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The Editor
A mysterious advert in a newspaper promising to restore hope to the hopeless brings together four strangers.
None realising they will end up investigating a twisted and troubling crime that threatens their very futures.
Mitch, a former Crime Scene Investigator, Olivia, a brilliant PhD student, and Florence, a middle-aged solicitor, find themselves working with an enigmatic newspaper Editor who refers to himself only as Ed.
But when Maddie, a teenage girl, disappears in sinister circumstances, the team is drawn into the hunt for her. And when a neighbour's body is discovered in a pool of blood, they realise they must use their unique skills in a race against time.
But can they solve the mystery before it's too late? And before Ed's shadowy past overcomes them all?
The Editor is an accomplished and truly compelling crime mystery which will engross you from the outset until its thrilling conclusion. If you are a fan of authors like Susan Lewis, Erin Kinsley or J.R. Ellis, you'll love this stunning thriller.
None realising they will end up investigating a twisted and troubling crime that threatens their very futures.
Mitch, a former Crime Scene Investigator, Olivia, a brilliant PhD student, and Florence, a middle-aged solicitor, find themselves working with an enigmatic newspaper Editor who refers to himself only as Ed.
But when Maddie, a teenage girl, disappears in sinister circumstances, the team is drawn into the hunt for her. And when a neighbour's body is discovered in a pool of blood, they realise they must use their unique skills in a race against time.
But can they solve the mystery before it's too late? And before Ed's shadowy past overcomes them all?
The Editor is an accomplished and truly compelling crime mystery which will engross you from the outset until its thrilling conclusion. If you are a fan of authors like Susan Lewis, Erin Kinsley or J.R. Ellis, you'll love this stunning thriller.
- GenresMystery
Audio CD
Published September 15, 2020
15 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
Simon Hall
72 books43 followersSimon Hall, is best known as the BBC’s Crime Correspondent and the author of The TV Detective novels. He describes some of the remarkable events he has witnessed in his time as a television reporter.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
September 3, 2019
THE EDITOR by Simon Hall is an unconventional crime mystery novel, but of a different nature.
I found it hard to warm up to, the first few chapters dealt with hope, the meaning of hope for three strangers, and how they wanted to incorporate hope in their life. I struggled with where this novel was heading, but kept on reading. Then finally all of a sudden it took off, but for me it was a little too late.
A mysterious advert in a newspaper promising to restore hope to the hopeless brings together four strangers.
Little did they know that they would soon be involved in investigating a crime that threatens their very futures.
Mitch, a former Crime Scene Investigator, Olivia, a brilliant PhD student, and Florence, a middle-aged solicitor, find themselves working with an enigmatic newspaper editor who refers to himself only as Ed.
When, Maddie, a teenage girl, disappears and a neighbor’s body is discovered in a pool of blood, the team are drawn into the hunt.
Many thanks to the author and Bloodhound Books for my digital copy.
I found it hard to warm up to, the first few chapters dealt with hope, the meaning of hope for three strangers, and how they wanted to incorporate hope in their life. I struggled with where this novel was heading, but kept on reading. Then finally all of a sudden it took off, but for me it was a little too late.
A mysterious advert in a newspaper promising to restore hope to the hopeless brings together four strangers.
Little did they know that they would soon be involved in investigating a crime that threatens their very futures.
Mitch, a former Crime Scene Investigator, Olivia, a brilliant PhD student, and Florence, a middle-aged solicitor, find themselves working with an enigmatic newspaper editor who refers to himself only as Ed.
When, Maddie, a teenage girl, disappears and a neighbor’s body is discovered in a pool of blood, the team are drawn into the hunt.
Many thanks to the author and Bloodhound Books for my digital copy.
September 7, 2019
Check out all of my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
THE EDITOR by Simon Hall is not the book I was expecting, but that is not necessarily a bad thing at times. I was expecting a straight mystery due to the book blurb and the marketing, but for me it was more of a general fiction story with a mystery sub-plot.
An ad is posted in the newspaper promising to restore hope to the hopeless by Ed. Ed is a mysterious figure who chooses three people from the applicants to assist him in starting a new newswire to get them out among people and reconnect them with humanity and hope.
