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The Trial
Would you sign up to a medical trial if you didn’t know the possible side effects?
18-40? PAID CLINICAL TRIAL IN THE CANARY ISLANDS – UP TO £20,000 TAX FREE
It seems like the opportunity of a lifetime. An all-inclusive luxury trip abroad, all you need to do is take a pill every day and keep a diary.
Except you don’t know anything about the drug or what its side effects might be.
The headaches start, a dull ache at first. Every day worse than the last.
Then a body is found.
Everyone is a suspect. Anyone could be a killer. Even you . . .
2022’s biggest locked-room thriller, for fans of Alex Michaelides, T. M. Logan and JP Delaney
18-40? PAID CLINICAL TRIAL IN THE CANARY ISLANDS – UP TO £20,000 TAX FREE
It seems like the opportunity of a lifetime. An all-inclusive luxury trip abroad, all you need to do is take a pill every day and keep a diary.
Except you don’t know anything about the drug or what its side effects might be.
The headaches start, a dull ache at first. Every day worse than the last.
Then a body is found.
Everyone is a suspect. Anyone could be a killer. Even you . . .
2022’s biggest locked-room thriller, for fans of Alex Michaelides, T. M. Logan and JP Delaney
375 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 7, 2022
106 people are currently reading
1511 people want to read
About the author
S.R. Masters
4 books159 followersS R Masters grew up around Birmingham in the UK and lives in Oxford with his wife and children. His award winning short fiction and quirky novels have been published internationally. Labelled as "a writer to watch" by Publishers Weekly, his books include THE TRIAL (HarperCollins), THE KILLER YOU KNOW (Sphere) and HOW TO KILL WITH KINDNESS (HarperCollins).
His next book is a roller coaster thriller called THE DROP, out with HarperCollins (UK) and Sourcebooks (US) in 2026.
His next book is a roller coaster thriller called THE DROP, out with HarperCollins (UK) and Sourcebooks (US) in 2026.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 254 reviews
June 7, 2022
Elle is a 30 year old receptionist/admin at a mental health facility who still lives with her mother. Her mother is very needy and greedy. Elle decides she needs a holiday and books a vacation in the Canary Islands. When the mother finds out she manufactures a catastrophe for which she needs money, the story of Elle’s life. Goodbye holiday! Cranky and drunk she gets on the computer and sees what her mum has been up to. She finds an invitation to participate in a drug trial- an all expenses paid luxury vacation with a £20,000 bonus to be paid on completion of the one month trial. This is just what Elle needs. What could go wrong?
There are 10 (or so) participants and all goes well for the first week or so but then the cracks start to appear. Some people are getting headaches, complaining that their heads are all messed up. One of the party disappears, a goat is found murdered and arguments break out. By the halfway point this idyllic resort doesn’t seem so idyllic any more and it has dawned on people how isolated they really are. Which island are they actually on? There is no sign of civilisation as far as the eye can see.
A sense of dread builds as one of the two trial doctors dies and a couple more people disappear. There is something very wrong here. Soon the participants are at each other’s throats and some of them realise they have to save themselves.
The book started quite well but then it seemed to slow right down, I mean it got really slooooow. I suppose it was necessary to enable the author to build the sense of dread and claustrophobia that soon blanketed everything. I thought the character development was very good. Each of the participants had their own unique ‘voice’. I could really relate to Elle, although she was a bit of a ‘pleaser’ but she was also gutsy and loyal.
It was the ending which let the book down most. It seemed both too pat and too fantastical at the same time. A big suspension of disbelief is required. But the very, very ending (which some may not like) I thought was perfect for the story and saved the book from being a total fail! Many thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
There are 10 (or so) participants and all goes well for the first week or so but then the cracks start to appear. Some people are getting headaches, complaining that their heads are all messed up. One of the party disappears, a goat is found murdered and arguments break out. By the halfway point this idyllic resort doesn’t seem so idyllic any more and it has dawned on people how isolated they really are. Which island are they actually on? There is no sign of civilisation as far as the eye can see.
A sense of dread builds as one of the two trial doctors dies and a couple more people disappear. There is something very wrong here. Soon the participants are at each other’s throats and some of them realise they have to save themselves.
The book started quite well but then it seemed to slow right down, I mean it got really slooooow. I suppose it was necessary to enable the author to build the sense of dread and claustrophobia that soon blanketed everything. I thought the character development was very good. Each of the participants had their own unique ‘voice’. I could really relate to Elle, although she was a bit of a ‘pleaser’ but she was also gutsy and loyal.
It was the ending which let the book down most. It seemed both too pat and too fantastical at the same time. A big suspension of disbelief is required. But the very, very ending (which some may not like) I thought was perfect for the story and saved the book from being a total fail! Many thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
June 22, 2022
A standalone thriller, The Trial by S R Masters sees ten strangers attending the Canary Islands for a randomised clinical medical trial. Elle’s planned holiday is thwarted when her manipulative mother uses a ruse to get her to pay her debts off. So, the tax free payment of £20,000 and a month on a tropical island is too much to pass up. Elle feels like a fraud for being part of the trial, yet she is determined to enjoy her holiday and get to know the other participants. However, all things aren’t as they seem to Elle and the odd behaviour and needless rules soon lead to the discovery of one trialist gone missing. Then a dead body is found and the communal bond is stained as the medical trial is threatened to be aborted without payment. An all too typical thriller, with a slow burning tension building to a dangerous finale that only reaches a three-star rating. With thanks to Harper Collins UK and the author, for an uncorrected advanced reader copy for review purposes.
May 27, 2022
If you could get on in a Clinical Trial that will pay you £20 000, and a holiday type retreat, would you do it??
Elle sign's up for this clinical trial. She is whisked off to an unknown island with a few other participants. All seems fine the first week, but then the headaches start for some and other start showing their wild sides.
I chose to read this book over a few days, and very glad that I did. There was so much happening in this book and it gave me a chance to recap on the sections that I've finished. I personally feel this book could have had much more thriller aspects. The storyline captures you and I felt really invested to see who would walk away unscathed. A brilliant effort and a good story, I did enjoy it.
Thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins UK for this ARC.
Elle sign's up for this clinical trial. She is whisked off to an unknown island with a few other participants. All seems fine the first week, but then the headaches start for some and other start showing their wild sides.
I chose to read this book over a few days, and very glad that I did. There was so much happening in this book and it gave me a chance to recap on the sections that I've finished. I personally feel this book could have had much more thriller aspects. The storyline captures you and I felt really invested to see who would walk away unscathed. A brilliant effort and a good story, I did enjoy it.
Thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins UK for this ARC.
