Lead Me Home

A terribly overworked psychiatrist, Clancy Mclean is having a hard time coping with the demands of her job while simultaneously caring for her daughter Rowan. And she has every reason to worry because Rowan has a very abusive, controlling boyfriend. If she ends the relationship, she’ll be rid of the abuse, but she won’t have a boyfriend anymore, and when you’re a teenage girl, that’s terribly important. I liked the juxtaposition of Clancy trying to help her patients even as she struggled with helping her own daughter deal with mental illness

Brilliant! An enjoyable roll-out and development of characters and their intertwining relationships. This psychological thriller is very well written and fast-paced. The ending is startling! Praise for CS Savage. Thank you to Bloodhound and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book!!!

OMG! Prepare for the ride!! Clancy is an overworked Psychiatrist working in the community. Her daughter Rowan has a rather wayward boyfriend and of course won’t be told anything by her mother and although she is aware of him being abusive she doesn’t want to be on her own. A stalker is on the prowl. Who is he watching and why? Clancy is worried about a couple of her patients, one is hearing voices and another thinks they are being watched. Is it real or is it her illness? This book grabs you from the start. I took to Clancy early on and felt for her being pulled in every direction. CS Savage’s background shows in this well researched book. Rather dark at times, rather sinister and eerily chilling. Occasional chapters give the perpetrators perspective which leaves you a little cold to say the least. If you love psychological thrillers that keep you on a thread then this could be the read to do it. I was left holding my breath…..
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Lead Me Home is the authors debut novel. As debut novel's go, it's pretty impressive. You don't get many books that centre round the mental health services so was good to actually have a main character who works in it.

The story flicks between four characters. Clancy and her daughter Rowan, Beth one of Clancy's patients and an unknown character. Clancy is a hard working single mum trying to do her best and make ends meet. I really didn't envy her job at all. She certainly seems to be snowed under with things looking like they are going to get even more complex.

Rowan is your typical teenager. At times I wanted to slap her and give her a good shake and had to remember what it was like to be that age again. It really isn't an easy age and through her we get to see some of the issues surrounding social media.

Beth I really liked. She's troubled but someone I took to straight away. She just wants to be save and loved and I think readers will certainly relate to her.

The story did leave some unanswered questions for me but as this is the first book in a new series, it has left me looking forward to more.

Lead Me Home is a really intriguing read. I love that it is very different to other crime thrillers as it isn't a detective series making it a stand out read in it's genre. I was so caught up with what was going on in the characters lives that I read it in one afternoon. Whilst I had worked some of what was going on out, the author still made sure they held some surprises in store for me, making it a thrilling and engrossing read. Great debut.

I love a good psychological thriller and this is one of the best I have read. From page one I was hooked. Three mental health patients all suffering from paranoia and delusions are all under the care of a physichitrist but which one is going to live out their fantasies. I read this book in one sitting, I could not put it down. If I could I would award this book six stars if I could.
I would like to thank the author CS Savage, Bloodhound books and Net.galley for giving me the opportunity to read this in return for an honest review.

Fast paced and very clever.
Rich and detailed characters full of life and atittude. I loved this book!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bloodhound books for sending me a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and unbiased review)

This is a rollercoaster of a story, a gripping read that had me hooked from start to finish. I found the psychiatrist take on the narrative to be well done and believable (the author is a psychiatrist herself so that really shines through), giving an interesting take on the events and the people playing a role in them. The inner dialogue of the killer was intriguing and makes for disturbing reading. The plot was faced paced and maintained momentum throughout with a final reveal that was shocking. I think the ending was the most upsetting aspect for me and it left an impression long after I had put the book down.

I felt emotionally drained by this story, as the author has done a fantastic job of making you feel for all of the characters involved and to not know who the main target is meant that I spent most of the book on the endge of my seat trying to work out what was going on.

My only slight criticism is the amount of description in some of the more disturbing scenes and I would not recommend this one to the faint of heart. However, I do look forward to more by this author and am happy to see that the author is working on the sequel and hope that it provides more closure for the remaining characters in this story.

*Received an ARC in exchange for an honest review*

I was super excited to read this book after I read this blurb. I loved it so much it kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. One of the best thrillers I have read so far.

4/5 Stars - Highly Recommended

I feel like I have whiplash after reading this book! It's such a great ride from start to finish, with enough going on to keep you turning pages until the very end. I was so absorbed in each of the three main storylines; they were well-balanced throughout the book, giving you just enough to keep you interested in each until the novel is finished.

And what an ending it is - I can't wait until the next installment - I need more! It's definitely possible that this will be the start of a great series, especially as fascinating as Clancy's job is and as much as she cares about helping her patients.

This novel has a great premise and was very well-written. Any fan of thrillers will enjoy this one.

