Brilliant read hard to put down. Three very different women and their relationship with one man. As an abuser Phillip portrays a man who has a job that gives him a standing in the community and therefore in some peoples eyes cannot possibly be an abuser. A charming , manipulate man who has chosen vulnerable women whom he can have power and control over in their relationships and he does throughout this book. Lively and fast paced.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. This a very good debut novel It starts with a funeral of Phillip Rochester, Police officer and estranged husband to Imogen. Phillip was a nasty man he abused all three women. The story is told of past and present events leading up to this. Good read

Jo Jakeman writes a stellar emotional roller coaster of a debut novel, a tense and harrowing portrayal of an issue that is widespread in society but often flies beneath the radar, domestic violence. In this psychological thriller, it all begins with the funeral of Phillip Rochester, a decorated police officer and all round nasty piece of work. Present at the funeral are three women, Ruby, his ex-wife, Imogen, his estranged wife and girlfriend, Naomi, the woman that Phillip was intending to marry. These women harbour secrets and an unexpected bond that binds them. You wlll fill little sympathy for Phillip as the narrative goes back and forth in time to reveal the circumstances that led to his funeral. The three women have differing perceptions of Philip, but their views come to coalesce through time.

Phillip is an ugly, brutal, manipulative, self centred, bullying man who has physically and mentally abused the women in his life. He threatens Imogen with losing their son, Alastair, unless she and his son leave their family home and grant him his divorce. Going to the police has turned out to be a non starter with his colleagues unwilling to take any complaint about his behaviour seriously. As Phillip falls accidentally, a desperate Imogen locks him in the soundproofed cellar. The women meet, and find themselves drawn together in a common purpose, that of walking down the dangerous path of doing whatever it takes to bring him down as they seek revenge.

This traumatic story is hugely compelling and Jakeman manages to infuse it with black humour and wit. The characters are well drawn, and I loved how the author depicted the women's growing connection and solidarity with each other, not to mention the support of friends like Rachel. This is a thrill ride of an intensely entertaining read that will have you rooting for the women who will no longer take their suffering lying down. Jakeman is to be congratulated for taking on the dark, complex and disturbing issue of domestic violence, a critical issue facing women in our contemporary society. Many thanks to Random House Vintage for an ARC.

Thoroughly enjoyed this! Read it in two sittings as I just couldn’t put it down. Loved how it started with the funeral and ramped up the tension throughout the book. It was a little far fetched in places but if you can suspend reality you will really enjoy it. Can’t wait to read more from this author!

This is how you do a debut novel :-)
How i wish i had a cellar for my ex husband :-)
Funny, clever, sensitive and even an omg moment
Read this, you won't regret it

This a very good debut novel by Jo Jakeman. It starts with a funeral of Phillip Rochester, Police officer and estranged husband to Imogen. His now girlfriend Naomi and Phillips first wife Ruby also attends. Phillip was a nasty man he abused all three women. The story is told of past and present events leading up to this.
Philip turns up at the family home and tells Imogen that he wants to have a divorce and want her and their son out of the house by the end of the month. They argue and after an accident of Philip falling down the cellar stairs, Imogen locks him in the cellar. When Phillip doesn’t come home Naomi comes to find Phillip and eventually all three women get involved of the in castration of Phillip.
This is a very good first novel by this author. This story was faced paced, original and a highly addictive read. It described very well what goes on in an abusive relationship. I liked how the three women got their own revenge in the end. This author is one to watch.

A gripping read from start to finish. The tension throughout was breathtaking. I can't say too much about this plot for fear of giving a spoiler. What I will say is in Imogen's plight to have a fair divorce settlement for her and her son from Philip is a roller coaster of a journey. Imogen surprisingly receives help from two very unlikely allies. . It is hard to believe that this book is a debut novel. I will definitely look out for future books by this author..

Your husband is a lying manipulative violent man so what do you do?, Fight back and lock him in the cellar! But then what do you do with him?

A twisty tale of a woman's rage and then the consequences of her actions.

Great book!
I've read a lot of "samey samey" books recently but this was excellent.

It starts at the funeral of Phillip (no spoilers, it's the first chapter!) and then goes back in time to before he died to take you through the events which led him to his death.

Honestly a very good read, would highly recommend reading this when it comes out in the summer. Thank you to Jo Jakeman, Random House and Netgalley for the advanced reading copy.

Imogen représente à merveille la façon dont tout à coup, on peut perdre le contrôle de soi-même. On subit, encore et encore, jusqu’à ce que quelque chose se passe, un déclic et là, la bête est libérée. Dans les films, on entend toujours ce genre de réplique « je ne sais pas ce qu’il s’est passé. J’ai perdu le contrôle » et là, plutôt que de le dire, elle montre. Elle montre comment Imogen en est venue à ses extrémités. Pourquoi elle a craqué.

Et vous savez quoi?

Même si ce qu’elle fait est répréhensible, on la comprend. Mieux que ça, on la supporte. On est de tout coeur avec elle. Imogen est peut-être devenue folle mais on l’est devenu avec elle parce que quand elle entend la voix de sa raison, on veut qu’elle l’ignore. C’est dingue!

Alors, Sticks and stones se lit à toute vitesse parce qu’on veut toujours en lire plus. On se doute que le dénouement sera dramatique mais on est happé. La folie règne mais alors, on est tellement dedans qu’on ressent littéralement le besoin de savoir. On dévore les pages avec une avidité toujours grandissante. A un moment, j’étais tellement dedans que le moindre bruit me contrariait. J’avais envie de hurler. Comment la spirale s’est-elle dénouée? Va-t-on être surpris par la mort qui est annoncée? J’ai été incapable de lâcher ce roman et j’ai adoré!

Three women, Ruby, Imogen and Naomi. Ruby has knowledge of Imogen, Imogen has knowledge of Naomi but neither likes the other until a mutual dislike binds them together. The ‘dislike’ has shape, form and name.....Phillip and has been their former husband or partner. A controlling and coercive relationship he wrought upon each of them in turn until he makes a serious mistake and riles them all! A really imaginative debut novel from Jo Jakeman. Hell hath no fury as three women scorned!

Powerful, pacy & poignant.

This is a whip-smart debut. The writing is eloquent - the dark sense of humour triggering a wry grin as I shuddered at the horror as it unfolded.

The characters are brought to life in such a manner that they literally leap off the page. Imogen’s inner strength and determination perfectly offset the loathsome Phillip. His cloying presence pervaded the air, shrouding me in fear and evoking a palpable sense of rage. Her utter refusal to be cowed had me almost whooping with joy.

This is so much more that a revenge thriller - it is powerful, pacy and poignant.

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

A brilliant revenge thriller with a twist. Abusive husband Phillip is such a nasty piece of work and when he threatens to trick his wife out of her home and get custody of their son just for spite, his ex-wife and current girlfriend gang up on him in a highly readable way. This is a book you'll pick up and not put down til you've finished.

This was a great read especially as it's a debut novel. Imogen's abusive husband is now living with his girlfriend Naomi and it is not until Imogen runs into Naomi at the hospital when visiting her mother that she realises her husband's abuse is not just with her. However Phillip's first wife, Ruby, seems to have avoided his abuse and still holds a candle for him despite the many years since their divorce.

Imogen is the only one of the women who has had a child with Phillip and the story revolves around Phillip giving Imogen short notice to get out of the marital home or else he will go for full custody of their son Alistair. In a confrontation with Phillip, Imogen ends up locking him up in the cellar. However it's the encounter with Naomi at the hospital that proves pivotal in getting the Phillip's three partners together and gradually they learn to trust each other against a common enemy.

The story is well put together and written in a credible way. As someone who has experienced domestic abuse, I found it hit very close to home. Although Phillip is a monster, many aspects of this story could have been taken from my own life!

Not just a page turner, the story has depth through the character development and flashbacks. Jakeman manages to capture the fears that must be universal to those who have experienced such an abusive relationship. Yet these women manage to get their power back through bonding together.

Sticks and Stones by Jo Jakeman

With grateful thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was a debut book by the author, Jo Jakeman and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was one of those books that you just have to keep reading. At times the story was highly improbable but you kept reading anyway. As a thriller it had it all; the controlling husband, boyfriend, ex-husband to the three woman involved, He was also a policeman and the three women form an unlikely liaison to stop him once and for all. It was a riveting read.
Highly recommended.

Published on the 12th April.

A story about three victims who have suffered abuse from the same man, getting their revenge. Phillip has been manipulating and abusing the women in his life for years. Now it is time for three of them to walk away on their own terms. What made this book a three star read is that it is not believable in a lot of places, some of the deeds carried out seem too absurd to be believed.

Very interesting book, three women brought together through being with the same man at one time. All with different yet similar stories. At times the book feels absolutely unreal but the feelings and emotions are always real. Is their punishment w step far? Great read.

An excellent book written in a unique way. It starts with Philips funeral then goes back to explain the events leading up to his death. Shocking and fast paced.
Jo Jakeman is an author to watch out for.
Highly recommended

I really loved this book! Excellent story with brilliant main characters. I would recommend this book.

This book starts well and it has to be acknowledged that it deals with difficult issues of abuse which need to be aired. The tension which might have been present is spoiled by the beginning bring the funeral of the abusive male. That takes away the suspense! Then the only question is how did he meet his deserved end. The story gets a bit unlikely as his three abused women try to act against him and that doesn't really ring true. It does however raise some important issues.