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Volta
WINNER OF THE VIRGINIA PRIZE FOR FICTION
When Briony Campbell confesses to killing her boyfriend, an apparently straightforward crime soon turns into a baffling mystery.
Haunted by demons from his past, lawyer S.J. Robin is assigned to the case. But as confusion – and the body count – rises, he’s forced to question who is guilty and who is innocent. Can he see justice served and hold on to the woman he loves?
REVIEWS
“Nikki Dudley’s latest novel shows that things are not always as they seem... The twist in the narrative is skilfully done and will keep the reader guessing until the very end.” – Ruth Dugdall, author of Nowhere Girl
OF PREVIOUS
‘Dudley’s indulgence of what the poet Charles Bernstein has called ‘writing centered on its wordness’ gives her poems their depth, their energy, their humour and their resistance of closure.’ – Colin Herd, poet
‘Nikki’s energy rustles behind each line, as she plays with familiar words and makes them at once more explicit and more unknown.’ – skylightrain blog
‘It’s a tale that will keep them wondering, gasping, thinking, smiling, grimacing, rereading. What more can a reader ask for?’ – Mike Lipkin, Noir Journal
AUTHOR NIKKI
Nikki Dudley studied for her BA and MA at Roehampton, University of Surrey. Published work the thriller, Ellipsis, (2010); Her chapbook, exits/origins (2010);poetry collection Hope, Alt, Delete, (2017).One of Nikki’s poems was also featured in The Blackpool Illuminations (2016);poetry collection (2020). -Novel, Volta, winner of the Virginia Prize 2020. -Shortlisted in the London Writers’ Competition in 2003 for poetry. -Won the Promis Prize for poetry in the London Writers’ Competition 2005. -Novel, Ellipsis, shortlisted for the Ideastap Inspires programme in 2014. Nikki is Managing Editor of streetcake magazine, which she started with Trini Decombe in 2008. streetcake publishes an online issue every 2-3 months and in 2019, launched the streetcake experimental writing prize for 18-30 year olds, supported by the Arts Council England.She also runs writing workshops. She grew up in inner city London and attended state school in Camden. Nikki has been in love with words since she wrote short stories in her scrapbook at primary school and discovered what a metaphor was.
When Briony Campbell confesses to killing her boyfriend, an apparently straightforward crime soon turns into a baffling mystery.
Haunted by demons from his past, lawyer S.J. Robin is assigned to the case. But as confusion – and the body count – rises, he’s forced to question who is guilty and who is innocent. Can he see justice served and hold on to the woman he loves?
REVIEWS
“Nikki Dudley’s latest novel shows that things are not always as they seem... The twist in the narrative is skilfully done and will keep the reader guessing until the very end.” – Ruth Dugdall, author of Nowhere Girl
OF PREVIOUS
‘Dudley’s indulgence of what the poet Charles Bernstein has called ‘writing centered on its wordness’ gives her poems their depth, their energy, their humour and their resistance of closure.’ – Colin Herd, poet
‘Nikki’s energy rustles behind each line, as she plays with familiar words and makes them at once more explicit and more unknown.’ – skylightrain blog
‘It’s a tale that will keep them wondering, gasping, thinking, smiling, grimacing, rereading. What more can a reader ask for?’ – Mike Lipkin, Noir Journal
AUTHOR NIKKI
Nikki Dudley studied for her BA and MA at Roehampton, University of Surrey. Published work the thriller, Ellipsis, (2010); Her chapbook, exits/origins (2010);poetry collection Hope, Alt, Delete, (2017).One of Nikki’s poems was also featured in The Blackpool Illuminations (2016);poetry collection (2020). -Novel, Volta, winner of the Virginia Prize 2020. -Shortlisted in the London Writers’ Competition in 2003 for poetry. -Won the Promis Prize for poetry in the London Writers’ Competition 2005. -Novel, Ellipsis, shortlisted for the Ideastap Inspires programme in 2014. Nikki is Managing Editor of streetcake magazine, which she started with Trini Decombe in 2008. streetcake publishes an online issue every 2-3 months and in 2019, launched the streetcake experimental writing prize for 18-30 year olds, supported by the Arts Council England.She also runs writing workshops. She grew up in inner city London and attended state school in Camden. Nikki has been in love with words since she wrote short stories in her scrapbook at primary school and discovered what a metaphor was.
302 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 4, 2021
5 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
About the author
Nikki Dudley
20 books39 followersNikki grew up in London. She has also lived in Madrid and loves to travel.
Her novel, Ellipsis, is published by Sparkling Books. Her novel, Volta, won the Virginia Prize for Fiction 2020 and was published in 2021 by Aurora Metro Books. She has poetry out with Knives, Forks and Spoons Press, Hem Press, Sídhe Press and Broken Sleep Books.
She is Managing Editor of streetcake magazine and works for charities by day.
Her novel, Ellipsis, is published by Sparkling Books. Her novel, Volta, won the Virginia Prize for Fiction 2020 and was published in 2021 by Aurora Metro Books. She has poetry out with Knives, Forks and Spoons Press, Hem Press, Sídhe Press and Broken Sleep Books.
She is Managing Editor of streetcake magazine and works for charities by day.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
January 31, 2022
I found Volta a very intriguing novel, full of twists, turns, and surprises.
Set in London, the story centres on Briony Campbell, who when we first meet is covered in blood, declaring she has just killed her boyfriend and is desperate to see her therapist, Mari. However, Mari’s receptionist calls the police, and Briony has a lot of questions to answer.
One of the detectives on the case is Aris Demetriou, Mari’s brother, who is very protective of his sister. Her defence lawyer, known as SJ (Stanley Jon Robin), appointed for Briony is the best friend of Aris too.
Briony is suffering from memory loss and cannot remember how she came to ‘kill’ her boyfriend Ed. Her backstory is gradually revealed and we discover a childhood trauma that she also has no memory of. Hmm!
Briony’s behaviour becomes more and more deranged as she notices a developing romantic relationship between Mari (her therapist) and SJ (her lawyer).
I found it difficult to get to grips with the character of Briony as she is a thoroughly unlikeable character and a manipulator. I appreciate she is a very damaged person and I wanted to at least feel a little sorry for her, if not actually like her, but I just couldn’t.
The book is well-written and flows smoothly. It makes an interesting read for someone who enjoys psychological drama with so much suspense weaved into the twisted plot.
Set in London, the story centres on Briony Campbell, who when we first meet is covered in blood, declaring she has just killed her boyfriend and is desperate to see her therapist, Mari. However, Mari’s receptionist calls the police, and Briony has a lot of questions to answer.
One of the detectives on the case is Aris Demetriou, Mari’s brother, who is very protective of his sister. Her defence lawyer, known as SJ (Stanley Jon Robin), appointed for Briony is the best friend of Aris too.
Briony is suffering from memory loss and cannot remember how she came to ‘kill’ her boyfriend Ed. Her backstory is gradually revealed and we discover a childhood trauma that she also has no memory of. Hmm!
Briony’s behaviour becomes more and more deranged as she notices a developing romantic relationship between Mari (her therapist) and SJ (her lawyer).
I found it difficult to get to grips with the character of Briony as she is a thoroughly unlikeable character and a manipulator. I appreciate she is a very damaged person and I wanted to at least feel a little sorry for her, if not actually like her, but I just couldn’t.
The book is well-written and flows smoothly. It makes an interesting read for someone who enjoys psychological drama with so much suspense weaved into the twisted plot.
July 8, 2021
In Volta, while the catalyst of the novel is an attempted murder, the story is also about relationships. A solicitor and his client both experienced childhood trauma and the narrative shows how this plays out as adults. The two vie for attention amongst a small cast of strong characters. Their backstories are gradually revealed in this tense, page-turner – well worth reading.
August 1, 2021
The first thing I should say is that I know Nikki, at least as an acquaintance. We went to the same university and have bumped into each other at a couple of events, and I’ve also had some of my poetry published in the magazine that she co-founded, Streetcake. In fact, there’s a quote from her on the back of my poetry collection.
I was supposed to be picking this one up a couple of months back when it was first published as part of the blog tour. With it being a small world and all of that, the tour was being managed by Isabelle Kenyon of Fly on the Wall poetry press, who occasionally sends me books to read. She could have sent me a copy of Volta, but I wanted to buy a copy myself to show Nikki some support.
