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Rush of Blood
Perfect strangers.
A perfect holiday.
The perfect murder... Three couples meet around the pool on their Florida holiday and become fast friends. But on their last night, their perfect holiday takes a tragic the teenage daughter of another holidaymaker goes missing, and her body is later found floating in the mangroves.
When the shocked couples return home, they remain in contact, and over the course of three increasingly fraught dinner parties they come to know one another better. But they don't always like what they buried beneath these apparently normal exteriors are some dark secrets, hidden kinks, ugly vices... Then, a second girl goes missing. Could it be that one of these six has a secret far darker than anybody can imagine? A brilliantly plotted, utterly gripping thriller about the danger of making friends on holiday, Rush of Blood is Mark Billingham's most ambitious and accomplished work to date.
A perfect holiday.
The perfect murder... Three couples meet around the pool on their Florida holiday and become fast friends. But on their last night, their perfect holiday takes a tragic the teenage daughter of another holidaymaker goes missing, and her body is later found floating in the mangroves.
When the shocked couples return home, they remain in contact, and over the course of three increasingly fraught dinner parties they come to know one another better. But they don't always like what they buried beneath these apparently normal exteriors are some dark secrets, hidden kinks, ugly vices... Then, a second girl goes missing. Could it be that one of these six has a secret far darker than anybody can imagine? A brilliantly plotted, utterly gripping thriller about the danger of making friends on holiday, Rush of Blood is Mark Billingham's most ambitious and accomplished work to date.
387 pages, Hardcover
First published February 28, 2012
About the author
Mark Billingham
90 books2,000 followersAlso writes as Will Peterson with Peter Cocks.
Mark Billingham was born and brought up in Birmingham. Having worked for some years as an actor and more recently as a TV writer and stand-up comedian his first crime novel was published in 2001. Mark lives in North London with his wife and two children.
Mark Billingham was born and brought up in Birmingham. Having worked for some years as an actor and more recently as a TV writer and stand-up comedian his first crime novel was published in 2001. Mark lives in North London with his wife and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 499 reviews
February 5, 2017
3.5 stars
Three couples, Angie and Barry; Ed and Sue; and Dave and Marina, meet while on vacation in Sarasota, Florida. Bonding over being Brits in America, the couples become “vacation friends,” with the mindset that they will probably never see one another again when they return to England. However, on their last day in Florida a young girl is kidnapped, bonding the couples together. All three couples are hiding something, and when they return to England their “friendship,” continues. When another girl goes missing closer to home, it’s apparent that one of the three is involved.
Rush of Blood switches back and forth between the varying couples’ POV. None of them are likable and there is enough shade thrown on everyone involved that I was constantly changing my mind about who was guilty. At a certain point, I found things dragging and just wanted to get on with it! Overall, entertaining read.
February 7, 2017
I have not read any of the Tom Thorn series, but I have always wanted to and will be starting that series next month. This book is a stand alone. While I was reading it I thought that it was a thriller and thought that there was not enough action for me. As I read further I found out that it was more of a who done it mystery which was very well done. I feel that at the end though it turns out to be also a psychological thriller. I was able to guess the killer but I always have fun guessing and loved it when I was right. The clues are all revealed with twists and turns toward the end. The motive was just crazy and I wouldn't of been able to guess that.
Three British couples are all on a vacation in a resort in Florida. They are all socializing by the pool and wherever they go. They are all strangers. The last night of their stay a special needs child disappears. The child is found dead months later and another child of the same age
vanishes suggesting a serial killer. The case then is discussed among the three couples. Suspense starts to build up from each couples POV. It is well known that the killer is one of these six individuals but which one?
I loved the setting of the story. There is plenty of sun, the sea and lots of drinking. I loved the descriptions of the resort in Florida, and wished I was there, since it is the season of Winter where I am. I found the characters very unlikable and unpleasant. I had a hard time rating this book, only because I did found it slow in the beginning but loved the setting. I thought it was very well written and loved the mystery. I give it 3.5- 4 stars rounding it to 4 stars.
I want to thank Netgalley, Mark Billingham and the publisher for a copy of this book in return forban honest review.
Three British couples are all on a vacation in a resort in Florida. They are all socializing by the pool and wherever they go. They are all strangers. The last night of their stay a special needs child disappears. The child is found dead months later and another child of the same age
vanishes suggesting a serial killer. The case then is discussed among the three couples. Suspense starts to build up from each couples POV. It is well known that the killer is one of these six individuals but which one?
I loved the setting of the story. There is plenty of sun, the sea and lots of drinking. I loved the descriptions of the resort in Florida, and wished I was there, since it is the season of Winter where I am. I found the characters very unlikable and unpleasant. I had a hard time rating this book, only because I did found it slow in the beginning but loved the setting. I thought it was very well written and loved the mystery. I give it 3.5- 4 stars rounding it to 4 stars.
I want to thank Netgalley, Mark Billingham and the publisher for a copy of this book in return forban honest review.
January 7, 2017
An enthusiastic 4 stars. I have no idea why Rush of Blood is called Rush of Blood, because it isn't particularly bloody. It's just really clever -- one of the best mysteries I've read in a long time. Three British couples meet while on vacation in Sarasota. On the last day there, a young girl at their hotel disappears. They are interviewed as potential witnesses and return to Britain. The story mostly takes place after the couples return to Britain and is focused primarily on three dinners the couples have following their return and the lead up to those dinners. We see the story unfold from each of their six points of view. I found the narrative mesmerizing. Billingham has created great characters and a perfect sense of tension between them. I was reminded of Siracusa and the first half of The Dinner. I did see the resolution coming, but that didn't detract from the strength of the narrative. This is the third book I have read by Billingham and by far my favourite. He is good at focusing his mysteries on people, and their complex motivations and relationships rather than on violence and gore. A good entertaining read. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read an advance copy.
September 4, 2020
Three English couples meet while on holiday in Florida. On the last day of their vacation a teenaged American girl goes missing and her body is discovered weeks later. After they return to England the couples begin to socialize, culminating in a dinner party from hell. Police from both England and the United States remain interested in the couples.
I had a hard time focusing on the first third of this book. The couples were quite bland and I couldn’t figure out why they kept getting together for dinner or drinks since they had nothing in common other than their vacation. They didn’t even particularly like each other. However, eventually cracks in their facades began to appear. They not only had secrets but some of the characters were really pretty peculiar. There are also occasional chapters from the point of view of the killer. I had the killer figured out, but I was way off on the “why”. Ultimately, the book entertained me and the ending was satisfying. 3.5 stars
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
I had a hard time focusing on the first third of this book. The couples were quite bland and I couldn’t figure out why they kept getting together for dinner or drinks since they had nothing in common other than their vacation. They didn’t even particularly like each other. However, eventually cracks in their facades began to appear. They not only had secrets but some of the characters were really pretty peculiar. There are also occasional chapters from the point of view of the killer. I had the killer figured out, but I was way off on the “why”. Ultimately, the book entertained me and the ending was satisfying. 3.5 stars
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
September 26, 2016
Juicy page turning delicious!
