Having seen a lot of buzz about this book online, I couldn’t wait to start reading The Rumour. It definitely lived up to my expectations. This was the first novel I’ve read by Lesley Kara and I’m definitely keek to read more.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

It was only on my second attempt of reading this book that I actually got lost in the story. My initial reaction to the opening chapter was that it was going to be a chick-lit dressed up as a thriller. However, getting past the first few chapters I managed to find that there was something very sinister happening and it was very interesting trying to figure out how all the pieces fitted together.

I could not have guessed at the ending, but the shocking reveal comes with an unexpected bittersweet twist.

Why didn't I see it coming?
I should of seen it coming. But I thought I knew who it was. I started only looking for clues on that person. Not the bigger picture.
This took me a few days to finish. Not because it wasn't enjoying it. But it felt longer than it was.

I thought that this plot was highly addictive and it had me gripped!

I thought that the characters were really well developed and I loved getting to know more about them as the book progressed and the plotline started to unravel.

The pace for the book was spot on, it allowed the author to create suspense which really added to my enjoyment and the book held my attention right to the very end.

I thought that this was an impressive debut from the author and I will certainly be looking out for her next release!
It is five stars from me for this one, I thought that the story was excellent, I enjoyed the plot and the ending was superb!! I know now from reading this one that the hype that surrounded the book is definitely justified!!

Did I enjoy this book? Not as much as I wanted to. The storyline was good but it was a bit flakey in parts that I didn’t really enjoy.

I had kind of worked out who the real culprit was early on which was a shame as I feel it could have been more groundbreaking and there were too many diversions from the real culprit. I felt that the characters could have been developed a bit more fully.

Single mother Joanna has recently moved back to her childhood home town and is desperate for her young son Alfie to fit in at school and not be bullied. So Joanna tries to fit in with the other mothers and in an attempt to engage with the other mothers, she tells them a rumour she's heard that notorious child killer Sally McGowan is living under witness protection in their sleepy seaside town. The rumour quickly picks up and is spread around town, with dangerous implications for others. Joanna is also trying to get to grips with her relationship with Alfie's father Michael. So far they've had a supportive friends with benefits type of relationship but does Joanna want it to be more than that?

The idea for the story was interesting, however I felt like there was a lot of filler material. There was descriptions and information that I felt added nothing to the story (at one stage Joanna is getting ready for bed or something and everything just felt inconsequential) as well as plots that didn't need to be there (the woman selling her house for example, I felt like there was way too much to that story that didn't need to be there at all). I couldn't tell the difference between most of the yummy mummy characters at all, I constantly got them confused and there was just too many of them. I didn't care for the main character or her relationships either. I just never connected with her. Like I said, I liked the idea of the story and it did engage me, enough for me to finish the story and get to the bottom of things.

This is a quick, easy read that takes you on a real rollercoaster of events. It covers a number of themes, including how far we'll go to fit in, the sacrifices we make for our children and how easy it is for things to spiral out of control.

Personally, I found the final twist a little unnecessary, but that didn't detract from what is a gripping, entertaining read.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC without obligation.

A great psychological debut thriller!

I absolutely love reading gritty psychological thrillers, and ‘The Rumour' is undoubtedly a great debut novel.

The tale is mostly told from Joanna’s perspective. She is a single mum who has moved from London to a sleepy seaside town, Flinstead-on-Sea, with her young son Alfie. She intends to give Alfie a better quality of life, as her mum also lives locally. We also find out how Michael, (Alfie's dad) fits into Joanna's life.

Being a newcomer to the area, Joanna is anxious to make friends and fit in with the other young mums. She joins the book club and babysitting circle and decides to pass on a rumour she had picked up. The trouble is that this particular rumour is somewhat scandalous, so spreads like wildfire! Is there really a heinous child killer in their midst? It seems as there is more than one person who looks suspicious. Who, what, where, why? These are all questions that the reader will debate.

Well...as you can imagine the speculation increases, leading to a rather dramatic conclusion! It certainly is a rollercoaster of a ride. I shall definitely look out for other novels by Lesley Kara. Well done for an excellent first!

Galadriel.

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of this book to review.

