I’ve read a few books by Charity Norman and enjoyed them but I think this one is the best. This is a very moving and fast paced story that takes you in directions you don’t expect. The start is electrifying when there’s a confrontation in the Tuckbox Cafe in Balham, London between the owner Robert and Sam, who turns out to be his stepson. Sam storms out, returns with a shotgun and shoots Robert and this turns into a tense hostage situation. The principal hostages are Mutesi, a nurse in a care home, Abi a defence barrister and Neil who is living on the streets. DI Eliza McClean is the negotiator in this tense stand off. We learn Sam’s incredibly sad story and the reasons behind his drastic action in the day long negotiations and we also learn about the hostages lives too as they tell their secrets to strangers.

This book turns this kind of scenario on it’s head as the hostages and Sam become a unit, comrades, in this thing together as they care for and look after each other because of the intensity of their experience. The characters are so good and are very likeable, well, all bar one or two but I won’t spoil who they are!!! They all have sadness, carry baggage or in the case of Mutesi originally from Rwanda, enormously sad burdens. She is extremely brave, warm and a truly wonderful character. Sam’s story makes you feel a whole range of emotions, he has had years of unhappiness, of being misunderstood, of having things taken from him, of being manipulated and let down. He is the perpetrator but is also a victim. Neil, Mutesi, Abi and Eliza are the first people in many a long year who have actually listened to him and that starkly contrasts with what he has done. They are the perfect people to draw out his story.

This novel is very well written, it has tension, it has care and love, some unbelievable moments of mental cruelty, all hell breaks lose on occasion, you feel anger and overwhelming sadness. The way the story ends back at the farm where Sam had his happiest moments is a perfect way to finish. Overall, this is an extremely powerful book that is hard to put down and one I highly recommend.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atlantic Books for the ARC.

Before I read this book, I had tried to read 3 books that didn't do much for me, and I was worried I had lost my reading mojo.I started this book and my mojo was intact,I loved this book.It was a great story,I loved the characters they were well flashed out,and I liked the story being told from different points of view, and their back stories.The pace was good, and I can't fault it.Great read,thanks to netgalley and the publishers for an ARC.