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One Good Deed
NO GOOD DEED GOES UNPUNISHED
Elliott has never thought of himself as a hero. Until one dark night he meets Rebecca, a scared and vulnerable young woman who needs his help. There's a man harassing her, following her; would he mind pretending to be her boyfriend, just while she walks home, to put him off?
And that is that - just a favour for a stranger - until there is a knock at Elliott's door. It's the man who was following Rebecca. He claims he's her ex-boyfriend, but it's clear that he's been stalking her. He's obsessed, dangerously so. He wants Rebecca, and he will do anything to have her.
When Elliott eventually tries to tell him the truth, the man doesn't believe him. The only way to save himself is to get Rebecca to explain. There's just one problem: Rebecca is nowhere to be found. And now it looks like one good deed will cost Elliott everything...
Elliott has never thought of himself as a hero. Until one dark night he meets Rebecca, a scared and vulnerable young woman who needs his help. There's a man harassing her, following her; would he mind pretending to be her boyfriend, just while she walks home, to put him off?
And that is that - just a favour for a stranger - until there is a knock at Elliott's door. It's the man who was following Rebecca. He claims he's her ex-boyfriend, but it's clear that he's been stalking her. He's obsessed, dangerously so. He wants Rebecca, and he will do anything to have her.
When Elliott eventually tries to tell him the truth, the man doesn't believe him. The only way to save himself is to get Rebecca to explain. There's just one problem: Rebecca is nowhere to be found. And now it looks like one good deed will cost Elliott everything...
374 pages, Paperback
First published July 6, 2023
18 people are currently reading
646 people want to read
About the author
David Jackson
16 books516 followersI am the author of a series of crime thrillers featuring Irish-American NYPD Detective Callum Doyle. The first in the series, Pariah, was Highly Commended in the Crime Writers Association Debut Dagger Awards. It is published by Pan Macmillan. The follow-ups are The Helper and Marked, and I am hard at work on the fourth in the series. My writing influences include Ed McBain, Dennis Lehane, George Pelecanos, Robert Crais, Michael Connelly and Harlan Coben, amongst many others. My favourite quote about my work is one from the Guardian, now carried on the front of my novels: 'Recalls Harlan Coben - though for my money Jackson is the better writer.'
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
May 7, 2023
Elliott Whiston is a likeable, kind man who lives a quiet life between managing a charity shop and caring for his much loved cat Bill. One evening, a trip to the corner shop for emergency cat food, brings Elliott and Rebecca together as she asks for his help. As he is a real gent, he plays his part of Good Samaritan to perfection to help a damsel in distress. These two are so completely different, light years apart and yet fate brings them together. She asks him to lie for her if the need arises and he agrees. Little does he know what he’s let himself in for, even in his wildest dreams he never imagines this.
The novel has a very strong start which gives you some idea of what you are in for. Elliot is such a contrast to the other characters who appear with the exception of Heidi Liu, who proves to be a real friend. Some of the dialogue between these two especially at the start provides some welcome light relief from the chaos, violence and danger that is unleashed. This is a really good thriller, the pace is fast, the circumstances chop, and change, the tension is frequently at a high level so it keeps you reading on, glued to what develops. Short, sharp sentences highlight the dangers and none of the chapters are over long and so it flows well, keeping you invested in the plot.
Overall, you root for Elliot throughout as your jaw drops at what the poor guy endures. If only he’d known…
With thanks to NetGalley, and especially to Serpents Tail/Viper/Profile Books for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
The novel has a very strong start which gives you some idea of what you are in for. Elliot is such a contrast to the other characters who appear with the exception of Heidi Liu, who proves to be a real friend. Some of the dialogue between these two especially at the start provides some welcome light relief from the chaos, violence and danger that is unleashed. This is a really good thriller, the pace is fast, the circumstances chop, and change, the tension is frequently at a high level so it keeps you reading on, glued to what develops. Short, sharp sentences highlight the dangers and none of the chapters are over long and so it flows well, keeping you invested in the plot.
Overall, you root for Elliot throughout as your jaw drops at what the poor guy endures. If only he’d known…
With thanks to NetGalley, and especially to Serpents Tail/Viper/Profile Books for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
July 1, 2023
Elliott never thought himself as a hero. Until one dark night he meets Rebecca, a scared and vulnerable young woman who needed his help. There's a man harassing her, following her; would he mind pretending to be her boyfriend, just while she walks home, to put him off? And that is that - just a favour for a stranger - until there is a knock at Elliott's door. It's the man who was following Rebecca. He claims he's her ex-boyfriend, but it's clear that he's been stalking her. He's obsessed, dangerously so. He wants Rebecca and will do anything to have her.
David Jackson is a new author to me so I wasn't really sure what I expected when I dived into this book. It was quite a dark and violent read. I was pulled in from the first page in this fast-paced read. Elliott meets Rebecca one night and she asks if she can walk home with him as her ex-boyfriend is following her. At first the plotline seems quite basic, but the more you get into the story, nothing is as it seems. I liked the authors writing style and the characters were well developed. I quite enjoyed this thrilling read and I will look out for this author in future.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #SerprntsTailViperProfileBooks and the author #DavidJackson for my ARC of #OneGoodDeed in exchange for an honest review.
David Jackson is a new author to me so I wasn't really sure what I expected when I dived into this book. It was quite a dark and violent read. I was pulled in from the first page in this fast-paced read. Elliott meets Rebecca one night and she asks if she can walk home with him as her ex-boyfriend is following her. At first the plotline seems quite basic, but the more you get into the story, nothing is as it seems. I liked the authors writing style and the characters were well developed. I quite enjoyed this thrilling read and I will look out for this author in future.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #SerprntsTailViperProfileBooks and the author #DavidJackson for my ARC of #OneGoodDeed in exchange for an honest review.
May 26, 2023
I am a big fan of David Jackson’s dark, twisted thrillers. Always such page turning, fast reads and One More Deed was no exception. He has a way of putting his characters into situations that just spiral out of control and you just need to keep reading.
Elliot is a quiet man, keeps to himself and works for the local charity store. He is a big of a nerd, lives alone with his cat. His life is about to be turned upside down by being a good man and helping a woman in need. He finds himself in the middle of a messy situation and nothing will be the same again.
This is a pretty dark and violent book but so much fun to read. Thanks to Viper Books for the chance to read this book early.
Elliot is a quiet man, keeps to himself and works for the local charity store. He is a big of a nerd, lives alone with his cat. His life is about to be turned upside down by being a good man and helping a woman in need. He finds himself in the middle of a messy situation and nothing will be the same again.
This is a pretty dark and violent book but so much fun to read. Thanks to Viper Books for the chance to read this book early.
August 24, 2024
Take one ordinary man, put him in extraordinary circumstances, and watch all hell break loose.
