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The Pact
"An absolutely fabulous read which I devoured in 2 days . . . fantastic thriller . . . outstanding . . . 10 out of 10." --Amazon reviewer, five stars
A get-together reveals dark secrets that tie old friends together--and tear them apart--in a twisting new thriller by the author of From My Cold Dead Hands.
When an overdue reunion takes place, it stirs up old memories that have long been buried . . .
In the twelve years that have passed, much has happened. So when Michael Storm arranges a New Year's Eve party, it threatens to have deadly consequences.
Hope has married her long-time sweetheart, whose secretive behaviour with money is straining their marriage.
Sabine has become a supermodel and married an aristocrat but has secrets and problems of her own.
Shy Elena came close to a breakdown after her dreams of a future with the man she loved were dashed. She harbours fears about a mysterious fire that killed two men in her home, and is devastated when her best friend dies. But what caused his death?
As the reunion draws near, the relationships among them start to fracture, and the hidden truths about the past start coming to the surface--with murderous results . . .
A get-together reveals dark secrets that tie old friends together--and tear them apart--in a twisting new thriller by the author of From My Cold Dead Hands.
When an overdue reunion takes place, it stirs up old memories that have long been buried . . .
In the twelve years that have passed, much has happened. So when Michael Storm arranges a New Year's Eve party, it threatens to have deadly consequences.
Hope has married her long-time sweetheart, whose secretive behaviour with money is straining their marriage.
Sabine has become a supermodel and married an aristocrat but has secrets and problems of her own.
Shy Elena came close to a breakdown after her dreams of a future with the man she loved were dashed. She harbours fears about a mysterious fire that killed two men in her home, and is devastated when her best friend dies. But what caused his death?
As the reunion draws near, the relationships among them start to fracture, and the hidden truths about the past start coming to the surface--with murderous results . . .
357 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 4, 2022
35 people are currently reading
113 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
October 7, 2022
WOW!!!! By the end of this book I had chills!! This was one incredible mystery / thriller!
Following the three main characters Ele, Laing and Hope – as each of them are getting ready for their New Years Eve meet. The Pact made at 18 years old.
Each one of them are dubious and unsure if they should attend.
Scared, they hadn’t seen each other in a while, should they really go?
The Pact was a fun filled story full of mystery, suspense and one hell of a twist!! I think this was more of a mystery until the end which was a definite psych thriller that was shocking.
I had my suspicions throughout about Ele and I was almost right, the big revelation was still equally as shocking and sent chills down my spine.
This was another cracking read by the author Hilly Barmby and I can’t wait to see what comes next.
Following the three main characters Ele, Laing and Hope – as each of them are getting ready for their New Years Eve meet. The Pact made at 18 years old.
Each one of them are dubious and unsure if they should attend.
Scared, they hadn’t seen each other in a while, should they really go?
The Pact was a fun filled story full of mystery, suspense and one hell of a twist!! I think this was more of a mystery until the end which was a definite psych thriller that was shocking.
I had my suspicions throughout about Ele and I was almost right, the big revelation was still equally as shocking and sent chills down my spine.
This was another cracking read by the author Hilly Barmby and I can’t wait to see what comes next.
October 1, 2022
When a pact is made between friends to meet up again at the age of 30, none of those involved expect to stick to it. Michael contacts them all to meet up on New Years Eve.
The story flits between now and the past, the past is an important part of the story. Everyone has secrets and nobody wants their secret to be exposed.
I felt sorry for Ele, her character was complex and sad. I liked Hope, a mum of three who is trying to live her life while her husband, Paul, is drinking too much.
I wasn’t a fan of Michael or Paul, which to me showed the author was good at showing the different kinds of characters and I found myself invested in them and their stories.
I did realise mid way through what was going on in the story but it didn’t take away any of the enjoyment.
A good plot that had me gripped and I look forward to reading more from the author.
The story flits between now and the past, the past is an important part of the story. Everyone has secrets and nobody wants their secret to be exposed.
I felt sorry for Ele, her character was complex and sad. I liked Hope, a mum of three who is trying to live her life while her husband, Paul, is drinking too much.
I wasn’t a fan of Michael or Paul, which to me showed the author was good at showing the different kinds of characters and I found myself invested in them and their stories.
I did realise mid way through what was going on in the story but it didn’t take away any of the enjoyment.
A good plot that had me gripped and I look forward to reading more from the author.
