Day: July 10, 2021

This is by far one of the most “thinking-person” thrillers that I have read in a long time.

From the opening paragraphs to the thrilling ending, the author delivers a page-turning, thought-provoking, claustrophobic story. I couldn’t put it down – and pretty much ignored everything else I was supposed to be doing in favor of reading this book.

There’s a lot of good stuff here, but (as always) I don’t want to give details away, so I’m going to try to be as vague but specific as possible. Good luck to me.

One of the things that stood out to me while reading this was that the author did a phenomenal job of conveying the fear that Grace was feeling. At any given moment, I could have jumped at a sudden noise, as I became involved in Grace’s caution about her surroundings.

That feeling built slowly, even as it started from the very first scene – who was responsible for the “gift” that Grace found in her kitchen? Was it tied to her past (that she has worked extra-hard to hide) or was it a fluke? Or something in the middle?

I loved how the author wrote Grace. She was complex by necessity, but it was as if there were two different characters – and Grace referred to her old self as if she was a completely different person.

I suppose in retrospect, there’s a little bit of truth there. People constantly reinvent themselves and often feel like they’ve lived several lifetimes. But Grace is something more. She’s tried to bury the past and create an entirely new persona – almost like a self-imposed witness-protection program. Her character was deep and fascinating.

Towards the beginning, Grace refers to how people were always part of the little plays she made up in her mind. That could not be more true for the other characters. I constantly felt like everyone else existed to be a part of Grace’s story. As such, we didn’t get much depth to them – but it wasn’t needed. They played their parts.

I also liked how the past event was trickled out over the course of the book. There were no abrupt changes of time or flashbacks. The re-telling of Grace’s past occurs naturally as Grace thinks about it in the present.

I know that sounds a little convoluted, but it allowed the reader to truly have an insight to Grace’s frame of mind, because every part of the story (past and present) was from her, with her feelings and opinions coloring the memories and events.

It was effective and ultimately what kept me involved. I liked that I had to think like Grace to be able to continue reading. It helped that the author has a gift for painting full pictures with her descriptions of people and places (from Grace’s observations, of course). They were fully evocative and encompassing.

Of course, there are big revelations and some excellent plot points (that I will NOT be giving away). But by the time you get to them, you’ll be as on edge as Grace was – so be warned.

Aside from a few ill-chosen references that had no place in the story, I thought this was extremely well-done, and quite a good thriller. If you get spooked easily, you may want to read this one with the lights on. Grace’s fear will do that to you.

Author Info:

Beverley Jones, also known as B E Jones, is a former journalist and police press officer, now a novelist and general book obsessive. Bev was born in a small village in the South Wales valleys, north of Cardiff. She started her journalism career with Trinity Mirror newspapers, writing stories for The Rhondda Leader and The Western Mail, before becoming a broadcast journalist with BBC Wales Today TV news, based in Cardiff. She has worked on all aspects of crime reporting (as well as community news and features) producing stories and content for newspapers and live TV.

Most recently Bev worked as a press officer for South Wales Police, dealing with the media and participating in criminal investigations, security operations and emergency planning.

Perhaps unsurprisingly she channels these experiences of ‘true crime,’ and her insight into the murkier side of human nature, into her dark, psychological thrillers set in and around South Wales.

Her latest novels, Where She Went, Halfway and Wilderness, are published by Little Brown under the name BE Jones. Wilderness has recently been optioned for a six part TV adaptation by Firebird Pictures. Her seventh novel, The Beach House, is due for release in June 2021 under the name Beverley Jones. Chat with her on Goodreads.co.uk under B E Jones or Beverley Jones and on Twitter and Instagram @bevjoneswriting Bev is represented by The Ampersand Agency.