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Remember My Name
If she’d turned off her phone, instead of listening in, perhaps no one would have died…When Cressida Howard catches her entrepreneur husband playing away from home, she hires security expert Brioni O’Brien to get the evidence she needs for a speedy and financially rewarding divorce.But what Brioni uncovers goes beyond simple infidelity. Because Laurence Howard is also in bed with some very dangerous people.Bribery and blackmail are the least of his worries as someone comes after the women in his life – someone who is out to destroy Laurence and his empire, whatever the cost. And Cressida and her teenage daughter could soon be collateral damage, if she and Brioni don’t act fast.
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First published January 6, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 184 reviews
March 26, 2022
I really enjoyed a previous book by this author so I was super excited to get stuck into this one. It did not disappoint!
Remember my name follows Cressida after a phone call suggests that her husband is having an affair. She calls in the help of Brioni, a cyber expert, to help her get enough proof for the divorce courts. But Cressida’s husband has got himself involved in a very messy situation with dangerous people. Can Cressida keep herself and her daughter safe from them?
This was such a fast paced novel! I loved the short chapters and the constant movement! There didn’t feel like there was a single dull moment throughout this book! I did manage to guess some of the twists, which I always find a bit disappointing, but there was still one twist that I didn’t expect and kept me on my toes! The ending was left very open, which I normally find frustrating but I liked it in this novel. It’s left some scope for a follow up book which I would definitely pick up!
This novel covers the seedy side of the business world, with many characters who have questionable morals. I absolutely loved Emily-Jane (Cressida’s daughter). She had so much intelligence and cunning. I would love to see more from her and Brioni! I also loved the setting of these books. The Irish landscape felt rugged and added to the tension. It was great to return to the setting of the other book I had read by Blake. It almost felt like I was returning to an old holiday destination from my past! I cannot wait to see what Blake does next!
I would recommend this to anyone who is a fan of fast-paced thrillers! I want to thank Netgalley, Atlantic Books, Corvus and Sam Blake for allowing me to read this book and give my personal thoughts.
Remember my name follows Cressida after a phone call suggests that her husband is having an affair. She calls in the help of Brioni, a cyber expert, to help her get enough proof for the divorce courts. But Cressida’s husband has got himself involved in a very messy situation with dangerous people. Can Cressida keep herself and her daughter safe from them?
This was such a fast paced novel! I loved the short chapters and the constant movement! There didn’t feel like there was a single dull moment throughout this book! I did manage to guess some of the twists, which I always find a bit disappointing, but there was still one twist that I didn’t expect and kept me on my toes! The ending was left very open, which I normally find frustrating but I liked it in this novel. It’s left some scope for a follow up book which I would definitely pick up!
This novel covers the seedy side of the business world, with many characters who have questionable morals. I absolutely loved Emily-Jane (Cressida’s daughter). She had so much intelligence and cunning. I would love to see more from her and Brioni! I also loved the setting of these books. The Irish landscape felt rugged and added to the tension. It was great to return to the setting of the other book I had read by Blake. It almost felt like I was returning to an old holiday destination from my past! I cannot wait to see what Blake does next!
I would recommend this to anyone who is a fan of fast-paced thrillers! I want to thank Netgalley, Atlantic Books, Corvus and Sam Blake for allowing me to read this book and give my personal thoughts.
May 1, 2022
Remember My Name follows Cressida the wife of an entrepreneur who gets a phone call about her husband Laurence having an affair she hires a cyber expert Brio I to look into the claimed.
Brioni &Cresida meet to talk details she looks into his computer & his camera so she can see who & what she is dealing with, but Laurence is in over his head with shady deals & unscrupulous people who can’t be trusted.
When Cressida,s daughter Emily Jane becomes involved Cresida is horrified, what we find out is dark secrets & lies evolve around Laurence.
This is my first novel by Sam Blake & won’t be my last, this is an edge of your seat thriller I could not stop reading it’s dark gripping, compelling novel that will keep you up till late recommended .
Brioni &Cresida meet to talk details she looks into his computer & his camera so she can see who & what she is dealing with, but Laurence is in over his head with shady deals & unscrupulous people who can’t be trusted.
When Cressida,s daughter Emily Jane becomes involved Cresida is horrified, what we find out is dark secrets & lies evolve around Laurence.
This is my first novel by Sam Blake & won’t be my last, this is an edge of your seat thriller I could not stop reading it’s dark gripping, compelling novel that will keep you up till late recommended .
January 2, 2022
“Remember My Name” is writer Sam Blake’s latest novel. Author of the Cathy Connolly Garda series and several standalone novels, she writes interesting and entertaining stories, that vary in theme.
- If she’d turned off her phone, instead of listening in, perhaps no one would have died…..-
“When Cressida Howard catches her entrepreneur husband playing away from home, she hires security expert Brioni O’Brien to get the evidence she needs for a speedy and financially rewarding divorce.
But what Brioni uncovers goes beyond simple infidelity. Because Laurence Howard is also in bed with some very dangerous people.”
Told from the perspective voices of Cressida and Brioni with the odd chapter from Emily Jane (Cressida’s seventeen year old daughter), I enjoyed how the chapters interlinked and followed on seamlessly. This allowed the reader to see what was happening from the very different characters points of view; as Brioni uncovered blackmail and deceit, Cressida as she continued to suspect her husband of foul play and Emily Jane as she tries to ensnare a possible online predator called ‘Danny Boy’. As the story progresses, there are various twists, turns and red herrings and the denouement, although without doubt unrealistic, was entertaining.
Emily Jane was my favourite character and a one I could see forming a series of her own in the future as she grows older. I loved the sisterly relationship Cressida and Brioni developed, all the female characters dominated the story and overall was a satisfactory read.
I can recommend “Remember My Name”, it’s a decent modern mystery and well worth reading.
#RememberMyName - 3.5 stars
- If she’d turned off her phone, instead of listening in, perhaps no one would have died…..-
“When Cressida Howard catches her entrepreneur husband playing away from home, she hires security expert Brioni O’Brien to get the evidence she needs for a speedy and financially rewarding divorce.
But what Brioni uncovers goes beyond simple infidelity. Because Laurence Howard is also in bed with some very dangerous people.”
