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No Looking Back
‘Would I recommend this book? OMFG! Absolutely I would! There are twists, suspense and a very emotive but riveting storyline to keep you hooked’ CrimeBookJunkie
He’ll find you… unless you find him first.
Kat Denton is a woman running away from her past. For the past sixteen years, her life has been a living hell as Jimmy, the man she fell in love with as a teenager, becomes ever more cruel and abusive. Following the fire that killed her parents, leaving her an orphan when she was just a teenager, Kat is utterly alone and can’t see a way out.
Until the day she finds out that she’s pregnant. Vowing to protect her child from Jimmy’s violence, Kat decides to fight for survival – for her and her unborn baby.
Fleeing the traveller camp that has been her lifelong home isn’t easy. But along with her sister in law, Kat escapes with just the clothes on her back and the one photograph she has of her parents.
Kat, along with her baby girl Lucia, starts to build a better life. But when she looks into what really happened in her parents’ death Kat uncovers dark secrets - including a revelation that will lead Kat back to the place she had been so desperate to run away from. Is she strong enough to uncover the truth and save everything that she loves most, or will Jimmy Denton have his revenge?
Previously published as Chasing the Traveller
A fast-paced, totally unputdownable crime thriller that fans of Mel Sherratt, Mandasue Heller and Kimberley Chambers will absolutely love.
Praise for No Looking Back:
‘definitely going on my favourites list, it was a compulsive, gritty, unputdownable domestic thriller which I highly recommend!’ (5 stars) Dash Fan Book Reviews
‘The start of the book already sent chills down my spine… I loved this book and the writing style and the author has gained a fan. (5 stars) B for Book Review
‘a fabulous thriller packed with tension and emotion… If you like a tense thriller with strong characters, you can’t go wrong’ A Knight’s Reads
‘dramatic, gritty, suspenseful and oh so addictive!... I am SO looking forward to reading more from this author’ The Writing Garnet
‘A brilliantly written story, fast paced and a page turner of a read.’ Between the Pages Book Club
‘Jam-packed with emotion and suspense… If you are looking for something to get your teeth into, then this is the book for you.’ Baker’s Not So Secret Blog
‘a corker of a read that held me captive throughout. I loved that danger could be on every page, which has you racing through to see how it will all end.’ (5 stars) By The Letter Book Reviews
‘I finished it in one night!...Jealousy, trauma, power and control are all explored in this taut and nail-biting read… kept me hooked all the way through’ (5 stars) Chapter In My Life
‘had me gripped from the early chapters and I read it in two straight sittings…an amazing book w
He’ll find you… unless you find him first.
Kat Denton is a woman running away from her past. For the past sixteen years, her life has been a living hell as Jimmy, the man she fell in love with as a teenager, becomes ever more cruel and abusive. Following the fire that killed her parents, leaving her an orphan when she was just a teenager, Kat is utterly alone and can’t see a way out.
Until the day she finds out that she’s pregnant. Vowing to protect her child from Jimmy’s violence, Kat decides to fight for survival – for her and her unborn baby.
Fleeing the traveller camp that has been her lifelong home isn’t easy. But along with her sister in law, Kat escapes with just the clothes on her back and the one photograph she has of her parents.
Kat, along with her baby girl Lucia, starts to build a better life. But when she looks into what really happened in her parents’ death Kat uncovers dark secrets - including a revelation that will lead Kat back to the place she had been so desperate to run away from. Is she strong enough to uncover the truth and save everything that she loves most, or will Jimmy Denton have his revenge?
Previously published as Chasing the Traveller
A fast-paced, totally unputdownable crime thriller that fans of Mel Sherratt, Mandasue Heller and Kimberley Chambers will absolutely love.
Praise for No Looking Back:
‘definitely going on my favourites list, it was a compulsive, gritty, unputdownable domestic thriller which I highly recommend!’ (5 stars) Dash Fan Book Reviews
‘The start of the book already sent chills down my spine… I loved this book and the writing style and the author has gained a fan. (5 stars) B for Book Review
‘a fabulous thriller packed with tension and emotion… If you like a tense thriller with strong characters, you can’t go wrong’ A Knight’s Reads
‘dramatic, gritty, suspenseful and oh so addictive!... I am SO looking forward to reading more from this author’ The Writing Garnet
‘A brilliantly written story, fast paced and a page turner of a read.’ Between the Pages Book Club
‘Jam-packed with emotion and suspense… If you are looking for something to get your teeth into, then this is the book for you.’ Baker’s Not So Secret Blog
‘a corker of a read that held me captive throughout. I loved that danger could be on every page, which has you racing through to see how it will all end.’ (5 stars) By The Letter Book Reviews
‘I finished it in one night!...Jealousy, trauma, power and control are all explored in this taut and nail-biting read… kept me hooked all the way through’ (5 stars) Chapter In My Life
‘had me gripped from the early chapters and I read it in two straight sittings…an amazing book w
263 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 25, 2017
221 people are currently reading
377 people want to read
About the author
Alex Kane
12 books40 followersLibrarian's note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
This is Alex Kane with three spaces.
Pseudonym for author Emma L. Clapperton.
This is Alex Kane with three spaces.
Pseudonym for author Emma L. Clapperton.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
January 26, 2018
CHASING THE TRAVELLER is by Alex Kane otherwise known as Emma Clapperton, author of supernatural crime series with Patrick McLaughlin. In Chasing the Traveller, the author has switched genre, and now has produced a well-written fast-paced domestic abuse thriller. It is so easy to follow the author’s style of writing. I was totally gripped by this novel.
This story follows a woman’s desperation to be freed from domestic abuse, living in a trailer in a traveller community, and move on with her life. This was not an easy read, but I was routing for her to escape and make a new life for herself. Travelers live in trailers and travel the country in order to make a living.
‘I’ve fled from my husband and the only life I’ve ever known. I’m terrified that if he finds me, I’ll never find myself.’
Kat is trapped in a world where she has never belonged. As a traveller, she has always felt lost, especially since the death of her parents in a fire when she was fourteen years old. Having been taken on by the Denton family as their own, Kat falls in love with their son, Jimmy. His charm soon wears off and Kat finds herself married to a controlling and violent thug.
Sixteen years later, Kat decides she has had enough and plans her escape, along with her sister-in-law Ellie who shows Kat that she is not alone.
Kat and Ellie Denton escape and begin their new lives, always looking over their shoulders. But Kat still wants to know more about her parents’ past and when she seeks the location of an address on the back of a family photograph, Kat begins to uncover secrets from her past, that will lead Kat back to the traveller site she had been so anxious to escape from.
Will it be a mistake to find the answers she is looking for, or will she fall victim to the violent Jimmy Denton again?
A book that I highly recommend.
Many thanks to the publisher for providing me with a copy.
Expected publication: 02/07/2018
This story follows a woman’s desperation to be freed from domestic abuse, living in a trailer in a traveller community, and move on with her life. This was not an easy read, but I was routing for her to escape and make a new life for herself. Travelers live in trailers and travel the country in order to make a living.
‘I’ve fled from my husband and the only life I’ve ever known. I’m terrified that if he finds me, I’ll never find myself.’
Kat is trapped in a world where she has never belonged. As a traveller, she has always felt lost, especially since the death of her parents in a fire when she was fourteen years old. Having been taken on by the Denton family as their own, Kat falls in love with their son, Jimmy. His charm soon wears off and Kat finds herself married to a controlling and violent thug.
Sixteen years later, Kat decides she has had enough and plans her escape, along with her sister-in-law Ellie who shows Kat that she is not alone.
Kat and Ellie Denton escape and begin their new lives, always looking over their shoulders. But Kat still wants to know more about her parents’ past and when she seeks the location of an address on the back of a family photograph, Kat begins to uncover secrets from her past, that will lead Kat back to the traveller site she had been so anxious to escape from.
Will it be a mistake to find the answers she is looking for, or will she fall victim to the violent Jimmy Denton again?
A book that I highly recommend.
Many thanks to the publisher for providing me with a copy.
Expected publication: 02/07/2018
March 28, 2019
5☆ Unputdownable, Gritty, Thrilling, Domestic Thriller!
Kat fell head over heels in love with traveller Jimmy, they was Teenage sweethearts.
Everyone warned her not to get involved with him and his family, they had a reputation, they was bad news!
Kat's parents passed away in a tragic fire.
She had no other traveller family only Jimmy. So his family and Jimmy took her under their wing.
They were soon married, but what followed next was 16years of abuse, mental abuse and torture as Jimmy turned into a vile, drunken wife beater, just like his father!
But now Kat is pregnant with Jimmy's baby.
Determined to keep her unborn child safe and a secret, away from him, she knows she has to escape her traveller family.
But she's not going alone. Jimmy's sister Ellie is going with her. Helping her to escape.
After all she has dark secrets at the hands of Jimmy too.
Kat is also determined to discover more about her parents, as she embarks on a journey to find out who Oscar is? And how does he know her parents?
Can Kat ever truly escape Jimmy?
Or will she be forever looking over her shoulder in fear?
From the opening Prologue I was gripped, it created a Taut, dark, claustrophobic atmospheric scene of just what Kat was facing at the hands of Jimmy and his thug sidekick Rab. As you delve deeper into the pages Kat's story is told and why she is so desperate to escape!
Learning about the Travellers was really intriguing and it certainly made the story even more enthralling.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this gripping book, it was thrilling, gritty, Unputdownable, at times nail biting domestic thriller with a hint of mystery and suspense.
There are some sensitive subjects such as domestic abuse and violence, fear, grief and references to rape, which some readers may find difficult to read. However they are handled with much sensitivity, but still make a relevant impact on the story.
No Looking Back is a Dark, Twisting, Pacy read that kept me on the edge of my seat, praying that Kat, baby Lucia and Ellie are safe. I could literally feel their anxiety and fear, i was completely drawn in.
It's a story of survival, secrets, danger, new identities, new beginnings, discoveries, family, relationships.
The Characters are really well written, believable and get under your skin.
No Looking Back is definitely going on my favourites list, it was a Compulsive, Gritty, Unputdownable Domestic Thriller!
Which I highly recommend!
Alex Kane is going on my Authors to watch out for list!
I'm excited to see what she writes next!
Thank you to The Bright Side Publicity & Promo for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
My Review is also on my Blog Website :-
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2019/0...
Kat fell head over heels in love with traveller Jimmy, they was Teenage sweethearts.
Everyone warned her not to get involved with him and his family, they had a reputation, they was bad news!
Kat's parents passed away in a tragic fire.
She had no other traveller family only Jimmy. So his family and Jimmy took her under their wing.
They were soon married, but what followed next was 16years of abuse, mental abuse and torture as Jimmy turned into a vile, drunken wife beater, just like his father!
But now Kat is pregnant with Jimmy's baby.
Determined to keep her unborn child safe and a secret, away from him, she knows she has to escape her traveller family.
But she's not going alone. Jimmy's sister Ellie is going with her. Helping her to escape.
After all she has dark secrets at the hands of Jimmy too.
Kat is also determined to discover more about her parents, as she embarks on a journey to find out who Oscar is? And how does he know her parents?
Can Kat ever truly escape Jimmy?
Or will she be forever looking over her shoulder in fear?
From the opening Prologue I was gripped, it created a Taut, dark, claustrophobic atmospheric scene of just what Kat was facing at the hands of Jimmy and his thug sidekick Rab. As you delve deeper into the pages Kat's story is told and why she is so desperate to escape!
Learning about the Travellers was really intriguing and it certainly made the story even more enthralling.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this gripping book, it was thrilling, gritty, Unputdownable, at times nail biting domestic thriller with a hint of mystery and suspense.
There are some sensitive subjects such as domestic abuse and violence, fear, grief and references to rape, which some readers may find difficult to read. However they are handled with much sensitivity, but still make a relevant impact on the story.
No Looking Back is a Dark, Twisting, Pacy read that kept me on the edge of my seat, praying that Kat, baby Lucia and Ellie are safe. I could literally feel their anxiety and fear, i was completely drawn in.
It's a story of survival, secrets, danger, new identities, new beginnings, discoveries, family, relationships.
The Characters are really well written, believable and get under your skin.
No Looking Back is definitely going on my favourites list, it was a Compulsive, Gritty, Unputdownable Domestic Thriller!
Which I highly recommend!
Alex Kane is going on my Authors to watch out for list!
I'm excited to see what she writes next!
Thank you to The Bright Side Publicity & Promo for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
My Review is also on my Blog Website :-
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2019/0...
February 2, 2018
4.5 Stars
When Kat and Ellie flee the traveller community, they take nothing except the clothes on their backs ... Kat's picture of her parents who were killed in a trailer fire ... and her unborn baby.
Kat is running from a 16-year period of abuse from her husband ... both physical and emotional. She's finally had enough of being treated as a punching bad. Her husband's sister, Ellie, needs to get out of the controlling community.
Together, the two women begin to make new lives for themselves. But this road they travel is not an easy one.
This is a fast-paced domestic abuse thriller. The violence that these women suffer, the fear of never knowing when the next slap or beating will occur, never knowing what causes the outbreaks of anger and manipulation ... it's all so palpable, the reader can almost taste it. The emotions literally jump off the pages.
Wanting to know more about her parents' lives before they died, Kat looks for the person whose name appears on the back of the one picture she has. Kat begins to uncover secrets from her past, secrets that will lead Kat back to the traveller site she had been so anxious to escape from.
Kat's story is told in her voice ... from the present, to the days when she first loved Jimmy, to the time he became mean and abusive. She tells of how she came to be this utterly weak person who stayed with an abuser because she believed she had no other choices. It's a gripping story, well-written and easy to follow.
Many thanks to the author for providing a digital copy of this thriller. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
When Kat and Ellie flee the traveller community, they take nothing except the clothes on their backs ... Kat's picture of her parents who were killed in a trailer fire ... and her unborn baby.
Kat is running from a 16-year period of abuse from her husband ... both physical and emotional. She's finally had enough of being treated as a punching bad. Her husband's sister, Ellie, needs to get out of the controlling community.
Together, the two women begin to make new lives for themselves. But this road they travel is not an easy one.
This is a fast-paced domestic abuse thriller. The violence that these women suffer, the fear of never knowing when the next slap or beating will occur, never knowing what causes the outbreaks of anger and manipulation ... it's all so palpable, the reader can almost taste it. The emotions literally jump off the pages.
Wanting to know more about her parents' lives before they died, Kat looks for the person whose name appears on the back of the one picture she has. Kat begins to uncover secrets from her past, secrets that will lead Kat back to the traveller site she had been so anxious to escape from.
Kat's story is told in her voice ... from the present, to the days when she first loved Jimmy, to the time he became mean and abusive. She tells of how she came to be this utterly weak person who stayed with an abuser because she believed she had no other choices. It's a gripping story, well-written and easy to follow.
Many thanks to the author for providing a digital copy of this thriller. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
November 30, 2017
Chasing The Traveller is very much a domestic noir story with a touch of suspense.
It’s weird to say you really enjoy a book especially due to the nature of the story being quite a dark one. I did though. I loved that the story line was to do with travellers as it gave me a bit of an insight into what life is like in that community, though I am sure it is very different to Kat and Jimmy’s.
Jimmy right from the off I disliked. He is a bully. A big manipulative one at that. No wonder Kat is in constant fear of him and was desperate to get away.
Kat is someone the reader really routes for. I wanted her to be able to move on with her life and to have the happiness she so much deserves. To start with Kat is like a frightened rabbit, she is very much struggling to get on with her life as she is constantly looking over her shoulder. I really enjoyed reading the thread to do with her family as not only was Kat discovering things about them but so are we. It certainly makes for some interesting reading.
Chasing The Traveller is a gripping read where the tension builds up the further into the book you get making it impossible to put down. Whilst the nature of the story is an uncomfortable one the author makes sure that Kat’s story keeps you turning the pages. Loved it and highly recommended.
It’s weird to say you really enjoy a book especially due to the nature of the story being quite a dark one. I did though. I loved that the story line was to do with travellers as it gave me a bit of an insight into what life is like in that community, though I am sure it is very different to Kat and Jimmy’s.
Jimmy right from the off I disliked. He is a bully. A big manipulative one at that. No wonder Kat is in constant fear of him and was desperate to get away.
Kat is someone the reader really routes for. I wanted her to be able to move on with her life and to have the happiness she so much deserves. To start with Kat is like a frightened rabbit, she is very much struggling to get on with her life as she is constantly looking over her shoulder. I really enjoyed reading the thread to do with her family as not only was Kat discovering things about them but so are we. It certainly makes for some interesting reading.
Chasing The Traveller is a gripping read where the tension builds up the further into the book you get making it impossible to put down. Whilst the nature of the story is an uncomfortable one the author makes sure that Kat’s story keeps you turning the pages. Loved it and highly recommended.
February 6, 2018
Kat is a traveller, working around the country at fairs and carnivals. She is married to Jimmy who has turned into a controlling and abusive man. Her parents were killed in a fire and Jimmy is all she has.
After 16 years she finally escapes with her sister in law Ellie. All she has with her is a photo of her family with a strange note on the back. She has also recently discovered that she is pregnant.
Getting away from the life that they knew isn't easy for either of the women. They are always looking behind them and scared that the travellers will catch up with them.
Kat decides to look into the note on the back of the photo and begins to learn things about her past that she never knew.... and maybe she didn't want to know.
This is a dark story of physical and mental abuse and how it changes a person. It is a story of family and love. Kat was a wonderful, strong character that really tugged at the heart strings. A great book that I highly recommend.
After 16 years she finally escapes with her sister in law Ellie. All she has with her is a photo of her family with a strange note on the back. She has also recently discovered that she is pregnant.
Getting away from the life that they knew isn't easy for either of the women. They are always looking behind them and scared that the travellers will catch up with them.
Kat decides to look into the note on the back of the photo and begins to learn things about her past that she never knew.... and maybe she didn't want to know.
This is a dark story of physical and mental abuse and how it changes a person. It is a story of family and love. Kat was a wonderful, strong character that really tugged at the heart strings. A great book that I highly recommend.
November 25, 2017
The story begins on a traveller’s site in Scotland and jumps between this and Glasgow/ surrounding areas throughout. The reader is faced with some hard-hitting and emotional themes such as betrayal; loss; survival; protecting those you love; hope; discovery; trust; donestic abuse; relationships; recovery; power & control; manipulation and new beginnings.
Wow! Talk about grabbing your reader by the throat with a prologue that has you holding your breath whilst fighting back the anger and tears! The writing is edgy, focussed and full of suspense as the build up is gradually placed before us and we are invited to join Kat on her journey of discovery and survival. Told in the third person POV you get a rounded look at all the action and various perspectives of the characters as well as insight into the travelling community. I also loved the letters we come across throughout that deliver pieces of Kat’s past until all is revealed!
This story is littered with some interesting characters, but I will only touch upon a few so as not to spoil anything for other readers. The main character, Kat has suffered years of horrendous domestic abuse on all levels imaginable. Something finally snaps (no spoilers) and she realises she cannot stay in her marriage any longer. She is vulnerable, constantly looking over her shoulder but has a fiesty and fierce determination to survive.
Jimmy Denton – Kat’s husband …what an arsehole! There is absolutely nothing likeable about this guy! He is the epitome of a domestic abuser: full of charm initially, a master manipulator but evil to the core underneath it all. He objectifies Kat, believing he owns her and puts her through physical, emotional and every other level of abuse imaginable. Would I like to have seen him get his comeuppance? Absofrigginlutely! Would I like to have delivered a few blows myself? Damn right, I would! Does this happen? You’ll have to read the book to find out!
Ellie was another interesting character. Kat finds an ally in Ellie but I initially was wary of her. What we learn is that despite her mean, hard exterior, Ellie is also a vulnerable and misread/misunderstood young lady full of her own demons and fears. I loved everything about her, once the layers were peeled back and we saw her for who she really was!
Seb was another character I enjoyed. A counsellor who helps Kat piece her past together and draw strength from within. He allows Kat to do all the work as he understands and empathises with her.
There are so many more characters I could go on about, but you really do need to discover them for yourself as each delivers a different feel to the story as it unfolds.
Would I recommend this book? OMFG! Absolutely I would! There are twists, suspense and a very emotive but riveting storyline to keep you hooked and turning the pages! Once you start your journey with Kat, you will not want to stop! A massive *well done* Alex Kane – I am certainly keeping my eye out for what you have in store for us readers next!
Wow! Talk about grabbing your reader by the throat with a prologue that has you holding your breath whilst fighting back the anger and tears! The writing is edgy, focussed and full of suspense as the build up is gradually placed before us and we are invited to join Kat on her journey of discovery and survival. Told in the third person POV you get a rounded look at all the action and various perspectives of the characters as well as insight into the travelling community. I also loved the letters we come across throughout that deliver pieces of Kat’s past until all is revealed!
This story is littered with some interesting characters, but I will only touch upon a few so as not to spoil anything for other readers. The main character, Kat has suffered years of horrendous domestic abuse on all levels imaginable. Something finally snaps (no spoilers) and she realises she cannot stay in her marriage any longer. She is vulnerable, constantly looking over her shoulder but has a fiesty and fierce determination to survive.
Jimmy Denton – Kat’s husband …what an arsehole! There is absolutely nothing likeable about this guy! He is the epitome of a domestic abuser: full of charm initially, a master manipulator but evil to the core underneath it all. He objectifies Kat, believing he owns her and puts her through physical, emotional and every other level of abuse imaginable. Would I like to have seen him get his comeuppance? Absofrigginlutely! Would I like to have delivered a few blows myself? Damn right, I would! Does this happen? You’ll have to read the book to find out!
Ellie was another interesting character. Kat finds an ally in Ellie but I initially was wary of her. What we learn is that despite her mean, hard exterior, Ellie is also a vulnerable and misread/misunderstood young lady full of her own demons and fears. I loved everything about her, once the layers were peeled back and we saw her for who she really was!
Seb was another character I enjoyed. A counsellor who helps Kat piece her past together and draw strength from within. He allows Kat to do all the work as he understands and empathises with her.
There are so many more characters I could go on about, but you really do need to discover them for yourself as each delivers a different feel to the story as it unfolds.
Would I recommend this book? OMFG! Absolutely I would! There are twists, suspense and a very emotive but riveting storyline to keep you hooked and turning the pages! Once you start your journey with Kat, you will not want to stop! A massive *well done* Alex Kane – I am certainly keeping my eye out for what you have in store for us readers next!
March 24, 2019
No Looking Back by Alex Kane opens with a very disturbing prologue, it will anger you, it may even upset you, but Kat’s story is one you will be eager to follow. You will be faced with some hard-hitting and emotional themes such as domestic abuse, control and manipulation, but amid the gritty story there’s also an element of mystery which made this book such an exciting read.
No Looking Back follows Kat Denton a woman whose trapped in a world where she has never belonged, and even more so after the death of her parents who were killed in a fire when she was fourteen years old. Kat has suffered years of physical and mental abuse at the hands of her husband Jimmy, when she finds out she’s pregnant she makes the brave decision to flee from the travellers’ camp, the only home she’s ever known.
I really felt for Kat besides the mental and physical abuse is a woman who has had no control over her life, she’s anxious, timid and understandably afraid of her own shadow, but once she escapes Jimmy’s clutches Kat blooms and make a life for herself, but the scars run deep and she’s constantly on her guard. The author has created a character who unfortunately is very realistic, Kat’s pain, her anxiety and the fear of Jimmy finding her, are palatable.
As for Jimmy and his partner in crime Rab made my skin crawl and my hackles rise, their treatment of a kat was beyond cruel and I read on desperate for karma to catch up with these loathsome characters. Alex Kane definitely has the knack for creating characters you will either love or hate, and for me that’s always a bonus, I’m not one for mediocre characters they have to stand out for me to invest in their story
The author deals with the difficult subject of domestic abuse and highlights the damage done to those in such situations with sensitivity and understanding, something I sometimes find lacking in such books. Although No Looking Back features domestic abuse, this book has so much more to offer, there’s an intriguing mystery centred on Kat’s parents, I found Kat’s journey to discover the truth behind her family’s past riveting, it’s told through a series of letters and as the author slowly reveals their story I read on in horror, but at the same time desperate to unravel the truth. The setting of a travellers’ camp fits this book perfectly it gives a fascinating insight into travellers, not your usual setting for a book I must admit, but it made the book more compelling.
Alex Kane has written a book that’s both raw and brutal but it’s also one that’s full of hope, it’s a story that will capture the reader’s imagination, whilst rooting for Kat to find the answers and the happiness she deserves. So the burning question has to be would I recommend this book? It’s a big fat “yes” definitely not be missed if you’re a fan of gritty crime/domestic thrillers.
All my reviews can be found at http://thebookreviewcafe.com
No Looking Back follows Kat Denton a woman whose trapped in a world where she has never belonged, and even more so after the death of her parents who were killed in a fire when she was fourteen years old. Kat has suffered years of physical and mental abuse at the hands of her husband Jimmy, when she finds out she’s pregnant she makes the brave decision to flee from the travellers’ camp, the only home she’s ever known.
I really felt for Kat besides the mental and physical abuse is a woman who has had no control over her life, she’s anxious, timid and understandably afraid of her own shadow, but once she escapes Jimmy’s clutches Kat blooms and make a life for herself, but the scars run deep and she’s constantly on her guard. The author has created a character who unfortunately is very realistic, Kat’s pain, her anxiety and the fear of Jimmy finding her, are palatable.
As for Jimmy and his partner in crime Rab made my skin crawl and my hackles rise, their treatment of a kat was beyond cruel and I read on desperate for karma to catch up with these loathsome characters. Alex Kane definitely has the knack for creating characters you will either love or hate, and for me that’s always a bonus, I’m not one for mediocre characters they have to stand out for me to invest in their story
The author deals with the difficult subject of domestic abuse and highlights the damage done to those in such situations with sensitivity and understanding, something I sometimes find lacking in such books. Although No Looking Back features domestic abuse, this book has so much more to offer, there’s an intriguing mystery centred on Kat’s parents, I found Kat’s journey to discover the truth behind her family’s past riveting, it’s told through a series of letters and as the author slowly reveals their story I read on in horror, but at the same time desperate to unravel the truth. The setting of a travellers’ camp fits this book perfectly it gives a fascinating insight into travellers, not your usual setting for a book I must admit, but it made the book more compelling.
