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Trapped
Two desperate criminals. Something she never saw coming. A searing suspense thriller from bestselling author Nick Louth
In Manchester, two hardened gang members on the run take Catherine Blake and her one-year-old son hostage at gunpoint. She is in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Held in a Transit van, Catherine needs a plan fast. But it means diving into her captors’ risk-drenched world, and playing them at their own game.
Catherine has been through cancer, miscarriages and five draining years of IVF in order to have her son Ethan. He is the most precious thing in the world. She may be terrified out of her wits, but she’d do anything to protect him. Anything, no matter the cost...
195 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 28, 2019
54 people are currently reading
96 people want to read
About the author
Nick Louth
41 books293 followersNick Louth is a freelance journalist and author, based in Lincolnshire UK.
Before beginning writing fiction, he was a foreign correspondent for Reuters news agency, and a regular contributor to the Financial Times, MSN, and many financial magazines.
Before beginning writing fiction, he was a foreign correspondent for Reuters news agency, and a regular contributor to the Financial Times, MSN, and many financial magazines.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
January 28, 2019
I have come to rely on Nick Louth to provide me with action-packed page-turners that also encompass many topical issues and have an intelligent side to them, unlike countless mindless thrillers out there seemingly written to be fun and lighthearted, but I prefer mine to be didactic; if an author can produce a compelling, thrilling novel and also give a nod to timely issues then I'm a surefire fan. Louth is one such special talent. Anyone who has enjoyed a Louth novel in the past will find more of his trademark concoction here and so much to love, but I have no doubt that this book will bring new fans into the fold too.
Immersive writing, engaging, multi-faceted characters and a stellar plot to boot. This book, in particular, has a strong gangland vibe to it and highlights succinctly some of the trials and tribulations parents would be prepared to go through to save their child from a fate worse than death. What more could you ask for?
Many thanks to Canelo for an ARC.
You can also find my reviews posted here on my blog.
Immersive writing, engaging, multi-faceted characters and a stellar plot to boot. This book, in particular, has a strong gangland vibe to it and highlights succinctly some of the trials and tribulations parents would be prepared to go through to save their child from a fate worse than death. What more could you ask for?
Many thanks to Canelo for an ARC.
You can also find my reviews posted here on my blog.
April 6, 2019
This really is an adrenalin packed story. It is fast paced and very tense when Catherine and her one year old son end up hostages to two desperate criminals. I got a tension headache reading it!
The story is a narrative of the situation and all the stress and anxiety that this mother goes through in trying to protect her child and appease two violent and unpredictable men is quite palpable.
There are a couple of twists toward the end of the book, the second step I think went one too far and to me detracted from the story.
A great story. Thank you Canelo and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this novel.
The story is a narrative of the situation and all the stress and anxiety that this mother goes through in trying to protect her child and appease two violent and unpredictable men is quite palpable.
There are a couple of twists toward the end of the book, the second step I think went one too far and to me detracted from the story.
A great story. Thank you Canelo and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this novel.
December 18, 2018
Well what a not stop, all action thrill of a ride this book was from start to finish and excellently written. Catherine abducted with her young child has to survive and find a way to escape and the story goes at a breathtaking pace as things become more and more tense and threatening. The clever twists that come towards the end of the book totally blew me away it was a shocker and made this a most addictive and brilliant read that I would highly recommend.
My thanks to NetGalley and Canelo for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
My thanks to NetGalley and Canelo for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
August 31, 2019
On paper this is my sort of book but it didn't quite work for me. Well written and good story, maybe I was just in the wrong mood.
March 4, 2019
Set in Manchester, the story really centres around Catherine Blake, wife to Geoff and mother to young baby Ethan. While Geoff is shopping for supplies for a Kurdish meal, Catherine is outside in the car with Ethan……then all hell breaks out….
Two members of the Moss Side Mafia need a car in a hurry, so they jump in Catherine’s and take off with her and baby Ethan still inside….Geoff runs after them in a desperate panic…..but this ends badly.
What follows is one of the most intense, non-stop tension and violence filled tales I’ve ever read……my heart was in my mouth at times and I felt Catherine’s fear…..every sweaty palmed moment of it. What would you do to keep your precious baby safe when surrounded by such viciousness…?
