Not so much a thriller as a character study...
I’ve been struggling with how to review Charity Norman’s latest novel “The Secrets of Strangers” as I wasn’t expecting it to be the book it was. I had convinced myself this was a crime/psychological novel, since its billed as a thriller involving five strangers held hostage in a London cafe by a crazed gunman. However, although there is police negotiators involved, this was for me very much more a character study. All the characters are diverse and with each one having a unique and intriguing in depth backstory that we get to learn from each of them, this made for a slightly slower paced read.
I did enjoy it, there were slow moments during the cafe scenes but the last few chapters certainly picked up the tension and with often short chapters featuring multiple perspectives, I did feel a connection with most of the five main characters. Homeless Neil and his dog Buddy were really endearing and even though Sam the gunman is seriously troubled, I could really see how he ended up in the position he did and felt for his woes.
I thoroughly enjoyed the author’s previous novel “See You in September” and I was hugely looking forward to “The Secrets of Strangers” but even though it wasn’t the thriller I anticipated, I did find it entertaining if just a little slow at times.
3.5 stars
I did enjoy it, there were slow moments during the cafe scenes but the last few chapters certainly picked up the tension and with often short chapters featuring multiple perspectives, I did feel a connection with most of the five main characters. Homeless Neil and his dog Buddy were really endearing and even though Sam the gunman is seriously troubled, I could really see how he ended up in the position he did and felt for his woes.
I thoroughly enjoyed the author’s previous novel “See You in September” and I was hugely looking forward to “The Secrets of Strangers” but even though it wasn’t the thriller I anticipated, I did find it entertaining if just a little slow at times.
3.5 stars