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Mackenzie Darroch #1
In Harm's Way
If no one knows you’re in danger, no one can save you...
The Baxter house in the Lowther Hills, in Scotland, has been up for sale for decades. It’s dilapidated and near-derelict, and nobody is interested in it. But for one potential buyer, the remote location and rat-infested cellar are just what he’s looking for.
For the first year, Mackenzie’s marriage to Derek was ideal. Now though, Derek believes she is having an affair, and when she fears her husband is becoming controlling, she knows she’s made a terrible mistake.
But Mackenzie has a drinking problem, so when she threatens to leave Derek and then disappears, no one believes she has been abducted. It will fall to DS Geddes to untangle the truth…
Owen Mullen is a best-selling author of psychological and gangland thrillers. His fast-paced, twist-aplenty stories are perfect for all fans of Robert Galbraith, Ian Rankin and Ann Cleeves.
The Baxter house in the Lowther Hills, in Scotland, has been up for sale for decades. It’s dilapidated and near-derelict, and nobody is interested in it. But for one potential buyer, the remote location and rat-infested cellar are just what he’s looking for.
For the first year, Mackenzie’s marriage to Derek was ideal. Now though, Derek believes she is having an affair, and when she fears her husband is becoming controlling, she knows she’s made a terrible mistake.
But Mackenzie has a drinking problem, so when she threatens to leave Derek and then disappears, no one believes she has been abducted. It will fall to DS Geddes to untangle the truth…
Owen Mullen is a best-selling author of psychological and gangland thrillers. His fast-paced, twist-aplenty stories are perfect for all fans of Robert Galbraith, Ian Rankin and Ann Cleeves.
254 pages, ebook
First published October 16, 2018
269 people are currently reading
328 people want to read
About the author
Owen Mullen
27 books191 followersBestselling author Owen Mullen is a McIlvanney Crime Book Of The Year long-listed novelist.
Owen Mullen graduated from Strathclyde University, moved to London and worked as a rock musician, session singer and songwriter, and had a hit record in Japan with a band he refuses to name; Owen still loves to perform on occasion. His great love for travel has taken him on many adventures from the Amazon and Africa to the colourful continent of India and Nepal. A gregarious recluse, he and his wife, Christine, split their time between Glasgow, and their home away from home in the Greek Islands where all of his crime thrillers were created.
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Copyright
Owen Mullen graduated from Strathclyde University, moved to London and worked as a rock musician, session singer and songwriter, and had a hit record in Japan with a band he refuses to name; Owen still loves to perform on occasion. His great love for travel has taken him on many adventures from the Amazon and Africa to the colourful continent of India and Nepal. A gregarious recluse, he and his wife, Christine, split their time between Glasgow, and their home away from home in the Greek Islands where all of his crime thrillers were created.
New and exciting things are happening in 2021 and if you'd like to know all about them ahead of time, subscribe to my newsletter. You won't be spammed but you will be sent exclusive competitions and giveaways, and oh yeah...get all the inside gen...
Sign up here 😃 bit.ly/JOINNEWSLETTER
If you would like a set of questions for book group discussions please contact me.
linktr.ee/OwenMullen
Copyright
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
October 19, 2018
EXCERPT: She shut her eyes as her clothes were ripped from her body. The last thing she remembered was lying naked on the bed with the man in the black coat standing over her, breathing hard, turning the belt in his hands.
He smiled for the first time. 'Think of this as your reward. Enjoy it. I will.'
ABOUT THIS BOOK: What if you were being stalked and no one believed you?
What if you were abducted in broad daylight?
What if you were chained to a bed and held captive in a cellar? What would you do?
Mackenzie Crawford screamed.
What if your wife went out at night and wouldn’t say where she was going?
What if she admitted she had a lover?
What if you came home one day and discovered she’d left?
What would you do?
Derek Crawford went to pieces.
What if a woman with an alcohol problem disappeared?
What if there was no evidence of a crime?
What if her brother asked you to help?
What would you do?
In Glasgow, DI Andrew Geddes put the case to the top of his list.
What if someone you loved was in harm’s way?
MY THOUGHTS: I am so pleased to meet up with DS Andrew Geddes again. I first encountered him in the Charlie Cameron series, and if anyone deserves a series of his own, tis Andrew. On the force for more than twenty years, he loves being a policeman.
Now I have to admit to having just read In Harm's Way for the third time, and it's not even been published yet, (October 16, 2018), and I have enjoyed it more with each read, even though I loved it on the first read.
Family dynamics. . . families are strange things. We love to disparage one another, and yet when it comes down to the wire, who do you really want by your side? We envy one another, not that we would ever admit it, we put one another down, we purport to detest family gatherings which we claim to attend only out of 'duty', but we always have one another's backs.
MacKenzie Crawford is a spoilt youngest child, the 'surprise' baby, now married to a man twenty years her senior who appears to worship her and who gives her everything she desires. Why then is she an alcoholic? Why is she making such ludicrous claims? Is it just attention seeking, or is there really something to it?
In Harm's Way starts off slowly, focusing on the complicated dynamics of MacKenzie Crawford's family of two sisters and a brother, their spouses and children. But soon it becomes apparent that there is much more going on with this family than what appears on the surface, and it becomes a full- blown thriller. By half way through, I couldn't put this book down, even on the third read!
Mullen writes with a gritty realism and wry sense of humor that I enjoy. Having read and loved everything he has written, I am eagerly awaiting his next offering.
💖💖💖💖💖
THE AUTHOR: Owen Mullen graduated from Strathclyde University, moved to London and worked as a rock musician, session singer and songwriter, and had a hit record in Japan with a band he refuses to name; Owen still loves to perform on occasion. His great love for travel has taken him on many adventures from the Amazon and Africa to the colourful continent of India and Nepal. A gregarious recluse, he and his wife, Christine, split their time between Glasgow, and their home away from home in the Greek Islands where the Charlie Cameron and Delaney series', and soon to be released psychological thriller were created.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bloodhound Books via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of In Harm's Way by Owen Mullen for review. Thank you also to Owen Mullen for bestowing on me the honor of being one of his beta readers. It has been a wonderful journey seeing In Harm's Way evolve into its present form.
All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system. This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
He smiled for the first time. 'Think of this as your reward. Enjoy it. I will.'
ABOUT THIS BOOK: What if you were being stalked and no one believed you?
What if you were abducted in broad daylight?
What if you were chained to a bed and held captive in a cellar? What would you do?
Mackenzie Crawford screamed.
What if your wife went out at night and wouldn’t say where she was going?
What if she admitted she had a lover?
What if you came home one day and discovered she’d left?
What would you do?
Derek Crawford went to pieces.
What if a woman with an alcohol problem disappeared?
What if there was no evidence of a crime?
What if her brother asked you to help?
What would you do?
In Glasgow, DI Andrew Geddes put the case to the top of his list.
What if someone you loved was in harm’s way?
MY THOUGHTS: I am so pleased to meet up with DS Andrew Geddes again. I first encountered him in the Charlie Cameron series, and if anyone deserves a series of his own, tis Andrew. On the force for more than twenty years, he loves being a policeman.
Now I have to admit to having just read In Harm's Way for the third time, and it's not even been published yet, (October 16, 2018), and I have enjoyed it more with each read, even though I loved it on the first read.
Family dynamics. . . families are strange things. We love to disparage one another, and yet when it comes down to the wire, who do you really want by your side? We envy one another, not that we would ever admit it, we put one another down, we purport to detest family gatherings which we claim to attend only out of 'duty', but we always have one another's backs.
