The book started strong BUT the plot lost steam about halfway, and started to drag, dumping information to try and explain the complicated TWIST. This was my first Steve Cavanagh book and after hearing about this author all over the social media, I was excited to read this book. King, ή μάλλον για να μιλήσω πιο σωστά, μου θύμισε τα συναισθήματα που μου δημιουργούνταν όταν νεότερη (προ εικοσαετίας) διάβαζα τα βιβλία του King. Η ατμόσφαιρα είναι εξαιρετική και οι χαρακτήρες αναλύονται στον βαθμό που πρέπει, χωρίς να γίνει η παραμικρή προσπάθεια να γίνουν συμπαθείς (παίρνουν όλοι ανεξαιρέτως από εμένα το βραβείο των πιο αντιπαθητικών μυθιστορηματικών ηρώων του 2020). Η πλοκή εξελίσσεται με τεράστια μαεστρία, οι σκέψεις των πρωταγωνιστών και τα όσα διαδραματίζονται περιγράφονται με μεγάλη προσοχή, ενώ οι αποκαλύψεις του παρελθόντος δίνονται ακριβώς τη χρονική στιγμή που πρέπει. Πραγματικά, πολλές φορές αναρωτήθηκα πώς θα καταφέρει να κλείσει αυτήν την ιστορία, αλλά τελικά όλα μπήκαν στη θέση τους χωρίς να μου μείνουν κενά. We know that J.T. could be pseudonym for a very reclusive author who ALWAYS writes a KILLER TWIST-and that his murders seem SO real, it’s UNCANNY…. Twisted is the perfect title for this book. Just when you think you have a handle on what’s happening, the rug is pulled from under you and you are spun around, again and again. I lost count of how many times I thought I’d worked out the ‘who and the what’ only to then find out that everything had turned completely on its head.

From here on in, don’t believe a single word you read.”, and it’s not until the author wraps up this mind bender of a book that you finally understand what sits behind this sound bite.Maria leads a quiet life with her semi-secretive husband Paul. She feels unfulfilled in all the ways that matter and thus as an affair with Daryl, with whom she discovers paperwork that leads them to believe her husband Paul is actually an author worth millions. Instead of being upfront about the whole matter they take the low road and get semi-aggressive. To say the least, things get out of hand. Because there is another player in their game they know nothing of. I don’t know what else to tell you about the plot so I’m not even going to try. I love a twisty, convoluted thriller but this may have had one or two twists too many. Most of the time I didn’t have a clue what was going on or which way was up! Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoyed reading this but I do think it was too much. I was excited to read this ENTICING stand-alone from Steve Cavanagh, who is one of my favorite “legal thriller” writers, but unfortunately it wasn’t quite as good as the Eddie Flynn series. I stumbled upon the work of Steve Cavanagh early this year and have not been able to get enough. While Eddie Flynn is a wonderful protagonist, I enjoyed this standalone that permitted me to see a new and exciting side to this thrill writer. Cavanagh creates a wonderful story with a handful of basic characters, turning a simple reveal into a masterful game of cat and mouse. With a story in which the reader knows all and watches things play out, Cavanagh develops his narrative and takes it in many needed tangents before returning things for the final reveal. Cavanagh uses his strong characters and dialogue to pull the reader in, mixing short and longer chapters to create sustained interest. Once caught in the trap, all the reader can do is ‘read a little more’ to get their fix. I’m now a firm believer that Steve Cavanagh is one of those versatile authors who can turn any plot into a masterful novel. If only I did not have to wait so long for more!

The other thing great twists have in common is that you don’t see them coming. You’re so wrapped up in the story that they hit you without warning. Because ‘Twisted’ sells itself on its twists I found myself constantly looking for them, so that when they did come, they weren’t that unexpected. Often, I’d spent so much time thinking about them that I’d already figured out what they were going to be. If this is the first book you have read by Steve Cavanagh and you weren't raving about it then my recommendation is to try a book from the Eddie Flynn series. They are amazing thrillers. If you loved this one then you are in for a real treat because his other books are even better. A fantastic standalone thriller. Punchy, ridiculously gripping, fast-paced, clever. Beautifully-plotted and incredibly fun to read. He’s done it again. SUPERB.’ Will Dean

On my specific instructions my publisher have not edited this text. There have been no editorial notes, structural edits or other outside interference. Maria asked for cream and sugar, and it came a lot later than it should have. No tip for Sandy, thought Maria.