Lucy and Ben seem like a happy, successful couple. But beneath the surface, cracks are already appearing.

Ben wants to buy Lucy the perfect house - one she commented on once upon a time - and now he's talking about stables for a horse based on a tale she told him from when she was seven years old. He wants her to have everything and is determined to provide it.

Thing is, Lucy has never asked for the extravagant wedding he seems insistent on giving her, and the horse tale was just a childhood memory, not a lifelong dream. Sometimes she wonders if he knows that, or just chooses not to listen. 

Like I said ... cracks!

But then, one day Ben doesn't come home. A train crash has killed several passengers and he and his brother are amongst the dead. 

Lucy has to start over, as a single woman.

However, once the grief has lessened, she finds that this time around, not only is she on her own but she is saddled with a mountain of debt too - Ben's debts from loans made in her name.

Yep! That's right. Mr "I'll give you the world" is - was - not quite the man she thought him to be. 

So, with understandable anger and bitterness now creeping into her thoughts, memories of Ben are not quite what they could be. She's living in a one-bedroomed flat, living from hand to mouth on a minimum wage from a nearby supermarket. After tending to her dog, Billy, there is little left over for her to live off. Even owning a decent pair of shoes is a luxury she can ill afford. (she has a pair of trainers and a pair of "school" shoes - not quite the life she enjoyed before)

Until, that is, one Friday evening during the bus journey home, Lucy finds an envelope in her bag, packed with cash. Cash she cannot stop counting. Cash that she is determined to hand in to the police the next day. Cash that could help with her bills, give her and Billy a few treats and just make her life easier for a while. But she's not the type of person who can say nothing. Is she?

Lucy's dilemma is not resolved that weekend, but it has already changed her in those few hours. She's more wary of people - are they watching her? do they know about the money? -and when the sole falls off her trainers and her laptop dies its long-awaited and expected death, dipping into the cash is the answer. But, of course, not permanently. 

The events that followed had me turning the pages for 'just one more chapter' until it was all over. There's the anniversary of the train crash, a fellow resident being found dead,  and Ben's mother glaring at her from every corner. then there's the poisoning of Billy, and Judge the Corgi, at the block of flats, an unpleasant neighbour and his loud music, and an incident at the supermarket that costs her dearly.

This is a great story, packed with interest, taken from the viewpoint of a very ordinary young woman, living a mundane life, but for whom these events fuel a paranoia. But for a very good reason. The twist revelation towards the end of the book is where the pace goes through the ceiling. Lucy is in danger - but from whom? Luckily, she has Billy to come to her rescue. When Billy is threatened too, then Lucy finds her inner strength and fights back. This is tense stuff, page-scrolling like you've never scrolled before.

Read it, and find out for yourself.

You won't regret it.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really wanted to like this book - the author does a great job of making the main character, Lucy, believable and likeable, and I loved her relationship with her dog. However, there are a few too many plot holes and not-very-credible twists and turns. The ending was a bit disappointing, but I did enjoy watching the story get there.

What a book. I was hooked just from the cover and description. Thankfully I was not disappointed. This is a fast paced read. Easy to read. Your on the edge of your seat wondering which way it’s heading. Fantastic read

I am a big fan of this author. His standalones as well as his Jessica Daniel & Andrew Hunter series but I have to admit that, although a good read, this wasn't his strongest book. Yes, It contained much of what I love about the way he writes but, for some reason, it didn't quite hit the mark for me.
Lucy is on her usual bus home one day when she receives a package. She only finds it once she has got off. On opening it, she finds it is stuffed with money. A lot of money. She's broke and her living arrangements aren't all that. She has to penny pinch just to get by. The money could be just what she needs to get on her feet, get ahead of the game. But who put it in her bag? And why? Should she try and return it? But how? If it was put in her bag on purpose, what does the giver want from her? Nothing is free in this life... She is torn. So she starts to investigate...
Lucy's financial woes are not of her making, she was taken for a big ride by her, now deceased, boyfriend just as they were planning their wedding. She is finally getting back on her feet, clearing her debts and just keeping her head above water. So this is a big dilemma for her. But, she's worked hard to get where she is now and this supposed windfall knocks her for six. She starts to suspect everyone, tries to figure out who her benefactor is. The suspects start to rack up but I kind of guessed the outcome ahead of time so, even though this author has caught me out umpteen times before, when the reveal came, it fell a bit flat for me.
I think that my biggest issue, apart from the guessing bit, was that I couldn't quite correlate the Lucy of now with the Lucy that was major duped by her boyfriend. I know people change but her polar change didn't quite sit right to me. You don't lose stupid overnight. I also thought that the ending was a little rushed and a bit strange in the way it all happened. I can't go into detail obviously, spoilers, but it didn't leave me with the satisfied feeling that I crave from a book. It was set up well along the way but the execution didn't quite do that hard work justice.
The rest of what I do love about this author was front and centre. Characterisation (apart from what I have already mentioned) was good, there was no superfluous waffle and plenty of his great observations and punchy one liners.
All in all, a good solid read that has more highs than lows but just failed to deliver the standard that I know the author is capable of. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