Mitch is a former crime scene investigator who has seen too much. Olivia is a brilliant computer and mathematician PhD student who hates humanity. Florence is a lawyer who feels that no matter who or what she tries to help, it ends in disaster. Ed is the leader, but he is also is looking for an unnamed answer.
As they search for news stories, the four become involved with a family in crisis. When teenager, Maddie disappears after her mother is sent to the hospital after a domestic abuse incident, the four work together to solve her disappearance. They all use their unique skills in a race against time and fight to maintain their hope.
The four main characters are the focus of this book more than the mystery which is easily figured out. Even the surprise twist at the end is focused on the main characters and not the mystery itself. I really enjoyed the differences between the four and how they came together. The twist at the end surprised me and cleared up questions about Ed.
This book is one of those books that everyone will have different views on and leave the ratings all over the place, but I enjoyed it. I recommend it for a different type of read with the emphasis on the four main characters and not the mystery sub-plot.
THE EDITOR by Simon Hall is not the book I was expecting, but that is not necessarily a bad thing at times. I was expecting a straight mystery due to the book blurb and the marketing, but for me it was more of a general fiction story with a mystery sub-plot.
An ad is posted in the newspaper promising to restore hope to the hopeless by Ed. Ed is a mysterious figure who chooses three people from the applicants to assist him in starting a new newswire to get them out among people and reconnect them with humanity and hope.
Mitch is a former crime scene investigator who has seen too much. Olivia is a brilliant computer and mathematician PhD student who hates humanity. Florence is a lawyer who feels that no matter who or what she tries to help, it ends in disaster. Ed is the leader, but he is also is looking for an unnamed answer.
As they search for news stories, the four become involved with a family in crisis. When teenager, Maddie disappears after her mother is sent to the hospital after a domestic abuse incident, the four work together to solve her disappearance. They all use their unique skills in a race against time and fight to maintain their hope.
The four main characters are the focus of this book more than the mystery which is easily figured out. Even the surprise twist at the end is focused on the main characters and not the mystery itself. I really enjoyed the differences between the four and how they came together. The twist at the end surprised me and cleared up questions about Ed.
This book is one of those books that everyone will have different views on and leave the ratings all over the place, but I enjoyed it. I recommend it for a different type of read with the emphasis on the four main characters and not the mystery sub-plot.
September 3, 2019
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
At first, I thought that The Editor by Simon Hall was going to be really slow and weird, and that I wasn't going to like it. I am very happy to report that things turned around quickly for me and I really enjoyed it!
What it's about: After a mysterious advertisement in the paper promises hope, 4 unlikely people end up together. Ed is a newspaper editor, Mitch is a former Crime Scene Investigator, Florence is a solicitor, and Olivia (the firecracker of the bunch) is an incredibly smart PhD student. These four people band together to not only write the news but help to find an abducted local girl named Maddy in the process.
I am once again being very vague with my summery because The Editor is another great book to go into mostly blind. I think it is good to know the basic premise but let the rest fall into place as you read it. I really enjoyed all of the main 4 characters in this book, but my favorite was definitely Olivia. She was brilliant (especially with computers), but also had a mouth like a sailor which kept things very entertaining. I love strong-willed women in my books and that was definitely Olivia.
There were a few parts that are quite emotional, and this is one of those books that you not only get a good mystery, but also plenty of heart from. Ed was an interesting character, as was Mitch, and I was very intrigued by Ed's dark past that is alluded to throughout the book. There are also parts that made me chuckle and laugh out loud, so The Editor isn't just all sadness and intrigue but also quite witty as well.
I really liked the plot, and once I got past the very beginning, I found myself fully engaged in the story and having a hard time putting it down to live life. The Editor also read a bit like a movie, and I could definitely see this going onto TV. I really enjoyed Hall's writing style as well, and this book felt very different from other books I have read in the past - in a good way!
Song/s the book brought to mind: Secret Agent Man by Johnny Rivers.
Final Thought: The Editor is a little hard from me to put into words, so I highly recommend checking it out for yourself! It has mystery, a strong female lead, short chapters, and some really kick ass moments that a lot of people will enjoy. This is a quirky way in which to tell a mystery, but one that I really enjoyed. I did think a couple parts got a tiny bit cheesy, but overall this was a solid book and one that I will be recommending to almost everyone!