Within a couple of pages of starting this book I knew the day was going to simply carry on without me in it. This is the debut novel of CS Savage and well I really don’t know how she will top this because it is a beaut! As the NHS workers become even more overwhelmed with far too many patients to ratio of staff then corners have to be cut. This is no different for psychiatrist Clancy Mclean but besides the pressures of work she is trying to deal with her own daughter that has acquired her own personal nutter. To be honest though Rowan has fallen into the trap of being beaten down emotionally until she is scared of having no-one wanting her. So desperate times call for desperate measures.
Well, I thought if Clancy’s own daughter is in such a mess what chance has her clients? It isn’t that she doesn’t recognise that some of her patients are boarding on going over the top it is the fact that there is neither the money or facilities to do anything about helping them. Oh boy I started with that tingle on the back of my neck and it just never left me.
The story is told in chapters by four characters. Clancy, her daughter Rowan, Beth who is one of Clancy’s patients and an unknown creep you out OMG who are you person. Oh boy he really is the chameleon! This story is like being side swiped because yep I had all the info but I was knocked down and winded like a rugby player, it is belting! Clancy was a lady drowning in the fast pace of life that we are hood winked into believing that if everyone else can do it then so should you.
Then when things to belly up well I was true stunned. Heart wrenchingly drained. Devastated, yes, intimate in an emotional way, definitely. Broken 100%, well and truly! Just read it, really.
I wish to thank Bloodhound books and NetGalley for an e-copy of this book which I have reviewed honestly.

Can I come out yet? My mind has been in hiding ever since I finished reading 'Lead Me Home' last night. For a book that made me rather uncomfortable and a little bit nauseous, I wasn't able to tear my eyes away from the chilling storyline of 'Lead Me Home'. There were, I'm not going to lie, moments whilst reading the novel where I had to put it down for a few minutes to compose myself before picking it up again, with parts of my brain telling me to stop reading. I couldn't stop, that was the weird thing. However, what was even weirder, was the fact that I don't think I actually wanted to stop reading, regardless of how uncomfortable the storyline was making me.

I am really glad that my decision not to read blurbs pays off because, if I read the blurb of 'Lead Me Home' beforehand, I don't think my reaction to the chilling events would have been so dramatic.

Clancy works as a psychiatrist, coming face to face with patients who think they're hearing voices, threatening to harm themselves and other people, or anything else under the Mental Health umbrella. What Clancy doesn't realise, however, is that due to her going with her gut instincts where one patient is concerned, she has unknowingly put her daughter at risk. But will Rowan see that? And will Clancy open her eyes to goings on outside of her works four walls?

I really couldn't work Clancy out at all and, if truth be told, she actually got on my nerves a lot of the time. When Rowan made it clear that she thought her mother was spending too much time thinking about work and not enough time thinking about her own daughter, I thought Rowan was just being a spoiled brat. But, after delving into the situation a little bit more, I hold my hands up and say that I was wrong, and Rowan was right. Yes, Clancy's job is demanding and life consuming - but so is being there for her daughter which in my eyes, should have been her priority.

Considering Rowan is an 18 year old female, I am surprised at just how naive she was. I mean, really? Who does what she did without even thinking about the consequences behind her actions? It's not as though she's a young girl - she's pretty much an adult! I think I'm starting to show my age now....

There were several situations described in the novel which brought shivers up my spine and made my heartbeat turn irregular. Honestly? I was a little bit unnerved by what I was reading. Personally, I don't see my reactions to those situations as a negative thing, because I would probably count myself as weird if I turned around and said that I loved them ;). 

The fact that my reactions to 'Lead Me Home' were incredibly strong, just goes to show just how well CS Savage has written the book. I was addicted to the twisted scenarios. I was chilled to the bone. I became nauseous in reaction to certain characters actions. Yet, hand on heart, I can honestly say that 'Lead Me Home' is definitely a heart in mouth, jaw dropping, high energy, and severely thrilling read which managed to leave me feeling highly uncomfortable, scared, yet weirdly content.

'Lead Me Home' is a twisted tale about trust, battling against your own mind, and dealing with your own conscience. Whilst CS Savage didn't exactly 'lead me home' as I don't fancy living with Clancy and co, the author managed to lead me somewhere and I am in awe at where she managed to take me. What a belter of a book.

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Lead Me Home by C.S. Savage instantly reminded me of The Blind by A.F. Brady, and The Binding Song by Elodie Harper, both also feature an overworked NHS psychiatrist struggling to cope with their demanding roles, who end up going beyond the call of duty in order to protect the most vulnerable.

In this book, Dr Clancy Mclean has her suspicions about a couple of her psychotic patients. One of which, Beth, is convinced she is being stalked and her health is declining rapidly. Feeling forced to take it upon herself to protect Beth, Clancy irresponsibly brings Beth home to stay with her and her daughter, Rowan. Not allowed!

But teenager Rowan is having troubles of her own, in the form of an abusive ex-boyfriend who will not leave her alone. When she meets her new boyfriend, an older and more mature man, she is so smitten she decides to keep him a secret to prevent her mother interfering ~ at least until she gets to know him better. After all, she met him online. Her mother would never approve.

Would you?

The story is narrated by four characters. Clancy, her daughter Rowan, Beth who is one of Clancy’s patients and an unknown, deranged psycho, who shares his murderous plans in great (and very gruesome) detail.

Reading 'Lead Me Home' was like watching an episode of 'The Wire in the Blood', based on Val McDermid's book of the same name ~ tense, gripping and oh, so horrific I could hardly breathe as I raced through to the end.

In fact, this is such a fast-paced read, it's without a doubt one of my favourite psychological thriller's this year. The psycho's scenes totally freaked me out and I don't think I've ever read a book quite as fast as this one!

When one person fell victim of the psycho, I felt absolutely, and emotionally, sucker-punched! Really, how could the author do that to me? Is this really C.S Savage's debut novel, because I have to say I can hardly believe it, as I loved every minute of reading this. I'll certainly be looking out for more by this author, and so should you!

I heartily recommend 'Lead Me Home', to other lovers of creepy, well-written crime fiction! Love creepy, psychological thrillers heavily steeped in horror? Then grab a copy of this book and prepare for a scare!

Thanks to the publisher, #BloodhoundBooks and #NetGalley for my copy of #LeadMeHome. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.

I received this book free to review.
The book is cleverly written. It regards Clancy, Clancy's daughter Rowan and Beth.Clancy is a mental health worker, often stressed, overworked and under pressure and her daughter overlooked. Family nights are a thing of the past due to Clancy's workload. Rowans ex boyfriend is a violent pig. A new man catches her eye and is he all that he seems though? Clancy comes across Beth, through her work, who is suffering hallucinations after stopping medications. Clancy cannot in all honesty say no, when Beth asks to stay as she feels unsafe at home on her own. For a while, they become family, which is a nice respite for them all. Beth also meets a man and things are looking up as she returns to work and her home. Then things take a sudden and nasty downfall. Clancy's worst nightmare is realized due to staff shortages, overwork and no time.
The ending leaves a lasting impression. How we all struggle on yet how things can change in a heartbeat. The lives of these ladies are about to be changed forever.
I hope that there is a future book with Clancy and her cohorts. The reason i gave it 4 starts and not 5 is although the ending was sudden, severe and in all it's horrible glory, there were questions left to be answered about Clancy's future work or repercussions in mental health, her budding relationship, her daughters future and how that panned out. I definitely liked the authors presentation of characters and dialogue and would read another book by this author.

Thank you to netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, the author has pulled out all the stops in this story to keep the readers wanting more, I thoroughly enjoyed this read, the twists were breath taking!

What a debut by C S Savage! Lead Me Home is a very well written and a very creepy psychological thriller. It's a great page turner and the tension just builds and builds. I highly recommend this book and will be looking out for more by this author, 5 stars from me.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Bloodhoundbooks for an advanced copy - a terrific read!

I am blown away I am the first five star review! I received a copy from Netgalley for my honest opinion.

Dr. Clancy is an over worked psychiatrist. Not only does she deal with patients who are dealing with mental illness, but her home life is stressful as well. Dr. Clancy knows her daughter Rowan's boyfriend is abusive.

Though Rowan's mother tries to make her see how awful her boyfriend is... love is blind. Instead of obsessing over her daughter Dr. Clancy take a large interest in her new patient Beth. Beth is off her meds and believes she is being stalked.

I can't write much more because I truly do not want to give much more away but trust me this book will leave you frustrated in such an amazing way! This author's writing is perfect for the situation at hand in this book!

I highly recommend this book! You will not regret it if you love thrillers! Can't wait to see what else CS Savage comes up with!

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Hooked from page one. Great writing.. couldn't put it down. Really enjoyed the style of writing. I would read more by this author.

This is a very clever book. CS Savage gives us a great deal of choice, both of victim and perpetrator of evil. Each web is cleverly spun so the reader remains entirely unsure as to who is the spider and who is the fly. Reading about Dr Mclean's struggle to get some sort of work/life balance and be the kind of mother her daughter so obviously needs, it's very clear as to how she is getting it wrong. But isn't it always easier to see the mistakes in other families? Mistakes that we would never dream of making in our own lives. It is clear however, that Dr Mclean takes her responsibilities to her patients seriously and, additionally, she needs the kind of validation she only receives through her work. The mother/daughter dynamic between Clancy and Rowan is all too believable, and seeing their relationship disintegrate, whilst heartbreaking, was realistic and poignant. All in all a sad story that is far too credible in today's pressurised NHS. I will definitely be reading more by CS Savage.

Thankyou to NetGalley, Bloodhound Books and C S Savage for the opportunity to read Lead Me Home.
What a great debut novel. I thought the storyline was well thought out and fast paced.. It kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end. Will definitely be reading more from this author.