Would you sign up to a medical trial if you didn’t know the possible side effects? Would the sweetener of up to £20,000 help you make a decision? Oh, and it’s in the Canary Islands, in a luxury spot, where your every whim is catered for. It does seem the opportunity of a lifetime and for a handful of volunteers, it’s not a bad way to spend time. Take a pill – no one including the medical staff know who is taking the placebo and who is taking the real deal – and relax. Simple. Yes, the headaches arrive and they gradually become unbearable but what’s a tiny headache when you’re living it up in Paradise? Relationships are made, but they’re also fractured. Then a body is found – and all hell breaks loose. Suddenly the people who are in it together with you are possible suspects in a murder investigation. Yikes. Every bit as good a thriller as I’ve read this year.

What’s that? £20 grand tax free? An all-expenses-paid holiday in the sun? Just for going through a month’s medical trial? My interest was piqued from the off! Medical trials are all regulated so what could possibly go wrong?! How stupid could I be 😂😂

I really liked Elle, my kinda main lead character. She’s very likeable despite her drunken deceit to get on the trial. But the end justified the means, a month away from her parasite mother. And god I despised her mother!

I felt totally unnerved as this fast paced thriller gathered pace. I could see how the individual characters were changing over the course of their trial. Was my likeable Elle changing and her narration just a false account of the reality or was what she was telling the sheer horrific events of this four weeks in Spanish paradise?

Master has created the right cast of characters to play out this intricate tense thriller under the sun. I read with my hand covering my mouth as events gradually climaxed to an auspicious conclusion. The question is – would you take the trial? I’m not sure I would!

I was intrigued by the premise of the book and it got me gripped right from the start.

I really liked the main character Elle, she was very likeable. She wasn’t entirely honest in her way of getting onto the trial but she was desperate for time away from her mother, who was absolutely awful!!

Although there are lots of characters in the book we only ever here the story as told by Elle.

The book was so tense at times I had to keep reading to see what would happen. So many twists and turns and no idea who to trust.

Definitely recommend this one if you like a good tense thriller.

Thank you to Sara at @onemorechapterhc for my giveaway copy.

This one is a real page turner filled with suspense, tension and intrigue.

Elle, a downtrodden and lonely girl sees an ad on her mum's social media asking for volunteers to take part in a paid clinical trial in the Canary Islands - all expenses paid. It sounds too good to be true and despite some slight reservations Elle signs up, not knowing anything about the drug or it's possible side effects.

Once on the island Elle relaxes, she is with a great group of people on a luxury island however, as the days pass her fellow trialists' behaviour seems to change and then things take a sinister turn.....

A fascinating premise that had me gripped from the very beginning. With twists at every turn and characters you’d love to hate, this type of locked room thriller is a great read full of suspense and intrigue. I loved how SR Masters’ writing encourages you to question the morality of the characters (and yourself ) in certain situations, posing questions about human nature and the impact of the trial on behaviours - perfect for the Pyschology nerd in me.

I found the first half of the book very slow burn. This was probably exacerbated by the long chapters which I'm not used to in thriller books.
The second half definitely picked up pace & action and I found myself wanting to keep reading to find out what would happen to Elle and the other trial participants.
I think I would describe this as a dystopian mystery with a science fiction edge. It's more thought provoking than your average thriller mystery as it conjures up questions about morality, conscience and what makes a psychopath.
3.5⭐️

Our protoganist is Elle, a young woman who opts to attend a clinic trial on a Canary Island in a bid to earn a substantial amount of money, to help her escapeOur protoganist is Elle, a young woman who opts to attend a clinic trial on a Canary Island in a bid to earn a substantial amount of money, to help her escape her difficult life.
The Trial sounds ideal - several weeks on a luxury resort, with daily pills to take and a renumeration fee in the thousands. What could possibly go wrong?
Well ...
The participants are a mixed bunch to say the very least and Elle struggles to bond with any of them. Though she does find a connection with one member of staff ... but the less said on that topic as I don't want to create any spoilers.
It does not take long for the sense of claustrophobia to creep in and the divisions between the participants grow. Soon there are several factions developing and then people start to disappear. Elle finds that she is a far stronger character than she ever realised as she fights to stay in control and not let her fears take control.
The sense of tension continues to ramp up and the story moves rapidly from one hectic event to the next.
At times the storyline seems a little improbable but of course, we are unaware of exactly how The Trial could impact in the participants.
I do feel that the ending felt a little rushed and would benefit from an epilogue to tidy-up the loose ends and provide a conclusion for the surviving characters.
The Trial sounds ideal - several weeks on a luxury resort, with daily pills to take and a renumeration fee in the thousands. What could possibly go wrong?
Well ...
The participants are a mixed bunch to say the very least and Elle struggles to bond with any of them. Though she does find a connection with one member of staff ... but the less said on that topic as I don't want to create any spoilers.
It does not take long for the sense of claustrophobia to creep in and the divisions between the participants grow. Soon there are several factions developing and then people start to disappear. Elle finds that she is a far stronger character than she ever realised as she fights to stay in control and not let her fears take control.
The sense of tension continues to ramp up and the story moves rapidly from one hectic event to the next.
At times the storyline seems a little improbable but of course, we are unaware of exactly how The Trial could impact in the participants.
I do feel that the ending felt a little rushed and would benefit from an epilogue to tidy-up the loose ends and provide a conclusion for the surviving characters.