October 8, 2022
The pact by Hilly Barmby.
When an overdue reunion takes place, it stirs up old memories that have long been buried . . .
In the twelve years that have passed, much has happened. So when Michael Storm arranges a New Year’s Eve party, it threatens to have deadly consequences. Hope has married her long-time sweetheart, whose secretive behaviour with money is straining their marriage. Sabine has become a supermodel and married an aristocrat but has secrets and problems of her own. Shy Elena came close to a breakdown after her dreams of a future with the man she loved were dashed. She harbours fears about a mysterious fire that killed two men in her home, and is devastated when her best friend dies. But what caused his death?
A brilliant read. What a twist. 5*.
When an overdue reunion takes place, it stirs up old memories that have long been buried . . .
In the twelve years that have passed, much has happened. So when Michael Storm arranges a New Year’s Eve party, it threatens to have deadly consequences. Hope has married her long-time sweetheart, whose secretive behaviour with money is straining their marriage. Sabine has become a supermodel and married an aristocrat but has secrets and problems of her own. Shy Elena came close to a breakdown after her dreams of a future with the man she loved were dashed. She harbours fears about a mysterious fire that killed two men in her home, and is devastated when her best friend dies. But what caused his death?
A brilliant read. What a twist. 5*.
December 16, 2025
Ele lives in a flat shared only with her cat, Schrodinger, a far cry from the days when she and Michael economised by living in co-operative housing with some not-necessarily-desirable housemates. That didn’t end well for some, and Ele’s relationship with Michael finished around the same time—a bitter experience for her, given that he was the love of her life. Now he’s back, some years later, as though nothing untoward transpired between them; reminding Ele of the pact which they and their friends made back in the day; to reunite at a gathering, which Michael is now proposing to hold on New Year’s Eve, organised by himself.
Ele’s reluctant, given how things ended between them, and if that’s not enough she runs into Ange, one of the housemates from the co-operative, who she’s not keen to see and who she takes steps to avoid. Then there’s Ele’s sister Maria, who turns up at her flat after a considerable absence. Other friends from the past are introduced. Hope’s now married to Paul, with three children as well as a few marital issues. Sabine’s, a model, married to a French nobleman but not happy with her lot. Tiger can’t be there, due to his unfortunate demise, but Michael’s planning to surprise them all by bringing Liang, who he met in San Francisco. Secrets abound within the group, slowly coming to the fore and exploding around the New Year meeting.
It’s a well-planned and written story, with hints given here and there to enable readers to try and unravel the web of untruths woven around the characters, with twists which you may or may not see coming—depending on how fast you pick up on the strange undercurrents swirling beneath the surface. It’s a very worthwhile story.
Ele’s reluctant, given how things ended between them, and if that’s not enough she runs into Ange, one of the housemates from the co-operative, who she’s not keen to see and who she takes steps to avoid. Then there’s Ele’s sister Maria, who turns up at her flat after a considerable absence. Other friends from the past are introduced. Hope’s now married to Paul, with three children as well as a few marital issues. Sabine’s, a model, married to a French nobleman but not happy with her lot. Tiger can’t be there, due to his unfortunate demise, but Michael’s planning to surprise them all by bringing Liang, who he met in San Francisco. Secrets abound within the group, slowly coming to the fore and exploding around the New Year meeting.
It’s a well-planned and written story, with hints given here and there to enable readers to try and unravel the web of untruths woven around the characters, with twists which you may or may not see coming—depending on how fast you pick up on the strange undercurrents swirling beneath the surface. It’s a very worthwhile story.
October 2, 2022
A story about 6 friends who led very different lives after they they left school. A good storyline with multiple secrets being gradually revealed as you move through the book. Written from various POV and in the past and present it did take me a while to get my head around all the various characters, it was a slow burner until about halfway through when the paced upped. Ele is the main protagonist and Michael her first love she never got over. Hope and Paul married but their marriage isn’t smooth sailing. Sabine was a supermodel who gave it up to marry a billionaire. And ‘Tiger’ died young leaving a big hole in Ele’s life, filled by her sister Maria.
Briefly, a group of friends made a pact to meet again when they were 30 and successful journalist Michael Storm has arranged a New Years Eve party for them. But although they all turn up Michael is missing his own party.