June 24, 2022
There are some really good bits to this book, the premise for one where we find Ellie applying to be on ‘the trial’ the reason she is doing so is to flee the clutches of her tyrannical Mum, now as characters go her Mum is a loathe to love one, a massive wonderfully awfully great character that the author is inspired to have created, so…the whole process of applying and Ellie joining and meeting the other participants is good…then as things start to go wrong and side effects happen it goes a bit ‘off’ and tbh for me never really regained its thunderous start…there seems a lot of repetition and as things escalate certain situations are hard to fathom, that said I read it to the end as wanted to see how it ended and what the purpose ( the real purpose of the trial ) had been
Overall was worth a read but does have a few glaring inconsistencies in the facts that make the story a bit questionable at times
6/10
3 Stars
Overall was worth a read but does have a few glaring inconsistencies in the facts that make the story a bit questionable at times
6/10
3 Stars
August 11, 2022
I loved the sound of this one, and it gets off to a flying start!
I sympathised with Elle straight away, she has a difficult life with her Mum who is forever scrounging off her and manipulating her. Her mum made my blood boil so many times!
Elle wants an escape, and The Trial seems like the perfect way.
Once the trial starts, the book does lose some originality for me but the intrigue stayed throughout and though the ending seemed a little rushed, I enjoyed the constant guessing and the unreliable and unworthy characters.
I sympathised with Elle straight away, she has a difficult life with her Mum who is forever scrounging off her and manipulating her. Her mum made my blood boil so many times!
Elle wants an escape, and The Trial seems like the perfect way.
Once the trial starts, the book does lose some originality for me but the intrigue stayed throughout and though the ending seemed a little rushed, I enjoyed the constant guessing and the unreliable and unworthy characters.
June 22, 2022
“It’s just good science.”
This was a wild ride, full of suspense and unexpected twists! I think fans of The Wilds, Black Mirror, or social experiments would love this. I’m a Big Brother super-fan so this was my cup of tea.
Elle is having a tough go of it, living with her lazy bum mom and working a job that isn’t dead-end but it isn’t where she wants to be. She books herself a much needed vacation before she has a heavier work and school load but ends up instead using the money to bail her mom out of one of her schemes so she’s back to square one.
One night when her mom is out, Elle sees an invitation to apply for a clinical trial. It sounds too good to be true! Money and a month long vacation. The weirdest part is it’s only showing up on her mom’s computer. She didn’t clear those cookies! Elle applies and fails. A day or two later, drunk Elle is thinking about it again and applies but lies on the app and gets accepted.
This trial seems pretty suspicious from the start. 🚩 They flew to an island but don’t know where they are. They can’t get online but they have all the entertainment and booze at their disposal. It’s still a vacation for some of them after all! Everyone is getting on well for the first week or two.
No one knows who is taking the real pill and who is taking placebo, but things soon start to fall off the rails completely. It starts with a headache. The behavior goes downhill from there and some of them get downright deranged. This isn’t going to end well.
So what’s going on here? Is this really a drug trial or is this some sort of social experiment? Is anyone who they say they are? I was suspicious of everyone at some point. I started feeling suspicious of myself and I wasn’t even there! Things were so chaotic. This ended up very violent and bloody! I was surprised but impressed. I felt I’d mention it in case some weren’t into that kind of thing.
My only small complaints are that I would have preferred a more detailed ending, especially since my other complaint is that it dragged on sometimes, too full of useless dialogue. So to have too much fluff, then a fast ending wasn’t ideal but the journey made up for it.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review!
This was a wild ride, full of suspense and unexpected twists! I think fans of The Wilds, Black Mirror, or social experiments would love this. I’m a Big Brother super-fan so this was my cup of tea.
Elle is having a tough go of it, living with her lazy bum mom and working a job that isn’t dead-end but it isn’t where she wants to be. She books herself a much needed vacation before she has a heavier work and school load but ends up instead using the money to bail her mom out of one of her schemes so she’s back to square one.
One night when her mom is out, Elle sees an invitation to apply for a clinical trial. It sounds too good to be true! Money and a month long vacation. The weirdest part is it’s only showing up on her mom’s computer. She didn’t clear those cookies! Elle applies and fails. A day or two later, drunk Elle is thinking about it again and applies but lies on the app and gets accepted.
This trial seems pretty suspicious from the start. 🚩 They flew to an island but don’t know where they are. They can’t get online but they have all the entertainment and booze at their disposal. It’s still a vacation for some of them after all! Everyone is getting on well for the first week or two.
No one knows who is taking the real pill and who is taking placebo, but things soon start to fall off the rails completely. It starts with a headache. The behavior goes downhill from there and some of them get downright deranged. This isn’t going to end well.
So what’s going on here? Is this really a drug trial or is this some sort of social experiment? Is anyone who they say they are? I was suspicious of everyone at some point. I started feeling suspicious of myself and I wasn’t even there! Things were so chaotic. This ended up very violent and bloody! I was surprised but impressed. I felt I’d mention it in case some weren’t into that kind of thing.
My only small complaints are that I would have preferred a more detailed ending, especially since my other complaint is that it dragged on sometimes, too full of useless dialogue. So to have too much fluff, then a fast ending wasn’t ideal but the journey made up for it.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review!
July 1, 2022
Would you sign up for a medical trial if you didn't know the possible side effects?
18-40 PAID CRUCIAL TRIAL IN THE CANARY ISLANDS - UP TO £20.000 TAX FREE
It seems the opportunity of a lifetime. An all-inclusive luxury trip abroad, and all you need to do is take a pill every day and keep a diary. Except you don't know anything about the drug or what the side effects might be. The headaches start, a dull ache at first, Everyday worse than the last. Then a body is found....
What a creepy, mysterious and captivating read this was. This is a descriptively written book. We are told this story from Elle's point of view. The storyline has a steady pace until to get to the middle, where it takes a dip. But then it steadies it's pace out again. I also felt the ending was a little abrupt. Overall I did enjoy this book but I had to take half a star off for the dip in the middle, then another half a star for the abrupt ending.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapterand the author #SRMasters for my ARC of #TheTrial in exchange for an honest review.
18-40 PAID CRUCIAL TRIAL IN THE CANARY ISLANDS - UP TO £20.000 TAX FREE
It seems the opportunity of a lifetime. An all-inclusive luxury trip abroad, and all you need to do is take a pill every day and keep a diary. Except you don't know anything about the drug or what the side effects might be. The headaches start, a dull ache at first, Everyday worse than the last. Then a body is found....
What a creepy, mysterious and captivating read this was. This is a descriptively written book. We are told this story from Elle's point of view. The storyline has a steady pace until to get to the middle, where it takes a dip. But then it steadies it's pace out again. I also felt the ending was a little abrupt. Overall I did enjoy this book but I had to take half a star off for the dip in the middle, then another half a star for the abrupt ending.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapterand the author #SRMasters for my ARC of #TheTrial in exchange for an honest review.
May 15, 2022
My rating system - 1 ⭐️ ticked no boxes COMPLETE FAIL
Would you sign up a for a clinical trial knowing almost nothing about potential side effects??
18-40? PAID CLINICAL TRIAL IN THE CANARY ISLANDS - UP TO £20,000 TAX FREE. It seems like the opportunity of a lifetime … doesn’t it. As the old saying goes though if it seems too good to be true… then it probably is.
Elle is stuck in a dead end job, with a leech of a mum who steals from her and lies and then gaslights her into feeling like shes done the wrong thing. Elle decides enough is enough and books herself a holiday all expenses paid. Mummy dear finds out and she fabricates a lie that sees Elle cancelling her trip and giving her hard earned savings to her mother only to find her out in the lie.
Enough is a enough, drunk and angry Elle gets onto her mothers computer and sees the Too Good to be True clinical trial offer. She shoots off her answers (not as regular nice Elle, as Holiday bad b*tch Elle). She is accepted and before she knows it she is sipping champagne, checking out hot guys and having the time of her life… after a while though things start to slip… What is the drug really doing to everyone… was this a huge mistake…will Elle get out alive??
WOW … I am a major outlier on this one but I HATED this book!!! It was so boring. The first 20% had me … nicely played suckered me in and I kept reading… Why!!!! What made me do that. I have no idea. I have been sick lately I think this booked played me in a moment of weakness. 🤥
The opening was creepy and eerie and I was like yesss… this is the stuff. Elle’s mother is a demon - bit too close to home for me - but she was so horrible and that kept my interest. Then she got herself on this trial good for her… shes had a rough time. So not too much is happening but you can feel the build…. 🧟♀️
Sooooooo much writing… so many words… so many sentences… Oh the words and words and did I say words… OMG talk about play by play. I felt like I was experiencing the worlds most boring holiday by the minute. Sorry for those of you that liked it and will like it but I simply cannot accept there being this much description. ‼️
Elle is boring, the people around her are boring and horrible (I think thats the point) but seriously there is no one to root for - literally not one person has a redeeming feature and honestly when the first person dropped I just didn’t care. I wanted this book to be over so badly that I didn’t care about anyone. 🤷♀️
So many things happened and none of it was interesting - too many things happened and there was too much description of the colour of the blood, the amount of the blood, where the blood came from - like really…. We all know blood is red move on. 🩸
THAT ENDING…. 15% for an ending… you ask a question and I’ll ask a question, lets not worry about the lives at stake, lets just go around and around and talk rubbish for ages and then have the worlds worst reveal - I won’t ruin it for people who actually want to read this book but my god political views and extreme ideals do not belong here it was TOO MUCH…. 🥵
I am not going to keep ranting - It bored me and I hated it and it was TRASH what more is there to say. 😰
Thank you to Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter, NetGalley and the author for an advanced copy for my honest review.
Would you sign up a for a clinical trial knowing almost nothing about potential side effects??
18-40? PAID CLINICAL TRIAL IN THE CANARY ISLANDS - UP TO £20,000 TAX FREE. It seems like the opportunity of a lifetime … doesn’t it. As the old saying goes though if it seems too good to be true… then it probably is.
Elle is stuck in a dead end job, with a leech of a mum who steals from her and lies and then gaslights her into feeling like shes done the wrong thing. Elle decides enough is enough and books herself a holiday all expenses paid. Mummy dear finds out and she fabricates a lie that sees Elle cancelling her trip and giving her hard earned savings to her mother only to find her out in the lie.
Enough is a enough, drunk and angry Elle gets onto her mothers computer and sees the Too Good to be True clinical trial offer. She shoots off her answers (not as regular nice Elle, as Holiday bad b*tch Elle). She is accepted and before she knows it she is sipping champagne, checking out hot guys and having the time of her life… after a while though things start to slip… What is the drug really doing to everyone… was this a huge mistake…will Elle get out alive??
WOW … I am a major outlier on this one but I HATED this book!!! It was so boring. The first 20% had me … nicely played suckered me in and I kept reading… Why!!!! What made me do that. I have no idea. I have been sick lately I think this booked played me in a moment of weakness. 🤥
The opening was creepy and eerie and I was like yesss… this is the stuff. Elle’s mother is a demon - bit too close to home for me - but she was so horrible and that kept my interest. Then she got herself on this trial good for her… shes had a rough time. So not too much is happening but you can feel the build…. 🧟♀️
Sooooooo much writing… so many words… so many sentences… Oh the words and words and did I say words… OMG talk about play by play. I felt like I was experiencing the worlds most boring holiday by the minute. Sorry for those of you that liked it and will like it but I simply cannot accept there being this much description. ‼️
Elle is boring, the people around her are boring and horrible (I think thats the point) but seriously there is no one to root for - literally not one person has a redeeming feature and honestly when the first person dropped I just didn’t care. I wanted this book to be over so badly that I didn’t care about anyone. 🤷♀️
So many things happened and none of it was interesting - too many things happened and there was too much description of the colour of the blood, the amount of the blood, where the blood came from - like really…. We all know blood is red move on. 🩸
THAT ENDING…. 15% for an ending… you ask a question and I’ll ask a question, lets not worry about the lives at stake, lets just go around and around and talk rubbish for ages and then have the worlds worst reveal - I won’t ruin it for people who actually want to read this book but my god political views and extreme ideals do not belong here it was TOO MUCH…. 🥵
I am not going to keep ranting - It bored me and I hated it and it was TRASH what more is there to say. 😰
Thank you to Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter, NetGalley and the author for an advanced copy for my honest review.
July 14, 2022
When a book has a really good premise I always worry it won’t live up to it. This quirky book more than lived up to my expectations in fact it surpassed them. I read this as part of a readalong and the theories that we were throwing around went from the realistic to completely insane. Every little detail became a possibility from the film stills in the cinema room all being from movies that were experiments and don’t even get me started on the goats.
As someone who was registered for medical drug trials this was always going to be an interesting read. You have a headache? That pill you popped was tested on lots of people before you got to take it safely.
People pleaser Elle discovers her mum has conned her out of her savings, which was meant for a holiday. Coming across an advert on her mum’s laptop she is lured by the offer of 20k and a trip to The Canary Islands to trial a new drug. How bad could it be? I mean they wouldn’t test on humans without scrupulous checks would they!
Arriving at the airport we meet the other trial participants and what a bunch they are and the staff at the island aren’t much better. I didn’t trust any of them and as the trial started I said to the others on the readalong this has vibes of The Stanford Prison Experiment then it was mentioned by the author, go me!
