Guilty

by Siobhán MacDonald

THE PERFECT LIFE

Doctor Luke Forde has the perfect life. A respected cardiologist, he has a rewarding job, a successful wife, and a daughter, Nina. From their beautiful house overlooking Carberry Lough in County Clare, they present a portrait of family bliss. But over the course of a weekend, Luke's life spirals into chaos.

A GUILTY SECRET

It begins with the word 'GUILTY' painted on his boathouse one morning. Then he notices a chilling notice in the local newspaper announcing a death. When this is followed by the delivery of a small coffin-shaped package with a decapitated, bloody effigy, Luke is terrified. Someone knows the dark secret he is hiding. And someone is out to get him.

SOMEBODY WANTS REVENGE

Luke begins to be plagued by horrifying anonymous messages, and it transpires that it's not only him the sender is intending to harm - it's his daughter too. With strange things happening in the operating theatre, Alison's political ambitions straining their marriage, and Nina's behaviour sparking all sorts of trouble, Luke turns to therapist Terence Black. Is the therapist the only one that can save Luke and his family from the horrendous secrets of the past?

A twisty and compelling psychological suspense novel set in Ireland, from ebook-bestselling author Siobhan MacDonald. Perfect for fans of Dervla McTiernan and Andrea Carter.

Praise for Siobhan MacDonald:

'Dark and twisted' Alex Marwood, Edgar Award winning author of The Wicked Girls

'Gripping, surprising, and terrifically rewarding' Chris Pavone, New York Times bestselling author of The Expats

'Evocative and richly detailed' Kimberley McCreight, author of the New York Times bestseller Reconstructing Amelia and Where They Found Her

'Explosive . . . studded with dark revelations' Kirkus Reviews

'Skillfully wrought' Booklist

'Masterly control of mood and scene' Chicago Tribune

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Mystery, Crime

244 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 11, 2020

About the author

Siobhán studied electronic engineering at National University of Ireland Galway and had a successful career writing for the technology sector in Scotland, France and Ireland. A plot-aholic, Siobhán now spends her time writing crime and thriller novels.

She published her first novel in 2016, the widely acclaimed TWISTED RIVER. THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE - 'Her terrific debut novel, Twisted River, could hardly be more steeped in classic American pulp. MacDonald develops her twin stories with masterly control of mood and scene.' THE TORONTO STAR - 'In a remarkable debut novel, MacDonald keeps the reader riveted'. KIRKUS REVIEWS - 'MacDonald toys with the reader, leading right then feinting left with plot twists that genuinely surprise. The big thrill here is the constant undermining of assumptions.' Author Kimberly McCreight - 'Evocative and richly detailed, Twisted River is a page-turning mystery about the tragic consequences that result when the tightly held secrets of two families collide.' INSTYLE MAGAZINE - 'This gripping novel commands your attention from the very beginning ... a property swap fraught with problems. Expect to finish this one seriously debating your next Airbnb reservation.' CHRIS PAVONE, NEW YORK TIMES best-selling author – ‘Twisted River is a superb thriller – gripping, surprising, and terrifically rewarding.’ RT BOOK REVIEWS – ‘Dark and intriguing… MacDonald's strong writing accentuates pertinent details, and her vivid descriptions will have readers feeling the suspense throughout the story.’

Siobhán followed up this success with her second novel THE BLUE POOL, a thriller described as an 'ingenious and unpredictable psychological thriller ... a mesmerising exploration of loyalty, friendship, and the corrosive effects of guilt'. CRIME REVIEW - 'Similar to TWISTED RIVER, in that she achieves fantastic levels of tension. THE BLUE POOL is an intense read that you will want to devour as quickly as possible.'

