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Witness by Caroline MitchellPublished by Brilliance Audio on December 20, 2016
Pages: 338
Amazon UK
Goodreads
To Rebecca it was a brave decision that led to her freedom from domestic abuse. To Solomon it was the ultimate betrayal.
It’s been ten years since Rebecca’s testimony saw Solomon locked away. Enough time for the nightmares to recede, the nerves to relax; enough time to rebuild her life and put the past behind her.
Then one day a phone rings in her bedroom—but it’s not her phone. Solomon has been in her home, and has a very simple message for her: for each of the ten years he has spent in jail, Rebecca must witness a crime. And, to make matters worse, she has to choose the victims.
Fail to respond and you get hurt. Talk to the police and you die. Ready to play? You have sixty seconds to decide…
As the crimes grow more severe, the victims closer to home, Rebecca is forced to confront a past she had hoped was gone forever.
✮ My Review ✮
Wow! Like most of this year as soon as I finish a book I need to come and dump some words on a page before refining them. So here I am and all I can think at present is WOW!! This has a brutal opening and from then on you are not ever given the opportunity to relax at all, just like Becca can’t. Forever looking over your shoulder, wondering who it is when your phone buzzes, is it a message you want or something more sinister!?
We are in the present and Rebecca aka Becca is in hiding, living in a sleepy Welsh village, married to a Vet, Sean and their little bouncy girl Lottie and their dog Bear. Things seem nice and peaceful now for Becca, 10 years after an incident changed her life until she hears news that her past is coming for her.
We learn of the horrifying and abusive relationship she was in with Solomon. On paper he is perfect but then the cracks start to show, her mother dies and then there is no escape. Some of this book is not there for a comfortable read at all. It will make you angry and at times you wonder who is being manipulated, I know that as the reader it felt you were. Not going to lie, I guess where the reveal would end up and I was quite satisfied to see I was right, although it is not a happy outcome and you do feel quite bereft at that shocking conclusion of the story.
Rebecca is naive and in love when we first see the glimpse into her past, her diary entries full of happiness until the doubts start. Noting everything that happens and how things all falls apart. From the scared girl to an aloof woman, trying to find peace with her past and move on but she can’t. When she gets caught up in Solomon’ web again you do wonder how she will escape and what the fallout might be.
Solomon is toxic and a king at manipulation. I was eager to listen to his chapters so I could get some insight into him and his ways. He has no soul I decided. He is a product of what has been done to him, I did like that Caroline tries to build a bit of remorse for him with stories of his childhood and the love of his mother but I think even she realised that there is nothing there for the reader to feel for. He is the epitome of evil and the dangerous psychological games he plays prove this. He is like Big Brother, all-knowing and all-seeing! Things escalate quickly and you do wonder how this will end.
This game was awful that we are dragged into and again the King of Manipulation got his kicks on manoeuvring Becca right where he needed her. The decisions she made may have been rash but when snippets of information he provided fuelling her decision you could see why she did it. I mean Chloe – urgh! Although it is not a game I want to play it was “exciting” to see how it would play – as much as one could get excited by it!
The end of the story! WELL! Let me tell you, although I completely agree with everything Becky said, it left me with goosebumps. Eeek!!
My first foray with Ms Mitchell and it’s safe to say it will not be my last. She got me hook, lined and sunk me to the bottom as I was totally engrossed in this book. I yearned to learn about the past but I feared for the future. She got me completely with this book and I am giddy to see what is next!
Until next time xxx
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
Shalini says
I have read a couple of this author’s books. I think I need to read more… Luckily I think she is on kindle unlimited so my credit will not go into hiding after reading your review… I have yet to pay for previous books. Bought the six stories audiobook and other ebooks.. ? ? You, girl, are bad for my TBR. You make me long to let my Tour books go astray and get to what you have been reading.
Zoé says
This is greatest compliment ever!! Thank
You ❤️ yeah she is, this is where I got this one with the audiobook too!! I have been slowly parting ways on tours. You wait for my next feature starting Friday! ?
Shalini says
You are fabulous. I should repetitive, I know. But every one of your posts opens my eyes in a different way. The thing that shines for me is your hard work… And I know you already work hard in your real life so I am blown away…
Zoé says
Oh lovely! You are really are way too kind to me! Far more than I deserve ❤️ I hope
You realise how fabulous you are! I love your posts and you show me books I don’t know about it’s awesome! X
Shalini says
My keypad went wonky – I sound repetitive*
Zoé says
?