Over Your Shoulder

by C.J. Carver

“Twisting, tense, terrific” - LA Larkin, author of Prey

Loving someone doesn't mean trusting them...

You love them both, but can you trust them?

Twelve years ago, Nick’s brother, Rob, drowned.  His body was never found.  When Nick met Susie at his brother’s funeral, he thought it was destiny.

But when Rob suddenly re-appears, Nick is forced to examine everything he once knew. Why do the police want to talk to Rob? And what is he running away from?

Nick wants to find his brother but if he does, he risks losing the woman he loves. Because Susie has her own secrets, and as the truth emerges, Nick finds it is those closest to us we should fear the most…

What everyone says about CJ Carver

“Keeps you guessing” - Susan Opie

“Don’t expect to sleep, because this is unputdownable” - Frost Magazine

“A terrific page-turner” - Harlan Coben

“An author who has a unique voice and a magical plotting ability” - Frost Magazine

CJ Carver is the critically-acclaimed and bestselling author of The Dan Forrester and India Kane series. Over Your Shoulder is a tense and compelling psychological thriller which will appeal to fans of authors like Mark Edwards, Harlan Coben and Sibel Hodge.

Genres: Psychological Thriller, Audiobook, Thriller, Mystery Thriller

Audible Audio

First published July 1, 2019

About the author

CJ Carver is a half-English, half-Kiwi author living just outside Bath. Her books have been published in the UK, USA and translated throughout Europe. Her first novel Blood Junction, won the CWA Debut Dagger Award, was shortlisted for the USA Barry Award, and was also voted as one of the best mystery books of the year by Publishers Weekly. Spare Me the Truth, the first book in the Dan Forrester series, was nominated for the Ngaio Marsh Award for Best Crime Novel. CJ lived in Australia for 10 years before taking up long distance rally driving – she has driven London to Saigon, London to Cape Town and covered 14,000 miles on the Inca Trail.

Reviews

[Linda Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nick and Susie are married. Nick's brother, Rob, drowned 12 years ago; his body was never discovered. Nick and Susie met at Nick's funeral ... Nick thinks that Rob would have been pleased.

While spending a quiet night together watching television, breaking news shows a terrorist attack. A hero who tackled the man with a gun is a hero. The hero is also Nick's brother.

Where has be been? Why did he fake his own death? Why do the police want to talk to Rob?

Nick wants to find his brother, but who can he trust? Nick, Rob,Susie...they all have secrets, some deeper than others. Are they all who they seem to be?

This is a frenzied tale of lies and secrets, bigger lies, darker secrets, murder, drugs and crime. There is something for everyone here. It started off a little slow for me, but it heats up rapidly. The suspense, the angst, is well paced and keeps the reader engaged throughout. It's like a roller coaster ride ... not sure the next turn will be and in which direction it will turn. And to finish .. the ending is unpredictable and surprising.

Many thanks to the author / Bloodhound Books for the digital copy of this psychological / crime thriller. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nick, Rob,Susie
But are they all who they seem to be?
Rob, Nick’s brother has died and Rob meets Susie, at his funeral, it feels like destiny, eventually married bliss ensues....until it doesn’t, in fact it all goes spectacularly wrong, in many ways
And so starts a frantic tale of trust, mistrust, spies, lies, bigger lies, wealth, drugs, gangs, murder and everything else you can throw into a book but all with a different take and slant on the ‘norm’ in this kind of story
The story is exciting and fast and at times almost dizzying as you keep trying to catch up with who is who and who has done what
Well written in easy language to keep the reader involved , the only small ‘point’ I would make is sometimes there are a few too many genres packed into the story and it leaves you wondering which one is the main one as they all battle it out!, however the thrust of a great story prevails and that carries it through
A breathless ending with a really different and surprising ‘twist’
Its all in all pretty good
9/10 5 Stars

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

OVER YOUR SHOULDER is a psychological/crime thriller by author by CJ Carver. This is the first book I have read by this author and it won’t be the last! This has something for everyone, from crime, drugs, lies and secrets, and will appeal to a wide audience.

“Loving Someone Doesn’t Mean Trusting Them.”

The story opens with Susie and husband Nick watching the evening news when the camera zooms in on a hero, straddling the gunman during a terrorist attack in London…and Nick’s heart stopped! He was looking at the face of his younger brother, Rob, who had died twelve years ago, a drowning at sea. His body was never found. Susie and Nick met at Rob’s memorial service.

Rob is alive? Why did he disappear? Why did he fake his own death? Why did he not contact his wife, children or brother or family? What is he hiding from? Why do the police want to talk to him?

So many questions and no answers.

Susie works in IT and owns her own flat in London and commutes to Nick’s cozy cottage over- looking the sea on the weekends. Nick was a graphic designer. This arrangement worked well for both.

