THE BEST BOOK oh my god what a read! I could not put this book down, I was so absorbed as it was a real page-turner.

This book has bestseller written all over it. I had to remind myself to breathe as packed a punch and kept me breathless from beginning to end! I finished it within 24 hours the characters are so well described you actually feel as if they are real people.

The twists, turns were at full-throttle lightening speed it just kept going and going it never slowed down I absolutely loved it!

I loved this author's writing style and now it’s a painstaking wait for the next one! A massive 5 sparkling stars!

**Six Strikes** is a gripping thriller that pulled me in from the first chapter and never really let up. Antonia Grave keeps the tension high throughout, balancing sharp action with a lingering sense of unease that made me want to read “just one more page” over and over again.

I especially liked how grounded the main character felt. Their reactions, doubts, and stubborn determination gave the story real emotional weight, even when things got intense. The twists were clever without feeling forced, and the pacing stayed tight all the way through.

A few moments moved a bit quickly, but overall this was a fast, addictive read with atmosphere to spare. If you enjoy thrillers with grit, mystery, and a strong central voice, **Six Strikes** is absolutely worth picking up.


📚I was able to read an advanced copy of title thanks to NetGalley, Antonia Grave and Avon Books UK📚
📚All reviews and opinions are entirely my own📚

With her infamous reputation, long time prisoner Maddie Reid is feared by both her fellow inmates and the officers of HMP Bronzefield. When she is approached by an old acquaintance, her ‘guest’, to assist in writing a book about her past, Maddie agrees, though the information has to be given under her terms.

Told over several timelines starting in 1999, this story switches back and forth, between the actions of Maddie throughout her ordeals and the repercussions, to 2027 when her book writing interviews take place.

An enthralling read, captivating from the start, this book is a definite page turner. It is deep, dark and unsettling, with an ending that sits well.

An excellent debut that will surely be a bestseller.

4.5*

Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books UK.

Six Strikes by debut author Antonia Grave is published by Avon Books UK, Harper Collins UK.
The story spans decades starting in 1999 when Maddie is confronted with with an abusive relationship. Fast forward to 2007, she became kind of an advocat for women in hopeless relationships. Set in the north of UK, the story progresses nicely. A raw and gritty thriller, gripping and literally unputdownable,4,5 stars.

Absolutely brilliant book from Antonia Grave. Its so wonderfully written. I read it over one weekend as I really struggled to put it down! Highly recommended.

Six Strikes is a bold and unsettling thriller that asks what happens when trauma and vengeance collide. Maddie, scarred by years of abuse, takes justice into her own hands by targeting the men she calls “fleas”—predators who stalk women, abusive husbands who refuse to walk away, and those who thrive on fear. Her mission is brutal but rooted in a fierce desire to protect, and that complexity makes her story both chilling and deeply compelling.

The narrative unfolds with Maddie years later, in the stark confines of a prison interview room, recounting how she not only hunted down one of the UK’s most prolific killers—the Manchester Maniac—but also became a killer herself. This framing gives the novel a haunting resonance, blending confession with suspense, and forcing the reader to confront uncomfortable questions about justice, morality, and survival.

What makes Six Strikes stand out is its emotional depth. It’s not simply a tale of violence and pursuit, but a story about scars, resilience, and the blurred line between protector and predator. The atmosphere is tense and immersive, yet threaded with humanity, making Maddie a character who lingers long after the final page.

Perfect for fans of Alice Feeney, Helen Fields, and Jo Callaghan, Six Strikes is both chilling and thought-provoking—a thriller that burns with intensity and refuses to be forgotten.

With thanks to Antonia Grave, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

Maddie is a survivor. She has suffered at the hands of abusive men, the types of men she calls 'fleas', and her plan is to remove those fleas from the world, before the Police catch up with her. She knows there is a serial killer in Manchester, and she is determined to rid this flea, seeing as the authorities have so far failed to catch him.

This was a dark story. I liked Maddie, and her actions are very thought provoking, whether you feel what she is doing is justified for the greater good, or she is just as bad as them. I found myself really rooting for her, and I hoped she got the life she had dreamed of. We read from two different timelines, back when she was in a women's refuge, and then from HMP Bronzefield where we read more about her own backstory. It got quite slow in places, but it was still quite a good and captivating read.

Review of ‘Six Strikes’ by Antonia Grace, due to be published on 12 March 2026 by Avon Books UK.

