What an interesting concept for a book. Eventhough the games were a bit gruesome I found myself so engrossed and even wondering to myself what would I do in that situation. As much as the book was fictional I really believe something like this could happen in real life and I’m glad they got him in the end.

I was given my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was after something gripping, thrilling, and majorly page-turning and I found absolutely that in this book. What a horrific concept but it makes the reader want to delve in. The host has been planning, but now it is planned, we follow the events as he broadcasts them to the public, asking the ultimate question - will you kill or be killed?

Di Karen Holt has been suspended from work but when she notices something going on, she can't help but want to be involved so when she receives a call from her partner Howard Carlson, she is going to find some way to help under the radar because it soon seems like the host is terrorizing the city and it's getting worse.

So when The Host discovers that she is possibly starting to piece things together, things start to get personal. I was hooked on this book from the get-go. As i mentioned the concept was horrific in a way that you cant begin to imagine but at the same time can totally see it happening in the modern world because you know..the world can be a crazy place sometimes. The characters were passionate about their beliefs so The Host in his cause, but Holt and Carlson in the belief they will put an end to this.

We follow along as more events take place unfolding in front of the reader's eyes gradually building to something worse each time. We are left trying to work out what will happen, will this ever end? ITs fast, dark and brilliant. I really enjoyed this and it certainly filled that thriller hole in my life.

This was something a little bit different and very sinister! I have listened to the narrators of this book before, but I was on the fence this time. I can't decide if David Thorpe was ok or such a fantastic twist on the narration. I think because when we hear the chapters from the host, I was expecting something dark and sinister from the narration. We didn't get that, but here's my twist, I can't figure out if that is more scary or not! The way he delivered the chapters was in a light voice, a matter of fact, and I can't decide whether that is more terrifying that everything was justified. Just like some people try to make it! So kudos for that!

It really is a terrifying concept, and I will admit it took me to the end to fully comprehend why the host was doing what they were doing! And as it was commented upon, it was kind of justified in a sick way. Everything they were doing was for a simple explanation, what would you do?
Man, it makes me shudder!

I adored Karen and Howard as a team, they worked well together. The conflict with Karen and her situation amplified everything. Could we trust her? I was enthralled right from the start. We have everyday folk, milling about, unawares and that is what is scary. I will never look at another person in the same way!

This book reminds me of so many films, and I feel it has taken a pull from each, but I won't name the films because that will spoil your enjoyment, but it's clever! Oh so clever! I need to check out what else Darren has written, because boy oh boy, I am a fan!!!!

Clever very clever! it had me on the edge of my seat, and I was not expecting the reveal to be that.
I will also briefly mention, you may want some tissues handy because some of this is going to break your heart. I didn't cry but there were times I was quite upset.

What a book!

Another enjoyable read from Darren. The story, characters and plot were brilliantly done and as always his writing excelled.

Tense, edgy and gripping. Dark psychological thriller with twists.. I enjoyed the mixed media aspect as it gave depth. I wasn’t as keen on the character of Karen - although her character was well developed her choices took away from the believability. Brilliant book- will be recommending!

The Players Darren O'Sullivan
This book has been on my kindle for far too long waiting to be read, because this book is brilliant!
I loved Karen Holt, and this story me from the beginning. The Host was brilliant, and I didn't see the ending coming at all.
Loved it.

Tense, edgy read from the start!
Well paced thriller thought-out.
Gave me Eeny Meeny vibes.
A wild ride I'd recommend to those you like a dark & twisty read

When I first came across this book, I fell in love with the premise, making me question what I would do if put in the same position as the characters within this book. I love a book that makes me question myself and make me think, and that is exactly what this book did!

It is one of the first books I’ve read this year that I couldn’t stop reading and didn’t want to put it down, wanting to know where it was going to go and how it was going to end. The book wasn’t as gory as I was afraid it was going to be, leaving it a load of it up to your own imagination, which made it a lot better. I’m not really into gore at the moment and this fitted my thriller need, without being too over the top.

The writing had me hooked, as well as the story and plot, making me fly through the chapters. You get the story told through a couple different perspectives, one even being an online forum, which did make this more exciting and easier to read, as you got to compare ideas and thoughts, while getting a better understanding of the characters.

There was some disappointments within this book which stopped it from being a full five stars for me and that is the beginning and the ending. The only problem I had with the beginning was that it jumped into characters too quickly, making me have to look up the author and find out if this book was a sequel. But I did soon get past that aspect. The ending was just disappointing in itself. It was too quick and kind of by passed true motives and explanations of the host behind the games. I would have just liked a little bit more at the end.