And so here’s my review, better late than never. The first thing to say is that the genre it’s in, which is a sort of hybrid between crime and contemporary thriller, is a pretty popular one, and so it’s by no means the first book that I’ve read of this ilk, although it does have a relatively unique plot. What’s interesting to me is the way that Nikki dealt with it.
That’s because it’s the characters that shine here, although that’s not to say that the plot isn’t fun. In particular, I enjoyed a lot of the dialogue, mainly because there was plenty of banter that helped to bring the characters to life. It was surprisingly witty for a crime novel, with a deep, dark undercurrent of humour. And a pretty good story to boot, so there’s lots to like.
I was supposed to be picking this one up a couple of months back when it was first published as part of the blog tour. With it being a small world and all of that, the tour was being managed by Isabelle Kenyon of Fly on the Wall poetry press, who occasionally sends me books to read. She could have sent me a copy of Volta, but I wanted to buy a copy myself to show Nikki some support.
And so here’s my review, better late than never. The first thing to say is that the genre it’s in, which is a sort of hybrid between crime and contemporary thriller, is a pretty popular one, and so it’s by no means the first book that I’ve read of this ilk, although it does have a relatively unique plot. What’s interesting to me is the way that Nikki dealt with it.
That’s because it’s the characters that shine here, although that’s not to say that the plot isn’t fun. In particular, I enjoyed a lot of the dialogue, mainly because there was plenty of banter that helped to bring the characters to life. It was surprisingly witty for a crime novel, with a deep, dark undercurrent of humour. And a pretty good story to boot, so there’s lots to like.
March 9, 2023
Now I have to admit that psychological thrillers are not my usual genre. I have read very few. And now I'm wondering why, because this novel grabbed me from the off and didn't let go.
It was well-crafted, well-paced, intriguing, charming and just balanced.
It all felt right. As if it flowed naturally from one different viewpoint to another.
Loved Mari and if I were younger, I'd want her number. Smart, strong and sassy.
SJ was messed up, but with good reason.
And the villain was complex enough to be believable.
I don't usually type my reviews on my phone but I could not wait to post this so do forgive any autocorrect typos.
It was well-crafted, well-paced, intriguing, charming and just balanced.
It all felt right. As if it flowed naturally from one different viewpoint to another.
Loved Mari and if I were younger, I'd want her number. Smart, strong and sassy.
SJ was messed up, but with good reason.
And the villain was complex enough to be believable.
I don't usually type my reviews on my phone but I could not wait to post this so do forgive any autocorrect typos.
December 4, 2021
VOLTA sucked me in right from the start. Briony wakes up, covered in blood, having possibly murdered someone. But she doesn't remember what she did... So begins a journey to untangle just what happened. I particularly enjoyed the relationships between therapist Mari, defence lawyer, SJ, and Mari's police officer brother, Aris, as they worked on Briony's case from different angles. A brilliant thriller that kept me turning the pages.
August 19, 2021
I absolutely loved this gripping thriller, full of twists and turns and fantastically-drawn characters, told from the perspective of three of them. A few days after finishing the book, I feel like Mari, SJ and Briony are real people I know, I have such a vivid picture in my head of all of them, not just how they look but how they are as people. There are so many professions depicted within the book that must have been painstakingly researched by Nikki Dudley, yet they all feel light and natural, never once bogged down by too much unnecessary detail or procedure.
As the story progresses, all their actions, reactions and decisions make sense, because they're so believable and relatable. I can completely see 'Volta' adapted as a series for the 9pm Sunday slot on BBC1!
Looking forward to the next novel!
As the story progresses, all their actions, reactions and decisions make sense, because they're so believable and relatable. I can completely see 'Volta' adapted as a series for the 9pm Sunday slot on BBC1!
Looking forward to the next novel!
May 16, 2021
'Volta' by Nikki Dudley (Aurora Metro Books, May 2021) is a gripping page-turner. The novel is told through three perspectives: Briony - who confesses to killing her boyfriend; Mari - Briony's doctor and the person Briony confesses to; and SJ - the lawyer assigned to Briony's case.
As if the opening set-up isn't enough to whet your appetite, things are about to get a lot more complicated.
The short chapters keep the pace up and I read one third of 'Volta' in a single sitting. This is an extremely clever narrative which - even if you work it out, you'll deny it - will keep you guessing right to the very end.
As if the opening set-up isn't enough to whet your appetite, things are about to get a lot more complicated.
