This was my first introduction to the author C L Taylor and I was hooked from the very start of the book. There is plenty of intrigue and the tension in the story changes as the plot unfolds. At times my senses of credibility were tested in the way that certain characters behaved or reacted to situations, but overall this was a good read and I will look for other books from the author to add to my library of reading for this year.

Jo Blackmore has suffered from agoraphobia since the death of her unborn child but she’s got strategies for coping and manages to hold down a job by sticking to rigid rules. Those rules are breached when she is asked to give a lift to a woman on her way to picking up her young daughter Elise from nursery. Paula doesn’t give Jo much of an option to refuse, and once in the car she returns one of Elise’s mittens with the warning:
“Look after your daughter’s things. And your daughter…”
Well can you just imagine the panic especially when it becomes clear that she knows all about Jo, her husband Max, a crime reporter and of course Elise. Jo’s fight or flight mechanism goes into overdrive!
The Escape is full of tension from that bizarre car journey onwards we see Jo juggling her anxiety, her step-father’s illness and her husband’s increasing lack of patience with her. Jo suspects that Max, a crime reporter has led her into danger. Paula, the woman who accosted her, has made it clear he has something that belongs to her, and she wants it back! Max denies all knowledge and Jo is left with few places to turn for help.
The cliché rollercoaster is absolutely the right one to use for this book, but the plot itself has a number of pleasing variations on the theme. In one of the best we discover that Jo is also seeking answers to her early years. She remembers little of her life in Ireland before she moved to the UK with her mother, and her mother has remained tight-lipped about it becoming quite upset when Jo wanted to know more. So naturally when she needs somewhere to lay low, she takes a trip to get some answers. The scenes set in Ireland were fantastic, but the change in scenery isn’t used as an excuse to drop any of that tension, no it is transported across the water with Jo. Now we have the pounding February waves and the bitter winds to accompany the swirling secrets and lies… and danger!
Cally Taylor is the mistress of lifting the stones in a domestic situation and allowing all the creepy crawlies out to unsettle her readers by bringing to the fore the most instinctive of reactions. In The Escape the nightmares of parents the world over are given clarity and it is impossible to resist the ‘What would I do?’ questions run through your mind. It is interesting how the author has chosen not to provide us with an easy to like character and then made me root for her nonetheless and made me admire the writing all the more for the fact. It wasn’t that I disliked the character more that I wished she would have a little more spunk – but then, just maybe, she wouldn’t have needed to escape!
I’ve enjoyed all the authors previous books, she provides us with true-to-life characters thereby instantly stamping realism into the storyline and not just with the main protagonists. I was particularly fond of the B&B owner who having been shouted at by Jo then huffily sets her breakfast down without a word – this is how real people behave, it is rare to have rolling confrontations, and the reader is left in no doubt what her real opinion of Jo was.
The Escape was a thrilling read; it is definitely one of those books to open and then hold on tight and enjoy each and every page.
I’d like to thank the publishers Avon Books for my copy of The Escape which was published on 23 March 2017. This unbiased review is my thanks to them.

As always C.L. Taylor has written a book that you can't put down. I was clenching my teeth and gripping the seat as at every turn Jo seemed to be in more and more trouble. Who could she trust? Even I didn't know who to believe. I read this book in two sittings it was so good. I'm not going to say Amy more about the story and plot because that would only spoil it for you.
If You haven't read any books by this author then you're in for a treat and I think this may be her best one to date.

Wow, this really was a pulse-pounding book. As with all of Cally Taylor's offerings, I knew I was in for a gripping read, right from the very first page. It's easy to see why this author is a Sunday Times best seller. I found the kindle glued to my hand as the story unfolded before me, and at one point I didn't know who to believe. It was rounded off with a very satisfying ending and in true Cally Taylor style, a cracking twist. Highly recommended.

I really enjoyed C.L. Taylor's previous books so I was really excited to see that there was another one coming out.

Once again I found myself completely enmeshed in the story. Jo has agoraphobia & anxiety issues. She often feels that she is hanging on by her fingernails. having lost a child she is extremely protective of her two year old, Elise. When a strange woman threatens her, the small grip she has on life spirals out of control. Max, her investigative journalist husband tries to be supportive, but he has his own secrets.

Before long Jo feels she can't trust anyone. When Elise's nursery report some issues she is terrified she will lose her daughter and she goes on the run.

This was a fast paced story and I think I began to share Jo's paranoia as I suspected everyone of dubious motives! The only reason I could not give this book five stars was that I didn't really like any of the characters all that much & I really need to be rooting for someone!

Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for giving me the chance to read & review this. I'll be eagerly awaiting the next one from C.L. Taylor!

I had some problems with the downloaded edition when apparently big chunks of the text were missing, but on trying again I wasn't sure whether there were bits missing or whether there were just wild jumps in the narrative.
Whichever, I found it very predictable and stereotypical and jumped large chunkc of it to get to the fairly obvious ending. Not for me. Maybe I was influenced (in a bad way) by the cover spin from Alex Marwood whose Darkest Secret book I hated.

A novel that keeps you reading. It centres round Elsie - a much loved 3 year old - and the extraordinary rift that opens up between her parents as they face the reality that their separation means one of them must effectively lose her. The ever increasing panic felt by Elsie's agoraphobic Mum contrasts unnervingly with the cold, calculating actions of her husband and the reader is swept along on this emotional rollercoaster. An excellently paced novel that both thrills and chills.

Cally Taylor never fails to disappoint! You'll be gripped from the very beginning and it won't let you go even after you've finished it. It's positively unnerving and had me shouting many swear words for a variety of reasons!

For me, this is her best book by far. Everything you need in a psychological thriller! An author I recommend to anyone who'll listen.

Thanks to Avon Books UK for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When none of the characters has a redeeming feature the idea of slogging through a book becomes a challenge. I managed to get to 20% through before I decided that life was too short to struggle on . So and incomplete review I am afraid...apologies

It starts with Jo Blackmore being asked by a stranger for a lift. What follows can only be described as a roller coaster ride. At times I found myself shouting at the book, at other times I had to put it down to give myself a rest! Brilliant from start to finish and the twists and turns never seem to let up. Would really recommend.

A disappointment compared to her last book.. All far too unbelievable and full of characters I could not connect with.

great read and easy to follow story line look forward to reading more from this author.

I really enjoyed this novel. Some great twists and totally unexpected revelations. Some good changes of scenes and locations and believable relationships.
Some well thought out secondary characters supported the storyline well.
A great page turner where I always wanted to know what was going to happen next and a good sense of apprehension and peril.
I don't believe I have read anything by this author before but I will look out for more in the future

That was a heart breaking, non stop action, psychological thriller. Very believable which is what made so disturbing, some very good characters and a fascinating storyline. I was on the edge of me seat the whole way through. The tension built right through to the end and you didn't know what was to happen until almost the last page. Amazing read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Although I found myself feeling the tension during some edge-of-your-seat moments, the reason this book fell flat for me was because I didn't really feel for the characters. I found some aspects totally unbelievable and a little too fanciful. The ending, whilst not being what I expected, failed to deliver. It was all very much churned out, just ticking the boxes until the end.

I read to the end, so I was engrossed enough to see it through, but it wasn't the most memorable book I've read this year.

I’ve read all of C. L. Taylor’s books and have adored them all so naturally I was excited to read this one. I was met with an exciting and puzzling read, that surprisingly even had sort of a sense of cosiness at times. This moved at a fast pace at the start, but at the middle it settled to a nice steady rhythm, which is not a bad thing, it relaxed me and was the calm before the storm, before the naturally emotional and highly charged conclusion to the story.

As I have come to expect, the writing is easy to read and once started you have the conflicting feelings of never wanting the book to end, but also the desperation to know what exactly is going on. The first half of the book is set in Bristol where Jo meets Paula for the first time and the chain of events starts. While I understand why Jo was scared, there was something in the back of my mind if she was just being paranoid and mis-understood or mis-construed what Paula was saying. I wanted to trust her, and the other strange goings on certainly pointed towards her being truthful, but at the same time, there were other signs that even before the Paula meeting that she was a bit over protective of her daughter. As soon as I did doubt her though, there was a chapter from Paula’s point of view that put a damper on my doubts, only for them to be re-ignited again on the next Jo chapter.

Overall though I did like Jo, She clearly adored Elise and it was her motherly love that did keep me on her side. After she escapes with Elise, we are treated to the calmer portion of the book. The setting in a small village in Ireland seems peaceful and idillic. It lulled you into a sense of security, that you know isn’t going to last. Mary, the Irish B&B owner is such a lovely character, hurting from a past tragedy, but along with Ben** is the source of warmth and cosiness you get from the book. This is stark contrast to Bristol where Jo lied with her husband, who was nice, but a bit too nice at times, almost patronising.

This book is another great read from the author. There was a great contrast in settings and atmosphere which of course added to the sense of foreboding that you knew was bound to come in the end.

The first book that I have read but it definitely won't be the last. I was hooked right from the start. I must admit that I got a bit confused about half way through when the story changed to different characters from Ireland, but I soon realised that the two stories were going to be entwined. Brilliant and worth every one of those five stars

This was my first experience of C L Taylor's writing, and - after a hesitating start - what a pleasant surprise this encounter proved to be. Some readers may see this as a novel that would appeal mainly to a female readership - that would be a mistake and would deprive a significant audience of considerable interest and enjoyment. The themes may have a superficial feminine feel - domestic disharmony; insidious male domination within a marital setting together with - possibly - some weaker cliches in some of the characters and some irritating implausibilities here and there, particularly in the first critical encounter with the main female villain. But, despite this, the narrative builds momentum and credibility, with clever twists and turns and deliberate false clues so that the earlier plot stumblings are soon forgotten. All in all, a good read, with a well-drawn and pacy climax. Worth looking out other books by this author - you won't be disappointed.

The Escape opens with a killer hook that grabs you on the first page, and from that point on the book is completely unputdownable! Bursting with suspense and intrigue, The Escape sinks its claws into you and won’t let go right until the end.

The author presents the reader with an unreliable narrator in the shape of main protagonist Jo, a wife to Max and a mother to toddler Elise, Jo has been increasingly struggling with her state of mind. Having suffered from mental health problems since losing her first child before birth, Jo is panicky, neurotic, paranoid and anxious. When a stranger asks Jo for a lift she is so startled by the request that she agrees, this is a decision she will regret. She doesn’t know the woman, Paula, but Paula seems to know her. After some indirect threats are made, and some nasty insinuations, Jo is left understandably terrified. Bit by bit, Jo’s mental health starts to deteriorate further. Things eventually come to a head when Jo feels she has no other choice but to flee with her daughter to her native homeland Ireland. But are things really as bad as Jo thinks, or is everything a figment of her imagination?

The story is narrated mainly by Jo, however there are some interspersed chapters from Max’s point of view, and some by an unknown narrator who quite frankly chilled me to the bone. It is not known who this person is who wants to hurt Jo so badly, or why, but these chapters give the book a seriously sinister feel to it. I was completely immersed in Jo’s character and the story, and the more Jo became anxious the more I became anxious with her. I had a sick feeling in my stomach for the whole of the second half of the book, which is testament to how good Cally Taylor’s writing is. The fear just radiates off the pages and completely engulfs you.

There are so many questions asked in this book. Who is Paula and what does she want? Is Max telling the truth when he says he doesn’t know Paula? Who is Mary and what secrets is she hiding? Why is Jo’s Mum so against her going to Ireland? And finally, is someone really out to get Jo, or is it all in her head? The author skillfully answers these questions when all the different threads of the plot are woven together to give a clever, well thought out, and solid ending.

The Escape really is one of those “hold your breath” psychological thrillers that will have you dangling on a knife-edge throughout. Overall rating five stars. Thanks to Cally Taylor, Avon UK and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

When a woman approaches Jo Blackmore and asks for a lift it goes against all of Jo’s better judgements to say yes. In the face of this stranger’s relentless plea, Jo finds herself sat next to her in the car.

Quickly Jo realises she should have trusted her gut, when it turns out this woman knows her name, and her husband and holds a glove belonging to her two-year-old daughter in her hand.

After the subtle threat things begin to escalate until Jo finds herself unbelieved by the police, social services and even her own husband.

With little choice to protect her daughter Jo believes she must run, but how far will she get before the truth catches up with her?

This was the first book I have read by Taylor and I was pleasantly surprised. It was superbly well written and kept me guessing at every twist in the story.

I didn’t particularly warm to any of the characters but in this books case I don’t think that was necessarily a bad thing. It just went to prove the strength of the writing that I had no idea who to trust throughout. Even with Jo herself I was torn between ‘she’s doing the right thing’ and ‘she’s crazy’!

There were a couple of times where I found myself a little bored with the doldrum but these periods were, thankfully short before the pace began to pick up again.

I already have my next book by Taylor on the shelf and am very much looking forward to it.