One Perfect Witness

Kicking off with a behind the scenes view of a holiday park in Ayrshire I was immediately transported back to my childhood as memories of holidays on the Ayrshire coast filled my head. But this was no happy family moment and it became immediately clear that there was an underlying tension between Richard & Viv caravan park owners with son Charlie stuck in the middle. Charlie sneaks off to get his father's gun with one thought in his mind - "tomorrow they will remember me"...

Three boys, one path and a meeting that will change their lives forever! Oh, my heart went out to Charlie. I could sense a lot of pain about him but at the same time, there was a feeling of darkness surrounding this character. Despite his young years, the author was able to weave an air of trouble into the character yet at the same time make the reader feel protective of him.

We also meet the two other characters who are taking the path that fateful moment; Gus is in Scotland from South Africa trying to make his name in international rugby but Gus has a bit of a reputation for his temper and this may be his downfall. Sebastian has come over to Scotland from France to work the summer in the Brackenbrae Holiday Park yet there is a real sense that he has run away from something back in France and is not just coming over for the work experience. Through the narrative, we learn a little more about each character and this helps the reader make sense of the tragic events.

I can't say too much without giving away spoilers here but Charlie definitely stole the show for me in this novel, his anguish and pain are palpable and at times I wanted to slap his parents as they couldn't or wouldn't see what was going on with him.

I felt a real sense of injustice as I read and I was willing it all to come right in the end. Whether it does or not, you will just have to read it and see. It is not a fast-paced thriller but more a slower paced exploration of relationships, circumstances and "what ifs". I was left with a few questions unanswered but sometimes that can be a good thing as it leaves you pondering long after the last page has turned!

A cracking sense of place was created by the author and you can tell she knows the area well. I loved the visuals that this book brought to mind as I read.

One Perfect Witness is a cracking read that will keep you engaged until the very end and leave you wondering for just that little bit longer.
Will post as part of blog tour

Slow start, but it gets super good. Charlie seems younger than 12. The last chapter is excellent. I wish all books could end with such a satisfying conclusion.

Another great book by Pat Young. It may start off slowly but certainly builds momentum as you read. Brilliant storyline, great characters and an unusually satisfying ending.

I received an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review. Very different than what I expected. As others have noted, it was a bit of a slow burn but once it got going it took me places I was not expecting to go. Definitely worth the time if you want something a little different but still very enjoyable

'One Perfect Witness' is award winning and bestselling author Pat Young's third psychological thriller. Based in Ayrshire where the author grew up reminded me of the many holidays i've had in beautiful Scotland over the years, the descriptions of the area were simply wonderful and extremely vivid. It's evident that Young knows this area well. It begins at a pedestrian pace but slowly builds until the tension is palpable. Essentially, this is an exploration of relationships, circumstances and the complexities of life and the human mind. The characters are complex and are so well drawn. You certainly feel sympathy for the many involved. I loved the conclusion too, as it was a satisfying end to the novel but also leaves you thinking about the book for a great deal of time after finishing. I would rate the climax as one of the best i've read in a long while as usually I feel a sense of disappointment but had no such issue here. Bravo!

Overall, an engrossing, exciting read that shines a light on some deeper topics. One of the most original crime stories i've had the pleasure to read in a while. A must read for thriller fans who like their books with a bit of substance to them.

Many thanks to Bloodhound Books for an ARC. I was not required to post a review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

I have a confession to make, I clicked on this book by mistake and I am so pleased that I did.
This book is a little gem.
Set in the Scottish Highlands at a camping/ clamping site. Charlie the son of the owners had a traumatic experience when he was younger and has never spoken since.
This is his story narrated by him on what happens on that fateful day when two young men cross his path.
What happens next, the repercussions. I was really rooting for Charlie.
This book is beautifully written and the descriptions of the Highlands are breathtaking.
The climax of this book was not what I was expecting. This is a very entertaining read, beautifully written and with a message. Bullies sometimes get their come uppence.
I would like to thank the author Pat Young, Bloodhound books and Net.galley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for giving an honest review.

This is a really good read. It starts off slowly and turns into a great story. The ending ties everything together brilliantly. I liked the writing style and I thought the characters were believable and well thought out. The plot is very clever.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

This book did start a bit slowly, but once it got going it was brilliant. Beautiful descriptive writing. I was completely immersed in their world. The ending was well done. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloodhound Books for the ARC.

I have to start by saying that the beginning of this book easily grabbed hold of me, now it wasn't necessarily with a bang but it was the way that Pat Young introduced her characters to me. It was easy to picture them but also you know that something big is about to happen. The story also has a dark underlying tension which constantly had me wondering what would happen next.

I have to admit that I'm trying to be as vague as I can regarding the plot but what I will say is that this book is full of surprises and I was definitely kept on my toes! Throughout there is a steady pace and the characters easily kept me invested in the story especially Charlie's character, I found him so engaging. As we see him cope with the consequences of what happened that day.

The setting of the story was a hit for me, I haven't been to that part of Scotland but it was described in a way that I could see it clearly and it really helps to set the scene. This story made me think about coincidences, being in the wrong place at the wrong time and also the way our actions can set us on a very different path.

A compelling story that will grab hold until the very last page!

With thanks to Bloodhound Books for my copy.

I’ve not read this authors previous books but I’ll certainly be looking into them as I really enjoyed this story.

I found this to be a slow burn start but it’s so worth sticking with it. At the start of the story we are introduced to Charlie. This is his story. One you need to read yourself so no spoilers here from me.

Great praise to the author on the great description of the area. I really wanna go visit there after reading this descriptive story. The storyline was brilliant and I can’t wait to read more from this author in the future.

I never hesitate when I hear Pat Young has a new book coming. I have never been disappointed by her novels. Her name appears and I’m in.

Did it work this time?

One Perfect Witness only secured Pat’s place on my ‘go-to authors’ list. You can read my reviews of Till The Dust Settles and I Know Where You Live to get a sense of why I truly enjoy her books.

The first thing that made me fall for this new piece of fiction is the amazing sense of place that Pat Young creates in One Perfect Witness. The timing for my reading of the book was perfect as I was at Gatwick airport, coming back from my first trip to Scotland. I could feel the northern wind, picture the beautiful views, and hear the – is there a word for that Scottish language/accent? Haha! Oh my, I was just there, with the characters. Then, one chapter later, I was in my home country. Paris, Carcassonne, historical, famous, so French I could smell the croissants and baguettes! Pat has a special way of taking you wherever she wants you to be to witness her crime and print the atmosphere in your head and on your body, turning another dead body or psychological scene into a strong memory that you can revisit with all your senses.

But the places would have felt hollow without the right characters to inhabit them. Authenticity is the word that best describes this book. Places and people, You need them to create a realistic world, to make sure the readers connect with the events, get hooked by the story you want to tell.

A body in a remote hill of Scotland, a kid, a guy from nowhere. A gun. Slow-paced but terrifyingly chilling, One Perfect Witness plays with appearances, secrets, and ‘normal’ people trying to live their lives. I immersed myself in this read as if I was immersing my body in a bathtub of muddy waters. Every character is flawed in some way. My heart was broken for Charlie, mute and desperate for attention. I felt the excitement of Sebastien, out in a foreign country. I recognized myself in him, seeking adventure and willing to do whatever it takes to achieve what is mind is on. I felt for his mother, knowing mine would have been quite the same. I loved to hate a certain character. We only got a glimpse of the rest of the world as this novel focuses on very few voices, creating a sense of foreboding, of closeness, of claustrophobia! You can live with people and feeling so far from them. You can meet strangers and bear scars of their path in your life. I won’t say anything more. One Perfect Witness is a book you visit.

Once again, Pat Young surprised me with an engrossing novel, satisfying on so many levels, psychologically criminal, exceptionally good.