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Don't Breathe
What could be worse than a school shooting?
When the unimaginable happens and armed men burst into a classroom to take the students and teacher hostage, no one can predict how it will end.
The reason for the attack is unclear but it seems nearly all the hostages are hiding secrets that could have led the gunmen to the school.
After calling the police and evacuating the school, headteacher Cam Cleaver and his deputy, Penny Bainbridge, both realise their own children are among those being held hostage.
When one of the students is injured, both teachers struggle to maintain focus as the lives of their son and daughter are at risk.
But who is really behind the invasion?
And will anybody get out alive?
When the unimaginable happens and armed men burst into a classroom to take the students and teacher hostage, no one can predict how it will end.
The reason for the attack is unclear but it seems nearly all the hostages are hiding secrets that could have led the gunmen to the school.
After calling the police and evacuating the school, headteacher Cam Cleaver and his deputy, Penny Bainbridge, both realise their own children are among those being held hostage.
When one of the students is injured, both teachers struggle to maintain focus as the lives of their son and daughter are at risk.
But who is really behind the invasion?
And will anybody get out alive?
361 pages, Paperback
First published March 10, 2021
43 people are currently reading
73 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
March 13, 2021
2.5 stars.
I really wanted to love this book, but it didn’t deliver what was promised.
I did not get hooked or felt engaged and I did not feel tense (or even thrilled).
The writing is good and it is fast paced.
As for the storyline, although interesting, with plenty of family drama and personal secrets, I thought that the timeline did not work very well this time, and perhaps I would have enjoyed this book a lot more if it was written in a chronological order, specially when it comes to the character’s development. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind time jumping between present and past at every chapter, but here it felt incomplete.
Also, I did not feel any sympathy for the people and some parts were a bit far fetched.
The ending was a disappointment, as the reason for taking a school down was very childish.
I really wanted to love this book, but it didn’t deliver what was promised.
I did not get hooked or felt engaged and I did not feel tense (or even thrilled).
The writing is good and it is fast paced.
As for the storyline, although interesting, with plenty of family drama and personal secrets, I thought that the timeline did not work very well this time, and perhaps I would have enjoyed this book a lot more if it was written in a chronological order, specially when it comes to the character’s development. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind time jumping between present and past at every chapter, but here it felt incomplete.
Also, I did not feel any sympathy for the people and some parts were a bit far fetched.
The ending was a disappointment, as the reason for taking a school down was very childish.
March 9, 2021
Don’t Breathe is a stand-alone contemporary suspense novel about an armed siege in a Cumbrian school, where not all the gunmen are villains and not all the hostages are innocent. It’s a quick easy read but I felt rather disappointed by the ultimate reveal, hence 3 stars. I received a free ARC through the Bloodhound Books ARC group.
It’s an ordinary December day at Fellbeck secondary school for teacher Donna Frith, until gun-toting strangers in balaclavas March into her sixth-form history class, confiscating phones and locking themselves in. Principal Cameron Cleaver is stunned to receive a warning note, and soon learns that only one class has been targeted - that of his seventeen year old son Tom.
The police arrive but no demands are made, and no one knows what the gunmen want, but when a student is injured, the stakes rise even higher: how will this terrifying day end and who will survive?
This was a well-written and carefully plotted thriller told from the POV of various characters, in conventional third person past style, and including flashbacks revealing their past secrets and stressors, that successfully kept me in suspense wondering what was going on. Unfortunately I didn’t find any of the characters’ actions or the school processes at all believable, and found the explanation for the whole conspiracy was rather a letdown. There are no likeable characters - even plucky schoolgirl Annie is revealed to be monstrously selfish in her dealings with her mother, and teacher Donna tries to help the situation but is rather ineffectual. The fate of one of the key villains is not revealed either. 3.5 rounded down.
Don’t Breathe is published on March 10th.
It’s an ordinary December day at Fellbeck secondary school for teacher Donna Frith, until gun-toting strangers in balaclavas March into her sixth-form history class, confiscating phones and locking themselves in. Principal Cameron Cleaver is stunned to receive a warning note, and soon learns that only one class has been targeted - that of his seventeen year old son Tom.
