One of the Good Guys is a compelling novel. Cole has recently uprooted his life to live in a vacant sea-side landscape when he meets Lenora, who has also recently rented a nearby cottage. As they are getting to know one another, two women who are participating in a charity walk to raise awareness of violence against women go missing. What follows next is an exploration of the depths of the way women feel, live with, and process fear on a daily basis and the fragility of men who don’t (or can’t) comprehend it. Or worse, they cause it in the first place.

This is not your typical mystery novel and, for me, that was a good thing. It made me think about the genre and the real-life implications of our fascination with violence against women stories. I suspect that many readers will find themselves uncomfortable after reading the book. Maybe, just maybe, that’s the point.

"One of the Good Guys" by Araminta Hall is a twisty psychological thriller that explores themes of gender, power, and media scrutiny. The story follows Cole, who, newly separated from his wife, seeks a fresh start in the countryside. He takes on a job as a wildlife ranger and finds solace in his seaside cottage. His peaceful retreat takes a turn when he meets Leonora, a reclusive artist living next door, and they form a connection.

However, their tranquil existence is disrupted when two young women activists, who were raising awareness about gendered violence, go missing while passing through the area. Cole and Leonora find themselves drawn into a police investigation and media frenzy. As the world learns about the disappearance, tension rises, and Cole and Leonora realize they may not know each other as well as they thought.

The novel is described as a propulsive page-turner with razor-sharp sociopolitical insight. It delves into the complexities of relationships, societal expectations, and the impact of media scrutiny. The central question posed by the book is intriguing: If most men claim to be good, why are most women still afraid to walk home?

Readers are likely to be engaged by the suspenseful plot, the exploration of contemporary social issues, and the psychological depth of the characters.

The book starts with Cole Simmonds moving from London to East Sussex to begin his life after a failed marriage to Mel Connelly. Soon after he meets Lennie B (Leonora Baxter. They become friends after a few days. Between 31 December and January 1, two women (Molly and Phoebe (23 years old) disappear from their tent near to where Cole and Lennie live in their cottages. The women are doing a Walk for Women, in aid of SafeSpace UK Charity, 365 mile coastal walk to highlight Domestic Violence Issues. The plot is told over different timelines, different characters and locations and the issues raised in the book are thought provoking, Cole comes across as"One of the Good Guys" but is he or isn't he? Only way to know is to read the book. The plot uses various platforms - social media, email, radio, newspaper, WhatsApp, TV. I was extremely surprised at the book was concluded.

This book was gripping. It held my attention. I liked the characters and setting. I am looking forward to reading more from this author.

Good story, didn't necessarily agree with the political aspect. Interesting how the differences between two people can escalate and cause severe consequences.

The first part of this story is told from “One of the Good Guys” Cole Simmonds point of view. After separating from his wife Mel, Cole changes jobs to become a wildlife ranger and moves from London to the somewhat isolated southern coast of England. There he meets Lennie who is living alone in the only other cottage in the remote area.
While out walking, Cole encounters Molly Patterson and Phoebe Canton. They are walking 365 miles to raise awareness about the treatment and exploitation of women. Cole speaks to them because he is concerned that they are dangerously close to the ocean’s edge. Cole’s encounter with Molly and Phoebe is not well received and ends with the women videoing the incident and posting it online. When the news breaks that the women have disappeared without a trace, Cole and neighbor Lennie become part of the police investigation. As the story unfolds we get to know the background of each of the central characters, Cole, Lennie and Mel and the role each plays in the story. It also highlights the role of social media and how the quick responses influence attitudes and perceptions towards any situation. It is a well written quick read but I didn’t like any of the characters. I wonder if that was the author’s intent to highlight the issue of gender inequality.
This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

ChatGPT
I couldn't put this book down; it had me completely captivated, and I devoured it in just two days. Cole presents himself as 'one of the good guys,' but as the story unfolds, you begin to question if he truly is. Having gone through a tumultuous divorce and relocated to the coast for a fresh start, Cole's life takes a dark turn when two young girls mysteriously vanish, and he happens to be the last person to see them.

