I have big fan of Simon Kernick since his early days and the author seems to never disappoint and this one is no exception. The first 48 Hours is another fast-paced gritty thriller. With three different storylines that get linked at the end. It is well paced story and lot of characters but not one of them was nice. They all had their own agenda. Even Fisher who is a corrupt cop investigating the kidnapping of several people but had links to the kidnappers themselves called The Vanishers. This is an excellent read. 5 stars from me

From the first shock twist at the end of the first chapter I was well and truly hooked. There is honour amongst crooks and boy what a read. This is a masterpiece of a crime thriller and so much more. I devoured this book in one sitting and absolutely loved it and another fantastic five star read from one of my favourite author's. Highly recommended.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the Arc in return for an honest review.

Completely new author to me and I did enjoy the book, it kept me interested until the end, lots of twists, I couldn't predict how it was going, I liked the main character fish even tho he was a bit of a bad guy but the ending just ruined it for me, I couldn't believe that was it! Unless there is going to be a followup I am a little disappointed

There are 48 hours for a mother to save her daughter and for the detective to crack the case. Meanwhile will a couple pull off the perfect crime? Told in three different storylines. Does something connect them all?

This is an action packed, fairly fast paced and gripping read. There are plenty of dark, suspenseful moments that have you on the edge of your seat. I love that the story is told in a short time frame with three different perspectives and each one slowly flowing into the others. It all came together very cleverly and although the ending was quite sudden, it was enjoyable. The characters are written with a hint of humour and although unlikeable, do have you invested in seeing what they do next. Overall this was a refreshing read, with a unique spin on an overdone subject and offers plenty of twists and turns. I look forward to catching up on the authors other books and seeing what he comes up with next! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

Thanks NetGalley and publishers for the arc of The first 48 hours by the talented and brilliant Author Simon Kernick

It grabs you straight away and you just can’t put it down. Twisty!!

Simon Kernick is a favourite author of mine and his books never disappoint. The First 48 Hours is no exception. A twisted complex plot which captured and held my interest from start to finish. I had no idea how it was going to end. Another great book from this author

This was a fast paced thriller focussing on what appears to be three unrelated storylines. As the book moves on, it becomes clear that they do interlink with each other and we are led on a high action thriller to the end. I did find the first half of the book slower and it took a while for me to get into the storylines of the three different characters, and found swapping between them a little disjointed. However, once over the half way mark, I'd settled into their stories and enjoyed the chase to the end, with some good twists and turns along the way. I do enjoy this author's books and have read many over the years. Whilst it wasn't my favourite, it was an enjoyable read.

Really love Simon Kernick's books and this one was first class as usual from the great twist at the end of the prologue right through to the satisfying ending.A really original storyline with a well written plot.
Even though its filled with more bad guys than good I found them very interesting characters and a few of them could have more stories to be told about.them.I really found it hard to put down.
if you've not read any books by this author i really recommend you do so.
Thanks to Netgalley and Headline for the ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this eARC.

The First 48 Hours is a good, enjoyable read with lots going on in it to keep me interested and hold my attention from start to finish. The story is written well and flows easily and the pacing is spot on in my opinion. I was drawn into the story right away and think it had a great start that set the scene well. I liked that the story is told through different characters who, for me, are mostly difficult to like and relate to, although I did like Becca and by the end Fish had grown on me a little. The story is full of subterfuge, deceit and lies and I liked that the plot line goes off in a surprising direction that makes this a thrilling read with lots of tension and suspense. I felt like I was unwrapping layer after layer of secrets that added to my enjoyment of this book. The ending is left open so will there be a second book featuring Fish? Overall I think this is a good, entertaining and absorbing read but it didn't wow me, mainly I think because of my initial dislike of some of the characters. I'd recommend this book - Simon Kernick definitely knows how to engage and connect with his readers through his writing.

4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Spellbindingly good thriller that grabs you from the clever twist at the end of the first chapter. Fast paced and cleverly told with a wry humour. I loved it.

Going into this I expected Edge of my seat type of suspense. Sadly that wasn't the case here. While I was intrigued throughout I also felt like it was missing something.
Throughout the book we know everyone is connected and we think we know how. But each twist adds a new layer. Suddenly its not so clear cut who is working for who and why.
By the end I still had questions. I wonder if this will get a sequel to answer them. Since this is left wide open.