Told from the perspective voices of Cressida and Brioni with the odd chapter from Emily Jane (Cressida’s seventeen year old daughter), I enjoyed how the chapters interlinked and followed on seamlessly. This allowed the reader to see what was happening from the very different characters points of view; as Brioni uncovered blackmail and deceit, Cressida as she continued to suspect her husband of foul play and Emily Jane as she tries to ensnare a possible online predator called ‘Danny Boy’. As the story progresses, there are various twists, turns and red herrings and the denouement, although without doubt unrealistic, was entertaining.
Emily Jane was my favourite character and a one I could see forming a series of her own in the future as she grows older. I loved the sisterly relationship Cressida and Brioni developed, all the female characters dominated the story and overall was a satisfactory read.
I can recommend “Remember My Name”, it’s a decent modern mystery and well worth reading.
#RememberMyName - 3.5 stars
January 2, 2022
A real tale of deception,lies,double dealings and crossings,all following various stories and sub plots that are linked and come together in the end
Now I wasn’t keen on any of the characters,I think thats intentional but the dislike caused me to read more as wanted them dealt with/caught etc and be aware the main character Cressida is very angry,with her hubby mainly but with life in general as well,she is not one for holding back her judgements on folk
It is a book full of surprises and unexpected events and keeps you guessing throughout,there are a couple of good twists and the ending I had guessed but literally just the page before,can’t say why but it made me shake my head at one of the characters duplicity!
Well written and full of drama,it will keep you on you’re toes and like me want to look at the authors other books
9/10
5 Stars
Now I wasn’t keen on any of the characters,I think thats intentional but the dislike caused me to read more as wanted them dealt with/caught etc and be aware the main character Cressida is very angry,with her hubby mainly but with life in general as well,she is not one for holding back her judgements on folk
It is a book full of surprises and unexpected events and keeps you guessing throughout,there are a couple of good twists and the ending I had guessed but literally just the page before,can’t say why but it made me shake my head at one of the characters duplicity!
Well written and full of drama,it will keep you on you’re toes and like me want to look at the authors other books
9/10
5 Stars
January 27, 2023
2.5 / 5
This was a meh, really dead at the first 150 pages, and then all the action is condensed in the last 80 pages.
The plot was low-key too predictable, it was not my cup of tea. I struggled to get into the book, felt like the pacing was slow, the build up was poor and continuous back and forth. Felt like the plot could have been condensed further, there was just random filler scenes.
I’m just glad that I got this through the library and didn’t reserve the book that’s all.
This was a meh, really dead at the first 150 pages, and then all the action is condensed in the last 80 pages.
The plot was low-key too predictable, it was not my cup of tea. I struggled to get into the book, felt like the pacing was slow, the build up was poor and continuous back and forth. Felt like the plot could have been condensed further, there was just random filler scenes.
I’m just glad that I got this through the library and didn’t reserve the book that’s all.
February 4, 2022
4.5 gritty treacherous stars
I had forgotten how much I LOVE Sam Blake's books. They tick all the boxes of what I want in crime fiction; deception, dark pasts, and fast-paced action that keeps me on the edge of my seat. Best of all the characters are multi-layered and I was very invested in their individual stories.
This book starts with an overheard conversation when a phone call didn't hang up quickly enough, which is so relatable, who hasn't double-checked their phone with anxiety to see if you really had hung up before you made that smart comment! Just me? That's the premise and it all spirals very quickly from that point.
I loved the corporate shady dealings background and the Dublin/Wexford settings. To be honest, I'd loved it all. And am making plans to go back and read more Sam Blake ASAP.
Highly recommended if you enjoy crime fiction with strong female characters, and disturbing settings.
I had forgotten how much I LOVE Sam Blake's books. They tick all the boxes of what I want in crime fiction; deception, dark pasts, and fast-paced action that keeps me on the edge of my seat. Best of all the characters are multi-layered and I was very invested in their individual stories.
This book starts with an overheard conversation when a phone call didn't hang up quickly enough, which is so relatable, who hasn't double-checked their phone with anxiety to see if you really had hung up before you made that smart comment! Just me? That's the premise and it all spirals very quickly from that point.
I loved the corporate shady dealings background and the Dublin/Wexford settings. To be honest, I'd loved it all. And am making plans to go back and read more Sam Blake ASAP.
Highly recommended if you enjoy crime fiction with strong female characters, and disturbing settings.
January 10, 2022
This is the first book by Sam Blake that I've read, but it certainly won't be the last! It's a tense, exhausting at times, roller-coaster of a thriller that I enjoyed so very much.
At first, this appears to be a regular 'domestic noir' story as wealthy Cressida Howard overhears her husband speak affectionately to a woman only known as Nina. This is not the first time that Cressida has had her suspicions about Laurence. He's handsome, very wealthy, smart dressed and a smooth talker. However, this time, she is determined that she will find out the truth and ensure that if he is being unfaithful, she will get exactly the settlement that she deserves. After all, Cressida has been there from the beginning, supporting Laurence as he's built up the mega bucks business, creating a comfortable home and raising their seventeen-year-old daughter almost single handedly.
Cressida engages the help of Brioni O'Brien; a security expert and sister of one of her friends. If anyone can find out the truth, Brioni can. She's adept at hacking and finding out information, and despite Laurence's own tech-based business, he's not the best when it comes to personal online security.
Brioni finds out so much more expected. Laurence is not just a philanderer in regards to a pretty face, he's also up to his eyes in sleaze and corruption. There are big players involved here, from all over the globe, just not from Ireland, where they are based. It soon becomes clear that any woman who may be associated with Laurence is in danger, and that includes both Cressida and her daughter.
Packed with tension, this is a story that takes the reader to places that they really don't expect. Mixed in with the wealth and the glamour, there's a grubby and quite dirty cast of players involved and most of them will stop at nothing to get what they want.
Blake creates some fabulous female characters here, even those who are not on the right side of the law are difficult not to admire. Feisty, bold and not afraid to see a job through, they really take over the story.
Remember My Name is an addictive read, it's certainly one of those 'just one more chapter' type of reads. It's a compelling, twisty story that kept me gripped. Recommended by me.
