Earlier this year I took part in the Random Things Tours blog tour. This book just blew me away, it was definitely a WOW book and I knew the members of The BookCosy book club would absolutely not want to miss out on this amazing book so I decided to select it for our October read.
SYNOPSIS:
Five hostages, one café - and the moment that changed everything.
A regular weekday morning veers drastically off-course for five strangers whose paths cross in a London café - their lives never to be the same again when an apparently crazed gunman holds them hostage.
But there is more to the situation than first meets the eye and as the captives grapple with their own inner demons, the line between right and wrong starts to blur.
Will the secrets they keep stop them from escaping with their lives?
Gemma's Thoughts:
Firstly, let me mention that synopsis - it drew me in immediately and I knew I would be in for a thrilling read. I have read one other book by Charity Norman a few years ago and I really enjoyed it so after reading the synopsis I knew this was a book I just had to read. And I am so glad I did.
From the opening three chapters you meet three very different people: Neil a homeless man, Abi a lawyer and Mutesi a carer working in a nursing home. My heart was literally jumping in my chest as you know the author is introducing you to these innocent people who will then be caught up in a horrifying, life changing hostage situation. The realisation that this could happen to you or someone you love was terrifying but I couldn't put the book down. It was like walking very slowly into your own nightmare but not being able to turn away. I was hooked.
As the horrors unfolded I found I had already invested emotionally to the novel and the characters, I think mainly because there was such a mixture from children to the elderly, trapped inside the cafe with an armed male, it also brought home how realistic this situation was. I loved how each character contributed to the overall story by bringing in their own point of views and back story, which I really enjoyed reading about.
And then Charity Norman turns everything upside down and you start to hear accounts from the gunman's point of view. I started to long for more of Sam's story and felt overwhelmed by it at times. My feelings towards Sam changed completely and I was compelled by his tale.
What Norman does so well in this novel is to hook you into the story line, create normal, likeable characters and draw you in emotionally. I literally read this book in two days as I couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen next. There is always an element of fear awaiting in the background and you just cannot predict what the outcome will be. I was totally bamboozled several times reading this as just when I thought I had everything sussed something happened to change my perception.
This novel has had a profound effect on me, I completely felt that I was there, watching the going-ons from inside the cafe and now feel emotionally drained that I have turned the final page. It is very rare that a book can touch ones heart so unreservedly and I am truly grateful to Charity Norman for taking me on this amazing roller coaster of a journey, reminding me that each and every human is unique and should never be judged at face value.
This book will be treasured, re-read and remain ingrained on me for decades to come. Many thanks to Charity Norman for writing this extraordinary novel, for Anne Cater and Allen and Unwin UK for inviting me on the blog tour.
Maria's Thoughts:
Wow. What a powerful book. It grabs you and then takes you on a roller-coaster ride of emotions you
won't want to get off.
The death of the genial tea room owner is shockingly witnessed by his early morning customers. In the preceding panic some are able to escape but a few remain as hostages. The characters are so well written that they soon feel like friends and you feel their fear and confusion. They all have a story to tell and you quickly become invested in them.
The murderer also has a story of his own, and like it or not, your heart goes out to him.
Read this book all in one go, or read leisurely and savour every moment but be sure to read it. You won't regret it.
Donna's Thoughts:
This was such a wonderful book, I just loved it. I loved the characters and actually wanted to be cafe alongside them. I only keep a handful of books that I've read and The Secret Of Strangers is definitely going to be one of them, taking pride of place on my shelf. I cannot give this book away as it has had a profound effect on me. It took me a couple of weeks after reading it to actually pick up another book as this one was still heavily on my mind. Just brilliant.
Kim's Thoughts:
What a very clever book. I love it! The characters were larger than life and I enjoyed reading about every single one of them. It was a book with a lot going on, with a huge amount of different themes that it delved into, which only strengthened my enjoyment. I can honestly say this is the best book I've read for a very long time.
Nic's Thoughts:
Working for the home office we have regular drills of hostage situations so I was immediately drawn and glued to this novel. I have to say from my own experience, it was written very accurately and was very believable. I adored the characters and was frustrated that Sam's mum couldn't see what a controlling a manipulative person Robert was. I thought the ending was very fitting. A truly enjoyable book.
Pam's thoughts:
I loved it. The characters were such a wonderful balance and all lent something to Sam: Mutesi, kind; Abi, matter of fact and Neil a man who had nothing to lose like Sam. Sam's back story was so very sad and touching; to lose a father at such a young age was heartbreaking especially as his dad was also his best friend and mentor. And after that fateful day he also lost his mother as well. Such an enjoyable read.
Sandra's thoughts:
I really enjoyed this novel. I could picture it all from the cafe to the local church. There was a nice mix of characters that I was really invested in with a whole host of themes from gambling to homelessness to violence that weaved its way through the novel. A very sad but touching book. A thoroughly enjoyable novel.
OUR SCORES (out of 10):
Gemma: 10
Maria: 10
Donna: 10
Kim: 9
Nic: 10
Pam: 9
Sandra: 9
AUTHOR:
Charity Norman was born in Uganda and brought up in successive draughty vicarages in Yorkshire and Birmingham.
After several years' travel she became a barrister, specialising in crime and family law.
In 2002, realising that her three children had barely met her, she took a break from the law and moved with her family to New Zealand.
THE SECRETS OF STRANGERS is her sixth novel.