There are unexpected (for me) futuristic elements to this book; invisible electric fences, implanted microchip tasers (which was conveniently forgotten about and not used) which were just a bit too much for me.
The whole premise, that the only way to get a prosecution was to agree to such an arrangement is horrifying!
There were also a lot of plot holes and inconsistencies but it was definitely a different read, just much more bizarre than I expected from the blurb and reviews. What happened to Mr Dalgliesh?
Unfortunately not for me.

Imagine having someone sentenced guilty living in a cage, in your home! That has been a concept of this gripping and suspenseful novel. I have devoured this book in just couple of hours, I literally haven't been able to put this one down. Hannah has been a wonderful character who I have liked from the very beginning.

I have had to keep reading this book, Just to see how things were going to develop. I mean it's the story of nightmares isn't it? Imagine having a convicted killer caged and living in your house with you. It definitely gives me shivers just thinking about it.

There is nothing I have disliked about this book. The suspense has been built and we have really been able to get to know the characters who have been central to the plot.

I haven't read anything by this author before, however; I definitely will after reading this book. I have been converted as a fan of this author from this book. I have loved the character development, writing style and how I have been completely captivated by the pages of this book.

This book has definitely triggered a number of emotions for me. I have felt shocked, given shivers and completely addicted to this book.

I absolutely love how eerie the cover is, it has definitely made me want to read this book. The length has been absolutely perfect and the author has given a fantastic sense of before, during and after.

This book is completely original and unique to anything I've read previously. I have loved the concept of this one, I only wish I knew someone who had also read this- I feel I need to discuss.

I absolutely recommend this book. This is a definite five star read and should be on everyone's TBR.

The Captive

Excited to try a new author from my area of the world! Honestly the synopsis did not prepare me for this plot. I didn’t actually pick up on the actual plot from it and bloody hell what a shock that was! Brilliant haha!

So at some point the government gets rids of prisons and instead a cell space in installed in the victim of the crimes home. I mean what an idea!

I couldn’t fully throw myself into this story, it has an uneasiness and even though this is a book I’ve picked up wanting to read I quickly lost that feeling? This book has so much but I couldn’t get over that feeling. I could read this story but I wasn’t enjoying it. I stopped reading at 35%.

Thank you for the chance to read.

I really enjoyed this book it was a very unique plot line and whilst I’m not quite sure how I feel about the concept of the victims of a crime having to house the perpetrator it sure made for an interesting and thrilling read. This is a book that I’m sure will spark many discussions and as for myself I find the whole idea of having the instigator of a crime against me or my family having to be housed with me horrific however this gave the book a very different twist and it really did make for a great read and it was a refreshing change to read something so different and praise to the author Deborah O’Connor for coming up with something so completely different.
A book that kept me glued to Kindle as I desperately wanted to know the outcome and I wasn’t disappointed at all, great writing and a plot with a difference what more could you wish for so give it a go it’s well worth it !
My thanks to NetGalley and Bonnier Books UK, Zaffre for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Set in a UK where instead of prisoners going to jail, they are placed in the custody of the victim who has to become their jailor. Electric fences surround the house to prevent escape with codes not available to the victim/jailer. How would you feel if the man accused of murdering your husband/wife had to live in a cage in your kitchen and you were responsible for their care?

I was very unsure about this book and nearly DNF near the start as I could not get into it but I am so glad I did. One of the most original and rewarding books I have read in a while. There is of course as now is expected, the obligatory twist near the end.

Buy it upon release and stick with it. Its worth it. This book stands out due to its originality and will remain with me for a while and that is why there is only one possible rating - Certified Bostin!


Note -
Certified Bostin is the highest rating on my blog site "Black Country Short Thoughts" and is only given to the best of the best. Books that are something special. Think of it as like a A* or Distinction in exam grades.
Bostin is a slang term used in the Black Country region of the UK (near BIrmingham) which means very good, excellent, awesome, smashing

Loved this book, it's strange to think about restorative justice in the way it is in the book. How would you feel if the person who murdered your husband ended up in your house, with you being responsible for feeding and looking after them.? They are behind bars and are somewhere in your house that you always have to walk past so can't miss them! What would then happen if you started to believe they had been wrongly imprisoned and had been set up? What if you started to question the type of person your husband was and if he loved you at all? Then what if you began to get feelings for the prisoner and started to let them out?

Will definitely recommend to friends and family, would love to see what happens next to all of the characters or even have some back stories to them. Thank you net galley for giving me the opportunity to read this and and to Deborah O'Connor for writing this.

This thrilling novel kept me on my toes the whole time. Why is the protagonist afraid of the man inside the cage and how he got there are the crux of this thrilling story. Scary and brilliant!

Well. What a great concept.

A definite 5 star on the premise, but I dropped a star because I didn't enjoy the second half as much as the first.

The first was amazing. I could not put it down. I was 'The Captive'. The plot was unique and there was a wonderful slow-building tension that was frustrating to read but not in a bad way, in a way where you are gripping the book with white knuckles waiting for bad shit to go down because it's there bubbling away in the background like a dodgy tummy after a curry and night out.

However I felt that the tension dissolved by the halfway point.  The focus shifted from Hannah searching answers about her husband's murder to her relationship with the prisoner in her home. The early investigation dried up, and even the plot concerning Aisling seemed to lack impact for me. By the 75% mark I almost wanted to give up. The focus had shifted so drastically that it wasn't the same book. I had officially lost interest.

Thankfully the ending ratched up the tension again and was pretty epic. A great conclusion to the earlier focus of John's murder, though it did feel somewhat rushed. If some of the relationship building had been cut down and if the the ending had started ramping up earlier It would have been 5 star perfect.

I really did love the whole concept of restorative justice. It could open up to so many other stories in this world. I loved Laurie's story and she was only mentioned a few times. My heart went out  to her and I'd have loved to have known more.

The setting was a bit weird actually. It was set in London but it was quite Americanised. I kept forgetting that it was in London. There was talk of trash and such that gave it an American feel.

I guessed some of the main twists but the reading to their reveal was still enjoyable. I won't spoiler them.

I've read one of O'Connors' other books and have the other waiting for me, might have to move to that one sooner.

3.5 stars


I'd really like my friends to read this,so that we can discuss the idea of housing criminals in your home.
Theres a lot to be said about this I think,and it's a brilliantly original idea to start your book with.

Some other parts of the book felt a bit predictable to me,but the story never lacked for twists or turns.

I enjoyed the backstory of Jem,so we could see how he landed up caged in the kitchen guilty of murder.

Book clubs will love this.

For me personally I found this book hard to get into the story line, and unfortunately wasn't really my taste and not an edge of seater which I like.

It wouldn't be fair to say I would not recommend this book as overall it was well written but just not for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bonnier Books UK for giving me the opportunity to read this book.