I did guess most of the twists but I think that was intentional as the author dropped plenty of hints. When dead bodies start to pile up the methods of their death are pretty brutal, I went quite cold reading one of them! All in all this was an enjoyable read about a pretty dysfunctional group of people most of whom are damaged in some way and all hiding secrets. A good psychological drama with a very dramatic ending.
Briefly, a group of friends made a pact to meet again when they were 30 and successful journalist Michael Storm has arranged a New Years Eve party for them. But although they all turn up Michael is missing his own party.
I did guess most of the twists but I think that was intentional as the author dropped plenty of hints. When dead bodies start to pile up the methods of their death are pretty brutal, I went quite cold reading one of them! All in all this was an enjoyable read about a pretty dysfunctional group of people most of whom are damaged in some way and all hiding secrets. A good psychological drama with a very dramatic ending.
October 4, 2022
Let me just start by saying that I would have had given this book one more star if it wasn’t for the bad use of the Spanish language. If an author decides to use a different language than English in his/her writing, said author should really research the correct use of the words in the other language, or the editor of the book should check that every word written in the book is correct. That wasn’t the case on this book, the use of the expression “Querida” was written throughout the book as “carida” and there’s a sentence where the Spanish is written as “Fiesta de Los Tres Reyes Mages” when the correct word is “Magos”. I know that this oversights don’t take away the content of the book but for me is a sign of disrespect for the readers than speak more than one language.
As for the plot of the book, although it has a lot of twists and turns I was able to figure out very early what the ending was going to be and what the main character was going to do.
I also dislike most of the characters, but maybe that’s what the author was looking for when writing the book, especially the main character Ele which was not an enjoyable character to read.
I’m sad I cannot give more stars or a better review of this book because I have enjoyed previous books of this author.
As for the plot of the book, although it has a lot of twists and turns I was able to figure out very early what the ending was going to be and what the main character was going to do.
I also dislike most of the characters, but maybe that’s what the author was looking for when writing the book, especially the main character Ele which was not an enjoyable character to read.
I’m sad I cannot give more stars or a better review of this book because I have enjoyed previous books of this author.
October 4, 2022
I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you @hillyollie, @zooloosbooktours, and @bloodhound.books for my #giftedbook!
Hello #bookstafam! I have another fabulous psychological thriller to recommend to you today! I enjoyed From My Cold Dead Hands so much that I jumped at the chance to read The Pact.
The premise of The Pact is intriguing and piqued my interest. 6 friends make a pack to meet up on New Year's Eve when they are 30. Bound by a secret they never expected the reunion to happen until plans are being made. As the date nears, their relationships begin to fracture and hidden truths are coming to the surface.
Told from multiple POVs and alternating between past and present, this book had me hooked from start to finish. I was totally immersed in the story and didn't put the book down until I was finished. The characters are brilliantly written and realistic. The book is filled with drama and suspense as the secrets emerge with a final twist at the end. I highly recommend this book and am looking forward to reading more from this author!
Hello #bookstafam! I have another fabulous psychological thriller to recommend to you today! I enjoyed From My Cold Dead Hands so much that I jumped at the chance to read The Pact.
The premise of The Pact is intriguing and piqued my interest. 6 friends make a pack to meet up on New Year's Eve when they are 30. Bound by a secret they never expected the reunion to happen until plans are being made. As the date nears, their relationships begin to fracture and hidden truths are coming to the surface.
Told from multiple POVs and alternating between past and present, this book had me hooked from start to finish. I was totally immersed in the story and didn't put the book down until I was finished. The characters are brilliantly written and realistic. The book is filled with drama and suspense as the secrets emerge with a final twist at the end. I highly recommend this book and am looking forward to reading more from this author!
September 30, 2022
This is the second book I have read by this author and once again, I really enjoyed it. Several friends agree to meet up for New Year's Eve due to a pact they made when they were younger. Each one has some secrets and things have a way of coming out into the open.
The story flits between each of the characters and both past and present timelines. Often I find this distracting but not in this case. I was so engrossed in the story that I was just pulled along by the narrative. I found it a bit slow to begin with but I think that was just me expecting some kind of big event to happen earlier. About halfway through the book, things totally start ramping up when more things begin to be revealed.
I guessed what was coming but that in no way detracted from my enjoyment of the book. In fact, I quite enjoyed the journey to the final conclusion. I enjoy the writing style of this author and I have now felt quite captivated while reading each of the 2 books. Although my usual preference is for police procedurals, I will definitely continue to read more by this author.