At first, this appears to be a regular 'domestic noir' story as wealthy Cressida Howard overhears her husband speak affectionately to a woman only known as Nina. This is not the first time that Cressida has had her suspicions about Laurence. He's handsome, very wealthy, smart dressed and a smooth talker. However, this time, she is determined that she will find out the truth and ensure that if he is being unfaithful, she will get exactly the settlement that she deserves. After all, Cressida has been there from the beginning, supporting Laurence as he's built up the mega bucks business, creating a comfortable home and raising their seventeen-year-old daughter almost single handedly.
Cressida engages the help of Brioni O'Brien; a security expert and sister of one of her friends. If anyone can find out the truth, Brioni can. She's adept at hacking and finding out information, and despite Laurence's own tech-based business, he's not the best when it comes to personal online security.
Brioni finds out so much more expected. Laurence is not just a philanderer in regards to a pretty face, he's also up to his eyes in sleaze and corruption. There are big players involved here, from all over the globe, just not from Ireland, where they are based. It soon becomes clear that any woman who may be associated with Laurence is in danger, and that includes both Cressida and her daughter.
Packed with tension, this is a story that takes the reader to places that they really don't expect. Mixed in with the wealth and the glamour, there's a grubby and quite dirty cast of players involved and most of them will stop at nothing to get what they want.
Blake creates some fabulous female characters here, even those who are not on the right side of the law are difficult not to admire. Feisty, bold and not afraid to see a job through, they really take over the story.
Remember My Name is an addictive read, it's certainly one of those 'just one more chapter' type of reads. It's a compelling, twisty story that kept me gripped. Recommended by me.
January 14, 2022
2.5 stars
To me this was more a slow burning, character driven crime drama rather than the psychological thriller I was expecting and which it is being marketed as.
That said the main female characters Cressida, her daughter Emily-Jane and Brioni were just how I like my female characters to be, tough, strong willed and interesting.
I wish this had gone more down the route of a marriage filled with deception rather than the corporate route. I personally find relationships to be a better read than business affairs even though those affairs might be dirtier than the marital ones.
What I did love about the book was the short chapters that kept the book at a good pace, and the what if scenario. It also has some nicely placed twists and if you like unlikeable characters, which I adore, there are plenty to choose from.
To me this was more a slow burning, character driven crime drama rather than the psychological thriller I was expecting and which it is being marketed as.
That said the main female characters Cressida, her daughter Emily-Jane and Brioni were just how I like my female characters to be, tough, strong willed and interesting.
I wish this had gone more down the route of a marriage filled with deception rather than the corporate route. I personally find relationships to be a better read than business affairs even though those affairs might be dirtier than the marital ones.
What I did love about the book was the short chapters that kept the book at a good pace, and the what if scenario. It also has some nicely placed twists and if you like unlikeable characters, which I adore, there are plenty to choose from.
December 31, 2021
I was a huge fan of Sam Blake’s debut novel, Little Bones, but have found her output ever since rather underwhelming and whilst Remember My Name is basically a solid crime novel, it requires a real stretch of the imagination to classify it as a thriller. Cressida Howard has spent more than half her life with husband, Laurence, who started out in his family hotel business and has since gone on to make millions as founder and CEO of Ferryman (a one-stop platform for lifestyle choices). Despite having previously suspected him of infidelity it is only when she overhears his end of the conversation with a woman called Nina that she hires cyber security whizz, Brioni O’Brien, to gather hard evidence to ensure she gets her fair share in a divorce. The synopsis makes clear that Laurence is up to a whole lot more than simple infidelity and is involved with some dangerous people and underhand tactics including blackmailing his co-founder’s into voting in favour of a tie up with a disreputable American mobile operator.
Brioni has barely digested the blackmail revelation let alone gathered evidence of infidelity when Laurence is hit by a series of personal attacks targeting both the women close to him and the Ferryman share price. Brioni’s Met detective brother-in-law has the (unlikely) ability to access the information of the investigating Gardaí and helpfully relay the findings. The narrative is largely split between the perspectives of Brioni and Cressida with occasional interludes from Cressida’s seventeen-year-old daughter, Emily-Jane, whose brief appearances hint tantalisingly at a feisty crusader on a mission of her own. Whilst Brioni has an abundance of personality, Cressida’s is negligible and this did nothing to encourage me to care about her fate. If she had shown a fraction of the spunk of the all too briefly glimpsed Emily-Jane then I suspect I would have been far more invested in the outcome.
The book covers nearly four hundred pages and within fifty pages it is established that Laurence lacks any sort of loyalty and is willing to do almost anything in his pursuit of wealth. The reader bears witness to the blackmail attempt and knowing this made quite a lot of what the two women unravel pretty obvious from very early on with Sam Blake joining all of the dots for readers instead of trusting them with the obvious and self-explanatory (which almost all of the reveals are). I’m no detective but found the lack of smoke and mirrors made what was going on fairly transparent from the off. There is also a great deal of filler material as well as extraneous details on the character of Brioni which slows the pace and I found the book too laboured, over-long and wildly far-fetched to be anything other than a mediocre read.
Brioni has barely digested the blackmail revelation let alone gathered evidence of infidelity when Laurence is hit by a series of personal attacks targeting both the women close to him and the Ferryman share price. Brioni’s Met detective brother-in-law has the (unlikely) ability to access the information of the investigating Gardaí and helpfully relay the findings. The narrative is largely split between the perspectives of Brioni and Cressida with occasional interludes from Cressida’s seventeen-year-old daughter, Emily-Jane, whose brief appearances hint tantalisingly at a feisty crusader on a mission of her own. Whilst Brioni has an abundance of personality, Cressida’s is negligible and this did nothing to encourage me to care about her fate. If she had shown a fraction of the spunk of the all too briefly glimpsed Emily-Jane then I suspect I would have been far more invested in the outcome.
The book covers nearly four hundred pages and within fifty pages it is established that Laurence lacks any sort of loyalty and is willing to do almost anything in his pursuit of wealth. The reader bears witness to the blackmail attempt and knowing this made quite a lot of what the two women unravel pretty obvious from very early on with Sam Blake joining all of the dots for readers instead of trusting them with the obvious and self-explanatory (which almost all of the reveals are). I’m no detective but found the lack of smoke and mirrors made what was going on fairly transparent from the off. There is also a great deal of filler material as well as extraneous details on the character of Brioni which slows the pace and I found the book too laboured, over-long and wildly far-fetched to be anything other than a mediocre read.
