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After The Accident
On a beautiful island, under the Mediterranean sun, two families enjoy a well-deserved holiday. Then, one balmy evening, Emma's father is found unconscious on the sand. Everyone is hiding secrets. Who will you believe?
Emma: I went up to Daniel, sunning himself by the pool, to break the news. They’ve been best friends for years, but it was like he didn’t care that Dad was in hospital. Like it wasn’t a surprise. Like he knew.
Daniel: That girl’s deluded. No one knows where she was the night her dad ended up on the beach. And as for what she did to her own child… well, it’s her parents I feel sorry for. Imagine having a daughter like that and knowing what she did.
Emma: I’ve never trusted Daniel. And then I found the envelope, tucked away in Dad’s luggage. It explained so much. There’s a reason someone wanted to hurt him. I may have made mistakes but I’ve never lied like Dad has.
Daniel: That girl knows more than she’s letting on.
Emma: Someone knows that I know and they’ll do anything to keep me quiet. We’re trapped on the island and I can’t trust any of them.
A unique and totally gripping psychological thriller that will have you racing through the pages late into the night.
Emma: I went up to Daniel, sunning himself by the pool, to break the news. They’ve been best friends for years, but it was like he didn’t care that Dad was in hospital. Like it wasn’t a surprise. Like he knew.
Daniel: That girl’s deluded. No one knows where she was the night her dad ended up on the beach. And as for what she did to her own child… well, it’s her parents I feel sorry for. Imagine having a daughter like that and knowing what she did.
Emma: I’ve never trusted Daniel. And then I found the envelope, tucked away in Dad’s luggage. It explained so much. There’s a reason someone wanted to hurt him. I may have made mistakes but I’ve never lied like Dad has.
Daniel: That girl knows more than she’s letting on.
Emma: Someone knows that I know and they’ll do anything to keep me quiet. We’re trapped on the island and I can’t trust any of them.
A unique and totally gripping psychological thriller that will have you racing through the pages late into the night.
ebook
First published March 25, 2020
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About the author
Kerry Wilkinson
70 books1,069 followersRecent and upcoming UK releases:
24 October 2023: The Night Of The Sleepover
15 December 2023: After The Sleepover
2024: The Girl On The Side Of The Road
2024: The Missing Body
Kerry Wilkinson has sold more than two million books - and had No.1 crime bestsellers in the UK, Australia, Canada, South Africa and Singapore. He has also written two top-20 thrillers in the United States. His book, Ten Birthdays, won the RNA award for Young Adult Novel of the Year in 2018 and Close To You won the International Thriller Award for best ebook in 2020.
As well as his Jessica Daniel series, Kerry has written a trilogy featuring private investigator Andrew Hunter, the Whitecliff series, the Silver Blackthorn trilogy - a fantasy-adventure serial for young adults - plus numerous standalone novels. He has been published around the world in more than a dozen languages.
Originally from the county of Somerset, Kerry spent way too long living in the north of England, picking up words like 'barm' and 'ginnel'.
When he's short of ideas, he rides his bike, hikes up something, or bakes cakes. When he's not, he writes it all down.
Find out more at: http://kerrywilkinson.com or http://facebook.com/KerryWilkinsonBooks
Find out more at: his website or Facebook
24 October 2023: The Night Of The Sleepover
15 December 2023: After The Sleepover
2024: The Girl On The Side Of The Road
2024: The Missing Body
Kerry Wilkinson has sold more than two million books - and had No.1 crime bestsellers in the UK, Australia, Canada, South Africa and Singapore. He has also written two top-20 thrillers in the United States. His book, Ten Birthdays, won the RNA award for Young Adult Novel of the Year in 2018 and Close To You won the International Thriller Award for best ebook in 2020.
As well as his Jessica Daniel series, Kerry has written a trilogy featuring private investigator Andrew Hunter, the Whitecliff series, the Silver Blackthorn trilogy - a fantasy-adventure serial for young adults - plus numerous standalone novels. He has been published around the world in more than a dozen languages.
Originally from the county of Somerset, Kerry spent way too long living in the north of England, picking up words like 'barm' and 'ginnel'.
When he's short of ideas, he rides his bike, hikes up something, or bakes cakes. When he's not, he writes it all down.
Find out more at: http://kerrywilkinson.com or http://facebook.com/KerryWilkinsonBooks
Find out more at: his website or Facebook
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
April 6, 2020
Clever, compelling, creative. Kerry Wilkinson has crafted a fresh story with a unique construct. The story was told in an interview style reminiscent of a documentary. I started this book in print and then I thought I go see if there was an audio version. I have to admit for me this worked a lot better on audio. It is narrated by multiple narrators and it was really like listening to a really well-done crime podcast. Kerry Wilkinson narrates A small part of the story, it was nice to hear his voice. I’ve read a few reviews that allude to this being based on a true story? I can’t find any information that would back this up, but it definitely reads as one. Dysfunction, deception, secrets, and lies.
Emma finds herself on a family vacation for the first time in years. She is there with her parents, her brother and his twin daughters, her fathers business partner and his wife, and his son and his wife. Emma has a past that people refer to, but you do not find out about it until later in the book. When Emma‘s father Jeff is found having fallen from a cliff (not dead, but in need of serious medical attention) Emma is the prime suspect. But Emma is adamant about her innocence and wonders if this has anything to do with a similar accident involving her father’s ex business partner resulting in his death many years ago. I really loved how the story was constructed. I was suspicious of every character and did not trust what any of them had to say. Well that is a lie, I did trust the twins Chloe and Amy(sort of). I found Emma to be the most likable of the characters. This could be because she was the primary focus, but I really did not want her to be the guilty party. An entertaining tale with a welcome twist. I don’t generally like to compare books, but this book reminded me of Daisy Jones in structure, but the story was entirely different. Strongly encourage you to do this one on audio, if that’s your thing.
This book in emojis 🎧 🚨 🏖 🍹 💷
*** Big thank you to Bookouture for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***
Emma finds herself on a family vacation for the first time in years. She is there with her parents, her brother and his twin daughters, her fathers business partner and his wife, and his son and his wife. Emma has a past that people refer to, but you do not find out about it until later in the book. When Emma‘s father Jeff is found having fallen from a cliff (not dead, but in need of serious medical attention) Emma is the prime suspect. But Emma is adamant about her innocence and wonders if this has anything to do with a similar accident involving her father’s ex business partner resulting in his death many years ago. I really loved how the story was constructed. I was suspicious of every character and did not trust what any of them had to say. Well that is a lie, I did trust the twins Chloe and Amy(sort of). I found Emma to be the most likable of the characters. This could be because she was the primary focus, but I really did not want her to be the guilty party. An entertaining tale with a welcome twist. I don’t generally like to compare books, but this book reminded me of Daisy Jones in structure, but the story was entirely different. Strongly encourage you to do this one on audio, if that’s your thing.
