17 August 2023

A huge thank you to Jonathan Ball Publishers for this review copy! I am new to Steve Cavanagh and what a fantastic read. I cannot wait to add more of this author’s books to my TBR shelf.

When you reach for this book, be ready to kiss any hope of sleep goodbye. There is no way you can walk away from this book once you opened it. I loved this book and raced from page to page eager to see what was going to happen next. This is a dark tale full of gory crime that grabs hold of you and refuses to let go. I have not enjoyed a book this much in a while.

The author tells this story while moving from one character to the next, allowing each chapter to drag you into a different character’s life. You get to know them well as you share their emotions and join them in their different experiences. There is not a single dull moment in this book. It is full steam ahead from the very first page and you are not given a moment to catch your breath before you reach the end. This book is wonderfully intense. I have to add more of Steve Cavanagh’s books to my wish list – I cannot wait to spend time with this author again.

Amanda lost her six-year-old daughter to a crime and soon after her husband Luis commits suicide because he cannot deal with the guilt of what happened to his child on his watch. The man responsible for this loss is the son of a wall street billionaire and the police have no way of convicting him. Amanda cannot accept that Crone is still walking around a free man while her daughter’s life has come to an end. If the police cannot arrest Crone, Amanda will find a way to kill him. Forced to attend group therapy Amanda meets Wendy. A mother who has also lost her daughter to a vicious crime. The two women have a lot in common and both crave revenge. Over drinks, they come up with the perfect plan.

While this book is dark and full of gory crimes, I could not get enough. The author draws you into the story very quickly and there is no walking away. The emotions are raw and you never doubt the pain and anger these women feel. The author leaves you sharing these emotions which makes this an intense read you do not want to put down.

The women in this book were fantastic. Amanda’s suffering when she loses her child and her husband makes it easy to understand her determination for revenge. The police are unable to provide justice and while your mind tells you committing murder is never the answer you end up rooting for her and wishing her success. Crone is a monster and I found myself agreeing with Amanda that he deserved to die. Ruth steals your heart as she tries to recover from the attack in her own home while Scott and his guilt at not being there to protect his wife leaves you supporting his bad choices. Sad as it sounds – I found myself fully supporting each character in their desire for revenge. The monsters deserved what was coming to them.

I have not been handing out five-star ratings very easily this year, but this book deserved it. I was totally engrossed from the very first page and found myself supporting bas choices and hoping that the bad guys would get what they deserved. This book sent all reasonable thought straight out of the window, I wanted these women to get their revenge. There is no doubt about this book being added to my loved list for 2023.

If you enjoy a psychological thriller that keeps you engrossed from start to end with twists that leave you out of breath while flipping pages only to deliver an ending that speeds up your heart rate, then you do not want to miss this book.

I am left asking myself how I have never come across this author before. His work is dark and gripping and completely engrossing. A fantastic read from start to end, there is not a single thing wrong with this book. A brilliant read – do not miss this one!

I am heading to my favourite online store to add more Steve Cavanagh books to my next basket.