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Jen Shaw #1
On the Edge
Jen Shaw has climbed all her life: daring ascents of sheer rock faces, crumbling buildings, cranes—the riskier the better. Until she went too far. So she’s given it all up now. Honestly, she has.
Yet, when she awakens to find herself drugged and dangling off the local lighthouse during a wild storm less than twenty-four hours after returning to Cornwall from a rehab center, she needs all her skill to battle her way to safety. Once safe, the real challenge begins. Jen must face her troubled past in order to figure out whether something triggered her return to this risky behavior, or if there is a more sinister explanation hidden in her hometown…
Yet, when she awakens to find herself drugged and dangling off the local lighthouse during a wild storm less than twenty-four hours after returning to Cornwall from a rehab center, she needs all her skill to battle her way to safety. Once safe, the real challenge begins. Jen must face her troubled past in order to figure out whether something triggered her return to this risky behavior, or if there is a more sinister explanation hidden in her hometown…
320 pages, Paperback
First published October 26, 2021
39 people are currently reading
3845 people want to read
About the author
Jane Jesmond
10 books52 followersJane Jesmond writes psychological suspense, thrillers and mysteries
Her debut novel, On The Edge, the first in a series featuring dynamic, daredevil protagonist Jen Shaw was a Sunday Times Crime Fiction best book. The second in the series, Cut Adrift, was The Times Thriller Book of the Month and The Sunday Times Crime Book of the Month. Her latest novel, Her, a standalone psychological thriller was published in May 2023 and A Quiet Contagion, a disquieting contemporary mystery, will be published in November 2023.
Although she loves writing (and reading) thrillers and mysteries, her real life is very quiet and unexciting. Dead bodies and danger are not a feature! She lives by the sea in the northwest tip of France with a husband and a cat and enjoys coastal walks and village life.
Stay connected to Jane and receive news about her books and giveaways by signing up for her newsletter - https://jane-jesmond.com/contact/
You can find Jane:
On Twitter - @AuthorJJesmond
On Facebook - www.facebook.com/JaneJesmondAuthor
On Instagram - www.Instagram.com/authorjanejesmond
Her debut novel, On The Edge, the first in a series featuring dynamic, daredevil protagonist Jen Shaw was a Sunday Times Crime Fiction best book. The second in the series, Cut Adrift, was The Times Thriller Book of the Month and The Sunday Times Crime Book of the Month. Her latest novel, Her, a standalone psychological thriller was published in May 2023 and A Quiet Contagion, a disquieting contemporary mystery, will be published in November 2023.
Although she loves writing (and reading) thrillers and mysteries, her real life is very quiet and unexciting. Dead bodies and danger are not a feature! She lives by the sea in the northwest tip of France with a husband and a cat and enjoys coastal walks and village life.
Stay connected to Jane and receive news about her books and giveaways by signing up for her newsletter - https://jane-jesmond.com/contact/
You can find Jane:
On Twitter - @AuthorJJesmond
On Facebook - www.facebook.com/JaneJesmondAuthor
On Instagram - www.Instagram.com/authorjanejesmond
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
September 7, 2021
This is Jane Jesmond's debut, an exciting and thrilling piece of crime fiction set in the dramatic landscape of Cornwall with its abandoned mines and history of smuggling, and recent evidence of the drugs trade and arrival of desperate refugees. Jenifry 'Jen' Shaw is a woman who has lived and breathed free climbing since her early childhood spent running wild with her brother, Kit, at their hippy mother's ancestral home of Tregonna, in the village of Craighston, purchased by their father, a renowned mountaineer and adventurer. This bone deep love of climbing led to her inability to live without the ever growing risks that she embraces with a passion, its the risks that made her feel so vitally alive.
It was virtually inevitable that there would be a price to pay for her dangerous lifestyle, resulting in a friend with life changing injuries and another falling to his death. All of which leads to Jen going off the rails with her drug fuelled partying that is to see her checking into rehab, and promising Kit she will never climb again. She returns to Cornwall after Kit finds himself deeply mired in overwhelming financial debts he is in no position to pay off whilst renovating Tregonna and their mother is refusing to help him. After checking into a local hotel, Jen awakens to find herself hanging precariously off St Matthew's lighthouse on a wild and stormy night, with absolutely no idea or any memories of how she came to be there, had she reverted back to type and fallen prey to drugs and her innate need to climb? However, she soon becomes convinced that someone wants her dead, but is this paranoia or is the danger to her life all too real?
I am not going to lie, I did not really like Jen at first, but Jen grew on me, she is definitely a one off, and observing her coming to terms with herself, her traumatic past and learning to become reconciled to it, and reclaim who she is, turned out to be a utterly riveting reading experience. Initially, I also felt the writing was a tad too dramatic for my tastes, but again I acclimatised to it with great ease. The novel just reeks with oodles of atmosphere, and has a wonderful sense of location, Cornwall is the perfect backdrop to the tense and nail biting action that takes place. This is a marvellous read, and no question, it is the original character of Jen that is at the heart of this engaging and stellar crime debut. Highly recommended. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
It was virtually inevitable that there would be a price to pay for her dangerous lifestyle, resulting in a friend with life changing injuries and another falling to his death. All of which leads to Jen going off the rails with her drug fuelled partying that is to see her checking into rehab, and promising Kit she will never climb again. She returns to Cornwall after Kit finds himself deeply mired in overwhelming financial debts he is in no position to pay off whilst renovating Tregonna and their mother is refusing to help him. After checking into a local hotel, Jen awakens to find herself hanging precariously off St Matthew's lighthouse on a wild and stormy night, with absolutely no idea or any memories of how she came to be there, had she reverted back to type and fallen prey to drugs and her innate need to climb? However, she soon becomes convinced that someone wants her dead, but is this paranoia or is the danger to her life all too real?
