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Stone Heart Deep
Stone Heart Deep is a compelling and claustrophobic thriller with a remarkable twist, as if Iain Banks had rewritten The Wicker Man .
When burned-out investigative journalist Adam Budd’s estranged mother dies, he inherits her estate. This includes Stone Heart House, a huge, ramshackle mansion on a remote Scottish island. He visits the island to sort out her tangled affairs, and at first it seems like a charming haven of tranquillity. But after he witnesses a strange accident, he begins to develop suspicions about the inhabitants.
Why does everyone seem so eerily calm, even under stress? What is stopping Harriet, the lawyer helping him with his affairs, from leaving the island when she so clearly wants to? Is he making a big mistake by falling for her? And why have so many children gone missing?
When burned-out investigative journalist Adam Budd’s estranged mother dies, he inherits her estate. This includes Stone Heart House, a huge, ramshackle mansion on a remote Scottish island. He visits the island to sort out her tangled affairs, and at first it seems like a charming haven of tranquillity. But after he witnesses a strange accident, he begins to develop suspicions about the inhabitants.
Why does everyone seem so eerily calm, even under stress? What is stopping Harriet, the lawyer helping him with his affairs, from leaving the island when she so clearly wants to? Is he making a big mistake by falling for her? And why have so many children gone missing?
288 pages, Paperback
Published October 1, 2021
7 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
August 12, 2021
First off like always I want to say a huge thank you to Love Book Tours, the author Paul Bassett Davies for the invite to read and review as well as to join in on this blog tour. This is the first book by this author that I've read and I;m so glade that I give him a try , as soon as I started to read it , it started to give me vibes of the old black and white movies, you know the ones where someone ( the main character , goes to an island or small village ) and right away they start noticing something is very wrong with it as well as the people , but they can't put their finger on right it is. And that's what won me over with this book because I love those types of movies, the setting, the dark secrets , the lies, the feeling that you can't trust anyone, and the more you get in to the book the more you just want to turn tail an run but a part of you knows that you can't you have to stay and see what happens next until the very last page. If this was written back in those days of the really good movies , this would be a movie that I would watch over and over . Can't wait to see what happens next in this author's next book.
September 12, 2021
Review time 📝
Adam suddenly finds himself an owner of an epic, albeit rundown, estate in Scotland, named Stone Heart House after his estranged mom passes away and leaves the home to him.
In this small town, everyone knows everybody and everything. Since they are so remote, internet connections are sketchy at best so the residents seem to take up being busybodies and keep tabs on everyone's business.
As Adam begins to get to know everyone, it becomes apparent that something odd is going on. People seem eerily calm and extremely secretive.
I enjoyed this very atmospheric fast paced book. I couldn't wait to find out out what was behind everyone's peculiar behavior. It was very spooky and quite disturbing, a good fall read for sure. Some of the connections between the characters seemed to develop a bit too quickly, and I would have liked to see more development in that area.
Adam suddenly finds himself an owner of an epic, albeit rundown, estate in Scotland, named Stone Heart House after his estranged mom passes away and leaves the home to him.
In this small town, everyone knows everybody and everything. Since they are so remote, internet connections are sketchy at best so the residents seem to take up being busybodies and keep tabs on everyone's business.
As Adam begins to get to know everyone, it becomes apparent that something odd is going on. People seem eerily calm and extremely secretive.
I enjoyed this very atmospheric fast paced book. I couldn't wait to find out out what was behind everyone's peculiar behavior. It was very spooky and quite disturbing, a good fall read for sure. Some of the connections between the characters seemed to develop a bit too quickly, and I would have liked to see more development in that area.
February 7, 2022
With foreign holidays still only slowly returning, how about a remote Scottish island? One with a freezing-cold loch that contains deep secrets, a populace who seem eerily calm and controlled – and a rather strange shortage of children?
If you were brought up on the cult classic The Wicker Man or the page-turning adventures of Robert Louis Stevenson, you might be booking your Airbnb right now.
Or conversely running screaming in the opposite direction.
But if you’re holding a copy of Paul Bassett Davies’ latest thriller Stone Heart Deep buckle your seat-belts and get ready for an exhilarating ride.
Stone Heart Deep
SHD introduces us to investigative reporter Adam Budd. We first meet him secretly filming a sting operation to take down East European traffickers in underage girls. Dangerous, but potentially award-winning.
However, soon the mood changes, as Adam’s award success is interrupted by news that his mother has died. They’d been estranged, but she’s left him a huge, ramshackle mansion – Stone Heart House.