Alex Kane has written a book that’s both raw and brutal but it’s also one that’s full of hope, it’s a story that will capture the reader’s imagination, whilst rooting for Kat to find the answers and the happiness she deserves. So the burning question has to be would I recommend this book? It’s a big fat “yes” definitely not be missed if you’re a fan of gritty crime/domestic thrillers.
All my reviews can be found at http://thebookreviewcafe.com
March 11, 2019
I read this book when the author self published it as Chasing The Traveller and loved it and didn't think it was possible for it to be even better than it already was, but it is.
Everything I loved about it originally was even better and stronger. Whilst still very much a domestic noir, there is also more of an underlying threat coming through and yet again, I loved the build up of suspense to do with Kat's family.
Kat is a great character, who even scared out of her wits about bumping back into her ex, manages to draw strength from somewhere to battle on and make a new life for her and her daughter. Yes she has a couple of people who are there for her but otherwise she is very much isolated.
Jimmy I hated even more second time round than when I originally met him. Just shows how great an authors writing is when they have you feeling such emotions for fictional characters. He is certainly up there with some of my love to hate characters.
No Looking Back is a corker of a read that held me captive through out. I loved that danger could be on every page, which has you racing through to see how it will all end. Great book and can't wait for more from Alex Kane.
Everything I loved about it originally was even better and stronger. Whilst still very much a domestic noir, there is also more of an underlying threat coming through and yet again, I loved the build up of suspense to do with Kat's family.
Kat is a great character, who even scared out of her wits about bumping back into her ex, manages to draw strength from somewhere to battle on and make a new life for her and her daughter. Yes she has a couple of people who are there for her but otherwise she is very much isolated.
Jimmy I hated even more second time round than when I originally met him. Just shows how great an authors writing is when they have you feeling such emotions for fictional characters. He is certainly up there with some of my love to hate characters.
No Looking Back is a corker of a read that held me captive through out. I loved that danger could be on every page, which has you racing through to see how it will all end. Great book and can't wait for more from Alex Kane.
November 29, 2017
It’s not often you come across a book that is based around the traveller community; from what I know, it’s quite a private community. So I started this with slight apprehension, would the author pull of the authenticity of a fairground backdrop? The answer to that is for me….yes!!! The parts set in the traveller camp described the setting to ignite your imagination and transport you there.
I really felt for Kat. Stuck in a relationship, suffering daily abuse from a man who professes his love. Abuse dished out for any reason, even ones out of her control; the looks from the visitors to the fair, the guy who keeps coming back. The author really created an atmosphere of terror from the start. Kat’s fear was real, I was walking the permanent eggshells with her. And even when she does escape, the paranoia that she’ll be found! I was scared for her!
Despite Noelle singing the author’s praises for some time, this is the first book I’ve read by her and I have slapped myself for not reading her books before. This is one hell of a domestic thriller! I was on tenterhooks throughout!! I will have to start reading the Patrick McLaughlin books before long!
I really felt for Kat. Stuck in a relationship, suffering daily abuse from a man who professes his love. Abuse dished out for any reason, even ones out of her control; the looks from the visitors to the fair, the guy who keeps coming back. The author really created an atmosphere of terror from the start. Kat’s fear was real, I was walking the permanent eggshells with her. And even when she does escape, the paranoia that she’ll be found! I was scared for her!
Despite Noelle singing the author’s praises for some time, this is the first book I’ve read by her and I have slapped myself for not reading her books before. This is one hell of a domestic thriller! I was on tenterhooks throughout!! I will have to start reading the Patrick McLaughlin books before long!
March 26, 2019
The start of the book already sent chills down my spine. How is it possible to behave in such a way? But I have to say the author had my attention at top level straight away.
This story is dripping with emotions. My heart broke several times, but the author added enough heartwarming moments to mend it a bit every time. I cannot start to imagine what Kat has been through and how hard it must be to start to heal. And indeed, I think there is only one way out, one way that allows you be able to sleep again at night.
The book is a testimony of strong women. Even the hardest times can be conquered, but you need people to stand by you. Even the worst nightmare can turn into a dream.
My heart totally goes out to people being in this situation. Unfortunately this brilliant work of fiction is real life for some. I really hope one day, they will find the strength to fight their demons and create a future for themselves.
I was dragged into Kat’s life from the very beginning of the book and I laughed and cried with her. I loved this book and the writing style and the author has gained a fan. 5 stars.
Thank you, Alex Kane and Book On The Bright Side Publicity & Promo
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
This story is dripping with emotions. My heart broke several times, but the author added enough heartwarming moments to mend it a bit every time. I cannot start to imagine what Kat has been through and how hard it must be to start to heal. And indeed, I think there is only one way out, one way that allows you be able to sleep again at night.
The book is a testimony of strong women. Even the hardest times can be conquered, but you need people to stand by you. Even the worst nightmare can turn into a dream.
My heart totally goes out to people being in this situation. Unfortunately this brilliant work of fiction is real life for some. I really hope one day, they will find the strength to fight their demons and create a future for themselves.
I was dragged into Kat’s life from the very beginning of the book and I laughed and cried with her. I loved this book and the writing style and the author has gained a fan. 5 stars.
Thank you, Alex Kane and Book On The Bright Side Publicity & Promo
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
December 29, 2017
An engaging read about a disturbing and emotive subject matter, Chasing the Traveller is a thought-provoking thriller. I finished reading it around the time I saw Sleeping with the Enemy for the first time in many years and I found the emotional response it got from me was similar to that wonderful film. Jimmy is an effective villain who I disliked immensely and that made Kat's desperation to get away from him even more believable and something I became fully emotionally invested with. A book that I would highly recommend by an author to watch out for.
February 13, 2018
chasing the traveller by Alex Kane.
Kat is married to a traveller but he doesn't treat her right. she gets beatings from him Daily. Can she find the courage to leave him? his sister wants to leave with her. Can they do it?
Omg a fantastic read. a moving read. I really felt for Kat. she was a strong woman for doing what she did. just Couldn't put it down. Highly recommended. 5*.
Kat is married to a traveller but he doesn't treat her right. she gets beatings from him Daily. Can she find the courage to leave him? his sister wants to leave with her. Can they do it?
Omg a fantastic read. a moving read. I really felt for Kat. she was a strong woman for doing what she did. just Couldn't put it down. Highly recommended. 5*.
November 28, 2017
Alex Kane is actually the pseudonym for Emma Clapperton and because I am a fan of her other books I was looking forward to reading this new material. The previous books she has written have a supernatural element to them and in all honesty that's never been my favourite subject but she does the books well enough that it's not an issue for me. I was looking forward to seeing how she would fare outside of her normal stuff and what this new material would be lie. What I wasn't prepared for was how amazing it would be.
I had started this and read the first few chapters whilst being constantly interrupted. I put the book down and finally picked it up again at around 8pm. It was shortly after that I realised just how amazing the story was and I had no intention of putting the book down. Kat is the star of this show and she is in the worst possible place you could imagine. Married to a member of a particular travelling community her life is a living hell. Her husband Jimmy is an evil and barbaric man who frankly I wanted dead from the moment I started reading about him. As I read I could almost feel the fear from this character dripping off the pages and it seems her days are numbered until a chance conversation with Jimmy's sister Ellie.
From that moment the two women are determined to get away from that life and they take the huge risk of running. The story follows Kat and Ellie as they try to make a new life for themselves. However what you end up with is watching these two women take a journey that makes the hair on your arms stand on end. The constant fear they will be caught, and with the added fear of Jimmy discovering another of the reasons she left.
I was so shocked when I read this book as it is totally different to her other stuff and I literally couldn't put this down. The book had me gripped from the early chapters and I read it in two straight sittings. An absolute corker of a book and I think there are many people out there who would be surprised at just how much I think they would like this book. A huge hats off to Emma (or should I Say Alex?) an amazing book which I devoured and frankly would be happy to read all over again. A first class book and I will eagerly be looking to another book like this.
I had started this and read the first few chapters whilst being constantly interrupted. I put the book down and finally picked it up again at around 8pm. It was shortly after that I realised just how amazing the story was and I had no intention of putting the book down. Kat is the star of this show and she is in the worst possible place you could imagine. Married to a member of a particular travelling community her life is a living hell. Her husband Jimmy is an evil and barbaric man who frankly I wanted dead from the moment I started reading about him. As I read I could almost feel the fear from this character dripping off the pages and it seems her days are numbered until a chance conversation with Jimmy's sister Ellie.
From that moment the two women are determined to get away from that life and they take the huge risk of running. The story follows Kat and Ellie as they try to make a new life for themselves. However what you end up with is watching these two women take a journey that makes the hair on your arms stand on end. The constant fear they will be caught, and with the added fear of Jimmy discovering another of the reasons she left.
I was so shocked when I read this book as it is totally different to her other stuff and I literally couldn't put this down. The book had me gripped from the early chapters and I read it in two straight sittings. An absolute corker of a book and I think there are many people out there who would be surprised at just how much I think they would like this book. A huge hats off to Emma (or should I Say Alex?) an amazing book which I devoured and frankly would be happy to read all over again. A first class book and I will eagerly be looking to another book like this.