I loved the authors previous book with it’s film references and again it has been deployed here with a real cleverness in the smallest of hints. The characters are given backgrounds that could make them either an asset or a complete liability, that is if they are telling the truth and once the headaches start it’s not just the goats breaking loose it seems hell is too.
Will any of them finish the trial? Will they get back home with their 20k and a lovely suntan? Will Elle finally stand up for herself? Would you sign up for The Trial?
As someone who was registered for medical drug trials this was always going to be an interesting read. You have a headache? That pill you popped was tested on lots of people before you got to take it safely.
People pleaser Elle discovers her mum has conned her out of her savings, which was meant for a holiday. Coming across an advert on her mum’s laptop she is lured by the offer of 20k and a trip to The Canary Islands to trial a new drug. How bad could it be? I mean they wouldn’t test on humans without scrupulous checks would they!
Arriving at the airport we meet the other trial participants and what a bunch they are and the staff at the island aren’t much better. I didn’t trust any of them and as the trial started I said to the others on the readalong this has vibes of The Stanford Prison Experiment then it was mentioned by the author, go me!
I loved the authors previous book with it’s film references and again it has been deployed here with a real cleverness in the smallest of hints. The characters are given backgrounds that could make them either an asset or a complete liability, that is if they are telling the truth and once the headaches start it’s not just the goats breaking loose it seems hell is too.
Will any of them finish the trial? Will they get back home with their 20k and a lovely suntan? Will Elle finally stand up for herself? Would you sign up for The Trial?
May 14, 2022
The Trial | S.R. Masters
Genre: psychological thriller, suspense, mystery
The Trial is a standalone book by author S.R. Masters.
Perfect for fans of locked room mysteries, complex characters, and thrilling and unique suspense.
The story follows main character, Elle as she signs up for a medical trial promising a trip of a lifetime and a large sum of money, all she has to do is take an unknown drug with unknown side effects. Sounds too good to be true. As things turn deadly, trapped on an isolated island, not sure who she can trust, she realizes she might have more to fear than just a drug.
This book was an interesting study in human behavior. If you enjoy books about people’s motivations and what they would do for money this might appeal to you. The drug itself makes an interesting take on the unreliable narrator concept. What happens when you are not sure if you can trust yourself and your own memory of events and behavior.
The last part of the book built to an ending you won’t see coming. The final unveiling was shock worthy and unexpected.
Overall the book reminded me of Lucy Foley or Ruth Ware.
• Large cast of characters
• Interesting and captivating concept
• Human psychology
• Easy to read
• Twist ending
• Suspenseful
Thank you to the publisher, author and Netgalley for an advanced copy of the book.
Genre: psychological thriller, suspense, mystery
The Trial is a standalone book by author S.R. Masters.
Perfect for fans of locked room mysteries, complex characters, and thrilling and unique suspense.
The story follows main character, Elle as she signs up for a medical trial promising a trip of a lifetime and a large sum of money, all she has to do is take an unknown drug with unknown side effects. Sounds too good to be true. As things turn deadly, trapped on an isolated island, not sure who she can trust, she realizes she might have more to fear than just a drug.
This book was an interesting study in human behavior. If you enjoy books about people’s motivations and what they would do for money this might appeal to you. The drug itself makes an interesting take on the unreliable narrator concept. What happens when you are not sure if you can trust yourself and your own memory of events and behavior.
The last part of the book built to an ending you won’t see coming. The final unveiling was shock worthy and unexpected.
Overall the book reminded me of Lucy Foley or Ruth Ware.
• Large cast of characters
• Interesting and captivating concept
• Human psychology
• Easy to read
• Twist ending
• Suspenseful
Thank you to the publisher, author and Netgalley for an advanced copy of the book.
October 31, 2022
£20,000 in exchange for your body for four weeks? Hmm, surely there has to be a catch. This is exactly what protagonist, Elle, thinks when she first sees the advert for this medical trial. But, desperation forces her to fall down this rabbit hole and she convinces herself that everything is going to be all ok. All in the name of research… right?
Well, this is hardly what Elle considers when she arrives at the medical facility. Her, along with other ‘guinea pigs’ are all there for the money – and the holiday – that is promised with spending a few weeks in the glorious sunshine with just a few medical inconveniences. I could not believe how blasé all the characters were about the possible side effects; instead, they are so money-driven that they all happily follow directives without questioning the potential repercussions. This laid-back approach dominated most of the novel and I think this made the overall story less thrilling as a result.
The opening chapter really gripped me as it seemed to be a flashback to a previous drug trial. But the writer does not capitalise on this and the scene that readers are presented with at the beginning is glossed over in the plot development. I thought this quite disappointing and would have preferred to see some disjointed flashbacks to emphasise the apparent danger that Elle and the other participants are heading towards. Instead, I felt like a lot of the book was ‘waiting around’ – just like the characters themselves. Waiting for side effects and consequences, I thought the plot was rather slow and did not fill me with suspense in the slightest – even when the bodies start appearing.
Although the participants complain of headaches, this did not seem to be much of a big deal. However, what I really enjoyed was that feeling of paranoia that starts to build. Characters are distrustful of one another; Elle is not sure who to trust; motivations are fuelled by the promise of money and there is no loyalty amongst one another. With Elle, I found I could not believe in what the characters claimed and I liked considering the different angles to the story: was the behaviour a result of the drug being trialled? Was the behaviour a deliberate manipulation? What was truly, genuinely happening at the complex?
This lack of trust meant I really did not believe in Elle’s growing connection with Benji. It all felt a bit too convenient and it felt like the writer was trying to add a romance element, for the sake of having some romance. I would have preferred far more thrilling, suspenseful scenes, rather than reading about Elle missing Benji and wanting to spend more illicit time with him.
In my opinion, this book dragged and when the revelations started coming, I was frustrated by how bland and unsurprising they were. I wanted to be shocked and thrilled; instead I thought the truth was a bit tedious and required too much explanation. Once again, there felt like no pace and I was like a zombie that was moving under the influence of a drug.
I think this story just tries too hard in places. There’s a lot of questions established near the beginning of the trial but the characters blindly accept that they have to do as they are told. Even when those in charge don’t seem to know which Canary island they are on, there are no red flags warning the participants that something isn’t quite right. Perhaps it was the prize fund that was the most important here. As personalities deteriorate and further questions are raised, I didn’t get the sense of trouble and instead would have preferred the “fug” of the story to be lifted and more action taking place.
