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The Victim
She’s killed her husband—and now she must convince the police that she is not the villain but the victim . . .
Caron Rivers appeared to have it all. Lovely home. Loving spouse. Happy marriage. But behind closed doors, things were not what they seemed.
Why did Caron snap and kill Bill? Now she finds herself at the police station, facing questions about exactly what happened and what led to the shocking event. With Bill dead, she is free to tell her story. But the police may not believe it, in this gripping novel of emotional and psychological suspense from the author of Abduction and The Accident.
Caron Rivers appeared to have it all. Lovely home. Loving spouse. Happy marriage. But behind closed doors, things were not what they seemed.
Why did Caron snap and kill Bill? Now she finds herself at the police station, facing questions about exactly what happened and what led to the shocking event. With Bill dead, she is free to tell her story. But the police may not believe it, in this gripping novel of emotional and psychological suspense from the author of Abduction and The Accident.
278 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 7, 2021
225 people are currently reading
525 people want to read
About the author
Gillian Jackson
36 books223 followersAuthor of Abduction, Snatched, The Accident, and four more books published by Bloodhound books
Wife to Derek, mother to four and grandmother to nine.
Our lovely rescue dog Liffey completes my family and ensures that I take regular breaks from my desk!
Wife to Derek, mother to four and grandmother to nine.
Our lovely rescue dog Liffey completes my family and ensures that I take regular breaks from my desk!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 151 reviews
May 26, 2022
3.5 stars
Caron stabbed and killed her husband, and claims she was the victim of domestic violence. Was she or wasn't she?
My favorite part of the story was the police investigation. The investigators were well-developed characters and I was just as invested in their lives as I was in Caron's.
The conclusion wasn't a huge surprise but the journey there was interesting enough to hold my attention. I decided to round up from 3.5 stars because I found it well-written with no eye-rolls, even though the book would have been better if the long monologue at the end was eliminated.
Just a quick take as this is a difficult book to review without spoilers. The narrators of the audiobook were excellent.
Caron stabbed and killed her husband, and claims she was the victim of domestic violence. Was she or wasn't she?
My favorite part of the story was the police investigation. The investigators were well-developed characters and I was just as invested in their lives as I was in Caron's.
The conclusion wasn't a huge surprise but the journey there was interesting enough to hold my attention. I decided to round up from 3.5 stars because I found it well-written with no eye-rolls, even though the book would have been better if the long monologue at the end was eliminated.
Just a quick take as this is a difficult book to review without spoilers. The narrators of the audiobook were excellent.
May 12, 2022
Is Caron Rivers a victim or villain? Caron portrays herself as a victim of horrendous domestic abuse with the scars to prove it. Her story is compelling and heart wrenching. Did she murder her husband in self defense, or is something more sinister at play? The tension rises as secrets are revealed. The audiobook is superbly narrated adding a layer of intrigue and suspense. Who is telling the truth in this twisted tale of jealousy, murder and revenge. Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for my audiobook.
May 1, 2022
Who IS "The Victim?"
This is a really well-written and well-narrated suspense audiobook about Caron, a woman who, in the very beginning of the novel, kills her husband. At first blush, it seems like a clear-cut case of self-defense: a woman who kills her husband after years of spousal abuse. But is there something more to Caron Rivers' killing of her spouse? Was she the true victim -- or was her husband?
I was impressed with the depth of discussion of domestic violence, and the well-written police procedural aspect of the mystery. I also liked the layered and deep nature of all the characters, from the police to the killer to the side characters. The only critique I have is that the book took a little too long to get where it was going. It was pretty clear what the initial twist was, and it was laid out very well in the narrative. I also had a good idea what the final twist would be and was excited to get there -- and I wasn't wrong. So that final twist was very fun but I wish it happened a little sooner since a lot of well-placed hints let us anticipate it from early on.
I must add that I really appreciated the fact that though the central question of the book was whether Caron was truly a victim or domestic violence, the book never minimized domestic violence nor made Caron one-dimensional or stereotypical as a lot of suspense novels nowadays do. This is a carefully thought-out and well-executed suspense novel that rewards the reader with carefully placed details and clues and a well-done ending. I'm very interested to read more of Gillian Jackson's books now.
Many thanks to the author and publisher for the advance audiobook copy! I was impressed with this book.
This is a really well-written and well-narrated suspense audiobook about Caron, a woman who, in the very beginning of the novel, kills her husband. At first blush, it seems like a clear-cut case of self-defense: a woman who kills her husband after years of spousal abuse. But is there something more to Caron Rivers' killing of her spouse? Was she the true victim -- or was her husband?
