Title: EYE OF THE BEHOLDER
Author: Emma Bamford
ISBN: 9781982170394
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Pages: 320
Source: Review copy from the Publisher
Blog Tour Organised by Random Things Tours
When Maddy Wight is hired to ghostwrite the memoir of world-renowned cosmetic surgeon Angela Reynolds, she jumps at the chance to get her career back on track. But the deeper she digs, the more elusive the doctor becomes.
Confined to Angela’s glass-walled house in the Scottish Highlands, Maddy can’t shake the unsettling feeling of being watched. As a result, she is drawn ever closer to Angela’s enigmatic business partner Scott, whose mercurial moods change as quickly as the darkening moors outside.
Returning to London once the book is finished, Maddy is excited for their future together. But news of Scott’s death shatters the celebrations at the book’s launch party. Which is why, months later and still grieving, she is blindsided to see Scott entering a tube station just in front of her. It can’t be him, can it? After all, Scott is dead… or is he?
Official Summary
05 July 2024
Thank you to Simon & Schuster and Random Things Tours for this review copy. *Eye of the Beholder* is a captivating psychological thriller that expertly weaves intrigue and suspense. The story follows Maddy Wight, a writer struggling with her stalled career, who is given a lifeline when she is hired to ghostwrite the memoir of Angela Reynolds, a celebrated cosmetic surgeon. However, as Maddy delves into Angela’s world, she uncovers more questions than answers.
Set in the atmospheric Scottish Highlands, Bamford’s descriptive writing brings to life the stark beauty and isolation of the landscape. The glass-walled house, which should offer transparency, instead creates an unsettling sense of surveillance, contributing to the story’s tension. Maddy’s growing sense of being watched is palpable, and the house becomes a character in its own right, reflecting the underlying themes of observation and secrecy.
Angela, the elusive and enigmatic surgeon, keeps you guessing about her true nature and motivations. Her mysterious business partner, Scott, adds another layer of complexity. His unpredictable moods and their developing relationship draw Maddy deeper into a web of intrigue. The chemistry between Maddy and Scott is intense, making the twists and turns of their interactions compelling.
The narrative takes a sharp turn when Maddy returns to London, filled with hope for her future with Scott. However, the shocking news of his death during the book launch sets off a cascade of events that leave her reeling. Bamford’s pacing keeps you on edge, especially when Maddy believes she sees Scott alive months later. This revelation shatters her reality, leading to a thrilling exploration of truth and deception.
*Eye of the Beholder* is more than just a thriller; it’s an exploration of identity, trust, and the facades people maintain. Bamford’s ability to create multi-dimensional characters and maintain suspense until the final pages make this book a gripping read. Maddy’s journey from a struggling writer to someone caught in a whirlwind of mystery and danger is both relatable and riveting.
Emma Bamford has crafted a masterful tale that keeps you guessing and leaves a lasting impression. *Eye of the Beholder* is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers who enjoy being kept on the edge of their seats.
REMEMBER TO VISIT THE OTHER TOUR STOPS
Also by Emma Bamford
DEEP WATER
When a Navy vessel comes across a yacht in distress in the middle of the vast Indian Ocean, Captain Danial Tengku orders his ship to rush to its aid. On board the yacht is a British a horribly injured man, Jake, and his traumatized wife, Virginie, who breathlessly confesses, “It’s all my fault. I killed them.”
Trembling with fear, she reveals their shocking story to Danial. Months earlier, the couple had spent all their savings on a yacht, full of excitement for exploring the high seas and exotic lands together. They start at the busy harbors of Malaysia and, through word of mouth, Jake and Virginie learn about a tiny, isolated island full of unspoiled beaches. When they arrive, they discover they are not the only visitors and quickly become entangled with a motley crew of expat sailors. Soon, Jake and Virginie’s adventurous dream turns into a terrifying nightmare.
Now, it’s up to Danial to determine just how much truth there is in Virginie’s alarming tale. But when his crew make a shocking discovery, he realizes that if he doesn’t act soon, they could all fall under the dark spell of the island.
About The Author
Author bio from the author’s site
EMMA BAMFORD is an author and journalist who has worked for The Independent, the Daily Express, the Daily Mirror, Sailing Today, and Boat International.
She spent several years sailing among some of the world’s most beautiful islands and wrote two travel memoirs about her experiences, Casting Off and Untie the Lines.
A graduate of the University of East Anglia’s Prose Fiction MA, she lives in the United Kingdom. She is the author of Deep Water and Eye of the Beholder.
Thank you to Anne Cater from Random Things Tours for including me in this blog tour. Although I had a slow start, I quickly became engrossed and couldn’t put it down. Have you read it? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. As always, thank you for visiting and supporting the blog. Your support keeps me motivated to share my reviews! Until next time…. Happy Reading!
Sounds like a great read!
It really was, I loved it