This book in emojis 🎧 🚨 🏖 🍹 💷
*** Big thank you to Bookouture for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***
May 15, 2020
3.75*
Oh, this is hard. So many mixed feelings about this one. Very conflicted here!?🤷🏻♀️
This is vastly different than anything I’ve ever read. The formatting is... a transcript. But why? And to what end? Both good questions… you’ll find out eventually.
The characters are down-right despicable, with the possible exception of the twins! (I think you’ll like them too!)
Is there family dysfunction? Oh, you better believe it! It’ll make your family look like the Brady Bunch! Then again, is there any such thing as a “normal” family out there?💁🏻♀️
Toss in a murder, perhaps a couple attempted murders and oh yeah, a steamy love interest as well! There’s always room to squeeze in a bit of secret, forbidden love!
Half the time I was asking myself, “what am I reading here?!” The other was devoted to chuckling at the “transcript,” revealing every family members’ own version! Hilarious!
Looking for something completely different? Something to give you some good laughs? Maybe help you see your own family in a more positive light? This is a perfect escapist, (semi) locked-down, quarantine read!
A buddy read with Susanne that left us both just a bit perplexed!🤔🤪
Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and a Kerry Wilkinson for an ARC to read and review.
Oh, this is hard. So many mixed feelings about this one. Very conflicted here!?🤷🏻♀️
This is vastly different than anything I’ve ever read. The formatting is... a transcript. But why? And to what end? Both good questions… you’ll find out eventually.
The characters are down-right despicable, with the possible exception of the twins! (I think you’ll like them too!)
Is there family dysfunction? Oh, you better believe it! It’ll make your family look like the Brady Bunch! Then again, is there any such thing as a “normal” family out there?💁🏻♀️
Toss in a murder, perhaps a couple attempted murders and oh yeah, a steamy love interest as well! There’s always room to squeeze in a bit of secret, forbidden love!
Half the time I was asking myself, “what am I reading here?!” The other was devoted to chuckling at the “transcript,” revealing every family members’ own version! Hilarious!
Looking for something completely different? Something to give you some good laughs? Maybe help you see your own family in a more positive light? This is a perfect escapist, (semi) locked-down, quarantine read!
A buddy read with Susanne that left us both just a bit perplexed!🤔🤪
Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and a Kerry Wilkinson for an ARC to read and review.
May 3, 2020
2.5 Stars
An Island Vacation Gone Horribly Wrong.
When family, friends and colleagues go on an island vacation together and the novel starts off in “interview” style, mostly being narrated by daughter Emma, with the remainder of the characters stating that they disagreed with everything she said, you know that the “gloves” are about to come off.
It’s like that boxing match where my hands covered my eyes because I knew something horrible was about to happen, and I simply couldn’t tear myself away.
While “After the Accident” by Kerry Wilkinson is a highly entertaining novel and I think a lot of people liked it for that reason, the one and only reason it didn’t work for me, is simply because I found each and every character to be completely and utterly despicable and I don’t enjoy novels where every character is that unlikeable. What I will say is that the writing here is very well done, as is the way that the author, Kerry Wilkinson chose to tell the story and my dislike of it has nothing to do with that. It is to Mr. Wilkinson’s credit that he was able to make me feel so much while reading this story.
This was another buddy read with Kaceey.
Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and Kerry Wilkinson for the arc.
Published on Goodreads and NetGalley on 5.3.20.
An Island Vacation Gone Horribly Wrong.
When family, friends and colleagues go on an island vacation together and the novel starts off in “interview” style, mostly being narrated by daughter Emma, with the remainder of the characters stating that they disagreed with everything she said, you know that the “gloves” are about to come off.
It’s like that boxing match where my hands covered my eyes because I knew something horrible was about to happen, and I simply couldn’t tear myself away.
While “After the Accident” by Kerry Wilkinson is a highly entertaining novel and I think a lot of people liked it for that reason, the one and only reason it didn’t work for me, is simply because I found each and every character to be completely and utterly despicable and I don’t enjoy novels where every character is that unlikeable. What I will say is that the writing here is very well done, as is the way that the author, Kerry Wilkinson chose to tell the story and my dislike of it has nothing to do with that. It is to Mr. Wilkinson’s credit that he was able to make me feel so much while reading this story.
This was another buddy read with Kaceey.
Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and Kerry Wilkinson for the arc.
Published on Goodreads and NetGalley on 5.3.20.
March 30, 2020
Geoff McGinley takes his wife, family and two friends to Greece for a holiday. The last time they were there was nine years ago when Geoff's business partner fell off a cliff and died. Now, Geoff has fell off the same cliff on the first night of their holiday. What follows Reads in the form of interviews where the reader tries to work out who's telling the truth. But who is telling the truth and who is lying? Was Geoff pushed or did he fall?
This story is based on true events. The story is told mostly from Emma's perspective. This is a different type of book to the authors usual crime fiction. The family is selfish and very dysfunctional. This is a fast paced read that's full of twists. Its cleverly written. Everyone is a suspect but there is no evidence to show what had occurred. I could not put this book down. I loved it. I do recommend this book.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and the author Kerry Wilkinson for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This story is based on true events. The story is told mostly from Emma's perspective. This is a different type of book to the authors usual crime fiction. The family is selfish and very dysfunctional. This is a fast paced read that's full of twists. Its cleverly written. Everyone is a suspect but there is no evidence to show what had occurred. I could not put this book down. I loved it. I do recommend this book.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and the author Kerry Wilkinson for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 25, 2020
A very different type of story. This is told in a series of interviews of both people involved and various witnesses. This is a true story - but pretty much everything is a lie, it seems. You don't know who's lying and who's telling the truth - if anyone. A true mystery! I wasn't sure I would like this book because of the format, but I was pleasantly surprised. I quickly became intrigued and the mystery is fascinating.
Two families go to the island of Galanikos for a holiday. On the first day Geoffrey falls (was pushed) from a cliff and is hospitalized. Nine years earlier Geoffrey's business partner Alan fell (was pushed) from a cliff on the same island and died (was murdered). Everyone is a suspect but there is no evidence to show what really happened. The characters are really all believable and any of them could be true (or false).
Thanks to Kerry Wilkinson and Bookouture through Netgalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Two families go to the island of Galanikos for a holiday. On the first day Geoffrey falls (was pushed) from a cliff and is hospitalized. Nine years earlier Geoffrey's business partner Alan fell (was pushed) from a cliff on the same island and died (was murdered). Everyone is a suspect but there is no evidence to show what really happened. The characters are really all believable and any of them could be true (or false).
Thanks to Kerry Wilkinson and Bookouture through Netgalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 29, 2020
Forget everything you know about the type of books Kerry Wilkinson writes and the format he writes them in as this is completely different from his norm. That said, I found this just as captivating as his others albeit in a different way. A psychological thriller set on the beautiful Greek Island of Galanikos, it follows two families who have descended on the destination for a holiday. From the beginning, it is obvious tensions and rivalries exist between the families and even within each family itself. Then chaos ensues when one member of the party apparently takes a stumble over a cliff and ends up unconscious. It doesn't take long before the finger-pointing starts with everyone suspicious of each other and plenty of accusations being made. The story then charts the unravelling of both families lives with each of them holding disturbing secrets and having told many lies. It appears no-one can be trusted and it’s almost impossible to pinpoint who is telling the truth as there is so much deception floating around.
Told in an unusual interview style, the narrative grabs you right from the start and keeps you in its grip with ease. Trying to decipher the contradictory statements to get to the truth is a difficult job as there seem to be many different perceptions of the tragic cliff ”fall”. It’s cleverly thought out and the highly original format makes it so refreshing and exciting that I couldn’t help but race through it. This is a fast-paced read with a cast of detestable yet engaging characters all with their own axe to grind. Hidden agendas and motives fill the plot and get into your head as you attempt to work out what actually happened that fateful day and who has the most to benefit from Emma’s fathers “fall”. The premise is a simple one but sometimes the simpler plots are the best and that’s certainly the case here. I was a little disappointed by the conclusion as it felt a bit of a cop-out and anti-climatic, but I very much enjoyed the rest. Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC.
Told in an unusual interview style, the narrative grabs you right from the start and keeps you in its grip with ease. Trying to decipher the contradictory statements to get to the truth is a difficult job as there seem to be many different perceptions of the tragic cliff ”fall”. It’s cleverly thought out and the highly original format makes it so refreshing and exciting that I couldn’t help but race through it. This is a fast-paced read with a cast of detestable yet engaging characters all with their own axe to grind. Hidden agendas and motives fill the plot and get into your head as you attempt to work out what actually happened that fateful day and who has the most to benefit from Emma’s fathers “fall”. The premise is a simple one but sometimes the simpler plots are the best and that’s certainly the case here. I was a little disappointed by the conclusion as it felt a bit of a cop-out and anti-climatic, but I very much enjoyed the rest. Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC.
October 4, 2020
Review coming soon.
March 30, 2020
Geoff McGinley takes his wife, family and two of his friends to Greece for a holiday. The last time they were there was nine years ago when Geoff's business partner fell of a cliff and died. Now, Geoff has fell off the same cliff on their first night of their holiday. What follows reads in the form of interviews where the reader tries to work out who's telling the truth. But who is telling the truth and who is lying? Was Geoff pushed or did he fall?
This story is based on true events. The story is told mostly from Emma's perspective. This is a different type of book to the authors usual crime fiction. The family is selfish and very dysfunctional. 5hisnis a fast paced read that's full of twists. It's cleverly written. Everyone is a suspect but there is no evidence to show what had occurred. I could not put this book down. I loved it. I do recommend this book.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and the author Kerry Wilkinson for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This story is based on true events. The story is told mostly from Emma's perspective. This is a different type of book to the authors usual crime fiction. The family is selfish and very dysfunctional. 5hisnis a fast paced read that's full of twists. It's cleverly written. Everyone is a suspect but there is no evidence to show what had occurred. I could not put this book down. I loved it. I do recommend this book.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and the author Kerry Wilkinson for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 24, 2020
Seven Days in July by Kerry Wilkinson delivers all of the intrigue, twists and turns that I have come to expect from this author who, for me, can simply do no wrong with a thriller. The format may be different this time around, but all of the trademarks that we have come to love from the author are present and accounted for, making this yet another must read.
Two families have arrived for a week long holiday on the Greek island of Galanikos. It is clear from the outset that tensions exist between the two families and, indeed, within each family itself. It is not long into the vacation that tragedy strikes, and one member of the party falls from a cliff and sustains serious injury. Suspicions and accusations are presented after the fact in a series of interview transcripts, and it quickly becomes apparent that some of the party believe that the victim met with foul play. But who among them could possibly have a motive for murder?
This is a fast-paced read that had me flying through the transcripts in a bid for answers. As with anything that comes from the mind of the clever Kerry Wilkinson, this one will keep you guessing until the end.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC.
Two families have arrived for a week long holiday on the Greek island of Galanikos. It is clear from the outset that tensions exist between the two families and, indeed, within each family itself. It is not long into the vacation that tragedy strikes, and one member of the party falls from a cliff and sustains serious injury. Suspicions and accusations are presented after the fact in a series of interview transcripts, and it quickly becomes apparent that some of the party believe that the victim met with foul play. But who among them could possibly have a motive for murder?
This is a fast-paced read that had me flying through the transcripts in a bid for answers. As with anything that comes from the mind of the clever Kerry Wilkinson, this one will keep you guessing until the end.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC.
April 1, 2020
Rating: 4 innovate stars
Wow! This was such an unusual read. Veteran author Kerry Wilkinson’s formatting of this book made for some thought provoking moments in this well-crafted mystery. The story is filled with unreliable narrators, or are they unreliable? Who is unreliable? That is the real mystery.
This story centers around a trip two families, linked by a business partnership, take together to a Mediterranean island. On the first night out, there is plenty of drama at the dinner table. Then when Geoffrey, the patriarch of one of the families, is found at the bottom a cliff, the question is posed. Did he accidentally fall, or was he pushed off the cliff?
Multiple people narrate this story. The character’s comments and opinions are interjected back and forth as if they are being interviewed for a television drama. That format was interesting. It raised the question of who was the unreliable narrator early, and left me asking myself that question often. I’m still not sure whom I fully believe. The story unfolds in many surprising ways as more of the backstories of the characters are revealed. It is a page-turner, that’s for sure.
I thought that this was a thoroughly entertaining novel. I’d recommend it for fans of well-written mysteries who aren’t put off by an ambiguous ending. Personally, I liked not being spoon fed the solution to the mystery. This is a really innovative and entertaining book.
‘Thank-You’ to NetGalley; the publisher, Bookouture; and the author, Kerry Wilkinson, for providing a free e-ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Wow! This was such an unusual read. Veteran author Kerry Wilkinson’s formatting of this book made for some thought provoking moments in this well-crafted mystery. The story is filled with unreliable narrators, or are they unreliable? Who is unreliable? That is the real mystery.
This story centers around a trip two families, linked by a business partnership, take together to a Mediterranean island. On the first night out, there is plenty of drama at the dinner table. Then when Geoffrey, the patriarch of one of the families, is found at the bottom a cliff, the question is posed. Did he accidentally fall, or was he pushed off the cliff?
Multiple people narrate this story. The character’s comments and opinions are interjected back and forth as if they are being interviewed for a television drama. That format was interesting. It raised the question of who was the unreliable narrator early, and left me asking myself that question often. I’m still not sure whom I fully believe. The story unfolds in many surprising ways as more of the backstories of the characters are revealed. It is a page-turner, that’s for sure.
