26 July 2024

When it comes to psychological thrillers, C.M. Ewan’s *One Wrong Turn* is a masterclass in tension and suspense. From the moment Abi and Ben took that fateful wrong turn on a foggy country road, I was hooked, my heart racing with every twist and turn.

The story begins innocently enough: a couple, Abi and Ben, driving home after cutting short their weekend getaway. Their argument is familiar, almost comforting in its normalcy until it isn’t. The atmosphere changes dramatically when a man appears in the middle of the road, waving a torch. Abi swerves to avoid him, setting off a chain of events that kept me glued to the pages.

Ewan expertly captures the creeping dread that comes with being stranded on dark, isolated roads. Abi’s initial instinct to drive past the broken-down car is relatable, tapping into the primal fear of the unknown. But the sight of a woman holding a baby seat with a child in it tugs at the heartstrings, creating a moral dilemma that sets the stage for the rest of the story.

The decision to help the stranded family seems noble, yet there’s an underlying sense of foreboding that Ewan masterfully maintains. Once the strangers are inside Abi and Ben’s car, the suspense increases to an almost unbearable level. The narrative constantly had me questioning: Who are these people? What are their intentions? Would I have made the same choice?

Abi and Ben’s internal struggles and their dynamics as a couple are portrayed with such depth that their actions and reactions feel genuine. The psychological aspect of the story is as compelling as the external danger, as both Abi and Ben struggle with guilt, trust, and the instinct to protect themselves and each other.

C.M. Ewan’s writing shines in the way he builds tension. Every interaction with the strangers is fraught with suspicion and unease. The foggy, isolated setting becomes a character in itself, adding to the claustrophobic feel of the narrative. The plot moves at a brisk pace, with enough twists to keep even the most seasoned thriller readers guessing.

Without giving away too much, the climax of *One Wrong Turn* is both shocking and satisfying. Ewan ties up the story with a resolution that left me contemplating the decisions and moral choices of the characters long after I finished reading.

This book is a riveting psychological thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. C.M. Ewan has crafted a tale that explores the darkness lurking just beneath the surface of ordinary life, and the terrifying consequences of one wrong decision. If you enjoy stories that combine intense suspense with deep psychological insight, this book is a must-read.