MacKenzie Crawford is a spoilt youngest child, the 'surprise' baby, now married to a man twenty years her senior who appears to worship her and who gives her everything she desires. Why then is she an alcoholic? Why is she making such ludicrous claims? Is it just attention seeking, or is there really something to it?
In Harm's Way starts off slowly, focusing on the complicated dynamics of MacKenzie Crawford's family of two sisters and a brother, their spouses and children. But soon it becomes apparent that there is much more going on with this family than what appears on the surface, and it becomes a full- blown thriller. By half way through, I couldn't put this book down, even on the third read!
Mullen writes with a gritty realism and wry sense of humor that I enjoy. Having read and loved everything he has written, I am eagerly awaiting his next offering.
💖💖💖💖💖
THE AUTHOR: Owen Mullen graduated from Strathclyde University, moved to London and worked as a rock musician, session singer and songwriter, and had a hit record in Japan with a band he refuses to name; Owen still loves to perform on occasion. His great love for travel has taken him on many adventures from the Amazon and Africa to the colourful continent of India and Nepal. A gregarious recluse, he and his wife, Christine, split their time between Glasgow, and their home away from home in the Greek Islands where the Charlie Cameron and Delaney series', and soon to be released psychological thriller were created.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bloodhound Books via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of In Harm's Way by Owen Mullen for review. Thank you also to Owen Mullen for bestowing on me the honor of being one of his beta readers. It has been a wonderful journey seeing In Harm's Way evolve into its present form.
All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system. This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
September 11, 2018
The description sounds promising: What if woman says she is being stalked; no one believes her. What if it’s true, and she is kidnapped and held captive in a terrible, dark place? What would she do? What if a man’s wife admits she is seeing someone else? She leaves without saying where she’s going. How would the husband react? What if a disturbed woman vanishes? Her brother asks a police acquaintance for help, yet there is no evidence of a crime. What would Glasgow DI Andrew Geddes do?
I had previously read two of Owen Mullen’s Charlie Cameron books and liked them both, so when In Harm's Way became available on NetGalley, I jumped at the chance to read it. It didn’t grab me the way I hoped it would. At times, it seemed almost too Gone Girl-ish. What I mean by that is that none of the characters is likeable, although I managed to feel sorry for a few of them. There was so much dysfunction and drama that it almost became hard to care about Mackenzie, the alcoholic wife who really was in a bad way. Or her husband Derek. Does he really love her, or is he so very controlling that he needs to have her back? Mackenzie’s family members are not much better off. Her sister Adele and her husband Blair Gardiner have issues in their own marriage. With two teenage sons, they have busy lives of their own, and Adele has negative feelings toward her sister that go way back. Brother Gavin Darroch and his wife Monica have a new baby. Gavin turns out to be the most decent one of the bunch.
The first half of the book moved very slowly for me. I had a hard time getting through all the negative family dynamics. I was curious, however. Who is Alec? Who is the man in the black coat? Because we see in the prologue that there is a dungeon, we know that nothing good will come for someone. What’s the motive?
The actual crime scenes are well written, albeit cruel. I did manage to feel pity for the victim and admire her spunk. I had mixed feelings about what was going on with the family. What a jumbled up mess! The police do little to add to the solution. If I think about it, the author does an admirable job describing what it must be like for an already messed up family to go through a traumatic event like this.
I did have an ah-ha moment ahead of the reveal, and it repulsed me. But the final scenes were like something out of a Hollywood movie. It is billed as a “gripping Scottish noir,” but it seemed overly dramatic for my taste. Overall, In Harm’s Way was less than I expected it to be.
Thanks to NetGalley, Bloodhound Books, and the author for this ARC copy. My views are my own.
3 stars.
I had previously read two of Owen Mullen’s Charlie Cameron books and liked them both, so when In Harm's Way became available on NetGalley, I jumped at the chance to read it. It didn’t grab me the way I hoped it would. At times, it seemed almost too Gone Girl-ish. What I mean by that is that none of the characters is likeable, although I managed to feel sorry for a few of them. There was so much dysfunction and drama that it almost became hard to care about Mackenzie, the alcoholic wife who really was in a bad way. Or her husband Derek. Does he really love her, or is he so very controlling that he needs to have her back? Mackenzie’s family members are not much better off. Her sister Adele and her husband Blair Gardiner have issues in their own marriage. With two teenage sons, they have busy lives of their own, and Adele has negative feelings toward her sister that go way back. Brother Gavin Darroch and his wife Monica have a new baby. Gavin turns out to be the most decent one of the bunch.
The first half of the book moved very slowly for me. I had a hard time getting through all the negative family dynamics. I was curious, however. Who is Alec? Who is the man in the black coat? Because we see in the prologue that there is a dungeon, we know that nothing good will come for someone. What’s the motive?
The actual crime scenes are well written, albeit cruel. I did manage to feel pity for the victim and admire her spunk. I had mixed feelings about what was going on with the family. What a jumbled up mess! The police do little to add to the solution. If I think about it, the author does an admirable job describing what it must be like for an already messed up family to go through a traumatic event like this.
I did have an ah-ha moment ahead of the reveal, and it repulsed me. But the final scenes were like something out of a Hollywood movie. It is billed as a “gripping Scottish noir,” but it seemed overly dramatic for my taste. Overall, In Harm’s Way was less than I expected it to be.
Thanks to NetGalley, Bloodhound Books, and the author for this ARC copy. My views are my own.
3 stars.
September 21, 2018
This was a very promising book I thought when reading the synopsis, lots of questions that were poised to be answered.
I wouldn’t class it as a psychological thriller though as it didn’t have that “feel” to it for me.
The writing is good and it took me on a journey that was quite intense as to the answers to all the questions that flowed from the blurb, so I was satisfied to find out the answers.
I wasn’t sat on the edge of my seat biting me nails but it did hold my interest to carry on and finish it.
I think I read such a lot of thrillers and even though I mix my genres at times I love it when a book blows me away. Sadly this one just didn’t quite make it. But it was good, it was a read that flowed well. It wasn’t one I’d steer clear of, but, just didn’t land me quite where I wanted to be.
I wouldn’t class it as a psychological thriller though as it didn’t have that “feel” to it for me.
The writing is good and it took me on a journey that was quite intense as to the answers to all the questions that flowed from the blurb, so I was satisfied to find out the answers.
I wasn’t sat on the edge of my seat biting me nails but it did hold my interest to carry on and finish it.
I think I read such a lot of thrillers and even though I mix my genres at times I love it when a book blows me away. Sadly this one just didn’t quite make it. But it was good, it was a read that flowed well. It wasn’t one I’d steer clear of, but, just didn’t land me quite where I wanted to be.
October 16, 2018
Over the last few years I’ve become quite the fan of Mullen’s work, he has two other series that follow private investigators and this standalone was quite the departure from his previous novels. It’s more of a domestic thriller, it follows several members of the same family and asks some unique questions, such as what if you went missing and no one was even worried? What if it was almost expected, what if no one is even looking for you because they don’t realize that you’re actually in danger? The thought alone terrifies me and made for an interesting premise.
Although the plot of this one was different from the authors previous books his easy, casual writing style still shines brightly and just always works so well for me. Each chapter is about one day from the lead up to when Mackenzie goes missing all the way until the end. Super vague, I know but saying more would be a spoiler and trust me, you don’t want me to spoil this one. None of the main cast of characters was particularly likable, but they were authentic, we all know people just like them in real life, bad behavior and all. I was pleasantly surprised by the appearance of Andrew Geddes who first popped up in the Charlie Cameron series, I just always love when authors cleverly bring old characters into new books and he was an excellent addition to the story.
This does have less action than in his other work, it examines the dynamics between a dysfunctional family and then in each of their three separate marriages and that never fails to fascinate me. Mullen is one of those writers that just gets better with each book and he was already good, I’m a firm fan and will continue to follow his career closely.
In Harms Way in three words: Smooth, Intriguing and Unexpected.
Although the plot of this one was different from the authors previous books his easy, casual writing style still shines brightly and just always works so well for me. Each chapter is about one day from the lead up to when Mackenzie goes missing all the way until the end. Super vague, I know but saying more would be a spoiler and trust me, you don’t want me to spoil this one. None of the main cast of characters was particularly likable, but they were authentic, we all know people just like them in real life, bad behavior and all. I was pleasantly surprised by the appearance of Andrew Geddes who first popped up in the Charlie Cameron series, I just always love when authors cleverly bring old characters into new books and he was an excellent addition to the story.
This does have less action than in his other work, it examines the dynamics between a dysfunctional family and then in each of their three separate marriages and that never fails to fascinate me. Mullen is one of those writers that just gets better with each book and he was already good, I’m a firm fan and will continue to follow his career closely.
In Harms Way in three words: Smooth, Intriguing and Unexpected.
Read
July 1, 2021In Harm's Way...is set in Central Scotland
This storyline was originally destined for a Charlie Cameron book, but halfway through I realised I had a great psychological thriller on my hands...sooo! I stripped it out of Charlie and rebuilt it to be the first in a planned trilogy.
Mackenzie Crawford has been abducted and is being held against her will in the cellar of a derelict house. She has a husband and a family...so why is no one searching for her? Her alcoholism has isolated her from her family's support and I felt it was important to see the deterioration in Mackenzie's psyche as realisation of the part she'd played in her own downfall became clear to her - she would never be able to move on until she'd accepted that fact and became willing to change.
I became very fond of this challenged and challenging character, and no surprise, I was delighted when it got a Bestseller badge by reaching No 1 in Scottish Crime Fiction.
This storyline was originally destined for a Charlie Cameron book, but halfway through I realised I had a great psychological thriller on my hands...sooo! I stripped it out of Charlie and rebuilt it to be the first in a planned trilogy.
Mackenzie Crawford has been abducted and is being held against her will in the cellar of a derelict house. She has a husband and a family...so why is no one searching for her? Her alcoholism has isolated her from her family's support and I felt it was important to see the deterioration in Mackenzie's psyche as realisation of the part she'd played in her own downfall became clear to her - she would never be able to move on until she'd accepted that fact and became willing to change.
I became very fond of this challenged and challenging character, and no surprise, I was delighted when it got a Bestseller badge by reaching No 1 in Scottish Crime Fiction.
October 28, 2018
'In Harm's Way' is an expertly crafted and captivating psychological thriller! Fascinating characters, a viciousness that gives you goosebumps and makes you anxious to read on... Shocking, brutal, gripping.
| Storyline |
A man wants a tour of an abandoned house. But he has no intention of buying it... We are privy to a few of his vicious thoughts and shiver. "The decision was already made. It was perfect."
Meet the siblings of the Darroch family: Adele, Gavin and Mackenzie. All three are married, to say 'happily' would be an overstatement. Adele and Blair don't see eye to eye anymore and the tension rises, the birth of their daughter Alice has a huge impact on Gavin and Monica, and Mackenzie and Derek seem to be heading for a divorce. Mackenzie tries to cut down drinking - but we see that it isn't exactly working.. A family dinner to celebrate Adele's birthday sees a stormy ending. Their past and Mackenzie's drunken behaviour creates a rift in the family. No one believes her story about a man stalking her...
When shortly after Derek reports his wife has gone, the family sympathises with him. Adele and Monica are fierce in showing their loyalty to Derek and blaming Mackenzie for not even telling them where she went. Brian, Adele's husband, one of Mackenzie's most loyal supporters, still tries to calm things down but his wife will not have it. But Gavin, realising that his sister left all her clothes behind, has doubts,,, Whilst the family is falling apart, emotions run high and sides are being chosen, there is no sign of life of Mackenzie. Has she walked away, not only from her husband but also from her family or is there something sinister going on, threatening Mackenzie's life? Is she in danger and if so, who will help her? Who cares?
| My Thoughts |
Knowing Owen Mullen and his books featuring detectives with a flaw, this book will come as a surprise - but what a great one! This is an expertly crafted psychological thriller and the author draws you in with his writing style and dialogue. LIke me, you will find yourself bound to like - or dislike - characters and pick sides. I had one or two, maybe three favourite characters; Mackenzie, a strong woman struggling with her life, and well, I have a soft spot for grumpy, 'seasoned' detectives and DS Andrew Geddes is just that guy!
This is a novel with a viciousness and a shocking, cold-blooded violence on the one side, entwined with a psychological novel about a family and relationships and how we all form our opinions but, in fact, have no idea what goes on behind closed doors. About prejudices and personal struggles but most of all, about appearances. 'In Harm's Way' is an intriguing, shocking, captivating, and entertaining.
Read the review on my website: https://www.bitsaboutbooks.net/in-har...
| Storyline |
A man wants a tour of an abandoned house. But he has no intention of buying it... We are privy to a few of his vicious thoughts and shiver. "The decision was already made. It was perfect."
Meet the siblings of the Darroch family: Adele, Gavin and Mackenzie. All three are married, to say 'happily' would be an overstatement. Adele and Blair don't see eye to eye anymore and the tension rises, the birth of their daughter Alice has a huge impact on Gavin and Monica, and Mackenzie and Derek seem to be heading for a divorce. Mackenzie tries to cut down drinking - but we see that it isn't exactly working.. A family dinner to celebrate Adele's birthday sees a stormy ending. Their past and Mackenzie's drunken behaviour creates a rift in the family. No one believes her story about a man stalking her...
When shortly after Derek reports his wife has gone, the family sympathises with him. Adele and Monica are fierce in showing their loyalty to Derek and blaming Mackenzie for not even telling them where she went. Brian, Adele's husband, one of Mackenzie's most loyal supporters, still tries to calm things down but his wife will not have it. But Gavin, realising that his sister left all her clothes behind, has doubts,,, Whilst the family is falling apart, emotions run high and sides are being chosen, there is no sign of life of Mackenzie. Has she walked away, not only from her husband but also from her family or is there something sinister going on, threatening Mackenzie's life? Is she in danger and if so, who will help her? Who cares?
| My Thoughts |
Knowing Owen Mullen and his books featuring detectives with a flaw, this book will come as a surprise - but what a great one! This is an expertly crafted psychological thriller and the author draws you in with his writing style and dialogue. LIke me, you will find yourself bound to like - or dislike - characters and pick sides. I had one or two, maybe three favourite characters; Mackenzie, a strong woman struggling with her life, and well, I have a soft spot for grumpy, 'seasoned' detectives and DS Andrew Geddes is just that guy!
This is a novel with a viciousness and a shocking, cold-blooded violence on the one side, entwined with a psychological novel about a family and relationships and how we all form our opinions but, in fact, have no idea what goes on behind closed doors. About prejudices and personal struggles but most of all, about appearances. 'In Harm's Way' is an intriguing, shocking, captivating, and entertaining.
Read the review on my website: https://www.bitsaboutbooks.net/in-har...
September 15, 2018
Ever think your family is screwed up? So is this one. Not only is there edge of your seat mystery, there is also a deep exploration of family and marriage. Why does one marriage fail and others don't? It also looks at the effects of violence on a family which isn't often explored in this genre.
October 17, 2018
This is my first read by this author and I know now with certainly it won’t be my last read by this author.
I sat this afternoon to read a little. Apart from feeding the family I read the whole book. I didn’t want to put it down. I needed to see what was going to happen next.
Mackenzie Crawford is married to Derek. When she tells her family she is being stalked they don’t believe her and put it down to her alcoholic problem. When shes abducted will her husband and siblings realise that she’s been taken?
I’ve gotta say the talk about the age difference between the two main characters bugged me. It was mentioned quite a few times and not all positively. My partner is quite a few years older than me and it’s rarely talked about. It certainly doesn’t affect our lives. This is only my personal view. It doesn’t take anything from the story. I can’t give this story anything less than five big stars. It gripped me from start to finish and I can’t wait to read more from this author.
I sat this afternoon to read a little. Apart from feeding the family I read the whole book. I didn’t want to put it down. I needed to see what was going to happen next.
Mackenzie Crawford is married to Derek. When she tells her family she is being stalked they don’t believe her and put it down to her alcoholic problem. When shes abducted will her husband and siblings realise that she’s been taken?
I’ve gotta say the talk about the age difference between the two main characters bugged me. It was mentioned quite a few times and not all positively. My partner is quite a few years older than me and it’s rarely talked about. It certainly doesn’t affect our lives. This is only my personal view. It doesn’t take anything from the story. I can’t give this story anything less than five big stars. It gripped me from start to finish and I can’t wait to read more from this author.
September 14, 2018
I would like to thank Netgalley and Bloodhound Books for In Harm's Way, a stand alone domestic noir set in Glasgow.
Mackenzie Crawford claims to have a stalker but as a functioning alcoholic and the family "drama queen" nobody believes her although they do believe she has a lover. When she disappears her family are quick to believe her husband's claims that she's left him for another man when in fact she has been kidnapped.
I enjoyed In Harm's Way which is a close examination of a family's dynamic when something upsets it. I must admit that this is not really my kind of thing but I wanted to read Mr Mullen's work and thought from the blurb that there would be more crime in it. Instead there is the thread of the hunt for Mackenzie running through it but mostly it is about the reaction of her siblings and their partners to her disappearance. It runs the standard gamut of disbelief and condemnation to support, depending on whose point of view is being expressed. It is well done and neatly judged and will interest many readers although personally I ploughed through it to get to the action which all happens in the final third of the novel as fictional emotions never really reach me. I think the conclusion is clever.
I love the description of Mackenzie as "the most misunderstood woman in Scotland" as it brings so much of the novel into perspective. In many ways she is a hidden person because, although her viewpoint is seen during her captivity, she is mostly seen through the eyes of the people left behind, like her husband and her siblings, who have their own issues.
In Harm's Way is a good read.
Mackenzie Crawford claims to have a stalker but as a functioning alcoholic and the family "drama queen" nobody believes her although they do believe she has a lover. When she disappears her family are quick to believe her husband's claims that she's left him for another man when in fact she has been kidnapped.
I enjoyed In Harm's Way which is a close examination of a family's dynamic when something upsets it. I must admit that this is not really my kind of thing but I wanted to read Mr Mullen's work and thought from the blurb that there would be more crime in it. Instead there is the thread of the hunt for Mackenzie running through it but mostly it is about the reaction of her siblings and their partners to her disappearance. It runs the standard gamut of disbelief and condemnation to support, depending on whose point of view is being expressed. It is well done and neatly judged and will interest many readers although personally I ploughed through it to get to the action which all happens in the final third of the novel as fictional emotions never really reach me. I think the conclusion is clever.
I love the description of Mackenzie as "the most misunderstood woman in Scotland" as it brings so much of the novel into perspective. In many ways she is a hidden person because, although her viewpoint is seen during her captivity, she is mostly seen through the eyes of the people left behind, like her husband and her siblings, who have their own issues.
In Harm's Way is a good read.
October 28, 2018
I hadn't realised how much I missed Owen's books until I read this one. I loved the Charlie Cameron series and Delaney so I was expecting good things and I wasn't disappointed.
Mackenzie is the main character. A spoiled child who has grown into a an adult with serious issues. An alcoholic in denial know for her lies and her siblings are all out of patience with her. A dysfunctional family at its very worst Gavin and Adele have their own relationship issues and don't really have time for Mackenzie's problems.
Everything comes to a head at a party and shortly afterwards Mackenzie disappears. Has she simply left her husband or is something more sinister afoot?
This is a dark, gritty psychological thriller at its very best with many twists and turns along the way as we read our way to a shocking ending that will leave the reader stunned.
The evilness that some people possess while looking like a perfectly compassionate person comes across excellently in this book.
This is a fast paced adrenaline pumping read that had me reading until the early hours to get to the heart stopping ending. An excellent read and well worth the 5 stars.
Mackenzie is the main character. A spoiled child who has grown into a an adult with serious issues. An alcoholic in denial know for her lies and her siblings are all out of patience with her. A dysfunctional family at its very worst Gavin and Adele have their own relationship issues and don't really have time for Mackenzie's problems.
Everything comes to a head at a party and shortly afterwards Mackenzie disappears. Has she simply left her husband or is something more sinister afoot?
This is a dark, gritty psychological thriller at its very best with many twists and turns along the way as we read our way to a shocking ending that will leave the reader stunned.
The evilness that some people possess while looking like a perfectly compassionate person comes across excellently in this book.
This is a fast paced adrenaline pumping read that had me reading until the early hours to get to the heart stopping ending. An excellent read and well worth the 5 stars.
October 8, 2018
I have been a fan of Owen's writing since his Charlie Cameron days. I'm a fan to say the least.
His writing has improved with each book., in the quality of his writing, the roundness of his characters and the depth of his stories. This book was no exception. I urge you to read it. You will not be disappointed. More in depth review on the blog tour.
His writing has improved with each book., in the quality of his writing, the roundness of his characters and the depth of his stories. This book was no exception. I urge you to read it. You will not be disappointed. More in depth review on the blog tour.
October 22, 2018
Mackenzie is a drunk
She makes things up for effect
Like the fact she has a lover
But she is also being followed
No one believes her
Including her husband
Why would he?
When she sees her stalker in the street and he waves, she is again drunk, and her husband presumes its her lover
Mackenzie says shes leaving
For good
She goes.......
But not of her own accord
And so begins this intriguing tale of stalkers, deceit, families at war, marriages that arent as they seem, neurosis and a living hell for Mackenzie
She is chained to a bed, held captive
Her husband and family think she has left with a lover
Until her brother reports her missing
The truth, when it is discovered, is horrific....and unbelievable
A well paced thriller and ‘shocker’ that had me hooked, lined and sinkered!
The characters are believable and at times repugnant, but as say believable, the story flows well and I loved the non boring descriptions of Glasgow and surrounding areas ( it takes a lot to add area descriptions that are appealing to someone who has never been to the area )
A solid, well thought out, scary, dark and menacing book...loved it
10/10 5 stars
October 17, 2018
This was one of the creepiest crime novels that I’ve read recently! Owen Mullen can always be trusted to bring some “noir” to his Scottish crime thrillers but this one seemed rather darker than normal and the opening pages especially had the hairs on the arms prickling with apprehension as a criminal stakes out a scene for his impending crime.
Derek and Mackenzie Crawford are a rather mismatched couple. He is several years older than her and she obviously has a problem with drink. But when Mackenzie feels a strangers eyes on her one day, she understands straightaway that this isn’t your usual kind of stalker! The man follows her everywhere until one day he seizes his opportunity to grab the object of his desire and Mackenzie disappears. The scenes of captivity for Mackenzie are incredibly harrowing and some readers may find parts of her imprisonment difficult to read. The raw emotion created by her fear is hard to face at times but I felt I owed it to Mackenzie to stay with her and watch over her even though I hadn’t found her a particularly likeable character at the beginning of the book.
Although eventually the case is investigated by DI Andrew Geddes, In Harms Way doesn’t read like your typical police procedural novel. It’s more character based with family and friends playing a larger role in bringing the story to life and creating the tension as they search for Mackenzie. There were secrets to be revealed and some shocking twists along the way that the DI helped to bring all together but to be honest he played a minor part in my eyes!
This is probably Owen Mullen’s most commercially viable crime thriller so far and I also think it’s my favourite so far! It’s an immensely enjoyable read even though it can be rather dark and disturbing at times. A sinister slice of Scottish noir.
Derek and Mackenzie Crawford are a rather mismatched couple. He is several years older than her and she obviously has a problem with drink. But when Mackenzie feels a strangers eyes on her one day, she understands straightaway that this isn’t your usual kind of stalker! The man follows her everywhere until one day he seizes his opportunity to grab the object of his desire and Mackenzie disappears. The scenes of captivity for Mackenzie are incredibly harrowing and some readers may find parts of her imprisonment difficult to read. The raw emotion created by her fear is hard to face at times but I felt I owed it to Mackenzie to stay with her and watch over her even though I hadn’t found her a particularly likeable character at the beginning of the book.
Although eventually the case is investigated by DI Andrew Geddes, In Harms Way doesn’t read like your typical police procedural novel. It’s more character based with family and friends playing a larger role in bringing the story to life and creating the tension as they search for Mackenzie. There were secrets to be revealed and some shocking twists along the way that the DI helped to bring all together but to be honest he played a minor part in my eyes!
This is probably Owen Mullen’s most commercially viable crime thriller so far and I also think it’s my favourite so far! It’s an immensely enjoyable read even though it can be rather dark and disturbing at times. A sinister slice of Scottish noir.
September 6, 2020
After an idyllic first year of marriage, Mackenzie realises she’s made a mistake. Her controlling husband Derek dominates her life, refusing to let her see friends and restricting contact with her family. But Mackenzie’s drinking is getting out of control and when she tells her siblings about a stalker, they don’t believe her. When she is seen getting into a stranger’s car, everyone thinks she is having an affair, so when she leaves the house and doesn’t return, no-one bothers to go looking for her. When the police are eventually informed, DS Geddes thinks it’s merely a domestic dispute, until someone spots the mysterious stranger…
As always with this author, the plot is never straightforward. What we are told isn’t necessarily what’s really happening and as the story unfolds, we discover the underlying tensions in Mackenzie’s family and their various theories to explain her disappearance. Delving into the family’s tangled relationships, Mr Mullen sets the scene for complications, and as secrets emerge, the plot changes direction.
Having recently read the sequel to this book (Deadly Harm), I was keen to see how it all started for Mackenzie and co. I’m happy to report that this is another cracking good read that kept me flicking the pages to discover the truth. I had a few theories of my own, but as usual the author’s twisty-turny web of secrets and lies hits the mark and confirms Owen Mullen’s continued reign as the Big Mannie of Tartan Noir.
As always with this author, the plot is never straightforward. What we are told isn’t necessarily what’s really happening and as the story unfolds, we discover the underlying tensions in Mackenzie’s family and their various theories to explain her disappearance. Delving into the family’s tangled relationships, Mr Mullen sets the scene for complications, and as secrets emerge, the plot changes direction.
Having recently read the sequel to this book (Deadly Harm), I was keen to see how it all started for Mackenzie and co. I’m happy to report that this is another cracking good read that kept me flicking the pages to discover the truth. I had a few theories of my own, but as usual the author’s twisty-turny web of secrets and lies hits the mark and confirms Owen Mullen’s continued reign as the Big Mannie of Tartan Noir.
October 3, 2018
Imagine being stalked, but nobody believes you.
Mackenzie Crawford has a drinking problem and sometimes calls wolf. Married to an older but successful man, she struggles with booze and low self-worth.
Her family are very critical of her and dismiss Mackenzie when she tells them she is being stalked. One night a few days after telling her husband she is leaving, she is kidnapped.
Days after her disappearance her brother is worried and goes to see Glasgow DI Andrew Geddes. After speaking with her brother, DI Geddes decides to investigate, but with no evidence of foul play and an unhelpful family, it is going to be an uphill struggle.
This book was amazing, quite short but full of quality story and characters. Not only is it about the kidnapped woman but also the internal and private struggles of her family and the problem of not talking things through but just making a judgement.
The author gives just a little away each chapter without giving the whole story which is rare. A truly believable story of misconceptions and being alone even when you are with your loved ones.
Thank you, Owen, for a fab read and I am looking forward to your next one.
Chester.
Breakaway Reviewers were given a copy of this book to review.
Mackenzie Crawford has a drinking problem and sometimes calls wolf. Married to an older but successful man, she struggles with booze and low self-worth.
Her family are very critical of her and dismiss Mackenzie when she tells them she is being stalked. One night a few days after telling her husband she is leaving, she is kidnapped.
Days after her disappearance her brother is worried and goes to see Glasgow DI Andrew Geddes. After speaking with her brother, DI Geddes decides to investigate, but with no evidence of foul play and an unhelpful family, it is going to be an uphill struggle.
This book was amazing, quite short but full of quality story and characters. Not only is it about the kidnapped woman but also the internal and private struggles of her family and the problem of not talking things through but just making a judgement.
The author gives just a little away each chapter without giving the whole story which is rare. A truly believable story of misconceptions and being alone even when you are with your loved ones.
Thank you, Owen, for a fab read and I am looking forward to your next one.
Chester.
Breakaway Reviewers were given a copy of this book to review.
October 15, 2018
In Harm’s Way by Owen Mullen
Thriller, mystery, kidnapping, abuse, dysfunctional families, alcoholism, manipulation…so many words come to mind as I think of this story. I have to say I had a feeling in the very beginning where the story was going to end up and wonder if that has to do with having read so very many books in my life. Even though I had that idea niggling I read on and found myself engaged till the end. Well, after the introductory pages of characters aplenty were described and given backgrounds.
The story was well told and plotted out so that there were surprises till the very end. It began slowly but built toward the climax. I felt for Mackenzie hoped she would eventually manage to find a way out of the predicament she found herself in. I was angry with her siblings and their spouses and wanted to smack them more than once in the story. The evil that was in this story is sometimes heard about but this…well…it was horrible and made me angry. I will say that I was happy that evil was eventually thwarted but so much hurt happened that it seemed too easy an out for the wrong doing that happened.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloodhound Books – This is my honest review.
4 Stars
Thriller, mystery, kidnapping, abuse, dysfunctional families, alcoholism, manipulation…so many words come to mind as I think of this story. I have to say I had a feeling in the very beginning where the story was going to end up and wonder if that has to do with having read so very many books in my life. Even though I had that idea niggling I read on and found myself engaged till the end. Well, after the introductory pages of characters aplenty were described and given backgrounds.
The story was well told and plotted out so that there were surprises till the very end. It began slowly but built toward the climax. I felt for Mackenzie hoped she would eventually manage to find a way out of the predicament she found herself in. I was angry with her siblings and their spouses and wanted to smack them more than once in the story. The evil that was in this story is sometimes heard about but this…well…it was horrible and made me angry. I will say that I was happy that evil was eventually thwarted but so much hurt happened that it seemed too easy an out for the wrong doing that happened.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloodhound Books – This is my honest review.
4 Stars
October 16, 2018
Mackenzie Crawford likes a drink and truth be told she has far too many than is good for you so when she tells her family she has been followed more than once and she thinks she has a stalker they just ignore her ramblings. When she goes missing a few days later her husband and family seem to think she has gone off with this 'stalker'and that in fact he is someone she is having an affair with.
The only one that actually seems concerned is her brother who does think it odd that she hasn't been in touch at all, he sees DI Andrew Geddes who does start an investigation but with no leads and her husband insisting she has gone off with another man he doesn't have any leads to follow.
This is so much more than just a kidnap story it shows the differences in family members and the disdain they sometimes have about each other. In the meantime Mackenzie is tied up in a dark, dank cellar like room that has it's own family of mice.
This is a very good book with so many red herrings I nearly missed the clues but even then I was surprised at the ending but I must say it is well worth the read.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of the book.
The only one that actually seems concerned is her brother who does think it odd that she hasn't been in touch at all, he sees DI Andrew Geddes who does start an investigation but with no leads and her husband insisting she has gone off with another man he doesn't have any leads to follow.
This is so much more than just a kidnap story it shows the differences in family members and the disdain they sometimes have about each other. In the meantime Mackenzie is tied up in a dark, dank cellar like room that has it's own family of mice.
This is a very good book with so many red herrings I nearly missed the clues but even then I was surprised at the ending but I must say it is well worth the read.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of the book.
October 26, 2018
4.5*
Mackenzie and Derek Crawford’s marriage is in trouble. She’s an alcoholic and seems able to antagonise everyone without too much effort, he’s twenty years older and gives her everything money can buy. She’s threatening to leave him but she’s said it many times before. Adele and Gavin, Mackenzie’s brother and sister, have their own family problems and haven’t much time for their spoiled younger sister.
There’s a slow build up initially, giving an insight into the dynamics of the three dysfunctional families and the misconceptions that ultimately lead to a horrendous ordeal. Initially I wasn’t taken by any of the characters, but as they began to develop one or two redeemed themselves. Mackenzie is a very troubled young woman, made more so by the disturbing feelings and flashbacks she experiences after the latest of her drunken outbursts.
'A barking dog or a car backfiring had woken her – Mackenzie wasn’t sure which – but part of her wished she’d died in her sleep. Her whole life was a mess.’
The short prologue sets the scene and we know straight away something horrible is being planned. After a disastrous get together for Adele’s birthday it seems Mackenzie has made good on her threat to leave her husband. But the question is, has she left of her own accord or has something more sinister occurred. When Mackenzie claimed she was being stalked no-one believed her, putting it down to what they classed as her drama queen tendencies, and so when she disappears it’s generally assumed she’s gone off with the lover she admitted to having.
'He wouldn’t know where she was. Nobody would know.
She writhed, kicking and struggling to free herself, driven by fear, almost choking on it, sobbing like a child.’
I’ve read and enjoyed Owen Mullen’s previous works and his easy to read, well written style continues. It was a nice surprise to see DI Andrew Geddes, one of my favourite characters from the Charlie Cameron series, brought into the investigation. The layers of resentment, dissatisfaction and even jealousy are peeled away as Mackenzie’s siblings and their partners discuss and argue over her marriage and behaviour. So many emotions have been simmering away under the surface. As the tension and suspense increase so does the drama. The plot is dark and Mackenzie’s ordeal is terrifying, the scenes are graphic, written very realistically. The character driven narrative has some unexpected and shocking twists, particularly at the end. Gavin’s input in the search is a great touch and adds to the story.
I chose to read and review In Harm’s Way based on a digital copy of the book supplied by the author.
Mackenzie and Derek Crawford’s marriage is in trouble. She’s an alcoholic and seems able to antagonise everyone without too much effort, he’s twenty years older and gives her everything money can buy. She’s threatening to leave him but she’s said it many times before. Adele and Gavin, Mackenzie’s brother and sister, have their own family problems and haven’t much time for their spoiled younger sister.
There’s a slow build up initially, giving an insight into the dynamics of the three dysfunctional families and the misconceptions that ultimately lead to a horrendous ordeal. Initially I wasn’t taken by any of the characters, but as they began to develop one or two redeemed themselves. Mackenzie is a very troubled young woman, made more so by the disturbing feelings and flashbacks she experiences after the latest of her drunken outbursts.
'A barking dog or a car backfiring had woken her – Mackenzie wasn’t sure which – but part of her wished she’d died in her sleep. Her whole life was a mess.’
The short prologue sets the scene and we know straight away something horrible is being planned. After a disastrous get together for Adele’s birthday it seems Mackenzie has made good on her threat to leave her husband. But the question is, has she left of her own accord or has something more sinister occurred. When Mackenzie claimed she was being stalked no-one believed her, putting it down to what they classed as her drama queen tendencies, and so when she disappears it’s generally assumed she’s gone off with the lover she admitted to having.
'He wouldn’t know where she was. Nobody would know.
She writhed, kicking and struggling to free herself, driven by fear, almost choking on it, sobbing like a child.’
I’ve read and enjoyed Owen Mullen’s previous works and his easy to read, well written style continues. It was a nice surprise to see DI Andrew Geddes, one of my favourite characters from the Charlie Cameron series, brought into the investigation. The layers of resentment, dissatisfaction and even jealousy are peeled away as Mackenzie’s siblings and their partners discuss and argue over her marriage and behaviour. So many emotions have been simmering away under the surface. As the tension and suspense increase so does the drama. The plot is dark and Mackenzie’s ordeal is terrifying, the scenes are graphic, written very realistically. The character driven narrative has some unexpected and shocking twists, particularly at the end. Gavin’s input in the search is a great touch and adds to the story.
I chose to read and review In Harm’s Way based on a digital copy of the book supplied by the author.
October 9, 2018
✅16/10 - In harms way Owen Mullen
This is my first experience with an Owen Mullen book and this one hasn’t disappointed.
A stand alone dark and disturbing psychological thriller, about deception, dysfunctional families, and drama. McKenzie is an alcoholic and married to an older, successful man, she struggles with her confidence and self esteem. McKenzie is also being stalked, but no one believes her.
A great story, I think I’ll hunt out the other books.
Thank you netgalley for this ARC
This is my first experience with an Owen Mullen book and this one hasn’t disappointed.
A stand alone dark and disturbing psychological thriller, about deception, dysfunctional families, and drama. McKenzie is an alcoholic and married to an older, successful man, she struggles with her confidence and self esteem. McKenzie is also being stalked, but no one believes her.
A great story, I think I’ll hunt out the other books.
Thank you netgalley for this ARC
October 17, 2018
Oh Wow. Okay… So I have read previous books by Owen and all were great so I expected nothing less with this one. It was brilliant! Wow…
The beginning will have the reader intrigued and wanting to know what? Why? At the start I really felt angry towards Mackenzies character, especially as I felt it was her own fault, she’s an alcoholic and she was pushing her family away telling lies. An attention seeker?
But then things change… Noone believed her. She had noone or that’s what she thought. It was nice to see her family come together again even if it wasn’t under the best circumstances. Just when you think it’s all over case solved… IT ISN’T! BOOM.
This book must have one of the best, most unexpected outcomes ever. I never would have guessed it, honestly didn’t see it at all. Will keep you hooked till the very last page. Will Mackenzie get a happy ending? This story teaches you to be careful who you trust, including family. I honestly loved this so I gave it a well deserved four stars. Highly recommend! Devoured it in two days.
I look forward to more books by Owen in the future!
The beginning will have the reader intrigued and wanting to know what? Why? At the start I really felt angry towards Mackenzies character, especially as I felt it was her own fault, she’s an alcoholic and she was pushing her family away telling lies. An attention seeker?
But then things change… Noone believed her. She had noone or that’s what she thought. It was nice to see her family come together again even if it wasn’t under the best circumstances. Just when you think it’s all over case solved… IT ISN’T! BOOM.
This book must have one of the best, most unexpected outcomes ever. I never would have guessed it, honestly didn’t see it at all. Will keep you hooked till the very last page. Will Mackenzie get a happy ending? This story teaches you to be careful who you trust, including family. I honestly loved this so I gave it a well deserved four stars. Highly recommend! Devoured it in two days.
I look forward to more books by Owen in the future!
September 22, 2018
This story dives right in, almost too fast really. You are introduced to three couples (siblings with spouses) and all their unhappiness. I waffled for a minute trying to figure who’s who and in which relationship since the voice of the narrator does jump around quite a bit.
The story was actually pretty good until the ending for me. All of the marriages were floundering, some (most) of the characters were awful, others pure evil. This is almost a horrific telling of the boy that cried wolf... The emotional baggage of their childhood roles has created resentments that allowed for the action that took place to seem quite believable.
There are some twists and red herrings. The story took some unexpected turns. This did hold my interest and I flew through it quickly. When the final reveal takes place though, ugh, that let me down. It was appropriate I suppose it just wasn’t entirely satisfying. Overall, it was pretty good...
Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and Bloodhound Books for a copy in exchange for a review.
The story was actually pretty good until the ending for me. All of the marriages were floundering, some (most) of the characters were awful, others pure evil. This is almost a horrific telling of the boy that cried wolf... The emotional baggage of their childhood roles has created resentments that allowed for the action that took place to seem quite believable.
There are some twists and red herrings. The story took some unexpected turns. This did hold my interest and I flew through it quickly. When the final reveal takes place though, ugh, that let me down. It was appropriate I suppose it just wasn’t entirely satisfying. Overall, it was pretty good...
Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and Bloodhound Books for a copy in exchange for a review.
October 1, 2018
Exciting, dramatic psychological thriller
Mackenzie has a drink problem, is prone to exaggerate and enjoy drama. So when she disappears no-one is too worried. Should they be?
As with all Owen Mullen books, this thriller has a strong opening and the book continues at a fast pace. Themes include family relations, and assumptions of what goes on behind other people's closed doors. There are not too many characters in this book, so the action is easy to follow.
Set in Glasgow, the main characters are not ones I warmed to, however I found the idea for the plot clever and somewhat disturbing. The opening pages made me worry that this book was going to be too dark for me, but it wasn't, it was just a great psychological thriller.
I loved it when DS Geddes from Mullen's previous books made a return to investigate Mackenzie's disappearance. Not too much about the plot in this review, as I'm not one for giving storylines away.
4*s from me as I found this an enjoyable fast read, and it got me thinking how realistic the scenarios were - which was pretty scary to think about!
I'm a great fan of Owen Mullen's books (read them all!), and this is an enjoyable deviation from his normal detective thrillers.
Mackenzie has a drink problem, is prone to exaggerate and enjoy drama. So when she disappears no-one is too worried. Should they be?
As with all Owen Mullen books, this thriller has a strong opening and the book continues at a fast pace. Themes include family relations, and assumptions of what goes on behind other people's closed doors. There are not too many characters in this book, so the action is easy to follow.
Set in Glasgow, the main characters are not ones I warmed to, however I found the idea for the plot clever and somewhat disturbing. The opening pages made me worry that this book was going to be too dark for me, but it wasn't, it was just a great psychological thriller.
I loved it when DS Geddes from Mullen's previous books made a return to investigate Mackenzie's disappearance. Not too much about the plot in this review, as I'm not one for giving storylines away.
4*s from me as I found this an enjoyable fast read, and it got me thinking how realistic the scenarios were - which was pretty scary to think about!
I'm a great fan of Owen Mullen's books (read them all!), and this is an enjoyable deviation from his normal detective thrillers.
October 3, 2018
I highly recommend, Scottish author, Owen Mullen. In my opinion you are guaranteed a gripping Scottish noir from this author which will have you captivated from the first page to the very last.
In Harms Wayis a riveting domestic thriller set in Glasgow. The story focuses on the family dynamic when faced with Mackenzie’s unexpected disappearance. The author cleverly introduces each character’s depth to show how the family deals with the situation and the secrets and misunderstandings come to light – it keeps the pages turning.
Owen Mullen writes a brilliant stand-alone white knuckle read and if you have not read any of his other work I would urge you to go read the Charlie Cameron series – each one better than the last.
Thank you to Net Galley and Bloodhound Books for the opportunity to read and review this five star intriguing nail-biting read.
In Harms Wayis a riveting domestic thriller set in Glasgow. The story focuses on the family dynamic when faced with Mackenzie’s unexpected disappearance. The author cleverly introduces each character’s depth to show how the family deals with the situation and the secrets and misunderstandings come to light – it keeps the pages turning.
Owen Mullen writes a brilliant stand-alone white knuckle read and if you have not read any of his other work I would urge you to go read the Charlie Cameron series – each one better than the last.
Thank you to Net Galley and Bloodhound Books for the opportunity to read and review this five star intriguing nail-biting read.
October 16, 2018
Three siblings, all with troubled marriages. Adele and Blair appear to be the perfect couple, but he has started claiming to have to work late. Adele suspects he is having an affair. Gavin and Monica have a new baby and that is putting a strain on their relationship. Mackenzie and Derek.... well Mackenzie is an alcoholic and Derek has seen her getting into a strange car.
She also claims to have a stalker, although in a drunken outburst at a party she claims he's her lover. When she leaves Derek and disappears, nobody seems to be bothered other than Gavin, who gets DS Andrew Geddes involved. But how far can the investigation get when nobody thinks she's actually missing? Meanwhile Mackenzie finds herself chained in a cellar at the mercy of her abductor...
All this might sound like its giving away important plot points but it really isn't; all of this is obvious from the first few pages. What follows is the story of the three relationships, the six people involved key to the story. The abduction itself is just part of the much bigger story, a story about relationships both between married couples and within families.
Added to this is Andrew Geddes, the world weary but sharp police detective previously seen in the Charlie Cameron novels. It is so good to see him with a case of his own to solve, especially as this is one that may be impossible to prove is actually a case at all.
As with his other books, Mullen carefully misdirects the reader all the way through providing twists and turns both small and large. He skillfully hides clues in plain sight then removes the blindfold from the reader's eyes with one deft phrase or scene.
This is a masterful piece of work from one of the best thriller writers out there.
She also claims to have a stalker, although in a drunken outburst at a party she claims he's her lover. When she leaves Derek and disappears, nobody seems to be bothered other than Gavin, who gets DS Andrew Geddes involved. But how far can the investigation get when nobody thinks she's actually missing? Meanwhile Mackenzie finds herself chained in a cellar at the mercy of her abductor...
All this might sound like its giving away important plot points but it really isn't; all of this is obvious from the first few pages. What follows is the story of the three relationships, the six people involved key to the story. The abduction itself is just part of the much bigger story, a story about relationships both between married couples and within families.
Added to this is Andrew Geddes, the world weary but sharp police detective previously seen in the Charlie Cameron novels. It is so good to see him with a case of his own to solve, especially as this is one that may be impossible to prove is actually a case at all.
As with his other books, Mullen carefully misdirects the reader all the way through providing twists and turns both small and large. He skillfully hides clues in plain sight then removes the blindfold from the reader's eyes with one deft phrase or scene.
This is a masterful piece of work from one of the best thriller writers out there.
October 30, 2018
First of all, 10 out of 10 for the cover! I know you are not supposed to judge a book thus, but who could resist wondering just what was going on in them their hills? Very menacing, just like the story. Owen Mullen writes tartan noir at it's best. From the first page I was completely sucked in to this dysfunctional family's saga. Exactly the sort of book I love and don't want to put down.
Mackenzie Crawford is a drunk and her family are quite frankly fed up with her, including her husband who suspects she is having an affair, possibly with her sister's husband. It all kicks off at a birthday party when they refuse to believe she is being stalked by a stranger and she threatens to leave her husband. When she goes missing a few days later, everyone simply thinks she has walked out.
So WAS there a man stalking her, and whose car was she seen getting into willingly, and do any of them actually care? When will someone realise she's actually gone missing? Full of twists and turns, secrets and lies, nail biting, page turning stuff! I devoured this book which had a personal interest for me being set in my birthplace of South Lanarkshire. I enjoyed re-visiting places from my mind's eye so much that I intend going back as soon as possible to see them again for real. Surely that's the sign of a great book?
A stand- alone? I hope not. I'd love to hear what happens next!
Mackenzie Crawford is a drunk and her family are quite frankly fed up with her, including her husband who suspects she is having an affair, possibly with her sister's husband. It all kicks off at a birthday party when they refuse to believe she is being stalked by a stranger and she threatens to leave her husband. When she goes missing a few days later, everyone simply thinks she has walked out.
So WAS there a man stalking her, and whose car was she seen getting into willingly, and do any of them actually care? When will someone realise she's actually gone missing? Full of twists and turns, secrets and lies, nail biting, page turning stuff! I devoured this book which had a personal interest for me being set in my birthplace of South Lanarkshire. I enjoyed re-visiting places from my mind's eye so much that I intend going back as soon as possible to see them again for real. Surely that's the sign of a great book?
A stand- alone? I hope not. I'd love to hear what happens next!
Want to read
October 10, 2018Mackenzie is not in a good place. She drinks too much and her relationship with her husband is strained. She is being stalked and none of her family believe her, thinking her alcoholism is the cause of her paranoia and delusions. When Mackenzie disappears, her husband, her sister and her brother along with their spouses react with skepticism. The dynamics between the siblings lead them to believe that their sister is just seeking attention and is fine. Her husband believes she has gone off with another man and is crushed. However, Mackenzie is now in a very bad place and her life will never be the same.
In Harm's Way was a book that I liked, but somehow the story never had me furiously page flipping or engaged enough to try and figure out Mackenzie's fate. I didn't mind putting it down(like I do with some books), but I did keep coming back to it, so it wasn't a bad book( that would be one that I just could not finish). For me, I just didn't connect strongly with any of the characters. There were twists, turns, and secrets revealed and the ending did surprise me. This may have been one of those books that will hit all the right notes for other readers, I just couldn't get invested in the story.
I received an e-ARC from Bloodhound Books through NetGalley.
In Harm's Way was a book that I liked, but somehow the story never had me furiously page flipping or engaged enough to try and figure out Mackenzie's fate. I didn't mind putting it down(like I do with some books), but I did keep coming back to it, so it wasn't a bad book( that would be one that I just could not finish). For me, I just didn't connect strongly with any of the characters. There were twists, turns, and secrets revealed and the ending did surprise me. This may have been one of those books that will hit all the right notes for other readers, I just couldn't get invested in the story.
I received an e-ARC from Bloodhound Books through NetGalley.
October 20, 2018
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This book was excellent, I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish and it is definitely a book I would recommend!!
I loved the plot in this book, it was very well planned out and I was hooked right from the first few pages. I have read quite a few of this author’s books and he has a great writing style and that was evident in this book, he is certainly well suited to this genre.
The characters were well developed and worked really well together. It is five stars from me for this one, very highly recommended and another excellent read from Owen Mullen!!
This book was excellent, I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish and it is definitely a book I would recommend!!
I loved the plot in this book, it was very well planned out and I was hooked right from the first few pages. I have read quite a few of this author’s books and he has a great writing style and that was evident in this book, he is certainly well suited to this genre.
The characters were well developed and worked really well together. It is five stars from me for this one, very highly recommended and another excellent read from Owen Mullen!!
October 23, 2018
This was one nail-biting read! I have read several of this author's books before and they never disappoint :)
Mackenzie Crawford is married to the much older Derek Crawford, a self-made man who gives Mackenzie everything she wants....except the freedom to choose. Her sister thinks she is really lucky that Derek puts up with her, because Mackenzie drinks too much, but her brother isn't convinced. When Mackenzie goes missing, who in her life is actually concerned about this fact?
Such an interesting, twisty, turny story this was! Some parts of this book were harrowing, to say the least, and I was on the edge of my seat many times. Even though Mackenzie wasn't the most likeable of people in the beginning of the book, my sympathy for her increased as I went along and by the end of it I was cheering her on and hoping that everything would work out for her.
4.5 stars from me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloodhound Books.
Mackenzie Crawford is married to the much older Derek Crawford, a self-made man who gives Mackenzie everything she wants....except the freedom to choose. Her sister thinks she is really lucky that Derek puts up with her, because Mackenzie drinks too much, but her brother isn't convinced. When Mackenzie goes missing, who in her life is actually concerned about this fact?
Such an interesting, twisty, turny story this was! Some parts of this book were harrowing, to say the least, and I was on the edge of my seat many times. Even though Mackenzie wasn't the most likeable of people in the beginning of the book, my sympathy for her increased as I went along and by the end of it I was cheering her on and hoping that everything would work out for her.
4.5 stars from me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloodhound Books.
October 29, 2018
It draws you in from the beginning and doesn't let go until the end. Mackenzie is an alcoholic and lives with her husband Derek but it's not the ideal marriage. Other characters are Mckenzie's brother and sisters who I really enjoyed reading about. One day Mackenzie goes missing and everyone thinks she's run off with another man ...... that couldn't be further from the truth.
A brilliant story that kept me on my toes, that's for sure. Must read in my opinion.
October 16, 2018
The tale focuses on Mackenzie Crawford, she’s on a bit of a downward spiral and when she starts telling tales about someone stalking her people just don’t believe her. She’s a bit of a wild one at times and it hard for family to look beyond their opinions and see the truth that’s right in front of them.
Mackenzie’s family will soon regret not paying more attention when one night she doesn’t return home. With recent events including a family bust up it takes a while for anyone to really suspect fowl play..they are just blinded by preconceptions they just won’t take on board the chance she’s in danger.
There’s a ton of twists in the tale to keep you gripped. You see things from multiple points of view and you question your own views on the events as things start to fall in place..when they do though..wow.. I’ll not lie I had an inkling that proved to be right but the way the author plays events out really had me hooked and to be quite honest until the picture became clear the author could have thrown another twist in there..you just never knew what to expect.
It’s a dark tale that really makes you think..it really shows the damage rifts with family can cause.. as much as you dislike some of the family you can see their thought processes..and how easy it is to have a clouded point of view.
A dark, gritty and suspenseful thriller that tickles the taste buds to the max and another cracking read from Owen Mullen! Keep up the good work
Mackenzie’s family will soon regret not paying more attention when one night she doesn’t return home. With recent events including a family bust up it takes a while for anyone to really suspect fowl play..they are just blinded by preconceptions they just won’t take on board the chance she’s in danger.
There’s a ton of twists in the tale to keep you gripped. You see things from multiple points of view and you question your own views on the events as things start to fall in place..when they do though..wow.. I’ll not lie I had an inkling that proved to be right but the way the author plays events out really had me hooked and to be quite honest until the picture became clear the author could have thrown another twist in there..you just never knew what to expect.
It’s a dark tale that really makes you think..it really shows the damage rifts with family can cause.. as much as you dislike some of the family you can see their thought processes..and how easy it is to have a clouded point of view.
A dark, gritty and suspenseful thriller that tickles the taste buds to the max and another cracking read from Owen Mullen! Keep up the good work
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