Title: The Phone Call
Author: AJ Campbell
ISBN: 9781838109134
Pages: 215
Source: Review copy from the author
Joey Clarke was just fifteen when his dad died, leaving him to raise his much younger siblings as his mum dealt with the trauma of bereavement and her failing health. Ten years on, Joey’s only pleasure is spending time with his friend Becca, the love of his life. It’s the one escape from his dead-end job, his ever-increasing debts, and the fear that enforcement agents will knock on his door any day. So when a phone call brings Joey the chance to ease the burdens of his life, he grabs the opportunity, even though he knows things are not entirely as they should be. He justifies it to himself as a way to get back on his feet. But when he finds himself party to a crime involving Becca, he panics.
As Joey tries to find a way out, he becomes further embroiled in a web of secrets, lies, and deceit. At risk of losing everything and everyone he holds dear, Joey must consider the unthinkable.
Official Summary
01 July 2022
After reviewing Search No Further by AJ Campbell in April, I was only too glad to accept another one of her books for review. The Phone Call is a gripping, quick read that tells the story of a young man determined to look after his family after his father’s death. The financial burden that comes with supporting a family quickly has him mixed up in a world he would rather not be a part of.
AJ Campbell writes with ease and tells her story simply and clearly making it an uncomplicated read that you find yourself flying through. I enjoy the way she does not get carried away with unnecessary details, keeping the storyline focused and on track. You are never left wondering what is happening. I love her characters and the family dynamic she includes in the story.
Joey Clarke lost his father at age fifteen and promised his mother he would help to support the family. He is committed to his family and loves his younger brother and sister. Uneducated, he struggles to meet the financial demands and refuses to worry his mother about the details. With increasing debt and increasing financial demands, Joey answers one phone call that might solve his problems. It was meant to be easy, just one delivery. Even knowing things are not what they appear to be, his desperation leads him to turn a blind eye. However, before he realises what has happened, he is caught up in a crime and forced to lie to everyone around him. Can Joey find a way out of the mess he has landed himself in, or will he lose everything and everyone important to him?
This book looked at how easy it is to cross a line and break the law and then be caught in an impossible situation. I found myself sympathising with Joey, he had so much on his plate at such a young age. His mom and her illness did not help matters. If only he had someone to confide in, someone to trust.
Joey is a wonderful character. He is largely judged as a good guy and does his best to stay out of trouble. He puts his family first and would do anything for them. Sadly, his need to take care of the family leads him to make some bad decisions and he gets caught up in a horrible situation. You must love his commitment to his family. As for Becca, I found her to be way too needy and I felt as if her presence in Joey’s life was not a good thing. She did not help at all. Then there is Joey’s mother – the woman placed way too big a burden on her son’s shoulders. Yes, I know she was ill and suffering herself, but she should have been more focused on taking responsibility instead of passing it on to Joey. While she showed concern for her son, I was left feeling she failed him as a mother.
This is an intriguing tale that will keep thriller fans engrossed. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a light thriller. The book is family centred and features a likeable young man who tries very hard to stay out of trouble.
Also by aJ Campbell
Search No Further
Cara De Rosa is the heart of her large family and community in London. Her restaurant business is booming. She’s found a second chance at love, and an impending marriage is on the horizon. But there’s no such thing as a perfect life. And the good times never last forever.
When Cara’s health suddenly falters, her family’s world turns upside down in the blink of an eye. In a bed-ridden haze, she confides in Sienna, her favourite grandchild, that her rapid decline may be at the hands of one of her own.
Sienna, a young, single mother, is reeling in the wake of her husband’s unsolved death. She is haunted by crippling anxiety and misplaced guilt, heightened by suddenly finding herself in a race against time to save Cara’s life. As she begins to pull at the strings of a tangled family web, she’ll reveal disturbing secrets, decades of deceit and shockingly serious crimes.
About The Author
Author bio from the author’s site
AJ Campbell is the debut author of the Amazon bestselling novel Leave Well Alone, which readers describe as ‘a gripping story with a killer twist’. She writes in the psychological suspense, thriller and mystery genres. Her second novel Don’t Come Looking, although a standalone story, is a sequel to her debut and was released in April 2021. Her latest book Search No Further was published in December 2021.
Reading or writing, AJ loves nothing more than settling down with a good book. She enjoys reading most genres, especially thought-provoking stories that beg the question – what would I have done in that situation?
AJ lives on the Essex / Hertfordshire border with her husband, two of her three sons, and her cocker spaniel, Max. She loves Netflix and cooking oriental food while sipping a good glass of white wine.
Thank you to AJ Campbell for reaching out and sharing a copy of this book. I enjoyed the story and would gladly recommend this one. Thank you for visiting the blog and reading my review. Have you read any of AJ Campbell’s books? If not, add her to your TBR, you won’t be disappointed. Until next time…Happy Reading!
Sounds like a good read!
Thanks
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