Told from the point of view of Maddie Reid, now an infamous serial killer, her backstory being a child abducted as a 10 year old, kept captive by her abuser, Ben Starr, for 12 years. 

We follow Maddie through two timelines - one in 2007 in Manchester, where together with investigative reporter Victoria Sloane they hunt for clues as to who the ‘Manchester Maniac’ is - the other during her incarceration at HMP Bronzefield in 2027.  We follow Maddie’s recall of the other abusers, or ‘fleas’ as she calls them, how she caught them and ended their lives.  

Undoubtedly, the horrors of her past and lost childhood shaped her future, Maddie sees only bad, and struggles to see any good.  Maybe her thoughts and actions are misguided, or maybe she is right - she is a hero who has saved countless other women from a fate similar to her own, or worse. 

The revelation of who her mystery prison visitor is left until near the end, with there being a few suspects for who it could be, with a cleverly written tiny little reference that is almost blink and you’d miss it to give a glimpse of their identity, earlier than the reveal itself.

A well written, well executed, dark and unsettling debut.  I found myself completely engrossed in Maddie’s story.  Words don’t do justice to just how good this novel is - it’s a highly recommend read.

Raw, dark and utterly gripping.

It’s hard to believe that this is a debut novel, the writing is stellar and the way in which it unfolds unsettling and yet compulsive.

Told from two timelines, we are introduced to Maddie. Abused, broken, different, survivor, seeker of justice, serial killer. She is a multi faceted character with depth and paradox. The story raises the question about morality when seen from the perspective of someone who genuinely believes that they are doing something right having been a victim themselves.

I loved this book, from the moment I picked it up I knew I had a good read! This book reminds me a lot of Sweetpea by C J Skuse - just without the dark humour. It’s not gory and (luckily) it does not glorify or detail Maddies abuse. In stead it is artfully written so the reader is able to fully empathise with her without having to truly ‘understand’ what she lived through.

Definitely one to look out for in the book clubs next year. I think this’ll cause quite a stir.

Thanks to NetGalley for my advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

When I first heard about this book, I thought that the title sounded very intriguing and that’s what made it stand out for me. The story follows the female lead character Maddie, from her point of view, as we realise she is being held captive by a pedophile, then we quickly learn that Maddie kills men who abuse women, men she calls FLEAS … she is a serial killer !! After a difficult life, and having been abused herself, Maddie is on a mission to rid the world of abusive husbands, stalkers and one serial killer - the Manchester Maniac, in order to protect other women. According to her, in a world made for men, she has carved out a place for women to be safe. Years later while serving time in prison, an important visitor is going to write a book about Maddie, and her crimes. It’s time to tell all.

The book is quite a complex, layered story, which is dark and full of secrets and deception, and is in parts, a very disturbing read. I enjoyed the story line immensely, but I felt it was let down by a lot of rambling and repetition.

The implausibly gruesome plot is highly unlikely but fascinating and engaging and we get a gradual unraveling set of events, jumping between timelines to help us understand why Maddie acts as she does.
The story is not without subtle humour, and one of my favourite quotes by Maggie,
“I am the police, but far more effective- they should thank me” perfectly sums up her attitude.

For me, this was an exciting tale, that will certainly entertain anyone who is looking for a dark, menacing thriller. 3.5 stars

Thank you to Net Galley and Avon Books for the advanced copy.

Many thanks to netgalley, the author and the publisher for approving my request to read this book.

It's hard to believe this is a debut novel as it's woven so well with the the story ramping up the tension with every single page. Dark and unsettling I adored this psychological thriller and found it extremely hard to put it down.

I really look forward to seeing what comes next from this author.

4+
Abuse sufferer Maddie Reid hunts ‘fleas’, men who stalk and murder women and men who abuse women. She’s got pretty good at it and so far has evaded the law. Meanwhile, in Manchester, a serial killer known as The Maniac is stalking prey, making life dangerous for women and so Maddie cannot resist the ‘lure’ of the city. Can she find the killer when the police failed to do so? Inevitably, the law catches up with Maddie and twenty years later at HMP Bronzefield, Maddie is in an interview room. Will she tell all about her hunt for the Manchester Maniac and how she came to be apprehended?

It’s hard to believe this is a debut novel so accomplished is the writing. This is a raw, shocking, dark and utterly gripping novel, a novel of retribution (justified? I’ll leave you to decide) and which makes very valid and thoughtful points about female safety along the way. it builds intensely and slowly but with excellent suspense and with some very good revelatory jolts along the way.