My thanks to Bloodhound Books for an advance copy of this and this is my honest review.
The story flits between each of the characters and both past and present timelines. Often I find this distracting but not in this case. I was so engrossed in the story that I was just pulled along by the narrative. I found it a bit slow to begin with but I think that was just me expecting some kind of big event to happen earlier. About halfway through the book, things totally start ramping up when more things begin to be revealed.
I guessed what was coming but that in no way detracted from my enjoyment of the book. In fact, I quite enjoyed the journey to the final conclusion. I enjoy the writing style of this author and I have now felt quite captivated while reading each of the 2 books. Although my usual preference is for police procedurals, I will definitely continue to read more by this author.
My thanks to Bloodhound Books for an advance copy of this and this is my honest review.
October 11, 2022
A group of friends who met at college make a Pact to have a reunion at age 30. We are gradually introduced to the key players as their secrets are revealed to us in stories told from their point of view. Most attention is focused on Hope, Elena and Laing. Sabine has married a rich French aristocrat and on the surface her life seems the simplest. Convenor of the reunion is journalist Michael Strong who seems to have had a successful career up to this point. Hope is married to her colleague Paul who drinks too much and plays with their money. Elena lives alone except for her "sister" , Maria, who keeps popping in and out of her life and rescuing Ele at critical junctures. One of their friends known as Tiger disappears as a fire consumes the house Ele was renting.
The scene is set for the reunion. None of them want to go but feel compelled to attend in response to Michael's invitation. Most of them show up at the appointed hour and time but are kept waiting for Michael. Their house of cards then comes tumbling down.
Another interesting thriller by Hillary Barmby. No run-of-the-mill police procedural for her. She delights in constructing plots that defy the conventional.
The scene is set for the reunion. None of them want to go but feel compelled to attend in response to Michael's invitation. Most of them show up at the appointed hour and time but are kept waiting for Michael. Their house of cards then comes tumbling down.
Another interesting thriller by Hillary Barmby. No run-of-the-mill police procedural for her. She delights in constructing plots that defy the conventional.
October 3, 2022
The Pact by Hilly Barmby was a great read especially as they were a new author to me.
Six Friends from school promise to all meet up when they are thirty, so one of their friends a successful journalist Michael Storm arranges a New Years Eve party for them all.
All dressed up and nervous they head for this party. As they wait for the party to get started, someone is missing! The Host of the party...
Where is Michael?
Why has he not turned up for the party he worked so hard to arrange?
I loved the way this book goes from present day and then to the past for each of the characters throughout their lives leading to where they are currently in life. They are all hiding secrets But secrets always has away of coming out! It doesn't matter how hard you try and hide them.....They always surface!
This book was fast paced with great twists and turns throughout. I loved it and will be looking out fro this new author in the future.
Six Friends from school promise to all meet up when they are thirty, so one of their friends a successful journalist Michael Storm arranges a New Years Eve party for them all.
All dressed up and nervous they head for this party. As they wait for the party to get started, someone is missing! The Host of the party...
Where is Michael?
Why has he not turned up for the party he worked so hard to arrange?
I loved the way this book goes from present day and then to the past for each of the characters throughout their lives leading to where they are currently in life. They are all hiding secrets But secrets always has away of coming out! It doesn't matter how hard you try and hide them.....They always surface!
This book was fast paced with great twists and turns throughout. I loved it and will be looking out fro this new author in the future.
October 6, 2022
Yesterday, was my spot on ZooloosBookTours blog tour for The Pact by Hilly Barmby. I read this thriller as an ebook for this tour, and I’m so glad that I took part on this blog tour as I really liked this novel. It was suspenseful, dark and tense, as well as a thrilling and exciting read. I like how this novel was not what I expected, and there were plenty of plot twists and surprises around every corner. I did not expect the ending at all, and I loved this about the novel. It held my interest and attention throughout and was a gripping read from start to finish. This novel is published by Bloodhound Books and I really like reading their thrillers. I really liked the character development in this novel, and finding out more about the main characters as the story unfolded. I found this novel impossible to put down once I started it. I’m giving The Pact 4 stars and I recommend it to all readers, especially those who like to read thrillers, psychological thrillers and crime novels.
