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The Other Side of Night
The Other Side of Night begins with a man named David Asha writing about his biggest regret: his sudden separation from his son, Elliot. In his grief, David tells a story.
Next, we step into the life of Harriet Kealty, a police officer trying to clear her name after a lapse of judgment. She discovers a curious inscription in a secondhand book—a plea: Help me, he’s trying to kill me. Who wrote this note? Who is “he”?
This note leads Harri to David Asha, who was last seen stepping off a cliff. Police suspect he couldn’t cope after his wife’s sudden death. Still, why would this man jump and leave behind his young son? Quickly, Harri’s attention zeroes in on a person she knows all too well.
Ben Elmys: once the love of her life. A surrogate father to Elliot Asha and trusted friend to the Ashas.
Ben may also be a murderer.
Next, we step into the life of Harriet Kealty, a police officer trying to clear her name after a lapse of judgment. She discovers a curious inscription in a secondhand book—a plea: Help me, he’s trying to kill me. Who wrote this note? Who is “he”?
This note leads Harri to David Asha, who was last seen stepping off a cliff. Police suspect he couldn’t cope after his wife’s sudden death. Still, why would this man jump and leave behind his young son? Quickly, Harri’s attention zeroes in on a person she knows all too well.
Ben Elmys: once the love of her life. A surrogate father to Elliot Asha and trusted friend to the Ashas.
Ben may also be a murderer.
392 pages, ebook
First published September 15, 2022
About the author
Adam Hamdy
30 books313 followersI'm a Sunday Times and international bestselling author and screenwriter.
I write topical, thought-provoking novels that aim to entertain, and I love lived research, so the events in my books are often inspired by real events.
Before I became a professional writer I was a strategy consultant and advised global businesses in a variety of sectors. I co-founded Capital Crime and am now on the advisory board. I'm also on the board of ITW. I enjoy rock climbing, skiing, sailing and competitive shooting.
I live in Mauritius with my wife and our three children.
I write topical, thought-provoking novels that aim to entertain, and I love lived research, so the events in my books are often inspired by real events.
Before I became a professional writer I was a strategy consultant and advised global businesses in a variety of sectors. I co-founded Capital Crime and am now on the advisory board. I'm also on the board of ITW. I enjoy rock climbing, skiing, sailing and competitive shooting.
I live in Mauritius with my wife and our three children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,179 reviews
October 11, 2022
The Other Side of Night by Adam Hamdy
David Asha is telling us the story of his biggest regret. He's telling us of his son, Elliot. He supplies documents for us to read that support his story and help to tell the story.
Harriet Kealty is a key to this story. In an impulsive moment during her job as a police officer, she makes a mistake and loses her job in disgrace. She didn't do what she's been accused of doing and she wants to clear her name. During this time she meets Ben Elmys and knows he's the one after just two dates. Her heart is broken when he breaks up with her on the third date. Is it Harri that is the problem? Is her thinking so far off that she can't make any right decisions?
It's impossible to say much more because it's a secret that can't be told. Ben knows the secret and so does Elliot. Ben is Elliot's guardian when Harri meets him again, months after he broke up with her and she no longer thinks Ben is as wonderful, anymore. I only understand part of what follows but it is still interesting and kept me going to end of the story...a very strange story.
Publication October 11, 2022
Thank you to Atria/Simon & Schuster and Edelweiss for the print/digital ARCs.
David Asha is telling us the story of his biggest regret. He's telling us of his son, Elliot. He supplies documents for us to read that support his story and help to tell the story.
Harriet Kealty is a key to this story. In an impulsive moment during her job as a police officer, she makes a mistake and loses her job in disgrace. She didn't do what she's been accused of doing and she wants to clear her name. During this time she meets Ben Elmys and knows he's the one after just two dates. Her heart is broken when he breaks up with her on the third date. Is it Harri that is the problem? Is her thinking so far off that she can't make any right decisions?
It's impossible to say much more because it's a secret that can't be told. Ben knows the secret and so does Elliot. Ben is Elliot's guardian when Harri meets him again, months after he broke up with her and she no longer thinks Ben is as wonderful, anymore. I only understand part of what follows but it is still interesting and kept me going to end of the story...a very strange story.
Publication October 11, 2022
Thank you to Atria/Simon & Schuster and Edelweiss for the print/digital ARCs.
June 16, 2024
Oh my goodness! Another book caused an explosion and black smoke fog around my poor grey cells that are out of power after using their entire capacity!
I was thinking I was reading a crime thriller with unconventional story telling technique! A writer named David Asha starts to tell his biggest remorse about losing his son as the narrator of the book; telling someone ruined his boy’s life: a suspended police office Harriet Kealty.
Then we start reading Harriet Kealty’s story from third person narration accompanied by transcripts of court records, diaries, video records from 11 years later. And we realize the writer of the story: David Asha is presumed dead after his wife lost his battle against cancer. He’s just seen at the edge of the cliff and later he vanished into thin air. They never found his body. So we think he is alive from the beginning to write this story but something tremendously tragic happened to his son Elliot he left behind.
Elliot is adopted by the guardian uncle Ben Elmsy, after losing his both parents.
I ask myself what’s the connection Harriet with all of this: We get the answer immediately: it’s all about Ben and Harriet. They had three special dates but out of nowhere Ben dumped her. Harriet already tries to get her job back, accused of killing an innocent man. There’s a video filmed by bystander to help her get acquitted.
She meets a man at a bookstore who promises her to provide the video she needs but instead of meeting with a man, she bumps into an old man recently lost his loved one, giving an emotional speech and she realizes there’s a book left at the place where she’s talked with the man. Something is written inside the book: “ Help me. He’s trying to kill me!” Who wrote this?
Her detective instincts take over and she start investigating the identity of the person who rented the book. The person is Beth Asha. Mother of Elliot who died from cancer. When Harriet decides to search more she realizes Beth could have died from suspicious circumstances. Could Ben- her ex lover- Elliot’s guardian be involved in this crime? Did he have an affair with Beth? Maybe he also tried to kill David as well. ( We know David alive or if he wrote the story from another dimension)
I’m stopping here! I didn’t know this was sci-fi thriller. Especially the last third was mind blowing. All the pieces fit at the right places. Thankfully the author didn’t leave any plot hold behind even though the answers are mostly unconventional, jaw dropping and overwhelmingly confusing!
Overall: this is smart, romantic, eccentric, confusing, well written sci-fi thriller! It took a little time for me to get used to the characters. I found Harriet a little irritated for bring extra heartbroken after Ben and Ben was also acting like suspicious, talking riddles, obsessive, acting like a mad scientist at any minute he’ll be forced to wear straitjacket and pushed into an ambulance to head to the nearest cuckoo’s nest but at the end I understood how I got everything wrong.
After the revelations I’m rounding up my 4.5 stars to 5 sci-fi, starry, mysterious, poignant love story stars!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
I was thinking I was reading a crime thriller with unconventional story telling technique! A writer named David Asha starts to tell his biggest remorse about losing his son as the narrator of the book; telling someone ruined his boy’s life: a suspended police office Harriet Kealty.
Then we start reading Harriet Kealty’s story from third person narration accompanied by transcripts of court records, diaries, video records from 11 years later. And we realize the writer of the story: David Asha is presumed dead after his wife lost his battle against cancer. He’s just seen at the edge of the cliff and later he vanished into thin air. They never found his body. So we think he is alive from the beginning to write this story but something tremendously tragic happened to his son Elliot he left behind.
Elliot is adopted by the guardian uncle Ben Elmsy, after losing his both parents.
I ask myself what’s the connection Harriet with all of this: We get the answer immediately: it’s all about Ben and Harriet. They had three special dates but out of nowhere Ben dumped her. Harriet already tries to get her job back, accused of killing an innocent man. There’s a video filmed by bystander to help her get acquitted.
She meets a man at a bookstore who promises her to provide the video she needs but instead of meeting with a man, she bumps into an old man recently lost his loved one, giving an emotional speech and she realizes there’s a book left at the place where she’s talked with the man. Something is written inside the book: “ Help me. He’s trying to kill me!” Who wrote this?
Her detective instincts take over and she start investigating the identity of the person who rented the book. The person is Beth Asha. Mother of Elliot who died from cancer. When Harriet decides to search more she realizes Beth could have died from suspicious circumstances. Could Ben- her ex lover- Elliot’s guardian be involved in this crime? Did he have an affair with Beth? Maybe he also tried to kill David as well. ( We know David alive or if he wrote the story from another dimension)
I’m stopping here! I didn’t know this was sci-fi thriller. Especially the last third was mind blowing. All the pieces fit at the right places. Thankfully the author didn’t leave any plot hold behind even though the answers are mostly unconventional, jaw dropping and overwhelmingly confusing!
Overall: this is smart, romantic, eccentric, confusing, well written sci-fi thriller! It took a little time for me to get used to the characters. I found Harriet a little irritated for bring extra heartbroken after Ben and Ben was also acting like suspicious, talking riddles, obsessive, acting like a mad scientist at any minute he’ll be forced to wear straitjacket and pushed into an ambulance to head to the nearest cuckoo’s nest but at the end I understood how I got everything wrong.
After the revelations I’m rounding up my 4.5 stars to 5 sci-fi, starry, mysterious, poignant love story stars!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
August 24, 2022
An Intriguing Twist
“What would you sacrifice for love?”
The Other Side of Night is a story about love, loss, and what-ifs.
The plot is complicated, but it involves a disgraced police officer, an eleven-year-old boy, an author, and a mysterious man. All of whom are connected in ways one couldn’t imagine.
The narrative alternates between Hari, a former police officer under investigation, who finds herself investigating her former boyfriend, Ben Elmys. There is also the story of David Asha, an author suspected of suicide, who left his young son behind, Elliot.
