Despite dragging in the middle a little for me, this is another compelling thriller that I really enjoyed.

As a lover of Gillian McAllisters books, I was very excited to have the opportunity to read this and it did not disappoint. I could not put this down, it sucks you in and holds you hostage until the bitter end. An intense and exciting thriller with great characters and brilliant storyline.

I don’t want to go into detail about the book, so I will simply say read it for yourself, you will not be disappointed.

I would firstly like to thank Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me the opportunity to read this book early in exchange for a honest review.

Izzy's father is finally released from prison, seventeen years after he was convicted of murder. Izzy wants nothing to do with him. But then her father writes her a letter, begging her to believe he's innocent. Against her better judgement, Izzy is tempted to believe him. But how can she? Because the woman they say he killed was Izzy's mother.

While Gillian's second novel is still very much my favourite from her, I still very enjoyed this read. Tense and compelling right from the very start, the plot slowly unravels throughout, delivering a believeable and cleverly-written story. I was playing detective the whole way through trying to guess if her father was telling the truth or not, and this made the read a definite page-turner. I felt so much sympathy for Izzy and found myself wishing so badly for a happy ending! With chapters from both Izzy and her father's point of view, both the present and the past and a satisfying reveal, this book is certainly worth a read. Can't wait for this author's next!

A solid twisty-turney mystery, that tugged my heartstrings!

When Izzy English was a teenager her father was convicted of murdering her mother. Growing up, father and daughter had always shared a close bond, but the evidence against him was compelling, and she was left with no doubt that her father was guilty, and hasn't seen him in seventeen years as a result. Now, on the day of his release from prison, Izzy receives a note from him.

‘I want to tell you my side of it.’

But Izzy's not sure she wants to hear it. What could he possibly have to share that she doesn't already know? And can she trust anything he says?

Tense, tragic and troubling with a powerful emotional spark. I would keep the tissues on standby for some scenes. The start was a little slow and repetitive but once things got going the shocks and surprises never let up, and the last 60% was hard to put down. The story unfolds through Izzy’s eyes, with flashbacks to the prosecutor presenting an incriminating piece of evidence, with Izzy's father, Gabriel, then explaining his side of the story, followed by Izzy recalling her version of the same event. I thought this was a very clever and original way to convey how a little information is a dangerous things, and how easily words and actions can be taken out of context.

Gillian McAllister has done it again. Enjoy! I certainly did.

I'd like to thank Netgalley UK, Penguin UK – Michael Joseph, and Gillian McAllister for the e-ARC.

Release Date: 18th April, 2019.

I always enjoy Gillian McAllister's writing. Not necessarily action-packed, but there is always plenty going on to make your grey cells go on overtime and The Evidence Against You is in her signature style. Every book of hers I have read has had me considering whether the characters acted in the way I would if I found myself with their moral dilemmas.

This time we are presented with Izzy English whose mother was murdered when she was a child and her father tried and convicted for the offence. Her maternal grandparents took her in and brought her up, meaning that she is influenced by their biased opinions about her father and is encouraged not to pursue the dreams she had as a child and lead a very 'safe' existence.

Gabe English is finally released after serving his sentence for the murder of his wife and immediately makes contact with his daughter, pleading for the opportunity to put his side of the story. We follow Izzy's dilemma as to whether it is safe for her to meet her father - after all, he could be coming after her as well in order to complete his mission. Or he could, genuinely have been as innocent as he always professed to be from the outset.

We follow the pendulum of thoughts which Izzy goes through, trying to work out if she should risk giving her father his chance to speak: she's worried that the evidence she gave which contributed to his imprisonment all those years ago may mean he wants revenge. Her gut instinct is that she should listen to him, give him a fair hearing - but what if she's wrong? What if she is making a terrible mistake? Her husband is a very safe character - a police analyst who sees things in black and white, no grey areas. She dare not tell him her dad has been in touch; he wouldn't understand and would have him returned to prison to serve the remainder of his sentence as per the conditions of his licence. She has nobody to turn to. Her uncle and cousin are too close to offer a considered opinion and she has no one else close she can bounce ideas off - the product of the 'safe' environment she has been conditioned into: trust no one.

I went through all the emotions with Izzy - and her father as well at times. I didn't know who to trust, who was responsible for the crime so to imagine being Izzy herself took me through some emotional turmoil. What I didn't see coming was the final outcome, that was a total curveball for me. Whether I had got myself too deeply into Izzy's character to see the facts as they were presented, I don't know but what I can say is that I was completely invested in the whole story and was emotionally wrung out by the end. I can imagine that this book might be a bit too slow-moving for some people, but I personally loved it and would recommend it along with all of Gillian's other work. Clever writing from one of the best in the genre in my opinion.
This review will be posted on my blog 18 April 2019 at www.sandiesbookshelves.blogspot.co.uk

Gillian Mcallister is one of my favourite crime writers, I love how she puts a unique slant to her novels. Unfortunately this is nothing like her normal style.
The whole thing was actually a struggle to read, it just didn't hook me in any way. And I just couldn't connect with any of the characters.
Disappointed.
I've left 3 stars on Goodreads and Waterstones but this really was not up to the excellent standard I am used to from this author.

A slow moving but very readable plot. Izzy’s father has been released after serving a lengthy prison sentence for the murder of Izzy’s mother. He protests his innocence. What does Izzy. believe.? Read and find out the truth

Gabe English is about to be released from prison.

Isobel English is conflicted.

Part of her believes that she should be glad her Father is being released from jail. The other part knows that she cannot forgive him for what he did and should be hoping for him to stay and rot in jail.

For Gabe was convicted of killing Izzy’s mother Alexandra in the most brutal way. Izzy has largely avoided the finer detail, wanting to not get in too deep to something that she can barely bring herself to think or talk about, even after all these years.

Gabe sends Izzy a letter protesting his innocence, which Izzy wants to ignore. But then on the evening of his release he turns up outside the restaurant that Izzy’s Mother owned where Izzy has taken over, and Izzy feels compelled to speak to him against her better judgement.

Gabe wants Izzy’s help in proving his innocence. Izzy isn’t certain that her father is not guilty, but realises that the case has always seemed a little off, like maybe some details were missing. Despite her better judgement she reluctantly begins looking into the night her Mother disappeared and the subsequent events leading up to her death.

Throughout this novel we are questioning the same things as Izzy, feeling her scepticism, naivety and self doubt. Her relationship with her a Father is as expected, though sometimes her naivety can be a little grating.

As for the novels conclusion ...well let’s just say I didn’t see it coming.

This book does not fail to deliver. Izzy had dreams of being a dancer but after her mother’s murder and her father being convicted life changed. 18 years on her father is released protesting his innocence. Everything Izzy believed is questioned. Relationships are challenged. This book keeps you guessing all the way through was her father responsible for the death of her mother. Will Izzy be able to move on and live her own life free if the ghosts of the past

This is the first book by this author that I have not liked.
I'm not sure whether it was the storyline, or the characters themselves, but none of it gripped me unfortunately.
I've liked her other books so I will continue to read books by this author, I just won't be recommending this one personally.

It's the day her father will be released from jail. Izzy English has every reason to feel conflicted - he's the man who gave her a childhood filled with happy memories. But he has also just served seventeen years for the murder of her mother. He has sent Izzy a letter, he wants to talk, to defend himself against each piece of evidence against form his trial. But should she give him the benefit of the doubt?

This is a riveting read. The parts that are written in the present day are told from Izzy's point of view. The chapters that are set in the past are told from the duel point of views of Izzy and Gabe (Izzy's father). Gabe quickly learned to be devious and manipulative while he was in prison. I found myself trying to work out if Gabe was telling the truth as the author gave us plenty of options to go on. The loose ends were all tied up bringing everything together. This is a really enjoyable read.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Penguin UK - Michael Joseph and the author Gillian McAllister for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Overall an enjoyable read - I did feel it dragged in the middle but I thoroughly enjoyed the ending and found it very satisfactory.

Izzy is the daughter of Alexandra & Gabe English, when she was 17 her mom disappeared only to be found dead days later, apparently murdered by Gabe. Fast forward 17 years and Gabe has been released from prison and, desperate to prove his innocence to Izzy, writes to her asking if he can tell his side of the story. After hearing what he has to say she decides to do some investigations of her own and find out if her dad really is telling the truth, but things are never as clear cut as they seem.

I've read and loved all of this author's other books so was looking forward to this one, compared to the others it's a slow burner, the author goes into a lot more detail than in her previous books, switching between past and present timelines but it didn't put me off the story and I was intrigued to hear the truth. It's definitely a compelling read that had me questioning how I would react if I was in Izzy's position.