October 2, 2022
I really enjoyed this thriller! It had an interesting start that hooked me in straight away. This is the second book I have read from this author and really like her writing style, descriptions and character development. All the characters are interesting and different from one another, and for me, Ele was the most interesting character and I particularly enjoyed learning about her. Throughout the story, I found I was asking myself questions about what was happening i.e. Who is this character? What is their story and how do they fit in? At times, I could predict some things that were happening, but there were also some twists. The ending of the story was particularly exciting and dramatic, and wrapped everything up well.
I received an ARC copy from BloodHound Books for an honest review, thank you, and all thoughts are my own.
I received an ARC copy from BloodHound Books for an honest review, thank you, and all thoughts are my own.
October 1, 2022
The Pact was an excellent read! I kind of figured the plot twist half way through but still reading it unfold took unexpected turns! The story is based along a group of school friends and a pact to meet up again at 30. The date and time is set and everyone agrees to go. The story goes from present day and then to the past for each of the characters throughout their lives leading to where they are currently in life. Their life’s have all been twisted and intertwined and each one holds dark secrets which all link back to their past and come forward Into their present day with unexpected outcomes.. loved the story line and plot, well written and easy to follow maybe slightly predictable but still gripping and a highly recommended read.
October 5, 2022
I enjoyed reading this thriller. This is not my first book by this author but it is one of my favorites yet. This is a well written story about what happens at a reunion that is long overdue. Secrets and so much more is starting to come to the present. What will happen as this reunion gets closer? I enjoyed how the characters pulled me into the story from the start. This is a story that is full of action and just plain hard to put down. The twists and turns had me sitting on the edge of my seat just waiting to see what would happen next. The chracters have great growth throughout the story which made it easy and entertaining to read. This is a really great story that the author made come to life. I highly recomment this book.
October 6, 2022
You make a pact when you're young to all meet up when you're 30, but never expect to actually do it.
So when Michael contacts a bunch of friends are contacted by Michael to meet up on New Year's Eve they are surprised, especially when Michael doesn't turn up.
In the intervening years a lot has happened with the friends, it opens with Ele telling her story. Ele was quite a sad character. She'd been through a lot.
There's a happily married couple that aren't quite so happy, and a supermodel married to a billionaire.
The story switches between past and present and gradually uncovers all the secrets. Some are guessable, the author is good at providing clues.
The end is fast paced as everything comes to a head and I read this in no time at all as I couldn't wait to find out the truth.
So when Michael contacts a bunch of friends are contacted by Michael to meet up on New Year's Eve they are surprised, especially when Michael doesn't turn up.
In the intervening years a lot has happened with the friends, it opens with Ele telling her story. Ele was quite a sad character. She'd been through a lot.
There's a happily married couple that aren't quite so happy, and a supermodel married to a billionaire.
The story switches between past and present and gradually uncovers all the secrets. Some are guessable, the author is good at providing clues.
The end is fast paced as everything comes to a head and I read this in no time at all as I couldn't wait to find out the truth.
October 12, 2022
My review of ‘The Pact’ by Hilly Barmby 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
A scorching follow up to the fantastic debut ‘From my cold dead hands’.
Hilly draws you into the pages very slowly. Introducing you to the characters and their very different experiences, giving you time to get to know them. The story is told from their various perspectives and at changing times in their lives. And all the time you have an intense feeling of something ominous hanging over you, just out of reach but they’re all the same. Unceasing.
Clues are cleverly woven into the story, left for the reader to find. But as quickly as they come, the answers you seek slip out of your fingers and out of your reach.
The murders are gloriously gruesome and not for the faint hearted- which I absolutely loved! If you’re going to write about killing, you might as well go all in.
The plot is beautifully written, descriptions truly bringing the book alive.
It’s the epitome of nail biting, nerve shredding and wonderfully gripping!
Other authors in the genre should be looking over their shoulders - as there is a new successor to the throne, well on her way to her coronation as the new queen of the psychological thriller. All hail Queen Barmby!
Thank you so much to Bloodhound Books and to Hilly for her latest offering. It’s pretty damn good!
October 3, 2022
What a brilliant book I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and as I was on holiday didn’t need to put it down until it was finished, you won’t want to put this book down.
A pact was made for by a group of friends of friend that they would meet up on New Year’s Eve when they are all 30. The book flips between present day and the years in between as we learn about each of the characters, find out their secrets and what they have been doing for the 12 years.
I loved the way the book jumps between the past and present which each of the character as it held your attention and made to keep reading as you wanted to find out. I would definitely recommend this book.
