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Nameless Acts of Cruelty
Decades after the loss of his younger sister, a man haunted by horrific memories returns to the sleepy English village where she died Jeremy Horton is a man denying his past, haunted by a dysfunctional childhood full of dark secrets―including the suspicious death of his younger sister. Married to lawyer Sarah and with children of his own, Jeremy keeps his eyes firmly focused on the present, never daring to glance in the rear-view mirror for fear of what he might see there. But when a chance encounter awakens the memories he’s fought so hard to suppress, and the death of his estranged mother takes Jeremy back to his sleepy hometown and the scene of the family tragedy, he determines to finally uncover the truth behind his sister’s death. Villages hold long memories, and Jeremy’s presence quickly becomes an unwelcome reminder of nameless cruelties and shameful secrets. The more he learns, the more the stories from his past take on a sinister significance, leading him to question his own innocence. Meanwhile, someone desperately wants him gone, and their efforts to drive him out escalate as Jeremy’s anxiety spirals out of control. Do they fear him for what he knows―or for what he’s done?
312 pages, Hardcover
First published August 9, 2022
8 people are currently reading
130 people want to read
About the author
Julie Cameron
2 books16 followersJulie A Cameron was born and grew up in the United Kingdom. She currently lives in a small village in the Berkshire countryside – a location that provided the inspiration for the setting of the psychological thriller Only Truth, also published in German as Das Landhaus.
She is presently working on her next two books, balancing her time between family, her writing and her full-time career in the NHS.
She is presently working on her next two books, balancing her time between family, her writing and her full-time career in the NHS.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
August 3, 2022
Julie Cameron is an excellent writer and has some beautiful descriptions. Her characters are well-drawn, although not entirely believable. This definitely had suspense but I had trouble with the heavy and constant amount of angst suffered by the protagonist. It was all incredibly tragic with no end of misery in sight. I did enjoy the twist at the end and felt that Cameron wrapped this up nicely.
August 11, 2022
Beautiful cover! And the title swayed me. This suspenseful mystery felt different from the rest. A single event with his family (flying) had Jeremy’s life spiraling out of control. I’ve suffered from panic because of my childhood but this was the next level.
This tragedy had more than one victim and the twist and turns were great. It was written well enough for me that it didn’t matter that I thought all the characters were unlikable. I think that was the point. I’m giving it a high 4 ⭐️ because I couldn’t wait to see how it played out and I trusted no one. I highly recommend if you like screwed up suspense.
Thanks Penlzer Publishers via NetGalley.
This tragedy had more than one victim and the twist and turns were great. It was written well enough for me that it didn’t matter that I thought all the characters were unlikable. I think that was the point. I’m giving it a high 4 ⭐️ because I couldn’t wait to see how it played out and I trusted no one. I highly recommend if you like screwed up suspense.
Thanks Penlzer Publishers via NetGalley.
July 24, 2022
At first I was intrigued with this book, then I was immersed in this story and I had to know the truth!!!!
Jeremy lost his little sister when when she drowned in a lake when they were both children. Now as an adult he is having flashbacks and nightmares about that fateful day. His mother always blamed him and never received the love and affection that was given to his little sister from the day she was born. Her acts of cruelty pushed him away and he never saw again until she was on her deathbed. Even then she still hated and blamed him. Jeremy has never remembered what happened on that fateful day and is beginning to think that maybe he was responsible. He now has his own family and begins to wonder if they are safe with him?
He goes back home to clear the house and try to meet up with old friends, hoping he will get the answers he needs but at what cost? I devoured this book in one sitting and finally turned the last page in the wee hours. A very happy reader.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Jeremy lost his little sister when when she drowned in a lake when they were both children. Now as an adult he is having flashbacks and nightmares about that fateful day. His mother always blamed him and never received the love and affection that was given to his little sister from the day she was born. Her acts of cruelty pushed him away and he never saw again until she was on her deathbed. Even then she still hated and blamed him. Jeremy has never remembered what happened on that fateful day and is beginning to think that maybe he was responsible. He now has his own family and begins to wonder if they are safe with him?
He goes back home to clear the house and try to meet up with old friends, hoping he will get the answers he needs but at what cost? I devoured this book in one sitting and finally turned the last page in the wee hours. A very happy reader.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
June 25, 2023
Spannend und gut geschrieben, auch wenn das Ende jetzt nicht vollkommen überraschend war.
August 8, 2023
Good effort but too many loose ends.
January 31, 2022
Returning from vacation to London with his family, Jeremy, or Jez, Horton sees from the plane a figure running in a field. Without knowing why, he’s suddenly in the grip of a panic attack, certain that it’s a girl being pursued and she’s in terrible danger. Back home, he remains obsessed with the strange sighting and what could have happened to the girl, stressing himself and his wife as he retreats further into dark thoughts.
His slide into an abyss of fear accelerates when he visits his dying mother, a cruel woman who’s treated him terribly, especially since his young sister’s death. As he returns to the family home that he’s now inherited, a place he hasn’t been since the tragedy, murky memories and renewed contact with boyhood friends force Jez to confront his past and deal with odd, dangerous characters who are all too present.
Cameron masterfully develops those around Jez even as we are stuck in his increasingly frantic thoughts and actions. Her depiction of a tired, scared mind grasping for childhood memories is immersive and affecting, with the psychological suspense matched by a continuous ramping up of real-life drama. Fans of Helen Monks Takhar’s Precious You should add this to their TBR stash.—Henrietta Verma, First Clue
For more reviews of crime fiction, subscribe to First Clue, our free weekly newsletter: https://www.getrevue.co/profile/First...
His slide into an abyss of fear accelerates when he visits his dying mother, a cruel woman who’s treated him terribly, especially since his young sister’s death. As he returns to the family home that he’s now inherited, a place he hasn’t been since the tragedy, murky memories and renewed contact with boyhood friends force Jez to confront his past and deal with odd, dangerous characters who are all too present.
Cameron masterfully develops those around Jez even as we are stuck in his increasingly frantic thoughts and actions. Her depiction of a tired, scared mind grasping for childhood memories is immersive and affecting, with the psychological suspense matched by a continuous ramping up of real-life drama. Fans of Helen Monks Takhar’s Precious You should add this to their TBR stash.—Henrietta Verma, First Clue
For more reviews of crime fiction, subscribe to First Clue, our free weekly newsletter: https://www.getrevue.co/profile/First...
February 27, 2024
DEUTSCHE ERSTAUSGABE
Aus dem Englischen von Rainer Schmidt
Originaltitel: Nameless Acts of Cruelty
Originalverlag: Penzler Publishers
Taschenbuch, Broschur, 416 Seiten, 12,5 x 18,7 cm
ISBN: 978-3-442-49387-6
Erschienen am 21. Juni 2023
Du kannst vor allem davonlaufen – nur nicht vor deiner eigenen Vergangenheit …
Jeremy Horton ist erfolgreicher Architekt und glücklicher Familienvater. Doch er vermeidet jeden Gedanken an seine Vergangenheit und insbesondere an seine kleine Schwester Emily, die vor vielen Jahren unter mysteriösen Umständen ums Leben kam. Erst als seine Mutter stirbt, sieht Jeremy sich gezwungen, in das kleine Dorf zurückzukehren, in dem er die Sommer seiner Kindheit verbrachte. Jeremy spürt deutlich, dass er dort nicht willkommen ist. Immer wieder drängt sich ihm die Frage auf, ob er selbst die Schuld an Emilys Tod trägt. Und wenn ja – ist er dann auch eine Gefahr für seine eigene Tochter Lucy?
Zur Autorin:
Julie Cameron lebt mit ihrer Familie auf dem Land, in einem kleinen Dorf im südenglischen Berkshire. Sie hat Biomedizin studiert, arbeitet im Gesundheitswesen und schreibt nebenher die Art von vielschichtigen Thrillern, die sie selbst am liebsten liest.
Meine Meinung:
Ich bin durch den interessanten Klappentext auf das Buch aufmerksam geworden.
Anfangs muss ich sagen, konnte mich die Story noch nicht so fesseln, ich musste mich erst ein wenig in die Hauptprotagonisten hineinfinden. Nach einiger Zeit wurde es besser und je weiter die Geschichte vorangeschritten ist, umso spannender wurde sie.
Man lernt hier den verheirateten zweifachen Familienvater Jeremy kennen, der eigentlich glücklich sein müsste. Er ist erfolgreich im Beruf, liebt seine Frau und seine Kinder, aber kann dennoch mit seiner Vergangenheit nicht abschließen. Diese holt ihn noch stärker ein, als seine Mutter stirbt und er in seine Heimat zurückkehren muss, um dort Dinge zu regeln.
Dort ist seine kleine Schwester damals unter mysteriösen Umständen ums Leben gekommen und seine Mutter hat ihm nie verziehen, dass ihre geliebte Tochter gestorben ist und nicht er. Auch kann er sich einfach an die Geschehnisse nicht mehr erinnern.
In seiner Heimat angekommen, macht er sich auf die Suche nach der Wahrheit, was nicht ganz ungefährlich ist. Jemand möchte dies verhindern…
Alles in allem hat mich das Buch sehr gut unterhalten. Ich gebe hier eine Lese- und Hörempfehlung mit 4 Sternen.
4 von 5 Sternen
Cover, Buchdetails und Klappentext: © Goldmann Verlag
Infos zur Autorin: @Goldmann Verlag
Rezension: ©lenisveasbücherwelt
Aus dem Englischen von Rainer Schmidt
Originaltitel: Nameless Acts of Cruelty
Originalverlag: Penzler Publishers
Taschenbuch, Broschur, 416 Seiten, 12,5 x 18,7 cm
ISBN: 978-3-442-49387-6
Erschienen am 21. Juni 2023
Du kannst vor allem davonlaufen – nur nicht vor deiner eigenen Vergangenheit …
Jeremy Horton ist erfolgreicher Architekt und glücklicher Familienvater. Doch er vermeidet jeden Gedanken an seine Vergangenheit und insbesondere an seine kleine Schwester Emily, die vor vielen Jahren unter mysteriösen Umständen ums Leben kam. Erst als seine Mutter stirbt, sieht Jeremy sich gezwungen, in das kleine Dorf zurückzukehren, in dem er die Sommer seiner Kindheit verbrachte. Jeremy spürt deutlich, dass er dort nicht willkommen ist. Immer wieder drängt sich ihm die Frage auf, ob er selbst die Schuld an Emilys Tod trägt. Und wenn ja – ist er dann auch eine Gefahr für seine eigene Tochter Lucy?
Zur Autorin:
Julie Cameron lebt mit ihrer Familie auf dem Land, in einem kleinen Dorf im südenglischen Berkshire. Sie hat Biomedizin studiert, arbeitet im Gesundheitswesen und schreibt nebenher die Art von vielschichtigen Thrillern, die sie selbst am liebsten liest.
Meine Meinung:
Ich bin durch den interessanten Klappentext auf das Buch aufmerksam geworden.
Anfangs muss ich sagen, konnte mich die Story noch nicht so fesseln, ich musste mich erst ein wenig in die Hauptprotagonisten hineinfinden. Nach einiger Zeit wurde es besser und je weiter die Geschichte vorangeschritten ist, umso spannender wurde sie.
Man lernt hier den verheirateten zweifachen Familienvater Jeremy kennen, der eigentlich glücklich sein müsste. Er ist erfolgreich im Beruf, liebt seine Frau und seine Kinder, aber kann dennoch mit seiner Vergangenheit nicht abschließen. Diese holt ihn noch stärker ein, als seine Mutter stirbt und er in seine Heimat zurückkehren muss, um dort Dinge zu regeln.
Dort ist seine kleine Schwester damals unter mysteriösen Umständen ums Leben gekommen und seine Mutter hat ihm nie verziehen, dass ihre geliebte Tochter gestorben ist und nicht er. Auch kann er sich einfach an die Geschehnisse nicht mehr erinnern.
In seiner Heimat angekommen, macht er sich auf die Suche nach der Wahrheit, was nicht ganz ungefährlich ist. Jemand möchte dies verhindern…
Alles in allem hat mich das Buch sehr gut unterhalten. Ich gebe hier eine Lese- und Hörempfehlung mit 4 Sternen.
4 von 5 Sternen
Cover, Buchdetails und Klappentext: © Goldmann Verlag
Infos zur Autorin: @Goldmann Verlag
Rezension: ©lenisveasbücherwelt
July 7, 2023
Happy Friday!!!
I don't know about you but once Friday morning hits, I start to daydream about all of the books I'll be reading on the beach over the weekend.
This morning I just happened to wake up a bit too early and couldn't go back to sleep. So at 3:00am, I started reading Nameless Acts of Cruelty. I will tell you,I went into this one "blind" and it made it all the more satisfying. I was intrigued with the cover, the title had me thinking and curious, I think I wanted to feel an actual "shock factor" , the way to do it, is to not read the back of the book.
Well, shock factor it was!!!
Holy Moly, Julie Cameron, you sure do know how to pack a punch.
This book takes childhood trauma to a whole new level. Cameron's writing plays out right before your eyes, you can literally feel the pain that drips from this book.
There are multiple victims and twists you will not be able to anticipate.
All in all this was a satisfying read and that held my attention . I could also see this book being classified as more than just a thriller. I would suggest family drama and women's fiction .
No need to wait, this book is out now!
Teaser :
Jeremy Horton is a man denying his past, haunted by a dysfunctional childhood full of dark secrets—including the suspicious death of his younger sister. Married to lawyer Sarah and with children of his own, Jeremy keeps his eyes firmly focused on the present, never daring to glance in the rear-view mirror for fear of what he might see there. But when a chance encounter awakens the memories he’s fought so hard to suppress and the death of his estranged mother takes Jeremy back to his sleepy hometown—the scene of the family tragedy—he decides to finally uncover the truth behind his sister’s death.
Villages hold long memories, and Jeremy’s presence quickly becomes an unwelcome reminder of nameless cruelties and shameful secrets. The more he learns, the more the stories from his past take on a sinister significance, leading him to question his own innocence. Meanwhile, someone desperately wants him gone, and their efforts to drive him out escalate as Jeremy’s anxiety spirals out of control. Do they fear him for what he knows—or for what he’s done?
I don't know about you but once Friday morning hits, I start to daydream about all of the books I'll be reading on the beach over the weekend.
This morning I just happened to wake up a bit too early and couldn't go back to sleep. So at 3:00am, I started reading Nameless Acts of Cruelty. I will tell you,I went into this one "blind" and it made it all the more satisfying. I was intrigued with the cover, the title had me thinking and curious, I think I wanted to feel an actual "shock factor" , the way to do it, is to not read the back of the book.
Well, shock factor it was!!!
Holy Moly, Julie Cameron, you sure do know how to pack a punch.
This book takes childhood trauma to a whole new level. Cameron's writing plays out right before your eyes, you can literally feel the pain that drips from this book.
There are multiple victims and twists you will not be able to anticipate.
All in all this was a satisfying read and that held my attention . I could also see this book being classified as more than just a thriller. I would suggest family drama and women's fiction .
No need to wait, this book is out now!
Teaser :
Jeremy Horton is a man denying his past, haunted by a dysfunctional childhood full of dark secrets—including the suspicious death of his younger sister. Married to lawyer Sarah and with children of his own, Jeremy keeps his eyes firmly focused on the present, never daring to glance in the rear-view mirror for fear of what he might see there. But when a chance encounter awakens the memories he’s fought so hard to suppress and the death of his estranged mother takes Jeremy back to his sleepy hometown—the scene of the family tragedy—he decides to finally uncover the truth behind his sister’s death.
Villages hold long memories, and Jeremy’s presence quickly becomes an unwelcome reminder of nameless cruelties and shameful secrets. The more he learns, the more the stories from his past take on a sinister significance, leading him to question his own innocence. Meanwhile, someone desperately wants him gone, and their efforts to drive him out escalate as Jeremy’s anxiety spirals out of control. Do they fear him for what he knows—or for what he’s done?
July 10, 2023
Jeremy verlor seine kleine Schwester schon, als er selbst noch ein Kind war. Seine Erinnerungen an diesen Vorfall sind allerdings lückenhaft. Doch plötzlich löst ein Ereignis Flashbacks aus. Als er dann auch noch für den Verkauf des geerbten Hauses zurück an den Platz des Geschehens muss, kommen die Erinnerungen Stück für Stück zurück, und die Anwohner sind über seine Anwesenheit nicht begeistert.
Es gibt Bücher, die von der ersten Seite an spannend sind und einen nicht loslassen. Und dann gibt es Bücher wie dieses, die sich ziehen wie Kaugummi. Viele Seiten lang erfährt der Leser, was Jeremy für ein unsympathischer Kerl ist, der sich glücklich schätzen sollte, dass seine Frau Sarah so viel Verständnis für seine Aussetzer hat. Seit dem Tod seiner Schwester leidet er offenbar unter psychischen Problemen, und seine Mutter war nicht gerade wohlsorgend damit, ihm bei der Trauerbewältigung zu helfen. Ganz im Gegenteil ließ sie wohl ihren Schmerz über den Verlust der Tochter an Jeremy aus.
Zitat Pos. 81:
"Niemals hätte er seiner Mutter diese Befriedigung gegönnt, denn in Wirklichkeit war nicht Sarah die Zielscheibe, das wusste er, sondern er. Der Subtext war laut und deutlich: Die Einzige, die ihn haben wollte, die Einzige, die er kriegen konnte, war eine dicke junge Frau, eine pummelige, dankbare Frau."
Bereits der Klappentext lässt erahnen, dass Jeremy irgendwie selbst am Tod seiner Schwester beteiligt ist. Durch einige Wendungen schafft es die Autorin dann etwa zur Hälfte des Buches, die Spannung zu steigern, und auch der Eindruck von Jeremy verändert sich noch einmal.
