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Halverwege morgen
Halverwege morgen is een razend spannende thriller van bestsellerauteur Chris McGeorge (Tik Tak, Op slot) met een wel heel bijzondere hoofdrolspeelster.
De 70-jarige Shirley Steadman woont in een klein dorpje in het Noordoosten van Engeland en is vrijwilliger bij de lokale radiozender van het ziekenhuis. Als ze op een dag stuit op een radiofrequentie die ze nog nooit eerder heeft gehoord, komt haar leven op z’n kop te staan. Het is een piratenzender. Maar er is iets mis – het nieuws dat op de zender wordt gepresenteerd is het nieuws van morgen. Als de presentator plotseling begint te rapporteren over moorden, en die ook daadwerkelijk plaatsvinden zoals beschreven, weet Shirley dat zij de enige is die deze moorden kan voorkomen.
De 70-jarige Shirley Steadman woont in een klein dorpje in het Noordoosten van Engeland en is vrijwilliger bij de lokale radiozender van het ziekenhuis. Als ze op een dag stuit op een radiofrequentie die ze nog nooit eerder heeft gehoord, komt haar leven op z’n kop te staan. Het is een piratenzender. Maar er is iets mis – het nieuws dat op de zender wordt gepresenteerd is het nieuws van morgen. Als de presentator plotseling begint te rapporteren over moorden, en die ook daadwerkelijk plaatsvinden zoals beschreven, weet Shirley dat zij de enige is die deze moorden kan voorkomen.
320 pages, Paperback
First published August 5, 2021
20 people are currently reading
423 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
July 25, 2021
3.5 stars rounded up to 4
Shirley Steadman, a seventy year old living in a small town in the North East of England, loves her volunteer work at the local hospital radio. She likes giving back to the community, and even more so, she likes getting out of the house. Haunted by the presence of her son, a reluctant Royal Navy officer who was lost at sea, and still in the shadow of her long dead abusive husband, she doesn't like being alone much. One day, at the radio station, she is playing around with the equipment and finds a frequency that was never there before. It is a pirate radio station, and she listens as the presenter starts reading the news. But there is one problem - the news being reported is tomorrows. But then the reporter starts reporting murders - murders than happen just the way they were reported.
When Shirley accidently comes across Mallet FM, a pirate radio station, she quickly becomes addicted to listening in. The station broadcasts tomorrows news and all the predictions come accurately true. Shirley decides to do her own investigation into who is behind this show. I quite liked this cleverly crafted tale. I also liked Shirley for many reasons. You do have to suspend your belief for some of the story. This is an easy book to read.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #OrionPublishingGroup and the author #ChrisMcGeorge for my ARC of #HalfPastTomorrow in exchange for an honest review.
Shirley Steadman, a seventy year old living in a small town in the North East of England, loves her volunteer work at the local hospital radio. She likes giving back to the community, and even more so, she likes getting out of the house. Haunted by the presence of her son, a reluctant Royal Navy officer who was lost at sea, and still in the shadow of her long dead abusive husband, she doesn't like being alone much. One day, at the radio station, she is playing around with the equipment and finds a frequency that was never there before. It is a pirate radio station, and she listens as the presenter starts reading the news. But there is one problem - the news being reported is tomorrows. But then the reporter starts reporting murders - murders than happen just the way they were reported.
When Shirley accidently comes across Mallet FM, a pirate radio station, she quickly becomes addicted to listening in. The station broadcasts tomorrows news and all the predictions come accurately true. Shirley decides to do her own investigation into who is behind this show. I quite liked this cleverly crafted tale. I also liked Shirley for many reasons. You do have to suspend your belief for some of the story. This is an easy book to read.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #OrionPublishingGroup and the author #ChrisMcGeorge for my ARC of #HalfPastTomorrow in exchange for an honest review.
August 20, 2021
If you haven’t read any of Chris’ previous books before then you are in for a head-messing treat as Chris specialises in confusing the reader and creating impossible situations in cleverly plotted storylines.
His first book Guess Who is about 5 strangers locked in a hotel room with a body in the bathtub. His second book Now You See Me is about 6 friends on a canal boat that travel through the longest tunnel and only 1 person came out the other side. His third book Inside Out is about a prisoner who wakes up in the morning and her cellmate has been murdered, but the door was locked all night. So that gives you a little taster of Chris’ books and Half-Past Tomorrow is another original mystery with some “wtf” moments thrown in.
Shirley Steadman is the main character. She’s a seventy year old grandmother. She lives alone in a bungalow with her cat, suffers from aches and pains, working as a volunteer at the local hospital on the radio station and attends a regular embroidery meeting with her friends.
Shirley hasn’t had an easy life, her husband was an abusive, cohersive bully who dominated her and their two children. Her eldest child Gabe took his own live years ago and she still lives with the guilt and grief every day.
One day whilst at the hospital she decides to put on an ancient radio and whilst scanning the airwaves comes across a pirate radio station. Entrigued, she listens to the announcer read the news and discovers the news appears to be events yet to happen and when she digs deeper she uncovers a strange and potentially impossible situation.
I absolutely adored Shirley. She was an amazing character and I think more books should start to feature the middle to late age protaganists as their past and life experiences bring so much more depth to the stories. Shirley is a very funny and opinionated lady who has been dealt a really unlucky hand with her family, but even though her body is not quite as quick as her wit and her hands keep her awake all night in pain and her heart is begging her to slow down, she is determined to work out the truth behind the radio station.
If you enjoyed Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club, then I think you will love this book too.
His first book Guess Who is about 5 strangers locked in a hotel room with a body in the bathtub. His second book Now You See Me is about 6 friends on a canal boat that travel through the longest tunnel and only 1 person came out the other side. His third book Inside Out is about a prisoner who wakes up in the morning and her cellmate has been murdered, but the door was locked all night. So that gives you a little taster of Chris’ books and Half-Past Tomorrow is another original mystery with some “wtf” moments thrown in.
Shirley Steadman is the main character. She’s a seventy year old grandmother. She lives alone in a bungalow with her cat, suffers from aches and pains, working as a volunteer at the local hospital on the radio station and attends a regular embroidery meeting with her friends.
Shirley hasn’t had an easy life, her husband was an abusive, cohersive bully who dominated her and their two children. Her eldest child Gabe took his own live years ago and she still lives with the guilt and grief every day.
One day whilst at the hospital she decides to put on an ancient radio and whilst scanning the airwaves comes across a pirate radio station. Entrigued, she listens to the announcer read the news and discovers the news appears to be events yet to happen and when she digs deeper she uncovers a strange and potentially impossible situation.
I absolutely adored Shirley. She was an amazing character and I think more books should start to feature the middle to late age protaganists as their past and life experiences bring so much more depth to the stories. Shirley is a very funny and opinionated lady who has been dealt a really unlucky hand with her family, but even though her body is not quite as quick as her wit and her hands keep her awake all night in pain and her heart is begging her to slow down, she is determined to work out the truth behind the radio station.
If you enjoyed Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club, then I think you will love this book too.
September 30, 2021
Shirley, een zeventigjarige vrijwilligster in het ziekenhuis, heeft veel verdriet om het overlijden van haar zoon. In het ziekenhuis loopt ze afdelingen af om verzoekjes van mensen te noteren die ze later die avond op het radiostation van het ziekenhuis zal afspelen. Maar dan ontdekt ze een radiofrequentie waar ze het nieuws van de volgende dag hoort...
Shirley denkt in het begin dat de presentator van het radioprogramma zich heeft versproken in de datum. Maar de volgende dag komt het nieuws wel degelijk uit. Die avond wil ze weer naar dezelfde radiofrequentie luisteren. Op het zelfde tijdstip wordt weer het nieuws verteld van de volgende dag en weer komt het precies zo uit. Zelfs het tijdstip klopt. Deze voorspellingen zijn nog redelijk onschuldig.
Maar dan voorspelt de radiozender een moord en Shirley is de enige die dit kan tegenhouden. Ze gaat naar de politie om hier melding van te maken, maar helaas wordt ze niet geloofd.
Sinds een jaar ziet Shirley ook haar overleden zoon, Gabe. Hij heeft op het marineschip, waar hij werkzaam was, zelfmoord gepleegd. Shirley neemt het zichzelf (en haar overleden man Bob) kwalijk dat haar zoon deze keuze heeft gemaakt. Ze vindt dat ze er veel meer voor haar zoon had moeten zijn.
Regelmatig verschijnt Gabe in haar huis. Ze voert gesprekken met hem. Moggins, haar kat, wil niets van Gabe weten en verdwijnt elke keer als hij er is.
Shirley raakt in de ban van het radiostation. Kan ze de moordenaar tegenhouden of komt haar hulp te laat? En is dit pas het begin van een reeks gruwelijke gebeurtenissen?
Mijn eindconclusie
Dit boek heb ik een beetje met gemengde gevoelens gelezen. De proloog is heel erg goed, waardoor je snel verder wil lezen. Het onderwerp, een radiozender die de toekomst kan voorspellen, is ook een erg leuk bedacht onderwerp, Maar toch zijn er regelmatig momenten dat het wat ongeloofwaardig overkomt. De eerste helft van het boek is echt heel goed. Je weet dan totaal niet hoe alles in elkaar steekt en het ziet er allemaal veelbelovend uit. Het einde daarentegen was voor mij toch ietwat een tegenvaller.
Toch zitten er nog een aantal plotwendingen in, waardoor je als lezer een aantal keer op het verkeerde been wordt gezet, De schrijfstijl van Chris McGeorge is, net zoals bij zijn voorgaande boeken, heel prettig. Ook de manier waarop hij je kennis laat maken met de verschillende personages.
Ondanks dat het verhaal mij een klein beetje tegenviel, kijk ik toch uit naar zijn volgende boek.
Beoordeling
Ik geef dit boek 3 sterren.
Shirley denkt in het begin dat de presentator van het radioprogramma zich heeft versproken in de datum. Maar de volgende dag komt het nieuws wel degelijk uit. Die avond wil ze weer naar dezelfde radiofrequentie luisteren. Op het zelfde tijdstip wordt weer het nieuws verteld van de volgende dag en weer komt het precies zo uit. Zelfs het tijdstip klopt. Deze voorspellingen zijn nog redelijk onschuldig.
Maar dan voorspelt de radiozender een moord en Shirley is de enige die dit kan tegenhouden. Ze gaat naar de politie om hier melding van te maken, maar helaas wordt ze niet geloofd.
Sinds een jaar ziet Shirley ook haar overleden zoon, Gabe. Hij heeft op het marineschip, waar hij werkzaam was, zelfmoord gepleegd. Shirley neemt het zichzelf (en haar overleden man Bob) kwalijk dat haar zoon deze keuze heeft gemaakt. Ze vindt dat ze er veel meer voor haar zoon had moeten zijn.