GUILTY had its Irish début in 2020 to equal praise. THE IRISH TIMES - 'This is a terrifically dark, twisty thriller, skilfully plotted and stylishly written.' THE IRISH EXAMINER - 'Page turner guilty of a gripping story. You could choke on the delicious venality & hypocrisy. Just one of the creepy thrills in this page turner.' THE SUNDAY INDEPENDENT - 'GUILTY is a classy and cleverly plotted psychological thriller that grips from page one, packed with well-drawn characters and delivering an absolute zinger of a twist in the tale in the final pages.' RTE GUIDE - 'GUILTY is a twisty tale of ruthless ambition, family dysfunction and cold-blooded vengeance.'

The Bride Collector published on 29 July 2021 and is being well-received. Declan Hughes of THE IRISH TIMES says, “MacDonald builds the action to a spectacularly creepy climax and there is a spectacularly worked twist to follow that will take your breath away”. Dymphna Nugent of THE WATERFORD STAR says, “A gripping sinister novel, where a serial killer in a small Kerry town targets brides-to-be. Fast-paced, engaging, and terrifying.” Mairead Hearne, SWIRL AND THREAD Book reviewer says, “An engrossing read with some very unexpected twists.”

She is published in the UK & Ireland by Little Brown, in the US and Canada by Viking Penguin, in France by Archipel and in Germany by Piper. Siobhan lives in Ireland with her husband and two sons. Twitter @SiobhanMMacD Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/siobhan.m.m... Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/SiobhanMacDo...

Reviews

[Boo Griffiths · Rating 3 out of 5]

Luke is a husband, father, doctor and professor that is struggling with his day to day life. Luke decides to seek himself a therapist to help with his struggles which is where we learn about history. The story is told in the past and present day.
We discover what Luke is feeling guilty about and why he finds himself being targeted. His wife (Alison) is busy being a political mongol and has no time for her family, which has put a big strain on their marriage. Their daughter Nina an adoptee from Russia is also acting out towards her mother. Luke has also got himself a stalker that is targeting him by using his greatest love, his daughter. In order to find out who his stalker is he needs to confront his own past and it is here that we begin to see deeper into Luke's history and how he has ended up where he is today by uncovering a dark secret. His therapy sessions are very interesting but in places are unrealistic to what would actually have to happen (having to follow certain policies and procedures and being professionally bound by a code of conduct).
The characters are all very interesting in their own unique way. It's refreshing to read a story with a man struggling with mental health issues and seeking help for his struggles. Alison is your typical bady and annoying character! She is also selfish, career-minded, spoilt, arrogant and uses people to build her own profile. Nina is a fantastic character and a typical trouble teen causing trouble for her parents.
It's not a bad book but a bit of a slow burner however bare with it as it is worth it in the end. It was also an easy read and a good introduction to psychological thrillers. There was very little surprise in the story, however the massive plot twist made up for this.

[8stitches 9lives · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guilty is bestselling Irish writer Siobhan MacDonald’s third work of thrilling psychological suspense set in her native Ireland and it is another step up in terms of the thrills and spills on display throughout. Professor Luke Forde, a renowned Paediatric Cardiothoracic Surgeon and his wife, Alison Forde-Thompson, an up and coming politician, appear from the outside to have the perfect life but usually those who try too hard to mould the way they are perceived are the ones who have the most to hide; that is definitely the case here. But when a series of incidents appears to be a targeted campaign against the family they become quite anxious about why it might be happening. Is it the work of daring political saboteurs? Or could it be related to the secrets Luke has long hidden from the prying eyes of those around him? He may very well be about to receive his just desserts...

This is a thriller full of twists, turns, misdirection and excitement that from the outset packs a punch, opening in explosive and highly engaging fashion. The whole narrative is deeply unsettling with a menace to it that you rarely see (or, perhaps more accurately, feel) in fiction. The attention to detail (as well as the palpable menacing atmosphere) was a joy to behold and not something many writers usually lend their time to. The plentiful dark revelations dotted throughout keep your attention and some of them were really quite emotional as well as surprising. It's a quick, easy and enjoyable read and a novel that is perfect for a little summer escapism as it’s not too heavy a plot. Hence, it'll appeal to a wide audience of crime fanatics. Many thanks to Constable for an ARC.

