Following on from last week's book review which was The Sun Is Also A Star if you haven't seen yet, this week I have something that couldn't be more different. The Rumour by Lesley Kara, a book that I had been desperate to read for so long.
'When single mum Joanna shares a rumour at the school gates - desperate to ingratiate herself with the clique of mothers at the her son's new school - there is no going back... Rumour has it that a notorious child killer is living under a new identity, in their sleepy little town of Flinstead-on-Sea. Sally McGowan was just ten when she stabbed little Robbie Harris to death over 47 years ago - no photos of her exist since her release as a young woman. So who is the supposedly remformed killer who now lives amongst them? How dangerous can one rumour become? And how far will Joanna go to protect her loved ones from harm, when she realises what it is she's unleashed?'
My review
So, I have a ridiculously long list of books I want to get through but The Rumour had been at the top for months. As soon as I read the premise ages ago, I knew it would be my kind of thriller.
After finally picking it up, I soon got stuck in and pretty much straight away I doubted every character. I always do this, I just can't help but be suspicious from the outset. We get introduced to people quite quickly aswell so it really did feel like I was getting thrown in straight away. We find out about Joanna and her family, and we then start to meet mums at her son's school and neighbours, all of who play big parts throughout. At times I did find the number of characters a little overwhelming. Like I just mentioned, they're all quite pivotal to the story so none are really just lurking in the background, I had to keep up with everyone and at times when there are so many women, it's hard to keep track of who is who. I eventually got used to it but at the start it was a little too much.
Aside from that, I really liked Lesley Kara's writing style. It was easy to read, the chapters weren't so long that they dragged but gave plenty of detail, and from the beginning, it was full of suspense. I could tell a lot of thought had gone into each and every character and over time it did start to make sense why there were so many characters that Joanna had to deal with. It was easy to see how one small rumour, that gets passed onto another can end up the talk of the town if not careful.
I liked Joanna and whilst not a mum myself, I could understand her struggles with trying to fit in and doing what she could to try and make friends. I'm sure they'll be many people who would relate to her. She was flawed and she is one of the people to spread the rumour that there's a former killer in the town, but I believed everything she did was with the best intentions, and that's what I want from the main character.
I don't want to spoil anything in case you haven't read the book, but I did find the reveal to be a little predictable. It made sense and it was someone I had started to suspect pretty early on but I liked the backstory and that actually the truth coming out, ended up only being the start for some people. SO much more unravels afterwards, and even on the final page there is something that makes you question everything! It made me re-think all of the feelings I'd had previously and I love it when a book stays with me and makes me think after I turn the final page.
Overall, despite a few critiques I thoroughly enjoyed The Rumour and I'd recommend it to anyone who likes to read a thriller. I can totally see why it's had so much praise and it definitely lived up to the hype for me. I can't wait to read more from Lesley Kara in future.
Have you read The Rumour? Are there any other thrillers you recommend?
After finally picking it up, I soon got stuck in and pretty much straight away I doubted every character. I always do this, I just can't help but be suspicious from the outset. We get introduced to people quite quickly aswell so it really did feel like I was getting thrown in straight away. We find out about Joanna and her family, and we then start to meet mums at her son's school and neighbours, all of who play big parts throughout. At times I did find the number of characters a little overwhelming. Like I just mentioned, they're all quite pivotal to the story so none are really just lurking in the background, I had to keep up with everyone and at times when there are so many women, it's hard to keep track of who is who. I eventually got used to it but at the start it was a little too much.
Aside from that, I really liked Lesley Kara's writing style. It was easy to read, the chapters weren't so long that they dragged but gave plenty of detail, and from the beginning, it was full of suspense. I could tell a lot of thought had gone into each and every character and over time it did start to make sense why there were so many characters that Joanna had to deal with. It was easy to see how one small rumour, that gets passed onto another can end up the talk of the town if not careful.
I liked Joanna and whilst not a mum myself, I could understand her struggles with trying to fit in and doing what she could to try and make friends. I'm sure they'll be many people who would relate to her. She was flawed and she is one of the people to spread the rumour that there's a former killer in the town, but I believed everything she did was with the best intentions, and that's what I want from the main character.
I don't want to spoil anything in case you haven't read the book, but I did find the reveal to be a little predictable. It made sense and it was someone I had started to suspect pretty early on but I liked the backstory and that actually the truth coming out, ended up only being the start for some people. SO much more unravels afterwards, and even on the final page there is something that makes you question everything! It made me re-think all of the feelings I'd had previously and I love it when a book stays with me and makes me think after I turn the final page.
Overall, despite a few critiques I thoroughly enjoyed The Rumour and I'd recommend it to anyone who likes to read a thriller. I can totally see why it's had so much praise and it definitely lived up to the hype for me. I can't wait to read more from Lesley Kara in future.
Have you read The Rumour? Are there any other thrillers you recommend?
Book reviews - The Wife Between Us by Sarah Pekkanen & Greer Hendricks // Do Not Disturb by Claire Douglas
11 comments
This is the first I've heard of this book but I love the sound of it! Right up my street!
Jenny
http://www.jennyinneverland.com
I need to read more thrillers! x
This sounds like something I would enjoy, it's a shame you found it predictable though x
Sophie
Didn't know that a book like this existed so you've caught my attention! Part of me had to read the little description on the book like the Sesame Street song 'One of these is not like the other...' xD
Daisy xoxo | TheDeeWhoLived
It's still pretty new I think! Worth a read xx
Thrillers are always a favourite of mine x
Yeah I could kind of guess where it was going but I love what happened afterwards xx
Yay haha! I hope you give it a read xx
I don't usually like books like this but this one sounds fab
Just came across this and I think this sounds like a cracker if a book. I look forward to reading it
This book has been on my wishlist FOREVER it feels like! I'm absolutely dying to get my hands on this, thank you for a spoiler-free review!
Saph x
www.simplysaph.co.uk
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