Knife Edge is the debut novel by Kerry Buchanan and follows the story of Nic; having been kidnapped and tortured by the media dubbed ‘Slasher,’ as she embarks on helping the local police force solve the case.

Nic goes for an uncharacteristic night out with a group of her friends only to wake up alongside her friend and tortured. She manages to escape to the sounds of her friend being brutally murdered and get help; in the form of Detectives Asha Harvey and Aaron Birch.

The plot of Knife Edge is intense. It’s a thrill-read of epic proportions with high characterisation to help keep the delight of the discoveries entertaining. There are some strong characters written about in the story, some of which I do hope to see again in future novels by the author as this is a very strong debut novel. I enjoyed the easy-flow of Kerry Buchanan’s writing style; nothing overly complicated to impact on the reader's imagination paired with some very challenging scenes; that of torture, left my imagination reeling in a way that I find most delightful.

As the story unfolds, Nic plays an ever-increasing role in solving the case of her kidnapper. While I enjoyed Nic as a character, her determination throughout the story is admirable and what motivates her actions is reasonably justified. I do feel that Nic falls into the ‘too good’ category at times. Whenever a hook within the plot is discovered it’s by Nic; she takes the law into her own hands and seems to have the Detectives wrapped around her little finger. I found that she went from relatable to a ‘Miss-know-it-all’ towards the second half that rather hampered my personal enjoyment of the book. I found Nic’s involvement within the case and the relationship she formed with the Detectives rather incredulous; the fact she was allowed access to investigate crime scenes with them and the extent of her involvement as anything other than a victim of the crime was a little bit beyond my suspension of disbelief.

As with all thrillers, I was trying to figure out who the culprit was – I think the ‘guessing game’ of thrillers is what makes them so entertaining and I had a good inclination to who it was rather early on in Knife Edge. It’s something as a reader that I cannot stop myself from doing but I was rather disappointed to have figured out the ‘big reveal’ so early on.

In between scenes of investigation and family drama, there are chapters written from the culprits perspective – it highlights his sadistic intent, his paranoia and the disturbing thoughts he has towards the women he kidnaps. These chapters are brief but add to the tension throughout the novel in a startling way. They give the whole books a renewed sense of urgency in solving the case and kept the thrill-read rolling.

I really disliked the ‘resolution’ of this novel. It felt a little forced and open-ended. I’d have much rather be left with a feeling of completion from a story and sadly, I found what was offered in Knife Edge a little lacking.

This is a very good thriller from Kerry Buchanan. It has everything you want in a thriller, a great plot, tension, good characterisation, plenty twists and is full of action. What more can I say, apart from I would highly recommend this book and author. Hard to believe it's a debut! Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

Its not often a debut novel is as well written as this. I found myself utterly riveted from very early in the book, and when I wasn't reading it I was spending my time wishing I was. A full time job and a university degree usually restricts my 'fun' reading to an hour or so before bed, but with Knife Edge I was sneaking my iPad to work to wolf down the chapters at every opportunity.
The main character, Nic, is fantastic. Stubborn, forthright, and careless with it, she feels real and you really begin to care about her as the book progresses. Yes, she makes some very questionable choices throughout, but this all adds to the suspense and drama that courses through each and every page.
If I had one criticism it is that the two police officers aren't as developed, but since the POV was Nic's, this didn't impact my enjoyment at all.
The final twist in the epilogue was nicely done and sets up an eagerly awaited sequel.
Highly, highly recommended.

3.5 stars - I enjoyed this and the perspective it was told from. Starting with Nic’s daring escape and the investigation that follows. I liked that we got to see inside the investigation from the view of Nic (the victim/protagonist) and the friendship between her and the detective Asha, despite the improbability of any of that actually happening in real life.
I also enjoyed the killers POV chapters. It added an extra threatening element knowing what he was up to and what he was capable of.

I wish it wasn’t as obvious who the killer/kidnapper was and I don’t think I have super deduction skills, I just think it was incredibly clear from fairly early on based on a certain conversation. Maybe it was meant to be common knowledge, but either way I wish there was a bit more suspense in that regard.
Also Nic’s ‘instincts’ were eerily bang on and that didn’t necessarily take away from
the story but it allowed for a lack of detective work or explanation that I would have preferred.

If you’re looking for a true crime style read this is not it. It is wild circumstances and pure entertainment.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Joffe Books for an advance copy of Knife Edge, a thriller set in Northern Ireland.

Nicola “Nic” Gordon goes for a night out and wakes up bound, gagged and tortured, listening to her friend being killed. She manages to escape but the killer isn’t finished with her and she ends up assisting DS Asha Harvey and DC Aaron Birch in their investigation.

I thoroughly enjoyed Knife Edge, which is a tense, exciting read with an unusual premise and plenty of twists and turns, that held my attention from start to finish.

I liked that the novel was told mostly from Nic’s point of view rather than it being a straightforward police procedural. It gives the novel an edge and greater character depth. Of course, with the billing of psychological thriller the unnamed killer’s thoughts put in the occasional appearance, but only to confirm that he’s a twisted individual with a sadistic streak, as if the reader doesn’t know that already.

The writing and plotting give the novel all the tension needed to keep the reader interested and on the edge of their seat and the plot twists and turns mean that the reader is continually unsettled and unsure of what will come next. The final twist is the icing on the cake. If I have one niggle it’s that the killer’s identity is very unconvincing.

I understand that Knife Edge is a debut novel. You would never know as it is accomplished with excellent pacing, plotting and characterisation. I will be looking out for more from Ms Buchanan.

Knife Edge is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

Knife Edge by Kerry Buchanan—A wickedly sharp debut psychological thriller from an author to watch.

“They had been making a night of it in Belfast, a whole group of them in Katy’s bar, deep inside the Limelight nightclub. Exams were on the horizon, but it had been Hannah’s birthday, and they’d all gone out.”

When Nicola “Nic” Gordon, a twenty-year-old college student, and her friend Colm go to a Belfast nightclub to celebrate a roommate’s birthday, things go terrifyingly wrong. She wakes up in a shabby, rural cottage, naked and shivering, bound and gagged and unable to work out how on earth they both ended up there. A masked, sadistic monster holds them captive and tortures them for six days until Nic breaks free and escapes. Nic is lucky to be alive, but the nightmare is only beginning.

Isn’t it just fantastic when you pick up one of those psychological thrillers that grabs you by the throat and won’t let go, demanding that you sit on the edge of your seat for every suspense-filled, nail-biting moment of it? Knife Edge is one of those novels for me.

Thematically, the reader finds mental illness, a dissolving sense of reality, obsession, pursuit, paranoia, and murder. Knife Edge ticks all the boxes you expect from an absorbing psychological thriller—a maniacal killer, intense pacing, suspense, unbearable tension, unexpected twists, high stakes, anxiety, and terror. Oh, and don’t forget about the knives. We hate the knives.

“With methodical slowness, her captor ran his thumb along the blade of the knife. It was just for show, just to prolong the suspense: all his knives were sharp, so sharp you didn’t feel the initial cut – not until the hot gush of blood.”

Buchanan’s narrative is straightforward but descriptive. I particularly liked her effectual use of similes and metaphors. While thrillers often are more plot-driven than character-driven, Knife Edge is not only a tightly plotted and tense thriller. It has lots of interesting character development and a multitude of twists along the way. Besides Nic, the protagonist, there is a human-feeling cast of supporting characters, including Nic’s family and the police detectives—Detective Inspector Ram and Detective Sergeant Asha Harvey—who are desperate to apprehend the killer before he claims more victims.

If you love an intense, creepy, and suspenseful psychological thriller that you cannot put down once you’ve started it, this book will absolutely thrill you. I’m eagerly anticipating the release of Small Bones, the sequel to Knife Edge.

Thank you Netgalley and Joffe Books for the eARC.
Nic and a friend, both shy and not comfortable among crowds, go clubbing anyway. Then Nic wakes up, bound and naked and hears the groans of her friend. She's bloody, terrified and can't remember how on earth they ended up like this. Now she can hear the man coming and remembers the knives...
This book is fast moving and very tense, but I couldn't get immersed in it. For some reason I didn't quite click with any of the characters, but kept reading anyway because I wanted to know how it ended. My guess as to the perpetrator's identity was correct. I also thought the writing was very good for a first-time author and would probably read her next book. I hope that the characters and storyline will be more fleshed out.