Rating - 3.5 stars rounded off to 4

Riveting and intense, oozing with unrelenting tension!    
    
Thanks NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for the ARC and the wonderful read along!     
   
Synopsis –

A clinical trial in the Canary Islands for people of age group – 18-40, with a handsome remuneration. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity of a luxury retreat. A group of people are given a pill each day, but not much is revealed about your exact location or even about the trial itself or the drug’s side effects. With the onset of some unusual headaches, this exotic vacation of a trial soon turns sinister with bodies turning up one after the other.

Review -
    
For the narrative, we have the perspective of Elle, our main protagonist who has her own little agenda to enter this trial. I was quickly sucked into the plot once we get introduced to her background and to all other folks who would be involved. Including people from various walks of life added a distinctive and interesting angle to the plot.     
    
Once the trial begins, claustrophobia sets in and keeps building up to a feverish crescendo. The isolation, lack of knowledge about the exact location and the very nature of the trial soon begin acting up on people’s minds. Add in the pills and their effects to this already boiling concoction, the result is an uncontrollable explosion that blows out in every direction possible.     
   
I enjoyed the dynamics and politics among the group as they get acquainted with one another, keenly observing and drawing their own conclusions about everything. All the conspiracy theories that start floating around played out as clever red herrings!

The only tiny problem I had was, with long chapters which were further divided into numbered chunks. Having been used to short chapters with thrillers, I might be spoilt that way! The pace could've been faster too, again it could just be me 🙈!
    
The ending ensued chaos, havoc and extreme drama with bodies getting strewn all over the island. Elle almost assumes super woman characteristics and the events required some suspension of disbelief. It also felt slightly rushed and a tad inconclusive for my taste.     
    
However, the author certainly deserves appreciation for the extensive research that must have required for this book👏.     
   
The Trial is still a treat for fans of locked-room mystery thrillers brimming with suspense until the very end. I loved how it provokes debates about the credibility and accountability of trials, morality and ethics involving psychopaths and how it might affect our world at large.     
   
PS - You may never look "goats" the same way after this book😅!

Description 🔖

Could this be the advert of dreams?

Aged 18-40? Paid clinical trial in the Canary Islands. Paid up to £20,000 tax free for participation.

It seems like an opportunity that cannot be missed. However nobody knows what the clinical trial is actually for, they just know that they’re asked to take a pill everyday. At first it’s fine. But then the headaches start. Then they get worse. Then a dead body turns up on the resort. The killer could be anyone. Even you.

General Thoughts 🤔

Straight away, I was drawn to this book. The description sounded like something I would love and get drawn into immediately and it didn’t disappoint. I was pretty hooked from the very beginning and found it difficult to put down. Every opportunity I had, you’d find me trying to devour more, just to find out what on earth was going on with the trial.

The first 95% of the book, I was obsessed, but then the end kind of left me a little disappointed. This is completely personal preference, but I am not a fan of when books aren’t neatly wrapped up and concluded (unless it is clear there will be a sequel). There were too many unanswered questions at the end of The Trial that left me feeling a little deflated after feeling great for the majority.

Characters 👫👭👬

There are lots of characters in this story as it follows all of the people on the trial, plus the staff on the island. Of course there is more focus on particular characters and the main character is Elle. I started off feeling very sorry for Elle. She didn’t have a fantastic life at home and I completely understood why she applied for the trial. She didn’t see another option for herself. Mid-way through the book Elle started to frustrate me as I thought she could have been doing more to dig deeper for details about what exactly was going on. Then I did a complete 360 and came back to empathising with Elle for the final part of the book.

The person that annoyed me most on the island was Becks. There was something about that woman that grated on me and made me dislike her. She was so irritating and as the story developed and things started to go really wrong for the trial participants, she got more and more annoying.