I thought that this was a thoroughly entertaining novel. I’d recommend it for fans of well-written mysteries who aren’t put off by an ambiguous ending. Personally, I liked not being spoon fed the solution to the mystery. This is a really innovative and entertaining book.
‘Thank-You’ to NetGalley; the publisher, Bookouture; and the author, Kerry Wilkinson, for providing a free e-ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 26, 2020
This new standalone thriller by author Kerry Wilkinson is a little different from it's contemporaries.
The book is set on a Mediterranean island where two families are enjoying a holiday only to be destroyed when Emma's father is found unconscious on the sand. Her father has fallen from a cliff and suspicions and accusations follow, but all the family have secrets they prefer to hide and all of them have stories to tell. but who do you believe.
This is a good solid read told in the form of interviews leaving you to try and decipher the truth. I did feel the book needed a little more to make it a five star read but nevertheless an entertaining read.
I would like to thank both Net Galley and Bookouture for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
The book is set on a Mediterranean island where two families are enjoying a holiday only to be destroyed when Emma's father is found unconscious on the sand. Her father has fallen from a cliff and suspicions and accusations follow, but all the family have secrets they prefer to hide and all of them have stories to tell. but who do you believe.
This is a good solid read told in the form of interviews leaving you to try and decipher the truth. I did feel the book needed a little more to make it a five star read but nevertheless an entertaining read.
I would like to thank both Net Galley and Bookouture for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
March 31, 2020
Galanikos, a paradise Mediterranean island that was the setting for a mysterious fatal incident nine years previously.
Two families whos outer personas of jovial tourists conceal inner feelings of distain, jealousy and greed.
Tension bubbles below the searing hot sun,accusations,mistrust and lies mix together to produce a toxic cocktail of unease and suspicion.
And then another incident occurs
This outstanding,brilliant mystery is voiced by a multitude of vivid characters and written in the form of interviews with a journalist or the police. The main character was a women called Emma,someone who was treated like an outsider by the rest of the holiday makers because of a event in her past. Nothing she said or did was right and she was constantly being judged,criticised and accused of lying. I felt a lot of empathy for her because I know what it feels like to be the black sheep of the family and made to feel like you are always in the wrong. I felt a close connection with her and believed that her version of events was the truth. That was until I got to the end of the book and read something that took everything I thought I knew, rolled it up into a ball and chucked it into the bin. I was left in a state of utter confusion and with no idea who was guilty of what and who was telling the truth,I honestly didnt have a clue. I do know that the only truly trustworthy characters were Emma's brother Julius's two small daughter's Chloe and Amy,the rest of them were not very likeable or trustworthy especially horrible Daniel,his wife Liz and Julius.If I had a penny for every time they denied something or discredited something that Emma had said, I would be a millionaire.
This brilliant book is actually the account of a true life crime and has been constructed using transcripts of interviews with the people who were on the island at the same time as both incidents occurred. It is a utterly compelling story that had me hooked in from the first page, I honestly didn't want to put this mesmerising mystery down. I love Kerry Wilkinson's books, he is a very talented author and I think he has excelled himself with this one. I honestly think it's his best book to date. Bloody brilliant,worth far more than five stars and very very highly recommended
Two families whos outer personas of jovial tourists conceal inner feelings of distain, jealousy and greed.
Tension bubbles below the searing hot sun,accusations,mistrust and lies mix together to produce a toxic cocktail of unease and suspicion.
And then another incident occurs
This outstanding,brilliant mystery is voiced by a multitude of vivid characters and written in the form of interviews with a journalist or the police. The main character was a women called Emma,someone who was treated like an outsider by the rest of the holiday makers because of a event in her past. Nothing she said or did was right and she was constantly being judged,criticised and accused of lying. I felt a lot of empathy for her because I know what it feels like to be the black sheep of the family and made to feel like you are always in the wrong. I felt a close connection with her and believed that her version of events was the truth. That was until I got to the end of the book and read something that took everything I thought I knew, rolled it up into a ball and chucked it into the bin. I was left in a state of utter confusion and with no idea who was guilty of what and who was telling the truth,I honestly didnt have a clue. I do know that the only truly trustworthy characters were Emma's brother Julius's two small daughter's Chloe and Amy,the rest of them were not very likeable or trustworthy especially horrible Daniel,his wife Liz and Julius.If I had a penny for every time they denied something or discredited something that Emma had said, I would be a millionaire.
This brilliant book is actually the account of a true life crime and has been constructed using transcripts of interviews with the people who were on the island at the same time as both incidents occurred. It is a utterly compelling story that had me hooked in from the first page, I honestly didn't want to put this mesmerising mystery down. I love Kerry Wilkinson's books, he is a very talented author and I think he has excelled himself with this one. I honestly think it's his best book to date. Bloody brilliant,worth far more than five stars and very very highly recommended
February 10, 2020
Holy fuck!! By the power of everything twisted in the literary world, what did I just read? Whack went the book, making a home run! I may not know my baseball, but I know my books. The book was everything a psychological thriller ought to be.
I didn’t know who was telling the truth at the end. It all came down to he said, she said, and everything was the truth but nothing really was. And if it were, then who knew? I was left gasping like a goldfish when I reached the end. (Totally the author’s lines in the book!)
I love it when author Kerry Wilkinson downloads the evil in his mind and portrays it in his characters. And he has gone all out with this plot. Read it to believe it. A family with 6 members, parents, siblings and twin grandchildren went to the Greek island of Galanikos for a last holiday along with the family of the best friend/partner. And the father fell down the cliff which was similar to what happened years ago on the same island to the third business partner.
Sounds convoluted, doesn’t it? The entire book was written in the format of interview transcripts where each character put forth their points of view of what happened that day and in the days prior, from the time they landed on the island, with the author’s input too interspersed in the prose. There were so many winding lanes in it, I had so many questions when the author plopped me right in the middle of it.
Family politics, greed, selfishness, revenge, need to punish, and underhand by-plays by various characters made me tap the kindle faster. I had high grade fever when I read this book, and believe me, my mind was completely hypnotized by the story. I even forgot to take my medicines. It was that brilliant. All I could say at the end of the book was – MORE PLEASE!!
I didn’t know who was telling the truth at the end. It all came down to he said, she said, and everything was the truth but nothing really was. And if it were, then who knew? I was left gasping like a goldfish when I reached the end. (Totally the author’s lines in the book!)
I love it when author Kerry Wilkinson downloads the evil in his mind and portrays it in his characters. And he has gone all out with this plot. Read it to believe it. A family with 6 members, parents, siblings and twin grandchildren went to the Greek island of Galanikos for a last holiday along with the family of the best friend/partner. And the father fell down the cliff which was similar to what happened years ago on the same island to the third business partner.
