This was a brilliant read. As soon as I started reading this book I just knew I was going to love it. Highly recommended

Great story by Mark Edwards, and the first one I have read of his. Great plot, characters and story that kept me turning the pages late into the night!

Mark Edwards certainly knows how to write cracking, gripping psychological thrillers and The Lucky Ones is no exception

The Lucky Ones is one of Mark Edwards’ creepiest yet. When a woman’s body is found with her face posed in a state of pure bliss, the police don’t know what they’re dealing with. As more bodies are found, the police find themselves looking for a serial killer. Ben is a single-father moving on after the breakdown of his marriage. His life seems to be improving and Ben finds himself becoming happier. Little does he know, someone watching him is deliberately trying to make him happy. And once he is at his happiest, he will end up like all the others, with a permanent smile on his face.

The Lucky Ones is a fantastic sinister thriller typical of Mark Edwards. The plot is creepy and teasing enough to keep you on edge throughout. One thing I think Mark Edwards is really good at is teasing the culprit and motive. There are always so many different characters thrown in and they’re always linked to the main characters and each have their own motives and secrets. He gives just enough detail for the truly observant to think they have it figured out and then will throw you a twist that you didn’t see coming.

I’m a big Mark Edwards fan and I was very grateful for the opportunity to read an advance of The Lucky Ones. If you haven’t read one of his books, you should start. And if like me, you’re a loyal fan, add this to your TBR list ASAP!

Thank you to NetGalley, Mark Edwards and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I read The Devil's Work by Mark Edwards and was blown away. It was such a fabulous story. So, I was curious to see how the next book would turn out. I chose to listen to this book at work and I found that was an excellent choice. The narrator Simon Mattacks was great!

There are three parallel POVs in the book. We get to follow single dad Ben Hofland as he tries to bring his life back on track after his wife left him for another man. And old friend of his as it seems which not makes Ben bitter at all. We also got Detective Imogen Evans POV as she tries to catch a killer. And, of course, we have the killers POV. All this makes this book pretty thrilling to read. Trying to figure out who the killer is, while at the same time having a bad feeling for poor Ben and his son Ollie. I mean it's good that life is getting better for Ben. But, in this book is a great life not always a good thing...

I liked how we get to know the next potential victim, I mean Ben, get to follow him and his son Ollie, while a crazed murderer is watching him. What is the killers motive, will Imogen Even figure it out or is Ben doomed? This book is a stand-alone, but I wouldn't mind reading more books with Imogen Evans. She's a tough cop and I quite liked her structured, but lonely life (although there is a hint of a romance in her life towards the end of the book). At the same time, I quite enjoyed getting to know Ben, an ordinary man, who just had the misfortune of getting the attention of a murderer.

This book was great and I'm looking forward to reading more books by Mark Edwards!

Having read a book previously by Mark Edwards and loving it, I was keen to read this one.

Another 5 star book for me, a great thriller with a twist I didn't see coming.

Highly recommended, I can't wait to read more books from this author.

Just when you think Mark Edwards can't improve his writing, he just do..... This was a brilliant novel, and I honestly see the ending coming. Well done, can't wait to read the next one!

Mark Edwards is one of my 'go to' authors. I am always guaranteed a good read with his books. Recommended as ever!

The Lucky Ones leans a bit more towards the crime thriller genre but in saying that there were enough psychological elements, paranoia, tension, red herrings to make this an unsettling but compelling read. Craftily-plotted Mark Edwards has a real talent for telling a story and keeping the reader guessing right to the very last moments which make his novels a joy to read.

The story is told from three POV Detective Imogen Evan’s, Ben and from diary entries of the killer, now sometimes this can make all the difference to a read , when done badly it can make a read seem disjointed and I find my interest tends to wane, But fortunately Mark Edwards manages to do go between the three seamlessly, each characters POV adds intrigue to the tale and heightens the overwhelming sense of foreboding. The author has created characters that are both engaging and very likeable which always heighten my enjoyment of a book.

I was totally immersed in this fast paced story from page one. The action starts right away and never lets up. The suspense was nearly unbearable and made even more so by the fact that I cared about these characters.

Oh Mark Edwards….how you have got me hooked again! An amazing intriguing read. Totally not how I thought it was going to be like. Thoroughly enjoyed it, I am not sure there are any of his books that I haven’t to be honest, and this one did not disappoint.

I love his style of writing and this book just pulls you in slowly, slowly then BANG he hits you with a cracker of a twist or a turn.

This is a story about Ben, who you are routing to be happy from the offset and it looks like finally the troubled dad is set to finally become just that, happy……but at what cost? When there is a serial killer lurking and tension in his village is raised can anyone find out who killer is before it’s too late?

Terrific read, brilliant characters and superb amount of suspense. Go read it!

Many thanks to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and of course the fantastic Mark Edwards for an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest review.

THE LUCKY ONES by author Mark Edwards, is a change from his gritty dark psychological thrillers, to a crime novel/police procedural/ psychological thriller. I feel spoiled have always loved his dark psychological thrillers that screw up your brain, but being the talented writer that he is, he made this combination work. I guess I just favour his dark psychological thrillers.

It was the happiest day of her life. Little did she know it was also the last.

When a woman’s body is found in the grounds of a ruined priory, Detective Imogen Evans realises she is dealing with a serial killer—a killer whose victims appear to die in a state of bliss, eyes open, smiles forever frozen on their faces.

“Her first serial killer, the man the tabloids called the Shropshire Viper, had struck-a snake, fangs, glistening with venom-for the third time.”

A few miles away, single dad Ben Hofland believes his fortunes are changing at last. Forced to move back to the sleepy village where he grew up following the breakdown of his marriage, Ben finally finds work. What’s more, the bullies who have been terrorising his son, Ollie, disappear. For the first time in months, Ben feels lucky.

But he is unaware that someone is watching him and Ollie. Someone who wants nothing but happiness for Ben.

Mark Edwards always makes his characters come alive, and in this novel, I really liked DI Imogen Evans and Ben Hofland and his son Ollie, who have their own baggage and troubled past to overcome.

POV’s alternate between Ben, Imogen, and the killer. I thought I knew where things were headed, but the ending proved me wrong. Pay close attention to the details, and see if you can figure it out. I didn’t…as I was so involved in the characters and following the story.

Highly Recommended!

Many thanks to Mark Edwards, Thomas Mercer and Net Galley for providing a digital ARC for review.

It's no secret that I am bsessed with all of Mark Edward's books, and this new addition did not disappoint! Will definitely recommend.

Mark Edwards does it again. The premise of this book is an intriguing one, but one that works extremely well. The characters are believeable and well written and, as usual with a Mark Edwards book, it keeps you guessing right till the end. This is another book that I will be recommending to a lot of people at work.

Not nearly as dark, twisty or disturbing as per Marks usual writing style yet a solid and gripping read nonetheless. I personally think it's a nice change however I am optimistic he will combine the two elements of horror/suspense along with police/crime thriller rather than separating future books by one or the other of these genres.

I really liked Detective Imogen Evans and remain hopeful that this is the start of a series. She's certainly got something about her to be able to carry her through at least three or four more (please Mark?!) 🙂

While some people find the switch of narrative between different people's points of view frustrating I personally find that it added pace and suspense. In this case, the story is told by (obviously) Imogen, Ben and the killer.

A very solid 4 stars from me!

Thanks to Thomas & Mercer for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Twisted and un-putdownable. Mark Edwards has done it again!

While I really enjoyed this book I can't help but compare it to his other solo ventures. This book just didn't have the same appeal to me as his last couple but was still a very solid read.

Here we have a villain who punishes people if they've been good and also if they've been bad too - there's just no pleasing some people! The killer ensures people are at their most happiest, then they die and Imogen Evans has to work fast to ensure no one else suffers the same fate, so there is much toing and froing across the lovely county of Shropshire. Definitely a thriller, a thriller with lots of suspense to keep everyone gripped. Every time I thought I knew whodunnit, it turns out I didn't. Loved the story and twist at the end. Not a book for a work commute as you might just forget to get off so make sure you have plenty of time because once started, you will want to finish it, with as few interruptions as possible!

This was just an okay read, nothing special. There was enough action to keep it from being boring. It just didn't grab my attention.

Another great read by Mark Edwards, though not as compelling a story as The Magpies.

Bestselling author, Mark Edwards returns following (2016) The Devil’s Work with his latest THE LUCKY ONES a twisty psycho-thriller featuring a serial killer who wants his victims to die happy.

Perfectly happy and ready to die. A killer who tries to make his victims’ lives perfect before he kills them.

Set in Shropshire, we meet a detective, an average man who desires a better life, and a killer. Told from different POV with two parts.

Who will be “The Lucky Ones?” Does he "make" them happy? How does the murderer know what needs fixing in their lives?

Detective Imogen Evans knew bodies were not discovered in picturesque places like this. Her first serial killer, the man the tabloids called the Shropshire Viper had struck –a snake, fangs glistening with venom for the third time.

A killer who likes a little cocktail of morphine to keep his victims smiling.

Ben Holland is newly separated (cheating wife), raising an eleven-year-old son, Ollie on his own. Things are not going well and his finances are strained. His mom has terminal cancer. He is down on his luck. However, soon his luck may change.

The killer is one evil guy (of course Edwards is no stranger to unique twists). The Viper wants his victims to die in bliss. He wants them to die happy. He manipulates their lives and circumstances and turns their life around, to end their life on a good note.

There does not seem to be a link between the victims and DI Inspector Imogen Evans is driven to solve this crime before he strikes next. The Secret of Happy Place. Why does their body turn up in their “happy place?”

Intense! If you are a fan of talented "thriller King", Mark Edwards— you have come to expect gripping, entertaining and a well-crafted twisty plot with characters who come alive on the page.

From suspenseful plotting and solid character development, this complex fast-paced page-turner will keep fans reading into the wee hours of the morning— nothing predictable here!

Top-of-the-line thriller writing with remarkable skill. For fans of Stephen King, Linwood Barclay, Paul Cleave, and Jennifer Hillier. For new readers who enjoy a mix of crime, humor, and psychological— suspense, mystery, horror, and thriller.

If you have not read Follow You Home (2015), highly recommend —one of my favorites! Top Books of 2015.

A special thank you to Thomas & Mercer for an early reading copy.

Also purchased the audiobook narrated by Simon Mattacks for an edge-of-your-seat chilling performance.

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