Thank you Netgalley & Severn House for an eARC ♥️

So, I dove into this historical thriller expecting a solid story, and yeah, it delivered... sort of.
Let's start with the good stuff. Harriet's narrative, set during World War II and the London Blitz, had me hooked. This woman's got grit, facing bombings and a serial killer head-on.
Then, we jump to present day and meet Libby, Harriet's granddaughter. Her life's unraveling, but honestly, it was a chore to get through.
Here's the thing: this book's got potential, but it's bogged down by some unnecessary baggage. The pacing drags due to overly detailed side plots and redundant scenes.
The twist? Ambitious, but it didn't quite land. The connection between timelines felt forced.😢

A book of two half's the first part set in 1941 a serial killer stalking London Harriet sees something she shouldn't have. The second half set in London 2019 Harriet's granddaughter inherits her nans house. Good plot with twists, good characters. Though the first half is better than the second overall a very good read. Thanks to Severn House and Netgalley for this review ARC.

Prey presents a captivating narrative divided into two distinct halves, skillfully juxtaposing life during the London Blitz with contemporary events. The first half immerses readers in the harrowing atmosphere of wartime London, capturing the intensity and uncertainty of the era. This setting is rich with historical detail, allowing readers to experience the challenges faced by individuals living through such tumultuous times.

In contrast, the second half shifts to the present day, where the repercussions of a pivotal event in 1941 come to light. The intertwining of these timelines is expertly crafted, with the house and family serving as the connective tissue that binds the two stories together. This thematic link provides a deeper exploration of how history shapes personal lives, emphasizing the enduring impact of the past on the present.

The pacing throughout Prey is commendable, maintaining a sense of urgency and engagement that propels the story forward. The characters are generally well-developed and intriguing, with their motivations and relationships adding layers of complexity to the narrative. As they navigate the challenges of both the past and the present, readers are drawn into their struggles, triumphs, and the intricacies of their familial connections.

One aspect that detracted from the reading experience, however, was the frequent use of American spellings throughout the text. Given that the book is published in the UK, this inconsistency may stand out to readers and could lead to a sense of disconnect from the British setting and context.

Overall, Prey is an enjoyable and thought-provoking read that successfully intertwines historical and modern elements. Its compelling storytelling and rich character development make it a worthwhile addition to the literary landscape, appealing to readers who appreciate narratives that explore the lasting effects of history on contemporary lives.

http://thesecretbookreview.co.uk

Despite the fact that this is the type of book I would normally enjoy I just couldn't get into this one. The motivation behind the characters didn't make sense and I couldn't wait to finish the book so I didn't have to read anymore

This book had a great plot with intriguing characters. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.

A crumbling chimney in 2019 opens up a can of worms that dates back to WWII. This is a dual time line mystery featuring Harriet during the War and her granddaughter Libby in the near present. What happened to Harriett that night? I have to admit that the first half of this was more interesting than the second half. I also think Norman missed by not amping the atmospherics of life during the Blitz. I've read and liked her before but this wasn't a favorite. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. Over to others.

The first part was brilliant, very twisty and dark. Not only do you have a psycho on the loose, you're dealing with the world war and blackouts/bomb shelters which just makes it more terrifying. Honestly the book could have ended there! I did enjoy the second part but it was predictable as you know basically what would happen. Nice red herring though.
Would recommend, even if you only read the first half it's worth it!

This is a new author to me but I have discovered that she has written several other books. This is a book of two halves. The first is set during the Blitz in London and the second is the present day. Something happens in 1941 that causes someone to take a particular course of action in the present. The links between the stories are the house and family. I enjoyed the story, the pace was good and the characters for the most part were interesting. My only criticism was that I noticed lots of American spellings despite the book being published in the UK. I will look out for more by the author. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ebook ARC.

Intriguing dual timeline murder mysterybwith pleasing historical detail and an atmospheric setting. Some of the characters didn't quite land for me but I suspect that's more personal taste.

It's 2 separate stories that are linked together over time. Really enjoyed it and the red herrings kept me guessing and threw me completely.

Thank you to NetGalley and Severn House for an eARC copy of Prey by Hilary Norman.

I honestly was a bit disappointed, but I also wasn't coming in with high hopes. Multi-timeline books, no matter the genre are difficult for me to enjoy if they are not done well. While I enjoyed the premise of a murder during the Blitz of WWII and present day (2019), the way the information was presented felt like word vomit in the first half while the second was left barebones. The narrative switching also could have been a lot clearer. I feel like it certainly could use more editing and clarity.

I had high hopes for this one. There are good creepy characters and then there are the truly mad.

This bad guy was bad and the oddest thing I have seen.

Just didn't come together for me.


NetGalley/ Severn House October 01, 2024

I’m in two minds with this one.

The first half of the book is based during the Second World War. The majority is told like a recap of major life points for each of the characters until you get to the point where they all come together. I actually quite liked this section, I was interested in the characters and the story and although there were no major surprises in this part, I felt there was enough drama to stay engaged.

The second half is based is modern times and this is where there is a slight let down for me. The characters were no longer believable, like a ham acted radio play. The narrative tried too hard to pin the suspicions on the other characters that ended up making it too easy to guess who the real perpetrator was. There was a little bit of shock value which I appreciated but the final scenes dragged on for a little too long.

It’s an easy and fairly short read so I think I would still recommend it if you’re short on time and want something that’s easy to digest.
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the ARC.

A murder mystery that straddles two timelines….
London 1941 Harriet is an artist and owns a large house which has been divided and rented out to an eclectic mix of people.
In the midst of the Blitz whilst walking her dog she goes missing, and so starts the mystery
Fast forward to the same house in 2019 owned now by Harriet’s grand daughter and still rented out to a mixture of people who all seem to get in despite their varied backgrounds
When a chimney falls off the house and exposes asbestos events soon spiral but how are they linked to the past?
All in all an engaging tale with enough twists to keep you guessing. Overall I enjoyed the read but found a few of the characters a bit one dimensional

This is one of those books that can fall into a variety of genres and sit comfortably in each one. It’s a thriller, full of suspense & mystery.
A strong, compelling storyline complemented by an in-depth cast of characters.
A good solid read, and one I’d be happy to recommend to others.
Thank you to the author and the publisher for allowing me this ARC.

I really wanted to love this one more than I did. I felt it was much longer and wordier than it needed to be and found myself skimming more often than not. With that said, it was still an entertaining read.

My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 this book had a great pace and kept my interest very well. I thought I had figured it out roughly halfway through but ended up being mostly wrong (the only thing I figured out was a small detail of the whole thing.) I wish we had more insight into the serial killer tho, we are basically just given the excuse of mommy issues but there’s not a lot of build around the character. Overall though this was a quick and enjoyable read, thank you to NetGalley and Severn Publishing for the eARC.

**Prey** is a chilling and atmospheric dual-timeline psychological thriller that seamlessly intertwines the harrowing experiences of wartime London with the haunting echoes of the present day. This gripping novel explores the convergence of past and present as two women find themselves entangled in a ruthless killer’s deadly game.

The narrative alternates between two distinct periods: London during the Blitz in 1941 and London in 2019. In the earlier timeline, Harriet Yorke is an artist managing Calla House, a sanctuary for people from various walks of life, united in their struggle to survive the bombings and chaos of wartime London. Harriet’s life takes a dark turn when, during a late-night walk with her Cairn Terrier, George, she encounters a killer. This encounter sets off a chain of events that will profoundly affect not just Harriet, but everyone connected to Calla House.

Fast forward to 2019, and Calla House is now home to Libby, Harriet’s granddaughter, who lives amidst the paintings that capture the grim realities of Harriet’s wartime experiences. When a crumbling chimney pot prompts Libby to call in builders, seemingly benign repairs unravel a series of disturbing events. Libby begins to question whether the lingering shadows of Harriet’s past are more than just memories and if the house's structural issues are a harbinger of darker things to come.

**Prey** excels in its atmospheric tension, seamlessly blending historical and contemporary elements to create a deeply immersive reading experience. The novel’s dual timelines are expertly handled, with each era vividly portrayed and intricately connected through the legacy of Calla House and its inhabitants. The sense of foreboding is palpable, as the past’s horrors begin to resurface and impact the present.

Harriet and Libby are both well-drawn protagonists, each facing their own set of fears and challenges. Harriet’s bravery and resilience in the face of wartime danger contrast sharply with Libby’s modern-day struggle to confront the haunting legacies of her grandmother’s past. The psychological depth of their characters adds a layer of emotional intensity to the thriller’s suspense.

The novel’s suspense is heightened by unexpected twists and a plot that keeps readers guessing until the very end. The integration of historical details with the present-day narrative enriches the story, offering a layered and engaging experience. The eerie and unsettling atmosphere is effectively built up through evocative descriptions and a mounting sense of dread.

**Prey** is a compelling read for fans of psychological thrillers and historical suspense. Its ability to merge historical trauma with contemporary tension, coupled with well-developed characters and a gripping plot, makes it a standout in the genre. If you enjoyed Charlie Donlea’s *The Girl Who Was Taken* or Riley Sager’s *The Only One Left*, this novel promises to deliver the same level of suspense and intrigue, with a story that will linger long after the final page.

A dual timeline crime mystery set during the London blitz and then in 2019. The premise was interesting but the characters bland and I wanted more from the story.

Dual time lines kept me invested in this thriller. Origin story begins in 1941 London. I was pulled into the suspense with Harriet, the prey. Key details on the serial killer's backstory intrigued me, turning the page late into the evening hours. I liked the flow of the story development into 2019. Good character development, intriguing plotline.
Thank you Severn House for the ARC and NetGalley for making it possible.