Sounds convoluted, doesn’t it? The entire book was written in the format of interview transcripts where each character put forth their points of view of what happened that day and in the days prior, from the time they landed on the island, with the author’s input too interspersed in the prose. There were so many winding lanes in it, I had so many questions when the author plopped me right in the middle of it.
Family politics, greed, selfishness, revenge, need to punish, and underhand by-plays by various characters made me tap the kindle faster. I had high grade fever when I read this book, and believe me, my mind was completely hypnotized by the story. I even forgot to take my medicines. It was that brilliant. All I could say at the end of the book was – MORE PLEASE!!
April 3, 2020
"Is it a true crime tale, or is it an examination of family, jealousy and grief? Maybe it's all of those things? Or maybe, it is a simple tale of someone who pushed their father off a cliff and got away with it."
Originally titled "Seven Days in July", this book certainly opens itself up to intense scrutiny and unlimited speculation. It's the story of a group of people who tell their version of events, interview style, explaining what happened when they all went on holiday to the island of Galanikos in the Mediterranean. Based on a real incident, all the names have been changed but the basic fact is that Geoffrey McGinley, a British businessman, was standing on a cliff after dinner on the first evening there and later he was found unconscious and broken on the beach below. Did he fall or was he pushed? Geoffrey was at the resort with his wife, Beth, their grown children Julius and Emma, his business partner, Daniel Dorsey, along with his wife Liz and their son, Victor and Vic's wife. In addition Julius's 8-year-old twins, Chloe and Amy, were along on this trip. The getaway was planned by the elder McGinleys as Beth had been diagnosed with a medical condition and wasn't doing well. They had been to the island many times, but hadn't gone for the previous 9 years. So, a family trip with a party of 10 descended on the resort. The problems started the very first night. NO SPOILERS.
This book is so different to what Kerry Wilkinson usually writes and I had no clue of what to expect. I definitely enjoyed it, especially the style created by recordings made of interviews with all of the subjects. The entire collection of photographs, film and recordings was supposed to be a movie based on the case but the author used the material to create this novel presenting everything in written form and then leaving the reader to make up her own mind about what happened and who to believe. I can honestly say that there wasn't a character in this whole story that I actually liked. I questioned everything -- perhaps if I'd heard it all relayed in their own voices, watched their body language, analyzed their verbal tics, I might be able to put my reactions and thoughts into better perspective. I might be able to say which person I really believed. There should definitely be a film of this, a miniseries for sure. This type of docudrama is quite popular nowadays. So, in the end, "It's not only a question of who did what, but whether anything was done at all."
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read, review and recommend.
Originally titled "Seven Days in July", this book certainly opens itself up to intense scrutiny and unlimited speculation. It's the story of a group of people who tell their version of events, interview style, explaining what happened when they all went on holiday to the island of Galanikos in the Mediterranean. Based on a real incident, all the names have been changed but the basic fact is that Geoffrey McGinley, a British businessman, was standing on a cliff after dinner on the first evening there and later he was found unconscious and broken on the beach below. Did he fall or was he pushed? Geoffrey was at the resort with his wife, Beth, their grown children Julius and Emma, his business partner, Daniel Dorsey, along with his wife Liz and their son, Victor and Vic's wife. In addition Julius's 8-year-old twins, Chloe and Amy, were along on this trip. The getaway was planned by the elder McGinleys as Beth had been diagnosed with a medical condition and wasn't doing well. They had been to the island many times, but hadn't gone for the previous 9 years. So, a family trip with a party of 10 descended on the resort. The problems started the very first night. NO SPOILERS.
This book is so different to what Kerry Wilkinson usually writes and I had no clue of what to expect. I definitely enjoyed it, especially the style created by recordings made of interviews with all of the subjects. The entire collection of photographs, film and recordings was supposed to be a movie based on the case but the author used the material to create this novel presenting everything in written form and then leaving the reader to make up her own mind about what happened and who to believe. I can honestly say that there wasn't a character in this whole story that I actually liked. I questioned everything -- perhaps if I'd heard it all relayed in their own voices, watched their body language, analyzed their verbal tics, I might be able to put my reactions and thoughts into better perspective. I might be able to say which person I really believed. There should definitely be a film of this, a miniseries for sure. This type of docudrama is quite popular nowadays. So, in the end, "It's not only a question of who did what, but whether anything was done at all."
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read, review and recommend.
January 26, 2020
This new standalone thriller by author Kerry Wilkinson is a little different from it's contemporaries.
The book is set on a Mediterranean island where two families are enjoying a holiday only to be destroyed when Emma's father is found unconscious on the sand. Her father has fallen from a cliff and suspicions and accusations follow, but all the family have secrets they prefer to hide and all of them have stories to tell. but who do you believe.
This is a good solid read told in the form of interviews leaving you to try and decipher the truth. I did feel the book needed a little more to make it a five star read but nevertheless an entertaining read.
I would like to thank both Net Galley and Bookouture for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
The book is set on a Mediterranean island where two families are enjoying a holiday only to be destroyed when Emma's father is found unconscious on the sand. Her father has fallen from a cliff and suspicions and accusations follow, but all the family have secrets they prefer to hide and all of them have stories to tell. but who do you believe.
This is a good solid read told in the form of interviews leaving you to try and decipher the truth. I did feel the book needed a little more to make it a five star read but nevertheless an entertaining read.
I would like to thank both Net Galley and Bookouture for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
January 30, 2020
This was my first book by this author, but I was interested because she seems to have great reviews and an excellent following. I wasn't disappointed and plan to check out her previous novels.
Set in the Mediterranean island with two families on holiday together...disaster strikes. Emma's father is found unconscious on the sand and it looks like he may of fallen from a cliff. But was it an accident or was it something more? As family secrets come out and they turn against each other we have to decide who to believe. Who I believed could alternate from chapter to chapter because each character had a compelling story and truth. Told in interviews you will try to piece together this entertaining read and maybe you will make the complete puzzle, but I certainly didn't!
Set in the Mediterranean island with two families on holiday together...disaster strikes. Emma's father is found unconscious on the sand and it looks like he may of fallen from a cliff. But was it an accident or was it something more? As family secrets come out and they turn against each other we have to decide who to believe. Who I believed could alternate from chapter to chapter because each character had a compelling story and truth. Told in interviews you will try to piece together this entertaining read and maybe you will make the complete puzzle, but I certainly didn't!
February 23, 2020
This is the newest stand alone book by Wilkinson and it was....interesting. A documentary is being filmed on an island where a "murder" took place several years ago. Unbeknown to a family that was there when it happened, and is now back at the same time to take one last family vacation. This book is told through interviews by these people. You don't know who to trust or who is telling the truth. By the end, you still won't know. Interesting.....that's all I have to say.
*Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
*Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
March 30, 2020
I would firstly like to thank Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was a first read from this author, and let's start off by saying it's unlike anything I've read before.