This was a very captivating and fast paced read by one of my favourite authors. As always I was immediately hooked and didn't want to put the book down.

I look forward to reading Simon Kernick and the First 48 Hours was no exception. The first chapter grips you instantly. There are three stories happening but all interlinked and interwoven. As the title suggests the first 48 hours are critical...for the detective who hunts the killers, a mother who has to save her daughter at what cost and the couple who think they have a plan to commit a crime that cannot fail??? the writing is fluid and keeps you engaged throughout, such fantastic characters. The twisty plot line does not disappoint and the ending !!!!! Wow!!

This is a bit of a chilling read! I am trying not to give any spoilers with this one. It's a fast paced, well plotted thriller with plenty of suspense and action. The characterisation is excellent, I really liked Fisher, and the book held me until the last page. The best from Simon Kernick to date! Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

This book … absolutely brilliant. From the very first chapter I knew I was in for a very different kind of ride, potentially something pretty special. It did not disappoint. So many things I want to say, so many I can’t as they drop into spoiler territory. When you’ve read it yourself give me a shout – we can talk about it. Until then … well, trust me. If you like a book with more twists than a bowl of fusilli pasta, and characters who you cannot help but like even though you know you shouldn’t, then you really want to read this book. Fresh, fun – in all of the wrong ways – and full of moments that will make you smile and probably, on occasion, laugh, and at the opposite end of the scale, make your skin crawl, it definitely ticked all of my boxes. Just what I needed.

This is the story of Keith ‘Fish’ Fisher, a detective in the NCA’s Anti Kidnap unit. Sort of. Well, at the very least a large proportion of the story is told from Fish’s point of view as he works with his colleagues to track a team of ruthless kidnappers. Ruthless because they will do anything necessary to ensure that their victims do not defy them. But it’s not all about Fish – we are also introduced to Becca Barraclough, a defence Barrister with a particularly loathsome list of clients. It’s almost no surprise when she finds herself caught up in a very difficult and compromising situation. They are two very different characters, with two wholly different motivations, and yet their stories are captivating, largely because Simon Kernick is so adept at creating characters I become quickly attached to, even if they aren’t always acting in the kind of way one might expect from the protagonist of a crime novel.

Fish is a really intriguing character, for many reasons I don’t want to go into. He has a kind of superficial charm which works well on those about him, but we see beneath that to the real heart and soul of his character, seeing how far he is willing to go to come out on top. It’s fair to say that there are many facets to his character, and his first person narrative is entertaining, often funny in a dark and addictive way, and was a large part of the reason I simply flew through this book. Becca’s story is told through a third person perspective, and the motivations for her actions are entirely different to Fish. Yes, she has clearly defended some very unscrupulous and deadly people, but it is her job. There was something compelling about her, even if she had made a career defending people you would give a wide birth to. I was completely drawn into her story, and the author has made her actions and reactions so believable that, no matter what she did – right or wrong – I could kind of forgive her.

There are so many supporting characters in this book, from the kidnappers to the people who are ultimately pulling the strings, but to say too much about them might give too much of a hint as to what is to come. Needless to say they were a delicious mix of hideous, charming, simplicity and cunning. Motives were almost mundane – it’s only ever about money and power at the end of the day, well that and protecting secrets which, when it comes down to it, is really the crux of this whole book. And it’s the reason why I loved the story so much. Just when I thought I had a handle on the author’s, and character’s, duplicity, Simon Kernick lobs another great curveball, and everything I thought I knew was on it’s head again. Okay – some I saw coming, others were so well disguised – you could say, pitch perfect. The pacing is spot on, the humour delightfully dark and the ending? Well, it really did make me smile.

If you like your crime novels on the fun side, with plenty of unexpected turns and characters of dubious intent that you know you should hate but cannot help but love, then this could well be the book for you. It kept me entertained from start to finish, perfectly balancing humour with tension, and I most heartily recommend it.