[Trish at Between My Lines · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I loved this. Interesting characters, dirty Irish local politics, family secrets and a guilt conscience that wants redemption. The setting of the modern Irish house with walls of glass had a very claustrophobic feel. And the constant rain and the overflowing lough at the bottom of the garden added to the atmosphere.

It felt threatening and sinister and my heart was in my mouth at times.

Highly recommended. And that last line 😱😱 Brilliant.

[Rose · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hotel book #4: admirable attempt at trying to make the main character redeemable but the author was fighting for her life and I was also fighting for my life trying to finish it

[Ormondebooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Siobhan MacDonald’s third novel. Guilty is a story about a secret – one that has huge potential repercussions for the Forde family of Luke, his wife Alison and their adopted teenage daughter Nina. It is also a story about retribution and the lengths to which people will go. Luke is a successful pediatric surgeon in a local hospital. Alison comes from a prominent local family, (the people in the big house) and is a rising star in politics. Her father Cornelius, is a former Government Minister and a bit of a rogue who controls a lot of what happens in his locality.

The story is narrated from the POV of Luke who is seeing a therapist after a traumatic event, pivotal to the novel. The story switches from the present to the past He returns home one night to see the words GUILTY scrawled on the side of his boat house and an obituary notice in the local newspaper for his daughter who is very much alive. Someone wants to send him a message that they know what happened and they want revenge.

I really enjoyed this book. Luke’s therapy sessions in particular had me racing on to the next page as he gradually filled in the gaps to his past and the secret slowly revealed itself. I love a good ending ad this one did not disappoint with a great twist right at the end. If you have not read this author before, then I would also recommend her 2 earlier novels Twisted River and The Blue Pool. 4 Stars from me.

Many thanks to @netgalley and @littlebrownbookgroup for this ebook in return for my honest review and well done to @siobhan.m.macdonald on this excellent read.

[booksofallkinds · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the Publisher.

A compelling psychological thriller that will get under your skin instantly, GUILTY by Siobhán MacDonald is one of the best books I have read this year.

Doctor Luke Forde has a perfect life - a successful politician for a wife, a beautiful teenage daughter whom he is very close to, and a career as a paediatric heart surgeon which fulfils him in so many ways. He prides himself on being honest and capable but when he sees the word 'Guilty' spray-painted on his boat-shed wall, his wonderful world slowly begins to disintegrate, and this is just the beginning. As more threats are issued, Luke is forced to face the past but as the truth emerges, will those you seek revenge stop at nothing to take away all that matters to him?

With palpable tension on each page, GUILTY is the kind of story that you instantly jump into and cannot wait to finish. The characters aren't particularly likeable but they are believable and as I began to see that looks are often deceiving, I felt gripped to uncover just what Luke was hiding and who was coming after him and his family. The shadier side of politics is another element of this thriller which worked really well for me and I enjoy a thriller where there are plenty of possible suspects - it makes it more interesting when you're trying to figure out the truth.

A fresh and dynamic story from start to finish, GUILTY by Siobhán MacDonald is a story that goes above and beyond, and I cannot wait to read more from this talented author.

[Ivana Richards · Rating 2 out of 5]

Possibly the literary equivalent of "Pointless" - over quickly and doesn't need much concentration. Although it's well written and the short chapters make for a quick read, it's a bog-standard mystery, and not much of one of those, to be honest.( I knew most of the 'twists' long before the reveal) There's less twists than the average Roman road. Having Nina adopted from Russia had no impact on the plot at all - may as well have had her from an adoption agency in Ireland. If you come across this in a charity shop and want a book that's not too heavy, great but don't don't spend a fortune to get it.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

With Thanks to Siobhan MacDonald and Little Brown Books for an advanced readers copy of this book.

4*

Guilty, is a well chosen title because this is my guilty pleasure. I am a sucker for well paced, sinister psychological thriller and MacDonald delivers that and much more. I took barely a chapter to become hooked, and immersed in this world of hidden secrets.

I'm new to Siobhan MacDonald, and this certainly wont be my last read from her, she blends a beautiful descriptive Irish settling with the intrigue of a well built cast no one you can trust.

[Kerryrosalia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was ok but nothing special. I think if you’re new to the thriller genre then you would like it more but for me the twists just weren’t delivered with impact and it was mostly predictable

[Danni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever, well structured and kept me guessing. There's a few clues dotted throughout the book, some that I missed and some that I'd guessed. Makes for a really enjoyable read that was an easy way to lose a few hours!

Luke is a successful doctor in his own right and the ever-patient husband of Minister Alison Thompson. Luke's wife Alison is a piece of work. Selfish, career-minded, spoilt, arrogant and using people to build her own profile, I really questioned how Luke could've stood by his wife for so many years. Their adopted daughter Nina is a breath of fresh air who is not afraid to call out her mother for what she is. She's close to her father but even he gets on the wrong side of her sometimes.

When Luke's work is affected by momentary seizures, he seeks the help of Terrence Black and is forced to uncover a dark secret he'd tried to keep hidden for years. Terrence helps him open up about his family and their long history and encourages Luke to let go of his burdens.

I really enjoyed Luke's sessions with Terrence Black. They were an interesting way to give an account of Luke's past and to bring about the events that happen following his admission.

When Luke begins to receive what seem like threats to the life of his daughter Nina, he scrambles to try and figure out who is sending the threats and why. To confront the culprit, he must first confront his own past and from here Guilty really starts to pick up pace, escalating towards a fast-paced ending that I didn't see coming.

The chapter "Full Disclosure" was a nice way to summarise everything that had happened and why to make sure the reader had understood. And right at the very last minute, we have one sneaky little twist that gives us a huge clue as to what happens in this story once the words stop.

Very clever and well-structured, this is a great book from Siobhan MacDonald that I'd definitely recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley, Siobhan MacDonald and Little, Brown Book Group UK for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Jazz Webb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Guilty is told from Lukes POV. He is a husband father doctor and professor, yet he is struggling with his day to day life. He finds himself seeking a therapist where we learn about history.

The story is told in the past and present day. We find out what it is that Luke feels guilty about and why it is he may be being targeted. His wife is to busy being a political mongol which has put a big strain on their marriage. Their daughter Nina is clearly looks pride and joy. Lukes stalker is targeting using his greatest love against him his daughter.

Luke is on the haunt to find out who is stalking him and why. This allows us to find out more about his history and how he ends up where he is today. His therapy sessions are very interesting but also a tad unrealistic.

I found this book a very easy read. A good introduction to psychological thrillers. If you are a die hard psychological thriller reader as I am you might find you guess the storyline quite quickly. There was very little surprise in the story for me except one big plot twist that is why I enjoyed rhis book as even though I saw where it was going it was nice to see the route fhe writer takes to get us there.

The characters are all actually very interesting. Luke is a hugh flyer and it's refreshing to read a story with a man struggling with mental health issues. Also to have a doctor suffering from clear ptsd. Alison is your typical bady. She isn't a loveable character but that didn’t stop me having this pull of sadness towards her I could only fill in the gaps of what I imagine her childhood would of been like but it was enough for me to connect with her character in the story Nina is a great character, your typical trouble teen. She is written so well it was like reading about my 17 year old sister. The therapist Terence is the only character I can't quite get behind, only because of the nature of the sessions between luke and him, he would eb bound by a professional code of conduct to act differently. But other than that I quite liked him, he adds a bit of a light hearted element.

All in all its a good book. Very good if you are new to the genre, if your aren't it meant be a bit of a slow burner but bare with it. I am happy to rate 3 out of 5 stars.


Thank you to netgalley, amazing publishers and the author for allowing me an APC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
My review is my opinion and mine alone.

[Christine Stanton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Doctor Luke Forde lives a happy life in a gorgeous house in County Clare - but when he wakes up one morning with the word 'guilty' spray-painted onto his boathouse, it's clear that his dark secret is no longer a secret. Desperate to keep his daughter Nina safe, he does everything he can to cover up the threatening notes and anonymous packages, but is he doing enough to keep his past hidden and his secret safely locked away?

While the premise of Guilty is an intriguing one, it doesn't quite reach the levels of dark or thrilling that I've become accustomed to in recent years. The plot is so easy to figure out that it's guessable from the first few chapters, with no real twists or shocks at any point during the story. Although the characters are fully fleshed out and well developed, none of them are particularly likable and don't stand out as being unique or interesting. It's a very slow burn, with lots of predictable, repetitive events occurring right up until the culmination, which due to the slow crawl to get there, is void of any real suspense or tension. Unfortunately, it's quite a forgettable story - too similar to many other competitors, without enough stamps of originality from Siobhan MacDonald to set it apart.

The conclusion is easily the best part of this book, while the first two thirds are very slow, the end quickly picks up the pace and ties up all the last few loose ends to a satisfying finish. Another thing I liked was that it had a few flashes from the past mixed in throughout the rest of the present day narrative. They quickly established personality traits for each character and provided the ever important backstory. The contrast between present and past was well written and easily to understand, strengthening the main story slightly by adding the extra depth.

Overall, although I wouldn't personally recommend - it is a nice easy read, that doesn't require too much thought behind it. A simple, straightforward thriller that would work well for fans of slower paced narratives and easy to understand story-arcs.

Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for my advanced reader copy! 💕

[Marnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Siobhán MacDonald’s latest psychological suspense Guilty, she takes the reader into the perfect life of heart surgeon Doctor Luke Forde, his wife Alison Forde-Thompson, an ambitious politician and his daughter Nina. What appears to be all you could ever want to the outsider looking in, is vastly different to what goes on behind closed doors as long buried secrets are about to be exposed, shattering the perfect world that Luke has created for himself and his family. Someone knows the truth and are out for revenge, whatever it takes.

I was immediately taken in with this story and just needed to know what Luke was hiding. Told over the course of past and present tense, we learn of Luke’s history and how that plays a part in what he is going through in the now. I also enjoyed the sinister vibe that Siobhán MacDonald has created throughout in the lead up to the big reveal, making for such a menacing and thrilling read.

My first read from Siobhán MacDonald, I’m excited to have another great author in this genre to add to my list. She knows how to weave a tale and keep the reader in suspense as the tension builds up to boiling point along the way. I enjoyed how she subtly scattered little clues, just enough to keep you still wanting to keep flicking the pages as to what’s to come. When all is revealed, it is done so in a gratifying way.

Guilty is a clever, compelling and heart pumping read full of twists and turns. It is one that keeps you on your toes and after a slow burn to begin with, all of a sudden ramps up and moves full steam ahead, where you find you are unable to tear yourself away. If you love a good psychological suspense, then look no further than Guilty, you will get one in spades!

[Billie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doctor Luke Forde has the perfect life. A respected heart surgeon, he has a rewarding job, a successful wife, and a daughter, Nina. From their beautiful house overlooking Carberry Lough in County Clare, they present a portrait of family bliss. But over the course of a weekend, Luke's life spirals into chaos.
A GUILTY SECRET
It begins with the word 'GUILTY' painted on his boathouse one morning. Then he spots a chilling notice in the local newspaper. When this is followed by the delivery of a small coffin-shaped package, Luke is terrified. Someone knows the dark secret he is hiding. And someone is out to get him.
SOMEBODY WANTS REVENGE
Luke begins to be plagued by horrifying anonymous messages, and it transpires that it's not only Luke the sender is intending to harm. With strange things happening in the operating theatre, Alison's political ambitions straining their marriage, and Nina's behaviour sparking all sorts of trouble, Luke turns to therapist Terence Black. Is the therapist the only one that can save Luke and his family from the horrendous secrets of the past?