The plotline intrigued me from the very start, and there was a variety of characters that kept me constantly guessing, however, the format of this read increasingly annoyed the hell out of me. Set up as interview, after an incident, that had no questions, just answers. And the dialogue of each character seemed to continue as if they were answering each other. Made zero sense and I was massively confused. Regardless, I persisted with the story as I did want to know the ending.
I didn't get a satisfying ending, BUT an author's note that explained EVERYTHING.
A lot of what was said in the author's note needed to be left til the end of the book, but I really wish I had a little context of what was happening, as I would of liked the whole read a lot better.
From reading the author's note, I did have a newfound appreciation for the story and it did leave me thinking.
1 star for the story itself. 3 stars for the story, including the author's note.
This was a first read from this author, and let's start off by saying it's unlike anything I've read before.
The plotline intrigued me from the very start, and there was a variety of characters that kept me constantly guessing, however, the format of this read increasingly annoyed the hell out of me. Set up as interview, after an incident, that had no questions, just answers. And the dialogue of each character seemed to continue as if they were answering each other. Made zero sense and I was massively confused. Regardless, I persisted with the story as I did want to know the ending.
I didn't get a satisfying ending, BUT an author's note that explained EVERYTHING.
A lot of what was said in the author's note needed to be left til the end of the book, but I really wish I had a little context of what was happening, as I would of liked the whole read a lot better.
From reading the author's note, I did have a newfound appreciation for the story and it did leave me thinking.
1 star for the story itself. 3 stars for the story, including the author's note.
March 13, 2020
This book came up as Seven Days in July and not After the Accident as listed. I love Kerry Wilkinson books but this book disappointed me. I did not care for the format it was written in as it read like the script of a dysfunctional family with a he-said she-said dialogue. Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 29, 2020
Seven Days In July by Kerry Wilkinson is a suspense thriller set on an island in the Mediterranean. The novel is written as if it is an ongoing interview by a documentary team. I will honestly have to say, I have really enjoyed all the novels by Kerry Wilkinson, especially the Jessica Daniels series. Seven Days in July is not my favorite. I think if this novel had been written in a different format I could have enjoyed the plot and mystery more, I found most of the characters were selfish and arrogant, except for the mother and Emma. The mother is the only character which has no voice in the narratives. The opinions by family and friends of Emma, had me second guessing if Emma was a bit psycho or just misunderstood. Each person seemed to have a hidden agenda or secret motive.
Some readers will find this style novel very intriguing.
Publication Date: March 31, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this novel.
Some readers will find this style novel very intriguing.
Publication Date: March 31, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this novel.
July 15, 2020
Clever, creative and compelling. This new standalone thriller is totally different from anything you might normally read. Forget everything you know about Kerry Wilkinson and the style in which he writes - AFTER THE ACCIDENT is a completely different format from the norm. Written with a series of interviews spliced together, it was certainly an unusual read that elicited some thought-provoking moments in this cleverly crafted mystery.
The story centres around the McGinley family who had frequented the Mediterranean island of Galanikos regularly up until nine years ago when Geoffrey McGinley's business partner Alan Lee fell to his death from one of the island's clifftops. Although no charges were laid, and Geoff McGinley had been questioned at the time, the Lee family firmly believed that he had killed Alan.
Now Geoff McGinley has returned with his wife Bethan, daughter Emma, son Julius with his twin girls Chloe and Amy, as well as current business partner Daniel Dorsey, his wife Liz and their son Victor and wife Claire. A nice cosy family holiday of ten people for what was promoted to the family as "mum's final trip abroad" coinciding with their 35th anniversary and her birthday. Why his business partner and family were there is something of a mystery as it really made no sense to have them along for what is in essence was a "family holiday". Unless, of course, one was to believe the theory put forward by Emma. And then it makes perfect sense...in a way.
It is obvious from the beginning that Geoff, the patriarch of the McGinley family, is a force to be reckoned with. He is used to being in charge and issuing orders that are to be complied with. That is seen as soon as he starts shouting "Three taxis!" to all and sundry upon their arrival at the airport. He had apparently ordered three taxis to ferry all ten people to their hotel only to arrive to find none. But this was to be only the first of many dramas for what would turn out to be a very long week for all involved.
Their first night in Galanikos, the families gather together for dinner in the hotel restaurant where plenty of drama took place resulting in everyone going their separate ways. Emma, wanting to escape her family, went to another hotel and settled herself at the bar where she met Paul Bosley. Little did she know that Paul was on the island with his film crew doing a documentary on the death of Alan Lee, who died there nine years before. But even when Paul told her, she still didn't reveal her link to that event. Instead, the two of them went up to Paul's room where they spent the night together.
The next morning, no one could find Emma as she was not in her room. But when she did return, she discovered that her father had been found at the bottom of a cliff behind the hotel that morning, and was now in a coma in hospital. The question that then went through everyone's minds was - did he fall accidentally...or was he pushed?
Throughout the retelling of these events, it is clear from the outset that there are tensions between almost everyone. Neither of them like the other and vice versa. All parties are quick to point the finger at someone else. But one thing is for sure - whatever happened, none of them are completely blameless. Suspicions and accusations abound as the possibility is presented that McGinley met with foul play. As to who may have been responsible, belief and loyalties were divided.
There are many questions raised throughout this story, but most of all, which of them was the unreliable narrator? You don't know what really happened or who to believe or which of them are telling the truth. By the end you may still be left with questions, unsure of who you fully believe.
This story is not a fictionalised series of events orchestrated by this wonderfully talented author. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, previously titled as "Seven Days in July" , is based on true events and the entire story is told through a series of interviews made to a media company for a documentary that, in the end, never saw the light of day. What Kerry has done has spliced these interviews together to form a chronological series of events...it was really quite clever and ingenious of him to tell a story that he never actually wrote. But rather presented it to his audience of fans who by now have their own theories or beliefs as to what may or may not have happened. A great book for book club discussions. Incidentally, all names have been changed so no amount of googling will herald any results.
I thought that AFTER THE ACCIDENT was a thoroughly entertaining read. It was solid, it was engaging and it was addictive. I was completely absorbed and despaired when I was so tired I fell asleep reading it...but I soon picked it back up the following morning and did not put it down until I'd finished. It was utterly clever and brilliant and made for compulsive reading.
By the end, the reader is left to ponder their own thoughts as what they may have thought happened. Not normally how I like my mysteries to conclude, but this one is different. It became not only a question of who did what but whether anything was done at all.
I won't say what I think happened or who I think may be responsible, as I don't want to spoil it for other readers. Although you may come up with a completely different theory. But it is a story that makes you think and dissect all the evidence that has been presented to you. I will say however, that despite it being presented in interview form, it didn't detract from the story in any way. I still felt as if I was there and seeing things as they happened. Ingeniously clever.
