First of all, my apologies for this being on my Netgalley list for far too long, but WOW was it worth the wait!

I can’t even begin to explain to you how tense and terrifying this story is!

When we meet Audra she has packed herself and her two children, Sean and Louise, into her car and is fleeing her abusive husband. Having travelled for hours she plans to stop at the next town, for the night, but before she gets there she is pulled over by the local sheriff and what happens from that moment on is just horrific. I couldn’t quite believe what I was reading, but I was absolutely captivated! As a mother I was right there with Audra, sharing her panic and desperation. There is no real way of knowing how I would react in the same situation, but I’m pretty sure it would reflect Audra’s behaviour. I can guarantee I would be hysterical.

There are some evil characters in this story and it’s scary to think that there are actually people like this in the real world, committing such horrendous crimes. It just goes to show that no matter the position of authority someone holds, it doesn’t necessarily make them a good person. Some people will do anything for money.

As for Audra’s husband, well he’s a nasty piece of work. He’s an arrogant, abusive Mummy’s boy! His mother is no better either. What is wrong with some women!? I take my hat off to Audra for finding the strength to leave in the first place.

Sean and Louise are lovely little characters, bless them. My heart went out to them.

If you’re looking for a compelling crime thriller then look no further. This one truly is a page-turner. I will be looking out for other books written by Haylen Beck.

Many thanks to the author and publisher for my review copy via Netgalley.

Via AmazonUK…..

‘The best thriller I’ve read this year’ LISA JEWELL
‘A fantastic thriller… It doesn’t get better than this’ LEE CHILD

Her fresh start is about to turn into a nightmare…

Audra has finally left her abusive husband. She’s taken the family car and her young children, Sean and Louise, are buckled up in the back. This is their chance for a fresh start.

Audra keeps to the country roads to avoid attention. Then she spots something in her rear-view mirror. A police car is following her and the lights are flickering. Blue and red.

As Audra pulls over she is intensely aware of how isolated they are. Her perfect escape is about to turn into a nightmare beyond her imagining…

‘A rollercoaster…complete with agonising tension and a heroine you can’t help rooting for’
Daily Mail

‘Almost unbearably tense… Cancel all your plans and settle in for the ride’
Ruth Ware

About the author…..

Haylen Beck is the pen name of internationally prize-winning crime writer Stuart Neville. Writing under his own name, Stuart won the LA Times Book Prize for his debut novel and received critical acclaim for his Belfast-set detective series starring Serena Flanagan. His Haylen Beck novels are set in the US and are inspired by his love of American crime writing.