03 November 2022

Reading the blurb of this book had me keen to volunteer for the blog tour – it sounds intriguing. However, I was not prepared for what this book delivered.  This is a clever, twisty psychological thriller that will keep you gripped. I found myself completely wrapped up in this one, both loving and hating the characters as I flipped the pages. I could not get to the end fast enough and once I did all I wanted to do was tell someone all about it.

I am new to this author, honestly, I had never heard of him before receiving the blog tour invite. My lack of experience with this author’s work had me opening the book with an open mind. I was a little concerned about this being book two in the Deadly Inspirations series. While reading The Veteran I not once felt as if I was missing anything. This book can easily be read as a stand-alone – do not be deterred. The author created a dark, twisty tale with characters that you will both love and hate. Will Patching has you sympathising with a monster of a man. He did a brilliant job keeping me intrigued – I could not put this one down.

Barry Brown is on his death bed and his days are numbered. When a young man turns up announcing that he is Barry’s long-lost son, Barry’s lawyer is not convinced. Forced to respect her client’s wishes Richard Brown takes his dying father home where he and his girlfriend/nurse will be tending to Barry during his final days.

Barry’s brother-in-law, David Wardell, is not convinced and he calls PI Jack Carver to investigate. Jack is tasked with looking into Richard Brown and Michelle Dubois (Mick/Mickey) and soon stumbles his way into an old missing person’s case with close links to a possible serial killer. Who is Richard Brown? Is he Barry’s long-lost son? And what happened to Nancy – Richard’s mother? Why has no one ever been able to find her? Can Jack fit the puzzle pieces of Barry Brown’s life together to find out who these people truly are?

I was completely engrossed in this book. I was rather annoyed by Richard/Adam’s treatment of women. At times it felt as if the author was a little excessive with the abuse – however, the more I read, the more I understood that it helped show who this young man truly was.

Barry Brown is a dying veteran who spent most of his life serving his country. You are quickly left feeling sympathy for this poor old man. He seems so vulnerable, and there is no doubt that Richard/Adam and Mick do not have his best interests at heart. Yet appearances can be deceiving and the author manages to keep you in the dark long enough for you to become attached to Barry long before you realise what this old man is all about.

Michelle Dubois is introduced as a vulnerable woman. She is in an abusive relationship with Richard/Adam, yet you are given a glimpse into her thoughts allowing you to see how she justifies Richard’s behaviour. Her vulnerability and lack of confidence fly off every page. I found myself wanting to reach into the book and shake some sense into this woman. She was fooling herself. My heart broke for her until her true identity was revealed – I found myself blinded by her vulnerability, never considering what her back story might have been. When the author dropped that bombshell, I was shocked.

I am not sure what I was expecting, but this book left me amazed. I was hugely surprised by the way the author had me sympathising with horrible people. He managed to show weakness in vulnerability in his characters only to flip it all around when you least expect it.

If you are keen on a psychological thriller that is full of twists – then this creative tale will be right up your alley. I will highly recommend this book. But be warned – these characters are not who you expect them to be…. This is an intense read that is guaranteed to keep you reading late into the night. I loved this book. You won’t be left disappointed if you add this one to your TBR.