I am not going to lie, I did not really like Jen at first, but Jen grew on me, she is definitely a one off, and observing her coming to terms with herself, her traumatic past and learning to become reconciled to it, and reclaim who she is, turned out to be a utterly riveting reading experience. Initially, I also felt the writing was a tad too dramatic for my tastes, but again I acclimatised to it with great ease. The novel just reeks with oodles of atmosphere, and has a wonderful sense of location, Cornwall is the perfect backdrop to the tense and nail biting action that takes place. This is a marvellous read, and no question, it is the original character of Jen that is at the heart of this engaging and stellar crime debut. Highly recommended. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
December 13, 2022
In brief - Tense and twisty - I enjoyed this. 4.5/5
In full
Jen Shaw (Jenifry actually - she's Cornish) is an adrenalin junkie. She would climb almost anything and the harder the challenge the happier she was. Then things went wrong and people got hurt. After promising her brother she wouldn't climb again her life spiralled out of control. When the book starts she's in rehab and put herself in there voluntarily. Then she gets a message from her brother in Cornwall asking for her help. She checks herself out - promising to return - and heads for Cornwall. The start of this intrigued me.
This story follows Jen's time back in Cornwall. She finds that her family has problems. Equally it does seem as though someone has a vendetta against her too. There are twists and turns in this tale and quite a bit of action too. The Cornish setting and the climbing theme added something for me. Pace and tension are a good part of this book too.
I'm from the Westcountry, I've climbed (though not to Jen's level) and at times I've been a risk taker. It felt that this writing came from someone who has some understanding of both climbing and addiction. Jen's demons are vivid and visceral almost. I found her a convincing character. Most of the other characters seemed ok to me too. One or two of them added more to the tale overall.
I do like finding new authors and something a little different. For me this was just that. It was a little different and was very enjoyable. It was one of those books I was always happy to pick up again - it kept me involved and interested. 4.5/5
Just because you feel paranoid doesn't mean that they are not out to get you - but who are "they"...
Note - I received an advance digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair review
In full
Jen Shaw (Jenifry actually - she's Cornish) is an adrenalin junkie. She would climb almost anything and the harder the challenge the happier she was. Then things went wrong and people got hurt. After promising her brother she wouldn't climb again her life spiralled out of control. When the book starts she's in rehab and put herself in there voluntarily. Then she gets a message from her brother in Cornwall asking for her help. She checks herself out - promising to return - and heads for Cornwall. The start of this intrigued me.
This story follows Jen's time back in Cornwall. She finds that her family has problems. Equally it does seem as though someone has a vendetta against her too. There are twists and turns in this tale and quite a bit of action too. The Cornish setting and the climbing theme added something for me. Pace and tension are a good part of this book too.
I'm from the Westcountry, I've climbed (though not to Jen's level) and at times I've been a risk taker. It felt that this writing came from someone who has some understanding of both climbing and addiction. Jen's demons are vivid and visceral almost. I found her a convincing character. Most of the other characters seemed ok to me too. One or two of them added more to the tale overall.
I do like finding new authors and something a little different. For me this was just that. It was a little different and was very enjoyable. It was one of those books I was always happy to pick up again - it kept me involved and interested. 4.5/5
Just because you feel paranoid doesn't mean that they are not out to get you - but who are "they"...
Note - I received an advance digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair review
October 20, 2021
The thriller world has gained a compelling and seriously talented voice. Jane Jesmond's debut, ON THE EDGE is a truly surprising, original, and twisted story that will not only take your breath away but which also does exactly what it announces loud and proud: keep you on the edge of your seat. I couldn’t — and didn’t want to — put it down.
October 28, 2021
This debut novel had me glued to the pages during an extremely hectic week. It drove me crazy that I could not sit down and simply keep reading. On The Edge is a nail-biting tale centred around rock climbing, drug smuggling and human trafficking set in Cornwall. There is not a single dull moment.
A passion for rock climbing and Cornwall dripped off these pages. The author told an intriguing tale while managing to share a lot of passion. If the details about rock climbing is not a personal passion, based on experience then I have to say Jane Jesmond did some amazing research. On top of that, her scenic description of Cornwall made it easy for me to picture this place I have never visited. I fell in love with this area as I turned the pages.
Jen Shaw checks herself into a rehab facility, but the time has come for her to leave. After a climbing accident that left her boyfriend, Grid, seriously injured, Jen promised her brother she will not climb again. But the rush of climbing, and taking risks is what held Jen together. Without the adrenaline rush, she turned to drugs for a fix.
When she receives a cryptic message from Kit asking her to return home, it is the excuse she needs to check herself out of rehab. But what awaits her at home? After a long drive, and no answer from Kit or Sofija, she spent her first night in the local hotel. However, when she wakes up finding herself dangling from a fraying rope over the edge of a lighthouse, with no memory of how she got there, she is faced with a few difficult questions.
Did she relapse and fall back into her drug habit, or is something more sinister at play? Unsure of who to trust, Jen starts digging around to find the truth of what happened that Friday night. But can she survive the truth?
This was one of those books I could not drag myself away from. I was suspicious about everyone, and I did not see the final reveal coming. I was lost in the author’s passion that oozed off every page. I believe there is a second book coming during 2022, I cannot wait to get my hands on it.
Jen Shaw is a magnificent character. I loved her flaws and her passion. The author created a remarkably realistic character and I look forward to the opportunity to spend more time with her.
If you haven’t noticed, I loved this book, and it is easy for me to give this title a five-star rating. The author did a marvellous job telling this story. It was gripping from start to finish with twists and turns that left me suspecting everyone Jen encountered. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a twisty, edge of your seat thriller that is filled with adventure and passion. Be sure to add this title to your TBR – you will not be disappointed.
A passion for rock climbing and Cornwall dripped off these pages. The author told an intriguing tale while managing to share a lot of passion. If the details about rock climbing is not a personal passion, based on experience then I have to say Jane Jesmond did some amazing research. On top of that, her scenic description of Cornwall made it easy for me to picture this place I have never visited. I fell in love with this area as I turned the pages.
Jen Shaw checks herself into a rehab facility, but the time has come for her to leave. After a climbing accident that left her boyfriend, Grid, seriously injured, Jen promised her brother she will not climb again. But the rush of climbing, and taking risks is what held Jen together. Without the adrenaline rush, she turned to drugs for a fix.
When she receives a cryptic message from Kit asking her to return home, it is the excuse she needs to check herself out of rehab. But what awaits her at home? After a long drive, and no answer from Kit or Sofija, she spent her first night in the local hotel. However, when she wakes up finding herself dangling from a fraying rope over the edge of a lighthouse, with no memory of how she got there, she is faced with a few difficult questions.
