Dark secrets cast long shadows…
On a peaceful hilltop campsite in the heat of summer, a private plane crash-lands. Several are killed, and many more lives are shattered – including those of the Gale family who own the site. For single parent Cathy Gale, her everyday struggles are eclipsed by the tragedy, as her boy Albie is one of the victims. He hangs onto life, while 18-year-old sister Nell, who was meant to be looking after him, is overcome with guilt.
As DS Ali Samson leads the investigation, locals are scandalised to learn that the amnesiac pilot has plans to stay on in the community. As dark secrets come to light, teenager Nell goes into freefall. What is it she’s so desperate to conceal? And exactly who is the Unknown Pilot?
If you loved HOMECOMING by Isabel Ashdown, return to the beautiful coastal town of Highcap, Dorset, a community hiding many secrets.
With several critically acclaimed novels already to her name, Isabel Ashdown first burst onto the thriller scene in 2017 with her Amazon bestseller LITTLE SISTER. She has since seen two of her thrillers shortlisted in the prestigious Dead Good Reader Awards, and her dark family dramas continue to hook readers across the globe.
My thoughts: set in the same Dorset town as Homecoming, we’re concerned with the opposite end of the community. Rather than the up market enclave of the Starlings, we’re with a family that’s been in the town for many years, the Gales run the Golden Rabbit campsite and caravan park, but they’re far from a happy family.
When a small aeroplane falls out of the sky onto the campsite, it changes everything. The youngest member of the family Albie is injured and the after effects cause family secrets and feuds to surface.
Another shocking crime is also under investigation by the local police – one that puts the spotlight on Nell Gale. DS Ali Samson (who I really like) is on both cases, and handles things very sensitively, Nell is fragile, the situation with her family and what has happened to her have caused damage and she’s not coping well.
I felt a lot of empathy with the Gale family (and not just because my Nan’s family name was Gale), it can be difficult mixing work and family together, and the uneven way Cathy and Elliot were given their share of responsibilities has caused a lot of tension.
But happiness is in sight, if only they can resolve their differences and come together, perhaps their house guest – the Unknown Pilot – can perhaps help?
Another clever and compelling read from a terrific writer, this blogathon is really fun, as this series of intelligent crime thrillers is extremely enjoyable and well written.
*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.
ramblingmads 