‘Mine’, a lengthy novel, brought together many story elements which I find irresistible but in a way which never lost pace or interest. It was a real page turner, although on the very first page I was bemused by water being described as a scratch against glass. Anyway, I digress. Francine our heroine, blinded by a lusty relationship with Martin, a successful financial investor who she is representing in his divorce with Donna, a glamorous 34 year old, finds things go sour when Donna mysteriously disappears. There are many twists and turns in her relationship with Martin as day by day Martin seems the likely suspect in Donna’s disappearance and possible murder.
I thought the plot to be technically competent and the characters involved to have an interesting depth. Altogether a great novel.

This is a gripping and cleverly plotted story of obsession in the heart of London. It’s sense of place transports you right into the inner throng of the city and provides a fascinating insight into Barristers’ Chambers.

Like Francine I was unsure who I trusted, who had the darkest core and who I needed protection from the most as many of the key characters seemed enveloped in a cloying fog of suspicion.

Rather than racing through this book I savoured it - allowing it to consume me time and time again. The conclusion was satisfying, unpredictable and left me reeling with surprise.

Thank you to the Publisher and to NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review. Highly recommended.

I have read all of Tasmina Perry's books ,so I was excited to hear she had written a thriller under another name. The blurb for this book sounded fantastic and right up my street.

Francine is a divorce lawyer and has been very successful in her career, less so in her private life. Her life takes a dramatic twist when she meet her new client, Martin who is a charismatic with a hint of danger. Despite knowing that any relationship with him could spell disaster for her career, she can't keep her lust for him at bay.

If being involved with a client wasn't risky enough then the stakes are raised even higher when Martin's wife goes missing and Martin suddenly finds himself needing a defence lawyer rather than a divorce lawyer. Is Martin responsible for his wife's disappearance? Is he really a narcissist or being set up as he claims? Francine is an intelligent woman, but throw in a dodgy, stalker neighbour, mental illness and being totally blinded by love/lust will she let Martin drag her down with him?

I really enjoyed this book and was reading it at every possible opportunity.There were times when I wanted to shake Francine and remove those rose tinted glasses she had on when it came to Martin. I had worked out the 'culprit' before the ending but it didn't spoil my enjoyment just made me happy that I'd spotted a few clues. It was good to see some of the raunch in Tasmina's early books make a welcome return, she writes it so well.

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book - this is my honest opinion.

An intriguing and gripping book centered around Francine who embarks on an affair with a client....whose soon to be ex wife disappears. It did remind me of apple tree yard and although was slightly long I had to know what happened!!!

I found this a little hard to get into and didn't enjoy it as much as I generally enjoy psychological thrillers. 3* from me.
My thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for the advance reader copy.

Complicated and complex story. Lots of twists and turn in this story which starts out as straightforward and is anything but.

Did he, or didn’t he?

Francine Day is a lawyer who has done everything right; that is until she meets and falls in love with a client who is under investigation for the possible abduction of his wife.

Francine must decide if he is telling the truth and put her entire career on the line for a man she doesn’t wholeheartedly trust.

A psychological thriller which will have you blaming everyone, but, who really is guilty?

I must admit I kept putting off reading this book as I really didn’t fancy it. Boy! Was I wrong? This book was very good as it kept me guessing all the way through and there are so many twists and turns and false leads it has you thinking everyone did it.

I really can fault this book, I don’t think things would have panned out quite the same way in real life but that is why we read.

Give this book a go and you will soon be drawn into Francine’s world and heartache.

Chester

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.

I was really looking forward to reading this title and it was great to be able to do it before publication date. It was a very interesting title with characters that felt believable and uncommon. I liked Fran and the way in which the author decided that her main character was going to be bipolar. The insights into her life before Martin were also interesting even though I felt that the author gave strokes and never went in full detail. The story was compelling but I found it long and difficult to follow. The final twist was predictable and I didn't understand why Fran's feelings for Martin disappear out of the blue! All in all in was an interesting read but I was expecting more from it. Would love to keep reading this author and see what she comes up next!

Great book. Interesting with lots of twists and turns. I loved the link with the lawyer. A real page turner. Would definitely read another book by this author.