Did she relapse and fall back into her drug habit, or is something more sinister at play? Unsure of who to trust, Jen starts digging around to find the truth of what happened that Friday night. But can she survive the truth?
This was one of those books I could not drag myself away from. I was suspicious about everyone, and I did not see the final reveal coming. I was lost in the author’s passion that oozed off every page. I believe there is a second book coming during 2022, I cannot wait to get my hands on it.
Jen Shaw is a magnificent character. I loved her flaws and her passion. The author created a remarkably realistic character and I look forward to the opportunity to spend more time with her.
If you haven’t noticed, I loved this book, and it is easy for me to give this title a five-star rating. The author did a marvellous job telling this story. It was gripping from start to finish with twists and turns that left me suspecting everyone Jen encountered. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a twisty, edge of your seat thriller that is filled with adventure and passion. Be sure to add this title to your TBR – you will not be disappointed.
May 17, 2022
This book has very high rating, sadly it did not live up to my expectations. I could not identify with any of the characters. Jen's obsession with dangerous climbing, being an adrenaline junkie, drinking and using drugs...stupid, pointless, meaningless imho, at least the way author has portayed it all.
I disliked how author was constantly telling instead of showing what was happening. This story moved on at quite slow pace, not much seemed happening due to constant telling. I was never on the edge of my seat because building suspense was missing. Watching falling snow seem more interesting and enjoyable, than reading this story.
I disliked how author was constantly telling instead of showing what was happening. This story moved on at quite slow pace, not much seemed happening due to constant telling. I was never on the edge of my seat because building suspense was missing. Watching falling snow seem more interesting and enjoyable, than reading this story.
February 24, 2022
Discover the locations in the novel
The novel might be set in the fictional village of Craighston but it is clearly very firmly anchored in Cornwall. The landscape, wild weather and the incessant rain creates a unique setting for a novel about someone who loves to climb mountains and explore the raw and unforgiving outdoors. Add to that dramatic tension and a dark sense of foreboding ….. Oh and add to that the Cornish folkloric history of smugglers and pirates and you have quite the mix.
This is a debut novel and I am already excited for book two and the rest. I mean, and has create such a unique stage on which her characters perform. Jen is the main character who we meet climbing. She has always loved and explored the outdoors having grown up in a somewhat hippy household. Risk to her is breath and life itself and I was keen to discover just how her childhood has influenced and made her what she is today.
This kind of lifestyle isn’t without its dangers however and Jen has clearly had tragedy in her life. She falls off the rails and uses drugs which is when she states she will never climb again. However, she is compelled to return ‘home’ to help her brother financially and so she checks into a hotel. Next day however, she finds herself hanging off a lighthouse and has no clue how she got there. Have the drugs brought her here? What has happened? Her unstable heath and frame of mind plays its role here very well so you are never sure what is going on in her head. Nor are you sure if what she says is true…
I found both Jen and the novels premise very interesting indeed. A very dramatic opening and then tension doesn’t let up. There’s lots of layers here – just like a layer of rock developed over many years which is apt given the themes of the novel.
A really strong and fresh take on the thriller and the setting and character’s backstory really makes this something else. Recommended. Get this on your TBR pile! This novel needs more people to notice and read it!
November 4, 2021
What a fantastic debut this was!
The first in a new series (which I'm really excited for) about climber Jen Shaw. It was a slow burn beginning, but it fast turned into an unputdownable thrilling, fast paced piece of crime fiction.
Tense, nail biting, full of twists, turns & a well crafted plotline. It kept me on the edge of my seat & guessing all the way through.
Many thanks to Random Things Tours for my tour spot & the publishers for my gifted copy.
𝗜 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮 5 ⭐ 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
The first in a new series (which I'm really excited for) about climber Jen Shaw. It was a slow burn beginning, but it fast turned into an unputdownable thrilling, fast paced piece of crime fiction.
Tense, nail biting, full of twists, turns & a well crafted plotline. It kept me on the edge of my seat & guessing all the way through.
Many thanks to Random Things Tours for my tour spot & the publishers for my gifted copy.
𝗜 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮 5 ⭐ 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
November 8, 2021
As it says on the cover, Jen Shaw loves danger. Even so, hanging off a lighthouse, held only by a fraying rope does sound less than delightful, but to say that she survived beyond chapter two doesn't count as a spoiler because there's plenty more dodgy situations to overcome, not least her embroilment in her eccentric family's problems and the man who rescues her from the rain.
But there's another plus, because while racing through to find out whether, and how, she'll escape, I was also aware of how much I savoured the skill of the writing. Enough for me to know I'll be re-reading this again shortly, and more slowly, to properly appreciate.
I promised myself a re-read, and spent all day yesterday doing just that; unable (thanks to my inability to remember how it ended) to put it down, and held by the many tensions on the way to the ending). Now left satisfied, but craving more.
But there's another plus, because while racing through to find out whether, and how, she'll escape, I was also aware of how much I savoured the skill of the writing. Enough for me to know I'll be re-reading this again shortly, and more slowly, to properly appreciate.
I promised myself a re-read, and spent all day yesterday doing just that; unable (thanks to my inability to remember how it ended) to put it down, and held by the many tensions on the way to the ending). Now left satisfied, but craving more.
October 28, 2021
Escaping rehab in London, Jen returns to her childhood home in Cornwall, only to plunge into danger.
Why has her brother summoned her? What is her hippy, dippy mother really up to? Which of her old friends can she trust? And what of strangers? The first rain-soaked meeting with the elusive Nick Crawford is wonderfully intense. But who is he? And why is he lying?
A knotty, gritty, mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Buckle up (or clip on) and enjoy the ride.
Why has her brother summoned her? What is her hippy, dippy mother really up to? Which of her old friends can she trust? And what of strangers? The first rain-soaked meeting with the elusive Nick Crawford is wonderfully intense. But who is he? And why is he lying?
A knotty, gritty, mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Buckle up (or clip on) and enjoy the ride.