If you have a 'thing' for stories about couples on vacation together - and not just two couples - but THREE couples --- each with defined personalities and complexities...
then you've come to the right place with "Rush of Blood".
Angie and Barry,
Dave and Marina,
and
Sue and Ed,
are three British couples who meet each other on a holiday vacation in Florida at a resort called the Pelican Palms.
These three couples hit it off and spend a lot of time together every day by the pool, have drinks and dinners in the evenings.
On their last day of vacation a young girl named Amber-Marie Wilson, 13 years old, goes missing. She has learning disabilities. Her mother, Patti Lee, in a panic is trying to get the Sarasota Police Dept. to understand that her daughter 'would' go off with anyone. She 'trusts' everyone.
The three couples had been lightly questioned about the disappearance of Amber...but all of them have a long trip home to England the next day. There is some suggestion of seeing each other the next morning, grabbing a final hour or so by the pool, but nothing definite was arranged. Later, once each couple return to their home, they do get together again--meeting for dinner.
The first dinner ( an email invitation to everyone), takes place at Angie and Barry's house.
Weeks later, the second dinner takes place at Sue and Ed's house....
However... on the last night on vacation at the resort, the couples say good night to each other.
"Half an hour later, one of the couples is in bed and both he and she are reading: a novel that was discussed on a television Book Club and the autobiography of a northern comedian. Another couple is making love, and although the cabins are detached, the walls are thin and on a still night such as this one the sound carries easily from to another, so they take care to keep the noise down".
"The third couple is arguing. 'Why did you lie?' In the restaurant.? 'It was what I told the police--' 'That's what I mean. Why did you lie to the police in the first place?' There is anger, plenty of it, but the volume is deliberately muted".
All the couples had tender spots. All have told 'some' lie. Any one of them could potentially be involved in the crime.
Barry was clearly capable of snapping without much provocation. Ed was a sleazebag, and Dave was downright creepy. The mother of the child never wanted to leave the resort and go back to her Chicago home. She considered stayed and getting a 'job'.
Sue, Angie, and Marina .....were all very different from one another.... and carried their own resentments, disappointments, and suppressed anger, themselves.
I'm telling you --ANYONE of these characters could be guilty. Some fun 'storytelling', too. Placemats, with group photos to eat on anyone? :)
The case is being treated as a homicide -- and when another girl goes missing in the U.K., Jennifer Quinlan -- working on the crime investigation along with detective Jeffrey Gardner, - links the two cases together.
There is much to enjoy in this novel. I loved the short crisp chapters - with the emails interspersed. I'm guessing the author must have had a blast with the 3 couples.
I knew the 6 characters so well, by name - what they each looked liked - what they did and didn't do - what their partners thought of them...that I was chatting about each of them to Paul - my husband.
He got interested, too, then said, "how do you keep track of the names of all your pretend friends in your head - so many characters- so many books?"
Lucky me! I must be smart! Haha!
Great ride!!!! Oh... and today is Paul's birthday. I'll always associate this novel with this past weekend in Pisma Beach ... reading during the night next to my sleeping guy...
AND....tonight is the 2016 presidential debate between Hillary and Trump. A birthday night to remember...with 'this' book to remember!
A great suspense mystery--[I was not 100% correct about the ending]--all the better, right?/!!!
Pure fun reading! Loved it!!!!!
Thank You Grove Atlantic, NetGalley, and Mark Billingham
If you have a 'thing' for stories about couples on vacation together - and not just two couples - but THREE couples --- each with defined personalities and complexities...
then you've come to the right place with "Rush of Blood".
Angie and Barry,
Dave and Marina,
and
Sue and Ed,
are three British couples who meet each other on a holiday vacation in Florida at a resort called the Pelican Palms.
These three couples hit it off and spend a lot of time together every day by the pool, have drinks and dinners in the evenings.
On their last day of vacation a young girl named Amber-Marie Wilson, 13 years old, goes missing. She has learning disabilities. Her mother, Patti Lee, in a panic is trying to get the Sarasota Police Dept. to understand that her daughter 'would' go off with anyone. She 'trusts' everyone.
The three couples had been lightly questioned about the disappearance of Amber...but all of them have a long trip home to England the next day. There is some suggestion of seeing each other the next morning, grabbing a final hour or so by the pool, but nothing definite was arranged. Later, once each couple return to their home, they do get together again--meeting for dinner.
The first dinner ( an email invitation to everyone), takes place at Angie and Barry's house.
Weeks later, the second dinner takes place at Sue and Ed's house....
However... on the last night on vacation at the resort, the couples say good night to each other.
"Half an hour later, one of the couples is in bed and both he and she are reading: a novel that was discussed on a television Book Club and the autobiography of a northern comedian. Another couple is making love, and although the cabins are detached, the walls are thin and on a still night such as this one the sound carries easily from to another, so they take care to keep the noise down".
"The third couple is arguing. 'Why did you lie?' In the restaurant.? 'It was what I told the police--' 'That's what I mean. Why did you lie to the police in the first place?' There is anger, plenty of it, but the volume is deliberately muted".
All the couples had tender spots. All have told 'some' lie. Any one of them could potentially be involved in the crime.
Barry was clearly capable of snapping without much provocation. Ed was a sleazebag, and Dave was downright creepy. The mother of the child never wanted to leave the resort and go back to her Chicago home. She considered stayed and getting a 'job'.
Sue, Angie, and Marina .....were all very different from one another.... and carried their own resentments, disappointments, and suppressed anger, themselves.
I'm telling you --ANYONE of these characters could be guilty. Some fun 'storytelling', too. Placemats, with group photos to eat on anyone? :)
The case is being treated as a homicide -- and when another girl goes missing in the U.K., Jennifer Quinlan -- working on the crime investigation along with detective Jeffrey Gardner, - links the two cases together.
There is much to enjoy in this novel. I loved the short crisp chapters - with the emails interspersed. I'm guessing the author must have had a blast with the 3 couples.
I knew the 6 characters so well, by name - what they each looked liked - what they did and didn't do - what their partners thought of them...that I was chatting about each of them to Paul - my husband.
He got interested, too, then said, "how do you keep track of the names of all your pretend friends in your head - so many characters- so many books?"
Lucky me! I must be smart! Haha!
Great ride!!!! Oh... and today is Paul's birthday. I'll always associate this novel with this past weekend in Pisma Beach ... reading during the night next to my sleeping guy...
AND....tonight is the 2016 presidential debate between Hillary and Trump. A birthday night to remember...with 'this' book to remember!
A great suspense mystery--[I was not 100% correct about the ending]--all the better, right?/!!!