The first catch is that the house stands on the remotest of remote Scottish islands.
The second is that the islanders turn out to be even more suspicious than the traffickers. No sooner has Adam arrived (by the only ferry, across stormy seas) than he’s involved in a car accident that kills one of the locals.
Worse, it seems that everybody – including the island’s policeman – wants him to lie about it.
Before long, it becomes apparent that there are deep undercurrents in the island’s society that could suck him under. The only person who he feels he can trust is a local lawyer, Harriet. But even she is acting strangely.
Classic adventure
If some of these building blocks seem familiar, then it’s certainly the case that Davies draws on elements that many of us will recognise.
Given this, the tight-lipped suspicious islanders and the outsider from south of the Border could easily have been clichés. Instead, Davies manages generally to keep us on our toes.
We are never quite sure what to make of the island’s middle-aged boy-racer of a taxi driver, Ogden; or the actions of the elderly doctor, Druce, who might, or might not, have hastened a death; or indeed the sympathetic but strangely guarded young lawyer, Harriet, who Adam may be falling for.
Having said that, some of the minor characters tend to blur together and I occasionally had to refer back to remind myself who someone was.
It is striking that Davies has Adam narrate his own story in the first person. Nowadays, first person narrators are inevitably unreliable, yet Adam tells his story straight – with no trace of irony. What we hear is what we get.
We learn more about Adam as the story develops, but this means the first half relies more on mood and action than on character development.
The effect is to create an almost retro mood that harks right back to the classic Scottish adventures of Louis Stevenson or Walter Scott.
What is impressive is the way Davies uses this material to create a story that is both gripping and thought-provoking.
Going deep
Furthermore, the novel is about something.
Too often, it seems to me, today’s novels are either serious and unreadable or fun and shallow.
Stone Heart Deep is unafraid to be entertaining and at the same time, appropriately, to go deep. Because, in the heat of the conflict, Davies is exploring an important topical debate between logic and emotion. To ask whether it is better to be swayed by your feelings or to be coldly rational in your thinking.
Meanwhile, the story throws up a number of profound questions about how we bring up our children to cope in this world.
And the answers aren’t easy ones.
This could hardly come at a more important time: a time when we are all being asked to take sides and to decide what we really believe.
New direction
But don’t let me make the book sound like a philosophical treatise. This is a ripping yarn that builds to a nail-biting climax.
Davies has, up till now, been known for his comedy. This new novel takes him in a totally new direction. I hope he doesn’t give up the comedy, but I’m fascinated to see where this new road leads.
If you were brought up on the cult classic The Wicker Man or the page-turning adventures of Robert Louis Stevenson, you might be booking your Airbnb right now.
Or conversely running screaming in the opposite direction.
But if you’re holding a copy of Paul Bassett Davies’ latest thriller Stone Heart Deep buckle your seat-belts and get ready for an exhilarating ride.
Stone Heart Deep
SHD introduces us to investigative reporter Adam Budd. We first meet him secretly filming a sting operation to take down East European traffickers in underage girls. Dangerous, but potentially award-winning.
However, soon the mood changes, as Adam’s award success is interrupted by news that his mother has died. They’d been estranged, but she’s left him a huge, ramshackle mansion – Stone Heart House.
The first catch is that the house stands on the remotest of remote Scottish islands.
The second is that the islanders turn out to be even more suspicious than the traffickers. No sooner has Adam arrived (by the only ferry, across stormy seas) than he’s involved in a car accident that kills one of the locals.
Worse, it seems that everybody – including the island’s policeman – wants him to lie about it.
Before long, it becomes apparent that there are deep undercurrents in the island’s society that could suck him under. The only person who he feels he can trust is a local lawyer, Harriet. But even she is acting strangely.
Classic adventure
If some of these building blocks seem familiar, then it’s certainly the case that Davies draws on elements that many of us will recognise.
Given this, the tight-lipped suspicious islanders and the outsider from south of the Border could easily have been clichés. Instead, Davies manages generally to keep us on our toes.
We are never quite sure what to make of the island’s middle-aged boy-racer of a taxi driver, Ogden; or the actions of the elderly doctor, Druce, who might, or might not, have hastened a death; or indeed the sympathetic but strangely guarded young lawyer, Harriet, who Adam may be falling for.
Having said that, some of the minor characters tend to blur together and I occasionally had to refer back to remind myself who someone was.
It is striking that Davies has Adam narrate his own story in the first person. Nowadays, first person narrators are inevitably unreliable, yet Adam tells his story straight – with no trace of irony. What we hear is what we get.