A pact was made for by a group of friends of friend that they would meet up on New Year’s Eve when they are all 30. The book flips between present day and the years in between as we learn about each of the characters, find out their secrets and what they have been doing for the 12 years.
I loved the way the book jumps between the past and present which each of the character as it held your attention and made to keep reading as you wanted to find out. I would definitely recommend this book.
October 3, 2022
Thanks to Bloodhound books and the Author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This story centres around a group of friends who made a pact at school to meet up at age 30. When that time comes around and is arranged by Micheal, many of the group have their doubts as there are secrets within all their lives. The story flips from the past to the present and there are many points of view given from each of the characters. The main character Ele was likeable and you felt sorry for her due to events that have happened.
As I got further through the book, I did guess what was happening but I still enjoyed the book.
This story centres around a group of friends who made a pact at school to meet up at age 30. When that time comes around and is arranged by Micheal, many of the group have their doubts as there are secrets within all their lives. The story flips from the past to the present and there are many points of view given from each of the characters. The main character Ele was likeable and you felt sorry for her due to events that have happened.
As I got further through the book, I did guess what was happening but I still enjoyed the book.
October 5, 2022
This story comes out October 4, 2022. The paperback available is comes out September 20, 2022. This is a fantastic story, The story begins with a man that handsome name Michael Storm, invited people he known to come to a New Year's Eve party. The people are Elena, Hope, and her husband Paul. and a few more. But something happens leading up to murder, and deaths. The emotional, deadly, and secrets. This novel as you read you find out about each person life, and the reasons leading to the thriller, suspenseful, and exciting moments. That you have to find out who will live and who will die. This is a compelling reading you be glad you read
October 7, 2022
To start with I found this quite a difficult book and slow to get into, but I checked the reviews and they inspired me. Wow about a quarter of the way in it all made sense and the ending boy was that good. Not forgetting the rest of it.
Just go with it, the start makes sense when you get into the book. The multiple POV work so does the time jumps. These are really important as the past is so wound into the present.
Loved it - it was a late night as I had to keep reading to the end it was that compulsive.
I was given an advance copy by Bloodhound books but the review is entirely my own.
Just go with it, the start makes sense when you get into the book. The multiple POV work so does the time jumps. These are really important as the past is so wound into the present.
Loved it - it was a late night as I had to keep reading to the end it was that compulsive.
I was given an advance copy by Bloodhound books but the review is entirely my own.
October 10, 2022
This is a psychological thriller with a difference. It tells the story of six friends who vow to meet up when they are thirty. As a student, of course, thirty is a long way off but time passes far too quickly and has been kinder to some of the friends than others. Told from various points of views and at different times it needs concentration to keep up with the plot but this does not detract as it adds depth to the characters and keeps the reader invested in their stories . As other reviewers have mentioned, one realises pretty quickly what is going on but that doesn’t mean you know what is going to happen. Not for the squeamish as it turns pretty violent toward the end as the bodies pile up.
October 10, 2022
When a Pact is made while you are young...one that requires everyone to meet up when they are 30, no one every expects it to happen. Until the day Michael contacts everyone to get together on NewYears Eve.
Told over a dual timeline, the past and the present, we discover just how many people harbour secrets...and how many want to keep them secrets.
Hilly Barmby's characters are all so different to each other. I felt sorry for some, didn't like others but, each and every one where well developed and realistic. I was so interested in them all.
As bodies pile up and deaths become somewhat brutal this psychological thriller kept me holding my breath. I enjoyed the twists and they made for a really enjoyable and gripping read!
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for my ARC
Told over a dual timeline, the past and the present, we discover just how many people harbour secrets...and how many want to keep them secrets.
Hilly Barmby's characters are all so different to each other. I felt sorry for some, didn't like others but, each and every one where well developed and realistic. I was so interested in them all.
As bodies pile up and deaths become somewhat brutal this psychological thriller kept me holding my breath. I enjoyed the twists and they made for a really enjoyable and gripping read!
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for my ARC
October 5, 2022
I got into this book straight away. I loved the way there were different character perspectives in the story. All seeming separate at first until the connections were revealed.
How a long forgotten pact made years ago to meet again when they were 30 had such an impact on their every day lives.
I was especially connected to Elena and her 'sister' Maria. Loved the way her anxiety was portrayed and the history of the friends was revealed.
Several plot twists, mysteries, background stories and dangers unfolded as the book went on. With a very dramatic climax to the story.