March 23, 2019
Kat has suffered domestic violence for many years at the hands of her husband, Jimmy….even kept locked in the belly box as punishment for an unknown slight.
Kat is part of the travelling community but as her parents died when she was younger, all she had left was Jimmy and his family…she did love him……once.
As soon as the wedding was over he changed and the physical abuse began…
Finding herself pregnant, Kat realises she just can’t bring a baby into the world with Jimmy, so she gets help to leave the community, a huge risk to her self and Helen her sister in law.
After running away and setting up a new home she never feels completely safe…..so she decides to find out more about her parents by trying to find anyone who knew them, all she has is an address on an old photo….this ends up putting her in danger again……
This is a domestic thriller, the clever writing by Alex Kane really builds the tension and the characters are so well written I really really dislike Jimmy! And I learned a lot about the travelling community. It also deals with the emotive subject of domestic abuse and the impact this has. Not an easy read but a masterpiece of emotion.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers and author for the opportunity read this and for a free copy of the ebook. This is my honest and unbiased review.
Kat is part of the travelling community but as her parents died when she was younger, all she had left was Jimmy and his family…she did love him……once.
As soon as the wedding was over he changed and the physical abuse began…
Finding herself pregnant, Kat realises she just can’t bring a baby into the world with Jimmy, so she gets help to leave the community, a huge risk to her self and Helen her sister in law.
After running away and setting up a new home she never feels completely safe…..so she decides to find out more about her parents by trying to find anyone who knew them, all she has is an address on an old photo….this ends up putting her in danger again……
This is a domestic thriller, the clever writing by Alex Kane really builds the tension and the characters are so well written I really really dislike Jimmy! And I learned a lot about the travelling community. It also deals with the emotive subject of domestic abuse and the impact this has. Not an easy read but a masterpiece of emotion.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers and author for the opportunity read this and for a free copy of the ebook. This is my honest and unbiased review.
March 16, 2019
This was a great read.
Kat has suffered for many years at the hands of her husband, Jimmy, but reaches the point where she can’t take it any more.
Kat is part of the travelling community but is used by Jimmy as his very own punch bag.
Her parents died when she was younger and all she had left was Jimmy and his family and at the time, she was in love with him.
As soon as they were married he changed and became physically abusive towards her.
Kat discovers she’s pregnant and can’t bear to think of bringing a child into the world with Jimmy in it, so her sister in law helps her leave.
Kat and Helen get help and are soon settled in their own home with baby Lucia.
They don’t feel completely safe as they lived so long in fear of their lives so Kat gets some therapy to help her cope.
The only thing Kat took with her when she left was a photo of her parents. There’s an address on the back with the name Oscar, so she goes in search of someone who knew her parents.
What Kat finds is a surprise to her and leads to a dangerous confrontation.
This is an addictive read and I really felt for Kat.
Thanks to Hera Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
Kat has suffered for many years at the hands of her husband, Jimmy, but reaches the point where she can’t take it any more.
Kat is part of the travelling community but is used by Jimmy as his very own punch bag.
Her parents died when she was younger and all she had left was Jimmy and his family and at the time, she was in love with him.
As soon as they were married he changed and became physically abusive towards her.
Kat discovers she’s pregnant and can’t bear to think of bringing a child into the world with Jimmy in it, so her sister in law helps her leave.
Kat and Helen get help and are soon settled in their own home with baby Lucia.
They don’t feel completely safe as they lived so long in fear of their lives so Kat gets some therapy to help her cope.
The only thing Kat took with her when she left was a photo of her parents. There’s an address on the back with the name Oscar, so she goes in search of someone who knew her parents.
What Kat finds is a surprise to her and leads to a dangerous confrontation.
This is an addictive read and I really felt for Kat.
Thanks to Hera Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
June 4, 2019
OMG, it the first time I have read a book by Alex Kane could not put it down, gripped me from page one. Worth more than 5 stars. EXCELLENT
February 5, 2018
Took every available moment to immerse myself in Kat’s story. Figured out fairly quickly the reason for an earlier tragic event in the tale, but this didn’t detract. A carefully woven story full of pain, sorrow, joy and strength. I willed Kat on in her quest for the truth. I love books where there is a strong female lead and this book was perfect for this. Definitely worth a read.
February 11, 2018
I loved this book and finished it in two sittings. The way that the story is written really makes you want to keep reading to find out what’s going to happen next. It’s full of tension and suspense and my heart was racing in some bits wondering what was in store for Kat on the next page.
I don’t know if the ending really stood out for me but I still really enjoyed it.
I don’t know if the ending really stood out for me but I still really enjoyed it.
July 18, 2019
Alex Kane is actually the pseudonym for Emma Clapperton and because I am a fan of her other books I was looking forward to reading this new material. The previous books she has written have a supernatural element to them and in all honesty that’s never been my favourite subject but she does the books well enough that it’s not an issue for me. I was looking forward to seeing how she would fare outside of her normal stuff and what this new material would be lie. What I wasn’t prepared for was how amazing it would be.
I had started this and read the first few chapters whilst being constantly interrupted. I put the book down and finally picked it up again at around 8pm. It was shortly after that I realised just how amazing the story was and I had no intention of putting the book down. Kat is the star of this show and she is in the worst possible place you could imagine. Married to a member of a particular travelling community her life is a living hell. Her husband Jimmy is an evil and barbaric man who frankly I wanted dead from the moment I started reading about him. As I read I could almost feel the fear from this character dripping off the pages and it seems her days are numbered until a chance conversation with Jimmy’s sister Ellie.
From that moment the two women are determined to get away from that life and they take the huge risk of running. The story follows Kat and Ellie as they try to make a new life for themselves. However what you end up with is watching these two women take a journey that makes the hair on your arms stand on end. The constant fear they will be caught, and with the added fear of Jimmy discovering another of the reasons she left.
I was so shocked when I read this book as it is totally different to her other stuff and I literally couldn’t put this down. The book had me gripped from the early chapters and I read it in two straight sittings. An absolute corker of a book and I think there are many people out there who would be surprised at just how much I think they would like this book. A huge hats off to Emma (or should I Say Alex?) an amazing book which I devoured and frankly would be happy to read all over again. A first class book and I will eagerly be looking to another book like this.
I had started this and read the first few chapters whilst being constantly interrupted. I put the book down and finally picked it up again at around 8pm. It was shortly after that I realised just how amazing the story was and I had no intention of putting the book down. Kat is the star of this show and she is in the worst possible place you could imagine. Married to a member of a particular travelling community her life is a living hell. Her husband Jimmy is an evil and barbaric man who frankly I wanted dead from the moment I started reading about him. As I read I could almost feel the fear from this character dripping off the pages and it seems her days are numbered until a chance conversation with Jimmy’s sister Ellie.
From that moment the two women are determined to get away from that life and they take the huge risk of running. The story follows Kat and Ellie as they try to make a new life for themselves. However what you end up with is watching these two women take a journey that makes the hair on your arms stand on end. The constant fear they will be caught, and with the added fear of Jimmy discovering another of the reasons she left.
I was so shocked when I read this book as it is totally different to her other stuff and I literally couldn’t put this down. The book had me gripped from the early chapters and I read it in two straight sittings. An absolute corker of a book and I think there are many people out there who would be surprised at just how much I think they would like this book. A huge hats off to Emma (or should I Say Alex?) an amazing book which I devoured and frankly would be happy to read all over again. A first class book and I will eagerly be looking to another book like this.
July 1, 2019
A fantastic and very exciting read. No Looking Back by Alex Kane highlights some extremely hard-hitting issues such as domestic abuse, control and manipulation, but within the gritty story, there’s also an undercurrent of mystery which made this book such a thrilling read.
The author has created some fabulous characters in this novel, particularly Kat who was portrayed very realistically. I’ve never experienced what Kat went through but the emotions I felt whilst reading what happened to her both before and after her escape, felt absolute. Alex Kane dealt with the difficult subject of domestic abuse with great sensitivity and understanding.
No Looking Back was a story of rawness and brutality but it was also one full of hope. It totally captured my imagination whilst I rooted for Kat to find the answers she needed and the happiness she deserved. If you love gritty crime/domestic thrillers, then I would certainly recommend this book.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel, at my own request, from Hera Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
The author has created some fabulous characters in this novel, particularly Kat who was portrayed very realistically. I’ve never experienced what Kat went through but the emotions I felt whilst reading what happened to her both before and after her escape, felt absolute. Alex Kane dealt with the difficult subject of domestic abuse with great sensitivity and understanding.
No Looking Back was a story of rawness and brutality but it was also one full of hope. It totally captured my imagination whilst I rooted for Kat to find the answers she needed and the happiness she deserved. If you love gritty crime/domestic thrillers, then I would certainly recommend this book.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel, at my own request, from Hera Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
July 16, 2022
This book was hard to read to put it plainly. It was very heavy throughout but it was getting an important message across that people can overcome anything they face just as though the focal character of this book does. This is the debut novel of this author and I can see they will only get better and yeah, I'm not usually a person to read thrillers but I thought it was written very well.
