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Alter Ego
Pounding on the door. My seven-year-old son shaking me awake. My head fuzzy with sleeping pills. The hallway flashing with blue light. This morning my life will change forever.
Alex Kendrew is juggling single parenthood, work and dating; with a wild, impetuous streak that’s hard to keep in check, she struggles to find a balance and feels perpetually guilty for the choices she makes.
In K.A. Masson’s domestic noir thriller, Alex begins a passionate affair when an old flame gets in touch. But one morning, the police arrest her for his attempted murder. Someone is framing her; can she prove her innocence as the evidence mounts against her?
Alex Kendrew is juggling single parenthood, work and dating; with a wild, impetuous streak that’s hard to keep in check, she struggles to find a balance and feels perpetually guilty for the choices she makes.
In K.A. Masson’s domestic noir thriller, Alex begins a passionate affair when an old flame gets in touch. But one morning, the police arrest her for his attempted murder. Someone is framing her; can she prove her innocence as the evidence mounts against her?
456 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 17, 2020
16 people are currently reading
690 people want to read
About the author
K.A. Masson
1 book59 followersThank you for your interest in my book.
I live in London with my teenage son and our black cat Slinky, and have worked in design for over 20 years, bringing to life the words of others. I began writing Alter Ego almost by accident. I emailed Faber Academy on a day when someone had just pulled out of their ‘Start Your Novel In A Week’ course. Without that stroke of luck, I may never have got further than the first few chapters.
I've always loved books with a psychological element; My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier, Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro and the Dublin Murders series by Tana French are among my favourite books. I’m fascinated by the crazy things that normal people do, when pushed by anger, fear, jealousy, and hatred.
I’m an avid runner, and love cinema, photography and art. I couldn’t live without coffee and I’m a decent meringue baker.
I live in London with my teenage son and our black cat Slinky, and have worked in design for over 20 years, bringing to life the words of others. I began writing Alter Ego almost by accident. I emailed Faber Academy on a day when someone had just pulled out of their ‘Start Your Novel In A Week’ course. Without that stroke of luck, I may never have got further than the first few chapters.
I've always loved books with a psychological element; My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier, Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro and the Dublin Murders series by Tana French are among my favourite books. I’m fascinated by the crazy things that normal people do, when pushed by anger, fear, jealousy, and hatred.
I’m an avid runner, and love cinema, photography and art. I couldn’t live without coffee and I’m a decent meringue baker.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
January 23, 2021
This was a new author for me. The story was good, there were a lot of characters for my liking but the story was good.
Domestic thrillers are on the top of my favorite to read list. It took me a bit to figure this one out.
Masson is on my radar now. I plan to read more of her books as she writes more.
I gave Alter Ego 3 stars.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.
Domestic thrillers are on the top of my favorite to read list. It took me a bit to figure this one out.
Masson is on my radar now. I plan to read more of her books as she writes more.
I gave Alter Ego 3 stars.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.
April 10, 2021
“How far would you go to prove your innocence?”
This is definitely a book of two halves, but blend them together and you have a “domestic noir” novel which far belies its debut status.
I do have to be honest though and confess that at about the 25% marker, I was on the point of putting the book to one side, for no other reason than the volume of quite graphic and erotic sex scenes it contained, some of which were fairly violent and unpleasant, although compellingly raw and perceptive, and I just couldn’t see where this journey was leading me. I began to wonder at Alex’s lack of morals and parenting skills, especially as she is, to all intents and purposes, a single mother! A new date almost every night, with her young son Ned being farmed out to a different babysitter each time, and then to hear her bemoaning her lack of control and vowing to become a better mother and put her son first! She just seems to be hellbent on a suicide mission and very much the architect of her own demise.
Just goes to show you how easily fooled you can be, when a consummate storyteller and plot builder, who wields total authority and maturity in their writing, gets their hands on a great idea!
Boy! Am I pleased I decide to keep reading, as I ended up by not being able to turn the pages fast enough, in an effort to find out what happened next, when one of Alex’s dates meets his end and Alex herself is in the frame for his murder. What happened thereafter, all culminated in a tense, edge-of-the-seat finish, which never looked like it was going to end well, despite the perpetrator having been unmasked to me, not by me, at that time. Once the dust settles, and although things are still a little touch and go, there is a small glimmer of hope and optimism for Alex and Ned to build their lives upon going forward, so let’s hope that common sense prevails and leads to a brighter more fulfilled future, which holds more promise than the troubled past they can now hopefully leave behind them.
This multi-layered, intense storyline is a slow burner, which has been beautifully crafted and structured, by an author who totally owns the journey and all the characters she gathers around her. During the first half of the book, the scenery is expertly laid out, with the suspects all taking their places on the stage, and there are many of them, believe me! Red herrings are deliberately placed to trip up the unwary reader, which they did me, several times. And so this game of cat and mouse began. My suspect list was vast and it wasn’t until the identity of the real perpetrator became so obvious that even I couldn’t miss it, could I discard the many other names I still had left to eliminate. So many faces in the frame, so many motives, so many lies and so much deceit, it was like actually being inside a real-life game of ‘Cluedo’
The second half of this tense and textured story deals exclusively with the fallout and aftermath of the crime, when everyone else is busy covering their tracks, leaving Alex to face the music alone. I don’t think I have ever read such a detailed and realistic treatment of a time spent in police custody and the procedural work in processing and progressing an investigation, I was lost in time and physically with Alex all the way through her emotionally draining and soul destroying ordeal. The fluid dialogue was tight, relevant and punchy throughout. The tense narrative, gripping, disturbingly observational and vividly descriptive to the very end; and when the police threw in that one final gut wrenching piece of information for Alex to digest, I think I was as devastated as she was!
As this story was equally driven by both plot and characters, reflecting the nature of modern multiple dating and friendships, the sprawling cast was drawn from a diverse range of classes and walks of life. Many were very emotionally complex, some devious, others downright vindictive and jealous. All were well drawn and defined, so that I knew exactly where I stood with them, even if most were not particularly authentic, likeable or relatable. The only one of this mash up of human wiles and artifices, who still had a rather touching naivety, was young Ned and being under 8 this is probably only to be expected. Even he however, as devoted as he obviously is to Alex, is not above turning a situation to his advantage, to the point that other mothers are stopping their own children from getting involved with him, because of his sometimes feral and selfish ways, which rather obviously stem from his lack of parental supervision during Alex’s binge dating sessions. Despite Alex’s bravado and ‘devil may care’ cavalier attitude, I got the impression that with her multi-faceted personality, perhaps she was the most vulnerable of all the characters. Her volatile emotions and ‘off the wall’ actions are all over the place. She is desperately searching for a sense of belonging and inclusion, and she is clearly yearning for a stable relationship and a traditional family life. I just hope that her complex life can be straightened out and that she can learn to love and hold onto all the good things she has in her possession, rather than letting them slip through her fingers again!
“Revenge is a dish best served cold”
This is definitely a book of two halves, but blend them together and you have a “domestic noir” novel which far belies its debut status.