Pure fun reading! Loved it!!!!!
Thank You Grove Atlantic, NetGalley, and Mark Billingham
February 6, 2017
I still haven't read any of Mark Billingham's Tom Thorne books, but this is the second standalone novel that I've read following Die of Shame last year. In a similar fashion, Rush of Blood is about a small group of people, their dysfunctional relationships, their secrets, and enactments of pretence.
Here, we have three British couples who meet while vacationing in Florida. On the last day of their vacation, a young girl goes missing from their resort. We hear from different people including the young girl's mother, the Florida detective in charge of the case, and a young British trainee detective. But the focus is on the three couples who continue to meet up back in Britain. It is clear that one of them is guilty of abducting the girl. I kept changing my mind several times as to who that was and the plot provided a couple of good surprises. The final twist was a little too obvious though. None of these characters had any endearing features. There is a lot of quite mundane stuff going on. Dinner parties, exchanges between the couples at home etc. This isn't an electrifying crime thriller or intricate police procedural, but Mark Billingham is such a great people observer, I truly enjoyed following these flawed characters and their antics. If you enjoy stories about complex relationships and the sometimes odd dynamics between people, you'll like this. If you need characters you can feel sympathetic towards or you can relate to, forget it. My only minor niggle, it took me quite a while until I was able to differentiate between the three women and three men and I could finally remember who was married to whom etc.
I received a copy via NetGalley.
Here, we have three British couples who meet while vacationing in Florida. On the last day of their vacation, a young girl goes missing from their resort. We hear from different people including the young girl's mother, the Florida detective in charge of the case, and a young British trainee detective. But the focus is on the three couples who continue to meet up back in Britain. It is clear that one of them is guilty of abducting the girl. I kept changing my mind several times as to who that was and the plot provided a couple of good surprises. The final twist was a little too obvious though. None of these characters had any endearing features. There is a lot of quite mundane stuff going on. Dinner parties, exchanges between the couples at home etc. This isn't an electrifying crime thriller or intricate police procedural, but Mark Billingham is such a great people observer, I truly enjoyed following these flawed characters and their antics. If you enjoy stories about complex relationships and the sometimes odd dynamics between people, you'll like this. If you need characters you can feel sympathetic towards or you can relate to, forget it. My only minor niggle, it took me quite a while until I was able to differentiate between the three women and three men and I could finally remember who was married to whom etc.
I received a copy via NetGalley.
August 31, 2017
A strong whodunnit with a flawed cast of characters.
We have 3 couples, six people who could all be guilty of a heinous crime. The author does a great job of making sure the reader trusts no one - your mind will change as to who the guilty party is with every chapter.
All in all, I did figure out the culprit but it didn't take away from the story for me. My main issue is that I feel this book could have been edited down to about 100 pages less to help with the pacing. It took me quite a long time to get through this one.
3.5 stars. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
We have 3 couples, six people who could all be guilty of a heinous crime. The author does a great job of making sure the reader trusts no one - your mind will change as to who the guilty party is with every chapter.
All in all, I did figure out the culprit but it didn't take away from the story for me. My main issue is that I feel this book could have been edited down to about 100 pages less to help with the pacing. It took me quite a long time to get through this one.
3.5 stars. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 22, 2016
Three couples meet at a pool while on holidays and strike up quite a friendship. Sadly on the last night of their trip, the daughter of another guest goes missing and is later found dead, this is then the basis for the story. I have had my ups and downs with Mark Billington's books over the years and this one was rather slow, I found myself putting the book down and then picking it up again, not how I usually read. Also I could not connect with the characters as I really did not feel anything towards them. There is a twist at the end that was quite clever but unfortunately did not make up for the rest of the book. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 22, 2017
RUSH OF BLOOD BY MARK BILLINGHAM
EXCELLENT!!! FANTASTIC!!! I LOVED IT!!! This is the third work of this author that I have read and it is my favorite book this year 2017. Mark Billingham is from Great Britain and he did an outstanding job with Rush of Blood. He writes so convincingly his characters are well developed and realistic. This is the story of three British couples who meet at the Pelican Resort in Sarasota, Florida. I used to live in Florida many years ago. He gets the setting and background One Hundred percent on target.
I am really impressed by how American the flavor is.
Angela and Barry, David and Marina, Sue and Ed all from England on vacation meet one another by sitting around the pool in the bright sunshine. Before these three couples fly home they will all be questioned by a compassionate homicide detective, about the fourteen year old cognitive impaired girl who goes missing one afternoon. The girl's mother forms a bond with the detective. The next day the three couples fly home to England. The three couples vow to all keep in touch with each other when they are back home in England.
Eight weeks later Angie and Dave plan a dinner party reunion inviting David and Marina, as well as Susan and Ed. Angie has made up place mats
of a photograph of the six of them snapped by another person by the pool. The couple's all have
quirks and second guess whether it is a good idea for them to have the reunion dinner. Barry seems to have an anger problem. Ed is kind of boastful. Dave designs video games and thinks he knows what happened to the victim. One of them or more has given a false statement to the police in Florida. I kept on thinking it was two out of the group that was the guilty party of murdering the fourteen year old. The book is compelling and riveting and so realistic.
Soon after the six all get together at Angie and Dave's, there is the voice of the killer planning for a second abduction. It is very creepy how the mind of the killer speaks to us unwitting readers. The creepy voice is explaining how he is going to go about snatching another child. Somehow this trainee gets assigned to tie up some loose ends from the murder in Florida by questioning the six people. I can promise you that by the end of this book the identity of the murderer will blow you away. I thought this novel was very clever and the dialogue was interesting and engaging. What makes this such a unique mystery/thriller is the introduction of the three very different couples.
I would highly recommend this to both genders.
Thank you to Net Galley, Mark Billingham and Atlantic Monthly Press for my digital copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.
EXCELLENT!!! FANTASTIC!!! I LOVED IT!!! This is the third work of this author that I have read and it is my favorite book this year 2017. Mark Billingham is from Great Britain and he did an outstanding job with Rush of Blood. He writes so convincingly his characters are well developed and realistic. This is the story of three British couples who meet at the Pelican Resort in Sarasota, Florida. I used to live in Florida many years ago. He gets the setting and background One Hundred percent on target.
I am really impressed by how American the flavor is.
Angela and Barry, David and Marina, Sue and Ed all from England on vacation meet one another by sitting around the pool in the bright sunshine. Before these three couples fly home they will all be questioned by a compassionate homicide detective, about the fourteen year old cognitive impaired girl who goes missing one afternoon. The girl's mother forms a bond with the detective. The next day the three couples fly home to England. The three couples vow to all keep in touch with each other when they are back home in England.
Eight weeks later Angie and Dave plan a dinner party reunion inviting David and Marina, as well as Susan and Ed. Angie has made up place mats
of a photograph of the six of them snapped by another person by the pool. The couple's all have
quirks and second guess whether it is a good idea for them to have the reunion dinner. Barry seems to have an anger problem. Ed is kind of boastful. Dave designs video games and thinks he knows what happened to the victim. One of them or more has given a false statement to the police in Florida. I kept on thinking it was two out of the group that was the guilty party of murdering the fourteen year old. The book is compelling and riveting and so realistic.
Soon after the six all get together at Angie and Dave's, there is the voice of the killer planning for a second abduction. It is very creepy how the mind of the killer speaks to us unwitting readers. The creepy voice is explaining how he is going to go about snatching another child. Somehow this trainee gets assigned to tie up some loose ends from the murder in Florida by questioning the six people. I can promise you that by the end of this book the identity of the murderer will blow you away. I thought this novel was very clever and the dialogue was interesting and engaging. What makes this such a unique mystery/thriller is the introduction of the three very different couples.
I would highly recommend this to both genders.
Thank you to Net Galley, Mark Billingham and Atlantic Monthly Press for my digital copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.
January 5, 2017
Three British couples meet around the pool of their Florida holiday and very quickly become friends. On the last day of their holiday tragedy strikes. The 14 year old daughter of an American holiday maker goes missing, her body I'd found floating in a mangrove.
Once the shocked couples return to the UK they remain in contact and over fraught dinner parties they get to know one another better. But they don't always like what they find buried beneath the apparently normal exteriors.
Then a second girl goes missing close to where all three couples live. Is one of these 6 individuals hiding a dark secret?
This is a standalone novel from the International bestselling author. With its pace set I was on a race before bedtime to finish this book. If you have not read any of Mark Billingham's books I highly recommend that you do.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Grove Atlantic and the author Mark Billingham for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Once the shocked couples return to the UK they remain in contact and over fraught dinner parties they get to know one another better. But they don't always like what they find buried beneath the apparently normal exteriors.
Then a second girl goes missing close to where all three couples live. Is one of these 6 individuals hiding a dark secret?
This is a standalone novel from the International bestselling author. With its pace set I was on a race before bedtime to finish this book. If you have not read any of Mark Billingham's books I highly recommend that you do.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Grove Atlantic and the author Mark Billingham for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 15, 2014
„Man soll eben auf Campingplätzen keine Bekanntschaften machen!“
Unwillkürlich mußte ich nach wenigen Seiten von Mark Billinghams Roman „Die Lügen der anderen“ [1] an den brillanten Sketch von Loriot denken, in dem sich zwei Ehepaare, die sich im Urlaub kennengelernt haben, beim Essen gnadenlos zerstreiten. In „Die Lügen der anderen“ ist das Szenario zwar ungleich ernster, geht es doch um den gewaltsamen Tod eines jungen, behinderten Mädchens, doch liegt auch eine gewisse Ähnlichkeit in der Situation, wenn sich die drei englischen Paare, die sich während eines Floridaurlaubs begegnet sind und die sich angefreundet haben, im heimischen Alltag wiedertreffen und sich gegenseitig zum Dinner einladen. Nach und nach kommt es nämlich zu Spannungen, und auch die zwischen den jeweiligen Partnern herrschenden Konflikte tragen ihren Teil dazu bei, die Stimmung zu vergiften. Da ist es dann selbstverständlich, daß der Tod des Mädchens, der sich bald als Mord entpuppt, noch mehr Mißtrauen zwischen den Dinnergästen säen muß, zumal sich eine übereifrige junge Polizistin namens Jenny Quinlan anschickt, genauer nachzubohren, als es von ihren Vorgesetzten eigentlich verlangt wurde.
Der Roman ist ein wenig über 400 Seiten stark, die ich recht gierig verschlungen habe. Hierfür war vor allem der Umstand verantwortlich, daß Billingham uns in seinem Roman mit echten Menschen konfrontiert und uns sowohl den perfekten Polizeibeamten, der alles unter Kontrolle hat und nie um die richtige Antwort verlegen ist, als auch die Karikatur des spießbürgerlichen Heuchlers – die bei einem Sujet wie diesem ja durchaus naheliegt – erspart. Eines der drei Pärchen mag zwar ein wenig zu seltsam sein, um zu überzeugen, doch die beiden anderen wirken durchaus lebensecht und gewähren uns Einblick in dysfunktionale Beziehungen. Billingham läßt uns den Ehepaaren nach und nach immer tiefer in die Karten schauen und offenbart uns dabei Menschen, denen wir im Alltag durchaus begegnen könnten. Gut finde ich dabei auch, daß er weiße Flecken auf der Landkarte der jeweiligen Persönlichkeiten übrig läßt, indem er uns nicht alle Details über ihre traumatischen Erfahrungen und ihre Konflikte verrät. Damit hat dieser Roman bereits eines, was ganz wichtig ist: Lebensechte Figuren!
Auch die Erzähltechnik, die sich besonders anfangs auf eine Mischung von Gegenwartsaufnahmen und Rückblenden verläßt und die fast jede der Figuren einmal als Focalizer nutzt, trägt einiges dazu bei, daß sich der Leser erst nach und nach ein Bild von den einzelnen Personen und ihren Beziehungen zueinander machen kann. Hier ist der deutsche Titel, der gegenüber dem Originaltitel ja einen anderen Schwerpunkt setzt, durchaus Programm. Ein wenig unheimlich wird es, wenn dieses Kaleidoskop aus verschiedenen Focalizern gelegentlich von einem Erzähler in der ersten Person durchbrochen wird: Hier haben wir es mit dem Mörder zu tun, der immer wieder seine Interpretation der Vorgänge liefert und dabei einen Hauch eisiger Kälte in die Geschichte einfließen läßt. Der Erzählstil ist flüssig und – eingedenk der Tatsache, daß stets aus dem Blickwinkel einer der handelnden Figuren berichtet wird – eher der Alltagssprache angenähert. Erfreulich ist auch, daß Billingham in „Die Lügen der anderen“ auf explizite Gewaltdarstellungen verzichtet.
Paradoxerweise hätte dieses Buch für mich ohne die Morde mindestens ebenso gut funktioniert, denn die Dynamik, die da zwischen den einzelnen Charakteren freigesetzt wird, ist spannend zu verfolgen. Allerdings wirken die im Laufe der Handlung begangenen Verbrechen natürlich als Katalysator der Handlung, und da Billingham einen Kriminalroman schreiben wollte, blieb ihm wohl auch nichts anderes übrig, als Verbrechen in die Handlung einzubauen. Da ein Whodunnit in der Manier Agatha Christies aber immer eine ganz unerwartete Auflösung erfordert, mußte sich Billingham wohl sehr anstrengen, um den Leser am Ende zu überraschen, nachdem er es sehr geschickt verstanden hat, im Laufe des Romans immer wieder unterschiedliche Personen in den Fokus des Verdachts geraten zu lassen. Herausgekommen ist dabei für mich eine Auflösung, die mir vor allem psychologisch nicht recht plausibel erscheinen will und die auch in anderen Punkten nicht gänzlich überzeugt. Leider verbietet es die Fairness, bei einem Krimi – einem Whodunnit allzumal – etwas von der Auflösung preiszugeben, und so kann ich meine Vorbehalte gegen sie an dieser Stelle nicht näher ausführen. Sie fließen für mich aber in hohem Umfang in die Bewertung mit ein, weil ich am Ende das Gefühl hatte, daß diese Auflösung nicht wirklich gut durchdacht war.