Said man is called Elliott. Works in a charity shop, loves cats, bit of a loner, can't quite see what's right in front of him, is definitely not superhero material. But one night, he's approached by Rebecca. She tells Elliott she's being followed and would he mind very much pretending to be her boyfriend to put the other man off. And just like that, with this one good deed, Elliott's life goes completely and utterly off the rails.
Because Rebecca's stalker is nothing if not determined. He claims Rebecca used to be his girlfriend and he will stop at nothing to get her back. Darren, for that is the stalker's name, seems a tad unhinged. When Elliott tries to tell him the truth, Darren doesn't believe him. He only wants to talk to Rebecca and Elliott needs to make that happen. But how do you go out and find someone you know nothing about, and who is apparently also very good at hiding herself away.
Honestly, I felt this book was totally bonkers. I thought the scenario and some of the characters were ridiculously over the top. And yet, I had such a fabulous time with this book. It's incredibly addictive and entertaining. Sometimes even surprisingly witty. But I also felt it could have been a little bit shorter. At times it seemed we were just going around in circles, without anything much of value being added.
That said, 'One Good Deed' is probably one of the wildest rollercoaster rides I've ever been on where a book is concerned. I couldn't at all see where things were heading, or how they would end. It seemed rather obvious to me that I wasn't getting the full story from these characters, but the bigger picture kept eluding me.
There is always something endlessly fascinating, or perverse, about seeing an unremarkable, slightly boring character like Elliott needing to somehow find something deep inside himself to survive these exceptional events that are a million miles outside of his comfort zone. It's a delightful what-would-you-do scenario. It seems rather apparent that good deeds are massively overrated 😉.
'One Good Deed' is a fast-paced page-turner, which definitely provided me with much needed escapism. Could Elliott possibly be a hero after all? Only one way for you to find out and that's to read the book! Be prepared to lose hours of your day. As Joanna Cannon says, David Jackson is the king of "just-one-more-chapter" after all.
Said man is called Elliott. Works in a charity shop, loves cats, bit of a loner, can't quite see what's right in front of him, is definitely not superhero material. But one night, he's approached by Rebecca. She tells Elliott she's being followed and would he mind very much pretending to be her boyfriend to put the other man off. And just like that, with this one good deed, Elliott's life goes completely and utterly off the rails.
Because Rebecca's stalker is nothing if not determined. He claims Rebecca used to be his girlfriend and he will stop at nothing to get her back. Darren, for that is the stalker's name, seems a tad unhinged. When Elliott tries to tell him the truth, Darren doesn't believe him. He only wants to talk to Rebecca and Elliott needs to make that happen. But how do you go out and find someone you know nothing about, and who is apparently also very good at hiding herself away.
Honestly, I felt this book was totally bonkers. I thought the scenario and some of the characters were ridiculously over the top. And yet, I had such a fabulous time with this book. It's incredibly addictive and entertaining. Sometimes even surprisingly witty. But I also felt it could have been a little bit shorter. At times it seemed we were just going around in circles, without anything much of value being added.
That said, 'One Good Deed' is probably one of the wildest rollercoaster rides I've ever been on where a book is concerned. I couldn't at all see where things were heading, or how they would end. It seemed rather obvious to me that I wasn't getting the full story from these characters, but the bigger picture kept eluding me.
There is always something endlessly fascinating, or perverse, about seeing an unremarkable, slightly boring character like Elliott needing to somehow find something deep inside himself to survive these exceptional events that are a million miles outside of his comfort zone. It's a delightful what-would-you-do scenario. It seems rather apparent that good deeds are massively overrated 😉.
'One Good Deed' is a fast-paced page-turner, which definitely provided me with much needed escapism. Could Elliott possibly be a hero after all? Only one way for you to find out and that's to read the book! Be prepared to lose hours of your day. As Joanna Cannon says, David Jackson is the king of "just-one-more-chapter" after all.
December 2, 2023
Elliott Whiston has always found a problem standing up for himself. A disappointment to his father ('He's no son of mine'), his life consists of managing the Cat League charity shop in his local town and taking care of his cat, Bill - but, even there, he manages to demonstrate his lack of confidence when called upon to confront a shoplifter in his charity shop and failing miserably.
So, when on a late night trip to the corner shop he is approached by a beautiful young woman, Rebecca, who asks for his help, he just cannot resist. Rebecca says she is being stalked by a man called Darren who is infatuated with her and asks if Elliott will walk with her - when he is still following her when they arrive at Elliott's house, Elliott asks her in for a cup of tea and hopes that the man will leave. Before Rebecca leaves in a taxi, she asks Elliott to say that he is her boyfriend if asked - which leaves Elliott right in the firing line when Darren comes calling the next day, claiming he is Rebecca's ex-boyfriend and wants her back - at any cost.....
I have read and really enjoyed a couple of David Jackson's crime novels and really enjoyed them. That's not to say that I didn't enjoy this one but the way the story was told made me feel that it was more of a comedy drama than out-and-out drama - a bit like Fargo or the recent BBC series Boat Story where, although there are violent incidents, they are almost funny because of the way they are told. Reading other reviews, it would appear that it may be only me that reacted in this way to the book but that's just how it made me feel! I did enjoy the story and could just see it as a TV comedy drama, even if the author didn't intend it to be taken this way. Still a good 4-star read for me - 8.5/10.
So, when on a late night trip to the corner shop he is approached by a beautiful young woman, Rebecca, who asks for his help, he just cannot resist. Rebecca says she is being stalked by a man called Darren who is infatuated with her and asks if Elliott will walk with her - when he is still following her when they arrive at Elliott's house, Elliott asks her in for a cup of tea and hopes that the man will leave. Before Rebecca leaves in a taxi, she asks Elliott to say that he is her boyfriend if asked - which leaves Elliott right in the firing line when Darren comes calling the next day, claiming he is Rebecca's ex-boyfriend and wants her back - at any cost.....
I have read and really enjoyed a couple of David Jackson's crime novels and really enjoyed them. That's not to say that I didn't enjoy this one but the way the story was told made me feel that it was more of a comedy drama than out-and-out drama - a bit like Fargo or the recent BBC series Boat Story where, although there are violent incidents, they are almost funny because of the way they are told. Reading other reviews, it would appear that it may be only me that reacted in this way to the book but that's just how it made me feel! I did enjoy the story and could just see it as a TV comedy drama, even if the author didn't intend it to be taken this way. Still a good 4-star read for me - 8.5/10.
August 3, 2023
This author has done it again. How can a stranger doing a good deed for another stranger put their life in danger? This is what happens when Elliot Whiston meets Rebecca a beautiful young woman who says she is being pestered and he helps her. As far as he is concerned he is doing the right thing. This is a story about stalking and so much more but not everything is at it seems. This is a real rollercoaster of a read. The tension is palpable and a storyline that kept me reading late into the night. Loved it and highly recommended.
Thanks to Netgalley for the Arc.
Thanks to Netgalley for the Arc.
June 7, 2023
This was a hard story for me to rate. There’s no denying that this is a gripping read - the villain of the story is gloriously unhinged & this makes for great reading. The story is also very easy to read; the pacing was great & I thought everything flowed well.
What makes this hard to review is the main character, Elliott. Elliott seems to have a blindness to certain aspects of life and due to many experiences with bullying, is very non-confrontational. He’s taken in by a pretty face when he aids Rebecca in avoiding her stalker, but when the stalker attacks him, Elliott refuses to get help. Yes, you have to suspend belief in varying degrees when you read fiction, but I couldn’t do it in this case.
Thanks to Viper & NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
What makes this hard to review is the main character, Elliott. Elliott seems to have a blindness to certain aspects of life and due to many experiences with bullying, is very non-confrontational. He’s taken in by a pretty face when he aids Rebecca in avoiding her stalker, but when the stalker attacks him, Elliott refuses to get help. Yes, you have to suspend belief in varying degrees when you read fiction, but I couldn’t do it in this case.
Thanks to Viper & NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 8, 2023
One Good Deed is the fourth David Jackson novel I’ve read, and by now, it has become something of a summer ritual to look forward to. I always have a great time with his thrillers and One Good Deed was no exception.
They say no good deed goes unpunished and well, Elliott is about to find that out for himself when he meets Rebecca on the street at night. She is being followed and begs him to walk home with him, pretending they’re in a relationship. Elliott is exactly the kind of guy you’d ask to do that. A bit shy, modest, the quintessential good guy. Little does he know that Rebecca’s stalker is a bit unhinged to say the least, and this one small favour will escalate completely.
And that is exactly what this author does best: he takes a small action, an unnoteworthy event, and runs with it. The result is perhaps a teensy bit too extreme to be entirely plausible but who even cares when it’s this entertaining?! I sure didn’t, I had a ball! If I were a nail-biter, my nails would have been bitten down to the quick by the time I’d finished it!
David Jackson has been dubbed the king of one more chapter and the master of the unputdownable thriller, and both are spot on. The short chapters and their unrelenting pace continuously invited me to read just one more chapter, but I could never stop after just one. (It’s a small miracle I made it to work on time!) At night and nearing the finale, I had to force myself to put it down and get some sleep, for I’m not the best sleeper at the best of times and I was afraid the adrenalin of the last sixty or so pages would keep me up all night.
One Good Deed is an addictive, fast-paced and suspenseful thriller. If you like your thrillers action-packed and nail-bitingly tense and/or you love a cat-loving antihero to root for, One Good Deed should be at the top of your shopping list. Recommended.
Massive thanks to Viper Books and NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
They say no good deed goes unpunished and well, Elliott is about to find that out for himself when he meets Rebecca on the street at night. She is being followed and begs him to walk home with him, pretending they’re in a relationship. Elliott is exactly the kind of guy you’d ask to do that. A bit shy, modest, the quintessential good guy. Little does he know that Rebecca’s stalker is a bit unhinged to say the least, and this one small favour will escalate completely.
And that is exactly what this author does best: he takes a small action, an unnoteworthy event, and runs with it. The result is perhaps a teensy bit too extreme to be entirely plausible but who even cares when it’s this entertaining?! I sure didn’t, I had a ball! If I were a nail-biter, my nails would have been bitten down to the quick by the time I’d finished it!
David Jackson has been dubbed the king of one more chapter and the master of the unputdownable thriller, and both are spot on. The short chapters and their unrelenting pace continuously invited me to read just one more chapter, but I could never stop after just one. (It’s a small miracle I made it to work on time!) At night and nearing the finale, I had to force myself to put it down and get some sleep, for I’m not the best sleeper at the best of times and I was afraid the adrenalin of the last sixty or so pages would keep me up all night.
One Good Deed is an addictive, fast-paced and suspenseful thriller. If you like your thrillers action-packed and nail-bitingly tense and/or you love a cat-loving antihero to root for, One Good Deed should be at the top of your shopping list. Recommended.
Massive thanks to Viper Books and NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
May 16, 2024
Another great thriller by David Jackson. He’s an underrated author that writers thrillers with characters that have a lot of depth and a plot that had me hooked.
Elliot, a single man working at a charity shop, gets involved with a dangerous stalker that will do anything to get his «girlfriend» back.
A short premise there, but I’d recommend going into this one without knowing too much. The payoff was amazing.
Elliot, a single man working at a charity shop, gets involved with a dangerous stalker that will do anything to get his «girlfriend» back.
A short premise there, but I’d recommend going into this one without knowing too much. The payoff was amazing.
June 29, 2025
I love this author and this standalone book is just as gripping as his other books. It was one of those.. just one more chapter books, a great entertaining read , highly recommend
Thank you to NetGalley and Viper books for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review
Thank you to NetGalley and Viper books for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review
May 14, 2023
David Jackson thrills again with another stunning read, I loved it .
Elliot is a simple man he lives alone with his very fussy cat , works in a Cat welfare charity shop and doesn’t ask for much from life or anyone but all that starts to change when on his way home from the local shop a young woman asks for his help as she is worried that an ex boyfriend is following her. Well Elliot is no superhero but he is a very kind man but he never realises just what horrors are to come from doing “One Good Deed”.
Well goodness me this is a non stop rollercoaster of a ride as things just go from bad to worse as the book progresses, I got so involved in what was happening I lost all track of time and that’s what makes it a book you can’t put down and oh my not forgetting what a superb ending it has !
So a brilliantly addictive story, top notch writing and wonderful characters there is so much to love in this 5 star read and many thanks once more to the wonderful David Jackson, please keep the books coming.
My thanks also to NetGalley and Serpent’s Tail / Viper / Profile Books for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Elliot is a simple man he lives alone with his very fussy cat , works in a Cat welfare charity shop and doesn’t ask for much from life or anyone but all that starts to change when on his way home from the local shop a young woman asks for his help as she is worried that an ex boyfriend is following her. Well Elliot is no superhero but he is a very kind man but he never realises just what horrors are to come from doing “One Good Deed”.
Well goodness me this is a non stop rollercoaster of a ride as things just go from bad to worse as the book progresses, I got so involved in what was happening I lost all track of time and that’s what makes it a book you can’t put down and oh my not forgetting what a superb ending it has !
So a brilliantly addictive story, top notch writing and wonderful characters there is so much to love in this 5 star read and many thanks once more to the wonderful David Jackson, please keep the books coming.
My thanks also to NetGalley and Serpent’s Tail / Viper / Profile Books for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
July 6, 2023
What would you do if a lady came up to you at night and asked if you could walk with her as she’s being followed and harnessed by her ex? Would you help her? You might change your mind after reading this story.