I'd like to thank Penguin UK - Michael Joseph and Netgalley for the approval and will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.

Thank you netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Wow! Gillian has done it again. Fantastic book. Was gripped, needed to find out what happened. Very twisty.
Izzys father has been in prison for 18 yrs for murdering her mother. The day has come when her father is released, tracks her down and wants to prove his innocence to her. Loved how the story jumped from present to past, each time you find another piece of information.

Yet another complex, character driven book from Gillian McAllister !!

The day has come when Izzy English is confronted by her father, Gabriel. He has been released from prison after serving his sentence as a result of being found guilty of killing his wife, Izzy’s Mother. Izzy is running her Mother’s restaurant on the Isle of Wight and suddenly her Father is there peering through the window, wanting to speak to her. For years Izzy has always been convinced of her Fathers guilt but he has maintained his innocence. He is now back to try and convince his daughter of his innocence. Is he telling the truth ?

The story is told in a very good way in that the past and present are told in alternating way and we get to find out facts about the case in drips. It will definitely keep you hooked and will also probably bring out the inner detective in you.

Yet another great book from Gillian. If you haven’t read this or her previous books then what are you waiting for ?

Thank you to Michael Joseph and NetGalley for a digital copy of this book.

18 years ago, Gabe English was convicted of murdering his wife Alexandra leaving 17 year old Izzy to be cared for by grandparents. Izzy gave up her dreams of becoming a ballet dancer to re-open her mothers restaurant continuing to live under the shadow of her father actions. The day comes when Gabe is released and he turns up outside the restaurant leaving a note for Izzy that he wants to talk, to convince her he is innocent. Slowly, reluctantly she starts to meet with him and the old feelings for her father resurface and she starts to believe him. She continually reflects back over memories of childhood but also the life after and the family life she missed out on, fantasising on what could have been.

A tale of emotions, confusion and hopes of what might have been and could be. The shared memories that contradict each other, the opinions of Gabes family and old friends and the evidence obtained by her policeman husband gives Izzy a yoyo ride to find out the truth.

This book is a little repetitive with the "what could have been" but the more you read the more this is understandable so it is worth persevering. .A story that tells of determination and acceptance that the truth can be found if you believe it.

The Evidence Against you centres around Izzy, growing up without a mother and a father who has been imprisoned for her murder.

Izzy was sheltered from much of the detail of the case at the time. Now, married to Nick a police analyst, and her father's release on parole, Izzy is facing up to the past. Her father has always protested his innocence, but does Izzy believe him when memories and the people around her all seem to contradict him?

At the start of the book, I thought there would be some new evidence unfolding, maybe some sleuthing. But it was a little disappointing as it never seemed to progress very far until the last chapter both reveals new evidence and the identity of the killer. The pace was very slow with Izzy vacillating between believing her father, then doubting. There are no hints or clues that she follows to reveal the actual killer, not until the very end is it revealed, then it all felt a little rushed.

Having read all of Gillian McAllister's previous books I couldn't wait to get my hands on this one and I wasn't disappointed.
Izzy has lived with the knowledge that her father murdered her mother for 18 years. Upon his release he seeks her out and is claiming he is innocent. Can Izzy help unravel the truth or does she believe her police analyst husband who says all guilty prisoners claim to be innocent?
If you are looking for a well written, compelling psychological thriller with well drawn characters and an original plot then look no further.
Highly recommended!

Izzy's mother was murdered ....by her father. She has only seen him once since then and now he is being released.
Izzy is married to a policeman and is running her late mothers restaurant.
Her father contacts her and wants to talk. She has always been told he is guilty but what if he wasn't. She begins to investigate but will she like what she finds and what will it do to her life?
This is a brilliant thriller which twists and turns and leaves the best to the very end.

Gillian McAlister is a great storyteller, who's books are always on intriguing subjects. This book is about Izzy who has lived with the fact her father is in prison for the murder of her mother. He is released years later and gets in contact with her to tell her he is innocent. while I found the plot very intriguing, I also felt the book fell a little flat for me because of the slower pace to her other books. I didn't seem to warm to many of the characters especially Izzy, who at times felt like I was reading about a child not an adult. I will still look forward to the authors next book however this one just wasn't for me.