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A Window Breaks
If your family was targeted in the middle of the night, what would you do?
You are asleep. A noise wakes you.
You stir, unsure why, and turn to your partner.
Then you hear it.
Glass. Crunching underfoot.
Your worst fears are about to be realized.
Someone is inside your home.
Your choices are limited.
You can run. Or stay and fight.
What would you do?
A Window Breaks is the nerve-shredding thriller from C. M. Ewan, the author of Safe House.
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 31, 2019
114 people are currently reading
2068 people want to read
About the author
C.M. Ewan
6 books202 followersI write nerve-shredding thrillers about ordinary situations gone wrong -- the kind of thing that could happen to any of us!
My latest thriller THE INTERVIEW is about a seemingly normal job interview that turns out to be something very different and unexpected. It will be published in February 2022.
I'm also the author of A WINDOW BREAKS, a page-turning thriller that asks the question: what would you do if you woke up at 2 a.m. to hear somebody in your home?
I love to hear from readers and always respond to every email I receive.
You can contact me via:
my website www.chrisewan.com
on Twitter @chrisewan
on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/chrisewanauthor
or on Instagram @c.m.ewan
Writing as Chris Ewan, I'm also the author of SAFE HOUSE, DARK TIDES, DEAD LINE and LONG TIME LOST, as well as the popular GOOD THIEF'S GUIDE TO ... series of mysteries about globetrotting crime writer and thief-for-hire, Charlie Howard.
THE GOOD THIEF'S GUIDE TO ... novels are warm, witty and perfect for fans of cosy mysteries. If you think you might like to try one, you can download your FREE copy of THE GOOD THIEF'S GUIDE TO MURDER, a novella set during the Cannes film festival, by visiting my website www.chrisewan.com and joining my email newsletter.
I was born in Taunton in 1976 and graduated from the University of Nottingham with a degree in American Studies with a minor in Canadian Literature, then later trained as a lawyer. After an eleven-year spell living on the Isle of Man, I now live in Somerset, England with my wife and two children, where I write full time.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 318 reviews
February 26, 2020
A very good introduction on the blurb to get the interest and excitement juices flowing for us readers.
It got me.
And the writing was easy to follow as were the main characters.
However, as lots of other reviews show it as exciting, like being on a rollercoaster, tense and eagerly flicking pages, yes! Yes indeed, I was like that.....I needed to find out about their son who died.
I needed to find out Rachel’s (what appeared to be a secret from her husband, or was it plain grief?)
I needed to find out a lot of things and why their marriage was fragile.
But it came to the just over the halfway section when all I found hooking me was the bits leading up to their sons death. Along with his girlfriend, Fiona.
What happened to them?
There were sections in the book appertaining to the lead up of the death.
Everything else, the cat and mouse around the lodge they were at was really getting on my nerves if I’m honest.
Husband, wife and their daughter being there at Lionels place all secluded off was supposed to be a retreat for the family which ended up with them going around in circles trying to escape from these two sinister men in white coverups.
It was written in a brilliantly detailed way, but after a while I was getting more exhausted than the characters being chased!
I can fully understand it, but it just got tedious for me. All I wanted to know by that time, what was going on.
I think personally there were some pages that just needed condensing.
It doesn’t put me off recommending this book though, I’m sure lots I know will love and adore it.
I did like it, it was just that the “race for the truth” took to long while the family members were being chased. Some of it was way drawn out and unbelievable.
Enough said I think.
My 3*
Because the first half was breathtaking
The continuation of the throw back to their sons and his girlfriends death kept me turning pages.
It was fast flowing.
2* knocked off because the chase was too long drawn out.
Some of the ongoing conversation was nutty under the stressful situation they were under so I raised my eyes to the ceiling on more than one occasion.
The ending was mad.
It got me.
And the writing was easy to follow as were the main characters.
However, as lots of other reviews show it as exciting, like being on a rollercoaster, tense and eagerly flicking pages, yes! Yes indeed, I was like that.....I needed to find out about their son who died.
I needed to find out Rachel’s (what appeared to be a secret from her husband, or was it plain grief?)
I needed to find out a lot of things and why their marriage was fragile.
But it came to the just over the halfway section when all I found hooking me was the bits leading up to their sons death. Along with his girlfriend, Fiona.
What happened to them?
There were sections in the book appertaining to the lead up of the death.
Everything else, the cat and mouse around the lodge they were at was really getting on my nerves if I’m honest.
Husband, wife and their daughter being there at Lionels place all secluded off was supposed to be a retreat for the family which ended up with them going around in circles trying to escape from these two sinister men in white coverups.
It was written in a brilliantly detailed way, but after a while I was getting more exhausted than the characters being chased!
I can fully understand it, but it just got tedious for me. All I wanted to know by that time, what was going on.
I think personally there were some pages that just needed condensing.
It doesn’t put me off recommending this book though, I’m sure lots I know will love and adore it.
I did like it, it was just that the “race for the truth” took to long while the family members were being chased. Some of it was way drawn out and unbelievable.
Enough said I think.
My 3*
Because the first half was breathtaking
The continuation of the throw back to their sons and his girlfriends death kept me turning pages.
It was fast flowing.
2* knocked off because the chase was too long drawn out.
Some of the ongoing conversation was nutty under the stressful situation they were under so I raised my eyes to the ceiling on more than one occasion.
The ending was mad.
October 22, 2024
The first part of the book was so good. I couldn’t stop reading, the suspense was killing me. The ending was very OTT, but it was so much fun leading to it, that I didn’t even mind.
October 20, 2019
Tom Sullivan and his wife Rachel are grieving for their teenage son Michael, who died after crashing their car. When their daughter thirteen year old Holly is attacked they decide to go to their friends remote Scottish lodge, to try and be close as a family.
On their first night at the lodge, whilst in bed, they hear the sound of breaking glass, from that moment the night becomes full of terror, as they try to evade the armed masked men who have broken in.
They work together as a family to try and flee from the intruders.
This book had the perfect creepy remote setting, full of tension, with a few red herrings thrown in. It raised my heart rate in terror several times as the family are forced to fight for their lives. A fight or flight situation. What would you do to protect you’re family?
A compelling read that will keep you on the edge of you’re seat!! Best not to read before bedtime.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
On their first night at the lodge, whilst in bed, they hear the sound of breaking glass, from that moment the night becomes full of terror, as they try to evade the armed masked men who have broken in.
They work together as a family to try and flee from the intruders.
This book had the perfect creepy remote setting, full of tension, with a few red herrings thrown in. It raised my heart rate in terror several times as the family are forced to fight for their lives. A fight or flight situation. What would you do to protect you’re family?
A compelling read that will keep you on the edge of you’re seat!! Best not to read before bedtime.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
November 25, 2019
This book was not for me at all. It was very slow in the beginning and then I found it hard to believe. I also struggled with it constantly changing perspective without warning. It became very confusing and I didn’t enjoy it. I see that a lot of people have loved this book so I am in the minority here. But it just wasn’t the book that I was expecting. Can’t love them all
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September 4, 2019An outstanding thriller! Having read so many psychological thrillers recently I'd forgotten the joy of reading an out and out action-packed thriller where the focus is on survival and escape. In A Window Breaks CM Ewan cleverly lures the reader into a false sense of security in the first quarter of the book where the focus is on a family's grief after the death of a teenaged son in a car accident (beautifully done, with so much heart) but when the action moves to a luxurious lodge in the Scottish wilderness - BOOM - it's a heart-in-mouth, adrenaline rush of a read as the family fights to escape almost certain death. It's almost a cliche but I honestly couldn't turn the pages fast enough. Chris Ewan is an absolute master at ratcheting up the tension to a level where you genuinely hold your breath. I lived this story. I was trapped alongside Tom and his family and I was desperate for them to escape. If you only read one thriller this year read this.
September 30, 2022
*Drawn out plot*
*3.5 Stars*
This for me was a stop, start, stop start thriller as described but I would say it is more of a mystery that starts off ever so slowly and then the pace quickened then slowed and started up again. A family of four are now three through very tragic circumstances. But all is not what it seems. The father Tom, mother Rachel and daughter Holly are left
A mugging takes place after the tragedy, that appears to be random and Tom froze but one of them knows why, it takes a while to put the pieces together
The tragedy created a gulf between the couple as they deal with it. They end up going to a remote Scottish lodge in order for the family to work things out. The owner of the lodge is Tom’s boss who understands loss.
It is a bit mundane then a window breaks at 2am. It is supposed to be secure how and why??? Getting the answers from the one who knows is painstakingly slow and we only get bits at a time. I guessed part of the reason but Tom fuelled with the fact he froze at the mugging goes to take a look, the family are in grave danger will they survive it?
The action came at the point when I was about to give up. The saving grace for me was that by adding the audiobook the narrator’s tone of voice gives it a menacing feel.
*3.5 Stars*
This for me was a stop, start, stop start thriller as described but I would say it is more of a mystery that starts off ever so slowly and then the pace quickened then slowed and started up again. A family of four are now three through very tragic circumstances. But all is not what it seems. The father Tom, mother Rachel and daughter Holly are left
A mugging takes place after the tragedy, that appears to be random and Tom froze but one of them knows why, it takes a while to put the pieces together
The tragedy created a gulf between the couple as they deal with it. They end up going to a remote Scottish lodge in order for the family to work things out. The owner of the lodge is Tom’s boss who understands loss.
It is a bit mundane then a window breaks at 2am. It is supposed to be secure how and why??? Getting the answers from the one who knows is painstakingly slow and we only get bits at a time. I guessed part of the reason but Tom fuelled with the fact he froze at the mugging goes to take a look, the family are in grave danger will they survive it?
The action came at the point when I was about to give up. The saving grace for me was that by adding the audiobook the narrator’s tone of voice gives it a menacing feel.
August 1, 2019
Book no 4 of my Theakstons Crime Reads was this brilliantly done edge of the seat home invasion thriller from Chris Ewan- a right old page turner that requires chocolate digestives to see you through.
Loved it. Review to follow for publication.
Loved it. Review to follow for publication.
February 19, 2020
Family is trying to mend their relationships while staying at a lodge in the middle of nowhere. Tom, Rachael and their daughter, Holly are still grieving for the loss of their son, Michael and a mugging that's left Holly mentally scarred. Ut one night, Rachel heard a window break....