Regelmatig verschijnt Gabe in haar huis. Ze voert gesprekken met hem. Moggins, haar kat, wil niets van Gabe weten en verdwijnt elke keer als hij er is.
Shirley raakt in de ban van het radiostation. Kan ze de moordenaar tegenhouden of komt haar hulp te laat? En is dit pas het begin van een reeks gruwelijke gebeurtenissen?
Mijn eindconclusie
Dit boek heb ik een beetje met gemengde gevoelens gelezen. De proloog is heel erg goed, waardoor je snel verder wil lezen. Het onderwerp, een radiozender die de toekomst kan voorspellen, is ook een erg leuk bedacht onderwerp, Maar toch zijn er regelmatig momenten dat het wat ongeloofwaardig overkomt. De eerste helft van het boek is echt heel goed. Je weet dan totaal niet hoe alles in elkaar steekt en het ziet er allemaal veelbelovend uit. Het einde daarentegen was voor mij toch ietwat een tegenvaller.
Toch zitten er nog een aantal plotwendingen in, waardoor je als lezer een aantal keer op het verkeerde been wordt gezet, De schrijfstijl van Chris McGeorge is, net zoals bij zijn voorgaande boeken, heel prettig. Ook de manier waarop hij je kennis laat maken met de verschillende personages.
Ondanks dat het verhaal mij een klein beetje tegenviel, kijk ik toch uit naar zijn volgende boek.
Beoordeling
Ik geef dit boek 3 sterren.
February 4, 2022
Ik had het eerste boek (tik tak) van hem gelezen en die was schitterend.
Halverwege morgen komt zeer traag naar mijn zin op gang ( was van plan om het boek nie uit te lezen) pas vanaf de helft krijgt het verhaal eindelijk vaart en wordt je meegezogen in het verhaal met een ongelooflijk einde ! K zou zeggen doorzetten om het boek uit te lezen, je zal er geen spijt van krijgen !
Halverwege morgen komt zeer traag naar mijn zin op gang ( was van plan om het boek nie uit te lezen) pas vanaf de helft krijgt het verhaal eindelijk vaart en wordt je meegezogen in het verhaal met een ongelooflijk einde ! K zou zeggen doorzetten om het boek uit te lezen, je zal er geen spijt van krijgen !
August 5, 2021
An engaging mystery with a cast of eccentric characters, "Half-Past Tomorrow" centres around a radio station which predicts the news. I particularly enjoyed the use of regional dialect and felt it added authenticity and humour.
August 31, 2021
This ingenious blend of genres is predominantly voiced from the perspective of seventy year old grandmother Shirley Steadman who's only companion in life was her cat Moggins. The two highlights of her week were meeting up with her friends in the embroidery group and the one night a week when she was a volunteer dj at the local hospital. Shirley and her abusive (and fortunately now dead) husband Bob had two children, there was Deena with whom Shirley had a volatile relationship and Gabe who had died whilst serving in the navy. It was whilst Shirley was in the studio one evening, getting ready to play the list of requests that she had compiled from the patients in the wards that she would stumble across the radio station that would have such a dramatic effect on her life. The news presenter on 66.40 Mallet AM (and no the station had absolutely nothing to do with Timmy Mallet nor did they play Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini which is one of my favourite songs and can be one hell of a earworm) appeared to be able to predict events that were going to happen the next day. At first, as anyone would, Shirley had her doubts but after the predictions started coming true, she thought that it was all a bit of fun and found that she was intrigued and wanted to found out more about the mysterious station. But then events took a dark turn when a murder was predicted and Shirley found herself facing a moral dilemma, should she inform the police and risk being written off as a crazy old woman or should she try and warn the victim and probably have the door slammed in her face. Shirley finds herself caught up in a complex and confusing series of events and when things take a personal turn, she finds herself in a race against time to stop the predicted lose of her loved ones from coming true.
Shirley was a fantastic character, a feisty, individual who was determined to keep her independence and solve the mystery of the radio station despite her ailing health and aching bones. There was times when I thought she wasn't a very likeable individual but that didn't stop me routing for her as the story headed towards its closing acts. I can't say that I liked Shirley's daughter Deena very much but I absolutely loved DI (call me Fletch) Fletchinder. The ladies in the embroidery group were a diverse bunch of realistic individuals, each with their own unique personalities and character traits.
Occasionally a book comes along that I enjoy reading but I couldn't honestly give you a reason why and this was one of those books. I'm not normally a fan of slow burning thrillers but there was something about Shirley's story that captivated me and raised questions that I wanted answered like what the hell was actually going on. The plot was a intricate blend of thriller, mystery and domestic drama with elements of sci-fi and the supernatural and the story had a realistic, heart string pulling conclusion. I thought this was a unique, enjoyable, entertaining read.
Shirley was a fantastic character, a feisty, individual who was determined to keep her independence and solve the mystery of the radio station despite her ailing health and aching bones. There was times when I thought she wasn't a very likeable individual but that didn't stop me routing for her as the story headed towards its closing acts. I can't say that I liked Shirley's daughter Deena very much but I absolutely loved DI (call me Fletch) Fletchinder. The ladies in the embroidery group were a diverse bunch of realistic individuals, each with their own unique personalities and character traits.
Occasionally a book comes along that I enjoy reading but I couldn't honestly give you a reason why and this was one of those books. I'm not normally a fan of slow burning thrillers but there was something about Shirley's story that captivated me and raised questions that I wanted answered like what the hell was actually going on. The plot was a intricate blend of thriller, mystery and domestic drama with elements of sci-fi and the supernatural and the story had a realistic, heart string pulling conclusion. I thought this was a unique, enjoyable, entertaining read.
November 12, 2023
Dies ist mein viertes Buch von Chris McGeorge und handelt von Shirley, die ehrenamtlich im Krankenhaus arbeitet und dort eine kleine Radiosendung für die Patienten betreibt. Eines Tages hört sie durch einen Zufall über einen Piratensender, der angeblich die Zukunft vorhersagen kann. Und tatsächlich treffen diese Vorhersagen am nächsten Tag ein. Ist das ein Zufall? Treibt jemand einen Scherz mit Shirley? Wird sie verrückt?
Shirley macht sich auf die Suche nach der Wahrheit, kommt aber aufgrund ihres Alters manchmal an ihre Grenzen. Und ich mochte Shirley wirklich gerne und ich fand es toll, dass es sich hierbei mal um eine ältere Dame handelt.
Sie ist mutig, stur und entschlossen das Rätsel zu lösen. Shirley ist ein gutgezeichneter Charakter und man erfährt einiges aus ihre komplexen Gefühlswelt und Gedankenwelt, sodass die Nebencharaktere eher blass bleiben.
Der Schreibstil ist flüssig und ich habe die Geschichte fast in einem Rutsch gewesen, weil ich die Idee und das Geschehen recht interessant fand und stellenweise echt spannend gewesen ist (für mich persönlich ist dieser Thriller etwas ruhiger). Es gab überraschende Wendungen, jedoch gab es die eine oder andere Auflösung etwas zu früh, sodass ich das Ende erahnen konnte und dadurch der Showdown nicht so überraschend oder schockierend gewesen ist.
Es ist eine interessante Mischung aus Thriller, Familiendrama und ein wenig Science Fiction. Mir hat es insgesamt gut gefallen und es ist mal was anderes gewesen.
4 von 5 Ottis 🦦 🦦 🦦 🦦
Shirley macht sich auf die Suche nach der Wahrheit, kommt aber aufgrund ihres Alters manchmal an ihre Grenzen. Und ich mochte Shirley wirklich gerne und ich fand es toll, dass es sich hierbei mal um eine ältere Dame handelt.
Sie ist mutig, stur und entschlossen das Rätsel zu lösen. Shirley ist ein gutgezeichneter Charakter und man erfährt einiges aus ihre komplexen Gefühlswelt und Gedankenwelt, sodass die Nebencharaktere eher blass bleiben.
Der Schreibstil ist flüssig und ich habe die Geschichte fast in einem Rutsch gewesen, weil ich die Idee und das Geschehen recht interessant fand und stellenweise echt spannend gewesen ist (für mich persönlich ist dieser Thriller etwas ruhiger). Es gab überraschende Wendungen, jedoch gab es die eine oder andere Auflösung etwas zu früh, sodass ich das Ende erahnen konnte und dadurch der Showdown nicht so überraschend oder schockierend gewesen ist.
Es ist eine interessante Mischung aus Thriller, Familiendrama und ein wenig Science Fiction. Mir hat es insgesamt gut gefallen und es ist mal was anderes gewesen.
4 von 5 Ottis 🦦 🦦 🦦 🦦
January 31, 2025
2,5 ⭐️
August 29, 2021
if you’re anything like me, then you’ll be looking for a story that’s out of the box and not like anything else you’ve ever read before – because we’ve all had enough of being inside our own heads lately, haven’t we?!
I started this book and it took me a while to find my feet with it. I found it a bit slow to get going, but once it did, I couldn’t put it down because it was like being on a roller-coaster ride that I never wanted to end! Shirley Steadman is 70 years old. She reminds me so much of my late aunt! She’s clearly battling physically and is in quite a bit of pain, whether it’s from arthritis or something else, I’m not sure. But she’s quite determined to soldier on and show as few signs as possible of the struggle it takes to walk and to try and do many of the other daily chores that she needs to do, living on her own. And she swears … quite a bit! So she’s not your sweet, benign old dear by any means!
She has a volunteer job at the local hospital, and she has a weekly crochet group that she’s part of. I loved hearing about the characters that made up the group! But it’s her work at the hospital that Shirley really values. It gives her life meaning and purpose and she feels she’s contributing to the patients and staff who she plays requests for. Above all, it gets her out of her house that is an empty shell, well, empty apart from the ghost of her beloved son Gabe who seems to be appearing with startling regularity these days!
And then, one evening while Shirley is biding her time, waiting for her show to begin, she starts fiddling around with an old radio she’s found in the studio. She finds what sounds like a pirate broadcasting frequency playing music that’s all too familiar to her, so she continues listening. A news bulleting comes on and she’s a bit puzzled as the news that’s being broadcast isn’t anything she’s heard about that day. Living in a small, close-knit village, one tends to know what’s going on so it would be a bit odd that she had no knowledge of what the newsreader was saying. But she puts it out of her head and goes about her business. The following day though, when an incident occurs that she’d heard on the previous evening’s news, Shirley is suddenly on high alert.
And that’s when this rather benign story suddenly kicks into overdrive! And so does Shirley! I adored her – she just never gave up and was determined to do whatever it took to get to the bottom of whatever was going on. She goes through a gamut of emotions, opinions and feelings, not knowing from one day to the next what’s real and what isn’t; forced to question her own reality, her past experiences and her current relationships. Her daughter, who means well, does her best to help, but isn’t really emotionally equipped to cope with all this activity that threatens to unbalance her carefully constructed, balanced life. So Shirley is forced to either go it alone, or seek assistance from other sources. But how is that all going to work out?
