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A review by liezlk9
A Calculated Risk by Cari Hunter
5.0
A Calculated Risk, the highly anticipated new novel from Cari Hunter (Bold Stroke Books), award-winning author of the Dark Peaks Series, takes readers on an enthralling journey. This tale unfolds against the backdrop of Northern England, introducing us to the tenacious DI Jo Shaw, a scrappy but intuitive police detective known for her proclivity to court trouble.
When circumstances demand quick thinking and risking her own career to save a life, Jo finds herself plunged back into the world of Isla Munro. Isla, a trauma surgeon and Jo's first and only real love, disappeared without a trace fifteen years ago, leaving Jo with unanswered questions. Amidst the backdrop of the Moorside community living in fear, Jo must set aside her pride and work with Isla to unravel the mysteries behind a stabbing, an abduction, and the enigmatic layers beneath these unsettling crimes.
As with many of her previous novels, A Calculated Risk is set against a bleak backdrop of bad weather, morally ambiguous characters, crime, and psychological tension. The darker aspects of human nature are set off beautifully by the charismatic and quick-witted protagonist, Jo, and the entrancing Isla Munro.
What sets "A Calculated Risk" apart is not just its suspenseful, well-thought-out, and excellently paced plot but also the depth of emotion and vulnerability that Hunter brings to her characters. Consistently, within Hunter's books, the depictions of scenes stand out as exceptional, facilitating a vivid visualisation of the story. Medical scenes in novels can sometimes prove challenging. While I find them intriguing and exciting (please don't stop writing them), there's a risk of alienating certain readers with excessive technical terminology. However, in "A Calculated Risk" these scenes strike a remarkable balance—authentic, realistic, and with just the right touch of technicality to both engross and exhilarate, ensuring you remain on the edge of your seat.
Characters are well-crafted and realistic. Jo is fun and naughty, sweet and vulnerable, but also extremely capable and fearless, making her instantly endearing. You’ll find yourself rooting for her right from the first (very entertaining) scene. Isla is a strong and competent woman, with a gentleness behind her apparent strength. As layers of Jo and Isla’s personalities are peeled back, a raw and authentic connection is revealed that will tug at your heartstrings.
The supporting cast of characters adds richness to the narrative. Each character feels distinct and essential, contributing to the overall dynamics and providing both moments of levity and moments of gravitas.
I found myself marvelling at the excellent use of language while enjoying this beautifully written work. The utter Britishness of this thriller adds to its appeal, and the reader gets introduced to very interesting foods and ways of speaking that can only enrich your general knowledge if you give it a chance.
In conclusion, "A Calculated Risk" is a masterpiece of the thriller genre. Cari Hunter's impeccable writing, well-crafted characters, and complex and intriguing plot combine to create an unputdownable novel that will leave you breathless and craving for more. I cannot wait for the next book in this series and will miss Jo and Isla terribly until then. Cari Hunter remains firmly at the top of my favourite authors list! I highly recommend this book.
I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily left my review.
When circumstances demand quick thinking and risking her own career to save a life, Jo finds herself plunged back into the world of Isla Munro. Isla, a trauma surgeon and Jo's first and only real love, disappeared without a trace fifteen years ago, leaving Jo with unanswered questions. Amidst the backdrop of the Moorside community living in fear, Jo must set aside her pride and work with Isla to unravel the mysteries behind a stabbing, an abduction, and the enigmatic layers beneath these unsettling crimes.
As with many of her previous novels, A Calculated Risk is set against a bleak backdrop of bad weather, morally ambiguous characters, crime, and psychological tension. The darker aspects of human nature are set off beautifully by the charismatic and quick-witted protagonist, Jo, and the entrancing Isla Munro.
What sets "A Calculated Risk" apart is not just its suspenseful, well-thought-out, and excellently paced plot but also the depth of emotion and vulnerability that Hunter brings to her characters. Consistently, within Hunter's books, the depictions of scenes stand out as exceptional, facilitating a vivid visualisation of the story. Medical scenes in novels can sometimes prove challenging. While I find them intriguing and exciting (please don't stop writing them), there's a risk of alienating certain readers with excessive technical terminology. However, in "A Calculated Risk" these scenes strike a remarkable balance—authentic, realistic, and with just the right touch of technicality to both engross and exhilarate, ensuring you remain on the edge of your seat.
Characters are well-crafted and realistic. Jo is fun and naughty, sweet and vulnerable, but also extremely capable and fearless, making her instantly endearing. You’ll find yourself rooting for her right from the first (very entertaining) scene. Isla is a strong and competent woman, with a gentleness behind her apparent strength. As layers of Jo and Isla’s personalities are peeled back, a raw and authentic connection is revealed that will tug at your heartstrings.
The supporting cast of characters adds richness to the narrative. Each character feels distinct and essential, contributing to the overall dynamics and providing both moments of levity and moments of gravitas.
I found myself marvelling at the excellent use of language while enjoying this beautifully written work. The utter Britishness of this thriller adds to its appeal, and the reader gets introduced to very interesting foods and ways of speaking that can only enrich your general knowledge if you give it a chance.
In conclusion, "A Calculated Risk" is a masterpiece of the thriller genre. Cari Hunter's impeccable writing, well-crafted characters, and complex and intriguing plot combine to create an unputdownable novel that will leave you breathless and craving for more. I cannot wait for the next book in this series and will miss Jo and Isla terribly until then. Cari Hunter remains firmly at the top of my favourite authors list! I highly recommend this book.
I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily left my review.