Review + Extract + Giveaway: Watching You by Lynda Renham

Watching You by Lynda Renham

Release Date: 1st April 2018
Publisher: Raucous Publishing

Genres:  Psychological Thrillre

Ewan Galbreith is just out prison. Libby Owen is scared.

Fifteen years earlier she saw Ewan murder her aunt and uncle with their own shotgun and now he’s coming for her.

EXTRACT 

Prologue

1st January 2000, 1 A.M.

Her bare feet pounded the gravel, the sharp stones cutting mercilessly into her skin. The wind whipped cruelly at her hair and played with her new chiffon dress until her legs became entangled within it. She pulled herself free from the material without once slowing her pace, her heart drumming in her chest. She could hear the blood pulsating in her ears like a wild war dance. Her scalp tingled. Something had touched her. She fought back a scream. It was a branch, just a tree in the blackness of the night. Keep going. She couldn’t stop. A firework boomed and lit up the night sky. She tripped, scattering the detestable gravel. A small sob escaped her lips before she dragged herself up and continued on. He’d seen her. He’d seen her. That’s all she knew.  Keep running. Don’t look back. An orchestra of colours exploded in the sky and lit up the tall iron gates of Greystone Hall ahead of her. She thought back to the house and nausea rose up in her gut. Soon she would smell the pungent odour of seaweed. Her heart beat a steady rhythm now. She knew the beach wasn’t far away. Excited voices and the sound of drunken laughter broke through her pulsating eardrums. People were partying on the beach. It was the beginning of something new, something exciting, a new start.

‘Happy Millennium,’ someone shouted.

She tripped in her haste to reach them. Her mouth connected with cold sand, it scratched her skin.

‘Help me,’ she choked. ‘Please.’

‘Had too much?’ said a voice.

There was laughter from a small group huddled around a camp fire.

‘Hold on,’ said another. The voice concerned.

She felt someone touch her.

‘Fuck, she’s bleeding.’

‘Call the police,’ yelled another.

There was scuffling and someone wrapped a coat around her. It was warm and comforting.

‘Christ, what happened?’ he said.

‘Someone shot my Aunt and Uncle,’ she moaned, trying to get up. She couldn’t. She was exhausted.

‘I think they’re dead.’

Instantly grabbed by the cover of this book I knew that this novel was going to be a rollercoaster ride! Having previously read Lynda Renham's other novels this was a complete change to what I am used to her writing. My goodness she has certainly made the transition to writing thrillers perfectly! While the blurb to the book can only be described as short and sweet, the story behind it is one that is both terrifying and exhilarating. After stumbling across the murder of her aunt and uncle, Libby has spent the last 15 years trying to rebuild her life. Now that the murderer Ewan Galbreith has been released from prison, Libby now finds her life falling apart once more.

 

The story shifts between time frames and perspectives and the reader is given glimpses into the events as they unfolded 15 years earlier when a young Libby lusts after Ewan, gamekeeper on her uncle's estate.  However, a chain of events eventually lead up to the terrifying night that Libby stumbles across the horrific murder and points the finger at Ewan. We are then given the present day perspective from Libby herself and the fear she feels when she starts to receive strange gifts and threats from someone. Again, the finger of suspicion is pointed firmly at Ewan as Libby's stalker. Libby is convinced that now Ewan has been released from prison he is coming after her and is systematically destroying her personal and professional life. He is always watching. But how? How does he know so much about her. How is he worming his way into her life despite her best efforts to keep her new identity secret. It's all having the desire effect though and Libby is terrified and feeling alone. She is feeling like she is going mad and is unsure who to trust.

If you want a book that makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up or one that has you looking over your shoulder then this is the book for you. Its super creepy and super thrilling and I loved it! Lynda Renham introduces just enough of the fear factor to keep you glued to the pages of this book, unable to look away. Finding out the truth about what is really happening is drip fed throughout the book, giving the reader little clues and taking them back again just when you think you know what is happening. Just how far will Libby's stalker go? I love love love this book. Brilliantly written and paced in such away to build the tension this is s super book from Lynda Renham.  Another highly recommended read from me.

 

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ABOUT LYNDA RENHAM

 

Lynda Renham’s writing will appeal to readers of Susan Lewis books but with more of a thriller edge. She is famous for her romantic comedy novels having written over twelve popular titles. Lynda lives in Oxford, is a prolific writer, blogger and when not writing can usually be found wasting her time on Facebook. www.renham.co.uk

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lynda.Renham

Twitter: @lyndarenham

Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4494690.Lynda_Renham

Blog: www.renham.co.uk

Website: www.renham.co.uk