Late one evening as Elliott Whiston is returning from a quick shopping trip he is approached by a young woman, Rebecca, asking if she can walk with him as she is being followed by an ex-boyfriend who refuses to accept their relationship is over. Elliott's good deed turns in to a nightmare as the ex-boyfriend, Darren, refuses to accept Elliott's version of events and threatens violence unless he helps Darren find Rebecca.

This is one of those adrenaline fuelled, read in one sitting books that grips you and refuses to let go until the end. The opening chapter is full of creepiness, black humour and has a shocking ending. It's hard to believe that this is only a prelude to the even more shocking events that play out in the rest of One Good Deed.

Main character, Elliott, is mild and unassuming. He leads a lonely existence, having missed the opportunity to go to university because he looked after his ailing mother. He's now in a rut, questioning his life. The chance to help a "damsel in distress" gives him the occasion to play hero for a brief time. Little does Elliott realise the consequences of his actions. Even when things start to unravel he still believes in doing the right thing.

As events spiral out of control we learn more about Rebecca and Darren. Darren is controlling, refusing to accept anything other than his own view of events. Initially Rebecca comes across as a character you have a lot of sympathy for, particularly after one scene in particular where she meets Darren. However, as the story progresses you lose all sympathy for her and begin to wonder if this is all some strange game of cat and mouse with Elliott as the poor, helpless creature stuck in the middle.

Threats soon escalate in to violence as Darren's demands become more extreme. It becomes a race against time, leading to a conclusion that is brutal. It really does make you wonder if you should ever do a simple good deed for a stranger.

Elliott Whiston is a likeable, kind man who lives a quiet life between managing a charity shop and caring for his much loved cat Bill. One evening, a trip to the corner shop for emergency cat food, brings Elliott and Rebecca together as she asks for his help. As he is a real gent, he plays his part of Good Samaritan to perfection to help a damsel in distress. These two are so completely different, light years apart and yet fate brings them together. She asks him to lie for her if the need arises and he agrees. Little does he know what he’s let himself in for, even in his wildest dreams he never imagines this.

The novel has a very strong start which gives you some idea of what you are in for. Elliot is such a contrast to the other characters who appear with the exception of Heidi Liu, who proves to be a real friend. Some of the dialogue between these two especially at the start provides some welcome light relief from the chaos, violence and danger that is unleashed. This is a really good thriller, the pace is fast, the circumstances chop, and change, the tension is frequently at a high level so it keeps you reading on, glued to what develops. Short, sharp sentences highlight the dangers and none of the chapters are over long and so it flows well, keeping you invested in the plot.

Overall, you root for Elliot throughout as your jaw drops at what the poor guy endures. If only he’d known…

With thanks to NetGalley, and especially to Serpents Tail/Viper/Profile Books for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

What can I say? This was sheer perfection and what other thrillers aspire to be! It had me guessing from start to finish and I don't regret losing sleep to keep on reading!

The plot seems really basic but the more you read, the more nothing is as it seems. The premise and the characters are all just so realistic that it puts the reader right in the middle of these events and you can picture it all so vividly.

The writing flows so naturally and impossible not to get lost in the story. The characters are so very human and relatable. Noone is making stupid decisions purely so that drama happens, noone is off on some ridiculous crusade, these are very normal people living very normal lives until.......

A must read