Scared to Breathe

by Kerena Swan

When Tasha witnesses a stabbing at the train station in Luton, she is compelled to give evidence in court that leads to Dean Rigby being convicted. But when Lewis, Dean's brother, vows revenge, Tasha is afraid and no longer feels safe in her own home. Tasha's partner, Reuben, hopes to marry her and start a family soon. But Reuben is concerned about Tasha's state of mind and urges her to see a doctor When Tasha is left a derelict country house by her birth father, she sees an opportunity to escape Luton and start a new life. After visiting Black Hollow Hall she sees it as the perfect opportunity to live a life without fear. At first Tasha feels liberated from her troubles. The gardener, William, who is partially paralysed but employed to maintain the grounds of Black Hollow Hall, is welcoming. But soon Tasha realises the Hall is not quite the idyll she imagined. When she discovers that a woman jumped to her death there years ago following the murder of her husband, strange events begin to take place and Tasha fears for her safety. Have the Rigby family found her? Is someone trying to scare her into selling the house? Or is she suffering from paranoia as Reuben suggests? As Tasha's sanity is put under pressure she begins to wonder if Black Hollow Hall is going to be her salvation or her undoing . . . Kerena Swan is also the author of the unmissable psychological thriller Dying to See You. Scared to Breathe is a compelling thriller which will appeal to fans of authors like Clare Mackintosh, Cara Hunter and Shalini Boland.

Genres: Thriller

294 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 3, 2019

About the author

Kerena Swan trained as a social worker and worked for Social Services for over 25 years. For the past 17 years she has owned and managed an ‘outstanding’ rated agency for children with disabilities. Following serious illnesses, she decided to fulfil her long-held ambition of writing a book and getting it published. ‘Dying to See You’, published by Bloodhound Books, was her debut novel.
After many years of writing professionally in the course of her work, Kerena discovered the exhilaration and deep joy of writing fiction and can be found at all hours in front of her computer. Her fifth novel and book #2 of the DI Paton series published by Hobeck Books, 'Driven' is now available.
Kerena lives with her family, dog and cat in a small village in Bedfordshire, UK and her books are mostly set in the surrounding areas.
Drawing on her extensive knowledge and experience of the problematic world of social work and social studies, Kerena delves deeply into her characters' psyches to understand their motivations and behaviours and add meaning and depth to her stories.
If you would like to hear more about new releases, read Kerena's blogs and download free short-stories - the prequel to Dying to See You, and the prequel to Blood Loss, DI Paton book #1 - then visit www.kerenaswan.com and join her mailing list

Reviews

[Linda Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tasha sees a crime in action and becomes the only witness when the victim disappears. There is talk about the criminal's family out for revenge and now she's afraid of staying in her own home.

Everywhere she turns, she thinks she sees the family of the man she's testifying against. Reuben, her fiancee thinks she is paranoid. Who is that man that seems to follow her? Is it just her imagination, her fright, or is there actually someone stalking her?

Out of the blue, she receives a letter from a law firm working for her biological father, whom she has never met. Unfortunately, he has passed away and left his entire estate to her. She thinks the country house and surrounding grounds her opportunity to be where she doesn't feel afraid.

But Tasha realizes that not everything is as wonderful as she believes. Strange things go bump in the night and then there's the human skeleton found buried on the grounds.

Is someone trying to scare her into selling her estate? Is it the family of the man she testified against ... have they found her? Is her fiancee jealous of her new found wealth and wants her out of the picture? Or is she paranoid?

Very suspenseful from start to finish, there are plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader riveted to the story. I enjoyed the feeling of living in a small village where everyone knows everyone else. The characters are finely drawn.

Many thanks to the author and Bloodhound Books for the advanced digital copy of this mystery. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

[Fictionophile · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It was a perfect blend of psychological thriller and gothic suspense – written in a way that held me spellbound throughout.

The setting, the beautiful old Cotswold manor, was well described. I could picture every nook and cranny of the house and grounds.

The characters were written sympathetically, causing the reader to become invested in the story-line and the protagonist’s experiences. I particularly enjoyed reading about Tasha’s friendship with the octogenarian Bob and his dog, Bonnie.

Kerena Swan is a ‘new to me‘ author, but I plan to follow her work in further novels. A suspense-filled thriller, “Scared to Breathe” is a book I can, and will, highly recommend.

