What do you think?
Rate this book
When Christmas shoppers board the 7.15am train to Bath Spa, they don’t expect to never see their loved ones again.
When a co-ordinated terrorist attack derails the train, the passengers are left fighting for their lives.
For Andrej the train driver, Harald the Zimbabwean farmer and Oscar the war veteran travelling with his grandson, life will never be the same again.
As the manhunt for the terrorists begins, D I Gillian Marsh must act on her instincts to find the ones responsible for this tragic attack.
288 pages, Paperback
Published October 26, 2021
9 people want to read
About the author
Anna Legat
25 books77 followersAnna Legat is a Wiltshire-based author, best known for her DI Gillian Marsh murder mystery series. A globe-trotter and Jack-of-all-trades, Anna has been an attorney, legal adviser, a silver-service waitress, a school teacher and a librarian. She read law at the University of South Africa and Warsaw University, then gained teaching qualifications in New Zealand. She has lived in far-flung places all over the world where she delighted in people-watching and collecting precious life experiences for her stories. Anna writes, reads, lives and breathes books and can no longer tell the difference between fact and fiction.
To find out more: https://annalegatblog.wordpress.com/
To find out more: https://annalegatblog.wordpress.com/
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 10, 2021
***3.5 stars!***
Sandman is the fourth outing of DI Marsh and her team whereas I’m the rookie on the force. Not only to the characters but also to Anna Legat’s writing.
From the start the author set the mood and tone of the story. I instantly felt enveloped in a grey mist with a feeling of unease. The story is dark, gritty, and raw. (I apologise for being Cliché Central!) My unease stemmed from the fact this story is not outwith the realms of possibility. The threat of terrorism is something we live with on a daily basis. Simply put, I had a bad case of the willies.
I have to admit that it took me a good 40% to get to grips with the story as the author introduced all the different players in the book. At times I felt overwhelmed with the multiple characters and backstories. One of things I love most about crime thrillers is collecting all the info and deciding what may be of importance and what to discount. I was getting worried I had too much in this instance, but it all came good in the end (along with my blood pressure. Thank goodness!)
Once I settled in, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough and it was a surprisingly quick read. The story is still with me though, and I feel like it will be for a couple of days yet.
Plus, I think I have unfinished business with DI Marsh. I want to know what makes her tick and understand her better so while Books 1-3 have been added to my neverending TBR, I foresee some shuffling going on in months to come as I don’t think Gillian will remain silent until I do.
Pfft, I can’t be the only one that has characters talk to them? Can I? *blushes* Okay then *whistles*, least said about that the better.
I’ll be signing off now.
Sandman is the fourth outing of DI Marsh and her team whereas I’m the rookie on the force. Not only to the characters but also to Anna Legat’s writing.
From the start the author set the mood and tone of the story. I instantly felt enveloped in a grey mist with a feeling of unease. The story is dark, gritty, and raw. (I apologise for being Cliché Central!) My unease stemmed from the fact this story is not outwith the realms of possibility. The threat of terrorism is something we live with on a daily basis. Simply put, I had a bad case of the willies.
I have to admit that it took me a good 40% to get to grips with the story as the author introduced all the different players in the book. At times I felt overwhelmed with the multiple characters and backstories. One of things I love most about crime thrillers is collecting all the info and deciding what may be of importance and what to discount. I was getting worried I had too much in this instance, but it all came good in the end (along with my blood pressure. Thank goodness!)
Once I settled in, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough and it was a surprisingly quick read. The story is still with me though, and I feel like it will be for a couple of days yet.
Plus, I think I have unfinished business with DI Marsh. I want to know what makes her tick and understand her better so while Books 1-3 have been added to my neverending TBR, I foresee some shuffling going on in months to come as I don’t think Gillian will remain silent until I do.
Pfft, I can’t be the only one that has characters talk to them? Can I? *blushes* Okay then *whistles*, least said about that the better.
I’ll be signing off now.
