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jmatkinson1's review
3.0
Eighteen years ago Izzy's Mum was murdered and her life changed for ever. Now her Mother's murderer is being set free on licence and he wants to catch up with Izzy - he's her father. Happily married and running the family restaurant on the Isle of Wight, Izzy isn't keen to meet but she still has unanswered questions from those days.
There's an interesting premise her, the father convicted of murder, the hazy memories and the long-buried truth. However I found the thin plot very stretched by the end and it didn't help that not a single character was likeable!
There's an interesting premise her, the father convicted of murder, the hazy memories and the long-buried truth. However I found the thin plot very stretched by the end and it didn't help that not a single character was likeable!
nzlisam's review
4.0
A solid twisty-turney mystery, that tugged my heartstrings!
When Izzy English was a teenager her father was convicted of murdering her mother. Growing up, father and daughter had always shared a close bond, but the evidence against him was compelling, and she was left with no doubt that her father was guilty, and hasn't seen him in seventeen years as a result. Now, on the day of his release from prison, Izzy receives a note from him.
But Izzy's not sure she wants to hear it. What could he possibly have to share that she doesn't already know? And can she trust anything he says?
Tense, tragic and troubling with a powerful emotional spark. I would keep the tissues on standby for some scenes. The start was a little slow and repetitive but once things got going the shocks and surprises never let up, and the last 60% was hard to put down. The story unfolds through Izzy’s eyes, with flashbacks to the prosecutor presenting an incriminating piece of evidence, with Izzy's father, Gabriel, then explaining his side of the story, followed by Izzy recalling her version of the same event. I thought this was a very clever and original way to convey how a little information is a dangerous things, and how easily words and actions can be taken out of context.
Gillian McAllister has done it again. Enjoy! I certainly did.
I'd like to thank Netgalley UK, Penguin UK – Michael Joseph, and Gillian McAllister for the e-ARC.
Release Date: 18th April, 2019.
When Izzy English was a teenager her father was convicted of murdering her mother. Growing up, father and daughter had always shared a close bond, but the evidence against him was compelling, and she was left with no doubt that her father was guilty, and hasn't seen him in seventeen years as a result. Now, on the day of his release from prison, Izzy receives a note from him.
‘I want to tell you my side of it.’
But Izzy's not sure she wants to hear it. What could he possibly have to share that she doesn't already know? And can she trust anything he says?
Tense, tragic and troubling with a powerful emotional spark. I would keep the tissues on standby for some scenes. The start was a little slow and repetitive but once things got going the shocks and surprises never let up, and the last 60% was hard to put down. The story unfolds through Izzy’s eyes, with flashbacks to the prosecutor presenting an incriminating piece of evidence, with Izzy's father, Gabriel, then explaining his side of the story, followed by Izzy recalling her version of the same event. I thought this was a very clever and original way to convey how a little information is a dangerous things, and how easily words and actions can be taken out of context.
Gillian McAllister has done it again. Enjoy! I certainly did.
I'd like to thank Netgalley UK, Penguin UK – Michael Joseph, and Gillian McAllister for the e-ARC.
Release Date: 18th April, 2019.
corfie's review
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
txxniah's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
yun_yi's review against another edition
2.75
<omg, "to ty ją zabiłeś, prawda? skąd wiecie? XDDDD i tyle byłoby z mistery>
noveldeelights's review
4.0
After having read and enjoyed Gillian McAllister’s previous books, I was incredibly excited to hold her latest book in my hands. Even though I admit, I initially had a wee struggle with the earlier chapters, I soon found myself completely immersed in the intrigue and suspense.
Almost two decades ago, Izzy’s father was convicted of the murder of his wife and sent to prison. Izzy has had no contact with him since. But now, Gabriel is released and he wants to talk to Izzy, give her his side of the story, defend himself, maybe even convince her he is innocent. But should Izzy give him the time of day?
While I found Izzy quite hard to like for some reason, I could completely understand her struggles. The way she longs for that feeling of belonging to a family, her willingness to listen to her father because at least she’d have one parent back in her life and the way she shies away from starting a family of her own because she fears there is evil inside of her. Despite my misgivings about her, I couldn’t help but root for her when she starts to dig deep into her parents’ lives.
Just like Izzy, I kept going back and forth on my opinion about Gabriel, unable to figure out whether he was truly guilty or if this whole thing had been a massive miscarriage of justice. But this story isn’t just about Gabriel’s guilt or innocence. It is also about the impact nineteen years in prison has on a person. Imagine being cut off from the world for such a long time and then be thrown back out there, expected to fend for yourself when everything has been done for you all these years. Where do you even start when the whole world has moved on without you?
As I’ve come to expect from Gillian McAllister, The Evidence Against You is a slow-burner but nevertheless immensely tense and compelling. As I mentioned, I struggled just a little bit with the slow pace in the beginning but it also has its advantages, as it gives you the time and opportunity to really get a feel for these characters. It’s almost impossible to determine who to trust or believe and that includes Izzy herself, because how reliable are her own memories after all this time? With plenty of twists and turns, unreliable characters, lies and betrayal, I was gripped until the rather devastating end. The kind of ending where you wish deep down things could have been different, yet one that is also extremely fitting and just makes sense.
The Evidence Against You is a gripping and thought-provoking story, guaranteed to have you flipping the pages faster as you go. Brilliantly and cleverly plotted, Gillian McAllister knows how to draw the reader in and keep them coming back for more. Her books are always worth the wait and I impatiently await what’s next.
Almost two decades ago, Izzy’s father was convicted of the murder of his wife and sent to prison. Izzy has had no contact with him since. But now, Gabriel is released and he wants to talk to Izzy, give her his side of the story, defend himself, maybe even convince her he is innocent. But should Izzy give him the time of day?
While I found Izzy quite hard to like for some reason, I could completely understand her struggles. The way she longs for that feeling of belonging to a family, her willingness to listen to her father because at least she’d have one parent back in her life and the way she shies away from starting a family of her own because she fears there is evil inside of her. Despite my misgivings about her, I couldn’t help but root for her when she starts to dig deep into her parents’ lives.
Just like Izzy, I kept going back and forth on my opinion about Gabriel, unable to figure out whether he was truly guilty or if this whole thing had been a massive miscarriage of justice. But this story isn’t just about Gabriel’s guilt or innocence. It is also about the impact nineteen years in prison has on a person. Imagine being cut off from the world for such a long time and then be thrown back out there, expected to fend for yourself when everything has been done for you all these years. Where do you even start when the whole world has moved on without you?
As I’ve come to expect from Gillian McAllister, The Evidence Against You is a slow-burner but nevertheless immensely tense and compelling. As I mentioned, I struggled just a little bit with the slow pace in the beginning but it also has its advantages, as it gives you the time and opportunity to really get a feel for these characters. It’s almost impossible to determine who to trust or believe and that includes Izzy herself, because how reliable are her own memories after all this time? With plenty of twists and turns, unreliable characters, lies and betrayal, I was gripped until the rather devastating end. The kind of ending where you wish deep down things could have been different, yet one that is also extremely fitting and just makes sense.
The Evidence Against You is a gripping and thought-provoking story, guaranteed to have you flipping the pages faster as you go. Brilliantly and cleverly plotted, Gillian McAllister knows how to draw the reader in and keep them coming back for more. Her books are always worth the wait and I impatiently await what’s next.
mandylovestoread's review
2.0
I am really not sure how I feel about this book. It felt really long and it wasn't at all what I was expecting. At times I struggled to stay listening. I love this authors other books but this one just did not do it for me at all.
melaniesreads's review
5.0
OMG!!! I don’t think I have ever been so invested in a book. In the characters, in finding out the truth. Is he guilty? Is he innocent?
The perfect setting of the Isle of Wight gave this an almost claustrophobic feel. Nice to recognise places I had the pleasure of visiting too which was an added bonus.
I really felt for Izzy, her whole life completely destroyed in one night. Her trying to wrack her brains around memories from so long ago.
The writing is so captivating you feel like you are sitting in her mothers restaurant watching it all unfold and playing detective alongside her.
Showing the flaws in not only people but marriages , parents, family and how we all crave normality and acceptance . This is a thriller with a real heart at its core.
The perfect setting of the Isle of Wight gave this an almost claustrophobic feel. Nice to recognise places I had the pleasure of visiting too which was an added bonus.
I really felt for Izzy, her whole life completely destroyed in one night. Her trying to wrack her brains around memories from so long ago.
The writing is so captivating you feel like you are sitting in her mothers restaurant watching it all unfold and playing detective alongside her.
Showing the flaws in not only people but marriages , parents, family and how we all crave normality and acceptance . This is a thriller with a real heart at its core.
mrsruthiewebb's review
5.0
This was so cleverly written. I was invested in the story right from the word go. I immediately warmed to the main character, Izzy when her ritual of watching Dawson’s Creek and her love of Dominos pizza was revealed.
The story line was cleverly played out and held my interest throughout, even though I listened to the audiobook as I pottered about.
I do have a bit of a gripe when McAllister’s work is described as psychological thriller. It’s not a thriller as such, but an unfolding drama that selves deep within relationships. It’s probably just me, but to call it a thriller (and I’m a huge fan of these) feels like it cheapens it. Just me?
Anyway, I loved this one. Very believable and surprising emotive.
The story line was cleverly played out and held my interest throughout, even though I listened to the audiobook as I pottered about.
I do have a bit of a gripe when McAllister’s work is described as psychological thriller. It’s not a thriller as such, but an unfolding drama that selves deep within relationships. It’s probably just me, but to call it a thriller (and I’m a huge fan of these) feels like it cheapens it. Just me?
Anyway, I loved this one. Very believable and surprising emotive.
miss_bct's review
5.0
This is the first book I've read by Gillian McAllister and will certainly not be my last. I'm a fan of crime laden, psychological dramas, and have read well over 40 this year so far, and this has been my favourite so far this year.
The way this book is written is fantastic, from deep, complex sentences describing beautifully the pain and torment Izzy and her father both feel surrounding the events of Alex's death. Some of the narrative is so well crafted, and just rolls off the page to the extent that you can feel the inner turmoil. I love the way McAllister writes, and how she describes the simplest of things, movements, motivations in such beautiful language.
The concept behind the book is probably one written about many times - justice, or lack of it, yet this feels a compelling, fresh description of how it would feel to all parties concerned. I didn't at any time feel dragged down by it, I, like Izzy, just wanted to find out the truth. I had my suspects, I had my theories, and in the end none of them mattered - the book was well paced, packed full of twists and turns.
My particular love of this book stems around the ending. For no matter the outcome, there was only ever going to be one thing Izzy's father, Gabe, could truly identify with. Whether guilty or innocent, he belonged in prison. This was written so beautifully - a man worn down by institutionalisation. A man without a future, suspended in time. As Gabe said himself, he lost a third of his life in prison, the prime of his life. And this issue is a very real one - I've studied it extensively, about institutionalisation and how it can impact and increase reoffending. I felt McAllister including this as Gabe's final endgame was beautifully done, and really respects the plight of those who have found themselves in the position of being in prison for whatever reason, guilty or not.
I cannot wait to read more by McAllister, and would thoroughly recommend this book to anybody wanting to read a really well rounded, descriptive crime/psychological drama that focuses on family, justice and love.