? Happy Publication Day- Caroline Mitchell ?
Eeeeeek! Not only do I get to kick off this awesome blog tour with the lovely Beccas Books, it is publication day and my birthday! I have convinced myself that Caroline Mitchell had this all planned for my special day ….ok….I am kidding….but it is an amazing way to celebrate! Enough jibber jabber from me….here is my review of spectacular Witness….
Synopsis:
To Rebecca it was a brave decision that led to her freedom from domestic abuse. To Solomon it was the ultimate betrayal.
It’s been ten years since Rebecca’s testimony saw Solomon locked away. Enough time for the nightmares to recede, the nerves to relax; enough time to rebuild her life and put the past behind her.
Then one day a phone rings in her bedroom—but it’s not her phone. Solomon has been in her home, and has a very simple message for her: for each of the ten years he has spent in jail, Rebecca must witness a crime. And, to make matters worse, she has to choose the victims.
Fail to respond and you get hurt. Talk to police and you die. Ready to play? You have sixty seconds to decide…
As the crimes grow more severe, the victims closer to home, Rebecca is forced to confront a past she had hoped was gone forever.
My Rating: 5/5
My Review:
My thanks to Thomas & Mercer and the author for an ARC of this book which I choose to read/ review and post an unbiased opinion.
Well holy cow, #bookjunkies! What a book! Not only was it a cracking story, it was thought-provoking and insightful too! Now that is a great read!
The story starts out in Essex – the author’s stomping ground but a vast majority is told when the main character starts her life over again in Wales. As a reader, we are faced with power & control, revenge, domestic violence, betrayal, shame, manipulation, freedom/survival, and an overwhelming desire for justice.
The plot is intricate and compelling. I was drawn in immediately and once I started this book, I could NOT put it down. It is one of those hard-hitting and edgy reads – fast paced but you savour the words. There was so much of the author’s knowledge & experience as a police officer wrapped in the words – you could tell she really knew the subject matter!
An oh my! The characters – so real!! The characters voices just screamed from the page! Rebecca/Becca was brilliantly written and such a dark horse. Vulnerable, flawed, low self esteem…broken. But she finds the courage to break free and start her life over again. Solomon was also a great character. Deceptive, manipulative, selfish – just like the “typical” DV perp, you feel sorry for him at times. Hard childhood, learned behaviour, feeling abandoned – Wait! Wait! Wait – he is nasty! See what I mean – so well written!! All the characters have a part to play and there are none just in the story to fill the pages – but this would turn into novella if I mentioned each and every one!
The warning signs came early for Becca/Rebecca – but as is often the case, “Love Is Blind” and her desire for a relationship overtook any of the early alarm bells. Domestic Violence is a theme that many people shy away from because it evokes a lot of different emotions in people for various reasons. It rips at your very soul and people often question WHY a man or woman stays – and you can feel this within the pages of this book. See! Thought provoking!
Ethics and morality come to the forefront and make you, the reader question – how far would YOU go? This was an intense read, full of twists and suspense! It had me guessing right to the very end! I HIGHLY recommend this fantastic book and suggest if you have not already bought it…click the link and get this now! #TopRead #Emotive #MustBuy! Woohoo! Woohoo! Woohoo! Caroline Mitchell…you are something special, lady!
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