Elliott is the manager of the local cat charity shop. He lives with his cat in the house he grew up in. About to leave a local store one evening, he is asked by Rebecca if she can walk with him as her ex, Darren is following her. Being the gentleman that he is, Elliott agrees and his life quickly changes and not for the better.
Darren is a nasty individual who only wants Rebecca back, no matter what it takes. Is Rebecca all she seems, is she telling Elliott the whole story?
I couldn’t help but be in Elliott’s corner, I really felt for him.
A dark and twisted thriller that I couldn’t read quick enough. Violent at times but necessary for the story.
This is one of my go to author’s and yet again, I haven’t been let down by this great plot.
My thanks to Serpents Tail/Viper & NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.
Elliott is the manager of the local cat charity shop. He lives with his cat in the house he grew up in. About to leave a local store one evening, he is asked by Rebecca if she can walk with him as her ex, Darren is following her. Being the gentleman that he is, Elliott agrees and his life quickly changes and not for the better.
Darren is a nasty individual who only wants Rebecca back, no matter what it takes. Is Rebecca all she seems, is she telling Elliott the whole story?
I couldn’t help but be in Elliott’s corner, I really felt for him.
A dark and twisted thriller that I couldn’t read quick enough. Violent at times but necessary for the story.
This is one of my go to author’s and yet again, I haven’t been let down by this great plot.
My thanks to Serpents Tail/Viper & NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.
February 11, 2026
One Good Deed is one of those thrillers that grabs you with a deceptively simple premise and then steadily tightens the screw until you’re fully caught in its grip. David Jackson takes an everyday act of kindness and twists it into a nerve-wracking spiral of suspicion, fear and escalating danger.
Elliott is an instantly relatable protagonist. He’s not a hero, not particularly brave or reckless — just an ordinary man who makes what feels like a harmless decision in the moment. That sense of realism makes everything that follows far more unsettling. It’s easy to imagine yourself doing exactly the same thing, which makes the consequences hit harder.
The tension really kicks in once the stalker enters the picture. Jackson does a fantastic job of making this character deeply unsettling without resorting to over-the-top theatrics. His obsession feels disturbingly plausible, and the psychological pressure he exerts on Elliott creates a constant sense of unease. As Rebecca disappears, the story shifts into something darker and more desperate, and the stakes rise with every chapter.
The pacing is strong throughout, with short chapters and well-timed reveals keeping the momentum going. I especially enjoyed how the novel plays with perception — who is telling the truth, who is manipulating whom, and how easily reality can be twisted when fear takes over.
While the story occasionally leans on coincidence more than I would have liked, it never derails the overall tension. The emotional depth of the characters, particularly Elliott’s growing paranoia and guilt, keeps the novel grounded even when events escalate.
One Good Deed is a gripping, fast-paced psychological thriller that explores how quickly good intentions can turn into a nightmare. It’s not just about suspense, but about the cost of kindness in a world where not everyone is who they seem. A solid four-star read that kept me hooked right to the end.
https://featzreviews.com/one-good-dee...
Elliott is an instantly relatable protagonist. He’s not a hero, not particularly brave or reckless — just an ordinary man who makes what feels like a harmless decision in the moment. That sense of realism makes everything that follows far more unsettling. It’s easy to imagine yourself doing exactly the same thing, which makes the consequences hit harder.
The tension really kicks in once the stalker enters the picture. Jackson does a fantastic job of making this character deeply unsettling without resorting to over-the-top theatrics. His obsession feels disturbingly plausible, and the psychological pressure he exerts on Elliott creates a constant sense of unease. As Rebecca disappears, the story shifts into something darker and more desperate, and the stakes rise with every chapter.
The pacing is strong throughout, with short chapters and well-timed reveals keeping the momentum going. I especially enjoyed how the novel plays with perception — who is telling the truth, who is manipulating whom, and how easily reality can be twisted when fear takes over.
While the story occasionally leans on coincidence more than I would have liked, it never derails the overall tension. The emotional depth of the characters, particularly Elliott’s growing paranoia and guilt, keeps the novel grounded even when events escalate.
One Good Deed is a gripping, fast-paced psychological thriller that explores how quickly good intentions can turn into a nightmare. It’s not just about suspense, but about the cost of kindness in a world where not everyone is who they seem. A solid four-star read that kept me hooked right to the end.
https://featzreviews.com/one-good-dee...
December 29, 2023
Cat-loving loner Elliot has a pretty normal life, but sometimes wishes he would stand up for himself and others more. So when the opportunity arises to help Rebecca who is being followed by a man while alone, Elliot steps up.
After safely seeing Rebecca home he heads off home feeling pleased with himself that he had helped someone out. Little did he know that his life was about to be turned upside down.
Having read several from this author, I was expecting a tense rollercoaster of a read, and that is what I got!
After safely seeing Rebecca home he heads off home feeling pleased with himself that he had helped someone out. Little did he know that his life was about to be turned upside down.
Having read several from this author, I was expecting a tense rollercoaster of a read, and that is what I got!
May 9, 2023
Late one evening as Elliott Whiston is returning from a quick shopping trip he is approached by a young woman, Rebecca, asking if she can walk with him as she is being followed by an ex-boyfriend who refuses to accept their relationship is over. Elliott's good deed turns in to a nightmare as the ex-boyfriend, Darren, refuses to accept Elliott's version of events and threatens violence unless he helps Darren find Rebecca.
This is one of those adrenaline fuelled, read in one sitting books that grips you and refuses to let go until the end. The opening chapter is full of creepiness, black humour and has a shocking ending. It's hard to believe that this is only a prelude to the even more shocking events that play out in the rest of One Good Deed.
Main character, Elliott, is mild and unassuming. He leads a lonely existence, having missed the opportunity to go to university because he looked after his ailing mother. He's now in a rut, questioning his life. The chance to help a "damsel in distress" gives him the occasion to play hero for a brief time. Little does Elliott realise the consequences of his actions. Even when things start to unravel he still believes in doing the right thing.
As events spiral out of control we learn more about Rebecca and Darren. Darren is controlling, refusing to accept anything other than his own view of events. Initially Rebecca comes across as a character you have a lot of sympathy for, particularly after one scene in particular where she meets Darren. However, as the story progresses you lose all sympathy for her and begin to wonder if this is all some strange game of cat and mouse with Elliott as the poor, helpless creature stuck in the middle.
Threats soon escalate in to violence as Darren's demands become more extreme. It becomes a race against time, leading to a conclusion that is brutal. It really does make you wonder if you should ever do a simple good deed for a stranger.
If you enjoyed my review please check out my book blog, Reading For Leisure
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This is one of those adrenaline fuelled, read in one sitting books that grips you and refuses to let go until the end. The opening chapter is full of creepiness, black humour and has a shocking ending. It's hard to believe that this is only a prelude to the even more shocking events that play out in the rest of One Good Deed.
Main character, Elliott, is mild and unassuming. He leads a lonely existence, having missed the opportunity to go to university because he looked after his ailing mother. He's now in a rut, questioning his life. The chance to help a "damsel in distress" gives him the occasion to play hero for a brief time. Little does Elliott realise the consequences of his actions. Even when things start to unravel he still believes in doing the right thing.
As events spiral out of control we learn more about Rebecca and Darren. Darren is controlling, refusing to accept anything other than his own view of events. Initially Rebecca comes across as a character you have a lot of sympathy for, particularly after one scene in particular where she meets Darren. However, as the story progresses you lose all sympathy for her and begin to wonder if this is all some strange game of cat and mouse with Elliott as the poor, helpless creature stuck in the middle.
Threats soon escalate in to violence as Darren's demands become more extreme. It becomes a race against time, leading to a conclusion that is brutal. It really does make you wonder if you should ever do a simple good deed for a stranger.
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September 5, 2023
It has been a while since I had the opportunity to read a novel by David Jackson, the last being 7 years ago (Marked – Callum Doyle #3) and I have no idea why I’ve not read another since. Time plays a big part of course and it’s simply a case of time has gotten the better of me! With that in mind I can’t tell you how pleased I was/am to have had the opportunity to delve into another Jackson thriller, this time I’ve read One Good Deed.
I remember a few years ago reading a book by Linwood Barclay and the book centres around picking up a stranger who has broken down on the side of the road and everything that follows. Helping strangers should be a simple and rewarding act right? It’s not just the movies or books that a simple act can cause so many issues and in this thriller, we, once again have a case where the protagonist should have just walked away and not helped. But we can’t know what’s going to happen can we? Most of us will hope that we, when asked, would be able to help out someone in need but I have to say, once you read a book like this you’d certainly be forgiven if you never wanted to help another human being – ever!!
When any book begins and the first few chapters move from one location to the other, you do find yourself (I certainly do) wondering how on earth the author is going to tie these characters together. You don’t have long to wait in this case as each action, although they appear separate, are indelibly linked. Elliot, the main protagonist comes across as weak and vulnerable and incapable of making decisions, he’s a scared man but when he has the opportunity to help a woman in distress, Rebecca, he does. Unfortunately for Elliot his one simple action opens up a can of worms unleashing violence, danger and intrigue.
Really enjoyed getting to know David’s characters once again and I really shouldn’t leave it so long to read his next novel. Fast paced, clever plotting and characters you will love and hate in not so equal measures, One Good Deed is well worth the admission fee.
I remember a few years ago reading a book by Linwood Barclay and the book centres around picking up a stranger who has broken down on the side of the road and everything that follows. Helping strangers should be a simple and rewarding act right? It’s not just the movies or books that a simple act can cause so many issues and in this thriller, we, once again have a case where the protagonist should have just walked away and not helped. But we can’t know what’s going to happen can we? Most of us will hope that we, when asked, would be able to help out someone in need but I have to say, once you read a book like this you’d certainly be forgiven if you never wanted to help another human being – ever!!
When any book begins and the first few chapters move from one location to the other, you do find yourself (I certainly do) wondering how on earth the author is going to tie these characters together. You don’t have long to wait in this case as each action, although they appear separate, are indelibly linked. Elliot, the main protagonist comes across as weak and vulnerable and incapable of making decisions, he’s a scared man but when he has the opportunity to help a woman in distress, Rebecca, he does. Unfortunately for Elliot his one simple action opens up a can of worms unleashing violence, danger and intrigue.
Really enjoyed getting to know David’s characters once again and I really shouldn’t leave it so long to read his next novel. Fast paced, clever plotting and characters you will love and hate in not so equal measures, One Good Deed is well worth the admission fee.
July 4, 2023
This book is so bonkersly and deliciously over the top that the author deserves all the stars for delivering it so well!
It starts off with an accidental death when a man arrives at the house of an old woman to try and find out where his girlfriend is. We then meet said girlfriend as she is walking home one night and spots him following her. Luckily, along comes Elliott who she latches on to to walk with so that she isn't approached by her "stalker". She explains the situation to Elliott and he being vulnerable and a bit lonely, agrees to pretend to be her new boyfriend. Well, she is rather smashing looking after all!
And so begins a rather strange tale. Which really needs to be read as the author intends rather than me trying to rehash anything here. What I can say is that it all kicks off spectacularly and escalates rapidly and skirts credibility and, as already mentioned is deliciously bonkers. In a good way.
Elliott is a brilliant character and has some great scenes. He works in a cat charity shop so that speaks enough to his character. He is also vulnerable and naive which makes him easily led and exposed. Exposed enough for Rebecca to get her claws in and exploit. What a cow! You see where my loyalties lie...
And the ending... well... as soon as it really started kicking off I was trying to second guess how on earth the author would be able to wrap it all up in a way that both worked and which also satisfied me. But he did, and brilliantly so. And managed to make it credible to boot!
All in all, another winner from an author I have now read quite a few books by, cementing him on my watch list. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
It starts off with an accidental death when a man arrives at the house of an old woman to try and find out where his girlfriend is. We then meet said girlfriend as she is walking home one night and spots him following her. Luckily, along comes Elliott who she latches on to to walk with so that she isn't approached by her "stalker". She explains the situation to Elliott and he being vulnerable and a bit lonely, agrees to pretend to be her new boyfriend. Well, she is rather smashing looking after all!
And so begins a rather strange tale. Which really needs to be read as the author intends rather than me trying to rehash anything here. What I can say is that it all kicks off spectacularly and escalates rapidly and skirts credibility and, as already mentioned is deliciously bonkers. In a good way.
Elliott is a brilliant character and has some great scenes. He works in a cat charity shop so that speaks enough to his character. He is also vulnerable and naive which makes him easily led and exposed. Exposed enough for Rebecca to get her claws in and exploit. What a cow! You see where my loyalties lie...
And the ending... well... as soon as it really started kicking off I was trying to second guess how on earth the author would be able to wrap it all up in a way that both worked and which also satisfied me. But he did, and brilliantly so. And managed to make it credible to boot!
All in all, another winner from an author I have now read quite a few books by, cementing him on my watch list. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
May 12, 2023
I was hooked on this author after reading ‘The Resident’ which I found impossible to put down. Since then I have eagerly awaited every new novel and have always been as entertained as the my first read.
In “One Good Deed,” author David Jackson weaves a thrilling tale that combines elements of suspense, heroism, and the unwavering power of human connection. Elliott, our unassuming protagonist who embarks on a journey that will test his limits, both physically and emotionally.
I was pulled in from the very first page and as so often happens read it straight through in one sitting. Elliott, a man who never considered himself a hero, finds himself drawn into a dark and dangerous world when he meets Rebecca, a terrified young woman seeking refuge from her relentless stalker. What begins as a simple act of kindness, posing as Rebecca’s boyfriend to deter her pursuer, quickly spirals into a heart-pounding battle for survival.
This is excellent storytelling, well paced and full of outstanding characters. So full of suspense that I just had to keep reading to find out what was going to happen next. Elliot is a great character and it was very entertaining trying to guess his next move in the story. He is a nice ordinary man who is far from your natural hero yet he is thrust into a good deed that gets out of control. It is because Elliott is such an unassuming character that the story works so well.
This novel is well written and a page turner.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Serpents Tail for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
In “One Good Deed,” author David Jackson weaves a thrilling tale that combines elements of suspense, heroism, and the unwavering power of human connection. Elliott, our unassuming protagonist who embarks on a journey that will test his limits, both physically and emotionally.
I was pulled in from the very first page and as so often happens read it straight through in one sitting. Elliott, a man who never considered himself a hero, finds himself drawn into a dark and dangerous world when he meets Rebecca, a terrified young woman seeking refuge from her relentless stalker. What begins as a simple act of kindness, posing as Rebecca’s boyfriend to deter her pursuer, quickly spirals into a heart-pounding battle for survival.
This is excellent storytelling, well paced and full of outstanding characters. So full of suspense that I just had to keep reading to find out what was going to happen next. Elliot is a great character and it was very entertaining trying to guess his next move in the story. He is a nice ordinary man who is far from your natural hero yet he is thrust into a good deed that gets out of control. It is because Elliott is such an unassuming character that the story works so well.
This novel is well written and a page turner.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Serpents Tail for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
May 17, 2023
In this book we meet Elliott who has never really thought of himself as a hero. Most probably because he has never been put into a situation where he has to done the superhero cape. That is until one night he meets Rebecca who has been followed and harassed by a man and she is feel extremely vulnerable and alone. So she asks Elliott if he would mind walking her home and pretending to be her boyfriend to try and scare of the stalker. Of course Elliott agrees noone says he will not arrive on his white horse and save a damsell in distress. Elliott thinks nothing of it and goes about his life again after making sure Rebecca has arrived safely that is until one day Elliott gets a knock on the door it is the man that had been following Rebecca home. It is clear from the outset that he is a little bit deranged and unhinged. He is claiming that he is Rebecca's ex boyfriend, he threatens Elliott if he cant have her noone else can, he is dangerous obsessed and off the rails. Elliott tries to tell him that there is nothing between him and Rebecca but he is dead set on not believing him. To save his own life and make sure nothing bad happens to him Elliott knows that he has to find Rebecca the only problem is Rebecca is nowhere to be found. She has vanished into thin aor and so Elliott has to track her down and become a stalker himself to be able to save his own life.
A completely good page turner once you start reading you will not want to put it down. It makes you question everything you were led to believe in the book as the tale unfolds.
A completely good page turner once you start reading you will not want to put it down. It makes you question everything you were led to believe in the book as the tale unfolds.
May 29, 2023
Elliott has never thought of himself as a hero. Until one dark night he meets Rebecca, a scared and vulnerable young woman who needs his help. There's a man harassing her, following her; would he mind pretending to be her boyfriend, just while she walks home, to put him off?
Firstly, I will now read everything this author has written as this is a cracker of a story and I read this in an evening as I could not put it down. One night Elliot is asked by a girl named Rebecca to let her walk with him and pretend they are girlfriend and boyfriend as she told him she was being followed/stalked by another man named Darren.
And she is right, Darren is obsessed with Rebecca but Elliot is soon going to learn that being the hero may have now lead him to a very bad place, and I mean really bad. I am not going to elaborate anymore as I do not want to give the story away but this is definitely a heart in your mouth stuff and I found myself actually making groaning noises out loud as events began to unfold.
This is a very cleverly put together story, you really feel like you are riding the wildest roller coaster of your life and you are barely hanging on. I found myself talking and yelling out loud trying to tell Elliott what not to do or what to do to stay safe. This really hits every human emotion there is, and it really is an exceptional story, definitely not one you are going to forget in a short time.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions are my own.
Firstly, I will now read everything this author has written as this is a cracker of a story and I read this in an evening as I could not put it down. One night Elliot is asked by a girl named Rebecca to let her walk with him and pretend they are girlfriend and boyfriend as she told him she was being followed/stalked by another man named Darren.
And she is right, Darren is obsessed with Rebecca but Elliot is soon going to learn that being the hero may have now lead him to a very bad place, and I mean really bad. I am not going to elaborate anymore as I do not want to give the story away but this is definitely a heart in your mouth stuff and I found myself actually making groaning noises out loud as events began to unfold.
This is a very cleverly put together story, you really feel like you are riding the wildest roller coaster of your life and you are barely hanging on. I found myself talking and yelling out loud trying to tell Elliott what not to do or what to do to stay safe. This really hits every human emotion there is, and it really is an exceptional story, definitely not one you are going to forget in a short time.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions are my own.
May 26, 2023
Elliott Whiston’s cat, Bill, eyes him with disdain. He’s one hungry cat, and Elliott has forgotten to call for some cat food on the way home. There’s nothing for it, he’ll have to go out again and try and get Bill his favourite brand - he’s a very fussy cat! Just a quick walk to the shop that’s all it was going to be, but this night will turn into an unbelievable sequence of events that will bring pure terror to this mild unassuming cat lover.
On leaving the local shop, Elliott does a good deed for a stranger named Rebecca, he did it because it was the ‘right’ thing to do. He agreed to her plea to pretend to be her boyfriend, in order to shake off her pursuer who was hiding in the bushes. Big mistake Elliott!
‘One Good Deed’ deals with the distressing subject of ‘stalking’, something that leaves the victim with significant fear and concerns for their safety. In this case though, there’s more to it than meets the eye, and Elliott’s kind deed makes him the target of a deranged and obsessive mind.
The author certainly has the ability to place ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances, with frightening consequences. There’s a gathering pace and a sense of urgency as the storyline hots up in a race against time, and he dexterously steers the reader through the maze of the plot, making for a fast and thoroughly entertaining read. Recommended.
*Thank you to Netgalley and Serpents Tail/Viper/ Profile Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
On leaving the local shop, Elliott does a good deed for a stranger named Rebecca, he did it because it was the ‘right’ thing to do. He agreed to her plea to pretend to be her boyfriend, in order to shake off her pursuer who was hiding in the bushes. Big mistake Elliott!