The police arrive but no demands are made, and no one knows what the gunmen want, but when a student is injured, the stakes rise even higher: how will this terrifying day end and who will survive?
This was a well-written and carefully plotted thriller told from the POV of various characters, in conventional third person past style, and including flashbacks revealing their past secrets and stressors, that successfully kept me in suspense wondering what was going on. Unfortunately I didn’t find any of the characters’ actions or the school processes at all believable, and found the explanation for the whole conspiracy was rather a letdown. There are no likeable characters - even plucky schoolgirl Annie is revealed to be monstrously selfish in her dealings with her mother, and teacher Donna tries to help the situation but is rather ineffectual. The fate of one of the key villains is not revealed either. 3.5 rounded down.
Don’t Breathe is published on March 10th.
February 27, 2021
This is a good, fast paced book.
What seems like a normal day changes quickly for teacher, Donna Frith as masked gunmen storm into her classroom.
The rest of the school is left alone so what do they want from this class?
Inside the class are the head’s son and the deputy head’s daughter so you wonder if this has something to do with it.
The teacher manages to spot them approaching and gets a note to the head but when the Police arrive, they are slow to take action with an armed response.
There’s flashback chapters into some of the character’s lives which reveal some of their secrets and we get to know why this is happening.
This is a gripping thriller.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for the opportunity to read this book.
What seems like a normal day changes quickly for teacher, Donna Frith as masked gunmen storm into her classroom.
The rest of the school is left alone so what do they want from this class?
Inside the class are the head’s son and the deputy head’s daughter so you wonder if this has something to do with it.
The teacher manages to spot them approaching and gets a note to the head but when the Police arrive, they are slow to take action with an armed response.
There’s flashback chapters into some of the character’s lives which reveal some of their secrets and we get to know why this is happening.
This is a gripping thriller.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for the opportunity to read this book.
March 10, 2021
When she looks out the window she sees several men dressed in black coming toward the school. She's not too worried until she sees they are all wearing masks and toting guns.
When it's her room that is targeted and the men burst through the classroom door, panic ensues.
The headteacher Cam Cleaver has a son in that room. His deputy, Penny Bainbridge, has a daughter in that room. Cleaver calls the police and they work out a plan to evacuate all the other students and teachers.
What is it about this room, this teacher, these students that the invaders want? Who is behind this evasion ... and who will be alive at the end of the day?
An intricate plot with deftly drawn characters, keeps the reader riveted from the very first page to the final unexpected conclusion. It's well written ... bringing back memories of the Littleton, Colorado school shootings, as well as the other schools that followed. There are twists and turns and lies and secrets that steadily increase the suspense.
Many thanks to the author / Bloodhound Books for the digital copy of this psychological thriller. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
When it's her room that is targeted and the men burst through the classroom door, panic ensues.
The headteacher Cam Cleaver has a son in that room. His deputy, Penny Bainbridge, has a daughter in that room. Cleaver calls the police and they work out a plan to evacuate all the other students and teachers.
What is it about this room, this teacher, these students that the invaders want? Who is behind this evasion ... and who will be alive at the end of the day?
An intricate plot with deftly drawn characters, keeps the reader riveted from the very first page to the final unexpected conclusion. It's well written ... bringing back memories of the Littleton, Colorado school shootings, as well as the other schools that followed. There are twists and turns and lies and secrets that steadily increase the suspense.
Many thanks to the author / Bloodhound Books for the digital copy of this psychological thriller. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
March 8, 2021
Very disappointed with the reason for the whole hostage situation and the police involvement/noninvolement I found completely unbelievable.
February 26, 2021
Thank you to Bloodhound Books for this ARC.
I read this book in just over a day, which is testament to how much I enjoyed it. The blurb intrigued me, I thought this was definitely my kind of read and I certainly wasn’t disappointed. Four gunmen march into a school and take a class hostage. Who are they and why are they doing this? The book is a case of revenge best served cold, and not all is at it seems. There were characters I liked and loathed and I thought this was a pacy, thrilling book that was very well written and engaged me from beginning to end. And just when I thought I knew the reasons behind this the author added twist after twist that threw me completely. Overall a compelling read that I couldn’t put down and one I would recommend.