[8stitches 9lives · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scared to Breathe is Ms Swan's second standalone thriller. I very much enjoyed her debut, Dying to See You, and this is just as utterly compelling, if not even more so. After witnessing a mugging, Tasha is frightened for her life. She wants to speak out about what she saw but the culprits threatening motion across his neck as he departed the scene leaves her stiff with fear. The guy is eventually identified, caught and sentenced yet Tasha's intense distress only worsens. She is suffering from the effects of PTSD, paranoid that the convicts criminal family are out to get her. But are they or can your imagination have you losing your mind on all its own?

There have been a number of thrillers involving a character with PTSD of late, but this is certainly up there with the best. It illustrates the devastating consequences this can have on those who suffer from it, their family and friends. It isolates Tasha and leaves her even more vulnerable than she feels. The subject is treated sensitively, compassionately and I can vouch for the authenticity of it having, sadly, had a family member suffer from it after coming back from the Middle East. It's a well written, compulsive page-turner which kept my attention easily and for the entirety of the story. Recommended. Many thanks to Bloodhound Books for an ARC.

[Dan Malakin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This intense and all-too-real psychological thriller starts when Tasha Hargreaves witnesses a stabbing at a train station and has to give evidence in court against the thuggish Dean Rigby, who vows revenge. Who hasn’t put themselves in that position, and wondered what they’d do? It’s this sense of reality, that it could happen to you, that gives the opening an incredible tension, which rarely lets up.

When she inherits her father’s house the country, she thinks that she can escape the Rigbys, but there’s no let up when she gets there – she soon realises that this hideaway is anything but…

Rarely have I read a book that ratchets the suspense like this one. It had me glued to the kindle for hours at a time. But it’s not just about the action. The main character’s personal transformation is also important, and very current in today’s Me Too climate.

This is definitely a book that resonates beyond its genre, and is a cut above your typical psychological thriller

[Helen Lancaster Lancaster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book**

Enjoyed this book immensely. It starts off in Luton where Tash and Rueben are living in a small house. They both commute to work and after a night out with her friends Tash takes the tube home. There is a drunkard on the train and as she bears her stop he starts to give her a bit of trouble. She hurried off and turns around the corner and sees a man being stabbed by another man. She screams the man runs. The drunk meanwhile calls the police and the ambulance get there. She gives a description of the man especially his red hair, he is known to the police. Moving on the man who was stabbed has recovered and ran away to his country, the perpetrator Rigsby is in Jail and Tash is the only witness. She's very upset with the trial coming up and doesn't feel safe because he has brothers who have threatened her. Anyway the trial goes ahead and he's put behind bars. Moving forward she's not happy living in Luton and her partner Rueben is always away with work. This is just half of the book what happens next is a surprise she never anticipated for her but for Rueben is a nightmare. It's a great book couldn't put it down and would definitely recommend. There are so many surprises and indeed dangers ahead. Is Rueben involved???

[Selina Trafford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

Creepy, tense and full of drama.

Loved every single second of it.

Just because you are paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you.

[Maggie Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant story

Wow! I dived into this book and didn't surface until I'd finished reading it. Brilliant story. Full of suspense. I must congratulate the author for the way she managed to keep you guessing on Natasha's state of mind "real or paranoia"?
Whoever buys this book, definitely won't be disappointed.

[Jim Ody · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book wonderful! It had me gripped from the start. I love the dilemma that the protagonist found herself in. I loved the inherited house in the country - especially as it's situated very close to where I live.

It could've been clichéd. A rehashed tale of creeping floorboards and ghostly apparitions, but it wasn't any of that. It's a great tale. One of the best reads I have this year!

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I seem to be in the minority on this book. It was very long-winded, boring and the conversations were repetitive for about 85% of the story. There were hardly any thrills and the small things that happen to Tasha along the way were hardly scary.

The book was long, drawn out and could’ve been much shorter.

[Alyson Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tasha Hargreaves lives a fairly simple life, working as a greetings card designer and engaged to Reuben whom she hopes to marry and start a family with soon. After a night out with friends she travels home to Luton late on the train and at the station becomes a witness to a brutal stabbing. After identifying the assailant she is compelled to give evidence in the court case that sends Dean Rigby down for a number of years. His family of thugs vow to get their revenge on her and she no longer feels safe in her home town, her feelings of paranoia increasing with every little strange sound at night. Tasha has always known she was adopted but has never had the urge to find out anything about her birth parents. It comes as a huge shock to find that her birth father has been trying to trace her and after dying has bequeathed her the large and derelict Black Hollow Hall in the Cotswolds, with enough money to restore it as long as she lives there. She wonders if it could be the answer to her prayers, escaping the fear of the dangerous Rigby clan and starting a new dream life. She starts the work required with the help of partially paralysed gardener William, a long standing friend of her father's, and even makes some friends in the local village. But delving into the house's history she discovers things are not all they seem and her old fears start creeping back again. This puts an added strain on her relationship with Reuben who is clearly not in love with the old house. Is she just paranoid and should be seeing a doctor or is someone out to get her and if so, who and more importantly why? This is a great story, very creepy in places as Tasha lives on her nerves and the reader is left to guess exactly what is happening. The characters are well described and definitely fall into the love them or hate them camps, and the plot was credible (even if being left a huge country house is the stuff my dreams are made of!) Some parts of the mystery were fairly easy to guess but I was pleased to still find some surprises at the end. Very enjoyable reading.

[Karolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book from Kerena Swan and was a suspenseful thriller to keep you on your toes!

Tasha is on her way home from London on the late train, when she is just left with a drunk man left for company and he starts moving down the train towards her, she prays the train soons get to her stop and that she could be more forceful. Unfortunately, the drunk gets off with her, she makes a dash for the steps to the bridge, slows and stops at the top at the so she can check the footbridge. There is a man crossing but he seems harmless enough. Then suddenly a mugger runs across the bridge, accosts the man, ordering him to hand over his money, phone and watch. The man turns and offer his fist, the mugger shows him a knife and stabs him, sees Tasha and heads her way. She then realises she has screamed 'stop'! He advances towards her, she looks back towards the platform, the drunk is still there. She heads back down the steps and he waltz's round the platform with her, little realising he's saved their lives. The mugger comes to a halt on the steps and makes a slashing motion across his neck to Tasha and goes back up the steps and across the bridge. Tasha explains what has happened and the call the police. Then the nightmare really begins....

This books is really excellently written and very descriptive throughout. We have the drabness of a town to the lushness of the countryside and country living, even the difference in the pubs and friendships. The terror and paranoia can feel real and the writer has brought this into the book. Just what it is that Tasha goes on to experience in the months after the attack she witnessed on the footbridge? PSTD? Paranioia? Anxiety? The book will make you wonder. Really enjoyed it.

[Julie Lacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a gripping read that had me on the edge of my seat.
Tash witnesses a knife attack and is worried about giving evidence in court as she’s heard of the attacker’s family, and they’re not to be messed with.
Soon things start happening to her house so she knows they know where she lives, and grows more and more worried.
She then inherits a huge property in the Cotswolds but it needs a lot of work. Her and Reuben spend some time there but he really doesn’t like the remote location.
Soon Tash is spending time there on her own and things start happening around her. At first she thinks she’s being paranoid but when something happens one night, she has to take action.
This is a gripping read and I really felt for Tash.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

[Ruth Matheson · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the beginning of the book to the end, I found myself wanting to know what was going to happen next and as the book flows well, it was easy to just keep reading. The story begins with Tasha being a witness to a stabbing which has dire consequences on her mental state however when she then inherits a rambling estate in the Cotswalds from her biological father, she starts to feel things are on the up.......but little does she know.

There are a number of people who could be trying to torment her however the trick is guessing which one as each have reasons for doing so. I did sort of guess who it was but as there is a twist at the end, it's not so easy! Great psychological read and would highly recommend it. Would give it 4.5* if possible.

Thanks to Bloodhound Books for the ARC to review.

[Helen Christmas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story has a great opening sequence, one that instantly pulled me in when a young woman witnesses a violent mugging, a man stabbed. Her emotions are well depicted, Tasha a character I instantly engaged with, not just in the courtroom but in the aftermath. The mugger is known to the police, a really nasty piece of work, so when after appearing in court to give evidence, she faces threats and intimidation. Stuck living in Luton with her not-so-understanding boyfriend (who thinks she is paranoid), she lives in fear of retribution. The story however, takes an unexpected twist when she inherits a gorgeous country mansion in the Cotswolds, granting her a much needed sanctuary. With funds to renovate the hall, Tasha has a new project to help take her mind off her troubles as well as the evil Rigby family, gets to know the villagers and makes friends. But when eerie things start to happen in the woods, the lake and the old house, Tasha starts to wonder if she is truly safe. Have her old enemies managed to trace her or is a new threat now looming? Overall, I thought this was a really well written exciting story with an good twist I never saw coming. It wasn't edge of the seat gripping, but engaging with warm, strong characters. I really liked it.

