Title: The Heatwave
Author: Katerina Diamond
Publisher: Avon Books
[Synopsis]
One summer. One stranger. One killer…
Two bad things happened that summer:
A stranger arrived. And the first girl disappeared.
In the wake of the crime that rocked her community, Felicity fled, knowing more than she let on.
But sixteen years later, her new life is shattered by the news that a second girl has gone missing in her hometown.
Now Felicity must go back, to face the truth about what happened all those years ago.
Only she holds the answers – and they’re more shocking than anyone could imagine.
The heatwave is back. And so is the killer.
[My Review]
I’ve read a few books by Katerina Diamond now (all from her DS Imogen Grey series), and I’ve come to realise that when I pick up a new book of hers I’m always in for a treat – and The Heatwave, although a standalone novel, is no exception!
This book tells a gripping tale of secrets, set in a town in Devon and revolving around two narrative timeframes – one 16 years ago, and one in the present day. I won’t give too much away about the storyline but there’s missing a missing girl, creepy lodgers and people who are definely not who they say they are… plus plenty of intrigue and twists.
I raced through this novel, not wanting to put it down as the intrigue built up. For me it was the perfect thriller: interesting, convincing characters; multiple timeframes; deceptive appearances; and a twisty plot involving disappearances.
I could almost feel the tension emenating from its pages, in both timeframes, but partcularly the one following Jasmine and Felicity all those years ago. You know something is going to happen, to someone, but you just don’t know what…
I didn’t see the big surprise coming at all in The Heatwave, and I loved every page!
[Rating: 5/5]
Many thanks to the publisher, Avon Books, for providing a copy of this book on which I chose to write an honest and unbiased review.