuta’s very vivid and realistic storytelling.
In short, I really enjoyed reading ‘Life Ruins’ and I would recommend this book to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Danuta’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*
September 5, 2021
I’d like to thank Zoe from Zooloo’s Book Tours for arranging this tour and inviting me to take part.
I’m always on the look out for new crime/thriller reads to sink my teeth into so how could I refuse this book? The story centres around three characters; Becca, Jared and Kay. All have their own demons or struggles and each unknowingly become involved in a crime/investigation.
When we first meet Becca it is obvious that she is running from something and struggling to make ends meet. She doesn’t have a very high opinion or herself of the life she is living but she has certainly got a lot of attitude and isn’t afraid to speak her mind. I liked the feistiness to Becca and once I learnt more about her backstory I could understand why she acted in certain ways. I grew increasingly frustrated with the police and how they treated Becca as per usual they put two and two together and came up with five!
Jared was a mess. He was struggling with health issues and his own mental well being but deep down you could see that he was a genuine person. I found all the cave exploring part of his story really interesting. I did a little bit of caving when I was on a residential trip with my school and it was slightly terrifying. Once Jared met Becca I felt his character really came to life. Becca gave him that give up the butt that he needed and the two of them made a good team.
I loved Kay! The relationship she had with Becca was really put to the test in the story and I admired the loyalty she showed. She also had a no nonsense attitude that served her well at certain times. She had a fiery personality but like Becca, great survival instincts.
Overall this was a slow burning read set against the chilly Yorkshire coastline. I loved the character development and felt the cave exploring in particular was well researched. The finale was dramatic and fast paced with twists and turns that I didn’t see coming. Another great addition to my author list, now I need to go off and check out the rest of Danuta’s books!
I’m always on the look out for new crime/thriller reads to sink my teeth into so how could I refuse this book? The story centres around three characters; Becca, Jared and Kay. All have their own demons or struggles and each unknowingly become involved in a crime/investigation.
When we first meet Becca it is obvious that she is running from something and struggling to make ends meet. She doesn’t have a very high opinion or herself of the life she is living but she has certainly got a lot of attitude and isn’t afraid to speak her mind. I liked the feistiness to Becca and once I learnt more about her backstory I could understand why she acted in certain ways. I grew increasingly frustrated with the police and how they treated Becca as per usual they put two and two together and came up with five!
Jared was a mess. He was struggling with health issues and his own mental well being but deep down you could see that he was a genuine person. I found all the cave exploring part of his story really interesting. I did a little bit of caving when I was on a residential trip with my school and it was slightly terrifying. Once Jared met Becca I felt his character really came to life. Becca gave him that give up the butt that he needed and the two of them made a good team.
I loved Kay! The relationship she had with Becca was really put to the test in the story and I admired the loyalty she showed. She also had a no nonsense attitude that served her well at certain times. She had a fiery personality but like Becca, great survival instincts.
Overall this was a slow burning read set against the chilly Yorkshire coastline. I loved the character development and felt the cave exploring in particular was well researched. The finale was dramatic and fast paced with twists and turns that I didn’t see coming. Another great addition to my author list, now I need to go off and check out the rest of Danuta’s books!
August 29, 2021
The thing I really appreciated in this novel was the characterisation. Lots of characters in novels have some kind of trauma but so often the way it is developed, explored and presented is two dimensional or really just there to add drama without consistency or realism. This is not the case in this novel, the trauma these characters have experienced shapes them and this presents in different ways in how they see the world, tackle problems and journey through the novel. The authors descriptions of the place, the wildness of the moors, the often terrible weather and the craggy coastline, gave this novel a bleak dramatic air which added to the plot.
The storyline is engrossing with some plotting issues and some more obvious results but it is very much an enjoyable and highly readable journey.
The storyline is engrossing with some plotting issues and some more obvious results but it is very much an enjoyable and highly readable journey.
July 28, 2019
Is there anything more dreary than an English seaside town out of season? Set along the Yorkshire coast principally in Bridlington and Whitby, Danuta Kot’s debut novel is a bleak consideration of some of the evils that pervade our society.
