Last year I drastically reduced the number of thrillers and serial killer books I read after guessing the killer/twist half a dozen times in a row. Sometimes less than forty pages in. I feared that I’d read too many and had become too adept at recognising the patterns and writing styles of this genre. Thank god for Michael Wood because this story has blown my mind. This is the best thriller I’ve read in years. Wood has created a brilliant protagonist in Olivia who has gone through hell yet shows great strength in her vulnerability. You feel connected to her struggles despite her unique history and when she goes through moments of great personal breakthrough it doesn’t come across as cliched as it might with a lesser writer. The story is tense, sharp and really has you guessing with multiple red herrings and twists. Wood expertly forges a cast of suspects that keep you on your toes and once you reach the end you’ll be going back to reread parts and see what you missed. Or maybe that’s just me.