Clare Mackintosh Archives

Book review: The Butler by Clare Mackintosh

June 13, 20263 min read

I read The Butler by Clare Mackintosh in a sitting (though it is quite short at just over 200 pages). I’ve long been a fan of Mackintosh, ever since a twist in her 2015 debut novel I Let You Go almost made me drop my iPad into the bathtub (where I read). Here, what starts as a somewhat tense week-long birthday celebration in a luxurious mansion in the French Riveria, becomes a whodunnit and I very much liked the way Mackintosh pairs amateur sleuth and butler (Baxter) up with an unlikely but surprisingly canny partner when unpicking clues, motives and means to uncover the murderer.

VIEW the POST

Share

Book review: It’s Not What You Think by Clare Mackintosh

March 26, 20262 min read

It’s Not What You Think by Clare Mackintosh is another unexpected read from the English author. Her debut I Let You Go was a very memorable book for me and in my review I comment on almost dropping my iPad into the bathtub (where I read) as the midway plot twist was sooooo shocking with limited foreshadowing. On starting this I assumed I was about to read a book about a cheating partner who gets his comeuppance, with the victim / partner becoming a key suspect… but this was far from that. Again Mackintosh flips things a third of the way through the book and we realise we’ve been duped. Suddenly the type of book we thought we were reading is far from what unfolds.

VIEW the POST

Share

Book review: Hostage by Clare Mackintosh

June 27, 20212 min read

It’s very weird to read two similar books in close succession. Obviously it’s not the fault of either author, both of whom have invested significant time and energy in their story ideas.

Falling by TJ Newman is an excellent thriller featuring a pilot whose family (back home) is held hostage; the captors threatening to kill them if he doesn’t purposely crash his plane, killing everyone onboard.

Clare Mackintosh’s latest book Hostage is similarly themed, though focussed on a flight attendant whose young daughter is threatened unless she (the mother, not the 5 year old!) takes down the plane.

VIEW the POST

Share

Book review: After the End by Clare Mackintosh

June 22, 20194 min read

I like to think of myself as having discovered UK author Clare Mackintosh. It’s not true, obviously, but I read her debut novel I Let You Go very early and it was one of my favourite books that year. Indeed, its mid-way shocker was one of the best I’ve ever encountered. I’ve also read and reviewed her subsequent novels, I See You and Let Me Lie, enjoying both because of their twists and her innovative plots.

Interestingly her latest, After the End, is quite different. It immediately reminded me of recent work by Jodi Picoult in that it’s boldly confronting and will have readers questioning preconceived ideas… or certainly challenging our thinking. It’s different from Mackintosh’s previous work but that variety isn’t something I mind. Surely if someone loves writing (and excels at storytelling) then it doesn’t matter what they write?

VIEW the POST

Share

Book review: Let Me Lie by Clare Mackintosh

March 6, 20183 min read

Clare Mackintosh’s debut novel, I Let You Go, took my breath away. Very literally. In fact the unexpected twist she offered up midway through the book almost resulted in me dropping my iPad into the bathtub.

It was easily one of my favourite books of 2015. Her second book I See You, was also enjoyable and very clever and contemporary – using the interwebz and technology to taunt and stalk.

Her third (and new release), Let Me Lie, probably rivals her debut for me in terms of its twists and turns, cos just when I thought I had it figured out… I was fooled again!

VIEW the POST

Share

Book review: I See You by Clare Mackintosh

July 28, 20163 min read

Clare Mackintosh’s 2015 release, I Let You Go, was one of my favourite books of the year. It featured a mid-story twist which almost made me drop my iPad in the bathtub. (In related news, thank god for LifeProof covers!)

So… you can imagine my excitement when I discovered Mackintosh had a new book being released… and fortunately her latest, I See You offers up the complex and twisty plot we’ve come to expect from the former police officer.

VIEW the POST

Share

Book review: I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh

April 16, 20153 min read

Former police officer Clare Mackintosh’s first novel, I Let You Go came as a huge surprise. I had to put it down halfway through to cook dinner and complete other pesky chores, but as soon as they were done and dusted I picked up right where I left off… reading the book easily in a night.

The novel kicks off with the event that changes many lives. A mother and son are walking home from school with few cares in the world. The son runs ahead crossing a street he crosses every day. But today it’s raining, and despite the squeal of brakes trying to grip the wet road, he’s struck by a car which then leaves the scene.

VIEW the POST

Share