To Catch a RAT

I just loved this story! It seems that I really enjoy cyber thrillers - who knew? Emma's former best friend Joss arrives at her doorstep one morning looking haggard and terrified. She says 'they' are watching her. But something spooks her and she bolts. Emma and boyfriend Mark drop around at Joss's place after work to find the house ransacked and, after wandering around a bit, they find her body in the river. Yikes - maybe she was right to be scared. But who or what is after her?

Then Joss's twin, Caleb, escapes from prison where he was serving a six year sentence for the manslaughter of his step-father. Emma never believed he was guilty but why escape when parole was so close? Caleb approaches Emma for help. He is hacker extraordinaire and has written a piece of software that some people would kill to get their hands on but he had given it Joss for safekeeping. Now it is missing. The more Emma looks into the missing software and Joss's death the more sinister things become and the more she wonders who she can trust - including her seemingly over-protective boyfriend.

The action got fast and furious and Emma is backed into a corner trying to help everyone and keep herself safe. Emma was a very relatable and strong main character. I loved her parents too, they were supportive and surprisingly savvy, particularly her mother. Mark is an enigma for much of the book and Caleb - can he really be trusted? This highly readable book was set in New Zealand which was also a refreshing change. There is to be a sequel which I will definitely want to read.

An intriguing tale of murder, deceit and old friendships, set in New Zealand. Good suspense and you feel for the heroine who is torn between old school friends, one of whom is murdered and the other who escapes from prison. and the oh so perfect new boyfriend. Bring in internet/computer/software black arts and this makes a well-written absorbing story. Go for it. Thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Great suspense book.  Had me captivated from the very beginning.
Emma's life is pretty normal.  She has a job she is great at and loves, awesome friends, and is living with Mark, her loving boyfriend.  One morning a friend from her past shows up unexpectedly at their house asking Emma to help her. Joss is scared, jumpy, and runs when Mark shows up.  Hours later, Emma finds Joss dead in a river behind her house, and the life that Emma has known is turned upside down.  No one is who they seem to be, especially her boyfriend.  She gets caught in a web of lies and danger.  When Joss's brother, Caleb, breaks free from jail and seeks Emmas help things really spiral out of control.  Unsure who to trust, and where to go, Emma finds strength and determination she never knew she had.  Can she find the truth, free Caleb from going back to prison, and determine what her relationship with Mark has truly been about, all while staying alive?  
This is a great action book, filled with twists and turns that had me guessing with every page.  Looking forward to the next book in the series.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.