This is one of the best suspense novels I’ve read in a long time. Based loosely on a Faustian pact, it cleverly weaves the events from the main character, Adam’s, university days in with his current life, without ever giving me whiplash as these split timelines can so often do. The twist was excellent, the conclusion satisfying, and the whole book was compelling.

Loved this, was hooked!
Your past will find a way to catch up to you.
Adam hoped he had left his past behind, but a surprise encounter with someone from uni leaves him worried. His life starts to unravel and he has to figure out how to stop a pact made 24 years ago. Who can he trust?
Thanks to netgally for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 rounded up to 5

Based on a very unique premise, this book had me hooked from the first page to the last! I read a lot of thrillers and I often find myself bored/guessing all the twists because of the similar plots they have, but this didn't appen with this book. What a fresh breath of air!

The characters were not particularly likeable, but this is also the point of the book so I didn't mind much. Everyone has secrets, and sooner or later they will come back to bite you.

I also loved the parallels with Dr Faustus, which added a clever and eerie dimention to the plot.

A book I recommend.

Thank you NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for an advance copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

A growing suspense runs through the book with an unavoidable feeling that things are only going to get worse. The suspense is enhanced by the clever parallels with the story of Dr Faustus which resonates with the characters. Clever ending with no sure way of second-guessing it.

Holy smokes was this book good!!!!
Careful around cameras and who you make friends with.
I have no words to describe how fantastic this storyline was. And even though some characters are unlikeable I liked them, everything about them, the good and the evil.
I could not put this book down.

Thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an early release of this book.

What a storyline!!! This had me gripped - I loved how we were reading the present day story and the story from 24 years ago and then being able to see and understand the present day happenings. Really well written and I could not read it quick enough.

When a medical student at Cambridge name Adam make the Fausty in deal with a guy named Louie 24 years seems like a very long time when you’re young. Unfortunately days turn into months and months turn into years and before Adam knows it he’s paranoid thinking cameras on the street we’re put there just to watch him and when he runs into Louie’s ex-girlfriend in his college obsession he wonders if it was accidental at all before Adam knows it his life looks like it’s going to fall apart but his biggest concern is his wife Tonya and his children. The last thing he wants to do is lose them. Just like Faustian Adam feels he is dealing with Mephistopheles all the devil himself and how can you fight a demon. This book was so smart and so intelligently written and I feel like this book was hitting on all cylinders. What an awesome awesome idea for a book and water awesome book! I loved it and highly recommend it. I didn’t say much about the story because I didn’t want to give anything away I didn’t know myself while going into the book the ending is awesome because I had no clue how he was going to work his way out of this but OMG the story is awesome! I received this book from NetGalley and a publisher but I’m leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

I was so intrigued by this book specially by the title and cover. And it delivered. Usually with these books I’m easily disappointed once I started reading the book but this wasn’t the case. What an amazing time I had. I couldn’t put it down. I’m now a little bit paranoid, that’s how good this book is.

This book is based around Christopher Marlowe's Doctor Faustus, updated to the present electronic age. It's a really thought provoking story that I definitely enjoyed even though it left me with some worrying 'what if' ideas.

The book covers two time periods, separated by 24 years and alternates between them throughout the book. There are good descriptions of Cornwall and Canterbury that make me want to visit.

Some incidents in the book are very graphically described, which might put some readers off, but for me they are not overdone and necessary for the story to proceed.
There are a number of twists and turns keep the reader guessing right to the end.

I enjoyed reading this book and the dual storyline. Quite a gritty read. Thanks, Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book early. I will look out for the author's other books.

Adam is at University where he meets Clio as they appear in a production of Dr. Faustus, he obviously has feelings for her and takes her for a day out in Cambridge. Things take a sinister turn when a friend of Clio,Louis an aspiring film maker asks to make a film of Adam going about his daily business at University. Adam is warned that Louis is "evil " but agrees to the filming anyway.
At a drug fuelled party at Louis's house after filming a student is pestering Clio so Adam takes it on his self to force him upstairs and lock him in the bathroom.Shortly afterwards the student leaps from the window and dies. Louis has been secretly filming and has doctored the film to show that Adam was involved in the death.Louis agrees not to show the film to anybody if Adam agrees to be filmed again in 24 years, which he does.
Forward 24 years when Adam is a hospital doctor, with a wife Tania and 2 young children and Clio reappears in a park where the family is spending some time ,holding the son's hand and saying that she has found him wandering away from his family, Tania is so grateful and invites Clio back to the house and appears to like her.
Tania and the children go to visit her parents leaving Adam at home and Clio turns up unannounced. Adam is not impressed but as she is wet through with the rain,lets her in and they drink Champagne.She removes her dress to dry it out and somehow a picture of her in her underwear at the family home is sent to Tania.
Adam starts to wonder how these things are happening and calls his old University pal Ji , a tech geek who discovers everything is being streamed live on the Dark Web and people are bidding for various things to happen to Adam and his family . Cameras are everywhere and it appears that Louis is behind it all doing the filming as agreed 24 years earlier. Lots of things happen from here on in leading to an exciting ending at The Minnack Theatre on the cliffs in Cornwall.
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This is a skillfully weaved mystery. I was initially a little nervous because it is told in two timelines, which when it's done right, really makes for a good thriller. But when it's done wrong, it ruins much of the story being told. This was done right. I read it in 2 big gulps of time.Rounding up to a 4.5. Thank You to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this

Firstly, before I start my review I need to say a massive thank you to Aria and Aries at Head of Zeus for gifting me the eARC of this book on NetGalley - I'm so, so, so grateful!

This book really shocked me; I went in blind but had some incline about the fact it was based on stalking and CCTV due to the quote on the front "You might be paranoid. But that doesn't mean they're not watching you" and there's CCTV cameras on the cover, but this was the extent to my knowledge. I feel like blurbs always give me some judgement beforehand and I don't like this about myself so that's why I tend to avoid reading them!

I was not in any way, shape or form prepared for this book though, and it actually quite scared me in a sense that things like this could probably happen, and may have already happened! The whole concept of hacking, the black web, cryptocurrency etc. scares me so there's absolutely no doubt in my mind that the events that occur in this book could definitely be someone's truth; especially within those individuals that are the richest in the world!

J.S. Monroe's writing style was excellent; the right amount of suspense and detail were carefully crafted within the paragraphs so that I was physically sat on the edge of my seat wondering what on earth was going to happen next! I'm really glad some of the scenes were set at the Minack Theatre because it helped me with picturing them scenes so well - I went to the Minack when I was younger and it's picturesque; if you've never been definitely add it to you bucket list! I definitely wouldn't want to be hanging around there in when it's dark and windy though, so I was genuinely fearful when reading that scene!

Am I going to be paranoid about hackers and CCTV and blackmail for a little while, most probably, but will I be recommending this book to everyone I know anyway, absolutely! I actually thought this book was delivered so well and I can't wait for others to read it when it's released on the 13th April 2023. If you haven't got this on your pre-orders you should definitely add it. This is one of the best psychological thrillers I've read this year!

Epic dark brilliance, absolutely terrifying and sinister beyond belief. I love the way that classical prose mingles with contemporary dark web and technology and human psyche is explored with themes of good and evil. The characters are very real and easy to love / fear and this makes the terrifying pace and drama unfolding even more compelling. The level of detail portraying student life in Cambridge is brilliant as are the dilemmas and balances of study versus partying and relationships. The premise and unfolding of the tales, alongside the twists is genius. A very satisfying read overall and pretty much unmissable.

One of the best thriller novels that I have read. It kept me guessing and the suspense never lets up. It's hauntingly real and twisted. I don't know how the author came up with the idea but it's a page turner.