The short chapters keep the pace up and I read one third of 'Volta' in a single sitting. This is an extremely clever narrative which - even if you work it out, you'll deny it - will keep you guessing right to the very end.
June 9, 2021
When Briony Campbell confesses to murdering her boyfriend it all seems pretty straight forward but actually nothing is as it seems and it soon becomes a mystery.
Volta is a psychological thriller told from three different perspectives, Briony the suspected killer, Mari her psychiatrist and the person she confesses too first, and SJ her lawyer.
Nobody is who they seem and from the outside looking in it's difficult to tell who's innocent and who is guilty.
All three characters are haunted by their own personal demons and as the body count begins to rise, its a race against time to see justice served.
I read Volta, A psychological thriller intertwined with romance from front to cover in a day. It literally grips you from the first page and never puts you down. The way Nikki Dudley writes characters is very clever. You can feel a certain way about one of them and then within the next sentence you can feel completely different. SJ is definitely my favourite character and felt great empathy for him as he battles his own past.
The plot moves at a fast pace and its twists and turns are plentiful like a good thriller should be.
I've not read romance like this before in thrillers and whilst I enjoyed it I probably would of preferred less of it, but that's down to personal preference and not being a huge romance lover.
I appreciated the short chapters and its quite easy to sit and read a lot of this book in one sitting. Addictive and compelling I really enjoyed Volta and will be sure to check out other work by Nikki Durley.
Volta is a psychological thriller told from three different perspectives, Briony the suspected killer, Mari her psychiatrist and the person she confesses too first, and SJ her lawyer.
Nobody is who they seem and from the outside looking in it's difficult to tell who's innocent and who is guilty.
All three characters are haunted by their own personal demons and as the body count begins to rise, its a race against time to see justice served.
I read Volta, A psychological thriller intertwined with romance from front to cover in a day. It literally grips you from the first page and never puts you down. The way Nikki Dudley writes characters is very clever. You can feel a certain way about one of them and then within the next sentence you can feel completely different. SJ is definitely my favourite character and felt great empathy for him as he battles his own past.
The plot moves at a fast pace and its twists and turns are plentiful like a good thriller should be.
I've not read romance like this before in thrillers and whilst I enjoyed it I probably would of preferred less of it, but that's down to personal preference and not being a huge romance lover.
I appreciated the short chapters and its quite easy to sit and read a lot of this book in one sitting. Addictive and compelling I really enjoyed Volta and will be sure to check out other work by Nikki Durley.
September 24, 2021
Briony woke up in a pool of blood but she doesn’t remember how she killed her boyfriend or not? She’s seeing a psychologist and only she can help her so she runs to her surgery…. Why doesn’t she remember anything or maybe she is a good actor….
Mari is a therapist and briony is her client. She wanted to help her but appointments with people who had no memory of whether they were killers or not seemed too sick. She is continuously thinking about how someone can forget similar events twice…
SJ Briony’s lawyer nobody knows her real name. He never gets through the trauma of his father killing her mother. After so many years he still wanted to know the truth…
My thoughts:
A contemplating, intriguing, surprisingly twisted thriller. I received the book as an Arc copy from the author and I am highly obliged. The story is so good it will grip you from the beginning and you won’t stop reading till the end. I wanted to read and review it soon after I got the book but due to some family issues I couldn't but I was continuously thinking about the next chapters of the book.
The characterization of the book is very good and every character has some secrets. Every character is defined beautifully. The relationship between Mari and SJ was very interesting. I enjoyed their chemistry. The remaining characters are also very well defined.
I am in love with this book, a very nice thriller with twists and turns. If you are a mystery thriller reader, give this book a read. This book will definitely keep you up late at night but it’s worth it. For me, it’s a 4.5-star read.
Mari is a therapist and briony is her client. She wanted to help her but appointments with people who had no memory of whether they were killers or not seemed too sick. She is continuously thinking about how someone can forget similar events twice…
SJ Briony’s lawyer nobody knows her real name. He never gets through the trauma of his father killing her mother. After so many years he still wanted to know the truth…
My thoughts:
A contemplating, intriguing, surprisingly twisted thriller. I received the book as an Arc copy from the author and I am highly obliged. The story is so good it will grip you from the beginning and you won’t stop reading till the end. I wanted to read and review it soon after I got the book but due to some family issues I couldn't but I was continuously thinking about the next chapters of the book.