There seems to be a lot of slow burners around just now and this is another one. Theres a lot of time spent building up the suspense. Once the storyline starts properly, thenoace picks up. I didn't like any of the characters. Tomm was weak, Rachel had secrets and Holly was a little minx. I also thought the ending wasnt believable and it was a bit drawn out.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Pan Macmillan and the author C.M. Ewan for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
There seems to be a lot of slow burners around just now and this is another one. Theres a lot of time spent building up the suspense. Once the storyline starts properly, thenoace picks up. I didn't like any of the characters. Tomm was weak, Rachel had secrets and Holly was a little minx. I also thought the ending wasnt believable and it was a bit drawn out.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Pan Macmillan and the author C.M. Ewan for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 20, 2020
In parts this was similar to a book I read a couple of weeks ago but that didn’t put me off it 😁
Tom and his family are staying at his boss’ remote Loch hideaway after his wife and daughter were involved in an assault by unknown attackers a week before, this coming only months after their son drove his car into a tree, killing himself and his girlfriend
They arrive at the hideaway and it is perfect, a dream and start to relax....until they hear a ‘a window break’ at 2am
The window breaking is just the start of a manically claustrophobic read, addictive and scary as two men try and kill them all in a real fight for survival
Hints are given that the wife knows more than she is letting on but not until the end of the book do you find out what she knows and just what is happening and why this seemingly normal family have been targeted
It’s an exciting read where the adrenaline fuelled writing kept you wanting more, I am not sure if the ending was altogether believable but none the less a book that grabs and keeps grabbing!
A good 8/10
4 Stars
Read
December 12, 2021DNF. Very slow burn and disjointed. Hard to follow the characters and plot and eventually I just stopped caring.
November 3, 2019
Grab snacks, and anything else you might need before diving into this one, go to the loo before, you have been warned!
This one will keep you on the edge of your seat, I shouted 'oh no' more than once reading this!
It starts out a little slow, but then the pace kicks in, and you are running full force for the rest of the story.
Tom and Rachel are married, however they are slowly breaking down, their teenage son died in a car accident, and the blame and hurt are slowly creeping into their marriage, and neither of them really know what to do.
On top of the guilt for their sons accident, their 13 year old daughter was involved in a mugging and although she says she is ok, her swollen face from where the mugger punched her, makes the guilt rear it's ugly face once more.
A family friend offers the family to get away and stay in a lodge that he has in a remote place in Scotland, and although Tom isn't really up for it, they agree as it will give them to have time as a family together, as Tom has recently moved out of the family home to give him and Rachel some space to sort things out in their own heads.
The lodge is amazing, all mod-cons and fancy-pants, with a great big gate to stop other people from coming in.
They have a fab evening and all got to bed as usual, but then they hear a window being broken, and when going to investigate, Tom sees 2 masked men walking around downstairs!!
Tom, Rachel, Holly and Buster the dog have to try and find a way out of the house and to safety, but how can you do that when you are in the middle of nowhere, with no phone signal, and gates the that are supposed to keep people out, are the ones keeping you in?
A thrill-a-minute read, strap yourself in!
May 31, 2020
I was really looking forward to this book. Isolated in the Scottish highlands. A window breaks. Someone is inside the house. What do you do? But, the most exciting part was the premise...and upon re-reading that, even that wasn't all that exciting.
Tom, his wife Rachel and their 13 year old daughter Holly were staying in a remote lodge in the Scottish highlands, owned by Tom's boss Lionel. The family are still grieving the loss of their 16 year old son, Michael who was tragically killed when he snaffled his father's Audi and took it for a joyride with his girlfriend Fiona, lost control and crashed into a tree. Both were killed instantly. Then the family were mugged that left daughter Holly mentally scarred.
The remote lodge is stunning, the views are spectacular, and it seems to be a perfect place to relax and regroup...until they hear a window break at 2am one night. And that is just the beginning of their nightmare.
Secrets soon begin to reveal themselves at which the centre is wife Rachel, who appears to know more than she is letting on. But what had me the most interested was the intrigue behind Michael's death as this claustrophobic read revealed its secrets.
However, I couldn't connect with the characters. Tom didn't appear to have much backbone, Rachel was secretive and Holly was irritating. But what I really hated was the slow pace that seemed to be going nowhere before anything started to happen. And then when it did, it was confusing and I didn't enjoy it.
I must be in the minority as so many seemed to have loved this book but it wasn't for me. You can't enjoy them all. It's not an easy book to review either because I didn't even finish it. I don't have time for books that are slow burning and fail to grab my attention in the first 10 to 15% as I have many more on my TBR list that will be far more thrilling.
I would have liked to discover what happened with Michael's car crash that seems to be a focus of every few chapters but I just have to resign myself to the fact it is one of those things that I will never learn the truth of. My need to know is not that great that I must read the rest of A WINDOW BREAKS to find out.
I would like to thank #CMEwan, #NetGalley and #PanMacmillan for an ARC of #AWindowBreaks in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
Tom, his wife Rachel and their 13 year old daughter Holly were staying in a remote lodge in the Scottish highlands, owned by Tom's boss Lionel. The family are still grieving the loss of their 16 year old son, Michael who was tragically killed when he snaffled his father's Audi and took it for a joyride with his girlfriend Fiona, lost control and crashed into a tree. Both were killed instantly. Then the family were mugged that left daughter Holly mentally scarred.
The remote lodge is stunning, the views are spectacular, and it seems to be a perfect place to relax and regroup...until they hear a window break at 2am one night. And that is just the beginning of their nightmare.
Secrets soon begin to reveal themselves at which the centre is wife Rachel, who appears to know more than she is letting on. But what had me the most interested was the intrigue behind Michael's death as this claustrophobic read revealed its secrets.