I read this book in just over a day, which is testament to how much I enjoyed it. The blurb intrigued me, I thought this was definitely my kind of read and I certainly wasn’t disappointed. Four gunmen march into a school and take a class hostage. Who are they and why are they doing this? The book is a case of revenge best served cold, and not all is at it seems. There were characters I liked and loathed and I thought this was a pacy, thrilling book that was very well written and engaged me from beginning to end. And just when I thought I knew the reasons behind this the author added twist after twist that threw me completely. Overall a compelling read that I couldn’t put down and one I would recommend.
February 15, 2021
I thought this book was so clever!
Cam Cleaver runs his school with pride of headship, little knowing that his pride will lead to disaster. When armed gunmen burst into the school and hold a class and their teacher hostage, all lives unravel.
What do the gunmen want? And who are they aiming for? So many twists and intermingled stories lead you to think everyone is guilty until the final gripping pages.
A fabulous read, I highly recommend it.
Cam Cleaver runs his school with pride of headship, little knowing that his pride will lead to disaster. When armed gunmen burst into the school and hold a class and their teacher hostage, all lives unravel.
What do the gunmen want? And who are they aiming for? So many twists and intermingled stories lead you to think everyone is guilty until the final gripping pages.
A fabulous read, I highly recommend it.
February 28, 2021
I enjoyed this book. It was different to my normal read and despite the topic wasn’t too gruesome or violent.
Briefly, the story revolves around a successful school where armed men take over a class of children and their teacher, although the remaining staff and students are released. The headteacher Cam has been seeing his deputy Penny and both have children in the hostage class. The police arrive quickly and are working with Cam, Penny and his secretary Ruth, but are waiting for back up before taking action... But something isn’t right. Why are the police taking so long to arrive? What do the gunmen want? Do they have a hidden agenda?
There are plenty of surprises as the story unfolds and the climax is unexpected, or at least I didn’t expect it. Well written and I will be searching out other books by this author. A solid 4*
Briefly, the story revolves around a successful school where armed men take over a class of children and their teacher, although the remaining staff and students are released. The headteacher Cam has been seeing his deputy Penny and both have children in the hostage class. The police arrive quickly and are working with Cam, Penny and his secretary Ruth, but are waiting for back up before taking action... But something isn’t right. Why are the police taking so long to arrive? What do the gunmen want? Do they have a hidden agenda?
There are plenty of surprises as the story unfolds and the climax is unexpected, or at least I didn’t expect it. Well written and I will be searching out other books by this author. A solid 4*
March 5, 2021
It’s registration time at Fellbeck Academy and for history teacher Donna Frith and her sixth form students this is just another ordinary school day. As usual Harley Morton ambles in late amid the classroom chatter whilst Donna contemplates the day ahead, admiring the glorious view from her classroom window, the view from the humanities block the best in the whole school. Except this isn’t going to turn into any ordinary day when Donna catches sight of figures lurking in the school grounds. The nearer they approach Donna is horrified to realise these figures are masked men and they are carrying guns. Not wishing to alarm her students and cause unnecessary panic Donna has to make a split second decision as to how to alert the rest of the school to the impending danger and hurriedly sends a note to reception via a pupil. How the head teacher, Cam Cleaver and the rest of his staff deal with the incident is crucial and whilst he contacts the police and manages to evacuate the majority of the school without anyone coming to any harm it would appear Donna Frith and her students are the prime target of the hostage takers. Naturally it’s in your hands to determine the reasons why Fellbeck Academy and more importantly this particular class have found themselves at the mercy of these masked intruders. Don’t Breathe promises to be a nail biting, edge of your seat read.
