People Change

When you are young you think you will be friends with your classmates forever. Sometimes you are and sometimes you grow apart, because, well, people change...

Paige, Harry and Richard were inseparable in school, until one day everything changed. Richard and Harry took the shortcut home after school. It was something that they often did on nice days. But on that fateful day they saw Graham, a classmate, lying in the undergrowth. Lives would change forever after that day.

Twenty years later, Paige calls Harry to tell him that Richard is in trouble - accused of a crime that Paige knows he would never commit. Harry comes back home and soon hears the whispers, the gossip and is hit in the face with the fact that small towns do not forget. Small towns have long memories and will be more than happy to remind you of the past lest you forget. Small towns are like Cheers - everybody knows your name, your business and your family’s business.

This was a taunt thriller which does not disappoint. What begins as a trip home to support a friend becomes so much more. There is a feeling on tension throughout. The characters are believable and multifaceted. They have flaws and do not always make the best choices. As Paige and Harry try to help their friend, the plot, as they say, thickens!

Is Richard guilty? Who killed Graham all those years ago? Are the cases connected? Just when you think you know someone; they prove you wrong. I loved the underlying sense of suspense and tension. Will Harry be able to help his friend?

I read most of this is book in one day simply because this gripping story sucked me in. The beginning starts a little slow as we are introduced to the characters and it quickly picks up speed and never stops. I was glued to my seat, anxious to learn the truth and I thoroughly enjoyed how the plot unfolded in this brilliant page turner. This was my first book by Kerry Wilkinson, and I am extremely impressed and looking forward to reading more of this authors work.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

I’d like to thank Bookouture and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The Blame’ by Kerry Wilkinson in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

During their school years Harry, Richard and Paige did everything together. When Paige rings Harry saying that Richard has been arrested for the murder of their old head of year Mr Wilson he catches the next flight from his home in Toronto to their home town of Macklebury to give his support to both Richard and Paige. As the police investigate, people are suggesting that Richard could also be responsible for the death of their school friend Graham whose body Harry and Richard found hidden in bushes eighteen years ago. Harry doesn’t believe that Richard could have changed enough to be responsible for the crimes he’s accused of but they’ve all changed, even Paige and himself, and he and Richard do have a secret they’ve been keeping since finding Graham’s body.

‘The Blame’ is another of Kerry Wilkinson’s standalone novels and although I prefer the Jessica Daniels series it’s well-written with an interesting plot, well-described characters, twists and turns, and an ending that took me by surprise and completely unexpected. I like the style of writing which flows easily and makes for an exciting read and although possibly not one of my favourite novels it’s still very entertaining and worth taking the time to read.

I loved this book, great story full of suspense! I don't like to give away any part of the book but I highly recommend this novel.

Caveat: most of the characters in The Blame were unlikeable. The main characters include good friend, Paige who calls back her childhood friend (Harry) in Canada and asks him to come help out when another one of their childhood group (Richard) is arrested on suspicion of murder. Then there is Paige's husband Oliver, a bully and Richard's brother. Harry still owns a house he inherited with his sister Evie. You would think she would be ecstatic to see her brother after all of this time, but she treats him like a nuisance who is invading her privacy.

But, there was something about this book I found compelling. As you read follow Harry and Paige as they search for the real killer, you can empathize with Richard, who seems to have been in the wrong place at the wrong time. Ahhh...but why was he there? That remains a mystery even after Harry confronts him in prison. I loved the back-and-forth comparisons of Harry's "Americanized" routines (city vs. village, "hip" food vs. sausage and chips with vinegar; even the quality of the cold and snow feels different in England.

And another reason to read Kerry Wilkinson's books is his use of language: "He clicks the door open and closed, leaving an awkwardness hanging like a crooked picture on a wall." I've read Wilkinson before, but when I finished, I felt like I was ready to add another of his titles to my TBR pile!

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for an advance reader's copy for review.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to do an ARC on author, Kerry Wilkinson's new book, "The Blame" which goes on sale February 19th, 2021. This is my first book by this bestselling author. I am excited to read more by this author.

This was a totally addictive story about how secrets from the past always come to light. There are many twists and turns, you will be guessing thinking you know the answers only to find out you didn't! A fantastic ending to a very suspenseful book!

I gave this book 5 stars!

I've been a Kerry fan since "The Girl Who Came Back" and love his standalones (as I've not really followed the Jessica Daniels series to appreciate it fully), but throughout this book I couldn't decide whether I liked it or not. It certainly kept me engaged throughout and had that suspenseful undertone but I don't think it is one of his best. Having said that, it is still a relatively enjoyable read.

"People change. And then they change again."

No truer words spoken of real life that was most certainly manifested in the main characters in THE BLAME.

Paige, Richard and Harry were inseparable as teenagers growing up. Now twenty years later, Harry has been living in Canada whilst life went on in Mackleberry back in the UK for both Richard and Paige. Whilst standing in line with the hipsters for a Sunday breakfast, Harry receives a phone call from Paige telling him that Richard has been arrested for the murder of their former head-of-year, Mr Wilson. Twenty three hours later, Harry is back in Mackleberry for the first time in more than a decade.

Unsure of what he can do to help, he teams up with Paige as they endeavour to find out what really happened on the night Wilson was killed. But the more time he spends with Paige, the more he realises how much she has changed. He discovers she had married Richard's older brother Oliver and is now separated. And the more time they spend together, the more he finds Oliver keeps popping up. Is he there to keep them updated about Richard? Or is he keeping an eye on his estranged wife?

And then there is the gossip on the Mackleberry Facebook page. All anyone seems to be interested in is raking up the the discovery of the body of 15 year old Graham Boyes eighteen years ago. And they all seem intent on blaming Richard for the boy's death, insinuating that as he had found the body he surely must have killed him...and if he had killed Graham then it stands to reason he also killed Keith Wilson. But Harry knows that it was both he and Richard that found Graham's body on their way home from school, despite the fact the two boys were never named at the time. However, the community have it all wrapped up tidily...but what do the police think? They had merely arrested Richard and were holding him for questioning. But it's not until a piece of evidence that has been missing for eighteen years is found in Richard's flat, do the police then charge him for Graham's murder as well as Wilson's.

But Harry and Paige know Richard. He would never kill anyone. But after some digging into Richard's personal affairs, Harry uncovers some secrets that his friend has kept hidden from everyone. But do these secrets mean he is capable of murder?

Harry doesn't remember much about finding Graham's body all those years ago except the nightmares that followed. It all became something of a blur. But there is one thing he clearly remembers about the discovery. Something that the police insisted that he and Richard never disclose to anybody EVER! Something that only they, the police and the killer would know. Harry has never told a soul and neither has Richard. So what does this mean? Graham's murder was never solved...so is Wilson's murder linked to Graham's?

While Keith Wilson's murder is the current investigation the focus shifts more towards Graham's as the community continue to raise their concerns and share their opinions. Admittedly, I had my suspicions which turned out to be correct as I picked up on a subtle clue dropped in passing. Although there is an element of mystery, it seems to surround the past more than the present, as the pieces of the puzzle slowly fit together.

Narrated solely by Harry, THE BLAME is a slow burn that meanders through a web of secrets, lies and mystery with no more excitement than finding the missing mate of a pair of socks. Don't get me wrong, it is an engaging read but not a thrilling one and not overly exciting. I did, however, like the ending despite the sad nature it resulted in.

I don't think I really liked any of the characters. I certainly didn't warm to Paige and nobody else was much chop either. Harry seemed to just drift along and I really couldn't feel any of his personality come through. I felt as indifferent to him as his sister Evie did.

There are certainly better written books by Kerry than this one but it is still filled with suspense to keep you guessing right up to the end, and ironically, still a page turner. My favourite part was when Paige's mother, Harry and Evie's neighbour, when she helped Harry out of an aggressive situation which made me cackle as much as she did!

I would like to thank #KerryWilkinson, #NetGalley, #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheBlame in exchange for an honest review.

Reading Between the Wines book review #16/115 for 2021:
Rating: 3 🍷 🍷 🍷
Book 📱: The Blame
Author: Kerry Wilkinson
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers
Release Date: Available Soon!!! Releases on February 19, 2021

Sipping Synopsis: Three childhood friends, two of which who found a dead body years prior that resulted in an unsolved case are brought back together twenty years later. Harry, one of the boys who found the body, is called back by Paige when the other friend, Richard, is accused of murder. But did Richard kill this new victim, the one back in high school, both, or neither?