I was impressed with the depth of discussion of domestic violence, and the well-written police procedural aspect of the mystery. I also liked the layered and deep nature of all the characters, from the police to the killer to the side characters. The only critique I have is that the book took a little too long to get where it was going. It was pretty clear what the initial twist was, and it was laid out very well in the narrative. I also had a good idea what the final twist would be and was excited to get there -- and I wasn't wrong. So that final twist was very fun but I wish it happened a little sooner since a lot of well-placed hints let us anticipate it from early on.
I must add that I really appreciated the fact that though the central question of the book was whether Caron was truly a victim or domestic violence, the book never minimized domestic violence nor made Caron one-dimensional or stereotypical as a lot of suspense novels nowadays do. This is a carefully thought-out and well-executed suspense novel that rewards the reader with carefully placed details and clues and a well-done ending. I'm very interested to read more of Gillian Jackson's books now.
Many thanks to the author and publisher for the advance audiobook copy! I was impressed with this book.
December 7, 2021
It’s this point where reading so many books becomes a negative: this book did not offer anything new and I felt it was a plot that had been done too many times. I could see the ending before I was a quarter of the way through the story and carried on reading in the hope that there was a spark, an unexpected twist that would allow this book to stand out from the rest. Unfortunately this did not come and and I left feeling a bit deflated once I had finished it.
So, Caron is the victim of domestic abuse, driven to murdering her husband after many years of violence. Her doctor and counsellor did not foresee Caron reaching her breaking point and the support of Caron’s diary details just how much she went through. This diary only marginally features in the story as the book begins very close to the murder taking place. The majority of the novel details the police investigation as detectives question Caron’s estranged mother and sister, before even visiting the deceased’s place of work. It is only as the detectives gain a better picture of Caron and Bill’s relationship that questions start to be raised about the case.
Part of this story reminded me of Gillian Flynn’s novel, 'Gone Girl' but without the same powerful narrative. I think this book would have been improved if Jackson had shown more insight into Caron’s thought process which would have created a far more sinister atmosphere. After the murder, we become very detached from Caron, only seeing her through the eyes of the detectives as they question her. I thought this was disappointing because I could not get a true sense of her psyche and I wanted to learn more about her reactions to the police investigation. If this narrative had been included, perhaps in an ambiguous voice, this would have added more tension to the story.
Unfortunately, I thought this book was very ‘pedestrian’: too obvious and done too many times before. I was not convinced by Caron from the beginning and think the story would have benefitted from showing more scenes from Caron and Bill’s relationship. This would have given more of a background to the main narrative and I think would have helped to develop Caron’s character further.
In conclusion, I was disappointed by a book that I had hoped would offer plenty of thrills, suspense and atmosphere. It did not surprise me and I thought that some key narrative hooks were missing that would have intensified this story to make it a gripping read.
With thanks to Bloodhound books for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
So, Caron is the victim of domestic abuse, driven to murdering her husband after many years of violence. Her doctor and counsellor did not foresee Caron reaching her breaking point and the support of Caron’s diary details just how much she went through. This diary only marginally features in the story as the book begins very close to the murder taking place. The majority of the novel details the police investigation as detectives question Caron’s estranged mother and sister, before even visiting the deceased’s place of work. It is only as the detectives gain a better picture of Caron and Bill’s relationship that questions start to be raised about the case.
Part of this story reminded me of Gillian Flynn’s novel, 'Gone Girl' but without the same powerful narrative. I think this book would have been improved if Jackson had shown more insight into Caron’s thought process which would have created a far more sinister atmosphere. After the murder, we become very detached from Caron, only seeing her through the eyes of the detectives as they question her. I thought this was disappointing because I could not get a true sense of her psyche and I wanted to learn more about her reactions to the police investigation. If this narrative had been included, perhaps in an ambiguous voice, this would have added more tension to the story.
Unfortunately, I thought this book was very ‘pedestrian’: too obvious and done too many times before. I was not convinced by Caron from the beginning and think the story would have benefitted from showing more scenes from Caron and Bill’s relationship. This would have given more of a background to the main narrative and I think would have helped to develop Caron’s character further.
In conclusion, I was disappointed by a book that I had hoped would offer plenty of thrills, suspense and atmosphere. It did not surprise me and I thought that some key narrative hooks were missing that would have intensified this story to make it a gripping read.
With thanks to Bloodhound books for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 25, 2022
4.5 stars.
Did she or didn't she?
A wealthy widow is accused of murdering her husband in cold blood.
Was the widow an abused wife or was she the abuser?
Did the widow snap after years of abuse? Or was the widow simply after a huge payday?
Although "The Victim" starts off slow, it quickly picks up.
