The First 48 Hours by Simon Kernick

The First 48 Hours by Simon Kernick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - < 3 days (in and out)

Pages - 339

Publisher -

Source - Arc (out to buy today)

Blurb from Goodreads

THE FIRST 48 HOURS ARE CRITICAL...
AND THE CLOCK IS TICKING

A COP NEEDS TO CRACK A DEADLY CASE
He's a detective hunting cold-blooded killers, but does he know more than he admits?

A MOTHER HAS TO SAVE HER DAUGHTER
She's a lawyer who must defend a murderer - but how far will she go to protect her only child?

A COUPLE WILL COMMIT THE PERFECT CRIME
They have a foolproof plan but will they get away with the money...and their lives?

THREE STORIES. TWO DAYS. DOES ONE SECRET CONNECT THEM ALL?
THE FIRST 48 HOURS...MAY ALSO BE THEIR LAST.



My Review

A specialist kidnap group, deadly professional and so good they haven't hit the police radar, until now. It is simple, pay up, don't contact the cops and get your kid back & until now that is what has happened. The opening chapter pulls us into a kidnapping and a chance to see just how serious these kidnappers are.

So the book circulates between three main story lines, the cop investigating, the lawyer who represents all manners of bad guys, she is really good at what she does and her clients are some of the shadiest individuals. Lastly, the bad guys and we see how they operate, we meet some real sick individuals, twisted, depraved and controlling.

I think the thing with this one is we are introduced to the players real quick and yet Kernick manages to shock and pull out the rug from under you a few times. Fast paced and enough to keep you hooked and intrigued. I am not always a huge fan of multicharacter points of view because it can be distracting, disjointed and takes away from the story, not so in this one. You are with a character and glued to what is happening and happy to jump to the next and see what they are up to!

It has been a wee while since I read Kernick and this reminded me how much I do enjoy the twisted creepos world he creates and sucks you into, 4/5 for me this time. Today is publication day so grab your copy now.

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Stay Alive by Simon Kernick

Stay Alive by Simon Kernick
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 week

Pages - 420

Publisher - Arrow Books

Blurb from Goodread

ONE WITNESS

You’re on a trip with your family, miles from anywhere. A shot rings out – and your whole life changes in an instant.

ONE SECRET

A woman is racing towards you, chased by three gunmen. Although you don’t know it, she harbours a deadly secret. She’s in terrible danger. And now you are too.

NO ESCAPE

You’re running, terrified, desperate to find safety.

You know that the men hunting you have killed before.

And if they catch you, you’ll be next …


My Review

The tale opens "21 days ago" we are introduced to Amanda Rowan, she stumbles upon her husbands murder and the killer is still in the house. What ensues is a game of cat and mouse, Amanda is running for her life, her killer will stop at nothing and innocent people will die!

Amanda is one of our main characters, the whole story is focused around her and the maniac who is after her. Along the road she meets other people who will be dragged into the chase and fight to survive.

The tale skips between the 21 days ago, flipping to present day and then back and fourth between the two time lines. It is easy enough to follow the time line and the characters involved. The crime and chase starts from the very first chapter and your drawn into a scary and dark world through Amanda and the people she meets as she tries to stay alive. I found it really hard to put down at first, however, as the story goes on a few things didn't sit right with me. By the end of the story you understand everything however I just felt a few aspects were a bit out there and hard to believe. It is still a really good story though and I will read this author again, 3/5 for me this time.

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