We learn more about Adam as the story develops, but this means the first half relies more on mood and action than on character development.
The effect is to create an almost retro mood that harks right back to the classic Scottish adventures of Louis Stevenson or Walter Scott.
What is impressive is the way Davies uses this material to create a story that is both gripping and thought-provoking.
Going deep
Furthermore, the novel is about something.
Too often, it seems to me, today’s novels are either serious and unreadable or fun and shallow.
Stone Heart Deep is unafraid to be entertaining and at the same time, appropriately, to go deep. Because, in the heat of the conflict, Davies is exploring an important topical debate between logic and emotion. To ask whether it is better to be swayed by your feelings or to be coldly rational in your thinking.
Meanwhile, the story throws up a number of profound questions about how we bring up our children to cope in this world.
And the answers aren’t easy ones.
This could hardly come at a more important time: a time when we are all being asked to take sides and to decide what we really believe.
New direction
But don’t let me make the book sound like a philosophical treatise. This is a ripping yarn that builds to a nail-biting climax.
Davies has, up till now, been known for his comedy. This new novel takes him in a totally new direction. I hope he doesn’t give up the comedy, but I’m fascinated to see where this new road leads.
September 27, 2021
I loved this book, I was hooked from the start. Full of intriguing and suspense this book was impossible to put down. I was desperate to know what exactly was going on on the island and why the islanders seemed so emotionless.
This book was brilliantly written, drawing the reader in from the get go. It delves deep into the human psyche and emotional responses exploring why humans act as they do. The main character, Adam, is well written and realistic. The way the book ends does make me wonder if there will be a squal to follow.
A brilliant physiological thriller that I would recommend to anyone who is a fan of mysteries.
Thanks to @lovebookstours the author and publisher for my ARC of this book
This book was brilliantly written, drawing the reader in from the get go. It delves deep into the human psyche and emotional responses exploring why humans act as they do. The main character, Adam, is well written and realistic. The way the book ends does make me wonder if there will be a squal to follow.
A brilliant physiological thriller that I would recommend to anyone who is a fan of mysteries.
Thanks to @lovebookstours the author and publisher for my ARC of this book
September 8, 2021
I was totally engrossed in the story of Adam, who finds himself in the unenviable position of an outsider in a close-knit island community. Although I wanted to see Adam get out to safety, I was captivated by what he might discover in the murky depths. This gripping book is disturbing from the start and keeps you guessing throughout the increasingly terrifying plot, I highly recommend.
May 3, 2022
Started intriguingly, then went bad action hero and over extrapolation in the middle. Rallied a little towards the end
September 22, 2021
An exceptionally dark and creepy thriller that never breaks its stride.
You might expect a book that takes place almost entirely within a few square miles of a remote and lightly populated Scottish island to have the sedate pace befitting such surroundings, but far from it. Stone Heart Deep moves like a charging lion from beginning to end, bounding from one development to the next and taking only the briefest pause to gather its legs and thicken the plot before it takes another ferocious leap forward. When it ends, it leaves you rather astonished to discover you've traveled so far so quickly, and can barely see the place where you started anymore.
To even properly assign a genre to this book would be a spoiler, let alone to describe its plot in any detail, so I'm going to tread very lightly here. Our protagonist is Adam Budd, a former soldier and current investigative journalist whose objectively good works—such as carrying out an undercover sting operation to free a teenaged girl from human traffickers, as he's doing when we first meet him—seem focused at least as much on his own self-aggrandizement as they are on making the world a better place. In (very) short order, a family death brings him to the aforementioned island, a one-village backwater where the locals all seem to behave quite strangely. And that's the last word I'm going to say about that, except to assure you that if you think you've already guessed where this is going, you almost certainly haven't.
Those who've read Davies' previous novels will already be familiar with the profound humanist impulse that runs throughout his work. He's genuinely interested in even his minor characters' lives, and he gives them room to speak about their experiences and their tragedies and the things they've learned or failed to learn from them at a length that a ruthless editor might sometimes be tempted to scale back in order to "move the story along." The way he harnesses that impulse in the service of this story—which seemingly never stops moving—and makes it pay off and then pay off again is a remarkable thing to behold.
I should also mention that those who know Davies specifically from his comic novels should steel themselves as they enter here. To the best of my recollection, there's not an overt laugh line in this thing, and if there were one, it would feel incredibly lonely and out of place. This book is dark, and it's creepy, and then things get worse, and at that point you're about halfway to the end.
And if you're wondering, it's equally great, including a depiction of an ingenious murder attempt that managed to remind me of Chinatown and The Lion King at the very same time. There's a thing you're unlikely to experience in too many other books.