However, I couldn't connect with the characters. Tom didn't appear to have much backbone, Rachel was secretive and Holly was irritating. But what I really hated was the slow pace that seemed to be going nowhere before anything started to happen. And then when it did, it was confusing and I didn't enjoy it.
I must be in the minority as so many seemed to have loved this book but it wasn't for me. You can't enjoy them all. It's not an easy book to review either because I didn't even finish it. I don't have time for books that are slow burning and fail to grab my attention in the first 10 to 15% as I have many more on my TBR list that will be far more thrilling.
I would have liked to discover what happened with Michael's car crash that seems to be a focus of every few chapters but I just have to resign myself to the fact it is one of those things that I will never learn the truth of. My need to know is not that great that I must read the rest of A WINDOW BREAKS to find out.
I would like to thank #CMEwan, #NetGalley and #PanMacmillan for an ARC of #AWindowBreaks in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
June 8, 2022
Tom und seine Familie haben einiges durchgemacht. Der älteste Sohn ist vor Kurzem bei einem Autounfall verstorben und nun wurde die Familie auch noch in einer dunklen Seitengasse überfallen. Wie viel Unglück kann einer Familie bitte passieren? Da kommt es ganz gelegen, dass Toms Chef ihnen eine Auszeit in seinem abgelegenen Ferienhaus an der schottischen Küste anbietet. Doch kaum dort angekommen, stolpert die Familie schon in ihr nächstes Unglück. Mitten in der Nacht hört Tom Glas splittern und muss feststellen, dass Fremde in das Haus eingedrungen und ihnen eindeutig nicht freundlich gesinnt sind. So langsam glaubt Tom nicht mehr an zufällige Unglücksfälle, und fängt an zu ahnen, dass vielleicht doch etwas mehr hinter dem Einbruch stecken könnte…
Der Klappentext klang für mich zunächst richtig toll. Eine knackige, rasante Story, die sich auf einem relativ begrenzten Terrain bewegt – genau meins! Nun hat die Story generell eher etwas ruhiger begonnen, indem erstmal sehr viel Zeit darin investiert wurde, uns die Familie und die ganze Tragödie drumrum vorzustellen. Die Ehe von Tom und Rachel scheint unter dem Verlust des Sohnes zu zerbrechen und die pubertäre Tochter erscheint immer unerreichbarer. Die Umstände zum Tod des Sohnes sind auch eher nebulös. Hin und wieder bekommen wir kurze Einschübe aus der Vergangenheit zu lesen, die uns den letzten Tag des Sohnes näher bringen. Man könnte also schon mal vermuten, dass der Unfall vielleicht doch kein Unfall war…
Die Kulisse im Ferienhaus habe ich mir tatsächlich auch etwas spannender vorgestellt, als es dann letztlich umgesetzt war. Ich dachte an eine Art Escaperoom Kulisse, mit ganz viel Thrill auf kleinem Raum und wurde enttäuscht. Wir bewegen uns eher in einer Art Schleife, so dass die Familie von einer Bedrohung zur nächsten stolpert. Irgendwie zieht sich auch eine leichte Spur von Unglaubwürdigkeit durch das Buch, da viele Szenen einfach völlig bizarr und fernab der Realität sind. Leider sind auch die Charaktere allesamt etwas blass, und trotz der Blässe zugleich unsympathisch.
Vielleicht liest sich das alles jetzt etwas negativer als ich es letztendlich meine – grundsätzlich war das Buch ok, ein paar Unglaubwürdigkeiten kann ich vertragen. Insgesamt war es einfach nicht das, was ich erwartet habe und vom Ende möchte ich hier gar nicht erst reden – absolut unnötig und konstruiert. Grundidee toll, Umsetzung und Ende mangelhaft.
Der Klappentext klang für mich zunächst richtig toll. Eine knackige, rasante Story, die sich auf einem relativ begrenzten Terrain bewegt – genau meins! Nun hat die Story generell eher etwas ruhiger begonnen, indem erstmal sehr viel Zeit darin investiert wurde, uns die Familie und die ganze Tragödie drumrum vorzustellen. Die Ehe von Tom und Rachel scheint unter dem Verlust des Sohnes zu zerbrechen und die pubertäre Tochter erscheint immer unerreichbarer. Die Umstände zum Tod des Sohnes sind auch eher nebulös. Hin und wieder bekommen wir kurze Einschübe aus der Vergangenheit zu lesen, die uns den letzten Tag des Sohnes näher bringen. Man könnte also schon mal vermuten, dass der Unfall vielleicht doch kein Unfall war…
Die Kulisse im Ferienhaus habe ich mir tatsächlich auch etwas spannender vorgestellt, als es dann letztlich umgesetzt war. Ich dachte an eine Art Escaperoom Kulisse, mit ganz viel Thrill auf kleinem Raum und wurde enttäuscht. Wir bewegen uns eher in einer Art Schleife, so dass die Familie von einer Bedrohung zur nächsten stolpert. Irgendwie zieht sich auch eine leichte Spur von Unglaubwürdigkeit durch das Buch, da viele Szenen einfach völlig bizarr und fernab der Realität sind. Leider sind auch die Charaktere allesamt etwas blass, und trotz der Blässe zugleich unsympathisch.
