The Push

I've read a previous book by Claire McGowan and I enjoyed that one, but this one I just couldn't get into.

For me the story was just really slow going and I really couldn't bring myself to care what happened to any of the characters. It didn't help that there were no wow moments. I ‘buddy' read it with a friend and we pretty much figured out the ‘twists' between us long before they were even revealed.

I had high hopes for this book, but it was a real let down unfortunately.

Thank you to Amazon, Thomas Mercer and NetGalley for the chance to read this book.

Thriller

I have said this time and time again this year that I am in such a slump and all these books are getting neglected because of it. This was given to me by the publisher via Netgalley and my apologize go out to them for my delay. Claire McGowan writes a thrilling thriller that is worth your time and energy. Six diverse couples living in a suburban area of London are looking forward to parenthood and sign up for a group for expectant parents. The couples don't have much in common, but agree to a reunion at the home of one of the couples a few weeks after the group's meetings have ended. The reunion has several awkward and tense moments and then tragedy strikes - someone at the barbecue has fallen to their death from an upstairs balcony. It appears to be an accident but one detective can tell the survivors from the party are hiding something and thinks she is looking at a case of murder.

This book has two main narrators. Jax Culville, one of the expectant mothers from the prenatal group, narrates much of the story. Jax is in her late thirties and is insecure about her relationship with her much younger boyfriend, as well as over past indiscretions. I do not agree with everything Jax does, but I liked her from the beginning. I sympathize with her because she wants to do the best she can and feels she is constantly coming up short. The other main narrator is DS Alison Hegarty who is investigating the death at the party. I like Alison, too. She is determined to find out the truth even though questioning all the new moms is difficult for her since she has been trying unsuccessfully to get pregnant. She has a new work partner as well that she isn't sure about. I was slow to warm up to her partner, but by the end I really liked her and liked how they managed to wrap up the case and make a good team. I do hope that this is a series that fallows D.S Alison and we get more development.

“The Push” is one part procedural and one part domestic drama. What I loved is that I could sit down and finish this in one long sitting it was that good. I also enjoyed the fact that we were not given the name of the person who died at the party until the very end. I kind of figured it out who it was just by speeding through pages but the pacing and the guessing was very well done. If you are looking for a new author and love a good thriller this is the book for you. It is also a part of kindle unlimited if you have that as well check it out. Four star read I will be reading more of this in the future.

3.5 stars, it was actually okay. I've read good and bad reviews, and honestly, I think for one, the fact that there were chapters specifically with Jax's name from the beginning kinda implied something was the matter, but at the same time the victim is only revealed at 49% of the book and despite the odd coincidences that make you frown - for instance, exactly when the guy goes to look for his mom she suddenly shows up? and the sheer horribleness of the characters (sleazy men, biased women, lots of prejudice and craziness), it was interesting.