LATE NIGHT
📖 BOOK REVIEW 📖
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

#TenSeconds by #RobertGold

➡️for synopsis

My third by this author and I must say I’m really enjoying the Ben Harper series!

This was literally a no stress read; although the format was different to the previous two books, I still enjoyed how it played out and all came together. The mystery and tension were built easily and there were many twists and turns to keep me guessing until the end.

The characters (and community) are really at the heart of this book (and this book series) and I loved seeing how stories developed along side the mystery. A great read. Can’t wait for more!

With thanks to author RG, #spherepublishing and @netgalley for allowing us to read this one!

OUT TOMORROW!

-EMILY

@the_book_girls_1

Robert gold strikes again. Brilliant book, throughly enjoyed reading this one.
These characters never disappoint.

Cannot wait for the next one

I am a big fan of Robert Gold’s series featuring Ben Harper. This is the third installment in the series and it didn’t disappoint.

It is full of twists and turns and by now, three books in, the reader is highly invested in the characters.

I feel like Gold could have fleshed out the background characters story a little bit more but this didn’t hamper my enjoyment of the book.

Curl up in a comfy chair and settle in for a rollercoaster ride! I can’t wait for the next one … nine … promises / chances / months ??? What will it be?!

Another fast-paced thriller with Ben Harper investigating the nefarious deeds and secrets of Haddley, but this time racing against the clock to save a dear friend.

We met the ruthless and formidable Ben's boss, Madeline, all the way in Twelve Secrets and this book will give us some insight into the investigation that made her a legend: she made her name calling on the police to arrest Billy Monroe for the murder of young architect which resulted in his conviction. Twelve years later, after an evening celebrating Sam's birthday, Madeline is kidnapped and desperate Sam turns to Ben to help him find his daughter.

Despite the name of the series suggesting that we are following the adventures of Ben, the way Robert Gold is telling the story is making it more about small town of Haddley and community through the prism of crimes Ben is investigating. Beside his chapters written in first person, we are often getting chapters from the point of view of other characters who are somewhat peripherally connected to the mystery at the center of the plot and not always integral to solving it. Gold is following the same formula in this one and, in my opinion, he's done it better and better with each book.
Beside the chapters of Ben and Sam (hilariously) investigating what happened to Madeline, we are getting glimpses of chef East Malier and his husband Will Andrews who we met all the way in the first book. We see where is Sarah and her adorable son and what happened to her and Nathan. Detective Constable Dani Cash is back both in official capacity, but also as Ben's partner who is still in a marriage. Her superior Lesley Barnsdale gets her own chunk of the story with a perfect man or the worst mistake in her life dilemma. And all that is interconnected with chapters from Billy's childhood.
It sounds all utterly disconnected, but Gold actually managed to tie it all by the end in a clever way and it's honestly what made it the best book of the three currently released. I always thought some of the things and characters mentioned were left unresolved from the first novel (especially East and Will) who seemed to me to only there to serve as red herrings, but Gold finally tackled the pair and gave us some background story and perhaps gave answers to anything regarding these two. The same is with Madeline whose character has been given some depth.
The best part of the story is the addition of Sam who is actually a terrific investigating partner to Ben. We need this to become a standard, mr Gold.

All in all, if you liked the previous books in the series, you will not be disappointed. If you never read Robert Gold before, this one is a fast-paced thriller, full of twists, a perfect weekend read.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

Ben Harper is back in the 3rd instalment in this series. Ben is ready to hunt down who has kidnapped his friend and boss, Madeleine. And solving crime along the way.

This is another great instalment from this author. I really love the characters, they’re all so well written, and I really hope we get to see more of Madeleines Mum, Annabel, as she seems brilliant.the storyline was gritty, with twists and turns along the way. A great read as per usual!!

I hugely enjoyed the first two novels in this series, so had high hopes for the third - Ten Seconds. We're back with Ben Harper, a great lead character, and while the book starts off a bit slower than the other two did, I enjoyed the slightly calmer start – and it soon transforms into the twisty, suspenseful ride we've come to expect from this series!

At the beginning of the novel, we delve into the personal lives of Ben, Dani, their colleagues and families, and there's a bit of romance in there too. We know there are a lot of unsettling feelings around someone breaking into houses in the area, but this feels very much in the background of the novel. Of course, it's all setting up for what is to come, and Robert Gold cleverly weaves these character-building threads into the larger tapestry of the plot.

Then Madeline goes missing, and as soon as Ben realises this, the book really ramps up a gear. The investigation takes us back to a past case that made Madeline's career – a case riddled with secrets and unexpected connections – and her father Sam turns sort-of-Detective along with Ben, as they try to track her down. These two characters bounce off each other brilliantly.

I also really like that some of the characters we meet in this book are brilliantly flawed. They're not good or bad; rather we see into their lives and what has made them behave the way they do, and this adds so much more richness to the book.

Also interspersed throughout the narrative are snippets from an unknown character. Their story is tragic, and makes you wonder about the impact of nature versus nurture. Did their past shape their actions? The answer is cleverly left for you to decide.

There are dramatic moments in this novel but it never feels over the top. Various elements of the narrative which at first seem separate come together (a type of plot I always enjoy) to create an engaging, addictive novel. Ten Seconds could be read as a standalone but I'd really recommend you read the first two to get the most out of it!

The third book in the Ben Harper series is easily as unputdownable as the first two!
As in the first two books there are a lot of things happening in Haddley that the police are investigating, I was curious about how many would be related by the end of the book once all the threads had been pulled out and exposed!
This book has a few narrators with the bulk seeming to come from Ben himself. It was so good to connect with him and everyone else we have come to know in Haddley so well, especially Dani!
The shocking ending was breathtaking when it happened and I don’t think I’ve ever turned pages that fast to find out what exactly had happened and to who!
This was a great read for me and I’m now eagerly awaiting the next book and wondering what there are going to be Nine of?

The third installment in the Ben Harper series is another captivating read by Robert Gold! You can blindly pick up his books, confident that they will take you on a thrilling journey filled with unexpected and ingenious plot twists.

Madeline Wilson finds herself in grave danger after a night out celebrating her father Sam's birthday with Ben. Her sudden disappearance leaves everyone bewildered and concerned. The question of her kidnapping arises, and the possibility of a connection to an old murder case that Madeline was involved in emerges.

Amidst this turmoil, a stalker terrorizes women, and Ben becomes deeply involved in both, investigating this disturbing case and racing against time to find Madeline.

The story is full of twists and turns, maintaining a rapid pace that keeps you enthralled from the beginning to the very end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Bookgroup UK for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Another great read from this author. I'm such a fan of these books always such intriguing mysteries that leave you guessing right up until the end. This one was fast paced, the entire story occurred over the space of two days so there was a packed in. I also enjoyed the fact that more characters from the area and Ben's life were getting there own chapters which makes broadens the scope of the books.

Highly recommend.

When Ben's boss goes missing after a birthday meal, he has to call on all his investigative skills to try and find her. With her parents in tow, Ben begins looking into the cases that Madeleine had been involved with that may have caused her to be in danger, but ends up unravelling more than expected.

Already being a fan of this series, this was a great instalment with plenty of twistcand turns and a good cast of characters, old and new.

Recommended if you are in the mood for a character-driven mystery, but I do think reading the first two books would be beneficial.

This is one if those thrillers that just surpasses most of the competition. It feels like you're watching a series on Netfix! I hadn't read any if the series so it was a hit of a learning curve working out who the characters were but they all soon became very familiar. They're well written and have death and dimension. They have replaceable reactions which I also loved. The plot was well paced and plotted out. There's so much going on but it never felt over the top of messy, it all worked together perfectly to culminate in an amazing book I couldn't out down. An absolute must read

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of Ten Seconds by Robert Gold in return for my honest review. This is the third book in the Ben Harper series but if you haven’t read the previous two there are enough reminders to help keep you up to date but I would highly recommend reading the other books to really get to know all the characters you won’t be disappointed. This is a really well written thriller with lots of really likeable characters, twists and turns to keep you guessing till the end, can’t wait till the next book.

Robert Gold is a new author to me. This book, Ten Seconds , captured my attention from the description. I certainly wasn't disappointed. There was so much going on but it wasn't confusing, it was intriguing. Murder, kidnap and historic murders all intertwined in this great plot. I now have to find the author's previous books to read.. A top read !

Having enjoyed the first two books in the series, I was really looking forward to reading this book and it did not disappoint. This book once again has Ben Harper at the centre of the plot, as his boss Madeline is kidnapped and Ben and Madeline's Father Sam are left wondering what has happened. Not satisfied with progress Ben and Sam set out to investigate themselves, with this unlikely duo proving to be engaging characters. With a number of other plotlines and character voices, the author successfully weaves a clever plot with interesting characters all within a fast paced read. This was a compelling read, with plenty of twists and I really enjoyed it. I look forward to the next book in the series! Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read.

"Ten Seconds" by Robert Gold is a riveting thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. The main protagonist, Ben Harper, is on a mission to find his boss, Madeleine, who has mysteriously gone missing. As a journalist, he revisits an old case of Madeleine’s from 10 years prior. Could this be linked to her disappearance?

The author weaves together a complex plot filled with unexpected twists and turns. This was the first book I had read in this series, which meant that it was initially difficult to keep up with the number of characters in the story. However, the characters are well-developed and relatable, as well as being an integral part of the story.

With its gripping narrative, "Ten Seconds" is a must-read for fans of suspenseful thrillers. Now I’ll be going back to read the first two books in the series!

This is the third in the Ben Harper series.
After celebrating Ben's boss,Madeline's dad Sam's birthday, they leave the restaurant. Madeline gets in her chauffeur driven car, but it's not Dennis driving. She finds herself beaten and tied up.
There is a ransom to release her. Sam, is ex wife and Ben try to find out who has taken her.
There is also an intruder breaking into women's houses when they are alone. Dani Cash is investigating.
It was great to catch up with the regular characters, although if you were to read this not having read the previous two, there are snippets of information relating to them.
I lived the way all the threads came together at the rnd and tied everything up.
There was some sadness towards the end, but to counteract that there is also joy.
I look forward to number four to see how their futures develop.
Thanks to Netgalley and Little Brown Books Group for the ARC in return for an honest review.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for an advance copy of Ten Seconds, the third novel to feature investigative journalist Ben Harper set mostly in London.

Ben’s boss, Madeline Wilson, disappears after a night out at a local restaurant. He is determined to find her and soon discovers links to the thirteenth year old murder case that made Madeline’s career, but as he investigates he soon realises that there is more to the case than was uncovered at the time.

I thoroughly enjoyed Ten Seconds, which is an interesting mix of police procedural and Ben’s more maverick approach. It has plenty of twists and turns and a complex plot that requires concentration, not least because of continual changes of point of view. Ben’s perspective is in the first person while all the others, including flashbacks to childhood of an unnamed boy, are in the third person.

As I said the plot is complex with a number of characters and threads. Ben’s girlfriend, DC Dani Cash, is investigating a series of creepy home invasions while Ben initially looks for Madeline and tries to find clues in the old murder case. More murders get the police involved and the plot quickly explodes with information as they and Ben pursue different angles. This is a well crafted plot with plenty to keep the reader occupied and speculating. There are things that they could have looked into sooner and that is a bit frustrating, but the reader only knows about them from the flashback chapters, so is it worth trading the extra information for some frustration? Each reader will decide for themselves. I’m not a fan as I have no sympathy for fictional killers or their point of view. Having said that I really like the plot concept and the way it plays out.

The characters seem well drawn and relatable. I can fully appreciate Madeline’s interactions with her parents, they’re generally annoying in a loving way. Ben is never afraid to get stuck in, but he’s rather reckless and doesn’t think things through, rather like an exuberant puppy. Still, he’s likeable and his heart is in the right place.

Ten Seconds is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

Really enjoyed this one, I didn't realise it was a series but was able to piece bits together with ease and didn't feel it detracted picking up midway! I thought this was a really fast paced and gripping story. I really liked the main characters and didn't see a few of the twists coming! Would definitely buy the next in the series!

Ten Seconds by Robert Gold. This is a preview copy due out on 14 March.
A new author for me and once I realised this is #3 in the Ben Harper series I decided to read the first two, Twelve Secrets and Eleven Liars, first. I like the style of writing. It changes from 1st person when Ben is narrating and 3rd person for the other characters. All three books are set in Ben's local town and by the third book you start wondering how a small place can have so many murders (think Midsomer Murders). Also I would doubt that a serving police officer would be allowed to actively investigate cases where they have a personal connection so that seemed a bit unlikely to me. Overall good stories and I would buy more of his books.

Robert Gold is fast becoming one of my favourite authors. Having read the previous two books I couldn’t wait for the next instalment, the only problem being, now I’ve read it, I’m back to waiting!

It was brilliant to be back with all these familiar characters (for new readers, the author includes reminders of what has happened to bring you up to speed). The action was swift to start and the rapid pace didn’t let up at all. I raced through, eager to reach the resolution, whilst wanting to make the book last.

The plot has many layers to it, with the reader able to pick up clues sprinkled throughout, and have a go at solving the mysteries.

This has everything I look for in a book, brilliantly authentic characters, embedded in realistic relationships, fast-paced, compelling action and an ending that completes the story, even if there was a sad moment.

I was addicted and can’t wait for more!