Really frustrating, the precis sounded good but nothing really happened - it was all set up. We met the characters, followed the thread, had a reveal of sorts but there was no real connection, no sense of tension. I felt sorry for the "victims" for their choice in men, but we never met the real victims and there was a disconnected feel to the crimes.
There was so much potential for a thrilling read, unfortunately it wasn't.

Though it's still early into 2019, I can safely say that A Version of the Truth is by far the worst book I've read this year. It shocked me NOT AT ALL to see that BP Walter is a white man, as no other author I can think of would write such awful characters. I hated every one of them, save for Stephen.

Graphic descriptions of sex and rape, homophobic undertones, powerful men and their wives who just go along with their bad behavior, this book has all those. I would highly recommend skipping this one.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.

I am sorry this was not the type of book I was expecting. If I had known what it was about I would not have requested it.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

A Version of the Truth by B P Walter is a tough book to write a review for without giving too much away. This book will not be for everyone as it deals with some very dark and confronting issues. There are some very graphic scenes that I found hard to read. Still having mixed feeling about it all now - lets just say that it was not what I was expecting when I started this book.

The story is told in 2 storylines - that of Julianne in 2019 who is getting ready for Christmas when her son shows her something on the families dropbox that changes everything that she thought she knew about her husband. Then we learn about Holly in 1990. It is her first year at Oxford University and she is a bit of an outsider, until she becomes friends with a group of people who are very different to her. What happens in Oxford will change her life forever.

Thanks to Avon Books UK and Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased.

A Version if The Truth was not exactly the psychological thriller I was hoping it would be, but it was a page turner. I just did not gravitate toward any of the characters and felt like elements of it were off putting rather than thrilling. However, it is a shocking read that has some twisty elements that many readers will love. If you enjoy books with imperfect characters, eye opening scenes, and shocking storylines then you will like this one.

This book was not at all what I expected, there was a lot of graphic sex, sexual violence and the characters were vile and obnoxious. It was not for me at all I didn't enjoy it in the slightest.

This book deals with very graphic sexual abuse content - I wasn't expecting that when I started reading it. I do think that the story could have been told without being quite as graphic. It was a compelling read, something drew me in and kept me reading. I enjoyed the flashbacks to tell the earlier story, but found that I didn't particularly like any of the characters. I was expecting the story to continue longer than it did, the ending felt quite sudden, despite the epilogue. I don't think I can describe the story as enjoyable due to the subject matter, but it was compelling.

Not sure, how I feel about this book. It wasnt what I was expecting yet I was gripped.

It is rather graphic in places and it was VERY dark.

I love books that hop back in time and to present day, you can piece the story together as you read and the ending was great!

The characters where hard to like too which makes it difficult. I suppose the only likeable character is Stephen.

Anyway a good book, but very very dark.

A book of twists and turns with lots of darkness and very little light. The story spans 25 years. Following a discovery on the internet a group of old friends are forced to answer previously unasked questions. Layer after layer of secrets are uncovered with surprising results, including a really good example of the meaning of 'consent'.. It's a great read if you like mystery, intrigue and to be kept hanging for answers. I really enjoyed and recommend it.

I have to be honest and say this book was not for me. I think the reason was the subject matter of rape, sexual violence and racism are hard subjects to enjoy.

I wasn't sure what to expect with this book, I liked the sound of it but looking at the other reviews it seemed like a marmite book, some people thought it was great, and others didn't seem to like it at all.I thought it was much better than I expected, and a very interesting,if some what disturbing story.I guess the sex scenes may have put some people off ,they didn't hold back but were very much integral to the story.I thought the characters were very well written and seemed realistic .I am not going to spoil the story for other readers but I will say if you are looking for a captivating and interesting story and not squeamish about the sex scenes and content you should enjoy this book .I found it to be an interesting read and I would like to thank the publishers and netgalley for an ARC.

Enjoyed this book, though I'm a sucker for a tale about posh aristocrats but this becomes a lot darker. I would say that some of the more graphic scenes seem a bit gratuitous but by the end, it all becomes a bit clearer. Would read more by the author

I have to be honest, this wasn't my favourite book, I just wasn't drawn in from the start which I love a book to, it did pick up and turned out after a roundabout way of getting there, to be a good storyline, gritty and dark but mixed feelings. Overall 3*

Many thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Unfortunately this book was not for me. The cover and the blurb don't give a clue about that it's about and what you'll find.
It's quite disturbing for my taste and it's not a book for me.

Thanks a lot Netgalley and the publisher for granting this copy.

I love these types of stories! The different characters were complex and mysterious. I loved the way BP Walter held your attention from the very beginning. Suspenseful novels really are the best. A must read!

3.5 stars.
This book meanders around for its majority and I was wondering exactly where we were going at times. But, when it finally opened up, it went from 0-100 in just half a page and suddenly all of what I had previously read started to make perfect, if rather shocking sense.
It is told in a dual time line. In 2019, Julianne is getting ready for Christmas. She is preparing for the visit of her mother when her son calls her and tells her that he has found something a bit disturbing on the family cloud drive that his father has obviously put there by accident. Something that also shocks Julianne but he husband appears to have some explanation which sort of placates her but does still leave her with niggles.
Back in 1990 we follow Holly as she leaves home to study at Oxford University. She immediately feels intimidated by the wealth and status of her fellow students but it soon welcomed into a group of well to dos and even, maybe, thinks she is falling for one of them in a romantic way. But, as the end of the first term looms things start to get a bit more full on and she starts to see things for what they are.
As already said, these two threads meander about laying down background and context until, at one point, connections start to form between the past and the present. This happens for the majority of the book until certain realisations finally come to light towards the end where the book really does take a very dark turn indeed, quite graphically in nature. Something that caught me out a bit and made me gasp with shock and horror.
It's a very character driven book from the start but, that said, most of the characters are pretty nasty which I guess makes it a very brave move for the author. But it is managed with aplomb as, even though I pretty much detested the majority, I connected with them quite well, albeit it in a rather negative way.
Apart from the content and descriptions depicted in the book, what really hits home is the fact that most of what occurs in the book really could happen, and probably already has in some shape or form. This makes it quite relevant in the current climate of what I read in the news pretty much every week. Obviously the main nature of this can't be expanded on here for fear of spoilers but, suffice to say, shocking isn't really the word and makes this a story that is important to be told.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Whilst this is a difficult and often upsetting plot, this book will stay with you for a long time after you’ve read it. I can understand why other readers have given it low ratings, however I’ve given it 4 stars due to the strong writing and well developed characters.
It won’t be a book that will cheer you up, however it’s one that I’m glad I’ve read.

A Version of the Truth by B P Walter

February 2019
Fiction, psychological

I received this digital ARC from NetGalley and Avon Books UK in exchange for an unbiased review.

It isn’t often that I encounter a story so utterly disturbing that I’m captivated to the end. This is such a book that people will either abhor or vicariously partake of the disconcerting journey. With that said, this is not a book for those easily offended by controversial, morally corrupt characters. The themes addressed in this novel are unsettling: homophobia, sexual abuse, debauchery, and perversion.

The story is told through the alternating time lines of Julianne Knight in London 2018 and Sophie at Oxford 1990. Initially, the connection between the two women is vague until their stories begin to unravel. Both women seemingly different, ultimately discover how they share a traumatic experience with mutual classmates at Oxford. This drives their desire to seek redemption once they acknowledge their denial of involvement.

In London 2018, Julianne’s world is turned upside down when her 17-year old son, Stephen exposes incriminating information found on the family Dropbox account. She learns that her husband James is involved with unthinkable crimes dating back to their years at Oxford.

Ignoring past regressions and deplorable mistakes doesn’t erase the sins. Some unethical decisions have everlasting consequences which eventually seek resolution.

This is a well written book with developed characters deplorable in nature.

Based on the title and the cover, I expected something completely different. I was not prepared for the subject matter which turned my stomach once it became clear. The story is told between alternating narrators, 20 years apart. The pace was arduous and tedious. I read the book in one full sitting so I wouldn't have to go back to it, which I was afraid I wouldn't do.
I found it difficult to care about any of the characters due their natures and actions. One narrator is a victim but she is stale and flat while the other narrator is dull and lifeless.
If any of the characters had any redeeming qualities we are never shown them; even minor characters are horrible people. As I stated already, the subject is distasteful plus it's handled quite glibly.
I'd still like to know why a picture of a pool is used on the cover. A pool was only present in one location (but two pools - one inside and one outside) but it's not as central or relevant to the story.
This is not one I'll be revisiting.

I really struggled to rate this book. It's certainly gripping, but, has unsavoury, difficult subject matter and the fact that none of the characters (bar Stephen) are likeable, so, there was only the son, Stephen that I rooted for.

Julienne is an American, married to James and they both have a son, Stephen, who confronts his mother, one evening, with some strange evidence against his dad. What follows involves dark subject matter and the story goes back to Julienne's days at Oxford University where a parallel tale is told from another character's perspective, that of fellow student, Holly.

It's certainly gripping and I was determined to read until the end to achieve the hoped for closure. However, that didn't really happen and I must admit to feeling a tad cheated as the storyline ends.

It started off really well and I think, had the character trying to help Julianne and Holly been more involved in the storyline and had Julienne been stronger, I'd have enjoyed it far more. As it is, it seems to draw a picture of weak willed woman against powerful, manipulating men.

Thanks to Netgalley, Avon/HarperCollins and the author for my ARC and the opportunity to preview.