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
At first, I thought that The Editor by Simon Hall was going to be really slow and weird, and that I wasn't going to like it. I am very happy to report that things turned around quickly for me and I really enjoyed it!
What it's about: After a mysterious advertisement in the paper promises hope, 4 unlikely people end up together. Ed is a newspaper editor, Mitch is a former Crime Scene Investigator, Florence is a solicitor, and Olivia (the firecracker of the bunch) is an incredibly smart PhD student. These four people band together to not only write the news but help to find an abducted local girl named Maddy in the process.
I am once again being very vague with my summery because The Editor is another great book to go into mostly blind. I think it is good to know the basic premise but let the rest fall into place as you read it. I really enjoyed all of the main 4 characters in this book, but my favorite was definitely Olivia. She was brilliant (especially with computers), but also had a mouth like a sailor which kept things very entertaining. I love strong-willed women in my books and that was definitely Olivia.
There were a few parts that are quite emotional, and this is one of those books that you not only get a good mystery, but also plenty of heart from. Ed was an interesting character, as was Mitch, and I was very intrigued by Ed's dark past that is alluded to throughout the book. There are also parts that made me chuckle and laugh out loud, so The Editor isn't just all sadness and intrigue but also quite witty as well.
I really liked the plot, and once I got past the very beginning, I found myself fully engaged in the story and having a hard time putting it down to live life. The Editor also read a bit like a movie, and I could definitely see this going onto TV. I really enjoyed Hall's writing style as well, and this book felt very different from other books I have read in the past - in a good way!
Song/s the book brought to mind: Secret Agent Man by Johnny Rivers.
Final Thought: The Editor is a little hard from me to put into words, so I highly recommend checking it out for yourself! It has mystery, a strong female lead, short chapters, and some really kick ass moments that a lot of people will enjoy. This is a quirky way in which to tell a mystery, but one that I really enjoyed. I did think a couple parts got a tiny bit cheesy, but overall this was a solid book and one that I will be recommending to almost everyone!
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
September 3, 2019
When a mysterious ad is placed, promising to restore hope to the hopeless, many people show up at this 'work fair'. The editor (Ed) chooses only three people from all the applicants, none realizing that their futures are being threatened.
Besides the editor himself, this small eclectic group includes a former Crime Scene Investigator, a PhdD Student who is blazingly gifted, and a not-so-young Solicitor.
A teenage girl goes missing ... and the team is drawn into the investigation. It's when a neighbor is found floating in his pool, that the team decide to use their unique talents in solving the crime.
But can they solve the mystery before it’s too late? And before Ed’s shadowy past overcomes them all?
This was an extremely slow starter for me. I waded through the first several chapters without any idea of what this book was supposed to be about. It was less mysterious than confusing. I persevered as much as possible .. and I do confess to skipping a few pages here and there ... before getting to the root of the story. Once I reached that point, the story became much more interesting with mystery and a bit of suspense.
Many thanks to the author / Bloodhound Books for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Besides the editor himself, this small eclectic group includes a former Crime Scene Investigator, a PhdD Student who is blazingly gifted, and a not-so-young Solicitor.
A teenage girl goes missing ... and the team is drawn into the investigation. It's when a neighbor is found floating in his pool, that the team decide to use their unique talents in solving the crime.
But can they solve the mystery before it’s too late? And before Ed’s shadowy past overcomes them all?
This was an extremely slow starter for me. I waded through the first several chapters without any idea of what this book was supposed to be about. It was less mysterious than confusing. I persevered as much as possible .. and I do confess to skipping a few pages here and there ... before getting to the root of the story. Once I reached that point, the story became much more interesting with mystery and a bit of suspense.
Many thanks to the author / Bloodhound Books for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
September 2, 2019
The Editor is a quirky and unique read and for the most part, it defies categorisation - there is a lot of mystery and intrigue but it also had a slight literary tinge to it. The characters are fascinating and very well rounded, the plot detailed and fascinating, and the writing eminently readable. The first few chapters had me questioning where the story was going to go and so it didn't quite click immediately for me; at least not as rapidly as other similar books have in the past.