Nick Louth’s powerful, descriptive and emotion filled writing brings this to tension filled life in a totally gripping, surprising and heart wrenching tale. I loved every minute…….
Thank you to Canelo and Netgalley for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the ebook in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.
Merged review:
Set in Manchester, the story really centres around Catherine Blake, wife to Geoff and mother to young baby Ethan. While Geoff is shopping for supplies for a Kurdish meal, Catherine is outside in the car with Ethan……then all hell breaks out….
Two members of the Moss Side Mafia need a car in a hurry, so they jump in Catherine’s and take off with her and baby Ethan still inside….Geoff runs after them in a desperate panic…..but this ends badly.
What follows is one of the most intense, non-stop tension and violence filled tales I’ve ever read……my heart was in my mouth at times and I felt Catherine’s fear…..every sweaty palmed moment of it. What would you do to keep your precious baby safe when surrounded by such viciousness…?
Nick Louth’s powerful, descriptive and emotion filled writing brings this to tension filled life in a totally gripping, surprising and heart wrenching tale. I loved every minute…….
Thank you to Canelo and Netgalley for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the ebook in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.
My full review is also at https://orlando-books.blog/2019/03/04...
Two members of the Moss Side Mafia need a car in a hurry, so they jump in Catherine’s and take off with her and baby Ethan still inside….Geoff runs after them in a desperate panic…..but this ends badly.
What follows is one of the most intense, non-stop tension and violence filled tales I’ve ever read……my heart was in my mouth at times and I felt Catherine’s fear…..every sweaty palmed moment of it. What would you do to keep your precious baby safe when surrounded by such viciousness…?
Nick Louth’s powerful, descriptive and emotion filled writing brings this to tension filled life in a totally gripping, surprising and heart wrenching tale. I loved every minute…….
Thank you to Canelo and Netgalley for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the ebook in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.
Merged review:
Set in Manchester, the story really centres around Catherine Blake, wife to Geoff and mother to young baby Ethan. While Geoff is shopping for supplies for a Kurdish meal, Catherine is outside in the car with Ethan……then all hell breaks out….
Two members of the Moss Side Mafia need a car in a hurry, so they jump in Catherine’s and take off with her and baby Ethan still inside….Geoff runs after them in a desperate panic…..but this ends badly.
What follows is one of the most intense, non-stop tension and violence filled tales I’ve ever read……my heart was in my mouth at times and I felt Catherine’s fear…..every sweaty palmed moment of it. What would you do to keep your precious baby safe when surrounded by such viciousness…?
Nick Louth’s powerful, descriptive and emotion filled writing brings this to tension filled life in a totally gripping, surprising and heart wrenching tale. I loved every minute…….
Thank you to Canelo and Netgalley for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the ebook in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.
My full review is also at https://orlando-books.blog/2019/03/04...
February 3, 2019
Fantastic read. Breathtaking plot. I couldn't read the words in this book quick enough to discover the outcome. A gripping thriller that I would highly recommend
February 16, 2019
Wow, what a rip roaring good read. I seriously could not put this book down. The characters are interesting and well formed and the story has just the right level of intensity, without wing overpowering or hard to read. I have enjoyed all of Nick Louth’s books and they just keep getting better, this one is a ripper
December 22, 2018
I’m not going to lie, this wasn’t a great read for me. The writing itself was brilliant, but some of it was really quite unbelievable and a lot of the time I felt completely confused. I also thought, as I was reaching the end, that it was dragged out way too much and I don’t like books that are repetitive as this one most certainly is in the last few chapters.
I liked the twist at the end though, I didn’t see it coming at all and I’m sure most readers won’t. It was quite sneaky. But, saying that, it didn’t give me a burst of adrenaline like it should have. It lacked oomph for me.
The three stars I’m awarding this book is for the gripping writing style and for the first half of the book, which was quite terrifying to read about though I didn’t like HOW it was written - ie, the different perspectives annoyed me as they happened without warning and it was confusing. But this authors style is remarkable.
Not good for me, but as I’ve seen, it’s perfect for others. This is just my honest opinion.
I liked the twist at the end though, I didn’t see it coming at all and I’m sure most readers won’t. It was quite sneaky. But, saying that, it didn’t give me a burst of adrenaline like it should have. It lacked oomph for me.