Vielleicht liest sich das alles jetzt etwas negativer als ich es letztendlich meine – grundsätzlich war das Buch ok, ein paar Unglaubwürdigkeiten kann ich vertragen. Insgesamt war es einfach nicht das, was ich erwartet habe und vom Ende möchte ich hier gar nicht erst reden – absolut unnötig und konstruiert. Grundidee toll, Umsetzung und Ende mangelhaft.
November 24, 2021
I could not connect with this book at all. The characters were bland, the thriller aspect wasn't anything exciting or shocking, and the development of the plot itself was a bit slow. I guess slow-burn thrillers aren't really for me, but if they are for you then this book might appeal to you. The ending wasn't satisfying either, which was a bit disappointing. I was really looking forward to this book.
1 star
Thank you NetGalley, Pan Macmillan for this ARC of A Window Breaks by C. M. Ewan in exchange for an honest review.
1 star
Thank you NetGalley, Pan Macmillan for this ARC of A Window Breaks by C. M. Ewan in exchange for an honest review.
July 30, 2022
Langatmig und ein wenig langweilig.
October 30, 2024
I’m not even sure how to describe this feeling - I’ve just finished my final book by Ewan on my list, and now I’m left waiting for his next release. Fingers crossed he’s hard at work on another, because his stories are absolutely insane, and I’ve loved every one of them.
This book had a slightly different vibe compared to his others. The chapters are longer - not by much, but it’s not his usual rapid back-and-forth pacing. Honestly, though, this might be my favorite. The last 300 pages are pure, relentless action, and it’s an adrenaline rush.
I’d say you could probably skip the first 100 pages unless you want to know all the players. The real action kicks in around page 100 and doesn’t let up until the end. This book reminded me of The Island by Adrian McKinty—a family trying to survive on what should be safe ground but isn’t.
The anxiety practically seeped off the pages. It was so vivid, so tangible. Ewan is a brilliant writer. Just brilliant.
This book had a slightly different vibe compared to his others. The chapters are longer - not by much, but it’s not his usual rapid back-and-forth pacing. Honestly, though, this might be my favorite. The last 300 pages are pure, relentless action, and it’s an adrenaline rush.
I’d say you could probably skip the first 100 pages unless you want to know all the players. The real action kicks in around page 100 and doesn’t let up until the end. This book reminded me of The Island by Adrian McKinty—a family trying to survive on what should be safe ground but isn’t.
The anxiety practically seeped off the pages. It was so vivid, so tangible. Ewan is a brilliant writer. Just brilliant.
March 27, 2020
Thank You Netgalley, C. M. Ewan and Pan Macmillan for giving me the chance to read this book.
Oh my god, when I started this I really needed to find out what Rachels secret was. I am so glad that I had the time to finish this book!! I was not expecting that at all. There are twists and turns all over the place and it hit me on an emotional level, I don't cry when I read books but I found myself reaching for the tissues so many times. I felt like I was an actual member of the family and really going through this with them!
This is very well written, easy to follow and very gripping.
I would recommend this book
Oh my god, when I started this I really needed to find out what Rachels secret was. I am so glad that I had the time to finish this book!! I was not expecting that at all. There are twists and turns all over the place and it hit me on an emotional level, I don't cry when I read books but I found myself reaching for the tissues so many times. I felt like I was an actual member of the family and really going through this with them!
This is very well written, easy to follow and very gripping.
I would recommend this book
May 24, 2020
This was a pretty intense thriller about a family stuck in a lodge when intruders break in and try to kill them. It's a fast paced action book which ultimately fell a little flat at the end. The reveal just wasn't quite what I was hoping for. I would recommend this book for people who haven't read many thrillers before. Worth a read though!
May 3, 2020
Book reviews on www.snazzybooks.com
A Window Breaks is a fast-paced thriller, packed full of tension. The story starts a little slower but soon the action ramps up, and once it does it doesn’t let up!
We follow Tom and his family (wife Rachel and daughter Holly) as they go on a short break away together to a friend’s forest lodge, having had a very tough year – and see things go bad very quickly. They have masked men after them but they don’t know why – but we slowly start to learn more about their pasts and what may have caused these men to come after them. There are various elements which start to become entwined and I really enjoyed trying to figure out what was going on (I didn’t guess correctly, but it was fun all the same).
For the most part the writing kept my attention despite it being basically all action for the last 3/4 of the book (which often would have me struggling to stay focused). I do think the scenes where they were being chased around the lodge could have been a bit shorter – I started to lose interest a bit as it felt like too many hiccups, one after the other, but it wasn’t a huge problem. We learn more about their late son Michael and his girlfriend through short sections which take us back in time to before his death, and through these we learn more about what really happened to them. Apart from this, however, I felt like we didn’t learn a huge deal about the rest of the characters; this book definitely focuses on action rather than character development – and that’s fine; I feel that it works well in this style of novel. I also don’t think the conclusion was too far-fetched – you might have to suspend your disbelief but not to the point that it impacts enjoyment of the story (or not for me, anyway).
Because it’s such an easy read, I raced through it in no time and so I’d recommend A Window Breaks to anyone looking for a fast-paced, thrilling read which has action as its focus. It’s a fun, absorbing read.
Many thanks to the publisher, Pan Macmillan, for providing a copy of this book on which I chose to write an honest and unbiased review.
A Window Breaks is a fast-paced thriller, packed full of tension. The story starts a little slower but soon the action ramps up, and once it does it doesn’t let up!
