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A review by honestmamreader
Before I Say I Do by Vicki Bradley
5.0
This is an amazing debut novel by Vicki Bradley. She is currently taking a break from her career as a detective constable to concentrate on writing, and her experience in the police force comes through in spades within this story.
Before I Say I Do is told through two points of view. That of Julia Talbot, the bride. And Alanna Loxton the police officer. Both are fantastic female characters, that are written so well. It's Julia's wedding day and she's full of excitement and enthusiasm for the day ahead. But, even as she speaks there's just a hint that Julia is hiding something.
When she turns up to the service, all is not as it should be. Mark, her groom is missing. Has he had cold feet? Is he just late? Or is there something more sinister? Well, it's a psychological thriller, so the latter is obviously the conclusion. Julia and Alanna are desperate to uncover the truth.
Bradley sure knows how to ramp up the tension, the start of this book is very sedate compared to the rest of the action packed narrative. Once Mark goes missing and the investigation starts to open up questions. This is when we get to see that maybe Julia isn't all that she seems to be. Interspersed in the story is past narrative of a murdered young girl. Are these two stories connected? The way Bradley has weaved this mystery is just genius. I was second guessing myself all the way. Even when I thought I had it sussed out, along came a twist to make me gasp out loud.
Can I just add here that I hope there are more books featuring Alanna Loxton in the pipeline. The chemistry between her and her partner needs to be developed further, and of course they need a juicy investigation to deal with maybe involving a leak
Before I Say I Do is told through two points of view. That of Julia Talbot, the bride. And Alanna Loxton the police officer. Both are fantastic female characters, that are written so well. It's Julia's wedding day and she's full of excitement and enthusiasm for the day ahead. But, even as she speaks there's just a hint that Julia is hiding something.
When she turns up to the service, all is not as it should be. Mark, her groom is missing. Has he had cold feet? Is he just late? Or is there something more sinister? Well, it's a psychological thriller, so the latter is obviously the conclusion. Julia and Alanna are desperate to uncover the truth.
Bradley sure knows how to ramp up the tension, the start of this book is very sedate compared to the rest of the action packed narrative. Once Mark goes missing and the investigation starts to open up questions. This is when we get to see that maybe Julia isn't all that she seems to be. Interspersed in the story is past narrative of a murdered young girl. Are these two stories connected? The way Bradley has weaved this mystery is just genius. I was second guessing myself all the way. Even when I thought I had it sussed out, along came a twist to make me gasp out loud.
Can I just add here that I hope there are more books featuring Alanna Loxton in the pipeline. The chemistry between her and her partner needs to be developed further, and of course they need a juicy investigation to deal with maybe involving a leak