An intriguing mystery for thriller fans and true crime buffs alike, AFTER THE ACCIDENT is a tale of something and nothing; reality and fiction; truth and lies. Of two families and a secret. It's all smoke and mirrors by the end. Definitely recommend!
Lastly, in Kerry's words...
"Is it a true crime tale, or is it an examination of family, jealousy and grief? Maybe it's all of those things? Or maybe, it is a simple tale of someone who pushed their father off a cliff and got away with it."
I would like to thank #KerryWilkinson, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #AfterTheAccident aka #SevenDaysInJuly in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
The story centres around the McGinley family who had frequented the Mediterranean island of Galanikos regularly up until nine years ago when Geoffrey McGinley's business partner Alan Lee fell to his death from one of the island's clifftops. Although no charges were laid, and Geoff McGinley had been questioned at the time, the Lee family firmly believed that he had killed Alan.
Now Geoff McGinley has returned with his wife Bethan, daughter Emma, son Julius with his twin girls Chloe and Amy, as well as current business partner Daniel Dorsey, his wife Liz and their son Victor and wife Claire. A nice cosy family holiday of ten people for what was promoted to the family as "mum's final trip abroad" coinciding with their 35th anniversary and her birthday. Why his business partner and family were there is something of a mystery as it really made no sense to have them along for what is in essence was a "family holiday". Unless, of course, one was to believe the theory put forward by Emma. And then it makes perfect sense...in a way.
It is obvious from the beginning that Geoff, the patriarch of the McGinley family, is a force to be reckoned with. He is used to being in charge and issuing orders that are to be complied with. That is seen as soon as he starts shouting "Three taxis!" to all and sundry upon their arrival at the airport. He had apparently ordered three taxis to ferry all ten people to their hotel only to arrive to find none. But this was to be only the first of many dramas for what would turn out to be a very long week for all involved.
Their first night in Galanikos, the families gather together for dinner in the hotel restaurant where plenty of drama took place resulting in everyone going their separate ways. Emma, wanting to escape her family, went to another hotel and settled herself at the bar where she met Paul Bosley. Little did she know that Paul was on the island with his film crew doing a documentary on the death of Alan Lee, who died there nine years before. But even when Paul told her, she still didn't reveal her link to that event. Instead, the two of them went up to Paul's room where they spent the night together.
The next morning, no one could find Emma as she was not in her room. But when she did return, she discovered that her father had been found at the bottom of a cliff behind the hotel that morning, and was now in a coma in hospital. The question that then went through everyone's minds was - did he fall accidentally...or was he pushed?
Throughout the retelling of these events, it is clear from the outset that there are tensions between almost everyone. Neither of them like the other and vice versa. All parties are quick to point the finger at someone else. But one thing is for sure - whatever happened, none of them are completely blameless. Suspicions and accusations abound as the possibility is presented that McGinley met with foul play. As to who may have been responsible, belief and loyalties were divided.
There are many questions raised throughout this story, but most of all, which of them was the unreliable narrator? You don't know what really happened or who to believe or which of them are telling the truth. By the end you may still be left with questions, unsure of who you fully believe.
This story is not a fictionalised series of events orchestrated by this wonderfully talented author. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, previously titled as "Seven Days in July" , is based on true events and the entire story is told through a series of interviews made to a media company for a documentary that, in the end, never saw the light of day. What Kerry has done has spliced these interviews together to form a chronological series of events...it was really quite clever and ingenious of him to tell a story that he never actually wrote. But rather presented it to his audience of fans who by now have their own theories or beliefs as to what may or may not have happened. A great book for book club discussions. Incidentally, all names have been changed so no amount of googling will herald any results.
I thought that AFTER THE ACCIDENT was a thoroughly entertaining read. It was solid, it was engaging and it was addictive. I was completely absorbed and despaired when I was so tired I fell asleep reading it...but I soon picked it back up the following morning and did not put it down until I'd finished. It was utterly clever and brilliant and made for compulsive reading.
By the end, the reader is left to ponder their own thoughts as what they may have thought happened. Not normally how I like my mysteries to conclude, but this one is different. It became not only a question of who did what but whether anything was done at all.
I won't say what I think happened or who I think may be responsible, as I don't want to spoil it for other readers. Although you may come up with a completely different theory. But it is a story that makes you think and dissect all the evidence that has been presented to you. I will say however, that despite it being presented in interview form, it didn't detract from the story in any way. I still felt as if I was there and seeing things as they happened. Ingeniously clever.
An intriguing mystery for thriller fans and true crime buffs alike, AFTER THE ACCIDENT is a tale of something and nothing; reality and fiction; truth and lies. Of two families and a secret. It's all smoke and mirrors by the end. Definitely recommend!
Lastly, in Kerry's words...
"Is it a true crime tale, or is it an examination of family, jealousy and grief? Maybe it's all of those things? Or maybe, it is a simple tale of someone who pushed their father off a cliff and got away with it."
I would like to thank #KerryWilkinson, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #AfterTheAccident aka #SevenDaysInJuly in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
April 28, 2020
The format of this thriller is unique - it’s told through transcripts of interviews with different people involved. Showing how the characters tried to present themselves to the cameras was an interesting way to build suspense and suspicions. I loved seeing how different people interpret the same situation and how their bias came out in their stories.
But the mystery just wasn’t there for me. I forgot what we were trying to figure out by the middle and the ending was a let down. I just didn’t care about this unlikeable group of people, their family issues, or their business dealings.
Interesting execution, bland story.
I would pick up the author’s work in the future.
(Thanks to Netgalley for the arc)
But the mystery just wasn’t there for me. I forgot what we were trying to figure out by the middle and the ending was a let down. I just didn’t care about this unlikeable group of people, their family issues, or their business dealings.
Interesting execution, bland story.
I would pick up the author’s work in the future.
(Thanks to Netgalley for the arc)
February 19, 2020
I’ve read many of this authors other books and loved them all. Am sorry to say this one wasn’t for me. I found it boring and confusing and not up to his usual standard. It didn’t grab me at all and I struggled to read it.
March 31, 2020
Nooooooooo I need more!
This is the type of book I love to hate and hate to love because I need to use my own imagination!
I love the interview style. It is different and it feels like you are watching a documentary.
It's a whodunit, what happened and who is telling the truth type of book.
A fast read and very well written. I will definitely look out for more books from this author.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
This is the type of book I love to hate and hate to love because I need to use my own imagination!
I love the interview style. It is different and it feels like you are watching a documentary.
It's a whodunit, what happened and who is telling the truth type of book.
A fast read and very well written. I will definitely look out for more books from this author.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
September 11, 2022
Good read
April 3, 2020
This psychological thriller by Kerry Wilkinson features two families, the McGinleys and the Dorseys who have descended on the beautiful Greek Island of Galanikos for a holiday. As they are enjoying their break, any peace and tranquility that might have existed is destroyed when Emma McGinley's father, Geoffrey, is found unconscious on the sand.