I'd definitely recommend this book and have added the authors earlier novel From my cold dead hands to my tbrpile
How a long forgotten pact made years ago to meet again when they were 30 had such an impact on their every day lives.
I was especially connected to Elena and her 'sister' Maria. Loved the way her anxiety was portrayed and the history of the friends was revealed.
Several plot twists, mysteries, background stories and dangers unfolded as the book went on. With a very dramatic climax to the story.
I'd definitely recommend this book and have added the authors earlier novel From my cold dead hands to my tbrpile
October 8, 2022
The Pact by Hilly Barmby is a super read.
If New York is a city of villages, then London is a city of outsiders - whole communities of diverse people from outside town, pushed together by extortionate housing costs. Each trying to make a fortune, enjoy the buzz, or slip into anonymity. For many, the walls are way too thin.
The Pact follows just such a group of strangers, forced together by circumstance, forced apart by tragedy and enticed close again by a reunion.
From the start of this gripping read, the atmosphere is tense. Ele’s anxiety is palpable, Michael Storm is the clouds that never quite disappeared over the horizon. I am an optimist and my favourite has to be Maria.
Although Michael never quite leaves Ele’s heart, he manages to be absent from his own party as this truly suspenseful thriller twists and turns.
The author bares the souls of her characters, but keeps just a little back - no one is quite who they seem. Love it. Well done Ms Barmby.
If New York is a city of villages, then London is a city of outsiders - whole communities of diverse people from outside town, pushed together by extortionate housing costs. Each trying to make a fortune, enjoy the buzz, or slip into anonymity. For many, the walls are way too thin.
The Pact follows just such a group of strangers, forced together by circumstance, forced apart by tragedy and enticed close again by a reunion.
From the start of this gripping read, the atmosphere is tense. Ele’s anxiety is palpable, Michael Storm is the clouds that never quite disappeared over the horizon. I am an optimist and my favourite has to be Maria.
Although Michael never quite leaves Ele’s heart, he manages to be absent from his own party as this truly suspenseful thriller twists and turns.
The author bares the souls of her characters, but keeps just a little back - no one is quite who they seem. Love it. Well done Ms Barmby.
October 2, 2022
When a group of friends agree to meet up when they are 30, none of them really expect it to happen. Yet when one starts to organise, the others all turn up, although all have secrets to hide.
This was an enjoyable enough book, if a little far fetched at times. The chapters were generally short, which made for a page turning read
Thanks to Bloodhound books for sending me an advanced copy to read and review
This was an enjoyable enough book, if a little far fetched at times. The chapters were generally short, which made for a page turning read
Thanks to Bloodhound books for sending me an advanced copy to read and review
September 30, 2022
This was the first book I’d read by this author. A New Year’s party, where former friends are brought back together, and hidden truths from the past resurface. The first two thirds of the book are the build up and give us background on the main characters. It is quite a slow burn, but extremely compelling. The characters all have great depth and I found it well written. Not the type of book I was initially expecting, but I was pleasantly surprised. Thank you Bloodhound Books for the ARC.
October 3, 2022
A well written solid thriller with a decent plot and a bit of a twist which I have to admit I saw coming. The downsides were that I didn’t particularly like any of the characters even though they were described perfectly.
I couldn’t stand Michael or Ele so it spoiled it a bit for me. I will try out more from this author though as I enjoyed the writing style.
I couldn’t stand Michael or Ele so it spoiled it a bit for me. I will try out more from this author though as I enjoyed the writing style.
October 3, 2022
I was really looking forward to this but felt it was a wee bit drawn out. A group of friends make a pact to meet later in life. Their lives after school go off in a variety of directions so it's a surprise when Michael gets in touch to discuss the pact.
They are all hiding secrets but will they come out and what will the consequences be. A well written novel but you have to stick with it.
They are all hiding secrets but will they come out and what will the consequences be. A well written novel but you have to stick with it.
October 4, 2022
Six friends make a pact to meet again when they are thirty. But when the time comes the friends are no longer the same. Everyone has secrets, some of them deadly. I really enjoyed this book, the first I have read by this author. Although I guessed some of the twists it didn't stop me wanting to see how the story turned out.
October 5, 2022
There is an interesting setup with the way the book is laid out in that you get to see many different perspectives of the different characters involved in the story. The characters draw you in and keep you wanting to turn the pages to find out what is going to happen next and how it will all end up. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.
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