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Bethulia
Alison, Danny, Jude: three girls bound closer than sisters. Nothing can ever divide them.
Until Alison falls for Simon Delaney. He's handsome, successful and ambitious. What woman wouldn’t want him? He’s surely her perfect husband. Any woman's perfect husband. But in that case, why does she commit suicide?
If it really is suicide. With no evidence to the contrary, the police are ready to say yes. All except for the driven DC Rosanna Quillan. She says no, but she can only watch as Jude and Danny fight for the prize – the widower. How far would either of them go to have him?
And how bitter is the fruit of success?
Until Alison falls for Simon Delaney. He's handsome, successful and ambitious. What woman wouldn’t want him? He’s surely her perfect husband. Any woman's perfect husband. But in that case, why does she commit suicide?
If it really is suicide. With no evidence to the contrary, the police are ready to say yes. All except for the driven DC Rosanna Quillan. She says no, but she can only watch as Jude and Danny fight for the prize – the widower. How far would either of them go to have him?
And how bitter is the fruit of success?
271 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 20, 2022
2 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 17, 2023
I read Thorne’s novel Unravelled several years ago and have been a fan of her writing since. She can seamlessly switch genres with her focus on character, language, place and plot and I love the intelligent weaving of these skills into novels that grip, move, shock and delight. Bethulia is the latest in the Thorne Moore stable and it has all of these attributes and more. In short, it’s one of those books that leaves an impression that lingers long, long after its stunning ending.
The book begins with three young girls thrown together by circumstance who share a bond of friendship that is tragically broken years later when one of them dies. As in all of her writing, these characters, and the others in the book, are beautifully rendered – complex, flawed and credible.
This is a multi-layered tale of suspicion, love and obsession. It grips from the start and twists and turns with the sinuous flexibility of a guileful snake.
I was so invested in the characters, the unfolding events really mattered and my feelings shifted and swerved several times.
The plot is superb. I will say no more for fear of revealing spoilers, but after the shock ending I went straight back to the beginning and read the book again. All the clues, all the signs, were clearly there but I’d been manipulated by a master storyteller.
Read this book and be prepared for strong characterisation, atmosphere in bucketloads, tension that ramps up mercilessly, and a denouement to take your breath away.
The book begins with three young girls thrown together by circumstance who share a bond of friendship that is tragically broken years later when one of them dies. As in all of her writing, these characters, and the others in the book, are beautifully rendered – complex, flawed and credible.
This is a multi-layered tale of suspicion, love and obsession. It grips from the start and twists and turns with the sinuous flexibility of a guileful snake.
I was so invested in the characters, the unfolding events really mattered and my feelings shifted and swerved several times.
The plot is superb. I will say no more for fear of revealing spoilers, but after the shock ending I went straight back to the beginning and read the book again. All the clues, all the signs, were clearly there but I’d been manipulated by a master storyteller.
Read this book and be prepared for strong characterisation, atmosphere in bucketloads, tension that ramps up mercilessly, and a denouement to take your breath away.
January 30, 2023
I chose to read Bethulia as a member of Rosie’s Book Review Team but this does not affect my review in any way.
Bethulia has at its heart the story of three women, Alison, Jude and Danny, and one man, Simon. The women are lifelong friends and until Simon came along and married Alison inseparable. Alison dies, apparently by taking her own life, and Jude arrives at the airport to be greeted by a distraught Danny who confirms the news.
This bond between the women quickly breaks down when it is revealed that Danny had a brief fling with Simon while he was married to Alison. Jude is then quick to console the widower, getting close to him before Danny has any chance to rekindle their relationship.
In amongst all of these characters, and others, is DC Rosanna Quillan who, from experience and her own trauma, doesn’t believe that Alison killed herself. But how can she prove it?
This story is deceptive because it appears to be straightforward. Until it isn’t.
I don’t want to go into all the whys and wherefores as to what happens as that will spoil it for any future reader and you really do want to come into this book with fresh eyes. Suffice to say the writing is excellent, the characters totally believable and the planning and plotting terrific. The pages keep turning because you want to find out the truth and it will keep you guessing as to what the characters are up to. Highly recommended for everyone who enjoys exciting, pacey storytelling.
Bethulia has at its heart the story of three women, Alison, Jude and Danny, and one man, Simon. The women are lifelong friends and until Simon came along and married Alison inseparable. Alison dies, apparently by taking her own life, and Jude arrives at the airport to be greeted by a distraught Danny who confirms the news.
This bond between the women quickly breaks down when it is revealed that Danny had a brief fling with Simon while he was married to Alison. Jude is then quick to console the widower, getting close to him before Danny has any chance to rekindle their relationship.
In amongst all of these characters, and others, is DC Rosanna Quillan who, from experience and her own trauma, doesn’t believe that Alison killed herself. But how can she prove it?
This story is deceptive because it appears to be straightforward. Until it isn’t.