This book drew me in and didn’t let go, with the twists and turns I kept thinking I had it right but no once did I see it.
The characters were believable and each fitted correctly within the plot. Each situation was easy to place my self in and wonder what I would of said......
I would recommend this book to my friends and fellow book readers, it deserves all the success it’s going to get.
Well done!
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity of reading this book in exchange for a review.

Do you ever really know who your friends and neighbours are? Or even your family? A bit of salacious gossip in order to try and fit in comes back to bite with a vengeance in this very readable story with plenty of twists and turns. Great bit of holiday reading.

Wow! What a page turner. I was hooked from the first page. Its incredibly interesting and thought provoking to think of the digital age we live in, how quick things take off. An incredibly fast paced book. If you like thrillers, you'll love this. Guessing from the start!

I really enjoyed this book, the story was really engaging, I didnt want to put it down.
Jo is a single mum, who has recently moved back to be nearer her own mother. Desperate to fit in and make life as easy as possible for her little boy, Jo passes on a rumour she heard concerning a convicted child killer.
Sally McGowan was just a child herself when she fatally stabbed a little boy. The jury found her guilty of manslaughter and after her sentence Sally was given a new identity. Rumour had it she is now living in the same town as Jo. Things take a dark turn when Jo begins to receive threatening Tweets. It seems someone is not happy what Jo has passed on to other mothers in town.
There is plenty of suspense and intrigue in this story. I love discovering new authors and I look forward to reading more by this author.

Wow this was a surprise in more ways than one. This book is astoundingly smart , ratcheting up the paranoia and you will think you know . You will guess many times and you will be wrong . Great writing makes you question , excellent writing gives you a question and then shocks you with the answer . This author is now on my radar as this is a highly accomplished debut and I can't wait for her next one.

Intriguing and gripping full of twists and turns. Centred around a rumour about a child murderer living in a small town....it erupts....easy to read. Thank you

Wow, it just goes to show the effects a rumour can have. This is a good read that will keep you gripped until the end.

The fact that I only got around to reading this brilliant debut novel, is really a great disgrace on my side. I have read several reviews of this book, and finally took it up.
And wow. O my word, wow. This was really a fantastic read, and considering that this is Ms Kara's debut novel, I can not imagine the heights she will still achieve with her writing.
The book read nicely, and from the beginning I wanted to see if the rumour is true, and if its true, who is the lady that the rumour's about (no spoilers). Each and every page I considered another "suspect", just to get another new suspect on the next page. The reveal of the story plot was done so craftily, and almost sneakily, and I did not see it coming, in no bloody way.
This was really a brilliant debut novel, and I can't wait to see what this talented author has up her sleeve with her next novel, releasing in December 2019.
Wow.

I really enjoyed this book. Full of twists and turns it kept me guessing till the end. Thank you Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book

Loved this book. Took a while to "get into it" but once the story took hold I could not put this book down.
It is an intelligent, plausible mix of things that we are all, sadly, familiar with and posed some interesting questions. "what would you do if..........?" "Would you say something like that?" "How well do you know those you consider to be friends?" and that, right at the end one more question which really has no answer that we all ask everyday of someone close to us, probably. What does that mean?
A real poser for so many in this age and raises a big question, who is protected and from what? Given the Buklger case and the ramification of that this book will tug at your imagination.
Great read.

Great book, interesting storyline, which really hits hi,e about the effect rumours can have on everyone’s life. Would definitely recommend this book

It starts as a bit of gossip – apparently notorious child killer Sally McGowen is living in Flinstead. A harmless rumour. But the trouble with rumours is that they spread. Soon the whole village has heard about the rumour and the fingers begin to point. Are they in danger? Who is lying about their identity? And what are the consequences?

I was really drawn to the synopsis of this one. It sounded like as gritty thriller that would keep me guessing. And in a way it was (without the gritty part). The main downfall for me was the writing style. It was written as more of a suspenseful chick-lit than a tense thriller. There was too much forced tension that prevented me from getting pulled into the story. I thought the characters lacked depth as there were many mentioned but not much back story. This made it difficult to connect with them although in a way this also maintained the mystery by not getting to know the characters too deeply.

I did like the storyline, there were plenty of red herrings and I was caught totally off-guard with the revelation of Sally McGowen which is exactly what I want out of a thriller. I just wish the writing had been more compelling and dark, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the story.