I do have to be honest though and confess that at about the 25% marker, I was on the point of putting the book to one side, for no other reason than the volume of quite graphic and erotic sex scenes it contained, some of which were fairly violent and unpleasant, although compellingly raw and perceptive, and I just couldn’t see where this journey was leading me. I began to wonder at Alex’s lack of morals and parenting skills, especially as she is, to all intents and purposes, a single mother! A new date almost every night, with her young son Ned being farmed out to a different babysitter each time, and then to hear her bemoaning her lack of control and vowing to become a better mother and put her son first! She just seems to be hellbent on a suicide mission and very much the architect of her own demise.
Just goes to show you how easily fooled you can be, when a consummate storyteller and plot builder, who wields total authority and maturity in their writing, gets their hands on a great idea!
Boy! Am I pleased I decide to keep reading, as I ended up by not being able to turn the pages fast enough, in an effort to find out what happened next, when one of Alex’s dates meets his end and Alex herself is in the frame for his murder. What happened thereafter, all culminated in a tense, edge-of-the-seat finish, which never looked like it was going to end well, despite the perpetrator having been unmasked to me, not by me, at that time. Once the dust settles, and although things are still a little touch and go, there is a small glimmer of hope and optimism for Alex and Ned to build their lives upon going forward, so let’s hope that common sense prevails and leads to a brighter more fulfilled future, which holds more promise than the troubled past they can now hopefully leave behind them.
This multi-layered, intense storyline is a slow burner, which has been beautifully crafted and structured, by an author who totally owns the journey and all the characters she gathers around her. During the first half of the book, the scenery is expertly laid out, with the suspects all taking their places on the stage, and there are many of them, believe me! Red herrings are deliberately placed to trip up the unwary reader, which they did me, several times. And so this game of cat and mouse began. My suspect list was vast and it wasn’t until the identity of the real perpetrator became so obvious that even I couldn’t miss it, could I discard the many other names I still had left to eliminate. So many faces in the frame, so many motives, so many lies and so much deceit, it was like actually being inside a real-life game of ‘Cluedo’
The second half of this tense and textured story deals exclusively with the fallout and aftermath of the crime, when everyone else is busy covering their tracks, leaving Alex to face the music alone. I don’t think I have ever read such a detailed and realistic treatment of a time spent in police custody and the procedural work in processing and progressing an investigation, I was lost in time and physically with Alex all the way through her emotionally draining and soul destroying ordeal. The fluid dialogue was tight, relevant and punchy throughout. The tense narrative, gripping, disturbingly observational and vividly descriptive to the very end; and when the police threw in that one final gut wrenching piece of information for Alex to digest, I think I was as devastated as she was!
As this story was equally driven by both plot and characters, reflecting the nature of modern multiple dating and friendships, the sprawling cast was drawn from a diverse range of classes and walks of life. Many were very emotionally complex, some devious, others downright vindictive and jealous. All were well drawn and defined, so that I knew exactly where I stood with them, even if most were not particularly authentic, likeable or relatable. The only one of this mash up of human wiles and artifices, who still had a rather touching naivety, was young Ned and being under 8 this is probably only to be expected. Even he however, as devoted as he obviously is to Alex, is not above turning a situation to his advantage, to the point that other mothers are stopping their own children from getting involved with him, because of his sometimes feral and selfish ways, which rather obviously stem from his lack of parental supervision during Alex’s binge dating sessions. Despite Alex’s bravado and ‘devil may care’ cavalier attitude, I got the impression that with her multi-faceted personality, perhaps she was the most vulnerable of all the characters. Her volatile emotions and ‘off the wall’ actions are all over the place. She is desperately searching for a sense of belonging and inclusion, and she is clearly yearning for a stable relationship and a traditional family life. I just hope that her complex life can be straightened out and that she can learn to love and hold onto all the good things she has in her possession, rather than letting them slip through her fingers again!
“Revenge is a dish best served cold”
October 17, 2021
Alter Ego by KA Masson
I give this book 4.25 stars
Single mum Alex Kendrew is juggling a busy life,looking after her young son Ned, working as an independent photographer and attempting online dating.After a series of disasters she rekindles a connection with someone. But then one morning, the police arrest her for his attempted murder. Someone is framing her; can she prove her innocence as the evidence mounts against her?
A brilliant debut novel that l just wanted to keep on reading.The storyline and characters were realistic and believable and l really liked Alex.A great domestic noir with lots of pace and l was left guessing till right near the end.(this has quite detailed sex scenes) A recommended read.l will be looking out for more from this author.
With thanks to Netgalley and the author KM Masson for my opportunity to read and review this book
I give this book 4.25 stars
Single mum Alex Kendrew is juggling a busy life,looking after her young son Ned, working as an independent photographer and attempting online dating.After a series of disasters she rekindles a connection with someone. But then one morning, the police arrest her for his attempted murder. Someone is framing her; can she prove her innocence as the evidence mounts against her?
A brilliant debut novel that l just wanted to keep on reading.The storyline and characters were realistic and believable and l really liked Alex.A great domestic noir with lots of pace and l was left guessing till right near the end.(this has quite detailed sex scenes) A recommended read.l will be looking out for more from this author.
With thanks to Netgalley and the author KM Masson for my opportunity to read and review this book
November 4, 2020
“My alter ego does not look in to great a mood today” – Simon de Pury
Pounding on the door. My seven-year-old son shaking me awake. My head fuzzy with sleeping pills. The hallway flashing with blue light. This morning my life will change forever.
Alex Kendrew is juggling single parenthood, work and dating; with a wild, impetuous streak that’s hard to keep in check, she struggles to find a balance and feels perpetually guilty for the choices she makes.
In K.A. Masson’s domestic noir thriller, Alex begins a passionate affair when an old flame gets in touch. But one morning, the police arrest her for his attempted murder. Someone is framing her; can she prove her innocence as the evidence mounts against her?
Thank you to K.A Masson for this gifted ARC copy. This is a well crafted and intelligent thriller. The plotting is perfect and the research and attention detail regarding Police matters was excellently done.
The grit that runs throughout, the suspense and mystery is world class and it certainly gripped me. The twist at the end was unexpected.
The characters themselves are well put together and I am sure have some interesting back stories. The protagonist gave me a real insight and clear picture of what it might be like for a woman going through the dating game, being a single parent and trying to work. I have friends who are single Mums and I absolutely take my hat off to them. They are warriors.
This is a brilliant debut and I am really looking forward to the next one.
Cheers
Ben
ChopperCrimeBooks
Pounding on the door. My seven-year-old son shaking me awake. My head fuzzy with sleeping pills. The hallway flashing with blue light. This morning my life will change forever.
Alex Kendrew is juggling single parenthood, work and dating; with a wild, impetuous streak that’s hard to keep in check, she struggles to find a balance and feels perpetually guilty for the choices she makes.
In K.A. Masson’s domestic noir thriller, Alex begins a passionate affair when an old flame gets in touch. But one morning, the police arrest her for his attempted murder. Someone is framing her; can she prove her innocence as the evidence mounts against her?
Thank you to K.A Masson for this gifted ARC copy. This is a well crafted and intelligent thriller. The plotting is perfect and the research and attention detail regarding Police matters was excellently done.
The grit that runs throughout, the suspense and mystery is world class and it certainly gripped me. The twist at the end was unexpected.
The characters themselves are well put together and I am sure have some interesting back stories. The protagonist gave me a real insight and clear picture of what it might be like for a woman going through the dating game, being a single parent and trying to work. I have friends who are single Mums and I absolutely take my hat off to them. They are warriors.
This is a brilliant debut and I am really looking forward to the next one.
Cheers
Ben
ChopperCrimeBooks
February 2, 2021
Alex Kendrew is a single mum raising her seven year old son alone, mainly because the father suffers from depression and tends not to be too reliable. But Alex wants a partner, someone she can share her life with, but she doesn’t seem to be that good a picking her men. She works as a freelance photographer keeping her busy at times. She loves Ned deeply, but still has a slightly impetuous side which could land her in trouble.
I was hooked pretty quickly to the story line told through the prologue, where we see the police hammering on Alex’s front door and she is arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. Clearly stunned and confused Alex is desperate to make sure her son Ned is looked after. The book then jumps to part one which goes back four years and shows Alex’s dating life as she battles the dating sites. Some dates less disastrous than others. But one of those dates she really falls for someone Mal, they seem to hit it off, they love the same music and just seem to connect, despite the fact they only meet a couple of times she has these strong feelings for him, but then he ghosts her, but why? She eventually moves on, back to the dating sites. But it’s at a college reunion where she meets Adrian Evans, romance blossoms and eventually things start progressing, but is he as trustworthy as she believes, is he as nice as he initially seems?
In part two, which is now two years from the current time Adrian and Alex had been living together for a year. Things are beginning to change, not for the better. As Alex makes some discoveries about Adrian she realises it’s time to get out, she needs to move back to her old home. It’s then that Mal crops back into her life. All the old feelings start to come back, could this finally be their chance of being together?
I liked the plot line running through this debut novel, if you have ever been on dating websites you will be able to relate to some of the encounters Alex has, although at times I found her a little bit too promiscuous (but that’s my opinion alone) some of the sex was fairly detailed. The story did highlight a bit of the risks of the dating game, my only criticism is that I felt some of that side of the story went on a little too long. Where it didn’t need to. The final part of the book was Alex’s arrest for the attempted murder of Mal. Her fighting to prove she didn’t do it, couldn’t have done it, as she paces the police cell, wracking her brains as to who would do this to her, who would set her up and why? Also desperately wanting to know her son was safe and being looked after. The police seeming convinced she is guilty.
The characters are all good, relatable and believable, the struggles Alex faces when trying to juggle work and motherhood, the criticism she has from some of her friends as to how she is living her life, and how she is raising her son, felt real. It’s not easy juggling all these things. As any single parent will know.
I whizzed through the book, despite it being longer than some books , I was hooked from the beginning, I did guess the ending. But this is definitely a writer I will be watching out for in the future. This is a well crafted and intelligent thriller, a great domestic noir. I give it 4⭐️ out of 5. Highly recommend.
I was hooked pretty quickly to the story line told through the prologue, where we see the police hammering on Alex’s front door and she is arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. Clearly stunned and confused Alex is desperate to make sure her son Ned is looked after. The book then jumps to part one which goes back four years and shows Alex’s dating life as she battles the dating sites. Some dates less disastrous than others. But one of those dates she really falls for someone Mal, they seem to hit it off, they love the same music and just seem to connect, despite the fact they only meet a couple of times she has these strong feelings for him, but then he ghosts her, but why? She eventually moves on, back to the dating sites. But it’s at a college reunion where she meets Adrian Evans, romance blossoms and eventually things start progressing, but is he as trustworthy as she believes, is he as nice as he initially seems?
In part two, which is now two years from the current time Adrian and Alex had been living together for a year. Things are beginning to change, not for the better. As Alex makes some discoveries about Adrian she realises it’s time to get out, she needs to move back to her old home. It’s then that Mal crops back into her life. All the old feelings start to come back, could this finally be their chance of being together?
I liked the plot line running through this debut novel, if you have ever been on dating websites you will be able to relate to some of the encounters Alex has, although at times I found her a little bit too promiscuous (but that’s my opinion alone) some of the sex was fairly detailed. The story did highlight a bit of the risks of the dating game, my only criticism is that I felt some of that side of the story went on a little too long. Where it didn’t need to. The final part of the book was Alex’s arrest for the attempted murder of Mal. Her fighting to prove she didn’t do it, couldn’t have done it, as she paces the police cell, wracking her brains as to who would do this to her, who would set her up and why? Also desperately wanting to know her son was safe and being looked after. The police seeming convinced she is guilty.
The characters are all good, relatable and believable, the struggles Alex faces when trying to juggle work and motherhood, the criticism she has from some of her friends as to how she is living her life, and how she is raising her son, felt real. It’s not easy juggling all these things. As any single parent will know.
I whizzed through the book, despite it being longer than some books , I was hooked from the beginning, I did guess the ending. But this is definitely a writer I will be watching out for in the future. This is a well crafted and intelligent thriller, a great domestic noir. I give it 4⭐️ out of 5. Highly recommend.
October 20, 2020
A fantastic read! This book is longer than what I usually read, but, wow! did it keep my attention! Alex, a single mom juggles her life as best she can. Her son, Ned. Her work, independent photographer. Her on line dating. There are alot of characters in her life, but I found them all quite interesting and fun to read about. This book is super realistic.
I was surprised to hear this is a debut novel. It is excellent! Will watch for more from this author.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from Hidden Gems.
I was surprised to hear this is a debut novel. It is excellent! Will watch for more from this author.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from Hidden Gems.
Read
March 2, 2021At the start of the book, Alex is arrested for the attempted murder of her boyfriend. I was hooked. Then the book flashes back four years to show the makeup of her life leading up to the arrest. When the book picks back up in the present, there are a lot of twists and turns and likely suspects to who might set Alex up.
The author has an easy to read voice. And while I was a little disappointed with the meaningless sexual exploits of the flashback, the domestic suspense story was intriguing.
The author has an easy to read voice. And while I was a little disappointed with the meaningless sexual exploits of the flashback, the domestic suspense story was intriguing.
Read
November 26, 2020Woah! Wow!
Just finished Alter Ego after a sleepless week of not being able to put it down.
I found the start a real eye opener into the life of internet dating and the life of a single parent then the twists and turns of events leading to the final nail biting moments.
Highly recommend this.
Just finished Alter Ego after a sleepless week of not being able to put it down.
I found the start a real eye opener into the life of internet dating and the life of a single parent then the twists and turns of events leading to the final nail biting moments.
Highly recommend this.
December 28, 2020
Any book that name checks Matt Johnson’s The The, and in particular Uncertain Smile, has got to have a lot of things going for it, right? In fact, this book, Alter Ego, the debut thriller from English writer K.A. Masson, is peppered with plenty of musical references throughout its taut narrative, with two of the story’s main characters at one point going through their Spotify playlists and cranking out some banging tunes, with no decade being left out. But it was the The The reference that sat with me. I haven’t listened to this band for some time, and when I’m done writing this review, I will queue up Soul Mining and get all nostalgic.
(Image: heyitscarlyrae.com)
Alexandra (Alex) Kendrew is a single mother who lives with her young son Ned in suburban London. Estranged from the boy’s father Sean for some time when the novel begins, Alex trawls dating websites looking for love and someone to settle down with. She’s a freelance photographer who juggles her professional and personal life, and during the course of the story, drops balls on a regular basis. Some of her friends question her lifestyle choices and parenting skills, but Alex knows what she’s doing.
Or does she?
When Alter Ego begins, Alex is arrested for the attempted murder of her boyfriend Mal Russell, who was brutally stabbed the night before in the flat he shares with a friend. Alex has been identified by said friend as the woman who she admitted to the flat and subsequently stabbed Mal. Alex doesn’t believe what’s happened to her. There is no way she could’ve done what she’s accused of. She was at home with Ned. The detectives investigating the case don’t believe her, and lock her up in a cell while they collect enough evidence to charge her. Alex’s arrest happens in the first chapter, so there’s an immediacy to the story already. What the author does next is take us back four years and work us through Alex’s life until the time of her arrest.
Alex hooks up with a couple of men she met online, some better than others, but lands on Mal, who appears to be the man of her dreams. Things go pear-shaped quickly when Ned wanders in and catches them in an private but awkward moment. As Mal still holds a candle for a recent ex, he ghosts Alex shortly afterwards. She is distraught, but manages to pick herself up off the floor when Adrian comes into her life. Then things take a really nasty turn, with Adrian turning out to be a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Not for the first time, Alex is left with a mess to sort out, but desperate to not be alone, she jumps at the chance of salvation when Mal comes back into her life.
I’ll leave it at that for the plot, for fear of giving too much away. I would prefer to leave you in the more than capable hands of K.A. Masson to take it from here. I had to remind myself that Alter Ego is a debut novel, because it reads like Ms. Masson has had a number of novels under her belt already. She is masterful at holding the story together despite having to fill in a lot of blanks over a four year period. The tension rises with each chapter, and I confess to reading the last third of the book in one late night sitting. I had to find out what happened, and I wasn’t disappointed.
K.A. Masson
One proviso, though: Alex as a character may not appeal to those who prefer their main characters whiter than white, with nary a blemish to their name. But for me, it was important to relate to Alex as a woman troubled by her past and fearful of her future. At times she is the author of her own misfortune, making the same mistakes in dating time and again, without really learning from past behaviour. This is a completely human characteristic. We want things to go well for ourselves, and when our friends point out our failures, we can sometimes take this criticism as a personal insult rather than a learning moment. Ms Masson does well by giving us a deep insight into Alex’s thought processes with her tight first person point of view. We see what Alex sees; we feel what she does; and we want her to do better. She could — and this is something to keep in mind — be an unreliable narrator. Not everthing that happens is what it seems; the same applies to the people around her.
Alter Ego is an intelligent psychological thriller with moments of violence that will make you uncomfortable. Domestic violence is a blight on modern society, and the author brings a lot of research into her story. I seriously look forward to what she writes next.
I wish to thank NetGalley and the publishers for supplying me with a copy of Alter Ego in return for an honest review.
(Image: heyitscarlyrae.com)
Alexandra (Alex) Kendrew is a single mother who lives with her young son Ned in suburban London. Estranged from the boy’s father Sean for some time when the novel begins, Alex trawls dating websites looking for love and someone to settle down with. She’s a freelance photographer who juggles her professional and personal life, and during the course of the story, drops balls on a regular basis. Some of her friends question her lifestyle choices and parenting skills, but Alex knows what she’s doing.
Or does she?
When Alter Ego begins, Alex is arrested for the attempted murder of her boyfriend Mal Russell, who was brutally stabbed the night before in the flat he shares with a friend. Alex has been identified by said friend as the woman who she admitted to the flat and subsequently stabbed Mal. Alex doesn’t believe what’s happened to her. There is no way she could’ve done what she’s accused of. She was at home with Ned. The detectives investigating the case don’t believe her, and lock her up in a cell while they collect enough evidence to charge her. Alex’s arrest happens in the first chapter, so there’s an immediacy to the story already. What the author does next is take us back four years and work us through Alex’s life until the time of her arrest.
Alex hooks up with a couple of men she met online, some better than others, but lands on Mal, who appears to be the man of her dreams. Things go pear-shaped quickly when Ned wanders in and catches them in an private but awkward moment. As Mal still holds a candle for a recent ex, he ghosts Alex shortly afterwards. She is distraught, but manages to pick herself up off the floor when Adrian comes into her life. Then things take a really nasty turn, with Adrian turning out to be a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Not for the first time, Alex is left with a mess to sort out, but desperate to not be alone, she jumps at the chance of salvation when Mal comes back into her life.
I’ll leave it at that for the plot, for fear of giving too much away. I would prefer to leave you in the more than capable hands of K.A. Masson to take it from here. I had to remind myself that Alter Ego is a debut novel, because it reads like Ms. Masson has had a number of novels under her belt already. She is masterful at holding the story together despite having to fill in a lot of blanks over a four year period. The tension rises with each chapter, and I confess to reading the last third of the book in one late night sitting. I had to find out what happened, and I wasn’t disappointed.
K.A. Masson
One proviso, though: Alex as a character may not appeal to those who prefer their main characters whiter than white, with nary a blemish to their name. But for me, it was important to relate to Alex as a woman troubled by her past and fearful of her future. At times she is the author of her own misfortune, making the same mistakes in dating time and again, without really learning from past behaviour. This is a completely human characteristic. We want things to go well for ourselves, and when our friends point out our failures, we can sometimes take this criticism as a personal insult rather than a learning moment. Ms Masson does well by giving us a deep insight into Alex’s thought processes with her tight first person point of view. We see what Alex sees; we feel what she does; and we want her to do better. She could — and this is something to keep in mind — be an unreliable narrator. Not everthing that happens is what it seems; the same applies to the people around her.
Alter Ego is an intelligent psychological thriller with moments of violence that will make you uncomfortable. Domestic violence is a blight on modern society, and the author brings a lot of research into her story. I seriously look forward to what she writes next.
I wish to thank NetGalley and the publishers for supplying me with a copy of Alter Ego in return for an honest review.
October 22, 2020
I received a copy of this book in return for an honest review ----
I really enjoyed this book and read it all in the space of a few hours! It's set in London, and follows the life of a single mother as she juggles motherhood and dating apps. There were some graphic sexual encounters that weren't necessaily imperative to the plot but they also provided an interesting angle for the protaganist. I found the story to be smooth and easy to follow along. I wasn't sure where the plot was going and how it all tied together in between the time jumps but it all made sense in the end. The were a few different plots to follow, between the start of the book and how she ended up arrested but they all linked quite well and made sense. The ending was predictable once you got there, but getting there, I really didn't see that coming!
Definitely worth a read if you enjoy an easily digestible thriller.
I really enjoyed this book and read it all in the space of a few hours! It's set in London, and follows the life of a single mother as she juggles motherhood and dating apps. There were some graphic sexual encounters that weren't necessaily imperative to the plot but they also provided an interesting angle for the protaganist. I found the story to be smooth and easy to follow along. I wasn't sure where the plot was going and how it all tied together in between the time jumps but it all made sense in the end. The were a few different plots to follow, between the start of the book and how she ended up arrested but they all linked quite well and made sense. The ending was predictable once you got there, but getting there, I really didn't see that coming!
Definitely worth a read if you enjoy an easily digestible thriller.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 11, 2021
This book took me on an emotional rollercoaster. It was a brilliant read and very cleverly written.
It is split into three parts, now, then and now. You get a real in depth account of Alex's life over the last five years and all of the ups and downs she has faced being a single mum and trying to find love at the same time.
Her world is turned upside down when her boyfriend is murdered and all the evidence points to her killing him.
I guessed the killer but I loved the journey that Alex went on trying to prove her innocence. I kept shouting at the book with my predictions. It was brilliantly written and kept me hooked.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
It is split into three parts, now, then and now. You get a real in depth account of Alex's life over the last five years and all of the ups and downs she has faced being a single mum and trying to find love at the same time.
Her world is turned upside down when her boyfriend is murdered and all the evidence points to her killing him.
I guessed the killer but I loved the journey that Alex went on trying to prove her innocence. I kept shouting at the book with my predictions. It was brilliantly written and kept me hooked.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
December 3, 2020
Wow I don't know where to start with this book as it was so good, but I would like to thank @author_kamasson for kindly inviting me to read her book and give an honest review.
I can honestley say I was gripped from the first page and not many books can do that. We start with Alex kendrew who is a single mother living with her 7 year old son ned trying to wake his mother from a deep sleep as the police are banging on there front door. They have come to arrest Alex for the attempted murder of her boyfriend Malcolm Russell.
The book then fast forwards 4 years before to when they meet and how there relationship changes and things happen in there lives to pull them apart. We then see Alex with another man Adrian Evans who is not who he appears to be and things get dangerous for Alex. I will admit there is a lot of sex scenes but I felt they were needed to get across the characters and there relationships with each other. So fast forward another 2 years and this time Alex is with mal again. So what happens in these 4 years to get to her being arrested for attempted murder??
We then move to now and Alex is in custody even she is trying to work out what is going on and how can she prove that she is not guilty of anything. Even she can see that the evidence is pointing to her. So who would be willing to make her look guilty or is she??
I absolutely loved trying to work out who was guilty and I have to say I did not guess it until the very end. I loved how the book moves along it goes at just the right pace where it gives you enough information but not too much as sometimes you get bogged down in telling bits of a story that's not needed but this is not the case. I really felt for Alex and at the end was really hoping she would get found not guilty. This will grip you from the start and not let go until you have reached the end.
I can honestley say I was gripped from the first page and not many books can do that. We start with Alex kendrew who is a single mother living with her 7 year old son ned trying to wake his mother from a deep sleep as the police are banging on there front door. They have come to arrest Alex for the attempted murder of her boyfriend Malcolm Russell.
The book then fast forwards 4 years before to when they meet and how there relationship changes and things happen in there lives to pull them apart. We then see Alex with another man Adrian Evans who is not who he appears to be and things get dangerous for Alex. I will admit there is a lot of sex scenes but I felt they were needed to get across the characters and there relationships with each other. So fast forward another 2 years and this time Alex is with mal again. So what happens in these 4 years to get to her being arrested for attempted murder??
We then move to now and Alex is in custody even she is trying to work out what is going on and how can she prove that she is not guilty of anything. Even she can see that the evidence is pointing to her. So who would be willing to make her look guilty or is she??
I absolutely loved trying to work out who was guilty and I have to say I did not guess it until the very end. I loved how the book moves along it goes at just the right pace where it gives you enough information but not too much as sometimes you get bogged down in telling bits of a story that's not needed but this is not the case. I really felt for Alex and at the end was really hoping she would get found not guilty. This will grip you from the start and not let go until you have reached the end.
December 17, 2021
There will be a time when you would feel you have the best relationship ever yet there will be a time when it will be the worst that might have happened to you.
There will be a time when you know you are getting into something really horrible and this something will not stop till it destroys you completely and still you go for it.
Alexandra (Alex)Kendrew was a freelance photographer and a single mother to Ned. She tried her hand on a dating site where she came across Malcolm(Mal). On her very first date with Mal she developed a comfort with him and started liking him but Mal dumped her for his lost love very soon. Alex was not over him and kept on trying some potential dates. Soon she thought she had finally got over with Mal’s thought and was ready to give her life a shot with Adrian but Mal’s one email brought back her passion for him. Little did she know that it was too late to mess up things again and she would be caught in a situation where she could become Mal’s cause of death.
Who tried to Kill Mal?
Will she be able to free herself from the charge of Mal’s murder?
It’s a complicated, erotic, thrilling story where author K A Masson has done a great job of keeping your interest from start to finish. The storyline is great and the characters are equally interesting. The visualisation is splendid and author is very good at keeping the interest of a reader. Over-all if you're looking for an interesting crime-thriller-romance then this book will definitely satisfy you.
There will be a time when you know you are getting into something really horrible and this something will not stop till it destroys you completely and still you go for it.
Alexandra (Alex)Kendrew was a freelance photographer and a single mother to Ned. She tried her hand on a dating site where she came across Malcolm(Mal). On her very first date with Mal she developed a comfort with him and started liking him but Mal dumped her for his lost love very soon. Alex was not over him and kept on trying some potential dates. Soon she thought she had finally got over with Mal’s thought and was ready to give her life a shot with Adrian but Mal’s one email brought back her passion for him. Little did she know that it was too late to mess up things again and she would be caught in a situation where she could become Mal’s cause of death.
Who tried to Kill Mal?
Will she be able to free herself from the charge of Mal’s murder?
It’s a complicated, erotic, thrilling story where author K A Masson has done a great job of keeping your interest from start to finish. The storyline is great and the characters are equally interesting. The visualisation is splendid and author is very good at keeping the interest of a reader. Over-all if you're looking for an interesting crime-thriller-romance then this book will definitely satisfy you.
October 15, 2020
I received a free copy of this book from the author to read and review.
Thrillers have become a dime a dozen, but Alter Ego stands out from the crowd! I didn't know quite what to expect when I started reading, but the book started with a bang. The story is all about Alexandra Kendrew, single mom to seven-year-old Ned, and a photographer that owns her own business. She's woken up early in the morning by a pounding on the door, and it's the police, there to arrest her on attempted murder charges. The problem is that Alex was home all night, and the person she supposedly tried to kill was her boyfriend, Mal.
The story then dives backwards, to Alex and Mal's meeting, the instant connection they had, and how things had gone poorly, quickly. It brings us forward two years, then a year, and then Alex and Mal meet up again. And then it's back to now. Alex is arrested, and Mal's housemate claims that Alex is the one who showed up at the house that night. The mystery of it all is intense, and I had quite a few times I simply sat and stared, trying to wrap my mind about what might be going on.
Happily, nothing I assumed might be the answer was, though I did figure it out a few pages before the reveal! It was nowhere near soon enough to make me feel like it was a waste.
Alter Ego was a great thriller, and K. A. Masson has a new fan in me!
Thrillers have become a dime a dozen, but Alter Ego stands out from the crowd! I didn't know quite what to expect when I started reading, but the book started with a bang. The story is all about Alexandra Kendrew, single mom to seven-year-old Ned, and a photographer that owns her own business. She's woken up early in the morning by a pounding on the door, and it's the police, there to arrest her on attempted murder charges. The problem is that Alex was home all night, and the person she supposedly tried to kill was her boyfriend, Mal.
The story then dives backwards, to Alex and Mal's meeting, the instant connection they had, and how things had gone poorly, quickly. It brings us forward two years, then a year, and then Alex and Mal meet up again. And then it's back to now. Alex is arrested, and Mal's housemate claims that Alex is the one who showed up at the house that night. The mystery of it all is intense, and I had quite a few times I simply sat and stared, trying to wrap my mind about what might be going on.
Happily, nothing I assumed might be the answer was, though I did figure it out a few pages before the reveal! It was nowhere near soon enough to make me feel like it was a waste.
Alter Ego was a great thriller, and K. A. Masson has a new fan in me!
Read
January 11, 2021Alter Ego has some of my favorite elements in a thriller—a London setting and a falsely accused protagonist.
Alex Kendrew, a single mother and photographer, is roused from a pill-induced sleep by her young son, Ned. Police lights and sirens pierce her consciousness, and she’s arrested on suspicion of attempted murder of an old flame. As she protests, we are taken back four years in time to see how Alex has arrived at this point.
Though she loves Ned, Alex seeks fulfillment with a romantic partner, especially after Ned’s father, Sean, proved himself unable to handle the responsibility of a relationship or fatherhood. She turns to online dating, meeting a series of men, and having several steamy sexual encounters.
Mal, a financial manager, rises above the rest when Alex has an immediate attraction that develops into a deeper connection. Yet, when their intimate evening is awkwardly interrupted, Mal hurriedly leaves, and Alex is devastated when he doesn’t contact her again.
To cope, she throws herself back into online dating and finally finds a man who can compete with Mal’s memory.
The choices she makes, and the guilt that derives from the struggle to balance motherhood, career, and love, propel her inextricably forward to a confrontation with the police and a battle to prove her innocence despite overwhelming evidence. As she enlists her public defender and goes over every memory of the last four years, the stakes become higher, and a prison sentence may be the least of her worries.
I hadn’t thought much about the domestic noir genre until seeing it on the cover of this book, and I learned that in 2013, Julia Crouch was the first who described it: “In a nutshell, Domestic Noir takes place primarily in homes and workplaces, concerns itself largely (but not exclusively) with the female experience, is based around relationships and takes as its base a broadly feminist view that the domestic sphere is a challenging and sometimes dangerous prospect for its inhabitants.”
As such, Alter Ego spends a great deal of time developing Alex’s relationships and laying the groundwork for her arrest. The narrative really picks up when the story catches up to the prologue, as Alex puzzles out who would want to kill her old boyfriend. I realized fairly early who the antagonist was, but it was interesting to see it play out, and in the final chapters, the tension was nail-biting!
Thanks to @emily_keough_publicity and @author_kamasson for the gifted book.
Alex Kendrew, a single mother and photographer, is roused from a pill-induced sleep by her young son, Ned. Police lights and sirens pierce her consciousness, and she’s arrested on suspicion of attempted murder of an old flame. As she protests, we are taken back four years in time to see how Alex has arrived at this point.
Though she loves Ned, Alex seeks fulfillment with a romantic partner, especially after Ned’s father, Sean, proved himself unable to handle the responsibility of a relationship or fatherhood. She turns to online dating, meeting a series of men, and having several steamy sexual encounters.
Mal, a financial manager, rises above the rest when Alex has an immediate attraction that develops into a deeper connection. Yet, when their intimate evening is awkwardly interrupted, Mal hurriedly leaves, and Alex is devastated when he doesn’t contact her again.
To cope, she throws herself back into online dating and finally finds a man who can compete with Mal’s memory.
The choices she makes, and the guilt that derives from the struggle to balance motherhood, career, and love, propel her inextricably forward to a confrontation with the police and a battle to prove her innocence despite overwhelming evidence. As she enlists her public defender and goes over every memory of the last four years, the stakes become higher, and a prison sentence may be the least of her worries.
I hadn’t thought much about the domestic noir genre until seeing it on the cover of this book, and I learned that in 2013, Julia Crouch was the first who described it: “In a nutshell, Domestic Noir takes place primarily in homes and workplaces, concerns itself largely (but not exclusively) with the female experience, is based around relationships and takes as its base a broadly feminist view that the domestic sphere is a challenging and sometimes dangerous prospect for its inhabitants.”
As such, Alter Ego spends a great deal of time developing Alex’s relationships and laying the groundwork for her arrest. The narrative really picks up when the story catches up to the prologue, as Alex puzzles out who would want to kill her old boyfriend. I realized fairly early who the antagonist was, but it was interesting to see it play out, and in the final chapters, the tension was nail-biting!
Thanks to @emily_keough_publicity and @author_kamasson for the gifted book.
January 3, 2021
Thank you to Emily Keough Publicity and K.A. Masson for a gifted copy of this psychological crime drama in exchange for an honest review!
Alter Ego is a wild ride filled with sexual tension, romance, police proceedings, and a mysterious whodunit. You really can't trust any of the characters, which makes the suspense leading to the reveal of Mal's attacker that much more intense. I couldn't even thoroughly trust our own main character and narrator, Alex.
I found some of the sexual scenes to be a bit unnecessary but they didn't catch me off-guard, as this is an adult novel. I just took them at face value and proceeded to allow my brain to dive deep into the mystery, which Masson spins so expertly.
One hiccup I noticed toward the end when Alex is at the Holme residence by the sea, is that she drops her phone out of the bathroom window, but then suddenly has it with her the next morning. I tried to flip back to find where she went to retrieve it from the bushes at the side of the house, but there was no mention of this. Just a small criticism, as the rest of the action and mystery was immersive and entertaining as hell.
I think Masson included just enough characters to build a full cast of untrustworthy people in Alex's life, which made this reading adventure unexpected and kept me on tenterhooks!
CW: Rape, abuse, sexual adult scenes, adult language, murder, death of a parent, mental illness, pedophilia
Alter Ego is a wild ride filled with sexual tension, romance, police proceedings, and a mysterious whodunit. You really can't trust any of the characters, which makes the suspense leading to the reveal of Mal's attacker that much more intense. I couldn't even thoroughly trust our own main character and narrator, Alex.
I found some of the sexual scenes to be a bit unnecessary but they didn't catch me off-guard, as this is an adult novel. I just took them at face value and proceeded to allow my brain to dive deep into the mystery, which Masson spins so expertly.
One hiccup I noticed toward the end when Alex is at the Holme residence by the sea, is that she drops her phone out of the bathroom window, but then suddenly has it with her the next morning. I tried to flip back to find where she went to retrieve it from the bushes at the side of the house, but there was no mention of this. Just a small criticism, as the rest of the action and mystery was immersive and entertaining as hell.
I think Masson included just enough characters to build a full cast of untrustworthy people in Alex's life, which made this reading adventure unexpected and kept me on tenterhooks!
CW: Rape, abuse, sexual adult scenes, adult language, murder, death of a parent, mental illness, pedophilia
February 14, 2021
'Pounding on the door. My seven-year-old son shaking me awake. My head fuzzy with sleeping pills. The hallway flashing with blue light. This morning my life will change forever.