This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believeable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuousluy.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.

I was provided an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. This is my own honest voluntary review.

[GlenS · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you, NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for the opportunity of reading an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Professor Luke Forde is a successful Paediatric Cardiothoracic Surgeon, his wife Alison Forde-Thompson is a rising government minister and their daughter Nina Forde-Thompson. Politically, the perfect family but beneath the thin veneer are cracks and discord.

When disturbing things start appearing on the family home, Glasshouse, and notices in the press, they put it down to political saboteurs, deliberately trying to derail Alison’s campaign.

But what if it’s really connected to the secret that Luke has been hiding? Is that really why law enforcement hasn’t contacted, despite well-meaning suggestions to do so?

Guilty has been well written, in one of my favourite genres. Not all the relationship storylines worked for me, and I would have liked to understand the standing of the political protestors in more depth. Saying that the pace of the story works well and the twist in the plot keeps you flicking the pages.

#Guilty #NetGalley

[Nila (digitalcreativepages) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story was told from the POV of Luke, a pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon, with a high-flying aspiring politician wife Allison and daughter Nina, who was closer to him. Someone knew Luke’s secret and was targeting him, determined to prove him GUILTY

My second book by author Siobhan MacDonald, I found the initial part quite slow. Then the story picked up. It was entertaining but easily guessable. Luke was well etched as a doc who had PTSD. It scared me when he froze in the middle of surgery when he was tying up the bleeding arteries.

His wife played the uncaring wife pretty well. I liked how her section made me sizzle with anger as she was brash and ambitious. Nina as the rebel daughter was quite realistic and endearing.

The story was all about Luke trying to find out who was stalking him along with the help of his therapist. There was only a single plot twist which captivated me. I would say that was the one that kept me going.

Overall, an entertaining slow-burn thriller.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you To Netgalley and Little Brown Books UK for the Arc of Guilty before it's release date next Thursday 11th June ❤️

Thank you to Siobhán MacDonald for writing this amazing thriller ❤️

This follows Doctor Luke Forde who is a respected heart surgeon at his local hospital he has the perfect life a great career , an great wife and his beautiful daughter whose name is Nina ♥️ everyone thought their life was perfect until... One morning he wakes up with GUILTY painted on his own boathouse... Then a chilling article in his local paper then a mysterious delivery coming in a coffin shape😱

This terrifies Luke as someone knows his secret.. but what is his secret you wonder..?

This is a terrifying page turning pyschological thriller with an beautiful execution and I read it all within a few hours too it had me on the edge of my seat for hours!!

Thank you for this Siobhán MacDonald❤️

Definitely recommend ❤️
5 stars⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must admit that it took me a few pages to really get into this book, as I was a bit confused at first (but that’s me – it might be straightforward for everyone else!), but once I got going I was absolutely hooked.

Set in Ireland, Dr Luke Forde – a highly respected cardiothoracic surgeon – and his wife, Alison Thompson, live a charmed life. Alison’s wealthy father is a curmudgeon who dotes on his only daughter.

Luke comes home to find the word ‘Guilty’ painted in huge letters on the side of his boathouse and a newspaper obituary for his daughter, who is very much alive. Someone knows what happened all those years ago, or they think they do, and they’re out to prove Luke guilty. But is he?

Loads of unexpected twists and turns kept me gripped, and I’ll definitely be looking for more books by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.

[Krita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devoured this book in two days - oh my it was a true thriller/psychological whirlwind that I expected and hoped it would be.

This book is structured in a way I have not really come across before, with the majority of the story taking place in the form of the narrator’s conversation with his therapist.

I won’t lie, near the middle I did start to get impatient for when the ‘plot’ would start and the flashbacks would end or why these flashbacks were even important.