Writing Style ✍️

The biggest thing that will stick with me about this author, is his ability to create such a claustrophobic atmosphere via the pages of a book. There were moments whilst reading that I felt like someone was creeping up on me from behind. Or I’d think I saw something move out of the corner of my eye when nothing was there. The tension was stifling at times and I loved it all.

The one picky thing I have to mention is the chapters within chapters in this book. A few of the bloggers mentioned it on the read along and at first I didn’t see a problem with it but the further I got through the book, I noticed it more. I didn’t pick up on a significance or a reason for it and therefore I am unsure if it was really necessary.

Conclusion & Scoring 🎖️

Overall, I think that this was a fantastic thriller. It was such an interesting concept and felt a little bit like reality television with a psychological thriller twist on it. If you like to read books that make you feel a little bit like you can’t breathe, then you should definitely give this a try. A fantastic book from an author that I can’t wait to read more of.

The Trial- S.R Masters

4 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Elle has a difficult job and life's with her mother and is in need of a holiday!

Elle stumbles across a drug trial on the internet.
-4 weeks on a Canary Islands.
-up to £20,000.
-one drug with no idea what it is testing.

It starts off well but things gradually start to get strange. Is it the side effects or is it the situation?

This book is full of suspense and has an thought provoking ending. Its a book that I will be thinking about for a while.
I would recommend finding a group to read this book with to discuss the book.

Thanks to netgalley for the arc and one more chapter hq for facilitating the readalong.

I was fortunate to be part of the @onemorechapterhc readalong for The Trial by S.R. Masters. I've had a great time this week chatting with others about our theories. I ended up finishing it on day 3 because I had to know what happened!

Elle sees an advert online for a medical trial in Majorca for which she can get £20,000. There were so many red flags before she even got there, but she was oblivious 😂 The island had a real locked room feeling which gets more and more intense at the book goes on.

As a Psychology student I found the psychology references fascinating, and there were definitely elements of Milgrim's famous experiment! Plus Lord of the Flies feels.

My favourite quote:
"With all the other women around, why would he be interested in her, a brittle autumn leaf, in this vibrant summer meadow?"

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥
𝐁𝐲 𝐒. 𝐑. 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬

𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰: Holy Smokes!!!  🤯🤯   This book Y'all! I lost sleep over the ending! I keep thinking about it! I need everyone to read this book so we can discuss it!! ASAP

This book is set on an island. I love books set on an island! Maybe it's because I live on one or because you can't get away from anyone else on the island. 🤷🏻‍♀️

All the characters at one time or another could have been involved in the sinister events happening on the island. I love a book that keeps me guessing to the very end. You will be guessing the entire time. Promise!!

I can't even formulate a proper review! It was that good! If you like thrillers just read it and thank me later!

𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐢𝐟
💊you like books with an open ending
💊 books with many twists are your favorite
💊 you like a book that has chapters with in chapters
💊 you trust my recommendations 😉

I'd recommend this book and mark it is as a 🅑︎🅤︎🅨︎ on the scale of Buy, Bargain, Borrow, Bud (audio) or Bust.  (I came up with the scale. I'm oddly proud of it!)

Thank you @netgalley, the author & the publisher for e-ARC of this book for my honest review.

The Trial is a thriller with a difference that I enjoyed and was glad to read something that had a different theme.
Elle can’t believe it, a paid trial over 4 weeks, everything paid for and a lump sum if you complete. This is like a dream come true, she could get her own place away from her manipulative mother and start to really live her life. A month in the Canary Islands what could be better until Elle gets there and the other people in the group although welcoming and nice at the beginning quickly change but is it because of the trial pills or is it because they are like this anyway because who is taking the real pill and who is taking the placebo isn’t clear.
This was a great read, the characters were all interesting and the situations that presented themselves were different, I did feel slightly tense reading it! The idea that there is no Wi-Fi no mobile devices and nothing to see for miles seems to ramp the tenseness up of this thriller. I would recommend this book.
I would like to thank Netgalley and HarperCollins UK One More Chapter for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you so much to One More Chapter and Netgalley for the e-copy in exchange for review.
Elle is an hardworking receptionist at a mental health clinic, still finishing up school and living with her mother who always seems to be up to no-good and needing Elle to bail her out. One day when researching a much-needed and wanted vacation, Elle notifies an advert for a high-paying clinical trial at a luxurious vacation locale in the Canary Islands. Elle is accepted into the trial, excited to get paid a good sun to participate, and get a free vacation out of it! However, once she arrives, Elle isn’t sure what she has gotten herself into. Is this really a drug trial, or a social experiment? When things start to go awry, Elle is left with more questions and unsure who she can trust.
I really enjoyed this book, I found there to be enough twists and turns to keep me interested, although for the length of the book, I do feel like there could have been a bit more clarification. I am also still unsure about the ending and not entirely satisfied, but overall, good read!

THE TRIAL by S. R. Masters

It's a drug trial. It must be safe. Right?
If you had a chance to be in a drug trial, would you? Let's say there were no perks. Just the chance to help others by being in the drug trial. No?

OK, how about this: Would you be in a drug trial if you were offered a wonderful all-expenses-paid vacation on a beach, with nothing to do but relax, nap, and meet a few new friends. Oh! And get paid $20,000. NOW would you do the drug trial? Tempting, right?

What if you get chosen, but you're feeling some guilt over a decision you made. Would you fess up and possibly be removed from the trial (and the money!)

This is the problem our main character faces. But, Elle goes through with it. She's not sure she made a poor decision after all. When everyone arrives, things are just as promised...fantastic.

But then, taking a pill each day begins.

Read THE TRIAL, then decide if you would be part of a drug trial! Let me know...

I really enjoyed this book, although a couple of parts were a bit predictable. Even with that, I recommend The Trial!

Nice premise but underwhelming story. I was bored reading it and snuck a peek at reviews to see it if would be worth continuing- sadly, it didn’t seem like it would get much better so I DNF. I’m sure others will love this one but it just wasn’t for me.

Fans of The Silent Patient and The Hunting Party will enjoy this psychological, locked-room thriller!

I enjoyed this book and all the twists and turns. I was second-guessing myself on who or what the villain was or what the trial was actually about. I was surprised but not surprised when the truth came out.

One of my personal pet peeves is an ambiguous ending where it’s left up to reader interpretation. I need things wrapped up in a neat little bow or my brain seems to malfunction haha. If you’re like me in this respect, just be forewarned and enjoy the journey!

Thank you NetGalley and One More Chapter for a copy of the book.

Elle, 29, lives with her mother. The woman doesn’t have a job yet continues to spend money leaving Elle to use her savings to bail her out. Elle just wants to have her own place but her savings keep dwindling due to her mother. So, when she sees an advertisement online for a chance to participate in a drug trial at a resort in the Canary Islands, she is intrigued. It’s for a month with a payout of 20,000 pounds. She applies and gets turned down but then she gets accepted.

A private plane takes the group of participants to the resort which is in a remote area and inside walls. However, the amenities inside are nice. As Elle meets people, she learns of the different reasons everyone needs the money payout. They all just have to take a pill once a day. They are told that some will get the drug being tested and others are a placebo with no one knowing who is taking what.

This story is very slow to build and quickly became boring and repetitive. I almost did a DNF on this book but decided to continue reading it. I hate doing a DNF simply because an author has worked very hard to produce a book and if I am intrigued enough to request to read and review it, I feel I should stick it out. In this case, the story got better once the reason for the drug trial was revealed. Perhaps if the book had been shortened somewhat in the early stages, it would have been more appealing. I hope readers will enjoy it.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Would you take part in a paid clinical trial in the Canary Islands?

Secluded island.

Unknown side effects.

Psychopaths.

What could go wrong?

Elle believes she has been chosen for the trial in error because in a fit of drunken abandon, she lied on her application. But what the heck? It's a free vacation and she deserves it since her mother and her mother's boyfriend have conned her out of her vacation funds.

Misgivings start as soon as Elle and her fellow travelers land on the island - no one seems to know exactly which Canary Island it is, but it doesn't seem to be all that inhabited beyond the resort. And then the headaches start.

Elle's character is different from the others on the island. She seems to be full of empathy for the other trial participants, and she's not getting headaches like some of them are. And once the bad stuff starts happening, Elle shows she has real grit. I was holding my breath the whole time she tried to find a way off the island. But oh that ending! I'm not sure Masters could have ended any other way, but you're left to your own interpretation for what happens next!

It will be a long time before I volunteer for an undisclosed trial!

Thanks to NetGalley, HarperCollinsUK and OneMoreChapter for an advance read along copy.

2.5⭐️

Thank you to One More Chapter, S.R. Masters, and NetGalley for a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

I have mixed feelings about this book. The last third was really good and I actually stayed up past my bedtime to finish it, which I haven’t done for a long time. I just needed to know how it was going to end. And the ending…WOW!

It was extremely slow to start, and some parts of it were boring. In general the premise FANTASTIC, there’s just something….missing for me. And I am struggling to pinpoint what that is. I finished the book a few days ago and have been mulling it over, but I really don’t know. It didn’t super grab me? I didn’t feel drawn by the characters? I DO wish we had witnessed multiple points of view, I think that would have been fun.

Still worth a read to form your own opinion and I would love to hear what you think!!!