I thoroughly enjoyed The Dangerous Kind by Deborah O'Connor. The story whips along at a great pace and the characters are rounded and believable.  Jessamine is fighting to keep her job at the BBC while bringing up her adopted daughter. But as an investigative journalist she can’t help being drawn in to find a missing woman. The story goes back and forth in time with Jessamine and Rowena, a girl from a care home who gets caught up with unsavoury characters and situations she can’t extricate herself from.  The insight into the ‘parties’ makes uncomfortable reading, but O’Connor writes about the girls respectfully without judgement and each scenario rings true. You find yourself rooting for Rowena and her overpowering sense of injustice whilst caring for Jessamine and the relationship with her daughter. O’Connor brings the story to a full and satisfying close, something that is often lacking in novels of this genre.

This is a real thriller of a book. The subject matter brings us places we never want to go but it is written with insight, empathy and  understanding. This is a gripping story with plenty of twists and turns and threads that wind themselves into the  story in surprising ways. If you like reading at the edge of your seat and impatiently waiting to see where the story is going then this is for you!

Wow, what a gripping thriller of a book this was.  Can't wait to read more by Deborah O'Connor.  Kept me up well into the early hours.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, who gave me a free ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I got completely sucked into this book and read it all in one day.  At first, it seems to set itself up as the first in a series of cold case investigation novels.  However, it soon picks up the pace as a stand-alone thriller.

It's difficult to say any more without giving away the plot, but I enjoyed the multi-dimensional characters, shockingly-gritty themes and clever plot twists.  I look forward to reading other books by Deborah O,Connor.

This book is hard for me to review. As, it is a subject The Dangerous Mind by Deborah O’Connor is a great gripping read, with great characters and intriguing plot but with a difficult subject of child grooming and prostitution.  But it is also current to what is happening out there now.  I found this an easy read and enjoyed reading it, but I was disappointed with the ending as it the story build up so much to have it full flat at the end. 4 stars from me.

What a great book, the story unfurls in alternating chapters of different characters until all is finally revealed. 

This is the story of physical, emotional and psychological abuse and of a woman missing with no-one trying particularly hard to find her. Cassies friend, Marnie, is determined to get to the bottom of her disappearance and contacts BBC radio presenter, Jessamine. Reluctant at first, but suddenly with additional time on her hands, she delves into the mystery and as the story unravels we find out exactly what happened to missing Cassie.

Alongside the main story are several characters who play significant roles in the unfolding story and with their own tales of woe unflinchingly revealed. 

Rowena’s story is told as a delicately as can be but is ultimately heart breaking,her vulnerability and the level of abuse suffered is implicit but nevertheless painful to read and plays s central role to the unfolding tale.

Sarah, Jessamines adopted daughter, is in contact with a man who is manipulating her and her innocence online, but who is he? What does he want?

Jitesh, a troubled young man and sound engineer at the BBC, helps Jessamine and as he does we learn too of his turbulent year following a traumatic experience. Can he be the hero this time?

Such a clever story, I couldn’t turn the pages quick enough!

This has got to be one of my top reads of 2019 so far it’s an amazing read and turned out to be much more than just a thriller I was blown away by just how brilliantly written it was. Switching from two separate timelines and told from multiple points of view this is a read that deals with some extremely horrendous and topical subjects such as domestic abuse, child grooming and exploitation but it is done is a very sensitive way and doesn’t go into intricate descriptions where the child abuse is concerned so it makes a gripping story. There are various plot lines to be explored and these seem unconnected but OMG just wait !!! So this makes a compulsive read with a very strong main character in Jessamine making it impossible to put down and ends with a thrilling conclusion so let’s hope we hear more from the brilliant Deborah O’Connor as this book is going to be a massive hit and I have no hesitation in giving it 5 bit fat stars.
My thanks to NetGalley and Bonnier Zaffre for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I hope there is a sequel to this book. 

Jasmine. recently sacked from her radio show finds herself abosorbed in the mystery of a missing woman.
Rowena. A 13 year old that becomes a sex puppet at parties.

Two stories with two timelines that leave you wanting to know how the stories are linked, and willing both women to not just survive, but chive their goals,dreams, and freedom. 

This story feels very real and current, and whilst it is a work of fiction its easy to believe that it could and is happening out in society right now, with names changed to protect the innocent. The book really makes you want these women to be champions, and enthralls you from start to finish

I enjoyed this book but not as much as I would have liked.