What would you do if you were put in the same situation? Either you kill someone else in order to live, or be killed so the other person can live?

Gripping and tense, a real game of cat and mouse being played. I was hooked and couldn't stop reading. Looking forward to reading more from the author.

A fantastic psychologically thriller which was full of twists!! The ‘host’ is setting up and playing a brutal game between the group for their own gain and entertainment.
This book was unlike any other thriller I’ve read recently and found it was a breath of fresh air. The plot was different and gripping, I had to know what happened next.

A deeply unsettling psychological thriller. 'The Host' is playing a brutal game to feed his dark and toxic impulses. The game, setting random strangers against each other in a gladiator-style 'kill or be killed' situation. He sees himself as the moral compass of everything and everyone. Can DI Karen Holt stop him? An utterly addictive read.

Having read 'Lethal Game' by Charlie Gallagher recently, this didn't really get to the same heights. Whilst an enjoyable read, I think the premise was too similar to Lethal Game and I couldn't help but compare the two.
On it's own merit, this is a good book and I am intrigued to read more from the author, but I expected more of a mind blowing twisty book. The twists weren't strong enough for me to remember the book long term.

DI Holt is suspended from work further to an investigation when a report of an attack in a Chinese takeaway has taken place.

The victim and the attacker seem to have been put against each other in a fight to the death. The attacker was remorseful and told the officers on the scene that she didn’t mean to kill him.

It’s not until another similar attack happens between a nightclub owner and his employee that the police think the two attacks are linked.

‘The Host ‘ releases a video and the time of the next game - who will be the players?

This was a clever novel, as I didn’t really see any indication as to who the perpetrator was let alone the connection to Karen Holt.

This felt a bit like a sequel as there were mentions of why she was suspended and I felt that you needed more of that story as it was really frustrating not knowing what actually happened.

I thought the relationship between DI Holt and DS Carlson was strong; they really trusted one another and she helped him solve some of the clues even though she wasn’t on active duty.

The mixed media was good - in this day and age everyone would be discussing this on social media, so I thought that was a great touch. It also added to the story at the end.

I’d definitely look up this authors back catalogue.

This author is one that i have enjoyed in the past and this book certainly did not let that go. It was a great read with lots of twists and turns.
Really really enjoyable and a very quick read.

This was a very interesting thriller which explores whether "good people" truly exist.

In deadly games set up by The Host, 2 people are pitted against each other and one 1 can make it out alive.
The good must kill to survive.

I thought it was such a dark premise but a fascinating topic to explore as it looks not only at whether good exists but how we measure "good".

The characters in this were well developed and I enjoyed getting to know them throughout the course of the story. I loved every moment of this. Great read

Wow 😯 what a fantastic read ! I just couldn’t put this book down. It had me gripped right from the start and with its thought provoking storyline that just makes you think ‘ what would I do ? ‘ great read and will definitely read more by this author !!

The Players by Darren O’Sullivan was a great read psychological thriller and i was hooked within the first few pages, This book had so many twists and turns throughout which made it a rollercoaster read for me!!! I did not want to put this new book down. I highly recommend this book.

Big Thank you to NetGalley, HQ and the author Darren O'Sullivan for my ARC of The Players in exchange for an honest review.

What can I say, this was an amazing read.
Intense, dark gripping, edge of your seat, scary in parts, fast paced, what a great book.
I really hope Darren writes more as I need his books in my life.
Highly recommend

Well, this was an intense, dark, gripping read. Talk about ethical dilemmas being forced upon people!

This was my first time reading a book by Darren O´Sullivan, and given how hooked I was with this one, I shall certainly be reading more by him.

My thanks to NetGalley and HQ for giving me the opportunity to read an advance copy in return for giving an honest review.

OMG this book was amazing! I love dark and disturbing psychological thrillers and this book is up there with the best! This isn't your usual serial killer story because the 'killer' (known as The Host) doesn't actually kill. He forces others (The Players) to do it.

The book reminded me a lot of the Saw movie franchise and I would imagine this is where Mr O'Sullivan got his inspiration. The story is brilliantly disturbing and chilling with twist after twist and made compulsive listening and my heart was racing long after the book had finished. I liked the way that social media discussions played a part in the book, allowing us to know what the residents of Peterborough felt about the horrific games.

I also really liked the protagonist, DI Karen Holt, who refused to give up even though she knew she could lose her job. I'd love to see more of her in another book, please Mr O'Sullivan!