What makes this book especially intriguing is its unique narrative structure. The first half of the story is told from Cole's perspective, offering a glimpse into his thoughts and experiences. Then, we shift to his ex-wife Mel's viewpoint, and it's like peeling back layers of a complex relationship. The alternating perspectives leave you reevaluating everything you thought you knew about the characters and the events that transpired.

The character development in the book is exceptional. Each character is richly crafted, and their complexities add depth to the plot. As you delve deeper into their past and present, you'll find yourself engrossed in their struggles, secrets, and shifting perspectives.

What I particularly appreciated about the book is how it sparks essential feminist conversations. It encourages readers to form their own opinions on the characters' actions and motivations, highlighting the blurred lines between right and wrong. The story keeps you at the edge of your seat with its numerous twists and turns, ensuring a thrilling and thought-provoking reading experience.

In summary, this is a must-read that I wholeheartedly recommend. It's a gripping narrative that keeps you guessing, challenges your preconceived notions, and raises important questions about relationships and morality. I was thoroughly engaged throughout, and I'm certain you will be too.

Engaging and entertaining. A recommended purchase for collections where crime and thrillers are popular.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an ARC to review!

3 stars!

I honestly thought I'd like more than I ended up liking but I'm glad to be introduced to Araminta Hall.

The book hits important issues and I liked how it split into different views. It was a nice touch to read in different perspectives.

"One of the Good Guys" may not be my absolute favorite work of the year, but it is undoubtedly the most thought-provoking and visionary piece I've read recently. It stands out as one of the smartest works I've come across lately. It's been quite some time since I read a book that made each character's voice resonate so loudly and clearly in my mind.

One fascinating aspect is that the three main characters are far from pure or flawless; they push the moral boundaries with their questionable actions. Despite this, they managed to get under my skin, allowing me to empathize with each of them by understanding their points of view, the reasoning behind their motives, decisions, and the actions they take. None of them is innocent or entirely right, so I couldn't align myself with any single character, which is one of the book's strongest qualities. It compels you to be objective, not only by presenting multiple perspectives but also by portraying other viewpoints encountered through forums, news coverage, talk shows, and social media posts. All of these elements are realistically integrated, and the intertwining connection of the three characters with a case related to violence against men is portrayed in an unapologetically gritty and realistic manner.

The author fearlessly addresses issues such as misogyny, consent, BDSM, sex shaming, feminism, and violence against women in an authentic voice, without resorting to pages filled with clichés. The narrative reflects the fear that even the strongest and bravest women may carry, especially when they feel they have nothing to lose.

Let's dive into the plot to provide a brief summary:

The story follows Cole, who sees himself as one of the "good guys." Recently separated from his wife after a seven-year marriage marred by misconceptions and misery, he embarks on a fresh start in a remote location. He appears to be a decent guy, unburdened by macho stereotypes, comfortable with expressing his feelings, and unafraid of vulnerability. He assumes responsibility for their home as his wife ambitiously pursues her career, spending long hours at business dinners. However, she commits an act deemed unacceptable on the day of her IVF operation. From Cole's perspective, we sympathize with him and become incensed at his seemingly malicious wife, Melanie. But what is the connection between this innocent man, who wouldn't hurt a fly, and a violent incident?

Thankfully, Cole is not alone in his new surroundings. He befriends Lennie, a reclusive artist living nearby, and their bond deepens rapidly. However, when two young women activists supporting their cause go missing without a trace and Cole becomes the last person to have seen them, things spiral out of control. The incident turns into a media firestorm, and the world's attention converges on the small countryside where Cole resides, with various theories and accusations circulating.

The story also provides insight into Melanie's perspective, shedding more light on recent events and offering clues about their dysfunctional relationship.

Which one of them is telling the truth? What happened to those innocent girls? Could Cole be a wolf in sheep's clothing?

Overall, I initially intended to give this book four stars, but its unique format and its bold and realistic exploration of sensitive subjects that many authors hesitate to address convinced me to round up to 4.5 stars, ultimately earning a full 5-star rating. I wholeheartedly recommend reading this book and carefully contemplating the incidents it portrays, as it encourages you to consider the bigger picture.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Zando, Gillian Flynn Books for providing me with a digital review copy of this exceptional book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

While beautifully atmospheric, I failed to connect with this one, even though I tried. I’m not sure what it was, because I am a fan of the author, and the topic is something of interest to me. But something about this book just felt slippery, I couldn’t quite get a grip on it.

Thank you to Netgalley and Zando for allowing me to read an ARC of this book.
Zando, I gather is a mark of Gillian Flynn books. And it is easy to see why this book is published under her publishing name. It has similar quirky twists of story as Gone Girl.

I found the narrator's voice, right from the beginning to be awful, saccharinely, and unbelievable. I knew a woman had written the book so I assumed that it was because a woman was trying to imitate a man and doing a terrible job of it. Turns out the narrator is unbelievable but we aren't supposed to know that until later in the book. I applaud the author for taking on a subject that needs to be talked about as much as possible but this story was too in your face, too obvious from the beginning. I believe I'm in the minority. Many who have left feedback loved it and were completely taken by surprise. Many complained about the latter third of the book being news reports, social media, etc for continuing the story. I thought that worked very well. Probably the best-written part of the book in my opinion.

So, if you want a thriller story that isn't written particularly well but takes on an issue that is very important to women these days, you may enjoy this book.

This is a book about the complex relationship between genders, focusing especially how men treat women. It’s a huge theme to get into, so it’s not easy to navigate in the polarized water of he said she said. This book had some really great qualities. It being a thriller, I found the first half especially interesting. It’s from Cole’s perspective and succinctly presents his mindset. It was eye-opening to see how some people reason and explain away their own behavior. It was expertly done and I even felt sympathy for him based on how he saw the world. I also felt a bit itchy, but I loved that it conjured these confusing and divided emotions in me.

I also loved Mel’s point of view, even if it just was short snippets of her life together with cole each year, it was a clear way to show how their relationship progressed and the mechanism in the relationship. I wasn’t surprised by what Mel learned in the end, and I felt eager when her POV ended with an explanation for what would come later.

When the two activist women disappeared from where Cole and the mysterious lennie lived, I had already figured out what had happened to them, and I found this last part to be the slowest and somewhat unappealing. There were lots of social media posts and news articles, which halted the suspense. Although it underlined the polarized and scary discussions, I didn’t need quite so many excerpts to get it. The end brought the different viewpoints together, and I liked how it was done. It made the confusion I felt over questions raised settle a bit, and I felt there was a solution there somewhere.

Read this book if you’re curious about how good guys think, and if you want to deep dive into a scary world of hate and prejudices. Trigger warning: IVF treatments are described in length, so be kind to yourself if this is a trigger for you.

Many thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc!

Well written with an interesting and unique premise. A little preachy at times but still enjoyable. Actually a 3.5

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/122955959

ONE OF THE GOOD GUYS was a very fast read and if I could describe it in one word it would be DIFFERENT! I would describe the whole book as UNRELIABLE which was the BEST part! This book really delved into the relationships between men and women and if you let it, it makes you question exactly what makes someone a victim. This isn’t so much a mystery as it’s a deep exploration of how women are viewed and treated. It was very thought provoking.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this ARC!

Cole Simmonds has recently separated from his wife Mel and moved to the English countryside. Shortly after his move Cole meets another newcomer and his neighbor, Lennie. Lennie has taken up residence in a cottage on the cliff hoping to work on her next art exhibit in solitude.

Cole and Lennie become fast friends as he tries to forget about his failed marriage. During this time two young activists, Phoebe and Molly, are on a walk to bring awareness to violence against women. While in the area the young women disappear without a trace leaving Lennie and Cole at the center of the investigation. What follows is an examination of violence against women, consent, safety and commentary on what it's like to exist in the world as a woman.

The first part of the story is told from Cole's POV. I could tell right away he was an unreliable narrator. Cole is devastated by the dissolution of his marriage and seems to have no idea why it fell apart. He was helpful, compassionate and caring. He cooked and cleaned all so Mel could focus on her business. All he asked in return was for her to have his child.... no biggie, right? After two failed rounds of IVF, Cole of course thinks they should try again. If only he could get Mel to give up her stressful job and move out of London. He knows it's the stress of the job and the city that is the main reason they are having trouble conceiving. More often than not I felt myself rolling my eyes as Cole droned on and on about what a good guy he was and how Mel never fully appreciated him or his efforts.

Not until part two when we start hearing things from Mel's point of view does the reader start to fully understand what type of person Cole really might be.

The description of this novel lists it as an "urgent psychological thriller about gender, power and how both are captured in contemporary media." So this is a bit of a stretch. I can see where the author was going, but to be honest I found it anything, but urgent or thrilling. The most enjoyable parts were those told from Mel's point of view as well as the social media elements included in part three.

First, we meet Cole and his narrative. Second, we meet Mel and her story. Finally, we meet Lenny who ties everything together. This book is on point with the culture of women and how they are exploited, abused and how men want to make decisions about their bodies and minds. Intense and fearful.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced reading copy in return for an honest review.

Review of eBook

Cole Simmonds, recently divorced [and not particularly happy about it] relocates from London to the south coast of England where he accepts a position as a wildlife ranger and settles into a small cottage. He meets Leonora Baxter, an artist, living in a nearby cottage, and finds himself charmed.

When two young women, walking to raise awareness about gender violence, vanish while walking along the cliff’s edge, both Cole and Lennie find themselves in the middle of a police investigation.

What happened to Phoebe Canton and Molly Patterson? And could Cole have been involved?

=========

Characters here are well-defined; there’s a defined sense of place. Sadly, none of the characters are likable; the unfolding story is likely to cause readers to think even less of several of them. Throughout the narrative, the annoyingly whiney Cole tells the reader that he is “one of the good guys,” but his actions belie that fact. However, Cole is not the perpetrator here as his participation in a devious scheme comes about only because of trickery.

Several points of view are used throughout the telling of this tale: Cole, Lennie, and Mel each play a strong role in the narrative. The final section is composed of social media posts and is somewhat difficult to follow, especially for readers who may not spend significant amounts of time on various social media sites.

Although it would seem that the narrative hopes to raise awareness regarding violence against women, readers are likely to come away with far different thoughts, thanks to an unexpected situation created by several of the women. The narrative is a bit heavy-handed, causing the message to lose much of its effect.

Readers who appreciate tales filled with social commentary and culture may find the tale interesting.

I received a free copy of this book from Zando, Gillian Flynn Books and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
#OneoftheGoodGuys #NetGalley

I wasn’t planning to read this book next, but I ended up starting it and and could not put it down. The story starts with Cole, recently separated from his wife and relocated to the coast, and follows what happens when two women’s rights activists go missing near his house. Because I’ve read a thriller or two before, I felt pretty confident I knew where this was going, but honestly don’t think I could have ever predicted what ultimately unfolds.

This is honestly such a strange book, that I’m not 100% sure how feel about it yet. The author does make some truly interesting choices in the narrative structure and character POVs but relied a bit too heavily on the inclusion of news stories and social media posts that didn’t add much to the story. When the plot fully unravels about halfway through, I still had to see how it all ended even if the ending left me kind of confused and cold (which could be the author’s intention?).

Overall, a quick and interesting read. Many thanks to Zando and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

While there were points where this was heavy handed when it should have delicate and subtle when it should have been blistering, overall this is compulsively readable account of a deeply nuanced subject, and well done.