Alex Kendrew is juggling single parenthood, work and dating; with a wild, impetuous streak that’s hard to keep in check, she struggles to find a balance and feels perpetually guilty for the choices she makes.
In K.A. Masson’s domestic noir thriller, Alex begins a passionate affair when an old flame gets in touch. But one morning, the police arrest her for his attempted murder. Someone is framing her; can she prove her innocence as the evidence mounts against her?'
This book doesn't wait around. Right from the off the protagonist, Alex, is arrested for the attempted murder of the man she was seeing and locked in a police cell. From there we step back 4 years and follow Alex's at times complicated and always busy life juggling Internet dating, work and bringing up a child as a single parent. Thankfully Alex is an interesting character and certainly not whiter than white so it makes for an entertaining read while trying to work out who is trying to frame her (or is she guilty?). I flip-flopped enough times on this that I decided to stop trying to guess and enjoy the journey.
A fast paced read and a story just made for the 9pm Sunday night slot on BBC1.
Recommended
3.8/5*
Alex Kendrew is juggling single parenthood, work and dating; with a wild, impetuous streak that’s hard to keep in check, she struggles to find a balance and feels perpetually guilty for the choices she makes.
In K.A. Masson’s domestic noir thriller, Alex begins a passionate affair when an old flame gets in touch. But one morning, the police arrest her for his attempted murder. Someone is framing her; can she prove her innocence as the evidence mounts against her?'
This book doesn't wait around. Right from the off the protagonist, Alex, is arrested for the attempted murder of the man she was seeing and locked in a police cell. From there we step back 4 years and follow Alex's at times complicated and always busy life juggling Internet dating, work and bringing up a child as a single parent. Thankfully Alex is an interesting character and certainly not whiter than white so it makes for an entertaining read while trying to work out who is trying to frame her (or is she guilty?). I flip-flopped enough times on this that I decided to stop trying to guess and enjoy the journey.
A fast paced read and a story just made for the 9pm Sunday night slot on BBC1.
Recommended
3.8/5*
February 14, 2021
Alter Ego is a story of a single mother who gets trapped in the trappings of the thriller books.
I did not see this climax coming. Masson builds this world of Alex for is where she is struggling as a single mother for dating ,to handle her child Ned and then BAM! The author brings you a Murder.
The author explores relationships and how we as humans love to complicate them.
The author also captures the plight of a young single mother getting into relationships and not getting much out of them
I really liked how the author takes us through the journey of Alex and her dating and everyday relationships she forms.
Alex is smart, she is vulnerable but the narrative towards dragged a little bit towards the end otherwise you wouldn’t be able to guess the culprit till the end.
This ego is one that hits you where it hurts the most and I thoroughly enjoyed the intention of this thriller the writer wants to convey
I would definitely recommend this book to thriller fans who like their thrillers not too fast paced and not too slow.
I did not see this climax coming. Masson builds this world of Alex for is where she is struggling as a single mother for dating ,to handle her child Ned and then BAM! The author brings you a Murder.
The author explores relationships and how we as humans love to complicate them.
The author also captures the plight of a young single mother getting into relationships and not getting much out of them
I really liked how the author takes us through the journey of Alex and her dating and everyday relationships she forms.
Alex is smart, she is vulnerable but the narrative towards dragged a little bit towards the end otherwise you wouldn’t be able to guess the culprit till the end.
This ego is one that hits you where it hurts the most and I thoroughly enjoyed the intention of this thriller the writer wants to convey
I would definitely recommend this book to thriller fans who like their thrillers not too fast paced and not too slow.
March 16, 2021
Well this certainly kicked off with all the drama!
Single parent Alex Kendrew is juggling life. A freelance photographer and busy mother, she is also dabbling in online dating. After a series of disastrous dates she eventually rekindled a romance with an old flame and everything is going swimmingly. Until she is arrested for the attempted murder of her partner.
Diving in to the arrest in the prologue, we then delve in to Alex's backstory of failed dates and romances. Whilst this was definitely critical to the story I do think it could have been reduced a little. However, when we reach the present say and Alex's arrest I was hooked and couldn't read fast enough.
The characters were well developed and I really did like Alex. She was believable and relatable muddling through every day life and the minefield of dating.
This was a brilliant domestic noir debut novel that I had become really absorbed in towards the end. I really felt I was sitting in the dingy cell with Alex trying to work out who could have framed her, rather than sitting in front if the fire with a cup of hot chocolate.
So engrossed was I that my other half had tried talking to me and I hadn't even noticed. But then, I do love a good procedural!
A definite recommendation from me if you like a whodunit and don't mind some descriptive sex scenes. I'm looking forward to more of this author's writing.
Thank you to the publisher for a #gifted digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Single parent Alex Kendrew is juggling life. A freelance photographer and busy mother, she is also dabbling in online dating. After a series of disastrous dates she eventually rekindled a romance with an old flame and everything is going swimmingly. Until she is arrested for the attempted murder of her partner.
Diving in to the arrest in the prologue, we then delve in to Alex's backstory of failed dates and romances. Whilst this was definitely critical to the story I do think it could have been reduced a little. However, when we reach the present say and Alex's arrest I was hooked and couldn't read fast enough.
The characters were well developed and I really did like Alex. She was believable and relatable muddling through every day life and the minefield of dating.
This was a brilliant domestic noir debut novel that I had become really absorbed in towards the end. I really felt I was sitting in the dingy cell with Alex trying to work out who could have framed her, rather than sitting in front if the fire with a cup of hot chocolate.
So engrossed was I that my other half had tried talking to me and I hadn't even noticed. But then, I do love a good procedural!
A definite recommendation from me if you like a whodunit and don't mind some descriptive sex scenes. I'm looking forward to more of this author's writing.
Thank you to the publisher for a #gifted digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 18, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this domestic thriller, it begins with the lead character, Alex, a single mum, being awoken by the police pounding on her door and subsequently arresting her (in front of her young son) for the attempted murder of her lover.
What follows is an exciting, at times sexually explicit, story of internet dating as a single mum who is also a freelance photographer and who is fighting to prove her innocence.
The story goes back a few years and this adds to the suspense as well as enabling the reader to understand the characters and try to work out what may have happened.
It’s well written, thought provoking and thrilling with a solid storyline that maintained my interest throughout. I must admit, I wasn’t sure when I started reading if it was for me, but, gosh, it’s good!
Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to preview and congratulations to the author on this excellent read.
What follows is an exciting, at times sexually explicit, story of internet dating as a single mum who is also a freelance photographer and who is fighting to prove her innocence.
The story goes back a few years and this adds to the suspense as well as enabling the reader to understand the characters and try to work out what may have happened.
It’s well written, thought provoking and thrilling with a solid storyline that maintained my interest throughout. I must admit, I wasn’t sure when I started reading if it was for me, but, gosh, it’s good!
Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to preview and congratulations to the author on this excellent read.