October 31, 2021
All of my reviews can be found at https://damppebbles.com/
Jenifry Shaw lives for climbing. It’s in her blood and something she’s been doing for as long as she can remember. There were no limits in Jen’s mind, often undertaking dangerous climbs just for the buzz it gave her. Until the accident. The accident changed everything and instead of climbing, Jen turned to recreational drugs for the same high. But the drugs are behind her now. She’s checked out of rehab and is on her way home to a small Cornish village to answer her brother’s call for help. But on her first night in Craighston, she regains consciousness, precariously hanging from the edge of the lighthouse with no memory of what happened to get her there. Jen has to face facts. She’s either back to her old habits, or someone from her past has just tried to kill her…
On the Edge is the most beautifully atmospheric novel I have read in a long time. I was swept away by the author’s vivid descriptions of the dark and stormy Cornish landscape, as tension built and Jen stumbled her way to the truth. Jen is a terrific character and I was pleased to see that this is the first book in a series. If you’re a fan of the unreliable narrator then Jen is your woman! Parts of her past are patchy due to her drug use, she’s never sure if she can trust herself and she questions everything. Her unreliability made for a suspenseful read which this reader thoroughly enjoyed.
The mystery at the heart of the book is an intriguing one and I was with Jen every step of the way as she considered the options and questioned her friends and family’s motives. The enigmatic new arrival in town, who Jen unquestionably has chemistry with, adds another thread for her to unpick as she tries to discover what happened to her that dark and stormy night. Can Jen trust him? Can Jen trust anyone? I found myself suspicious of most of the characters at one time or another, which is testament to the author’s wonderful, suspense-laden writing.
Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. On the Edge is a very impressive debut and I’m looking forward to picking up Jen Shaw’s next literary adventure as soon as it’s available. The attention to detail and the research that has gone into this book is clear to the reader from the outset. From what I can gather, the author isn’t a climber but you would never guess that from the precise knowledge she displays of the sport (I should add that I’m also NOT a climber and get a little dizzy on the upper deck of a double decker bus!). It’s not just the technical stuff though. It’s the way the feel of the rock is described, along with the smell and a myriad of other sensations which cumulate to give Jen the high she so desperately craves. A very well thought out tale with an unexpected darker edge which I appreciated. All in all, a thoroughly tense and enjoyable book which transported me to the atmospheric Cornish moors. Recommended.
Jenifry Shaw lives for climbing. It’s in her blood and something she’s been doing for as long as she can remember. There were no limits in Jen’s mind, often undertaking dangerous climbs just for the buzz it gave her. Until the accident. The accident changed everything and instead of climbing, Jen turned to recreational drugs for the same high. But the drugs are behind her now. She’s checked out of rehab and is on her way home to a small Cornish village to answer her brother’s call for help. But on her first night in Craighston, she regains consciousness, precariously hanging from the edge of the lighthouse with no memory of what happened to get her there. Jen has to face facts. She’s either back to her old habits, or someone from her past has just tried to kill her…
On the Edge is the most beautifully atmospheric novel I have read in a long time. I was swept away by the author’s vivid descriptions of the dark and stormy Cornish landscape, as tension built and Jen stumbled her way to the truth. Jen is a terrific character and I was pleased to see that this is the first book in a series. If you’re a fan of the unreliable narrator then Jen is your woman! Parts of her past are patchy due to her drug use, she’s never sure if she can trust herself and she questions everything. Her unreliability made for a suspenseful read which this reader thoroughly enjoyed.
The mystery at the heart of the book is an intriguing one and I was with Jen every step of the way as she considered the options and questioned her friends and family’s motives. The enigmatic new arrival in town, who Jen unquestionably has chemistry with, adds another thread for her to unpick as she tries to discover what happened to her that dark and stormy night. Can Jen trust him? Can Jen trust anyone? I found myself suspicious of most of the characters at one time or another, which is testament to the author’s wonderful, suspense-laden writing.
Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. On the Edge is a very impressive debut and I’m looking forward to picking up Jen Shaw’s next literary adventure as soon as it’s available. The attention to detail and the research that has gone into this book is clear to the reader from the outset. From what I can gather, the author isn’t a climber but you would never guess that from the precise knowledge she displays of the sport (I should add that I’m also NOT a climber and get a little dizzy on the upper deck of a double decker bus!). It’s not just the technical stuff though. It’s the way the feel of the rock is described, along with the smell and a myriad of other sensations which cumulate to give Jen the high she so desperately craves. A very well thought out tale with an unexpected darker edge which I appreciated. All in all, a thoroughly tense and enjoyable book which transported me to the atmospheric Cornish moors. Recommended.
April 9, 2022
ARC provided by NetGalley which I am very tardy in reviewing (sorry!) BUT I went and bought the audio book too.
I started reading this last year and through no fault of the book, I had to put it down. Partly this was due to having less reading time, partly to having assigned reading which had to take priority and partly because all through Covid, all my brain would really accept was Urban Fantasy and non fiction.
So that's why I'm shamefully late getting to this book. But even then, with all those mental barriers preventing me getting into it, I was struck by the prose and style, and certainly the sense of place.
Anyway, I was finally ready for a thriller again a few days ago and I launched myself in. I basically consumed the audio book in two listenings because I couldn't put it down. Normally audio books - even great ones with excellent narrators (and Emma Powell is brilliant) take me a lot longer than physically reading, but I just had to know what happened.
This is a different sort of thriller, featuring a damaged but resilient MC who is complete in herself. Jen is something of an unreliable or at least inadequate narrator in her own life to start with, because she cannot entirely trust herself or her version of events. A natural thrill seeker who has difficulty setting boundaries both for herself and with her friends and family, Jen is recovering - both from a terrible accident, from getting herself trapped in certain patterns of mind and from what she did to quiet those insidious little voices. An SOS from her estranged brother sends her back to her family home in Cornwall. There the threads of family drama, mystery, suspense, local history and a threat against her life, ensure Jen is in the thick of it through dangerous climbs to car chases.
(Can I just say that I really enjoyed that section but having driven in Cornwall a fair bit, the thought of that kind of driving was genuinely hair raising!)