The author's characterizations and insights on domestic abuse were strong and compelling.
What I enjoyed most about the book, however, was the expert police procedurals.
The author did a superb job of taking readers behind the scene of the investigation, showcasing law enforcement's strategy as well as the forensic evidence at the crime scene.
This was my third book by author Gillian Jackson and I am a fan.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did an outstanding job.
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
I look forward to listening to future books by this talented author.
Did she or didn't she?
A wealthy widow is accused of murdering her husband in cold blood.
Was the widow an abused wife or was she the abuser?
Did the widow snap after years of abuse? Or was the widow simply after a huge payday?
Although "The Victim" starts off slow, it quickly picks up.
The author's characterizations and insights on domestic abuse were strong and compelling.
What I enjoyed most about the book, however, was the expert police procedurals.
The author did a superb job of taking readers behind the scene of the investigation, showcasing law enforcement's strategy as well as the forensic evidence at the crime scene.
This was my third book by author Gillian Jackson and I am a fan.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did an outstanding job.
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
I look forward to listening to future books by this talented author.
March 30, 2023
A rather foul dispositioned, ninny of a girl stabs her husband in what she claims is self defense, but neither the police, nor I, bought her little act. It was so great watching them corner her though and finally getting her with something she couldn’t wiggle out of!
Gold digger is going to prison. Satisfying.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 25, 2021
THE VICTIM is a jaw-dropping psychological thriller by Gillian Jackson. This is a gripping novel of emotional and psychological suspense from the author of Abduction and The Accident.
Caron Rivers had it all…her loving older husband Bill was a good provider, she didn’t need to work, and she had a lovely home. What more could a wife ask for? But behind closed doors, things were not what they seemed.
Caron killed her husband—and now she must convince the police that she is not the villain but the victim . . .
Why did Caron stab her husband? Was this an accident?
After Caron stabbed her husband, she frantically dials 999 to report the murder…an action of self-defense. DI Jack Priestly arrives shortly at the scene and Caron provides him with the events that led up to the stabbing.
At the police station, Caron tells her story of exactly what happened and what led to the shocking event. Now her life was going to change drastically.
Caron explained how she suffered from domestic abuse at the hands of her husband. He beat her, but she always made excuses for him and refused to leave him even when her doctor told her that they could get her help. Caron was not allowed to leave the house without him, have no money of her own, cut-off all ties with family and friends and even he chose her clothes.
But do the police believe her?
I had to keep reading this book to find out what happened and why. Not everything is as it seems…
This was a fast-paced well written read the story line was intense and held my attention from beginning to end.
Many thanks to the author and Bloodhound Books for my digital copy.
Caron Rivers had it all…her loving older husband Bill was a good provider, she didn’t need to work, and she had a lovely home. What more could a wife ask for? But behind closed doors, things were not what they seemed.
Caron killed her husband—and now she must convince the police that she is not the villain but the victim . . .
Why did Caron stab her husband? Was this an accident?
After Caron stabbed her husband, she frantically dials 999 to report the murder…an action of self-defense. DI Jack Priestly arrives shortly at the scene and Caron provides him with the events that led up to the stabbing.
At the police station, Caron tells her story of exactly what happened and what led to the shocking event. Now her life was going to change drastically.
Caron explained how she suffered from domestic abuse at the hands of her husband. He beat her, but she always made excuses for him and refused to leave him even when her doctor told her that they could get her help. Caron was not allowed to leave the house without him, have no money of her own, cut-off all ties with family and friends and even he chose her clothes.
But do the police believe her?
I had to keep reading this book to find out what happened and why. Not everything is as it seems…
This was a fast-paced well written read the story line was intense and held my attention from beginning to end.
Many thanks to the author and Bloodhound Books for my digital copy.
May 3, 2022
3.65 ⭐ rounded up
This one starts off with a bang, or rather a stab 🔪🩸
Caron stabs her husband, Bill, and then proceeds to call 999 to confess.
Classic case of domestic violence, or is it?
We follow a few different perspectives:
Caron ~ killed her husband, Bill
Fiona ~ Caron's therapist
Jack ~ lead detective on the case
Liz ~ Caron's sister
I totally had it all (except one bit in court, and that bit didn't really wow me) figured out, however it was still pretty good. I liked all of the supporting characters, especially Jack ~ he was a top notch detective. The police did a stellar job with the case.
This is a new to me author and I'd give her a go again.
I was very happy with the narration done by Hannah Curtis, even the male parts. I was able to listen easily at 2x, so this was a pretty quick listen coming in at 4 hours and 1 minute.