My first thoughts regarding this novel is that it is a great, quick absorbing read but I found it impossible not to draw parallels with Rosmund Lupton’s terrifyingly brilliant Three Hours. Although Don’t Breathe lacks the same amount of atmosphere, tension and suspense I still thoroughly enjoyed the storyline, speeding through the pages to the conclusion. When it comes to playing detective the author offers up a mixed bag of clues, some of which are disappointingly easy to solve, others far more complex and beyond my powers of deduction. It’s the finer details such as who are all the masked men (I only guessed one!) and who has masterminded this hostage situation, the brains behind the operation that are the problematic questions. You can make assumptions as to exactly who these men are targeting but I don’t think it’s as necessarily clear cut as you may initially believe. I constantly asked myself the question as to who, if anyone in this classroom could be responsible for bringing trouble into the school and are any of the students or school staff willing accomplices in this plot that doesn’t seem to be going according to plan. Or is this simply a random horrific school shooting?The questions this storyline conjures up are never ending! The backstories of some of the characters help to either create confusion as to the identity of the perpetrators and the reasons for their behaviour or reveal clues which confirm at least some of your own theories, if not all. These fragments help build the bigger picture, giving you a greater understanding of the personalities involved and adding that all important element of intrigue. With these revelations you discover there’s far more to these individuals than first meets the eye. The hostage takers clearly harbour a grudge against someone with revenge and justice at the top of their agenda and I was thankful to be an armchair observer only! The reality of this type of situation is too horrifying to contemplate.
All the main characters are reasonably well developed but few are likeable. I took an instant dislike to headteacher Cam Cleaver who seems to lack the control and authority to deal with this unexpected incident competently and you quickly gain the impression he’s not well liked amongst his staff. However you feel indebted to allow him some leeway since his son Tom is one of the students being held hostage alongside Annie, daughter of deputy head Penny Bainbridge. Are they the key to solving the who and the why? There’s only one real star of this showdown but who will it be?
Unfortunately because this feels like a bungled attempt by these masked men to strike terror into the hearts of these sixth formers and their teacher I didn’t experience the apprehension and fear that you’d expect to feel given these men are armed, unpredictable and therefore dangerous. The storyline didn’t turn into the nail biting experience I was hoping for. Dare I say thanks to the ringleader and his henchmen’s behaviour the whole situation verges on comical at times yet I had absolutely no preconceived idea how this hostage situation would be resolved. Will there be casualties or will everyone escape unharmed? Wherever your thoughts may lead you I can say with certainty you could be in for an explosive shock!!
Once again I extend my thanks to Bloodhound books for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. Don’t Breathe is the first book I’ve read from this author and I look forward to reading more from her in the future. A solid 4 stars from me!
My first thoughts regarding this novel is that it is a great, quick absorbing read but I found it impossible not to draw parallels with Rosmund Lupton’s terrifyingly brilliant Three Hours. Although Don’t Breathe lacks the same amount of atmosphere, tension and suspense I still thoroughly enjoyed the storyline, speeding through the pages to the conclusion. When it comes to playing detective the author offers up a mixed bag of clues, some of which are disappointingly easy to solve, others far more complex and beyond my powers of deduction. It’s the finer details such as who are all the masked men (I only guessed one!) and who has masterminded this hostage situation, the brains behind the operation that are the problematic questions. You can make assumptions as to exactly who these men are targeting but I don’t think it’s as necessarily clear cut as you may initially believe. I constantly asked myself the question as to who, if anyone in this classroom could be responsible for bringing trouble into the school and are any of the students or school staff willing accomplices in this plot that doesn’t seem to be going according to plan. Or is this simply a random horrific school shooting?The questions this storyline conjures up are never ending! The backstories of some of the characters help to either create confusion as to the identity of the perpetrators and the reasons for their behaviour or reveal clues which confirm at least some of your own theories, if not all. These fragments help build the bigger picture, giving you a greater understanding of the personalities involved and adding that all important element of intrigue. With these revelations you discover there’s far more to these individuals than first meets the eye. The hostage takers clearly harbour a grudge against someone with revenge and justice at the top of their agenda and I was thankful to be an armchair observer only! The reality of this type of situation is too horrifying to contemplate.
All the main characters are reasonably well developed but few are likeable. I took an instant dislike to headteacher Cam Cleaver who seems to lack the control and authority to deal with this unexpected incident competently and you quickly gain the impression he’s not well liked amongst his staff. However you feel indebted to allow him some leeway since his son Tom is one of the students being held hostage alongside Annie, daughter of deputy head Penny Bainbridge. Are they the key to solving the who and the why? There’s only one real star of this showdown but who will it be?