The narrative is unusual - a group of people who are various members of the two families, tell their version of events, interview style. I loved how the story was constructed and I was suspicious of each character, not trusting what any of them had to say. Interestingly, Geoffrey's former business partner, Alan fell (was pushed) from a cliff on the same island and died, nine years earlier.
Kerry Wilkinson displayed remarkable character development skills whether or not you loved or loathed the characters. Selfishness, family politics, greed, revenge, and underhand tactics by various family members all resulted in my desperation to whip through the pages of After The Accident faster and faster. With everyone potentially a suspect, there was no evidence to show what really happened, leaving me guessing until the very end. Don't miss out on this humdinger of a novel!
I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
*(Previously titled Seven Days in July)*
The narrative is unusual - a group of people who are various members of the two families, tell their version of events, interview style. I loved how the story was constructed and I was suspicious of each character, not trusting what any of them had to say. Interestingly, Geoffrey's former business partner, Alan fell (was pushed) from a cliff on the same island and died, nine years earlier.
Kerry Wilkinson displayed remarkable character development skills whether or not you loved or loathed the characters. Selfishness, family politics, greed, revenge, and underhand tactics by various family members all resulted in my desperation to whip through the pages of After The Accident faster and faster. With everyone potentially a suspect, there was no evidence to show what really happened, leaving me guessing until the very end. Don't miss out on this humdinger of a novel!
I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
*(Previously titled Seven Days in July)*
January 27, 2020
What an intriguing, mind-boggling read! Seven Days in July is told in an interview style, with all the action coming from the characters' conflicting version of events. Everyone has a different take on what happened to Emma's father - some say he fell off a cliff, others say he was pushed. As everyone tells their version, more and more questions open up for the reader, leading to a final 'Who do you believe?' moment. So clever!
Right from the outset, Emma is set up as an unreliable narrator, but by the end, has she been set up? Or is her version the false one?
A gripping psychological suspense tale that explores perception and the 'two (or more) sides to every story' concept in a page-turning manner.
Right from the outset, Emma is set up as an unreliable narrator, but by the end, has she been set up? Or is her version the false one?
A gripping psychological suspense tale that explores perception and the 'two (or more) sides to every story' concept in a page-turning manner.
March 18, 2020
There are two side to every story and it's up to you to decide which one you believe in. "After the accident" is told in a series of interviews given by the characters to a documentary crew. At first I was a bit skeptical about this, cause I've read some other books in this style and I was not a fan, but in this case it grew up on me as the plot progressed and the two different versions of the truth came out. Almost all the characters were pretty unlikable and each an every one seemed to have some secret. Maybe because Emma was the MC I tend to believe more her side of the story, but who knows if she's telling the truth?
Fast paced mystery helped by the format in which is told, that will keep you trying to fit the different pieces of this he said/she said puzzle.
This was my first book by the author but I will definetely check his previous work.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for providing and eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Fast paced mystery helped by the format in which is told, that will keep you trying to fit the different pieces of this he said/she said puzzle.
This was my first book by the author but I will definetely check his previous work.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for providing and eARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 22, 2020
I did not like the style of the book, not written as a novel but as a series of statements. The whole story was short on plot and interest. I nearly abandoned it early on but loyalty to the author made me complete it. Looking forward to the next book though.
March 26, 2020
"I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in return for an honest review."
4.5 stars
Oh my God, This book was so so addicting! I just couldn't stop reading it and frankly speaking if I didn't have my studies to think about I would actually have finished it in one go, it was just so engaging, engrossing, ya... running out of adjectives now.
This book had a feeling of suspense throughout and there were so many twists and turns in this tale that it kept you on the edge of the seat till the very last page.
After the Accident is written in an interview format for the most part of the book. And personally this format worked really well from me. I could almost imagine a room in my head where all the characters were brought in and the camera frame moved from one character to another and their statements formed a seamless narrative. I really loved this format because we got to see so many emotions. And also because of this narrative style Kerry Wilkinson was able to provide us with so many conflicting POVs of the same situation and we really didn't know which one to believe because people may lie for variety of reasons, maybe they are embarrassed that is why they are lying or maybe it is because they are guilty.
The ending of this book was something I generally don't like in a book but in this book it was really well done. There was one big twist in the end and a few other shocking revelations and finally we were left with a puzzle. And depending on your imagination you can solve this puzzle in any way. My version of the events can be completely different from yours. Personally I prefer a clear set of events and a proper closure in the ending but this book didn't provide any of that but still I actually loved the ending.
Finally after everything good has been said I will now like to talk about a few things that I didn't like in this book. There were a few places where I felt the statements were not able to form a seamless narrative. Some sentences seemed like it didn't have any connection with the preceding or succeeding reply. There were very few places this happened so it was not much in my opinion. There was this one place where due to conflicting views of the same situation we were not able to get a seamless narrative like we were not really sure what actually happened, I thought this place was way too disjoint but I guess one might argue that it was done intentionally. These were the only two problems I had and when compared with the how great the rest of this book was they were nothing.
If you are a thriller/mystery/suspense reader then this book is a must read in my opinion
4.5 stars
Oh my God, This book was so so addicting! I just couldn't stop reading it and frankly speaking if I didn't have my studies to think about I would actually have finished it in one go, it was just so engaging, engrossing, ya... running out of adjectives now.
This book had a feeling of suspense throughout and there were so many twists and turns in this tale that it kept you on the edge of the seat till the very last page.
After the Accident is written in an interview format for the most part of the book. And personally this format worked really well from me. I could almost imagine a room in my head where all the characters were brought in and the camera frame moved from one character to another and their statements formed a seamless narrative. I really loved this format because we got to see so many emotions. And also because of this narrative style Kerry Wilkinson was able to provide us with so many conflicting POVs of the same situation and we really didn't know which one to believe because people may lie for variety of reasons, maybe they are embarrassed that is why they are lying or maybe it is because they are guilty.
The ending of this book was something I generally don't like in a book but in this book it was really well done. There was one big twist in the end and a few other shocking revelations and finally we were left with a puzzle. And depending on your imagination you can solve this puzzle in any way. My version of the events can be completely different from yours. Personally I prefer a clear set of events and a proper closure in the ending but this book didn't provide any of that but still I actually loved the ending.
Finally after everything good has been said I will now like to talk about a few things that I didn't like in this book. There were a few places where I felt the statements were not able to form a seamless narrative. Some sentences seemed like it didn't have any connection with the preceding or succeeding reply. There were very few places this happened so it was not much in my opinion. There was this one place where due to conflicting views of the same situation we were not able to get a seamless narrative like we were not really sure what actually happened, I thought this place was way too disjoint but I guess one might argue that it was done intentionally. These were the only two problems I had and when compared with the how great the rest of this book was they were nothing.
If you are a thriller/mystery/suspense reader then this book is a must read in my opinion
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