This book took me a bit out of my comfort zone. I was never completely sure of what was happening, and I always felt like I was two steps behind. However, the not knowing kept me turning the pages as there is a strangeness that permeates the pages, especially concerning Harri and Ben’s relationship. Thankfully, all is explained.
The ending takes this book into another realm. Science plays a role, but it is not as complicated as Blake Crouch’s novels. However, there are a few elements I didn’t fully grasp, leaving me with a few unanswered questions. On the other hand, I enjoyed pondering questions regarding love and time.
In the end, what I thought was a weird story about a creepy murderer, became a touching story that tests the limits of time.
I received an ARC of this book from Edelweiss and Atria Books in exchange for an honest review.
“What would you sacrifice for love?”
The Other Side of Night is a story about love, loss, and what-ifs.
The plot is complicated, but it involves a disgraced police officer, an eleven-year-old boy, an author, and a mysterious man. All of whom are connected in ways one couldn’t imagine.
The narrative alternates between Hari, a former police officer under investigation, who finds herself investigating her former boyfriend, Ben Elmys. There is also the story of David Asha, an author suspected of suicide, who left his young son behind, Elliot.
This book took me a bit out of my comfort zone. I was never completely sure of what was happening, and I always felt like I was two steps behind. However, the not knowing kept me turning the pages as there is a strangeness that permeates the pages, especially concerning Harri and Ben’s relationship. Thankfully, all is explained.
The ending takes this book into another realm. Science plays a role, but it is not as complicated as Blake Crouch’s novels. However, there are a few elements I didn’t fully grasp, leaving me with a few unanswered questions. On the other hand, I enjoyed pondering questions regarding love and time.
In the end, what I thought was a weird story about a creepy murderer, became a touching story that tests the limits of time.
I received an ARC of this book from Edelweiss and Atria Books in exchange for an honest review.
October 11, 2022
Ssssh…🤫
The Publisher has asked that reviews not reveal the SECRET shared in this book…
So here is what I can say…
The preface is from an author named David Asha who tells us that this will be the story of his biggest regret-his separation from his son Elliot.
A chance encounter in a book shop with a mysterious stranger leads disgraced Police officer Harriet Kealty, to discover a scribbled plea for help in the margins of a secondhand book.
Her search for the person in distress will lead her to a quest for the truth, and for possible redemption.
She ends up at the doorstep of the Asha family home, but the person who opens the door isn’t David Asha-it’s Ben Elmys-a man she thought was going to be the great love of her life, but who instead broke her heart.
Now, he is Elliot’s guardian-the only one who was able to comfort Elliott, when he found out that he was now an Orphan and that Ben had been chosen to raise him.
What did he whisper in the boy’s ear?
A promise…and a SECRET.
Are you INTRIGUED?
I WAS!!
From the first page until the last….
The pace isn’t particularly fast, but as the questions turn to answers, this UNIQUE and perplexing reading experience will begin to make sense and it is all wrapped up in a SURPRISING and SATISFYING conclusion. 🎁
Read with an open mind and an open heart and you will find that you are still thinking about this book long after you have read the final page.
NOW AVAILABLE!
Thank You to Atria books for the gifted copy. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
The Publisher has asked that reviews not reveal the SECRET shared in this book…
So here is what I can say…
The preface is from an author named David Asha who tells us that this will be the story of his biggest regret-his separation from his son Elliot.
A chance encounter in a book shop with a mysterious stranger leads disgraced Police officer Harriet Kealty, to discover a scribbled plea for help in the margins of a secondhand book.
Her search for the person in distress will lead her to a quest for the truth, and for possible redemption.
She ends up at the doorstep of the Asha family home, but the person who opens the door isn’t David Asha-it’s Ben Elmys-a man she thought was going to be the great love of her life, but who instead broke her heart.
Now, he is Elliot’s guardian-the only one who was able to comfort Elliott, when he found out that he was now an Orphan and that Ben had been chosen to raise him.
What did he whisper in the boy’s ear?
A promise…and a SECRET.
Are you INTRIGUED?
I WAS!!
From the first page until the last….
The pace isn’t particularly fast, but as the questions turn to answers, this UNIQUE and perplexing reading experience will begin to make sense and it is all wrapped up in a SURPRISING and SATISFYING conclusion. 🎁
Read with an open mind and an open heart and you will find that you are still thinking about this book long after you have read the final page.
NOW AVAILABLE!
Thank You to Atria books for the gifted copy. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
October 11, 2022
Happy Publication Day! (October 11, 2022)
4.5⭐
“If you had the power to save the life of someone you loved, how far would you go?”
The Other Side of Night by Adam Hamdy is the story of a father, David Asha, an author who shares the story of how he came to be separated from his son Elliot, in his new book. It is also a story of his son, a boy who loses his father soon after his mother dies from cancer. It is also the story of Ben Elmys, a family friend and colleague of the Ashas, who is responsible for Elliot's care after his parents are gone.
This is also the story of Harriet “Harri” Kealty a disgraced police officer who loses her job after being unable to prove her innocence when she is wrongfully accused in a case-related incident . Harri finds a cryptic message in a book she finds in a library sale – a message that leads her to Elliot and his guardian Ben Elmys, a man with whom she once dreamed of a future. Her subsequent investigation into the Asha family and Ben results in her fate becoming inextricably linked to the lives of those she is investigating.
The story is told from the perspectives of Harri and Elliot as well as through chapters from David’s book that also includes court transcripts, police reports, passages from a book and journal entries from some of the characters. At times the narrative might feel disjointed but rest assured, it all comes together (and how!) in the end. If you decide to read this book it is best to go in blind! The pace is on the slower side, but the beautifully penned passages make this worth the read and be prepared to be confused, surprised, unsettled, heartbroken and then finally, filled with a sense of wonder at this thought-provoking and genre-defying novel. This is an unusual story –one that combines elements of family drama, a love story, mystery and speculative fiction. Though this is not a fast-paced thriller, I could not put this book down until I reached the very end.
Many thanks to Adam Hamdy, Atria Books and NetGalley for the digital copy of this incredible novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
October 11, 2022
**Many thanks to NetGalley, Atria, and Adam Hamdy for an ARC in exchange for an honest review! Now available as of 10.11!**
"Lately it occurs to me
What a long, strange trip it's been..."-'Truckin', The Grateful Dead
It's been two days since I finished 'truckin' through this one, and I'm still not quite sure how I feel about it...other than frustrated.
To start, the publisher has asked to keep things on the hush-hush side in terms of plot, but to set the stage at least...We begin by meeting David Asha, who is reeling from the loss of his son Elliot. He warns the tale he is about to tell will sound like fiction, but is entirely true. After this initial intro, we meet Harriet "Harri" Kealty, a former police officer who has had to leave the profession after a tragic mistake during her time on the force. This blow leaves her without purpose, but things seem to take a turn for the better when she meets Ben Elmys, a stranger with a poetic soul who sparks her attention immediately. They begin a courtship, but Harri is devastated when Ben breaks it off and is left puzzling as to what she did wrong.
Harri is in a bookstore, just casually browsing, when she finds a book with a disturbing message scrawled on one of its pages: "Help me, he's trying to kill me." Harri's detective instincts kick in, and she winds up at the home of Elliot's guardian...but it isn't David Asha. Rather, it's a face she thought she might never see again: Ben Elmys. Ben and Elliot are bonded in a strange way, though...they share a dangerous secret. Elliot tells Harri he can't reveal it. But can Harri piece together what REALLY happened to David Asha, her relationship with Ben...and what about David's wife? What role does she play in this tangled mess of players...or is SHE destined to discover this dangerous secret all on her own?
This is such a strange book to try to review, and I mean that. I went into it expecting a mystery/thriller with a big twist...and then basically had to sit on my hands and hang in there for about 80% of the read waiting for that twist to happen.
The start was compelling enough, and I enjoyed Harri's character and her story, although it felt a bit long-winded to me at times. probably because I just keep waiting for things to pick up. We are given breadcrumb after breadcrumb, but after a while, I was getting hangry and just wanted some answers! This book honestly reads pretty much like a 'standard' crime thriller, and while I wasn't enthralled I thought it was leading somewhere interesting, so I held on hope for that AHA moment.
And then...the BIG twist (so to speak).
So at this point the book basically jumps from mystery to sci-fi/fantasyland and doesn't look back. All is revealed and 'makes sense' (after the big explanation) through referencing a bunch of very specific plot points, none of which I can discuss in any fashion without spoiling the entire book. Not only does this require a HUGE suspension of disbelief, but I was a bit bored with the explanation and accompanying mental gymnastics required just to piece everything together.
I also felt like the author went a bit off the deep end waxing philosophical at this point, probably to 'elevate the narrative', but I don't think TONS of rhetorical questions about life and all that lies beyond were needed in this one. Normally, I love books that make me challenge my perception of life and the world, all that came before us and all that lies beyond, but I honestly got frustrated after a while with all of the pondering because it seemed more like the author was fixated on trying to make a point for the sake of making one rather than leaving the reader with a more specific takeaway.
All in all, my experience with this one was like going to an art museum to see a much hyped painting where the artist's technique was intricate and respectable...but the resulting artwork was just a bit too OUT OF THIS WORLD for my taste.
3.5 stars
"Lately it occurs to me
What a long, strange trip it's been..."-'Truckin', The Grateful Dead
It's been two days since I finished 'truckin' through this one, and I'm still not quite sure how I feel about it...other than frustrated.
To start, the publisher has asked to keep things on the hush-hush side in terms of plot, but to set the stage at least...We begin by meeting David Asha, who is reeling from the loss of his son Elliot. He warns the tale he is about to tell will sound like fiction, but is entirely true. After this initial intro, we meet Harriet "Harri" Kealty, a former police officer who has had to leave the profession after a tragic mistake during her time on the force. This blow leaves her without purpose, but things seem to take a turn for the better when she meets Ben Elmys, a stranger with a poetic soul who sparks her attention immediately. They begin a courtship, but Harri is devastated when Ben breaks it off and is left puzzling as to what she did wrong.
