How far would you go to save the one you love?
Clara and George’s baby, Tabitha, has cancer, and she needs a very expensive special treatment. And her parents are willing to do just about anything to get the money they need to save their baby girl.
This is a domestic thriller for which I think you absolutely have to suspend disbelief. It's told in dual POVs (Clara and George). On one side, Clara is desperate and heartbroken, willing to do just about anything to save her daughter. On the other side, George, a cop, is immersing himself in his work, trying to pin down a bad guy (Mantel). The disconnect between the twon parents is real and raw. But aside from this and the poor sick baby, that book did nothing for me. I was only 7% in and I was thinking that that book was about a 100 pages too long, with too many unnecessary discussions, too many day to day tasks. The second half of the book is a little more fast pace, but all in all, it was not for me.
I received an advance review copy of this book for free and I am leaving a review voluntarily.

A very emotional and moving story about a couple with a daughter who has cancer.They are at their wits end trying to get funding through any means possible to get their child treatment in the United States.Some of the things they are willing to do will leave you speechless,but a parents love for a child is everything.

The Price by Darren O’Sullivan is a fabulous contemporary crime thriller that I just could not put down. It consumed my every moment.
Darren O’Sullivan has created an exciting, well thought out and executed plotline. As the action heated up, so my pulse rate rose… and just when I thought the action couldn’t get any more tense… it did!
The story is written from alternating points of view and in the first person and as such, we appreciate and experience the action from different viewpoints. I identified with the female lead. I could sense her desperation and desolation at times, as well as the hope she held on to. “Amongst the grief and the worry was hope.” If hope dies, it is an awful wasteland to inhabit.
We follow parents through a terrible diagnosis for their child. The support group sessions are as vital as breathing. “There were no words to help, but having people to listen meant everything.” We all need people to listen when we feel alone. It helps to hear positive words, giving us something to cling to. Conversely if we hear negative situations and words, our hope shrivels.
A mother’s love is fiercely protective. There is nothing a mother will not do in order to help her child – no matter how young or old they are.
We see the strain that a cancer diagnosis puts on a family. We all cope in different ways, but if one half withdraws, cracks will begin to appear.
The sun still shines even when we hear the worst news possible – why does the world keep turning? We expect it to stop… I can certainly empathise with this emotional feeling.
Running in tandem with this personal nightmare is the underworld of the local criminals. Everyone knows who the big criminal boss is, but to go against him is to sign your own death warrant.
We witness what happens when someone has what we need. Desperate times call for desperate measures.
The Price was an absolutely cracking read. Darren O’Sullivan has a perfectly balanced novel alternating between the criminal underworld and the law enforcement agency. We see that life is not always black and white but varying shades of grey.
The Price was superb and would make a marvellous movie.
I received a free copy from the publishers. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

I found this book so compelling and really hard to put down!

George and Clara are new parents but their world changed dramatically when their baby, Tabitha, was diagnosed with cancer and are trying to navigate what that all means

George throws himself into his work as a police officer to distract himself from the reality, whilst Clara is trying to cope with her care.

However, they get bad news about Tabitha's health and Clara decides to fundraise for her costly treatment in the US which is her best chance

But George's work, their daughter's health and the fundraising all become entwined.

The plot was full of suspense, heart wrenching and cunning. It made me question what I would do to help any of my children and I found myself siding with the parents

A great thriller - all the stars from me!!

Wow! This book could not be more action packed not more heart breaking!

George and Clara’s daughter has cancer, and they are trying to come to terms with this as well as navigate the many routes the illness could take. George finds solace in his work and decides that if he can bring down the local bad guy, his daughter will be safe.

When bad news arrives Clara decides to fundraise for her daughter and looks for financial support in the most dangerous places.

Somewhere along the line George’s work and his daughter’s plight become entwined…George has to decide what is right…how can he marry his job as a police officer, with his desire to save his daughter at all costs?

Can Clara and George save Tabatha? Can they live with themselves for the action they had to take to try?

Brilliant characters, Clara’s mum is a wonderful supporting character. A fast paced plot and plenty of twists along the way.

A story that will definitely have you questioning what price you would be willing to pay to save your daughter. Utterly gripping.

I’d like to thank H.Q. and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The Price’ by Darren O’Sullivan in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Clara and George are both serving police officers and while still on maternity leave Clara learns that their six-month-old daughter Tabatha is very ill with cancer. As Clara cares for their child George is working with his colleagues to put well-known criminal Henry Mantel behind bars for his part in drug offences, robberies and murder.

‘The Price’ is a cleverly written thriller that’s had me completely in its grip with its complex plot and perfectly described characters, so much so that the housework’s been ignored as I’ve sat turning one page after another unable to stop reading. The story has been perfectly put together, full of suspense, drama and twists and turns, and as the storyline's developed the tension has increased until I reached the amazing conclusion with tears in my eyes. This thriller shows once again the phenomenal ability of this very talented author and I wholeheartedly recommend it. I can’t wait for his next book.

Would you compromise your principles, make a Faustian bargain for a chance to save your child? That's the issue facing Clara and George whose much beloved little daughter Tabitha has cancer. Her best chance is treatment in the US, treatment they must pay for but they are both police and don't make a lot of money. Clara's the more hands on caretaker and she's also the one that the drug baron Mantel, who George is trying to take down, approaches with a deal. Will she do it and what will that mean for their marriage and their lives? It's a page turner mostly because, at least in my case, you'll want to know what happens to Tabitha. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

Christ on a blooming BMX, this one was tense! I flew through the story at lightning speed, I so needed to know the outcome for little Tabatha.

A sick child is always gonna pull at my heartstrings and The Price certainly pulled and pulled and pulled, I was full up with anxiety throughout, a feeling that I always crave only whilst reading.

Fast paced with no let up, nail-biting and heartbreaking. I was with the parents the whole way through as of course, like most of us, you'd do anything to save your child.

Absolutely brilliant 👏

Clara and George are relatively new parents to Tabitha. She has just been diagnosed with cancer and is quite ill. They are also both in the police although Clara is on maternity leave. She is also sadly left to deal with the daily ins and outs of Tabitha's illness as George is barely coping with that side of things, instead, he throws himself into his work - predominately the bringing down of local bad guy Mantel - rather than supporting Clara. Luckily she has her mum to help her.
And then they hear of a new treatment that could prove key to Tabitha's recovery. In the USA. But it is expensive, even if they could get on the trial list, they could never even dream of affording it. Let alone the cost of getting there. But they start a crowd funder... well, they gotta try... That again is down to Clara as George is more tied up with Mantel becoming the victim in a spate of robberies...
And then it all gets a bit weird. And escalates real quick... And skirts reality. Just staying on the right side of credible. But it is action packed all the way and does deliver the punches necessary to keep my attention nicely.
All this author's previous books have been, for me, five star reads. This one didn't quite hit that high as it didn't engender that level of credibility in me like the others have. Those I was fully invested in the plot and characters, but in this book I did roll my eyes a tad along the way. I kinda get the premise of where you would draw the line to fight for someone - how far you would go - and that all common sense flies away. But... even with the jobs and connections I just couldn't quite get with the project and immerse myself fully. Some of what Clara and George got up to made sense, but the rest, even with the emotions attached, just didn't sit right. Although, who am I to judge being as I am not in the same situation...
But... all that said, the ending did satisfy me - although I cant say why - but it did reward me for sticking with it.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

A well written thriller read which held my interest in the storyline with good characters.

I found this a bit different from his previous books but equally as interesting.

Thank you to Netgalley and HQ Digital for this ARC which I can thoroughly recommend.

A well written taut emotive thriller which really does beg the question ‘what will you do for your child?”
It did hold my attention and did have intrigue and was an all round good read
Very different from his last book but just as enjoyable and vital
Will look forward to the authors next book

What a thrilling ride this story was. We would do anything for our children & the heroes of this suspenseful novel show us how far. A combination of parental & family love, an evil villain & police procedural. I loved it.

"Thriller" is a genre that promises to keep readers on the edge of their seats, and this definitely delivers. From the very first page, the tension is palpable, and the plot twists and turns in unexpected ways, making it difficult to put the book down. The characters are well-developed and the author does an excellent job of keeping the reader guessing as to who can be trusted and who is hiding something. The pacing is spot-on, with just the right amount of action and suspense to keep the reader engaged. The writing style is gripping and evocative, making it easy to visualise the scenes and feel the emotions of the characters. The author's attention to detail and ability to create a believable world adds to the overall experience of the book. Overall, this is an excellent example of the thriller genre. It's a page-turner that will keep readers guessing until the very end and is sure to satisfy fans of the genre. Highly recommended for anyone who loves a good suspenseful read. This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

I loved O’Sullivan’s previous book, THE PLAYER, so I was really looking forward to reading this book. I thoroughly enjoyed this one, though I have to say it is very different to his previous book! I liked the writing style and the suspense is build up really well. It’s a page turner, that’s for sure!

After reading the Players by Darren O'Sullivan I have been eager to read more.

The Price is so completely different it shocked me. It follows a story, that as a mother I very quickly started to relate too. That choice of how far you would go to save your child, knowing you would do anything for them. No matter what.

Clara is no different. Her motherly instinct to protect and fight for her daughter just proves a mother's love is like no other.

Seeing the different battles the 2 parent face is extraordinary and fascinating. I found myself hooked into this book without even trying.

I loved this story, and the twists and turns that are within it, I found myself shrivelled in the bath and waking with a kindle on my face from refusing to put it down.

I cannot wait for more from Darren

I loved the players so was super excited for this book to come out and it definitely lived up to expectations! I love Darren’s writing style and the way he builds suspense! Will be raving about this book all year

The Price
By Darren O’Sullivan
Pub Date: June 8, 2023
HQ
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
My only feedback is that I wish there were more suspense in this book. It was very character driven and quite emotional. More twists would have added to the plot.
3 stars

This was a bit of an emotional read. I was intrigued as to where things would go and how the two stories would merge. I wish there had been more suspense and unexpected twists.

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Darren O’Sullivan is one of my favourite authors, I absolutely love all of his books so I was really looking forward to reading The Price. I literally read it in one sitting! I just couldn’t put it down! Absolutely loved it, his best yet in my opinion. It was exciting, thrilling and absolutely made me sob my heart out in places. Definitely will need tissues for the ending. I have given this book a massive 5 stars.

I loved the premise of this and was really intrigued to see how it would all play out. Its very character driven and the author gives such a clear insight into who these characters are. They're well written and relatable, who wouldn't do whatever it takes to save your child after all?! It also deals with a lot of the struggles and pressures that illness can cause and for half the book it did just feel more like a general function book. The twists aren't anything shocking and I didn't get kuchen of a suspense vibe throughout but it wad still a really enjoyable story about an interesting dilemma