Jared Godwin used to love to explore caves and tunnels; now he is driven to do so despite almost crippling injuries to his back, sustained when his best friend died as a result of something he did. When we meet him, he’s living in a dump of a caravan on a run-down site, popping painkillers and contemplating his next dangerous exploring high.
Becca Armitage is a young woman who has not had to seek out trouble in her life. She’s suffered early for a young girl and was fortunate to meet Kay, a fosterer, who managed to inject some basic goodness into her life and help her to curb the worst of her anger issues. Becca had gone to college, but a malicious prank forced her to drop out and now she is working in a café which offers help to the homeless and vulnerable young people. It doesn’t pay much but she is surviving.
Kay is a widow, struggling to get over the death of her husband, Matt. A genuinely caring woman, she worries about Becca and tries to stay in contact with her.
Life Ruins is very much a character driven novel, focussing on what happens when the rightly untrusting Becca meets Jared and together they set out to find out what has been happening in the caves of Kettleness. The grim Yorkshire coastal landscape of empty winter seaside towns heavy with unemployment and the run down horrible caravan park gives the book much of its character and the bleakness and despair is vividly and authentically depicted.
Told in the third person, the book begins by depicting the lives of the three main protagonists and it does take a while for these lives to converge, linked by violent acts. When they do, the action part of the plot really takes off, though it does take some time to piece together the characters backstories and make sense of the plotting.
At the heart of this book is human drama; the reader roots for a badly served Becca with all her trust issues who never seems to have had a good turn from life since she was born. Watching her begin to form a relationship with Godwin and seeing her fight for the one person who has believed in her is what makes this book really work.
Kot’s writing is strong and her descriptive abilities excellent. Her plot is pretty conventional and somewhat of a slow burn. The bad guys are not terribly difficult to spot, but that should not detract from a solid book that has lots to interest the lover of crime fiction.
Verdict: A bleak tale of exploitation and courage against adversity, this is a solid debut from a writer to watch.
Jared Godwin used to love to explore caves and tunnels; now he is driven to do so despite almost crippling injuries to his back, sustained when his best friend died as a result of something he did. When we meet him, he’s living in a dump of a caravan on a run-down site, popping painkillers and contemplating his next dangerous exploring high.
Becca Armitage is a young woman who has not had to seek out trouble in her life. She’s suffered early for a young girl and was fortunate to meet Kay, a fosterer, who managed to inject some basic goodness into her life and help her to curb the worst of her anger issues. Becca had gone to college, but a malicious prank forced her to drop out and now she is working in a café which offers help to the homeless and vulnerable young people. It doesn’t pay much but she is surviving.
Kay is a widow, struggling to get over the death of her husband, Matt. A genuinely caring woman, she worries about Becca and tries to stay in contact with her.
Life Ruins is very much a character driven novel, focussing on what happens when the rightly untrusting Becca meets Jared and together they set out to find out what has been happening in the caves of Kettleness. The grim Yorkshire coastal landscape of empty winter seaside towns heavy with unemployment and the run down horrible caravan park gives the book much of its character and the bleakness and despair is vividly and authentically depicted.
Told in the third person, the book begins by depicting the lives of the three main protagonists and it does take a while for these lives to converge, linked by violent acts. When they do, the action part of the plot really takes off, though it does take some time to piece together the characters backstories and make sense of the plotting.
At the heart of this book is human drama; the reader roots for a badly served Becca with all her trust issues who never seems to have had a good turn from life since she was born. Watching her begin to form a relationship with Godwin and seeing her fight for the one person who has believed in her is what makes this book really work.
Kot’s writing is strong and her descriptive abilities excellent. Her plot is pretty conventional and somewhat of a slow burn. The bad guys are not terribly difficult to spot, but that should not detract from a solid book that has lots to interest the lover of crime fiction.
Verdict: A bleak tale of exploitation and courage against adversity, this is a solid debut from a writer to watch.
July 27, 2019
Witnesses determined to help solve a crime.
Set in the out of season town Bridlington, Yorkshire, a dreadful event brings three people together as they become determined to help solve the mystery. Jared Godwin is a climber and cave enthusiast who is suffering from serious health issues. Kay McKinnon is struggling to come to terms with the death of her husband. Becca Armitage has moved from Leeds and is helping out in the teen outreach centre. When all of a sudden, they become witnesses.
I really enjoyed the 3 narrators which emphasised the feeling of isolation and despair between each character. The emotions are conveyed honestly and reflect the issues many people face each day, particularly with loneliness and money. The sub-stories create a relatable relationship between each character, making it really genuine throughout.
The mystery lasted from beginning to end, whether I was questioning how the narratives linked, learning of past events or trying to work out the truth of the main action.
My only criticisms are that the narrative jumped too frequently at the beginning; there wasn’t enough depth in the introductions for each character to stand out to me when switching with each chapter. Also, the author seems to focus more on each individual rather than the actual event.
Lucy
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
Set in the out of season town Bridlington, Yorkshire, a dreadful event brings three people together as they become determined to help solve the mystery. Jared Godwin is a climber and cave enthusiast who is suffering from serious health issues. Kay McKinnon is struggling to come to terms with the death of her husband. Becca Armitage has moved from Leeds and is helping out in the teen outreach centre. When all of a sudden, they become witnesses.
I really enjoyed the 3 narrators which emphasised the feeling of isolation and despair between each character. The emotions are conveyed honestly and reflect the issues many people face each day, particularly with loneliness and money. The sub-stories create a relatable relationship between each character, making it really genuine throughout.
The mystery lasted from beginning to end, whether I was questioning how the narratives linked, learning of past events or trying to work out the truth of the main action.
My only criticisms are that the narrative jumped too frequently at the beginning; there wasn’t enough depth in the introductions for each character to stand out to me when switching with each chapter. Also, the author seems to focus more on each individual rather than the actual event.
Lucy
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
August 13, 2019
This crime story is all about the characters and the setting.
Becca is a product of the care system with every reason to hate authority, in particular the police. She works at a drop-in centre for disadvantaged youngsters. She has a growing sense that something isn't quite right there.
Jared, estranged from his parents, rents a caravan in a closed down campsite. He spends his days climbing in dangerous mines and self-medicating to suppress the physical pain of a previous climbing accident and the emotional pain of an even bigger trauma. He witnesses a shocking, inexplicable crime.
Kay is Becca's former foster mother, the only person Becca trusts. Recently widowed, she's learning to adapt to life alone in her remote cottage. She offers Becca what support she can, little realising that her connection to the girl is putting them both in danger.
The setting is the bleak, blustery Yorkshire coast in January. Descriptions of mines are suitably claustrophobic and frightening.
Becca and Jared are two unlikely sleuths, at the bottom of the social ladder with no credibility with the police, but they make compelling forces for good in this well-written novel that gathers pace as it progresses.
Gruesome in parts.
Becca is a product of the care system with every reason to hate authority, in particular the police. She works at a drop-in centre for disadvantaged youngsters. She has a growing sense that something isn't quite right there.
Jared, estranged from his parents, rents a caravan in a closed down campsite. He spends his days climbing in dangerous mines and self-medicating to suppress the physical pain of a previous climbing accident and the emotional pain of an even bigger trauma. He witnesses a shocking, inexplicable crime.
Kay is Becca's former foster mother, the only person Becca trusts. Recently widowed, she's learning to adapt to life alone in her remote cottage. She offers Becca what support she can, little realising that her connection to the girl is putting them both in danger.
The setting is the bleak, blustery Yorkshire coast in January. Descriptions of mines are suitably claustrophobic and frightening.
Becca and Jared are two unlikely sleuths, at the bottom of the social ladder with no credibility with the police, but they make compelling forces for good in this well-written novel that gathers pace as it progresses.
Gruesome in parts.
July 22, 2019
I loved Broadchurch so seeing the tag line I jumped at the chance to read and review this.
This is an unapologetically dark thriller. The atmospheric setting of an out of season seaside town , you almost feel the cold seeping into your bones as you read. Add to that very troubled youngsters, a grimy caravan park and the dark web and you have a read that keeps forcing you on in a desperate attempt to get answers.
Becca is in way over her head and has anger issues and a mistrust of the police due to her past. But you can’t help but root for this feisty little firecracker. Add in Jared another damaged soul and you have a team of two who are not only built for survival but also two who are prepared to go to any lengths to protect other vulnerable kids.
There were some nice little reveals along the way and you will question who you can trust. My only little reservation was the rushed ending which was why I gave it four stars rather than five. Maybe it was because I wasn’t quite ready to leave Becca , Jared and Kay behind.
This is an unapologetically dark thriller. The atmospheric setting of an out of season seaside town , you almost feel the cold seeping into your bones as you read. Add to that very troubled youngsters, a grimy caravan park and the dark web and you have a read that keeps forcing you on in a desperate attempt to get answers.
Becca is in way over her head and has anger issues and a mistrust of the police due to her past. But you can’t help but root for this feisty little firecracker. Add in Jared another damaged soul and you have a team of two who are not only built for survival but also two who are prepared to go to any lengths to protect other vulnerable kids.
There were some nice little reveals along the way and you will question who you can trust. My only little reservation was the rushed ending which was why I gave it four stars rather than five. Maybe it was because I wasn’t quite ready to leave Becca , Jared and Kay behind.
June 20, 2019
Brilliant book by Danuta Kot. Atmospheric and very unsettling.
The story starts with a body in an abandoned mine shaft (or perhaps there wasn't a body), a woman recently widowed struggling with life on her own and her troubled former foster child who has her own secrets.
Through her description of the Kettleness landscape Danuta Kot manages to convey that eerie sense of evil approaching that has you looking over your shoulder and quickening your foot steps. The characters are wonderfully portrayed and elusive enough that separating the good guys from the bad is difficult leading to many "red herring"moments.
Thoroughly enjoyed this and look so forward to her next book.
The story starts with a body in an abandoned mine shaft (or perhaps there wasn't a body), a woman recently widowed struggling with life on her own and her troubled former foster child who has her own secrets.
Through her description of the Kettleness landscape Danuta Kot manages to convey that eerie sense of evil approaching that has you looking over your shoulder and quickening your foot steps. The characters are wonderfully portrayed and elusive enough that separating the good guys from the bad is difficult leading to many "red herring"moments.
Thoroughly enjoyed this and look so forward to her next book.
August 29, 2019
Loved the relationship between the central characters, particularly Jared and Becca and Becca and her foster mother. I also really enjoyed Jared's obsession with climbing and risk, and his recovery from a serious accident felt real. It's a book about the women who live on the fringes of society and what happens to them because no one cares and so they are easy prey. Loved the backdrop of the Bridlington setting too - felt like the decline of these northern towns was mirrored in the story. Great read.
April 3, 2019
My heart is still racing! This story is built around the most unlikely, flawed characters who stumble on to a terrible series of crimes. They have to face terror, prejudice, their own fears and inadequacies and try to find support and trust for each other. It’s a real cliff-hanger with narrow escapes and misunderstandings. There’s also the interesting background of the risks and techniques of caving (No Way in the World would you get me crawling through tight spaces underground!!)
September 26, 2019
Excellent novel. Not your typical Crime, but an exploration of how young people are easily shunted onto the 'wrong track' by life events, and how difficult it is to get back to a norm when there has never been one. Bridlington in winter is, alas, dead on (don't tell Tourist Info), as is the gloriously elemental coastline towards Whitby. The description of the potholing incident was stomach churning, and the denouement over the missing girls not as I expected.
May 13, 2019
This books looks at a series of violent incidents from the perspective of 3 very different (and one could say damaged) people. The characters are rich in detail and humanity and I felt real investment in how they were going to work together to solve the mystery. An engaging piece of story telling.
February 12, 2019
Life Ruins
A real belter of a book. There isn't a minute to catch your breath. Tension, suspense, mystery it's almost supernatural. Highly recommended.
A real belter of a book. There isn't a minute to catch your breath. Tension, suspense, mystery it's almost supernatural. Highly recommended.
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