Will post to instagram etc near publication

What can I say about Maddie without giving too much away? She’s resilient, resourceful, a survivor, scarred, damaged and utterly unforgettable. As you read about her, her actions, maybe like me you’ll ask a multitude of questions about right and wrong and about justice.

Overall, this is an excellent psychological thriller with many twists and turns and which is hard to put down. I hope it’s the best seller as it deserves to be.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Avon Books for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.

4 Stars from me

Despite knowing from the beginning that Maddie ends up being interviewed in jail, I read this hoping all the while that she would get away with her crimes 🤦‍♀️

Maddie Reid has had one hell of a childhood - now finding herself completely unaware of the every day things that most people take for granted. The book flits between her being out and tracking down 'fleas' to eradicate, and the interviews in prison with a visitor aiming to publish a book about her. I enjoyed both parts equally, and had my suspicious about who her mysterious prison visitor might be.

There are several characters with potential to be the Manchester Maniac, but can Maddie find out who he is before the police manage to track her down?

Great thriller, with a side order of retribution, what's not to like?

My thanks to Netgalley, the author and Avon Books UK for an ARC in return for an honest review.

I loved just everything about this book. It's weaves and weaves you think you know but you don't at all. Spectacular first book from this author

Thanks to the author the publisher and Netgalley a early release of this book.

Wow! It’s quite hard to believe this is a debut for Antonia Grave! This story was so well-crafted. I went back and forth thinking I had everything figured out one moment, only the next moment to find that I had been lead astray. Graves puts together the pieces of this puzzle slowly but surely with the moves of a veteran. If you enjoy thrillers with mystery, grit and a strong, intelligent FMC then this one is for you. Bravo Ms. Grave! I can’t wait to read your next novel. Thank you to Net Galley and Avon Books UK for the chance to read this story. All opinions are my own and given freely.

Six Strikes is a shocking utterly gripping story. Told from the POV of Maddie Reed in two time lines 2007 and 2027.This thriller gripped me from the first chapter with plenty of twists and turns. This is a truly dark story ,I liked Maddie despite her actions. I really enjoyed this book it is one I won't forget .Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC.

It’s hard to believe this is a debut novel – the writing is engrossing, the story shocking and dark in places but always full of emotion. It is an excellent psychological thriller, featuring a deeply scarred main character who is a survivor turned vigilante – truly fascinating stuff. There are parts of the book that feel a little wordy and repetitive but all in all, this is a gripping and suspenseful read which I think will become very popular indeed.

A clever and compelling thriller about a vigilante serial killer , how she got there, and her imprisonment. It’s a fast read that is dark, disturbing, and compulsively readable. I am definitely looking forward to more from this author.

This was a tension filled page turner that kept me hooked for the whole way!

Maddie is a survivor of abuse, and now years later she delivers her own brand of justice on the men who inflict their abuse on women. This is gritty and dark, and yet she's entirely likeable.

It is an amazingly well written book, and given this Is the debut from Antionia Grave, I will be eagerly looking out for other books from her in the future.

Really enjoyed reading this. Enjoyed the characters and story line. My first read by this author and I’ll definitely be reading more.

Six Strikes is dark and uncomfortable in a way that feels very intentional. The subject matter is heavy and deals with abuse, power, and violence, but it is wrapped inside a mystery that kept me locked in and constantly questioning what the truth actually was. This is very much a story about control, justice, and what happens when men who think they are untouchable finally are not.

What really worked for me was how slowly everything is revealed. I was always unsure of what had actually happened, who Maddie truly was, and how far she might go. Maddie is not an easy character to like, and I appreciated that the book does not try to soften her edges. She is flawed, complicated, and often unsettling, and I found myself going back and forth between feeling for her and feeling deeply uneasy, which felt very much on purpose.

The twists genuinely surprised me. I thought I had a decent handle on where things were going, and then the story took a sharp turn I did not see coming. The reveal added so much weight to the ending and made everything feel darker and more impactful.

This is not a light or comforting read, but if you like gritty thrillers with morally gray characters, tough themes, and a story that sticks with you after you finish, this one is worth picking up.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

*Six Strikes* by Antonia Grave is a gripping, sharply written read that doesn’t let up from the first page to the last. The pacing is relentless, the tension is expertly layered, and every chapter feels purposeful. Grave has a real talent for crafting atmosphere there’s a constant edge of unease that keeps you turning pages long past when you meant to stop.