January 24, 2021
I received this free copy from Voracious Readers Only in exchange for an honest review. My favourite genre is police procedural novels and so when I read the blurb for this book I thought it would be perfect for me. To be completely honest there wasn’t a lot of police procedure detail in the book even though the main character was a DI. But I thoroughly enjoyed it. The author has such an easy writing style and the depth to her characters was brilliant, I felt like I knew them all so well. It was a brilliant storyline and written in such an interesting way. It starts with a cast of seemingly unconnected characters that you gradually become attached to as more details are revealed. It wasn’t your usual fare of one or two main characters and a whole bunch of support cast players. There is no stereotypical gang of hero police chasing hard nosed criminals, although there are obviously clear villains. Each character was integral to the plot and as you read you share with them the bringing together of all the mini storylines to reach the final devastating results. My only wish is that I had read the previous DI Marsh books as to really get to know her and her personal life. Not that reading this as a stand alone detracts at all, you certainly don’t need to worry about that, this story needs no real background knowledge, I just wanted to know even more. I will be investing in the previous books and definitely continue to look into other works by Anna Legat. I highly recommend you give this a try it really is a very good book and in my opinion would make for a great movie.
March 9, 2021
The Sandman by Anna Legat is the fourth book to feature DI Gillian Marsh and the second book I have actually read from this series. I have previously read the fifth book so I am working backwards it seems! Although, for me this is no problem, I enjoy Anna Legats writing style and love Gillian so it turns into a win/win situation. Obviously these books are easily read as standalones or I would be mightily confused now.
In this book we are introduced to a number of seemingly unconnected characters and we are drip fed information about each and everyone of them. In turn that causes the knock on effect of becoming attached, slowly but surely through this tense, dramatic and emotional plotted book. The author has again skillfully weaved her magic and we see the characters each play their own part in this journey to what we witness. An absolutely horrific and devastating ending for these characters results in DI Gillian Marsh having to solve an atrocity noone ever expects.
Even though this story is rather a bleak one Gillian Marsh's slightly acidic humour is as ever present. I think the personality of Gillian makes this series for me. This book is a tense and very unpredictable twisty tale that hooks you immediately.
Thanks to Damp Pebbles Blog Tours and Anna Legat for the copy of this great book
In this book we are introduced to a number of seemingly unconnected characters and we are drip fed information about each and everyone of them. In turn that causes the knock on effect of becoming attached, slowly but surely through this tense, dramatic and emotional plotted book. The author has again skillfully weaved her magic and we see the characters each play their own part in this journey to what we witness. An absolutely horrific and devastating ending for these characters results in DI Gillian Marsh having to solve an atrocity noone ever expects.
Even though this story is rather a bleak one Gillian Marsh's slightly acidic humour is as ever present. I think the personality of Gillian makes this series for me. This book is a tense and very unpredictable twisty tale that hooks you immediately.
Thanks to Damp Pebbles Blog Tours and Anna Legat for the copy of this great book
January 22, 2021
Terrorism is alive in Great Britain. We are introduced to several varied characters through their present day existence, and in flash backs to traumatic events in their lives that made them who they are now. We are introduced to Haji, an aging Afghan fighter; Pippa and Harry, an older couple anxiously awaiting the return of their estranged son; Oscar, who acts as a father figure to the grandson of an old army buddy who was killed in the Falklands; Andrzej, a train driver who must choose between his career and his family; Malik and Ahmed, young students bent on exacting justice, and DI Gillian Marsh. All these seemingly unconnected people are converging together towards an event that will change the whole trajectory of their lives. This is a great read that is hard to put down. I am glad to see that there are more books in the DI Marsh series. I received my copy of this book from Voracious Readers Only.
February 2, 2021
There are many seemingly unconnected threads and characters that the reader encounters in Sandman. Backstories that encompass the present day and years past into one convoluted tapestry. And it's up to DI Marsh to make sense of all the unconnected dots.
Though I was puzzled at first with what seemed totally unconnected stories, once the threads became clear, I "got it". Legatt weaves characters, circumstances, and suspense well, keeping the reader's attention right to the end. Sandman presents a varied cast of characters - some you'll hate, some you'll love - but you'll be invested in what happens to all.
A good read, a great introduction to a new sleuth, I'm looking forward to reading more of her investigations.
[I was fortunate to receive a copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers with no obligation to review. The opinions expressed herein are entirely my own and are given freely.]