If Stone Heart Deep weren't so relentlessly inventive and unexpected, I'd be tempted to spoil a tiny bit more of it just to talk you into reading it, but take my word and read it anyway.
You might expect a book that takes place almost entirely within a few square miles of a remote and lightly populated Scottish island to have the sedate pace befitting such surroundings, but far from it. Stone Heart Deep moves like a charging lion from beginning to end, bounding from one development to the next and taking only the briefest pause to gather its legs and thicken the plot before it takes another ferocious leap forward. When it ends, it leaves you rather astonished to discover you've traveled so far so quickly, and can barely see the place where you started anymore.
To even properly assign a genre to this book would be a spoiler, let alone to describe its plot in any detail, so I'm going to tread very lightly here. Our protagonist is Adam Budd, a former soldier and current investigative journalist whose objectively good works—such as carrying out an undercover sting operation to free a teenaged girl from human traffickers, as he's doing when we first meet him—seem focused at least as much on his own self-aggrandizement as they are on making the world a better place. In (very) short order, a family death brings him to the aforementioned island, a one-village backwater where the locals all seem to behave quite strangely. And that's the last word I'm going to say about that, except to assure you that if you think you've already guessed where this is going, you almost certainly haven't.
Those who've read Davies' previous novels will already be familiar with the profound humanist impulse that runs throughout his work. He's genuinely interested in even his minor characters' lives, and he gives them room to speak about their experiences and their tragedies and the things they've learned or failed to learn from them at a length that a ruthless editor might sometimes be tempted to scale back in order to "move the story along." The way he harnesses that impulse in the service of this story—which seemingly never stops moving—and makes it pay off and then pay off again is a remarkable thing to behold.
I should also mention that those who know Davies specifically from his comic novels should steel themselves as they enter here. To the best of my recollection, there's not an overt laugh line in this thing, and if there were one, it would feel incredibly lonely and out of place. This book is dark, and it's creepy, and then things get worse, and at that point you're about halfway to the end.
And if you're wondering, it's equally great, including a depiction of an ingenious murder attempt that managed to remind me of Chinatown and The Lion King at the very same time. There's a thing you're unlikely to experience in too many other books.
If Stone Heart Deep weren't so relentlessly inventive and unexpected, I'd be tempted to spoil a tiny bit more of it just to talk you into reading it, but take my word and read it anyway.
July 20, 2024
Title: Stone Heart Deep
Author: Paul Bassett Davies
Rating: ★★★★
This thriller is packed with suspense and a remarkable twist that left me gobsmacked.
When burned-out investigative journalist Adam Budd’s estranged mother dies, he inherits her estate, including Stone Heart House, a sprawling, ramshackle mansion on a remote Scottish island. Adam travels to the island to untangle her affairs, initially finding it a charming and tranquil retreat. However, things take a dark turn after he witnesses a bizarre accident, sparking his suspicions about the island’s inhabitants.
Why do the islanders remain eerily calm, even under stress? What’s preventing Harriet, the lawyer assisting him, from leaving the island when she clearly wants to? Is Adam making a mistake by falling for her? And most chillingly, why have so many children gone missing?
Davies masterfully blends psychological tension with a compelling narrative, creating a story that keeps you hooked from start to finish. The setting of the remote Scottish island adds an atmospheric layer of isolation and mystery, enhancing the overall sense of dread.
The psychological aspects of this thriller are particularly fascinating, delving into the eerie calmness of the islanders and the enigmatic behaviour of Harriet. Adam's growing paranoia and fear are palpable, drawing readers deeper into the story.
Stone Heart Deep is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and eerie mysteries. The concept is intriguing and original, ensuring that you’ll be engaged throughout. Loved the psychological side to this—the concept was very interesting and kept me on the edge of my seat!
Thank you to The Publisher Eye Lightening Books & the author Paul Bassett Davies or an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.
Author: Paul Bassett Davies
Rating: ★★★★
This thriller is packed with suspense and a remarkable twist that left me gobsmacked.
When burned-out investigative journalist Adam Budd’s estranged mother dies, he inherits her estate, including Stone Heart House, a sprawling, ramshackle mansion on a remote Scottish island. Adam travels to the island to untangle her affairs, initially finding it a charming and tranquil retreat. However, things take a dark turn after he witnesses a bizarre accident, sparking his suspicions about the island’s inhabitants.
Why do the islanders remain eerily calm, even under stress? What’s preventing Harriet, the lawyer assisting him, from leaving the island when she clearly wants to? Is Adam making a mistake by falling for her? And most chillingly, why have so many children gone missing?
Davies masterfully blends psychological tension with a compelling narrative, creating a story that keeps you hooked from start to finish. The setting of the remote Scottish island adds an atmospheric layer of isolation and mystery, enhancing the overall sense of dread.
The psychological aspects of this thriller are particularly fascinating, delving into the eerie calmness of the islanders and the enigmatic behaviour of Harriet. Adam's growing paranoia and fear are palpable, drawing readers deeper into the story.
Stone Heart Deep is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and eerie mysteries. The concept is intriguing and original, ensuring that you’ll be engaged throughout. Loved the psychological side to this—the concept was very interesting and kept me on the edge of my seat!
Thank you to The Publisher Eye Lightening Books & the author Paul Bassett Davies or an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.
September 6, 2021
Synopsis
When burned-out investigative journalist Adam Budd’s estranged mother dies, he inherits her estate. This includes Stone Heart House, a huge, ramshackle mansion on a remote Scottish island. He visits the island to sort out her tangled affairs, and at first it seems like a charming haven of tranquillity.
But after he witnesses a strange accident, he begins to develop suspicions about the inhabitants. Why does everyone seem so eerily calm, even under stress? What is stopping Harriet, the lawyer helping him with his affairs, from leaving the island when she so clearly wants to? Is he making a big mistake by falling for her? And why have so many children gone missing?
Stone Heart Deep is a compelling and claustrophobic thriller with a remarkable twist, as if Iain Banks had rewritten The Wicker Man.
My Review
I really enjoyed this book and found myself drawn in to the mystery behind the Island and especially Stone Heart House. Why is the doctor so keen to talk to him? Why does the island’s single police officer try to warn Adam not to get close to Harriet’s son Logan.
The chapters with Adam and solicitor Harriet, are initially suggestive and heartwarming, but soon begin to convey the sense of tension for Harriet and Logan as they try to warn Adam of the dangers ahead.
I won’t say any more because this book is too good to ruin. I enjoyed reading Stone Heart Deep and recommend it to anyone who likes a good mystery thriller. I gave this book five stars.
For all my full reviews visit johnsbookshelfsite.wordpress.com
When burned-out investigative journalist Adam Budd’s estranged mother dies, he inherits her estate. This includes Stone Heart House, a huge, ramshackle mansion on a remote Scottish island. He visits the island to sort out her tangled affairs, and at first it seems like a charming haven of tranquillity.
But after he witnesses a strange accident, he begins to develop suspicions about the inhabitants. Why does everyone seem so eerily calm, even under stress? What is stopping Harriet, the lawyer helping him with his affairs, from leaving the island when she so clearly wants to? Is he making a big mistake by falling for her? And why have so many children gone missing?
Stone Heart Deep is a compelling and claustrophobic thriller with a remarkable twist, as if Iain Banks had rewritten The Wicker Man.
My Review
I really enjoyed this book and found myself drawn in to the mystery behind the Island and especially Stone Heart House. Why is the doctor so keen to talk to him? Why does the island’s single police officer try to warn Adam not to get close to Harriet’s son Logan.
The chapters with Adam and solicitor Harriet, are initially suggestive and heartwarming, but soon begin to convey the sense of tension for Harriet and Logan as they try to warn Adam of the dangers ahead.
I won’t say any more because this book is too good to ruin. I enjoyed reading Stone Heart Deep and recommend it to anyone who likes a good mystery thriller. I gave this book five stars.
For all my full reviews visit johnsbookshelfsite.wordpress.com
September 7, 2021
This was a captivating read from start to finish - I devoured it in one sitting. I love stuff like this, locked room mysteries, big house settings and weird islanders. I was enthralled with the setting, I could just imagine this so clearly in my mind.
Adam has inherited a house from his mother on a tiny island just off the coast of Scotland and decides to take an visit to sort out the affairs behind it. He is burnt out from an under cover investigation and decides he needs a break so it’s perfect timing. However, as soon as he reaches the island he is involved in an accident and the reaction of the islanders just seem strange. Very abrupt and aloof! Harriet is the lawyer helping him with the house and it’s obvious she doesn’t want to be on the island but has to stay there. As he gets to know her and her son it becomes clear that there is a high child morality rate and it sets his investigative spidey senses tingling!
I really enjoyed this book and especially the character of Adam. I can totally see this as being a film and for me it had vibes of Hot Fuzz mixed with The Wicker Man. Creepy doctor included - he was a great character. The showdown was full of tension and shocks right to the end. I loved the ‘interrogation’ scenes! I do wish there had been a little bit more exploration of Adam’s mother’s character as it would have been useful background. But that’s me just being nosey.
This was a hugely entertaining book to read! I really recommend it.
Adam has inherited a house from his mother on a tiny island just off the coast of Scotland and decides to take an visit to sort out the affairs behind it. He is burnt out from an under cover investigation and decides he needs a break so it’s perfect timing. However, as soon as he reaches the island he is involved in an accident and the reaction of the islanders just seem strange. Very abrupt and aloof! Harriet is the lawyer helping him with the house and it’s obvious she doesn’t want to be on the island but has to stay there. As he gets to know her and her son it becomes clear that there is a high child morality rate and it sets his investigative spidey senses tingling!
I really enjoyed this book and especially the character of Adam. I can totally see this as being a film and for me it had vibes of Hot Fuzz mixed with The Wicker Man. Creepy doctor included - he was a great character. The showdown was full of tension and shocks right to the end. I loved the ‘interrogation’ scenes! I do wish there had been a little bit more exploration of Adam’s mother’s character as it would have been useful background. But that’s me just being nosey.
This was a hugely entertaining book to read! I really recommend it.
September 9, 2021
#Ad
The story of Stone Heart Deep follows journalist Adam Budd on his visit to a Scottish island where stands the mansion his Mother has left to him in her will. On his arrival he find the island calm and serene, but soon after he becomes highly suspicious of its inhabitants and their strange nature. Adam is determined to unravel the twisted secrets that entangle the island.
This is one of the only books I’ve read with a male protagonist so it felt a little different for me and I really enjoyed the change!
Adam was a likeable, interesting MC with an obvious hero complex. For Adam, being on the island was like being stuck in a frustrating, bad dream- he had so many questions about the strange occurrences he had witnessed but answers weren’t coming easily.
It seemed everyone had something to hide.
The plot was full of suspense and I just HAD to know the reasons behind the strange happenings.
This book was haunting and unpredictable, and when the story began to unravel I was not disappointed!
I got action movie vibes from this book and I’m HERE for that. I genuinely had a little crush on Adam 😅
This is not something I usually would have picked up had it not been presented to me but I’m so glad I got to read a copy. The cover is also great! A very memorable story that I would recommend.
The story of Stone Heart Deep follows journalist Adam Budd on his visit to a Scottish island where stands the mansion his Mother has left to him in her will. On his arrival he find the island calm and serene, but soon after he becomes highly suspicious of its inhabitants and their strange nature. Adam is determined to unravel the twisted secrets that entangle the island.
This is one of the only books I’ve read with a male protagonist so it felt a little different for me and I really enjoyed the change!
Adam was a likeable, interesting MC with an obvious hero complex. For Adam, being on the island was like being stuck in a frustrating, bad dream- he had so many questions about the strange occurrences he had witnessed but answers weren’t coming easily.
It seemed everyone had something to hide.
The plot was full of suspense and I just HAD to know the reasons behind the strange happenings.
This book was haunting and unpredictable, and when the story began to unravel I was not disappointed!
I got action movie vibes from this book and I’m HERE for that. I genuinely had a little crush on Adam 😅
This is not something I usually would have picked up had it not been presented to me but I’m so glad I got to read a copy. The cover is also great! A very memorable story that I would recommend.
September 13, 2021
I wouldn’t normally read this style of book, a mystery thriller, as my tastes are a tad more gruesome but the blurb caught my attention & so, I started to be drawn in.
I loved this book from the very first page; the style of writing ; the language used; it was as if you were there.
Adam Budd is ex-military & currently an investigative journalist. Award winning but rapidly burning out, which is when he finds out that his mother has died. They did not have a close relationship, so he is somewhat surprised to discover that he has inherited a rundown mansion on a Scottish island.
He decides to visit for a few days in order to sort out her affairs & that of the house; undecided if he will keep it or sell up.
On arrival at the island, Adam senses all is not as it seems. The inhabitants know all about him. How? They all seem very detached & emotionless. Why? He seems to be being targeted. By who?
There is a touch of romance, a smattering of humour & some good old mystery. Am I going to reveal anything else? No. Apart from, be prepared to suspend belief at some points.
Leading up to the conclusion is very fast-paced &, in some ways, I felt that the ultimate finale wasn’t strong enough. However, if it means Adam will be in another book, then I’m all for that.
Recommended.
I loved this book from the very first page; the style of writing ; the language used; it was as if you were there.