The three stars I’m awarding this book is for the gripping writing style and for the first half of the book, which was quite terrifying to read about though I didn’t like HOW it was written - ie, the different perspectives annoyed me as they happened without warning and it was confusing. But this authors style is remarkable.
Not good for me, but as I’ve seen, it’s perfect for others. This is just my honest opinion.
August 26, 2023
It's already a couple of weeks ago I finished this one. I like the Craig Gillard series by Nick Louth and I had some days left before my Storytel account would close.
I was not disappointed; the book followed the same format as Nick Louth's other books, with several storylines that seemingly don't have to do with each other - until they do. This book has also a most unusual narrator and a very, very brave and resourceful woman as the main characters. And of course an unexpected beginning and end.
Liked it!
I was not disappointed; the book followed the same format as Nick Louth's other books, with several storylines that seemingly don't have to do with each other - until they do. This book has also a most unusual narrator and a very, very brave and resourceful woman as the main characters. And of course an unexpected beginning and end.
Liked it!
December 20, 2018
Catherine and her husband are on a shopping expedition with their baby, Ethan. Whilst he is in a shop, Catherine is attending to Ethan in the back of a car when two men jump in, covered in blood and brandishing a gun and a knife. Off they roar and what follows is just unbelievable. Murder and mayhem ensues and we witness all the terror that Catherine is subjected to and the anxiety and fear for her child. I was mesmerised by this superbly written tale and in particular the use of the voice of the narrator. What was even more surprising was the end. I dare not say any more because it will spoil it for other readers.
They will just have to trust me when I say, OMG what a whirlwind of emotions, excitement and fear. Really would make a brilliant film. Five stars not enough.
Thank you to the author, publishers and NetGalley for providing an ARC via my Kindle in return for an honest review.
They will just have to trust me when I say, OMG what a whirlwind of emotions, excitement and fear. Really would make a brilliant film. Five stars not enough.
Thank you to the author, publishers and NetGalley for providing an ARC via my Kindle in return for an honest review.
February 8, 2019
What a brilliant story. I was hooked from the beginning. I loved how cleverly written it was. This is the first time I've read anything from this author and it definitely won't be the last. Easy five stars from me
February 1, 2019
Catherine, Ethan, and Geoffrey Blake are a middle-class couple who enjoy their lives. Ethan is almost one year old and the product of IVF and a lot of hopes and prayers. Geoffrey is a house husband, who designs websites when he has time. Catherine is finding work hard, with redundancies for ever being threatened, a bigger workload and responsibility that does not match her pay. Their finances are always precarious, but otherwise, they are happy.
One day when they have an appointment in Manchester they take Ethan with them as their babysitter let them down at the last minute. This was the catalyst for their lives to change forever.
Whilst Geoff goes into a delicatessen, Catherine nips to the newsagents reassuring Ethan that she will be two minutes. On returning to the car, she sees two scruffy men approach from the back. They get into the front of the car (she is leaning over Ethan to reassure him, then brandishing a gun, they make themselves very clear. At some point, a knife appears as well.
Geoff seeing what is happening from the shop drops everything and races outside. Despite chasing the car, they get away but not before they have managed to mount the curb and hit Geoff. One of the men then gets out of the car and repeatedly stabs him. The nightmare begins.
I thought that the story would pan out over a few hours, which in essence it does. Fear, humiliation, and panic are understandable, as the atmosphere in the car gets worse. They then hijack a van, first killing the driver and then race off.
Towards the end of this book, there is a very interesting twist. I certainly had not expected it and it is cleverly executed. The pace is fast and the twist is shocking. I could not believe it when I got to this part, and could not stop reading until the end.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are all my own and completely unbiased. My thanks to NetGalley for this opportunity.
One day when they have an appointment in Manchester they take Ethan with them as their babysitter let them down at the last minute. This was the catalyst for their lives to change forever.
Whilst Geoff goes into a delicatessen, Catherine nips to the newsagents reassuring Ethan that she will be two minutes. On returning to the car, she sees two scruffy men approach from the back. They get into the front of the car (she is leaning over Ethan to reassure him, then brandishing a gun, they make themselves very clear. At some point, a knife appears as well.
Geoff seeing what is happening from the shop drops everything and races outside. Despite chasing the car, they get away but not before they have managed to mount the curb and hit Geoff. One of the men then gets out of the car and repeatedly stabs him. The nightmare begins.
