Review: The Secrets of Strangers by Charity Norman

 

Title: The Secrets of Strangers

Author: Charity Norman

Published: March 3rd 2020, Allen & Unwin

Status: Read March 2020 courtesy Allen & Unwin

++++++

My Thoughts:

On an ordinary weekday morning, an irate young man storms into a London cafe, raises a shotgun and fires twice at the proprietor. Staff and patrons scatter in fear, but an unlucky few find themselves trapped with the gunman.

In the hours that follow, as the police negotiator attempts to broker an end to the standoff, the remaining hostages – a nurse, a barrister, and a homeless man – form an extraordinary bond as they try to make sense of the situation they are in, and prevent an escalation of the violence.

Tense, provocative, and emotionally charged, this well-written character driven novel unfolds from multiple perspectives as the author slowly reveals the circumstances that has led to this shocking crisis. I’m loathe to reveal any details of The Secrets of Strangers that make this such an engrossing read as Norman takes an unexpected path to shed light on the motivation of the hostage-taker, and the lives of those caught up in his crazed action.

As with Charity Norman’s previous novels that I’ve read – Second Chances, The Son In Law, and The Secret Life of Luke Livingston – The Secrets of Strangers explores humanity’s weaknesses and strengths in the face of tragedy.

++++++

Available from Allen & Unwin RRP AUD $29.99

or from your preferred retailer via Booko I Book Depository

Also by Charity Norman reviewed at Book’d Out