Silent Winter

Maggie James gives a real insight into the results of sensory deprivation in this new psychological thriller.

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Book description

On an icy November night, Drew Blackmore is beaten unconscious, then abducted.  He awakes to find himself in total darkness, naked and chained to the floor.  Fed just enough to keep him alive, Drew is unable to identify his captor, or the reason for his incarceration. As reality fades, hallucinations take over. Can Drew escape his prison before madness claims him?

Meanwhile Drew's wife, Holly, despairing of ever seeing him again, turns to his brother for comfort. As the worst winter in decades sweeps the UK, she learns of Drew's tragic past. Could his disappearance be connected with that of a prostitute years before? 

My review

Drew is abducted and kept in a dark place for four months, chained to the floor and with very low food and water. Maggie James brilliantly describes the psychological effects of this and the hallucinations it brings on. At home, his wife, brother and sister-in-law struggle to cope too. Drew is released, in a very bad way both physically and mentally, presumably by one of his abductors. His imprisonment takes up the first part of the book and the ensuing changes in his mental and physical health and the family relationships take up the rest. It’s a very good read and throws up some surprises towards the end.

About the author

Maggie James is a British author who lives near Newcastle. She writes psychological suspense novels.

Before turning her hand to writing, Maggie worked mainly as an accountant, with a diversion into practising as a nutritional therapist. Diet and health remain high on her list of interests, along with travel. Accountancy does not, but then it never did. The urge to pack a bag and go off travelling is always lurking in the background! When not writing, going to the gym, practising yoga or travelling, Maggie can be found seeking new four-legged friends to pet; animals are a lifelong love

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Just a thought

What is reading but silent conversation ― Walter Savage Landor

Maggie James

I really enjoyed this one. Suspicions, lies, it's all there.

After she's Gone

Amazon.com link

My review - 

Lori Golden’s sister Jessie is killed at sixteen years of age. It pulls the family apart. Their mother, already suffering from kidney disease, falls to bits and her new partner’s son is arrested on suspicion of murder. Lori has always felt that Jessie was her own dad’s favourite and he, too, is shattered at the news. Lori’s suspicions range widely. So many of the people in her little circle seem to be hiding something or behaving suspiciously. She doesn’t believe the police have the right person.

Maggie James always writes fluently and eloquently and After She’s Gone is no exception. The story flows so well and the reader, through Lori’s thoughts, chases one theory after another as to why her sister was killed. You may guess who did it but the reason is a complete surprise. I found it a compelling story and read it very quickly. I could wait to find out!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a review copy of this book.

Maggie James

Maggie James is a new author to me and looks like becoming a favourite.

Guilty Innocence

Amazon.com

My review -

In a story which will have real-life echoes for many, two eleven year-old boys kidnap and kill a toddler. Mark Slater is one of those boys and with his new identity he has carved out a place in society for himself. He has a decent job and a girlfriend, even though he is not supposed to have a relationship because of his child-killing conviction. Mark knows he's innocent. We find out about him, the other boy, the dead child's family and his girlfriend, Natalie. Mark acknowledges his own weakness. I was longing for him to come good.

This is a great story, detailing the effects of bullying, parental indifference, fear turning to hatred, and the gradual eating away of these things on a person's confidence and self-belief. Maggie James writes clearly and eloquently. She has a deceptively easy style in which she can convey so much. If you enjoy psychological thrillers, this is definitely the book for you