I thought that the story would pan out over a few hours, which in essence it does. Fear, humiliation, and panic are understandable, as the atmosphere in the car gets worse. They then hijack a van, first killing the driver and then race off.
Towards the end of this book, there is a very interesting twist. I certainly had not expected it and it is cleverly executed. The pace is fast and the twist is shocking. I could not believe it when I got to this part, and could not stop reading until the end.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are all my own and completely unbiased. My thanks to NetGalley for this opportunity.
May 21, 2020
It’s difficult to write a review of a book like Trapped without giving away any spoilers, but I’m going to try my hardest.
The majority of Trapped is narrated by Catherine’s husband, Geoffrey. I was hooked by the writing style instantly because it’s very similar to The Innocent’s Story by Nicky Singer, which is one of my favourite books.
Geoffrey is fatally struck by the kidnappers’ vehicle as they take his wife and child, giving him the ability to move freely between the minds of each of the characters. This allows the audience to have a behind the scenes look at the thoughts and motivations of each of the kidnappers and Catherine herself, but also lets us look into the minds of the hardworking police officers and siege negotiators who strive for a peaceful end to the confrontation.
Nick Louth has obviously researched the subject extremely thoroughly, with the attention to detail completely absorbing you into the story and making you feel as though you’re watching the events play out on a live news broadcast.
However, a twist towards the end of the story dampened my satisfaction of the book. It felt like a neat and well-crafted thriller, but the second half of the story causes the events to unravel slightly, and no matter how much explanation is weaved through the book it still feels as though there are a few holes in the story. That’s the only reason I didn’t give Trapped five stars, deciding instead to give it four. I can’t go into my specific reasons for that without giving everything away, so I’d recommend you pick up a copy and find out for yourself what I mean!
This review was originally posted on The Bumbling Blogger.
The majority of Trapped is narrated by Catherine’s husband, Geoffrey. I was hooked by the writing style instantly because it’s very similar to The Innocent’s Story by Nicky Singer, which is one of my favourite books.
Geoffrey is fatally struck by the kidnappers’ vehicle as they take his wife and child, giving him the ability to move freely between the minds of each of the characters. This allows the audience to have a behind the scenes look at the thoughts and motivations of each of the kidnappers and Catherine herself, but also lets us look into the minds of the hardworking police officers and siege negotiators who strive for a peaceful end to the confrontation.
Nick Louth has obviously researched the subject extremely thoroughly, with the attention to detail completely absorbing you into the story and making you feel as though you’re watching the events play out on a live news broadcast.
However, a twist towards the end of the story dampened my satisfaction of the book. It felt like a neat and well-crafted thriller, but the second half of the story causes the events to unravel slightly, and no matter how much explanation is weaved through the book it still feels as though there are a few holes in the story. That’s the only reason I didn’t give Trapped five stars, deciding instead to give it four. I can’t go into my specific reasons for that without giving everything away, so I’d recommend you pick up a copy and find out for yourself what I mean!
This review was originally posted on The Bumbling Blogger.
March 3, 2019
From the first page, this suspenseful thriller is intriguing.
Primarily told from Catherine's husband's point of view. He assumes the role of the story's narrator, a unique and unusual role in this type of thriller. His insight is uncanny and the reader has to accept this until the pieces of the puzzle start to reveal themselves. When it becomes clear why he has this unusual insight into her thoughts, it's probably not what you think, and so becomes a more compelling viewpoint.
Catherine is in a nightmare scenario and as the story unfolds you can understand what motivates her behaviour. Like me, you may wonder what you would do in the same situation. Catherine's husband's admiration of her is apparent throughout. She is a clever, driven character, who has fought to bring her child into the world and will never relinquish him. You empathise with her strongly but then, as you think it's all over, it isn't.
Gangland crime is at the heart of this plot but there are no stereotypes, the antagonists are believable and have no redeeming features, you are very much on the side of Catherine and Ethan her innocent child.
The twist is masterful and unexpected and makes the final chapters of the story enthralling.
Contemporary crime, authentic police procedures, and an intense, original plot, make 'Trapped' one of my favourite thrillers this year.
I received a copy of this book from Canelo via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Primarily told from Catherine's husband's point of view. He assumes the role of the story's narrator, a unique and unusual role in this type of thriller. His insight is uncanny and the reader has to accept this until the pieces of the puzzle start to reveal themselves. When it becomes clear why he has this unusual insight into her thoughts, it's probably not what you think, and so becomes a more compelling viewpoint.
