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.

Great plot to get yourself lost in. This book has everything. A real fast paced thriller. Will get your heart racing on more than one occasion. Very well written. Highly recommend this book

I was really intrigued to see how Sofia would cope in the aftermath of events on Fog Island and I think the challenges of truly leaving a cult was well handled here. It is very dark at times but this feels real.

There’s a 2 year gap between the release of book 1 and book 2 in this trilogy. How on earth are readers supposed to remember what happened in the first book? Yes, you could re-read the first book, but I’m not someone that does that, and nor should readers be expected to. Hugely disappointed that I cannot remember anything at all, which of course has in turn meant that this book was incredibly confusing. The only reason it’s got 3 stars is because there was enough of a storyline on its own. If it’s going to be another couple of years before book 3 comes out, I’m not sure I’ll bother reading it.

An absolutely brilliant and atmospheric thriller. I loved this. Yes, the story is dark and graphic but an absolutely brilliant read.

This is a brutally hard hitting, completely believable story of living within a cult and how it is virtually impossible to escape once it has you in its clutches. It is made all the more authentic as the author herself belonged to a cult for many years.

This is the second book in the series, due to be published 7/1/21. I have not read the first book but I do not feel I needed to have read it as the author fills us in with sufficient background.

Sofia had been imprisoned by cult leader Franz Oswald on Fog Island. The cult live in a mansion which belonged to Franz’s family. It had almost burned down at one point but he rebuilt it and brought it back to life. Sofia managed to escape and reported the horrific actions of Franz to the authorities, and he is now in prison. His solicitor, who is besotted with this charming man, is working on his release when he will move back to Fog Island and take up his position of leader once again.

Sofia knows the tentacles of the cult continue to reach out for her to take her back. They have found where she is living and are beginning to scare her. She decides to move to America and begin a new life until the time comes when Franz is no longer interested in her and she can move back home. Will that time ever come? Will she ever be safe from him?

This book had be gripped from the beginning. It had my heart racing for the final few chapters so I could not put it down until the end.

Just as a warning there are quite few scenes of sexual violence and rape which I found difficult to read but understood why they had to feature.

Than you to HQ and NetGalley for an advance copy of the book to review. I would like to read the first book in the series.