No Escape

by Hilary Norman

Lizzie Wade would seem to be a lucky woman. She has a career she adores as a cookery writer, is married to a gifted plastic surgeon who is dedicated to the NHS, and they have three lovely children. But no one really knows what goes on inside a marriage - or what can happen behind closed doors.

Genres: Crime, Thriller, Mystery, Fiction

452 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Born and raised in London, loved reading but deeply lazy about writing at school, preferring drama. A brief acting career, then moved into the production side at the BBC's radio drama department - later at London's Capital Radio, by which time the writing "switch" had been flicked on. Spent as much time as possible travelling in the US, working and writing. First novel, IN LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP published in 1986 after five years of writing. Wrote sagas with big dramatic finishes in the early days, and then, as the body count rose, made the move into psychological suspense and thrillers. Last book LAST RUN soon out in trade paperback, and the latest (and 20th) -RALPH'S CHILDREN - out soon in hardcover.
Living in London with husband Jonathan, and dog Poppy.

Reviews

[Fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked it right until the end but was slightly disappointed with the solution.

[Jennifer (JC-S) · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘All he was offering, he told them, was a way out.’

It took me a while to get into this novel: it opens with a number of different strands. First, a woman’s body is found. She’s been battered to death, and her husband (who has a history of violence) is arrested. In a second family, a little girl who has been illegally adopted, is afraid of her adoptive father. And then her adoptive mother is found dead. In the third family, Lizzie Piper, a well-known and successful writer of cookery books is married to Christopher, a successful surgeon. Lizzie and Christopher have three children and plenty of money. A perfect marriage, you might think.

Robin Allbeury is a wealthy lawyer. He offers to help women escape from their abusive marriages, and uses the services of a private investigator to help him help them. What is his motivation?
These various ingredients are brought together in a way which had me guessing (wrongly, in most cases) about some aspects. It’s hard to say more without introducing what would be major spoilers. While I didn’t care for aspects of the ending, that is no reflection on the writing, simply a personal preference.

This is the first novel I’ve read by Hilary Norman, and I’ll definitely be seeking out others. I like novels that challenge me to work hard to figure out the mystery. And in this case, I didn’t work it out until everything became clear.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

First time I have read this author and I did enjoy the novel apart from a few things glaring at me. For example I found the author entirely naive when it came to the thread throughout the novel of kinky sex. The wife's reaction to it that it was abuse of an unforgivable nature, with never one moment of trying to understand where her husband was coming from. And then the husband's obvious ineptitude at execution and the nuances of it.
And there was such a major focus on Lizzie throughout the novel while others were dying. I found that strange.
It was also touted as scary and horrific but it was neither. It was however competent and enjoyable on every other level. And nothing I have mentioned was so majorly jarring to me that I did not enjoy the novel.

[Camryn Frost · Rating 2 out of 5]

It took me nearly a month to finish this book when I typically take less than a week from start to finish. It was more mystery than anything else. Trigger warnings for domestic abuse, child abuse, graphic rape scenes, and child trafficking. Overall, I was surprised with who the killer ended up being. I enjoyed the ending and Robin’s character. However, it was mostly slow and I couldn’t really get into the concept.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A page turner, characters were credible and storyline drew you in - will be looking for another Hilary Norman novel.

[Tracey-Ann · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't finish. Just could not connect with this book. Cant figure where the book is going nor who is who.
Life too short to waste

[Roxanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well-written thriller, albeit with a very predictable twist. Still a good read though and I will look out for more of Norman's books.

[C!NDY L00 · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK, first the negatives. This story was a bit too chatty for me, with dialogue and details concerning the story's protagonist, Lizzie Piper and her family that really had nothing to do with the plot. Because of this, It had me yawning in places and I was tempted to skip pages even though I didn't. These unnecessary fillers inclined to detract from the story, instead of adding to it, in my opinion. Additionally, the ending was a bit melodramatic for my taste, even if it was surprising. Nevertheless, characterization, plot and the writing style was all well executed. I like mysteries when I can't figure them out on my own without some difficulty, and I never did with this one. Overall it was fairly good, but not great.

[Anja · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whenever I read a book by an author I have never come across before, I tend to look for anything and everything that is WRONG with the book, but I have to admit - this was not half bad.

Well thought out, well played out and interesting characters made for a good read. Their torments were made believable by not overcomplicating the plot.

[Antje · Rating 4 out of 5]

The English original is called No Escape. I read the German translation. Although it is slow in the beginning, I found this a first class thriller.

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was also an amazing read. Storylines that involve women escaping abusive marriages/relationships are very close to my heart and reading this prompted me to look for more books by the author.