Wenn man allerdings darüber hinwegsehen kann, wird man mit „Die Lügen der anderen“ sicherlich ein paar spannende Lesestunden verbringen können.
[1] Der Rezension zugrunde liegt die deutsche Übersetzung des 2012 unter dem Titel „Rush of Blood“ erschienenen Kriminalromans.
Unwillkürlich mußte ich nach wenigen Seiten von Mark Billinghams Roman „Die Lügen der anderen“ [1] an den brillanten Sketch von Loriot denken, in dem sich zwei Ehepaare, die sich im Urlaub kennengelernt haben, beim Essen gnadenlos zerstreiten. In „Die Lügen der anderen“ ist das Szenario zwar ungleich ernster, geht es doch um den gewaltsamen Tod eines jungen, behinderten Mädchens, doch liegt auch eine gewisse Ähnlichkeit in der Situation, wenn sich die drei englischen Paare, die sich während eines Floridaurlaubs begegnet sind und die sich angefreundet haben, im heimischen Alltag wiedertreffen und sich gegenseitig zum Dinner einladen. Nach und nach kommt es nämlich zu Spannungen, und auch die zwischen den jeweiligen Partnern herrschenden Konflikte tragen ihren Teil dazu bei, die Stimmung zu vergiften. Da ist es dann selbstverständlich, daß der Tod des Mädchens, der sich bald als Mord entpuppt, noch mehr Mißtrauen zwischen den Dinnergästen säen muß, zumal sich eine übereifrige junge Polizistin namens Jenny Quinlan anschickt, genauer nachzubohren, als es von ihren Vorgesetzten eigentlich verlangt wurde.
Der Roman ist ein wenig über 400 Seiten stark, die ich recht gierig verschlungen habe. Hierfür war vor allem der Umstand verantwortlich, daß Billingham uns in seinem Roman mit echten Menschen konfrontiert und uns sowohl den perfekten Polizeibeamten, der alles unter Kontrolle hat und nie um die richtige Antwort verlegen ist, als auch die Karikatur des spießbürgerlichen Heuchlers – die bei einem Sujet wie diesem ja durchaus naheliegt – erspart. Eines der drei Pärchen mag zwar ein wenig zu seltsam sein, um zu überzeugen, doch die beiden anderen wirken durchaus lebensecht und gewähren uns Einblick in dysfunktionale Beziehungen. Billingham läßt uns den Ehepaaren nach und nach immer tiefer in die Karten schauen und offenbart uns dabei Menschen, denen wir im Alltag durchaus begegnen könnten. Gut finde ich dabei auch, daß er weiße Flecken auf der Landkarte der jeweiligen Persönlichkeiten übrig läßt, indem er uns nicht alle Details über ihre traumatischen Erfahrungen und ihre Konflikte verrät. Damit hat dieser Roman bereits eines, was ganz wichtig ist: Lebensechte Figuren!
Auch die Erzähltechnik, die sich besonders anfangs auf eine Mischung von Gegenwartsaufnahmen und Rückblenden verläßt und die fast jede der Figuren einmal als Focalizer nutzt, trägt einiges dazu bei, daß sich der Leser erst nach und nach ein Bild von den einzelnen Personen und ihren Beziehungen zueinander machen kann. Hier ist der deutsche Titel, der gegenüber dem Originaltitel ja einen anderen Schwerpunkt setzt, durchaus Programm. Ein wenig unheimlich wird es, wenn dieses Kaleidoskop aus verschiedenen Focalizern gelegentlich von einem Erzähler in der ersten Person durchbrochen wird: Hier haben wir es mit dem Mörder zu tun, der immer wieder seine Interpretation der Vorgänge liefert und dabei einen Hauch eisiger Kälte in die Geschichte einfließen läßt. Der Erzählstil ist flüssig und – eingedenk der Tatsache, daß stets aus dem Blickwinkel einer der handelnden Figuren berichtet wird – eher der Alltagssprache angenähert. Erfreulich ist auch, daß Billingham in „Die Lügen der anderen“ auf explizite Gewaltdarstellungen verzichtet.
Paradoxerweise hätte dieses Buch für mich ohne die Morde mindestens ebenso gut funktioniert, denn die Dynamik, die da zwischen den einzelnen Charakteren freigesetzt wird, ist spannend zu verfolgen. Allerdings wirken die im Laufe der Handlung begangenen Verbrechen natürlich als Katalysator der Handlung, und da Billingham einen Kriminalroman schreiben wollte, blieb ihm wohl auch nichts anderes übrig, als Verbrechen in die Handlung einzubauen. Da ein Whodunnit in der Manier Agatha Christies aber immer eine ganz unerwartete Auflösung erfordert, mußte sich Billingham wohl sehr anstrengen, um den Leser am Ende zu überraschen, nachdem er es sehr geschickt verstanden hat, im Laufe des Romans immer wieder unterschiedliche Personen in den Fokus des Verdachts geraten zu lassen. Herausgekommen ist dabei für mich eine Auflösung, die mir vor allem psychologisch nicht recht plausibel erscheinen will und die auch in anderen Punkten nicht gänzlich überzeugt. Leider verbietet es die Fairness, bei einem Krimi – einem Whodunnit allzumal – etwas von der Auflösung preiszugeben, und so kann ich meine Vorbehalte gegen sie an dieser Stelle nicht näher ausführen. Sie fließen für mich aber in hohem Umfang in die Bewertung mit ein, weil ich am Ende das Gefühl hatte, daß diese Auflösung nicht wirklich gut durchdacht war.
Wenn man allerdings darüber hinwegsehen kann, wird man mit „Die Lügen der anderen“ sicherlich ein paar spannende Lesestunden verbringen können.
[1] Der Rezension zugrunde liegt die deutsche Übersetzung des 2012 unter dem Titel „Rush of Blood“ erschienenen Kriminalromans.
February 12, 2017
Okay, I am going to start with the positives on this one.
I absolutely loved the story, it was dark, intriguing and completely twisted. But sadly these things do happen.
The story focuses on three English couples vacationing in Florida, when a 14 year old girl goes missing. They all promise to keep in touch when they return home, and they do. However the missing girl incident follows them home and things quickly escalate.
All I can really say is that I did not expect that ending AT ALL!! Absolute madness!!
The characters are all believable, they all have flaws and they are all quite likeable in their own ways. Billingham has done a fantastic job of bringing all these characters to life and giving each of them their own time to shine as a possible suspect. Seriously every one in this book is super suss!
However the let down was the writing. Whilst I know that a lot of people would really enjoy Billingham's style of writing, I found that I couldn't enjoy quite immerse myself in the story.
The story jumps between the 6 vacationers and 2 detectives POV's. Sometimes I would have to go back an re-read sections as the POV would just randomly shift from one character to another with no notice.
After figuring out the 8 different POV's. We were also given narration from the killer. If that wasn't enough occasionally there would be an overview sort of section told from a third person view which would give you a run down of what was going on with all the couples.
Overall this was a brilliant story that I really just could not get into. I think that a lot of people would love this book, but Billingham's writing style is just not for me.
I would like to thank the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book.
I absolutely loved the story, it was dark, intriguing and completely twisted. But sadly these things do happen.
The story focuses on three English couples vacationing in Florida, when a 14 year old girl goes missing. They all promise to keep in touch when they return home, and they do. However the missing girl incident follows them home and things quickly escalate.
All I can really say is that I did not expect that ending AT ALL!! Absolute madness!!
The characters are all believable, they all have flaws and they are all quite likeable in their own ways. Billingham has done a fantastic job of bringing all these characters to life and giving each of them their own time to shine as a possible suspect. Seriously every one in this book is super suss!
However the let down was the writing. Whilst I know that a lot of people would really enjoy Billingham's style of writing, I found that I couldn't enjoy quite immerse myself in the story.
The story jumps between the 6 vacationers and 2 detectives POV's. Sometimes I would have to go back an re-read sections as the POV would just randomly shift from one character to another with no notice.
After figuring out the 8 different POV's. We were also given narration from the killer. If that wasn't enough occasionally there would be an overview sort of section told from a third person view which would give you a run down of what was going on with all the couples.
Overall this was a brilliant story that I really just could not get into. I think that a lot of people would love this book, but Billingham's writing style is just not for me.
I would like to thank the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book.
January 3, 2015
New Year's resolution: This is the last rubbish book i read in 2015.
The Plot (such as it is):
Three British couples meet in Florida whilst on holiday. The young, slightly retarded daughter of a fellow tourist is abducted & is later found murdered. One of the individuals in the 3 couples (or maybe two?), are the likely culprits.
I got half-way through this book & thought "Surely this will start to take-off soon". I read two thirds of it & committed a cardinal sin i never do normally; i jumped ahead to the last 10 pages, so exasperated was i by the storyline. I don't mind 'slow', as long as there is tension to go with it & the final destination is worth the journey. Neither of these things are present in this glacially paced tome.
I read a couple of reviews written by other readers of this book, when i was a couple of hundred pages in. Several said they didn't like the characters. Any of them. I agree, but normally this would not be a problem for me, if the story were an engaging one. This one wasn't.
'Rush of Blood' reads more like a 'gentle' English Mystery, rather than a Thriller & may appeal to readers of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple series, et al.
I have another book by Mark Billingham & will likely get to it at some point, though not anytime soon. Somewhat disappointed, as this is my first book by this author. I was expecting better.
Perhaps i will like one of his other books. One bad reading experience won't put me off reading another by Billingham. Two such however...
The Plot (such as it is):
Three British couples meet in Florida whilst on holiday. The young, slightly retarded daughter of a fellow tourist is abducted & is later found murdered. One of the individuals in the 3 couples (or maybe two?), are the likely culprits.
I got half-way through this book & thought "Surely this will start to take-off soon". I read two thirds of it & committed a cardinal sin i never do normally; i jumped ahead to the last 10 pages, so exasperated was i by the storyline. I don't mind 'slow', as long as there is tension to go with it & the final destination is worth the journey. Neither of these things are present in this glacially paced tome.
I read a couple of reviews written by other readers of this book, when i was a couple of hundred pages in. Several said they didn't like the characters. Any of them. I agree, but normally this would not be a problem for me, if the story were an engaging one. This one wasn't.
'Rush of Blood' reads more like a 'gentle' English Mystery, rather than a Thriller & may appeal to readers of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple series, et al.
I have another book by Mark Billingham & will likely get to it at some point, though not anytime soon. Somewhat disappointed, as this is my first book by this author. I was expecting better.
Perhaps i will like one of his other books. One bad reading experience won't put me off reading another by Billingham. Two such however...
November 13, 2016
Got a copy of this book via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
First of all; I hated all the characters in this book, and I think the writer did that on purpose.
This way, all 6 of the main characters are able to kill the two girls that get murdered in this book.
You get insight in all of the 6 characters, and each and everyone has a secret or a weird personality to hide. None of the relationships between the characters are particularly good.
The ending was great! Usually, I see the plot coming for ages and that was not the case. I only understood what happened at the last chapter, and that was a bit of a shock, but also amazing!! The ending is what made me give the book 4 stars.
First of all; I hated all the characters in this book, and I think the writer did that on purpose.
This way, all 6 of the main characters are able to kill the two girls that get murdered in this book.
You get insight in all of the 6 characters, and each and everyone has a secret or a weird personality to hide. None of the relationships between the characters are particularly good.
The ending was great! Usually, I see the plot coming for ages and that was not the case. I only understood what happened at the last chapter, and that was a bit of a shock, but also amazing!! The ending is what made me give the book 4 stars.
July 25, 2015
I enjoy reading Mark Billingham's series of books featuring Tom Thorne so I decided to read this stand alone novel and found it a very good read. The novel is full of strong characters and makes excellent reading trying to work out who the murderer is. For a change I did work it out but it did not spoil my enjoyment.
June 23, 2019
Ok i have never read one of Mark Billinghams books before, i will definitely be looking at for more. This is a murder mystery, with many comical moments with the three couples involved. It did have me guessing, i did suss it tho not till nearly the end. Recommend reading this
February 14, 2017
So you’re on holiday in Florida, you’ve met up with another two couple’s from the UK, spent time together all fairly standard stuff and then on the last day, a girl goes missing from the resort. You’re interviewed by the police and allowed to return to the UK. Would you make a date to meet up with your fellow holidaymakers away from the sun?
Well that’s exactly what the couples in our story did. It has to be said some were keener than the others to get together but they grouped together round Angie and Barry’s table they begin to get to know each other on home ground so to speak. Inevitably the conversation becomes dominated by what could have happened to Amber-Marie and how she had disappeared so suddenly. Of course it goes without saying that one uncomfortable dinner party isn’t enough for these intrepid travellers, as Ed and Sue host one as do Marina and Dave. For the reader who doesn’t have to endure the actual company, these are brilliant parties with each character showing their hand a little bit more.
Over in Florida Amber-Marie’s mother Patti Lee Wilson is naturally distraught and the manager of the resort where she has camped out is fearing she is bad for business, or he’s simply run out of what little compassion he has.
Jeff Gardner is working the case in the US and left to voice the increasingly trite sounding reassurances that the case is getting the department’s full attention. And then there is a murder in the UK and a bright trainee PC, Jenny Quinlan decides to contact Jeff and so the investigation progresses both sides of the Atlantic.
In between the dinner parties themselves not only does the investigation gather pace but we hear what the characters are doing, what worries them and, for some, what have they found on the internet that they can mull over and dissect at the next meeting. We also hear the killer’s voice but I have to admit, it wasn’t who I thought it would be.
I can safely say that none of the characters have bucket loads of redeeming features but they are all recognisable, you probably work with at least one of them! There characteristics range from mousey through to an arrogant assumption that their opinion is what everyone is waiting for, from the geeky nerd to the wannabe actress and from the neurotic to the grumpiest man on the planet – why the couples are with each other is intriguing enough let alone why they would voluntarily chose to spend time with the other couples!
In a nutshell that is the beauty of Rush of Blood this standalone novel has a different feel to the Tom Thorne books, although fans will be pleased to hear he does have a cameo role. While there is a mystery to solve it is more firmly in a whodunit than a why which makes it possible for the author to experiment with the amusing character studies which contrasts behaviour between the couples themselves and how they behave in a group situation… and the author doesn’t neglect the detectives either but I’ll let you make your own minds up about them!
I found Rush of Blood an absolutely fascinating read whilst vowing to myself to make sure I look as unfriendly as possible on any future holidays I may take!!
I’d like to thank Grove Atlantic for allowing me to read Rush of Blood. This honest review is my thanks to them.
Well that’s exactly what the couples in our story did. It has to be said some were keener than the others to get together but they grouped together round Angie and Barry’s table they begin to get to know each other on home ground so to speak. Inevitably the conversation becomes dominated by what could have happened to Amber-Marie and how she had disappeared so suddenly. Of course it goes without saying that one uncomfortable dinner party isn’t enough for these intrepid travellers, as Ed and Sue host one as do Marina and Dave. For the reader who doesn’t have to endure the actual company, these are brilliant parties with each character showing their hand a little bit more.
Over in Florida Amber-Marie’s mother Patti Lee Wilson is naturally distraught and the manager of the resort where she has camped out is fearing she is bad for business, or he’s simply run out of what little compassion he has.
Jeff Gardner is working the case in the US and left to voice the increasingly trite sounding reassurances that the case is getting the department’s full attention. And then there is a murder in the UK and a bright trainee PC, Jenny Quinlan decides to contact Jeff and so the investigation progresses both sides of the Atlantic.
In between the dinner parties themselves not only does the investigation gather pace but we hear what the characters are doing, what worries them and, for some, what have they found on the internet that they can mull over and dissect at the next meeting. We also hear the killer’s voice but I have to admit, it wasn’t who I thought it would be.
I can safely say that none of the characters have bucket loads of redeeming features but they are all recognisable, you probably work with at least one of them! There characteristics range from mousey through to an arrogant assumption that their opinion is what everyone is waiting for, from the geeky nerd to the wannabe actress and from the neurotic to the grumpiest man on the planet – why the couples are with each other is intriguing enough let alone why they would voluntarily chose to spend time with the other couples!
In a nutshell that is the beauty of Rush of Blood this standalone novel has a different feel to the Tom Thorne books, although fans will be pleased to hear he does have a cameo role. While there is a mystery to solve it is more firmly in a whodunit than a why which makes it possible for the author to experiment with the amusing character studies which contrasts behaviour between the couples themselves and how they behave in a group situation… and the author doesn’t neglect the detectives either but I’ll let you make your own minds up about them!
I found Rush of Blood an absolutely fascinating read whilst vowing to myself to make sure I look as unfriendly as possible on any future holidays I may take!!
I’d like to thank Grove Atlantic for allowing me to read Rush of Blood. This honest review is my thanks to them.
October 1, 2013
Billingham always refers to Jenny's phone as a 'mobile' & Jeffrey's as a 'cell'; that's the kind of attention to English & American usage that I expect from an author creating transatlantic settings who knows what he's doing & too often miss. Throughout Rush of Blood for the 2nd time I felt with Billingjham in the hands of a seasoned pro who'd not put a foot wrong. But other than noticing the author's craftsmanship, I didn't find this one worth reading again. The 1st time through I concentrate on the plot & the identity of the villain, & then in later reads the characters, their relationships, & the moral & spiritual values. None of these characters was worth another viewing, & they'd achieved the moral & spiritual level of newts - what we'd of expect of the kind of people whose idea of how to spend Good Friday is poolside in a tropical clime having drinks. (I'd forgotten that Dave was a churchgoer; obviously wasn't doing him much good.) Almost but not quite got a frisson of real evil with the villain (whose voice was a welcome change from the other five boring English tourists). The English police officer, Jenny, is a partial and pleasant exception, & I loved her freshness and enthusiasm. She reminded me a lot of Tim Ellis's Mary Richards but not quite as appealing. As she's assigned to Lewisham, imagine her with Lacey Flint as a partner. Quinlan & Flint - I like the sound of that.
As for our tourists, if they go to Hell they'll think they're just back on holiday in Florida, except that the water in the pool is a little dirtier (classicists term it 'Stygian') and the weather a bit more tropical.
As for our tourists, if they go to Hell they'll think they're just back on holiday in Florida, except that the water in the pool is a little dirtier (classicists term it 'Stygian') and the weather a bit more tropical.
April 8, 2022
3,5 ⭐
May 26, 2013
Billingham is one of my favourite writers but I was disappointed by this book. I had a horrible feeling of premonition at the start because it reminded me of Madeleine McCann's disappearance while her parents and friends were having dinner. It's nothing like that of course but it was just unsettling.
This is basically an Agatha Christie type of whodunit. We know it has to be one of the six English people on holiday in Florida and Billingham does a good job of leading the reader down the garden path with little hints and clues. I did wonder right at the start if what actually happened - not spoiling here - would be the conclusion, then I changed my mind, but I was right all along. But I didn't guess who did it. I was convinced it was one person in particular and it wasn't.
BUT - the characters weren't nice. None of them. No one to identify with. I love Thorne but I didn't love the American cop or the British one. I need to have someone to like. As much as the victim's mother was suffering, we weren't even allowed to like her.
So - yes read it. I expect most of his fans will like it. But this this is one that won't be joining his others on my shelf I'm afraid.
This is basically an Agatha Christie type of whodunit. We know it has to be one of the six English people on holiday in Florida and Billingham does a good job of leading the reader down the garden path with little hints and clues. I did wonder right at the start if what actually happened - not spoiling here - would be the conclusion, then I changed my mind, but I was right all along. But I didn't guess who did it. I was convinced it was one person in particular and it wasn't.
BUT - the characters weren't nice. None of them. No one to identify with. I love Thorne but I didn't love the American cop or the British one. I need to have someone to like. As much as the victim's mother was suffering, we weren't even allowed to like her.
So - yes read it. I expect most of his fans will like it. But this this is one that won't be joining his others on my shelf I'm afraid.
November 13, 2016
Three British couples meet while on holiday in Florida while they are there a young girl goes missing.
They return home but each couple keeps in touch with the others even though none of them seem to like each other very much.Then at home another girl goes missing could it be one of the six has a secret to hide?
A good book that leaves you guessing that paints several people as the suspect but when I did find out who it was I was surprised.
An enjoyable read.
Thanks to Netgalley the Author and Publisher for a copy of this book.
They return home but each couple keeps in touch with the others even though none of them seem to like each other very much.Then at home another girl goes missing could it be one of the six has a secret to hide?
A good book that leaves you guessing that paints several people as the suspect but when I did find out who it was I was surprised.
An enjoyable read.
Thanks to Netgalley the Author and Publisher for a copy of this book.
February 5, 2017
Despite the title, this book is not overly gory. I would say that it falls in the "suspense/thriller" category, but unfortunatley I found it to be rather lacking in drama and tension. While there was certainly a "who dunnit?" element, I found the book just couldn't sustain my interest for long stretches at a time.
Thank you to Grove Atlantic and NetGalley for a galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Grove Atlantic and NetGalley for a galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 23, 2017
Three quite diverse couples are on holiday in Florida. All being British they tended to meet up for a drink or a meal. On their last day Amber-Marie, a young girl with learning difficulties goes missing. They had all seen & spoken to her and her mother during their stay so they feel as if they are part of the drama. On the way home they exchange numbers/email addresses as you often do and return to their lives.
Angie starts the ball rolling by inviting everyone to dinner after they have been back for a while. We begin to get more of an insight into the couples. Someone knows more about Amber- Marie's disappearance - but who?
A trainee police officer, desperate to get on devotes a lot of time into investigating them after being contacted by the detective in Florida- who can't quite let go until a culprit is arrested.
I found this an easy book to read. Whilst not really finding any of the characters particularly likable I kept wanting to know more about them. I was kept guessing throughout the book. You'd think by now I'd be able to get it right but I didn't!
Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for a great read. Five stars from me.
Angie starts the ball rolling by inviting everyone to dinner after they have been back for a while. We begin to get more of an insight into the couples. Someone knows more about Amber- Marie's disappearance - but who?
A trainee police officer, desperate to get on devotes a lot of time into investigating them after being contacted by the detective in Florida- who can't quite let go until a culprit is arrested.
I found this an easy book to read. Whilst not really finding any of the characters particularly likable I kept wanting to know more about them. I was kept guessing throughout the book. You'd think by now I'd be able to get it right but I didn't!
Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for a great read. Five stars from me.
August 2, 2022
2,5
Fand ich nicht besonders. Und für mich war das Ende vorhersehbar. Schade
Fand ich nicht besonders. Und für mich war das Ende vorhersehbar. Schade
August 20, 2012
I think this is probably Billingham's best work yet, which is really saying something. Three British couples all go on holiday to Florida and become friends there. On the last day of their holiday tragedy strikes and a girl goes missing. The Brits return home and take it in turns to hold dinner parties for each other but as they return to their normal lives, the memory of the missing girl still haunts them.
Billingham's two biggest strengths are in his characters and his plots. The characters here are incredibly well developed considering there are six main ones and various more minor ones. By the end you feel like you've got to know a whole group of people. The plot is also clever, keeping the couples apart for the majority of the time but bringing them back occasionally where they discuss the latest developments and get to know each other further.
It's a proper who-dunnit. We know it was one of the main six but it's not until the dying moments of the book we know the full truth. But alongside that there's all the sub-plots of the various character's lives and how everyone has issues and complications. And perhaps it shows that anyone could be capable of murder.
A unique idea for a crime thriller and one that plays out excellently. An absolutely fantastic read.
Billingham's two biggest strengths are in his characters and his plots. The characters here are incredibly well developed considering there are six main ones and various more minor ones. By the end you feel like you've got to know a whole group of people. The plot is also clever, keeping the couples apart for the majority of the time but bringing them back occasionally where they discuss the latest developments and get to know each other further.
It's a proper who-dunnit. We know it was one of the main six but it's not until the dying moments of the book we know the full truth. But alongside that there's all the sub-plots of the various character's lives and how everyone has issues and complications. And perhaps it shows that anyone could be capable of murder.
A unique idea for a crime thriller and one that plays out excellently. An absolutely fantastic read.
October 3, 2012
I've read a few of Mark Billingham's previous books and always enjoyed them, Thorne is a great fictional detective although I hate the TV version of him. I picked this one up as a last minute addition before I went on holiday having spotted it at an airport. The premise seemed intriguing especially as a holiday seemed to be the main core of the story. It had me gripped from the beginning and I felt compelled to finish it within a couple of days. Well, not compelled exactly, I just couldn't put it down. Brilliant book, brilliantly written with great pacing. There's never a dull moment and the characters, while you may not care about them are certainly interesting and the story as a whole is very clever. It does keep you guessing I have to admit, although I sensed the outcome around the time the final death occurs. I also liked the way the book ended but I won't say anything about that for obvious reasons other than to say I hope there's a follow up. First time I've ever written a book review and I've read two or three books a month for the last three years or more. Hopefully this will tell you all you need to know about this one. Enjoy.
April 10, 2018
Taking a breather from his excellent DI Thorne series, Billingham’s latest thriller delves into the aftermath of a Florida vacation. Three British couples, each with their own secrets and issues, continue to stay in touch after the sunburn has faded. But is one of them a killer? What really happened to the girl who went missing on the final day? Billingham delves nicely into the domestic dramas and frustrations of everyday people, explores the psyches and motivations of characters, while setting readers’ minds racing as to ‘whodunnit’. Enjoyable more than excellent, Rush of Blood finishes strong.
3.5 stars out of 5.
3.5 stars out of 5.
October 20, 2016
Loved the Thorne series by Billingham. This one didn't come close to those. I knew whodunit very early and was really tired of the characters by the end.
Oct 29, 2016
Re-read it as requested but opinion still the same! Read my comments section for more.
Oct 29, 2016
Re-read it as requested but opinion still the same! Read my comments section for more.
October 2, 2016
A great read from NetGalley. The mystery kept me guessing until late in the book. Good characterization. To be honest, the last minute twist was not a surprise. I quite enjoyed the story and recommend it.
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