I don’t want to go into all the whys and wherefores as to what happens as that will spoil it for any future reader and you really do want to come into this book with fresh eyes. Suffice to say the writing is excellent, the characters totally believable and the planning and plotting terrific. The pages keep turning because you want to find out the truth and it will keep you guessing as to what the characters are up to. Highly recommended for everyone who enjoys exciting, pacey storytelling.
July 13, 2024
There has been a lack of justice for cases being investigated such as the alleged suicide of Alison Delaney and a young 12 year old who has been sexually assaulted which are deemed not viable to take to court. Leaving families devastated and the police officers involved frustrated and angry.
This frustration and anger plays heavily on the mind of DC Rosanna Quillan whose family history is still an open wound. None more so than in the case of Alison Delaney, a young pregnant woman who on the surface had so much to live for.
It is not easy to ignore certain accusations especially as the subject of those allegations appears to have shrugged off the events quicker than is seemly. The dynamics of Alison’s close friendship with her two friends Danny and Jude, who she has known since they were fourteen also come under the microscope with secrets drifting to the surface.
As the story evolves there are subtle hints to reinforce the suspicion there was more to Alison’s suicide and how deeply Simon her husband was involved in her increasing depression. The inquest verdict does not sit well with DC Quillan and she finds herself hanging on to the case off duty, trying to pull the threads together into a convincing enough reason to reopen it.
In the following months after Alison’s suicide and her friend Danny’s health issues, a house in Wales Bethulia takes centre stage with Jude assisting Danny’s mother in setting up this isolated haven.
As DC Quillan works off the record to try and find evidence of Simon Delaney’s part in his wife’s suicide, there are far more complexities to the case than she could ever imagine.
This is a psycholgical thriller with surprises in abundance and as the reader you will find the outcome the biggest surprise of all. Great characters exhibiting all the best and worst qualities of human nature, and a great pace assisted by the POV of all the main characters.
An enjoyable read and I have no hesitation in recommending.
This frustration and anger plays heavily on the mind of DC Rosanna Quillan whose family history is still an open wound. None more so than in the case of Alison Delaney, a young pregnant woman who on the surface had so much to live for.
It is not easy to ignore certain accusations especially as the subject of those allegations appears to have shrugged off the events quicker than is seemly. The dynamics of Alison’s close friendship with her two friends Danny and Jude, who she has known since they were fourteen also come under the microscope with secrets drifting to the surface.
As the story evolves there are subtle hints to reinforce the suspicion there was more to Alison’s suicide and how deeply Simon her husband was involved in her increasing depression. The inquest verdict does not sit well with DC Quillan and she finds herself hanging on to the case off duty, trying to pull the threads together into a convincing enough reason to reopen it.
In the following months after Alison’s suicide and her friend Danny’s health issues, a house in Wales Bethulia takes centre stage with Jude assisting Danny’s mother in setting up this isolated haven.
As DC Quillan works off the record to try and find evidence of Simon Delaney’s part in his wife’s suicide, there are far more complexities to the case than she could ever imagine.
This is a psycholgical thriller with surprises in abundance and as the reader you will find the outcome the biggest surprise of all. Great characters exhibiting all the best and worst qualities of human nature, and a great pace assisted by the POV of all the main characters.
An enjoyable read and I have no hesitation in recommending.
January 17, 2023
This is a story that grips from the start; the death of one of three women who have been friends from childhood. Initially drawn together by grief as young girls, and now, two of them again, Danny, Jude, as young women, with the apparent suicide of the other, Alison.
I say, ‘apparently’, because, thrown into the mix we have an unreliable narrator, the protagonist, Judith Granger. Brought back to England, from her work abroad by the dreadful news, her part of the story is told in first person point of view. And, to be honest, I was completely taken in by her actions. As always, I won’t give any spoilers in my review, but this is so difficult with Bethulia, because there are two plots here, but the same scenarios: one ambiguous, one explicit. And it takes the reader quite a while to get to that, “oh!” moment; that realisation of what is going on.
Because there is also an omniscient narrator, who follows the other characters, and relates their actions in a third person perspective.
And then there is Simon Delaney, the antagonist, who tells his story from his viewpoint, – a man it is easy to dislike, distrust, yet still wonder about….
And each point of view brings conflicting emotions in the reader. And that’s about all I can say about the storyline. Suffice it to say, it’s riveting.
And, as always in Thorne Moore’s novels, every character, even the minor ones, have distinctive characteristics and dialogue that bring an instant image of them. The major players are multi-layered, well rounded, their personalities evolving; being revealed, as the book progresses. Those you learn to love, those who from the beginning reveal themselves to be … shall we say… dubious ( or worse!) Besides the three main characters, Alison, Danny, Jude, I particularly like DC Rosanna Quillan. There is a small but dramatic twist at the end of Bethulia, which makes me wonder if we will hear more of her.
A short word about the settings in Bethulia. Whether it’s the interior of police stations, churches, or the description of houses such as Jude’s memory of Alison’s childhood home, Summervale, “a forbiddingly brown house”, or the secluded converted boathouse, Bethulia, which was to become a haven for Danny, or the snow-filled streets of Oxford, and the ethereal Teifi estuary in Wales,the portrayals give an evocative sense of place.
This is a well written story told in the usual confident and erudite writing style of this author, weaving themes and plot twists effortlessly throughout. As you may have guessed, I really enjoyed this book, and I would thoroughly recommend Bethulia to any reader who enjoys psychological and action thrillers with a strong plot and and memorable characters. You won’t be disappointed.
I say, ‘apparently’, because, thrown into the mix we have an unreliable narrator, the protagonist, Judith Granger. Brought back to England, from her work abroad by the dreadful news, her part of the story is told in first person point of view. And, to be honest, I was completely taken in by her actions. As always, I won’t give any spoilers in my review, but this is so difficult with Bethulia, because there are two plots here, but the same scenarios: one ambiguous, one explicit. And it takes the reader quite a while to get to that, “oh!” moment; that realisation of what is going on.
Because there is also an omniscient narrator, who follows the other characters, and relates their actions in a third person perspective.
And then there is Simon Delaney, the antagonist, who tells his story from his viewpoint, – a man it is easy to dislike, distrust, yet still wonder about….
And each point of view brings conflicting emotions in the reader. And that’s about all I can say about the storyline. Suffice it to say, it’s riveting.
And, as always in Thorne Moore’s novels, every character, even the minor ones, have distinctive characteristics and dialogue that bring an instant image of them. The major players are multi-layered, well rounded, their personalities evolving; being revealed, as the book progresses. Those you learn to love, those who from the beginning reveal themselves to be … shall we say… dubious ( or worse!) Besides the three main characters, Alison, Danny, Jude, I particularly like DC Rosanna Quillan. There is a small but dramatic twist at the end of Bethulia, which makes me wonder if we will hear more of her.
A short word about the settings in Bethulia. Whether it’s the interior of police stations, churches, or the description of houses such as Jude’s memory of Alison’s childhood home, Summervale, “a forbiddingly brown house”, or the secluded converted boathouse, Bethulia, which was to become a haven for Danny, or the snow-filled streets of Oxford, and the ethereal Teifi estuary in Wales,the portrayals give an evocative sense of place.
This is a well written story told in the usual confident and erudite writing style of this author, weaving themes and plot twists effortlessly throughout. As you may have guessed, I really enjoyed this book, and I would thoroughly recommend Bethulia to any reader who enjoys psychological and action thrillers with a strong plot and and memorable characters. You won’t be disappointed.
February 13, 2023
Writers rarely reinvent themselves; they do sometimes change genre & appear to create another version of themselves. Essentially though, if the voice is recognisable & reliable, it makes no difference if a talented writer decides to take off into unexpected territory. In Bethulia, the latest book from the pen of Thorne Moore, we have indeed wandered off. And rather splendidly in my view!
Which is not to say everything about Bethulia is reliable, but then, I do like an unreliable narrator. And when it comes to crime, I love a tale that keeps me turning the pages. This book does exactly that. The three women at the centre of Bethulia: Alison, Danny & Jude are as close as sisters. And like sisters, not everything about their relationship is perfect. They are normal, flawed women & rely on each other for support & love.
When Alison appears to commit suicide, the other two women are devastated. But DC Rosanna Quillan isn’t convinced & suspicion falls on Alison’s husband, Simon. From here we embark on a fast-paced, complex & extremely clever story. A story about the nature of friendship between women & how not everything can be trusted.
Bethulia is both gripping & highly entertaining. Everything works: the writing is stylish, the sense of place acute, the characters totally relatable. And it has one of the most amazing endings I’ve read in ages. Highly recommended.
Which is not to say everything about Bethulia is reliable, but then, I do like an unreliable narrator. And when it comes to crime, I love a tale that keeps me turning the pages. This book does exactly that. The three women at the centre of Bethulia: Alison, Danny & Jude are as close as sisters. And like sisters, not everything about their relationship is perfect. They are normal, flawed women & rely on each other for support & love.
When Alison appears to commit suicide, the other two women are devastated. But DC Rosanna Quillan isn’t convinced & suspicion falls on Alison’s husband, Simon. From here we embark on a fast-paced, complex & extremely clever story. A story about the nature of friendship between women & how not everything can be trusted.
Bethulia is both gripping & highly entertaining. Everything works: the writing is stylish, the sense of place acute, the characters totally relatable. And it has one of the most amazing endings I’ve read in ages. Highly recommended.
March 12, 2023
I got totally caught up in this intriguing tale. The depth of the characters is the key to unravelling a complex plot whose twists and turns throw up surprises you won't expect. A deliciously dark tale where the lives of three women, brought up together, become even more entwined by death as they each become enamoured of the same gorgeous man.
As the story unravels, you begin to understand why the narrators are unreliable and what motives lurk beneath their duplicitous minds.
Highly recommended for readers who love a mystery.
As the story unravels, you begin to understand why the narrators are unreliable and what motives lurk beneath their duplicitous minds.
Highly recommended for readers who love a mystery.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews