Completely different from Mandasues usual style of writing, but was a gripping story if a little hard to believe in some places, tied everything up nicely at the end too, did find it not a bad read at all

I enjoyed this book. It was gripping and I'd class it as a real page-turner, although the actual plot and the way the story unfolded was not totally unexpected. I still enjoyed the ride and would certainly read from this author again. Recommended by me.

I've always been a huge fan of Mandasue Heller’s book, so I couldn't wait to get my grubby paws on a copy of Save Me the latest offering from the author. I have to say this book took me by surprise as it's very different to Mandasue Heller’s usual gritty crime thrillers, Save Me reads more like thriller. Don't get me wrong I really enjoyed the change of direction, there's still plenty of tension and suspense to keep the reader engaged.

Save Me isn't fast paced by any means, but like any good thriller the author build on the suspense by setting the scene and introducing the characters.
Ellie's life isn't great by any means, but it takes a downward turn when fate plays a hand and Ellie comes across Gareth on her way home from work. Ellie doesn't realise but her one good deed will have a disturbing impact on Ellie, her husband and family.

Although the plot isn't one I consider to be highly original with themes such as obsession and stalking at the forefront, it's Mandasue Heller’s style of writing that makes this book an intriguing read. Her attention to the smaller details of her characters such as dialogue, and their relationships with each other add weight to the plot. Although I was particularly fond of many of the characters, this no way spoilt my enjoyment of this book. As for Gareth well the author has certainly created one hell of character, a manipulator who preys on the venerable and downright creepy to boot, he's certainly one character I won't forget in a hurry.

Although I enjoyed Save Me I must admit I found it an underwhelming read, I think this was because two thirds of the book are taken up with developing the characters and the plot, and it's only as you reach the last third of the book it really takes off, in my opinion the last part of the book felt rushed with a disappointing conclusion. Although I enjoyed this book unfortunately it isn't one of the best books I've read by Mandasue Heller, but I still think it will do really well with her legion of fans and I have read some glowing reviews for Save Me in the authors defence, so perhaps it just wasn't the book I was expecting it to be

This review maybe altered slightly and edited prior to publication on my blog

This is a psychological thriller which I found easy to read although not particularly literary in tone.
It is the story of Ellie who has a difficult relationship with her controlling but needy husband, Matt. En route home from work one day she encounters Gareth who appears to be about to throw himself in front of a train. She manages to talk him down and after her act of kindness he seeks her out to thank her and then attempts to get to know her better over a short space of time becoming more and more creepy as the novel progresses.
However husband, Matt also has major problems of his own and becomes increasingly difficult to live with. As Gareth becomes more intense, inserting himself into Ellie’s life, some strange and frightening things start to happen to Ellie’s family. Matt becomes more and more controlling and it is difficult to work out which man is more frightening!
Holly, Ellie’s sister, is also one of the main characters and she becomes more likeable as the novel progresses. The siblings have a love- hate relationship and constantly argue due to Holly’s selfish nature.
This is an interesting character study about obsession and stalking, looking at some frightening behaviour patterns. However I did find it slightly predictable and the ending seemed quite contrived , if not a little rushed.
Over all ‘Save Me’ was an enjoyable but undemanding read and I would recommend it to psychological thriller fans.
Thanks to NetGalley for my ac in exchange for an honest review.

I have read all of Mandasue's books and always enjoy them. While they are slightly different now to her earlier work they are still as good. Her previous books were about serial killers and were extremely well written. I would say the last three of her books have been more psychological thrillers that explore intense relationships, a great author that has the ability to keep you engaged in every word,

Oh my god what an amazing book all of Mandasue’s books are brilliant and she is one of my favourite author and this book did not let down, thank you.

Right from the start, this book grabs you and will not let you go. I stayed up long into the night to finish it it was so good.

You really feel for Ellie right from the start. She is married to Matt, who is depressed and paranoid and Ellie is trapped with him. She really loves him, but she is sick and tired of his mood swings.

Her family do not like him and Ellie's sister hates him but you are not sure why. As the book goes on you see their sister relationship slowly get ruined but the twists and turns they go through but the ending makes up for everything.

Ellie's life spirals out of control all because she saves Gareth her life falls apart and she loses everyone around her Will she choose her family or Gareth?. All you want is for Ellie to be happy but will the evil Gareth let her be happy? It was so emotional and gripping just brilliant

Ellie's life is not great, she lives in a council estate with her Husband who is out of work and depressed, she has recently started a new job and none of the girls seem to like her. Her life seems to be turned upside down when she managed to talk a handsome young man down from the railway bridge when her train home is delayed. If you haven't read any Mandasue Heller books before I highly recommend.

i’ve read a lot of books my this author and usually love them however, Save Me left me very disappointed.

i felt the storyline was weak and the reader knew what was going to happen and who was responsible. for me there were no shocks or twists in the tale. i didn’t really feel that the main character’s controlling and i would say abusive marriage was really addressed by the end of the book either.

many thanks to netgalley and the publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Absolutely loved this book. Ellie and her sister Holly have their ups and downs. Holly always seems to want want Ellie has. Ellie is struggling to cope with her life, her husband is depressed, her job isn't going well, and Holly comes round to show off about her fancy wedding in Barbados. On the way home from work Ellie thinks she does a good deed, by saving a man from jumping in front of a train, but little does she know the trouble she is about to bring to her family. Gripping read

A brilliant beginning and end to this novel lots of twists that readers will enjoy first novel I've read by this writer but enjoyed the style of writing but did work out what was happening quite early on quite complexed characters that had me gripped from the beginning a great read

I dd not like this at all. Ellie was really stupid and incredibly naive, supposedly loving her waster of a husband but letting her idiotic sister and a complete psycho of a stranger interfere with, and basically ruin her life. The scenes which supposedly happen on Christmas day and , presumably, Boxing day, are too ridiculous for words...

This review contains minor spoilers....On first blush Save Me reads like a soap opera examining the lives of many characters, focusing on emotional relationships to the point of melodrama...Ellie loves Matt but falls for inept and deranged Gareth. Holly, sister to Ellie, not only has an affair with Matt but also with socially unbalanced Gareth. Ellie's stepfather Billy made advances towards Ellie in her youth but has much more serious issues to confront as the story develops. Matt is hyper-sensitive, suffers from depression and is unable to acquire or hold down a job. And so the soap continues but having said all that I really enjoyed reading "Save Me" it's not a book of any real literary intent or a story that examines in any dept the characters but it doesn't purport to be this. It's simple light reading, a book that you can happily return to at any point without having lost the main thread, a book for the summer vacation, or reading as you journey by train or bus.

I think the author creates a very evil and controlling Gareth because it is his story that is the centre of all the events as they unfold...."See what you've made me do now? he hissed when her body went limp and her eyes rolled to the back of their sockets. That was your fault, not mine! All I'm trying to do is help you, so why did you have to start fighting with me?" Many thanks to the good people at netgalley for a gratis copy in return for an honest review. It surprised me I usually prefer to be educated in my choice of reading but sometimes it is best to just enjoy without being over critical.

I'm not sure about this book. I can't say I enjoyed it because it was more like an endurance. I know it's fiction but I found it very unbelievable and the characters irritated me.

I pre ordered this book in August for its release in December but was over the moon when I was approved for a review copy on netgalley.
The book certainly doesn't disappoint and I read it over two days as I couldn't put it down .
Mandasue Heller is an amazing writer who knows how to keep her readers glued to every page.
Can't wait till the next one!!!!

Another good read.
I've read every book this author has written. I throughly enjoyed this book but it was obvious from the start who the baddie was. It didn't keep me on edge of my seat how it would end. I read book in one nite.
Well done

Ellie Fishers boss asked her to stay late at work to complete filing a colleague should have done but had called in sick. Little did she know that her life would change forever due to that action. She missed her train home which meant a half hour wait until next one, to make matters worse her sister Holly was bringing her new boyfriend Tony over to meet her and husband Matt and Holly and Matt hate each other.
While waiting for next train out of the corner of her eye she sees a hooded figure climbing over the barrier she also hears the horn which warns a train will be arriving soon.
She runs up the stairs and pleads with the young man not to jump as the train approaches she grabs him stopping him from jumping after climbing back over they sit and speak she tells him life can seem difficult at times telling him that things at home were not good but they can be worked out. Her told her his name was Gareth and he had nothing left then he heard police sirens and ran off.
Once home as expected Matt was furious as he often was these days after his accident he had fallen into a deep depression not washing not shaving not going out, trying to help him was tiring it had been two years since the accident now.
Matts moods get worse they seemed to be arguing all the time he’s accusing her of being unfaithful, everything seems to going against them now.
What will happen can they work through this or is it too late?
Another brilliant book by Mandasue Heller what I like about her writing is she writes about real life these things happen all the time we can relate to them which makes them in my eyes special.

This book is a real page turner, the characters Ellie and Matt are everyday people struggling by . Then the stalker appears and wrecks the life's of the families . Could not put it down
Well done mandasue heller another well written book !!!

Another fantastic novel from mandasue heller she never fails to deliver in my opinion. Raced through this book full of suspense and tension, loved it

I have read everyone of Mandasue Heller's books and in my opinion she just gets better and better.Save Me is a superb stand alone thriller from the queen of this genre.Ellie is waiting for her train home one evening when she saves Gareth from jumping off a bridge but what she thought was an act of kindness has devastating consequences as Gareth turns her life upside down.All ready living on edge with husband Matt,Ellie finds herself being taken in by Gareth's charm and lies as he worms himself into her life despite the warnings from her sister Holly who is also put in danger.An excellent 5 star read once again from Mandasue Heller which i read in 2 days it was that good.Superb thriller,if this is the genre you enjoy read this book,you won't be disappointed !!

Ellie's life isn't great but it takes a downward turn when she comes across Gareth on her way home from work. What follows is a rollercoaster ride of emotions and will have an impact on Ellie and her family forever. Yet again Mandasue Heller does not disappoint. A fantastic thriller which had me gripped from the start. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and was unable to put it down.