3.5 stars this was an entertaining read. Barclay captured a lot of what a teacher’s inner voice would sound like. Thrillers can be far fetched at times- but honestly so is life! So I can’t fault him for that. This is one of those books that you keep reading because you want to know what is going to happen- a perfect summer read. Enjoy!
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this as an ARC.

My first read by this author. I will admit that the first half left me unimpressed, but the action and who dunnit picked up considerably in the second half to redeem this book. Thanks to NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

I love when you find an author that consistently puts out good books that aren’t all the same. Linwood Barclay’s books are always have an element of thrill and this one is no different. I love books that once you pick them up, your mind never fully leaves them until you are done.

We all want to believe we would react unselfishly and heroically if faced with dire circumstances. The protagonist, Richard, is a good man.
Unfortunately for him, his life spirals out of control after he saves his school from a suicide bomber. In the moment, rarely do we think of the repercussions of our actions. Richard definitely did not foresee that being the hero could possibly cost him his marriage, his job, his freedom, or his life. This book expertly weaves several different plots into a fantastic novel that keeps the reader thoroughly delighted until it's surprise conclusion.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC.

I will read anything Linwood Barclay puts out. This was no big shock when I couldn't put it down! I love the multiple POV and the fast short chapters that keep you engaged.
Another great twisty turny book from Linwood.

Compelling and fast-paced domestic thriller.

Richard Boyle, father of a daughter and married to Bonnie, prevents a disaster when he stops a would-be bomber at the door of the high school where he teaches English. His notoriety creates several huge problems almost immediately. Not only is the family of the boy with the bomb suing him, but he's being blackmailed by an unstable former student. In addition, a group of parents is now questioning his selection of assigned reading. Soon, Richard is caught up in a tangled web that also involves some murderous drug dealers. Trying to handle all of these potentially ruinous situations alone has resulted in an even bigger issue because he has no idea whom he can trust.

This was fun and I enjoyed it tremendously as I do all of Barclay's books. He's got his usual theme of a good family man trying to do the right thing despite getting caught up in drama or tragedy. I like the author's writing style and his characters. The plot was well-developed and kept me guessing with a few red herrings here and there.

I had fun listening to the audiobook while following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrators were both fabulous and enhanced my appreciation of the novel. They did a great job voicing the many different characters with nuance and skill.

Definitely recommend this one!

The author managed to keep the pace up. The book starts on a normal day at a high school, where an English teacher is discussing a controversial book with his students. He looks up to see a former student about to enter the school, with a bomb strapped to his body. He manages to prevent another school tragedy, but is unable to prevent the bomber from killing himself. Could things get any worse? There is a lot going on in this book, its hard to keep up with everything, so many twists and turns. A good beach read while schools out.

"I Will Ruin You" by Linwood Barclay is a gripping thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Barclay masterfully weaves a tale of suspense and intrigue, with well-developed characters and unexpected twists. A must-read for fans of intense, fast-paced mysteries.

I liked this thriller by Linwood Barclay - I usually love his novels. But I disliked the main character, Richard Boyle, so much that it was hard for me to enjoy the novel. The story line was good and so were the twists. But that main character - he just pissed me off.

Trigger warnings: school violence, dysfunctional family, sexual harassment, and drug abuse


I've never read anything by Barclay in the past, but I look forward to future books.

This fast-paced story is told through multiple POVs, and the characters are well developed. Richard is a genuinely likeable man who tries to do the right thing, though some of his decisions don't always go as he expected. This fact made him quite relatable. There's a lot going on, but Barclay pulls all the pieces together to create an engaging novel with enough twists to keep the reader guessing.

For fans of Harlan Coben and Lisa Scottoline

"I Will Ruin You" by Linwood Barclay is a solid popcorn thriller. If you like action movies, this one is definitely for you. The story kicks off with English teacher Richard Boyle finding himself in a life-or-death situation when he talks down a former student, Mark, who shows up at school with a bomb. Richard’s quick thinking prevents a major tragedy and earns him the title of hero. However, his newfound fame attracts the attention of a dangerous blackmailer, and that’s when things start to spiral out of control.

Barclay is known for crafting suspenseful page-turners, and this one is no exception. The book is packed with twists and turns, and it’s definitely a rollercoaster ride. Richard is an interesting character, and his journey from hero to target is compelling. The narrative is shared in short chapters from multiple perspectives, which keeps the pace brisk and the suspense high.

However, the plot feels a bit overcrowded at times. There are a lot of subplots involving jealous colleagues, a lawsuit, irate parents, and dangerous drug dealers. While these elements add layers to the story, they also make it feel a bit too busy and sometimes distracting. It’s like having too many fireworks going off at once—you don’t know where to look, and it can be overwhelming.

Despite the crowded plot, Barclay’s writing keeps you hooked. The suspenseful moments and cliffhangers make it hard to put the book down. The characters are well-developed, and the dialogue is engaging. The final twist, while somewhat predictable, ties up the storylines in a satisfying way.

Overall, "I Will Ruin You" is an entertaining read. It’s not Barclay’s best work, but it’s a decent thriller that keeps you engaged from start to finish. If you’re a fan of Barclay or enjoy twisty, action-packed mysteries, it’s worth picking up.

Thanks to William Morrow, Linwood Barclay, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Fast paced and highly enjoyable, Linwood Barclay never disappoints. The perfect beach read to keep you entertained for hours.

Wow there was a lot going on in this book - and somehow despite too many plots and a lot of action it managed to be boring. I thought about stopping at many points but decided to see how it would all come together - and unfortunately it wasn’t an ending that made it worth it. This one was a big miss for me. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the free ebook to review.

Linwood Barclay never disappoints. His writing is so smooth and his characters are so well written, I can picture them. The suspense in I Will Bury You is perfectly pitched and by the time I reached the conclusion, I was breathing hard like I had just ran a marathon. Barclay makes it easy to suspend disbelief.

Mystery readers will enjoy this thriller. This hard to put down book is written in several views points. The world seems to be collapsing around Richard, an English teacher who talked down a former student, Mark from setting a bomb off inside the school. Tragically, Mark trips, sets off the bomb and dies. Accused of sexual abuse by Mark, Richard just keeps getting knocked down with an assortment of issues. This story calls to attention all the different tragedies happening today in schools; violence, bullying, abuse and others. Many twists and turns with a surprising conclusion. Highly recommended!

3.5⭐️

After high school English teacher Richard Boyle intercepts Mark LeDrew, a former student attempting to enter the school building with a bomb strapped to his chest and manages to talk him out of entering the building thus averting a mass tragedy, he is hailed a hero. However, the incident also attracts the attention of a former student with a grudge. Billy Finster, an airport baggage handler with shady dealings, threatens to go public with his allegations unless Richard pays him for his silence. Richard vehemently denies Billy’s allegations but suspects that Billy’s accusations might not be completely baseless as Mark had also voiced similar grievances. But Billy isn’t Richard’s only problem. Jealous colleagues, a lawsuit, irate parents protesting Richard’s classroom discussions on books they deem inappropriate and coping with the trauma of almost being blown up and the strain of keeping secrets from his wife complicated the situation further. Unbeknownst to Richard, Billy’s criminal associates are being investigated by Richard’s sister-in-law, who works in law enforcement. As the narrative progresses, we follow Richard as he tries to deal with his blackmailer, keep himself and his family safe from Billy’s criminal associates and get to the truth behind Billy’s accusations.

Having enjoyed the author’s work in the past, I was eager to read his latest offering. I was intrigued by the premise of I Will Ruin You by Linwood Barclay. The narrative is shared in short chapters from multiple perspectives, including Richard’s first-person PoV. Twisty, suspenseful and consistently paced, there is a lot to like about this thriller. The beginning of the novel had me hooked. Richard was an interesting protagonist and I thought the author incorporated several relevant themes into the narrative. However, as the narrative progressed, I thought that there was perhaps too much going on (a few of the sub-plots were unnecessary), which was distracting. I was hoping for a more tightly woven thriller and I can’t help feeling a tad disappointed, though I did enjoy the novel overall and look forward to exploring more of the author’s work in the future.

Many thanks to William Morrow for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I Will Ruin You by Linwood Barclay is a convoluted mess of a story surrounding a high school teacher and a man who transported drugs for the cartel. None of them really knew the bigger picture as they struggled to take care of their own little portion of it. The lack of communication was epic and challenging. The teacher was desperate to save his reputation, knowing that the accusation was as devastating as the reality, despite the fact he was innocent. The blackmail attempt was amateurish, mostly because the guy was an amateur. Women’s attempts to save their husbands was heart-breaking, as they mostly had no idea what was going on. It was a terrific story from beginning to end.

It is so easy for a teacher’s reputation and livelihood to be taken from him/her. It is just as easy for one teacher to start whispers about another. Parents are struggling, not knowing what to do. Many of the young people are struggling, as well, not able to communicate to anyone who could help them. In that, this was a heart-breaking novel of lost chances. Barclay put together a series of emotions that hopped from person to person and the reader was barely finished with one set when confronted with another. The number of people who want to make money without working astounds, and it usually means no good for the rest. Barclay made that obvious as well. He put together a group of people, related and unrelated, who exemplify people we all know and love, and looked at their lives behind the facade. Hovers between psychological thriller and actual crime novel. What a terrific read!

I was invited to read I Will Ruin You by William Morrow. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #WilliamMorrow #LinwoodBarclay #IWillRuinYou

Linwood Barclay (favorite author) returns following The Lie Maker with his latest twisty standalone crime thriller, I WILL RUIN YOU.

A Connecticut school teacher finds himself in a 'heap of trouble' (as they say in the South) when a series of events occurs, entangling him in a scheme of blackmail, violence, deadly secrets, murder, drugs, and more. Only Barclay could pull off this multi-layered complex thriller like the pro he is.

English teacher Richard Boyle is a dedicated teacher and husband at the local high school. He follows the rules even though he likes introducing banned books to his students.

His life took a change for the worse with a nightmare following the day, a troubled former student, Mark shows up at the school with dynamite strapped to his body. He threatened to blow them all up.

Richard is smart and persuades the attacker to move outside the school premises. However, the boy trips and detonates the explosives. Even though it ended tragically, Mark saved many lives and was dubbed the hero.

However, being in the limelight draws attention to those who want to bring him down. What follows next sends Mark's life into a downward spiral, and he does not know how to escape this madness. What was the real reason Mark targeted the school?

First, there is a lawsuit from Mark's parents, then a blackmail scheme from another student, which puts him in a bad light. Then, the parents do not like his choice of reading materials for the students. To top it off, there are dangerous drug gangs that threaten the town.

His marriage is falling apart, and all his friends have deserted him. Something wrong is happening, and someone is setting him up. In a race against time, he must find the person behind the murder and mayhem. However, the closer he gets to the truth, the more danger he's in.

I WILL RUIN YOU is a first-rate multi-layered, complex thriller with twists and turns on every page. It features nonstop action, high stakes, and adrenaline-fueled suspense.

A long-time fan of the author, having read all his books, Barclay dazzles with ordinary characters in extraordinary situations that they can see no way out. Character-driven and plot-driven, long-time fans of the author will devour this one!

MIND-BLOWING! For fans of Lisa Scottoline, Michael Robotham, Harlan Coben, and David Baldacci. Timely topics include school and gun violence, book censorship, drugs, and sexual harassment.

Many thanks, William Morrow and NetGalley for an advanced reading copy for an honest opinion.

blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Dat: May 7, 2024
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4.5 ⭐️

When I first started this book, I didn’t think I would like it. When I made it to chapter 6, I couldn’t put it down. I only put it down because I couldn’t keep my eyes open. I finished the next day. Linwood Barclay never disappoints. I will continue to read anything he writes without reading the synopsis because he’s just that good. Don’t hesitate to pick this up on release day.
Thanks NetGalley for the advanced reader’s copy!

Like many others, Linwood Barclay has become a go to author for me. This is most likely my favorite book so far. The sad situation that occurs one day at school brings on a chain of events that affect many people. I had an inkling of part of what was revealed, but it didn't diminish the suspense or my enjoyment of this book. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.