So many thrillers I've read leave me feeling cheated on the inner story or emotional journey front. I need more than just action to keep me going. There was no such disappointment here. Jesmond delivers plenty of 'heroine's journey' style inner story, and then keeps delivering - gorgeous and familiar setting, details about the landscape and history (and what the locals think of it), character development with very believable and interesting characters and finally a very satisfying conclusion.
I also enjoyed the climbing references. It's been a long time (a very long time) since I used to cliff climb but I remember that very specific high which you don't get from anything else. If you are a climber, I imagine you'll recognise it too - it's not much of a leap to identify with Jen when she believes she's lost that.
This was excellent. Easily one of the best thrillers I have ever read. Highly recommend.
I started reading this last year and through no fault of the book, I had to put it down. Partly this was due to having less reading time, partly to having assigned reading which had to take priority and partly because all through Covid, all my brain would really accept was Urban Fantasy and non fiction.
So that's why I'm shamefully late getting to this book. But even then, with all those mental barriers preventing me getting into it, I was struck by the prose and style, and certainly the sense of place.
Anyway, I was finally ready for a thriller again a few days ago and I launched myself in. I basically consumed the audio book in two listenings because I couldn't put it down. Normally audio books - even great ones with excellent narrators (and Emma Powell is brilliant) take me a lot longer than physically reading, but I just had to know what happened.
This is a different sort of thriller, featuring a damaged but resilient MC who is complete in herself. Jen is something of an unreliable or at least inadequate narrator in her own life to start with, because she cannot entirely trust herself or her version of events. A natural thrill seeker who has difficulty setting boundaries both for herself and with her friends and family, Jen is recovering - both from a terrible accident, from getting herself trapped in certain patterns of mind and from what she did to quiet those insidious little voices. An SOS from her estranged brother sends her back to her family home in Cornwall. There the threads of family drama, mystery, suspense, local history and a threat against her life, ensure Jen is in the thick of it through dangerous climbs to car chases.
(Can I just say that I really enjoyed that section but having driven in Cornwall a fair bit, the thought of that kind of driving was genuinely hair raising!)
So many thrillers I've read leave me feeling cheated on the inner story or emotional journey front. I need more than just action to keep me going. There was no such disappointment here. Jesmond delivers plenty of 'heroine's journey' style inner story, and then keeps delivering - gorgeous and familiar setting, details about the landscape and history (and what the locals think of it), character development with very believable and interesting characters and finally a very satisfying conclusion.
I also enjoyed the climbing references. It's been a long time (a very long time) since I used to cliff climb but I remember that very specific high which you don't get from anything else. If you are a climber, I imagine you'll recognise it too - it's not much of a leap to identify with Jen when she believes she's lost that.
This was excellent. Easily one of the best thrillers I have ever read. Highly recommend.
November 26, 2022
Here's a fast-paced thriller about a daredevil of a woman who returns home to Cornwall and suddenly finds herself caught up in something dangerous that may or may not be connected to dark things from her past. It was a quick, exciting read, and I could definitely be persuaded to read the next book in the Jen Shaw series.
February 1, 2022
Edge of the seat stuff all the way - with a tense, mysterious opening that builds to a terrifying action-packed finale.
March 6, 2022
Thrillers aren't usually my thing, but this was well written and addressed pertinent topic material in today's times that I appreciated. I was most impressed by the carefully crafted sentences and thoughtful lexical choice. Great first book debut by the author, I'm looking forward to the next one !
November 20, 2022
Brilliant, loved the setting and the mystery. So many plot twists I didn’t see coming. The character was unique and a change from the usual thrillers.
June 27, 2022
On the Edge by Jane Jesmond is the first book in the promising Jen Shaw series and what a great start this was. I ended up reading it all in one sitting I loved it especially as Jane is a new author as well. I am looking forward to her next book and more from her. What an excellent start of a promising author. I loved it.
Big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC in return for an honest review
Big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC in return for an honest review
June 24, 2023
This is my first read of a novel by Jane Jesmond, however, I had seen On The edge several times across social media so I was pretty sure that it would be a good read.
Set in the wonderful County of Cornwall (incidentally, where my ancestors come from, they were tin miners around Redruth) this is a great debut novel and written with a pure love of the Cornish countryside and Cornish history.
We meet our heroine Jen Shaw checking herself out of rehab after 8 weeks and returning to her childhood home of Tregonna, after turning on her phone and receiving a message of help from her bother Kit. Well from that point on On The Edge will have you …on the edge lol! It’s a blooming great rollercoaster ride from Jen being drugged and finding herself dangling from a lighthouse to people smugglers, family dynamics and corrupt people in power… I loved On The Edge because it kept me invested with each page, Jen Shaw is a force to be reckoned with. She starts investigating how she managed to be in her hotel room one minute and next she is hanging off a lighthouse, only to be saved by her excellent climbing skills, and in doing so she opens a hornet’s nest of events that threatens to get her killed!
You can tell from Jane Jesmond’s writing that she loves Cornwall and has spent long enough living there to understand its people and how the tourist trade works, On The Edge, is written like a love story to Cornwall and the marvellous Tregonna, Jen Shaw’s family home has a huge role to play in the plot. I loved all the characters in On the Edge, I thought all were well-observed and well-written, and Jane Jesmond has created a great family dynamic, that I’m sure will be explored in further books.
The plot builds like a magnificent crescendo into a gripping ending and I was satisfied to finish it knowing that the bad people would be punished!
You know by now that I don’t give too much away when reviewing books, but if you like crime fiction with a strong female lead, written with a poetic love of the Cornish countryside, then you will want to read On The Edge.
I will give On The edge a 4-star rating, and I’m straight into reading book 2, Cut Adrift as I’m on the blog tour, look out for my post later in February.
Set in the wonderful County of Cornwall (incidentally, where my ancestors come from, they were tin miners around Redruth) this is a great debut novel and written with a pure love of the Cornish countryside and Cornish history.
We meet our heroine Jen Shaw checking herself out of rehab after 8 weeks and returning to her childhood home of Tregonna, after turning on her phone and receiving a message of help from her bother Kit. Well from that point on On The Edge will have you …on the edge lol! It’s a blooming great rollercoaster ride from Jen being drugged and finding herself dangling from a lighthouse to people smugglers, family dynamics and corrupt people in power… I loved On The Edge because it kept me invested with each page, Jen Shaw is a force to be reckoned with. She starts investigating how she managed to be in her hotel room one minute and next she is hanging off a lighthouse, only to be saved by her excellent climbing skills, and in doing so she opens a hornet’s nest of events that threatens to get her killed!