It was a good read and a decent story but the characters didn't connect with me.  I felt they were all basic and undeveloped.  Their stories were interesting enough but nothing special. 

The writing style is good although a tad too descriptive which in my opinion takes away from the readers imagination. 

The main plot twist was unfortunately predictable and I felt the ending was an anticlimax. 

I think this book would have been better as a TV show if I'm honest. As it references the BBC a lot, it might just become one.

My thanks to NetGalley and publisher Bonnier Zaffre for the ARC.
This is a really, really, well-written story and it is because of this I can say I enjoyed reading it.   Of course, the subject matter cannot in itself be described as enjoyable, but it has been skilfully woven through this excellent contemporary thriller with a level of sensitivity which avoids any necessity for graphic detail - for which I am grateful.

Jessamine Gooch is 52yrs-old, has a teenaged daughter Sarah whom she adopted at 2yrs-old.  She is a BBC presenter of a late-night discussion and call-in programme examining solved violent crimes, to determine the potential of the perpetrator to be a dangerous person and thus avoid the crime in the first place.  She also volunteers locally on the help lines for victims of domestic abuse.  Sarah's recent moodiness Jessamine puts down to teenage angst, but secretly Sarah has been drawn into an on-line relationship.
The story is split between two timelines - present day with Jessamine and Jitesh - a likeable, stuttering, intern at the BBC who works with the sound engineer, but who knows how to hack into people's email and social media accounts. 

Rowena narrates her life from 2002/2003 when she is 13yrs-old.  Brought up in a children's home we read her story of being groomed by Sunny - whom she loves and calls her boyfriend.  Gradually further exploited and sexually abused at sordid parties Sunny takes her to under the guise of helping him escape some fictitious debt.  She really wants it to stop but then Sunny introduces her to a wealthy and well-connected man, Leo, in Oxfordshire.  She continues to be abused only now it takes place in beautiful apartments with wealthy and sometimes famous men, taken there by Leo.  One night, being driven home by a 'celebrity', he stops at a building for something; worried that his car may be towed Rowena runs inside to find him, only there she witnesses something she wished she hadn't.

Jessmine is approached one evening on the steps to Broadcasting House by Marnie Clark.  Her friend Cassie Scolari, mother to Mateo, has been missing for several weeks and asks Jessamine to help as she feared Cassie's abusive husband has something to do with it.  Despite initially refusing, Jessamine gets drawn into the detail of Cassie's disappearance when Marnie delivers paperwork to her the next day.  Through circumstances (no spoiler), Jessie and Jitish join forces as she produces her own pod-cast detailing Cassie's case and asking the public for any help.

Just what is the connection between Rowena, Cassie and Jessie?  Why are there so many problems with the cabling in Jessie's studio at the BBC which Jitish is trying to trace?  Who is Sarah secretly talking with?
You just have to read it to find out the answers - and a whole lot more besides.  A really clever plot with twists to amaze you.  I loved the characters.  This was a very emotional and at times heart breaking read and of course very, very real.  You cannot help but think of the Bradford (and elsewhere) grooming gangs and the Jimmy Saville enquiry whilst reading this, as well as being aware of many domestic violence cases.  Yes, it was uncomfortable reading at times,  but so well-written.

Our main character in this book - Jessamine- is fantastic. She is tenacious and deeply focused on trying to find out what has happened to Cassie, and why. I’m not sure this is a thriller in the truest sense of the word but it’s definitely a mystery, and a fascinating one at that. Dealing with some really hard but highly relevant themes, this book is most definitely worth a read.

The Dangerous Kind by Deborah O'Connor is a thriller set in London. Jessamine, the main character is a reporter and a radio presenter who is approached by a woman asking her to look into the disappearance of her friend whom no-one believes has disappeared. .The narrative is strong, and the story is thoroughly engaging. I love a good thriller and this is one of the best this year. Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review.

This book kept me engaged in the storyline and characters from beginning to end. The connection between Jessamine and the BBC was such a different slant and so fascinating, as were her links to abused women and her relationship with her adopted daughter. This, entangled with a disturbing thread of abuse, really held my attention. The other characters in this well told tale are also intriguing and three dimensional and the story has twists and turns and a solid ending.

The subject matter is such that there is an under current of unease throughout the book, although, the author is extremely skilled at ensuring that, what could have been unsavoury /too much information, is balanced and never excessive.