Unfortunately because this feels like a bungled attempt by these masked men to strike terror into the hearts of these sixth formers and their teacher I didn’t experience the apprehension and fear that you’d expect to feel given these men are armed, unpredictable and therefore dangerous. The storyline didn’t turn into the nail biting experience I was hoping for. Dare I say thanks to the ringleader and his henchmen’s behaviour the whole situation verges on comical at times yet I had absolutely no preconceived idea how this hostage situation would be resolved. Will there be casualties or will everyone escape unharmed? Wherever your thoughts may lead you I can say with certainty you could be in for an explosive shock!!
Once again I extend my thanks to Bloodhound books for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. Don’t Breathe is the first book I’ve read from this author and I look forward to reading more from her in the future. A solid 4 stars from me!
February 16, 2021
Four masked gunmen march into a school and take a class hostage. Fortunately the teacher had spotted them and managed to get one child out to take a note to the head. In the class are the son of the head and the daughter of the assistant head. Could this be anything to do with it? Unknown to anyone is that the single parents of these children are in a relationship. The teacher of the group recently met with her brother to discuss the finances of their mother in a care home. He then told her he was addicted to gambling and had borrowed money- not only from their mothers fund but from a local loan shark. In the hostage situation she wonders if this could be anything to do with it but not sure how. Many have secrets and all wonder if they could be the hidden target. What are the men after and why take the class hostage?
This very quickly drew me in and kept me there with a brilliantly written air of tension. We get “ before” chapters which give us some of the background to the secrets of the staff and students. A cleverly thought out well constructed plot to keep you guessing to the very end.
March 10, 2021
Here's an author who knows how to keep her readers on their toes - and no more so than with this book!
Donna Frith teaches in a Cumbrian school; she loves her job. As she completes registration with her senior class one morning, armed gunmen burst into her classroom. With the police on the scene taking charge, the rest of the school is evacuated and only then do both the headteacher and his deputy realise that each of them has a child among the hostages. When the news comes through that a student has been injured, they both fear the worst and it undoubtedly affects their judgement. But the big question is - what do these gunmen want and how many more casualties will there be?
This is not my first novel by Heleyne Hammersley so I expected my brain to be given a bit of a workout, but this one is as taut as a violin string! As the story begins to unfold, it gets even more puzzling - the possibilities are mind boggling. There is a fine cast of characters, each harbouring unknown secrets and I was convinced I knew what was going on - several times over. With more than a few surprises along the way, it's fair to say that when the truth was revealed, I was gobsmacked! A tense thriller, beautifully written and one to keep every reader on their toes. Highly recommended and definitely worth all five shining stars.
Donna Frith teaches in a Cumbrian school; she loves her job. As she completes registration with her senior class one morning, armed gunmen burst into her classroom. With the police on the scene taking charge, the rest of the school is evacuated and only then do both the headteacher and his deputy realise that each of them has a child among the hostages. When the news comes through that a student has been injured, they both fear the worst and it undoubtedly affects their judgement. But the big question is - what do these gunmen want and how many more casualties will there be?
This is not my first novel by Heleyne Hammersley so I expected my brain to be given a bit of a workout, but this one is as taut as a violin string! As the story begins to unfold, it gets even more puzzling - the possibilities are mind boggling. There is a fine cast of characters, each harbouring unknown secrets and I was convinced I knew what was going on - several times over. With more than a few surprises along the way, it's fair to say that when the truth was revealed, I was gobsmacked! A tense thriller, beautifully written and one to keep every reader on their toes. Highly recommended and definitely worth all five shining stars.
March 10, 2021
This is my second book by this author which I enjoyed from beginning to end. This is a suspenseful story about a classroom full of students and teachers that are taken hostiage by someone. The question is why and when one student is hurt what will happen? On top of that two of the students below to one of the dupties and headmaster. The twists and turns left me turning pages fast. The characters are relateable and really made the story for me. The author's attention to detail made the story feel realistic. This is a really great story that I am glad I picked up and I highly recommend it.
March 29, 2021
Imagine your child is being held hostage by masked gunman inside a classroom. This is the nightmare that headteacher Cam Cleaver and his deputy, Penny Bainbridge are living. With their son and daughter, respectively, amongst the students in jeopardy they need to come together in order to get everyone out safely. But the question remains - who are the gunmen really after? With limited contact, tensions start to rise and deep-seated secrets slowly come to the surface. Will there be any casualties and if yes, who will have the blood on their hands?
