Don't Make a Sound by David Jackson
| Don't Make a Sound by David Jackson | |
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| Category: Thrillers | |
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Reviewer: Zoe Morris
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| Summary: A juicy thriller, this is about the who and the why as much as the what | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 400 | Date: May 2018 |
| Publisher: Zaffre | |
| External links: Author's website | |
| ISBN: 978-1785763915 | |
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Malcolm and Harriet are a little odd. That much is clear from the start, from the way he is around her, the way he prepares things in such a way as to make her happy. It's a nice sentiment, but something is off. We meet their daughter Daisy and again, it all seems nice enough but there's a vibe, a hint of a feeling that all is not what it seems. Just how bad things are, though, is yet to be revealed.
Harriet wants a second child, and Malcolm will do whatever it takes to make this dream come true. He does his research, and comes across six year old Poppy. She would be the perfect addition to their family. So far so good. Except Poppy already has a family. She is not having a foster or adoptive family sought for her, she is quite happy where she is. But, Malcolm thinks she will be happier with them, and Daisy will be happier with another flower-for-a-name sister to share her things with. The small matter of Poppy's current living arrangements do not concern him, a minor detail he can take care of, and before you know it, Poppy has come to live with them.
This is a tantalising story told from so many points of view – from Malcolm's simple way of thinking, from Daisy's resigned acceptance of her life (before and after Poppy) and from the side of the police investigation as they seek first one and then two girls who are not where they should be. Facts are drip fed throughout the book, meaning you cannot guess the ending too early. It's almost as if they are released on a need-to-know basis, but it was a very effective method of keeping me engaged as you knew so much more was coming. The final twist left me gobsmacked and re-evaluating some of the people I had met earlier in the book.
It's such an interesting book to get your head around. Part of my work programme for this coming year is about ABI (Acquired Brain Injuries) and as such I found Malcom's story fascinating, who he is and who he was clearly being different people. The north west setting was also fun, though the only reason to set a book in the Wirral has to be because the author lives or lived there, slightly niche geography that it is. Overall I found the writing super engaging and two short flights (and one long delay spent ensconced in an airport lounge) and it was all over, every chapter finished, no stone left unturned.
You can easily say this is the best book I've read this year, but I'd go further and say this is one off the best books I'm going to read this year too. It has all the right ingredients and I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. I'd like to thank the publishers for sending us a preview copy to review – definitely one to watch out for when it hits the shelves. For a similar taste of intrigue, may we recommend The Breakdown by B A Paris?
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You can read more book reviews or buy Don't Make a Sound by David Jackson at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
You can read more book reviews or buy Don't Make a Sound by David Jackson at Amazon.com.
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