Cover Image: After the Accident

After the Accident

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Member Reviews

Sorry Kerry, I just didnt like this book and struggle to get through it - its not the normal gripping style of thriller that I am used to.

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This book is cleverly written. It reads as a fiction book but also as a true crime book.
Kerry Wilkinson writes such amazing believable characters.
A great book

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This book had me hooked immediately. I love the way that it has been written with each persons version of events. Thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend to anyone who wants to read a great book.

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3 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for an advanced copy.

Years after a tragic accident, Emma and her family return to the island of Galanikos for vacation but the trip takes a turn when Emma's father is injured. Was it an accident, was it on purpose? Emma sets out to find the truth!

The book is set in a TV interview format and leaves you wanting answers!

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I flew through this book, with a well-thought-out plot and really believable characters. would definitely recommend it!

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This book was a different type of book than the ones Kerry usually writes. It was more of a dysfuctional family thriller . It was very fast paced and cleverly written. It was told in an interview style. Having said that I really liked it.

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I very much enjoyed this book. It has a good story and excellent main characters. I would definately recommend this book.

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This was such a different book, but I couldn't put it down. The story is written as a transcript, a series of interviews to be turned into a documentary. It was really easy to read, but took bit of getting used to.
Nine years ago, Geoff McGinley‘a business partner Alan Lee fell to his death from the cliffs in Galanikos. Geoff was questioned but no charges were ever brought against him. Nine years on the McGinleys are back on the island for family holiday, with Geoff’s new business partner Daniel and his family. This first night they are all there, Geoff falls over the cliff, just as Alan did, and lies in an induced coma in hospital.
What follows are the accounts of all the members of the holiday party. Did Geoff fall? Who benefits most if he dies? There are so many questions thrown up during the course of the book and they are not tied into a neat bow at the end, the reader is left to make up their own mind.
Very cleverly written and it sucked me in to the very end. For the record, I’m team Emma!

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After the Accident by Kerry Wilkinson was such a different story! This is actually based on real-life events, which makes it even more interesting. The story is completely written in a transcript form, which was hard to get used to. I felt like I was reading a script.

The family is completely crazy. I felt like I was reading about a train wreck and couldn't look away! There are tons of twists that kept me turning the pages! I was disappointed to not get that neatly tied up ending that I like, but it was still a great story!

I was provided an advanced reader's copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.

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Clever, creative and compelling. This new standalone thriller is totally different from anything you might normally read. Forget everything you know about Kerry Wilkinson and the style in which he writes - AFTER THE ACCIDENT is a completely different format from the norm. Written with a series of interviews spliced together, it was certainly an unusual read that elicited some thought-provoking moments in this cleverly crafted mystery.

The story centres around the McGinley family who had frequented the Mediterranean island of Galanikos regularly up until nine years ago when Geoffrey McGinley's business partner Alan Lee fell to his death from one of the island's clifftops. Although no charges were laid, and Geoff McGinley had been questioned at the time, the Lee family firmly believed that he had killed Alan.

Now Geoff McGinley has returned with his wife Bethan, daughter Emma, son Julius with his twin girls Chloe and Amy, as well as current business partner Daniel Dorsey, his wife Liz and their son Victor and wife Claire. A nice cosy family holiday of ten people for what was promoted to the family as "mum's final trip abroad" coinciding with their 35th anniversary and her birthday. Why his business partner and family were there is something of a mystery as it really made no sense to have them along for what is in essence was a "family holiday". Unless, of course, one was to believe the theory put forward by Emma. And then it makes perfect sense...in a way.

It is obvious from the beginning that Geoff, the patriarch of the McGinley family, is a force to be reckoned with. He is used to being in charge and issuing orders that are to be complied with. That is seen as soon as he starts shouting "Three taxis!" to all and sundry upon their arrival at the airport. He had apparently ordered three taxis to ferry all ten people to their hotel only to arrive to find none. But this was to be only the first of many dramas for what would turn out to be a very long week for all involved.

