Member Reviews
I found this book easy to read and I enjoyed it. Rose Shaw is healing after a loss. While her life seems to be falling apart, she becomes involved in trying to solve a mystery.
Who is Finn Matthew's and where is he now? Rose intends to find out.
I’m such a huge fan of this author so I was incredibly excited to be invited onto the blog tour for his latest book the brilliant Night By Night. Jack Jordan is fast becoming one of my favourite authors and his books are the ones I tend to recommend most to people.
I loved the main character Rose who I quickly fell in love with and felt incredibly sorry for. She’s been through a really hard time and it was heartbreaking to see how much she’d been let down by her family and friends. It was great to follow her as she tries to find and help Finn Matthews. She gets quite obsessed with doing so and I found myself getting quite worried about what she is getting herself into.
The other characters in this book are also brilliant creations that were very well developed. The author knows how to write emotional characters and baddies very well which helps make this a fantastic read. I didn’t know who to trust and kept trying to guess what would happen and who was responsible but was normally completely wrong.
Once again the author has written a gripping, tense, twisty thriller that I managed to read in a few days. I found myself completely caught up in the story and kept trying to read a few more pages. Just when I thought I’d figured out how everything was going, something would happen and the story would go off in a whole new direction. The ending was especially epic and took me completely by surprise, I was literally on the edge of my seat whilst reading it (my husband actually asked me if I was ok) which is a sure sign of a truly amazing book!
Huge thanks to Kirsty from Corvus books for inviting me onto the blog tour and for my copy of this book which is going on my keep forever shelf. If you want a fantastic, gripping thriller you need to read this book!
I would firstly like to thank Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me the opportunity to read this book for free in exchange for a honest review.
Rejected by her family and plagued by insomnia, Rose Shaw is on the brink. But one dark evening she collides with a man running through the streets, who quickly vanishes. The only sign he ever existed - a journal dropped at Rose's feet.
Rose is determined to uncover the truth. But she has no idea what the truth will cost her....
This is the 3rd book that I have read from Jack Jordan, and I must say, he is definitely one of my very favourite authors at the moment. I loved 'Before Her Eyes' and short story 'A Woman Scorned' and this one is yet another thrilling read that had my undivided attention from start to finish. With Jack's outstandingly descriptive writing, I not only felt so much empathy for the main character, but I felt like I was going on her journey with her. I felt her pain, frustrations, paranoia, anger, and determination to get to the truth, while being constantly at the edge of my seat and my heart was pounding every time I turned the page.
Anyone can pick up a journal and want to find out who it belongs to, but Jack gave his main character, Rose, such depth and reason, that I found myself truly rooting for her the whole way through!
With a very suspenseful, intense believable plot, amazingly-written characters and a story that tackles a lot of throught-provoking and emotional issues such as medical health, family, loss, homophobia and injustice; this is a read that took me on an emotional rollercoaster and is one that I HIGHLY recommend! Absolutely can't wait for this author's next!
Fantastic thriller with great characterisation throughout. Really enjoyed seeing how all the characters were linked throughout
I sadly really struggled with this book.
The writing is excellent and I really enjoyed the start of the story, but I felt that it got very lost and in parts was very far-fetched.
2.5 stars rounded up to 3 for the brilliant writing.
Yet again Jack Jordan has written a brilliantly disturbing psychological thriller and one which I loved. This book gripped me right from the very first sentence and kept me hooked until the end .
I have read a few of Jack Jordan/s books and mostly have loved them but I really struggled with Night by Night, It started of really well, but somehow it lost the way and was so drawn out,
Full disclaimer: I love Jack Jordan’s books! He writes very tense crime thrillers that capture my imagination so I was thrilled to read Night By Night.
This latest offering from Mr Jordan opens with heartbreaking chapters. I’ve had phases of sleep deprivation and it’s a killer but it’s never been proper insomnia but I know a few people who suffer. What happens to Rose is devastating and she never really recovers from it. Her family and friends slowly turn their backs on her which is far from what she needs.
I loved Rose as our narrator. She is so unreliable and damaged, a perfect lead for this cast of dodgy characters. I suspected everyone but had a prime suspect in my sights. Was I right in my suspicions? I’d love to tell you but there are #nospoilers here.
I devoured Night By Night in two sittings over the glorious Easter bank holiday. I was hooked following Rose as she tries to trace Finn Matthews. Jack Jordan pulled a spectacularly brilliant climax to this twisty turny novel right out of the bag. Just as with his other novels, Jack Jordan kept me guessing right to the end and I really did not see that ending coming!!
Hmmm, I was a little unsure about this book. Having read and absolutely loved a couple of Jack Jordan's book previously, I was so excited to get my hands on this early review copy. The story started brilliantly, with insomniac Rose suffering a terrible accident that would haunt her for ever. However, the story that unfolded past that point was, for me, a little unbelievable and far fetched. I did finish it though, as I was intrigued to see how the book ended.
True to Jack Jordan style, he knocks it out of the park again with a story that is utterly gripping and, excuse the cliché, unputdownable! Talk about a racy read! I was really grumpy that I had to stop every now and again, and heaven’s forbid, go to work. All you bookworms know what this feels like- utter torture!
True to Jack Jordan style, there was yet again quite a few moving pieces that I couldn’t wait to see fall into place: the insomniac housewife, her own grief and family-life shrouded in suffocating darkness; the local police force that may or may not be quite bloody questionable; the mystery of a journal filled with someone’s most agonizing thoughts that would scare anyone; the motive! Man, always the motive! And what a motive Night by Night delivers!
I really don’t know how all the different threads simply fit so perfectly in this story- Jordan is a magician with words, with storylines, with the ability to captivate! I am seriously fan-girling here, by the way!
And you’ll have to know that Jordan’s books are never a superficial reading experience with the aim to simply make that heart beat faster in your chest with a bit of action and who dunnit. Jordan’s stories always have an important societal element or two to them. This is how these books can become relatable for many, and important, and difficult to read, as is the case with Night by Night. But true to Jack Jordan style – there will be no pussyfooting around a topic. It’s as realistic and as horrible as it has to be… because this is how things are sometimes! Snippets of reality, of someone’s most unbearable days have been put to paper. Reading about Rose’s insomnia made my chest ache! Reading about Finn’s situation, a situation that is way bigger than you can ever imagine, made me anxious and frustrated because- what the fffuuuuu!
And this makes me think that Jordan has become a bit of an advocate through the thriller, through suspense, through his books- to raise awareness! Awareness around mental health, and people being able to hide so much pain and suffering under their straining smile. Or, the fact that when someone is not coping, then it doesn’t give anyone a green light to automatically judge without knowing the circumstances. Night by Night really took the lifestyle that many of us think of as their main goal in life and showed the reader the ugly side of it. On high horses, with a bit of power- we get blind or dangerous… hmm…
I have read EVERY Jack Jordan book published. I have LOVED each of them for their own specific reasons. I will CONTINUE to read anything that Jordan writes and shares with the readers because – damn! DAMN! – I can’t get enough! Um, yes- GET. THIS. BOOK! Liz over and out
Yay a new Jack Jordan novel and what a thoroughly absorbing thriller “Night by Night” is! When I read Jordan’s first novel My Girl, I was impressed with its intensity and how it made me ‘feel’. Night by Night did very much the same thing, and took me much by surprise. I was expecting a pretty straightforward mystery but it turned out to be such an emotional read, it nearly broke me in the end.
In the first chapters the author already sets the tone by making me feel very, very sorry for Rose who suffers from a tragedy she really didn’t deserve. I already choked up there for the first time and I wasn’t even 50 pages in. Rose feels alone and lonely and one night she bumps into a man who drops his journal at her side. She doesn’t know who he is but at the very first page she reads a startling message. It turns out that even though he’s in an entirely different situation, he’s feeling frightened and lonely as well and the community isn’t welcoming him either. Rose knows what she has to do, what she can’t do for herself she’s determined to do for this man called Finn Matthews. Even though she doesn’t know him she cares and wants to know he’s ok, she doesn’t want him to be all alone and is determined to help. The police don’t take her missing person’s report serious though and Rose feels forced to make her own inquiries. She’s treading on very thin ice.
There were a few tough issues included in this novel, homophobia being the most prominent one I might say and I think the author handled this brilliantly. It was at times tough to read about the things that happened and call me a fool but I really wanted Rose to find Finn in time and see that he had escaped the hardships of his peers and the stalking and that he was leading a good life somewhere else. Some little voice inside of me warned me not to expect too much though and protect my little heart. I also absolutely had no idea who he was afraid of, it was such a mystery and I really didn’t have any suspect in mind, it kept my mind whirring when I should have been asleep.
The novel really amps up the tension towards the end and I didn’t only fear for Finn but for Rose too! I couldn’t turn those pages in the final chapters fast enough, I felt the danger coming closer and it was so emotional to hear the truth and see what happens. I tell you, when you reach those final chapters you better hold on to your hats and hope to finish it unscathed! Night by Night holds an unbelievably tense ending in store. Jack Jordan is a wonderful author and this novel is definitely one of his best works!
Night by night is a fast paced and thrilling read, another stand alone thriller and this really is wonderfully written.
A fantastic opening of “if you’re reading this, I am dead” is truly gripping and hooks you in from the very first page.
I won’t give away any secrets, read it for yourself, you won’t be disappointed.
4 stars
A first Time author for me, Jack Jordan. This, his latest, Night by Night drops on May 2nd.
I’m increasingly reading more psychological thrillers and from very early on this felt really quite intriguing
Rose Shaw, a sufferer of serious insomnia is struggling to cope with day to day life, growing distant from her husband and constantly snapping at her twins she’s at the end of her tether. With other parents looking down on her, she tries to hide her problems resulting in a life altering tragedy.
Rose bumps into a man in the night who drops a journal, she reads this and discovers a diary of a man in fear of being stalked and murdered, she takes this to the police who seem uninterested.
The story begins to tell the tale of the journal and also we have Rose's struggle as she tries to investigate what the police are not interested in.
References to a real life serial killer of gay men in London are touched on and this book is based on the same, a killer is on the loose stalking and killing young gay men while the police show little care. It’s a brave book to suggest the police in reality would brush this under the carpet but as stated the author has provided reference to a real Life killer in Stephen Port. its absolutely shocking that ever happened and this book by an author, with a growing voice is vital to ensure that kind of thing ever happens in society again.
Rose is an interesting character, you cant help but feel for her plight, whilst the supporting cast are written convincingly as are the descriptions and locations
Police corruption and gross misconduct, a sinister killer trying to cover tracks and a mother desperately seeking a kind of redemption.
Writing and plot are sharp and on point. A gripping , chilling, fast paced, up to the minute Thriller, this is a novel with very dark tones and clearly a young fresh author who is unafraid to approach difficult subjects
4.5
Highly Recommended
I've thoroughly enjoyed Jack previous books but unfortunately it saddens me to say that this one his latest book just wasn't for me. Due to the subject matter of the story I literally did struggle with it at times.
However regardless of this, the story was very well written and the detail and attention he gives to his characters and some of the scenes are second to none. Definitely can't fault his storytelling.
When you have loved an author’s previous book you always worry that the next one will not be as good. Well with this one by Jack Jordan you need have no worries, I could not put this down.
It tells the story of Rose who due to a long period of insomnia falls asleep at the wheel while driving her twin girls and ends up in the car in the river, she only manages to get one of the girls out and the other one sadly drowns, and she has to live with the fact that she killed her daughter. Her marriage is on the rocks, her surviving child will not have anything to do with her and the insomnia continues.
Then Rose comes into the possession of a journal which starts off with the words if are reading this then I am dead and takes it to the police and does not find them very helpful. Some of the Police dealing with the case she met when her daughter died and dismiss the case. Rose continues investigating the case worried for the writer who was being stalked just because he liked men, she then finds other cases of men who had died or vanished all with one thing in common, they liked men.
We follow Rose to the end of her investigation and it certainly does not take you where you think it is going.
Highly recommended
Jack Jordan is one of my favourite authors. Each of his books I have read I have awarded five stars.
I am glad to say that he has done it again with this read.
Rose Shaw has had enough grief and trauma in her life, she is broken, a shell of her former self. Rose lives in her house with her husband and daughter but they are strangers. Their grief has pulled them apart. Rose wants to leave but she still loves her family.
When she is out walking one night a stranger literally knocks her flying and she falls in a heap on the ground and spilling the contents of her handbag. The man runs off and begins to get up and scribbles for her belongings. Her cover a small black book, closed tight and wrapped with elastic bands. Her life will never be the same after she reads this journal. Who can she tell, who can she trust ??? Little does Rose know that her life is now in danger!!!!!! What she has read is abhorrent and shocking.
I read this book in one sitting finally turning the last page in the wee hours. In places I was literally holding my breath, sat on the edge of my seat and tapping my kindle faster. My heart was racing. This book was emotional in places, the suffering was shocking, abhorrent and distressing.
To be punished for being different is wrong, unfortunately there are still small minded people who refuse to accept how others choose to live their lives. This world is a big melting pot and everyone deserves to live their lives as they choose. An easy five stars and so Highly Recommended.
'If you're reading this, I'm dead.'
Rose is an insomniac and with events caused by this she has lost everything she holds dear. While out walking one night a man, apparently running from someone or something, bumps into her and sends her flying, then he vanishes, the only thing she has to show he ever existed is a journal that he dropped. When she returns home and looks in the journal she is faced with the words 'If you're reading this, I'm dead'. The journal belongs to Finn Matthews, who was convinced his life was in danger. When she gets no help from the police after showing them the contents, she decides to go it alone, regardless of the consequences she could be facing. She wants to know why he thought his life was in danger and why the police are against investigating it when a string of murders could be linked to his disappearance.
This is the second book I've read by this author and it was as intriguing as his last, it was a book that I found difficult to put down as I needed to know what happened next, the only thing that kept me from finishing it sooner was real life! I was desperate to know who the perpetrator was and when it was finally revealed my jaw dropped, I never expected that. Jack Jordan has created a thriller filled with secrets, deceit and, at times, brutality from people that you would ultimately think you can trust, but they are determined that the truth should never be revealed. A fab read, definitely recommend.
I would like to thank Atlantic Books and Netgalley for the approval, I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.
I finished this book at 4am and am now pretty tired, but I just had to finish it.
Rose is a chronic insomniac and four years ago her tiredness caused her to have a car accident where one of her twin daughters died. Her surviving daughter (now a teenager) and her husband both blame her. Then once day a stranger bumps into Rose and knocks her over and leaves behind a journal written by Finn, who believed someone wanted to kill him and is now missing. Rose decides to try to solve the case.
Rose’s story is absolutely heartbreaking. The thought of accidentally killing your own child is horrific. Mr Jordan portrays Rose’s mental state due to the insomnia very well and I really felt for her. The book is very well written, and is paced just right. It made me realise how devastating it must be to be stalked and feel that no one is helping, and dealt sympathetically with the subject of homophobia.
This is my first book by Jack Jordan but I will now be seeking out his back catalogue!
Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for providing an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
Night by Night is another atmospheric and pacy psychological thriller from Jack Jordan, with a great central character in Rose and an emotionally resonant and thought provoking central premise.
Since tragedy hit her family Rose has been isolated and alone, the subject of gossip and disdain. When a mysterious stranger drops a journal at her feet, she starts to look into the strange story within. Danger lurks and this may save or destroy her…
The plotting is taut and effective, Rose is an engaging and sympathetic character who’s flawed centre avoids all the psychological thriller cliches. The mystery elements are intriguing and the themes socially relevant.
Excellent writing as ever and a fascinating edgy story. Really enjoyed this one.
Recommended.
Night by Night by Jack Jordan is a new author for me. I was excited to receive a copy of this; with all the good things I have been hearing about this author.
The story is about Rose, she suffers from insomnia and after a tragic car accident she loses one of her girls. She is estranged from her husband Christian but, they still live together in the family home with her other daughter Lily.
One night she is walking home when she bumps into a running man, who then disappears. But when she gets up, she realised that he has dropped a journal. The journal belongs to Finn Matthews and in the inscription says if you are reading this, I must be dead. With the rest of her life at a low, and similarities to her brother Jay who committed suicide a few years later for being gay. Rose out of her way to find the missing man. But, when she does, bad things start happening to her and her husband Christian thinks she is going mad. She than only has one person the turn to that’s her father.
Thank you NetGalley and Corvus for a copy of this book. But I am afraid this book wasn’t for me. I struggled through this book. I just thought that there was too much going on and I couldn’t connect or relate to any of the characters. I just didn’t get it. So much I skimmed the last 30% of this book.