Harri is in a bookstore, just casually browsing, when she finds a book with a disturbing message scrawled on one of its pages: "Help me, he's trying to kill me." Harri's detective instincts kick in, and she winds up at the home of Elliot's guardian...but it isn't David Asha. Rather, it's a face she thought she might never see again: Ben Elmys. Ben and Elliot are bonded in a strange way, though...they share a dangerous secret. Elliot tells Harri he can't reveal it. But can Harri piece together what REALLY happened to David Asha, her relationship with Ben...and what about David's wife? What role does she play in this tangled mess of players...or is SHE destined to discover this dangerous secret all on her own?
This is such a strange book to try to review, and I mean that. I went into it expecting a mystery/thriller with a big twist...and then basically had to sit on my hands and hang in there for about 80% of the read waiting for that twist to happen.
The start was compelling enough, and I enjoyed Harri's character and her story, although it felt a bit long-winded to me at times. probably because I just keep waiting for things to pick up. We are given breadcrumb after breadcrumb, but after a while, I was getting hangry and just wanted some answers! This book honestly reads pretty much like a 'standard' crime thriller, and while I wasn't enthralled I thought it was leading somewhere interesting, so I held on hope for that AHA moment.
And then...the BIG twist (so to speak).
So at this point the book basically jumps from mystery to sci-fi/fantasyland and doesn't look back. All is revealed and 'makes sense' (after the big explanation) through referencing a bunch of very specific plot points, none of which I can discuss in any fashion without spoiling the entire book. Not only does this require a HUGE suspension of disbelief, but I was a bit bored with the explanation and accompanying mental gymnastics required just to piece everything together.
I also felt like the author went a bit off the deep end waxing philosophical at this point, probably to 'elevate the narrative', but I don't think TONS of rhetorical questions about life and all that lies beyond were needed in this one. Normally, I love books that make me challenge my perception of life and the world, all that came before us and all that lies beyond, but I honestly got frustrated after a while with all of the pondering because it seemed more like the author was fixated on trying to make a point for the sake of making one rather than leaving the reader with a more specific takeaway.
All in all, my experience with this one was like going to an art museum to see a much hyped painting where the artist's technique was intricate and respectable...but the resulting artwork was just a bit too OUT OF THIS WORLD for my taste.
3.5 stars
June 2, 2022
This is a tale of the absolute unexpected. Do not read the blurb or anything that may sneak in some clues as this is a just go in blind read in order to confound and enhance your expectations. This is a unique read that is a terrific blend of several genres but which does also rightly sit in the mystery thriller bracket. It will blow your mind as it blows mine. It takes me several hours to try to process before putting pen to paper in what I can say with certainty as I think this is brilliant. I’ll try to give you a flavour which is spoiler free, here goes!
This is the story of how former police officer Harriet Kealty destroys David Asha’s son Elliot’s life and then absolutely redeems it. It is told through a variety of means such as court reports, book extracts, video transcripts as well as the perspective of characters including Harriet. If that sounds as if it’s going to be disjointed, it isn’t as Adam Hamdy blends the puzzling conundrum seamlessly in a fast paced, slick and complex plot.
The author hooks me in immediately as I almost greedily swallow and savour the pages in anticipation of the compelling and utterly gripping tale. It is brim full of emotion and pain as you feel the sense of failure of several characters and how they shoulder the blame and the regret of their choices. It’s very intense in places especially with some relationships which are fascinating in their complexity and the tension between them bounces off the pages.
Some characters feel other worldly at times and so it feels strange and perplexing as Harriet tries to piece together the clues she’s either witnesses or discovers, some of which are often in the form of poetry. I love this element which adds a little something extra!
There is a lot going on but at times it’s also reflective and still which is welcome as you try to process your building suspicions. In places my jaw drops, my brain fries trying to take it all in and trust me, some of the twists are outstanding.
Overall, this is an excellent blend of themes, it’s a go with the flow read for a better experience and oddly, I find I can buy into what I’ve just read because it is so well written.
Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Pan MacMillan for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
This is the story of how former police officer Harriet Kealty destroys David Asha’s son Elliot’s life and then absolutely redeems it. It is told through a variety of means such as court reports, book extracts, video transcripts as well as the perspective of characters including Harriet. If that sounds as if it’s going to be disjointed, it isn’t as Adam Hamdy blends the puzzling conundrum seamlessly in a fast paced, slick and complex plot.
The author hooks me in immediately as I almost greedily swallow and savour the pages in anticipation of the compelling and utterly gripping tale. It is brim full of emotion and pain as you feel the sense of failure of several characters and how they shoulder the blame and the regret of their choices. It’s very intense in places especially with some relationships which are fascinating in their complexity and the tension between them bounces off the pages.
Some characters feel other worldly at times and so it feels strange and perplexing as Harriet tries to piece together the clues she’s either witnesses or discovers, some of which are often in the form of poetry. I love this element which adds a little something extra!
There is a lot going on but at times it’s also reflective and still which is welcome as you try to process your building suspicions. In places my jaw drops, my brain fries trying to take it all in and trust me, some of the twists are outstanding.
Overall, this is an excellent blend of themes, it’s a go with the flow read for a better experience and oddly, I find I can buy into what I’ve just read because it is so well written.
Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Pan MacMillan for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
August 17, 2022
A marketer at Atria recommended going in blind to this book. I also think it’s really hard to describe anyway, so on that point, I’ll tell you how it made me feel. With David Asha’s opening about his son, Elliott, I developed a lump in my throat. When I met Harri, a former police officer, I moved to the edge of my seat, as she embarked on an investigation that was important to her for many reasons.
I remained on the edge of my seat with a lump in my throat until the last chapter where one sentence had me crying rivers of tears. I read it over and over, and cried again. I read it a few times because it was philosophical and beautiful and heartrending, and I wanted to make sure I understood and truly soaked up every word of its brilliance.
This book has compared to The Midnight Library, which I also loved. I can see a loose connection for a few reasons I won’t spoil but also because of the thoughtful, philosophical, perhaps life-changing, messaging.
In the end, I found comfort from this story. Thanks again to Atria for putting this book in my hands, and to Adam Hamdy for being inspired to write it.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram.com/tarheelreader
I remained on the edge of my seat with a lump in my throat until the last chapter where one sentence had me crying rivers of tears. I read it over and over, and cried again. I read it a few times because it was philosophical and beautiful and heartrending, and I wanted to make sure I understood and truly soaked up every word of its brilliance.
This book has compared to The Midnight Library, which I also loved. I can see a loose connection for a few reasons I won’t spoil but also because of the thoughtful, philosophical, perhaps life-changing, messaging.
In the end, I found comfort from this story. Thanks again to Atria for putting this book in my hands, and to Adam Hamdy for being inspired to write it.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram.com/tarheelreader
March 15, 2024
In a Nutshell: Can’t reveal much without spoiling it, so all I’ll say here is: it takes a long while to get going but the ending is worth it. Better suited to those who prefer character-driven reads and aren’t fussy about genres. I am an outlier once again, but on the positive side – Woohoo!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
PSA: Go in blind!
Bookish Yays:
🔥 As you might have guessed from the synopsis, Harriet is the key character of this book. But the story comes to us…. Now this is going to be a surprise… in David Asha’s perspective! It takes ages to understand how and where from and why and when David is narrating this tale. I enjoyed the unusual path taken as well as the discovery of the truth.
🔥 As David’s narration is the frame story, the plot gets a lot of structure and support. David uses various resources such as court rulings, newspaper articles, Harriet’s journal, as well as his own memories to tell us the truth sequentially, even if the characters in that particular timepoint don’t know yet what happened. His own interludes add to the depth of the storyline.
🔥 A character-driven story always needs complex characters, who might not be all good or all bad but are people you want to know more about. The key characters all fit this requirement. They aren’t likeable but they are realistic.
🔥 I am not going to utter anything abut the storyline beyond what I have said above. But just know, it goes much beyond an ordinary murder investigation. I can’t remember the last time I was caught so unawares by the direction taken by a story.
🔥 There are some excellent quotable quotes herein.
🔥 Didn’t expect to find myself thinking about free will vs. determinism while reading this. Read the book to know why. Loved this aspect!
Bookish Mixed Bags:
🎆 The pace is much hampered by philosophical rambling from David. To be fair, the reason for his musings becomes clear later and even makes sense at the end. But the problem is me. I have an allergy against philosophy: even a few sentences of it makes me break into eyerolls and yawns.
🎆 The story changes direction in the final quarter, a transition so drastic that the publisher had to add a special note to ARC reviewers about not leaking any spoiler in the review. Your enjoyment of the book will depend heavily on what you think of this transition. It worked excellently for me, though it did leave me with a few minor questions as well.
🎆 You do require to engage in suspension of disbelief but I guess that’s a taken for most contemporary thrillers anyway. Some of the reveals are too big to digest immediately, but many of them make sense in the story flow. Better if you just go with the flow.
I confess, the low rating on Goodreads didn’t exactly motivate me to get to this book soon. But now that I have read it, I understand why so many readers had trouble with it. The plotline needs a lot of patience. Unlike typical mystery stories, this is a slowburn, and is also character-driven. So perhaps, it would help to go into it with the right approach. Don’t read it as a mystery or crime thriller because these would automatically make you expect a faster tempo and regular twists/surprises. Rather, treat it as a literary fiction or a character-oriented drama. FWIW, it is officially promoted as ‘general fiction’.
Definitely recommended, but not to all readers. This is a niche audience book, and might work better for those who enjoy character-driven storylines and aren’t constricted by genre preferences. It’s not for those who like insta-everything. I am enjoying being on the positive side of Outlier Island for a change; rarely am I on ‘the other side of night’. 😉
4 stars.
Pro tip: Read the preface again once you have completed the whole story. You will discover greater meaning in it, especially in its very first sentence. Reading it the second time around is like a light-bulb-turned-on-above-head moment!
My thanks to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Other Side of Night”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
Harriet Kealty, a police officer, has just been suspended. As she tries to clear her name, she discovers a second-hand book with an inscription: “Help me, he’s trying to kill me.” Backtracking to the last person who borrowed the book from the library, Harriet discovers that Elizabeth Asha, the woman who possibly wrote the note, died a few months ago, followed soon after by her husband David, who jumped off the cliffs, leaving behind their six-year-old son Elliott. Harriet feels compelled to check on Elliott, when she discovers, to her great surprise, that his new guardian is Ben Elmys, the love of Harriet’s life who broke up with her after just three dates. Is this all just a coincidence? But there are no coincidences in police work, right?
Ben was just a colleague of the Ashas. Why is he the guardian of their son? Why did David jump off the cliff when he knew there was no one to look after his little boy? Why did Elizabeth write the note? As Harriet scrambles to find the truth, she realises a horrifying possibility: Ben Elmys might be a murderer. Can she leave her one-sided feelings for him aside and dig out the truth?
PSA: Go in blind!
Bookish Yays:
🔥 As you might have guessed from the synopsis, Harriet is the key character of this book. But the story comes to us…. Now this is going to be a surprise… in David Asha’s perspective! It takes ages to understand how and where from and why and when David is narrating this tale. I enjoyed the unusual path taken as well as the discovery of the truth.
🔥 As David’s narration is the frame story, the plot gets a lot of structure and support. David uses various resources such as court rulings, newspaper articles, Harriet’s journal, as well as his own memories to tell us the truth sequentially, even if the characters in that particular timepoint don’t know yet what happened. His own interludes add to the depth of the storyline.
🔥 A character-driven story always needs complex characters, who might not be all good or all bad but are people you want to know more about. The key characters all fit this requirement. They aren’t likeable but they are realistic.
🔥 I am not going to utter anything abut the storyline beyond what I have said above. But just know, it goes much beyond an ordinary murder investigation. I can’t remember the last time I was caught so unawares by the direction taken by a story.
🔥 There are some excellent quotable quotes herein.
🔥 Didn’t expect to find myself thinking about free will vs. determinism while reading this. Read the book to know why. Loved this aspect!
Bookish Mixed Bags:
🎆 The pace is much hampered by philosophical rambling from David. To be fair, the reason for his musings becomes clear later and even makes sense at the end. But the problem is me. I have an allergy against philosophy: even a few sentences of it makes me break into eyerolls and yawns.
🎆 The story changes direction in the final quarter, a transition so drastic that the publisher had to add a special note to ARC reviewers about not leaking any spoiler in the review. Your enjoyment of the book will depend heavily on what you think of this transition. It worked excellently for me, though it did leave me with a few minor questions as well.
🎆 You do require to engage in suspension of disbelief but I guess that’s a taken for most contemporary thrillers anyway. Some of the reveals are too big to digest immediately, but many of them make sense in the story flow. Better if you just go with the flow.
I confess, the low rating on Goodreads didn’t exactly motivate me to get to this book soon. But now that I have read it, I understand why so many readers had trouble with it. The plotline needs a lot of patience. Unlike typical mystery stories, this is a slowburn, and is also character-driven. So perhaps, it would help to go into it with the right approach. Don’t read it as a mystery or crime thriller because these would automatically make you expect a faster tempo and regular twists/surprises. Rather, treat it as a literary fiction or a character-oriented drama. FWIW, it is officially promoted as ‘general fiction’.
Definitely recommended, but not to all readers. This is a niche audience book, and might work better for those who enjoy character-driven storylines and aren’t constricted by genre preferences. It’s not for those who like insta-everything. I am enjoying being on the positive side of Outlier Island for a change; rarely am I on ‘the other side of night’. 😉
4 stars.
Pro tip: Read the preface again once you have completed the whole story. You will discover greater meaning in it, especially in its very first sentence. Reading it the second time around is like a light-bulb-turned-on-above-head moment!
My thanks to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Other Side of Night”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
August 20, 2022
My brain hurt, my mind swirled, I kept squinting my eyebrows............ not good for wrinkles, but this was a bit mentally challenging and I was processing what was happening, trying to clear the smoke tossed in my eyes.
I went in blind and came out somewhere over the rainbow......
The house was shaken, the changing point of views were presented, and too much exposition had me puzzled. I was engaged and invested throughout, even though parts were rambling with too much over elaborate detail (subtract a star off/too wordy). There is some strange poetry and a trip down Weird Avenue, like a puzzle with a lot of different keys.
It won't be for everyone, no book is, but for me it was an adventure with a starburst ending. I'm glad to be back though and I'll be taking a brain break and listening to my cozy read this weekend!
Thanks to Netgalley for my advanced copy! OUT September 27, 2022
I went in blind and came out somewhere over the rainbow......
The house was shaken, the changing point of views were presented, and too much exposition had me puzzled. I was engaged and invested throughout, even though parts were rambling with too much over elaborate detail (subtract a star off/too wordy). There is some strange poetry and a trip down Weird Avenue, like a puzzle with a lot of different keys.
It won't be for everyone, no book is, but for me it was an adventure with a starburst ending. I'm glad to be back though and I'll be taking a brain break and listening to my cozy read this weekend!
Thanks to Netgalley for my advanced copy! OUT September 27, 2022
June 3, 2023
ANOTHER WOWZA MOMENT!!!
David Asha tells the story through manuscripts about the biggest regret of his life losing his son Elliott, the manuscripts supports David’s story.
Harriet Kelty resigns from the police force in disgrace, now retired she meets Ben Elmy’s a man she fell in love with but he breaks her heart ❤️ now Harriet now looks into three deaths struggling to find answers.
Now Ben is Eliot’s guardian but what did Ben say into Eliot’s ear?
I won’t say too much more suffice to say what I thought was going to be a simple murder mystery turned out to be so much more the Sci fi aspect was brilliant I loved the writing ✍️ it was so beautiful tears 😭 ran down my face kudos to Adam Hanby for his intelligent writing style, I could not put this down it was slow but in a good way you got to feel everything for the character driven novel 5 beautiful stars.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
David Asha tells the story through manuscripts about the biggest regret of his life losing his son Elliott, the manuscripts supports David’s story.
Harriet Kelty resigns from the police force in disgrace, now retired she meets Ben Elmy’s a man she fell in love with but he breaks her heart ❤️ now Harriet now looks into three deaths struggling to find answers.
Now Ben is Eliot’s guardian but what did Ben say into Eliot’s ear?
I won’t say too much more suffice to say what I thought was going to be a simple murder mystery turned out to be so much more the Sci fi aspect was brilliant I loved the writing ✍️ it was so beautiful tears 😭 ran down my face kudos to Adam Hanby for his intelligent writing style, I could not put this down it was slow but in a good way you got to feel everything for the character driven novel 5 beautiful stars.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 19, 2022
We start the book with David Asha telling us a story about the day he abandoned his son Elliott.
We then follow Harriet Kealty, a disgraced ex-cop, as she discovers a mysterious inscription left behind in a used book she purchases: Help me, He's trying to kill me. This spurs her into investigating this further. Who is she and who is trying to kill her?
Harri is then led to David Asha, whose wife left that mysterious inscription, and finds out that his wife Beth has recently died of cancer....or did she?
She decides to stop by to ask him a few questions but imagine her surprise when Ben Elmys answers the door. Ben, her one true love, the one that broke her heart into a million pieces. What is he doing here?
Turns out David Asha is also dead. Believed to be suicide from jumping off a cliff in his grief for the loss of Beth and now Ben is guardian to their son, Elliott. However, Ben doesn't seem himself, certainly not the man she had fallen in love with. Now he seems unhinged as if he's about to have a mental breakdown and her concern for Elliott grows. This man should not be caring for a child in this state.
I can say no more. Honestly, I wouldn't know what to say even if I tried. This book is completely bewildering. My mind was constantly spinning wondering how all the connections would come together. While the stories are wildly different my reading experience with this was similar to The Last House on Needless Street. Anyone who has read that will understand what I'm trying to say. I was utterly transfixed in my confusion. I just had to know what was happening.
Then when I found out what was happening it got a little too fantastical for my taste. This is pretty out there and I won't pretend to be intelligent enough to say I understood this. Physics is not my forte by any means. There is a lot of waxing philosophical and poetry both of which really aren't my thing either. Yet I can honestly say I enjoyed this even if I didn't understand all of it. It's an astonishing piece of fiction and it's going to blow the mind of many readers. 4 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for my complimentary copy.
We then follow Harriet Kealty, a disgraced ex-cop, as she discovers a mysterious inscription left behind in a used book she purchases: Help me, He's trying to kill me. This spurs her into investigating this further. Who is she and who is trying to kill her?
Harri is then led to David Asha, whose wife left that mysterious inscription, and finds out that his wife Beth has recently died of cancer....or did she?
She decides to stop by to ask him a few questions but imagine her surprise when Ben Elmys answers the door. Ben, her one true love, the one that broke her heart into a million pieces. What is he doing here?
Turns out David Asha is also dead. Believed to be suicide from jumping off a cliff in his grief for the loss of Beth and now Ben is guardian to their son, Elliott. However, Ben doesn't seem himself, certainly not the man she had fallen in love with. Now he seems unhinged as if he's about to have a mental breakdown and her concern for Elliott grows. This man should not be caring for a child in this state.
I can say no more. Honestly, I wouldn't know what to say even if I tried. This book is completely bewildering. My mind was constantly spinning wondering how all the connections would come together. While the stories are wildly different my reading experience with this was similar to The Last House on Needless Street. Anyone who has read that will understand what I'm trying to say. I was utterly transfixed in my confusion. I just had to know what was happening.
Then when I found out what was happening it got a little too fantastical for my taste. This is pretty out there and I won't pretend to be intelligent enough to say I understood this. Physics is not my forte by any means. There is a lot of waxing philosophical and poetry both of which really aren't my thing either. Yet I can honestly say I enjoyed this even if I didn't understand all of it. It's an astonishing piece of fiction and it's going to blow the mind of many readers. 4 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for my complimentary copy.
September 16, 2022
3.5 stars, rounded up
At 80% into this book I was prepared to give it 2 stars. It was very slow and had so much telling, I was starting to glaze over and get so very bored. Then came the big twist and it morphed into an even bigger twist and I was sold.
Overall the pacing could have been a lot better. It could have had more straightforward storytelling rather than so much exposition and so little action. Yet my brain really appreciated the last 20%, to the point that I raised my rating.
Just a warning to those who don't care for sci-fi, this book does have a sci-fi-esque resolution. If you don't like it, then you most likely won't like this book. I do like some light sci-fi (see my recent reads of Amen Maxine and Violet Is Nowhere) and so appreciated and liked the overall narrative of this book. However those who are expecting a straightforward mystery will be disappointed. I'm treading lightly here as to not go into spoiler territory, but UNLIKE Behind Her Eyes, which is billed as a mystery and veers sharply into paranormal woo woo, at least the storyline of this book seems potentially plausible to me.
I encourage you to read it for yourself and see what you think. It's overall a pretty quick read and definitely entertaining in the end, taken as a whole. I'd like to go back and read it again now that I know how it all turns out.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
At 80% into this book I was prepared to give it 2 stars. It was very slow and had so much telling, I was starting to glaze over and get so very bored. Then came the big twist and it morphed into an even bigger twist and I was sold.
Overall the pacing could have been a lot better. It could have had more straightforward storytelling rather than so much exposition and so little action. Yet my brain really appreciated the last 20%, to the point that I raised my rating.
Just a warning to those who don't care for sci-fi, this book does have a sci-fi-esque resolution. If you don't like it, then you most likely won't like this book. I do like some light sci-fi (see my recent reads of Amen Maxine and Violet Is Nowhere) and so appreciated and liked the overall narrative of this book. However those who are expecting a straightforward mystery will be disappointed. I'm treading lightly here as to not go into spoiler territory, but UNLIKE Behind Her Eyes, which is billed as a mystery and veers sharply into paranormal woo woo, at least the storyline of this book seems potentially plausible to me.
I encourage you to read it for yourself and see what you think. It's overall a pretty quick read and definitely entertaining in the end, taken as a whole. I'd like to go back and read it again now that I know how it all turns out.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
September 1, 2022
The less you know, the better?
The publisher has requested not to spoil the surprises in this book. That immediately intrigued me. With that in mind, here is a super brief synopsis:
An author named David Asha decides to write a book about the biggest regret of his life: separating from his son, Elliot. Harriet Kealty is a disgraced former police officer who becomes intrigued with some writing she finds in the pages of a book. Her investigation leads her to the Asha residence…and to Ben Elmys. Ben is a man Harriet used to date, and he is now the guardian of David’s son, Elliot.
When Ben claimed guardianship of Elliot, he let him in on a secret…one that only the two of them know.
What is the secret? Read to find out.
I’m an outlier, but I didn’t find the secret to be that thrilling…maybe because I partially expected some form of it? Maybe because at the same time, I couldn’t wrap my head around it? Who knows?! It certainly defies logic and probably shouldn’t be dissected too much.
I loved the chapters from Harriet’s POV. They were suspenseful and atmospheric, and I really thought the book was heading in an interesting direction. Unfortunately, I felt the other sections were a bit slow, and with flowery prose that I didn’t get into.
So, a bit of a mixed bag for me. However, many reviewers are loving this one, so please check out their amazing, tight-lipped reviews. For what it’s worth, I found the story to be creative and interesting even if it won’t end up on my top 10 list. For that, I’m giving it 2.5 stars rounded up.
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Expected Publication Date: 9/27/22.
The publisher has requested not to spoil the surprises in this book. That immediately intrigued me. With that in mind, here is a super brief synopsis:
An author named David Asha decides to write a book about the biggest regret of his life: separating from his son, Elliot. Harriet Kealty is a disgraced former police officer who becomes intrigued with some writing she finds in the pages of a book. Her investigation leads her to the Asha residence…and to Ben Elmys. Ben is a man Harriet used to date, and he is now the guardian of David’s son, Elliot.
When Ben claimed guardianship of Elliot, he let him in on a secret…one that only the two of them know.
What is the secret? Read to find out.
I’m an outlier, but I didn’t find the secret to be that thrilling…maybe because I partially expected some form of it? Maybe because at the same time, I couldn’t wrap my head around it? Who knows?! It certainly defies logic and probably shouldn’t be dissected too much.
I loved the chapters from Harriet’s POV. They were suspenseful and atmospheric, and I really thought the book was heading in an interesting direction. Unfortunately, I felt the other sections were a bit slow, and with flowery prose that I didn’t get into.
So, a bit of a mixed bag for me. However, many reviewers are loving this one, so please check out their amazing, tight-lipped reviews. For what it’s worth, I found the story to be creative and interesting even if it won’t end up on my top 10 list. For that, I’m giving it 2.5 stars rounded up.
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Expected Publication Date: 9/27/22.
October 21, 2022
Thanks to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster, and Atria books for this book of outstanding speculative fiction. It combines and addresses a philosophy of love and life, poetry, mystery, grief, regrets, loss, family and sacrifice with elements of science fiction. Is it possible for love to endure through time, place and misunderstandings?
I won't attempt to summarize the plot, even if I could. It is best to go into the book without preconceived notions of the characters or story. I was perplexed, baffled and bewildered throughout. Much of the speculative science was way beyond my understanding, but I was completely enthralled by the wild ride, its suspense and its outcome.
Near the beginning, you get background stories of the main characters, but much seems ambiguous and omitted. or misleading. I would not call them unreliable witnesses, as few have complete knowledge of what is happening in their lives, which is also unclear to the reader. Connections and relationships are filled in as the plot progresses. The author deliberately keeps the reader missing clarity as more revelations and mind-blowing twists enter the story. This was a topsy-turvy ride that I completely enjoyed but left my head spinning and my brain wobbly.
Recommended for readers who want something different and this strange, astounding, imaginative story will find much to enjoy.
I won't attempt to summarize the plot, even if I could. It is best to go into the book without preconceived notions of the characters or story. I was perplexed, baffled and bewildered throughout. Much of the speculative science was way beyond my understanding, but I was completely enthralled by the wild ride, its suspense and its outcome.
Near the beginning, you get background stories of the main characters, but much seems ambiguous and omitted. or misleading. I would not call them unreliable witnesses, as few have complete knowledge of what is happening in their lives, which is also unclear to the reader. Connections and relationships are filled in as the plot progresses. The author deliberately keeps the reader missing clarity as more revelations and mind-blowing twists enter the story. This was a topsy-turvy ride that I completely enjoyed but left my head spinning and my brain wobbly.
Recommended for readers who want something different and this strange, astounding, imaginative story will find much to enjoy.
July 25, 2022
This book was a surprise!
The beginning grabbed me right away. A father, David Asha, is telling the story of his separation of his son, Elliott. Then we jump to police officer, Harriet Kealty, who is trying to clear her name. She finds a note in a book which says "Help me, he’s trying to kill me" Her curiosity gets the best of her, and she begins to investigate the note. Her investigation brings her to David Asha, but someone else answers the door. Someone she knows......
That is all I am going to tell because you need to read this book for yourself. I felt as if I was on a seesaw/teeter totter in this book. I enjoyed it, I had to wrap my head around it, at times I wasn't sure I liked it, then I was emersed in it. This was an interesting book with wonderful writing and passages.
Thank you to Atria Books and Edelweis who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
The beginning grabbed me right away. A father, David Asha, is telling the story of his separation of his son, Elliott. Then we jump to police officer, Harriet Kealty, who is trying to clear her name. She finds a note in a book which says "Help me, he’s trying to kill me" Her curiosity gets the best of her, and she begins to investigate the note. Her investigation brings her to David Asha, but someone else answers the door. Someone she knows......
That is all I am going to tell because you need to read this book for yourself. I felt as if I was on a seesaw/teeter totter in this book. I enjoyed it, I had to wrap my head around it, at times I wasn't sure I liked it, then I was emersed in it. This was an interesting book with wonderful writing and passages.
Thank you to Atria Books and Edelweis who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
October 11, 2022
Update 10/11/22: Reposting my review to celebrate that today is publication day!
The Other Side of Night tells the story of Harriet Kealty, a former police detective who begins to investigate a man she briefly dated, Ben Elmys. Ben was recently given custody of a 10-year-old boy named Elliot Asha after Elliot’s parents, David and Elizabeth, both passed away. But there are mysteries surrounding both David’s and Elizabeth’s deaths, and Harriet begins to wonder if Ben was somehow involved.
Now, even without the publisher’s request, it doesn’t take very many pages to understand that there’s more than meets the eye going on here. It’s all aggressively presented that there’s a secret—a mysteriously mysterious mystery—at the heart of The Other Side of Night. So the core question is: does the mystery pay off? Is the journey worth it? While I’m not quite as enthusiastic as some of the other reviews you’ll find, I have to say yes. The answers don’t come until quite late in the story, later than I would have preferred. But once they start, it’s a non-stop flurry until the end. And the answers are satisfying, resolving the questions you knew were open but also tying up a series of loose ends you probably hasn’t even noticed. As an exercise of plotting and puzzle design, it is pretty impressive. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4. Recommended.
What would you sacrifice for love?Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for sending me an ARC of The Other Side of Night in exchange for an honest review. The publisher has told reviewers that “[w]hen you complete The Other Side of Night it should be quite obvious which plot points and themes that we beg you not reveal in any reviews or pre-publication discussions of this book.” I’ll be honoring that request, of course, so apologies in advance if my review ends up a bit vague.
…
This is my son’s story. I have no doubt it will be sold as fiction, but rest assured every word that follows is true.
…
My dream, the happiest of endings, is that the three of us never have to make any difficult choices.
The Other Side of Night tells the story of Harriet Kealty, a former police detective who begins to investigate a man she briefly dated, Ben Elmys. Ben was recently given custody of a 10-year-old boy named Elliot Asha after Elliot’s parents, David and Elizabeth, both passed away. But there are mysteries surrounding both David’s and Elizabeth’s deaths, and Harriet begins to wonder if Ben was somehow involved.
Now, even without the publisher’s request, it doesn’t take very many pages to understand that there’s more than meets the eye going on here. It’s all aggressively presented that there’s a secret—a mysteriously mysterious mystery—at the heart of The Other Side of Night. So the core question is: does the mystery pay off? Is the journey worth it? While I’m not quite as enthusiastic as some of the other reviews you’ll find, I have to say yes. The answers don’t come until quite late in the story, later than I would have preferred. But once they start, it’s a non-stop flurry until the end. And the answers are satisfying, resolving the questions you knew were open but also tying up a series of loose ends you probably hasn’t even noticed. As an exercise of plotting and puzzle design, it is pretty impressive. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4. Recommended.
September 12, 2022
Secret Sauce.
An added flavor to a mysterious story and an unreliable narrator kept me guessing until the end. For most of the book, I was suspended - and undecided as to what was actually going on.
Told in two timelines, this was a semi police procedural featuring ex-cop Harri in the aftermath of her dismissal. I could feel her sadness at losing a career she was passionate about - and good at, while hoping for some resolution for her.
A quick and easy read and for those speedy types, it’ll probably take you less than a day.
Thank you to Adam Hamdy, Simon and Schuster, and Edelweiss for my electronic review copy. It’s much appreciated!
3.5 Stars rounded down
An added flavor to a mysterious story and an unreliable narrator kept me guessing until the end. For most of the book, I was suspended - and undecided as to what was actually going on.
Told in two timelines, this was a semi police procedural featuring ex-cop Harri in the aftermath of her dismissal. I could feel her sadness at losing a career she was passionate about - and good at, while hoping for some resolution for her.
A quick and easy read and for those speedy types, it’ll probably take you less than a day.
Thank you to Adam Hamdy, Simon and Schuster, and Edelweiss for my electronic review copy. It’s much appreciated!
3.5 Stars rounded down
October 18, 2022
Harriet Kealty, a police officer trying to clear her name after a lapse of judgment. The love of her life has left her high and dry. She's lost her job as a police officer after the man who attacked her partner dies under mysterious circumstances. To top it all off, she’s obsessed with what appears to be a murder-suicide in which her former beau is the prime suspect.
It’s difficult to summarize the plot without giving away any spoilers but this is a rare story. The book should be read with an open mind and it will take you on a journey that you won’t forget for a long time. It’s a love story that blends with a mystery thriller. This is not a fast-paced thriller but it will keep you hooked right till the very end.
The story is told from the perspectives of Harri and Elliot as well as through chapters from David’s book that also includes court transcripts, police reports, passages from a book, and journal entries from some of the characters. The narrative might feel disjointed and there is a lot to take in at times but it all comes together beautifully in the end.
Around the 75% mark, the book basically jumps into a totally new direction. All is revealed and explained but it does need a suspension of disbelief. Also, the story had the characters doing lots of deep musings about life that bogged the narrative at times. The philosophical parts overall though were heartfelt and the emotions felt real and were captured by some beautiful prose. Other than that, The Other Side of Night kept me guessing until the very end and it was quite the page-turner.
Overall, The Other Side of Night is an intriguing and thought-provoking story. The writing is brilliant and it is recommended that you go in blind to really enjoy the book. It may feel confusing and too philosophical at times but the engaging tale about eternal love and choices and consequences will keep you hooked till the end.
Many thanks to the publishers Simon & Schuster/Atria Books and Edelweiss for the ARC.
It’s difficult to summarize the plot without giving away any spoilers but this is a rare story. The book should be read with an open mind and it will take you on a journey that you won’t forget for a long time. It’s a love story that blends with a mystery thriller. This is not a fast-paced thriller but it will keep you hooked right till the very end.
The story is told from the perspectives of Harri and Elliot as well as through chapters from David’s book that also includes court transcripts, police reports, passages from a book, and journal entries from some of the characters. The narrative might feel disjointed and there is a lot to take in at times but it all comes together beautifully in the end.
Around the 75% mark, the book basically jumps into a totally new direction. All is revealed and explained but it does need a suspension of disbelief. Also, the story had the characters doing lots of deep musings about life that bogged the narrative at times. The philosophical parts overall though were heartfelt and the emotions felt real and were captured by some beautiful prose. Other than that, The Other Side of Night kept me guessing until the very end and it was quite the page-turner.
Overall, The Other Side of Night is an intriguing and thought-provoking story. The writing is brilliant and it is recommended that you go in blind to really enjoy the book. It may feel confusing and too philosophical at times but the engaging tale about eternal love and choices and consequences will keep you hooked till the end.
Many thanks to the publishers Simon & Schuster/Atria Books and Edelweiss for the ARC.
December 12, 2022
Harri Kealty, a disgraced police officer, finds a note that says “Help! He’s trying to kill me!” in the margins of a book at a secondhand shop. Determined to get to the bottom of it despite having been dismissed from her job, Harri enlists her former partner to assist her. But when the facts lead her to ex-boyfriend Ben Elmys, she wonders if she’s gotten him all wrong. Was he a murderer? As clues mount, she begins to follow a path that will result in death. But is the truth one that Harri will even be able to wrap her head around?
This was such a weird book to try and review. I went into it expecting a mystery/thriller, but it was very light in suspense and heavy in philosophy to me. Probably for this reason, I found this book difficult to get through. For approximately two-thirds of the story it is a literary love story with just enough police procedural elements to keep the mystery fans interested. And the last third is a stretch of the imagination.
Honestly, I came close to DNFing this book multiple times, but kept at it because I wanted to know what the huge twist was that all of the reviews talked about. While there certainly was a huge twist, it was one that required a significant suspension of disbelief (and this is coming from someone who loves Michael Crichton and Blake Crouch) all while demanding you to swallow a relationship at the center of the plot that was overly emotional and artificially intense. Additionally, despite taking so long to get to the big reveal, it still felt like it came out of left field.
In the end, I was left frustrated and disappointed. I don’t know whether I recommend it or not as it appears my opinion is an outlier, so maybe try it but if you aren’t enjoying it don’t rest your hopes with the twist rescuing The Other Side of Night for you. It certainly didn’t for me. Rating of 2 stars.
Trigger warning: loss of a spouse, cancer
This was such a weird book to try and review. I went into it expecting a mystery/thriller, but it was very light in suspense and heavy in philosophy to me. Probably for this reason, I found this book difficult to get through. For approximately two-thirds of the story it is a literary love story with just enough police procedural elements to keep the mystery fans interested. And the last third is a stretch of the imagination.
Honestly, I came close to DNFing this book multiple times, but kept at it because I wanted to know what the huge twist was that all of the reviews talked about. While there certainly was a huge twist, it was one that required a significant suspension of disbelief (and this is coming from someone who loves Michael Crichton and Blake Crouch) all while demanding you to swallow a relationship at the center of the plot that was overly emotional and artificially intense. Additionally, despite taking so long to get to the big reveal, it still felt like it came out of left field.
In the end, I was left frustrated and disappointed. I don’t know whether I recommend it or not as it appears my opinion is an outlier, so maybe try it but if you aren’t enjoying it don’t rest your hopes with the twist rescuing The Other Side of Night for you. It certainly didn’t for me. Rating of 2 stars.
Trigger warning: loss of a spouse, cancer
October 25, 2022
The story begins with David Asha, telling the story of his biggest regret in life but also the stories of his best friend Ben, David's son Elliot and a woman named Harriet Kealty who was recently discharged from her duties as a detective.
Harriet Kealty happens to be in a book store when she discovers a scribbled note written inside the book she purchased that said "Help he's trying to kill me". Harriet decides this is not a prank and decides to make a case to work on that would utilize her detective duties. Her research brings her to the home of David Asha, his son and a man named Ben who she had not seen in over a year and may have been the love of her lifetime but when she finds David and his wife had suspiciously died, she realizes that Ben is the prime suspect in their deaths and he is now the legal guardian of little Eliot and Harriet is worried about the boy's welfare and possibly his life. Nothing makes sense in this case so Harriet decides she must follow all the leads because if Ben is guilty of harming Elliot's parents then he may be a possible serial killer!
This was an intriguing and strange story where nothing is the way it appears although the reader will not know this until the end of the book. The story was engaging and I kept thinking I knew what was going on but nothing could have enlightened me to the crazy (good) fast-paced last quarter of the book which I just couldn't stop non-stop reading. I have to admit I never read a story like this one because it sucks you in as a slow moving love and crime story gone amiss. WRONG! The author "Adam Hamby" brought in a wonderful science fiction edge that was unpredictable in every way, shape and form and I mean that literally as well as figuratively. If anyone studied physics in school then they will have a wonderful understanding of some of the techniques that were applied in the last section although the writer did a great job of making the ending easy for everyone to appreciate. Please make sure you read this novel until the very end or you will be missing out on a true rollercoaster of a most unusual quality and everything will be fully explained in the end. There were some problems that were not quite answered for myself (being picky) but if the reader just accepts the book as it was written then this will be a wonderful and possibly an unforgettable book that will take them on a journey of loss, heartache, mystery, sadness, adventure and the most fantastical journey into what the meaning and power of what love could truly be.
I want to thank the publisher "Atria Books" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this novel and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I highly recommend this highly imaginative book and have given a rating of 4 MYSTERIOUS AND MYSTICAL 🌟🌟🌟🌟 STARS!!
Harriet Kealty happens to be in a book store when she discovers a scribbled note written inside the book she purchased that said "Help he's trying to kill me". Harriet decides this is not a prank and decides to make a case to work on that would utilize her detective duties. Her research brings her to the home of David Asha, his son and a man named Ben who she had not seen in over a year and may have been the love of her lifetime but when she finds David and his wife had suspiciously died, she realizes that Ben is the prime suspect in their deaths and he is now the legal guardian of little Eliot and Harriet is worried about the boy's welfare and possibly his life. Nothing makes sense in this case so Harriet decides she must follow all the leads because if Ben is guilty of harming Elliot's parents then he may be a possible serial killer!
This was an intriguing and strange story where nothing is the way it appears although the reader will not know this until the end of the book. The story was engaging and I kept thinking I knew what was going on but nothing could have enlightened me to the crazy (good) fast-paced last quarter of the book which I just couldn't stop non-stop reading. I have to admit I never read a story like this one because it sucks you in as a slow moving love and crime story gone amiss. WRONG! The author "Adam Hamby" brought in a wonderful science fiction edge that was unpredictable in every way, shape and form and I mean that literally as well as figuratively. If anyone studied physics in school then they will have a wonderful understanding of some of the techniques that were applied in the last section although the writer did a great job of making the ending easy for everyone to appreciate. Please make sure you read this novel until the very end or you will be missing out on a true rollercoaster of a most unusual quality and everything will be fully explained in the end. There were some problems that were not quite answered for myself (being picky) but if the reader just accepts the book as it was written then this will be a wonderful and possibly an unforgettable book that will take them on a journey of loss, heartache, mystery, sadness, adventure and the most fantastical journey into what the meaning and power of what love could truly be.
I want to thank the publisher "Atria Books" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this novel and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I highly recommend this highly imaginative book and have given a rating of 4 MYSTERIOUS AND MYSTICAL 🌟🌟🌟🌟 STARS!!
September 20, 2022
Umm wow!!… I am going to need a bit..still trying to process what I just read. 4 or 5 stars🤔
November 16, 2022
the setup…
Harriet (Harri) Kealty, a former police detective, is finding herself rudderless after having been fired from the job because of a terrible incident. While visiting a library, she comes upon a used book on the floor with a strange inscription that’s a cry for help. It leads her to David Asha who was believed to have stepped off a cliff, distraught over the recent death of his wife, Beth, but leaving behind his son Elliott. Turns out that Elliott’s guardian is none other than Ben Elmys, the man who was once the love of Harri’s life before he inexplicably walked away. As Harri investigates, she begins to suspect that Beth’s death might not have been natural and Ben may be a murderer. And, when Elliott reveals that he’s got a big secret he can’t tell, Harri believes he may be in danger.
the heart of the story…
The story transitions between timelines and the points of view of Harriet and David Asha. It’s made clear at the beginning of the story that Harri was forced out from the police in disgrace because of an incident that’s often referenced but slowly revealed. We shift back and forth from the past, to the present and a point in the future involving a trial. It’s all pretty murky but always in the background is that secret Elliott is holding. As the book progresses, that secret becomes the cornerstone of the story.
the narration…
Since a lot of the book involved David philosophizing about his life, the narrator seemed perfect for that aspect of the story. His storytelling fit the crux of the writing, even though there wasn’t much in the way of voice distinctions. By the end of the story, his performance approach made even more sense. He gave absolutely nothing away!
the bottom line…
There’s a point in the book when I became weary of all of the different threads that were unresolved and struggled with the pace. I implore you to hang in there as there’s even a purpose for that slow pace because when it approaches the revelation of that “secret,” it grabs you and never lets go. And that secret? The most explosive twist I never imagined, saw coming, or whatever else I can say to describe being utterly unprepared for what came next. It changed everything and that’s all I can say. It made all that came before feel like rather clever writing, despite the slow road getting there. 3.5 stars
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Simon & Schuster Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Harriet (Harri) Kealty, a former police detective, is finding herself rudderless after having been fired from the job because of a terrible incident. While visiting a library, she comes upon a used book on the floor with a strange inscription that’s a cry for help. It leads her to David Asha who was believed to have stepped off a cliff, distraught over the recent death of his wife, Beth, but leaving behind his son Elliott. Turns out that Elliott’s guardian is none other than Ben Elmys, the man who was once the love of Harri’s life before he inexplicably walked away. As Harri investigates, she begins to suspect that Beth’s death might not have been natural and Ben may be a murderer. And, when Elliott reveals that he’s got a big secret he can’t tell, Harri believes he may be in danger.
the heart of the story…
The story transitions between timelines and the points of view of Harriet and David Asha. It’s made clear at the beginning of the story that Harri was forced out from the police in disgrace because of an incident that’s often referenced but slowly revealed. We shift back and forth from the past, to the present and a point in the future involving a trial. It’s all pretty murky but always in the background is that secret Elliott is holding. As the book progresses, that secret becomes the cornerstone of the story.
the narration…
Since a lot of the book involved David philosophizing about his life, the narrator seemed perfect for that aspect of the story. His storytelling fit the crux of the writing, even though there wasn’t much in the way of voice distinctions. By the end of the story, his performance approach made even more sense. He gave absolutely nothing away!
the bottom line…
There’s a point in the book when I became weary of all of the different threads that were unresolved and struggled with the pace. I implore you to hang in there as there’s even a purpose for that slow pace because when it approaches the revelation of that “secret,” it grabs you and never lets go. And that secret? The most explosive twist I never imagined, saw coming, or whatever else I can say to describe being utterly unprepared for what came next. It changed everything and that’s all I can say. It made all that came before feel like rather clever writing, despite the slow road getting there. 3.5 stars
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Simon & Schuster Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
August 26, 2023
I started out confused. What was I reading?
How could a dead man be writing a book about his son?
And then, it became clear. This was no ordinary story.
I had to suspend disbelief. And recognize that authors have a way of telling a story that takes us beyond real.
It is called, well if I tell you, I would spoil the plot, so I can’t tell you, but it is a technique that isn’t quite science fiction, nor magical realism – or is it?
And before you know it some characters are not who you think they are. And if you can stay with it long enough, the mystery will be revealed.
The question is, can you stay with it long enough for the reveal?
Just know it is complicated. Different. Unique.
How could a dead man be writing a book about his son?
And then, it became clear. This was no ordinary story.
I had to suspend disbelief. And recognize that authors have a way of telling a story that takes us beyond real.
It is called, well if I tell you, I would spoil the plot, so I can’t tell you, but it is a technique that isn’t quite science fiction, nor magical realism – or is it?
And before you know it some characters are not who you think they are. And if you can stay with it long enough, the mystery will be revealed.
The question is, can you stay with it long enough for the reveal?
Just know it is complicated. Different. Unique.
October 26, 2022
Former police officer Harriet Kealty is drawn to investigate the deaths of David and Beth Asha. They died from cancer and suicide, respectively, but Harriet begins to suspect that Ben Elmys, the guardian of the Asha’s young son Elliot, had something to do with their deaths.
This is a very strange book but it is difficult to explain exactly how it is strange without revealing huge spoilers. I’ll just say that this wasn’t the detective story that I was expecting. The plot was both confusing and extremely improbable, but the story never bored me. The instalove between Harriet and Ben was a little sickening, but necessary for the plot. I had absolutely no clue where the book was headed. It was fast paced, well written and entertaining, and it’s probably best not to know more about the book than that.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
This is a very strange book but it is difficult to explain exactly how it is strange without revealing huge spoilers. I’ll just say that this wasn’t the detective story that I was expecting. The plot was both confusing and extremely improbable, but the story never bored me. The instalove between Harriet and Ben was a little sickening, but necessary for the plot. I had absolutely no clue where the book was headed. It was fast paced, well written and entertaining, and it’s probably best not to know more about the book than that.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
May 7, 2022
4..5 ⭐
What in Sam Hill did I just read? I honestly don't know how I would even begin to describe this book. Which is fine because I don't want to ruin anyone's experience. This is a book where the less you know going in, the better. Don't read the synapsis or any notes that may or may not be included when published. I spent the first half of the book trying to figure out what would happen instead of just enjoying the journey (in the end every thought I had turned out to be wrong). It would behoove you to start at page 1 and then, once you finish, go back and read any supporting materials.
The Other Side of Night employs themes that are fairly pedestrian. What isn't pedestrian is the way Hamdy packaged his story. Im still astonished Hamdy was able to pull this off with such precision. Hamdy snuck up on me like a ninja and kicked my ass. Never saw it coming. The Other Side of Night will stay with me for a long time.
Whatever you are expecting from this book, I can promise you, this ain't that.
My sincere thanks to Adam Hamdy, Atria Books, and NetGalley for the privilege of reading an advance copy of The Other Side of Night!
What in Sam Hill did I just read? I honestly don't know how I would even begin to describe this book. Which is fine because I don't want to ruin anyone's experience. This is a book where the less you know going in, the better. Don't read the synapsis or any notes that may or may not be included when published. I spent the first half of the book trying to figure out what would happen instead of just enjoying the journey (in the end every thought I had turned out to be wrong). It would behoove you to start at page 1 and then, once you finish, go back and read any supporting materials.
The Other Side of Night employs themes that are fairly pedestrian. What isn't pedestrian is the way Hamdy packaged his story. Im still astonished Hamdy was able to pull this off with such precision. Hamdy snuck up on me like a ninja and kicked my ass. Never saw it coming. The Other Side of Night will stay with me for a long time.
Whatever you are expecting from this book, I can promise you, this ain't that.
My sincere thanks to Adam Hamdy, Atria Books, and NetGalley for the privilege of reading an advance copy of The Other Side of Night!
August 19, 2024
This is one of those books where to give something away is to give everything away. There’s a core idea here that underpins the story, and in consequence, nothing makes sense until suddenly it all does. So I’m going to provide scant detail of the plot so that I don’t trip over my own words and spoil it for future readers.
At a very basic level it’s a mystery surrounding a message found in a book, a romance that didn’t work out, and a death in mysterious circumstances. In truth, I found the early part of the story pretty hard going: I didn’t quite buy the romance – it felt too intense too quickly – and I found that some other elements also felt a little forced; it was all a little overemotional and with lots of what felt like half-hidden elements lurking in corners. In addition, there were a number of storytellers here and this ever changing perspective meant that it felt more complicated than it could have, which in turn made me feel that an attempt at reader manipulation was taking place. Such was my early struggle with this book that I almost gave up before I reached the halfway point. But I was keen to discover the twist, to reach to moment it was all going to come together and make sense, so rather reluctantly I ploughed on.
This book should really have worked for me. It had many components that would normally add up to something I’d enjoy. So why didn’t it? Well, firstly I failed to engage sufficiently with any of the main characters – they didn’t feel real enough, and, for me, many of their interactions failed to hit the right notes. Secondly, the big surprise wasn’t really so surprising by the time I reached it. I wouldn’t say that I’d worked it all out (I definitely hadn’t – I seldom do), but there were enough clues spread throughout to give me a general shove in the right direction. And thirdly, the whole thing felt significantly over-engineered, particularly towards the end, and I feel that this added complexity reduced the emotional punch I think the story should have delivered.
I’m not sure if I’ll be an outlier here, I’ve seen quite a few very positive reviews of this book. Time will tell. It’s due for full release on 15th September 2022.
My thanks to Pan MacMillan for providing an e-copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
At a very basic level it’s a mystery surrounding a message found in a book, a romance that didn’t work out, and a death in mysterious circumstances. In truth, I found the early part of the story pretty hard going: I didn’t quite buy the romance – it felt too intense too quickly – and I found that some other elements also felt a little forced; it was all a little overemotional and with lots of what felt like half-hidden elements lurking in corners. In addition, there were a number of storytellers here and this ever changing perspective meant that it felt more complicated than it could have, which in turn made me feel that an attempt at reader manipulation was taking place. Such was my early struggle with this book that I almost gave up before I reached the halfway point. But I was keen to discover the twist, to reach to moment it was all going to come together and make sense, so rather reluctantly I ploughed on.
This book should really have worked for me. It had many components that would normally add up to something I’d enjoy. So why didn’t it? Well, firstly I failed to engage sufficiently with any of the main characters – they didn’t feel real enough, and, for me, many of their interactions failed to hit the right notes. Secondly, the big surprise wasn’t really so surprising by the time I reached it. I wouldn’t say that I’d worked it all out (I definitely hadn’t – I seldom do), but there were enough clues spread throughout to give me a general shove in the right direction. And thirdly, the whole thing felt significantly over-engineered, particularly towards the end, and I feel that this added complexity reduced the emotional punch I think the story should have delivered.
I’m not sure if I’ll be an outlier here, I’ve seen quite a few very positive reviews of this book. Time will tell. It’s due for full release on 15th September 2022.
My thanks to Pan MacMillan for providing an e-copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 17, 2022
In The Other Side of Night, Adam Hamdy explores what people are willing to sacrifice for love, and the subsequent regret felt about the choices that are made.
Told in two parts, “The Child” and “The Man,” the book begins with David Asha explaining that his biggest regret is his sudden separation from his son, Elliot.
Next, the reader is introduced to Harriett Kealty, a suspended police officer, who is attempting to clear her name and get her job back after a terrible accident.
After finding a cryptic message in a book, “Help Me, he is trying to kill me,” Harri feels compelled to investigate who the “he” might be. The last person to check out the book was Elizabeth Asha, who recently died of Cancer. Her husband, David Asha, subsequently committed suicide by jumping off a cliff. Following the clues, she notices a connection between herself and the mysterious couple.
Harri recently fell in love with Ben Elmys, the Ashas’ friend and new guardian of their young son, Elliot. Ben suddenly broke off their short romance, stating that it wasn’t the right time, breaking Harri’s heart. What does Ben know about the message? Could he be a murderer? If so, why is she still drawn to him?
This is the first book I have read by Hamdy. I was intrigued because it was being being promoted as one of a kind and genre bending. While it does break many boundaries, I didn’t find the ending to be shocking at all. I actually guessed every twist right at the beginning. In fact, I have read other books and seen TV shows with the same premise.
My main issue is that I never connected with any of the characters. While I felt for their struggles and inner conflicts, I always felt like an omniscient observer. It was ironic that they were so attached to each other, because I was not attached to them.
This book is also very confusing. While I did grasp the basic concept, I fear I may have missed some of the more philosophical elements. A scientific background in physics might also be helpful!
As a side note, I recently read and enjoyed Gillian McAllister’s Wrong Place Wrong Time, which explored a similar concept and was far more successful. I’m glad that I learned what the hype was about, but unfortunately it didn’t deliver the shock I was expecting.
3/5 stars
Told in two parts, “The Child” and “The Man,” the book begins with David Asha explaining that his biggest regret is his sudden separation from his son, Elliot.
Next, the reader is introduced to Harriett Kealty, a suspended police officer, who is attempting to clear her name and get her job back after a terrible accident.
After finding a cryptic message in a book, “Help Me, he is trying to kill me,” Harri feels compelled to investigate who the “he” might be. The last person to check out the book was Elizabeth Asha, who recently died of Cancer. Her husband, David Asha, subsequently committed suicide by jumping off a cliff. Following the clues, she notices a connection between herself and the mysterious couple.
Harri recently fell in love with Ben Elmys, the Ashas’ friend and new guardian of their young son, Elliot. Ben suddenly broke off their short romance, stating that it wasn’t the right time, breaking Harri’s heart. What does Ben know about the message? Could he be a murderer? If so, why is she still drawn to him?
This is the first book I have read by Hamdy. I was intrigued because it was being being promoted as one of a kind and genre bending. While it does break many boundaries, I didn’t find the ending to be shocking at all. I actually guessed every twist right at the beginning. In fact, I have read other books and seen TV shows with the same premise.
My main issue is that I never connected with any of the characters. While I felt for their struggles and inner conflicts, I always felt like an omniscient observer. It was ironic that they were so attached to each other, because I was not attached to them.
This book is also very confusing. While I did grasp the basic concept, I fear I may have missed some of the more philosophical elements. A scientific background in physics might also be helpful!
As a side note, I recently read and enjoyed Gillian McAllister’s Wrong Place Wrong Time, which explored a similar concept and was far more successful. I’m glad that I learned what the hype was about, but unfortunately it didn’t deliver the shock I was expecting.
3/5 stars
January 29, 2023
3.5 With the large amount of fiction and thrillers written, I imagine it's hard to come up with something that is completely original. To his credit Handy has penned both an interesting and original story. It starts out with a letter from father to son, albeit a strange letter and of course we don't know why not what it means. It then goes on to become what looks like a normal police procedural. But, don't get comfortable, because it then turns, spins, confuses and becomes, well that would be telling.
I've never been very good at physics, so I won't pretend to understand every thing that happens in this book, but it kept me interested and invested in going where it led.
I've never been very good at physics, so I won't pretend to understand every thing that happens in this book, but it kept me interested and invested in going where it led.
August 14, 2022
3.5
I usually never read the genre of mystery & thrillers, but an invite from a marketing email put this on my radar. I became intrigued by stellar reviews and the urging to "go in blind" without reading the synopsis. Perhaps I should have "stayed in my lane" and stuck with my usual biography and historical fiction selections.
The fact that I was interested enough to finish the book rates this a 3 star effort...a "good" rating. I was a bit more hopeful in the beginning when the female main character Harri, a British police officer, was on a pleasant blind date produced by a dating app. I was enjoying more of the human element of things, but when the story descended into a police investigation and a deep mystery, I began to lose interest. Without going into a lot of detail, the story involved this female police officer who had been recently fired, and her subsequent private investigation of a recent love interest. The story takes place in country locations in the United Kingdom. The story also involves a trio of physicists who are friends, and a male young child who is orphaned. While the story didn't "wow" me, it retained my interest in a middling fashion until an explosive reveal came very near the end of the book. I was glad I held on until the mystery unravelled, but in future will stick to genres that are more my cup of tea. This has been getting very favorable reviews, so I'm sure I'm just an outlier.
Thank you to the publisher Atria Books who provided an advance reader copy via Edelweiss.
I usually never read the genre of mystery & thrillers, but an invite from a marketing email put this on my radar. I became intrigued by stellar reviews and the urging to "go in blind" without reading the synopsis. Perhaps I should have "stayed in my lane" and stuck with my usual biography and historical fiction selections.
The fact that I was interested enough to finish the book rates this a 3 star effort...a "good" rating. I was a bit more hopeful in the beginning when the female main character Harri, a British police officer, was on a pleasant blind date produced by a dating app. I was enjoying more of the human element of things, but when the story descended into a police investigation and a deep mystery, I began to lose interest. Without going into a lot of detail, the story involved this female police officer who had been recently fired, and her subsequent private investigation of a recent love interest. The story takes place in country locations in the United Kingdom. The story also involves a trio of physicists who are friends, and a male young child who is orphaned. While the story didn't "wow" me, it retained my interest in a middling fashion until an explosive reveal came very near the end of the book. I was glad I held on until the mystery unravelled, but in future will stick to genres that are more my cup of tea. This has been getting very favorable reviews, so I'm sure I'm just an outlier.
Thank you to the publisher Atria Books who provided an advance reader copy via Edelweiss.
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