You can tell from Jane Jesmond’s writing that she loves Cornwall and has spent long enough living there to understand its people and how the tourist trade works, On The Edge, is written like a love story to Cornwall and the marvellous Tregonna, Jen Shaw’s family home has a huge role to play in the plot. I loved all the characters in On the Edge, I thought all were well-observed and well-written, and Jane Jesmond has created a great family dynamic, that I’m sure will be explored in further books.
The plot builds like a magnificent crescendo into a gripping ending and I was satisfied to finish it knowing that the bad people would be punished!
You know by now that I don’t give too much away when reviewing books, but if you like crime fiction with a strong female lead, written with a poetic love of the Cornish countryside, then you will want to read On The Edge.
I will give On The edge a 4-star rating, and I’m straight into reading book 2, Cut Adrift as I’m on the blog tour, look out for my post later in February.
October 27, 2021
This was a debut novel and honestly I couldn't put it down. It was a page turner for sure.
Jen is a adrenaline junkie and climbing is her drug. The more dangerous the better. But then the accident happened and she turned to recreational drugs to achieve the high of climbing.
It's set in Cornwall, and Jesmond does an excellent job of putting you right there. The description of the sea and the cliffs are awesome.
I honestly feel the first three quarters of the book are a little long winded, but the last quarter literally flies by. That part is fast paced. Cornwall is a smugglers haven. This book is a mix of family drama and smuggling. I feel the author could have written two books here because both were quite complicated. They were also compelling each in their own right.
As you are aware you tend to remember the end more than the beginning. The end is definitely a page turner but you have to go through the forest to get there. I enjoyed the read but there is room for improvement. I gave it 4 stars because I enjoyed the end.
Jen is a adrenaline junkie and climbing is her drug. The more dangerous the better. But then the accident happened and she turned to recreational drugs to achieve the high of climbing.
It's set in Cornwall, and Jesmond does an excellent job of putting you right there. The description of the sea and the cliffs are awesome.
I honestly feel the first three quarters of the book are a little long winded, but the last quarter literally flies by. That part is fast paced. Cornwall is a smugglers haven. This book is a mix of family drama and smuggling. I feel the author could have written two books here because both were quite complicated. They were also compelling each in their own right.
As you are aware you tend to remember the end more than the beginning. The end is definitely a page turner but you have to go through the forest to get there. I enjoyed the read but there is room for improvement. I gave it 4 stars because I enjoyed the end.
October 19, 2021
On the edge is a complex story of danger and betrayal. Jenifry has been in rehab trying to come to terms with her demons when she gets a call from her brother asking her to return home to Cornwall.
While there Jen’s life is out at risk and she can’t remember anything about how it happened.
The first two thirds of the book is a bit long winded and appears somewhat overly complicated as various suspects appear out of the woodwork. The last third is gripping and much faster paced.
I wasn’t quite sure that the mix of family drama and smuggling was quite right. I think either could have been a brilliant read in themselves but together it made for a complicated read.
A good read but room for improvement.
While there Jen’s life is out at risk and she can’t remember anything about how it happened.
The first two thirds of the book is a bit long winded and appears somewhat overly complicated as various suspects appear out of the woodwork. The last third is gripping and much faster paced.
I wasn’t quite sure that the mix of family drama and smuggling was quite right. I think either could have been a brilliant read in themselves but together it made for a complicated read.
A good read but room for improvement.
October 27, 2021
On The Edge tells the story of Jen Shaw, an avid climber until a devastating accident, and now a recovering drug addict. She returns home to Cornwall following a plea for help from family, only to find herself drugged and hanging from a lighthouse. The story follows her journey as she tries to piece her memory together and work out whether she had climbed the lighthouse herself, or whether there was something more sinister at play.
The first few chapters really gripped me and I quickly became invested in the characters and the story. Unfortunately, I felt that this dwindled off in the middle a bit, and I found myself much less interested. Jen wasn't an overly likeable character so I didn't particularly find myself rooting for her. However, the final third of the book completely redeemed itself and I raced through it. The various strands of story started to join together, gaps were filled in and there were so many twists and turns, I just couldn't get through it quick enough.
The book is set in Cornwall, an area of the UK that is close to my heart, and the scene setting was wonderful; I love reading about that part of the world. The story ended up being so much deeper than I had initially thought and I found myself really enjoying this extra layer.
Overall, a really enjoyable read with a little dip in the middle, but a very strong finish!
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC in return for an honest review.
The first few chapters really gripped me and I quickly became invested in the characters and the story. Unfortunately, I felt that this dwindled off in the middle a bit, and I found myself much less interested. Jen wasn't an overly likeable character so I didn't particularly find myself rooting for her. However, the final third of the book completely redeemed itself and I raced through it. The various strands of story started to join together, gaps were filled in and there were so many twists and turns, I just couldn't get through it quick enough.
The book is set in Cornwall, an area of the UK that is close to my heart, and the scene setting was wonderful; I love reading about that part of the world. The story ended up being so much deeper than I had initially thought and I found myself really enjoying this extra layer.
Overall, a really enjoyable read with a little dip in the middle, but a very strong finish!
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC in return for an honest review.
January 19, 2022
Jen Shaw was hooked on climbing, the more dangerous the better until one dare-devil stunt resulted in serious injury for someone she cared for. From climbing she got her highs on drugs until she eventually went to rehab. When her brother begs her to come to the family home in Cornwall for a family emergency she signs herself out, drives down to Cornwall & books into accommodation close to home. How then does she find herself dangling off the side of a lighthouse? Jen seems to have a talent for getting into scrapes but usually she knows roughly how she got into them! Jen's search for answers takes the reader on an atmospheric ride with red herrings & clues a plenty.
This was an enjoyable read. The author captures Cornwall very well & keeps the reader guessing. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.
This was an enjoyable read. The author captures Cornwall very well & keeps the reader guessing. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.
January 31, 2022
On the edge by Jane Jesmond.
A Jen Shaw Mystery Book 1.