Och, if you've ever read the author before then you know what to expect..... sheer magic!! Yet another thriller that is written to such a high standard with such clever twists and turns that it leaves you reeling. It's not a surface level, quick read.... these book have so many levels, complex characters and so many wee threads that twist and weave together perfectly! There's no plot holes, the plot is original and it's just impossible not to get completely sucked in. It's cleverly written, well paced and I can't say enough good things about it

I've read quite a few Simon Kernick novels, and I think he's probably the closest author the UK has to Harlan Coben in terms of 'grab you' pitches in their work.
The First 48 Hours is no exception with an opening chapter that subverts expectations straight away.
Without giving away any spoilers it's a kidnapping procedural with a difference and brings its apparently disparate plots together in an intriguing way.
There are some good twists along the way that worked well for me - some of the recent 'twist masters'' works have felt like they just want to add one after another after another to the point you find them so contrived it's spoils the story. Here, they're relevant, appropriate and germane to the overall plot.
You're not likely to come out of this with a 'favourite' character - they're all pretty reprehensible, but I have absolutely no problem with that in the context of the story. The direct-to reader style used for the protagonist took me a little bit of getting used to, but once I did, I got through this one (as I typically do with Kernick's novels) quickly.
Another fast paced, constantly moving piece that I really enjoyed.

This was my first Simon Kernick novel so I wasn't sure what to expect, but it definitely won't be my last. It's pretty fast paced throughout and has twist all the time.
You're introduced to some pretty sleazy, horrible and down right evil characters, but they're written in such a way that they're still enjoyable to read about, although I didn't feel any sympathy for them. The only nice one is Elle, who is kidnapped!
I enjoyed the style of writing and how some of the characters it was as if they were talking to you directly, sometimes trying to justify their behaviour. Thoroughly enjoyed this one!

The Vanishers are a skilled team of kidnappers. After they abduct their victim they demand a ransom, stressing that the abductee will be returned unharmed as long as the family does not contact the police. To date, they've kept their word. When Henry Day is kidnapped his parents turn to the police, breaking the rules set by the kidnappers.

I vividly remember reading my first Simon Kernick book. Back in 2007 Relentless was picked as one of the Richard & Judy summer reads and I couldn't put it down, I loved the action-packed story that never let up for a second. This set me off reading anything else the author published. It's only as I turned to The First 48 Hours that it struck me that it's been a while since I've actually read anything by Simon Kernick, simply because there are so many other books out there.

While this is more of a police procedural than anything else, we learn very early on that it's a little different. The Vanishers pick their targets carefully, demand payment by Bitcoin and release their victim unharmed. It has been impossible to identify the criminals as they've left no clues. The reason they've been so successful is that the person organising everything is police officer Keith "Fish" Fisher. Not only is he a police officer, he's actually the head of the NCA Anti-kidnap team.

The fact that the person masterminding the kidnappings is also trying to find the kidnappers means that Fish is aware that the family of the latest victim has contacted the police. This contact results in devastating consequences. Both the police and the public are made clearly aware that the kidnappers will follow through with their threats.

The book then moves to a completely different character, Becca Barraclough, a successful defense barrister who believes that everyone deserves the best defense possible, no matter what they've been accused of. It's her job to try and plant reasonable doubt in the jury's mind. You immediately wonder how Becca's storyline is connected to the Vanishers, and then her daughter is kidnapped. This time around it isn't money that the kidnappers demand.

There are very few redeeming qualities among the array of characters that feature in the story. Many of the characters come across as caricatures of criminals, their driving force is self-preservation and they are more than willing to double-cross each other if that means they'll escape.

Despite the short time frame of the storyline, I felt that the pacing was erratic. It was only towards the end that I felt it picked up and there was an element of danger. Thankfully, the conclusion was very satisfying.

When you think of a story that gains momentum at such a fast pace that you are practically out of breath reading the last few chapters then surely Simon Kernick is the master of them.

Detective Fisher, or ‘Fish’ as he’s known is on a case of the ‘Vanishers’, a group who kidnap young people slickly and efficiently for a quick ransom that they have perfected a number of times. As long as the victims family don’t involve the police then they are released unharmed. But they have a reputation to keep up so when one family do involve the police they have no other option than to keep their word and murder their victim. That’s where things really start to get interesting and complicated for their next, and possibly most important kidnapping.

The author entwines three storylines into one very slickly with some literal jaw-dropping moments and fantastic cliffhangers that make you turn the page without thinking. This is another fast-paced, edge of your seat thriller that will please both old and new readers of Simon Kernick books, and if it is your first then I pretty much guarantee you’ll soon be searching for his back catalogue. An absolutely brilliant read which will not disappoint with great characters, a great plot and an even better ending. Highly recommended.

Many thanks to NetGalley for an early copy in return for an honest review.