*Thanks to Dreamscape Media LLC, Gillian Jackson and NetGalley for the advance audiobook. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
More reviews here ➡ Heather Adores Books
This one starts off with a bang, or rather a stab 🔪🩸
Caron stabs her husband, Bill, and then proceeds to call 999 to confess.
Classic case of domestic violence, or is it?
We follow a few different perspectives:
Caron ~ killed her husband, Bill
Fiona ~ Caron's therapist
Jack ~ lead detective on the case
Liz ~ Caron's sister
I totally had it all (except one bit in court, and that bit didn't really wow me) figured out, however it was still pretty good. I liked all of the supporting characters, especially Jack ~ he was a top notch detective. The police did a stellar job with the case.
This is a new to me author and I'd give her a go again.
I was very happy with the narration done by Hannah Curtis, even the male parts. I was able to listen easily at 2x, so this was a pretty quick listen coming in at 4 hours and 1 minute.
*Thanks to Dreamscape Media LLC, Gillian Jackson and NetGalley for the advance audiobook. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
More reviews here ➡ Heather Adores Books
May 17, 2022
This was terribly boring. There was no suspense, drama, or intrigue. It was blatantly and painfully obvious what was going to happen/what happened. Boo.
(I could tell they tried to pull inspiration from Gone Girl because there were some glaringly similar plot points but it did not match up in the slightest)
(I could tell they tried to pull inspiration from Gone Girl because there were some glaringly similar plot points but it did not match up in the slightest)
January 16, 2025
The Victim by new to me author Gillian Jackson introduces the reader to Caron Rivers after she has stabbed her husband to death. What follows is a tale of an emotionally damaged woman who tells the authorities of the torture and abuse she suffered at the hands of her husband before she stabbed him in self-defense. Victims of domestic violence may find this story triggering.
The twisty bits of this story come as the investigation begins to uncover more questions as to the validity of Caron’s claims of abuse. As I listened, I felt an increasing sense of anticipation of whether or not she was the victim or the villain. My opinion of her changed just as rapidly as more layers of the story were revealed and more layers of this character’s personality are peeled back.
The story moves at a brisk pace without burying the listener under mountains of details. I really enjoyed the author’s plotting and look forward to more of her work. The narration by Hannah Curtis was expertly performed and gives the reader a clear picture of the nature of the characters in this story.
My Final Verdict: Overall, this was a compelling story that kept me on the edge of my seat. I highly recommend this book to fans of suspense, thriller and mystery genres. Readers who like having twisty details that pull the rug out from under them will also enjoy this one.
Thank you to the publisher, Dreamscape Media, who provided an advance reader copy of this audiobook via NetGalley.
The twisty bits of this story come as the investigation begins to uncover more questions as to the validity of Caron’s claims of abuse. As I listened, I felt an increasing sense of anticipation of whether or not she was the victim or the villain. My opinion of her changed just as rapidly as more layers of the story were revealed and more layers of this character’s personality are peeled back.
The story moves at a brisk pace without burying the listener under mountains of details. I really enjoyed the author’s plotting and look forward to more of her work. The narration by Hannah Curtis was expertly performed and gives the reader a clear picture of the nature of the characters in this story.
My Final Verdict: Overall, this was a compelling story that kept me on the edge of my seat. I highly recommend this book to fans of suspense, thriller and mystery genres. Readers who like having twisty details that pull the rug out from under them will also enjoy this one.
Thank you to the publisher, Dreamscape Media, who provided an advance reader copy of this audiobook via NetGalley.
May 13, 2022
This story started out strong then seemed to lose steam halfway through, but the time the "twist" came I was ready for the story to be over. There was a lot of side character stories and flashback memories that were told that I just didn't care to hear about. Almost like it took away from the main story and make the book unnecessarily longer. The narrator of the audiobook was good.
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the ARC audiobook for my honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the ARC audiobook for my honest review.
May 3, 2022
This starts with Caron killing her husband. We know that for sure. What we must ask ourselves is if she is telling the truth about why.
On the outside, they look like the perfect couple, but according to Caron, behind closed doors he is severely abusive.
She has to convince the police of this. She's finally free to tell her story but they're also free to not believe it.
I thought this was an interesting and nuanced take on domestic violence. It wasn't super original, it's a tale we've read a thousand times but at least they handled that part well.
The narration was pretty good, not great.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher!
On the outside, they look like the perfect couple, but according to Caron, behind closed doors he is severely abusive.
She has to convince the police of this. She's finally free to tell her story but they're also free to not believe it.
I thought this was an interesting and nuanced take on domestic violence. It wasn't super original, it's a tale we've read a thousand times but at least they handled that part well.
The narration was pretty good, not great.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher!
April 27, 2022
Name of Book: The Victim
Author: Gillian Jackson
Publisher: Dreamscape Media LLC
Genre: Psychological Domestic Thriller
Pub Date: May 10, 2022
My Rating: 4+ Stars
Story starts with Caron Rivers calling 999 (our 911)
Her husband Bill has been stabbed and dying on the kitchen floor.
It appears Caron is the one who stabbed him in self by accident?
She is now trying to convince the authorities that she is not the villain but ‘the victim’.
I am a big psychological thriller fan so go into a story . . . .
Expecting twists and turns!
Suspicious of everyone!
The most obvious person didn’t do it!
There will be many secrets!
The Detectives kept this story interesting. I especially liked DI Jack Priestly and his wife Sarah as well sidekick Della. I was sure I was correct with my suspicious but this held my attention as I was anxious to see how they would prove whodunit.
This turned out much better than I expected. Additionally narrator Hannah Curtis does a great job in performing all the characters.
Want to thank NetGalley and Dreamscape for this audio eGalley. This file has been made available to me before publication in an early form for an honest professional review. Publishing Release Date scheduled for May 10, 2022.
Author: Gillian Jackson
Publisher: Dreamscape Media LLC
Genre: Psychological Domestic Thriller
Pub Date: May 10, 2022
My Rating: 4+ Stars
Story starts with Caron Rivers calling 999 (our 911)
Her husband Bill has been stabbed and dying on the kitchen floor.
It appears Caron is the one who stabbed him in self by accident?
She is now trying to convince the authorities that she is not the villain but ‘the victim’.
I am a big psychological thriller fan so go into a story . . . .
Expecting twists and turns!
Suspicious of everyone!
The most obvious person didn’t do it!
There will be many secrets!
The Detectives kept this story interesting. I especially liked DI Jack Priestly and his wife Sarah as well sidekick Della. I was sure I was correct with my suspicious but this held my attention as I was anxious to see how they would prove whodunit.
This turned out much better than I expected. Additionally narrator Hannah Curtis does a great job in performing all the characters.
Want to thank NetGalley and Dreamscape for this audio eGalley. This file has been made available to me before publication in an early form for an honest professional review. Publishing Release Date scheduled for May 10, 2022.
April 26, 2022
**ARC provided by NetGalley for an honest review**
3 out of 5 stars.
The only word I can think of to describe this book is "disappointing." The premise was overused, and the ending was expected from page one. I'm not quite sure where all the five star reviews came from, maybe they simply went into the novel expecting less.
The plot was reminded me of "Gone Girl," highlighting domestic abuse, secrets behind closed doors, diary entries that held details of a nightmare, and a wife that was as trustworthy as she was placid. But while "Gone Girl" came to mind, as it did my fellow reviewers, it wasn't nearly as powerful, shocking, or even interesting. This novel was categorized as a suspense thriller, and yet this felt like a lukewarm mystery with one twist thrown in at the end. While the police force was well-written and fleshed out, I didn't connect to Caron at all and so it made it impossible to feel for her or to even want to root for her side. The book was promising but ever so lacking.
3 out of 5 stars.
The only word I can think of to describe this book is "disappointing." The premise was overused, and the ending was expected from page one. I'm not quite sure where all the five star reviews came from, maybe they simply went into the novel expecting less.
The plot was reminded me of "Gone Girl," highlighting domestic abuse, secrets behind closed doors, diary entries that held details of a nightmare, and a wife that was as trustworthy as she was placid. But while "Gone Girl" came to mind, as it did my fellow reviewers, it wasn't nearly as powerful, shocking, or even interesting. This novel was categorized as a suspense thriller, and yet this felt like a lukewarm mystery with one twist thrown in at the end. While the police force was well-written and fleshed out, I didn't connect to Caron at all and so it made it impossible to feel for her or to even want to root for her side. The book was promising but ever so lacking.
May 10, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to listen to this book early. Unfortunately, it was just okay for me. I've read a version of this book 1000 times. This is about an abused wife who stabs her husband, but was it in self defense or is she a killer? The ending is what you'd guess from page 1 and the amount of time the police spent trying to change this from a manslaughter case to a murder case felt ridiculous. I really don't have a lot to say about this book because it was just that uninteresting. Our main character was dull, the storyline was overdone, there was a requirement for suspension of disbelief and the ending was meh. If you're new to domestic thrillers you may like this one, but if you've read more than 5, I wouldn't waste your time.
SPOILERS AHEAD:
She killed her husband and her dad as a means of getting rid of bad guys who were abusive.
SPOILERS AHEAD:
She killed her husband and her dad as a means of getting rid of bad guys who were abusive.
November 19, 2021
This book hooks you from the start where it opens with Caron Rivers killing her husband. Caron admits to having stabbed her husband Bill but things aren’t as straight forward as they first appear. When the forensic results start to come in, DI Jack Priestly & his team have more to look into than they originally thought.
There is good credible, characterisation throughout & the story is told in different formats eg: from the POV of the detectives, from interviews both with Caron & those who know her & from Caron’s own diary entries. The different perspectives worked well together & highlighted the difficulties in discovering the truth of the case. Even when I knew the way things were going there were still so many ways in which things could feasibly end that I was kept gripped to the finish.
There is so much more I’d love to say about this book but it’s so difficult without letting slip a spoiler so read it & find out for yourself!
* I received an advance copy from Bloodhound books & this review is my own opinion*
There is good credible, characterisation throughout & the story is told in different formats eg: from the POV of the detectives, from interviews both with Caron & those who know her & from Caron’s own diary entries. The different perspectives worked well together & highlighted the difficulties in discovering the truth of the case. Even when I knew the way things were going there were still so many ways in which things could feasibly end that I was kept gripped to the finish.
There is so much more I’d love to say about this book but it’s so difficult without letting slip a spoiler so read it & find out for yourself!
* I received an advance copy from Bloodhound books & this review is my own opinion*
November 16, 2021
What a brilliant book from the open paragraph to the closing paragraph I was hooked the book was so well written it captured you.
The book opens with Caron Rivers watching her husband Bill gasping for breath after she stabbed him, the question is, was this an accident or planned this is the questions asked by DI Jack Priestly and his team. I love the way the book unfolded throughout the investigation and the way the information is disclosed over the 8 days. I don’t want to give to much away but if you love crime novels you will love this one.
The book opens with Caron Rivers watching her husband Bill gasping for breath after she stabbed him, the question is, was this an accident or planned this is the questions asked by DI Jack Priestly and his team. I love the way the book unfolded throughout the investigation and the way the information is disclosed over the 8 days. I don’t want to give to much away but if you love crime novels you will love this one.
October 3, 2023
Honestly, this was simply a waste of time for me.
The plot of this book was so damn predictable that not a soul on this planet who couldn't have guessed what the book was about right from the first chapter.
Moreover, I did not appreciate the author diving hard into the detectives' personal lives in this one as it had no direct or indirect impact on the case at hand and seemed like an unnecessary tactic to simply lengthen the book.
I kept going on with the book hoping that there would be some kind of plot twist or something making it worth my while yet the book went on exactly like predicted and there was no sense of excitement in it for me.I was very disappointed and Caron was not even a strong antagonist at this point. Awful as it was, I feel bad for the poor husband.
1 star.
The plot of this book was so damn predictable that not a soul on this planet who couldn't have guessed what the book was about right from the first chapter.
Moreover, I did not appreciate the author diving hard into the detectives' personal lives in this one as it had no direct or indirect impact on the case at hand and seemed like an unnecessary tactic to simply lengthen the book.
I kept going on with the book hoping that there would be some kind of plot twist or something making it worth my while yet the book went on exactly like predicted and there was no sense of excitement in it for me.I was very disappointed and Caron was not even a strong antagonist at this point. Awful as it was, I feel bad for the poor husband.
1 star.
March 20, 2021
The Victim. by Gillian Jackson.
A very intriguing book that takes you through different ideas of what has happened and who is guilty of what! Carol Jacobs is a younger woman who marries a man who is older in age by a number of years ... what is the secret she is hiding ... and does anyone really know what the secret could be!
A book that will capture your thoughts and make you try to work out the ending of this mystery!
A very intriguing book that takes you through different ideas of what has happened and who is guilty of what! Carol Jacobs is a younger woman who marries a man who is older in age by a number of years ... what is the secret she is hiding ... and does anyone really know what the secret could be!
A book that will capture your thoughts and make you try to work out the ending of this mystery!
January 19, 2022
2.5 stars
Not sure where all the 4 and 5 star reviews came from, but this took me awhile to read because I was quite bored and the storyline was just too overused. I expected more and was left empty-handed.
Not sure where all the 4 and 5 star reviews came from, but this took me awhile to read because I was quite bored and the storyline was just too overused. I expected more and was left empty-handed.
February 8, 2022
Common, predictable,
The book starts off great, you know who the killer is, but what you don’t know is why. The scene is set perfectly, the emotions are raw and feel real when reading about the procedures of what happens after a murder at the crime scene. It is a very good start of a book that’s promised to be a psychological thriller, but after that, it just goes into the predictable story line of ‘was it abuse or was it premeditated?’