January 7, 2022
Gripping and twisty page turner
Remember My Name is the first book I've read by Same Blake and I absolutely loved it. It kept me guessing to the end. I couldn't put it down and can't wait to read more.
The Howards are a very wealthy family who own a large and rapidly expanding multinational company. But their lives are not as perfect as they seem to the outside world.
As the story begins, Cressida has just overheard part of an incriminating conversation which confirms her growing suspicions that Laurence is having an affair. Cressida needs as much evidence and information as possible, but can't risk her influential husband hearing about what she is doing, so seeks help from her friend's sister, skilled tech expert Brioni.
But Laurence's dishonesty spreads further than his marriage, and with so much at stake, soon the business empire is also under threat.
The interwoven stories reveal many twists, right to the last page. I especially liked the strong female characters and the premise and actions felt realistic and believable.
Definitely worth a read and I'm looking forward to more from this author.
Remember My Name is the first book I've read by Same Blake and I absolutely loved it. It kept me guessing to the end. I couldn't put it down and can't wait to read more.
The Howards are a very wealthy family who own a large and rapidly expanding multinational company. But their lives are not as perfect as they seem to the outside world.
As the story begins, Cressida has just overheard part of an incriminating conversation which confirms her growing suspicions that Laurence is having an affair. Cressida needs as much evidence and information as possible, but can't risk her influential husband hearing about what she is doing, so seeks help from her friend's sister, skilled tech expert Brioni.
But Laurence's dishonesty spreads further than his marriage, and with so much at stake, soon the business empire is also under threat.
The interwoven stories reveal many twists, right to the last page. I especially liked the strong female characters and the premise and actions felt realistic and believable.
Definitely worth a read and I'm looking forward to more from this author.
March 21, 2022
Being as I love family drama with one having an affair, in this case the husband, I actually wanted more from this story in the affair itself.
But given that this story more like a thriller, it’s not my kind of thriller, in the sense of been written as a book, but had it been a film or a TV series I think I would have liked the theme to this story.
It just go to show that with them having a beautiful house, and a daughter, wasn’t enough, leading the husband to have some shocking secrets.
Wife Cressida Howard finding out her husband Laurence is playing away from home, she gets someone who is good at doing there job who gets information that Cressida needs. Security expert Brioni searches Cressida’s husband laptop and suggested to have her husband followed.
It’s a shame that I didn’t really care for any of the characters, I couldn’t even picture any of them in my head, but if it was to be turned into a TV series or film, I would watch it as I’m sure I would be able to then connect to all the characters
June 25, 2024
I really enjoyed this mystery it was cleverly complicated and kept me hooked til the end. Very well written.
April 21, 2022
I have a soft spot for Irish psychological thrillers. The atmosphere, threat, and gothic feel of its landscape has me like a moth to the flame. Remember my Name is no different. It quickly becomes clear that the reader is dealing with a giant sticky spider web of emotions and deceit. Just how much do we know the person we willingly give our hearts and souls to? Sam Blake weaves a web so delicate, so precise that the plots and subplots expertly fall into place in the exact moment they should. Trust in her craft, the clock Is ticking, and you can feel the wrought anxiety in the character’s reactions.
Remember my Name features characters that quite frankly boiled my piss. Laurence Howard is a hugely successful entrepreneur who has enabled his family to have an extremely privileged lifestyle. Think large country mansions, Italian villas, flash cars, and more money in the bank than God. His wife, Cressida, has recently set up private practice in speech and language therapy. She’s struggling in her marriage; Laurence spends more time at work than at home and she’s had her suspicions about extracurricular activities for some time now. However, when her husband doesn’t hang up after a phone call, her suspicions grow feet, and she realises she was right all along.
Overhearing the interaction through Cressida’s eyes and ears made me want to blow a fuse. Why do some men think they are entitled to behave in abhorrent ways and never even entertain the thought of consequences, all because money makes them feel powerful?
So now that she has proof of some kind, she plans on nailing him to the wall. She needs absolute concrete proof that he’s been unfaithful to her, and she enlists the help of her friend’s sister, Brioni O’Brien. She quickly gets to work and finds that things are far deeper and more sinister than the two women could have ever envisioned.
Remember my Name excels at giving details and still leaving you confused, the characters get more embroiled – attempted murders, murders, and sophisticated hacking brings multiple strands to life in glorious technicolour. The author brought all the elements of a psychological thriller that I enjoy and left scattered clues down an abandoned alleyway – I wanted to follow it but could I trust it?
Remember my Name sustains the suspense and Sam Blake expertly stokes the fires of mystery. The author wrings out everything from this story and I got so much more than I bargained for!
Remember my Name features characters that quite frankly boiled my piss. Laurence Howard is a hugely successful entrepreneur who has enabled his family to have an extremely privileged lifestyle. Think large country mansions, Italian villas, flash cars, and more money in the bank than God. His wife, Cressida, has recently set up private practice in speech and language therapy. She’s struggling in her marriage; Laurence spends more time at work than at home and she’s had her suspicions about extracurricular activities for some time now. However, when her husband doesn’t hang up after a phone call, her suspicions grow feet, and she realises she was right all along.
Overhearing the interaction through Cressida’s eyes and ears made me want to blow a fuse. Why do some men think they are entitled to behave in abhorrent ways and never even entertain the thought of consequences, all because money makes them feel powerful?
So now that she has proof of some kind, she plans on nailing him to the wall. She needs absolute concrete proof that he’s been unfaithful to her, and she enlists the help of her friend’s sister, Brioni O’Brien. She quickly gets to work and finds that things are far deeper and more sinister than the two women could have ever envisioned.
Remember my Name excels at giving details and still leaving you confused, the characters get more embroiled – attempted murders, murders, and sophisticated hacking brings multiple strands to life in glorious technicolour. The author brought all the elements of a psychological thriller that I enjoy and left scattered clues down an abandoned alleyway – I wanted to follow it but could I trust it?
Remember my Name sustains the suspense and Sam Blake expertly stokes the fires of mystery. The author wrings out everything from this story and I got so much more than I bargained for!
January 10, 2022
I was delighted to receive an advance reader’s copy of Remember My Name from NetGalley and Atlantic books.
I quite enjoyed the storyline, I love strong women characters and this book did not fail to deliver with Cressida, the wronged wife, Emily Jane the enterprising teenager and computer expert cum private detectiving Brioni. Really great strong empowered female characterisation.
I quite enjoyed the storyline, I love strong women characters and this book did not fail to deliver with Cressida, the wronged wife, Emily Jane the enterprising teenager and computer expert cum private detectiving Brioni. Really great strong empowered female characterisation.
December 10, 2021
I was delighted to receive an advance reader’s copy of Remember My Name from NetGalley and Atlantic books.
I quite enjoyed the storyline, I love strong women characters and this book did not fail to deliver with Cressida, the wronged wife, Emily Jane the enterprising teenager and computer expert cum private detectiving Brioni. Really great strong empowered female characterisation.
I quite enjoyed the storyline, I love strong women characters and this book did not fail to deliver with Cressida, the wronged wife, Emily Jane the enterprising teenager and computer expert cum private detectiving Brioni. Really great strong empowered female characterisation.
January 13, 2022
My third blog tour for the year and this title has everything needed to keep a thriller fan entertained. Infidelity, dodgy business deals, cybercrime, murder and suspense will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. You are going to love Remember My Name by Sam Blake. This is a book I flew through even when I was not spending a lot of time reading.
This was my first Sam Blake read and I was quickly engrossed in this intriguing, detailed read. I enjoyed the pace and the way you never knew what was coming next. Reading this book during my December break I found myself frustrated that family time interrupted my reading. This is a book you do not want to put down, each chapter left me eager for more.
Cressida has it all – a successful, handsome husband, a beautiful home and a teenage daughter with just enough attitude to keep her on her toes. Life should be perfect. The only problem is, she is married to Laurence, a workaholic who is never at home. When he calls to let her know that he will not be coming home yet again, she hears a woman’s voice in the background. That phone call changed everything.
Determined to find the truth about her husband and the woman she heard on the phone, Cressida enlists the help of a cybersecurity expert. Brioni might be young, and her bright pink hair might keep you distracted, but she knows what she is doing. It does not take her long to gain access to Laurence’s computer. Cressida and Brioni expected to find proof of infidelity, they did not expect the dark and dangerous world they uncovered. The danger is closing in, and Cressida needs to protect her daughter.
I loved how difficult it was to drag myself away from this book. The story had me hooked from start to finish and I didn’t want to put this book down.
I loved the women in this book. The author created a cast of very different women, yet they were strong and determined to succeed, never giving up. Even Emily-Jane, Cressida’s seventeen-year-old daughter was a strong, creative young woman that brought a surprising twist to this story.
I loved this book and look forward to the chance to read more of this author’s work. I highly recommend this book. Thriller fans will find themselves quickly engrossed in this twisty, complex tale that delivers twist after twist. Be warned, you are most likely going to lose some sleep with this one.
This was my first Sam Blake read and I was quickly engrossed in this intriguing, detailed read. I enjoyed the pace and the way you never knew what was coming next. Reading this book during my December break I found myself frustrated that family time interrupted my reading. This is a book you do not want to put down, each chapter left me eager for more.
Cressida has it all – a successful, handsome husband, a beautiful home and a teenage daughter with just enough attitude to keep her on her toes. Life should be perfect. The only problem is, she is married to Laurence, a workaholic who is never at home. When he calls to let her know that he will not be coming home yet again, she hears a woman’s voice in the background. That phone call changed everything.
Determined to find the truth about her husband and the woman she heard on the phone, Cressida enlists the help of a cybersecurity expert. Brioni might be young, and her bright pink hair might keep you distracted, but she knows what she is doing. It does not take her long to gain access to Laurence’s computer. Cressida and Brioni expected to find proof of infidelity, they did not expect the dark and dangerous world they uncovered. The danger is closing in, and Cressida needs to protect her daughter.
I loved how difficult it was to drag myself away from this book. The story had me hooked from start to finish and I didn’t want to put this book down.
I loved the women in this book. The author created a cast of very different women, yet they were strong and determined to succeed, never giving up. Even Emily-Jane, Cressida’s seventeen-year-old daughter was a strong, creative young woman that brought a surprising twist to this story.
I loved this book and look forward to the chance to read more of this author’s work. I highly recommend this book. Thriller fans will find themselves quickly engrossed in this twisty, complex tale that delivers twist after twist. Be warned, you are most likely going to lose some sleep with this one.
November 15, 2021
I would like to thank Netgalley and Atlantic Books for an advance copy of Remember my Name, a stand-alone thriller set in Dublin.
Cressida Howard overhears a conversation at the end of a call to her husband, Laurence, it implies that he is having an affair. She enlists the help of her friend’s sister, Brioni O’Brien, a cyber security expert to get the proof she needs for a divorce, but they soon find themselves in deeper than they expected, because Laurence is doing business with some unsavoury characters.
I thoroughly enjoyed Remember my Name, which is an engrossing read full of twists and turns. It is told mainly from Cressida and Brioni’s points of view with the occasional contribution from Cressida’s seventeen year old daughter, Emily Jane, who appears to have her own hustle on the go.
I like these women as they are strong, believable characters with a good sense of reality, unlike Laurence who has an inflated idea of his capabilities and an even more inflated sense of entitlement. He is not likeable and gets less so as the novel progresses, but the women get more so as they plot their way to success in the divorce courts. Emily Jane turns out to be a revelation. What a legend.
The plot takes it time at the beginning with a series of small events, but soon starts to ramp up. It’s all interesting and intriguing but not really tense until nearer the end when everything comes to a head. I like the way the author unfolds the plot with a series of developments and reveals, but even then it’s not obvious who is responsible for what and who knows what. It’s not confusing for all that, more curiosity inducing and it makes the reader want to continue. The answers when they come are more fantastical than realistic, but the denouement is thrilling, so what more could a reader want from a novel?