But it all makes sense in the latter half of the book and whilst some of the plot twists were predictable, the way they played out was definitely not predictable. I gave this book a 5* because it genuinely did shock me and still had an element of surprise.

I have not felt that chill from suspense when reading a book in ages, where you don’t know what’s going to happen and are almost waiting for a jump scare. This book made me feel it.

I loved this book.

[Morag Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a perfectly decent thriller set in modern day Ireland. Respected medic, Luke is married to ambitious local politician, Alison. He receives several disturbing messages alluding to the death of his (very much alive) daughter Nina. Through there vantage point of some therapy sessions we learn Luke harbours a dark and shameful secret. As the story unfolds Luke’s past and present collide with alarming consequences.

Reflecting back on this novel, I can appreciate the clever plot, and was gratified by a very worthy ending. I struggled a little intially however, finding the early timelines a little confusing. Once we get into Luke’s therapy sessions the storytelling came alive however, and from there on I was intrigued and entertained.

My thanks to Net galley, author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an advance copy.

[Danny Murphy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am a little confused by other people’s reviews and opinions but I understand each to their own.

I do not feel the character development in this is good at all, the twists and turns were not that at all. More slight curves on a straight road. Extremely predictable.
Too often during the book there was a jump with zero explanation involved into what happened.
E.g. no real explanation as to how they drew out Luke’s memories of the crash and it not being him.
There are others but won’t list them as too many.

There was one likeable character in the whole story. Which is awful as there is nothing to keep you reading, no character you latch onto to see if they carry and what they do etc.

Overall, one of the worst books I’ve read and definitely worst this year.

[Hannah Symonds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a story. I could feel myself tending up after each chapter not knowing what the next chapter would bring. Something happened a while back involving Luke and his wife fast forward to the present day, after discovering horrific messages does someone know what husband and wife did all those years ago. But do they know the real story? The last few chapters I literally couldn't put down and then the ending left me ice cold. Absolutely brilliant read. I would recommend to everyone.

[Ell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed working my way through this book. I must admit, I can’t say I was gripped to the point of not putting it down but I loved having a book which was more of a slower read. The twists were unexpected and I hope that we will find out more about Sophie’s new job that was revealed at the end.

[Rachel Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that was read in one sitting with no breaks has to be a five-star, right?
I started this as I wanted to read some Irish authors with St. Patricks Day coming up. This was a fast-paced thriller with plenty of twists and turns. I'm happy to say it took me longer than usual to work out the twists, and even oje eluded me at the end.

[Joanne Dixon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is told from Luke's account and moves between past and present - as the reader learns more about Lukes past we begin to see what it is Luke could be guilty of..
A great psychological thriller with lots or twists and turns

[Laura Comiskey · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was too much of a miss match for me.
Based in rural county Clare, repeated references to the City. It also kept jumping and moving with no logic applied. There was no consistency to the story. I just didn’t enjoy. It was a chore to finish it.

[Fiona Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Luke is a respected cardiologist and his wife, Alison is a politician. They have a rebellious daughter, Nina.

Much of the story is told as Luke relays his troubled history and secret to Terence, his therapist.

Someone else knows the secret and begins sending threats to Luke.

The book was well plotted with little clues peppered throughout.

Thanks indeed to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Susan Hunter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read and enjoyed this authors previous books so I was delighted to discover a new book by her. The plot builds up slowly with the tension and intrigue increasing with each chapter as I was curious to learn of Luke's secret.

[Vanessa Montague · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could not put this book down in the end!
I found the beginning a bit slow, but literally binged the second half of the book in one day!
The characters are all really interesting and easy to follow. Honestly did not expect the ending when I first started the book!
A brilliant thriller!

[Amy benny · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book made my blood boil for about a week after finishing it!! It was sooo good most of the way through until literally the last chapter! I can NOT believe the way it ended….. how silly. It was so impractical and almost impossible. Such a great story line and plot, I think the author took the connection to the weather and the story a step too far… sorry.