Though I was puzzled at first with what seemed totally unconnected stories, once the threads became clear, I "got it". Legatt weaves characters, circumstances, and suspense well, keeping the reader's attention right to the end. Sandman presents a varied cast of characters - some you'll hate, some you'll love - but you'll be invested in what happens to all.
A good read, a great introduction to a new sleuth, I'm looking forward to reading more of her investigations.
[I was fortunate to receive a copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers with no obligation to review. The opinions expressed herein are entirely my own and are given freely.]
January 20, 2021
I received a free copy of this book from the author via Voracious Readers Only in exchange for an honest review.
When I saw the synopsis for this book I knew it would be one that I would enjoy immensely. In order to enjoy it fully, I purchased the three preceding books in the series so that I could read them all in order. I’m so pleased I did. The books don’t disappoint! The main character is so human, has flaws like the rest of us but her heart and sense of justice are in the right place which often gets her into trouble with her superior officer. Juggling a stressful and busy job with family life is not easy and she often gets it wrong but I can totally relate to this. The storyline is strong and rattles along at a good pace, making the book quick and easy to read. Highly recommend. I also bought the next book in the series so I have something to look forward to. Happy reading!
When I saw the synopsis for this book I knew it would be one that I would enjoy immensely. In order to enjoy it fully, I purchased the three preceding books in the series so that I could read them all in order. I’m so pleased I did. The books don’t disappoint! The main character is so human, has flaws like the rest of us but her heart and sense of justice are in the right place which often gets her into trouble with her superior officer. Juggling a stressful and busy job with family life is not easy and she often gets it wrong but I can totally relate to this. The storyline is strong and rattles along at a good pace, making the book quick and easy to read. Highly recommend. I also bought the next book in the series so I have something to look forward to. Happy reading!
January 24, 2021
Well written book. You get absorbed into the characters lives and motivations - trying to workout how they will cross over. And then the repercussions haunt you as you have made a relationship with each character. Recommended read.
Received a complimentary copy of the book from Voracious Readers Only
Received a complimentary copy of the book from Voracious Readers Only
January 16, 2021
Keeps you on the edge of your seat. A good read.
January 14, 2021
A very unusual book. It tells the story of many different people's lives (all unknown to each other) who come together in an explosive ending. It would look fantastic on the big screen.
June 5, 2020
We start with a cast of seemingly unconnected characters that come together with devastating results. D I Gillian Marsh is the only person that can solve this crime. A real page turner that had me up way past my bed time so that I could finish it.
February 21, 2021
4 Stars from me
A fascinating spread of stories which pulled together to form one, the Sandman put me in mind of Knife Edge with its overarching theme and its web of separate threads.
In the beginning, the threads are so disparate that it seems impossible to think how they will link up but before long the bigger picture is revealed.
The beauty of this book, for me, is in the human interest elements of the different tales - for they each centred around people, families and lives... some good, some bad, most with secrets and all about to be torn apart.
DI Gillian Marsh was a good character, I liked her and look forward to reading more of her antics. If this is what she gets up to when she is on holiday then lord knows what will happen when she is on duty!
A fascinating spread of stories which pulled together to form one, the Sandman put me in mind of Knife Edge with its overarching theme and its web of separate threads.
In the beginning, the threads are so disparate that it seems impossible to think how they will link up but before long the bigger picture is revealed.
The beauty of this book, for me, is in the human interest elements of the different tales - for they each centred around people, families and lives... some good, some bad, most with secrets and all about to be torn apart.
DI Gillian Marsh was a good character, I liked her and look forward to reading more of her antics. If this is what she gets up to when she is on holiday then lord knows what will happen when she is on duty!
March 2, 2021
I haven't read the first 3 books in the "DI Gillian Marsh Mysteries" series, but this is a very good standalone story. The threads of the different characters add interesting light and dark elements to the plot, and they are constructed very well. "Sandman" was an enjoyable and fast read. Anna Legat's ability to tell a tale cannot be faulted here and I will be looking for more of her work.
This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion. My thanks to damppebblesblogtours
This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion. My thanks to damppebblesblogtours
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews