Member Reviews

Trapped is a multi-perspective addictive hostage thriller, that will have you racing through to the the end, where it finishes with flair!

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So I do believe this is not my first book by this author I can say I enjoyed this book a lot more than the last one I did. It is a fast-paced story and really does keep you on the end of your seat the whole through. Great plot and great writing.

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I would like to thank Harriman House Publishing and the Netgalley website for this partnership.

It features two hardened gang members who are on the run, taking Catherine and her son Black hostage. They were in the wrong place at the wrong time. They're trapped in a van in transit. She's going to do everything she can to save her son with everything she's gone through in her life: miscarriages, cancer, IVF.

I read this book in one go so I hooked into the story so moving, captivating, full of suspense and twists and turns with endearing characters. I can't wait to read more books by this addictive author.

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Such a clever unusual book. A young mother and baby are kidnapped and held hostage, nothing unusual in this plot, but nothing is as it seems. This twisty turny claustrophobic plot takes you on a journey that’s riveting and when you think you’re done you’re only just beginning

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This was another thrilling read by a very talented author! It was well-written, gripping until the end. Highly recommended.

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I read this book in one sitting. The fact that a large chunk of the plot takes place in one location makes for a very tense and claustrophobic read. As for the twists, I didn't see any of it coming and I was floored. This is the second book I've read from Nick and it lived up to my high expectations from the previous read. Can't wait for more!

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Told from the perspective of a dying man and his kidnapped wife, Trapped is a taut, fast paced thriller which ratchets the action up to eleven and doesn't let up until the final, juicy page. Even without the unexpected twists, this would be fun but when you discover what's really going on... Well. Be prepared to pick your jaw up from the floor!

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC without obligation.

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Trapped is a standalone novel from the writer of the DCI Gillard series of which there are two available, The Body In The Marsh, The Body On The Shore, and The Body In The Mist is out in May. I really enjoyed Nick's previous books so was very much looking forward to reading this one. I wasn't disappointed! Trapped starts with a happy family - father, mother, long-wished-for son - but by the end of the day, nothing will ever be the same.

Catherine is kidnapped, along with her son Ethan, after witnessing something so horrific that it will stay with her for the rest of her days. Hopefully, Ethan, who is not quite one yet, will never remember the bloodshed or the horror he's about to witness. Used as hostages by two desperate criminals in Manchester, Trapped is essentially a story about surviving the most nightmarish situation you can imagine yourself in, magnified intensely as all you're worried about is the fact that your baby is with you, and the kidnappers seem to have no patience with him.

What follows is a breath-holding, heart-stopping story of abduction, of being stuck in the back of a van with two violent men armed with guns and knives, and what you have to do to survive. Nick Louth has written a truly original crime story, it's unlike anything I've ever read anyway, and the title is incredibly clever - especially once the final chapters unfold, and the spectacular sting in the tale is revealed. There are some truly splendid twists and turns in Trapped, most of which I guessed at until the very last moment. If you're looking for something different to read in the UK crime genre, and you're open to more unusual storylines then please read Trapped, and let me know what you think! Nick Louth is improving with every book, and I can't wait to read The Body In The Mist later this year.

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Not entirely what I expected.....it took me some time to get used to the format, in fact I nearly gave up. Then I read some earlier published reviews and decided to persevere and I am glad I did. Generally I like Nick Louth books but this departure is not my favourite. I did like the concept and the twists. Without giving the story line away, it all made sense in the end.
Thanks NetGalley for the chance to read this in exchange for my review.

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This really is an adrenalin packed story. It is fast paced and very tense when Catherine and her one year old son end up hostages to two desperate criminals. I got a tension headache reading it!
The story is a narrative of the situation and all the stress and anxiety that this mother goes through in trying to protect her child and appease two violent and unpredictable men is quite palpable.
There are a couple of twists toward the end of the book, the second step I think went one too far and to me detracted from the story.
A great story. Thank you Canelo and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this novel.

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It’s difficult to write a review of a book like Trapped without giving away any spoilers, but I’m going to try my hardest.

The majority of Trapped is narrated by Catherine’s husband, Geoffrey. I was hooked by the writing style instantly because it’s very similar to The Innocent’s Story by Nicky Singer, which is one of my favourite books.

Geoffrey is fatally struck by the kidnappers’ vehicle as they take his wife and child, giving him the ability to move freely between the minds of each of the characters. This allows the audience to have a behind the scenes look at the thoughts and motivations of each of the kidnappers and Catherine herself, but also lets us look into the minds of the hardworking police officers and siege negotiators who strive for a peaceful end to the confrontation.

Nick Louth has obviously researched the subject extremely thoroughly, with the attention to detail completely absorbing you into the story and making you feel as though you’re watching the events play out on a live news broadcast.

However, a twist towards the end of the story dampened my satisfaction of the book. It felt like a neat and well-crafted thriller, but the second half of the story causes the events to unravel slightly, and no matter how much explanation is weaved through the book it still feels as though there are a few holes in the story. That’s the only reason I didn’t give Trapped five stars, deciding instead to give it four. I can’t go into my specific reasons for that without giving everything away, so I’d recommend you pick up a copy and find out for yourself what I mean!

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Set in Manchester, the story really centres around Catherine Blake, wife to Geoff and mother to young baby Ethan. While Geoff is shopping for supplies for a Kurdish meal, Catherine is outside in the car with Ethan……then all hell breaks out….

Two members of the Moss Side Mafia need a car in a hurry, so they jump in Catherine’s and take off with her and baby Ethan still inside….Geoff runs after them in a desperate panic…..but this ends badly.

What follows is one of the most intense, non-stop tension and violence filled tales I’ve ever read……my heart was in my mouth at times and I felt Catherine’s fear…..every sweaty palmed moment of it. What would you do to keep your precious baby safe when surrounded by such viciousness…?

Nick Louth’s powerful, descriptive and emotion filled writing brings this to tension filled life in a totally gripping, surprising and heart wrenching tale. I loved every minute…….

Thank you to Canelo and Netgalley for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the ebook in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.

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From the first page, this suspenseful thriller is intriguing.

Primarily told from Catherine's husband's point of view. He assumes the role of the story's narrator, a unique and unusual role in this type of thriller. His insight is uncanny and the reader has to accept this until the pieces of the puzzle start to reveal themselves. When it becomes clear why he has this unusual insight into her thoughts, it's probably not what you think, and so becomes a more compelling viewpoint.

Catherine is in a nightmare scenario and as the story unfolds you can understand what motivates her behaviour. Like me, you may wonder what you would do in the same situation. Catherine's husband's admiration of her is apparent throughout. She is a clever, driven character, who has fought to bring her child into the world and will never relinquish him. You empathise with her strongly but then, as you think it's all over, it isn't.

Gangland crime is at the heart of this plot but there are no stereotypes, the antagonists are believable and have no redeeming features, you are very much on the side of Catherine and Ethan her innocent child.

The twist is masterful and unexpected and makes the final chapters of the story enthralling.

Contemporary crime, authentic police procedures, and an intense, original plot, make 'Trapped' one of my favourite thrillers this year.

I received a copy of this book from Canelo via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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I really enjoyed the writing style of this book. Fast paced & amazing twist. I look forward to reading more by this author & would highly recommend this book.

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Fantastic read. Breathtaking plot. I couldn't read the words in this book quick enough to discover the outcome. A gripping thriller that I would highly recommend.

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Trapped is the first book that I have read by Nick Louth and it is an excellent thriller with many twists.

Mainly told from one person's point of view not everything you read quite adds up and even then the multiple twists at the end only add

Overall this book kept me engaged throughout and is thoroughly recommended

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This is a full of suspense and gritty thriller. The ending is not what I was expecting at all. Very cleverly written and cleverly thought out.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

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I have come to rely on Nick Louth to provide me with action-packed page-turners that also encompass many topical issues and have an intelligent side to them, unlike countless mindless thrillers out there seemingly written to be fun and lighthearted, but I prefer mine to be didactic; if an author can produce a compelling, thrilling novel and also give a nod to timely issues then I'm a surefire fan. Louth is one such special talent. Anyone who has enjoyed a Louth novel in the past will find more of his trademark concoction here and so much to love, but I have no doubt that this book will bring new fans into the fold too.

Immersive writing, engaging, multi-faceted characters and a stellar plot to boot. This book, in particular, has a strong gangland vibe to it and highlights succinctly some of the trials and tribulations parents would be prepared to go through to save their child from a fate worse than death. What more could you ask for?

Many thanks to Canelo for an ARC.

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Read this in one sitting, I enjoyed how it was told from a completely different angle, Nick's writing kept me on the edge of my seat throughout and it was a roller coaster of a read.

I particularly liked that it is about Manchester as a lot of the references to different parts of the area were familiar to me.

I can thoroughly recommend this book and I look forward to reading more from Nick.

Thank you to Netgalley and Canelo for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

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Well for a start, I really enjoyed the completely different angle of this book and how it was written. What a breath of fresh air to the usual crime thriller.
Nick's writing was on point and very well written. I loved the way the characters interacted with each other and you can't help but feel for Catherine..
I had to force myself to put the book down so I could carry on with life, as this book completely enthralled me and I found myself groaning when the chapter ended as I needed to know more.
A very bravely written book, some will like it, some not. I thought that it was BRILLIANT!

Thanks to Netgalley, Nick Louth and Canelo for the opportunity to read and review this book.

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