The characterization of the book is very good and every character has some secrets. Every character is defined beautifully. The relationship between Mari and SJ was very interesting. I enjoyed their chemistry. The remaining characters are also very well defined.
I am in love with this book, a very nice thriller with twists and turns. If you are a mystery thriller reader, give this book a read. This book will definitely keep you up late at night but it’s worth it. For me, it’s a 4.5-star read.
November 29, 2022
Volta by Nikki Dudley is something of a unique thriller. It’s unique in a sense where you can’t pigeon hole it as a crime thriller or a psychological thriller as it’s much more than that.
The story tells of Briony, who wakes up to find herself covered in her boyfriends blood. His prone body lies still in their bed, When she runs from the crime scene, she sets herself up to become the prime suspect.
This introduces 3 interlinked characters who have a vested interest in Nikki, be that good or bad.
Amongst other things there is story of deep sexual tension playing out. It could called a love story for modern times. There is also a very subtle humour laced throughout the book.
And then there is one more element and my favourite part which is the chapters spoken by SJ. These chapter resonate with Noir. Hints of Raymond Chandler come to mind.
With all that said I found the mix of so many genres a little bit too much, and I really found every character quite hard to like or root for.
BUT the writing is solid, the not particularly nice characters are well drawn and I think Nikki Dudley very likely set out to make them come across how they do. Each character also plays a major part in the book, each with a strong story to tell.
It’s a real suspenseful read, the twists and turns you want are there and it holds enough intrigue to keep you wanting more, it’s good stuff and there is lots to like.
🔥🔥🔥🔥
The story tells of Briony, who wakes up to find herself covered in her boyfriends blood. His prone body lies still in their bed, When she runs from the crime scene, she sets herself up to become the prime suspect.
This introduces 3 interlinked characters who have a vested interest in Nikki, be that good or bad.
Amongst other things there is story of deep sexual tension playing out. It could called a love story for modern times. There is also a very subtle humour laced throughout the book.
And then there is one more element and my favourite part which is the chapters spoken by SJ. These chapter resonate with Noir. Hints of Raymond Chandler come to mind.
With all that said I found the mix of so many genres a little bit too much, and I really found every character quite hard to like or root for.
BUT the writing is solid, the not particularly nice characters are well drawn and I think Nikki Dudley very likely set out to make them come across how they do. Each character also plays a major part in the book, each with a strong story to tell.
It’s a real suspenseful read, the twists and turns you want are there and it holds enough intrigue to keep you wanting more, it’s good stuff and there is lots to like.
🔥🔥🔥🔥
June 10, 2021
My thoughts about Nikki Dudley’s brilliant nail-biting mystery thriller Volta, is just spectacular,what a magnificent suspense and story which leaves you breathless with its powerful characters that is brilliantly written and portrayed. Author Nikki Dudley’s is a talented writer,who writes straight from her heart, which is brilliantly done. Volta not only has some fascinating moments and also it is a love story, it is different from what I’ve read before. The story of Volta begins When Briony Campbell confesses to killing her boyfriend, a straightforward crime of passion soon turns into a baffling mystery. Haunted by demons from his past, lawyer S.J. Robin is assigned to the case. But as confusion – and the body count – rises, he’s forced to question who is guilty and who is innocent. Can he see justice served and hold on to the woman he loves. Nikki Dudley’s Volta is one of those thrillers you won’t be able to put down. Volta is a well written thriller that is highly recommend, that packs some punches with its powerful characters and hard-hitting story. I would like to say thank you to Author Nikki Dudley and Publishers Aurora Metro and book blog tour organizer Isabella for gifting me a Copy of this brilliant book for me to read and review.🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
May 27, 2021
Volta is a compelling page turner, a psychological thriller in which nothing is as it seems and the expectations of the genre are turned on their head. It is also, implausibly, a romance in which damaged characters try to learn to trust themselves and their hearts. Nikki Dudley writes brilliant characters and is a master of puppetry, dangling them before you only to spin them round and reveal a totally different part of them than you've seen before. This is definitely a book to keep you reading into the small hours, desperate to find out what happens next.