Once the story got going, it just didn’t let up. Not only is it extremely clever, but it also forces us to question the norms that society places on our elderly. We tend to place people in boxes once they reach a certain age, relegating them to the realms of a shadow world where they’re either completely ignored or just not taken seriously. This needs to be reconsidered. Growing old is a privilege that many don’t get, and we need to treat our elders with a lot more gravitas, not only for the sheer number of years they’ve lived, but for what they’ve experienced and learned in those years, and what they have the capability to impart to those of us who have yet to achieve what they have.
This is a 4 star read. Suspend all belief when you read this book; know that there are flaws, but also know that if you dive in with an open mind, you’ll enjoy the journey!
I started this book and it took me a while to find my feet with it. I found it a bit slow to get going, but once it did, I couldn’t put it down because it was like being on a roller-coaster ride that I never wanted to end! Shirley Steadman is 70 years old. She reminds me so much of my late aunt! She’s clearly battling physically and is in quite a bit of pain, whether it’s from arthritis or something else, I’m not sure. But she’s quite determined to soldier on and show as few signs as possible of the struggle it takes to walk and to try and do many of the other daily chores that she needs to do, living on her own. And she swears … quite a bit! So she’s not your sweet, benign old dear by any means!
She has a volunteer job at the local hospital, and she has a weekly crochet group that she’s part of. I loved hearing about the characters that made up the group! But it’s her work at the hospital that Shirley really values. It gives her life meaning and purpose and she feels she’s contributing to the patients and staff who she plays requests for. Above all, it gets her out of her house that is an empty shell, well, empty apart from the ghost of her beloved son Gabe who seems to be appearing with startling regularity these days!
And then, one evening while Shirley is biding her time, waiting for her show to begin, she starts fiddling around with an old radio she’s found in the studio. She finds what sounds like a pirate broadcasting frequency playing music that’s all too familiar to her, so she continues listening. A news bulleting comes on and she’s a bit puzzled as the news that’s being broadcast isn’t anything she’s heard about that day. Living in a small, close-knit village, one tends to know what’s going on so it would be a bit odd that she had no knowledge of what the newsreader was saying. But she puts it out of her head and goes about her business. The following day though, when an incident occurs that she’d heard on the previous evening’s news, Shirley is suddenly on high alert.
And that’s when this rather benign story suddenly kicks into overdrive! And so does Shirley! I adored her – she just never gave up and was determined to do whatever it took to get to the bottom of whatever was going on. She goes through a gamut of emotions, opinions and feelings, not knowing from one day to the next what’s real and what isn’t; forced to question her own reality, her past experiences and her current relationships. Her daughter, who means well, does her best to help, but isn’t really emotionally equipped to cope with all this activity that threatens to unbalance her carefully constructed, balanced life. So Shirley is forced to either go it alone, or seek assistance from other sources. But how is that all going to work out?
Once the story got going, it just didn’t let up. Not only is it extremely clever, but it also forces us to question the norms that society places on our elderly. We tend to place people in boxes once they reach a certain age, relegating them to the realms of a shadow world where they’re either completely ignored or just not taken seriously. This needs to be reconsidered. Growing old is a privilege that many don’t get, and we need to treat our elders with a lot more gravitas, not only for the sheer number of years they’ve lived, but for what they’ve experienced and learned in those years, and what they have the capability to impart to those of us who have yet to achieve what they have.
This is a 4 star read. Suspend all belief when you read this book; know that there are flaws, but also know that if you dive in with an open mind, you’ll enjoy the journey!
February 6, 2023
This book was not one of my favourites but I would recommend, some things that put me off was that it didnt have that suspense and most of it was just ridiculous almost like reading and 7 year olds book. The big mystery was just to hyped up that it was so disappointing and it just was not it for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 13, 2021
Old ladies solving murder mysteries have been popular in books and on screen for years but Shirley Steadman is no Miss Marple or Jessica Fletcher. For a start, she has a fabulous potty mouth - in spite of her more advanced years, she isn't averse to unleashing a volley of swear words. And she is regularly visited by her dead son, Gabe.
The book opens with Gabe's death by suicide years ago but Shirley has been conversing with him in her kitchen for some months. This immediately gives some sense of the sort of woman she is; she was understandably shocked when Gabe first appeared to her but now she's accepted it, despite her daughter's admonitions that it's all in her mind. She is open to other possibilities even if they are apparently impossible. When Gabe was still alive he used a Tardis mug which is particularly apt - a pirate radio station that appears to know the future and talk of paradoxes means there is something deliciously Whovian about this mystery.
Shirley volunteers for the local hospital radio and it's here that she first discovers the curious Mallet AM radio station and realises that the news appears to be predicting the future. She assumes it's a mistake initially but is soon shocked to realise that the predictions come true. At first it's all fairly benign - a man suffering minor injuries after falling off his ladder and a milk float colliding with a postbox - and she is intrigued and rather excited. During the course of the novel it becomes clear that Shirley's life was effectively put on hold during the years of her marriage to the domineering, oppressive Bob and that since his death, she is keen to make up for lost time. Determined not to go gentle into that dark night. she becomes fixated on figuring out whether the radio station really is a modern-day Nostradamus even when it puts her own health at risk - especially after the next prophecy announces a murder.
However, despite the fantastical premise, this is more crime than science fiction and anybody who has read Chris McGeorge's books in the past knows just how brilliant he is at concocting fiendish locked-room mysteries. Half Past Tomorrow is a different sort of impossible puzzle but it's no less perplexing as Shirley desperately tries to identify the person behind Mallet AM and to stop the supposedly foreseen murders. Should she believe the 'big ball of wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey stuff ' explanation of how time works and accept that somebody really can see the future or as various surprises come to light, could there be a different reason why her life has suddenly been thrown into chaos?
In the best tradition of indomitable older crime fighters, Shirley puts herself into some risky situations as she investigates potential leads herself, rather than just phoning the remarkably understanding DI Mike 'call me Fletch' Fletchinder but even walking up a steep hill isn't a straightforward prospect for the septuagenarian. Shirley's often caustic thoughts about others and her annoyance at the limitations of her aged body ensures much of Half Past Tomorrow is drily witty but there is a more emotional side to this engrossing novel too. The losses she has endured, both physical and in terms of time and opportunities thanks to her abusive husband, have left her wracked with guilt for the mistakes she believes she made. Her acerbic tenacity contrasts with her poignant self-doubt making her a hugely engaging character I couldn't fail to fall in love with. There are other interesting characters in the book, with a couple being particularly fascinating but although Shirley's frame might be frail, she's the one who carries this story and she does it beautifully.
An old lady trying to stop murders predicted by a pirate radio station is such an enticing, imaginative premise for a book and Half Past Tomorrow more than met my expectations. It's brilliantly original, compulsive and enormous fun. I loved it!
The book opens with Gabe's death by suicide years ago but Shirley has been conversing with him in her kitchen for some months. This immediately gives some sense of the sort of woman she is; she was understandably shocked when Gabe first appeared to her but now she's accepted it, despite her daughter's admonitions that it's all in her mind. She is open to other possibilities even if they are apparently impossible. When Gabe was still alive he used a Tardis mug which is particularly apt - a pirate radio station that appears to know the future and talk of paradoxes means there is something deliciously Whovian about this mystery.
Shirley volunteers for the local hospital radio and it's here that she first discovers the curious Mallet AM radio station and realises that the news appears to be predicting the future. She assumes it's a mistake initially but is soon shocked to realise that the predictions come true. At first it's all fairly benign - a man suffering minor injuries after falling off his ladder and a milk float colliding with a postbox - and she is intrigued and rather excited. During the course of the novel it becomes clear that Shirley's life was effectively put on hold during the years of her marriage to the domineering, oppressive Bob and that since his death, she is keen to make up for lost time. Determined not to go gentle into that dark night. she becomes fixated on figuring out whether the radio station really is a modern-day Nostradamus even when it puts her own health at risk - especially after the next prophecy announces a murder.
However, despite the fantastical premise, this is more crime than science fiction and anybody who has read Chris McGeorge's books in the past knows just how brilliant he is at concocting fiendish locked-room mysteries. Half Past Tomorrow is a different sort of impossible puzzle but it's no less perplexing as Shirley desperately tries to identify the person behind Mallet AM and to stop the supposedly foreseen murders. Should she believe the 'big ball of wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey stuff ' explanation of how time works and accept that somebody really can see the future or as various surprises come to light, could there be a different reason why her life has suddenly been thrown into chaos?
In the best tradition of indomitable older crime fighters, Shirley puts herself into some risky situations as she investigates potential leads herself, rather than just phoning the remarkably understanding DI Mike 'call me Fletch' Fletchinder but even walking up a steep hill isn't a straightforward prospect for the septuagenarian. Shirley's often caustic thoughts about others and her annoyance at the limitations of her aged body ensures much of Half Past Tomorrow is drily witty but there is a more emotional side to this engrossing novel too. The losses she has endured, both physical and in terms of time and opportunities thanks to her abusive husband, have left her wracked with guilt for the mistakes she believes she made. Her acerbic tenacity contrasts with her poignant self-doubt making her a hugely engaging character I couldn't fail to fall in love with. There are other interesting characters in the book, with a couple being particularly fascinating but although Shirley's frame might be frail, she's the one who carries this story and she does it beautifully.
An old lady trying to stop murders predicted by a pirate radio station is such an enticing, imaginative premise for a book and Half Past Tomorrow more than met my expectations. It's brilliantly original, compulsive and enormous fun. I loved it!
April 13, 2025
Really enjoyed this. Couldn’t put it down for the most part because I wanted to get to the bottom of everything as much as Shirley did. If there’s anything I’ll always remember this book for, it’s the fact that I have so much in common with a 70 year-old.
It did have some major loopholes though, which is why I ended up giving it a three-star rating. While I did see the plot twist coming,
Anyway, even with these loopholes, I did have fun reading this book. I’d still recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good thriller novel with some themes of emotional abuse, guilt and shame, and familial trauma. I specifically like how Shirley was constantly being haunted by the ghosts of her past. If these things are right up your alley, you should definitely read this book.
It did have some major loopholes though, which is why I ended up giving it a three-star rating. While I did see the plot twist coming,
Anyway, even with these loopholes, I did have fun reading this book. I’d still recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good thriller novel with some themes of emotional abuse, guilt and shame, and familial trauma. I specifically like how Shirley was constantly being haunted by the ghosts of her past. If these things are right up your alley, you should definitely read this book.
August 17, 2021
I loved everything about this novel, it's an enigmatic paradox of a tale which has, at times, you questioning what the hell is going on. At its heart is the formidable and stoic Shirley, eeking out the twilight of her years in Chester-Le-Street, volunteering for hospital radio, taking requests, meeting with her local embroidery groups, fending off well meaning daughter, Deena, and caring for her cat Moggins.
Oh, and making bacon and banana sandwiches for the ghost of her son Gabe who has been haunting her for the past year...