With thanks to One More Chapter, Harper Collins and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Well, this is hardly what Elle considers when she arrives at the medical facility. Her, along with other ‘guinea pigs’ are all there for the money – and the holiday – that is promised with spending a few weeks in the glorious sunshine with just a few medical inconveniences. I could not believe how blasé all the characters were about the possible side effects; instead, they are so money-driven that they all happily follow directives without questioning the potential repercussions. This laid-back approach dominated most of the novel and I think this made the overall story less thrilling as a result.
The opening chapter really gripped me as it seemed to be a flashback to a previous drug trial. But the writer does not capitalise on this and the scene that readers are presented with at the beginning is glossed over in the plot development. I thought this quite disappointing and would have preferred to see some disjointed flashbacks to emphasise the apparent danger that Elle and the other participants are heading towards. Instead, I felt like a lot of the book was ‘waiting around’ – just like the characters themselves. Waiting for side effects and consequences, I thought the plot was rather slow and did not fill me with suspense in the slightest – even when the bodies start appearing.
Although the participants complain of headaches, this did not seem to be much of a big deal. However, what I really enjoyed was that feeling of paranoia that starts to build. Characters are distrustful of one another; Elle is not sure who to trust; motivations are fuelled by the promise of money and there is no loyalty amongst one another. With Elle, I found I could not believe in what the characters claimed and I liked considering the different angles to the story: was the behaviour a result of the drug being trialled? Was the behaviour a deliberate manipulation? What was truly, genuinely happening at the complex?
This lack of trust meant I really did not believe in Elle’s growing connection with Benji. It all felt a bit too convenient and it felt like the writer was trying to add a romance element, for the sake of having some romance. I would have preferred far more thrilling, suspenseful scenes, rather than reading about Elle missing Benji and wanting to spend more illicit time with him.
In my opinion, this book dragged and when the revelations started coming, I was frustrated by how bland and unsurprising they were. I wanted to be shocked and thrilled; instead I thought the truth was a bit tedious and required too much explanation. Once again, there felt like no pace and I was like a zombie that was moving under the influence of a drug.
I think this story just tries too hard in places. There’s a lot of questions established near the beginning of the trial but the characters blindly accept that they have to do as they are told. Even when those in charge don’t seem to know which Canary island they are on, there are no red flags warning the participants that something isn’t quite right. Perhaps it was the prize fund that was the most important here. As personalities deteriorate and further questions are raised, I didn’t get the sense of trouble and instead would have preferred the “fug” of the story to be lifted and more action taking place.
With thanks to One More Chapter, Harper Collins and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 10, 2022
My need to know what is happening and why was pushed to the limit in this one! I struggled with the loss of control because I couldn’t figure out what was going on. I was as confused as the ‘subjects’ in the trial! Then I let the story ruminate and I discovered that I liked it a bit more than I originally thought.
As someone who needs clear facts and time before I accept or begin something, I couldn’t understand how these intelligent people didn’t ask more questions and demand more answers. As I waited before reviewing I realized the author’s purpose. He wanted us to know more about each of the ‘subjects’ and this uncertainty was the perfect opportunity to showcase their traits/personality and examine human psychology. I did struggle with the detailed play-by-play and would have preferred the author to have given me more information so that I could have connected more to the characters. The ending wasn’t what I’d envisioned either! Again, I have to ask myself what does this say about my personality and expectations?! Perhaps the author is holding up a mirror and inviting us to peer in at ourselves.
Regardless, this ‘locked room mystery/thriller’ was an unpredictable read with a great twist.
I was gifted this advance copy by S.R.Masters, Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
As someone who needs clear facts and time before I accept or begin something, I couldn’t understand how these intelligent people didn’t ask more questions and demand more answers. As I waited before reviewing I realized the author’s purpose. He wanted us to know more about each of the ‘subjects’ and this uncertainty was the perfect opportunity to showcase their traits/personality and examine human psychology. I did struggle with the detailed play-by-play and would have preferred the author to have given me more information so that I could have connected more to the characters. The ending wasn’t what I’d envisioned either! Again, I have to ask myself what does this say about my personality and expectations?! Perhaps the author is holding up a mirror and inviting us to peer in at ourselves.
Regardless, this ‘locked room mystery/thriller’ was an unpredictable read with a great twist.
I was gifted this advance copy by S.R.Masters, Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
May 29, 2022
Thank you Netgalley and Harper Collins UK for this advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
I really did not like this book. It was nothing that I was expecting. The concept of an unknown drug trial is a great idea for a story, but I honestly thought the idea would have been better as a horror story. I kept hoping for a supernatural element or patients turning into cannibalistic zombies. Something with exciting substance, but what I got was a poorly written, pseudo mystery and when the twist was revealed, I was like "who?" The characters were so one dimensional that I couldn't remember names. There was some weird, forced love story that was completely out of place. People don't fall for each other that quickly. The ending was choppy and the decisions of Elle, our protagonist, were just ridiculous. The only part that was good was the reveal of what the drug was for.
All in all I would not recommend this book. It was too long and quite drawn out. The worst part was the lack of action. It was just dull. There will be an audience for this book, it just wasn't me. Two stars because I finished it.
I really did not like this book. It was nothing that I was expecting. The concept of an unknown drug trial is a great idea for a story, but I honestly thought the idea would have been better as a horror story. I kept hoping for a supernatural element or patients turning into cannibalistic zombies. Something with exciting substance, but what I got was a poorly written, pseudo mystery and when the twist was revealed, I was like "who?" The characters were so one dimensional that I couldn't remember names. There was some weird, forced love story that was completely out of place. People don't fall for each other that quickly. The ending was choppy and the decisions of Elle, our protagonist, were just ridiculous. The only part that was good was the reveal of what the drug was for.
All in all I would not recommend this book. It was too long and quite drawn out. The worst part was the lack of action. It was just dull. There will be an audience for this book, it just wasn't me. Two stars because I finished it.
July 8, 2022
Let me just start by saying, I have probably said hundreds of books are un-put-downable but ‘The Trial’ is next level. If I wasn’t reading it, I was thinking about it and my heart was beating at an incredible rate throughout!
The story follows Elle, she wants to get away after a mishap at work and desperately needs a holiday. After booking a holiday her mum pulls a number on her and needs the money so she has to cancel. BUT then she sees the advert for ‘The Trial’ a paid experience in the Canary Islands. What could be better?
Well a prison cell … being locked up and bored forever would be better than this!
The amount of red flags in this book, but for a substantial who wouldn’t look past them. In that situation me probably.
This book had my anxiety sky high, I wanted to shout at the book numerous times, ‘don’t do that’ ‘are you stupid?’ ‘Are you for real?’ The tension built in this book was incredible. It started off normal, then pacey and then my eyes couldn’t read quick enough. I needed to get to the end because I had no idea what the hell was going to happen. I couldn’t have even made a prediction.
The characters in this book were very well thought out, they were all authentic and believable. Some of whom liked and some not.
This is definitely a serious contender for my end of year favourite. And a book I would HIGHLY recommend.
The story follows Elle, she wants to get away after a mishap at work and desperately needs a holiday. After booking a holiday her mum pulls a number on her and needs the money so she has to cancel. BUT then she sees the advert for ‘The Trial’ a paid experience in the Canary Islands. What could be better?
Well a prison cell … being locked up and bored forever would be better than this!
The amount of red flags in this book, but for a substantial who wouldn’t look past them. In that situation me probably.
This book had my anxiety sky high, I wanted to shout at the book numerous times, ‘don’t do that’ ‘are you stupid?’ ‘Are you for real?’ The tension built in this book was incredible. It started off normal, then pacey and then my eyes couldn’t read quick enough. I needed to get to the end because I had no idea what the hell was going to happen. I couldn’t have even made a prediction.
The characters in this book were very well thought out, they were all authentic and believable. Some of whom liked and some not.
This is definitely a serious contender for my end of year favourite. And a book I would HIGHLY recommend.
May 23, 2022
Honestly, I wasn’t entirely certain what to expect with this one.
The details of the trial were mysterious and I definitely didn’t expect the reasons behind everything!
The story is a bit of ‘And Then There Were None’ and, though some of what happens it a bit unbelievable, it’s still incredibly entertaining.
I’m not 100% sold on the ending. It kind of ends with a whisper when I wanted a bang.
But it’s a good and entertaining beach read!
• ARC via Net Galley
January 6, 2024
Weirdly this book was action packed and boring as hell at the same time. Also I am left with so many unanswered questions 🤯 2.5 rounded up (although actually might change it to down later)
May 25, 2022
i've said this a lot and i'll say it again: i don't like thrillers. they never feel right to me. the writing is usually cringey, and i get bored pretty easily. but i keep reading them here and there, and 'the trial' is exactly why. i absolutely could not put this book down. i was fascinated by the group of characters, the ever changing who-do-we-trust, the bigger need for answers, the claustrophobia of being stuck in the compound, the eerie isolation of it.
i made a lot of predictions while reading this and most of them turned out to be wrong, which is always appreciated. (spoiler?? there was a while where i thought they were turning people into goats and was very sad when that was not true). the end did feel overdramatic, and the explanation was not as original as i had hoped, but it worked.
the very ending though. the ending is one of the most infuriating endings of all time. it is genius.
if this book intrigues you even a little, just go for it. it's worth the ride.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
i made a lot of predictions while reading this and most of them turned out to be wrong, which is always appreciated. (spoiler?? there was a while where i thought they were turning people into goats and was very sad when that was not true). the end did feel overdramatic, and the explanation was not as original as i had hoped, but it worked.
the very ending though. the ending is one of the most infuriating endings of all time. it is genius.
if this book intrigues you even a little, just go for it. it's worth the ride.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 11, 2022
18-40?
PAID CLINICAL TRIAL IN THE CANARY ISLANDS - UP TO £20,000 TAX FREE
For Elle, when an advert for The Trial popped up on her computer it seemed like the opportunity of a lifetime. An all expenses paid holiday and time away from her over-bearing and manipulative mum? And all she has to do in return is take a pill each day and write a diary entry? Sign her up! The only problem the trial is very secretive and she has no idea what’s in the pills, but for that amount of money it’s surely worth it. And they wouldn’t run a clinical trial that was unsafe would they?
Well this was a bit of a rollercoaster! It’s an excellent story that’s gripping from start to finish, and you really feel for Elle throughout. Her mother is absolutely horrible so you just want her to stand up to her, and then once she’s involved in the trial you hope it all goes well for her (despite knowing that it inevitably won’t!). I loved the premise and the remote setting worked really well to add extra tension - being isolated with complete strangers on a desert island is not a situation anyone wants to find themselves in but man does it work well for a thriller!
The only reason I didn’t give it five stars was because I really disliked the chapters within chapters structure and found it really off-putting at times. I think I’d have flown through it in a day or two if it wasn’t for that, it made it jarring and hard to keep track of where I was. Perhaps that was intentional on the author’s part to create a sense of disorientation, but as a reader I don’t want to feel that. It’s a good job the plot was so good so I forgave that and kept with it! Second, the ending 😫 I have no idea how you end a book as crazy as this one BUT I wanted more closure for the surviving characters than that. I was left with too many unanswered questions and worries, I wanted it all tied up nicely and if you want my five stars you’ll have to give me that I’m afraid 🤷♀️ That said the story is enthralling so it’s still absolutely worth reading and I would definitely recommend it! It’s fun, definitely thought-provoking, and I look forward to reading more from S.R. Masters!
Thank you to One More Chapter for my digital copy and for having me along on the readalong, it was so fun!!
PAID CLINICAL TRIAL IN THE CANARY ISLANDS - UP TO £20,000 TAX FREE
For Elle, when an advert for The Trial popped up on her computer it seemed like the opportunity of a lifetime. An all expenses paid holiday and time away from her over-bearing and manipulative mum? And all she has to do in return is take a pill each day and write a diary entry? Sign her up! The only problem the trial is very secretive and she has no idea what’s in the pills, but for that amount of money it’s surely worth it. And they wouldn’t run a clinical trial that was unsafe would they?
Well this was a bit of a rollercoaster! It’s an excellent story that’s gripping from start to finish, and you really feel for Elle throughout. Her mother is absolutely horrible so you just want her to stand up to her, and then once she’s involved in the trial you hope it all goes well for her (despite knowing that it inevitably won’t!). I loved the premise and the remote setting worked really well to add extra tension - being isolated with complete strangers on a desert island is not a situation anyone wants to find themselves in but man does it work well for a thriller!
The only reason I didn’t give it five stars was because I really disliked the chapters within chapters structure and found it really off-putting at times. I think I’d have flown through it in a day or two if it wasn’t for that, it made it jarring and hard to keep track of where I was. Perhaps that was intentional on the author’s part to create a sense of disorientation, but as a reader I don’t want to feel that. It’s a good job the plot was so good so I forgave that and kept with it! Second, the ending 😫 I have no idea how you end a book as crazy as this one BUT I wanted more closure for the surviving characters than that. I was left with too many unanswered questions and worries, I wanted it all tied up nicely and if you want my five stars you’ll have to give me that I’m afraid 🤷♀️ That said the story is enthralling so it’s still absolutely worth reading and I would definitely recommend it! It’s fun, definitely thought-provoking, and I look forward to reading more from S.R. Masters!
Thank you to One More Chapter for my digital copy and for having me along on the readalong, it was so fun!!
