Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Review - Before you Die by Samantha Hayes



Book Summary - 

Oh God, please don't let me die.

It has taken nearly two years for the Warwickshire village of Radcote to put a spate of teenage suicides behind it.

Then a young man is killed in a freak motorbike accident, and a suicide note is found among his belongings. A second homeless boy takes his own life, this time on the railway tracks.

Is history about to repeat itself?

DI Lorraine Fisher has just arrived for a relaxing summer break with her sister. Soon she finds herself caught up in the resulting police enquiry. And when her nephew disappears she knows she must act quickly.

Are the recent deaths suicide - or murder?

And is the nightmare beginning again?

My Review - 4 

I love Samantha Hayes, she is a go to author for me.  Covers have an impact on readers so I was confused with the similar cover to Until You're Mine (see below), they are similar but not part of a series, possibly same DI but I'm not completely sure.  Now that I have read the book it also doesn't do anything for the story.

I enjoyed the family story line incorporated in the suspense investigation, well done, it kept you wondering what and who was really involved. I thought the characters could have been flushed out better but I think it was intentional at the end.

Gil, is a family member who is autistic and adds to the suspense of the story but is he a reliable character, great distraction.  I enjoyed his mumbling's and artistic way of communicating.  It was amazing how the family accepted him for who he was but they didn't respect him.

Lorraine goes to her sisters house for vacation and when questioning an incident meets up with a Detective that she has no respect for professionally from the past and begins questioning and looking into investigations that may have not been fully complete. Teenage suicides and homeless kids committed suicide and not fully investigated.  Does a suicide note immediately mean suicide? You are able to figure out something is going on but everyone you point your finger to, doesn't really make sense, it is a good challenge trying to piece it all together.

A very scary undercurrent was the bullying Lorraine's nephew was going through.  The family dynamics the teenagers were dealing with was intense, mind blowing at times.  I really judge when reading books and think parents are pretty damn bad, it is written on the wall and you're to scared to do anything, the most ridiculous parenting style in my opinion, just let your child die then, WTF is that, ok, enough venting.

The story was intense, had family drama, many clues that you will enjoy but misleading so it was entertaining to try and figure out.  There were a few, I can't believe it moments, but it was my own bias. The reason for the suicide and or murder, eye rolling.

This can be read as a stand alone. All of her books are solid reads, I have gave Tell Tale 5 stars.

Thank you to Netgally for allowing me to read this one.

6 comments:

  1. You have praised Sam (Samantha) Hayes in the past and I really do intend to get a title by her soon. It keeps slipping my mind, so I will go to Goodreads now and put them on my wishlist. Glad you enjoyed this one. I also love cover art, even for e-books, and am disappointed when the cover is just "meh". That being said, I look forward to reading this one.

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    1. I have enjoyed them all Rita, so far all good recommendations. Tell Tale is my favourite though.

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  2. Sounds like my kind of book! I always add to my TBR wish list when I visit your blog and this time is no exception. I can't wait to give this author a try!

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    1. I can't wait to hear what you think Samantha, I think you will enjoy her books.

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  3. I've not read one of her books yet. Do you find her older ones are better? That happens sometimes to the best of authors; they just burn out a bit. thanks!

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  4. Not sure if this convo is still active, but I just finished it and I'm looking to discuss it with someone else who has. I'm confused by the Epilogue as I thought that issue was already addressed in the book but it proved a shocking turn of events and I'm wondering how I missed it. I don't want to spoil anything here but if someone is willing to correspond with me on this, I'd appreciate it!

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