Catherine is in a nightmare scenario and as the story unfolds you can understand what motivates her behaviour. Like me, you may wonder what you would do in the same situation. Catherine's husband's admiration of her is apparent throughout. She is a clever, driven character, who has fought to bring her child into the world and will never relinquish him. You empathise with her strongly but then, as you think it's all over, it isn't.
Gangland crime is at the heart of this plot but there are no stereotypes, the antagonists are believable and have no redeeming features, you are very much on the side of Catherine and Ethan her innocent child.
The twist is masterful and unexpected and makes the final chapters of the story enthralling.
Contemporary crime, authentic police procedures, and an intense, original plot, make 'Trapped' one of my favourite thrillers this year.
I received a copy of this book from Canelo via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
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March 12, 2020One of the few books I DNF as I couldn't get into it at all.
The writing style felt amateur and low quality.
Uses a myriad of very short sentences that make it read telegram-style, and what also didn't help is that the writing is overly dramatic and sensational. It's like the UK Daily Mail of books, and the way the short chapters keep ending with the equivalent of "SOMETHING VERY BAD IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN" feels almost insulting to the reader.
Clickbait inside a book? No thanks.
There are also some supernatural elements that weren't mentioned in the outline, which I didn't care for either and made the unappealing story seem even cheaper.
And even at the very beginning there are already pacing issues in the book, because it spends several chapters describing how the husband and wife met and other dull things.
The above definitely wasn't a good move, because at that point the reader was never given a reason to care about their background; the early chapters should've clearly been to raise the tension level to hook the reader.
It might be a better fit as a YA book perhaps, but it definitely wasn't for me.
The writing style felt amateur and low quality.
Uses a myriad of very short sentences that make it read telegram-style, and what also didn't help is that the writing is overly dramatic and sensational. It's like the UK Daily Mail of books, and the way the short chapters keep ending with the equivalent of "SOMETHING VERY BAD IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN" feels almost insulting to the reader.
Clickbait inside a book? No thanks.
There are also some supernatural elements that weren't mentioned in the outline, which I didn't care for either and made the unappealing story seem even cheaper.
And even at the very beginning there are already pacing issues in the book, because it spends several chapters describing how the husband and wife met and other dull things.
The above definitely wasn't a good move, because at that point the reader was never given a reason to care about their background; the early chapters should've clearly been to raise the tension level to hook the reader.
It might be a better fit as a YA book perhaps, but it definitely wasn't for me.
January 16, 2019
Whatever boxes you expect to be ticked by an action, suspense or thriller, crime drama “TRAPPED“ does it in spades. An enjoyable from page one where from the get go the action in full on.
The main story involves two hardened criminals on the run after a killing spree, in their fevered travels they happen upon Catherine, and infant son, awaiting the husbands return from a brief shopping errand. As the criminals abduct mother and child in the small family car and continue a desperate flight across Manchester, the author skilfully introduces all the players stories as the main plot thunders on.
As you would expect in a situation like this, things go from bad to worse. Heightened stress and tension for the criminals and Catherine alike. Her prime concern being her infant child’s needs and survival. Well written dialogue and believable people inhabit this world.
Believable plot, and believable resolutions with surprising twists. A truly enjoyable read
#netgalley #trapped
The main story involves two hardened criminals on the run after a killing spree, in their fevered travels they happen upon Catherine, and infant son, awaiting the husbands return from a brief shopping errand. As the criminals abduct mother and child in the small family car and continue a desperate flight across Manchester, the author skilfully introduces all the players stories as the main plot thunders on.
As you would expect in a situation like this, things go from bad to worse. Heightened stress and tension for the criminals and Catherine alike. Her prime concern being her infant child’s needs and survival. Well written dialogue and believable people inhabit this world.
Believable plot, and believable resolutions with surprising twists. A truly enjoyable read
#netgalley #trapped
December 22, 2023
Trapped by Nick Louth is a clever thriller which ends about three quarters of the way through and then…………….zips along with a great twist that you won’t have seen coming.
Catherine and Geoff are happily married with a one year old son, Ethan, until one day during a food shopping trip the car that Catherine and Ethan are in is car-jacked by two desperate Manchester gang members intent on evading capture by the Police after their terrifying wave of violence. Geoff tries to stop their car only to be seriously injured as a result.
The gangsters then swap cars and bundle Catherine and Ethan into a stolen van as hostages as the gangsters realise the net of the Police is closing in.
Catherine has to protect herself and her young child from two killers bent on escape at all costs no matter what the human toll is. Can she stay alive long enough until the Police hopefully secure their release?
A not too long and fast paced thriller, with a cracking twist. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me.
Catherine and Geoff are happily married with a one year old son, Ethan, until one day during a food shopping trip the car that Catherine and Ethan are in is car-jacked by two desperate Manchester gang members intent on evading capture by the Police after their terrifying wave of violence. Geoff tries to stop their car only to be seriously injured as a result.
The gangsters then swap cars and bundle Catherine and Ethan into a stolen van as hostages as the gangsters realise the net of the Police is closing in.
Catherine has to protect herself and her young child from two killers bent on escape at all costs no matter what the human toll is. Can she stay alive long enough until the Police hopefully secure their release?
A not too long and fast paced thriller, with a cracking twist. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me.
January 8, 2020
A uniquely told tale
Nick Louth has written an unusual story told in his masterful style! The gist of the tale is revealed by the horrible experience of a family that becomes unwillingly involved with two murderous felons while on a shirt shopping trip. The mother, Catherine, and her son, Ethan, witness the fatal attack on her husband by prison escapees Fretwell and Cousins. Catherine is forced to assist the criminals who hold the baby hostage. Eventually the police manage to corner and kill the villains! But the tale doesn't end there. Geoff, the attacked husband, actually survived, comatose, for a while . The corrections to the story are made from his perspective. This is a uniquely narrated novel that reveals Louth's skill as a story teller!
Nick Louth has written an unusual story told in his masterful style! The gist of the tale is revealed by the horrible experience of a family that becomes unwillingly involved with two murderous felons while on a shirt shopping trip. The mother, Catherine, and her son, Ethan, witness the fatal attack on her husband by prison escapees Fretwell and Cousins. Catherine is forced to assist the criminals who hold the baby hostage. Eventually the police manage to corner and kill the villains! But the tale doesn't end there. Geoff, the attacked husband, actually survived, comatose, for a while . The corrections to the story are made from his perspective. This is a uniquely narrated novel that reveals Louth's skill as a story teller!
April 10, 2023
I'm a big fan of Nick Louth's DCI Gillard series and loved them all. I also like him as a writer as his writing is really easy to read and get into. After finishing his Gillard series I read Heart Breaker, which is not bad. Then I tried this one. Spoilers ahead.
I absolutely could not get into this book. It's written in a first person narrative, the husband being the narrator. Not only didn't I like the style of writing, I didn't like the tone of it either, or the long build up of the background. I applaud Louth for trying something new as he has a good history or writing outside the box but this was just not fun to read for me. I thought about dnf'ing a couple of times and finally decided I didn't want to continue at about 30%, not really sure. I just got to the kidnapping.
I absolutely could not get into this book. It's written in a first person narrative, the husband being the narrator. Not only didn't I like the style of writing, I didn't like the tone of it either, or the long build up of the background. I applaud Louth for trying something new as he has a good history or writing outside the box but this was just not fun to read for me. I thought about dnf'ing a couple of times and finally decided I didn't want to continue at about 30%, not really sure. I just got to the kidnapping.
January 5, 2019
This book was really well written, and quite different from the usual crime stories. It starts off with a “dead husband” telling the tale, and at first I wasn’t sure if I liked it.
However, when Catherine was kidnapped and the two miscreants held her and her baby son hostage, my temper was wishing the police would just get rid of them and shoot them, they obviously had no respect for the law, or anybody else and they were just a waste of space. With each hour I was saying to my kindle, just take them out, never mind all this nanny state get rid!
But then, the twist at the end of the story was just brilliant. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
My thanks to Nick and Netgalley for the ARC.
However, when Catherine was kidnapped and the two miscreants held her and her baby son hostage, my temper was wishing the police would just get rid of them and shoot them, they obviously had no respect for the law, or anybody else and they were just a waste of space. With each hour I was saying to my kindle, just take them out, never mind all this nanny state get rid!
But then, the twist at the end of the story was just brilliant. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
My thanks to Nick and Netgalley for the ARC.
December 22, 2019
I would like to thank Harriman House Publishing and the Netgalley website for this partnership.
It features two hardened gang members who are on the run, taking Catherine and her son Black hostage. They were in the wrong place at the wrong time. They're trapped in a van in transit. She's going to do everything she can to save her son with everything she's gone through in her life: miscarriages, cancer, IVF.
I read this book in one go so I hooked into the story so moving, captivating, full of suspense and twists and turns with endearing characters. I can't wait to read more books by this addictive author.
It features two hardened gang members who are on the run, taking Catherine and her son Black hostage. They were in the wrong place at the wrong time. They're trapped in a van in transit. She's going to do everything she can to save her son with everything she's gone through in her life: miscarriages, cancer, IVF.
I read this book in one go so I hooked into the story so moving, captivating, full of suspense and twists and turns with endearing characters. I can't wait to read more books by this addictive author.
January 11, 2019
Holy Cow! Catherine was just sitting in a car with her son Ethan when she's grabbed by two bad guys who hold her hostage. This is told from several viewpoints and at a fast clip so hold on to your hat. Not all of it is plausible, there's a fair amount of violence, but it's a well written thriller with twists that will surprise you (there's one that really got me). Catherine is one determined woman; she's not going to let anything happen to her kid. How she does this, well, that's for you to find out. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A plot driven read that would make a good movie.
April 5, 2019
What an action packed page turner. Catherine Blake and her young son Ethan are abducted by 2 of the vilest psychopaths imaginable. Nick Louth managed to convey the horror and fear of Catherine and Ethan's experience. To me, it was a commentary on how slices of the British population have degenerated into ruthless violent gangs that even the Police have difficulty dealing with.
I loved the twist and turns some of which were totally unexpected. I thought I knew what was going to happen and how the story would end, I was so wrong. Very clever ending. Well done Mr Louth!
I loved the twist and turns some of which were totally unexpected. I thought I knew what was going to happen and how the story would end, I was so wrong. Very clever ending. Well done Mr Louth!
December 10, 2018
A young mother and her baby son get taken hostage by two gang members who are on the run. Catherine is held at gunpoint in the back of a van. She tries to devise an escape plan for herself and her son Ethan. Suspenseful plot and plenty action with a surprising twist at the end. Well worth a read. Thanks to Net Galley for my copy.
February 21, 2019
Bloody amazing! You have got to read this story by Nick, his other books have been good but this is excellent. Something a bit different with a dead person talking and all the events happening in time but then a host of lies that hide the truth so well. Loving the twist in here and not what I expected at all. This will be a best seller and a good five stars from me.
December 23, 2019
Well Nick Louth you have done it again. What a great book this Trapped one is. The story line was so well done and the surprise ending was even more than one had expected. This one is a good candidate for being one of my best murder mystery read this year.
Looking forward to your next endeavor if you can top this one that is.
Michele Zito
Looking forward to your next endeavor if you can top this one that is.
Michele Zito
February 21, 2021
Wow, when I started reading I thought it wasn't quite me but then I kept reading because something in me said Nick Louth has never disappointed me yet! No was did Trapped disappointed, I couldn't put it down, just needed to know what was going to happen next. I'm not going to tell you about it only to say it's a hostage drama. Read it for yourself and find out for yourself..
March 28, 2023
This is an off beat thriller, plotted by a master with a great twist at the end.
It's the story of the abduction of a mother and child by a couple of murderous psychopaths.
My only complaint is I am not entirely sure why Louth chose to have the novel narrated by the dead husband. I have a suspicion the novel may have been improved by the third person.
Over to you gentle reader.
It's the story of the abduction of a mother and child by a couple of murderous psychopaths.
My only complaint is I am not entirely sure why Louth chose to have the novel narrated by the dead husband. I have a suspicion the novel may have been improved by the third person.
Over to you gentle reader.
March 6, 2023
Haven't read this author before but it started with a bang and was a real page turner right to the end and it had twist and turns that kept me reading late at night will be keeping my eyes open for his crime series DCI Craig Gilliard
February 15, 2019
I can't improve on introduction read it and find out.
I don't want to give away the plot just to say its a very different plot and well worth reading
I don't want to give away the plot just to say its a very different plot and well worth reading
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