Final sipping thoughts: This is a typical story of a small town where the people get stuck if they don’t make it out and get a better life. I did not like any of the characters in this book as they didn’t really have any redeemable qualities. Initially the story dragged and was pretty repetitive, but it picked up the last 20% and became really interesting with a pretty good twist. While it wasn’t an edge of your seat thriller it was an okay read that had a good ending.

Cheers and thank you to @NetGalley and @Bookouture for an advanced copy of @TheBlame
#TheBlame #Bookouture #NetGalley #advancedreadercopy #ARC #Kindle #Booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #bookstagram #nicoles_bookcellar #bookworm #bookdragon #booknerd #booklover #bookstagrammer #bookaholic #bookreview #bookreviewer #IHaveNoShelfControl #ReadingBetweenTheWines #fiction #thriller #suspense #mystery #MysteryAndThrillers

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishing house and the author for the opportunity to read a complimentary advance reader copy of this book in return for a review based upon my honest opinion.

This author usually writes a very enjoyable edge of your seat book; this book did not live up to my expectations for this author. It was an okay read and the storyline as good just not great. I will for sure read more books by her, as I have enjoyed her other books.

Thanks to Netgally, the publishers and the author for an ARC of the book.

A very enjoyable book, starts out a little slow but builds up quickly and the last section is pretty fast as we get a few twists and turns with lots of suspense in between.

The story is incredibly believable about a group of 3 friends from school trying to piece together two murders - a recent one, and one from 20 years ago. I thought I had figured out whodunnit, only for a couple of twists at the end, and it all falls into place.

Strongly Recommended.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for a copy of “The Blame” in exchange for my honest review.

The story starts on Sunday in Toronto and continues on Monday in Macklebury. The story continues at a fast pace until Friday with the last chapter being 3 weeks later. There is a lot of frantic, dizzying passages whenever Paige is walking somewhere and Harry is left trailing in her wake.

Harry Curtis returns to his small English hometown after a frantic phone call from his childhood friend Paige Whiteside. Their mutual friend Richard Whiteside has been arrested for the murder of their old head of year. Paige is also the estranged wife of Richard’s brother Oliver. Paige and Harry grew up on the poor side of town, while Richard and Oliver were more affluent.

Richard was seen arguing with Keith Wilson outside The Pines Hotel where a teacher’s reunion was taking place. Harry’s sister Evie doesn’t seem to be happy to have her brother back home.

Richard and Harry found the body of 15 year old Graham Boyes eighteen years prior on their way home from school. Now the gossip in town is that Richard not only killed Keith Wilson but Graham who while not a classmate was in the same year as them.

Oliver inserts Harry into the family visits to the court proceedings and a prison visit - almost as if they (the family) are using him. Harry was not on the police radar until he was manipulated by Oliver. They want to make Harry question the events of the afternoon they found Graham. A big question is - who is planting evidence and why?

The story comes to a close with a couple of thrilling, action packed chapters. Paige perhaps sums it up perfectly - “people change and then they change again.”

Great book. Read it in two days. Brilliant storyline of friends who have secrets for years and a friendship that survived over 2 decades of being apart. S the 2nd of Kerry's books I have read and it didn't dissapoint me. The ending took me by surprise.

This is the first book I have read by this author, but it definitely won't be the last! The Blame was a fun thriller that made me want to keep reading more.

Paige, Harry and Richard were best mates when they were younger, but as so often happens they kind of drifted apart for various reasons. Harry sort of keeps in touch with Richard, but he hasn't spoken to Paige in a long time. When she calls him out of the blue for help since Richard was arrested for murder he makes his way back to his hometown as quickly as he can. I really enjoyed that aspect of the story. The coming home after a long time away, the catching up with old friends but are they really the same people as they once were? Do you really still know them/can still count on them? It was an interesting read.

Now they are sure Richard did not kill anyone, but when they were younger Harry and Richard did find a dead body one day so that is getting dragged up again. It was a bit odd how it kept coming up, like if he killed this person presently then maybe he killed the kid twenty years ago as well! But it also made sense in the small town. It was fun watching Paige and Harry try to figure out what happened and clear Richard's name.