However, as I read further into it I was hooked before I knew it and it was difficult to stop reading as Hall had built up the tension so beautifully that I was dying to know exactly how it would all resolve. This will not be for everyone as it's a subtle, sophisticated read, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's definitely a worthy read for those who enjoy their crime fiction more psychologically-based rather than all teeth. Many thanks to Bloodhound Books for an ARC.
However, as I read further into it I was hooked before I knew it and it was difficult to stop reading as Hall had built up the tension so beautifully that I was dying to know exactly how it would all resolve. This will not be for everyone as it's a subtle, sophisticated read, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's definitely a worthy read for those who enjoy their crime fiction more psychologically-based rather than all teeth. Many thanks to Bloodhound Books for an ARC.
September 5, 2019
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
A man known only as Ed gathers a large number of people with only a small newspaper advertisement about hope. From that meeting, four strangers embark on a campaign to restore hope to others and themselves via an unusual startup enterprise. Then what starts off as a search for a compelling human interest story, becomes a heartfelt search for a neighborhood's missing pets, and then turns into something with life and death consequences for a handful of people and something that stirs a nation.
I don't want to say more about the plot than that brief paragraph—the details of Hall's story need to unfold slowly for you as you read the book. I spent a lot of time wondering how this qualified as Crime Fiction at all. I didn't really care about the answer, because I got sucked into the narrative right away and was thoroughly enjoying the book, no matter what genre it ended up being. It does end up as a very compelling Crime Novel, but it takes its time getting to that point. The Editor is a book better experienced and read than explained, so I'm going to be a lot briefer than normal.
Hall's typically an engaging author, with characters that you like despite not liking the way they always act, and can really tell a story. But in The Editor he pulls out all the stops and adds some extra "writerly flair" to the text. Lines like:
add that je ne sais quoi that elevate this novel.
And then he'll make you smile with things like this reaction from an elderly woman:
There's a very real sense in which you won't (and cannot) figure out what's really going on in The Editor until the end when Hall tells you. It's frequently an annoying trait/trick when it's pulled. But if it's done correctly, it can be very satisfying—and Hall does it perfectly. But I've gotta say, even when the curtain is drawn back and the metaphoric Wizard is exposed, I was far more interested in the stuff that didn't have to be revealed—the story itself, prima facie, is what matters most. It's what's going to leave a lasting impression on the reader. The other stuff is interesting and (again) well-executed, but it's not as important as the rest.
And really, when is the central theme of this book not something that you can use?
I think Hall's TV Detective series is a lot of fun, and one of the things that's bugged me most about 2019's reading is that I haven't made more of an effort to catch up on that series. But this? This is a special kind of book that bears almost no resemblance at all to the other Hall works I've read—it's effective and affecting, inspirational and singular, wholly unexpected. You've gotta grab this one.
My thanks to Bloodhound Books for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials (including the novel) they provided.
---
Hope is the true immortal in life. It never leaves us and it never dies. Sometimes, hope’s gentle voice might be drowned out by all the noise in our lives. But find a hidden corner, listen hard, and you will always hear the quiet song of hope.
A man known only as Ed gathers a large number of people with only a small newspaper advertisement about hope. From that meeting, four strangers embark on a campaign to restore hope to others and themselves via an unusual startup enterprise. Then what starts off as a search for a compelling human interest story, becomes a heartfelt search for a neighborhood's missing pets, and then turns into something with life and death consequences for a handful of people and something that stirs a nation.
I don't want to say more about the plot than that brief paragraph—the details of Hall's story need to unfold slowly for you as you read the book. I spent a lot of time wondering how this qualified as Crime Fiction at all. I didn't really care about the answer, because I got sucked into the narrative right away and was thoroughly enjoying the book, no matter what genre it ended up being. It does end up as a very compelling Crime Novel, but it takes its time getting to that point. The Editor is a book better experienced and read than explained, so I'm going to be a lot briefer than normal.
Hall's typically an engaging author, with characters that you like despite not liking the way they always act, and can really tell a story. But in The Editor he pulls out all the stops and adds some extra "writerly flair" to the text. Lines like:
That small hiccup overcome, however, the story not only settled in their laps but purred happily in the process.
And Florence, despite her sad experience of how life could always find a way to confound her, smiled. Optimism was always one of the toughest drugs to quit.
add that je ne sais quoi that elevate this novel.