We follow Tom and his family (wife Rachel and daughter Holly) as they go on a short break away together to a friend’s forest lodge, having had a very tough year – and see things go bad very quickly. They have masked men after them but they don’t know why – but we slowly start to learn more about their pasts and what may have caused these men to come after them. There are various elements which start to become entwined and I really enjoyed trying to figure out what was going on (I didn’t guess correctly, but it was fun all the same).
For the most part the writing kept my attention despite it being basically all action for the last 3/4 of the book (which often would have me struggling to stay focused). I do think the scenes where they were being chased around the lodge could have been a bit shorter – I started to lose interest a bit as it felt like too many hiccups, one after the other, but it wasn’t a huge problem. We learn more about their late son Michael and his girlfriend through short sections which take us back in time to before his death, and through these we learn more about what really happened to them. Apart from this, however, I felt like we didn’t learn a huge deal about the rest of the characters; this book definitely focuses on action rather than character development – and that’s fine; I feel that it works well in this style of novel. I also don’t think the conclusion was too far-fetched – you might have to suspend your disbelief but not to the point that it impacts enjoyment of the story (or not for me, anyway).
Because it’s such an easy read, I raced through it in no time and so I’d recommend A Window Breaks to anyone looking for a fast-paced, thrilling read which has action as its focus. It’s a fun, absorbing read.
Many thanks to the publisher, Pan Macmillan, for providing a copy of this book on which I chose to write an honest and unbiased review.
November 25, 2019
A first-rate thriller where the focus is on escape and self-preservation.
Tom and Rachel Sullivan are mourning the loss of their teenage son, Michael, who died in a joyriding accident, along with his girlfriend. When their daughter Holly is subsequently mugged, the family are keen to take some time out to concentrate on reconnecting as a family. When Tom's boss, Lionel, offers them the use of his luxury lodge in a remote part of Scotland, the family jump at the chance. On their first night away, Rachel is certain she has heard the shattering of glass downstairs. Suddenly, the Sullivan's are caught up in a fight for survival...
As a devotee of a well-written thriller, A Window Breaks deserves full marks. In the first part of the book, CM Ewan cleverly lures the reader into a false sense of security, with admirable skill. The action moves to the luxurious lodge in the Scottish wilderness and then it's a nail-biting, nerve-racking read as the family fights for their lives. Chris Ewan is a dab hand at ratcheting up the tension to a maximum level, as I found myself trapped in the pockets of Tom and his family. I was desperate for everyone to escape.
With a pace that is relentless and tension in abundance, the story hurtles through the many twists and red herrings towards an outstanding denouement. In less able hands, this may have been an all-action-no-plot kind of story, but the author adeptly manages the undiluted pace throughout while using a split narrative for some time out and the backstory, so there were absolutely no disappointments here!
This is one of the most rambunctious thrillers I've ever read and now I'm off to check out another of Chris Ewan's novels - Safe House.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Pan Macmillan via NetGalley at my request. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
Tom and Rachel Sullivan are mourning the loss of their teenage son, Michael, who died in a joyriding accident, along with his girlfriend. When their daughter Holly is subsequently mugged, the family are keen to take some time out to concentrate on reconnecting as a family. When Tom's boss, Lionel, offers them the use of his luxury lodge in a remote part of Scotland, the family jump at the chance. On their first night away, Rachel is certain she has heard the shattering of glass downstairs. Suddenly, the Sullivan's are caught up in a fight for survival...
As a devotee of a well-written thriller, A Window Breaks deserves full marks. In the first part of the book, CM Ewan cleverly lures the reader into a false sense of security, with admirable skill. The action moves to the luxurious lodge in the Scottish wilderness and then it's a nail-biting, nerve-racking read as the family fights for their lives. Chris Ewan is a dab hand at ratcheting up the tension to a maximum level, as I found myself trapped in the pockets of Tom and his family. I was desperate for everyone to escape.
With a pace that is relentless and tension in abundance, the story hurtles through the many twists and red herrings towards an outstanding denouement. In less able hands, this may have been an all-action-no-plot kind of story, but the author adeptly manages the undiluted pace throughout while using a split narrative for some time out and the backstory, so there were absolutely no disappointments here!
This is one of the most rambunctious thrillers I've ever read and now I'm off to check out another of Chris Ewan's novels - Safe House.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Pan Macmillan via NetGalley at my request. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
May 1, 2020
Brilliant read, terrifying, taps into your worst nightmares but also thoughtful insightful narrative, really well written, highly recommend
June 11, 2023
Tohle bylo tak nějak ztráta času 🥴
November 18, 2019
Oh my goodness, imagine its the middle of the night you are asleep only to be awakened by glass breaking and then noise and then crunching glass underfoot. Oh and did I mention you are staying on a break away from home in a lodge practically in the middle of nowhere. When Tom creeps out of the bedroom to take a look he can see armed men with saws, guns and three plastic sheets and they are dressed in what looks like masks and forensic gear. e.g. plastic clothing so they don't leave any evidence. So not your normally burglary eh? Heart beating, mine was.
Tom Sullivan and his wife Rachel are grieving for their teenage son Michael who died crashing their car into a tree. When their daughter is viscously attacked they decide to go to a Scottish lodge and get away from things and reconnect as a family. (Four stars as I thought the beginning was a little slow)
Tension in the bucket loads, creepy as hell and the family are put through hell to battle to survive.
C M Ewan begins the story with the grief of the family and the character building gently lulling you into a gentle ambiance until it all comes crashing down.
