I received a copy of this book via netgalley. This book tells the story of a troubled woman in three parts 1) current day, which is a crime scene at what we later discover is the woman’s home 2) the past when the woman met her husband 3) more recent events prior to current day where the woman questions her relationship.
This book was a bit of a mixed bag for me. I struggled through the first half and even after when the action finally sped up, it still didn’t draw me in. I can’t really put my finger on why as the author writes well. I did not care for the jumping between the three timelines but I am sure it would appeal to some readers. I think it may just be that I didn’t like the protagonist and couldn’t identify with her at all. This is probably just a personal quirk. I’m grateful for the opportunity to read the book but wouldn’t necessarily recommend it.

This book unfortunately was disappointing in parts, it is a shame it was the main theme where this was most apparent.

It is clear that the author has done a lot of research, not only into the different places the main characters visit or live but also the traumatic effects of being in volatile locations continually.

It is well written but there was nothing new in the storyline of the 'day of the killing' which given the detail in the flashback scenes was a real shame.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this novel thanks to Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review and wish I could recommend it more highly.

A great read, edge of the seat psychological thriller, what an ending! Read in one setting. Highly recommended.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. Wow what a great read and a great beginning with the 911 call. I would highly recommend this book to all other thriller readers.

Some spoilers hinted at ....Enjoyable novel ,good read .Like others I enjoyed the exploration of other city’s ,I cd picture the travelling bk and forth to see one another and was invested in their friendship ,the two women’s .
Ian is complex and as u wd expect in some ways of man who’s been at war ,short fused frustrated and obsessed with the threat of danger.
I am not going to say much more but I did think ooh is there more to this and then felt deflated in the middle an nearing the end as seemed to be a straightforward domestic piece but was pleased there was indeed more to it ,most may guess the ending and the title I sense gives it away ,so I dont really need to say spoiler alert .
Though I was pleased somehow it felt flat and I wd have liked a bit more ahhhh moments as in the chronology of when our character decided wat they do and wat triggered that ,though I suspect it was freedom and resentment of not having wat was promised though I wd have if I was her seen the signs and thought nope I go to therapy first mate ,but when we are in love we’ll hey we can be blind me included
I would look at this writer again and she did take us on a journey that not only was for the characters but also a geographical sense too .
Thanks a lot netgalley and publishers ! 😀

Absolutely loved this book could not put this down one of the best books I’ve read this year absolutely loved it. What an ending! Would highly recommend this book to everyone.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the ARC.
This was a fascinating read. The story unfolds through three timelines: the Day of the Killing when the police investigation begins, the individual ten weeks prior to that day as Maddie tries to overcome anxiety attacks through writing therapy, and 2001 when Maddie, who is working in Bulgaria, makes several visits to her best friend Jo who is an aid worker in Macedonia.
Through Jo, Maddie meets Ian, a soldier at the time but working as a body guard. The writing really captivates the atmosphere of the Balkans at that time, the inherent risks to travellers, the refugee crises and warring factions as well as the beauty of the towns and countryside. Add-in Ian's PTSD and his bi-polar ex-girlfriend/stalker and Jo's secrets she keeps from Maddie, you have a clever, complex plot developing when, nine years later Ian and Maddie meet again in the U.S. A couple of years later, Ian is working abroad and best-friend Jo is visiting...........so who got killed??? Read the book, it's worth it, because it doesn't finish there!

I thought I had this one sussed out in terms of what would happen!! In reality I was so far from that, it was unbelievable!!

Great read that keeps you guessing. Covers complex friendships, relationships and how ptsd effects relationships and behaviour. Will be looking for more books by Annie Ward. Very impressed. Thank you.

Well this was just a corker of a book! Wow just wow! I devoured it, it’s that good! Clear a space in your diary as you won’t be able to put this one down.