Adam Budd is ex-military & currently an investigative journalist. Award winning but rapidly burning out, which is when he finds out that his mother has died. They did not have a close relationship, so he is somewhat surprised to discover that he has inherited a rundown mansion on a Scottish island.
He decides to visit for a few days in order to sort out her affairs & that of the house; undecided if he will keep it or sell up.
On arrival at the island, Adam senses all is not as it seems. The inhabitants know all about him. How? They all seem very detached & emotionless. Why? He seems to be being targeted. By who?
There is a touch of romance, a smattering of humour & some good old mystery. Am I going to reveal anything else? No. Apart from, be prepared to suspend belief at some points.
Leading up to the conclusion is very fast-paced &, in some ways, I felt that the ultimate finale wasn’t strong enough. However, if it means Adam will be in another book, then I’m all for that.
Recommended.
September 1, 2021
This had so much to it that I don't even really know where to begin.
Right from the start you are on the wrong foot with what's happening and who all these people are. There are a lot of characters introduced quite quickly but you learn they (mostly) all play a vital role in the ending of the book.
I had no idea what was going on throughout much of the book, much like the main character Adam. There was clearly something afoot but there was no clear idea of what that was.
I really liked Adam and Logan's scenes together, he had a really natural, east rapport with him straightaway.
When you did find out what was going on on the island it was quite creepy and disturbing. There was also a bit if science/psychology talk that I didn't understand with regard to experiments conducted.
The ending felt a little abrupt, I wanted to know what Adam was going to do but I do wonder if this has been left this way in preparation for a sequel.
Really well written, kept me in suspense the whole way through but not really my kind of read unfortunately.
Right from the start you are on the wrong foot with what's happening and who all these people are. There are a lot of characters introduced quite quickly but you learn they (mostly) all play a vital role in the ending of the book.
I had no idea what was going on throughout much of the book, much like the main character Adam. There was clearly something afoot but there was no clear idea of what that was.
I really liked Adam and Logan's scenes together, he had a really natural, east rapport with him straightaway.
When you did find out what was going on on the island it was quite creepy and disturbing. There was also a bit if science/psychology talk that I didn't understand with regard to experiments conducted.
The ending felt a little abrupt, I wanted to know what Adam was going to do but I do wonder if this has been left this way in preparation for a sequel.
Really well written, kept me in suspense the whole way through but not really my kind of read unfortunately.
September 12, 2021
I saw a description of this book as being as if Iain Banks had rewritten the Wicker Man, and that describes this book pretty accurately. It is a thriller with a creepy vibe, and the main character, Adam, is determined to get to the bottom of the strange goings on that are happening on a remote island. A remote island, a small village, odd inhabitants, a spooky house and a mystery to solve, make for a great story. The characters are eccentric, flawed and incredibly interesting and right up to the end I wasn’t quite sure of Harriet’s intentions. I loved Adam’s character and like how the author explored his background that gave an insight into the man he was. Logan was perfect as the bridge between Adam and Harriet and my favourite scenes were those that featured him and Adam together. I really enjoyed this book and read it within a few hours as I could not put it down.
September 29, 2021
This took a turn I was not expecting and I really liked it. The people were definitely creepy on the island, which led to me thinking one thing and it was almost the complete opposite!
It had a gripping story and the pace was spot on, it made me speed through reading it to know what was happening on the island. I really liked Adam and Logan, but wasn't so sure about Harriet.
I do feel like there were a couple of things left unfinished at the end, but it's either a case of "readers choice" or potentially a sequel?
Overall, if you like your mysteries this one is for you. However, I would say this should have some trigger warnings - but I won't put due to big spoilers. Message me if you want to know what they are.
*I received a complimentary copy of the e-book from LoveBooksTours and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
It had a gripping story and the pace was spot on, it made me speed through reading it to know what was happening on the island. I really liked Adam and Logan, but wasn't so sure about Harriet.
I do feel like there were a couple of things left unfinished at the end, but it's either a case of "readers choice" or potentially a sequel?
Overall, if you like your mysteries this one is for you. However, I would say this should have some trigger warnings - but I won't put due to big spoilers. Message me if you want to know what they are.
*I received a complimentary copy of the e-book from LoveBooksTours and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
September 15, 2023
Read in three hours or so over about 36 hours. It's well-paced and I found interruptions irritating. Some aspects and plot devices were signalled or predictable but none bothered me, none being so obvious or....what's the word I'm looking for? The second-guessing preceded the development so directly that it was satisfying rather than irritating, maybe? Plus there were 'aha' moments less foreseeable. For me a good balance of the familiar and the unexpected, and while anyone who has absorbed any recent/notsorecent pop culture (w-man, witcher spring to mind) will recognise one or two ideas, there's originality there. I'll look forward to the film release.