I finished the book because of the promise of a twist you would never expect, but unfortunately I saw everything coming. Gillian’s writing is impeccable though, and even though I predicted every twist that happens I would gladly give her another try because she can definitely rope you in with her vivid writing and make you want more from her.
Her husband is dead, was it an accident? Read to find out!
The book starts off great, you know who the killer is, but what you don’t know is why. The scene is set perfectly, the emotions are raw and feel real when reading about the procedures of what happens after a murder at the crime scene. It is a very good start of a book that’s promised to be a psychological thriller, but after that, it just goes into the predictable story line of ‘was it abuse or was it premeditated?’
I finished the book because of the promise of a twist you would never expect, but unfortunately I saw everything coming. Gillian’s writing is impeccable though, and even though I predicted every twist that happens I would gladly give her another try because she can definitely rope you in with her vivid writing and make you want more from her.
Her husband is dead, was it an accident? Read to find out!
May 7, 2022
That was absolutely horrible. It was completely obvious from the very beginning where the story was going and trying to wade through the sludge which was the book was excruciating. I quit at 50% of the way through (I only made it that far because I kept hoping it would get better!) and should have just passed it up all together.
If you want a mind numbing completely obvious excruciatingly awful book, this is the one!
I received A copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
If you want a mind numbing completely obvious excruciatingly awful book, this is the one!
I received A copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
April 21, 2022
This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. Caron Rivers is married to Bill a older very rich man. She frequently visits the doctor with injuries she claims have been inflicted by her violent husband. Then one morning she stabs him in self defence and calls the police to confess. When they start to investigate things don't add up. Did Caron kill her husband in slef defence or was it cold calculated murder?
July 5, 2022
Very predictable.
May 7, 2022
The Victim was a truly enjoyable thriller to listen to. I have not read a thriller with this plot before so it was refreshing to read something new. I will say that I was easily able to predict the ending, as with most thrillers that I read, however, the details provided in the story, specifically those related to the procedural aspect of the investigation, kept my interest through the very end. And there was quite a shocking twist at the end that I did not see coming. I really appreciate that the story was completely wrapped up at the end instead of leaving the reader guessing what will happen or forcing us to make up our own conclusion. I felt the story was truly finished by the end, and I also appreciated the epilogue giving even more details to tie up loose ends and answer questions that I asked myself throughout. Overall, I genuinely enjoyed The Victim and would recommend it to others!
The narrator, Hannah Curtis, was great! The emotions she put into her narration made the story come alive!!
Thank you NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and Gillian Jackson for this advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
The narrator, Hannah Curtis, was great! The emotions she put into her narration made the story come alive!!
Thank you NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and Gillian Jackson for this advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
May 1, 2022
The description of this book caught my attention, but it was not what I expected. It wasn’t that it wasn’t good, it just didn’t necessarily bring anything new to the table. I rounded up from 2.5 stars because the narrator did a good job in the audiobook.
The book starts with Caron’s admission that she has killed her husband. She calls the police herself and tells them what she did. She claims it was in self defense after he had abused her, and from the way things look at first sight, the police seem to think that is the case. But as they delve further into their investigation, things are not what they seem, and Caron has a past that impacts the current situation in a big way.
There’s a lot of police procedures and criminal justice descriptions and there’s a lot of extraneous details that could have been left out and not lost anything.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books and NetGalley for this audiobook arc in exchange for my review.
The book starts with Caron’s admission that she has killed her husband. She calls the police herself and tells them what she did. She claims it was in self defense after he had abused her, and from the way things look at first sight, the police seem to think that is the case. But as they delve further into their investigation, things are not what they seem, and Caron has a past that impacts the current situation in a big way.
There’s a lot of police procedures and criminal justice descriptions and there’s a lot of extraneous details that could have been left out and not lost anything.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books and NetGalley for this audiobook arc in exchange for my review.
May 9, 2022
Enjoyed the mystery and look forward to picking up Jackson again. This is a did she or didn't she murder her husband mystery. Did he abuse her or she him? In either scenario I found the story to be smart.
I liked that the police and doctors were written respectfully. Both professions questioned and followed their educations and experiences when solving the mystery.
There is a courtroom outburst that wrapped up the storyline perfectly. Every character played a part and was deserving of their pages.
Narrator Hannah Curtis did a good job.
I'm going with 3.5 stars and will round up.
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for accepting my request to read and review The Victim.
I liked that the police and doctors were written respectfully. Both professions questioned and followed their educations and experiences when solving the mystery.
There is a courtroom outburst that wrapped up the storyline perfectly. Every character played a part and was deserving of their pages.
Narrator Hannah Curtis did a good job.