November 24, 2017
Time taken to read - 2 days
Pages - 222
Publisher - Indie
Source - ARC (author)
Blurb from Goodreads
Kat is trapped in a world where she has never belonged. As a traveller, she has always felt lost, especially since the death of her parents in a fire when she was fourteen years old. Having been taken on by the Denton family as their own, Kat falls in love with their son, tearaway Jimmy. His charm soon wears off and Kat finds herself married to a controlling and violent thug.
Sixteen years later, Kat decides enough is enough and begins plotting her escape from a lifetime of abuse.
Stripped of her personality, Kat has no idea how to start again but she finds an unlikely ally in her sister-in-law Ellie who shows Kat that she is not alone.
Kat and Ellie Denton begin their venture into a new world, where they meet new people and build new lives. But Kat still wants to know more about her parents’ past and when she seeks the location of an address on the back of a family photograph, Kat begins to uncover more than she expected including a revelation that will lead Kat back to the traveller site she had been so desperate to escape from.
Will she find the answers she is looking for, or will she fall prey to the violent Jimmy Denton once more?
My Review
Kat Denton is battered, abused, treated like an animal and has nowhere to turn to in her travelling community. Finding herself in a situation that changes everything and forms an unlikely alliance with Ellie, her sister in law, Kat takes the plunge and runs from her abusive husband. This is their story, by escaping Kat and Ellie find themselves on a journey of self discovery, healing, hope and that you cannot outrun your past.
I have bought a few of this authors work when writing under Emma Clapperton but had yet to read them. This is a genre switch and my first dance with this author, the story is both very dark and filled with hope. The start of the story sees Kat being horrifically abused by her husband, violence, rape, emotional abuse and manipulation which makes for hard reading at parts. It is very real to life in parts and I think anyone who has experienced such trauma(s) may find a very emotive response. Passages like this in fiction is really a testament to the authors writing skills and much of the book is not like this, however I feel it needed comment on.
I thought the story was going to be lots of violence and suspense, in actual fact a lot of the focus was about rebuilding a life, acceptance, self discover, survival and recovery. Trust and learning how to assess, accept and recover from emotional manipulation, we follow Kat's very personal journey. It also has danger looming on the edges as Kat and Ellie are on the run from Kat's husband who we know could appear anywhere. The book is a very different read than what I expected and depending on the readers background and life experiences I think it will strike very emotive responses.
Human beings are amazing in what they can endure, survive and cope and whilst this is a work of fiction I think many will be able to relate to it from very real experiences. The book tackles relationships, roles, abuse, family, friendship, love, actions and consequences it also has a sense of danger, survival and the old you cannot run from your past. It is a busy wee book and had time permitted I would have read it in one sitting. 4/5 for me, at time of posting the ebook is available for pre order for 99p. I think I will need to bump the authors other works up my TBRM mountain, this may have been my first dance with this author, it won't be my last!
Pages - 222
Publisher - Indie
Source - ARC (author)
Blurb from Goodreads
Kat is trapped in a world where she has never belonged. As a traveller, she has always felt lost, especially since the death of her parents in a fire when she was fourteen years old. Having been taken on by the Denton family as their own, Kat falls in love with their son, tearaway Jimmy. His charm soon wears off and Kat finds herself married to a controlling and violent thug.
Sixteen years later, Kat decides enough is enough and begins plotting her escape from a lifetime of abuse.
Stripped of her personality, Kat has no idea how to start again but she finds an unlikely ally in her sister-in-law Ellie who shows Kat that she is not alone.
Kat and Ellie Denton begin their venture into a new world, where they meet new people and build new lives. But Kat still wants to know more about her parents’ past and when she seeks the location of an address on the back of a family photograph, Kat begins to uncover more than she expected including a revelation that will lead Kat back to the traveller site she had been so desperate to escape from.
Will she find the answers she is looking for, or will she fall prey to the violent Jimmy Denton once more?
My Review
Kat Denton is battered, abused, treated like an animal and has nowhere to turn to in her travelling community. Finding herself in a situation that changes everything and forms an unlikely alliance with Ellie, her sister in law, Kat takes the plunge and runs from her abusive husband. This is their story, by escaping Kat and Ellie find themselves on a journey of self discovery, healing, hope and that you cannot outrun your past.
I have bought a few of this authors work when writing under Emma Clapperton but had yet to read them. This is a genre switch and my first dance with this author, the story is both very dark and filled with hope. The start of the story sees Kat being horrifically abused by her husband, violence, rape, emotional abuse and manipulation which makes for hard reading at parts. It is very real to life in parts and I think anyone who has experienced such trauma(s) may find a very emotive response. Passages like this in fiction is really a testament to the authors writing skills and much of the book is not like this, however I feel it needed comment on.
I thought the story was going to be lots of violence and suspense, in actual fact a lot of the focus was about rebuilding a life, acceptance, self discover, survival and recovery. Trust and learning how to assess, accept and recover from emotional manipulation, we follow Kat's very personal journey. It also has danger looming on the edges as Kat and Ellie are on the run from Kat's husband who we know could appear anywhere. The book is a very different read than what I expected and depending on the readers background and life experiences I think it will strike very emotive responses.
Human beings are amazing in what they can endure, survive and cope and whilst this is a work of fiction I think many will be able to relate to it from very real experiences. The book tackles relationships, roles, abuse, family, friendship, love, actions and consequences it also has a sense of danger, survival and the old you cannot run from your past. It is a busy wee book and had time permitted I would have read it in one sitting. 4/5 for me, at time of posting the ebook is available for pre order for 99p. I think I will need to bump the authors other works up my TBRM mountain, this may have been my first dance with this author, it won't be my last!
March 26, 2019
Whoop! Whoop! I am so happy to be taking part in shouting out about this amazing book. I had the pleasure of beta reading the original novel, Chasing the Traveller and to read it now that it has been picked up by Hera Books – OMFG – soooo good!
The story begins on a traveller’s site in Scotland and jumps between this and Glasgow/surrounding areas throughout. The reader is faced with some hard-hitting and emotional themes such as betrayal; loss; survival; protecting those you love; hope; discovery; trust; domestic abuse; relationships; recovery; power & control; manipulation and new beginnings.
Wow! Talk about grabbing your reader by the throat with a prologue that has you holding your breath whilst fighting back the anger and tears! The writing is edgy, focused and full of suspense and the build up is gradually placed before us to the point where we are almost invited to join Kat on her journey of discovery and survival. Told in third person POV you get a rounded look at all the action and various perspectives of the characters as well as insight into the travelling community. I also loved the letters we come across when Kat finds someone from her past -it delivers pieces of Kat’s backstory/ family history until all is revealed!
This story is littered with some interesting characters, but I will only touch upon a few so as not to spoil anything for other readers. The main character, Kat has suffered years of horrendous domestic abuse on all levels imaginable. Something finally snaps (no spoilers) and she realises she cannot stay in her marriage any longer. She is vulnerable, constantly looking over her shoulder but has a feisty and fierce determination to survive.
Jimmy Denton – Kat’s husband …what a bloody arsehole! There is absolutely nothing likeable about this guy! NOTHING! He is the epitome of a domestic abuser: full of charm initially, a master manipulator but evil to the core underneath it all. He objectifies Kat, believing he owns her and puts her through physical, emotional and every other level of abuse imaginable. Would I like to have seen him get his comeuppance? Absofrigginlutely! Would I like to have delivered a few blows myself? Damn right, I would! Does this happen – not me beating the crap out of him, of course – I totally believe in karma 😉 You’ll have to read the book to find out!
Ellie was another interesting character. Kat finds an ally in Ellie (Jimmy’s sister) but I initially was wary of her. What we learn is that despite her mean, hard exterior, Ellie is also a vulnerable and misread/misunderstood young lady full of her own demons and fears. I loved everything about her, once the layers were peeled back and we saw her for who she really was! Superbly written and really shows the depth and breadth of how domestic abuse can be generational and impacts those outside of the immediate abuse.
Seb was another character I enjoyed. A counsellor who helps Kat piece her past together and draw strength from within. He allows Kat to do all the work as he understands and empathises with her.
There are so many more characters I could go on about, (like a fellow she meets in Glasgow – lips sealed) but you really do need to discover them for yourself as each delivers a different feel to the story as it unfolds.
Would I recommend this book? OMFG! Absolutely I would! There are twists, suspense and a very emotive but riveting storyline to keep you hooked and turning the pages! Once you start your journey with Kat, you will not want to stop! A massive *well done* Alex Kane – I am certainly keeping my eye out for what you have in store for us readers next!
The story begins on a traveller’s site in Scotland and jumps between this and Glasgow/surrounding areas throughout. The reader is faced with some hard-hitting and emotional themes such as betrayal; loss; survival; protecting those you love; hope; discovery; trust; domestic abuse; relationships; recovery; power & control; manipulation and new beginnings.