Das Ende war dann tatsächlich sehr überraschend und dramatisch - konnte aber die anfänglichen Längen nicht vollends wieder gutmachen.
Fazit: Ein langatmiger Anfang. Wer aber durchhält, wird mit einer ausgetüftelten und letztlich auch spannenden Crime-Story belohnt. Ich frage mich allerdings, wie man auf diesen Buchtitel gekommen ist, denn den finsteren See hat die Autorin nur ganz kurz nebenbei eingebracht. Schade!
© RO, Daniela
Es gibt Bücher, die von der ersten Seite an spannend sind und einen nicht loslassen. Und dann gibt es Bücher wie dieses, die sich ziehen wie Kaugummi. Viele Seiten lang erfährt der Leser, was Jeremy für ein unsympathischer Kerl ist, der sich glücklich schätzen sollte, dass seine Frau Sarah so viel Verständnis für seine Aussetzer hat. Seit dem Tod seiner Schwester leidet er offenbar unter psychischen Problemen, und seine Mutter war nicht gerade wohlsorgend damit, ihm bei der Trauerbewältigung zu helfen. Ganz im Gegenteil ließ sie wohl ihren Schmerz über den Verlust der Tochter an Jeremy aus.
Zitat Pos. 81:
"Niemals hätte er seiner Mutter diese Befriedigung gegönnt, denn in Wirklichkeit war nicht Sarah die Zielscheibe, das wusste er, sondern er. Der Subtext war laut und deutlich: Die Einzige, die ihn haben wollte, die Einzige, die er kriegen konnte, war eine dicke junge Frau, eine pummelige, dankbare Frau."
Bereits der Klappentext lässt erahnen, dass Jeremy irgendwie selbst am Tod seiner Schwester beteiligt ist. Durch einige Wendungen schafft es die Autorin dann etwa zur Hälfte des Buches, die Spannung zu steigern, und auch der Eindruck von Jeremy verändert sich noch einmal.
Das Ende war dann tatsächlich sehr überraschend und dramatisch - konnte aber die anfänglichen Längen nicht vollends wieder gutmachen.
Fazit: Ein langatmiger Anfang. Wer aber durchhält, wird mit einer ausgetüftelten und letztlich auch spannenden Crime-Story belohnt. Ich frage mich allerdings, wie man auf diesen Buchtitel gekommen ist, denn den finsteren See hat die Autorin nur ganz kurz nebenbei eingebracht. Schade!
© RO, Daniela
April 19, 2022
This was such a good read that I couldn't put down and I read it in one sitting. Well written with a gripping storyline and really well developed characters.It was twisty and unpredictable and kept me guessing. A fast paced and tense read that I loved.
April 22, 2022
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for a chance to review this book.
I try to find the positive in most books I read, It was hard to do so with this one. The story just seemed off a bit. It was hard to find a character to like. Hopefully others will enjoy it more than I did.
I try to find the positive in most books I read, It was hard to do so with this one. The story just seemed off a bit. It was hard to find a character to like. Hopefully others will enjoy it more than I did.
July 3, 2022
I think it features a lot of elements that made me love a thriller and it's well written. Unfortunately I couldn't care for the characters and the story fell flat.
Not my cup of tea.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Not my cup of tea.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Read
July 23, 2022This book was hard to get involved in. The main character was unlikeable in general and the story wasn't very attention grabbing.
October 11, 2022
I enjoyed it, it kept my attention and I wanted to know what happened next. To me, that spells a great book.
February 17, 2024
Gripping and intense!
July 5, 2024
nice twists that kept me guessing. Kid's younger sister is killed while he is in charge of her - he thinks he is responsible
February 12, 2022
After the passing of Jeremy’s mother, he and his family travel back to the small English village where he once lived as a child; the place where his little sister appeared to have drowned, accidentally; which he has no real memory of. But the residents of Jeremy’s former childhood town don’t take kindly to his return. Soon, whispers, rumors, and violent alterations leave Jeremy more determined to unveil the truth. Someone is guilty, even if it is himself, and he will stop at nothing until he learns the truth. A well-written debut novel for those who enjoy Lisa Jewell.
September 5, 2024
The characters have all these emotions and attitudes the reader will never understand. Since I didn't have any basis to care about any of them, I didn't have to wonder about the bases for their behaviors. I cranked the audiobook speed to 4x (first time I listened that fast) and I never backed up to catch something important. The only suspense in this novel is never learning the basis for the breathlessness of this author's prose.
A better use of my time would be to disabuse myself of the need to finish everything I start.
A better use of my time would be to disabuse myself of the need to finish everything I start.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews