Member Reviews

A different feel to Sam Lloyd's previous book The Memory Wood, but equally chilling and compelling. A husband lost in a North Devon sea, children unable to be found, a looming storm - where should Lucy start to look to rescue her missing family? Claustrophobic and tense on every page, well worth a read

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I picked this book at random and so glad I did! It’s very well written and a gripping story-line. Lost myself in its pages which doesn’t happen very often!

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Ok, this was a bit of hit and miss for me, unfortunately.
It had really good premise and quick and interesting start, but it went downhill pretty quickly and sort of never picked up.
There are a lot of twists and turns, not all of them surprising, but also not all of them boring.
The final twist was surprising in a sort of "wow, where tf did THAT come from?", I'm not appreciating twists that come from literally nowhere.
The characters are basically all unlikable. Like, honestly, I couldn't bring myself to care for any of them.
The epilogue was super unnecessary (especially with the detective bit... like... wtaf? Whyyyyy?).

But don't fret, I don't want to be Downer Debbie here... the writing is good and it's a really fast read.

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I have just spent about five days with Lucy. Lucy lives an almost perfect life with her family in Cornwall. But what if cracks start to appear in her seemingly ideal life? What if these cracks allow evil to seep in? 'See how wicked people think up evil; they plan trouble and practice deception. But in the traps they set for others, they themselves get caught'...
What a fantastic tale! Great, well developed, lively characters. This book takes the reader on an emotional journey as we witness Lucy's life family falling apart.. An excellent, exciting, story.

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Very good, fast paced thrilling book. I don't think it's as good as The Memory Wood but The Rising Tide is still a very good thriller that is worth the read.

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A dark mystery. Lucy’s happy life is turned upside down in a split second. The life she knew with her husband, daughter and son will never be the same again but who is responsible and we why. A story with amazing twists and turns you will not see coming.

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Before I start, I have to say I think I’m in the minority with my thoughts on this one. I read and loved The Memory Wood, the author’s debut so I knew I had to read this when it got released. I found it veryyyy slow, not nearly enough excitement to hold my attention unfortunately. There were many times throughout where I nearly gave up, but my stubbornness kept me going! It picked up a little bit in the second half, and I did start to enjoy it a little more as things started to unfold. I didn’t connect to any of the characters which just made me feel very detached whilst reading, and there was a lot of repetitiveness. I have seen plenty of 5 star reviews so if it’s on your TBR, don’t be put off by me and make your own mind up on it!

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I read Sam Lloyd's previous novel, The Memory Wood, so I was hoping for something equally dark, twisty and unpredictable, and my prayers were answered with The Rising Tide.

Lucy Locke, married to Daniel, lives in a town called Skentel in Devon. They have two children; daughter Billie and son, Fin. Lucy is on Daniel's laptop in the study and looking at bank statements when there is a violent hammering on the front door and she receives a message that their missing boat, the Lazy Susan, has been found abandoned at sea during a raging storm. Why would Daniel take the boat out with Billie and Fin onboard putting their lives in danger?

Gripping from the very start, this is a highly atmospheric, nail-biting and occasionally gory thriller that will see you grappling with the forces of the Atlantic sea. Richly emotional too, my sympathy swayed like a pendulum from Daniel to Lucy then back again, over and over. Both had dark pasts and both were unreliable narrators. The DI in charge of the case is Abraham Rose and what a fascinating character Sam Lloyd created in him! The ending is absolutely superb; terrifying riveting, unexpected and extremely dramatic. Don't overlook The Rising Tide as you'll be missing a treat.

A special thank you to Random House/ Bantam, Sam Lloyd, NetGalley and Pigeonhole for a complimentary copy of this novel at my request. This review is my unbiased opinion.

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This one will keep you guessing till the end, and then break your heart. The twists and turns are beautifully managed in this tension-ridden story, with guessing and second-guessing keeping you flicking the pages deep into the night, as the sands keep shifting and the clues keep passing you by (if they don't, you need a new career as a PI.) A clever concept, beautifully executed.

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Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review.

This book was just up my street - rugged coastal setting with a gorgeous house on the clifftop - except the gorgeous didn't make the happy home we'd all dream of. Lucy's life seems idyllic, then her husband, daughter and son all go missing out of the blue.

The narrative kept me gripped - so many twists and turns, and I still didn't see the ending coming. Enjoyed the insights into the life of the police detective investigating the crime - a real contrast to the main storyline.

A great holiday read, especially if you're stay-cationing in Devon and Cornwall as the village and landscapes will feel even more relatable.

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Wow! Such an intense and atmospheric novel. I hadn't read Sam's previous book - The Memory Wood - but I went straight out and bought it after reading The Rising Tide.

This had me hooked from the start as I followed Lucy's plight like a lost puppy! I really felt like I was right there in the middle of it and loved the twists and turns and shocking climax. I look forward to reading more of Sam's work.

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I enjoyed this book, interesting characters, a great location, a very addictive thriller that I could not put down.

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This was such a fantastic read. Fast paced and full of twists and turns and an ending that I didn't guess. Brilliant, gripping and hold your breath tension. Thoroughly recommended!

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I love thrillers that combine nature with an exciting plot and that's what Lloyd does very well. It feels like an adventure novel in addition to the thriller aspect. I love his plots, writing and characters.
I'd read from him again. Definitely recommended.

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Well, when they claimed this to be a pulse pounding thriller they really didn’t warn you how full of twists and turns it is, a real edge of your seat, turning the pages thriller, a total nightmare – and the finale is totally heart stopping!

This is a stunning read, one with secrets, confessions, betrayal, vengeance and family drama, one which had me enthralled from start to finish. If you enjoy nail-biting scenarios, mysteries and action packed thrillers, grab yourself a copy of this book and be prepared to be shocked and not want to put it down until you’ve reached the conclusion!

Thank you to Bantam Press and NetGalley for my copy of this fantastic book which I have voluntarily read and honestly reviewed.

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A good read
A mystery thriller
A definite rollercoaster of a book
The second book from this author and cannot wait for the next
Thanks NetGalley

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This book starts with Lucy frantically going through paperwork. Bills and invoices are everywhere as she tries to make sense of what's happening. This is reflected in the writing which is frantic at the beginning too, so much so that I wondered if I'd be able to keep up. But then comes the visit from her friend and if Lucy thought that she had problems before, they have now reached a whole new level.
Set against the backdrop of one of the worst storms in history, The Rising Tide is the story of Lucy, her husband and their children as they are faced with an unimaginable dilemma. I don't want to say too much so that I don't give anything away because this story did not turn out the way that I thought it would and I don't want to spoil it for anyone. There is many a twist and a turn in there and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Many thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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This is the first book I’ve read by this author and after reading this outstanding thriller, it will not be the last!

Lucy Locke lives with her two children, Billie and Fin and husband Daniel in the coastal town of Skental. Daniel’s boat, The Lazy Susan, is found drifting with no one aboard and Lucy is told a mayday call was received from Daniel. With a ferocious storm approaching, the ensuing events are truly the stuff of nightmares.

This is a fast paced, chilling and atmospheric thriller, full of suspense with a complex plot and many twists and turns to keep you guessing. The vivid descriptions of the approaching weather and the storm are authentic and add to the air of malevolence pervading this novel. As someone who grew up by the sea, I can honestly say my heart was pounding and I felt as though I was also in the midst of the storm!

I thought there was something of a Grimm fairy tale element to this narrative, with good versus evil and the investigating police inspector, DI Abraham Rose, with his biblical quotes was particularly well defined. You are also not quite sure about Lucy, as she is a bit of an enigma with an ‘interesting’ past. In fact, I thought all the characters were extremely well written and believable.

This is a compelling, tense and emotional read and I loved it! Highly recommended.

I would like to thank the publisher, Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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A really great, atmospheric thriller. Makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end. Really great read, thank you for approving me.

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Lucy's family yacht is found abandoned in the sea, just as a raging storm is brewing. Soon after, she finds out her husband is missing. Lucy then races to find him but finds herself in her worst nightmare.

I read Lloyd's debut earlier this year so was looking forward to his second thriller. This book read very different to his first but I felt that not much really happened. This was still a quick read for me and the pace definitely increased as the plot progressed. Unfortunately I didn't connect to any of the characters so I didn't feel too concerned about their fates, the ending also left me feeling a little disappointed.

I really liked the atmosphere and Lloyd's writing really added to the tension and urgency of the plot.

A huge thank you to Netgalley and the publishers - Random House, Transworld Publishers and Bantam Press for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest and unedited review.

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