Set in the late 80's, Birdie Keller is waiting for news that the man who killed her sister is being released from prison,

Birdie wants revenge and this terrifying thriller is both pacy and intriguing.

This is a novel that could have been so much more, but that said it is a story that is well told and one that will satisfy any fan of this genre.

It is a perfect cat and mouse tale and one that combines Birdie sense of revenge and her love for her sister.

It has an element of emotion and I felt that I could see both sides of the two main characters. I didn't know who to side with.

I had high hopes for this after reading Stonex’s previous novel, but this one fell unfortunately flat for me. I was hoping for the unique story telling of her previous book, but it just wasn’t quite here

The Sunshine Man is an utterly gripping psychological thriller that will keep you hooked from the very first page.

In January 1989, Birdie wakes to the news she’s been waiting eighteen long years to hear: Jimmy Maguire, the man who killed her sister, has been released from prison. Determined to make him pay, Birdie heads for London with a gun in hand. But as she pursues her quest for vengeance, she uncovers a much more complicated story.

Is Jimmy truly the killer, or is he the one person Birdie can trust? As the layers of her family’s secrets and long-buried betrayals begin to unravel, Birdie must confront the haunting truth—and decide whether forgiveness or retribution is the answer.

Emma Stonex masterfully writes from multiple perspectives, much like she did in The Lamplighters. In The Sunshine Man, we hear from both Birdie and Jimmy, allowing us to form our conclusions about what happened all those years ago. This approach makes the novel a far richer experience, as we are never quite sure who is right or wrong.

The pervasive colour yellow in the story takes on a dark and unsettling significance, representing much more than just a cheerful hue. It lends a chilling edge to the book, turning what should be a symbol of warmth into a stark reminder of the past’s haunting shadows.

If you love tense, atmospheric thrillers filled with twists and moral dilemmas, The Sunshine Man is an absolute must-read!

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

Managed to work my through despite significant formatting issues which I have reported appropriately
An intriguing read and rather different from the usual. I had enjoyed The Lamplighters so was keen to read this.
Overall a good read and I suspect the ending will be good discussion for book groups
As I finished it I have reviewed but understand if Netgalley remove because it contains technical issues

Such a good book, thrilling, tense and un-putdownable! It rivals her first, you know you're getting a good read with Emma Stonex!

This is a taut tale of revenge, guilt and retribution by the author of The Lamplighters.
I really enjoyed the parts narrated by the female protagonist and liked the tense prose. I found the second protagonist's sections much harder to read and sometimes felt these didn't land for me.
I liked the highlight on the history of using a different way of treating people convicted of crimes.
All in, this didn't 100% grip me as much as I'd hoped and I didn't like this anywhere near as much as her previous book.

Side note: this was one of the most chaotic ARCs I've read. There was a technical error and the first few pages were repeated throughout with the same paragraph recurring, making it hard to read. I reported this but it wasn't rectified. It was almost impossible to read this on a Kindle.

I really enjoyed The Lamplighters so when I saw Emma had a new book out, I was eager to read it… and it didn’t disappoint! In fact, in my opinion, it had a distinct edge over the first. The opening line hit you right between the eyes and my attention was immediately grabbed and then held all the way through. Although the book is described as being a cat and mouse chase, I wouldn’t say it was, but this small point aside, it was a gripping exploration of revenge and redemption, both from the point of view of the main protagonist, and the perpetrator of the crime which overshadowed her life. I did spot the twist in the tail but it was the perfect denouement. Beautifully written and very enjoyable. Many thanks to the author and publisher for the chance to read an advanced copy.

The theme of Emma Stonex’s second novel is revenge. James, a boy but now a man, has been imprisoned for eighteen years for killing Birdie’s younger sister, Providence, but he has always protested his innocence. He leaves prison and Birdie is waiting for him, ready to kill him when the opportunity will present itself. The novel switches between past and present and Birdie’s and James’ viewpoints describing the events leading up to the killing and Birdie’s tracking of him upon his release.
Stonex’s writing is wonderful. Her descriptions are so fluid and poetic and embellish the narrative. The novel is not just a regular mystery but is a portrayal and understanding of how tragedy affects the lives of Birdie, her grandmother and Jimmy. It has so many layers which are peeled back slowly and emotionally, evoking sympathy for both Birdie and Jimmy as children and adults.
This is another creatively original novel from Stonex and one which I can highly recommend. Thank you to the publishers for the ARC