Richard & Judy Introduce Take Your Breath Away by Linwood Barclay

We’re both huge fans of Linwood Barclay, who is, according to Stephen King, a true master of suspense. TAKE YOUR BREATH AWAY is packed with (yes) breathtaking twists. A woman who was apparently murdered 6 years ago suddenly turns up screaming outside her old house. Her husband, who was suspected of killing her, has made a new life with someone else. The police re-investigate. Is this woman, who avoids close scrutiny, really the dead wife? A really terrific read.

Judy's Review:

Another brilliant Barclay book! Fantastic plot, perfectly paced, tense and twisting.

Six years after Andy’s wife disappeared while he was away on a fishing trip, his life is back on track. Most people, including the police, think he murdered her, but can’t find enough evidence to charge him.

Then one day a woman who looks like his wife is seen outside their old home, which has been sold, demolished and rebuilt, screaming “Where’s my house? What’s happened to my house?” She quickly disappears, but all the old suspicions and questions about her fate resurface.

Andy has rediscovered happiness after six years when his grief at Brie’s disappearance nearly broke him, driving him to drink, ruining his business and making him a pariah among his old friends. He’s moved to a new area, quit drinking and found love with Jayne, his new partner. His life’s turned a corner - and then Brie (if indeed it’s really her) threatens to destabilise him again.

Richard's Review:

Barclay writes “It’s always the husband isn’t it?” And the police, as ever, suspect Andy of killing his wife even though they can’t prove it.

When a woman who looks just like Brie turns up at their old house, they revisit the case. The woman visits her mother, who’s dying in hospital, and her siblings, remaining just far enough away to prevent a definite identification, but convincing them that it really is her.

So where’s she been all these years? Is she being held prisoner? And if it really is Brie, what happens to Andy’s happy life with his new partner Jayne? There were problems with Andrew’s marriage to Brie (another reason to suspect him of murder) but he still loved her.

The novel ends with a series of massively unexpected twists. It’s a fantastic read, one of Barclay’s best. We both loved it.