December 21, 2021
I loved it up until the big reveal then it felt too far-fetched!
Davies pulls you in at the beginning and I think that’s why I read the book in a few hours because I was desperate to know how it ended but I must admit to feeling disappointed by the ending!
Davies pulls you in at the beginning and I think that’s why I read the book in a few hours because I was desperate to know how it ended but I must admit to feeling disappointed by the ending!
July 27, 2022
I loved this thriller. It was so atmospheric and eerie, and I had no idea what any of the twists would be, so I found myself surprised and longing for more the whole way through. Oh, and it's really dark too, so if that's your thing, this is easily the book for you!
March 18, 2023
Rounded up from 3.5 - Solid mystery thriller, love the 'cult' idea - a la wicker man - isolated community, something is afoot and nasty actual reality of what's happening. 3.5 because it did feel like it dragged for the middle half but first and final third were great.
January 25, 2025
After a few pages, I was intrigued about where this story was going and was very invested into finding out . The pace kept going faster as the story unfolded. I enjoyed the reading. There’s food for thought in here.
The last sentence… will there be a sequel?
Enjoy!
The last sentence… will there be a sequel?
Enjoy!
August 25, 2021
Review to follow on my book tour spot date
September 30, 2021
Very entertaining and wonderfully written with plenty of surprises to keep the page turning!
November 10, 2021
Was expecting a more dramatic ending but interesting read.
January 13, 2024
Very thin implausible plot, so bad I had to finish the book to see how it would come to a conclusion. Would not recommend.
May 27, 2024
2,5 stars. Good narration but weak plot and lacklustre ending. Feels like a mashup of so many other books/films.
September 16, 2021
I must admit, this book did the thriller genre proud. Creepy, dark and somewhat disturbing, Stone Heart Deep is a novel that had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.
The story follows Adam - a tv journalist who ventures to a remote, Scottish island to sort out the affairs of his recently deceased mother. Little does he know that what awaits him on the island will change his life forever.
I usually find with thriller novels that the story becomes quite repetitive and more often than not it centres around being a classic who dunnit. This book was nothing like that and because of that, I loved it.
The twists and turns in this one were intense. Due to the fact that it was a thriller novel, I expected a twist here and there but when they actually came, they were not at all what I expected! Nothing in this book turned out how I thought it would, not even the ending and for me to be hooked on a thriller straight through to the last page shows that this book was a stroke of genius by the author.
As a lead character, Adam had everything and more. Light-hearted, charismatic and extremely likeable yet deeply haunted by his inner darkness and his past that has shaped him into the person he is today.
As the story goes on, you begin to slowly unravel the layers of Adams personality, with each chapter giving away a little bit more. By the end, I found that the Adam I started off with was not quite the Adam I ended up with and the fact that I couldn’t pin point the exact time these changes took place shows just how deep-set the roots of this story really are.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Stone Heart Deep and I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a good psychological thriller!
Enthralling & unnerving, this one will have you gripped for sure!
The story follows Adam - a tv journalist who ventures to a remote, Scottish island to sort out the affairs of his recently deceased mother. Little does he know that what awaits him on the island will change his life forever.
I usually find with thriller novels that the story becomes quite repetitive and more often than not it centres around being a classic who dunnit. This book was nothing like that and because of that, I loved it.
The twists and turns in this one were intense. Due to the fact that it was a thriller novel, I expected a twist here and there but when they actually came, they were not at all what I expected! Nothing in this book turned out how I thought it would, not even the ending and for me to be hooked on a thriller straight through to the last page shows that this book was a stroke of genius by the author.
As a lead character, Adam had everything and more. Light-hearted, charismatic and extremely likeable yet deeply haunted by his inner darkness and his past that has shaped him into the person he is today.
As the story goes on, you begin to slowly unravel the layers of Adams personality, with each chapter giving away a little bit more. By the end, I found that the Adam I started off with was not quite the Adam I ended up with and the fact that I couldn’t pin point the exact time these changes took place shows just how deep-set the roots of this story really are.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Stone Heart Deep and I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a good psychological thriller!
Enthralling & unnerving, this one will have you gripped for sure!
March 19, 2023
A riveting read by a new author for me. I have to say that I was drawn in from the very start, but the latter part of the book was a tad disappointing.... I just felt that it lost its way somewhat, perhaps it was just me? But overall a good read
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