This was a real page turner, I could hardly put it down although during several chapters in the middle I did scan some pages but only because I wanted to get back into the story line. Authors have a habit of leaving you at a cliff edge and then starting the next chapter with a lengthy memory of someone or some place from childhood, teen or uni years and going into detail when all you want is to continue where you left of. It is very frustrating but frequently done. Fran is one of those heroines that abound the literary world now, she makes some silly judgments and then wonders why it all goes wrong, her problem with neighbour Pete being one of them. However it is was an interesting and original story line, I could actually feel her obsession with Martin in the early chapters. I would definitely read something else from this author.

A great story with lots of twists. An author to look out for. Can't wait for the next book. Highly recommended

This is a brilliant psychological novel with its twists and turns and an ending you don't see coming. The main character is a divorce lawyer and at age 37, I found her very immature and at times annoying. The story is slow moving and reminded me so much of Apple Tree Yard. Plenty of romance, sex and there are dark moments involving the other characters. Well written and provides a nice leisurely read.

Francine Day is a top London barrister who specialises if Family Law and more specifically, divorce, who is on the cusp of applying for "silk" - or in other words to become a Queen's Counsel (Q.C.).
Francine takes on the case of representing Martin Joy, a hugely wealthy hedge fund banker who is divorcing his beautiful wife Donna and finds herself instantly drawn and attracted to Martin. The feeling is mutual and it is not long before Fran and Martin are embarking on an inappropriate and ill-advised affair.
When Martin's soon-to-be ex-wife Donna goes missing shortly after Fran saw them together the resulting police investigation throws all sorts of suspicion on Martin and his close friends as secrets come out regarding Martin, Donna and their lives together.
There is the further reveal throughout the book regarding Fran's bipolar condition and this certainly explains her angst and questionable decision-making at times.
I have to be honest and say that I did not actually see the twist coming and enjoyed it very much.
Overall, an entertaining and enjoyable read.
Many thanks to Netgalley UK and the publishers for an advance review copy.

Slow burner.....great storytelling, brilliant twists at the end. Really gripping once I'd got in to the story. Great characterisation. Nothing is as it seems - a really clever psychological thriller, was aware I was holding my breath towards the end of the book! High!y recommend

At first I thought it was going to be a Bridget Jones meets Silks but less funny, its not funny at all and actually it zips along quite nicely - really didn't see the twist at the end coming at all. Set in a very familiar London, it follows the story of a young woman with nothing in her life except work until the day she gets a new client - then it all unfurls.... Good character development and an interesting fast paced plot - there were times when the descriptions went on a touch too long but easily forgiven once the new fact or situation revealed itself.

I was very lucky to be given this book to read in advance of publication by NetGalley. Thank you to them. All thoughts and views are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley, JL Butler and Harper Collins for an advance copy of Mine.
Young ambitious solicitor takes on case involving high profile client and so the story begins.
Good strong characters, a few twist along the way and a very enjoyable read.

Wow what a read. It’s a thriller with so much more. There is mystery, mental health issues, blackmail so much going on you won’t want to put the book down. It follows the story of a divorce lawyer Francine who gets involved with her client. During the case Martin her client becomes chief suspect in his wive’s disappearance. Is Francine falling in love with a murderer or is there something else going on. Fantastic read I’d highly recommend this book.

This was a fascinating murder/mystery written from a different angle. Lots of twists and turns which kept me guessing and in the end fooled me completely. Some good characters, and the story linked them all together really well. Great read.

I am not sure why this book has the title it has but that probably doesn't matter.. I wouldn't want its lead character as my barrister either given her personal issues but that makes the story more compelling. And it is that. A murder ( or is it a murder?) story in a very different context is a god do read and you will want to know the end. It is almost certainly not what you will expect. This is a debut novel an hopefully there'll be more. It is well written and there is no unnecessary description which spoils many books.

I'm sad to say that I really didn't enjoy this book. In theory it looked great, but I was getting increasingly annoyed with the main character Fran, her seemingly inane behaviour is in complete contrast to what I'd expect from someone in her position. The irritation grew and continued as the book went on, the pathetic swooning and fawning over her client/lover was so annoying.
I know people who loved this book but it really wasn't for me