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confessions_of_a_bookaholic 's review for:
The Second Stranger
by Martin Griffin
It's Remie Yorke's last shift at the Mackinnon Hotel, tomorrow morning she's heading to Chile. As storm Ezra hits, taking out the phonelines and blocking the roads, PC Don Gaines appears at the door. He has been involved in an accident whilst transporting a prisoner from a nearby prison, and his prisoner has escaped. As Gaines heads to the roof to try and contact his colleagues another stranger appears at the door. He also claims to be PC Don Gaines, and warns Remi against the first man. Suddenly she realises that one of them is lying, and must be the escaped prisoner. With no way to tell who is who Remi and the hotel guests face a terrifying and deadly night.
I'm often a bit wary of locked room mysteries given the trope is so well covered in books. This one caught my attention on NetGalley though, and I'm glad I requested it.
The book grabs you from very early on. Griffin does an excellent job of describing this hotel in the remote Scottish Highlands, even more isolated due to a snow storm. Even before the strangers start arriving it's an intimidating setting, and Remi already has concerns with some of her guests. Once the first Don Gaines arrives the pace really ratchets up and the suspicion is through the roof!
I thought Remi's backstory was interesting and definitely helped to add depth to the plot. I did start to wonder towards the end why she was so desperate to leave on that specific day - I didn't think the reasons she gives were strong enough for the risks she has to take. I had a guess as to what that might be but it didn't eventuate, and although there was a bit of an explanation it didn't really explain why Remi would do what she did.
I was surprised by some of the twists and turns in the book, definitely didn't see them all coming. For a book that is as fast paced as this one is Griffin certainly packs a lot in. If you're a fan of locked room mysteries this is one not to be missed.
Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
I'm often a bit wary of locked room mysteries given the trope is so well covered in books. This one caught my attention on NetGalley though, and I'm glad I requested it.
The book grabs you from very early on. Griffin does an excellent job of describing this hotel in the remote Scottish Highlands, even more isolated due to a snow storm. Even before the strangers start arriving it's an intimidating setting, and Remi already has concerns with some of her guests. Once the first Don Gaines arrives the pace really ratchets up and the suspicion is through the roof!
I thought Remi's backstory was interesting and definitely helped to add depth to the plot. I did start to wonder towards the end why she was so desperate to leave on that specific day - I didn't think the reasons she gives were strong enough for the risks she has to take. I had a guess as to what that might be but it didn't eventuate, and although there was a bit of an explanation it didn't really explain why Remi would do what she did.
I was surprised by some of the twists and turns in the book, definitely didn't see them all coming. For a book that is as fast paced as this one is Griffin certainly packs a lot in. If you're a fan of locked room mysteries this is one not to be missed.
Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group for an arc in exchange for an honest review.