This was a fantastically told story with so many twists and turns that I truly never knew what the outcome was going to be.
This was a fantastically told story with so many twists and turns that I truly never knew what the outcome was going to be.
March 10, 2021
This one got me hooked from the very start. It’s fast paced and plenty of twists to keep you wanting more.
School has just started when a teacher spots some men on the school grounds. Within minutes the men have taken over a block of the school and one 6th form class and their teacher have been taken hostage. What do the armed men want ? And who are they ?
The head of the school, Cam Cleaver, and his deputy, Penny Bairbridge, soon realise that their own children are amongst the hostages. Can they work together to save the hostages or will they struggle to focus with their own children caught up in it all.
We soon discover that there are plenty of suspects and reasons why this could be happening but what is the real reason behind the hostage situation and will everyone get out alive ?
This is a great thriller that kept me hooked until the very end. I loved the way the past is gradually revealed and we find out there are lots of secrets and lies for many of the characters. Definitely one to add to the top of your tbr pile !!
Thank you to Bloodhound Books for a digital copy of this book.
School has just started when a teacher spots some men on the school grounds. Within minutes the men have taken over a block of the school and one 6th form class and their teacher have been taken hostage. What do the armed men want ? And who are they ?
The head of the school, Cam Cleaver, and his deputy, Penny Bairbridge, soon realise that their own children are amongst the hostages. Can they work together to save the hostages or will they struggle to focus with their own children caught up in it all.
We soon discover that there are plenty of suspects and reasons why this could be happening but what is the real reason behind the hostage situation and will everyone get out alive ?
This is a great thriller that kept me hooked until the very end. I loved the way the past is gradually revealed and we find out there are lots of secrets and lies for many of the characters. Definitely one to add to the top of your tbr pile !!
Thank you to Bloodhound Books for a digital copy of this book.
March 10, 2021
Another really good read from this author, it’s what I would consider an easy read, a good storyline and well written. One of those books where I think I have worked out what is happening to be completely wrong. The story held my interest and kept me wanting to read more and find out what was going on. I won’t write about the storyline as I believe this is the job of the blurb but I will say an enjoyable read.
March 11, 2021
This book is a fast paced thriller with characters holding onto secrets and some will be revealed as they try to figure out who is under the masks of the masked gunmen holding them hostage. I like the way the author uses flashbacks to give us a look into some of the earlier lives of the characters to reveal their secrets. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reading copy of this book thanks to the publisher, author, and Bloodhound Books FB group.
March 13, 2021
Wasn't expecting that!!!
Such a fast paced and challenging storyline.
The dual timeslines were written and woven with each other really well. The characters were well drawn and compelling.
I honestly thought I had the ending pegged, and was pleasantly surprised that I was only partially right.
Definitely not predictable.
Such a fast paced and challenging storyline.
The dual timeslines were written and woven with each other really well. The characters were well drawn and compelling.
I honestly thought I had the ending pegged, and was pleasantly surprised that I was only partially right.
Definitely not predictable.
May 5, 2021
Character development are spot on, unpredictable and mind-blowing plot. It was not overly intense but intriguing enough not to put the book down and keep reading. The twist and turns are unexpected, I like it.
May 12, 2021
Another great story
Another great story by Heleyne and one that keeps you gripped from start to finish. Plenty of action with do many twists and turns that it leaves you breathless times.
Another great story by Heleyne and one that keeps you gripped from start to finish. Plenty of action with do many twists and turns that it leaves you breathless times.
June 22, 2021
Interesting Setting
Setting a thriller in an academy was an interesting idea. School politics and local loan shark combo was also a clever twist. The real stars were of course the students! Lively dialogue helped to keep this book realistic and highly enjoyable.
Setting a thriller in an academy was an interesting idea. School politics and local loan shark combo was also a clever twist. The real stars were of course the students! Lively dialogue helped to keep this book realistic and highly enjoyable.
March 18, 2021
Very tense
Set in West Cumbria with unexpected plot twists and turns. A school is held captive and the realisation that the past is a place you can never truly escape.
