After The Storm is a hard hitting, emotional thriller.

Unfortunately I found it far too depressing with many triggers, so did not finish, but that’s a testament to the writing as it was too believable.

If you are empathetic or feeling low, I’d advise caution.

After the prologue this book starts in a quiet seaside town with mundane families living mundane lives. This part feels very 1970s with two couples, best friends who's children play together and being cared for as a pair, almost a brother and sister.

The boys parents are always working and feel guilt got their abandoning of their child to the other couple.

The latter pair are better able to spend time with both children, Sophie, is married to and expecting her second child. They have sn insufferable, manipulative daughter, Maria who bullies her friend Joe and overrides her parent's

It is obvious any instructions on safety at the beach are about to be ignored. This happens with predictable outcomes but with quite unimaginable repercussions.

It is these that steer the story on it's lengthy path

It seems to loop back on itself a few times but still holds some surprises along the way

Well this was a doozy of a pickle. While this is essentially a crime thriller which introduces us to Sergeant Mike Adams and DS Sue Willmott, I could argue that it is more of a psychological thriller.

We know up front that 'two children went into the sea but only one came out alive' and yet I still wasn't quite prepared for the hideousness of that situation. The horror, the fear, having the confront the other parents, having to live with what happened, having to ever sleep again - having to face literally anyone after only saving one of the children.

Horrific. Stuff of nightmares. Very well depicted and portrayed by G D Wright and I can well see this becoming a little TV mini-series.

My thanks to the author, netgalley and Avon Books for an ARC in return for an honest review.

G.D. Wright's *After the Storm* is an incredibly powerful debut that resonates long after the last page is turned. More than just a crime thriller, this novel offers a heartfelt exploration of grief, guilt, and the profound strength of love.

The story begins with a heartbreaking incident: two children are swept out to sea, and only one makes it back. As Sergeant Mike Adams and Detective Sergeant Sue Willmott delve into the investigation, Wright paints a vivid picture of a small coastal community, where familiarity can mask deep-seated secrets and hidden pain.

While the mystery at the heart of the story is engaging, it’s the characters who truly resonate. Wright empathetically captures the emotional struggle of those left in the wake of tragedy, creating richly layered portraits of individuals dealing with unfathomable loss and the complex ways trauma can affect us all.

The pacing of the novel is striking, featuring short, impactful chapters that keep you invested. The writing is raw and evocative, immersing you in the intense emotions and the haunting atmosphere of the coastal setting. Wright tackles difficult themes with compassion, exploring the intricate realities of grief and guilt without oversimplifying their impact.

*After the Storm* is a remarkable debut that introduces us to a promising new voice in crime fiction. For anyone seeking a deeply moving read that speaks to the human experience, this book is an excellent choice. Just be ready for the emotional journey it will take you on.

After The Storm tells the story of two couples, each with a young child. Police Officer, Chris, and paramedic, Linda, leave their son with Andrew and Sophie whilst working. One day, they go to the beach and, during a terrible storm, the children get washed out to sea. Andrew rushes in to save them, but only one child is rescued. The book tells the harrowing tale of a couple losing their son and their quest for vengeance on the couple that they blame.

I wasn't really sure what to expect from this book as it didn't seem to be my usual 'thriller', but I ended up enjoying it. Firstly, it is well written and I will certainly look to read more books by this author. As a parent to two young children, I found the premise terrifying and could truly feel their pain and horror at the situation. I was drawn in right from the beginning and was on the edge of my seat for much of the story.

My thanks to NetGalley and the Publishers for sending me this ARC in return for an honest review.