When she tunes in to a radio station, Mallet A.M which she had no idea existed, she hears news from the future. Thinking she is losing her marbles or having an extended case of deja vu, she doesn't pay much attention. Until it comes true. Small things happen at first, and then, then comes a murder. And another one.
What I loved so much about this book is how it had you trying to think ahead and work out what is going on, but how do you do that when the story is 6 steps ahead of you?
What the hell is going on?
Having lived in the North East for some years, I got the warmest feeling from reading the dialect which peppers the narrative, it brings the characters closer to the reader and makes you warm to them very quickly.
The mystery of what is going on is the central point of 'Half Past Tomorrow' however, it is Shirley who is the cornerstone of the book. She refuses to go quietly into that good night, but her character really shines a light on what we expect old people to die, simply fade away and die. How do you even approach any kind of authority about the fact you are being haunted by not just the ghost of yet to come, but also of the son you lost ?
As the book goes on, Shirley comes completely into her own and refuses to be pigeon holed as an old biddie with too much time on her hands. this is reflected in how sweary she gets , and how she keeps on fighting her hardest to find the truth of whether it is her mind, or someone playing an exceptionally cruel trick on her.
Who doesn't love being challenged by a novel like this?
This reader is always up for something mind bending and twisty and yet again, Chris delivers the goods and then some!
Oh, and making bacon and banana sandwiches for the ghost of her son Gabe who has been haunting her for the past year...
When she tunes in to a radio station, Mallet A.M which she had no idea existed, she hears news from the future. Thinking she is losing her marbles or having an extended case of deja vu, she doesn't pay much attention. Until it comes true. Small things happen at first, and then, then comes a murder. And another one.
What I loved so much about this book is how it had you trying to think ahead and work out what is going on, but how do you do that when the story is 6 steps ahead of you?
What the hell is going on?
Having lived in the North East for some years, I got the warmest feeling from reading the dialect which peppers the narrative, it brings the characters closer to the reader and makes you warm to them very quickly.
The mystery of what is going on is the central point of 'Half Past Tomorrow' however, it is Shirley who is the cornerstone of the book. She refuses to go quietly into that good night, but her character really shines a light on what we expect old people to die, simply fade away and die. How do you even approach any kind of authority about the fact you are being haunted by not just the ghost of yet to come, but also of the son you lost ?
As the book goes on, Shirley comes completely into her own and refuses to be pigeon holed as an old biddie with too much time on her hands. this is reflected in how sweary she gets , and how she keeps on fighting her hardest to find the truth of whether it is her mind, or someone playing an exceptionally cruel trick on her.
Who doesn't love being challenged by a novel like this?
This reader is always up for something mind bending and twisty and yet again, Chris delivers the goods and then some!
April 23, 2023
2021 Shirley ist 70, verwitwet und hat 2 Kinder. Eins davon hat sich das Leben genommen, aber der "Geist" besucht Shirley noch immer regelmäßig. Sie arbeitet im Krankenhaus der Stadt und entdeckt durch Zufall eines Tages einen Piratensender. Dieser kann die Zukunft vorhersagen. Shirley hält es für einen Zufall, aber dann passieren die Voraussagen wirklich. Sie macht sich auf die Suche nach Antworten, denn in der dritten Vorhersage geht es um einen Mord. Endlich hat sie wieder etwas zu tun. Also neben dem Stickclub, dem Krankenhausfunk und ihrem Kater. Doch kann sie wirklich verhindern was vorhergesagt wird?
Ich mochte definitiv die Idee und auch, dass Shirley schon zu den älteren Semestern gehört. Hatte so ein Bissel was von Miss Marple. Es hing aber leider für mich irgendwie an der Umsetzung.
Ich würde die Handlung gut konstruiert nennen und muss gestehen, dass ich vom Ausgang der Story wirklich überrascht war. Damit hatte ich so gar nicht gerechnet. Stellenweise war es etwas absurd, aber es wurde Alles irgendwie glaubhaft aufgedröselt. Was schon etwas krass ist.
Mit Shirley wurde ich nicht so recht warm, weil sie auf biegen und brechen, umsetzen musste, was sie sich in den Kopf gesetzt hatte und nur wenig auf den Rat anderer hörte. Kann ich ja sogar verstehen, jahrelang litt sie unter ihrem Mann, nun ist sie 70 und die Gebrechen holen sie ein. Es zwickt hier und da, aber das hält sie nicht auf. Sie hat eine anstrengende Art an sich, welche mir aber durchaus aus dem Familienkreis bekannt vorkommt. Den Umgang mit ihrer Tochter fand ich, nebenbei erwähnt, übrigens auch nicht toll.
Fazit
Es ist durchaus gelegentlich spannend und gut konstruiert, aber jetzt halt auch nicht unbedingt ein Thriller Meisterwerk. Etwas anders, etwas skurril und gut für Zwischendurch geeignet. Vielleicht sollte man als Leser aber nicht zu viel erwarten. Am Ende fühlt ich mich recht gut unterhalten und das Ende hat mich überrascht. Daher wohlwollende 3,5 Sterne.
Ich mochte definitiv die Idee und auch, dass Shirley schon zu den älteren Semestern gehört. Hatte so ein Bissel was von Miss Marple. Es hing aber leider für mich irgendwie an der Umsetzung.
Ich würde die Handlung gut konstruiert nennen und muss gestehen, dass ich vom Ausgang der Story wirklich überrascht war. Damit hatte ich so gar nicht gerechnet. Stellenweise war es etwas absurd, aber es wurde Alles irgendwie glaubhaft aufgedröselt. Was schon etwas krass ist.
Mit Shirley wurde ich nicht so recht warm, weil sie auf biegen und brechen, umsetzen musste, was sie sich in den Kopf gesetzt hatte und nur wenig auf den Rat anderer hörte. Kann ich ja sogar verstehen, jahrelang litt sie unter ihrem Mann, nun ist sie 70 und die Gebrechen holen sie ein. Es zwickt hier und da, aber das hält sie nicht auf. Sie hat eine anstrengende Art an sich, welche mir aber durchaus aus dem Familienkreis bekannt vorkommt. Den Umgang mit ihrer Tochter fand ich, nebenbei erwähnt, übrigens auch nicht toll.
Fazit
Es ist durchaus gelegentlich spannend und gut konstruiert, aber jetzt halt auch nicht unbedingt ein Thriller Meisterwerk. Etwas anders, etwas skurril und gut für Zwischendurch geeignet. Vielleicht sollte man als Leser aber nicht zu viel erwarten. Am Ende fühlt ich mich recht gut unterhalten und das Ende hat mich überrascht. Daher wohlwollende 3,5 Sterne.
September 9, 2022
Widow Shirley Steadman is a 70-year-old volunteer hospital radio presenter who lives in the North East of England. Having experienced her fair share of tragedy with the suicide of her beloved son Gabe, she finds comfort in his visits to her home as a ghostly presence.
One day, while getting ready for her radio show, she discovers a pirate station — 66.40 Mallet AM — and listens to the news. To her utter amazement it isn't today's news; it's tomorrow's! She's even more astonished when everything reported actually comes true — the following day!! So fascinated by what she's found, she keeps tuning in. But things take a more sinister turn when murders are reported and the only person who can prevent them is Shirley.
I loved Half-Past Tomorrow. I thought it was a highly original story which really appealed to me with its elderly female protagonist and a puzzling mystery to solve. I've read the author's three earlier novels and enjoyed each one, so for me his books have become must-reads.
I immediately connected with Shirley and was drawn into the conundrum. Yes, you do need to suspend disbelief but I didn't feel it detracted from what was a fantastic story. The author has a great talent for writing excellent mysteries and I can't wait to discover what he comes up with next.
One day, while getting ready for her radio show, she discovers a pirate station — 66.40 Mallet AM — and listens to the news. To her utter amazement it isn't today's news; it's tomorrow's! She's even more astonished when everything reported actually comes true — the following day!! So fascinated by what she's found, she keeps tuning in. But things take a more sinister turn when murders are reported and the only person who can prevent them is Shirley.
I loved Half-Past Tomorrow. I thought it was a highly original story which really appealed to me with its elderly female protagonist and a puzzling mystery to solve. I've read the author's three earlier novels and enjoyed each one, so for me his books have become must-reads.
I immediately connected with Shirley and was drawn into the conundrum. Yes, you do need to suspend disbelief but I didn't feel it detracted from what was a fantastic story. The author has a great talent for writing excellent mysteries and I can't wait to discover what he comes up with next.
September 10, 2022
I absolutely loved this book! I kept thinking I new where the plot was going and everything it just flipped itsself round and completely blindsided me. It will have you reading into the early hours to find out what is actually going on. It's well written in a way that never feels boring or like it's a filler chapter. I couldnt recommend highly enough. Such a fun wee story to pass a few afternoon
September 22, 2024
This would be a 3.5 star read but it gets an additional half star for the sheer absurdity of it all.
Genuinely what the fuck did I just read. What.
This was strange and interesting and I couldn't put it down tbh. Some of the twists were easy to guess but I was genuinely surprised at some of the plot points. Like, my jaw was fully on the floor.
A weird experience but also very entertaining.
Genuinely what the fuck did I just read. What.
This was strange and interesting and I couldn't put it down tbh. Some of the twists were easy to guess but I was genuinely surprised at some of the plot points. Like, my jaw was fully on the floor.
A weird experience but also very entertaining.
February 27, 2022
This book was certainly not my usual sort of genre and I don’t think the science fiction side to it was for me. It was a slow read and things took time to happen, had already figured out how this would end about half way through the book.
September 8, 2024
Origineel concept en goede twist op het einde.
December 13, 2025
Promising start but kind of descended into chaos.
September 22, 2021
Recensie van het boek:
Halverwege morgen
Auteur: Chris MCGeorge debuteerde met het verbluffende, zenuwslopende Tik Tak en wordt ook wel de nieuwe koning van het locked room mystery genoemd. Halverwege morgen is, na Kiekeboe en Op slot, zijn vierde thriller.
Wijze van lezen: paperback gewonnen via LS Sterrenthriller club in ruil voor mijn deelname
Genre: thriller
Uitgeverij: LS Amsterdam
Verwachtingen voor het lezen:
Ik verwachtte na het lezen van de achterplat/inhoudstekst een spannend, mysterieus onder de huid kruipend verhaal. Dat gevoel werd niet beïnvloed want ik had nog nooit iets van deze schrijver gelezen. Ik ging er dus onbevooroordeeld in.