June 3, 2021
Gripping from the very first page. I began it just before going on holiday. I often take books away and never open them. Not this one. I finished it within two days. It was so gripping at the end that we couldn’t go out until I’d finished it! The characters are believable and often horrifying. The story twists and turns and I followed. Also very well written. The prose is intelligent and satisfying. This is the best thriller I’ve read this year. I read a lot of thrillers.
February 28, 2022
Set in London, Volta is told through three different perspectives - Briony, who opens the novel covered in blood confessing to having just killed her boyfriend, Mari, Briony’s therapist and SJ, Briony’s defence lawyer. All three characters are damaged in their own way, making this much more than just a run of the mill psychological thriller. Volta had me hooked from the start, the short chapters featuring well drawn if not wholly likeable characters made for a fast paced, gripping read. It will have you guessing until the very end!
January 2, 2023
I read this book in a few days and felt drawn in by the storyline and moreso the characters. You really get to know the individual character personalities and the twists throw you off kilter! A great read!
May 21, 2021
Full of twists and turns, but with a love story for when crimes and grisly murders need some lightness!
May 12, 2022
I interviewed the author about writing crime fiction, you can read it here: https://www.sarahtinsley.com/post/awa...
While I don't often read crime novels, I loved the characters in her book. They were so interesting and relatable and it was great to follow them through the twists of her cleverly-plotted novel.
While I don't often read crime novels, I loved the characters in her book. They were so interesting and relatable and it was great to follow them through the twists of her cleverly-plotted novel.
September 16, 2021
A fantastic psychological thriller that keeps you guessing to the end. With complex, well-drawn characters, this is an enjoyable and engrossing about-turn on the standard whodunnit novel.
February 19, 2022
Excellent Read!!
May 17, 2021
Volta is a dark, suspenseful thriller which hooked me from the first page. Nikki Dudley brings together three compelling characters in the aftermath of a harrowing event. Fans of this genre will love the fast-paced short chapters, interspersed with Dudley's trademark striking imagery. It was so easy to picture this as a film or series; as the past unravels you won't want to stop reading, questioning every turn, right until the end.
March 28, 2022
What a great book!! I thoroughly enjoyed the twists and turns with a little romance thrown in…I can’t recommend it enough
July 19, 2023
A total page turner- couldn’t put this one down. The characters are really well drawn and the suspense builds and builds. Highly recommended!
May 12, 2021
this book was a page-turner. about half-way through i realized i was reading it at breakneck speed. i couldn't put it down. the author has created characters with tragic histories and assembled them together in this novel to cause all kinds of reverberations and echoes that bounce off one another to create a compelling plot. i cared for certain characters while the ones that were supposed to make my spine tingle did so. i'm writing so as not to give anything away.
January 8, 2023
Wow just wow Volta is full of so many surprises, twists and turns. I really liked the main characters tSJ & Mari they were well written and relatable they felt real. The 3rd main character Briony was definitely interesting and different she kept me second guessing my self till the end. I would definitely recommend this book to any one who loves a mystery with a little romance. It was a written written easy read I would love to know more about SJ & Mari. The plot was interesting and a little different I didn’t want to put it down till I had finished it!
July 1, 2023
Fast-paced, twisty, turny, psych thriller I devoured in one sitting! Can't recommend enough!
January 25, 2023
I loved this book! Volta had me completely gripped from the first page. The eerie descriptions of the crime scenes, and the heart that poured out from each character’s troublesome situations was amazing and kept the plot moving in a steady fashion. I found the characters to be perfectly flawed. SJ’s life was riddled with secrets, and it fascinated me that his current case seemed to mirror his own past situation as well as force him to face the demons he’d buried for good. His “will they/won’t they” relationship with Mari was the perfect catalyst to balance the troublesome issues. While Briony was an interesting victim turned burden, she was also a bit frightening to imagine. About a third of the way into the book, I was able to figure out where the plot was heading, and I don't think it was hidden very well on purpose. Maybe that seems a little premature to put all the cards on the table, but the cast made it completely worth finishing the ride.
December 11, 2022
Let's cut to the chase...I really enjoyed this book. It encompasses everything I look for in a crime novel. The characters are well developed but complex and their lives intertwined. The action is fast paced. The intrigue is well planned and executed and will keep readers guessing until the very end. And there was a personal bonus for me, the story mostly takes place in London, where I live, so it makes it even more real.
