Michelle Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 Sam Hayes is already on my list of favourite authors, so although I was excited to get hold of an early copy of her latest book, I was nervous as to whether it would live up to expectations. Thankfully it did. Sam’s books are probably best described as emotional thrillers – she says herself that she takes her characters and puts them in terrifying circumstances, and Someone Else’s Son certainly lives up to this. Carrie Kent has built an extremely successful career hosting a morning chat show which puts people under the microscope, and under pressure. All the dysfunctional families she looks down on are on her show, as well as victims of crime. What she doesn’t expect though, is that instead of someone else, it becomes her experiencing tragedy. Max and Dayna are two teenagers who don’t fit in. They live in a world of bullying and knife crime, and on Friday 29th April, Carrie’s world falls apart, as she’s informed her son, Max, has been stabbed, and is dead. Throughout the course of the book, we are taken back and forth, experiencing life both before and after the stabbing. Max and Dayna’s relationship is explored, as well as the harsh world they live in. We also find out about the relationship Max’s parents had, and how it fell apart, as well as the lives they live now. At the heart is the issue of the stabbing, how it happened, and who was involved. But surrounding this is the depth of the book – the various relationships and issues involved. It is a book of suspense, with the expected twists, but the key is the way Sam builds her characters. They are so believable, and I cared about each and every one by the end – which makes the suspense and thriller aspects mean more. The first half of this book may be a little slower than thriller readers might expect, but it’s an important part as it allows Sam to introduce and explore her characters. It kept me reading because I wanted to know what would happen next, and by the end it was hard to put down. Another highly recommended book from someone who remains on my favourite author list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison10 Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 A great review Michelle, makes me want to read this even more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lauraloves Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 have just added this to my wishlist sounds like an amazing read Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ophelia Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 Not read any of this writer's stuff before, Michelle, but having read your review I'm putting this one on my letter to Father Christmas! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madcow Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 Another one for the wish list Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted October 19, 2010 Author Share Posted October 19, 2010 For those of you who would like to get a feel for Sam's writing, there's a chapter extract up on the blog: http://bookclubforum.wordpress.com/2010/10/19/someone-elses-son-by-sam-hayes-chapter-extract/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mac Posted October 19, 2010 Share Posted October 19, 2010 This looks fab, Michelle. Dammit. I've simply got to stop finding new authors I like! This forum has a lot to answer for (including my blessed overdraft...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shirleyz Posted October 19, 2010 Share Posted October 19, 2010 really looking forward to receiving this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deneng Posted November 10, 2010 Share Posted November 10, 2010 Michelle says it all in her great review, A great read and another winner from Sam. I did n't want to put it down. I highly recommend it. Sam is one of my favourie authors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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