PSYCHO THRILLERS
CHRISTENA APPLEYARD
THE LONG WEEKEND by Gilly MacMillan (Century £12.99, 400 pp)
Don’T let the boring title put you off this very smart book; set in a holiday-let barn in remote northumbrian landscape, the story feels creepy and ominous from the start.
Three women who are connected by their husbands’ friendship group — Jayne, ex-army intelligence, ruth, a new mum and a secret drinker and emily, a new wife but tougher than she seems, arrive at the barn the night before their husbands. edie, recently widowed, has declined to join them.
Things kick off when the women find a note saying one of their husbands will have been murdered by the time they read it. The absence of mobile reception limits their control and propels the plot at a heady pace. The story is told by multiple characters, which can be confusing, but the twists and turns more than make up for it.
ONE BAD THING by M.K.Hill (Head of Zeus £18.99, 400 pp)
If You are somewhat sceptical about the smug sympathy dished out by some phonein hosts, you will find this book satisfying.
successful radio agony aunt hannah godley — motto: ‘Be Kind, Always’ — is blindsided by a caller named Diane seeking advice about dealing with the suicide of her brother. When she reveals he died as a result of a prank many years ago, a panic-stricken hannah realises the woman is referring to the ‘one bad thing’ in her own past.
hannah’s frantic attempts to save herself from her mistakes soon become a catalyst for more tragedy — or a chance for redemption. hill’s thoroughly enjoyable writing style raises important moral questions without ever bogging down the story.
THE INTERVIEW by C.M.Ewan (Macmillan £14 99, 448 pp)
Young Pr Kate harding’s worst anxiety dream is coming true when she arrives late for a big job interview at a major communications company. she is on the 13th floor of a plush building in a glass office being interviewed by Joel — who is not the person she’d been expecting. Quickly, the normal psychometric tests and interview formalities give way to increasingly intrusive questions, then Joel leaves her locked in the glass office alone.
flashbacks tells us something of Kate’s story — she is a widow devastated by her husband’s death. As the claustrophobia increases, we learn more of Joel’s agenda and the plot hurtles along towards its unpredictable conclusion.