Review: Platform Seven - Louise Doughty

Title: Platform Seven
Author: Louise Doughty
Published: August 2019
Source: NetGalley
Star Rating: 5

Platform Seven at 4am: Peterborough Railway Station is deserted. The man crossing the covered walkway on this freezing November morning is confident he's alone. As he sits on the metal bench at the far end of the platform it is clear his choice is strategic - he's as far away from the night staff as he can get.

What the man doesn't realise is that he has company. Lisa Evans knows what he has decided. She knows what he is about to do as she tries and fails to stop him walking to the platform edge. 

Two deaths on Platform Seven. Two fatalities in eighteen months - surely they're connected? 

No one is more desperate to understand what connects them than Lisa Evans herself. After all, she was the first of the two to die.[Goodreads]

My Thoughts: 

I adored Apple Tree Yard by Louise Doughty so I was highly anticipating this new release. This was such a fascinating set-up for a story as Doughty perfectly blends a ghost story with a mystery thriller.

Two suicides have taken place at Platform Seven at Peterborough Station in the last 2 years and as the book begins it looks like a third is about to take place. Narrating the story is the ghost of Lisa, the victim of the second death at the station. This was so well done – I’m not normally a fan of the interweaving of paranormal aspects with thriller fiction but this was fantastic.

I loved that this was set in a train station. It grasped the exact underlying feeling of menace and danger that exists around standing near to railway lines as a high speed train goes past. This thoroughly creeped me out and added to the haunting air of the whole book.

As the story unfolds we learn of Lisa’s life when she was still alive and her toxic relationship. These parts of the book were disturbing and so well-written. One of the things I loved most about Apple Tree Yard was Doughty’s ability to write such realistic characters, and it’s exactly the same for this book. As the reader learns more about Lisa’s life the suspense builds up and I was completely hooked on finding out exactly what had happened to her. All this culminates in an emotional and unnerving read that not only looks at vitally important issues within our society but also proves to be a compulsive page-turner.

I highly recommend this one, the whole novel was very atmospheric and unsettling and would make a perfect Autumn read. 

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this copy in exchange for my honest review.

Review: Never Have I Ever - Joshilyn Jackson

Title: Never Have I Ever
Author: Joshilyn Jackson
Published: 8th August 2019
Source: Netgalley
Star Rating: 5

It starts as a game at a book group one night. Never Have I Ever...done something I shouldn't.

But Amy Whey has done something she shouldn't. And Roux, the glamorous newcomer to Amy's suburban neighbourhood, knows exactly what that is. Roux promises she will go away. She will take herself and her son, who is already growing dangerously close to Amy's teenage stepdaughter, and she will go. If Amy plays by her rules.

But Amy isn't prepared to lose everything she's built. She's going to fight back, and in this escalating game of cat and mouse, there can be only one winner. [Goodreads]

My Thoughts: 

This was one of those books that just kept surprising me, again and again. I couldn't guess anything that was happening, I felt physically nervous through most scenes and I feel like I've been on one hell of an entertaining ride the whole way through. This was SO GOOD. 

Joshilyn's writing is so clever and witty and her characters are so well-rounded. They truly do make this story. They're flawed and complicated and completely keep you on your toes. It was one of those books that I really didn't want to end, but couldn't read fast enough to see how it all wrapped up. 

This is Joshilyn's first thriller, but she has many other books under her belt. I cannot wait to see what else she comes out with next. Truly, this author has got me hooked! And even though thrillers are normally my favourite, I think I need to know what else this author has in store for me - I feel like I will truly miss her writing now that I've finished. 

A solid 5 stars from me! 

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for this copy in exchange for my honest review. 

WWW Wednesday 7th Aug 2019

WWW Wednesday is hosted by Taking on a World of Words where you answer three questions about your reading.

We've had the dreaded sick bug in our house this week - so far it seems to have escaped me and my youngest daughter (fingers crossed) although she's teething so that's a joy all of its own! It's horrible watching your child being ill though, so it's been an emotional and exhausting week so far.

What are you currently reading? 

I've jumped into No Further Questions by Gillian McAllister this week. It's the last one of her currently published books I have left to read and I'm so excited. I've absolutely loved her other three, and I'm already sucked into this courtroom drama. 

I've very nearly finished Never Have I Ever by Joshilyn Jackson on Pigeonhole - it's so good! Can't wait to see how it all wraps up. I really can't guess how it's all going to end, so a perfect thriller! 

I've also just started Take It Back by Kia Abdullah over on Pigeonhole. So far, the start of it has completely gripped me. It's such an intense read and I'm very intrigued to see where this one will go.

What did you recently finish reading? 

A Version of the Truth by B.P. Walter - this was absolutely fantastic. A 5 star read for me! You can see my full review here.

What do you think you'll read next? 

I've got two books in mind that I want to pick up next.

First is The Stranger Diaries by Elly Griffiths. I've heard amazing things about this book. I've read one of her Ruth Galloway books before and enjoyed it, but I think this one sounds quite different from that series. I've got this one currently checked out from my library so need to get to it soon anyway.

Second is The Perfect Wife by J.P. Delaney. I'm ashamed to say I've not read his previous two books under this name, despite owning both of them! But I do have an ARC of this book so will be getting to it very soon.

Please let me know your answers below, or share your blog post, I'd love to see what you've all picked!