‘One Good Deed’ deals with the distressing subject of ‘stalking’, something that leaves the victim with significant fear and concerns for their safety. In this case though, there’s more to it than meets the eye, and Elliott’s kind deed makes him the target of a deranged and obsessive mind.
The author certainly has the ability to place ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances, with frightening consequences. There’s a gathering pace and a sense of urgency as the storyline hots up in a race against time, and he dexterously steers the reader through the maze of the plot, making for a fast and thoroughly entertaining read. Recommended.
*Thank you to Netgalley and Serpents Tail/Viper/ Profile Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
June 22, 2023
One good Deed by David Jackson is the fourth book from the author that I have read, and it is another brilliant read.
Elliot is a loner and lives with his cat Bill. He is also a manager of a charity shop, and his only friend is a woman called Heidi. He is a kind man and will help anyone that is in trouble. So, when he a woman called Rebecca asking for his help to pretend to be her boyfriend. As a man is stalking her. The man’s name is Darren who is Rebecca’s ex-boyfriend. The man is obsessed with Rebecca and wants to get back with Rebecca. But Rebecca has other ideas and Elliot ends up being the go-between them two. But soon the situation turns sinister.
Thank you, Viper for a copy of One good Deed. This is a suspenseful story of Elliot who is trying to be a hero and help a damsel in distress. But Elliot is too kind-hearted, and I felt at first quite naive and it takes awhile to find out what Rachel is really like and also what kind of person Darren really is. This is a riveting read and which I couldn’t put down, even reading it to the small hours of the morning. I highly recommend 5 stars from me.
Elliot is a loner and lives with his cat Bill. He is also a manager of a charity shop, and his only friend is a woman called Heidi. He is a kind man and will help anyone that is in trouble. So, when he a woman called Rebecca asking for his help to pretend to be her boyfriend. As a man is stalking her. The man’s name is Darren who is Rebecca’s ex-boyfriend. The man is obsessed with Rebecca and wants to get back with Rebecca. But Rebecca has other ideas and Elliot ends up being the go-between them two. But soon the situation turns sinister.
Thank you, Viper for a copy of One good Deed. This is a suspenseful story of Elliot who is trying to be a hero and help a damsel in distress. But Elliot is too kind-hearted, and I felt at first quite naive and it takes awhile to find out what Rachel is really like and also what kind of person Darren really is. This is a riveting read and which I couldn’t put down, even reading it to the small hours of the morning. I highly recommend 5 stars from me.
July 4, 2023
Charity shop worker Elliott would hardly describe himself as heroic. One night, however, he is approached by a woman, Rebecca, who tells him that she is being followed by a man and asks to accompany him for her own safety. Little does Elliott know that this good deed will set into motion a series of events that will put lives in danger. How truthful has Rebecca been and what is her relationship to the man she claims is stalking her?
David Jackson is a fantastic story teller who has a knack of drawing you into his books right from the start, taking what is an ordinary situation and turning it into a dark yet humorous plot. This is exactly what we get in One Good Deed when mild-mannered Elliott encounters situations that take him way out of his comfort zone and threaten to change his life forever.
The plot is gripping and it is easy to why Joanna Cannon has called the author, ‘the king of just-one-more-chapter’. I definitely found it hard to put this book down as I was desperate to see how Elliott would fare against the larger than life characters that he faced through no fault of his own.
One Good Deed is one of those books that make you ask questions about yourself – is it always a good idea to help a person in need or do we need to look for an ulterior motive?
If you have never read any of David Jackson’s books before, this is a great one to start with.
David Jackson is a fantastic story teller who has a knack of drawing you into his books right from the start, taking what is an ordinary situation and turning it into a dark yet humorous plot. This is exactly what we get in One Good Deed when mild-mannered Elliott encounters situations that take him way out of his comfort zone and threaten to change his life forever.
The plot is gripping and it is easy to why Joanna Cannon has called the author, ‘the king of just-one-more-chapter’. I definitely found it hard to put this book down as I was desperate to see how Elliott would fare against the larger than life characters that he faced through no fault of his own.
One Good Deed is one of those books that make you ask questions about yourself – is it always a good idea to help a person in need or do we need to look for an ulterior motive?
If you have never read any of David Jackson’s books before, this is a great one to start with.
February 15, 2024
One Good Deed is a great thriller and so much more.
Elliott Whiston is a shy, retiring man who lives an unassuming life managing a cat charity shop. He has no idea his life is going to be turned upside down. On a quick evening trip to the local convenience store, he meets the beautiful Rebecca who asks for his help. Rebecca is terrified as she is being stalked by her ex and asks Elliott to walk with her. Elliott is so kind with such old-fashioned values, that he can’t possibly refuse. That seals his fate and he has no idea the danger that is going to befall him.
What transpires is a desperate and often chaotic tale of Elliott’s battle for survival. The story twists and turns at every juncture and every single introduced character apart from Elliott turns out to be not what they seem.
The story gets very dark and violent indeed but never descends into horror as David Jackson includes touches of wit, dry humour, and of course Elliott’s beloved cat, Bill. From the very beginning, you are rooting for Elliott to find his way out of his situation.
The storytelling, plot, and characters are all first-class. A very well-deserved 5 stars from me.
Elliott Whiston is a shy, retiring man who lives an unassuming life managing a cat charity shop. He has no idea his life is going to be turned upside down. On a quick evening trip to the local convenience store, he meets the beautiful Rebecca who asks for his help. Rebecca is terrified as she is being stalked by her ex and asks Elliott to walk with her. Elliott is so kind with such old-fashioned values, that he can’t possibly refuse. That seals his fate and he has no idea the danger that is going to befall him.
What transpires is a desperate and often chaotic tale of Elliott’s battle for survival. The story twists and turns at every juncture and every single introduced character apart from Elliott turns out to be not what they seem.
The story gets very dark and violent indeed but never descends into horror as David Jackson includes touches of wit, dry humour, and of course Elliott’s beloved cat, Bill. From the very beginning, you are rooting for Elliott to find his way out of his situation.
The storytelling, plot, and characters are all first-class. A very well-deserved 5 stars from me.
June 19, 2023
3.5 stars.
I have loved the three previous David Jackson standalone books but this just didn't hit right. It was still full of the usual Jackson twists and turns and I had no idea how it was all going to end but I found myself putting this one down a lot.
Elliott is a huge wimp. He lives alone, works in a charity shop and spends his nights watching tv with his cat. Granted he wasn't a very interesting character, he is offset by the main protagonist Darren, who inadvertently starts to invade Elliott's life after becoming fixated on finding the love of his life, Rebecca. Unfortunately, Rebecca doesn't know she's the love of Darren's life because he's a psychopath.
David Jackson has a knack for creating really interesting, unique stories that keep you going to the end just to find out how it all goes down. Unfortunately, I was underwhelmed by this one. If you felt the same way, definitely read his three previous standalones. They're all amazing.