Nick wants to find his brother but if he does, he risks losing the woman he loves. Because Susie has her own secrets… Who can he trust?


This search begins a chain of events that slowly reveals secrets that should remain buried. Lots of twists and turns made this book a real page turner, I was engrossed from start to the surprise finish. Highly recommend!

Many thanks to the author , and Bloodhound Books for my digital copy.

[Jayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Look over your shoulder and get yourself
a copy of OVER YOUR SHOULDER.

It's a 10-star read that will not disappoint.

This ultra-compelling psychological thriller begins with a bang. A brave man straddles a gunman during a terrorist attack in a London restaurant, saving the lives of scores of restaurant patrons.

When Nick and his wife Susie watch the television coverage of the attack, they realize that the hero who tackled the terrorist was Nick's younger brother Rob.

How could this be possible? Rob died at sea twelve years ago. Rob's body was never found but Nick and his family had a memorial service for Rob. Nick met his wife Susie at Rob's memorial service.

Is Rob really alive? What really happened twelve years ago when Rob allegedly died at sea?

This expertly plotted book was fast-paced, gripping, and unputdownable -- from beginning to end. There was no shortage of intriguing twists, turns, and red herrings. The book's ending was brilliant and unpredictable.

Quite frankly, I lost count of the number of times I gasped throughout the entire book.

I listened to the audiobook and the two narrators did an outstanding job with the narration.

This was my first book by talented author CJ Carver and I look forward to listening to future books by this author.

[8stitches 9lives · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over Your Shoulder is a brilliantly gripping and politicised cross between a spy thriller and family drama with heaps of intrigue and an equally fascinating cast. When Nick Ashdown sees his brother, who has supposedly been deceased for 12 years, on the news portrayed as the hero saviour after a terrorist attack his blood runs cold. He has so many questions as to how this could be happening. Is it Rob's doppelganger or is he really still alive? And if he is alive where has he been all of this time and why would he stop contact with his wife, children and other family members?

This is an original and expertly plotted tale with a story that will captivate and mesmerise even the most finickety crime reader. It has me from the explosive opening and from there onwards it slowly unravels to reveal secrets, lies and skeletons in the closet of the Ashdown family and others. There are ample twists and turns and there is good use of misdirection to throw us off the scent. A shocking, complex and beautifully written thriller and another cracker from the pen of bestseller CJ Carver. Many thanks to Bloodhound Books for an ARC.

[Adele Shea · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want a suspenseful spy/crime novel then look no further than CJ Carvers over your shoulder. 3.5*

[Kira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Over your shoulder is a psychological crime thriller by C.J. Carver involving drugs, spies and a whole lot of secrets making one feel like they really have to look over their shoulder all the time or something might just go very downhill.

It took me some time to really appreciate the storyline ngl and I did consider letting it go at one point but I am glad I decided to stick with it because the climax of this book had me reeling and I must say it is quite embarrasing that I did not see it coming at all.

Nick was an excellent protagonist and although I did find his decision making skills a bit questionable at times, I simply had to remind myself that he was being portrayed as less of a hero and more of a normal human being in a sticky situation.

I thoroughly enjoyed the revelation of the big secret and the author played the readers in quite an intelligent way.

4 stars.

[Engrossed Reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

Over Your Shoulder has very few surprises that are not ludicrous and over the top. With the set up of husband and wife loving each other immensely, it obvious that this bond will be tested to the max. Early doors and we've got a missing presumed dead brother turn up, a wife with secrets and a husband who can't lie to save his life. This jumps start an investigation which is right out of the mind of someone who has never watched a police procedural before. If you have 9 hours idle give this a shot. Absurdity aside, it is an ok read.

If you want to read more of me lambasting this audiobook, head over to the blog Over Your Shoulder Book Review

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[Furciferous Quaintrelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alright I suppose. Lots of far-fetched bits & pieces that the whole plot hung on, annoyingly trite descriptions of characters, an ending you can see coming from just past the halfway point - or maybe I'm just used to reading these rehashed attempts to incite shock & awe. Most annoying was the way the author switched between first person POV for one character and third person POV for another. It's immersion breaking and plays a part in figuring out what's going on with the story. But it passed the time when I wasn't looking for anything difficult or complicated to keep me occupied. It'd be a 2.5 stars out of 10 if I could do that, but as it's not terrible enough for just 2 stars, a 3 out of 5 will have to do.

[Ellie Shepherd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book by this author so didn't know what to expect apart from I loved the blurb. I go through phases reading depending how busy I am. I read 70% in one sitting and finished it the next day. It has been a very, very long time since I inhaled a book in 2 sittings.
The whole story kept me guessing throughout and each time I thought I had guessed what would happen, I was soooo wrong. One word, Brilliant! I need to clear my life diary and play catch up with the other books. Wow!!