May 14, 2022
Being a huge fan of creepy thrillers, this book was right up my alley! Elle is accepted into a clinical trial on the Canary Islands where the participants will be given an experimental drug in exchange for $20,000. Sound too good to be true? You be the judge of that! Elle is skeptical but when her elderly mother and mom's boyfriend scam her out of some money, Elle is determined to do something adventurous and earn some cash as well. The novel has a great cast of characters, all of whom have secrets and are there for different reasons. So what would you do for that kind of money?? Hmmm....I was sucked in from the beginning and didn't put it down until I was finished! What a wild ride!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
November 4, 2022
[𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝘆 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗯, 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴]
Oh man, I REALLY wanted to like this book. I had such high hopes for it after reading the summary for it.
It was not at all what I expected. The book overall was very slow. I think about chapter 7 is when I had the “okay, this is going to get good now” thought, but that was short lived. 🫤
.
.
There was multiple things I didn’t like about The Drug Trial:
•The writing style/format- wtf what was that? Why is there Parts, chapters and then numbered sections within the chapters???? 😵💫 like was it supposed to have “scenes”- no. Annoying. Hated it. 🗑️
•All of the characters felt so plain to me…they were underdeveloped and I honestly didn’t remember who was who even with names being said. Too much going on with each person.
•The idea of a drug trial gone wrong was so intriguing and I expected some wild stuff to happen, but nothing ever did.
•Also why was there a weird love story thrown in there?? Could’ve done without it. It just felt weird being apart of the plot.
.
.
I would not recommend this book, I’m not sure why I even finished it. I’m just sad because I do feel as if this could’ve been a GREAT story.
Oh man, I REALLY wanted to like this book. I had such high hopes for it after reading the summary for it.
It was not at all what I expected. The book overall was very slow. I think about chapter 7 is when I had the “okay, this is going to get good now” thought, but that was short lived. 🫤
.
.
There was multiple things I didn’t like about The Drug Trial:
•The writing style/format- wtf what was that? Why is there Parts, chapters and then numbered sections within the chapters???? 😵💫 like was it supposed to have “scenes”- no. Annoying. Hated it. 🗑️
•All of the characters felt so plain to me…they were underdeveloped and I honestly didn’t remember who was who even with names being said. Too much going on with each person.
•The idea of a drug trial gone wrong was so intriguing and I expected some wild stuff to happen, but nothing ever did.
•Also why was there a weird love story thrown in there?? Could’ve done without it. It just felt weird being apart of the plot.
.
.
I would not recommend this book, I’m not sure why I even finished it. I’m just sad because I do feel as if this could’ve been a GREAT story.
Read
May 16, 2022DNF 😔
May 13, 2022
****Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book ahead of its release. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
“The Trial” by S. R. Masters follows out main character, Elle. Elle is just going through life when she happens to stumble upon an advertisement for a clinical trial. The advertisement doesn’t really go into what the trial is for but the perks? A month long vacation to an island and 20,000 tax free dollars is enough to make anyone consider it. Elle and the other participants enjoy their time in the island, soaking up some sun and taking advantage of the free bar. But then some participants start developing headaches which seem to get worse by the day-to the point where it seems to really affect their decisions. On an island full of strangers, who can you trust?
First off, the premise of this book is amazing. I love anything that has any kind of trial situation where the characters are trying to figure out what is going on. Immediately upon arrival at the island, some characters are questioning exactly what is going on which gives the reader so much to think about. I love books that mess with your perspective throughout the story and this did really well. I think all the characters had very clear personal agendas which became more apparent the further into the book you are. There are a lot of discussions surrounding morality and all it’s facets that I found so interesting to read about.
While I didn’t really love the end of this book, I can appreciate what it was doing. The way we figure stuff out just seemed to be a lot more of telling and not showing which was a sharp tonal change from the first half of the book where you were just dropped the smallest tidbits of information. I can see this working for a lot of readers but I like a little bit more of a twisty ending.
There is a huge cast of characters in this book so if you are someone who has a hard time keeping up with characters, making a little character map would probably be very beneficial just to make it easier.
All in all, I would recommend this book to people who are interested in the concept and want a thriller that really explores human psychology but isn’t necessarily the most crazy, twisted thriller to exist.
“The Trial” by S. R. Masters follows out main character, Elle. Elle is just going through life when she happens to stumble upon an advertisement for a clinical trial. The advertisement doesn’t really go into what the trial is for but the perks? A month long vacation to an island and 20,000 tax free dollars is enough to make anyone consider it. Elle and the other participants enjoy their time in the island, soaking up some sun and taking advantage of the free bar. But then some participants start developing headaches which seem to get worse by the day-to the point where it seems to really affect their decisions. On an island full of strangers, who can you trust?
First off, the premise of this book is amazing. I love anything that has any kind of trial situation where the characters are trying to figure out what is going on. Immediately upon arrival at the island, some characters are questioning exactly what is going on which gives the reader so much to think about. I love books that mess with your perspective throughout the story and this did really well. I think all the characters had very clear personal agendas which became more apparent the further into the book you are. There are a lot of discussions surrounding morality and all it’s facets that I found so interesting to read about.
While I didn’t really love the end of this book, I can appreciate what it was doing. The way we figure stuff out just seemed to be a lot more of telling and not showing which was a sharp tonal change from the first half of the book where you were just dropped the smallest tidbits of information. I can see this working for a lot of readers but I like a little bit more of a twisty ending.
There is a huge cast of characters in this book so if you are someone who has a hard time keeping up with characters, making a little character map would probably be very beneficial just to make it easier.
All in all, I would recommend this book to people who are interested in the concept and want a thriller that really explores human psychology but isn’t necessarily the most crazy, twisted thriller to exist.
July 10, 2022
A fascinating premise that had me gripped from the very beginning. With twists at every turn and characters you’d love to hate, this type of locked room thriller is a great read full of suspense and intrigue. I loved how SR Masters’ writing encourages you to question the morality of the characters (and yourself ) in certain situations, posing questions about human nature and the impact of the trial on behaviours - perfect for the Pyschology nerd in me.
December 6, 2024
December 2024
Kindle edition
I completely forgot I read this one yesterday. Seemed interesting so picked it up. In the beginning it was good, bit of a rage read with the mother being blatantly manipulative, amongst other things. Had the intros to the other sign ups and a bit of a mystery setting. From there it was injuries and 'side effects'. I thought she'd end up flipping and going back to see her mother. Instead it was mostly focused on her and Benji, whilst things escalated around them. The most interesting bit was the security footage reveal. The whole Alex thing was WTF chaos with his plot and the way he didn't believe her. So many deaths. The mother made me shudder. She was awful.