Wow! Talk about grabbing your reader by the throat with a prologue that has you holding your breath whilst fighting back the anger and tears! The writing is edgy, focused and full of suspense and the build up is gradually placed before us to the point where we are almost invited to join Kat on her journey of discovery and survival. Told in third person POV you get a rounded look at all the action and various perspectives of the characters as well as insight into the travelling community. I also loved the letters we come across when Kat finds someone from her past -it delivers pieces of Kat’s backstory/ family history until all is revealed!
This story is littered with some interesting characters, but I will only touch upon a few so as not to spoil anything for other readers. The main character, Kat has suffered years of horrendous domestic abuse on all levels imaginable. Something finally snaps (no spoilers) and she realises she cannot stay in her marriage any longer. She is vulnerable, constantly looking over her shoulder but has a feisty and fierce determination to survive.
Jimmy Denton – Kat’s husband …what a bloody arsehole! There is absolutely nothing likeable about this guy! NOTHING! He is the epitome of a domestic abuser: full of charm initially, a master manipulator but evil to the core underneath it all. He objectifies Kat, believing he owns her and puts her through physical, emotional and every other level of abuse imaginable. Would I like to have seen him get his comeuppance? Absofrigginlutely! Would I like to have delivered a few blows myself? Damn right, I would! Does this happen – not me beating the crap out of him, of course – I totally believe in karma 😉 You’ll have to read the book to find out!
Ellie was another interesting character. Kat finds an ally in Ellie (Jimmy’s sister) but I initially was wary of her. What we learn is that despite her mean, hard exterior, Ellie is also a vulnerable and misread/misunderstood young lady full of her own demons and fears. I loved everything about her, once the layers were peeled back and we saw her for who she really was! Superbly written and really shows the depth and breadth of how domestic abuse can be generational and impacts those outside of the immediate abuse.
Seb was another character I enjoyed. A counsellor who helps Kat piece her past together and draw strength from within. He allows Kat to do all the work as he understands and empathises with her.
There are so many more characters I could go on about, (like a fellow she meets in Glasgow – lips sealed) but you really do need to discover them for yourself as each delivers a different feel to the story as it unfolds.
Would I recommend this book? OMFG! Absolutely I would! There are twists, suspense and a very emotive but riveting storyline to keep you hooked and turning the pages! Once you start your journey with Kat, you will not want to stop! A massive *well done* Alex Kane – I am certainly keeping my eye out for what you have in store for us readers next!
March 19, 2019
Brilliant! Book with lots of OMG shouted out aloud throughout,
Blimey what a fantastic book "No Looking Back" by Alex Kane was. I've never read any of his books before But Wow this was a cracking read and Loved every minute of it. It had me gripped from the very first page, its gripping, fast pace that will have you sitting on the end of your seat!
Kat is married to Jimmy Denton, they lived in a travellers camp. She fell in love with Jimmy and his charms when she was a teenager. Her beloved parents who were also travellers warned her about Jimmy but she was so in love with him she ignored their advise. Sadly her parents died in a fire and shortly after their deaths Kat who was now an orphan married Jimmy. Life was sweet for a short time and then her life became a living hell. Jimmy became very violent and abusive towards her. Kat could not go shopping etc, she had to wear the clothes he chose her to wear daily. Kat was living on fear from day to day.
After sixteen years of being married to Jimmy she finds out she is pregnant and doesn't want their child to living in this run down trailer and to have this nightmare life she is having!
Jimmys sister gives her a way out and they both flee from the travellers camp. They take no clothes etc with them.
The only thing Kat takes is an old photo of her mum and dad and on the back of this photo is a name and an address.
Kat does not know this person.......
Who is this person?
Is he related to Kat and how?
Will this person help her to be free from this dreadful life?
Are they still alive?
Kat, her baby girl Lucia and her sister in law start to build a new and better life. They both have new identities and things are looking okay for them.
But, they're still looking over their shoulders..........as Jimmy will never stop looking for her!
Kat finds out about her parents past and uncovers some dark secrets about them.
Is she strong enough to uncover the truth about the deaths of her parents?
Was the fire an accident or was it arson? That lead to their deaths?
Will Jimmy find her and his sister?
Will Kat face her demons of her past?
Will she and her daughter ever be safe?
Will she ever find happiness and trust someone ever again?
WoW..........I highly recommend this book. It was a cracking read throughout. I read it in one day!
Big Thank you to Hera Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
Blimey what a fantastic book "No Looking Back" by Alex Kane was. I've never read any of his books before But Wow this was a cracking read and Loved every minute of it. It had me gripped from the very first page, its gripping, fast pace that will have you sitting on the end of your seat!
Kat is married to Jimmy Denton, they lived in a travellers camp. She fell in love with Jimmy and his charms when she was a teenager. Her beloved parents who were also travellers warned her about Jimmy but she was so in love with him she ignored their advise. Sadly her parents died in a fire and shortly after their deaths Kat who was now an orphan married Jimmy. Life was sweet for a short time and then her life became a living hell. Jimmy became very violent and abusive towards her. Kat could not go shopping etc, she had to wear the clothes he chose her to wear daily. Kat was living on fear from day to day.
After sixteen years of being married to Jimmy she finds out she is pregnant and doesn't want their child to living in this run down trailer and to have this nightmare life she is having!
Jimmys sister gives her a way out and they both flee from the travellers camp. They take no clothes etc with them.
The only thing Kat takes is an old photo of her mum and dad and on the back of this photo is a name and an address.
Kat does not know this person.......
Who is this person?
Is he related to Kat and how?
Will this person help her to be free from this dreadful life?
Are they still alive?
Kat, her baby girl Lucia and her sister in law start to build a new and better life. They both have new identities and things are looking okay for them.
But, they're still looking over their shoulders..........as Jimmy will never stop looking for her!
Kat finds out about her parents past and uncovers some dark secrets about them.
Is she strong enough to uncover the truth about the deaths of her parents?
Was the fire an accident or was it arson? That lead to their deaths?
Will Jimmy find her and his sister?
Will Kat face her demons of her past?
Will she and her daughter ever be safe?
Will she ever find happiness and trust someone ever again?
WoW..........I highly recommend this book. It was a cracking read throughout. I read it in one day!
Big Thank you to Hera Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
November 27, 2017
Chasing The Traveller is by Alex Kane otherwise known as Emma Clapperton. Author of supernatural crime series with Patrick McLaughlin, which I must say I am a big fan of. So I was very intrigued to read this novel with the author switching genre. And has always I do love the author's style of writing. She definitely knows how to grab your attention from the start and keep you there until the very end.
In this story we follow Kat on an emotional rollercoaster journey after she finally gets the courage to leave Jimmy who is a control freak. Having lived the life has a traveller and losing her parents in a fire. The only person she has is her sister-in-law Ellie. Kat and Ellie begin to venture into a new world and begin to rebuild their lives, But Kat wants to know more about her parents and how they died. She begins to uncover more than she expected including a revelation that will lead Kat back to the traveller site she had been so desperate to escape from.
Will she find the answers she is looking for, or will she fall prey to the violent Jimmy Denton once more?
So I went into this story knowing it was a psychological thriller but not realising it was a domestic noir. Which most you know that I am not a fan of. It starts off with a very powerful prologue which I loved, then it moves to a slower pace where we follow Kat rebuilding her life. But then the story took a turn I wasn't expecting and I ended up really enjoyed it.
I loved the fact that the story is about travellers and knowing some myself this story is very realistic and original. The author does a brilliant job of making the reader feel the emotion and anxiety the characters go through. But will also keep you on tender hooks.
This is a very well written story which I highly recommend giving it 4 stars. Grab your copy now from Amazon for only 99p
In this story we follow Kat on an emotional rollercoaster journey after she finally gets the courage to leave Jimmy who is a control freak. Having lived the life has a traveller and losing her parents in a fire. The only person she has is her sister-in-law Ellie. Kat and Ellie begin to venture into a new world and begin to rebuild their lives, But Kat wants to know more about her parents and how they died. She begins to uncover more than she expected including a revelation that will lead Kat back to the traveller site she had been so desperate to escape from.
Will she find the answers she is looking for, or will she fall prey to the violent Jimmy Denton once more?
So I went into this story knowing it was a psychological thriller but not realising it was a domestic noir. Which most you know that I am not a fan of. It starts off with a very powerful prologue which I loved, then it moves to a slower pace where we follow Kat rebuilding her life. But then the story took a turn I wasn't expecting and I ended up really enjoyed it.
I loved the fact that the story is about travellers and knowing some myself this story is very realistic and original. The author does a brilliant job of making the reader feel the emotion and anxiety the characters go through. But will also keep you on tender hooks.
This is a very well written story which I highly recommend giving it 4 stars. Grab your copy now from Amazon for only 99p
March 22, 2019
No Looking Back by Alex Kane
Sometimes you have to make a change...even if you are afraid
Kat Denton NEEDS to make a change.
BUT...She is afraid...and rightly so.
Her sister-in-law, Helen, gives her the strength and support to run...and run she does...and though she tries not to look back...her past is always there with her...and she is afraid.
This is not an easy book to read. Kat is a battered, abused wife who has “taken it” for over a decade and she is miserable. She has tried to get away in the past but seems to have given up when another opportunity to flee is presented by Helen. She has never felt she belongs with The Travelers but is not sure why. The young love she had for Jimmy has morphed into something completely different. This book tells of the hardship of the Denton women and also tells of what it takes to get away from abuse, how to go about it and how much good those who help in shelters provide. Moving on with one’s life is not easy. Baggage from the past seems to come along for the ride in the form of PTSD, nightmares, day-mares and fear.
This is Kat’s story and the life she lives from the age of 14 till her mid-thirties. It has ups and downs, love and loss, mysteries to uncover related to her parents and...so much more.
Was this book interesting? Yes
Was it easy to read? The writing was clear and concise but some cenes were difficult to read
Would I read more by this author? Yes
Are there triggers? Yes – for some readers: rape, physical and mental abuse
Do I recommend this book? Yes
Thank you to NetGalley, Hera Books and Books on the Bright Side for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4-5 Stars
Sometimes you have to make a change...even if you are afraid
Kat Denton NEEDS to make a change.
BUT...She is afraid...and rightly so.
Her sister-in-law, Helen, gives her the strength and support to run...and run she does...and though she tries not to look back...her past is always there with her...and she is afraid.
This is not an easy book to read. Kat is a battered, abused wife who has “taken it” for over a decade and she is miserable. She has tried to get away in the past but seems to have given up when another opportunity to flee is presented by Helen. She has never felt she belongs with The Travelers but is not sure why. The young love she had for Jimmy has morphed into something completely different. This book tells of the hardship of the Denton women and also tells of what it takes to get away from abuse, how to go about it and how much good those who help in shelters provide. Moving on with one’s life is not easy. Baggage from the past seems to come along for the ride in the form of PTSD, nightmares, day-mares and fear.
This is Kat’s story and the life she lives from the age of 14 till her mid-thirties. It has ups and downs, love and loss, mysteries to uncover related to her parents and...so much more.
Was this book interesting? Yes
Was it easy to read? The writing was clear and concise but some cenes were difficult to read
Would I read more by this author? Yes
Are there triggers? Yes – for some readers: rape, physical and mental abuse
Do I recommend this book? Yes
Thank you to NetGalley, Hera Books and Books on the Bright Side for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4-5 Stars
February 1, 2018
Chasing the Traveller
Kat Denton lived with her husband Jimmy on a travellers site near Glasgow. She had fallen for Jimmy Denton when she was fourteen, his father was head of the travellers site and Jimmy had a twinkle in his eye that Kat couldn’t resist even though her father refused to allow her to see him as he thought he was trouble.
Traumatised when their trailer burnt to the ground and her parents died as a result Kat moved in with Jimmy and his family they got married and moved into their own trailer. Now sixteen years on Kat realises why her father didn’t want her involved with Jimmy he was a nasty piece of work who thought abusing her verbally and physically was ok? Jimmy’s sister Ellie had said to Kat they needed to get off the travellers site for good, having tried and failed twice before Kat knew that wouldn’t be easy and failure would get her a horrific beating or even worse he may kill them both.
That day Kat and Ellie decide they have to leave right then to get as far away from Jimmy as possible to give them any chance of survival.
Their plan made they leave with nothing but the clothes on their back and head for a normal life. Will they get away? If they do will they be able to stay under the radar?Jimmy has so many people looking out for him it would be a miracle.
This is a brilliantly told story tells of an abused girl who has courage and decides she has to fight for a normal life that she WILL NO longer be a victim.
Kat Denton lived with her husband Jimmy on a travellers site near Glasgow. She had fallen for Jimmy Denton when she was fourteen, his father was head of the travellers site and Jimmy had a twinkle in his eye that Kat couldn’t resist even though her father refused to allow her to see him as he thought he was trouble.
Traumatised when their trailer burnt to the ground and her parents died as a result Kat moved in with Jimmy and his family they got married and moved into their own trailer. Now sixteen years on Kat realises why her father didn’t want her involved with Jimmy he was a nasty piece of work who thought abusing her verbally and physically was ok? Jimmy’s sister Ellie had said to Kat they needed to get off the travellers site for good, having tried and failed twice before Kat knew that wouldn’t be easy and failure would get her a horrific beating or even worse he may kill them both.
That day Kat and Ellie decide they have to leave right then to get as far away from Jimmy as possible to give them any chance of survival.
Their plan made they leave with nothing but the clothes on their back and head for a normal life. Will they get away? If they do will they be able to stay under the radar?Jimmy has so many people looking out for him it would be a miracle.
This is a brilliantly told story tells of an abused girl who has courage and decides she has to fight for a normal life that she WILL NO longer be a victim.
March 31, 2019
Kat believes she is alone in her world, no family of her own, taken in by the Dentons and married to Jimmy. He beats her, doesn’t matter the reason but he batters her for any reason. But that day finally comes where she finds the one person to help her break the cycle and get out.
I really felt for Kat, desperate to escape the daily punishments for frequently nothing in her control. I admire her balls for getting out. What I read after her escape was a journey of self discovery. Kat had to learn how to live her own life, one without fear, one where she can be herself and learn to be a mum. I loved getting to knew “new” Kat, watching this young woman spreading her wings in her new life.
I personally think Alex Kane has portrayed the emotional spectrum of a woman in Kat’s situation. I’ve never experienced what Kat went through with Jimmy but the emotions I felt reading what happened to her both before and after her escape, felt real. The constant fear of running into him or one of his cronies.
Alex Kane has written a fabulous thriller packed with tension and emotion. The characters are so lifelike, picturing the story unfold was so easy. If you like a tense thriller with strong characters, you can’t go wrong with No Looking Back.
I really felt for Kat, desperate to escape the daily punishments for frequently nothing in her control. I admire her balls for getting out. What I read after her escape was a journey of self discovery. Kat had to learn how to live her own life, one without fear, one where she can be herself and learn to be a mum. I loved getting to knew “new” Kat, watching this young woman spreading her wings in her new life.
I personally think Alex Kane has portrayed the emotional spectrum of a woman in Kat’s situation. I’ve never experienced what Kat went through with Jimmy but the emotions I felt reading what happened to her both before and after her escape, felt real. The constant fear of running into him or one of his cronies.
Alex Kane has written a fabulous thriller packed with tension and emotion. The characters are so lifelike, picturing the story unfold was so easy. If you like a tense thriller with strong characters, you can’t go wrong with No Looking Back.
January 31, 2018
Oh wow! Such an emotive book well written and really captures the feeling of a domestic violence situation. Kat Denton has always lived on a travellers site but she has never felt like she belongs. Her parents tragically die when Kat is 14 and she is taken in by the Denton family when she falls for the very charming Jimmy Denton. As the years pass Kat realised she is trapped in a terrible situation controlled and owned by the man she once loved who treats her like muck. Every time she does something ‘wrong’ she gets punished. Then one day she can’t take any more and she plans to run away with her sister in law Ellie. They make a run for it one night and that’s when Kat realises she will never be free while Jimmy Denton is still alive as he will always be in the back of her mind controlling her every thought. Such an emotional rollercoaster I found myself praying that Kat would be able to move on and escape Jimmy for good. Does she? Well read the book and find out but don’t forget to have the box of tissues ready.
January 26, 2018
Not a genre I’d normally go to, but was offered a chance to review.
I believe this might also be the author’s first published book for this genre. The first few chapters are quite confronting, but a gripping read. I felt genuine anger at what was happening to Kat, our main character. All in all I read this book in under 24 hours in around 3 sessions. It’s a fairly short read but really well written and the tension and pace are consistent throughout and I never wanted to put it down.
My only gripe would be that it was somewhat predictable, but that didn’t really deter from what is a well executed story.
I looked up the author on Goodreads at around the 30% point. I was actually looking to see if Alex was a Glaswegian. What stunned me was that Alex was a ‘He’. I truly expected the author to be a she from the way the story is written. This is a credit to Alex.
I enjoyed this book and would certainly recommend it.
I believe this might also be the author’s first published book for this genre. The first few chapters are quite confronting, but a gripping read. I felt genuine anger at what was happening to Kat, our main character. All in all I read this book in under 24 hours in around 3 sessions. It’s a fairly short read but really well written and the tension and pace are consistent throughout and I never wanted to put it down.
My only gripe would be that it was somewhat predictable, but that didn’t really deter from what is a well executed story.
I looked up the author on Goodreads at around the 30% point. I was actually looking to see if Alex was a Glaswegian. What stunned me was that Alex was a ‘He’. I truly expected the author to be a she from the way the story is written. This is a credit to Alex.
I enjoyed this book and would certainly recommend it.
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