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20 Minutes #2
20 Minutes Later
On a warm summers morning in London, there's a lot more than just smog in the air. There's the romance of a first date. There's the courage of the emergency services. And there's the danger from those with dark secrets to hide...
20 Minutes. 20 People. 20 intertwining stories as unpredictable and gripping as the last!
20 Minutes. 20 People. 20 intertwining stories as unpredictable and gripping as the last!
222 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 1, 2020
346 people are currently reading
561 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Hurst
89 books3,960 followersDaniel Hurst is an Amazon #1 bestselling author of fast paced psychological thrillers. His most popular titles include Til Death Do Us Part, The Passenger and The Doctor's Wife, the latter title reaching #1 on the Amazon UK Kindle store in February 2023. A regular KDP Select All Star since he became a full-time author in 2021, Daniel prides himself on writing fast, releasing stories often and engaging with his readers.
You can visit him at www.danielhurstbooks.com, where you can also download a copy of his FREE thriller 'Just One Second.'
You can visit him at www.danielhurstbooks.com, where you can also download a copy of his FREE thriller 'Just One Second.'
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
June 11, 2022
Set 20 minutes later after Book one 20 minutes on the Tube, we have a mixture of some of the characters from the first book and a few new ones- some we glimpsed in the first book, but didn't go into details about their stories. We have Jelena and Bodgan, Jelena has finally been rescued away from her captors and Bodgan is reunited with the girl who he loved at school, and saving her has reignited his spirits. We meet Jelena's captors, one who ends up being murdered while the other set off a bomb and kills their elderly neighbor. The explosion is one of the main storylines for this book which introduced us to several new characters from the 999 operators to a few neighbors and then the ticket holders from the UK to France line. Remember Harry who was off to visit his dad for the first time and sadly his dad jumped in front of the Tube in Book #1. This book also has the meeting that would have ruined his life and sent him to jail for fraud and we meet a few of his co-workers and the moment they learn he is dead. I love this series as it is different as each chapter focuses on one character for the 20 minutes and it flows very nicely as well as it solidifies that there is always more than one side to a story and everyone views life differently. This series is very personable as you can't help feeling connected to all the characters and becoming invested in their lives even if it is just for a short while. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series - 20 Minutes in the Park.
February 4, 2023
I liked this book just as much as the ones I already read in the "20 minutes" - series from Daniel Hurst.
By now, I know a few of the recurring characters and the whole series seems like a daily show for me.
Since the books in the series are shorter than a "usual novel" but not as short as your "usual novella", I dedicated this series to read during my work when the workload is light.
So they are perfect work designed books for me personally !
I will keep on going until the last book in the series is read - and I do have them all !
Would highly recommend, if you like to binge read !
April 13, 2020
Was looking forward to the next instalment and I wasn’t disappointed. These books read so easily and bounce across all the different characters that somehow entwine.
June 26, 2020
Continuing reminder of sonder. Real life can be hell. Love the realism of this series. On I go!
August 6, 2025
Book 2 and I’m still in. This is my new soap opera, and I’m here for every dramatic, disturbing, emotionally gutting chapter. 20 Minutes Later picks up right where Book 1 left off and somehow turns the tension up even more.
We’ve got:
A trafficked woman escaping with her tongue cut out. A murderer on the run pretending to be just another commuter. A scumbag ex on a redemption tour I do not trust. Multiple women being harassed, ignored, or hurt.
Another gay character (hi Richard!), and deeper emotional POVs from people like Chantelle, Carol, and Lindsey. Hurst is broadening the world and it works.
I just love the little breadcrumbs he spread throughout the story and all the connections. I eat it.
Also, Valentin is still terrifying. The way he’s planning murder while trading millions and listening to murder podcasts as tutorials? Sick.
My heart still breaks for Harry, I’m fully rooting for Jelena and Bogdan, and I swear if anything happens to Will, I will throw my Kindle.
This series is building something big. Dark. Messy. Layered.
And I’m seated.
We’ve got:
A trafficked woman escaping with her tongue cut out. A murderer on the run pretending to be just another commuter. A scumbag ex on a redemption tour I do not trust. Multiple women being harassed, ignored, or hurt.
Another gay character (hi Richard!), and deeper emotional POVs from people like Chantelle, Carol, and Lindsey. Hurst is broadening the world and it works.
I just love the little breadcrumbs he spread throughout the story and all the connections. I eat it.
Also, Valentin is still terrifying. The way he’s planning murder while trading millions and listening to murder podcasts as tutorials? Sick.
My heart still breaks for Harry, I’m fully rooting for Jelena and Bogdan, and I swear if anything happens to Will, I will throw my Kindle.
This series is building something big. Dark. Messy. Layered.
And I’m seated.
November 5, 2023
Old characters move on, new ones arrive. Small stories always evolving and never a dull moment. Enjoying!
January 3, 2023
WOW 20 Minutes Later Book 2 is the sequel to 20 Minutes On The Tube Book 1 - both by Daniel Hurst. Book 1 starts of with 20 commuters and in Book 2 there are now 19 remaining. A series of inter-connected short stories.
Jelena who was viciously abused by the men who used her when she was sex trafficked has been saved by Bogdan a school friend who had a crush on her when they were at school together. This has given Bogdan reason to build a new life for himself and he hopes he can win the heart of Jelena one day soon.
