A great page turner. This is a fast paced thriller.
I really enjoyed the twists and turns that kept me engaged.
This is a whirlwind of a book.

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience

Conviction is a fast-paced thriller that follows the journey of Anna, a woman who has been living in hiding for years, as she becomes embroiled in a dangerous conspiracy involving a true crime podcast and a group of dangerous criminals.

One of the strengths of this novel is Mina's ability to create a sense of tension and urgency that keeps the reader engaged throughout. The plot is twisty and unpredictable, with several unexpected turns that keep the story from feeling predictable or formulaic.

Mina also does an excellent job of crafting complex and flawed characters, particularly Anna and the host of the true crime podcast, Leon. Both characters have their own demons to face and their own motivations driving them, and the tension between them is one of the highlights of the novel.

However, while I enjoyed the fast pace and intricate plotting of this novel, there were a few aspects that didn't quite work for me. The constant references to popular culture and social media felt a bit forced at times, and some of the character motivations and plot twists felt a bit contrived.

That being said, Mina's writing is always engaging and her ability to create tension and suspense is undeniable. Overall, I would recommend Conviction to fans of thrillers who are looking for a fast-paced and twisty read. It is certainly an entertaining novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat. 3.5 stars.

A very suspsenseful plot which kept me guessing and has elements of black comedy as well as being very current owing to its podcast theme.

I loved this slow burn twisty thriller! Excellent characterisation and fantastic premise. Hooked throughout

I had a few false starts with this book, I was feeling poorly when I first picked it up and just couldn't seem to get into it, I must have read the first few pages at least a handful of times...now I could pinch myself for taking so bloody long, because it turned out to be excellent and one of my favourite books ever (this is from somebody who reads an awful lot!)
Conviction is a really well plotted, brilliantly paced...I want to say thriller, but is it? Kind of, yes. But it's also funny, darkly so...I honestly didn't want this True Crime podcast fueled, road trip/cat and mouse chase, with this unlikely but highly likeable duo to end...an utterly unique and thrilling story that I'll definitely read again.

Thank you Random House UK Vintage and Netgalley
Now that was not what I expected - it seems it is a thriller and comedy of parts in one book. I really enjoyed this and would love another book by this author please.
Definitely recommend if you want a thriller which is also light hearted and interesting

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review..

Wow-what a fabulous read. I loved it-such a great plot, interesting characters, and atmospheric setting. One of my best reads of the year so far. Recommended.

Wow...what a brilliant read!

This book has not one but 2 mysteries in it.

One being who our main character really is and the other the crime they are investigating.

Both are unique, interesting and shocking. I was constantly surprised throughout and loved that.

Anna is an interesting character...she isn't very likeable but she is funny and raw and you end up rooting for her anyway.

All the characters are quirky and very well developed.

Was it far fetched? Absolutely. Was it a fun roller coaster? Most definitely. Really enjoyed it.

Cannot say much more without spoilers....so just read it...its great!

Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Started off so well and I was really enjoying the book. It had a great plot. Exciting. Thrilling. But sadly half way through it seemed to lose momentum and went south.

A compelling thriller from a new author to me this follows the story of Anna, traumatic events in her past have made her hide a version of herself in her current role as wife and mother.

Yet when events in her personal life trigger a personality shift her obsession to find out the truth from a true crime podcast, will take her on an unexpected trip to find the truth.

Denise Mina is a new author to me however the clipped chapter length and the compelling view point of Anna's narration throughout made this an unputdownable read.

Were it not for current times, I would have relaxed reading this on holiday but the true escapist nature and realistic feel of the story kept me reading to the end.

I'm not a huge fan of crime fiction however in Conviction Mina takes a new approach to the genre. I found this an easy read with a compelling storyline, although I was not very invested in the characters. This is a perfect holiday/ escape read as it keeps you gripped all the way through. So, whatever you do don't start reading at night : )

One of my new favourite authors, I've never read any of Denise Mina's books before but can highly recommend for people interested in thrillers. Fast paced with lots of twists and turns, I struggled to put the book down and read it within two days! What I loved about this book was so unique and inventive

Conviction by Denise Mina is a fast paced crime thriller. Surprisingly (or not so surprisingly) I might be on a recommendation spree because not only is this a fast read where action takes place frame to frame like in an engaging film but the writing is sprinkled with a wry humour as well, a rarity I wold say.

Anna McDonald is a Glasgow housewife who is passionate about listening to true crime podcasts. While listening to one such program she realises that she knew the central character. In the space of just a few hours she also discovers that her husband is leaving her for another woman, taking their two daughters with him.

As she reels under the shock of these discoveries and her massive grief, knowing she won't be able to fight for her daughters' custody, she sets out to look for answers and maybe clear her friend's name in the murder about which she was listening to in the podcast early in the day. The other woman's husband, a famous musician who is struggling with anorexia hops on with her on a mad, mad ride from place to place looking for answers.

We get to know more about Anna's past as she digs up old contacts in her quest and realise that nothing is what as it seems to be. The story is gripping, writing full of black humor making this a must read.

This is another fast paced, multi layered crime fiction novel from Scottish writer Denise Mina. The story is presented as a mother’s story of her “true past”, created for her daughters - the finest things in her life - as an explanation and apology for what ultimately followed. Wrapped around this is a more detailed background and specifically the reason why she was keeping secrets from them and their father in the first place. In short, the novel opens with Anna McDonald in crisis as her husband prepares to take their daughters away on holiday – instead of with her, with his new lover (her best friend) – and has no intention of returning. He expects Anna to move out of the family home. Before she can recover from the shock and leave her friend’s husband Fin, a high profile but failing music star with problems will arrive. This (with its resultant online publicity) will cause problems for Anna. She has been hiding under an assumed name and identity since threats to her life years earlier after she reported her gang rape, by leading footballers, to the police. At the time the highly traumatic trial had failed for lack of evidence. When another witness finally came forward she had met an unpleasant end. Anna will go on the run once more, Fin, deserted by his wife, will travel with her.
Another strong sub plot line is that Anna will try to seek out the “truth” about a man – Leon Parker – who had been kind to her while she was working at a hotel as a young woman. He had subsequently married his second wife a wealthy and infamous recluse. From a series of podcasts that Anna will spot, it will seem he had after been found dead in mysterious circumstances. Having boarded his yatch in a Mediterranean port, he was planning to hold a private celebration by bringing together his two estranged children. It seems that, although the crew were ashore, the ship was sailed out of the harbour, there was an explosion and it sank killing all the family. Official investigations were sparse and inconclusive. Now an alternative story by an aspiring journalist Trina Keany has started to emerge. Coming to the attention of Anna, Fin decides that they should stream “their” investigation. They meet Trina. This will trip of a series of increasing violent and dangerous events and people will start to die. It becomes clear that somebody is tracking Anna – and she (and the reader) has to determine whether this is caused by her new reappearance or as a result of these investigations. The stories will be unrolled and the book can then come to its conclusion.
As said, this is a many stranded tale, with the personal life of Anna in all its difficulties primarily being displayed. There are the elements of believability, the creating of a second life and the difficulties it will cause. Being “at risk” and then “outed”, exacerbated by the new digital world where personal information and images can travel worldwide in a matter of hours is something many people undoubtedly live with. Taken collectively with the more unlikely scenario of an active assailant this powers the story and the timetable. The second stream of investigating the deaths on the ship - showing how widely information, rumours and hypotheses can be transmitted, but can how it can meld public opinion and trip responses both positive and negative – builds the fictional story, but is of course the element that requires the suspension of disbelief necessary in crime fiction.
Mina is an assured writer and so melds all the themes, characters (who range from the unpleasant, damaged, disturbed to the seriously flawed) and actions well. She touches on a number of current “issues” and the difficulties of her characters. But this is fiction. There are rather a lot of bodies, but the tale will resolve itself and it might not be too easy for the reader to work out “who did what” too early in this web of people places and issues. Nevertheless you may well enjoy the tale for its settings and themes.

Absolutely loved this book!!! Would wholeheartedly recommend to all of my friends, and I cannot wait to read more from this author.

Focusing on a woman who decides to do some investigating of her own when a true crime podcast mentions a man she was once friends with, Conviction contains a few melodramatic moments that stretch credulity, but they’re swallowable because Mina writes really capably, and because of the voice of the protagonist she’s created. Overt polemics are few and far between, but make no mistake, this is an intensely political novel disguised as a Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club pick. That just screams summer to me.

I realised that I have already reviewed this brilliant book. Here is my review below.

Brilliantly funny. I was hooked from the first page. I read this book in one sitting. I laughed a lot and nearly cried in places. I loved the characters and the writing style and the whole story. This is a brilliant book and I want to sit and read it all again.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

I enjoyed this one.
It was a slow paced one.
First book I read by the author.

It didn't have many twists, more than a development of events.

the narrator and her new "friend" Fin seems unreliable at some points.

I was left with many questions.
But overall read fairly quickly and enjoyed!

In a recent interview Denise Mina explained that approximately every five years, she tries something new and veers off her standard style of crime fiction writing. Conviction is that anomaly.

For this reason it’s probably an advantage that this is the first book I’ve read by this popular and renowned Tartan Noir author. I read it with a clean slate and can now look forward to reading her previous fourteen bestsellers dating back more than twenty years to 1998 when the first Garnethill book was published.

Even though Conviction is (so they say) different than series like Garnethill, it’s still crime fiction at heart. But it’s so much more – it’s wonderfully tinted with dry, black humour, has an intriguing plot and two interesting, flawed main characters.

Full review here: https://wanderingwestswords.wordpress.com/2020/06/16/conviction-denise-mina/