I thoroughly enjoyed it and am looking forward to reading much more from this talented writer.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Bonnier Zaffre and the author for the opportunity to preview this excellent read in exchange for this honest review.

Despite the harrowing subject matter this was a great book - kept me gripped from start to finish. I don't want to give anything away but it brings fiction and real life together- hard to think about what went on back then and probably still goes on today. A well written story linking events from years ago to the present day.

This story tackles some very difficult topics and while uncomfortable to read in places it is very well written and approaches the subjects of child exploitation and grooming in a sensitive and non-explicit manner. Told from four different character perspectives and two different timelines, it was occasionally a little confusing to keep up with who and where, but I think that made the ending when everything came together all the better.

Firstly, This marvellous book covers the incredibly disturbing and horrific crimes of child sexual exploitation and prostitution and as such can be heartbreaking to read……but Deborah O’Connor’s writing is so compelling you have to keep reading right to it’s heart thumping end…..

So, the story is told in chapters by Jessamine, Rowena and Jitesh……these seem to be totally random and not linked in any way…….but oh my….just wait..!

Rowena is 13, (and in the care system) and her ‘boyfriend’ Sunny says he owes a gang money and she needs to attend ‘parties’ with older men, some she recognises as famous….to help him repay his debt. She soon realises this is a lie, but it’s too late…

Jitesh, is a young, troubled guy……a bit of a tech wizard but very shy with people. He is troubled when Meera gets involved with his old friend Kishor…..

He also works with Jessamine……..for her new podcast.

Jessamine, works for BBC radio, in a show about criminal behaviour and is it possible to identify potential violent crimes and their perpetrators. Due to a her recent outburst at the BBC, she is suspended and decides to do an independent podcast….when she is approached by a young woman, who asks her to look into the disappearance of her friend Cassie…..she is intrigued and starts her investigation…….

This leads to danger for her and her daughter…….is someone close to home responsible ?

As the stories progress, they link and all the pieces suddenly come together in such a way that made me gasp…..it feels so real, with the relatively recent revelations (alleged allegations)of child abuse by TV personalities and people in positions of power, heartbreaking too….poor Billy!…I can’t say much more for fear of spoiling the story……yes it’s a tough subject, but Deborah O’Connor has handled it with her creative, and emotion packed writing….brilliant! .

I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the Deborah O’Connor for the opportunity to read this book for free and this is my honest and unbiased review.

This book is pitched for fans of ‘Anatomy of a Scandal’ which is originally what enticed me to read this book. I’m not sure I would peg ‘The Dangerous Kind’ in the same pitch as ‘Anatomy of a Scandal’ which for me was a legal thriller as there is no courtroom action in this read. The concept of ‘dangerous people’ however, in and of itself was enough to make me interested. 

We follow the story primarily from Jessamine’s point of view with flash back chapters to 2003 and Rowena’s account of what happened during that time. Jessamine is a radio presenter for the BBC and when one day she is randomly approached outside by a woman who’s friend mysteriously disappeared Jessamine’s interest is spiked and she starts looking into the unsolved case. 

Reading Rowena’s chapters was hard, from Rowena’s tender age she doesn’t appreciate that what is happening to her is wrong on so many levels. It’s absolutely sickening that young and vulnerable people are taken advantage of in this way. It doesn’t become apparent until some way through the book how Rowena and Jessamine’s stories actually fit together but rest assured, everything comes to light towards the end of the book. 

I absolutely love books that flick between the past and present and as a reader you have no idea how these two timelines fit together. I think this set up for writing when written well works on so many levels and the author worked these two storylines brilliantly. I really enjoyed how the author drew me into these characters and made me invested in what happens to them. There was no question of a doubt that I would read this book to conclusion to find out the answers to the many questions I had whilst reading.

What a brilliant concept, a complete and utter page turner of a book I could not put down. 
Completely caught up in it the story the whole way through, this is a captivating dark read with a brilliant ending.  I'll be looking for other books from this author.

I enjoyed this book, a very good storyline with a good cast, a reporter is asked by someone to find her friend and so it begins ..

This was a fast paced, gripping thriller from the start. I really enjoyed my time while reading it and got curious and curiouser. I like thrillers that go between past and present, it really adds to the pace and excitement. 
I found Cassie's disappearance and the radio show aspect interesting and original. 
Some parts were harder to read, wish it was cleaner. 
But, all in all, it was a good thriller. I would read from this author again. 

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this e-copy in exchange for an honest review.