[Julie Freemantle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably 4.5 stars. A good read, although seemingly a tad far-fetched in places, but then a book about spies is bound to sound a little unlikely in places! I did guess some of the twists and turns partway through the book, but I don't think you could really work them all out in advance of the reveal.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intoxicating read. With each layer that the reader unfolds, there are more surprises and twists and turns. The plot is phenomenal an absolute roller coaster ride right down until the last page. If you like mystery, intrigue and action - read this book - you won’t be disappointed!

[Samantha Dunk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable page turner

You definitely won’t see the twists and turns coming in this original suspense story. I was impressed by the easy writing style and the careful and complete character development. A very exciting and remarkable book. Highly recommended.

[Barbara Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rounded up

Rates about 3.5. A lot of twisted lies. Question just who is on the right side of the fence, with an ending I wouldn't have expected. Some hard to believe scenes, even over the top scenarios but overall not a bad read.

[Elaine and Tess the Springer. I won’t be on GR for a bit. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I quickly glance over the synopsis because I think it can sometimes give the story away. But for this book, I did see that there was a twist to it and there certainly was.
I loved the book and the twist was such a twist that I couldn't guess.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5-4 still not sure about that ending 🤔

[KIM DALY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would make a great movie - in the right hands.

[Doris Johns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspense

Mesmerized by all the twists and turns and what a surprise ending. One of the best reads in a long time.

[Mary Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A convoluted if enjoyable tale. I would have enjoyed the book more if it had been shorter. Not a bad read.

[Margaret Duke-Wyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nick Ashdown has quite a nice life really. He lives on the coast with all that entails: sailing, local pubs, nice community, nice, comfortable cottage, friends and family and to top it all, a beautiful wife, Suzie who works as something in the Home Office. Suzie is well-off, and has a beautiful apartment in London where she lives during the week. Nick also has a nice, comfortable job – although a bit mundane. The only blot on the landscape is the death of his brother in a boating accident 12 years ago. Nick and Rob were close, but Rob was the exciting one, the winner – Nick just a nice guy.

Imagine Nick’s surprise when watching the news he sees the report of a foiled terrorist attack in a London restaurant – the hero knocking the gunman to the ground and saving the day. None other than Nick. Amidst all the melee the hero disappears. Nick and his family are left puzzled.

What ensues is exciting, explosive and expertly crafted with characters well constructed and believable (well, sometimes you may have to stretch it a bit). The excitement of organised crime, spies, family drama, secrets, lies, twists and turns resulting in …. A thoroughly enjoyable drama leaving me fully satisfied and ready and willing to recommend this book.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nick really misses his brother Rob. 12 years ago Rob drowned in a boating accident although his body was never found. It was at Rob's memorial service that Nick met Susie, now his wife and the love of his life. One evening while watching a news report about a hero who had taken on an attacker in a London restaurant, with a grainy short video taken on someone's phone being shown, Nick and Susie cannot believe their eyes. They are both staring straight at Rob, but how can that be. Rob is dead, isn't he ?
So starts a journey for Nick as he is determined to find his brother but soon he finds himself in real danger as he is approached by criminals who also saw the news report and want to track down Rob. What on earth has Rob been involved in and did he have to disappear?
A fast moving thriller which I enjoyed as an audiobook.

[Kaytee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bouncy easy to read informal writing style and an interesting hook of a missing brother turning up again gave this novel a promising start. However, once we enter international spy and crime ring territory, the story rapidly loses ground. I have zero interest in spies or stretched James Bond style romps, ironically the more fights and kidnappings that were shoehorned in, the duller it became. In fact a domestic psychological thriller around the absentee brother would have been far more relatable and interesting.
DNF.

[Gayle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robert was given a memorial service 12 years ago so his brother Nick is surprised to see him on the evening news. His wife Suzie is the one to spot him! So begins a terrifying voyage of discovery as Nick tries to figure out why Rob disappeared and how he can find him.

A thriller to keep.you on your toes from the very beginning. Told from two viewpoints, the story keeps.up a great pace!

[Sydney-Anne Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to just get this one out of the way, as it was in my pile of CJ carver books to read this year. It was a fun read, but did feel like it was just another version of another one of her books, but just rewritten. Was a bit disappointing to read something and feel like it was just a repeat. Otherwise was an easy read.

[Thomas J McCallister · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was well written with a different and eventually culminating in a convoluted story line. Enjoyed reading and followed the story's evolution to the end. Interesting plot and resulting ending with a few twist and turns I did't see (i'm not good I guess with anticipating story lines). You will enjoy the last paragraph of the book which complements the overall story line. Fun and appropriate.

[Adrienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book, great storyteller

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a rollercoaster. I loved this book. Kept me guessing. Right up to the last few pages. You must read this 🙂🙂

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really cleverly written book with unsurprising reveals throughout. Very descriptive in parts

[aprilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the characters but the story, not so much. I'd read more from the author

[Carla Senior · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars