Someone Out There by Catherine Hunt

Description from Goodreads:

“Top divorce lawyer, Laura Maxwell, appears to have it all – perfect career, perfect husband, perfect life. But how well do you really know the people around you? All it takes is one tiny crack to shatter the whole façade.

A series of accidents leads Laura to believe that someone out there is deliberately trying to harm her. The fear starts to pervade every part of her life, affecting her work and her marriage. Increasingly, she feels that no one believes her story, and she must face down her attacker alone. One woman, fighting to survive in a nightmare world.

“Perfect for fans of The Girl on the Train, by Paula Hawkins, and Into the Darkest Corner, by Elizabeth Haynes.” – Killer Reads, Harper Collins.”

****************************************

On first impression, Laura has the perfect job, the perfect husband and a perfect marriage but all is not what it seems and her life begins to unravel before her eyes following a series of “accidents” and “events” and those around her begin to question whether they have actually happened. At the same time you, the reader, start to question the other characters in the book as many seem to have a motive to make Laura’s life a misery.

I usually like to give a brief outline of the main characters in a book but won’t on this occasion as to do so would give away some of the storyline and I don’t want to ruin it for anyone but would just like to say that the author has outdone herself on the creation of interesting and complex players in this book.

The story is written at great pace from the start and flows from beginning to end interweaving the different points of view which, rather than being confusing, enhanced the story for me as it gave an insight into the motivations of each character. This also enabled clues from each person being dropped in but it’s only towards the end that they all come together in a thrilling climax.

Overall, Someone Out There is a really enjoyable début novel full of suspense, tension, drama and intrigue with interesting characters and a great storyline and I look forward to reading more from this new author.

Thank you to the Publisher, via NetGalley, for providing me with a copy in return for an unbiased and honest review.

****************************************

Author Website - http://www.catherinehunt.com/

Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/CHWrites

Publisher - https://www.killerreads.com/  http://www.harpercollins.co.uk/ 

Those We Left Behind by Stuart Neville

Description from Goodreads:

“When twelve-year-old Ciaran Devine confessed to killing his foster carer it sent shock waves through the nation. He said his older brother Thomas had tried to stop him, but the killing rage had burned too brightly. Seven years later, Ciaran’s release will set a new and even more deadly chain of events in motion.

DCI Serena Flanagan, then an ambitious Detective Sergeant, took the boy’s confession after days and weeks spent earning his trust. He hasn't forgotten the kindness she showed him – in fact, she hasn't left his thoughts in all the years he’s been locked away.

Probation officer Paula Cunningham, reluctantly tasked with helping Ciaran re-enter society, suspects there was more to this case than the police or the prosecutors uncovered. Soon she wonders if Ciaran really committed the murder at all. His confession saved his brother Thomas from a lengthier sentence, and Cunningham sees the unnatural hold Thomas has over Ciaran.

When she brings her concerns to DCI Flanagan, the years of lies begin to unravel, leading to a truth stranger than anyone could have imagined.”

**************************************************

I haven’t read any of Stuart Neville’s books before but I have heard good things so was pleased when I was sent an ecopy of “Those We Left Behind” from NetGalley and the Publisher - Random House UK / Vintage Publishing, in return for an honest review and I certainly wasn't disappointed.

The story is set in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and is a dark, psychological thriller as well as a police procedural. The main premise of the story is one I imagine to be difficult to write about - child murderers - but Mr Neville does so in a tactful way being careful not to sensationalise it or demonise the perpetrators.

All the main characters are complex, interesting and credible with each one being expertly developed. This is the first book which features the main protagonist, DCI Serena Flanagan. She is a very strong personality with many dimensions to be explored in future books.

The storyline is compelling and believable and despite it being set over two timelines, it does not become confusing but adds to the understanding of the characters and further enhances the reading experience. The story flows from the beginning to the end at a good pace with many a tense moment which will have you turning the pages at a rapid rate to find out the truth of what really happened.

Overall, a really good read which keeps you guessing until the end and one which I thoroughly enjoyed and would highly recommend to anyone who likes this genre.