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The Choice
The Husband.
The Lawyer.
The Detective.
The Journalist.
The Murderer.
You are the jury.
When Jane Bell uncovered that her next door neighbour planned to blow up their local primary school, she tried to get the police to listen to her. When they chose to do nothing, she took matters into her own hands.
Jane Bell saved the children. She is a hero. She stopped a terrorist attack. She murdered a man. Jane Bell committed a crime, and no matter what her reasons are surely she must face the legal repercussions of her actions.
Now several people follow Jane’s case, each with their own thoughts on what happened. Is Jane the hero or the villain? It’s up to you to decide.
The Lawyer.
The Detective.
The Journalist.
The Murderer.
You are the jury.
When Jane Bell uncovered that her next door neighbour planned to blow up their local primary school, she tried to get the police to listen to her. When they chose to do nothing, she took matters into her own hands.
Jane Bell saved the children. She is a hero. She stopped a terrorist attack. She murdered a man. Jane Bell committed a crime, and no matter what her reasons are surely she must face the legal repercussions of her actions.
Now several people follow Jane’s case, each with their own thoughts on what happened. Is Jane the hero or the villain? It’s up to you to decide.
384 pages, Paperback
First published March 3, 2022
52 people are currently reading
431 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
April 2, 2022
unfinished-there is no ending!
I hate books where there is no definite ending. Hence the low score, the book was fantastic don’t get me wrong, but after spending all that time reading and being dragged into the story I needed to know the verdict. And there was none, almost like they could t be bothered to put an ending or the verdict. I feel like I have wasted all that time reading to be left with no ending! Such a let down to what had been until then a great book
I hate books where there is no definite ending. Hence the low score, the book was fantastic don’t get me wrong, but after spending all that time reading and being dragged into the story I needed to know the verdict. And there was none, almost like they could t be bothered to put an ending or the verdict. I feel like I have wasted all that time reading to be left with no ending! Such a let down to what had been until then a great book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 17, 2022
What would I have done? For me that’s an easy question and I would have done the same as Jane in her situation. She had already exhausted the option of going to the police who didn’t seem to take her worry seriously and instead were shutting the stable door after the horse had already bolted.
I really liked that the story gives multiple perspectives from Jane herself, her husband Neil, Bill the Detective Inspector, Aneesa the reporter and Simon her defence barrister. They all have an important role to play in both the story and how the public will perceive Jane.
I love a good moral dilemma and this is a cracking one. I found it incredibly easy as a mum to put myself in Jane’s shoes. She’s a very real character who could easily be found in any community. Was she selfish knowing her actions could take her away from her own children? Or is the law wrong punishing someone for doing the right thing and saving innocent lives? Would this book have had the same impact if the threat wasn’t a local primary school? Would Jane have reacted in the same way if her own children weren’t connected? Honestly this book pushed so many thoughts inside my brain it was in danger of overloading.
Like most things in life this is not a black and white case with things coming out that turn it very much a murky grey. The twists and turns were unexpected but I have a feeling the ending will divide opinion. I personally think the author played it perfectly and this would make such a good book club read. I can already imagine the discussions, especially after the epilogue.
I really liked that the story gives multiple perspectives from Jane herself, her husband Neil, Bill the Detective Inspector, Aneesa the reporter and Simon her defence barrister. They all have an important role to play in both the story and how the public will perceive Jane.
I love a good moral dilemma and this is a cracking one. I found it incredibly easy as a mum to put myself in Jane’s shoes. She’s a very real character who could easily be found in any community. Was she selfish knowing her actions could take her away from her own children? Or is the law wrong punishing someone for doing the right thing and saving innocent lives? Would this book have had the same impact if the threat wasn’t a local primary school? Would Jane have reacted in the same way if her own children weren’t connected? Honestly this book pushed so many thoughts inside my brain it was in danger of overloading.
Like most things in life this is not a black and white case with things coming out that turn it very much a murky grey. The twists and turns were unexpected but I have a feeling the ending will divide opinion. I personally think the author played it perfectly and this would make such a good book club read. I can already imagine the discussions, especially after the epilogue.
December 28, 2021
Rating: 1.4/5
I was very taken with the premise for this novel. Jane Bell is responsible for killing a man who was planning to blow up a primary school, which could have caused the deaths of hundreds of children. Now the legal system must decide whether she was right to take this course of action. Should she be lauded or convicted? It is just the kind of classic moral dilemma that should set the scene for a gripping and enthralling read! Well, it should - but sadly, it doesn't.
The potential for "The Choice" to be something very good was wasted. Instead it was far more often reminiscent of the screenplay for a cheesy American drama. (Not helped by the fact that a good number of Americanisms drop into the narrative along the way too.) There are too many sections that are over the top and feature contrived and unconvincing emotional self-analysis. The narrative is presented from the viewpoints of several key characters. The author employs seven different points of view during the course of the novel, which I felt was overdoing it. I never felt particularly emotionally invested in any of them. I often found myself questioning the authenticity of the text being attributed to the various protagonists. Too often it felt like they were simply the mouthpiece for the writer's own beliefs and it tended to come across as preachy and sanctimonious.
Nor was I particularly enamoured with the style of writing. While there are, admittedly, some creditworthy sections, I became both bored and irritated by descriptive language and metaphors that were repeatedly overplayed. I got the sense that the author felt obliged to incorporate every single learning from a recently attended creative writing course at each available opportunity. There are times when less is more. It felt like the writer was trying too hard. The resulting prose appeared forced and unnatural and, instead of helping to paint a mental picture, it grated and made me want to roll my eyes and scream, "Please, no, not again!".
By the time I reached the end I had long since lost any feeling of being gripped. I felt no sense of jeopardy - I was past caring. The basis of this story has the potential to be something captivating and thought-provoking, but it would need some rigorous editing and rewriting.
As ever, I would still like to convey my thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review. It is a pity I was not in a position to pass more favourable comment on this occasion.
I was very taken with the premise for this novel. Jane Bell is responsible for killing a man who was planning to blow up a primary school, which could have caused the deaths of hundreds of children. Now the legal system must decide whether she was right to take this course of action. Should she be lauded or convicted? It is just the kind of classic moral dilemma that should set the scene for a gripping and enthralling read! Well, it should - but sadly, it doesn't.
The potential for "The Choice" to be something very good was wasted. Instead it was far more often reminiscent of the screenplay for a cheesy American drama. (Not helped by the fact that a good number of Americanisms drop into the narrative along the way too.) There are too many sections that are over the top and feature contrived and unconvincing emotional self-analysis. The narrative is presented from the viewpoints of several key characters. The author employs seven different points of view during the course of the novel, which I felt was overdoing it. I never felt particularly emotionally invested in any of them. I often found myself questioning the authenticity of the text being attributed to the various protagonists. Too often it felt like they were simply the mouthpiece for the writer's own beliefs and it tended to come across as preachy and sanctimonious.
Nor was I particularly enamoured with the style of writing. While there are, admittedly, some creditworthy sections, I became both bored and irritated by descriptive language and metaphors that were repeatedly overplayed. I got the sense that the author felt obliged to incorporate every single learning from a recently attended creative writing course at each available opportunity. There are times when less is more. It felt like the writer was trying too hard. The resulting prose appeared forced and unnatural and, instead of helping to paint a mental picture, it grated and made me want to roll my eyes and scream, "Please, no, not again!".
By the time I reached the end I had long since lost any feeling of being gripped. I felt no sense of jeopardy - I was past caring. The basis of this story has the potential to be something captivating and thought-provoking, but it would need some rigorous editing and rewriting.
As ever, I would still like to convey my thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review. It is a pity I was not in a position to pass more favourable comment on this occasion.
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May 15, 2022A master class in turning an interesting premise dull.
March 11, 2022
Everything you could ever want in a cracking crime thriller!
When Jane Bell drove into her street after dropping her children off, the last thing on her mind was killing someone but, upon seeing her rarely seen neighbour out in the open, she floored the accelerator and killed him. Why would a perfectly nice woman, who lives for her family, suddenly commit a criminal act? That’s the big question . . .
We very quickly discover the circumstances which led to Jane’s actions and, if you’re like me, you will speedily decide whose side you’re on! This is a gripping read from beginning to end, and one it is very hard to tear yourself away from. Whilst it’s easy to put yourself in Jane’s shoes, you also get the opportunity to see things from the perspective of her husband, the police officer in charge of her case, the local journalist covering the story, the lawyer who is representing her in court and, of course, Jane herself. It is, without doubt, a shocking read and one which is ideal for any book club as there are so many angles to consider along with the big question of guilty or not guilty? If you have ever come across the expression ‘the law is an ass’ then this story will will make you ponder upon that very thing; I have often thought there is a difference between following the letter of the law and doing what is right, and S. J. Ford gets right to the heart of that. The Choice is an absolute page-turner and one it’s almost impossible to put down! If you are going to burst into the book world with a stunning novel, then this is the way to do it. An awesome read, one I enjoyed tremendously and which earns my highest recommendation and five fat sparkling stars!
When Jane Bell drove into her street after dropping her children off, the last thing on her mind was killing someone but, upon seeing her rarely seen neighbour out in the open, she floored the accelerator and killed him. Why would a perfectly nice woman, who lives for her family, suddenly commit a criminal act? That’s the big question . . .
We very quickly discover the circumstances which led to Jane’s actions and, if you’re like me, you will speedily decide whose side you’re on! This is a gripping read from beginning to end, and one it is very hard to tear yourself away from. Whilst it’s easy to put yourself in Jane’s shoes, you also get the opportunity to see things from the perspective of her husband, the police officer in charge of her case, the local journalist covering the story, the lawyer who is representing her in court and, of course, Jane herself. It is, without doubt, a shocking read and one which is ideal for any book club as there are so many angles to consider along with the big question of guilty or not guilty? If you have ever come across the expression ‘the law is an ass’ then this story will will make you ponder upon that very thing; I have often thought there is a difference between following the letter of the law and doing what is right, and S. J. Ford gets right to the heart of that. The Choice is an absolute page-turner and one it’s almost impossible to put down! If you are going to burst into the book world with a stunning novel, then this is the way to do it. An awesome read, one I enjoyed tremendously and which earns my highest recommendation and five fat sparkling stars!
February 28, 2022
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.
It took me a while to write this review as I am speechless as how the book made me feel.
It gripped me from the very first page with enough about each character to make you feel like you know them on a personal level.
Each chapter made me think about what I would do or what id think about the situation all of the characters were in- would I have done the same or something different?
I felt a lot of emotions in this book, from anger and hatred that Jane was forced into the situation of killing a man, to upset when she was targeted and caused a death in which Aneesa never got her happy ending with Simon.
This book was a powerful read.
I thoroughly enjoyed it.
It took me a while to write this review as I am speechless as how the book made me feel.
It gripped me from the very first page with enough about each character to make you feel like you know them on a personal level.
Each chapter made me think about what I would do or what id think about the situation all of the characters were in- would I have done the same or something different?
I felt a lot of emotions in this book, from anger and hatred that Jane was forced into the situation of killing a man, to upset when she was targeted and caused a death in which Aneesa never got her happy ending with Simon.
This book was a powerful read.
I thoroughly enjoyed it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 2, 2022
What a whirlwind of a thriller, just the kind of book that you don’t want to stop reading. Told from multiple perspectives, it is the story of Jane Bell. She is a fiercely protective mum who deliberately drives into her shady-looking neighbour, James Foster, thereby stopping an act of terrorism which would have killed her children and hundreds of others. The question is, is she a cold-hearted murderer or a hero/saviour? We discover in The Choice what led Jane to take this action and the lead up to and the duration of her trial. Gripping and pacy, I’d thoroughly recommend this book. I was kindly sent a review copy by LoveReading.
November 28, 2022
End justifies means.
August 22, 2022
I absolutely loved the plot for this book, who doesn’t enjoy a moral dilemma?!
Let’s get this over and done with first - I would’ve done the same thing. It’s all very well thinking, ‘maybe he wouldn’t have gone through with it’, or ‘he was coerced’, etc etc. it doesn’t change anything. Safeguarding the kids from the probability of harm - there is no alternative when all other avenues have been exhausted.
Anyway, back to the book. I found the storyline a compelling one but it was really dragged out. I liked the various POV, however Aneesa’s story regarding her missing mother didn’t go anywhere so seemed a bit redundant! Also, reading about James’ reasons for his decision, and then seeing Aneesa’s initial empathy for him just didn’t add up for me. I believe people aren’t born bad, and that a man in James’ position, about to lose his kids forever was pushed into a desperate act. HOWEVER, killing 300 kids including his own?! Don’t be ridiculous! How does that even enter someone’s mind as an appropriate reaction?! And how can anyone feel sorry for the guy about to do that?! I felt sorry for his situation, but his actions were far too extreme to be believable.
I also felt the judge came off as biased, and I didn’t like the comment from Jane that she felt she was ‘too small and weak to overpower a strong and healthy male’ - seriously?! It’s amazing the strength a mother finds under duress, where kids are concerned. A woman may feel intimidated, or frightened, but to say she feels ‘too small and weak’, that implies inferiority, and Jane doesn’t strike me as someone who feels inferior to men.
Finally, I enjoyed the book, I would recommend it, but the fact it doesn’t actually end is pretty annoying. Even though you get the idea of how the verdict will go, it still felt unfinished.
I feel like I have ranted more than I intended! I did actually enjoy this one, but it was quite frustrating at times! Still a decent book though, I would recommend it.
Let’s get this over and done with first - I would’ve done the same thing. It’s all very well thinking, ‘maybe he wouldn’t have gone through with it’, or ‘he was coerced’, etc etc. it doesn’t change anything. Safeguarding the kids from the probability of harm - there is no alternative when all other avenues have been exhausted.
Anyway, back to the book. I found the storyline a compelling one but it was really dragged out. I liked the various POV, however Aneesa’s story regarding her missing mother didn’t go anywhere so seemed a bit redundant! Also, reading about James’ reasons for his decision, and then seeing Aneesa’s initial empathy for him just didn’t add up for me. I believe people aren’t born bad, and that a man in James’ position, about to lose his kids forever was pushed into a desperate act. HOWEVER, killing 300 kids including his own?! Don’t be ridiculous! How does that even enter someone’s mind as an appropriate reaction?! And how can anyone feel sorry for the guy about to do that?! I felt sorry for his situation, but his actions were far too extreme to be believable.
I also felt the judge came off as biased, and I didn’t like the comment from Jane that she felt she was ‘too small and weak to overpower a strong and healthy male’ - seriously?! It’s amazing the strength a mother finds under duress, where kids are concerned. A woman may feel intimidated, or frightened, but to say she feels ‘too small and weak’, that implies inferiority, and Jane doesn’t strike me as someone who feels inferior to men.
Finally, I enjoyed the book, I would recommend it, but the fact it doesn’t actually end is pretty annoying. Even though you get the idea of how the verdict will go, it still felt unfinished.
I feel like I have ranted more than I intended! I did actually enjoy this one, but it was quite frustrating at times! Still a decent book though, I would recommend it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 6, 2022
(1.50*)
The Husband. The Lawyer. The Detective. The Journalist. The Murderer.
The Choice by SJ Ford follows Jane Bell who murdered someone. She commits the crime. But it’s all for a reason. Does that reason for the killing make her a hero or is she still a villain??
I was so excited to read the first book ever written by this author. A 400-page debut. This book really caught my eye because of the synopsis. It is following a different type of storyline/concept than I am typically used to — someone doing something bad in order to save another person. Doing something bad, with good intentions. It is not something I usually see in thrillers or the books I steadily read.
To be honest though, I DNFed the book a little under half way — 43% mark, because I just could not get into it how I wanted to. It always takes a while for me to come to terms with DNFing a book and trying to figure out “why” I am not feeling it. But, I personally think for this one, it was just the way it was written. The characters are developed decently but the actual writing style was just boring, it read slow/long because of how much extra details and descriptions were added and I felt were not needed.
Thank you NetGalley and Head of Zeus for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The Husband. The Lawyer. The Detective. The Journalist. The Murderer.
The Choice by SJ Ford follows Jane Bell who murdered someone. She commits the crime. But it’s all for a reason. Does that reason for the killing make her a hero or is she still a villain??
I was so excited to read the first book ever written by this author. A 400-page debut. This book really caught my eye because of the synopsis. It is following a different type of storyline/concept than I am typically used to — someone doing something bad in order to save another person. Doing something bad, with good intentions. It is not something I usually see in thrillers or the books I steadily read.
To be honest though, I DNFed the book a little under half way — 43% mark, because I just could not get into it how I wanted to. It always takes a while for me to come to terms with DNFing a book and trying to figure out “why” I am not feeling it. But, I personally think for this one, it was just the way it was written. The characters are developed decently but the actual writing style was just boring, it read slow/long because of how much extra details and descriptions were added and I felt were not needed.
Thank you NetGalley and Head of Zeus for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
February 19, 2022
What a brilliant, thought provoking book.
Book clubs will have a lot to talk about after reading this!
Was Jane right or wrong? Morally and lawfully?
Would you or could you do what she did?
This book throws up so many questions and has you placing yourself into the protagonists shoes like no other book I have ever read.
This book is powerfully captivating, from beginning to end and one that you will never forget!
Book clubs will have a lot to talk about after reading this!
Was Jane right or wrong? Morally and lawfully?
Would you or could you do what she did?
This book throws up so many questions and has you placing yourself into the protagonists shoes like no other book I have ever read.
This book is powerfully captivating, from beginning to end and one that you will never forget!
February 24, 2022
The Husband.
The Lawyer.
The Detective.
The Journalist.
The Murderer.
You are the jury.
Jane Bell has killed a man. Mowed him down with her car. She's a criminal, a murderer. So does that make her a villain?
Maybe, but what if we discover that the man she murdered was a neighbour who was planning to kill an entire school full of children and nobody would help her stop him, so she stopped him herself. She saved the lives of countless children. So does that make her the hero of the story?
Now, we follow the stories of all the lives tangled up in the aftermath as Jane is tried for everyone to watch on … and you, dear reader, are the judge and jury.
The Choice is a uniquely interesting experience. With unpredictable, unreliable storytelling that jumps from person to person, this story moved quickly and didn't relent. We get to know family members, police officers, court officials - and how their unique experiences might shape their opinions. Ironically, the person I felt least connected to in the story was Jane herself.
Jane was a perfect antihero. She wasn't perfect, she did something bad but for a good reason and now she is aware there's consequences. Raising ethical dilemmas about the difference between what is lawful and what is right, and if doing bad things makes someone a bad person, this is a brilliant moral thought experience that could be all to real with the dangers the world has faced recently.
At times, however, this felt very much like a primetime police procedural, clever and astute, but overly descriptive in places to the point the story got lost in the details of the clothes someone is wearing.
A wickedly clever crime drama that delves into the blurry grey that is the human condition.
I was gifted an advanced reviewers copy of this title in return for an honest review.
[_|_] For more reviews or queries, visit
bethanys-bookshelf.blogspot.com
[_|_] Or connect with me on Instagram
@bethanysbookshelfuk
The Lawyer.
The Detective.
The Journalist.
The Murderer.
You are the jury.
Jane Bell has killed a man. Mowed him down with her car. She's a criminal, a murderer. So does that make her a villain?
Maybe, but what if we discover that the man she murdered was a neighbour who was planning to kill an entire school full of children and nobody would help her stop him, so she stopped him herself. She saved the lives of countless children. So does that make her the hero of the story?
Now, we follow the stories of all the lives tangled up in the aftermath as Jane is tried for everyone to watch on … and you, dear reader, are the judge and jury.
The Choice is a uniquely interesting experience. With unpredictable, unreliable storytelling that jumps from person to person, this story moved quickly and didn't relent. We get to know family members, police officers, court officials - and how their unique experiences might shape their opinions. Ironically, the person I felt least connected to in the story was Jane herself.
Jane was a perfect antihero. She wasn't perfect, she did something bad but for a good reason and now she is aware there's consequences. Raising ethical dilemmas about the difference between what is lawful and what is right, and if doing bad things makes someone a bad person, this is a brilliant moral thought experience that could be all to real with the dangers the world has faced recently.
At times, however, this felt very much like a primetime police procedural, clever and astute, but overly descriptive in places to the point the story got lost in the details of the clothes someone is wearing.
A wickedly clever crime drama that delves into the blurry grey that is the human condition.
I was gifted an advanced reviewers copy of this title in return for an honest review.
[_|_] For more reviews or queries, visit
bethanys-bookshelf.blogspot.com
[_|_] Or connect with me on Instagram
@bethanysbookshelfuk
April 17, 2022
My god, what a book. This is genuinely one of the best books I've ever read. I finished it about two minutes ago and I am physically shaking.
𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝔾𝕠𝕠𝕕
This book is an interesting and exciting read - in that respect it is everything you could want from a thriller. The pacing is good, though the way it's written (chapters are from different perspectives, not dissimilar to A Song of Ice and Fire), there are naturally some perspectives that are punchier than others. For those though, as the chapters are only a handful of pages long, you can power through them.
The story is absolutely incredible; I'd never have expected the twist, and the epilogue will blow your mind.
𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝔹𝕒𝕕
Some of the character perspectives are written better than others, and some can be difficult to get into. I found some of the Aneesa chapters hard to digest purely because they aren't as fast paced as the rest. I understand their importance but it doesn't help keep a constant flow.
I further found that while some of the chapters were interesting, you could get rid of them and it wouldn't have actually made a difference to how you perceive the main plot line.
𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕌𝕘𝕝𝕪
There are a few Americanisms in there - the biggest one that kept getting me was the term "law licence". The Solicitor's Regulation Authority issues practicing certificates and the Bar Standards Board keeps a register of people who are Called to the Bar.
Another bone of contention is Mrs Rigby - I shan't give anything away but the book keeps jumping between calling her Mrs Rigby and Bethany. Fine, but when it's by the same person in the same breath, it feels a little strange.
𝔽𝕚𝕟𝕒𝕝 𝕍𝕖𝕣𝕕𝕚𝕔𝕥
A very good book, and one I'd highly recommend. There are issues, as with any book, but they don't detract from the fact it's a fantastic read. On the charge of being enjoyable, I find this book Guilty.
𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝔾𝕠𝕠𝕕
This book is an interesting and exciting read - in that respect it is everything you could want from a thriller. The pacing is good, though the way it's written (chapters are from different perspectives, not dissimilar to A Song of Ice and Fire), there are naturally some perspectives that are punchier than others. For those though, as the chapters are only a handful of pages long, you can power through them.
The story is absolutely incredible; I'd never have expected the twist, and the epilogue will blow your mind.
𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝔹𝕒𝕕
Some of the character perspectives are written better than others, and some can be difficult to get into. I found some of the Aneesa chapters hard to digest purely because they aren't as fast paced as the rest. I understand their importance but it doesn't help keep a constant flow.
I further found that while some of the chapters were interesting, you could get rid of them and it wouldn't have actually made a difference to how you perceive the main plot line.
𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕌𝕘𝕝𝕪
There are a few Americanisms in there - the biggest one that kept getting me was the term "law licence". The Solicitor's Regulation Authority issues practicing certificates and the Bar Standards Board keeps a register of people who are Called to the Bar.
Another bone of contention is Mrs Rigby - I shan't give anything away but the book keeps jumping between calling her Mrs Rigby and Bethany. Fine, but when it's by the same person in the same breath, it feels a little strange.
𝔽𝕚𝕟𝕒𝕝 𝕍𝕖𝕣𝕕𝕚𝕔𝕥
A very good book, and one I'd highly recommend. There are issues, as with any book, but they don't detract from the fact it's a fantastic read. On the charge of being enjoyable, I find this book Guilty.
March 14, 2022
The Choice was a compulsive read, offering a moral dilemma that everyone who reads it will have an opinion on.
Our story focuses on Jane Bell, a mother of two. She could probably have gone throughout her life without anyone knowing her name, were it not for her actions on the day our story opens. Jane drove her car into a neighbour, killing him. She admitted her actions, but said she had to do it in order to prevent him from carrying out something truly awful.
Jane and her husband contacted the police and helplines, doing whatever they could to alert them to the perceived threat. Nothing was done. Turning detective, Jane found evidence of three bombs in her neighbour’s home. Bombs she believed he was going to detonate at the local primary school. So, yes, she killed a man…but in so doing, she potentially saved the lives of hundreds of children.
From this very dramatic opening we focus on the different perspectives of people involved in Jane’s trial. A decision has to be made. Did she intend to kill him? Does the perceived threat allow us to label her actions as selfless, protecting others?
This is a decision nobody would like to have to hold in their hands. It challenges your own beliefs and what you hold dear. It is a challenge that could truly impact on future behaviour if it were real.
The varying perspectives offer a fascinating exploration of the scenario. We learn more about the key players, and nothing is quite as straightforward as it might appear. While it seems the jury verdict is obvious, this is never announced and with Jane’s shocking final revelation I really felt the ambiguity of the ending was given a strength that might have otherwise been lacking.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this prior to publication.
Our story focuses on Jane Bell, a mother of two. She could probably have gone throughout her life without anyone knowing her name, were it not for her actions on the day our story opens. Jane drove her car into a neighbour, killing him. She admitted her actions, but said she had to do it in order to prevent him from carrying out something truly awful.
Jane and her husband contacted the police and helplines, doing whatever they could to alert them to the perceived threat. Nothing was done. Turning detective, Jane found evidence of three bombs in her neighbour’s home. Bombs she believed he was going to detonate at the local primary school. So, yes, she killed a man…but in so doing, she potentially saved the lives of hundreds of children.
From this very dramatic opening we focus on the different perspectives of people involved in Jane’s trial. A decision has to be made. Did she intend to kill him? Does the perceived threat allow us to label her actions as selfless, protecting others?
This is a decision nobody would like to have to hold in their hands. It challenges your own beliefs and what you hold dear. It is a challenge that could truly impact on future behaviour if it were real.
The varying perspectives offer a fascinating exploration of the scenario. We learn more about the key players, and nothing is quite as straightforward as it might appear. While it seems the jury verdict is obvious, this is never announced and with Jane’s shocking final revelation I really felt the ambiguity of the ending was given a strength that might have otherwise been lacking.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this prior to publication.
April 24, 2022
I loved the idea of this book as soon as I read the blurb! There’s nothing like a good moral and legal dilemma to get you thinking! This book focuses on the case of Jane Bell who is arrested for murder after she runs over and kills her next-door neighbour. Sounds simple enough so far, but the plot thickens when Jane had found out that her neighbour was a terrorist who was planning to blow up the local primary school, and despite her best efforts to report him to the authorities, she found herself having to deal with the situation.
Now, I do love a book which gets you asking yourself “what would I have done?”, and this book gets you asking that question from many different viewpoints! Jane Bell’s story is particularly sad, she had obviously tried everything to report her neighbour, James Foster, but her pleas for him to be investigated fell on deaf ears. Was she wrong to do what she did? Should she have taken the law into her own hands? Should she be tried for murder, even though she prevented the death of hundreds of innocent children? There are so many ways to look at what she did, and I’m sure all that read this will have their own differing opinions as to what was right and wrong! My favourite character must be Bill, the Detective Inspector who arrests her. Bill is obviously horrified to find that the police service let Jane down by not taking her concerns seriously, and this gives him decisions to make over his own future.
The storyline alternates with chapters from the perspectives of several of the characters – Jane, Jane’s husband, Bill, the local journalist, Aneesa and the defence barrister, Simon. Whilst there are a lot of character’s viewpoints to consider, the switching between them is done effortlessly and easily. I liked hearing their different views, and the storyline takes us through the months preceding James Foster being killed, after Jane’s arrest and the subsequent court case. It was an emotional and sometimes disturbing read, but certainly got me thinking whether Jane was the hero that society deemed her to be, or the criminal that the law determines. It is a suspense and tension filled read with an expected twist that I didn’t see coming and will leave you thinking about it after the book has finished. Would definitely recommend.
Now, I do love a book which gets you asking yourself “what would I have done?”, and this book gets you asking that question from many different viewpoints! Jane Bell’s story is particularly sad, she had obviously tried everything to report her neighbour, James Foster, but her pleas for him to be investigated fell on deaf ears. Was she wrong to do what she did? Should she have taken the law into her own hands? Should she be tried for murder, even though she prevented the death of hundreds of innocent children? There are so many ways to look at what she did, and I’m sure all that read this will have their own differing opinions as to what was right and wrong! My favourite character must be Bill, the Detective Inspector who arrests her. Bill is obviously horrified to find that the police service let Jane down by not taking her concerns seriously, and this gives him decisions to make over his own future.
The storyline alternates with chapters from the perspectives of several of the characters – Jane, Jane’s husband, Bill, the local journalist, Aneesa and the defence barrister, Simon. Whilst there are a lot of character’s viewpoints to consider, the switching between them is done effortlessly and easily. I liked hearing their different views, and the storyline takes us through the months preceding James Foster being killed, after Jane’s arrest and the subsequent court case. It was an emotional and sometimes disturbing read, but certainly got me thinking whether Jane was the hero that society deemed her to be, or the criminal that the law determines. It is a suspense and tension filled read with an expected twist that I didn’t see coming and will leave you thinking about it after the book has finished. Would definitely recommend.
September 8, 2022
I borrowed this book on Monday. I finished it by Tuesday.
I cannot find any reference to any other books written by S J Ford, so I can only assume this was a debut novel. And what a cracker!
Ford could have fallen down the rabbit hole of making the story sensationalist, but she didn’t. She made it real.
The story unfolds and is told from various perspectives. Jane herself, her husband, A DI on the case, a reporter a juror and her barrister.
The timeline is from moments before the incident, right through to the jury finishing their deliberations.
There aren’t a huge amount of twists. There doesn’t need to be. The story itself is one big fat dilemma without confusing the issue further.
Should Jane be found guilty of murder? The public are on her side. The press is on her side. She potentially saved the lives of nearly 300 children. Can there be any other verdict than she acted in defence of herself/others and was therefore totally justified? Well… the would-be bomber wasn’t at the school. The bombs were on his kitchen table. There was no immediate danger at the point when she drove her car at him.
Were there any other options? Maybe he wouldn’t actually go through with it?
Maybe James deserves sympathy and retribution when you know his own children have been taken from him?
Ford’s story telling is simple, clear and without unnecessary clutter. There is drama, without being over dramatic, and sensitivity without over sentimentality. She has found the perfect balance.
The characters are believable as are their actions.
I look forward to reading more from S J Ford as I really believe she will be more than a one hit wonder.

I cannot find any reference to any other books written by S J Ford, so I can only assume this was a debut novel. And what a cracker!
Ford could have fallen down the rabbit hole of making the story sensationalist, but she didn’t. She made it real.