Family fighting, tension building and lots of twists with a few red herrings thrown in for good measure.
Tom, Rachel, Holly and the Labrador dog have to fight tooth and nail to get out of the house with no car, no phone signal, gates that are locked and the sea crashing in. The lodge intended to keep intruders out becomes a prison fortress.
A thriller more than a psychological thriller and I can see it being made into a film.
Maybe don't read this if your home alone!
Thank you for the ARC.
Tom Sullivan and his wife Rachel are grieving for their teenage son Michael who died crashing their car into a tree. When their daughter is viscously attacked they decide to go to a Scottish lodge and get away from things and reconnect as a family. (Four stars as I thought the beginning was a little slow)
Tension in the bucket loads, creepy as hell and the family are put through hell to battle to survive.
C M Ewan begins the story with the grief of the family and the character building gently lulling you into a gentle ambiance until it all comes crashing down.
Family fighting, tension building and lots of twists with a few red herrings thrown in for good measure.
Tom, Rachel, Holly and the Labrador dog have to fight tooth and nail to get out of the house with no car, no phone signal, gates that are locked and the sea crashing in. The lodge intended to keep intruders out becomes a prison fortress.
A thriller more than a psychological thriller and I can see it being made into a film.
Maybe don't read this if your home alone!
Thank you for the ARC.
October 29, 2019
Tom and Rachel Sullivan are mourning the loss of their teenage son, Michael, who died in a joyriding accident. When their daughter Holly is subsequently mugged in broad daylight, the family are desperate to get away and focus on healing as a family. When Tom's boss, Lionel, offers them the use of his luxury lodge in a remote part of Scotland, the family jump at the chance. But on their first night away, Tom is woken by Rachel who is convinced she has heard the shatter of broken glass downstairs. And suddenly the Sullivan family are embroiled in a fight for survival. Is it a random robbery gone wrong...or is there something more sinister at play...?
First off, let me just say that I loved this book. I'm a huge fan of a well written thriller, and this one is exceptionally well done. Once the introductory bit is out of the way, and we hear that window break, it just does not let up - the pace is relentless, and the tension is brilliantly maintained. I loved all the twists, and there were a fair few red herrings too. I liked that the characters were fully fleshed out, so that we rooted for them despite their flaws, and I enjoyed shouting at my kindle screen (which I did A LOT) as though I was in a panto: HE'S BEHIND YOU, etc etc.
I read a ton of thrillers, and while this one certainly had elements of psychological thriller in it, it was more of an action-based thriller with the main story being an out and out race for survival. I think in less capable hands, this could have felt like all-action-no-plot and fallen completely flat, but the author deftly manages a high octane pace throughout while using a split narrative for a) backstory and b) much needed relief!
This is one of the most rollicking thrillers I've ever read. A word of advice: don't read it if you're alone in the house at night!!!
Thank you to NetGalley, who provided me with a free ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
First off, let me just say that I loved this book. I'm a huge fan of a well written thriller, and this one is exceptionally well done. Once the introductory bit is out of the way, and we hear that window break, it just does not let up - the pace is relentless, and the tension is brilliantly maintained. I loved all the twists, and there were a fair few red herrings too. I liked that the characters were fully fleshed out, so that we rooted for them despite their flaws, and I enjoyed shouting at my kindle screen (which I did A LOT) as though I was in a panto: HE'S BEHIND YOU, etc etc.
I read a ton of thrillers, and while this one certainly had elements of psychological thriller in it, it was more of an action-based thriller with the main story being an out and out race for survival. I think in less capable hands, this could have felt like all-action-no-plot and fallen completely flat, but the author deftly manages a high octane pace throughout while using a split narrative for a) backstory and b) much needed relief!
This is one of the most rollicking thrillers I've ever read. A word of advice: don't read it if you're alone in the house at night!!!
Thank you to NetGalley, who provided me with a free ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 31, 2019
Reading this novel is the equivalent of taking a very deep breath, strapping yourself into a rollercoaster racing through a wind tunnel and staying there right until the end. The action is relentless and is more akin to watching an incredibly fast paced film than sitting down to read a book. How the author kept up the perpetual intensity is beyond me; it just never stops. I was exhausted by the end, in a good way!
Tom and Rachel Sullivan and their daughter Holly are staying in a lavish lodge in an extremely remote part of Scotland. The lodge is owned by Tom’s boss and they have been offered a break there as a way of overcoming the death of their son Michael in a car crash and an attempted mugging which left Holly bruised and very scared. Tom and Rachel have separated and Tom, in particular, is hopeful that the break might provide the opportunity to mend their relationship.
On their first night they are woken by the sound of breaking glass downstairs. What follows are their frantic attempts to escape the unknown visitors whom they soon discover, for some unknown reason, are out to do them some very serious harm.
The breakneck speed of the narrative does not detract from the depiction of the characters. Tom doesn’t know if he is brave enough to save his family, Rachel seems to know more than she is willing to say and Holly is terrified but also brave and resilient.
There are clever twists and turns in the plot and, although there are a few ‘really?’ moments this is a great read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Tom and Rachel Sullivan and their daughter Holly are staying in a lavish lodge in an extremely remote part of Scotland. The lodge is owned by Tom’s boss and they have been offered a break there as a way of overcoming the death of their son Michael in a car crash and an attempted mugging which left Holly bruised and very scared. Tom and Rachel have separated and Tom, in particular, is hopeful that the break might provide the opportunity to mend their relationship.