October 17, 2020
The style of writing is smooth and the language devoid of British idioms. The story starts with a bang, then dissolves into a series of graphic sex descriptions. By the end it revealed a murder mystery and an attempt to frame the main character. the sexual activities continued to provide details that were not germane to the story, but provided lots of filler material. The characters were were interesting, but drawn from a different side of life. I couldn't find any likeable character other than the seven year old. The ending was satisfying, but getting there was not. I received a copy of this book from the author through Hidden Gems.
January 25, 2021
Goodreads Kindle Copy Win
Single parenting is not an easy task. For Alex it becomes further hectic when she has an affair with an old flame. Things do not go straight forward as soon things get out of hand.
Not always making the right choices and feeling guilty for her actions. She will have to learn to juggle her life and accept the consequences. Things come to ahead when the cops come knocking on her door as she is accused of attempted murder of the flame. Evidence seems amount able against her, can she save herself?
Single parenting is not an easy task. For Alex it becomes further hectic when she has an affair with an old flame. Things do not go straight forward as soon things get out of hand.
Not always making the right choices and feeling guilty for her actions. She will have to learn to juggle her life and accept the consequences. Things come to ahead when the cops come knocking on her door as she is accused of attempted murder of the flame. Evidence seems amount able against her, can she save herself?
February 13, 2021
2.5 stars!
This one started really strong and although I wasn’t entirely gripped, i was definitely interested to see where it was going to go. A very engaging read.
I liked the plot and the general premise of the book, I was interested throughout and didn’t want to move on without seeing how it ended but I found this a little too repetitive for me and unfortunately didn’t find the main character particularly likeable.
Unfortunately I guessed the twist so I wasn’t blown away by the ending but I think a lot of people would be surprised and thoroughly enjoy the twist.
A quick and easy read that I would definitely recommend to readers who are wanting to ease into thriller reads.
This one started really strong and although I wasn’t entirely gripped, i was definitely interested to see where it was going to go. A very engaging read.
I liked the plot and the general premise of the book, I was interested throughout and didn’t want to move on without seeing how it ended but I found this a little too repetitive for me and unfortunately didn’t find the main character particularly likeable.
Unfortunately I guessed the twist so I wasn’t blown away by the ending but I think a lot of people would be surprised and thoroughly enjoy the twist.
A quick and easy read that I would definitely recommend to readers who are wanting to ease into thriller reads.
December 26, 2020
At first, I found the long, descriptive and seemingly mundane relationships a bit overwhelming. I was looking forward to the crime solving part of the story. So, when her relationships turned south, I got hooked.
Actually, many of the clues were hidden in her relationships that were connected to the real murderer. I couldn't guess who it was, so I had to keep reading!
Note: Sexual assault and verbal abuse was in parts of the story.
Actually, many of the clues were hidden in her relationships that were connected to the real murderer. I couldn't guess who it was, so I had to keep reading!
Note: Sexual assault and verbal abuse was in parts of the story.
February 11, 2021
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I was provided an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. This is my own honest voluntary review.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I was provided an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. This is my own honest voluntary review.
March 21, 2021
What a great read !
The main character, Alex draws you in from the start and doesn’t let you go. I love the mix of people and the interplay between their stories. The blend of likeable and detestable characters is fantastic.
The descriptive talent of KA Masson brings the settings to life as you walk beside Alex through her hectic and mesmerising life.
And then, the ending !! A fanatic climax to a thoroughly enjoyable read !!
Thank you I look forward to more.
The main character, Alex draws you in from the start and doesn’t let you go. I love the mix of people and the interplay between their stories. The blend of likeable and detestable characters is fantastic.
The descriptive talent of KA Masson brings the settings to life as you walk beside Alex through her hectic and mesmerising life.
And then, the ending !! A fanatic climax to a thoroughly enjoyable read !!
Thank you I look forward to more.
June 25, 2021
This was a fast-paced exciting thriller. There were jumps in time, but I quite liked that as it meant you were more invested in the characters. There were some truly horrible characters but there were enough people to care about too! It was a complex web and there were some great twists.
Just FYI - there is quite a bit of sex in this book in case you're not into that. It's all part of the narrative but just a warning!
Just FYI - there is quite a bit of sex in this book in case you're not into that. It's all part of the narrative but just a warning!
October 14, 2020
Single motherhood, London, dating, music...all topics near and dear to my heart.
K.A. Masson dissects--with unapologetic honesty--the inner turmoil of wanting to be a good mother while also yearning to be true to herself as a woman. She writes with such emotional precision, that you're able to step inside Alex's world and experience it from all its varied contours, and against the backdrop of a vibrant London few people truly get to see. And did I mention it's really sexy?
K.A. Masson dissects--with unapologetic honesty--the inner turmoil of wanting to be a good mother while also yearning to be true to herself as a woman. She writes with such emotional precision, that you're able to step inside Alex's world and experience it from all its varied contours, and against the backdrop of a vibrant London few people truly get to see. And did I mention it's really sexy?
January 5, 2021
This story was fascinating and brilliant, I was engaged since chapter one and couldn’t stop reading.
A great debut from this author and I can’t wait to read the next one.
Thank you Emily Keough Publicity and KA Masson for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
http://www.instagram.com/booksandcoff...
A great debut from this author and I can’t wait to read the next one.
Thank you Emily Keough Publicity and KA Masson for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
http://www.instagram.com/booksandcoff...
April 30, 2021
Incredible, suspenseful story.
Masson pens a remarkable story in Alter Ego. I haven't read work from this author before, and I really enjoyed it. Alex is a single mother, who falls head first in the middle of a frame-job, and she's the accused. It's a remarkable story, and I like that Alex has more than one side. The sides can sometimes be pitted against each other. Masson brings in a very eerily believable story with this one. There is always a balance in life, but it never seems to be quite equal when life's weight is on one's shoulders. This book deserves a second read! (and maybe more). Magnificent story, kept this reader turning the pages. A definite attention grabber. The thrills and intrigue is written clearly and the characterizations are engrossing. The title drew me in, but the story made me stay. The author's technique of raw, magnetic characters and great plotlines is a gift. It's a great story to follow and try to figure out what will happen next. Alter Ego is a definite recommendation by The After Show with McKensie Stewart and Amy Shannon, as well as Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I look forward to reading many more stories by this author. K.A. Masson was a guest on The After Show with McKensie Stewart & Amy Shannon podcast.
Masson pens a remarkable story in Alter Ego. I haven't read work from this author before, and I really enjoyed it. Alex is a single mother, who falls head first in the middle of a frame-job, and she's the accused. It's a remarkable story, and I like that Alex has more than one side. The sides can sometimes be pitted against each other. Masson brings in a very eerily believable story with this one. There is always a balance in life, but it never seems to be quite equal when life's weight is on one's shoulders. This book deserves a second read! (and maybe more). Magnificent story, kept this reader turning the pages. A definite attention grabber. The thrills and intrigue is written clearly and the characterizations are engrossing. The title drew me in, but the story made me stay. The author's technique of raw, magnetic characters and great plotlines is a gift. It's a great story to follow and try to figure out what will happen next. Alter Ego is a definite recommendation by The After Show with McKensie Stewart and Amy Shannon, as well as Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I look forward to reading many more stories by this author. K.A. Masson was a guest on The After Show with McKensie Stewart & Amy Shannon podcast.
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