And then he'll make you smile with things like this reaction from an elderly woman:
‘What do you think should happen to whoever might have taken George, and the other cats?’
‘Death!’ Elizabeth declared, with all the certainty of her soul. ‘I never understood why we abolished the death penalty in the first place. Here now, if ever there was one, is surely a case for bringing it back.’
There's a very real sense in which you won't (and cannot) figure out what's really going on in The Editor until the end when Hall tells you. It's frequently an annoying trait/trick when it's pulled. But if it's done correctly, it can be very satisfying—and Hall does it perfectly. But I've gotta say, even when the curtain is drawn back and the metaphoric Wizard is exposed, I was far more interested in the stuff that didn't have to be revealed—the story itself, prima facie, is what matters most. It's what's going to leave a lasting impression on the reader. The other stuff is interesting and (again) well-executed, but it's not as important as the rest.
And really, when is the central theme of this book not something that you can use?
"There's still hope. Of course there's still hope. There’s always hope. Feel it. Live it, breathe it..."
I think Hall's TV Detective series is a lot of fun, and one of the things that's bugged me most about 2019's reading is that I haven't made more of an effort to catch up on that series. But this? This is a special kind of book that bears almost no resemblance at all to the other Hall works I've read—it's effective and affecting, inspirational and singular, wholly unexpected. You've gotta grab this one.
My thanks to Bloodhound Books for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials (including the novel) they provided.
September 4, 2019
This starts with a leaflet, offering Hope…..it invites people to come to a meeting. Ed the Editor of Newswire is surprised when so many turn up. but he only has places for 3 …So he asks them to write thoughts on What is the best thing about life?
He chooses, Mitchell an ex-CSI who struggles to find meaning in life, Florence a solicitor and Olivia a very clever PHD student who finds life to easy, nothing to work for and no point.
They are all lonely and Edmhas offered them Hope.
But then, a young girl goes missing, a neighbour found in a pool of blood…..and so the story begins. Can this group solve the mystery or are they going to be In danger themselves….
This is not a blood and guts crime thriller, but a more philosophical, psychological thriller that will make you think. Unique and original.
Thank you to Bloodhound Books for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour, for the promotional materials and a free copy of the ebook. This is my honest, unbiased review.
He chooses, Mitchell an ex-CSI who struggles to find meaning in life, Florence a solicitor and Olivia a very clever PHD student who finds life to easy, nothing to work for and no point.
They are all lonely and Edmhas offered them Hope.
But then, a young girl goes missing, a neighbour found in a pool of blood…..and so the story begins. Can this group solve the mystery or are they going to be In danger themselves….
This is not a blood and guts crime thriller, but a more philosophical, psychological thriller that will make you think. Unique and original.
Thank you to Bloodhound Books for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour, for the promotional materials and a free copy of the ebook. This is my honest, unbiased review.
September 3, 2019
The Editor, by Simon Hall, starts a little slow but once the foundations of the story are laid, it flows easily, quickly turning into a novel that is intelligent, quirky and unique.
Mr. Hall has an enjoyable writing style and has created a central cast of well-written and delightful characters, with enough twists and turns to keep the reader on their toes.
If you're looking for a more mature novel with a smart style, look no further!
Mr. Hall has an enjoyable writing style and has created a central cast of well-written and delightful characters, with enough twists and turns to keep the reader on their toes.
If you're looking for a more mature novel with a smart style, look no further!
August 21, 2019
I admit it took me a little while to warm to this book, but all of a sudden it just clicked and then I couldn't put it down. I've not read anything by this author before, but I have a feeling I might read more now.
September 18, 2019
I had been distracted by things in life of late so I picked this up as a means of escapism and I wasn't disappointed.
I read mixed reviews but it really worked for me and I enjoyed the whole storyline and characters. I will definitely read other books by this author.
I read mixed reviews but it really worked for me and I enjoyed the whole storyline and characters. I will definitely read other books by this author.
August 23, 2019
Good book! I loved this. Great characters and a real thriller. His writing is captivating. Highly recommended. I can't wait to read more.
February 9, 2022
Much more of a cosy mystery than I was expecting. 4 misfits come together to work on a new on-line local rag. 2 men and 2 women out investigating a story about missing cats and get in too deep. all that is missing is Scooby-Doo. The ending is more sickly than 50 sticks of candy floss. The best thing it it was Tommy the Tortoise unfortunately.