The characters are complex and believable, with motivations that feel authentic rather than convenient. Nothing is handed to the reader, and the story respects your intelligence, trusting you to keep up with its twists and turns. The writing is clean, confident, and vivid without being overdone, which makes the stakes feel even higher.

This is the kind of book that lingers after you finish it one you keep thinking about and recommending to others. If you enjoy intense, well-constructed stories that balance strong character work with real suspense, *Six Strikes* is an absolute must-read.

Maddie spent years locked up with an abusive man. Once she found her freedom she determined that no woman should suffer as she did and that her mission would be to rid the world of these kind of men.
After a successful start to her campaign Maddie finds herself on the trail of a serial killer dubbed the Manchester Maniac. But Maddie isn’t the only one hunting him and her pursuit of him could be the one she comes to regret.
Now years later, Maddie is telling her story to someone she hopes she can trust. Someone she hopes will explain how she is a victim as well as a serial killer.
This exciting, compelling story makes you think. Is there ever a good reason for murder. Can you feel sympathy for someone who feels that is their only course of action.

If “Six Strikes” is a debut (and all apparent indications suggest it is), then first—may I say—WOWZA.

Initially, I thought I was re-reading “Connie” by Charlotte Duckworth (also a 5⭐️ read), as there are a few similarities. Despite this, “Six Strikes” stands firmly on its own—and stands out.

The prose is decidedly darker. This is not an easy read. Nor is it a comfortable one. That said, this discomfort is clearly intentional, as the protagonist, Maddie, must best and overcome the majority of the people she meets.

That Antonia Grave chose to write such a raw, eloquent, and unforgettable novel makes this debut all the more remarkable. “Six Strikes” cut deeply—and it will stay with me.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the DRC of “Six Strikes” by Antonia Grave.
“Six Strikes” is due to be published and available on Amazon on 12 March 2026.

Thank you so much to Netgalley for giving me this free advance copy, and I’m writing this review honestly and without bias.
A compelling and original story by Antonia Grave that builds slowly as the suspense increases with every chapter. Never really sure where the story was heading and the mystery surrounding 'the guest' added to the intrigue. Maddie is a fantastic character and although she has very dark tendencies you can't help but like her, poignant at times given the hand that she was dealt and how it framed her life. Wonderfully written with some great twists I think this is going to be one of the standout reads of the year. A very impressive debut. 4.5⭐️

4.5 🌟. I had never heard of Antonia Grave before, but I’m so glad I gave this book a shot. I love a female serial killer going after bad men. This book was funny, sad and thrilling. I couldn’t stop reading. The FMC was so good and I loved the back and forth of the timelines. Definitely recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley for this arc!

This is a great, twisty, gripping read that kept me hooked from start to finish. From the very first pages, the story pulls you in and never lets go, constantly shifting your expectations and keeping you guessing. loved the use of different timelines — they add depth, tension, and an extra layer of intrigue, slowly revealing truths while hiding even more beneath the surface. This is a book full of secrets and deception, where everything you think you know is completely thrown up in the air.
The story is dark, compelling, and brilliantly paced, with characters that feel complex and believable. Every reveal lands with impact, and the atmosphere keeps you on edge throughout.
I’m genuinely surprised this is a debut novel — it’s so confident, polished, and expertly told. Antonia Grave has delivered a brilliant debut with a powerful story and unforgettable characters. I loved everything about it and will absolutely be looking out for what she writes next.
Thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books for the Arc.

A rather different and unusual take on the domestic noir, killer thriller story. A cracking debut as it’s well written, fast paced and packed with tension. The hunter becomes a killer and there are different angles to the tale of revenge and retribution. On the one hand, it’s easy to understand why and on the other, it’s not the way to seek justice. I enjoyed the different timelines and settings as the story unfolds from the confines of prison. It’s a clever construction that kept me gripped throughout and I’ll look for more from this author. A striking and dramatic cover too!
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a review copy.

Love love loved this! Darkly funny, twisty and I was rooting for Maddie the whole way through (I don’t let the fact she’s a serial killer impact my view) these types of books are one of my favourites and Antonia has done a fantastic job with this addition to the female serial killer, killing awful men, genre!

Six Strikes is a dark and uncomfortable read at times. The subject matter is tough, dealing with abuse, power, and violence, but it’s wrapped inside a compelling mystery about truth, justice, and how a woman reclaims control from dangerous men who believe they’re untouchable.
What I really appreciated was how the story slowly reveals itself. You’re constantly questioning what actually happened, who Maddie really is, and how far she’s willing to go. I found myself torn between sympathy and unease , which felt very intentional. Maddie is a complex, flawed protagonist, and I liked that the book doesn’t try to make her choices easy or comfortable for the reader.
The serial killer reveal genuinely surprised me. I thought I had a handle on where the story was going, and then it took a turn I didn’t see coming, which added a lot to the overall impact of the ending.
This isn’t a light read by any means, but if you enjoy dark thrillers that focus on survival, empowerment, and blurred moral lines, this one is worth picking up. It’s gritty, unsettling, and thought provoking in equal measure.
Thank you to the author and publisher for the ARC. I appreciate the opportunity to read and review.

Title: Six Strikes
Author: Antonia Grave
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Publication Date: March 12, 2026

This book tells the heart-wrenching story of Maddie as she recounts her past. It is told in two different time periods, the past and the present.

While Maddie is in prison, a journalist that is writing a book about her frequently stops in for a visit. The name of the journalist isn't given, simply referring to the person as they/them and "guest". This drives me a little bit crazy as those are pronouns used for more than one person, not a single person. Even though I understand the reasoning for this, it's one of my pet peeves and it just threw me off. It wasn't until 85% into the book that the person was described as "he".

My heart goes out to Maddie. She endured so much. Being kidnapped and then continuously raped, eventually being rescued after 13 years. As if that wasn't enough, she had to endure a deadly disease while incarcerated. A part of me felt it was wrong to root for Maddie, to want her to continue to squash out "fleas", but how could you not???

This book is full of drama, suspense, and twisty turns. I'm hoping this author continues to write books, as I see a bright future ahead. Definitely one of the best books I've read in quite some time.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion/review.

I love this influx of thrillers about female serial killers who go round killing "deserving" men - the likes of CJ Skuse and Bella Mackie. And I do love them all, but I wonder at times if it was a field getting too busy and could there really be anything new in it. But the premise of this promised something a little bit different so I had high hopes.

It is nothing new, the basic premise of this book, but Antonia has added enough quirks of her own to make it feel fresh. Where this differs to others I've read is that it doesn't focus that much on the actual killings. It's more of a psychological thriller. It's slow and calculating, and it's more about her frame of mind and why she did it and that mental and emotional element between victim and criminal.

It goes back and forth between two time periods (with the occasional additional one) which I know can be confusing, but I really liked books like that. Yes you have to have your wits about you, but it means we get to see the same characters across a number of years and I find that growth fascinating.

I love the use of a retrospective narrative here. Part of the book is set in a prison (no spoilers, it says so in the synopsis), whilst Maddie recounts her crimes, and I thought it was such a good way to tell the story.

I don't want to say too much about Maddie because I think the enjoyment comes out of meeting her and finding out about her yourself. But I really liked her. Sure, she's doing illegal things. You're not meant to think positively about her, but she was doing it for good (so she thought) reasons, and she was strong and passionate and powerful and just really likeable.

I don't condone killing, obviously. But when the characters are this bad, when they're doing what they're doing, is there a part of me that thinks these victims got what they deserve? Yes, quite frankly. And I will take that thought through every book of the genre.

Did I guess the outcome? Partially. I am notoriously awful at working out whodunnits, but I got one of them right, which I was quite pleased with.

It's creepy and tense and scary and sad and funny and just a really fun read. I read it in a day; it's so quick to read and so addictive.

It is a very promising debut. In fact, it's quite hard to believe it is a debut because the writing is so accomplished that it reads like someone who has honed their skills across many books. I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next, and whether she will stay in the thriller genre or not. Either way, she's a name I'll be looking out for.

It’s incredible that this book is a debut as it is so brilliantly written with fabulous characterisation and a perfectly executed plot. I was gripped!

The story is narrated by Maddie, largely across two timelines; the present day, where she is serving time in prison for her crimes and 20 years previously. Maddie is a complex character with a level of cold emotional detachment that seemed incongruous with the other side of her personality, where she deeply cared about other women and their safety. Despite her murderous tendencies, I found myself liking Maddie, admiring her resilience and rooting for her as she endeavours to catch and kill as many bad men as she can - and she’s good at it!

Maddie’s own past very much shaped the woman she has become; she was kidnapped at 10 years old and held captive by a man for 12 years until her escape. I liked the way the author drip fed us the details of Maddie’s captivity through her memories and imaginary conversations with him, as he still haunted her, in her mind and enabling the reader to feel desperately sorry for her, even knowing she is a predatory killer!

This book is raw, dark and incredibly intense and the writing feels original and unique. There are some clever twists and I found the concept of Maddie meeting with an unnamed prison visitor, who was interviewing her for a book they were writing, added an additional layer of intrigue to the mystery.

5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Antonia Grave and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

Really enjoyed this thriller. Had everything i enjoy about thrillers in there.
Twist and turns. Great characters.
Thanks Netgalley for letting me read this book for an honest review

3.5 ⭐️

This was an entertaining debut from Antonia Grave, with a morally messy premise that immediately pulled me in. I’m always intrigued by vigilante-style stories, especially ones that center women reclaiming power, so this definitely had my attention from the start.

Six Strikes stood out for how uncomfortable it was — in a good way. This isn’t a glossy vigilante story; it’s darker, heavier, and emotionally raw. Maddie isn’t meant to be admired or justified, and the book really leans into the cost of her choices. The interview-room framing adds this constant sense of inevitability that made the tension feel psychological and lingering rather than twisty.

That said, after having read They Never Learn—which uses a very similar trope—I was hoping this one would feel a bit sharper and move faster. The concept is compelling, but the pacing felt slightly more measured than I wanted, and I kept waiting for that extra edge or urgency to really kick in.

Still, I appreciated the darker themes, the emotional undercurrent, and the way the story examines justice, trauma, and accountability. While it didn’t fully hit the intensity I was craving, it was a solid read.

Thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for my honest feedback.

I do enjoy a serial killer thriller and with Six Strikes author Antonia Grave delivers us two for the price of one. Now Maddie, one of the two aforementioned killers, and narrator of this very clever book, is no ordinary run of the mill 'woman out for revenge'. Hers is a very harrowing backstory, one that the opening pages of the book shed some light on, even if the full extent of her plight, and the way in which she breaks free from it are not explored until later in the book. The implications are clear, and are a little hard to read. Not that the ends justify the means, but it goes a long way to explaining why she sets out to exterminate those pesky 'fleas' who plague the life of women up and down the country. When she gets wind of a killer up in Manchester, the temptation to exterminate the ultimate pest is just too strong to ignore.

I really liked the way in which the author has set out this story, a mixture of present day interviews between Maddie and an as yet unnamed visitor, and her recounting of her history, post escape from her past, and her search for the so called Manchester Maniac. As with any story of murder, when the victims are sex workers, there is little fanfare, but when the latest victim is a clean living young girl from the right side of society, things get a lot more publicity. The way in which Maddie becomes embroiled in the case, and her method of hunting a killer really worked and felt just the right side of plausible.

I liked Maddie, in spite of her dark tendencies. There is an authenticity to the way the author has portrayed her and her behaviour as a survivor of abuse, and someone who has missed out on learning some of the most basic social clues, really does ring true. She is not the easiest person to connect with, as many of the characters find out, and trust is a very big deal for her, something that plays perfectly into the story and the path she follows. But she has a strength that defies her past and in reading I couldn't help imagining what she could have been if circumstances had been different. It takes real skill to make you care about a character who is so conflicted and defensive, so detached, but the author pulled it off and I really wanted to see her not only catch the killer but find a path that I already knew was impossible.

There is a great cast of characters in this book, some who serve to help Maddie in their own different ways and some who appear more ... expendable. The author employs great use of sleight of hand to misdirect us and focus attention in all the wrong places, and many a time my suspicion moved in one direction, only for the author to show me a few short pages later what an idiot I had been. The whole plot of this book feels sadly relevant and possible in as much as it echoes far too much of what makes the headlines these days, and Maddies circumstances, along with those of many of the women around her are all too relatable.

But this is not really about women as victims, although they certainly are. This is about one woman taking back control in the best way she knows how. Engrossing, fast paced and teeming with tension and atmosphere, I raced through it and loved every single second. Definitely recommended.

This was fantastically written and had me at the edge of my seat. The social commentary was fantastic and on the nose. I left each chapter wanting more. The two timelines was perfect as you slowly learned things and also stayed interested throughout it all. The only thing i will say is that in the beginning, she would sometimes reference someone looking like a celebrity, or something of the sorts, and it made no sense for her to know who that was if she was locked up for ages. The songs that she heard from Ben were the well-done version of this- as you knew how she knew about it. The cultural references however did not have context. Overall, This book was fantastic and I look forward to recommending my friends to read it.

Rating: 4.0/5

Seldom are debut novels executed as maturely as this one from Antonia Grave. Split predominantly across two timeframes, "Six Strikes" tells the story of Maddie Reid - or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that Maddie tells her own story as she is our first person narrator. The later time frame, set in 2027, features Maddie meeting with an unnamed "guest" who is visiting her is prison, where she is serving time for multiple murders. The earlier one, 2007, plays out around the time when Maddie had been committing the murders and seeking out a male serial killer dubbed "The Manchester Maniac".

A casual glance at the synopsis (and some reviews, for that matter) may suggest that "Six Strikes" is simply another in a spate of novels to feature a vigilante female leading character, such as C.J. Skuse's "Sweetpea", who turns to serial killing in order to right what she deems to be society's wrongs. However, aside from having a serial killing female lead protagonist, "Six Strikes" is significantly different to that Sweetpea-inspired sub-genre. Rather than the focus being on dark humour and often over-the-top, absurdly bizarre killing sprees, "Six Strikes" is a more considered psychological drama. It is shaped around Maddie's experiences as a woman who was abducted and abused as a child and whose perception of people, especially men, has been tainted as a consequence. The content is disturbing at times - all the more so due to the fact that it is not exaggerated for dark comedic effect, but is instead far more truly representative of what can and does happen in real life. It is impossible not to empathise with Maddie as we learn more about her. She is flawed and her view of the world often perverse - but we come to appreciate how her corrupted view is merely a consequence of the corruption she has suffered herself.

"Six Strikes" is a story that has drama, tension and suspense. It contains intriguing mysteries and astute observations of the society in which we live - but it is also emotional and poignant. This is a fine debut and I look forward to reading more from Antonia Grave.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review.

A gripping tale of a young woman's survival and mission to better the world for women like her. The writing is excellent and draws you in from the beginning. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

First I love the cover on this one it really stands out !
I truly enjoyed this!
I had so many emotions reading this
I couldn’t put it down it was interesting intense
And overall fantastic

This is an excellent psychological thriller with many twists and turns and which is hard to put down. This is not simply a tale of violence and pursuit, but a story about scars, resilience, and the blurred line between protector and predator. A well written, well executed, dark and unsettling debut. I found myself completely engrossed in Maddie’s story. It is such an impressive, suspenseful debut, and I’m already looking forward to reading what Antonia writes next. If you enjoy thrillers with grit, mystery, and a strong central voice, **Six Strikes** is absolutely worth picking up. An absorbing and entertaining piece of story telling, and is worth checking out for those who enjoy murder mysteries with a thriller element.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley.

This was a great psychological thriller, lots of twist and turns, and unexpected things happening. I liked Maddies character . Thanks to Avon for recommending this book, and allowing me to read an early copy.

Six Strikes by Antonia Grave is a tense, dark thriller with a strong central character and an emotionally driven plot. Set over a dual timeline, the story is gripping and thought-provoking, with enough twists and psychological depth to keep you fully invested throughout.

Maddie Reid is a strong, bold woman. She had to grow up far too quickly, her childhood being everything that nightmares are made of.

Six Strikes is told in a dual timeline. One timeline tells of us of Maddie’s formative years, all that she endured, that shaped her in to the adult we meet. We also see Maddie in 2027, meeting regularly with a mystery visitor, who is clearly someone she knows, but as the reader, we are not privy to their identity.

I enjoyed the author’s writing, and the pace at which the story unfolded. It didn’t feel rushed, and it didn’t drag, it was perfectly pitched to understand Maddie. I found myself gripped by our central character and story, and continually wondered what led her to where we find her in 2027.

I loved the intentional ambiguity of Maddie’s visitor. Not knowing who they were, made me constantly question their motivations and angle. I had three people in mind, and I was constantly in flux over their identity.

I think fans of Sweetpea, and revenge thrillers in general, will love Six Strikes. It is such an impressive, suspenseful debut, and I’m already looking forward to reading whatever Antonia writes next.