Member Reviews
This is a standalone psychological thriller by author Shalini Boland. I only discovered the this authors books relatively recently but I really enjoy her style of writing and have quickly caught up with virtually all her previous novels.
This is a really good psychological thriller, you know the type where you are swept along into the novel lots of suspense, intrigue and unknown elements but not a lot of details to tell friends about when discussing your latest read. The novel builds and builds to a heart thumping finale. Excellent fast moving read with some very good characters and an intriguing plot.
The novel starts with the lead character Mia James been washed up on a beach, she has no idea who she is or what happened to her. She doesn’t even recognise her own face in the reflection in the mirror. Her memory is non existent and when a man comes forward claiming to be her boyfriend and providing her with an identity it all new to her. Is this man who he say's he is, is she really Mia James.
Mia leaves hospital and tries to resume her life adjusting to the ways of her life before the accident. She begins to delve into her background and discovers things are not as they should be, people are lying to her, is there something she needs to remember.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Bookouture for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Fun thrilling read but wasn't expecting it to be so short! Not a lot of suspense but it worked well how it was written. Would be a stronger rating but wasn't a fan of the last 20%.
This was a rather routine amnesia story. A nice little twist at the end that was good. A fun read but not filled with a lot of suspense.
The Girl From The Sea by Shalini Boland is a thoroughly compulsive read that ticks all of the boxes for everything that I look for in a great thriller Utterly addictive from the first page, and told from the perspective of an unreliable, amnesiac narrator, this is one fun ride.
A woman washes up on a Bournemouth beach with no recollection of how she has come to be there or, indeed, who she is. Following a public plea by police, boyfriend Piers turns up to claim her, providing an identity, Mia James. Mia is diagnosed with retrograde amnesia caused by a psychological trauma, and must struggle to piece together her life before the accident, never knowing who she can trust. As the secrets of those who are closest to Mia begin to emerge, she becomes increasingy fearful of those who surround her.
This is a gripping mystery that I could not put down. I was immediately intrigued by Mia's plight, and needed answers almost as desperately as Mia herself. The plot was fast-paced, and raced toward an explosive and shocking climax that I did not see coming. I cannot wait to read more from this author, and am adding her books to my 'to be read' list immediately.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this fabulous ARC.
A really enjoyable thriller. A quick read, The Girl from the Sea centres around Mia, found washed up on the beach with no memory of who she is or how she got there. She is "claimed" at the hospital by her boyfriend Piers and attempts over the following few weeks to piece her life back together. It is fast moving, tense and has a twist I don't think anyone would see coming. My first Shalini Boland but definitely not my last 4/5
***Spolier Alert***
I hate to give this 4 stars because I absolutely loved it, until the second murder attempt. I felt like the switch in Jack came on too suddenly and then all the sudden, he's throwing her into the ocean, weighted down by a chain, but miraculously, she survives because the police have set up boats and a helicopter, with divers. It could have been more believable had they stopped him before he threw her into the ocean but the fact that he didn't notice the helicopter or any of the boats before pushing her in and then magically having those things so close that they're able to swoop in and unchain her in the dark ocean and bring her back to the surface before she dies is just too unbelievable.
I did, however, enjoy the twist between the Mia we learn to love in book with the real Mia of the last few chapters and everyone's memories of her. She was already an unreliable narrator because of her amnesia, but then we also find out that she isn't the sweet girl who just wants a quiet life from now on either.
Overall, this was a great story, I just couldn't get over the unrealistic second murder attempt. I loved how it went from what should have been an encounter, to a murder and what could have been a he said/she said to the police. I like that Mia was that manipulative to Jack and that he went along with it, until the last second, when he tried to kill her, too. I'll definitely be recommending this, but wish the ending was just a little bit different.
The Girl From the Sea had me hooked immediately. Wondering what happened to the woman who washed up on the beach with no memory of who she was or what happened to her provided the right amount of intrigue and suspense to start the story. I read a lot of thrillers and can usually pick out the “bad guy” pretty quickly but this one kept me wondering longer. The twist at the end provided a satisfying ending. My only hold up with the book is it felt like we were being told more what was happening than being shown and experiencing it. I would have liked more dialogue between characters.
This was fantastic...gripping from the start. Mia is found washed up on the beach after a boating accident. Suffering with amnesia ,she had no idea who she is or where she has come from. Her boyfriend,Piers has declared her a missing person and eventually they are reunited.
Mia discovers that not only does she have a gorgeous boyfriend, but she had a stunning home and lots of money,a perfect life.
But things don't feel right with Piers and her only friend seems to be Jack,from her rowing club.
As she recovers for the accident she begins to have strange hallucinations...maybe the accident wasn't an accident.
I got to the big twist just as many train pulled in set the station...you have no idea how much I wanted to stay on the train!
Loved this book and I'm fast becoming a huge fan of Shalini Boland. Thanks Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book this is my honest opinion
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Memory loss story with an extremely annoying heroine - since she narrated the whole thing, I found it very difficult to care about what happened to her. The general writing was okay, but the dialogue was weak and trite. I found the story predictable and the twists obvious. The story needed more mystery, more oomph, more "what the heck is going on here"? It especially needed more evolution. Instead, it felt flat to me, and the end seemed rushed or unresolved.
Goodreads review here (direct link not possible): https://www.goodreads.com/review/edit/30333569
Another fantastic psychological thriller from Shalini Boland!
Mia is discovered on a deserted beach unable to remember anything including who she is. We slowly get to know those around her while she desperately struggles to remember. When snippets of the past begin to return, Mia experiences paralyzing fear and no one around her seems to be who they appear to be. Then the story completely twists back on itself in a stunning conclusion.
This was really easy to read and I really enjoyed It far to short though , I came to the end too soon . When Mia is found on a beach by a passer by she has no memory of who she is or indeed what has happened to her . Her boyfriend comes to the hospital , she has no memory of him or her life . When we find out that she was quite wealthy the suspects come thick and fast . I would have liked more of the story to involve her mum and sister as I feel that was glossed over and not revisited . That being said it was a fast paced , easy read and I loved it . 5 stars