This was the first book I have read by this author and it won’t be the last for sure! The storyline was great, the storyline centres on games, and as you read you feel the suspense and it gets you wondering what you would do if you had to choose between being killed or killing.
This was a very steady read for me. I didn’t really feel there were any twists like other people are saying so I’m not sure if I missed something somewhere. However, I would recommend it if you like a good thriller.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Wow! What a thriller!

I absolutely loved the concept of this book. I love books that centre on games.

The writing in this book was really good. It was really engaging and kept me hooked till the very end.

This book was really pacey and kept me on the end of my seat throughout.

I loved really the different perspectives. It kept the book really interesting.

I found myself constantly trying to guess where the story was going.

I sort of guessed where the book was going but I did not see the ending coming.

I loved the ethical focus of this book. It had a really interesting theme.

If you love violent, crime thrillers which are full of suspense I can't recommend this book enough

TW: murder, suicide, violence, gore and death

This is an explosive, high stakes novel that is beyond fast paced.

Serious edge of your seat reading.

You will never see things coming.

The twists and turns are expertly executed and the ending will leave you with your mouth wide open.

Bravo Darren O'Sullivan, you've written a story that is cunning and decisive.

I know it is said a lot but this really is a must read!

4.5 stars

Every so often, you read a book and immediately know that you simply must read everything that author has ever written. After reading The Players I simply must read all of Darren O'Sullivan's other books.

The story sees the Host pit 2 people in a fight-to-the-death situation where only 1 can survive. These games are recorded and uploaded onto social media which fuels a city-wide panic. No one but the Host knows where the next game will take place and who will play. That is until Karen, a suspended DI, gets involved with the case and discovers the clues the Host is leaving for where the next game will be. Inevitably, it isn't long until Karen is in the Host's sight.

This book is written incredibly well and is very engaging. I like the mix of perspectives and also the switch from normal novel prose to some chapters with a news article structure and social media structure. I thought this was implemented well. I've seen this done in the past - badly - but O'Sullivan nailed it here. I get the feeling he does this in his other books. I may have snooped on his Twitter and I may have seen a little hint for something different to the normal prose in his next book.

I thought that the experience of Karen with her therapist at the start of the book was really authentic and the detail given about her panic attack was wonderful. However, I do not feel Karen's overall experience was realistic. No therapist would sign someone off after 2 meetings, the first of which didn't really happen due to the panic attack and the second did not see Karen explore what she had gone through with any development.

The issue of realism also came into play with Karen's constant rule-breaking regarding her suspension from the police. I won't go into detail, but everyone knew she was doing it and no one stopped her constant meddling. Honestly, this really wouldn't happen, especially as it was so brazen.

And finally, with the killer...I wasn't really sold on who it was. Definitely not a believable suspect for me and the relationship to Karen really wasn't needed.

But apart from those small things, this is an excellent book that will keep you on your toes to the very last page...you got me with that final twist, O'Sullivan!

The chapter formatting of this book really annoyed me, which is I've only given it 4 stars. For me chapter formatting and the overall format of the book are super important and I feel this was overlooked with The Players. There were points where the dialogue was oddly presented on the page and where words were misspelt or the incorrect word was used. It really bugged me :(

I also felt that the first chapter was incredibly similar to a book I read last year, like practically down to the letter, so I felt like I was off to a bad start.

The Players is a multiple POV book, with one POV in first person (DI Karen Holt) and the remainder in third person. I enjoyed this way of writing because we got that personal feel from reading the first person chapters but there was no confusion then within the other chapters over who's POV we were reading from.

The characters were a major high point of this book for me. Karen and her wife and their unwavering support of each other, even when things were difficult. Karen and her policing partner, Howard, how beautiful their relationship was. The Host themself and how we didn't know anything about them until the author was absolutely ready for us to. The characters made the book for me.

Once we got deeper into the book it started to really make me think, and it had a very moral/ethical aspect to it, which I personally loved. And the way the author integrated the idea of technology and how that tech was used in the story really brought the plot to life.

I do wish the author had gone into more details of the crimes and killings, it felt quite tame, which was disappointing.

There were points where I was laughing with the characters, points where I was in shock and even points where I cried. I had no shortage of emotions reading The Players...

And the ending definitely added to that feeling of shock. I don't want to give anything away so that's all I'm going to say!

On the whole, The Players was something new and exciting that I hadn't read before and I thoroughly enjoyed it. My only hope is that the author/editor can correct the formatting and wording issues and that the author writes another book to continue the story.

First of.f - I don’t usually choose police based books to read!

The Players is heavily police based, and set around a DI who is off work following a death of an arrestee. But she is an insightful detective, and drawn into a fresh case of a man calling himself The Host, who gets innocent people - The Players - to fight to the death each night over a period of time. A man who lives and breathes amongst his victims, a new kind of terrorist.

O’Sullivan’s writing drew me in well, and it was a good police thriller. A little predictable at times, but well paced, scary and a good page turner with some interesting twists. A recommended read even for those who don’t usually go for this type of book. The characters of the police team made it for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

This story centres around The Host (killer) who picks two random people at a time to play a deadly game. It also centres around DI Karen Holt. Karen is a determined Detective, who will stop at nothing to catch The Host. The fact that she is currently on suspension is a minor detail. This story really makes you think: what would you do? Would you pull a lever to save 5 but kill 1? It really makes you think what your morals would want you to do.

I really enjoyed this book, the storyline was well though out, and well written. The plot had a real creepy feel to it, and I enjoyed the element of social media weaved through to make it really modern but with a Saw type twistiness to it.

I would recommend to all.

You see a runaway train moving toward people lying on the tracks. You are standing next to a lever that controls the line. If you pull the lever, you save five people. However, there is a single person lying on the sidetrack. What would you do?

The Host wants to test his Players. He wants them to demonstrate to the world that no matter how kind you think you are, everyone is willing to kill. He has planned it out, he knows what he must do - it’s time to play The Game. DI Karen Holt, currently on suspension, is drafted in by her friend and partner DS Howard Carlson to give insight on a case that is causing panic and fear. Can Karen catch The Host before he plays again?

I could not put this book down! The premise resembles that of ‘Eeny Meeny’ by M.J. Arlidge but on a higher scale. The book is laid out by character, going from DI Karen Holt and The Host, making this so easy to devour. O’Sullivan also builds tension by using sub-headers with a countdown to the next Game, which I could not resist! I love the characters involved, my favourite being Howard - whose storyline would break the toughest persons heart.

Thank you to @netgalley and Darren O’Sullivan for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This novel is due to be released on 13 May 2021 and I would highly suggest pre-ordering or setting a reminder in your diary to buy it upon its release - this is a book that needs to be on everyone’s TBR lists!

The Game has begun, the Host just needs Players to play. He stalks people and finds where their true love lies and then he uses it to his advantage to get them to play the Game. Unfortunately it is a game that is played to their death. It raises a question - how far will you go to protect the ones you love? And how far will the Host go in his twisted and evil plan? DI Karen Holt is in a race with the Host before he kills more people. The problem is that the Host does not kill himself, he has Players to do it for him.
I really enjoyed reading this story, even if it was horrific at times. It is filled with tension as you have no idea what the Host will do next. Karen Holt is an interesting character and I would like to see more of her.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for granting me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Every reader has a number of authors whose novels they will rush to read. As an editor, my aim is to work with writers so that their writing generates just such a reaction, because I know all too well the buzz when your favourite authors announce a new book.

One of my go-to authors is Darren O'Sullivan, whose pacy and intriguing thrillers always have me riveted to the page. And with his latest novel, THE PLAYERS, I think he's outdone himself yet again.

Spurned from on an encounter that Darren had one day when a random stranger approached him, telling him he was going to die, the concept of this novel is irresistible:

A stranger has you cornered.
They call themselves The Host.
You are forced to play their game.
In it one person can live and the other must die.

You are the next player.
You have a choice to make.
In this game it’s kill or be killed.

I mean, hooked or what? But not only that, the reader is treated to Darren's perfectly paced and exquisitiely plotted police procedural, that's dripping with suspense as well as entertaining writing. And then, bam, another twist!

THE PLAYERS comes out in May 2021, and will be the perfect summer read by the pool – *fingers crossed* – or on staycation, this is one not to miss!

Would you rather kill or be killed?

Thank you @netgalley and @hqstories for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A stranger has you cornered.
They call themselves The Host.
You are forced to play their game.
In it one person can live and the other must die.
You are the next player.
You have a choice to make.

What a story! This book has a really great potential to be my favorite read of 2021.
This was the first book of Darren O'Sullivan that I've ever read. It took me some time to get to it on Netgalley and I regret I was delaying this pleasure for so long.

I have to research this guy, who put so much fear in me, and made me afraid to leave my house at night. I have no idea how he came up with this wicked, twisted plot. Must be some kind of superpower.
The worst part is that even though this is a fiction, it could easily happen.What you need is a creative psychopath or two, with extraordinary IT knowledge and The Game commences. It was so scary and shocking, that everybody could become a Player. Especially so called "good people".

This book had me hooked from the start, as there were no long, boring intros. You jump on the roller coaster and the ride doesn't stop until the last page, but the ride is not over. This will stay with you for a long time after reading.
I literally couldn't put it down even though a pile of laundry was calling my name.
I loved the relationship DI Holt had with her work partner. Friendships like that are really rare but they do happen.

I was pleasantly surprised with the ending. If you've read my post a few days ago you'll know what I mean. ;)

I'm so proud and grateful that I was able to read and review this book before the publication date. I can tell you now, this is going to be a bestseller.
So... 13 May 2021, save the date!

Wow the best book I've read in ages. Great read. Put this on your to read list you won't be disappointed.

Darren O’Sullivan hits the ground running with his new novel, The Players, and the tension doesn’t let up. It’s actually the first book I have read by Darren, and I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to get round to reading one of his books. This is a really twisty, dark crime thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat right the way through. I definitely need to catch up now on what he has written before.

The criminal in this book is a sick and twisted individual. They call themselves ‘The Host.’ They don’t care who it is who they target. Anyone can be a victim; no one is safe. The horrifying thing is that The Host doesn’t reveal themselves. They give their instructions to the individuals playing the game, and someone always must die. He also reveals when the next game will be, and it really becomes a race against time for the police to stop him before he carries another one out.

The premise of this book is really terrifying. Darren O’Sullivan creates the feeling that no one is safe and that the killer is always one step ahead of the police. I really liked Detective Inspector Karen Holt. When we are first introduced to her, we know that something has happened in her past and Darren O’Sullivan gradually reveals what went wrong and why she isn’t currently working. I loved the friendship she had with her colleague, who is always fighting her corner. She is such a strong lead. I am hoping that Darren is going to return to her character in future books.

There is tension on every single page in this book. I was rooting for the police to uncover who ‘The Host,’ was. I wanted to know who could be behind the twisted games they were playing. I wanted to understand the killer’s motivation behind this. It seems as though they are on a mission to prove something to the public and the police. What I thought was really interesting as well, was that Darren O’Sullivan explored the public’s perception of the case through social media. We can see how people battle against each other as they try to put their thoughts and feelings across. Especially when it comes to who is to blame for the killings, the Host, or the people who carried them out.

Karen is absolutely determined to stop ‘The Host’ from killing again. Even though this is difficult for her as she shouldn’t be involved in the investigation. By getting herself involved, she is putting her career at further risk. But this is what I really admired about her. She doesn’t care about what happens to herself; she cares about seeing justice prevail.

The Players is a top crime thriller, and I can’t recommend it highly enough. It gets a very easy five stars from me.

What a sick and twisted mind Darren O'Sullivan must have. But with it complete and utter brilliance, and also makes you think, for at the centre of it is a moral dilemma.

If you were playing the game this "host" was making people play, just what would you do, would you kill or be killed. And if neither of you play, then you will both either be killed or your loved ones will be. It's an impossibly decision, and yet it's the basis of what the host does with his players.

There are many points of view in this book, and we get to see the host's motivations but I couldn't work out who it was. There are moments that make you gasp, others that are incredibly moving and emotional. And then there is also DI Karen Holt, who is currently suspended but somehow ends up involved in the case, regardless of what danger it may put herself and her loved ones in.

Karen appears to be on a mission to self destruct but you can also see why she is a fabulous police woman, and how clever her thinking is at times. She is our main character as such, and is determined to stop the host.

So much I'd love to say but I really don't want to give the game away. Some of the dilemmas are horrific, and the more you get into the story, the more you can't put the book down. It's addictive but it also plays on your mind if you aren't reading it.

And honestly if I was put into a similar position to the players, I am not sure what I would do, and I hope I never have to find out either.

There is a apparently known ethical problem that forms part of the heart of this book, and its referred to and explained a lot. It was fascinating and I the weird thing is I could kind of understand what the host was trying to prove, and on discovering what caused them to act like this, it made sense but it is still truly evil.

This is the first book I've read by Darren O'Sullivan, it only really came to my attention during the HQ showcase for their upcoming releases and something about the blurb captured my interest and meant I knew I had to read it. And just wow, this is one supremely talented author and this is one insanely gripping book.

As some point I will have to go and read this author's back catalogue as I suspect I'll be very impressed, and I'm definitely even after 1 book now a fan and eagerly awaiting to see what this insanely talented man will come up with next.

Thank you to HQ and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily,

This is an eerie suspense thriller that kept me gripped until the end.

Various incidents of individuals using extreme violence against each other in a fight to the death are emerging all over Peterborough. Hours later film footage is shared on all social media outlets by a person calling themselves The Host. The Host introduces the carefully selected individuals involved as The Players and instructs them they have no choice but to play The Game otherwise loved ones will be killed. The Host’s ideology is that even kind, nice people have capability to kill and after each game is finished he announces when the next will begin.

Who is The Host and why is he committing these gruesome horrific acts? The police are up against the clock to arrest the culprit and made the streets of Peterborough safe again against a tidal wave of terror from the general public.

I did enjoy this book and liked the style of writing however I had expected a stronger ending.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

What a rollercoaster of a book
It's intense, fast paced, creepy and completely gripping
with an unexpected ending
What else do you need

Thank you netgalley, Darren O'Sullivan and HQ for allowing me to read and review this book.

Thank you to HQ for the arc of The Players by Darren O'Sullivan.

5 star read!- this was what you call my cup of tea, it was such a rollerocaster intense thriller! This is my first book by him and i am really impressed it had me gripped and wanting more i read within a day it was so page turning i recommend to anyone who loves thrillers you won't be disappointed!! The sense of fear, twists and tragedies make it unstoppable and i could not put it down!!


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Wow! This book was amazing. It’s really difficult to put into words how good this was. The host likes to play a game, you get two options live or die and to live, you have to kill another? What would you do? I was on the edge of my sit with this one and I loved the detective, Karen holt, who was trying to find the host. There’s such a good twist I didn’t see coming and I loved the reason for why the host was causing destruction to the town of Peterborough. I’m giving this 5 stars. Best book read so far this year.

Oh my! A great read - scary, tense and a detective whodunnit all in one which also develops the characters sufficiently to really care about what is happening in the book.
I've never read books from this author before but would look out for them now.
Highly recommended read.

4.5 stars rounded up. This was a brilliant book with a unique storyline that kept me gripped. I loved it from start to finish.