Kindle edition
I completely forgot I read this one yesterday. Seemed interesting so picked it up. In the beginning it was good, bit of a rage read with the mother being blatantly manipulative, amongst other things. Had the intros to the other sign ups and a bit of a mystery setting. From there it was injuries and 'side effects'. I thought she'd end up flipping and going back to see her mother. Instead it was mostly focused on her and Benji, whilst things escalated around them. The most interesting bit was the security footage reveal. The whole Alex thing was WTF chaos with his plot and the way he didn't believe her. So many deaths. The mother made me shudder. She was awful.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 9, 2022
3⭐️
A read that kept me turning the page! 😊
I read this as part of a buddy read and I really loved the concept and couldn’t wait to dive in, but this read really wasn’t what I thought it would be. It was still a great read and I wanted to find out what was happening next, it just took me by surprise. I think the blurb and opening diary entry does not mirror the rest of the read.😯😫
I liked the mysterious setting and how just like the participants, we had no idea what the drug they were testing was and what it was for. Although, there is no way I would have signed up the way Elle had done! 🏝️😱
I loved some of the characters in this book too, especially Benji and Elle! This read is split into three parts and to be quite honest, I don’t know why that is, as it worked well as one continuous read. The let downs for me were that the read fell flat at times and I didn’t enjoy the cut-short ending - we needed more! 🙁
Overall, I liked aspects of this read!🔥
Have you read The Trial, and if so, what were your thoughts?💊
⚠️ Please check out the trigger warnings! ⚠️
A read that kept me turning the page! 😊
I read this as part of a buddy read and I really loved the concept and couldn’t wait to dive in, but this read really wasn’t what I thought it would be. It was still a great read and I wanted to find out what was happening next, it just took me by surprise. I think the blurb and opening diary entry does not mirror the rest of the read.😯😫
I liked the mysterious setting and how just like the participants, we had no idea what the drug they were testing was and what it was for. Although, there is no way I would have signed up the way Elle had done! 🏝️😱
I loved some of the characters in this book too, especially Benji and Elle! This read is split into three parts and to be quite honest, I don’t know why that is, as it worked well as one continuous read. The let downs for me were that the read fell flat at times and I didn’t enjoy the cut-short ending - we needed more! 🙁
Overall, I liked aspects of this read!🔥
Have you read The Trial, and if so, what were your thoughts?💊
⚠️ Please check out the trigger warnings! ⚠️
July 6, 2022
The Trail is a new book by S.R. Masters, the author of The Killer You Know. For me this is my first introduction with this author, and the mysterious synopsis just caught my attention. What will this story bring?
Find out in my review on my blog Boekensteeg
Find out in my review on my blog Boekensteeg
May 14, 2022
Holy cow!! This book is fantastic! Has you gasping and wondering who, what, why and oh my god! Who did that and how could this have happened. I really, really love this book. It would make a fantastic mini series. If you like books that have you gasping for air some scenes, I highly, highly recommend it!!!
August 30, 2023
Really enjoyed the book. I did get a little lost a times but it was a really good book.
August 20, 2022
Elle is a character you can’t help but feel a little sorry for. She works as a receptionist, dreams of one day getting a home of her own, and yet every time she takes a step towards independence her mother becomes ill/has a financial problem and Elle offers to help her out. Manipulative and we are fully on Elle’s side when she fills out an online questionnaire to participate in a clinical trial.
When someone offers you something that sounds too good to be true, it probably is. A £20,000 payment and two week holiday in return for participation in a trial (about which you can gather no information) would have most people walking away. This book focuses on a small group who take up this offer. Having seen Elle’s alternative, we can’t help but want her to make a success of this.
We follow them to the base of their trial. A resort, on an island nobody wants to give them the name of, and their access to the outside world is restricted. Within days, some members of the group report headaches and there are increasing signs of disturbed behaviour. Nobody is quite sure what’s happening, and once people start disappearing/meeting accidents we begin to realise there’s a lot more to this than meets the eye.
Once things start going wrong, they turn quickly. Before we know it, people are turning on one another and trying to manipulate those left. The details of the trial start to come out…and it’s clear that Elle is in a more dangerous position than even she thought possible.
I’d like to think the premise was unlikely. With enough money, who knows. Certainly, the ambiguity of the ending was very frustrating.
When someone offers you something that sounds too good to be true, it probably is. A £20,000 payment and two week holiday in return for participation in a trial (about which you can gather no information) would have most people walking away. This book focuses on a small group who take up this offer. Having seen Elle’s alternative, we can’t help but want her to make a success of this.
We follow them to the base of their trial. A resort, on an island nobody wants to give them the name of, and their access to the outside world is restricted. Within days, some members of the group report headaches and there are increasing signs of disturbed behaviour. Nobody is quite sure what’s happening, and once people start disappearing/meeting accidents we begin to realise there’s a lot more to this than meets the eye.
Once things start going wrong, they turn quickly. Before we know it, people are turning on one another and trying to manipulate those left. The details of the trial start to come out…and it’s clear that Elle is in a more dangerous position than even she thought possible.
I’d like to think the premise was unlikely. With enough money, who knows. Certainly, the ambiguity of the ending was very frustrating.
June 7, 2022
The Trial by S. R Masters
⭐⭐/5
Too good to be true . Elle down on her luck, receives an email asking her to take part in an eligibility questionnaire in order to be chosen to take part in a clinical trial . The plus side is , if accepted she will receive £20,000 and a vacation like setting in which to take part in the trial . After shes denied she finds a way to take it again, fudging her answers, she soons finds out that was a huge mistake .
I didn't love this book. I thought I would. The premise of a drug trial gone awry. Possibly people's limbs falling off, severe sickness or cannibalistic rage.. none of that happened . I went into this assuming the possibility of a horror concept . But it ended up being more of a mystery feel . With a few twists to uncover . And a really weird love story that felt out of place given the circumstances. I felt this book was long and drawn out.. and very slow .. it could have had alot more character development- since I felt they were all very bland and unreliable.
⭐⭐/5
Too good to be true . Elle down on her luck, receives an email asking her to take part in an eligibility questionnaire in order to be chosen to take part in a clinical trial . The plus side is , if accepted she will receive £20,000 and a vacation like setting in which to take part in the trial . After shes denied she finds a way to take it again, fudging her answers, she soons finds out that was a huge mistake .
I didn't love this book. I thought I would. The premise of a drug trial gone awry. Possibly people's limbs falling off, severe sickness or cannibalistic rage.. none of that happened . I went into this assuming the possibility of a horror concept . But it ended up being more of a mystery feel . With a few twists to uncover . And a really weird love story that felt out of place given the circumstances. I felt this book was long and drawn out.. and very slow .. it could have had alot more character development- since I felt they were all very bland and unreliable.
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