Nikki Dudley is a very talented author. She plays with words and the narrative expertly which makes the book stand above and beyond many best sellers in my opinion.
I would highly recommend this novel, which I have personally gifted to several of my friends already.
Nikki Dudley is a very talented author. She plays with words and the narrative expertly which makes the book stand above and beyond many best sellers in my opinion.
I would highly recommend this novel, which I have personally gifted to several of my friends already.
January 8, 2022
Great read and lots of twists and turns! Thanks Nikki :)
July 14, 2021
Volta tells the story of lawyer S.J. Robin as he takes on a new client, Briony Campbell, who has confessed to killing her boyfriend. Briony’s case interweaves and raises his own long held demons to the surface as lines blur whilst the initially straightforward case becomes increasingly gnarled.
The story is told from three points of view, S.J., Briony and Mari (Briony’s therapist and S.J.’s love interest), and the author uses an effective method of narration, flipping between the first person (S.J.) and third person (Briony and Mari). This simple switch unconsciously got beneath my skin so that it took me a while to realise what it was that I actually found unsettling with the narrative. It’s a terrific technique for setting up a feeling of disquiet and distrust, particularly regarding the characters of S.J. and Briony. On the surface their childhood traumas draws a parallel and yet this subtle difference in their positioning within the narration of the novel creates a quick, yet lasting impact.
Talking of S.J., he is a fantastic character. Scarred in everyway possible, we’re told from the off that he is dealing (or not, as they case actually is) with something in his past, and as time goes on, the full extent of his trauma is revealed, with the aforementioned parallels drawing him to Briony and her to him, leading to plenty of drama as the novel unfolds.
I really enjoyed Volta. A sophisticated and intriguing read, it delivered everything I was looking for; complex characters alongside an involved and mysterious plot, fractured relationships, a heavy psychological influence and a sprinkling of romance which weaves a rocky, but ultimately hopeful path. I found it to be a wonderfully moreish read, one I could easily get lost in. I loved the concept and it was excellently executed by Nikki. If you enjoy intelligent, accessible writing in the psychological thriller genre, then I highly recommend Volta.
The story is told from three points of view, S.J., Briony and Mari (Briony’s therapist and S.J.’s love interest), and the author uses an effective method of narration, flipping between the first person (S.J.) and third person (Briony and Mari). This simple switch unconsciously got beneath my skin so that it took me a while to realise what it was that I actually found unsettling with the narrative. It’s a terrific technique for setting up a feeling of disquiet and distrust, particularly regarding the characters of S.J. and Briony. On the surface their childhood traumas draws a parallel and yet this subtle difference in their positioning within the narration of the novel creates a quick, yet lasting impact.
Talking of S.J., he is a fantastic character. Scarred in everyway possible, we’re told from the off that he is dealing (or not, as they case actually is) with something in his past, and as time goes on, the full extent of his trauma is revealed, with the aforementioned parallels drawing him to Briony and her to him, leading to plenty of drama as the novel unfolds.
I really enjoyed Volta. A sophisticated and intriguing read, it delivered everything I was looking for; complex characters alongside an involved and mysterious plot, fractured relationships, a heavy psychological influence and a sprinkling of romance which weaves a rocky, but ultimately hopeful path. I found it to be a wonderfully moreish read, one I could easily get lost in. I loved the concept and it was excellently executed by Nikki. If you enjoy intelligent, accessible writing in the psychological thriller genre, then I highly recommend Volta.
September 20, 2024
Briony goes to see her therapist Mari covered in blood thinking she killed her boyfriend. SJ is appointed her lawyer, while his best friend Aris is the detective on the case. She has no recollection of what happened with Ed. Is Briony innocent? A look into Briony’s past seems to shed some light on the question. SJ also has secrets from his past that come to the surface.
The amount of drama and suspense packed into this book was brillant. I was constantly on the edge of my seat wanting to find answers related to Briony and SJ’s pasts. I was a fan of the banter between SJ and Mari mixed into this book.
I highly recommend this book for any thriller fans!
The amount of drama and suspense packed into this book was brillant. I was constantly on the edge of my seat wanting to find answers related to Briony and SJ’s pasts. I was a fan of the banter between SJ and Mari mixed into this book.
I highly recommend this book for any thriller fans!
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