Remember my Name is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
Cressida Howard overhears a conversation at the end of a call to her husband, Laurence, it implies that he is having an affair. She enlists the help of her friend’s sister, Brioni O’Brien, a cyber security expert to get the proof she needs for a divorce, but they soon find themselves in deeper than they expected, because Laurence is doing business with some unsavoury characters.
I thoroughly enjoyed Remember my Name, which is an engrossing read full of twists and turns. It is told mainly from Cressida and Brioni’s points of view with the occasional contribution from Cressida’s seventeen year old daughter, Emily Jane, who appears to have her own hustle on the go.
I like these women as they are strong, believable characters with a good sense of reality, unlike Laurence who has an inflated idea of his capabilities and an even more inflated sense of entitlement. He is not likeable and gets less so as the novel progresses, but the women get more so as they plot their way to success in the divorce courts. Emily Jane turns out to be a revelation. What a legend.
The plot takes it time at the beginning with a series of small events, but soon starts to ramp up. It’s all interesting and intriguing but not really tense until nearer the end when everything comes to a head. I like the way the author unfolds the plot with a series of developments and reveals, but even then it’s not obvious who is responsible for what and who knows what. It’s not confusing for all that, more curiosity inducing and it makes the reader want to continue. The answers when they come are more fantastical than realistic, but the denouement is thrilling, so what more could a reader want from a novel?
Remember my Name is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
January 19, 2022
I was instantly gripped from the start, I liked that once she overheard the telephone conversation, Cassandra instantly set in motions to end the marriage and showed her strength.
I also liked that we saw the events through not only the eyes of Cressida and Brioni, but Emily-Jane’s thoughts were also included.
The pace of the story kept my interest throughout and I had no clue who the stalker was.
I also liked that we saw the events through not only the eyes of Cressida and Brioni, but Emily-Jane’s thoughts were also included.
The pace of the story kept my interest throughout and I had no clue who the stalker was.
November 11, 2021
Remember my Name is psychological thriller with plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader invested.
I devoured this book in just a few sittings as I was gripped right from the start.
Cressida Howard suspects her husband may be having an affair and enlists the help from cyber security whizz Brioni O'Brien to get her evidence so she can file for divorce and get a good payout.
There's a few strands going on within the plot - Laurence is a ladies man, he's trying to secure a dodgy deal with a shady American business and will go to great lengths to make it happen, he thinks he's untouchable.
While Laurence tries to blackmail his fellow board members someone is targeting the women closest to him trying to poison them.
And then his business is hit with by a cyber attack with personal details from clients being leaked on the internet and a murder happens in one of his hotels - could anything else go wrong for Laurence?
While all of this drama is unfolding, their teenage daughter Emily-Jane is up to no good on the internet with a mystery character - Danny Boy, just what is she getting herself involved in?
Each chapter is told from either Cressida, Emily-Jane or Brioni's point of view so we get to see the different strands of the plot play out.
The drama and tension quicken in pace as we near the climatic end - will anyone get out unscathed?
I devoured this book in just a few sittings as I was gripped right from the start.
Cressida Howard suspects her husband may be having an affair and enlists the help from cyber security whizz Brioni O'Brien to get her evidence so she can file for divorce and get a good payout.
There's a few strands going on within the plot - Laurence is a ladies man, he's trying to secure a dodgy deal with a shady American business and will go to great lengths to make it happen, he thinks he's untouchable.
While Laurence tries to blackmail his fellow board members someone is targeting the women closest to him trying to poison them.
And then his business is hit with by a cyber attack with personal details from clients being leaked on the internet and a murder happens in one of his hotels - could anything else go wrong for Laurence?
While all of this drama is unfolding, their teenage daughter Emily-Jane is up to no good on the internet with a mystery character - Danny Boy, just what is she getting herself involved in?
Each chapter is told from either Cressida, Emily-Jane or Brioni's point of view so we get to see the different strands of the plot play out.
The drama and tension quicken in pace as we near the climatic end - will anyone get out unscathed?
January 6, 2022
A great story that was full of mystery and intrigue!. Laurence Howard is a bit of a cut throat character who gets to be too greedy. This set off a chain of events that affects his family and friends in all the wrong ways. You cou!d say almost deadly.....
This book deserved all of it's five stars and I look forward to reading a lot more from Sam Blake!
Thanks to Netgalley for the free ARC book for an honest review
#netgalley, #samblakebooks, #atlanticbooks
This book deserved all of it's five stars and I look forward to reading a lot more from Sam Blake!
Thanks to Netgalley for the free ARC book for an honest review
#netgalley, #samblakebooks, #atlanticbooks
January 6, 2022
Words cannot describe how good this book is - what a page turner. It was just brilliant. I was so addicted. I can't say anything about the plots or characters as will give something away. Just do yourself a favour and if you want pure escapism, it is a great read.
I was given an advance copy by netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely my own.
I was given an advance copy by netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely my own.
February 14, 2023
I felt like the author could have put more effort into researching cybersecurity before relying on it so heavily for the entire plot of the book.
The premise of the book was good and it was an easy read but I feel like the ending really fell flat.
The premise of the book was good and it was an easy read but I feel like the ending really fell flat.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 27, 2023
Story listened via audio.
3 star listen
I didn’t really like the ending I felt it let the story down a lot.
The rest of the story is really well written.
3 star listen
I didn’t really like the ending I felt it let the story down a lot.
The rest of the story is really well written.
December 15, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley, Readers First and Atlantic Books for providing me a complimentary copy of ‘Remember My Name’ by Sam Blake in exchange for my honest review
‘When Cressida Howard catches her entrepreneur husband playing away from home, she hires security expert Brioni O’Brien to get the evidence she needs for a speedy and financially rewarding divorce. But what Brioni uncovers goes beyond simple infidelity. Because Laurence Howard is also in bed with some very dangerous people. Bribery and blackmail are the least of his worries as someone comes after the women in his life – someone who is out to destroy Laurence and his empire, whatever the cost. And Cressida and her teenage daughter could soon be collateral damage, if she and Brioni don’t act fast.’
I really enjoyed reading this book. It is full of so many twists, turns and surprises – which is everything I love when reading a book. This is one of them books where you are told a lot of what may seem at the time as unnecessary information at the start, but as you progress it all makes sense and you realise it was all needed.
The story is told through the perspectives of Cressida, Brioni and Cressida’s daughter Emily Jane. I have very mixed feeling towards multi point of view stories, as sometimes I find it hard to concentrate on the different point of views, and sometimes I like one narrator and not another. Luckily for me, I really liked all the narrators and I found it very easy to follow.
If you are looking for an interesting thriller with many twists and turns to read this holiday season or maybe even a gift for a loved one, then this would be the perfect book!
‘When Cressida Howard catches her entrepreneur husband playing away from home, she hires security expert Brioni O’Brien to get the evidence she needs for a speedy and financially rewarding divorce. But what Brioni uncovers goes beyond simple infidelity. Because Laurence Howard is also in bed with some very dangerous people. Bribery and blackmail are the least of his worries as someone comes after the women in his life – someone who is out to destroy Laurence and his empire, whatever the cost. And Cressida and her teenage daughter could soon be collateral damage, if she and Brioni don’t act fast.’
I really enjoyed reading this book. It is full of so many twists, turns and surprises – which is everything I love when reading a book. This is one of them books where you are told a lot of what may seem at the time as unnecessary information at the start, but as you progress it all makes sense and you realise it was all needed.
The story is told through the perspectives of Cressida, Brioni and Cressida’s daughter Emily Jane. I have very mixed feeling towards multi point of view stories, as sometimes I find it hard to concentrate on the different point of views, and sometimes I like one narrator and not another. Luckily for me, I really liked all the narrators and I found it very easy to follow.
If you are looking for an interesting thriller with many twists and turns to read this holiday season or maybe even a gift for a loved one, then this would be the perfect book!
January 8, 2022
Thanks so much to Anne @ Random Tours & Corvus for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is my second book by Sam Blake. I loved The Dark Room, so when I seen this I jumped at the chance to read it. I thought there was no way she could top The Dark Room.. She did! This was phenomenal, a fast past thriller!
Cressida hears her CEO entrepreneur husband Lawrence not hang up on the phone and hears him speaking sensually to a lady called Nina. This isn’t Lawrence’s first affair and Cressida wants proof so she can divorce her lying husband.
Enter Brioni. Cressida’s friends cyber tech expert sister. She asks Brioni to look into Lawrence’s data so she can get evidence that Lawrence is having an affair. But they seem to discover a hell of a lot more than just an affair.
Someone is going after Lawrence’s women of his life and they need to try and work out why.
I loved this. Somewhere a long the story I didn’t know who to trust. Who was trying to murder these women? If it was Lawrence himself, or was Cressida psychotic? Then it kept mentioning their daughter Emily Jane. I kept wondering why she was being mentioned maybe it was her? Everything pieced in nicely and I thoroughly enjoyed the ending. There’s a lot of double crossing, lies and deceit in the story. You don’t know who to trust.
It is set in Ireland and where the Howard’s house is sounds beautiful. You can really imagine it. If you like thrillers, then this one is definitely for you!
This is my second book by Sam Blake. I loved The Dark Room, so when I seen this I jumped at the chance to read it. I thought there was no way she could top The Dark Room.. She did! This was phenomenal, a fast past thriller!
Cressida hears her CEO entrepreneur husband Lawrence not hang up on the phone and hears him speaking sensually to a lady called Nina. This isn’t Lawrence’s first affair and Cressida wants proof so she can divorce her lying husband.
Enter Brioni. Cressida’s friends cyber tech expert sister. She asks Brioni to look into Lawrence’s data so she can get evidence that Lawrence is having an affair. But they seem to discover a hell of a lot more than just an affair.
Someone is going after Lawrence’s women of his life and they need to try and work out why.
I loved this. Somewhere a long the story I didn’t know who to trust. Who was trying to murder these women? If it was Lawrence himself, or was Cressida psychotic? Then it kept mentioning their daughter Emily Jane. I kept wondering why she was being mentioned maybe it was her? Everything pieced in nicely and I thoroughly enjoyed the ending. There’s a lot of double crossing, lies and deceit in the story. You don’t know who to trust.
It is set in Ireland and where the Howard’s house is sounds beautiful. You can really imagine it. If you like thrillers, then this one is definitely for you!
January 10, 2022
Cressida Howard overhears part of a conversation at the end of a call to her husband, Laurence where she is given the impression that he is having an affair with a person called Nina. She enlists the help of her friend’s sister, Brioni O’Brien, a security expert to get the proof she needs for a speedy divorce, but they soon find themselves in deep waters, much deeper than they expected...
Remember my Name is an engrossing read full of twists and turns. Set in Ireland, the tale is told mainly through the eyes of Cressida and Brioni with the occasional contribution from Cressida’s seventeen-year-old daughter, Emily-Jane. These are strong, believable characters with a good sense of reality, unlike Laurence who has limited likeability. A really rewarding reading experience is contained within the pages as the women plot their way to success in the divorce courts. With comfortable pacing, the tenseness picks up considerably towards the end when everything comes to a head. It’s not obvious who is responsible for events and certain situations but the need to find out makes this a hard one to put down and the conclusion is exciting.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Atlantic Books, Corvus via NetGalley and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
Remember my Name is an engrossing read full of twists and turns. Set in Ireland, the tale is told mainly through the eyes of Cressida and Brioni with the occasional contribution from Cressida’s seventeen-year-old daughter, Emily-Jane. These are strong, believable characters with a good sense of reality, unlike Laurence who has limited likeability. A really rewarding reading experience is contained within the pages as the women plot their way to success in the divorce courts. With comfortable pacing, the tenseness picks up considerably towards the end when everything comes to a head. It’s not obvious who is responsible for events and certain situations but the need to find out makes this a hard one to put down and the conclusion is exciting.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Atlantic Books, Corvus via NetGalley and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
January 3, 2022
Remember My Name was a brilliant book to end the year on, very nearly a 5* from me.
Cressida overhears a conversation between her successful businessman husband and a colleague. She calls in a friend to help her investigate his potential disloyalty and help her build a solid case for divorce.. but things get messy and there's a much much bigger picture that none of them would have ever suspected.
Murders, affairs, drama, entrapment and a whole lot more.
Every character in this book has a well developed story and is written in perfectly. Brioni and Cressida are like a dream investigative duo and I loved reading about their connections and interactions.
Emily-Jane the intuitive, if not, deviant teenage daughter is so strong willed and determined. I'd love to read more about her own life and story, because I think she could be such a powerful lead character of a book.
This book is so fast paced and gripping, I've only just finished and wish I could read it for the first time again..
I've not much criticism for Remember My Name, but I think there are a few gaps in Nina's story that I would have liked to hear about. Although, it's not necessarily crucial to this book.
Thank you to the author and @readersfirst for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
Cressida overhears a conversation between her successful businessman husband and a colleague. She calls in a friend to help her investigate his potential disloyalty and help her build a solid case for divorce.. but things get messy and there's a much much bigger picture that none of them would have ever suspected.
Murders, affairs, drama, entrapment and a whole lot more.
Every character in this book has a well developed story and is written in perfectly. Brioni and Cressida are like a dream investigative duo and I loved reading about their connections and interactions.
Emily-Jane the intuitive, if not, deviant teenage daughter is so strong willed and determined. I'd love to read more about her own life and story, because I think she could be such a powerful lead character of a book.
This book is so fast paced and gripping, I've only just finished and wish I could read it for the first time again..
I've not much criticism for Remember My Name, but I think there are a few gaps in Nina's story that I would have liked to hear about. Although, it's not necessarily crucial to this book.
Thank you to the author and @readersfirst for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 10, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2
“Like the rest of her life, it was beautiful on the outside and chaos on the inside”
Cressida Howard is a woman who appears to have it all. A beautiful (and smart) seventeen year old daughter, Emily-Jane, a rich and successful husband, Laurence, (an e-commerce kingpin) and her own rewarding career and practice as a speech therapist.
A house of cards, it all comes tumbling down, as Cressida, with the help of cyber-sleuth
Brioni O’Brien, finds that love, loyalty and passion - mere words to some, may represent life (or death) to others.
With two home-bases, alternating between an atmospheric beach house in the sand-dunes of Wexford, and a Dublin condominium, Brioni is a brilliant, pink-haired, somewhat softer Lisbeth Salander, - an interesting if somewhat enigmatic protagonist.
As Cressida and Brioni struggle to put together answers, the plot builds to layer secrets on top of secrets, with a pace that at times moved too slowly for me, and an ending that felt just a little bit contrived.
Overall a good and entertaining read, this book will likely please fans of psychological suspense, corporate espionage, and cyber crime.
“Like the rest of her life, it was beautiful on the outside and chaos on the inside”
Cressida Howard is a woman who appears to have it all. A beautiful (and smart) seventeen year old daughter, Emily-Jane, a rich and successful husband, Laurence, (an e-commerce kingpin) and her own rewarding career and practice as a speech therapist.
A house of cards, it all comes tumbling down, as Cressida, with the help of cyber-sleuth
Brioni O’Brien, finds that love, loyalty and passion - mere words to some, may represent life (or death) to others.
With two home-bases, alternating between an atmospheric beach house in the sand-dunes of Wexford, and a Dublin condominium, Brioni is a brilliant, pink-haired, somewhat softer Lisbeth Salander, - an interesting if somewhat enigmatic protagonist.
As Cressida and Brioni struggle to put together answers, the plot builds to layer secrets on top of secrets, with a pace that at times moved too slowly for me, and an ending that felt just a little bit contrived.
Overall a good and entertaining read, this book will likely please fans of psychological suspense, corporate espionage, and cyber crime.
January 6, 2022
This was the first Sam Blake novel I've read and it won't be my last. When I first read the premise of this book, I was immediately intrigued. I hate adultery and so the idea of this book made me really curious to see what was going to happen to Cressida's unfaithful husband. However, this book is so much more than a story about a wife getting revenge.
There were so many twists and turns in this novel that I didn't see coming. The plot was incredibly fast-paced and so tightly plotted that it didn't feel like 400 pages. I loved the characters of both Cressida and Brioni and I really respected how those two women connected and built a friendship through shared experiences. I was also really impressed by Cressida's daughter, Emily-Jane.
This was a novel that I was eager to read every night. In fact, I found myself rushing to finish my tasks so I could settle down and read it. I can't wait to read all of Sam Blake's backlist novels.
There were so many twists and turns in this novel that I didn't see coming. The plot was incredibly fast-paced and so tightly plotted that it didn't feel like 400 pages. I loved the characters of both Cressida and Brioni and I really respected how those two women connected and built a friendship through shared experiences. I was also really impressed by Cressida's daughter, Emily-Jane.
This was a novel that I was eager to read every night. In fact, I found myself rushing to finish my tasks so I could settle down and read it. I can't wait to read all of Sam Blake's backlist novels.
January 26, 2023
Medium: Audiobook
Ratings: Story 3/5 Narration 4/5
Runtime: 10 hours played at 1.25 speed
Narrator: Aoife McMahon
Review: I really liked this book. It’s my first time of listening to Aoife McMahon. She has great range of characterisation, both female and male voices. Dialogue definitely came to life.
As for the prose… I think it was okay but a bit too heavy on the descriptions side. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen cerulean blue waters in the North Atlantic where Ireland is. But there you go (just one example). The story was twisty enough but I had so wanted Laurence not to have done the dirty on Cressida. But true to form, he he had. As for the improbability of the South American firecracker hacker also being a feisty assassin… well, that took some believing. But here we are. All in all a good yarn ☺️
Ratings: Story 3/5 Narration 4/5
Runtime: 10 hours played at 1.25 speed
Narrator: Aoife McMahon
Review: I really liked this book. It’s my first time of listening to Aoife McMahon. She has great range of characterisation, both female and male voices. Dialogue definitely came to life.
As for the prose… I think it was okay but a bit too heavy on the descriptions side. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen cerulean blue waters in the North Atlantic where Ireland is. But there you go (just one example). The story was twisty enough but I had so wanted Laurence not to have done the dirty on Cressida. But true to form, he he had. As for the improbability of the South American firecracker hacker also being a feisty assassin… well, that took some believing. But here we are. All in all a good yarn ☺️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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