**Thanks to Serpent's Tail / Viper / Profile Books and Netgalley for my free ARC.
I have loved the three previous David Jackson standalone books but this just didn't hit right. It was still full of the usual Jackson twists and turns and I had no idea how it was all going to end but I found myself putting this one down a lot.
Elliott is a huge wimp. He lives alone, works in a charity shop and spends his nights watching tv with his cat. Granted he wasn't a very interesting character, he is offset by the main protagonist Darren, who inadvertently starts to invade Elliott's life after becoming fixated on finding the love of his life, Rebecca. Unfortunately, Rebecca doesn't know she's the love of Darren's life because he's a psychopath.
David Jackson has a knack for creating really interesting, unique stories that keep you going to the end just to find out how it all goes down. Unfortunately, I was underwhelmed by this one. If you felt the same way, definitely read his three previous standalones. They're all amazing.
**Thanks to Serpent's Tail / Viper / Profile Books and Netgalley for my free ARC.
June 30, 2023
There’s something about Jackson’s books that are so addictive for me 🖤 He always finds a way to have a somewhat ordinary person find themselves in extraordinarily crappy circumstances and at a rapid pace their whole life just goes down the pan in front of their eyes 😱 It’s like Fawlty Towers but with psychopaths and murder - of which I’m a sucker for all three 😂😂
Poor cat loving, loner Elliott finds himself helping out the beautiful Rebecca and before long being the target of the supposedly harmless Darren. Pretty soon he’s regretting his decisions, and the shit is furiously hitting the fan 😬😬
BY FAR, my favourite character was Darren - maybe that says something about me but I don’t care 😂 he is totally UNHINGED, utterly bonkers and I loved every second of his presence in this book.
Jackson writes characters I want to invest in, even the ones that aren’t likeable. I don’t think it’s taken me longer than two days to read one of his books! His fast paced, spiralling out of control storytelling always has me hooked and has led to him being an auto-buy author for me 🤩🤩
Poor cat loving, loner Elliott finds himself helping out the beautiful Rebecca and before long being the target of the supposedly harmless Darren. Pretty soon he’s regretting his decisions, and the shit is furiously hitting the fan 😬😬
BY FAR, my favourite character was Darren - maybe that says something about me but I don’t care 😂 he is totally UNHINGED, utterly bonkers and I loved every second of his presence in this book.
Jackson writes characters I want to invest in, even the ones that aren’t likeable. I don’t think it’s taken me longer than two days to read one of his books! His fast paced, spiralling out of control storytelling always has me hooked and has led to him being an auto-buy author for me 🤩🤩
July 8, 2023
All Darren wanted to know was where his girlfriend is seeing that she's gone missing! She is not answering his phone calls so how dare her grandmother chase him away and refuse to speak to him?! All he wanted was just a simple conversation.........
BUT it ended in murder......
Elliot is a nice and decent guy who works at a charity shop for cats (This was where I decided he must be a good guy because CATS!)
On his way back from the shops he encounters Rebecca who asks him to help her out and act like he knows her because somebody is following her. This ONE GOOD DEED will not end well for poor Elliot and his friend Heidi because the guy in question is our friend Darren.......
Another brilliant read by David Jackson! I rushed through this book because I had to know how it was going to play out and boy what an ending! I will definitely think twice about being nice to strangers from now!!
Thank you to Netgalley and Serpent's Tail, Viper and Profile Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion
BUT it ended in murder......
Elliot is a nice and decent guy who works at a charity shop for cats (This was where I decided he must be a good guy because CATS!)
On his way back from the shops he encounters Rebecca who asks him to help her out and act like he knows her because somebody is following her. This ONE GOOD DEED will not end well for poor Elliot and his friend Heidi because the guy in question is our friend Darren.......
Another brilliant read by David Jackson! I rushed through this book because I had to know how it was going to play out and boy what an ending! I will definitely think twice about being nice to strangers from now!!
Thank you to Netgalley and Serpent's Tail, Viper and Profile Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion
April 26, 2023
What can I say? This was sheer perfection and what other thrillers aspire to be! It had me guessing from start to finish and I don't regret losing sleep to keep on reading!
The plot seems really basic but the more you read, the more nothing is as it seems. The premise and the characters are all just so realistic that it puts the reader right in the middle of these events and you can picture it all so vividly.
The writing flows so naturally and impossible not to get lost in the story. The characters are so very human and relatable. Noone is making stupid decisions purely so that drama happens, noone is off on some ridiculous crusade, these are very normal people living very normal lives until.......
A must read
The plot seems really basic but the more you read, the more nothing is as it seems. The premise and the characters are all just so realistic that it puts the reader right in the middle of these events and you can picture it all so vividly.
The writing flows so naturally and impossible not to get lost in the story. The characters are so very human and relatable. Noone is making stupid decisions purely so that drama happens, noone is off on some ridiculous crusade, these are very normal people living very normal lives until.......
A must read
June 15, 2023
Having really enjoyed The Resident, I was really looking forward to Jackson’s new book One Good Deed, and it did not disappoint.
One Good Deed revolves around Elliot, he lives a very quiet and modest life, mainly revolving around cats whether it be Bill, his own moggy, or managing the Cats Protection charity shop he works at. Elliot is the type who wouldn’t dream of saying boo to a goose but his life changes when he comes to the aid of Rebecca.
Rebecca is being stalked and asks Elliot for his help. One Good Deed revolves around just how far her stalker, Darren will go to win her back and why Rebecca is so keen to run and has been so dishonest.
A thrilling read, thanks to the publisher, author and NetGalley for the ARC.
One Good Deed revolves around Elliot, he lives a very quiet and modest life, mainly revolving around cats whether it be Bill, his own moggy, or managing the Cats Protection charity shop he works at. Elliot is the type who wouldn’t dream of saying boo to a goose but his life changes when he comes to the aid of Rebecca.
Rebecca is being stalked and asks Elliot for his help. One Good Deed revolves around just how far her stalker, Darren will go to win her back and why Rebecca is so keen to run and has been so dishonest.
A thrilling read, thanks to the publisher, author and NetGalley for the ARC.
November 23, 2023
Elliot Whiston is a quiet unassuming man with very few friends. He works in the local cat charity shop and lives alone with just his cat for company. One night when walking home from the local shop, a beautiful young woman, Rebecca, asks if she can walk with him as she's being followed by a stalker. Elliot agrees but then the stalker, Darren, turns up at his house the following day. Elliot is then persuaded by Rebecca to pretend that he's her boyfriend in order to persuade Darren to stop following her. This is a big mistake and Elliott's life is about to take a drastic turn for the worse. Although somewhat farfetched at times, I really enjoyed this book. Fast paced and pulls you in right from the beginning.
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