Set in West Cumbria with unexpected plot twists and turns. A school is held captive and the realisation that the past is a place you can never truly escape.
March 26, 2021
Don't breathe by Heleyne Hammersley.
This was a really good read. At first I thought I knew what was going on but as I read it I had no real clue. I didn't really have any favourite characters. Good story though. 4*.
This was a really good read. At first I thought I knew what was going on but as I read it I had no real clue. I didn't really have any favourite characters. Good story though. 4*.
April 25, 2021
A gripping read from start to finish. When armed men wearing balaclavas enter a school the tension is at fever pitch. An intriguing plot unfurls with surprising consequences .
February 22, 2022
Hate to say I was super disappointed with this. The characters were not enjoyable whatsoever, meaning I didn’t care at all what happened to them. The fast paced plot that was promised wasn’t there at all and felt very unnecessarily drawn out which made it such a long and slow read. The plot was lacklustre and the twists were very predictable. Had high hopes for this read but failed immensely.
March 9, 2021
It's the start of the school day when one of the registration teachers notices a group of men acting suspiciously near to the block. She manages to get word out to the main building but just and no more. Only her room is targeted and back in the reception, the police arrive. Armed response is promised however as time goes on, things change and not everything is as it appears to be.
Heleyne gives us insights to a few of the main characters and so the reader has the choice of who is being targeted and by whom, though you may find yourself wavering at times. An interesting plot.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for the ARC to review.
Heleyne gives us insights to a few of the main characters and so the reader has the choice of who is being targeted and by whom, though you may find yourself wavering at times. An interesting plot.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for the ARC to review.
June 17, 2025
As a teacher the worse thing that you could imagine when embarking on your career is that you will be faced with the horror of a school shooting. That nightmare is made infinitely worse when your own child is one of the students held captive. Can Cam and Penny keep their horror and fear at bay long enough to work out not only who is doing this, but why?
Wow this one had me gripped and on the edge of my seat right from the get go. I could not have imagine what it would feel like to be in this situation, but Heleyne Hammersley put me front and centre in the firing line as I watched it play out and experience it with the characters. I felt an overwhelming sense of fear and I had a racing heart throughout!
There are plenty of characters to keep you on your toes and I enjoyed how the story was structured with each chapter told from the point of view of each of them and how what was occurring in their private lives, could have to do with the motive for this siege. With a mix bag of likeable and unlikable, they are all well developed and play out their roles well.
I found this to be fast paced at the start, but did feel that it lost some of its momentum during the middle. This was rectified as Heleyne Hammersley expertly steered it back on course for a more thrilling second half in the lead up to the finale. What transpires left me in shock and threw me with its outcome!
Heleyne Hammersley is a new author to me and is one that really impressed me. Don’t Breathe is a thrilling tale that has been well written and executed. Even with the little blip in the middle did not ruin the enjoyment of it for me at all and I will be on the look out for more of her work. It was a pleasure to read and review Don’t Breathe which I recommend.
Wow this one had me gripped and on the edge of my seat right from the get go. I could not have imagine what it would feel like to be in this situation, but Heleyne Hammersley put me front and centre in the firing line as I watched it play out and experience it with the characters. I felt an overwhelming sense of fear and I had a racing heart throughout!
There are plenty of characters to keep you on your toes and I enjoyed how the story was structured with each chapter told from the point of view of each of them and how what was occurring in their private lives, could have to do with the motive for this siege. With a mix bag of likeable and unlikable, they are all well developed and play out their roles well.
I found this to be fast paced at the start, but did feel that it lost some of its momentum during the middle. This was rectified as Heleyne Hammersley expertly steered it back on course for a more thrilling second half in the lead up to the finale. What transpires left me in shock and threw me with its outcome!
Heleyne Hammersley is a new author to me and is one that really impressed me. Don’t Breathe is a thrilling tale that has been well written and executed. Even with the little blip in the middle did not ruin the enjoyment of it for me at all and I will be on the look out for more of her work. It was a pleasure to read and review Don’t Breathe which I recommend.
March 10, 2021
Currently writing review
January 13, 2023
Started out great, and then flatlined. It was not a bad read but not as "thrilling and emotional" as I expected.
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