Cover Image: The Interview

The Interview

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Member Reviews

This is a psychological suspense thriller, told in three alternating viewpoints – Laura (detective), Niamh (a Special Victims Garda and Laura’s friend) and Jenny, their suspect/victim.

The reader is kept in suspense throughout, just as much as the investigators, as to whether Jenny is a genuine victim or a calculating killer, but what is clear from the very beginning is that Laura is in serious trouble with her precarious mental health and this hits-too-close-to-home case can only make her spiral further. I felt mentally hoarse from the effort of my internal screaming at her to please tell someone and get some help!

And the plot definitely takes her to some dark places. In terms of triggers, there is domestic violence, child sex abuse, rape and post-partum depression/psychosis. Most of the plot happens inside the small room where Laura is – somewhat unprofessionally – interviewing Jenny, or in Jenny’s case a lot of the action happens inside her head, in the form of the myths and fairytales she uses to cope with the trauma of what has happened to her.

Dark and, at times, a little confusing in the timeline of what happened when and what is real or imagined, this story did keep me gripped throughout and had me thoroughly invested in, if not a happy ever after, at least the best possible outcome for all involved. Well… for most involved, anyway.

Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog

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Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I enjoyed the concept of this and the storyline kept me intrigued and kept my attention from start to finish

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I thought this was a really well plotted mystery and I enjoyed the relationship between Laura and Niamh. Would definitely read more by the author.

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This book was a very different read to normal, I think it’s fabulous the way Gill has portrayed the traumatised youngster and the description of the way this plays out.
It was very intriguing to see the way it played out and I liked the way it showed what some women have to go through with violence. The characters were all well written and had distinct voices and I thought it was a brilliant debut!

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I enjoyed the concept of this and the storyline kept me intrigued and kept my attention from start to finish

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I feel really bad as I really liked the premise but I just couldn’t get into this one at all. The MC drove me a little mad too with her control freak/over protective qualities. I did DNF as I just couldn’t get into the story but may revisit it again so will keep it on my kindle

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Detective Shaw is going to have an interesting case, a 14-year-old victim of an assault. It is not an easy case. I enjoyed the author's style.

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This is a truly intense and emotional read. The interview with the obviously traumatised young adult is recounted so vividly that the reader is completely engrossed and feels present in the room. That said, it’s a slow starter but worth persevering for. It’s skilled writing and I believe this author will go on and on.

My thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book.

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This was a great thriller full of twists that kept me hooked til the shocking end!The main character was a bit annoying as she was useless but not bad enough to ruin the rest of the novel

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Jenny is a teenager, who comes from a volatile home.
Her mum’s boyfriend Stuart is missing, and the police suspect Jenny of knowing more than she is letting on. Basically that’s where I got up to.

I managed to read a third of this book, I had to abandon it.
I stuck it out longer than I thought I would. On the surface the plot sounds intriguing, and novel. However, I just didn’t like they style - I’ve read a third of the book and quite literally nothing has happened.
Jenny is a unlikeable character, she didn’t resonate with me whatsoever.
The ‘child specialist police’ just seemed inept.
It was painful. I felt the story would go off on unrelated tangents, like the book needed padding out so waffle was inserted.

I really wanted to like this book, but I didn’t.
When I’m reading a book I’m not keen on, it puts me off reading, and that frustrates me.

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with a free ARC copy of this book, in return for an honest review

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A very impressive debut novel, a psychological thriller about the abuse of a young girl . A bit slow to start, but once you get immersed in the story, it just carries you along. A hard hitting subject, that has some very harrowing content, but really well written. Thoroughly recommend it.

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The synopsis for this book had me intrigued..
A 14 year old girl is being interviewed but not saying a word, her mother and brother are seriously injured in hospital and her abusive stepfather is missing. Is she a witness, a victim or a perpetrator?

Unfortunately there were more negatives to positives for me.

Firstly I just didn't like the main character Laura, she was just so bloosy annoying.

Told from the POVs of three characters; Laura, Niamh and Jenny. In all honesty I can't say I liked or related to any of them which is a major downer for me.

Secondly it just felt sooo slow. The first half of the book is mainly two detectives interviewing Jenny. By the time i got past this stage I was just left feeling irritated.

I begrudgingly finished but in all honesty wish I hadn't bothered.

Thanks to netgally and Penguin General UK for the ARC .

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I thought this was ok, quite a dark read, so not my normal choice of book.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

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*Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.*

I couldn't finish this, I got bored. I hate not finishing books but I just couldn't. I don't even know what it was about it but I just couldn't get into it.

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This was a dark and harrowing read. Three main characters - Irish Garda officers Laura and Niamh are interviewing Jenny - a 14 year old who they are convinced holds the key to the disappearance of her stepfather Stuart. Jenny is being held in a psychiatric ward. and has obviously suffered years of trauma which has, understandably, left her with a raft of mental health issues. The pace of the book was extremely slow and coupled with the harrowing storyline, I was unable to finish this book. I may return to it in the future but at this moment in time, it wasn't the book for me.

Thanks to Penguin UK and NetGalley for the review copy.

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A fab debut that packs a punch!
Gripping & gritty.
Deals with some horrific subjects but in a sensitive & justified way.

I'm intrigued to see what Perdue brings us next.

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Thanks to Penguin UK and NetGalley for ARC.

Laura Shaw works as a special Garda, interviewing victims of sexual crime. When a 14 year old girl is found, covered in blood and mute, she and her partner Niamh are determined to find out the truth without further traumatising young Jenny or compromising any future court case.
But this one has got under Laura's skin and her objectivity is compromised. Can she get to the truth of Jenny's case, and uncover the reality of her own past, without things unravelling?

Oh wow, surely this isn't a debut?
The writing is assured, the grasp of subject matter is superb, and the sense of place, suspense timing and emotional connection to the reader are excellent.

Loved this

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Emotional and compelling. It was hard to put this one down. Gill is a fantastic new voice in Irish crime fiction.

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A story explored from the perspectives of 14 year old witness Jenny and guards Niamh and Laura.
Niamh and her senior Laura are drafted in when Jenny presents at the emergency department injured and carrying the scars of physical and mental abuse.
Jenny speaks in riddles and spins an elaborate tale to rival Hans-Christian- Andersan, when she does eventually open up and the guards are challenged to unpick what she is telling them.
Laura, in particular, struggles as she has concealed secrets from her own past that this case bring to the fore.
A difficult read because of the subject matter, stunningly told by the author.

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I read this relatively easily, however didn't easily connect with one of the main characters who was supposed to have been an Irish Gardai specialised in dealing with children in trauma...she had too many issues herself, went off grid herself towards the end of the book...it just seems to be way too common in this type of book...the subject matter is not the nicest, however dealt with in a measured and respectful way...not yhe best, not the worst. Many thanks to Netgalley.co.uk for yhe opportunity to read and review this ARC.

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