Their first night in Galanikos, the families gather together for dinner in the hotel restaurant where plenty of drama took place resulting in everyone going their separate ways. Emma, wanting to escape her family, went to another hotel and settled herself at the bar where she met Paul Bosley. Little did she know that Paul was on the island with his film crew doing a documentary on the death of Alan Lee, who died there nine years before. But even when Paul told her, she still didn't reveal her link to that event. Instead, the two of them went up to Paul's room where they spent the night together.

The next morning, no one could find Emma as she was not in her room. But when she did return, she discovered that her father had been found at the bottom of a cliff behind the hotel that morning, and was now in a coma in hospital. The question that then went through everyone's minds was - did he fall accidentally...or was he pushed?

Throughout the retelling of these events, it is clear from the outset that there are tensions between almost everyone. Neither of them like the other and vice versa. All parties are quick to point the finger at someone else. But one thing is for sure - whatever happened, none of them are completely blameless. Suspicions and accusations abound as the possibility is presented that McGinley met with foul play. As to who may have been responsible, belief and loyalties were divided.

There are many questions raised throughout this story, but most of all, which of them was the unreliable narrator? You don't know what really happened or who to believe or which of them are telling the truth. By the end you may still be left with questions, unsure of who you fully believe.

This story is not a fictionalised series of events orchestrated by this wonderfully talented author. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, previously titled as "Seven Days in July" , is based on true events and the entire story is told through a series of interviews made to a media company for a documentary that, in the end, never saw the light of day. What Kerry has done has spliced these interviews together to form a chronological series of events...it was really quite clever and ingenious of him to tell a story that he never actually wrote. But rather presented it to his audience of fans who by now have their own theories or beliefs as to what may or may not have happened. A great book for book club discussions. Incidentally, all names have been changed so no amount of googling will herald any results.

I thought that AFTER THE ACCIDENT was a thoroughly entertaining read. It was solid, it was engaging and it was addictive. I was completely absorbed and despaired when I was so tired I fell asleep reading it...but I soon picked it back up the following morning and did not put it down until I'd finished. It was utterly clever and brilliant and made for compulsive reading.

By the end, the reader is left to ponder their own thoughts as what they may have thought happened. Not normally how I like my mysteries to conclude, but this one is different. It became not only a question of who did what but whether anything was done at all.

I won't say what I think happened or who I think may be responsible, as I don't want to spoil it for other readers. Although you may come up with a completely different theory. But it is a story that makes you think and dissect all the evidence that has been presented to you. I will say however, that despite it being presented in interview form, it didn't detract from the story in any way. I still felt as if I was there and seeing things as they happened. Ingeniously clever.

An intriguing mystery for thriller fans and true crime buffs alike, AFTER THE ACCIDENT is a tale of something and nothing; reality and fiction; truth and lies. Of two families and a secret. It's all smoke and mirrors by the end. Definitely recommend!

Lastly, in Kerry's words...

"Is it a true crime tale, or is it an examination of family, jealousy and grief? Maybe it's all of those things? Or maybe, it is a simple tale of someone who pushed their father off a cliff and got away with it."

I would like to thank #KerryWilkinson, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #AfterTheAccident aka #SevenDaysInJuly in exchange for an honest review.

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This was another killer read by a very talented author. I've read most, if not all of Kerry's books, and every time he manages to draw me in from beginning until the very end. Recommended for anyone who likes a good read that will entertain you until the last word.

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This was a unique and different read. It was cleverly crafted and had a few surprises along the way. An enjoyable story.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

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Kerry Wilkinson is a brilliant writer and I love theor work. Always easy to read and full of suspense, an absolute must read

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This was written like an interview to try to know the truth about what's happening when Emma's dad falls off a cliff. I almost DNF this book, I didn't like the format, reading a novel written like an interview gets really old really fast. I really wanted to like this book, I loved the premise, but it wasn't for me and the ending also fell flat.

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3.75*
Oh, this is hard. So many mixed feelings about this one. Very conflicted here!?🤷🏻♀️

This is vastly different than anything I’ve ever read. The formatting is... a transcript. But why? And to what end? Both good questions… you’ll find out eventually.