Vukasen a sex trafficker who had a criminal record in Serbia and worked along with Laslo who kidnapped and sex trafficked Jelena. Vukasen runs from the tube station as he knows that the Police will be in hot pursuit. He reached the flat where Laslo was to tell him that they would have to go on the run but who will be the last man standing?
Laslo Kovacic, one of the sex trafficker's who trafficked Jelena has taken flight from the flat he shared with Vukasin taking all their sex trafficking monies as he did not want to share the money with Vukasin and it was better that he was on his own than the two of them going on the run together and he had made sure of that before he disguised himself with a baseball cap and made his way to purchase a ticket to get himself to Paris via the Eurostar which was a two hour journey. He would contact their handler and discuss how to find Jelena and silence her from exposing them. He had destroyed all evidence of DNA by causing a gas explosion which would also expunge evidence of Vukasin too. A nosy neighbour attracted his attention when she shouted that she was a neighbour of theirs. This stopped Laslo in his tracks and he turned round to discover it was an elderly lady wanting to know what all the racket was about as the banging on the door had woken her cat but asking questions will end in dire circumstances for this old lady. Firefighters will think that this was a gas leak which had taken the lives of two people but once Jelena explains to the Police that this was the flat where she was imprisoned in he would have made his escape.
Alicia is an Emergency Call Handler and her job entails unsocial shifts and she enjoys the challenge of this work. She is used to receiving prank calls as well as genuine calls. Just before her shift ended Alicia receives an emergency call for the Police saying there has been an explosion in the flat opposite his and Alicia wonders why did he not phone the fire department but he informs her that he saw one of the men who lived in that apartment walk away whilst the explosion happened but the strange thing is that he did not turn round to look. The caller gave Alicia a very good description of the man walking away from the explosion.
Louise loves the thrill of pickpocketing on the tube and she holds down a job as a Receptionist but is now plucking up the courage to report the rape by her ex-boyfriend which happened four months ago to the Police. Louise needs to do this in order to save other women being raped by him as he has joined a dating app. The moral of this short story is never judge a book by it's cover.
Joe has met April on a dating app and they had both hit it off and he thought he was living on cloud nine. The only thing niggling him was what if his ex-girlfriend reported him to the Police about something he was now ashamed of coming to light and turns his dreams into a nightmare.
April has met Joe on a dating app and they both hit off and she is even going on a second date with him. At her work place she contends with the office pervert Derek who is a lot older than her and is a project designer who loves to tell Dad jokes and loves nothing better to do than probe her about her love life but he is harmless.
Jasmine a commuter standing at the platform waiting for her ride does not realise she was in shock after she had witnessed a male jumping in front of the incoming train. Jasmine had an important meeting to attend and was worried she will be late but she could not manage to stand up let alone walk. After the paramedics attended to her she handed in the jumper's wallet and noticed that his name was Craig Miller. These are the people who want out of the rat race.
Keith Jones was due to go into a meeting regarding Craig Miller but he had still not shown up. Keith had given the heads up to Craig about the embezzlement so maybe that is why he was not going to make an entrance this morning. Keith was Head of Compliance and was sixty-one and hoped that this will be his last job before he finally retires. Keith's head would roll if Craig did not show up as it had been his signature that Craig had forged which involved insurance fraud which would link back to him. Maybe his train had been delayed and that is why he is late they thought. It was at a work function when Keith turned up alone as his wife had been ill. He was going to let his hair down in more ways than one when he hooks up with Isabella one of the cleaning staff who were invited to the function too. Keith feels so guilty the morning after and Craig ends up paying off Isabella to leave her job. Keith now feels obligated to Craig as his secret was safe from his wife. Keith had not thoroughly checked off documents which Craig had given him to check and sign as he thought he was in debt to him and in doing so missed spotting the fraudulent acts which Craig had committed. The Director says he will wait five more minutes then he will be contacting the Police. An employee knocks on the door informing them that there is a school boy in reception asking to speak to Craig as he is Craig's son.
Harry who was almost thirteen years old had finally tracked his Father's work place down and had played truant from school to meet with him. He is worried that his Father, Craig may not want to see him when the Receptionist informs him that his son is here to see him. Harry was told his Father was not in the office at the present time but was due in some time soon. Then the Receptionist receives a phone call from the Police. Phone calls from the Police are usually not good news.
Valentin a high flier who owned his own investment company and had emigrated from Russia in 1990. He loved blocking out the constant noise from his work force from their open plan office space by placing expensive air pod pro headphones which were £2000 a pop. He could multi-task too by making money on the stock market for the very rich at his computer and also listening to pod casts about serial killers which aroused him more than making money for the filthy rich. He wanted to become a serial killer and had someone in mind who was a commuter on the tube who had auburn hair.
Olivia Harringay has striking auburn hair and wanted nothing more than gaining promotion to Senior Editor in the company she worked for AMI Music which is the largest on-line music blog in the country. She tried to get her own girl band together when she was younger but to no avail and the same for when she tried to go solo too. Instead of singing she started blogging about the latest music. Whilst scrolling through her emails she spotted a sensational video of a busker in the Underground, his name is Will Robertson and noticed it was liked by Andrew Ayata who is a big name in the music industry. Olivia really wants that promotion so looks up Andrew's contact details. The thing is nobody can predict what the future holds.
Chantellle Hughes is a very good friend to Will Robertson who is a busker at the tube stations. Chantelle is Will's eyes and also someone who cared a lot for him too. He could belt out some beautiful songs whilst playing his guitar and bank notes and gold coins would be tossed into his guitar case. The majority of commuters who stopped to listen to Will were not aware that he was blind when he did not interact with their gaze. Will was struck down with a condition called Giant Cell Arteritis which rendered him blind and he retreated into a shell until Chantelle coaxed him out of it to perform once again as a Busker but with her by his side. Unbeknown to them both Will's new song 'Demon in the Dark.' which he composed was really about the demons he was facing since becoming blind. One day soon this song may change his life.
Curtis Bridge is a fire fighter in his forties and job cuts are on the agenda and he is feeling anxious. Some of the places he had been to put fires out had been unfit for purpose IE water sprinklers on the roof not operable and fire alarms too which did not make a fire fighter's job any easier. One evening his unit was called out to a block of flats when he heard two police officers saying that a neighbour had reported a man walking away from the explosion at the flats and was headed to the train station.
Becky Davis was a Ticket Inspector at St Pancras International North London station. Most of the commuters were heading for the Eurostar to Paris connection on this very busy Monday morning.
Toward the end of their shift with one minute to go before the Eurostar pulled out from the station they saw a man running toward them wearing a blue baseball cap and had a backpack over his shoulder and when questioned about showing his ticket he replied that he had in a Eastern European accent.
Ali Mehmet was travelling on the Eurostar: London to Paris travelling first class and he was quite the snob as he noticed his fellow passengers were not wearing exensive clothes like himself nor expensive laptops or mobile phones like himself. He worked for a prestigious Recruitment Agency and was head hunting a French candidate. Aboard the same carriage there was someone else who was head hunting too.
Lindsey Beattie is attending her induction meeting with Jane head of HR at Champion Recruiters who informs them that Ali the Company founder was away on an urgent business tril to Paris this morning but would meet them all on his return. Jane takes them through Power Point slides but Lindsey daydreams about the handsome guy she met on the tube whilst she gave up her seat for an elderly commuter. The handsome guy comes over to her and they exchange telephone numbers. Whilst engaging in texts between themselves she finds out that his name is Diego but he had a London accent. Lindsey wondered what became of the woman who was sobbing and clutching her bag at the same time whilst on a tube journey she had not long gone on.
Carol Heath is feeling apprehensive when she steps into London City hospital for her test results to determine whether the lump on her breast is cancerous or not. She was 59 years old and wanted to live and see her grandson marry and have many more holidays in the sun with her family. Will it be good news or the bad news she is expecting?
Farooq Baq drives an Uber for a living around the streets of Central London when one evening he had to cope with a heavily pregnant lady passenger as well as driving her to hospital, at least at this time of the evening traffic was not as heavy which meant the baby would be born in a hospital and not the back seat of his Uber.
Bogdan Petrovic is at London City Hospital Central London where Jelena was admitted and all he could think about was getting revenge on Jelena's abusers. Jelana comminicated with Bogdan by writing with pen and paper as her abusers had cut her toungue out in order to keep her quiet as they travelled via the tube. Bogdan's life before he found Jelena was very lonely and monotonous as he travelled back and forth to his mundane cleaning jobs. Jelena was malnourished and an IV drip would help her regain her strength but what about her mental scars? Bogdan hoped that Jelena would become his companion or maybe much more in the future.
Jelena who was viciously abused by the men who used her when she was sex trafficked has been saved by Bogdan a school friend who had a crush on her when they were at school together. This has given Bogdan reason to build a new life for himself and he hopes he can win the heart of Jelena one day soon.
Vukasen a sex trafficker who had a criminal record in Serbia and worked along with Laslo who kidnapped and sex trafficked Jelena. Vukasen runs from the tube station as he knows that the Police will be in hot pursuit. He reached the flat where Laslo was to tell him that they would have to go on the run but who will be the last man standing?
Laslo Kovacic, one of the sex trafficker's who trafficked Jelena has taken flight from the flat he shared with Vukasin taking all their sex trafficking monies as he did not want to share the money with Vukasin and it was better that he was on his own than the two of them going on the run together and he had made sure of that before he disguised himself with a baseball cap and made his way to purchase a ticket to get himself to Paris via the Eurostar which was a two hour journey. He would contact their handler and discuss how to find Jelena and silence her from exposing them. He had destroyed all evidence of DNA by causing a gas explosion which would also expunge evidence of Vukasin too. A nosy neighbour attracted his attention when she shouted that she was a neighbour of theirs. This stopped Laslo in his tracks and he turned round to discover it was an elderly lady wanting to know what all the racket was about as the banging on the door had woken her cat but asking questions will end in dire circumstances for this old lady. Firefighters will think that this was a gas leak which had taken the lives of two people but once Jelena explains to the Police that this was the flat where she was imprisoned in he would have made his escape.
Alicia is an Emergency Call Handler and her job entails unsocial shifts and she enjoys the challenge of this work. She is used to receiving prank calls as well as genuine calls. Just before her shift ended Alicia receives an emergency call for the Police saying there has been an explosion in the flat opposite his and Alicia wonders why did he not phone the fire department but he informs her that he saw one of the men who lived in that apartment walk away whilst the explosion happened but the strange thing is that he did not turn round to look. The caller gave Alicia a very good description of the man walking away from the explosion.
Louise loves the thrill of pickpocketing on the tube and she holds down a job as a Receptionist but is now plucking up the courage to report the rape by her ex-boyfriend which happened four months ago to the Police. Louise needs to do this in order to save other women being raped by him as he has joined a dating app. The moral of this short story is never judge a book by it's cover.
Joe has met April on a dating app and they had both hit it off and he thought he was living on cloud nine. The only thing niggling him was what if his ex-girlfriend reported him to the Police about something he was now ashamed of coming to light and turns his dreams into a nightmare.
April has met Joe on a dating app and they both hit off and she is even going on a second date with him. At her work place she contends with the office pervert Derek who is a lot older than her and is a project designer who loves to tell Dad jokes and loves nothing better to do than probe her about her love life but he is harmless.
Jasmine a commuter standing at the platform waiting for her ride does not realise she was in shock after she had witnessed a male jumping in front of the incoming train. Jasmine had an important meeting to attend and was worried she will be late but she could not manage to stand up let alone walk. After the paramedics attended to her she handed in the jumper's wallet and noticed that his name was Craig Miller. These are the people who want out of the rat race.
Keith Jones was due to go into a meeting regarding Craig Miller but he had still not shown up. Keith had given the heads up to Craig about the embezzlement so maybe that is why he was not going to make an entrance this morning. Keith was Head of Compliance and was sixty-one and hoped that this will be his last job before he finally retires. Keith's head would roll if Craig did not show up as it had been his signature that Craig had forged which involved insurance fraud which would link back to him. Maybe his train had been delayed and that is why he is late they thought. It was at a work function when Keith turned up alone as his wife had been ill. He was going to let his hair down in more ways than one when he hooks up with Isabella one of the cleaning staff who were invited to the function too. Keith feels so guilty the morning after and Craig ends up paying off Isabella to leave her job. Keith now feels obligated to Craig as his secret was safe from his wife. Keith had not thoroughly checked off documents which Craig had given him to check and sign as he thought he was in debt to him and in doing so missed spotting the fraudulent acts which Craig had committed. The Director says he will wait five more minutes then he will be contacting the Police. An employee knocks on the door informing them that there is a school boy in reception asking to speak to Craig as he is Craig's son.
Harry who was almost thirteen years old had finally tracked his Father's work place down and had played truant from school to meet with him. He is worried that his Father, Craig may not want to see him when the Receptionist informs him that his son is here to see him. Harry was told his Father was not in the office at the present time but was due in some time soon. Then the Receptionist receives a phone call from the Police. Phone calls from the Police are usually not good news.
Valentin a high flier who owned his own investment company and had emigrated from Russia in 1990. He loved blocking out the constant noise from his work force from their open plan office space by placing expensive air pod pro headphones which were £2000 a pop. He could multi-task too by making money on the stock market for the very rich at his computer and also listening to pod casts about serial killers which aroused him more than making money for the filthy rich. He wanted to become a serial killer and had someone in mind who was a commuter on the tube who had auburn hair.
Olivia Harringay has striking auburn hair and wanted nothing more than gaining promotion to Senior Editor in the company she worked for AMI Music which is the largest on-line music blog in the country. She tried to get her own girl band together when she was younger but to no avail and the same for when she tried to go solo too. Instead of singing she started blogging about the latest music. Whilst scrolling through her emails she spotted a sensational video of a busker in the Underground, his name is Will Robertson and noticed it was liked by Andrew Ayata who is a big name in the music industry. Olivia really wants that promotion so looks up Andrew's contact details. The thing is nobody can predict what the future holds.
Chantellle Hughes is a very good friend to Will Robertson who is a busker at the tube stations. Chantelle is Will's eyes and also someone who cared a lot for him too. He could belt out some beautiful songs whilst playing his guitar and bank notes and gold coins would be tossed into his guitar case. The majority of commuters who stopped to listen to Will were not aware that he was blind when he did not interact with their gaze. Will was struck down with a condition called Giant Cell Arteritis which rendered him blind and he retreated into a shell until Chantelle coaxed him out of it to perform once again as a Busker but with her by his side. Unbeknown to them both Will's new song 'Demon in the Dark.' which he composed was really about the demons he was facing since becoming blind. One day soon this song may change his life.
Curtis Bridge is a fire fighter in his forties and job cuts are on the agenda and he is feeling anxious. Some of the places he had been to put fires out had been unfit for purpose IE water sprinklers on the roof not operable and fire alarms too which did not make a fire fighter's job any easier. One evening his unit was called out to a block of flats when he heard two police officers saying that a neighbour had reported a man walking away from the explosion at the flats and was headed to the train station.
Becky Davis was a Ticket Inspector at St Pancras International North London station. Most of the commuters were heading for the Eurostar to Paris connection on this very busy Monday morning.
Toward the end of their shift with one minute to go before the Eurostar pulled out from the station they saw a man running toward them wearing a blue baseball cap and had a backpack over his shoulder and when questioned about showing his ticket he replied that he had in a Eastern European accent.
Ali Mehmet was travelling on the Eurostar: London to Paris travelling first class and he was quite the snob as he noticed his fellow passengers were not wearing exensive clothes like himself nor expensive laptops or mobile phones like himself. He worked for a prestigious Recruitment Agency and was head hunting a French candidate. Aboard the same carriage there was someone else who was head hunting too.
Lindsey Beattie is attending her induction meeting with Jane head of HR at Champion Recruiters who informs them that Ali the Company founder was away on an urgent business tril to Paris this morning but would meet them all on his return. Jane takes them through Power Point slides but Lindsey daydreams about the handsome guy she met on the tube whilst she gave up her seat for an elderly commuter. The handsome guy comes over to her and they exchange telephone numbers. Whilst engaging in texts between themselves she finds out that his name is Diego but he had a London accent. Lindsey wondered what became of the woman who was sobbing and clutching her bag at the same time whilst on a tube journey she had not long gone on.
Carol Heath is feeling apprehensive when she steps into London City hospital for her test results to determine whether the lump on her breast is cancerous or not. She was 59 years old and wanted to live and see her grandson marry and have many more holidays in the sun with her family. Will it be good news or the bad news she is expecting?
Farooq Baq drives an Uber for a living around the streets of Central London when one evening he had to cope with a heavily pregnant lady passenger as well as driving her to hospital, at least at this time of the evening traffic was not as heavy which meant the baby would be born in a hospital and not the back seat of his Uber.
Bogdan Petrovic is at London City Hospital Central London where Jelena was admitted and all he could think about was getting revenge on Jelena's abusers. Jelana comminicated with Bogdan by writing with pen and paper as her abusers had cut her toungue out in order to keep her quiet as they travelled via the tube. Bogdan's life before he found Jelena was very lonely and monotonous as he travelled back and forth to his mundane cleaning jobs. Jelena was malnourished and an IV drip would help her regain her strength but what about her mental scars? Bogdan hoped that Jelena would become his companion or maybe much more in the future.
February 12, 2025
Following on from
"20 Minutes on the Tube"
, this picks up around twenty minutes after the previous book with many of the same characters with a few new ones lending yet another perspective to a much bigger picture. Some of those we met in the first book are missing from this one though as their stories had yet to be told I hope we meet up with them in some of the future installments. And yet, though they may be missing, their stories follow through one of another character's perspective.
For example, Will who we met outside the Tube station in the first book is missing from this one, though his story continues through his best friend Chantelle and another woman Olivia, whose story coincides with that of Valentin, the high flying market trader who has found a new career path in serial killing via his obsession with true crime podcasts. But we also meet Jelena's two captors and even the unique perspectives of the Eurostar ticket inspector, a fireman and a police emergency call dispatcher. And of course, we meet up with Harry who has come to meet his dad, Jelena saved from her prison by pure chance, Bogdan who came to Jelena's rescue in the Tube station, Carol who is awaiting news of some hospital scans, Louise the purse snatcher, April who went on a morning date with Joe who charmed his way through the date and many more. We see the aftermath of the suicide in book #1 that held up train services on one of the lines and how far reaching this event affects those in and around the time as well as those linked to the victim. We get Keith's perspective as they await the arrival of he who never will to the meeting that would change everything. Instead he made the choice to change his, and everyone else's lives, by his actions.
While we meet up with 10 characters from the first book, we also meet 10 new characters. Most are linked to either Jelena or Will though there are a spattering of newer stories that are just beginning. Each of the characters are linked at least one other in one way or another.
I was invested in each and every story and was disappointed to leave their stories behind and move on to the next ones. 20 minutes in each of their lives doesn't seem enough but I know I will meet up with them again and their stories will continue to unfold in this thrilling and unique way. Each of the books are relatively quick reads. The first was 227 pages and this was 222. I think they are the longer ones and most are shorter from here on in, but don't quote me.
My only complaint was a very beginner's error in grammar when referring to "the nineties", an apostrophe was used (ie. ninetie's). Totally incorrect use of grammar and a rookie mistake to have made. No apostrophe. It's the "nineties".
Overall, a brilliant and unique storytelling of events as each of the character's stories unfold little by little. I can't wait to meet up with them again and see where they go from here.
Next...20 Minutes in the Park
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
For example, Will who we met outside the Tube station in the first book is missing from this one, though his story continues through his best friend Chantelle and another woman Olivia, whose story coincides with that of Valentin, the high flying market trader who has found a new career path in serial killing via his obsession with true crime podcasts. But we also meet Jelena's two captors and even the unique perspectives of the Eurostar ticket inspector, a fireman and a police emergency call dispatcher. And of course, we meet up with Harry who has come to meet his dad, Jelena saved from her prison by pure chance, Bogdan who came to Jelena's rescue in the Tube station, Carol who is awaiting news of some hospital scans, Louise the purse snatcher, April who went on a morning date with Joe who charmed his way through the date and many more. We see the aftermath of the suicide in book #1 that held up train services on one of the lines and how far reaching this event affects those in and around the time as well as those linked to the victim. We get Keith's perspective as they await the arrival of he who never will to the meeting that would change everything. Instead he made the choice to change his, and everyone else's lives, by his actions.
While we meet up with 10 characters from the first book, we also meet 10 new characters. Most are linked to either Jelena or Will though there are a spattering of newer stories that are just beginning. Each of the characters are linked at least one other in one way or another.
I was invested in each and every story and was disappointed to leave their stories behind and move on to the next ones. 20 minutes in each of their lives doesn't seem enough but I know I will meet up with them again and their stories will continue to unfold in this thrilling and unique way. Each of the books are relatively quick reads. The first was 227 pages and this was 222. I think they are the longer ones and most are shorter from here on in, but don't quote me.
My only complaint was a very beginner's error in grammar when referring to "the nineties", an apostrophe was used (ie. ninetie's). Totally incorrect use of grammar and a rookie mistake to have made. No apostrophe. It's the "nineties".
Overall, a brilliant and unique storytelling of events as each of the character's stories unfold little by little. I can't wait to meet up with them again and see where they go from here.
Next...20 Minutes in the Park
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
May 2, 2022
I knew that once we got over all the introductions' things would start to pop off. I really liked book 2 in this series because we are now seeing all the events in motion. If you have NOT read book ONE please do not read this review
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Jelena got away from her captor in book one. We now have a chain reaction of how the captors responds, how their actions affect/involve others from first responders to innocent bystanders. We are introduced to new characters who are simply in the "wrong place".
Now that Craig has killed himself we get to see how his actions directly and indirectly affect others. From the witnesses to his co-workers, and a small glimpse of Harry who made it to the offices to meet him. *Be still my beating heart :(
Joe, Louise, and April make an appearance. We see their date and also Louise's trip to the police station. *I'm not a fan of these three however I believe there is a potentially nefarious link to the person Louise stole that purse from on the tube. I think Joe is scum and should be hit by a car.
We follow Jelena and Bogden. Soo many feels.
We meet a total of 10 new characters. Most are linked to Jelena or Will. There is mention of other characters within the new stories who are connected to a few of the original characters but by a Kevin Bacon 6 degree.
As stated I am super invested in this series with an open word doc that I updated throughout with character breakdowns. Honestly there is just so much info that even with my attempt to keep facts straight I'm sure I'm missing foreshadowing for future connections.
I seriously love this and feel like this could be done as a group activity similar to the Making the Murder boxes. I want to pull out yarn and dedicate a wall like a crime detective!
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Jelena got away from her captor in book one. We now have a chain reaction of how the captors responds, how their actions affect/involve others from first responders to innocent bystanders. We are introduced to new characters who are simply in the "wrong place".
Now that Craig has killed himself we get to see how his actions directly and indirectly affect others. From the witnesses to his co-workers, and a small glimpse of Harry who made it to the offices to meet him. *Be still my beating heart :(
Joe, Louise, and April make an appearance. We see their date and also Louise's trip to the police station. *I'm not a fan of these three however I believe there is a potentially nefarious link to the person Louise stole that purse from on the tube. I think Joe is scum and should be hit by a car.
We follow Jelena and Bogden. Soo many feels.
We meet a total of 10 new characters. Most are linked to Jelena or Will. There is mention of other characters within the new stories who are connected to a few of the original characters but by a Kevin Bacon 6 degree.
As stated I am super invested in this series with an open word doc that I updated throughout with character breakdowns. Honestly there is just so much info that even with my attempt to keep facts straight I'm sure I'm missing foreshadowing for future connections.
I seriously love this and feel like this could be done as a group activity similar to the Making the Murder boxes. I want to pull out yarn and dedicate a wall like a crime detective!
May 30, 2020
I was super invested in 20 Minutes on the Tube and couldn't wait to devour the sequel. 20 Minutes Later has an explosive start (literally), as we see a flat go up in flames, a woman taking the emergency call, a fireman desperately trying to tackle the flames, and the culprit frantically trying to escape. We see some familiar faces as their stories continue on from the first book, and also some new characters who I hope we'll meet again soon.
I think I liked this one even more than the first as the action was fast-paced, the characters felt more connected, and it was good to learn more about the previous characters that featured. The short chapters made it easy to devour, and again, the 20-minute segments were just enough to raise my intrigue and leave me wanting more (in a good way). There were a couple of spelling/grammar errors which stunted the readability which is why it wasn't a full five stars. But it made very little difference to my overall opinion.
There was a diverse range of characters and experiences, and I think the book brilliantly captures the seemingly average day-to-day city life which turns out to not always be so ordinary.
Triggers: This book contains themes of physical abuse, trafficking, cancer, violent murder, fire, rape, post-traumatic stress, and anxiety.
Rating breakdown
Plot/narrative - 4.5
Writing style/readability - 4
Characters - 4.5
Diverse themes - 4
Ending - 4
Overall - 4.2
I think I liked this one even more than the first as the action was fast-paced, the characters felt more connected, and it was good to learn more about the previous characters that featured. The short chapters made it easy to devour, and again, the 20-minute segments were just enough to raise my intrigue and leave me wanting more (in a good way). There were a couple of spelling/grammar errors which stunted the readability which is why it wasn't a full five stars. But it made very little difference to my overall opinion.
There was a diverse range of characters and experiences, and I think the book brilliantly captures the seemingly average day-to-day city life which turns out to not always be so ordinary.
Triggers: This book contains themes of physical abuse, trafficking, cancer, violent murder, fire, rape, post-traumatic stress, and anxiety.
Rating breakdown
Plot/narrative - 4.5
Writing style/readability - 4
Characters - 4.5
Diverse themes - 4
Ending - 4
Overall - 4.2
January 16, 2022
I Am Hooked
I came across a Daniel Hurst book by accident.I was looking for a book that has just been released by one of my favourite male authors. At first glance I stopped as the book I was looking at was a very similar cover. I read the synopsis I had to re-read ig, as it was to be a follow on book from his previous. I thought the book sounded good but I knew as I read it again if was not the favourite author..I decided I would down !lad the book.. I can not be 100%. Sure as I know have read quite a few neighbours I think it was I actually stopped looking for the book I was originally looking for which I have read now by the way ...... I read a few more of his stand alone thriller..enjoyed the ones I have read. Then 2 nights ago I decided to make a start on the 20 minutes series..I am most definitely hooked . As I read some of the characters I am becoming interested in Jalene, Borg.I so want things to work out for them Jaylene as suffered such a horrendous time being used by sex trafficker, even by having a tong cut out. I know it's a novel but it's the !ing of thing they do when the lo!I've e eventually catch them and help the women be!d . It actually so horrendous it's going on in this country more than we can ever know. Yet some people turn a blind eye to it back to the book bloody as some
I came across a Daniel Hurst book by accident.I was looking for a book that has just been released by one of my favourite male authors. At first glance I stopped as the book I was looking at was a very similar cover. I read the synopsis I had to re-read ig, as it was to be a follow on book from his previous. I thought the book sounded good but I knew as I read it again if was not the favourite author..I decided I would down !lad the book.. I can not be 100%. Sure as I know have read quite a few neighbours I think it was I actually stopped looking for the book I was originally looking for which I have read now by the way ...... I read a few more of his stand alone thriller..enjoyed the ones I have read. Then 2 nights ago I decided to make a start on the 20 minutes series..I am most definitely hooked . As I read some of the characters I am becoming interested in Jalene, Borg.I so want things to work out for them Jaylene as suffered such a horrendous time being used by sex trafficker, even by having a tong cut out. I know it's a novel but it's the !ing of thing they do when the lo!I've e eventually catch them and help the women be!d . It actually so horrendous it's going on in this country more than we can ever know. Yet some people turn a blind eye to it back to the book bloody as some
November 1, 2020
Before you read this one, you have to read book 1!!! This story has the same characters that played a part in book one. People will go to great lengths to hide their crimes and run. This book is no different; you might remember the girl in book one saved by her friend. Well, her captors want to remain hidden and need to get rid of all the evidence that might tie them to her. While we are having that part of the story, we are diving into more of the characters and get more detail of their lives and what is affected by them. I will be reading book three to find out more about what will happen in our characters' lives. The correct usage of grammar needs to be fixed throughout the storyline.
July 14, 2022
This sequel to 20 Minutes on the Tube focuses on 20 minutes in the lives of the 20 characters again, but the format is slightly different. The 1st book took 1 20 minute period, give or take a minute in a few of the stories.
This book started a minute after the 1st book ended, but then each chapter started 1 minute after the previous one started, but also could reveal things that had led up to that minute, and re-lived some of the plot of the 1st book in order to keep things fresh in the reader's mind.
My only issue with this book is there were a number of errors which really should have been caught in the editing process as these will take me out of the moment.
This book started a minute after the 1st book ended, but then each chapter started 1 minute after the previous one started, but also could reveal things that had led up to that minute, and re-lived some of the plot of the 1st book in order to keep things fresh in the reader's mind.
My only issue with this book is there were a number of errors which really should have been caught in the editing process as these will take me out of the moment.
August 10, 2020
I am so glad that this book follows on from the first and gives information into what happened to some of the people from the first book! I also like how there are new characters introduced which again still link to the first!
I was especially shocked at how one or the characters has the same name as me!!! (aside from the fact it’s got two extra characters in Chantelle) I mean I’ve never known a character with the same first and surname as me so I almost fell off my chair when reading it. A great book and I’m looking forward to the next one .
Ps. I hope the cat is okay
I was especially shocked at how one or the characters has the same name as me!!! (aside from the fact it’s got two extra characters in Chantelle) I mean I’ve never known a character with the same first and surname as me so I almost fell off my chair when reading it. A great book and I’m looking forward to the next one .
Ps. I hope the cat is okay
December 3, 2020
I hadn't meant to read it yet, as I was saving it for when I had wrapped up my PopSugar challenge, but I have another free book on Kindle I want to read so I had to move one out of my free books queue to make room. Thank you to Daniel for providing it after I finished the first book! I liked this one too...read it in less than 24 hours...planning to read the next one as well. I like Daniel's style, and his characters are interesting.
August 7, 2020
This was just okay for me. After reading the first book, I was very excited to pick the sequel up in order to find out what happens to the characters. Unfortunately, this book was much slower and boring. It didn't have the thrill and suspense that the first book had. So I won't be going ahead with this series unfortunately.
November 8, 2020
Great Series...
This is the second book in the 20 minutes series (3rd counting the prequel). What a great way to spend a blustery fall day. Start to finish in one afternoon. I can't say enough about this series, it's that good. Hurst expertly draws the reader into each story from the previous one, and finishes the circle at the end. Here's hoping for another blustery day. Bravo!
This is the second book in the 20 minutes series (3rd counting the prequel). What a great way to spend a blustery fall day. Start to finish in one afternoon. I can't say enough about this series, it's that good. Hurst expertly draws the reader into each story from the previous one, and finishes the circle at the end. Here's hoping for another blustery day. Bravo!
May 20, 2021
Really enjoyed 20 Minutes Later and finding out what happened to some of the characters from the previous book, 20 Minutes on the Tube. It was also good to meet some new characters and the 20 minutes of their morning. Easy and quick to read, enjoying every character's story. Looking forward to the next book.
June 16, 2021
Great Series
For some reason I was hesitant to start this series, but gave it a shot as I enjoyed his other books. I’ve enjoyed this so far. Different lives, but invariably their paths cross in some form. The fact that all these different life stories are actually 20 minutes of their life makes the for a great read. Well done, Mr. Hurst.
For some reason I was hesitant to start this series, but gave it a shot as I enjoyed his other books. I’ve enjoyed this so far. Different lives, but invariably their paths cross in some form. The fact that all these different life stories are actually 20 minutes of their life makes the for a great read. Well done, Mr. Hurst.
October 26, 2021
A sequel that just gets better
I love these stories. Each characters lives are described in great detail and how there lived are intertwined is skilfully done. The books are fast paced and you excitedly wait to go back to one of your favourite people to see what will happen for them next. Just brilliant books. Quickly on to book 3!
I love these stories. Each characters lives are described in great detail and how there lived are intertwined is skilfully done. The books are fast paced and you excitedly wait to go back to one of your favourite people to see what will happen for them next. Just brilliant books. Quickly on to book 3!
December 29, 2021
This is the second book in the series, I absolutely love how the characters all intertwine through the book. It’s almost like being able to see into people personal thoughts and feelings. Each character is different but they all have a connection with someone else within the story. I’m hooked on these books I read two in one day and will definitely be reading the whole series.
September 23, 2022
20 Minutes Later is another great story by Daniel Hurst. Again this story with several return characters along with introducing several new ones takes place in a twenty minute time frame. What started within the first book continues on with some shocking results. An interesting way to tell a story revolving around London.
I was not given a complimentary copy of this book to read and review. I was not approached to post a favorable response and all opinions are my own. I have rated this story with five stars.
I was not given a complimentary copy of this book to read and review. I was not approached to post a favorable response and all opinions are my own. I have rated this story with five stars.
January 25, 2023
I loved 20 Minutes on the Tube as it was written in such a unique and clever way. 20 Minutes Later is the second book in the series and I didn’t find as enjoyable as the first. It didn’t wrap up as nicely as the first and felt kind of pointless. I will be reading the next book in the series with the hope it continues the story in a more exciting way.
April 18, 2023
Gripping
A great collection of characters and serendipity. Some predictable moments but the heart with which the characters and situations are drawn brought me to invest the modest cover price. Very much looking forrward to my trip to the park with the author and their head of throughly contrasting cast and animations.
A great collection of characters and serendipity. Some predictable moments but the heart with which the characters and situations are drawn brought me to invest the modest cover price. Very much looking forrward to my trip to the park with the author and their head of throughly contrasting cast and animations.
September 27, 2020
Well worth reading
I've read 3 of the books in the wrong order but didn't spoil the story. It s a interesting and enjoyable read, learning about each of the different characters. Leaves you wanted to know more.
Well done Daniel Hurst
I've read 3 of the books in the wrong order but didn't spoil the story. It s a interesting and enjoyable read, learning about each of the different characters. Leaves you wanted to know more.
Well done Daniel Hurst
March 10, 2021
I love this series of books and enjoy following the adventures of the protagonists. The characters are extremely well-written and the plot moves at a steady pace. Books can be read as standalones, but it is much better if you read the books in order. Highly recommended.
November 22, 2021
Interesting
I'm starting to like the style of these books and how we're getting a better understanding of the characters. You truly never know what someone is going through or thinking.
I'm starting to like the style of these books and how we're getting a better understanding of the characters. You truly never know what someone is going through or thinking.
December 6, 2021
Love it
This series is a unique story in the fact it takes you on a journey through people's lives all of which are interlinked in a clever and plausible way .highly recommend this book .
This series is a unique story in the fact it takes you on a journey through people's lives all of which are interlinked in a clever and plausible way .highly recommend this book .
July 19, 2022
20 Minutes Later
Brilliant, just brilliant. This is the fourth book I've read of the series and I've loved them all. Very cleverly written, with characters, continuing from book to book and subtlety connected.
Brilliant, just brilliant. This is the fourth book I've read of the series and I've loved them all. Very cleverly written, with characters, continuing from book to book and subtlety connected.
September 30, 2022
This is the second book of this series that continues to keep me reading more - some of the characters from first book continue along with new ones. 20 minutes and 20 people and the amazing things they are involved in!
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