January 14, 2021
DNF @ 36% and if it wasn't for the excellent narrator, I would not have made it this far. The style of writing (and even some elements of the plot) unfortunately reminded me of Anxious People which I despised and also DNF'ed. This one is less annoying but it still tries too hard to be cutesy and to blatantly pull at your heartstrings but maybe I don't have a heart because I just find it irritating. If you liked Anxious People, maybe you'd enjoy this one a lot more than I did.
I think it comes down to the unrealistic interactions between different people - not just one character, or a particular interaction, but most if not all of them. The book is mostly about hope - or at least the first 36% of it is - and a bunch of hopeless strangers coming together in the hope of finding hope... on a more permanent basis in their disappointing lives. It is an interesting premise but the characters seemed like caricatures and the absurdity of their dialogue just made the whole story seem like a farce.
Maybe it's just me. I have realised that I prefer my character interactions realistic unless there is an element of fantasy, or magical realism or something (and even then...), I need to understand the characters to be able to empathise with them. Sure, they might go through unrealistic events, but they need to react like real people would! I don't want all the characters to be quirky and quaint.
I was hoping for a mystery but it has not crystallised. Other reviews say it is there, somewhere but I've run out of patience.
I think it comes down to the unrealistic interactions between different people - not just one character, or a particular interaction, but most if not all of them. The book is mostly about hope - or at least the first 36% of it is - and a bunch of hopeless strangers coming together in the hope of finding hope... on a more permanent basis in their disappointing lives. It is an interesting premise but the characters seemed like caricatures and the absurdity of their dialogue just made the whole story seem like a farce.
Maybe it's just me. I have realised that I prefer my character interactions realistic unless there is an element of fantasy, or magical realism or something (and even then...), I need to understand the characters to be able to empathise with them. Sure, they might go through unrealistic events, but they need to react like real people would! I don't want all the characters to be quirky and quaint.
I was hoping for a mystery but it has not crystallised. Other reviews say it is there, somewhere but I've run out of patience.
September 3, 2019
This is a book with a difference, it’s all based on hope. That little word that can mean so much but sometimes in life we can lose sight of and need help to find it again.
The story is about a man that has an idea. He takes it to a bank that agrees to give it a go and provides him the premises within the labs to set up his enterprise. Then a mysterious advert in a newspaper promising to restore hope to the hopeless brings together four total strangers from about a hundred. It’s the start of ‘The Last Edition’, an online newspaper that’s set to start a train of events that no-one can foresee.
The gang consists of Olivia, the youngest member with a brilliant mind, was a PhD student but, also, has a troubled background and very bolshoi attitude. Florence is a middle-aged solicitor with a caring attitude and a good way of calming situations down. Mitch is a character who is a former Crime Scene Investigator but is there more to his past? Finally, we have the Editor who brought them altogether who decided on these people for his team, he doesn’t say much of his past as he relives it every day but he has found a way to cope and wants to pass that on to others, hence this project. He has to try and keep them under control, offering guidance and getting them inspired. But it works!
One of the biggest stories the team write about is missing cats in an area of Cambridge. Maddie, a young teenager, has her cat goes missing and her dad beat up her mum then she goes missing. The team help out in the search and writes about it online and the story goes viral. When a neighbour’s body is discovered in a pool of blood, is this connected? Can the team help crack the mystery before anyone else?
I found this book very intriguing and enjoyable to read. Also, I liked the storyline and grew to like the characters, especially by the end. I found this an easy book to read as I liked what I was reading. This was a good concept for a story as it was different to anything else I have come across before. Be interesting to see if there is a follow up.
The story is about a man that has an idea. He takes it to a bank that agrees to give it a go and provides him the premises within the labs to set up his enterprise. Then a mysterious advert in a newspaper promising to restore hope to the hopeless brings together four total strangers from about a hundred. It’s the start of ‘The Last Edition’, an online newspaper that’s set to start a train of events that no-one can foresee.
The gang consists of Olivia, the youngest member with a brilliant mind, was a PhD student but, also, has a troubled background and very bolshoi attitude. Florence is a middle-aged solicitor with a caring attitude and a good way of calming situations down. Mitch is a character who is a former Crime Scene Investigator but is there more to his past? Finally, we have the Editor who brought them altogether who decided on these people for his team, he doesn’t say much of his past as he relives it every day but he has found a way to cope and wants to pass that on to others, hence this project. He has to try and keep them under control, offering guidance and getting them inspired. But it works!
One of the biggest stories the team write about is missing cats in an area of Cambridge. Maddie, a young teenager, has her cat goes missing and her dad beat up her mum then she goes missing. The team help out in the search and writes about it online and the story goes viral. When a neighbour’s body is discovered in a pool of blood, is this connected? Can the team help crack the mystery before anyone else?
I found this book very intriguing and enjoyable to read. Also, I liked the storyline and grew to like the characters, especially by the end. I found this an easy book to read as I liked what I was reading. This was a good concept for a story as it was different to anything else I have come across before. Be interesting to see if there is a follow up.
September 6, 2019
Hope. Hope is the driving force and theme of this book. A weird advert pulls together a group of people in desperate need of hope. Something to hold onto before they lose it all. Out of this group, a little core of four forms and becomes a tiny online "newspaper". These four folks are a lawyer, a crime scene investigator, a Ph.D., and an Editor. Toss in a missing teen girl, and it's on! But what is that current underneath I keep sensing? The current that keeps me flipping pages is what exactly? Is it that they will solve the crime, yes, but it's more. Will they find hope, will they be something bigger than they are, or is this group doomed to be sucked into something that will crush their hopes for life? I liked the small twists, and I thoroughly enjoyed this book that works from start to finish to bring hope. Thus, I hope to read more of this author's books.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for my copy of this novel. My review is my own, left freely with my thoughts and opinions included.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for my copy of this novel. My review is my own, left freely with my thoughts and opinions included.
August 31, 2019
If you enjoy run-of-the-mill murder/mysteries, then this may not be a book for you. However if you want to read something with a different angle of approach, then The Editor is the book. It was a tad slow to begin with, setting the scene and then introducing us to the characters, and then off it went at a good pace, making you think about many things along the way. You know there is something/someone in the background that is kept frustratingly out of touch until the end of the novel. I enjoyed the refreshing slant which Simon has along with the good mix of characters.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for the ARC to review.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for the ARC to review.
September 3, 2019
I would be hard pressed to settle on a genre for this book - that I thoroughly enjoyed. The writing is excellent, the characters are not only well developed but quirky and well rounded. I found the early chapters ethereal and for some reason reminiscent of the Shadows of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon - not in content but in the feeling it evoked in this reader.
A ‘mature’ work that astounded me for what I had thought to be a debut novel... How delighted I am that the author has quite a few in his back catalogue. You have made a fan.
A ‘mature’ work that astounded me for what I had thought to be a debut novel... How delighted I am that the author has quite a few in his back catalogue. You have made a fan.
December 19, 2020
3.5
Well. That was a bit unexpected. The Editor was a gentle, almost sweet, slow moving mystery without a whole lot of tension or high stakes. Or even mystery. But that's OK. It was more, in my opinion, of a rumination on hope and on persisting with life even when things are bleak. The writing was not bad, just a bit cute for my taste, and the characters were interesting and fairly well deceloped (but for the kind of weird "X is a spy [??] subplot that I'm still not fully sure of).
It was a nice, gentle, relaxing and definitely positive read.
Well. That was a bit unexpected. The Editor was a gentle, almost sweet, slow moving mystery without a whole lot of tension or high stakes. Or even mystery. But that's OK. It was more, in my opinion, of a rumination on hope and on persisting with life even when things are bleak. The writing was not bad, just a bit cute for my taste, and the characters were interesting and fairly well deceloped (but for the kind of weird "X is a spy [??] subplot that I'm still not fully sure of).
It was a nice, gentle, relaxing and definitely positive read.
September 2, 2019
Although I thought this was a little slow to start with I did enjoy it.
Not sure what genre this is, maybe it’s in a league of its own lol it’s one of those stories I’m finding hard to review. I think if I say anything it could be a spoiler. I will say if your looking for something kinda different then give this a chance.
I’ll definitely be looking to read more from this author in the future.
Not sure what genre this is, maybe it’s in a league of its own lol it’s one of those stories I’m finding hard to review. I think if I say anything it could be a spoiler. I will say if your looking for something kinda different then give this a chance.
I’ll definitely be looking to read more from this author in the future.
September 2, 2019
In this book, it is a crime novel but slow in my opinion to start. It has a lot of physiological things going for it in the beginning to get the reader thinking, but it does keep the 'main story' away for a while. Once you get past that, it becomes a pretty good mystery. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book from Bloodhound Books.
September 14, 2019
This is my first story by this author, I enjoyed it. It is a creative story that had me sitting on edge of my seat a few times. I did have hard time getting into but once I did it was engaging . It was a little confusing in parts but despite that the characters kept the story flowing. I highly recommend this book.
January 17, 2025
Some thing(s) I liked:
✅Lol! Never heard of pylon spotting before but I love it!
✅How Olivia kicked everyone's arse any chance she got.
Some thing(s), not so much:
⭕ Hmm, didn't much like the ending. It dropped the last half a star for me.
⭕Alan was a slime ball from the start before anything came out about him 🤢
✅Lol! Never heard of pylon spotting before but I love it!
✅How Olivia kicked everyone's arse any chance she got.
Some thing(s), not so much:
⭕ Hmm, didn't much like the ending. It dropped the last half a star for me.
⭕Alan was a slime ball from the start before anything came out about him 🤢
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 7, 2021
Bit of a snoozefest 💤
November 8, 2021
A really lovely book. I so enjoyed this. It was interesting and intriguing.
July 5, 2023
I wanted to ditch this one early on as it begins quite slowly, but I'm glad I hung on as it was quite a good story.
September 6, 2019
The Editor by Simon Hall is less a crime thriller and more an innovative psychological novel where people with difficult pasts collaborate to solve a crime which befalls them. Hall is clearly evolving from his earlier TV Detective series with more insightful reveals about characters, a clear interest of his -- as well as an emerging meditation on the importance of hope in the lives of people who suffer from past trauma, depression, grief, and more. In a time when there is a growing awareness on mental health, the underlying theme of the book is quite apt and meaningful, especially for men [and especially British men] who find it difficult to talk about their feelings. I hope the author takes this theme farther and delves much deeper into it. Along these lines, fleshing out "hope" as an idea could probably be more overt in the beginning of The Editor, but it is a consistent theme that develops as the book progresses. (Have patience.) In terms of writing, The Editor evokes a wonderful sense of place about Cambridge: you can envision the spires, cemeteries, colleges, and commons as well as birdlife, shadowy alleys, and more. Hall is wonderful with dialogue. He has clearly spent a great deal of time listening to the cadence, language, and diction of people talking to each other. He can capture a foul-mouthed female character alongside more closed-off men, whose thoughts omnisciently permeate the narrative. Read this book and then wait for the next one by Hall. He is an author on the precipice of something special and timely: even more deeply capturing the psyches of men in pain who, for myriad reasons, have difficulty talking about their inner lives but seek connection, joy, and -- yes -- hope. I, for one, hope the author makes the leap. It could be marvellous.
September 2, 2019
A cryptic ad in a paper leads to three people being given the opportunity to rediscover hope through working on a newswire with the mysterious Ed. The first few chapters were very slow and focused on hope - the meaning of hope for the three people, how they wanted to find hope n their lives again etc and how Ed thought his scheme would help - I really struggled to keep reading. The later chapters were better and easier to read. Wouldn’t personally class this as a crime/mystery/thriller due to the first few chapters - gave it three stars in the end as the story and pace did improve.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
September 1, 2019
This book gets off to a very slow start. I decided to stick with it though, as I was curious to find out where the story would lead me.
This is not your conventional crime thriller, and I just found that I had to struggle my way through it. It did, however, keep me reading to the end, as I wanted to see how it all planned out.
There were one or two twists that I didn’t see coming, but I just didn’t find that this book had the level of tension I needed to really grip me.
This is not your conventional crime thriller, and I just found that I had to struggle my way through it. It did, however, keep me reading to the end, as I wanted to see how it all planned out.
There were one or two twists that I didn’t see coming, but I just didn’t find that this book had the level of tension I needed to really grip me.
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