[Nerys Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tasha is on her way home from a night out with friends when she witnesses a stabbing. She has to testify in court at Dean Rigby’s trial. When he is sentenced his brother, Lewis, swears revenge. From that moment on Tasha doesn’t”t feel safe in her Luton home. She cant sleep due to nightmares and suffers from anxiety. Her fearfulness puts a strain on her relationship with her fiancé Reuben. Then Tasha learns that she has inherited a house in the Cotswolds. Tasha falls in love with Black Hollow Hall as soon as she sees it but Reuben isn’t so enthusiastic. Tasha moves into the coach house to project manage the renovations but things start happening in the house and grounds which ramps up Tasha’s anxiety.

A reallly good read with the tension ramping up in every chapter. You’re never sure whether Tasha is merely paranoid or if someone is out to get her.

Thanks to Bloodhound Books and Kerena Swan for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

[Carol Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

This was a very suspenseful book. I never even guessed the ending, what a shock. I did have to laugh a few times when you mentioned how hot it was outside then said it was 30 degrees. That is two degrees below freezing. I look forward to reading more of your books.

[April Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book had me gripped and was a surprise ending!

[Alex Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly thanks to Heather at Bloodhoud Books for the oppurtunity to read and review this new Psychological Thriller by Kerena Swan

Tasha witnesses a violent mugging late at night after a train journey home to Luton train station. A young man attacks someone for his phone, but before the assailant makes his getaway he motions to Tasha with a finger accross his throat... a warning, don't say a word.

Once the case is over and the boy now sentenced, Tasha is still living in fear of her life and safety, scared of the boy's brutish brother and family.

Out of the blue, she receives a letter from a solicitor, advising her she has been left a large house in the countryside by her birth father.

Tasked with renovating the building. Tasha comes up against the locals, whilst her own fears still follow her at every turn.

Sabotage. freak accidents, and a irrational fear of being watched, this book is about facing your fears and the devastating effects of PTSD.

Tasha's spiral into anxiety and fear , into paranoia, is very well done and its very unnerving reading.

Kerena Swan is a first time Author for me and i think she tackles the subject of this book very well, plotting is great and paced perfectly, this is one of those quietly disturbing books that keep you right on the hook to the end.

Highly Recommend.

4🔥🔥🔥🔥

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, just wow! I could not put this book down and when I had to I couldn't stop thinking about when I could pick it back up. I loved the pace of the book, the suspense around every corner and truly feeling the anxiety that Tasha experienced. What's fact? What's your imagination? Well done - I truly understood how she felt scared to breathe.

[Jessica · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointing

This book had real potential. It started off really gripping up until she moved to the Cotswolds, after that it was a boring story of renovating a house and meeting the village people. Couldn't be bothered to find out how it ended.

[Lesley Crosley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite enjoyed it!

Started off well but storyline was a bit far fetched! It would have been more interesting if more focus was put on the original crime. saying that an acceptable read.

[Holly Guest · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took some time to get into the nitty gritty part, but once it had started.I couldn't put it down. There is a fantastic twist. Great read 👍

[Wendy Del Toro · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't do it for me. The story dragged on with so much repetition and not much happening. And so much back and for between houses I often forgot which house she was in. Is someone gaslighting her or is she really losing the plot? I found the villain to be not obvious but predictable I knew the wheelchair dude was able to walk and that he was the baddie, but I did not know he was Simon. ALso too much 'filler' that just padded the story (unless certain characters were supposed to be red herrings and if so, didn't work for me)

[ChillwithabookAWARD With · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scared To Breathe by Kerena Swan has received a Chill with a Book Readers' Award.
www.chillwithabook.com

An exciting story full of drama even the name of the house gives you the creeps. A very enjoyable read.
Pauline Barclay - Founder of Chill Awards.

[Kerry Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a Cosy Mystery

Great amount of suspense when Tasha questions her sanity over things that happen to her or the paranoia that is suggested by her fiance.
Loved the setting in the Cotswolds as it's close to where I live so my imagination worked wonders.

[Cheryl Bowley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

Wow wow wow, this is the first but it certainly won't be the the last book I read from this great author, stayed up for 2 nights till 3am to finish this thrilling story, looks like another late night as I'm starting another definitely 5 Stars

[michelle wilkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twists &Turns

I enjoyed this fast moving book. It held lots of interest and described people and places well. I'd defjbateky read this author's novels again.

[Francesca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, it was a simple and quick read with plenty of twists to keep you guessing!