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The Telephone Call
When Rosemary Sherwood overhears a disturbing conversation between her husband, Harry Sherwood and an unknown caller, she has no idea that her life's about to change forever. Fleeing to France for fear of her own safety, Harry threatens to kill their son if she ever dares to breathe a word of anything she overheard.
Torn between hiding out in France and re-connecting with her estranged son, Rosemary returns to England twelve years later believing that she and her son are now out of danger...
A web of deceit and lies has been woven over the years to cover up the antics of Harry and his friends, who are no strangers to violence and murder and who will stop at nothing to ensure they aren't exposed.
Private Detective Daniel Appleman takes on the case, but can he track down these men before they wreak havoc on the Sherwood family?
Torn between hiding out in France and re-connecting with her estranged son, Rosemary returns to England twelve years later believing that she and her son are now out of danger...
A web of deceit and lies has been woven over the years to cover up the antics of Harry and his friends, who are no strangers to violence and murder and who will stop at nothing to ensure they aren't exposed.
Private Detective Daniel Appleman takes on the case, but can he track down these men before they wreak havoc on the Sherwood family?
360 pages, Paperback
First published December 5, 2019
2 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 13, 2020
I received an advanced reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
This is a crime mystery book going back and forth between the present and a decade. Harry's wife overheard a telephone call that she shouldn't have heard and her husband throws her out telling her to leave and leave their son with him but if she was to breath a word of what she heard he would kill him. After years of abuse from her husband she reluctantly does as he says. Now he's dead and a mystery crime becomes something their son must unravel with the help of a private detective.
This book reminds me in a sense of Sidney Sheldons type of writing style. I really enjoyed it and will be looking out for more from this new to me author.
This is a crime mystery book going back and forth between the present and a decade. Harry's wife overheard a telephone call that she shouldn't have heard and her husband throws her out telling her to leave and leave their son with him but if she was to breath a word of what she heard he would kill him. After years of abuse from her husband she reluctantly does as he says. Now he's dead and a mystery crime becomes something their son must unravel with the help of a private detective.
This book reminds me in a sense of Sidney Sheldons type of writing style. I really enjoyed it and will be looking out for more from this new to me author.
January 29, 2020
Combine a good sprinkling of mystery, heinous crimes, long-held secrets, despicable acts, and lies and you end up with The Telephone Call by Michael Pakenham.
Not having read the first book in this series (Fatal Obsession) I had no real expectations beyond the description outline. I am pleased to say that I found it completely intriguing and compelling!
There was an extremely large number of characters to get to grips with and the story was split into two parts and told from many perspectives and different time-scales. Part one was mostly told through the eyes of Harry Sherwood, and his friends Jason Duckett and William Harrison, with contributions from Rosemary Sherwood (Harry’s wife) and their son Tom. In part two, apart from Ex-DCI Daniel Appleman himself, and Harry and his friends, the reader was provided with narrative from Daniel’s wife Rachael, as well as Mo Salter, ‘rescued’ by Harry Sherwood when she was a very young woman; Mo’s daughter, Carol; members of Hampshire Police; Rosemary’s sister, May; The Magnificent Four and a whole host of others. They all had a place and a role to play and were important to the story. With its short, snappy chapters and great deal of effort, I managed to keep up with the wicked pace and evil goings-on!
I loved the sections of the book that featured happily married private detective Daniel, and his ex-copper wife, Rachael. The couple have a son, Arty (age 5), daughter Charlotte (4) and a brown terrier named Avo(cado). The loved-up newly-weds live in a house in the Itchen Valley, bought for them by his father-in-law. These sections provided a welcome diversion from the malice and horror of the main story. Although Daniel didn’t get along with all of his ex-colleagues from his time with the Hampshire Police Force, I appreciated that he kept in touch with his some of his former workmates, namely newly promoted DCI Paul Flower, his previous partner-in-crime and long-time friend, and that there was still a strong sense of camaraderie between them.
Cleverly crafted, the air of foreboding deepened with every chapter and I didn’t know what was going to happen next. I loved the unfolding of the long-held secrets and lies in this gritty, gruesome detective thriller. The Telephone Call incorporated some hard-hitting subjects of physical and emotional abuse, extreme violence, revenge, and prostitution to name only a few.
The plot is self-contained, making The Telephone Call an ideal standalone read. The ending was surprising and fulfilling. Private Detective Daniel Appleman was a thoroughly likeable character and I’m curious to see what Michael Pakenham has in store for him, next. I have no hesitation in recommending The Telephone Call to fans of the genre, although it is not a book for the faint-hearted.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel, at my request, from Rachel’s Random Resources and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
Not having read the first book in this series (Fatal Obsession) I had no real expectations beyond the description outline. I am pleased to say that I found it completely intriguing and compelling!
There was an extremely large number of characters to get to grips with and the story was split into two parts and told from many perspectives and different time-scales. Part one was mostly told through the eyes of Harry Sherwood, and his friends Jason Duckett and William Harrison, with contributions from Rosemary Sherwood (Harry’s wife) and their son Tom. In part two, apart from Ex-DCI Daniel Appleman himself, and Harry and his friends, the reader was provided with narrative from Daniel’s wife Rachael, as well as Mo Salter, ‘rescued’ by Harry Sherwood when she was a very young woman; Mo’s daughter, Carol; members of Hampshire Police; Rosemary’s sister, May; The Magnificent Four and a whole host of others. They all had a place and a role to play and were important to the story. With its short, snappy chapters and great deal of effort, I managed to keep up with the wicked pace and evil goings-on!
I loved the sections of the book that featured happily married private detective Daniel, and his ex-copper wife, Rachael. The couple have a son, Arty (age 5), daughter Charlotte (4) and a brown terrier named Avo(cado). The loved-up newly-weds live in a house in the Itchen Valley, bought for them by his father-in-law. These sections provided a welcome diversion from the malice and horror of the main story. Although Daniel didn’t get along with all of his ex-colleagues from his time with the Hampshire Police Force, I appreciated that he kept in touch with his some of his former workmates, namely newly promoted DCI Paul Flower, his previous partner-in-crime and long-time friend, and that there was still a strong sense of camaraderie between them.
Cleverly crafted, the air of foreboding deepened with every chapter and I didn’t know what was going to happen next. I loved the unfolding of the long-held secrets and lies in this gritty, gruesome detective thriller. The Telephone Call incorporated some hard-hitting subjects of physical and emotional abuse, extreme violence, revenge, and prostitution to name only a few.
The plot is self-contained, making The Telephone Call an ideal standalone read. The ending was surprising and fulfilling. Private Detective Daniel Appleman was a thoroughly likeable character and I’m curious to see what Michael Pakenham has in store for him, next. I have no hesitation in recommending The Telephone Call to fans of the genre, although it is not a book for the faint-hearted.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel, at my request, from Rachel’s Random Resources and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
February 1, 2020
This is a story for those who like noir crime. The ethos of the story is dark, fueled with tales of abuse, depravity and disregard for life.
Told from multi-points of view, the plot is complex, it requires concentration, especially in the early chapters, as you get to know the cast of characters and their motivations. There is an element of family drama in this story, Rosemary overhears her husband’s telephone conversation, what she hears is life-changing, and puts her and her son in imminent danger.
Told in different time scales, you begin to get the complete picture of what Harry and his consorts do, and it’s not good.
The investigation part of the story, brings Daniel Appleman into the plot, as he embarks on, at times, a desperate journey to uncover the web of dark secrets and lies and keep Rosemary and her son safe. The investigation is intense and interesting, as different lines of enquiry and various leads and suspects are pursued.
There are lighter scenes to counter the darkness, and the comparison of the detective’s family life and Rosemary’s is marked.
The suspense building and underlying menace increases as the story progresses, and leads to a realistic and satisfying conclusion.
Overall this a good crime story. It will appeal, to those that like their thrillers full of dark deeds and depraved antagonists.
I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.
February 24, 2020
The Telephone Call is full of mystery, lies, and deception. Everything I look for in a thriller like this was wrapped up into this book. My first read from Michael Pakenham, and I’m excited to say it won’t be my last.
The Telephone Call has a large list of characters and it is split into two parts, told from multiple perspectives and different timelines. But don’t let that scare you. Michael Pakenham was able to take what could have been a confusing plot and make it work. Everything comes together in such a satisfying way.
This is a cleverly crafted novel that had me hooked. I didn’t know what was going to happen with every page turn. It is hard-hitting, gruesome, and gritty, and I loved it.
This works perfectly as a standalone novel, however, I really enjoyed the writing and would like to read more from Michael Pakenham. Check this one out.
Rating:
4/5☆
*I received a free copy of this book from Rachel's Random Resources in exchange for an honest review on the blog tour. All opinions are my own and unbiased.*
The Telephone Call has a large list of characters and it is split into two parts, told from multiple perspectives and different timelines. But don’t let that scare you. Michael Pakenham was able to take what could have been a confusing plot and make it work. Everything comes together in such a satisfying way.
This is a cleverly crafted novel that had me hooked. I didn’t know what was going to happen with every page turn. It is hard-hitting, gruesome, and gritty, and I loved it.
This works perfectly as a standalone novel, however, I really enjoyed the writing and would like to read more from Michael Pakenham. Check this one out.
Rating:
4/5☆
*I received a free copy of this book from Rachel's Random Resources in exchange for an honest review on the blog tour. All opinions are my own and unbiased.*
February 28, 2020
I received a free copy of “ The Telephone Call” by Michael Pakenham from Net Galley in return for an honest review.
The telephone call in question happened years ago when Thomas Sherwood was a young teenager. He did not know about the call. Nor did he know why his father was screaming at his mother, why he he came home that night if the call, young Tom saw his father beating her. Nor why, on that very night, his father took him to his aunt’s house and left him there, telling Tom and his aunt that Tom should never try to see or talk to his mother or his father again, ever. The treat in the father’s eyes and voice was real.
Years later, Tom Sherwood returns to his sick father’s house ( not his home any longer) , to see him on his death bed and whisper in his ear, “I hope you rot in Hell.”
At the funeral, which Tom attends , probably to make sure the old man was dead, he sees his mother for the first time since she was thrown out of the house, sobbing and bleeding. “Why,” he asks her, wanting to know what caused of that fearful storm of brutality his father rained down on them. But his mother refuses to tell him anything beyond that he must remain ignorant for his own safety. She intends to return to her home in France. It is only much later in the book that the reader learns that Mrs Sherwood overheard a telephone conversation between her husband and one of his friends about a murdered girl. That's what led to the beating.
Perturbed , Tom decides to hire recently retired police Inspector and new private investigator, Daniel Appleman to investigate why his father had such fearful power over his distraught mother even from the grave. The Appleman character never really occupies center stage, as he should have in my opinion. He was more like a well- mannered, diffident public accountant than a private eye. More like Captain Hastings than Poirot, and definitely not Sam Spade.
If your taste is a genteel British mystery with a bit of a peek into pervsion, Mr Pakenham has constructed a good thriller in “ The Telephone Call” . It does require the reader’s careful attention and patience. Attention because there are multiple characters, and narrative voices; patience because the story advances rather slowly. The author takes time to introduce the characters to the reader, carefully describing them physically as to hair , dress , eye- color, personal hygiene and taste in drink. A diverting quirk of the author is that eyes are precisely described as not just blue, but cornflower- blue or acorn- brown. If eyes are the windows to the soul, Mr. Pakenham sees them as double-paned.
The reader learns a little about many characters in the book, from Mo, a victim of the mob who was let free after a horrible captivity; from May, the aunt who raised Tom to adulthood; and from vignettes of the mob members themselves
The bad guys lack the most important description: exactly what they did, to whom and why. How did this dreadful cabal of killers come together? The reader knows more about their hygiene than what led them to join in a dreadful conspiracy. They were killers , but the reading more fully about their actions might have given the narrative a greater sense of horror and greater urgency to the investigation. It lacked the depth of narrative and character exposition to be really compelling and the action to rivet the reader’s attention. Not the introduction of some kill for hire thugs elevated the tension level, as they should have. But suspense never grew. That was lacking until nearly the end of the book. The book is definitely not a hard- boiled, noir novel.
My summarized opinion is that the book was ok, but I am not likely to read more from this author.
The telephone call in question happened years ago when Thomas Sherwood was a young teenager. He did not know about the call. Nor did he know why his father was screaming at his mother, why he he came home that night if the call, young Tom saw his father beating her. Nor why, on that very night, his father took him to his aunt’s house and left him there, telling Tom and his aunt that Tom should never try to see or talk to his mother or his father again, ever. The treat in the father’s eyes and voice was real.
Years later, Tom Sherwood returns to his sick father’s house ( not his home any longer) , to see him on his death bed and whisper in his ear, “I hope you rot in Hell.”
At the funeral, which Tom attends , probably to make sure the old man was dead, he sees his mother for the first time since she was thrown out of the house, sobbing and bleeding. “Why,” he asks her, wanting to know what caused of that fearful storm of brutality his father rained down on them. But his mother refuses to tell him anything beyond that he must remain ignorant for his own safety. She intends to return to her home in France. It is only much later in the book that the reader learns that Mrs Sherwood overheard a telephone conversation between her husband and one of his friends about a murdered girl. That's what led to the beating.
Perturbed , Tom decides to hire recently retired police Inspector and new private investigator, Daniel Appleman to investigate why his father had such fearful power over his distraught mother even from the grave. The Appleman character never really occupies center stage, as he should have in my opinion. He was more like a well- mannered, diffident public accountant than a private eye. More like Captain Hastings than Poirot, and definitely not Sam Spade.
If your taste is a genteel British mystery with a bit of a peek into pervsion, Mr Pakenham has constructed a good thriller in “ The Telephone Call” . It does require the reader’s careful attention and patience. Attention because there are multiple characters, and narrative voices; patience because the story advances rather slowly. The author takes time to introduce the characters to the reader, carefully describing them physically as to hair , dress , eye- color, personal hygiene and taste in drink. A diverting quirk of the author is that eyes are precisely described as not just blue, but cornflower- blue or acorn- brown. If eyes are the windows to the soul, Mr. Pakenham sees them as double-paned.
The reader learns a little about many characters in the book, from Mo, a victim of the mob who was let free after a horrible captivity; from May, the aunt who raised Tom to adulthood; and from vignettes of the mob members themselves
The bad guys lack the most important description: exactly what they did, to whom and why. How did this dreadful cabal of killers come together? The reader knows more about their hygiene than what led them to join in a dreadful conspiracy. They were killers , but the reading more fully about their actions might have given the narrative a greater sense of horror and greater urgency to the investigation. It lacked the depth of narrative and character exposition to be really compelling and the action to rivet the reader’s attention. Not the introduction of some kill for hire thugs elevated the tension level, as they should have. But suspense never grew. That was lacking until nearly the end of the book. The book is definitely not a hard- boiled, noir novel.
My summarized opinion is that the book was ok, but I am not likely to read more from this author.
February 1, 2020
Thank you NetGalley and The Book Guild for the eARC.
This was an enjoyable read in what I'm guessing is the first book in the Daniel Appleman series.
After 12 years, danger stalks a mother, Rosemary, and her son, Tom, after they've buried their husband and father. Hated by both of them, Harry Sherwood was a cruel man who, with 2 other men, led a depraved sexual life, hurting and maybe killing young streetwalkers. Now one of the men, who is afraid Rosemary, who fled from the UK to France, will go to the police and tell of a fateful call she overheard 12 years ago. The man hires several hitmen to kill Rosemary, Tom and others who know too much.
The majority of characters were likeable, but the in-depth look at the hitmen's stories bored me a bit, therefore my 4-star rather than a 5--star
review. Recommended.
This was an enjoyable read in what I'm guessing is the first book in the Daniel Appleman series.
After 12 years, danger stalks a mother, Rosemary, and her son, Tom, after they've buried their husband and father. Hated by both of them, Harry Sherwood was a cruel man who, with 2 other men, led a depraved sexual life, hurting and maybe killing young streetwalkers. Now one of the men, who is afraid Rosemary, who fled from the UK to France, will go to the police and tell of a fateful call she overheard 12 years ago. The man hires several hitmen to kill Rosemary, Tom and others who know too much.
The majority of characters were likeable, but the in-depth look at the hitmen's stories bored me a bit, therefore my 4-star rather than a 5--star
review. Recommended.
March 1, 2020
Thank you NetGalley for this book to read for an honest review.
I didn't know this was the second book of the series but I could tell that there may be some things that I may have missed but it did not make it hard for me to be able to read this book as a standalone. I appreciate that with series.
This book was dark!! I felt like I was right there with the woman on the run. I like to read books where people feel claustrophobic as well as when she is anxious when she is hiding. It was a very creepy story that kept my interest until the last page. I do not like to provide my reviews with a lot of information because I feel if you give too much away it doesn't make another reader desire reading the novel for themselves.
Only thing I can say to her is close your ears!! Haha
Thank you once again!!
I didn't know this was the second book of the series but I could tell that there may be some things that I may have missed but it did not make it hard for me to be able to read this book as a standalone. I appreciate that with series.
This book was dark!! I felt like I was right there with the woman on the run. I like to read books where people feel claustrophobic as well as when she is anxious when she is hiding. It was a very creepy story that kept my interest until the last page. I do not like to provide my reviews with a lot of information because I feel if you give too much away it doesn't make another reader desire reading the novel for themselves.
Only thing I can say to her is close your ears!! Haha
Thank you once again!!
March 26, 2020
This is the second in the Daniel Appleman books bu happily stands alone (I hadn't read the first one).
An over heard telephone call changes lives. Twelve years on and the ripples are being felt and someone wants answers to a mystery they fear may never be solved. Daniel gets involved if only to make a change from the divorce case he has done as a private investigator and he likes the intrigue of this. I liked Daniel and not only his tenacity but having a well rounded character, something that is sometimes missing from books like this- to me the sign of a good writer when you feel the character could almost be a neighbour. An excellent plot, albeit complex but well defined and easy enough to follow, alittle humour and even a little romance. An author I had not come across before and one I will have no hesitation in looking for again. A very interesting, entertaining read.
An over heard telephone call changes lives. Twelve years on and the ripples are being felt and someone wants answers to a mystery they fear may never be solved. Daniel gets involved if only to make a change from the divorce case he has done as a private investigator and he likes the intrigue of this. I liked Daniel and not only his tenacity but having a well rounded character, something that is sometimes missing from books like this- to me the sign of a good writer when you feel the character could almost be a neighbour. An excellent plot, albeit complex but well defined and easy enough to follow, alittle humour and even a little romance. An author I had not come across before and one I will have no hesitation in looking for again. A very interesting, entertaining read.
March 24, 2020
Well, the premise of the book sounded like something I would be interested in. And it started out really great but I found come a third of the way in, I just really didn’t care any more. I didn’t care about the book’s main story or any of the characters. For me, there was too slow of pacing that affected my enjoyment of the story. I actually couldn’t finish it, I was too bored. I feel bad saying that but it is how I felt. I expected more that I felt was given for a story with a premise like this. I hope for people who finished reading it they enjoyed it.
March 1, 2020
This is a fast paced intriguing mystery story with lots of twists and turns. Set over a number of years, the story is told from the perspective of a number of characters, which all comes together as you near the end. A really enjoyable read.
March 16, 2021
An interesting plot but unfolding at glacial speed.
I'm ok with Anglo writers using the odd French word but please spell it correctly and check its gender. In this story several encounters take place in a café called improbably LA Soleil, soleil is MASCULIN!
I'm ok with Anglo writers using the odd French word but please spell it correctly and check its gender. In this story several encounters take place in a café called improbably LA Soleil, soleil is MASCULIN!
February 7, 2020
This was an exciting, engaging read that had a great pace and kept me hooked throughout.
February 18, 2020
This is a thrilling crime novel that spans over a decade. Twelve years ago Rosemary Sherwood flees to France after overhearing a phone call made by her husband Harry discussing something heinous. Thinking she is safe, she returns to the UK but Harry and his friends will do anything to prevent their secret being uncovered. It’s down do detective Daniel Appleman to track down these men and keep Tom and Rosemary safe.
This is such an addictive and intense novel to read. Told from several perspectives, including Harry’s you get a real sense of the atrocities of the crimes he commits with his friends. What really adds to the tension in this novel is Harry’s attitude towards what he does – it’s like a big game or form of entertainment and it’s chilling to read about. Pakenham has created a beyond evil character that any reader will struggle to truly comprehend fully.
The second part of the novel concentrates more on the investigation and the professional and personal life of Detective Daniel Appleman. The insights into his marriage and home life are a little welcome relief form the intensity that is woven throughout the rest of the narrative.
Every chapter is dripping with a sense of dread and I found myself holding my breath from one page to the next. I was terrified for rosemary, shocked b Harry and his friends and rooting for Daniel throughout the whole book.
An excellent crime novel with chilling themes. I’m looking forward to more form this author and I will definitely be paying a visit to Daniel’s first outing – Fatal Obsession
This is such an addictive and intense novel to read. Told from several perspectives, including Harry’s you get a real sense of the atrocities of the crimes he commits with his friends. What really adds to the tension in this novel is Harry’s attitude towards what he does – it’s like a big game or form of entertainment and it’s chilling to read about. Pakenham has created a beyond evil character that any reader will struggle to truly comprehend fully.
The second part of the novel concentrates more on the investigation and the professional and personal life of Detective Daniel Appleman. The insights into his marriage and home life are a little welcome relief form the intensity that is woven throughout the rest of the narrative.
Every chapter is dripping with a sense of dread and I found myself holding my breath from one page to the next. I was terrified for rosemary, shocked b Harry and his friends and rooting for Daniel throughout the whole book.
An excellent crime novel with chilling themes. I’m looking forward to more form this author and I will definitely be paying a visit to Daniel’s first outing – Fatal Obsession
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews