Meet the Bensons. They’re an ordinary couple. They wash their car, mow their lawn and pass the time of day with their neighbours. And they have a beautiful little girl called Daisy.
There’s just one problem.
SHE’S NOT THEIRS.
D. S. Nathan Cody is about to face his darkest and most terrifying case yet . . .
First I have to say a HUGE thank you to Bonnier Zaffre for an ARC of this book because it is one of THE BEST books I have read this year!! Just a warning for those of you easily offended – there may be some “foul language” in this review because…and I make no apologies…when I get excited about something, well I just swear like a trooper! You’ve been warned!
Set in Liverpool, this novel is filled with an underlying sense of fear, dread, the past, anger, abduction, loss of control, manipulation, and the search for justice to name just a few of the themes threaded throughout the pages!
Here comes the swearing…
Holy Friggin Sh*tballs! What a phenomenal read! There should be a special amazon rating for those books that just BLOW YOUR MIND – this book is off the scales for me! I knew it was going to be a great read with the fantastic opening chapter – I was lulled into this false sense of security until the realisation of what was actually happening kicked in and OMFG it sent a shiver down my spine! I thought the storyline was clever and current, the characters masterfully written and the twist(s) – damn….I pride myself on being a pretty good amateur detective but I just did not see that coming…What upsets me most is that alot…I mean SO MANY PEOPLE have recommended this author to me – especially Sarah Hardy of By The Letter Book Reviews…I listened, and downloaded #AllTheBooks but had just not read them…What an absolute MUPPET! Where have I been?? However, on the plus side, I know have the pleasure of going back and reading them all…mwah ha ha ha. The evil laugh is for all of you who have to wait for the next book while I enjoy catching up!
Character wise – I loved every-single-one! Even the baddies, but I will just point out a few as I think this is a very character driven series and “meeting” them was part of the joy of reading this novel.
I know this is a series, but I did not feel the least bit lost picking this book up. The author cleverly feeds the reader with enough backstory to drive this one forward without dousing us in unnecessary repetition. DS Nathan Cody is certainly a character I look forward to getting to know more about – I couldn’t figure out whether he was a loner, or just…lonely. His past is haunting him and very few people know or understand what he is going through. His ex-girlfriend, but current police partner (** AWKWARD ** ) DC Megan Webley understands his personality and issues and is just fantastic in terms of her loyalty, and dedication to her colleagues and the job itself.
We find out who the #Baddies are right from the start really, but I am not even going to go into details as again – you have to read about them to get the complete picture. I will, however say how friggin DYSFUNCTIONAL the family is – like one messed up Mofo is head of the household and jaysus – heebie jeebies all around! Yet…emotionally I was quite torn by this “family” because …well…I can’t even say…but OMFG…OH MY….!
But the character that stole the show for me was Daisy! This child will pull your hearts strings and have you wanting to reach in the pages and hug her for her courage and fierce bravery in circumstances that no child should ever find themselves in. What a gem!
I feel really bad as I don’t think this review does this EXCEPTIONAL novel the justice it deserves. It really is a master of psychologically suspenseful reads. Would I recommend this book? Hells-Bloody-Bells I would in-friggin-deed! Dark, twisted, emotive, surprising, spine-tingling and absolutely amazing – I have found a new author to stalk…erm..follow now and will certainly be reading more of this series in the not-so-distant future. Cracking read, David Jackson – I seriously cannot praise this book enough…buy it, #bookjunkies…just buy it!!