Harry,Paige and Richard were best friends at school twenty years ago,now Harry gets a phone call from Paige saying Richard has been accused of murdering their old school teacher.Harry arrives from Canada to find a few things have changed since he was last here,he uncovers lies and secrets that people would rather keep hidden.I have to say having read a lot of books by Kerry Wilkinson this one seemed to drag a little,but that said it was still a good 4 star thriller which I would recommend.

Harry gets a frantic call from his childhood friend, Paige: Richard, their best friend, has been arrested for the murder of their old high school head teacher, Keith Wilson.

Harry is at a crossroads in his life. His marriage is over, he is dissatisfied with his job and the new life he had made for himself in Toronto. Paige's call is all that he needs to jump on a plane and return to Macklebury, the small town they had grown up in.

Paige is determined to solve the murder and set her friend, Richard, free. Paige married Richard's (pompous) older brother, Oliver, but they are estranged. As they work together to find the real murderer, Harry is shocked to discover that Paige may have a drug addiction problem, and may have done a few shady things to support that addiction. And their investigations reveal even more troubling news: Richard's ex-girlfriend, Joanne, reveals that Richard had a falling out with his father, but wouldn't tell her the cause of the argument. Richard changed into an angry, difficult person.

Many old faces from the past parade before us as potential suspects in the murder of the most unpopular school teacher in Macklebury's long history. I suspected EVERYONE, even Harry, after a while! No spoilers here: the ending was spectacularly action-packed and bittersweet, but the reader is left satisfied. Small town life can be hell! Highly recommended! My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

A ok mystery with a bit of suspense.
The story had certainly many twists and turns. But, for some reason, I just couldn’t get into the storyline as it seemed to drag in parts. I think it was the flow of the story that I just could not connect with. There was enough going on to keep me engaged in the story, just not a book I’d read again.
I did not like any of the characters as they all seemed shallow.
Thank you to NetGallery, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read this in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a very easy enjoyable read. It's a standalone thriller that was fast paced and gripping. I liked the characters and enjoyed the twists and turns. The only reason I have given 3 stars as I have read some amazing books the last few months and although good it doesnt have the edge of the others.

3 childhood friends who have grown apart are thrown back together when one is accused of murdering a teacher from their old school. Harry flies home to help Paige clear Richard’s name.

This book was hit or miss for me with each chapter. I think it had a lot of potential, but the plot just really fell short for me. Overall it was still a decent book, just not a favorite.

Very nice moment to moment writing. Sometimes the plot carried me forward and I looked forward to reading, sometimes it dragged a bit for me. Somehow I never warmed up totally to the main character, I could never quite visualize him or connect, and I couldn't quite visualize or connect to the lead female character either. The lack of sexual/romantic tension between them didn't totally ring true to me. But the novel had a lot of good scenes, and the solution to one of the two murders was satisfying. If you like this author's novels, you'll probably like this one.

When Harry receives an out of the blue call from his childhood friend, Paige, he gets dragged back to the past which he had tried to escape.

His other friend, Richard has been accused of something terrible. Everyone back home is whispering about the body they had found years ago, and saying Richard deserves to be locked up. Before he realizes he has returned to the small town he thought he would never see again.

Paige is adamant that Richard is innocent. But she is nervous at the same time. Can Harry really trust that Paige is on his side – or is she hiding her own dark secret?

I found the premise interesting but the plot was just okay.

Initially, the plot moved along extremely slowly and it did take me a while to get into it. But towards the end, the pace did pick up. The main characters were mysterious but not exciting enough to make me want to relate to them.

There were a few twists in the plot. I did expect most of them, but some of them were a surprise.
Overall, an okay read.

Thank You NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!

Not every childhood friendship is meant to last. Sometimes you move and forget about what you went through together. Other times you move to a different country and then years later get a call that brings you right back to what happened and where.

That’s exactly what happens for Harry when Paige calls him and tells them the third member of their trio, Richard, is in trouble. Richard is being charged with murder and the cops seem determined to link him to what happened when he was a teenager as well. Something that Harry went through with him, but can’t remember all the facts of what happened 20 years prior.

With Paige determined to clear Richard’s name and Harry willing to do whatever he can to help, he realizes just how much the people you care for can change over time. Suddenly it’s not just clearing Richard’s name that is his focus, but keeping himself out of trouble as well.