Wow. Thank you so much to the publisher / publicist for sending me a finished copy of this book
This book was the complete opposite of what I expected it to be and for all the right reasons
I would describe this book somewhere between a domestic and crime thriller, with a hint of contemporary.
The book begins with Andrew and Sophie taking their little girl, Maria and her best friend Joe to the beach. When they arrive, storm is a brewing and the children are warned to only play in the little sea. Of course children being children, they don’t listen and disaster strikes leaving one of the children victim to the water
The story unfolds and the reader embarks on the journey of how one day can change everything and the fight to uncover the truth of what really happened out at sea
Although it initially annoyed me that the family even went to the beach when the weather was so bad, I quickly saw past that and allowed myself to be taken on the rollercoaster ride!
The book was superbly written and such a powerful book. You can feel the emotion of the parents through the book
This is an amazing debut and I can’t wait to see what the author delivers in future.

A good read
Grief and loss are subjects covered in this book
But covered very well
A well written story
But an emotional one
Never read any books by this author but I will now
Thanks NetGalley

Gripping and thought provoking mystery /thriller which would be a great book club choice.

Two families are torn apart when a visit to the beach ends in tragic consequences.

Best friends Maria and Joe are excited to be spending the day together as Joe's parents have to work. The families are so close they almost think of each other's children as their own.

The weather has deteriorated significantly since they mooted the idea of visiting the beach, but the children are adamant they want to go.

As the harrowing events unfold from multiple points of view, we explore the devastating aftermath and the choices they each face.

First book I have read by this author

A well written thriller that I enjoyed
It was quite slow paced but still gripping and hard hitting

Very emotional

Following a harrowing prologue that has you immediately gripped, After The Storm begins with two beautiful little families, merged as one happy collective group. Andrew and Sophie treat Joe as though he is one of their own, while Chris and Linda fight with their own feelings of guilt at having to work and not spending the time with Joe that they would like to. But when disaster strikes, and Joe tragically drowns while at the beach with Andrew and Sophie, their entire worlds collapse and life will never be the same for any of them ever again. What follows is a brutal fight for truth and justice.

I loved that this was told from multiple POV, as each POV brought its own emotion and depth to the story. It was also very easy to understand why each character felt the way that they did, even when you didn’t necessarily agree with their actions. As a parent, I felt conflicted on who to side with between Chris and Andrew, and it created a big internal battle with my own feelings. That’s another thing I loved about this book. It made you question how you would behave and react in similar situations, and honestly, it was extremely hard to answer that question.

Throughout the story, the intensity increases at a rapid pace, until it becomes like a hurricane ready to rip apart everything in sight. There were certainly moments that absolutely tore me to pieces. The final chapter took me completely by surprise, but was a brilliant way to end the story. It makes you re-evaluate your feelings towards everything that has come before it.

This book is devastating. It hit me harder than anything else I’ve ever read! I very rarely cry while reading, but this… this story had me absolutely sobbing, but it was impossible to put down. I highly recommend it, however, I strongly urge you to check the trigger warnings before picking it up, and certainly have a box of tissues to hand. An incredible debut from G.D. Wright, and I can’t wait to see what he has in store for us in the future.

Wow. This was seriously brilliant. It’s a long time since I’ve bi ged a book in a day and felt the need to stay up late to find out where it was going to go and what happened in the sea.
My only complaint would be that anyone who was brought up around the sea knows what it’s like. They wouldn’t have been in that situation to start with. We all get very frustrated by the idiot tourists who want to watch the waves.

After the Storm delivers a gripping and emotional narrative that highlights how a single moment can irreversibly alter lives. The prologue immediately grips with its intensity, setting the stage for a relentless and immersive read.

The novel’s immediacy makes it feel less like reading and more like witnessing the events unfold in real-time. The vivid, evocative descriptions, especially of the storm and the sea, enhance the sense of being right there with the characters.

Beyond the action, the book delves into deeper themes with compassion and authenticity. It offers a sensitive portrayal of police work and the challenges officers face, providing a realistic and engaging perspective.

The shift from the mundane to the catastrophic makes the storm’s impact all the more dramatic. By developing characters like Linda, Chris, Andrew, and Sophie with care, the novel invests readers in their fates, amplifying the emotional stakes.

The character development is both layered and empathetic, even in the most challenging moments. Notably, the realistic portrayal of children like Joe and Maria adds to the novel’s depth.

http://thesecretbookreview.co.uk

Sophie & Andrew & Linda & Chris are best friends as are their children, Maria & Joe. Linda & Chris work shifts so Sophie & Andrew step in to help with the childcare. One very wild & windy day after Joe has been dropped off Maria insists that they want to go to the beach- & what Maria wants Maria gets! After strict instructions to stay away from the sea Andrew keeps an eye on them until a dog jumps up on pregnant Sophie & in that moment loses sight of them. In spite of a terror of the sea Andrew goes in after them, but only one child survives. From that point all their lives change forever (although not sure about Maria's!)

This was a heart breaking story, told well & sensitively so that I felt equally sorry for both families. I thought the police procedural element was well done. I did guess what has actually happened & wonder if it would, one day, come back to haunt them. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book. A warning to those interested in reading it- if you are feeling down & depressed don't!

I'm struggling to find adequate words to praise this book, the best I can come up with is absolutely phenomenal!

The author has completely captured every single possible emotion, sweeping you along until you are gasping for breath. Heart wrenching, heart stopping, the description of the storm and the human factor going against the full force of nature put you on the verge of tears as you read, unable to put it down. Seriously brilliant writing. And the ending..... Seriously good.

I cannot recommend this book enough.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced digital copy in return for an honest review.

This is a harrowing story about a tragic event which tears apart two families previously close to each other. It’s very well written but the subject matter makes it difficult to read. It is possible to see where the story is going from the start and each fateful decision creates a butterfly effect which compounds the tragedy, making it the book equivalent of watching a horror film from behind your fingers.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy.

This was an emotional rollercoaster of a book. Andrew and Sophie are looking after their friends Chris and Linda’s son and take him to the beach with their daughter. With the adults momentarily distracted the kids are swept out to sea, but only one comes back.
What follows is a harrowing journey through grief and how it affects everyone.
There are trigger warnings as there are some emotive topics written about.

The prologue sets the emotional tone and intensity for the story that follows. The initial chapters show everyday family life, but the reader waits for something catastrophic. The storm scenes are dramatic and terrible and engender many emotions as you read. The aftermath is claustrophobic, poignant and toxic as accusations are rife, families and friendships are destroyed. A detailed police investigation connects the story's dramatic and emotional elements; the fallout for the professionals of such a tragic case is authentic and compelling. I like the characterisation, the sensory imagery that brings events to life and the balance of intensity and reflection as the story progresses.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

I don’t know what made me request this, it might have been the blurb. I’m so glad that I did.

What a first novel to publish. This had me hooked from the get go. Two children go into the sea. A parent goes in after them but only one child comes out. What happened in the water?

The characters were amazing. They were carefully crafted and very realistic, especially as a few of them had specialist jobs.

It’s a hard hitting book, I’m not going to lie. Reading this just after having a baby probably wasn’t the best idea but it still had me devouring every page.

There are many trigger topics in this, so look them up to decide if this book is for you. But I was fully invested in every second of this emotional book.

And the twist at the end? Very clever!

A harrowing story about the loss of a child made worse when you have entrusted someone else with their care. Why had they taken Joe to the beach and allowed him to go into the sea in such dreadful weather and why did their own child survive yet theirs died? Two couples, once friends are now estranged with emotions running high. Another tragedy ensues and it takes many twists and turns before the truth begins to be known. Not till the very last pages do we discover the whole tragic incident. A gripping, turbulent read

I found this book to be a difficult read, not because of the writing (which I felt was good), but the story was so very emotional I almost had to abandon it part-way through as I felt totally wrung out and depressed by it. I have to say that this story seemed well-plotted and very well written for a debut novel and I hope to read more from this author .
Certainly a good, but emotional read, parents of young children would be advised to avoid it.