No Place to Hide is the third book I've read by J.S. Monroe and while each has been very different, it's fair to say that they are all an unsettling exploration of contemporary life. As the tagline to the novel exhorts, 'You might be paranoid. But that doesn't mean they're not watching you.' Constant surveillance has become a regular theme in thrillers in recent years but nevertheless, this is an original and utterly chilling look at the darker side of technology – and of humanity itself...
The dual timeline follows Adam, as a first-year medic studying at Cambridge in 1998 and later as a successful consultant paediatrician. The older Adam is married and has two young children but it very quickly becomes obvious that he is constantly on edge and feels he is being watched. Although No Place to Hide is a slow-burner, the sense of foreboding is evident right from the start and I was immediately intrigued to know more. A frightening event in their local park results in Adam being reunited with Clio, whom he last saw at Cambridge, but while she seems delighted to see him again, it's clear that his reaction is less straightforward.
The present day scenes gradually depict a man losing control of his life but the clever switching between now and then soon makes the point that it was actually his actions in the past – and one night in particular – which brought him here. The gradual intensification of suspense is superbly compulsive, it's horribly obvious that Adam will make the wrong choices but fascinating to understand how and why he can be so manipulated. We are first introduced to the younger Adam shortly after he has played Doctor Faustus on stage, opposite Clio's Mephistopheles. As he is apparently befriended and drawn into the bohemian world of the louchely irresistible Louis, he ignores all the warnings and the resultant Faustian leitmotif which features throughout the novel is cleverly intertwined into the plot, becoming particularly terrifying as the significance of twenty-four year gap becomes impossible for him to ignore.
The first-person narrative of the past artfully conjures up the sordid yet irrevocably tempting world Adam enters; it's unequivocally awful and yet as we witness events through his eyes, it's clear to see how he ends up in this situation. Adam is the archetypal outsider; a first-generation medical student who spent his youth on fishing boats, he doesn't fit in at university and is later a disappointment to his father-in-law. This clash of worlds is almost imperceptible, given his success and yet evidently shapes everything he does, and when coupled with the guilt he feels about his past actions, J.S. Monroe brilliantly adds a chilling layer of doubt to proceedings – just what did Adam do?
The present-day chapters are told in the third-person which cleverly mimics the constant observation he is under, and as he realises the full, horrific truth, it feels almost as if we become complicit in events as we watch his life full apart. It's terrifying and as a study of human behaviour, only too believable; the voyeuristic tastes catered for by the dark web are shrewdly observed here but as our own reality shows increasingly give us the opportunity to determine other people's lives, it's perhaps also a cautionary tale as to what such power could eventually lead to.
No Place to Hide is a damning, perceptive exploration of humanity; temptation, revenge, fear and lust are examined alongside more insidious pressures, including class, media and money. It's a captivating combination of the most sinister elements of dark academia fiction and a disturbingly relevant look at where we may be headed. It's not a comforting read but kept me engrossed from start to finish and I thoroughly recommend it.

Given the number of cctv cameras recording and following us, paranoia about being monitored and tracked is very relatable. This thriller takes this theme and transforms it into a compelling page turner. Engaging and original.

With thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to review an advance copy

This is a slow read and if you love psychological books, then you'll love it and what happens next. Would recommend.

If you weren't paranoid before reading this book you will be now. A slow burner but I just had to keep on reading I HAD TO KNOW THE TRUTH!!!! It definitely picked up and kept me entertained. A good read and a well deserved three stars.

A fairly standard domestic thriller with a split timeline - an entertaining read but doesn't add much to the genre

One of the better books I have or will read this year. The basic idea is very topical and in someways reflects stories in the press about possible subversive actions by certain foreign powers. Can the modern devices that we now take for granted such as smart phones, security cameras, smart speakers and the rest be covertly used to track our lives or this just paranoia. The plot follows the unraveling of a doctors life as things from his past start to catch up with him, is he paranoid or is he really being watched.
The story moves along at a steadily increasing pace as his life disintegrates and he fights to keep his career and his young family intact.
A parable of our modern times which is extremely well written by an excellent author, one to follow.

A super suspense novel that deals with modern paranoia of “who’s watching and listening?” Cleverly told across two timelines, the picture begins to fill in like a puzzle becoming clear. I veered, with certainty, this way and that as to what was going on and how reliable Adam’s narrative is… And I was wrong, wrong, wrong! And happily—and, in the end, breathlessly—so.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read hugely enjoyable book.

Thanks to NetGalley & Aria & Aries for ARC.

Adam lives a charmed life as a paediatrician in a prestigious London hospital, devoted father and slightly absent husband. He's a long way from his rather humble origins as a child. It's not clear why he's so paranoid about being watched, thinking the local CCTV and the security cameras at his father-in-law's house might be targeting him specifically.

One day, someone from his past appears and the secrets come tumbling out. Twenty four years ago he may have made a Faustian pact that he's living to regret.

Cracking premise, absolutely ridiculous denouement, lots of people will love it. I didn't believe in it from start to finish, and that stopped me from going along for the ride, no matter how technically gifted the writer is.

I definitely enjoyed this book a little too much!! It was just that good!! I really like reading this type of books. The story was amazing and the characters were written very well

I enjoyed the premise of this story, it was intriguing and kept me engaged. Just proves you should be careful sound cameras and who you become friends with.

For me this was so hard to get into because the characters were not likeable at all and I wanted to enjoy this unique book but the characters ruined it for me.

I enjoyed the story, especially its realistic aspects in today's technology-driven world. It reminded me of the importance of being cautious and aware of the potential consequences. The characters were intriguing, although some elements felt a bit unrealistic. The constant cliffhangers and alternating timeline kept me engaged. As someone in the medical field, I appreciated the author's thorough research. Overall, it was an enjoyable read.

Pretty enjoyable, handles the two timelines really well but goes totally off the rails with NFTs and red rooms. What was an interesting and engaging cat and mouse goes a bit turgid for a while. Dropping all of that would have been a big benefit and it does feel like it was put in to try and catch some current affairs rather than for an actual reason. Oh well, still fairly fun.

Another NetGalley ARC that didn’t disappoint! Very suspenseful and lots of drama but was noticing at times it felt a little too descriptive and drawn out. Nevertheless, this was definitely a solid read and kept me entertained and intrigued throughout. I also really enjoyed the ending, which redeemed the previous over describing for me. Would definitely recommend reading this book!

i absolutely love a psychological thriller so it is truly no surprise that i loved this book. this book was written incredibly and i was hooked right from the start. the fact that this book is about technology and how software can be used against you is so creepy and i honestly would not be surprised if this happens.

i also loved the links to Dr Faustus! i studied this at university and found that the connections were extremely clever. i loved every moment of this and this book was such a rollercoaster.

i need to grab a physical copy as soon as a paperback copy is released!!

I tried several times but I just couldn't get into this book. It was so slow to get going and the main character grated on me. I have enjoyed previous books by this author so will definitely check out any others but this one wasn't for me

A enthralling and eerie thriller. Dr Adam Pound fears wherever he goes he's being watched and filmed. From other people's mobile phones to the hospital CCTV, where he works. This all stems from a tragic event during his time at university and it has finally caught up with him. An unsettling and utterly addictive read.

Adam, a successful doctor, husband and father, feels paranoid. Things don't add up and he is right to be worried. The past is coming back to haunt him. An intricate tale, well written with a lot of intrigue. Be careful who you trust as secrets come back to haunt you.

I really enjoyed this book. It kept me interested the whole way through. It had a very satisfying suprising ending. The plot was unusual and the characters interesting. Highly recommend.

Tense twisty story-telling! Something happens to Adam whilst at uni that hangs over him forever. 20+ years later, he's a married GP with 2 lovely kids, when someone from the past pops up and turns everything on its head.
Told in a dual-timeline of 1990s university days, and life now for Adam, we get insights into what happened to make him who he is and the choices that he made along the way.
The final 1/3 took a strange turn that i wasnt expecting- but enjoyed it nonetheless!