Jen Shaw has climbed all her life: daring ascents of sheer rock faces, crumbling buildings, cranes - the riskier the better. Both her work and personal life revolved around climbing, and the adrenaline high it gave her. Until she went too far and hurt the people she cares about. So she's given it all up now. Honestly, she has. And she's checked herself into a rehab centre to prove it. Yet, when Jen awakens to find herself drugged and dangling off the local lighthouse during a wild storm less than twenty-four hours after a 'family emergency' takes her home to Cornwall, she needs all her skill to battle her way to safety.
A good read with some good characters.
I liked the story. I'mlookingforwardtothenextbook. 4*.
A Jen Shaw Mystery Book 1.
Jen Shaw has climbed all her life: daring ascents of sheer rock faces, crumbling buildings, cranes - the riskier the better. Both her work and personal life revolved around climbing, and the adrenaline high it gave her. Until she went too far and hurt the people she cares about. So she's given it all up now. Honestly, she has. And she's checked herself into a rehab centre to prove it. Yet, when Jen awakens to find herself drugged and dangling off the local lighthouse during a wild storm less than twenty-four hours after a 'family emergency' takes her home to Cornwall, she needs all her skill to battle her way to safety.
A good read with some good characters.
I liked the story. I'mlookingforwardtothenextbook. 4*.
May 16, 2022
Kindly passed to me by my Mum, this was not really my kind of thing, alas. The story concerns a young woman returning to Cornwall and getting mixed up in all kinds of family drama, uncomfortable demons from her past, and very obvious threats to her present.
I didn't warm to the central protagonist, former climber, problems with drugs, irresponsible, getting involved in all kinds of complicated stuff whilst vacillating between damsel in distress and superheroine with (oh what a surprise) her 'mentioned every other page' ability to free climb helping her escape the bad guys. Several of the supporting characters were unconvincing and/or irritating, and I felt the first three quarters got so bogged down in back story (lots of tell, not much show) that I had lost interest by the time the (unconvincing) action picked up in the final quarter.
So not my sort of thriller - but I appreciate I'm in the minority, judging by the supportive reviews here.
I didn't warm to the central protagonist, former climber, problems with drugs, irresponsible, getting involved in all kinds of complicated stuff whilst vacillating between damsel in distress and superheroine with (oh what a surprise) her 'mentioned every other page' ability to free climb helping her escape the bad guys. Several of the supporting characters were unconvincing and/or irritating, and I felt the first three quarters got so bogged down in back story (lots of tell, not much show) that I had lost interest by the time the (unconvincing) action picked up in the final quarter.
So not my sort of thriller - but I appreciate I'm in the minority, judging by the supportive reviews here.
November 25, 2021
Jen debut novel is full of thrills and suspense am exciting crime novel. Set in cronwall drug smuggling human trafficking there was not a dull moments in this story. You can tell the attention and research effort put in by the author for this book. Once I started reading I couldn't put it down.
March 7, 2022
I really enjoyed Jane Jesmond's debut novel "On The Edge". It is a fast paced story that keeps you interested to the end. Her character, Jen Shaw's occupation of climber was certainly original and was the main thread of the story. Half way through the novel I had my suspicions of "whodunnit" but there were many more twists and turns that I hadn't anticipated. I look forward to the next episode in the life of Jen Shaw.
March 7, 2023
This pacy thriller introduces a tough female climber with psychological depth and includes plenty of plot twists to the end. A great read.
October 28, 2021
I can't believe that this one is a debut. It is so well written, with such a complicated and twisted plot and original characters that I fell in love with it from the very first page!
Coastal cliffs, desolate lighthouse, and the past that is not forgotten and forgiven - all of these created a great story to discover.
I like the plot, I like the atmosphere (the first chapter gives me a thrill!), I like people BUT I hate the ending. Why? Cause I have some visions, perfect ideas but the author decided to complicate (too much) the final and did a super complicated case with so many puzzles that I felt overwhelmed. C'mon, I just wanted to know who did all of these not why, why not, and what are the reasons for that. It was too much.
Coastal cliffs, desolate lighthouse, and the past that is not forgotten and forgiven - all of these created a great story to discover.
I like the plot, I like the atmosphere (the first chapter gives me a thrill!), I like people BUT I hate the ending. Why? Cause I have some visions, perfect ideas but the author decided to complicate (too much) the final and did a super complicated case with so many puzzles that I felt overwhelmed. C'mon, I just wanted to know who did all of these not why, why not, and what are the reasons for that. It was too much.
March 17, 2022
An exciting tale that kept me guessing until the end. While reading, there were several times I asked myself, "Where is this going?" Jenifry Shaw's adventure in her hometown of Cornwall is intense and laden with atmospheric detail. Jen always enjoyed danger, but after a climbing accident, she went down a dark path. Jen returns home where family dynamics, suspicion, and old and new friends make way for her to move through loss and find purpose along the way.
I found this story to be fast-paced at times and other times a bit slow but necessary. Each chapter brought more elements to the mystery that was unfolding. I truly enjoyed this story, but climbing without ropes will never be on my bucket list.
I found this story to be fast-paced at times and other times a bit slow but necessary. Each chapter brought more elements to the mystery that was unfolding. I truly enjoyed this story, but climbing without ropes will never be on my bucket list.
October 19, 2021
Synopsis
Jen and her brother seemingly had an idyllic childhood in a large dysfunctional house in Cornwall. Their mother all new age mysticism and at one with the earth; Pa a celebrated mountaineer only at home to plan his next expedition away.
As adults they drift away to London. Kit forms a business to provide specialist rigging service to film and TV. He excels at planning and Jen has the courage and skills to tackle the difficult climes. The business is a success, and all is going well until two incidents change everything.
Jen is an adrenalin junkie and gets her kicks free climbing, particularly in an urban setting. Whilst climbing a tower in poor condition one of her friends falls after his hold crumbles away and she faces the dilemma of cutting the rope and saving three of them or all four going over. She cuts the rope and condemns her friend to life changing injuries. Kit begs her to stop climbing which she reluctantly does. She then spirals into a life of hedonistic parties and cocaine.
Their mother takes the ostrich approach to fiscal responsibility by ignoring it, but as the bills mount to an unsustainable level, she calls on Kit for help. He sells the business and moves his wife and child to Cornwall to try and resolve the finances and keep the house. He has plans to convert the house into a holistic care and conference centre, but these plans drain the finances as well to the level that everything will implode, and an enforced sale will take place.
Jen realises that she cannot continue as she recently has and checks into rehab. She is making great progress but then gets a desperate call to help kit out.
Returning to Cornwall stirs up memories and rekindles friendships, but Jen realises all is not as it once was. On the first evening she comes too in a storm handing from the lighthouse by a cord with no recollection of how she got there. Was someone trying to kill her? She soon realises that she has stumbled into something, but she doesn’t know what, only that someone wants her dead.
Jen can’t trust anyone; she even suspects her family or friends as she faces up to some home truths.
To get to safety she is going to need all her skills and ingenuity
My thoughts
Cornwall is a great setting for fiction, a rugged coastline, an unforgiving sea, and stark moorland, all very atmospheric. Add to the mix a lighthouse, a mine and some smuggling and the writer has a lot to work with and in this case the author has used them all and thrown in a red Aston Martin for a bit of glamour.
Although Jane Jesmond is not a native of Cornwall her affection for the county shines through.
This is a tale of the individual facing up to their past mistakes and finding a kind of redemption through doing what they are best at rather than hiding away or finding oblivion through drink or drugs. Jen has been selfish and foolish but cannot put right all her mistakes and wrongs, something she must come to terms with it order to be able to move on in her life. She also needs to find some kind of focus and do the things she’s good at which bring her joy, but to do so in a way that doesn’t hurt others.
The story is told in first person by Jen and her drug past allows for doubts to creep in particularly at the start of the story when it is not clear if she has relapsed. The style is unfussy, and the plot unfolds in a straightforward way albeit with a whodunnit element to keep the reader guessing. A good approach for a first novel to take.
The introduction of the mine I thought was going to be a distraction but later in the book it dovetails with the smuggling aspect. The author makes it clear her moral stance on the subject but without it being preachy and derailing the action. The action scenes were good, and the climbing aspects not overused but still remaining essential; there is no need to be a climbing enthusiast toe enjoy it. I thought the dialogue was a little weak at some of the confrontations, but this is a minor point.
There are some interesting characters but most of the characterisation is of Jen, which is understandable as this is the first of a planned series. Its going to be interesting to see how the series develops and hopefully there will be some recurring characters as it progresses.
An entertaining read with plenty of incident and a strong female lead.
I was allowed access to a pdf review copy on Net Galley. Thanks to the author and publisher for organising this.
Jen and her brother seemingly had an idyllic childhood in a large dysfunctional house in Cornwall. Their mother all new age mysticism and at one with the earth; Pa a celebrated mountaineer only at home to plan his next expedition away.
As adults they drift away to London. Kit forms a business to provide specialist rigging service to film and TV. He excels at planning and Jen has the courage and skills to tackle the difficult climes. The business is a success, and all is going well until two incidents change everything.
Jen is an adrenalin junkie and gets her kicks free climbing, particularly in an urban setting. Whilst climbing a tower in poor condition one of her friends falls after his hold crumbles away and she faces the dilemma of cutting the rope and saving three of them or all four going over. She cuts the rope and condemns her friend to life changing injuries. Kit begs her to stop climbing which she reluctantly does. She then spirals into a life of hedonistic parties and cocaine.
Their mother takes the ostrich approach to fiscal responsibility by ignoring it, but as the bills mount to an unsustainable level, she calls on Kit for help. He sells the business and moves his wife and child to Cornwall to try and resolve the finances and keep the house. He has plans to convert the house into a holistic care and conference centre, but these plans drain the finances as well to the level that everything will implode, and an enforced sale will take place.
Jen realises that she cannot continue as she recently has and checks into rehab. She is making great progress but then gets a desperate call to help kit out.
Returning to Cornwall stirs up memories and rekindles friendships, but Jen realises all is not as it once was. On the first evening she comes too in a storm handing from the lighthouse by a cord with no recollection of how she got there. Was someone trying to kill her? She soon realises that she has stumbled into something, but she doesn’t know what, only that someone wants her dead.
Jen can’t trust anyone; she even suspects her family or friends as she faces up to some home truths.
To get to safety she is going to need all her skills and ingenuity
My thoughts
Cornwall is a great setting for fiction, a rugged coastline, an unforgiving sea, and stark moorland, all very atmospheric. Add to the mix a lighthouse, a mine and some smuggling and the writer has a lot to work with and in this case the author has used them all and thrown in a red Aston Martin for a bit of glamour.
Although Jane Jesmond is not a native of Cornwall her affection for the county shines through.
This is a tale of the individual facing up to their past mistakes and finding a kind of redemption through doing what they are best at rather than hiding away or finding oblivion through drink or drugs. Jen has been selfish and foolish but cannot put right all her mistakes and wrongs, something she must come to terms with it order to be able to move on in her life. She also needs to find some kind of focus and do the things she’s good at which bring her joy, but to do so in a way that doesn’t hurt others.
The story is told in first person by Jen and her drug past allows for doubts to creep in particularly at the start of the story when it is not clear if she has relapsed. The style is unfussy, and the plot unfolds in a straightforward way albeit with a whodunnit element to keep the reader guessing. A good approach for a first novel to take.
The introduction of the mine I thought was going to be a distraction but later in the book it dovetails with the smuggling aspect. The author makes it clear her moral stance on the subject but without it being preachy and derailing the action. The action scenes were good, and the climbing aspects not overused but still remaining essential; there is no need to be a climbing enthusiast toe enjoy it. I thought the dialogue was a little weak at some of the confrontations, but this is a minor point.
There are some interesting characters but most of the characterisation is of Jen, which is understandable as this is the first of a planned series. Its going to be interesting to see how the series develops and hopefully there will be some recurring characters as it progresses.
An entertaining read with plenty of incident and a strong female lead.
I was allowed access to a pdf review copy on Net Galley. Thanks to the author and publisher for organising this.
August 24, 2023
A slow burn thriller that keeps you guessing until the end, while touching on important issues like mental health, addiction and asylum seekers.
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