The story unfolds and is told from various perspectives. Jane herself, her husband, A DI on the case, a reporter a juror and her barrister.
The timeline is from moments before the incident, right through to the jury finishing their deliberations.
There aren’t a huge amount of twists. There doesn’t need to be. The story itself is one big fat dilemma without confusing the issue further.
Should Jane be found guilty of murder? The public are on her side. The press is on her side. She potentially saved the lives of nearly 300 children. Can there be any other verdict than she acted in defence of herself/others and was therefore totally justified? Well… the would-be bomber wasn’t at the school. The bombs were on his kitchen table. There was no immediate danger at the point when she drove her car at him.
Were there any other options? Maybe he wouldn’t actually go through with it?
Maybe James deserves sympathy and retribution when you know his own children have been taken from him?
Ford’s story telling is simple, clear and without unnecessary clutter. There is drama, without being over dramatic, and sensitivity without over sentimentality. She has found the perfect balance.
The characters are believable as are their actions.
I look forward to reading more from S J Ford as I really believe she will be more than a one hit wonder.

November 16, 2022
I read this book as part of my "real life" book club because the blurb was really interesting and I felt it would encourage a great debate.
Unfortunately, whilst the premise and idea were good, the actual execution of the story fell rather flat for me personally.
It was hard to warm to any characters and, in my opinion, there were too many narrators for this story.
The plot revolves around a courtcase of Jane Bell - mother to 2 young children, who deliberately kills her neighbour with her car and faces a charge of murder. This however is only the start, because the dead neighbour appears to be a terrorist who had 3 bombs in his house ready to detonate at the local primary school killing almost 300 children.
The Choice Jane Bell made to stop this potential tragedy has cost her her freedom, but I think the author wants the reader to ask how far would you go to save your family?
This certainly made an interesting discussion and whilst most of my book club really enjoyed the book, I personally found it implausible and questioned whether the police really would ignore all Jane's pleas for help before she took the law into her own deadly hands.
Unfortunately, whilst the premise and idea were good, the actual execution of the story fell rather flat for me personally.
It was hard to warm to any characters and, in my opinion, there were too many narrators for this story.
The plot revolves around a courtcase of Jane Bell - mother to 2 young children, who deliberately kills her neighbour with her car and faces a charge of murder. This however is only the start, because the dead neighbour appears to be a terrorist who had 3 bombs in his house ready to detonate at the local primary school killing almost 300 children.
The Choice Jane Bell made to stop this potential tragedy has cost her her freedom, but I think the author wants the reader to ask how far would you go to save your family?
This certainly made an interesting discussion and whilst most of my book club really enjoyed the book, I personally found it implausible and questioned whether the police really would ignore all Jane's pleas for help before she took the law into her own deadly hands.
June 26, 2022
A really interesting and thought-provoking plot, and I liked how the story was told from the perspectives of so many characters involved in the trial. A good twist in the epilogue that I didn’t see coming but a shame the book doesn’t finish off the story with the verdict!
July 31, 2022
This book kept me gripped all the way through,loved it!!
December 5, 2022
Emotional, thrilling and expertly written. This book is amazing
December 30, 2022
This book really makes you ask yourself what would you do in the same situation.
January 25, 2023
Really interesting book on a moral dilemma - enjoyed it.
November 25, 2022
So much potential yet the best part was the Brummy accent in the audiobook.
June 14, 2023
Extremely mediocre, not the best written but was alright. Meh.
October 3, 2023
This is a murder in reverse. You know who the murderer is so you then find out why. Really good and just a bit different. Well worth reading.
February 8, 2022
This book grabbed my attention from the first page and didn’t let go, I finished it in an evening. There was a lot to like about the book, the premise itself is very clever and very current with terrorism taking on many new and unexpected forms. Ford is a master of characterisation. I loved pretty much all of the characters in spite of their flaws and flawed thinking or actions, Bill being my favourite with Aneesa a close second. That said I felt as if I never really knew Jane. When Jane was the narrator of the chapter she spoke a great deal about the events that led to her arrest and also a great deal about how she felt about being in prison and potentially losing her family to a life sentence but other than that she is a blank. I don’t know if she drinks chamomile tea like Aneesa or full strength freshly brewed coffee like Simon. I don’t know what her thoughts were about the police service before Foster came into her life or how she felt about Neil’s leaving the bulk of the parenting to her.
January 2, 2023
I got an ARC from LoveReading in exchange for an honest review.
A fantastic, relatable and thought-provoking debut novel that reminds us people are not all good or all bad and everyone is fighting their own battles.
The Choice kept me guessing until the very last line. To start, I was intrigued by what would happen in the next few hundred pages, since the narrative seemed so clear-cut. Denied police assistance, perfectly ordinary mother, Jane killed a terrorist planning to bomb her children’s school, killing hundreds. She stopped him. She saved them all. How was that not the right response? But was it?
The main protagonist is very relatable to parents who’d do anything to protect their family. The characters are brilliantly developed with their backstories informing their viewpoints. The author does a great job of reminding us that people aren’t all good or all bad. Everyone is fighting their own battles.
At several moments I felt such intense emotion bubbling in my throat because the writer didn’t just describe the scenes incredibly well, she made me feel I was there, living the story myself. This was intensified by writing in the first person from the perspectives of the six main characters, Jane, her husband, her barrister, the journalist, a juror, and the lead detective. I adored seeing the unique outlooks on each situation and character of the various people, despite them all encountering the same events and conversations. So realistic.
A fantastic, thought-provoking debut novel that leaves me eager for future books by SJ Ford.
A fantastic, relatable and thought-provoking debut novel that reminds us people are not all good or all bad and everyone is fighting their own battles.
The Choice kept me guessing until the very last line. To start, I was intrigued by what would happen in the next few hundred pages, since the narrative seemed so clear-cut. Denied police assistance, perfectly ordinary mother, Jane killed a terrorist planning to bomb her children’s school, killing hundreds. She stopped him. She saved them all. How was that not the right response? But was it?
The main protagonist is very relatable to parents who’d do anything to protect their family. The characters are brilliantly developed with their backstories informing their viewpoints. The author does a great job of reminding us that people aren’t all good or all bad. Everyone is fighting their own battles.
At several moments I felt such intense emotion bubbling in my throat because the writer didn’t just describe the scenes incredibly well, she made me feel I was there, living the story myself. This was intensified by writing in the first person from the perspectives of the six main characters, Jane, her husband, her barrister, the journalist, a juror, and the lead detective. I adored seeing the unique outlooks on each situation and character of the various people, despite them all encountering the same events and conversations. So realistic.
A fantastic, thought-provoking debut novel that leaves me eager for future books by SJ Ford.
August 31, 2022
This is a great concept. A woman kills a man but he was about to bomb a school. Is she a murderer or a hero? I feel like the plot didn’t quite live up to the promise though. Don’t get me wrong it was interesting and I enjoyed it but everything felt a little superficial and unfinished.
January 25, 2022
I was initially drawn to this book because of its unique premise, which I have never seen before in any other book. It asks questions about morality, about right and wrong and possibly most prominent is being right enough justification to take a life? Where do you, as a human, draw the line.
The book follows the protagonist Jane Bell who makes the ultimate choice, to commit murder and risk life in prison for the greater good, to prevent a terrorist attack that would kill multiple children including her own.
The author uses multiple perspectives to show different point of views, which to an extent works well. Various characters perceptions are shown and how people can view one event in completely contrasting ways. However, this approach does slow the narrative down a little. I did struggle with the pace of the book in parts, the very descriptive writing and found it difficult to really get into the novel. A twist and unexpected event escalated the jeopardy and was timely, in terms of reengaging the reader.
Overall, the concept of the book is intriguing and thought provoking. I did like parts of the novel, but admittedly struggled to maintain complete engagement particularly through the middle section of the book. A 3.5 of 5.
Thank you to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The book follows the protagonist Jane Bell who makes the ultimate choice, to commit murder and risk life in prison for the greater good, to prevent a terrorist attack that would kill multiple children including her own.
The author uses multiple perspectives to show different point of views, which to an extent works well. Various characters perceptions are shown and how people can view one event in completely contrasting ways. However, this approach does slow the narrative down a little. I did struggle with the pace of the book in parts, the very descriptive writing and found it difficult to really get into the novel. A twist and unexpected event escalated the jeopardy and was timely, in terms of reengaging the reader.
Overall, the concept of the book is intriguing and thought provoking. I did like parts of the novel, but admittedly struggled to maintain complete engagement particularly through the middle section of the book. A 3.5 of 5.
Thank you to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2022
Jane Bell notices her quiet neighbor next door, James Foster, acting strangely. He destroys his garden, and builds a six-foot wall on top of the already existing fence, essentially cordoning himself off from the rest of the neighborhood. On the day that Jane’s daughter, Molly, finds a receipt for “fertilizer, nails, electrical wiring,” Jane feels deep down beyond a doubt this man is planning something evil, and given the close proximity of Foster to her home, fears for her children. She calls the police with what she found, only to be dismissed with a “we’ll check it out,” and to her dismay, nothing is done. She goes into the police station to beg for help. Again, she is dismissed by the police. She notices him at the school dressed in black, drawing in a notepad. She looks into James’s window while he is out, and sees there are three bombs set to be placed and a strategic map to the grammar school which her children attend, three circles indicating the three places in the building the bombs will be set. After exhausting all possibilities, she sees him taking in his garbage pail one evening, and in a spur-of-the-moment decision, takes matters into her own hands.
I am currently sitting in stunned silence after finishing the book “The Choice,” by S.J. Ford. I am in awe of the myriad of emotions it made me feel, the inability as a mother to separate myself from feeling every word in it. The story is told from all the different viewpoints, characters alternating between chapters. It is compulsively readable, gripping, suspenseful, and well-written, giving the reader a much to consider. It is provocative, and will inspire gut-wrenching emotion.
I’d like to thank NetGalley, S.J. Ford, and Head of Zeus Books for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I am currently sitting in stunned silence after finishing the book “The Choice,” by S.J. Ford. I am in awe of the myriad of emotions it made me feel, the inability as a mother to separate myself from feeling every word in it. The story is told from all the different viewpoints, characters alternating between chapters. It is compulsively readable, gripping, suspenseful, and well-written, giving the reader a much to consider. It is provocative, and will inspire gut-wrenching emotion.
I’d like to thank NetGalley, S.J. Ford, and Head of Zeus Books for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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