A chilling book. Set over three hours of a school siege. The book follows the teachers, children and parents. Unlike most books of this kind it is set in the UK and brings home to us what could happen at any one of our school.
Well written and fast paced. Sure to be a hit.

I’m convinced this will be one of the books of 2020. It tells the story over three hours of a school siege and shooting, set in an in independent school in South West England.

At the start nobody has any clue who the shooters are and why they are there. Slowly the story is unpicked in such a skillful manner. We see the impact on those inside the school, those trying to save them and those waiting for them. It’s an absolute page turner and one that will really make you think. I read it in one sitting. It will stay with me for a long time.

Wow, what a absolutely fantastic read. I haven't read any other books by Rosamund other than Sister but I was already super excited to get this one started and it didn't disappoint. I couldn't put it down until I'd finished and it was worth it. I felt like I was at Cliff Heights School on the day of the attack, in the command centre, the theatre, the library. I cannot tell you how well this book written, but I was honestly there and crying at the end. I'd recommend this book to everyone!

Unquestionably 5 stars for Three Hours by Rosamund Lupton. This is a gripping, edge-of-your-seat drama from start to finish, with absolutely fantastic characters in a hugely dramatic situation. So much research clearly went into this, making it a collection of rich threads which come together to make a satisfying whole.

I'm really, really impressed with this and think Lupton is an incredible writer. I'll definitely be seeking out more of her novels in future. Highly recommended.

I have ummed and ahhed about this review. Not just what I want to put in it, but whether I should write it at all. Not because I didn't enjoy the book, because I did, and not because I don't think that it's beautifully and very skilfully written, because it is. I'm just not sure if I am entirely the right audience for a book which draws heavily upon the internal fears of every parent - the possibility that they may lose a child.

I am not a parent. Never will be. It's not in my genetic make up. That lack of maternal instinct has meant that I likely read this book in a very different way to most of my fellow bloggers. I read this as a voyeur first, the kind of person who might see the subject of a school siege on the news and think 'how awful' before moving on with my day, as opposed to those who would sit there and think 'that could be my child' who will have an entirely different emotional reaction to what they see, or in this case read, than I would. I have nephews and nieces and I would be devastated if anything were to happen to them, but it's not quite the same thing. And so rather than becoming emotionally invested or immersed in this book in the way a parent would, I was an outsider looking.

And yet ... Rosamund Lupton has done an absolutely stunning job here. She has created an atmosphere and a tension in this book that draws you in as a reader. Not in a necessarily ghoulish or voyeuristic way, but by giving you just enough of a bit of each of the most relevant characters to engage you. To make you care about them and their fates, be it one of the students caught up in the school, the Detective trying to get to the bottom of who is behind the siege, or the parent waiting and praying desperately to hear good news about their child. There is such dramatic tension in each page that you feel compelled to read on but not because you want to hear something awful has happened, because you are hoping it won't.

The characters in this book are diverse, a reflection of the kind of school in which the action is set. A liberal college which embraces diversity - exactly the kind of target you might expect for those who are against diversity in any form. It is a timely story, not because we are necessarily overrun with school sieges - thank god - but because of the growing sense of hatred that is prevalent in our modern society, something which is brought out in the narrative perfectly. For every act of tolerance and inclusion there is a counter, and in this case it is taking its most extreme form.

The are moments of high tension, moments that will make you hold your breath and pause, waiting to see if all will be okay. There is also a strong sense of family, of faith and of hope, in spite of everything. For some, their worlds will be torn apart by those three hours, for others, it will mark a change but one which is for the better. The constant use of Macbeth throughout as a dramatic device, the play that the children are rehearsing at the time of the siege, is very clever and serves to highlight the very nature of evil and darkness, allowing the children to make sense of the carnage in their own way.

The imagery is stark, putting readers at the heart of the action and letting them feel the chill of the snow as it falls all around them, adding another layer of jeopardy to an already impossible situation. The final third of the book is so tense, the pacing increasing with every page turn, that I was glued to the page to the end.

I loved the characters of Rafi and Basi, how the author drew upon their backstory of fleeing Syria. It has a heavy part to play in the story, but the strength and bond between the two brothers who have already lost everything apart from each other, is both heartwarming and thought provoking, forcing you to think about what sacrifices you might make for family. Family is definitely a strong theme in this book and the fragility of those bonds, even genetic ones, are shown in dramatic style.

This is a beautifully written book, rich in language and symbolism. The styling may throw some, the narrative moving between characters without warning, capturing all of them in that brief moment in time that makes up those critical three hours. But is is an important book in that it holds up the sense of love against the feeling of hate and gives us hope that love is the stronger emotion, despite everything you might see and hear these days. So whilst my journey in reading this book may not have been the same as that which parents would take, i still recognise this book for the brilliant piece of literature that it is, one that will make you want to hold your loved ones that little bit closer.

This very rarely happens to me but having just finished this wonderful book, I am almost at a loss for words. I don’t think anything I can say will express just how good this book is or how deeply it has affected me. There were times when I was reading that my heart was beating so fast I swear I could hear it, times that I was dreading reading on for fear of what might be revealed but all the time I was unable to stop reading, pushing forward and praying for everyone.

The story is set in an independent school on Somerset which caters for children both primary and secondary age. The school is set in sprawling grounds with separate areas for the Junior School, the Old School, the New School and the Arts. One unassuming day, the school is infiltrated by gunmen and it’s a battle for survival. Told from the perspective of some of the children, teachers, a parent and a Police officer this book is like no other I have ever read. You can almost taste the fear on every page and the battle for survival.

This is the first book of this author’s I have ever read and I can’t wait to read more. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced read copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Wow, what an emotional roller coaster this read is. It’s an horrific tale of a school shooting which should be horrible but it’s written so cleverly that you can’t help but be drawn in and keep reading. Likeable, believable characters from the school children, teachers, police and parents. Storyline told from multiple perspectives and with a great deal of current political reference. Highly recommend.

Not my usual genre but WOW what a read. Imagine a rural English school is under siege. This is the story of those three hours. From the explosion, the gunshots and finally the conclusion. The story is told by all those who were involved in this dramatic event. From the pupils who are trapped in the school and the teachers who are trying to keep them safe. The parents who are waiting to hold their sons and daughters or hear the latest news. The gunmen who are stalking the corridors and finally we have the media. This is powerful, heartbraking and gripping reading at its best. There is also a lesson to learn from this story. How have we become so blade, judgmental and so gullible when it comes to the media? This book will stay with me long after I have turned the last page. An easy five stars and so Highly Recommended.
I would like to thank the author, publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in return for giving an honest review.

I have loved previous books by Rosamund Lupton and was so excited to get into this. I received the advanced copy a while ago but wanted to wait until near publication before reading it. It’s the kind of book that you just want to binge as you can’t stop thinking about it.

I loved the multiple narrators as it gives you a sense of what is going on in various places during the school shooting/attack. The police woman/forensic psychologist who is trying to get in the mind of the perpetrators, the headmaster, the kids in the theatre, the kids in the library, some of the parents and the two refugee siblings new to the school. Crucially, I loved that we didn’t get the perspective of the attackers as that could ‘glamourise’ their actions and develop empathy for them when it should be all about the victims. I did find the revelation about one attacker a little predictable, and had guessed it way in advance, but it did not affect my enjoyment of the book or the tension that built.

I felt such empathy and involvement in the plight of Basi and Rafi, the two refugee siblings, and I loved that the book was so relevant and contemporary in terms of the current world situation regarding refugees, attitudes to them and how it is impacting on society. The inclusion of Tweets and other social media made the book feel so timely and authentic. Particularly the use of Trump Tweets and news headlines that have contributed towards the events happening in the book. It was actually quite shocking in ways I had not expected and Lupton should be praised for tackling such a difficult topic and doing so in a thought provoking way.

As I was reading it, I increasingly felt like this is an important book to read as it shines a spotlight onto some of the most worrying things in our society today and delves into the reasons behind them.

There are some surprising twists and turns towards the end that I did not anticipate and they kept the tension high.

I will be recommending this book to many friends and family.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publishers for this advanced readers copy.

The most beautiful, profound and moving book I’ve read in such a long time, Three Hours is a masterclass in literature.

I felt every moment of the story, blending all manner of important issues from radicalisation and refugees to everyday courage and Shakespeare, alongside tense plotting and well-drawn characters. There were moments, particularly as I raced toward the end, which caused genuine gasping sobs.

Three Hours should be top of your TBR pile for 2020, I swear that you won’t regret it.

I was sent a copy of Three Hours by Rosamund Lupton to read and review by NetGalley.
What a fabulous book! Totally compelling, thrilling and emotional, this novel deserves the highest praise. Really well written, seamlessly moving between the scenarios and keeping you reading on and on. There wasn’t a moment where I wished the chapter/episode would move on to another more interesting one – the whole book was utterly engrossing! Sensitive and insightful I personally consider this a ‘must read’.

A very interesting story as I live in the UK and what happens in the book it’s not quite a monthly occurrence as in the states but very on point and remarkably telling. Everyone has a voice here, from the shooters to the victims and even us, the readers can get a say in how much a news story like this can make a preconception view oF a similar situation in our mind.

Thanks to NetGalley and The Publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a story about a school shooting in rural Somerset, UK, which is somewhat surreal, but the story telling is anything but. we are led through the thoughts, feeling and actions of all of those caught up in this terrible tragedy - victims and attackers - from the very first shots ringing out, to its conclusion, 3 hours later,

I'm a big fan Rosamund Lupton and this didn't disappoint. As always, well researched, thought provoking and atmospheric. I really enjoyed the multiple narrations and the story being built up in layers and layers, with each voice giving another bit of the puzzle.

This is a very timely story and does a good job at making us question our assumptions and prejudices, but also how the media we consume can fuel unjust hatred. I highly recommend this

I was given a copy of Three Hours by Rosalind Lupton in exchange for an honest review. I have read other books by the same author which I have always enjoyed.

This book is about a school which is attacked by gunmen. At the beginning the headmaster is shot and the children hide in different areas of the school. The story is told from many different people, those hiding in the theatre, a mother, the detective and a ýoung migrant who goes to the school. At first I found it confusing until I got to know the characters. The book is told over three hours.
It's an interesting story, especially when you get to some of the themes which are addressed at the end of the story. A good book

Wow, I haven't read a book so fast in ages, I really couldn't put this one down. Equally uplifting and disturbing, the balance is just right to make sure you don't totally despair at the horror of the events as they unfold. As a parent of teenage boys I found some of this totally terrifying but also recognised how amazingly resilient, brave and inventive they can be.
Highly recommend! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is an extraordinary novel and I feel like any review I write can’t possible capture the essence of the experience of reading it. Start to finish it took me two weeks and that’s because I was fearful of what might be coming and was only reading in short bursts. The rural setting and blizzard conditions add to the tension and sense of isolation as the characters live out the three hours of the siege. It’s a tense, emotional tale and a great illustration of the power of love. A masterpiece of plotting and most highly recommended.

So it's taken me a week after finishing this book to feel ready to give my feedback.

At first I found the story quite confusing and difficult to follow, and I struggled to keep up with the changing voices and time settings, it all seemed very chaotic. Upon thinking about this for a little while though it dawned on me.....that's exactly the point isn't it? In a school shooting situation chaos is exactly what would ensue. The confusion I was feeling when trying to follow the plot is exactly what I would be feeling if I was ever in that situation!

I did like the fact that the shooters identities were revealed mid way through the book, rather than right at the end as is often the case. This allowed us to be given an insight into the backstories of the individuals, rather than it being a hurried conclusion.

Overall a solid 4 star read for me, that I would recommend to others.

Thank you to NetGalley, Rosamund Lupton and Penguin Random House Publishers for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This review will contain some spoilers.
I’m going to start by saying that I loved this book. Three Hours is a book about a school shooting, This is a book about hate. It is set in a small liberal school in Somerset on a snowy day and takes place over the three hours of the shooting. I found it initially confusing as it throws you in at 09:16AM immediately after the headteacher is shot. It then back tracks an hour in the lead up to the events. The opening is chaotic and confusing but I imagine that this is the point, it is the same sensation as turning on the news and hearing that something awful has happened. It is told from multiple viewpoints; the headmaster, Hannah who is a sixthformer being held to ransom in the library, the students trapped in the theatre whilst doing a dress rehearsal for Macbeth, Beth, the parent of a missing student, Rosa, the police psychologist and finally Rafi who is a Syrian refugee. The book unfolds throughout these multiple viewpoints over the three hours weaving a complex plot. Initially it is believed that it is a terrorist attack by Isis but it becomes apparent that this is a terrorist attack from white supremacists. There is a moment of horror towards the end of the book where the twitter account of the terrorists starts retweeting Donald Trump’s hate tweets towards Islam and you realise that this book has the very scary potential to become true.
Towards the end of the book my heart was in my mouth and I cared deeply about the characters. This is an intelligently written, complex and emotional book that I would strongly recommend to everyone.

I enjoyed this book. But for some reason I cant quite put my finger on why. It kept me reading although I didnt feel completely hooked. I found it quite confusing with how it jumped between characters and not specifying who's point of view the story was from.

I have literally just finished reading this book, I am sat here my heart is pounding, and a single tear runs down my cheek, what a read, despite this not being out until the beginning of January I have to put it in my top reads of 2019. This is most definitely a book to look out for early 2020.

Gripping, engrossing, thrilling, heart pounding, exhilarating, terrifying.

When the pupils of Cliff Heights School arrive for their daily lessons little did they know that the next three hours, 180 minutes or 10,800 seconds. Would possibly be the longest three hours of the pupils lives, the most scariest, and life changing.

When their school is under siege, the headmaster Matthew Marr is injured and two pupils Hannah and David who have undergone first aid are battling to do what they can to save him, until emergency services can get to him. The pupils are in several different locations, with a gunman walking up and down a corridor outside where some of them are situated, another one in the woods outside, but is there a third one? With snow falling, the weather is hampering a rescue.

Rafi Bukhari and his younger brother are refugees from Syria the headmaster has brought them to Somerset, and they are with a good foster family and have just settled into school life, after seeing atrocities in their young lives that no one should have to see, there are flashbacks given in the story as to what they went through to escape Syria, to get to the UK. Never to see their parents again.

Beth Alton is desperate to find where her son is, as he is not in any of the places the other pupils are, she goes over everything they have been through over the previous few months, from being bullied, to finding and reading his diary. She desperately keeps calling Jamie’s mobile wondering if he is dead or alive.

Det Inspector Rose Polstein is in charge of trying to work out who and why the school is being attacked and by who, she is a Forensic Psychologist assigned to her are three officers she has never worked with DS Thandie Simmonds, DS Amal Ayari, and DC George Hail they have their work cut out trying to find out any information they can, anyone with a grudge, ex employee’s or ex pupils from the school.

Simon Letwynd Bronze Commander in charge of the armed men on the ground, once the know what they are dealing with, relying on information gathered by DI Polstein.

The parents all anxiously waiting for news about their children, all sitting in a hall together, sometimes silent, sometimes trying to guess who is to blame.

How brave can some people be when under this situation?

This book literally grabs you from the first page until that last word literally, if you buy one book in 2o20 I highly recommend this one you will not be disappointed. The characters are all relatable, likeable, except for the ones responsible for the siege of course. A read of the times we live in, with racial tension, political uproar, social media.