The characters are down-right despicable, with the possible exception of the twins! (I think you’ll like them too!)

Is there family dysfunction? Oh, you better believe it! It’ll make your family look like the Brady Bunch! Then again, is there any such thing as a “normal” family out there?💁🏻♀️

Toss in a murder, perhaps a couple attempted murders and oh yeah, a steamy love interest as well! There’s always room to squeeze in a bit of secret, forbidden love!

Half the time I was asking myself, “what am I reading here?!” The other was devoted to chuckling at the “transcript,” revealing every family members’ own version! Hilarious!

Looking for something completely different? Something to give you some good laughs? Maybe help you see your own family in a more positive light? This is a perfect escapist, (semi) locked-down, quarantine read!

A buddy read with Susanne that left us both just a bit perplexed!🤔🤪

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and a Kerry Wilkinson for an ARC to read and review.

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Nine years ago Geoffrey's business partner Alan died after falling off a cliff on the Greek island of Galanikos. In the present day, Geoffrey is found injured at the bottom of the same cliffs. Were both men pushed and why...?
The narrative style of After the Accident is totally unique and brilliant. I wasn't sure how it would work out at the start but it is absolutely fab! The narrative is delivered in an interview style with each character describing events in their own words and then others jumping in with their version which might agree or disagree. This led to humorous moments when people said one thing and were immediately contradicted. It was completely fascinating to read.
At the heart of this book is the mystery of who killed Alan and attempted to kill Geoffrey. But the answer can never be straightforward as we rely on skewed viewpoints and outright lies.
The whole book is character led as we explore possible motives and events through the perspectives of each person. Due to the style of narrative, there is little description but I didn't feel that I was missing out as the way the characters decribe their surroundings and the others is sufficient ('gluttonous turnip'!)
Geoffrey's daughter Emma is the lead character. We discover that she has an awkward relationship with her family and has been in prison but we do not find out why until halfway through the book. We see how the other characters judge her and try to undermine her version of events.
After the Accident really is very cleverly written and soooo enjoyable. The style is unusual but is outstandingly effective. Amazing job Kerry!

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Having read a fair few books by this author before and thoroughly enjoying them, it was one of the reasons why I wanted to read this his latest book. .

However, I have to be honest and say that unfortunately this wasn't a great read for me, the format of the story was interview based, which although was plenty easy enough to follow, it just didn't gel with me. Plus there was no real conclusion or finalization to the story which left me wanting in places. Although I did find the authors notes through the interviews helpful and informative.

Having read other reader's reviews of this book, I am glad to see that there are a lot of readers that did indeed enjoy this book, which to me, means it is true what they say, certain books just aren't for everyone.

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2.5 Stars

An Island Vacation Gone Horribly Wrong.

When family, friends and colleagues go on an island vacation together and the novel starts off in “interview” style, mostly being narrated by daughter Emma, with the remainder of the characters stating that they disagreed with everything she said, you know that the “gloves” are about to come off.

It’s like that boxing match where my hands covered my eyes because I knew something horrible was about to happen, and I simply couldn’t tear myself away.

While “After the Accident” by Kerry Wilkinson is a highly entertaining novel and I think a lot of people liked it for that reason, the one and only reason it didn’t work for me, is simply because I found each and every character to be completely and utterly despicable and I don’t enjoy novels where every character is that unlikeable. What I will say is that the writing here is very well done, as is the way that the author, Kerry Wilkinson chose to tell the story and my dislike of it has nothing to do with that. It is to Mr. Wilkinson’s credit that he was able to make me feel so much while reading this story.

This was another buddy read with Kaceey.

Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and Kerry Wilkinson for the arc.

Published on Goodreads and NetGalley on 5.3.20.

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This novel is written in the format of character transcription which made it difficult to engage with the story or personalities. A decent premise let down by a weak ending.

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Brilliant brilliant read. An unusual format focusing on different perspectives, this covers the story of a man’s death 9 years previously, a dysfunctional family, and lots lots more. An excellently paced read that totally grips the reader. But as with every good thriller who did what to whom?

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