Het verhaal:
Shirley Steadman is zeventig jaar en woont in een klein dorpje in het noordoosten van Engeland. Shirley werkt met veel plezier als vrijwilliger bij de lokale radiozender van het ziekenhuis. Voor Shirley is het een prima manier om iets terug te doen voor de gemeenschap. Doordat ze niet graag alleen thuis is na de dood van haar zoon, een Britse marine officier, die verdween op zee. Bovendien is dit een kans om uit de schaduw te stappen die haar gewelddadige man haar gaf. Dan vindt ze per toeval de radiofrequentie van een piratenzender. Hierdoor staat haar leven compleet op de kop. Iets klopt er niet want de nieuwslezer brengt het nieuws van morgen. Het beneemt Shirley bijna de adem als de presentator gedetailleerd verslag doet van moorden die daarna ook echt plaatsvinden.
Mijn leesbeleving:
Dit verhaal vond ik prachtig maar ook ingenieus met een prima spanningsopbouw. De personages zijn zo goed uitgewerkt dat als ik niet las me afvroeg hoe het met hen ging. Dan weet je als auteur prima hoe je personages tot leven moet wekken.
Het verhaal maakt continu nieuwsgierig. Je wilt de clou weten. Zeer moeilijk om het boek weg te moeten leggen. Ook alleen je niet het boek roept je als het ware dat je verder moet lezen.
Je puzzelt zelf mee en beleeft het verhaal met al je zintuigen. Dit is ook te danken aan de beeldende schrijfstijl. Alsof ik zelf de stem van de radio presentator hoorde. En zelf de neiging had om daadwerkelijk naar buiten te gaan om de situaties te voorkomen. Om er dan op het laatste moment achter te komen dat het een verhaal is en niet in de echte wereld gebeurt. De personages sloot ik in mijn hart. Sommige raakten mijn hart. Van anderen kon ik het bloed wel drinken. Maar alle personages doen ertoe om dit verhaal zo weergaloos goed te maken.
De auteur verraste me met diverse plottwists en een zinderende finale die leidde naar een sublieme plot. Op ingenieuze wijze is hij erin geslaagd om mij te verrassen. En ervoor te zorgen dat ik meer van zijn boeken wil lezen.
Mijn mening:
De opbouw van het verhaal met spanning en nieuwsgierigheid opwekkend, de prima uitgewerkte personages, verrassende plottwists, liefde tussen ouder en kind die altijd blijft, passie voor wat je het liefste doet, humor, een grote drive om te leven zonder ketenen in het mooiste licht en niet in iemands schaduw. Dat ieder mens ertoe doet met welke levensovertuiging dan ook. Iedereen is van onschatbare waarde. Dat alles maakt dat ik 5 sterren geef.
Bedankt dat ik mee mocht doen met deze LS Sterrenthriller leesclub. In de toekomst doe ik graag nogmaals mee.
Halverwege morgen
Auteur: Chris MCGeorge debuteerde met het verbluffende, zenuwslopende Tik Tak en wordt ook wel de nieuwe koning van het locked room mystery genoemd. Halverwege morgen is, na Kiekeboe en Op slot, zijn vierde thriller.
Wijze van lezen: paperback gewonnen via LS Sterrenthriller club in ruil voor mijn deelname
Genre: thriller
Uitgeverij: LS Amsterdam
Verwachtingen voor het lezen:
Ik verwachtte na het lezen van de achterplat/inhoudstekst een spannend, mysterieus onder de huid kruipend verhaal. Dat gevoel werd niet beïnvloed want ik had nog nooit iets van deze schrijver gelezen. Ik ging er dus onbevooroordeeld in.
Het verhaal:
Shirley Steadman is zeventig jaar en woont in een klein dorpje in het noordoosten van Engeland. Shirley werkt met veel plezier als vrijwilliger bij de lokale radiozender van het ziekenhuis. Voor Shirley is het een prima manier om iets terug te doen voor de gemeenschap. Doordat ze niet graag alleen thuis is na de dood van haar zoon, een Britse marine officier, die verdween op zee. Bovendien is dit een kans om uit de schaduw te stappen die haar gewelddadige man haar gaf. Dan vindt ze per toeval de radiofrequentie van een piratenzender. Hierdoor staat haar leven compleet op de kop. Iets klopt er niet want de nieuwslezer brengt het nieuws van morgen. Het beneemt Shirley bijna de adem als de presentator gedetailleerd verslag doet van moorden die daarna ook echt plaatsvinden.
Mijn leesbeleving:
Dit verhaal vond ik prachtig maar ook ingenieus met een prima spanningsopbouw. De personages zijn zo goed uitgewerkt dat als ik niet las me afvroeg hoe het met hen ging. Dan weet je als auteur prima hoe je personages tot leven moet wekken.
Het verhaal maakt continu nieuwsgierig. Je wilt de clou weten. Zeer moeilijk om het boek weg te moeten leggen. Ook alleen je niet het boek roept je als het ware dat je verder moet lezen.
Je puzzelt zelf mee en beleeft het verhaal met al je zintuigen. Dit is ook te danken aan de beeldende schrijfstijl. Alsof ik zelf de stem van de radio presentator hoorde. En zelf de neiging had om daadwerkelijk naar buiten te gaan om de situaties te voorkomen. Om er dan op het laatste moment achter te komen dat het een verhaal is en niet in de echte wereld gebeurt. De personages sloot ik in mijn hart. Sommige raakten mijn hart. Van anderen kon ik het bloed wel drinken. Maar alle personages doen ertoe om dit verhaal zo weergaloos goed te maken.
De auteur verraste me met diverse plottwists en een zinderende finale die leidde naar een sublieme plot. Op ingenieuze wijze is hij erin geslaagd om mij te verrassen. En ervoor te zorgen dat ik meer van zijn boeken wil lezen.
Mijn mening:
De opbouw van het verhaal met spanning en nieuwsgierigheid opwekkend, de prima uitgewerkte personages, verrassende plottwists, liefde tussen ouder en kind die altijd blijft, passie voor wat je het liefste doet, humor, een grote drive om te leven zonder ketenen in het mooiste licht en niet in iemands schaduw. Dat ieder mens ertoe doet met welke levensovertuiging dan ook. Iedereen is van onschatbare waarde. Dat alles maakt dat ik 5 sterren geef.
Bedankt dat ik mee mocht doen met deze LS Sterrenthriller leesclub. In de toekomst doe ik graag nogmaals mee.
September 25, 2021
Zeer origineel boek
Shirley is een oudere vrouw die treurt na het verlies van haar zoon. Ze voelt dat haar lijf steeds meer klachten geeft en steeds minder aan lijkt te kunnen. Om toch bezig te blijven en de deur uit te gaan zit ze bij een borduurclubje en doet ze vrijwilligerswerk bij een kleine radiozender van het ziekenhuis. Daar ontdekt ze tussen het geruis een radiofrequentie waar ze het nieuws van morgen hoort. Ze twijfelt aan wat ze gehoord heeft en gaat op onderzoek uit, terwijl haar lijf tegensputtert. Als ze dan het nieuws hoort dat er iemand vermoord is (of eigenlijk vermoord gaat worden) wil ze dat voorkomen. Maar ja, als een oude vrouw dingen hoort die eigenlijk niet kunnen, wie luistert er dan nog. Shirley voelt de onmacht, die van haar lijf en die van niet-geloofd-worden.
De schrijver heeft het perspectief van Shirley goed neergezet. Omdat ze ouder is merk je dat ze zich meer vragen stelt, dat ze langzamer functioneert in denken en bewegen en dat vertaalt zich qua schrijfstijl in een vertraging waarin het verhaal zich ontvouwt. De schrijver heeft weinig oog voor de omgeving en situaties. Hij schrijft meer vanuit het denken van iemand en vanuit wat die persoon ziet gebeuren. Daarmee werd het voor mij minder beeldend.
Het boek lijkt niet meteen een thriller. Het verhaal richt zich meer op het trieste en lege leven van Shirley, waarbij je haar als lezer leert kennen en begint te begrijpen welk leed ze met zich meedraagt. Omdat je meeleest vanuit Shirley, je dingen ontdekt die eigenlijk niet echt kunnen zijn, twijfel je aan haar waarnemingsvermogen en ga je als lezer samen met Shirley op zoek naar de waarheid. Daarmee lijkt het meer een psychologische thriller. Personages worden mysterieus neergezet, waardoor je voldoende argwaan krijgt en door wilt lezen. De schrijver weet je hierbij meerdere keren op het verkeerde been te zetten. In de opbouw van het boek wordt duidelijk dat er toch echt een moordenaar aan de gang is en dat deze dichterbij komt, waarmee er een onderhuidse spanning in het verhaal komt die uiteindelijk met een spannende scene eindigt. Uiteindelijk wel een verrassend boek.
Shirley is een oudere vrouw die treurt na het verlies van haar zoon. Ze voelt dat haar lijf steeds meer klachten geeft en steeds minder aan lijkt te kunnen. Om toch bezig te blijven en de deur uit te gaan zit ze bij een borduurclubje en doet ze vrijwilligerswerk bij een kleine radiozender van het ziekenhuis. Daar ontdekt ze tussen het geruis een radiofrequentie waar ze het nieuws van morgen hoort. Ze twijfelt aan wat ze gehoord heeft en gaat op onderzoek uit, terwijl haar lijf tegensputtert. Als ze dan het nieuws hoort dat er iemand vermoord is (of eigenlijk vermoord gaat worden) wil ze dat voorkomen. Maar ja, als een oude vrouw dingen hoort die eigenlijk niet kunnen, wie luistert er dan nog. Shirley voelt de onmacht, die van haar lijf en die van niet-geloofd-worden.
De schrijver heeft het perspectief van Shirley goed neergezet. Omdat ze ouder is merk je dat ze zich meer vragen stelt, dat ze langzamer functioneert in denken en bewegen en dat vertaalt zich qua schrijfstijl in een vertraging waarin het verhaal zich ontvouwt. De schrijver heeft weinig oog voor de omgeving en situaties. Hij schrijft meer vanuit het denken van iemand en vanuit wat die persoon ziet gebeuren. Daarmee werd het voor mij minder beeldend.
Het boek lijkt niet meteen een thriller. Het verhaal richt zich meer op het trieste en lege leven van Shirley, waarbij je haar als lezer leert kennen en begint te begrijpen welk leed ze met zich meedraagt. Omdat je meeleest vanuit Shirley, je dingen ontdekt die eigenlijk niet echt kunnen zijn, twijfel je aan haar waarnemingsvermogen en ga je als lezer samen met Shirley op zoek naar de waarheid. Daarmee lijkt het meer een psychologische thriller. Personages worden mysterieus neergezet, waardoor je voldoende argwaan krijgt en door wilt lezen. De schrijver weet je hierbij meerdere keren op het verkeerde been te zetten. In de opbouw van het boek wordt duidelijk dat er toch echt een moordenaar aan de gang is en dat deze dichterbij komt, waarmee er een onderhuidse spanning in het verhaal komt die uiteindelijk met een spannende scene eindigt. Uiteindelijk wel een verrassend boek.
August 17, 2023
Meinung:
Ich muss gestehen, dass ich wirklich sehr gespannt auf das Werk von Chris McGeorge war, denn habe ich viele positive und zugleich auch negativ gehaltene Rezensionen über die Werke von ihm gelesen.
Da bin ich eben ein Mensch, der sich gerne selbst ein Bild über die Bücher macht um mir so selbst ein Urteil fällen zu können. Dies war mein erster Thriller von Autor Chris McGeorge und er lies mich wahrlich hin und her gerissen am Ende zurück.
Zum einen war mir die Hauptprotagonistin nicht gerade sympathisch. Wirkte sie oftmals eher senil und psychisch labil, so konnte sie dennoch mit ihrem Eifer und ihrer Hingabe fesseln. Dennoch wirkte sie zu keiner Zeit irgendwie herausstechend und mitreisend auf mich. Shirley ist eben die goldige Oma von neben an, die mit ihrem wirren Denkweisen die Aufmerksamkeit ihres Umfeldes auf sich zieht.
Wenn man dann die Idee und die Umsetzung betrachtet, hätte es ein ordentlicher Knaller werden können. Auch wenn ich manchmal etwas genervt von Shirley die Kapitel gelesen habe, so war dennoch eine gute Portion Spannung mit an Bord, was mich mein negatives Gefühl gegenüber der Hauptprotagonistin vergessen lies.
Erst so gegen Mitte der Geschichte und als sich weitere Personen mit zu Wort meldeten, ergaben einzelne Auszüge der Handlung und auch der gesamte Verlauf auf dem die Handlung aufbaut einen Sinn und wurde für mich nachvollziehbarer.
Was mich persönlich störte war einfach, dass viele Themen angerissen wurden und dann nur oberflächlich abgetan wurden. Vieles Bedarf daher noch an Aufklärung und wurde mit vielen unbeantworteten Fragen mit einem Schlussstrich versehen. Finde ich wirklich sehr schade, denn etwas mehr Tiefgang und man hätte mit Spannung eventuell vieles abdecken und somit die Leser/innen fesselnd bzw. mitreißen können. So wurde für mich einfach mittendrin aufgehört und fertig ist die Geschichte. Sehr schade :(
Durch den Verlauf und eben die aufkommenden Kritikpunkte war vieles Vorhersehbar und konnte nur mit wenigen Überraschungen für etwas Wind in der Handlung sorgen.
Insgesamt war da Buch sehr unterhaltsam, dennoch fehlte das gewisse Etwas um total zu überzeugen. Durch die mir fehlende konstante Spannung, die Sympathie zu den Hauptrollen und auch der Tiefgang kann ich leider in meinem Fall nicht von einem Thriller reden. Davon war das Werk von Chris McGeorge für mich weit entfernt.
Fazit:
Mehr Spannung, mehr Tiefgang und etwas stärkere Charaktere hätten dem Buch sehr gut getan. Leider fehlten mir diese Aspekte und ließen mich etwas enttäuscht zurück, da mir das Gefühl einen spannenden Thriller zu lesen fast komplett verloren ging.
Trotzdem war es interessant der Geschichte zu folgen und ich wurde auf andere Weise gut unterhalten.
Meiner Meinung nach kann man es lesen verpasst aber nicht, wenn man es nicht tut.
Ich muss gestehen, dass ich wirklich sehr gespannt auf das Werk von Chris McGeorge war, denn habe ich viele positive und zugleich auch negativ gehaltene Rezensionen über die Werke von ihm gelesen.
Da bin ich eben ein Mensch, der sich gerne selbst ein Bild über die Bücher macht um mir so selbst ein Urteil fällen zu können. Dies war mein erster Thriller von Autor Chris McGeorge und er lies mich wahrlich hin und her gerissen am Ende zurück.
Zum einen war mir die Hauptprotagonistin nicht gerade sympathisch. Wirkte sie oftmals eher senil und psychisch labil, so konnte sie dennoch mit ihrem Eifer und ihrer Hingabe fesseln. Dennoch wirkte sie zu keiner Zeit irgendwie herausstechend und mitreisend auf mich. Shirley ist eben die goldige Oma von neben an, die mit ihrem wirren Denkweisen die Aufmerksamkeit ihres Umfeldes auf sich zieht.
Wenn man dann die Idee und die Umsetzung betrachtet, hätte es ein ordentlicher Knaller werden können. Auch wenn ich manchmal etwas genervt von Shirley die Kapitel gelesen habe, so war dennoch eine gute Portion Spannung mit an Bord, was mich mein negatives Gefühl gegenüber der Hauptprotagonistin vergessen lies.
Erst so gegen Mitte der Geschichte und als sich weitere Personen mit zu Wort meldeten, ergaben einzelne Auszüge der Handlung und auch der gesamte Verlauf auf dem die Handlung aufbaut einen Sinn und wurde für mich nachvollziehbarer.
Was mich persönlich störte war einfach, dass viele Themen angerissen wurden und dann nur oberflächlich abgetan wurden. Vieles Bedarf daher noch an Aufklärung und wurde mit vielen unbeantworteten Fragen mit einem Schlussstrich versehen. Finde ich wirklich sehr schade, denn etwas mehr Tiefgang und man hätte mit Spannung eventuell vieles abdecken und somit die Leser/innen fesselnd bzw. mitreißen können. So wurde für mich einfach mittendrin aufgehört und fertig ist die Geschichte. Sehr schade :(
Durch den Verlauf und eben die aufkommenden Kritikpunkte war vieles Vorhersehbar und konnte nur mit wenigen Überraschungen für etwas Wind in der Handlung sorgen.
Insgesamt war da Buch sehr unterhaltsam, dennoch fehlte das gewisse Etwas um total zu überzeugen. Durch die mir fehlende konstante Spannung, die Sympathie zu den Hauptrollen und auch der Tiefgang kann ich leider in meinem Fall nicht von einem Thriller reden. Davon war das Werk von Chris McGeorge für mich weit entfernt.
Fazit:
Mehr Spannung, mehr Tiefgang und etwas stärkere Charaktere hätten dem Buch sehr gut getan. Leider fehlten mir diese Aspekte und ließen mich etwas enttäuscht zurück, da mir das Gefühl einen spannenden Thriller zu lesen fast komplett verloren ging.
Trotzdem war es interessant der Geschichte zu folgen und ich wurde auf andere Weise gut unterhalten.
Meiner Meinung nach kann man es lesen verpasst aber nicht, wenn man es nicht tut.
August 2, 2021
4.5 stars
Well, this book kept me on my toes throughout my time with it. I spent quite a while flummoxed and chasing my tail but, as I have read and enjoyed three of this author's previous books, I trusted and that trust was rewarded as I reached the end and was left satisfied.
So, we meet Shirley Steadman, stalwart of her local hospital radio. She's widowed and still haunted by some aspects of her marriage and also the loss at sea of her Naval son. She is in touch with her daughter but their relationship is a bit fractious. So, the hospital radio fills a gap in her life, gives her self-esteem and purpose.
One day, as she is waiting for her radio slot time, she is fiddling with the tuning on a radio in the next door studio, and comes across a pirate radio station - oh I remember those days, Radio Caroline and Laser 558, but I digress - Mallet FM is its name and she tunes in just in time to hear the last song before the news. And then the news starts and she's a bit confused as the broadcaster gives the wrong date. It's a day out. It's tomorrow. And then delivers the news that the baker will have an accident.
Cut to the next day and, long story short, the baker has his accident.
Spooky or what.
Shirley is determined to find the station again and listen in.
This time, it's the milkman that has an accident.
The next time, it's not an accident that gets reported...
And things get very dark, very quickly...
And that's all I'm saying about what happens.
Ok so I had to suspend belief along the way but, when all was revealed, my patience and trust was rewarded with a wholly satisfying ending. Not one I guessed, I hasten to add, one I skirted round but never quite got the whole picture ahead of the reveal. So, I guess hats off and kudos for the author for wool pulling!
I also loved Shirley. For what she went through prior to us meeting her, things we learned about her as the book went on. How much she had suffered at the hands of her abuser. The loss of her son. But despite all that, she still got up and got on with things. Loved her grit and tenacity. And the way she went about her investigation, teaming up with her trusty sidekick, and dealing with the Police. Loved the craft circle times. Yes there are parts that are a tad tongue in cheek along the way but they are not distracting, always add something to the narrative, and allow the reader precious breathing time before it all kicks off again.
All in all, another worthy addition to what is looking to become an impressive back catalogue. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
Well, this book kept me on my toes throughout my time with it. I spent quite a while flummoxed and chasing my tail but, as I have read and enjoyed three of this author's previous books, I trusted and that trust was rewarded as I reached the end and was left satisfied.
So, we meet Shirley Steadman, stalwart of her local hospital radio. She's widowed and still haunted by some aspects of her marriage and also the loss at sea of her Naval son. She is in touch with her daughter but their relationship is a bit fractious. So, the hospital radio fills a gap in her life, gives her self-esteem and purpose.
One day, as she is waiting for her radio slot time, she is fiddling with the tuning on a radio in the next door studio, and comes across a pirate radio station - oh I remember those days, Radio Caroline and Laser 558, but I digress - Mallet FM is its name and she tunes in just in time to hear the last song before the news. And then the news starts and she's a bit confused as the broadcaster gives the wrong date. It's a day out. It's tomorrow. And then delivers the news that the baker will have an accident.
Cut to the next day and, long story short, the baker has his accident.
Spooky or what.
Shirley is determined to find the station again and listen in.
This time, it's the milkman that has an accident.
The next time, it's not an accident that gets reported...
And things get very dark, very quickly...
And that's all I'm saying about what happens.
Ok so I had to suspend belief along the way but, when all was revealed, my patience and trust was rewarded with a wholly satisfying ending. Not one I guessed, I hasten to add, one I skirted round but never quite got the whole picture ahead of the reveal. So, I guess hats off and kudos for the author for wool pulling!
I also loved Shirley. For what she went through prior to us meeting her, things we learned about her as the book went on. How much she had suffered at the hands of her abuser. The loss of her son. But despite all that, she still got up and got on with things. Loved her grit and tenacity. And the way she went about her investigation, teaming up with her trusty sidekick, and dealing with the Police. Loved the craft circle times. Yes there are parts that are a tad tongue in cheek along the way but they are not distracting, always add something to the narrative, and allow the reader precious breathing time before it all kicks off again.
All in all, another worthy addition to what is looking to become an impressive back catalogue. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
August 17, 2021
Seventy-year old Shirley Steadman loves her volunteer work at the local hospital radio. If anything, it gives her an excuse to leave her bungalow. One day, fiddling around with the equipment in the studio, she comes across a frequency she is sure wasn’t there before. Intrigued, Shirley keeps listening. But as the presenter starts to read the news, something doesn’t seem quite right. The date is wrong, it’s tomorrow’s. Shirley assumes the whole thing is a misunderstanding. Until the things the presenter has reported actually come true. When tiny accidents suddenly turn into murders, Shirley realises she is the only one who can stop them from happening.