I'm going with 3.5 stars and will round up.
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for accepting my request to read and review The Victim.
May 11, 2022
The Victim immediately begins with Caron Rivers stabbing her husband Bill. There is no doubt about it, she killed him. Caron and Bill shared a picture perfect life so it is unimaginable to everyone why Caron would do such a thing.
Once the detective Jack Priestly arrives at her home Caron is very candid about the details that took place. She explains she has been a victim of domestic violence for years. Bill was controlling and abusive and Caron decided to stand up for herself. Jack knows this isn’t such an open and shut case. He begins to dig deeper and discovers no one and nothing is what everyone thinks.
Caron was a hard character for me to relate to. She was lukewarm to say the least. The plot is very predictable. Overall the writing was well done but overly drawn out. It is a quick read if you are looking for a short “thriller.”
Thank you NetGalley for my ARC. The opinions are my own.
Once the detective Jack Priestly arrives at her home Caron is very candid about the details that took place. She explains she has been a victim of domestic violence for years. Bill was controlling and abusive and Caron decided to stand up for herself. Jack knows this isn’t such an open and shut case. He begins to dig deeper and discovers no one and nothing is what everyone thinks.
Caron was a hard character for me to relate to. She was lukewarm to say the least. The plot is very predictable. Overall the writing was well done but overly drawn out. It is a quick read if you are looking for a short “thriller.”
Thank you NetGalley for my ARC. The opinions are my own.
November 24, 2021
It was the description of this book that first caught my attention, it starts with telling us Caron killed Bill so it is not the traditional whodunnit mystery book I was used to and I was intrigued to see how the story would develop.
It is a book where you are told from the start who did what and why, Caron grew up with an abusive father and now it seems she has just killed her abusive husband. With diary entries and visits to Dr’s and counsellors all corroborating her side of things it seems and open and shut case, however with Detective Inspector Jack Priestly and his team assigned to the case they know they have to cover all bases before jumping to any conclusion.
This book was a nice quick read, the characters are well written and the story moves along at a good pace, however I personally did have issues with some of it. It is too descriptive in places, telling us things we do not need to know which detracted from the flow of the book. Also, some of the legal details didn’t make sense and there were police and counselling procedures explained unnecessarily to the point it was almost like reading from a textbook. Even so, it was an interesting read, allowing you to see different sides of a story and although I knew the ending right from the start, the way it developed did keep me interested.
It is a book where you are told from the start who did what and why, Caron grew up with an abusive father and now it seems she has just killed her abusive husband. With diary entries and visits to Dr’s and counsellors all corroborating her side of things it seems and open and shut case, however with Detective Inspector Jack Priestly and his team assigned to the case they know they have to cover all bases before jumping to any conclusion.
This book was a nice quick read, the characters are well written and the story moves along at a good pace, however I personally did have issues with some of it. It is too descriptive in places, telling us things we do not need to know which detracted from the flow of the book. Also, some of the legal details didn’t make sense and there were police and counselling procedures explained unnecessarily to the point it was almost like reading from a textbook. Even so, it was an interesting read, allowing you to see different sides of a story and although I knew the ending right from the start, the way it developed did keep me interested.
April 22, 2022
The Victim
By: Gillian Jackson
We know right off that the main character admitted to killing someone. She called the police and the investigation begins. Was this murder, planned, or self-defense? As character witnesses of the accused are interviewed there are mixed opinions.
🔪 🩸
She claims abuse and the plot is pretty strait forward. From cigarette burns, to bruising, you have to believe her don’t you? You will have to read to see if she committed the murder or if it was someone else!
🔪🩸
Thank you @netgalley, @dreamscapemedia and @jillianjackson for this audiobook. Available now!
#thevictim, #gillianjackson, #dreamscapemedia, #audiobook, #bloodhoundbooks,#dreamscapemedia, #netgalley, #bookreview, #bookstagram, #booksconnectus, #stamperlady50
By: Gillian Jackson
We know right off that the main character admitted to killing someone. She called the police and the investigation begins. Was this murder, planned, or self-defense? As character witnesses of the accused are interviewed there are mixed opinions.
🔪 🩸
She claims abuse and the plot is pretty strait forward. From cigarette burns, to bruising, you have to believe her don’t you? You will have to read to see if she committed the murder or if it was someone else!
🔪🩸
Thank you @netgalley, @dreamscapemedia and @jillianjackson for this audiobook. Available now!
#thevictim, #gillianjackson, #dreamscapemedia, #audiobook, #bloodhoundbooks,#dreamscapemedia, #netgalley, #bookreview, #bookstagram, #booksconnectus, #stamperlady50
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