Member Reviews
This was a DNF for me, I was barely able to get through the beginning and I don’t enjoy anything with animal abuse so I had to call it quits. Thank you for the opportunity.
A fantastic twisty tale to keep you guessing. Alissa and Max have a perfect life until Max is murdered but Alissa isn’t hurt. Why was she left alone? A deceptive tale and well worth the read. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
I received a free eARC of Duplicity but that has in no way influenced my review.
At its core, Duplicity has a very interesting plot twist which is quite different to everything else I have read over the years. Hodge has put a fresh and different spin on what could be classed, by some people (not saying I'm one of them), as a genre that's starting to tire a little, maybe become a little samey...? (Not me though, I wouldn't say that.) I was merrily making my way through this book then BAM! I was knocked sideways and had to pick myself up off the floor. WTF!? There's not a lot more that I can say on that really. I would hate to ruin this story for other readers as it's so shocking, so...'WOAH!'... that if you have any kind of inkling as to what's coming then it could lessen the impact of what I promise will be one of the most memorable twists you've read.
So we've ascertained that I can't talk about the plot. So let's move onto the charact.....oh. Wait. I can't really say anything about them either. The story is told from two points of view; The Detective, who in this case is DS Carter and The Other One. There's not a lot I can say about The Other One. This is going to turn into the shortest review I've ever written for the blog as there's so much you need to discover for yourself and I hate spoilers. So here's what I can tell you....
Would I recommend this book? Yes, I would. Duplicity is a must-read for all psychological thriller fans, particularly if you are looking for something a little bit different. With bucketloads of suspense, it will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Despite being an unreviewable book! This is the first book I've read by Hodge but I can guarantee it won't be the last! It's easy to see why she has so many dedicated fans who will happily bite your hand off for a copy of one of her books. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
I chose to read and review an eARC of Duplicity. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.
Firs I would like to thank Sibel Hodge, Thomas & Mercer Publishers and Net Galley for allowing me to review this book.
This psychological thriller had me gripped from the start as it is told from several character's points of view and opinions. A fast paced plot full of twists and turns that keep you guessing to the final few pages.
Definitely some Gone Girl vibes here! I totally thought I had this figured out until the halfway point when the big twist comes... but it's not the only twist! Giving this 3 stars instead of 4 because the story lacks momentum until the second half picks up.
Thank you Netgalley for my copy in return for an honest review.
The book will hook you until the final pages with the fast-paced action. This thriller will mesmerize suspense fans keeping you guessing the culprit. I recommend this book for mystery fans.
I was gripped from the start by this enjoyable story from Sibel Hodge. I found the characters to be believable, and really wanted to know what happened in Max and Alissa’s house. The plot kept me guessing throughout and I felt it came to a satisfying conclusion. It was well-written and I felt invested in both the police and ‘bad guy’ perspectives. Can’t wait to read more from this author and would definitely recommend.
A fantastic thriller from Sibel Hodge. Gripping and well researched. I loved it.
Alissa and Max seem to have found perfection in one another. They are married with the backdrop of the shores of an Australian beach and a blissful honeymoon. Upon arriving back in the UK, they hold a small reception for friends at Max's palacial home. Life just seems to be opening a majestic gate of opportunity.....until it no longer does.
An intruder breaks into their home and leaves a deadly relic in Max's office. Alissa walks in on this horrific situation only to find Max's lifeless body in his chair and the masked killer's cruel brown eyes staring right up at her. She escapes to a neighbor's house within an inch of her life.
DS Warren Carter is called in to peruse the crime scene. Now here is where this begins the taut police procedural. Carter has been passed over for a promotion by a less than competent fellow officer. Carter possesses more analytical prowess in his little finger than an entire police force. He's not about to be kicked to the curb on this one. But roadblock after roadblock have been placed in his pathway in order to sidestep his efforts.
Sibel Hodge writes with a straightforward style. No frills. Just uncomplicated dialogue aiming to the point. But the point takes on a very different hue depending on which side of the street you are standing on. Hodge implements more twists and turns than a child's gameboard spinner. Just who is who and what is what?
I had not read anything by this author before but had heard the buzz surrounding her so I was keen to read this when I checked out the synopsis and it did not disappoint.
When recently married Max a successful, wealthy developer is murdered the police are puzzled as they seem to live a quiet and ideal life. But who knows what goes on behind closed doors?.
What unravels at great pace is shocking abuse and deceit, are these motives for murder?.
Be prepared to be a player in the authors game but we warned she's clever!.
Your in for an exciting ride, enjoy!.
My thanks go to the author, publisher and Netgalley in providing me with a arc in return for a honest review.
Thanks to netgalley for the opportunity to have read this great book. I love reading Sibel’s novels and this one did not disappoint.
The book had me hooked from page 1 and I could not wait to see where it goes. Recommended.
Wow, a complete mind blower. Just when I thought it couldn't get more twisted, I find out I'm wrong. It was a definite page turner and I lost much needed sleep to find out the next thing. The switching between two characters threw me a little at first, but once I realized what was going on, it made sense. Never knowing who to trust or what the truth is leaves the reader at the mercy of the author. kudos! I'm looking forward to reading more psychological thrillers from Sibel Hodge!
Thank you to Netgalley and Publisher for review copy in exchange for honest review.
Really liked this book and was thoroughly entertained. I have never read anything by this author, but I definitely will search out her books now. This is a story of a murder of a millionaire husband who has a beautiful wife. The police want to find out who committed the murder, but never look at the victims’ sweet wife. Could she be too sweet to have done something so nasty? The chapter alternate between the detective in charge of the case and “the Other One”, but the back and forth is easy to adjust to. I highly recommend this book to thriller lovers.
This isn't the first Sibelius Hodge book I've read and it certainly won't be the last. I was swept up in the story from the get go and literally couldn't put the book down. I like to try to work out what happened before the big reveal but the ending in Duplicity had me literally thinking WTF! Great book - possibly should be a film.....
I have a feeling psychological thrillers are my new thing and Sibel is a new author to me. Started off as police detective who done it sort of book but then the duplicity of the title came into play. Loved the police characters - especially DS Carter who ended up like a dog with a bon and wouldn't give up. Not sure what the chances are of meeting your long lost twin on the other side of the world is - but isn't that what books are all about - getting away from the usual and taking you to places and ideas you wouldn't normally go.
Oh. My. Word. This was a great psychological thriller (with elements of being a police procedural) and it blew my socks off. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. I loved the alternating chapters between the current situation, being Max's murder and the chapters dealing with "The Other One", an unnamed child who's suffering incredible abuse and living a horrible life. I knew that the chapters must relate to each other somehow but this really didn't become clear until about half way through the book.
This story was great, the characters were believable and the dialogue was spot on. I sometimes find that authors battle to get dialogue to be realistic. I have, in the past, found myself reading a book and feeling that the dialogue had missed the mark, or I would think to myself "would someone really say that in that situation". In this book, I thought that the dialogue was spot on, from general discussions people were having, to the formal police interviews, it all just seemed right. This was one of the first things that struck me about this book.
But things only got better from there. This author is a class act and she's hit the mark with this book. It's interesting, gripping, contains a number of interview type scenes which I personally love and it's a story where you cannot trust any of the characters that you meet. This is a full speed ride and I definitely recommend it. But trust me, you'll be ignoring chores and letting the dirty dishes pile up once you get started with this one so best you clear your diary for a day or two before you start. Great read, with a great twist that I didn't see coming.
Rating: * * * * *
Publication Date: 27 December 2016
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Format: Ebook / Kindle
Source: ARC through NetGalley. Many thanks to author Sibel Hodge and publishers Thomas and Mercer for my copy. It was my pleasure to read and review this title.
A murder mystery with a difference. I liked that there were no gory bloody murder scenes or descriptions. This is my first book by Hodge, I will have to check out what else she has written.
This was a stellar thriller. Seemingly in love, newlyweds, Max and Alissa return home after their honeymoon and Max is murdered by a house invader. Alissa escapes out a window. Detective Sergeant Carter and "acting" Detective Inspector Wilmott are assigned this case and must make amends with each other to solve the case.
This book was full of great suspense and had a surprising twist at the end. I love a book that can surprise me.
Thank you to Publisher Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
Untouchable is not a happy read.
Maya is the happiest girl alive as she goes to work. She's absolutely distraught by the time she goes to bed as her boyfriend, Jamie, has committed suicide. She has no idea why as she thought they were happy. But we find out Jamie's story and he had the most hideous childhood.
The first part of the book swaps chapters with Maya's now and Jamie's past. Maya's story is one of getting over bereavement and loss. Jamie's story is the tale of his horrendous abuse in an orphanage. The abuse is alluded to, not spelled out, but it's so sad what he and his friends had to go through. Later on the story is about Maya trying to find out just what happened.
With books like this it seems wrong to say "I enjoyed it", but the storytelling was addictive to read. I liked the way the story unfolded and the shocks that were given.
Wow. I need a lie down after this book! I listened to the audio version, which was brilliantly narrated and added colour to Sibel Hodge's amazing writing. I'm a big fan of this author and could not wait to consume this book. I was not disappointed. I loved the characters. They were so fully fleshed out, I felt as if I was listening to a movie, their images and actions were very real in my mind. As for the story, there are so many twists and turns, I was constantly changing my mind as to who the real antagonist was. When I finally settled on someone, Sibel shook things up all over again. I could not stop listening to this book. It went everywhere with me. And the ending - what a roller coaster! For the reviewers who said they had to suspend belief - it's fiction, just go with it. I loved every second and was not thrown out of the story at any point. The author is an amazing storyteller and this is a brilliant book. I could not recommend it more.