When photojournalist John Wallace is attacked and almost hung in his own home, the police don't believe his story. They're convinced it was a failed suicide attempt. Wallace is sectioned and placed into psychiatric care, where a further attempt on his life is made. Wallace manages to fight-off his would-be killer and escapes the psych ward but is convinced his attacker won't give up until he's dead. He reaches out to ex-girlfriend Connie and together they discover other similar deaths-by-hanging that have been ruled suicides and terrifyingly, they all bear a striking resemblance to his own situation. Now convinced he's in imminent danger once again, Wallace and Connie delve into the backgrounds of the other victims but are frustratingly unable to find a link. Wallace follows the trail to America but the 'Pendulum Killer' remains one step ahead. Who is he and what is his connection to Wallace? Can Wallace stay alive long enough to find the answers he so desperately needs and bring the killer to justice?

What a rip-roaring ride this is! The reader is thrust straight into the action in the opening chapter and from then on it's GO, GO, GO at 100mph! John Wallace is a bit of a sorry character. He's trying to pick up the pieces of his life, move forwards and lay the past to rest. He still dearly loves ex-girlfriend Connie but knows he's messed it up for good. When events push them together once more, he grabs the opportunity for a second chance. He desperately wants a future with Connie, and she with him, but can he stay alive long enough to make it happen?

I was sitting on the edge of my seat with trepidation trying to work out the connection between Wallace and the other victims. The author certainly has a flair for keeping the reader guessing. Yes, it's all a bit unlikely - but this isn't real life, this is entertainment baby! It's thrills and spills at its very best. I experienced every emotion and loved every second of it. If you like no holds barred full-on action from beginning to end; I recommend you read this book - like NOW!

Thanks to netgalley for the opportunity to have read this great book.  I have not really read
Adam Hamdy before, so I did not know what to expect.
This book grabs you on page 1, and throws you down gasping for breath on the last page.
This was really a great read, and recommended to all!

I'd seen Pendulum mentioned after its release quite a few times on social media, so I was really intrigued to see what it was about. When I looked it up the first thing that struck me was the cover, it gave me the shivers so I knew I definitely wanted to read it.

Could you imagine waking up to realise that you have a noose around your neck, that the man standing in front of you with a mask and body armour has the other end and intends to hang you, no? This is how Adam Hamdy introduces us to John Wallace, the main character in the book. John doesn't know why he has a noose around his neck or why someone is trying to kill him, hell he doesn't even know who that someone is.


John ends up running for his life, after finding clues in the US he leaves England and travels to where he thinks he can find some answers. What really happens is an intense game of cat and mouse and a story that has you biting your nails. The characters are well developed and I didn't actually realise when I started reading that this is book one of a trilogy so I was very pleased to know we'll hopefully be getting more from them soon.

Hamdy opens the book with an intense scene and keeps the intensity going right through to the end. This is a fast paced book with lots to keep you thinking about. I really was desperate to get to the end and find out the who and why and I just couldn't guess, which I love trying to do while reading a book. I ended up downloading Pendulum on audible so I could continue listening during the day when it wasn't possible to physically read the book. I've never actually read and listened to the same book, it's usually one or the other for me so this was quite a novelty. The narrator Luke Thompson did a very good job and it was easy to listen to. The emotion and fear came over very well in his voice and when I went back to read the book I had his voice in my head.


This really was an intense thriller which I thoroughly enjoyed and I'm looking forward to the next book in the trilogy.

If you love action packed thrillers which are incredibly fast-paced and keep you on the edge of your seat - then you will love Pendulum.

This book is incredibly far fetched, extremely violent and hugely entertaining. Looking forward to the next instalment. Recommended.