First things first. Shirley. What a fabulous character! She is one of those characters you warm to immediately. Sure, she’s old, and this and that and the other hurts. But thankfully she’s not one of those whiney grandmothers. The idea that she might well be the only one who can stop these murders almost makes her come alive. She’s doing things she probably shouldn’t be doing, maybe even harming herself along the way but she’s on a mission now. There’s a delightful sense of humour underneath that granny exterior but also a whole lot of hurt. Shirley has not had an easy life and sometimes feels quite lonely. I’ll leave you to discover why that is for yourselves.
I’m not entirely sure this book would have worked with someone younger. As it is, you often wonder about Shirley’s state of mind. Is she confused? Is she seeing and hearing things that aren’t there? It’s not at all hard to imagine that were she to confide in someone, that person would probably think she was a sandwich short of a picnic.
I’m an absolute sceptic and so I blatantly refused to believe that someone was indeed predicting the future. But I couldn’t at all figure out what was going on or why. And even less so, why it all had to involve Shirley in the first place. There are definitely some twists and turns to keep you guessing and one or two moments that turn the whole thing completely on its head. It all makes for such a fun puzzle to try and solve.
‘Half-Past Tomorrow‘ is an engaging and intriguing mystery. I felt at times like I needed to suspend belief just that little bit but the story remained enjoyable enough that it didn’t really bother me. Oddly enough my focus wasn’t necessarily on catching a killer, but more so on Shirley because she was this wonderful character I desperately wanted a happy ending for. All in all, an entertaining and fun read with some poignant moments and a clever storyline.
First things first. Shirley. What a fabulous character! She is one of those characters you warm to immediately. Sure, she’s old, and this and that and the other hurts. But thankfully she’s not one of those whiney grandmothers. The idea that she might well be the only one who can stop these murders almost makes her come alive. She’s doing things she probably shouldn’t be doing, maybe even harming herself along the way but she’s on a mission now. There’s a delightful sense of humour underneath that granny exterior but also a whole lot of hurt. Shirley has not had an easy life and sometimes feels quite lonely. I’ll leave you to discover why that is for yourselves.
I’m not entirely sure this book would have worked with someone younger. As it is, you often wonder about Shirley’s state of mind. Is she confused? Is she seeing and hearing things that aren’t there? It’s not at all hard to imagine that were she to confide in someone, that person would probably think she was a sandwich short of a picnic.
I’m an absolute sceptic and so I blatantly refused to believe that someone was indeed predicting the future. But I couldn’t at all figure out what was going on or why. And even less so, why it all had to involve Shirley in the first place. There are definitely some twists and turns to keep you guessing and one or two moments that turn the whole thing completely on its head. It all makes for such a fun puzzle to try and solve.
‘Half-Past Tomorrow‘ is an engaging and intriguing mystery. I felt at times like I needed to suspend belief just that little bit but the story remained enjoyable enough that it didn’t really bother me. Oddly enough my focus wasn’t necessarily on catching a killer, but more so on Shirley because she was this wonderful character I desperately wanted a happy ending for. All in all, an entertaining and fun read with some poignant moments and a clever storyline.
August 10, 2022
TW: mention of war, suicide, mention of gender bias, misogyny, cancer, rape, murder and ageism, profanity, death, strangulation, homophobic remark, physical assault, alcohol use and domestic violence.
This story revolves around the world of Shirley Steadman, a 70 year old woman who lives in the North East of England. Whilst still haunted by the death of her son, she does what she can to move on with her life. One such way is by volunteering at the local hospital radio in Chester-le-Street.
One day after finishing her rounds of radio requests from the patients in one of the hospital wards, she discovers a frequency that hasn’t always been there. It’s a pirate radio station which reports the news, but the kicker is it reports the news a day early, predicting what will happen in the future.
At first, Shirley is apprehensive and doesn’t believe that what is being reported on Mallet AM is true, until she starts witnessing the events unfold before her very eyes. It seems as if she is the only one who can stop the events from unfolding. However, along the way, she encounters difficulties of her own as she’s not as young as she used to be. Despite this, she is a fierce but independent individual who had me rooting for her every step of the way.
I really loved how the characters were presented in this book. They were relatable and their personalities shone through beautifully. They were all their own individuals and the author gave you information about each one that left me wanting to know more about each character, especially Shirley. This only made me feel more attached to the characters, which made me sad when the ending of the book approached. My god did the floodgates of my tears open. I was not prepared for how much I cried at this book.
The book definitely starts off slow but I actually didn’t mind it that much (normally I hate slow starts in books), as I thought it helped to build the story and create suspense for what was about to happen. This book truly packed a punch and had me constantly wondering what was going to happen next. Even when I had figured out what was going to happen next, I was still shocked and wanted to know more. This book really hooked me in and out of reading Now You See Me and this book, this book is definitely my favourite of the author’s so far.
As a side note, as someone who lives in the North East, I absolutely loved seeing the Geordie accent feature throughout this book and it pays a nice homage to the North East.
This story revolves around the world of Shirley Steadman, a 70 year old woman who lives in the North East of England. Whilst still haunted by the death of her son, she does what she can to move on with her life. One such way is by volunteering at the local hospital radio in Chester-le-Street.
One day after finishing her rounds of radio requests from the patients in one of the hospital wards, she discovers a frequency that hasn’t always been there. It’s a pirate radio station which reports the news, but the kicker is it reports the news a day early, predicting what will happen in the future.
At first, Shirley is apprehensive and doesn’t believe that what is being reported on Mallet AM is true, until she starts witnessing the events unfold before her very eyes. It seems as if she is the only one who can stop the events from unfolding. However, along the way, she encounters difficulties of her own as she’s not as young as she used to be. Despite this, she is a fierce but independent individual who had me rooting for her every step of the way.
I really loved how the characters were presented in this book. They were relatable and their personalities shone through beautifully. They were all their own individuals and the author gave you information about each one that left me wanting to know more about each character, especially Shirley. This only made me feel more attached to the characters, which made me sad when the ending of the book approached. My god did the floodgates of my tears open. I was not prepared for how much I cried at this book.
The book definitely starts off slow but I actually didn’t mind it that much (normally I hate slow starts in books), as I thought it helped to build the story and create suspense for what was about to happen. This book truly packed a punch and had me constantly wondering what was going to happen next. Even when I had figured out what was going to happen next, I was still shocked and wanted to know more. This book really hooked me in and out of reading Now You See Me and this book, this book is definitely my favourite of the author’s so far.
As a side note, as someone who lives in the North East, I absolutely loved seeing the Geordie accent feature throughout this book and it pays a nice homage to the North East.
August 27, 2023
Darum geht‘s:
Die 70-jährige Shirley Steadman liebt es, bei einem Krankenhaus-Radiosender die Liedwünsche der Patienten zu erfüllen. Ihr geliebtes Hobby hilft ihr, ihre Einsamkeit seit dem tragischen Tod ihres Sohnes besser zu ertragen. Auch sonst hört sie gerne Radio und staunt nicht schlecht, als ein lokaler Sender Nachrichten über Unfälle überträgt mit dem Datum von morgen. Erst glaubt sie an ein Versehen. Doch am anderen Tag geschieht genau das, was der Sender berichtet hatte. Shirley, die insgeheim gerne mit ihrem toten Sohn spricht, ist einerseits besorgt, ob sie langsam den Verstand verliert. Gleichzeitig ist sie so fasziniert und schaltet immer öfter den Sender ein – bis eines Tages ein Mord angekündigt wird. Kann Shirley diese schreckliche Tat verhindern?
So fand ich‘s:
Der Einstieg ins Buch ist mir recht leichtgefallen. Ich mochte Shirley von Anfang an gerne. Sie kam mir vor wie eine liebenswerte ältere Nachbarin. Ich konnte mich gut in sie hineinversetzen und litt mit ihr mit, wenn sie sich an die Tragödie um ihren Sohn erinnerte.
Der Autor hat die etwas düstere Atmosphäre (sehr passend zum Cover) gut fühlbar hinbekommen. Der Prolog versprach dann auch eine intensive Geschichte und schraubte meine Erwartungen noch höher als sie durch den früheren Roman „Der Tunnel“ des Autors bereits geweckt worden waren. Doch irgendwie konnte mich dieses Mal die Geschichte nicht ganz so mitreißen.
Ich lasse mich gerade in Thrillern sehr gerne überraschen. Und auch hier wird man als Leser ab und an mit unerwarteten Wendungen konfrontiert. Dennoch fehlte für mich das letzte Quäntchen, um mich endgültig vom Hocker zu reißen. Für den geübten Thrillerleser ist dann doch nicht alles unvorhersehbar. Und wenn die Spannung angezogen wurde, rechnete ich damit, dass sich gleich ein Lesesog einstellen würde. Doch der ersehnte Thrill kam jeweils zu schnell wieder ins Stocken. Für meinen Geschmack gab es zu viele etwas langatmige Passagen. Ich konnte daher nicht so in die Geschichte eintauchen, wie ich es gerne mag.
Die Grundidee der Geschichte finde ich aber immer noch genial und schlussendlich hat Chris McGeorge mit „Escape Time – Die Morde von morgen“ einen soliden und routinierten Thriller geschrieben, der mir trotz meiner Kritikpunkte auch spannende Lesemomente beschert hat.
Es mag nicht so ganz mein Buch gewesen sein. Dennoch weiß ich, dass der Autor es richtig gut draufhat, Spannung zu erzeugen und werde ein nächstes Buch von ihm bestimmt auch wieder lesen.
Die 70-jährige Shirley Steadman liebt es, bei einem Krankenhaus-Radiosender die Liedwünsche der Patienten zu erfüllen. Ihr geliebtes Hobby hilft ihr, ihre Einsamkeit seit dem tragischen Tod ihres Sohnes besser zu ertragen. Auch sonst hört sie gerne Radio und staunt nicht schlecht, als ein lokaler Sender Nachrichten über Unfälle überträgt mit dem Datum von morgen. Erst glaubt sie an ein Versehen. Doch am anderen Tag geschieht genau das, was der Sender berichtet hatte. Shirley, die insgeheim gerne mit ihrem toten Sohn spricht, ist einerseits besorgt, ob sie langsam den Verstand verliert. Gleichzeitig ist sie so fasziniert und schaltet immer öfter den Sender ein – bis eines Tages ein Mord angekündigt wird. Kann Shirley diese schreckliche Tat verhindern?
So fand ich‘s:
Der Einstieg ins Buch ist mir recht leichtgefallen. Ich mochte Shirley von Anfang an gerne. Sie kam mir vor wie eine liebenswerte ältere Nachbarin. Ich konnte mich gut in sie hineinversetzen und litt mit ihr mit, wenn sie sich an die Tragödie um ihren Sohn erinnerte.
Der Autor hat die etwas düstere Atmosphäre (sehr passend zum Cover) gut fühlbar hinbekommen. Der Prolog versprach dann auch eine intensive Geschichte und schraubte meine Erwartungen noch höher als sie durch den früheren Roman „Der Tunnel“ des Autors bereits geweckt worden waren. Doch irgendwie konnte mich dieses Mal die Geschichte nicht ganz so mitreißen.
Ich lasse mich gerade in Thrillern sehr gerne überraschen. Und auch hier wird man als Leser ab und an mit unerwarteten Wendungen konfrontiert. Dennoch fehlte für mich das letzte Quäntchen, um mich endgültig vom Hocker zu reißen. Für den geübten Thrillerleser ist dann doch nicht alles unvorhersehbar. Und wenn die Spannung angezogen wurde, rechnete ich damit, dass sich gleich ein Lesesog einstellen würde. Doch der ersehnte Thrill kam jeweils zu schnell wieder ins Stocken. Für meinen Geschmack gab es zu viele etwas langatmige Passagen. Ich konnte daher nicht so in die Geschichte eintauchen, wie ich es gerne mag.
Die Grundidee der Geschichte finde ich aber immer noch genial und schlussendlich hat Chris McGeorge mit „Escape Time – Die Morde von morgen“ einen soliden und routinierten Thriller geschrieben, der mir trotz meiner Kritikpunkte auch spannende Lesemomente beschert hat.
Es mag nicht so ganz mein Buch gewesen sein. Dennoch weiß ich, dass der Autor es richtig gut draufhat, Spannung zu erzeugen und werde ein nächstes Buch von ihm bestimmt auch wieder lesen.
October 6, 2021
Half-Past Tomorrow drew me in the second I read the blurb – a radio news report which is giving tomorrow’s news stories? Knowing 24 hours in advance of events which are going to happen is unsettling but to learn a murder will take place? What would anyone do in those circumstances?
Fortunately this dilemma doesn’t fall on the readers but lands at the feet of Shirley Steadman. Shirley is a pensioner who volunteers at her local hospital radio. She has had a tough life but the death of her abusive and dominating husband, coupled with the tragic suicide of her son have given Shirley a peace and inner steel which makes her a feisty and determined principle character.
Shirley is at the hospital when she finds an old radio set as she waits to begin her show. While spinning through the frequencies she finds a pirate radio station Mallet which heads into the news as Shirley is listening. She realises this station is VERY local to her home in the North East of England and enjoys listening to an amateur broadcaster sharing enthusiasm over local events.
The last story on the news tells of a local baker falling off a ladder outside his shop. Shirley hadn’t heard about the event and doesn’t give it much thought until the next day when her son-in-law also recounts the story about the baker but makes it clear it had just happened. Shirley heard about the ladder fall before it happened – she needs to understand how.
Worried she may be mistaken, Shirley tries to talk it through with her son Gabe. Gave died at the start of the book, took his own life while at sea. Yet he sometimes appears to Shirley in her kitchen and once she got passed the initial hysterical screaming she began to speak with her when he appears.
Half-Past Tomorrow shows how Shirley becomes obsessed by the pirate radio show and its predictive news reports. Despite health issues restricting her investigations Shirley doggedly chases down the reported incidents and soon becomes entangled in a way she could not have predicted.
Safe to say I had a lot of fun reading this book, I had absolutely no idea how Chris McGeorge was going to find a way Shirley could “solve” her pirate radio mystery. That need to see how the story would play out kept me hooked. There were more than a few surprises along the way that I really enjoyed too.
Fortunately this dilemma doesn’t fall on the readers but lands at the feet of Shirley Steadman. Shirley is a pensioner who volunteers at her local hospital radio. She has had a tough life but the death of her abusive and dominating husband, coupled with the tragic suicide of her son have given Shirley a peace and inner steel which makes her a feisty and determined principle character.
Shirley is at the hospital when she finds an old radio set as she waits to begin her show. While spinning through the frequencies she finds a pirate radio station Mallet which heads into the news as Shirley is listening. She realises this station is VERY local to her home in the North East of England and enjoys listening to an amateur broadcaster sharing enthusiasm over local events.
The last story on the news tells of a local baker falling off a ladder outside his shop. Shirley hadn’t heard about the event and doesn’t give it much thought until the next day when her son-in-law also recounts the story about the baker but makes it clear it had just happened. Shirley heard about the ladder fall before it happened – she needs to understand how.
Worried she may be mistaken, Shirley tries to talk it through with her son Gabe. Gave died at the start of the book, took his own life while at sea. Yet he sometimes appears to Shirley in her kitchen and once she got passed the initial hysterical screaming she began to speak with her when he appears.
Half-Past Tomorrow shows how Shirley becomes obsessed by the pirate radio show and its predictive news reports. Despite health issues restricting her investigations Shirley doggedly chases down the reported incidents and soon becomes entangled in a way she could not have predicted.
Safe to say I had a lot of fun reading this book, I had absolutely no idea how Chris McGeorge was going to find a way Shirley could “solve” her pirate radio mystery. That need to see how the story would play out kept me hooked. There were more than a few surprises along the way that I really enjoyed too.
August 10, 2021
Rating: 3.0/5
I have been a big advocate of Chris McGeorge's talents ever since I read his debut novel, "Guess Who?" I loved that and also his two subsequent books, "Now You See Me" and "Inside Out". So, it is hardly surprising that I placed my pre-order for his fourth publication as soon as I was able to. Unfortunately, even though I still enjoyed "Half-Past Tomorrow" I don't think it matches the quality of any of the previous three books.
There has been something of a spate of septuagenarians featuring as chief protagonists in fictional literature over the past year or so, and with 70 year old Shirley Steadman, we now have another. Shirley is a volunteer working on the local hospital radio. One day, in the course of her duties, she happens upon a pirate radio broadcast - but the really astonishing thing is that the news bulletins are giving local news events for the following day - and they are proving to be accurate! Shirley is both astonished and enthralled, but it is when the bulletins start to predict murders that Shirley realises she has to take an even keener interest.
There is a very different feel about this novel compared with Chris McGeorge's previous offerings and he seems to have been doing a little experimenting with his style and approach. At times this almost felt like a cosy mystery, which you could certainly not say about the author's previous three works. There also seemed to be a Stephen King-influenced vibe about the storyline too. Not that there is anything inherently wrong with that. Many other writers have been openly influenced by the great Mr King, too. But Chris McGeorge doesn't really carry it off with the same aplomb and it is a departure from his earlier work, which seemed to bear greater echoes of the likes of Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle.
Nonetheless, this is still a worthwhile read. I will continue to champion the author's work and I will be back for book five.
I have been a big advocate of Chris McGeorge's talents ever since I read his debut novel, "Guess Who?" I loved that and also his two subsequent books, "Now You See Me" and "Inside Out". So, it is hardly surprising that I placed my pre-order for his fourth publication as soon as I was able to. Unfortunately, even though I still enjoyed "Half-Past Tomorrow" I don't think it matches the quality of any of the previous three books.
There has been something of a spate of septuagenarians featuring as chief protagonists in fictional literature over the past year or so, and with 70 year old Shirley Steadman, we now have another. Shirley is a volunteer working on the local hospital radio. One day, in the course of her duties, she happens upon a pirate radio broadcast - but the really astonishing thing is that the news bulletins are giving local news events for the following day - and they are proving to be accurate! Shirley is both astonished and enthralled, but it is when the bulletins start to predict murders that Shirley realises she has to take an even keener interest.
There is a very different feel about this novel compared with Chris McGeorge's previous offerings and he seems to have been doing a little experimenting with his style and approach. At times this almost felt like a cosy mystery, which you could certainly not say about the author's previous three works. There also seemed to be a Stephen King-influenced vibe about the storyline too. Not that there is anything inherently wrong with that. Many other writers have been openly influenced by the great Mr King, too. But Chris McGeorge doesn't really carry it off with the same aplomb and it is a departure from his earlier work, which seemed to bear greater echoes of the likes of Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle.
Nonetheless, this is still a worthwhile read. I will continue to champion the author's work and I will be back for book five.
August 17, 2021
I read a lot of mysteries. A lot. And a lot of them are gruesome and horrifying, and frequently obscene. But this? This story featuring an upper-middle class old English lady as a sleuth, had more uses of the word f*** than any of them. It was jarring and I kind of hated it.
The protagonist was no Miss Marple. Or Jessica Fletcher. Or even Vera. Or pretty much any endearing, likable geriatric sleuth. She's a bitter, unpleasant old bag. Ok, so she comes by it honestly (her dead husband was an abusive POS) and her son went overboard while traveling for the navy, and she never got over it, believing it was her fault. But still. Totally unlikable. (The way she treats her daughter was so frustrating. Yeah, Dina is over-attentive and bossy, but good grief. She blanked her daughter, hard, after her son died, and didn't actually seem to even -like- her, much. Not to mention her grandkids who she felt distaste for until near the end of the book.)
The story was clever, though, and was well written and carefully plotted. There were a few interesting twists, and the solution to the murders was both unexpected and it made sense when you look back on it. The little scene at the end was a nice touch.
I'm giving it a 4 because the writing was solid and the concept was novel and clever. That said, though, I could seriously have done without the unnecessary vulgarity* and the protagonist really was a chore.
ETA: I just realized that this was by the same author who wrote one of the stupidest twists of all time in Now You See Me." That explains a lot.
*I'm ok with the odd obscenity for effect, but this was more like, let's use it to emphasize how salty the protagonist is! Like, for shock value, almost. Ooh, a posh old lady saying the f word like it's punctuation, how cheeky! That's not my thing at all, and it took away from my enjoyment of the piece.
The protagonist was no Miss Marple. Or Jessica Fletcher. Or even Vera. Or pretty much any endearing, likable geriatric sleuth. She's a bitter, unpleasant old bag. Ok, so she comes by it honestly (her dead husband was an abusive POS) and her son went overboard while traveling for the navy, and she never got over it, believing it was her fault. But still. Totally unlikable. (The way she treats her daughter was so frustrating. Yeah, Dina is over-attentive and bossy, but good grief. She blanked her daughter, hard, after her son died, and didn't actually seem to even -like- her, much. Not to mention her grandkids who she felt distaste for until near the end of the book.)
The story was clever, though, and was well written and carefully plotted. There were a few interesting twists, and the solution to the murders was both unexpected and it made sense when you look back on it. The little scene at the end was a nice touch.
I'm giving it a 4 because the writing was solid and the concept was novel and clever. That said, though, I could seriously have done without the unnecessary vulgarity* and the protagonist really was a chore.
ETA: I just realized that this was by the same author who wrote one of the stupidest twists of all time in Now You See Me." That explains a lot.
*I'm ok with the odd obscenity for effect, but this was more like, let's use it to emphasize how salty the protagonist is! Like, for shock value, almost. Ooh, a posh old lady saying the f word like it's punctuation, how cheeky! That's not my thing at all, and it took away from my enjoyment of the piece.
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