On their first night they are woken by the sound of breaking glass downstairs. What follows are their frantic attempts to escape the unknown visitors whom they soon discover, for some unknown reason, are out to do them some very serious harm.
The breakneck speed of the narrative does not detract from the depiction of the characters. Tom doesn’t know if he is brave enough to save his family, Rachel seems to know more than she is willing to say and Holly is terrified but also brave and resilient.
There are clever twists and turns in the plot and, although there are a few ‘really?’ moments this is a great read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 17, 2019
If your family was targeted in the middle of the night what would you do?
Tom and Rachel are grieving for their teenage Son after he crashes his Dad's car killing himself and his girlfriend.
When Lionel, Tom's friend and colleague offers to let him and his family stay in a remote lodge Tom thinks that it's the thing he's been looking for to repair his family and bring them all back together.
When there's a loud sound of glass breaking at 2am in the morning all hell breaks loose and it's down to Tom to keep his family safe and make sure they survive.
Firstly I love a good thriller so when PAn Macmilllian invited me to read this early naturally I said yes please, and I'm so glad I did.
This book lures you into a false sense of security as it depicts a family who are grieving in a sensitive, well thought out way.
The plot rapidly speeds up and becomes this intense, scary action packed thriller that I honestly struggled to put down.
I loved Tom! I loved him because he expresses such vulnerability and fear and I found this so refreshing and original. He's not the big, strong tough male protagonist that's completely fearless that's so often seen in other thrillers.
This is a nail biting read, ultimately about a mother's unconditional faith and love in her Son and a father's desire to protect his family.
I highly recommend this if you enjoy thrillers!
Tom and Rachel are grieving for their teenage Son after he crashes his Dad's car killing himself and his girlfriend.
When Lionel, Tom's friend and colleague offers to let him and his family stay in a remote lodge Tom thinks that it's the thing he's been looking for to repair his family and bring them all back together.
When there's a loud sound of glass breaking at 2am in the morning all hell breaks loose and it's down to Tom to keep his family safe and make sure they survive.
Firstly I love a good thriller so when PAn Macmilllian invited me to read this early naturally I said yes please, and I'm so glad I did.
This book lures you into a false sense of security as it depicts a family who are grieving in a sensitive, well thought out way.
The plot rapidly speeds up and becomes this intense, scary action packed thriller that I honestly struggled to put down.
I loved Tom! I loved him because he expresses such vulnerability and fear and I found this so refreshing and original. He's not the big, strong tough male protagonist that's completely fearless that's so often seen in other thrillers.
This is a nail biting read, ultimately about a mother's unconditional faith and love in her Son and a father's desire to protect his family.
I highly recommend this if you enjoy thrillers!
February 21, 2020
There were times in this book where I literally held my breath, it is an excellent psychological thriller of the cat and mouse variety. There are secrets untold, lies and deceit but nothing will prepare the family for what is behind it all and their reactions. The only negative comment that I can make and why I didn't give it 5* is because I did think it was a bit long-winded in places with too much description on things which in my opinion didn't really matter. It is however very well written and definitely worth a read
October 22, 2019
Really enjoyed this! There's a deceptively slow start but then it explodes and it keeps on exploding. Really exciting and extremely difficult to put down. there's a parallel story involving the son of the family, which pops in occasionally. I found this confused, hence 4 and not 5 stars, but otherwise a thoroughly exhilarating thriller pageturner. review to follow shortly on For Winter Nights.
February 19, 2020
This is a very fast paced thriller once you get past the opening chapters.
I did wonder where it was leading as we find out that Tom and Rachel’s sixteen year old son was killed and their thirteen year old daughter was the victim of an unprovoked attack after a night out with her parents.
Their friend offers them his lodge to stay in to recover as a family, and it’s in a very remote location.
On the first night Tom and Rachel hear a window smash and so it begins....
The story really goes at break neck speed from this point and doesn’t let up until the end.
I liked the action in the book but it did seem a bit too intense at times and I was waiting for a break to come, but things just seem to get worse and worse for the family.
This is a gripping thriller which will have you on the edge of your seat.
Thanks to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
I did wonder where it was leading as we find out that Tom and Rachel’s sixteen year old son was killed and their thirteen year old daughter was the victim of an unprovoked attack after a night out with her parents.
Their friend offers them his lodge to stay in to recover as a family, and it’s in a very remote location.
On the first night Tom and Rachel hear a window smash and so it begins....
The story really goes at break neck speed from this point and doesn’t let up until the end.
I liked the action in the book but it did seem a bit too intense at times and I was waiting for a break to come, but things just seem to get worse and worse for the family.
This is a gripping thriller which will have you on the edge of your seat.
Thanks to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
December 23, 2019
Really really enjoyed this story and would be impossible to predict how it pans out.
If I had read it with a real book rather than listening then I’d have flicked through to see how it went
This was a good audio book but it was waffley- there was lots of padding out and I felt frustrated by it at times. The dad was a wimp!
Far fetched in places but edge of your seats in others
House is attacked at night by hooded burglars and the family hide from them
If I had read it with a real book rather than listening then I’d have flicked through to see how it went
This was a good audio book but it was waffley- there was lots of padding out and I felt frustrated by it at times. The dad was a wimp!
Far fetched in places but edge of your seats in others
House is attacked at night by hooded burglars and the family hide from them
Displaying 1 - 30 of 318 reviews