A Face in the Crowd by Kerry Wilkinson is a novel of spine-tingling suspense that had me hooked from the very first paragraph. A delicious sense of unease settles in early, and only gains momentum as the story progresses. This is, quite simply, a fabulous read.

Lucy and Ben appear to be a couple very much in love. Ben has reached a degree of success in his career and is anxious to provide Lucy with anything her heart desires. This glimpse of their idyllic life is short lived, however, as we fast forward five years. Lucy, without Ben, has fallen on hard times and is barely making ends meet. While riding the bus home from work, Lucy is shocked to discover that someone has put several thousand pounds in her purse, money that she can desperately use. Is this windfall the solution to all of her problems, or the beginning of a nightmare from which there is no escape?

This is a brilliantly crafted novel that I could not put down, even for a second. To say that I was intrigued by the storyline is an understatement. I was completely riveted from the word go. Lucy is a fascinatingly drawn character, whose reliability as a narrator is suspect at best. I adored this read, and would not hesitate to recommended it most highly. Looking forward to reading much more from this author.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC.

A Face in the Crowd is a new book by Kerry Wilkinson which I eagerly started reading two days ago.
The story evolves around Lucy and her dog Billy establishing a life after a train accident takes her partner Ben away from her. Unfortunately, Lucy also discovered that Ben had numerous debts in her name and she is now living from day to day with a paycheck that allows only for survival but no extras.
Things take an unexpected turn as in all Kerry Wilkinson’s books and the end result is surprising. The dig at President Trump was totally unnecessary!
It is a very well written book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It started lagging a bit towards the end but still worth reading. I have read better books by this author and am going to continue reading his books.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for letting me read this book in exchange for my unbiased opinion. I will definitely recommend this book and happily give it 4 stars.

I enjoyed this quick, easy, very suspenseful read! Lucy is struggling to make ends meet after boyfriend Ben tragically dies in a train crash after which she discovers he took out many loans in her name. Lucy lives in a cheap apartment building with an odd assortment of neighbors who add lots of character to the story. On her bus ride home one day, Lucy discovers someone has placed an envelope with a lot of money into her purse. From there, the book takes on many twist and turns culminating in a very surprising ending. Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC of this very good book in exchange for an honest review.

Lucy and Ben seemed to be the perfect couple, they were very much in love, Ben was very successful in his career. Now, Lucy is on her own. She struggles to make ends meet working on the checkout in a supermarket. Whilst travelling home from work on the bus one night, she discovers a large envelope has been put in her handbag. The envelope is full of money, over £3,000. Money she could desperately do with. But is the money really the answer to her prayers or the beginning of a nightmare? I kind of guessed about half way through where this story was going, so when the twist came, I wasn't really surprised. I both liked and felt sorry for Lucy. She's been through the mill. I also like the authors style in writing. The book kept my interest from around the third chapter. Another great read from the author Kerry Wilkinson.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and the author Kerry Wilkinson for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have to admit that the first couple of chapters of this novel had me thinking about not continuing. At first, Lucy comes across as a "poor me" type, she has no money, no friends, no social life to speak of and a minimum wage job that barely pays her bills. I continued though, and am so glad that I did!
The story picks up after Lucy finds an envelope full of money in her bag when she gets off her usual bus. She has no idea how it got there and she has every intention of turning it in to the police. But...her laptop breaks and she needs it for school, her running shoes fall apart and her dog needs vet care. Lucy is a normal person, she knows she shouldn't spend the money but it's RIGHT THERE!
Then little things start happening that raise her suspicions and kind of scare her, a man in a coat seems to be following her, an internet date doesn't seem to be who he says he is, her favourite song is playing all of the time in the apartment across from hers.
I literally could not stop reading this book after the first couple of chapters. I loved Lucy and her dog, Billy. I had to find out what was going on and I had to know where the money came from. I would definitely recommend this book to others, it's a quick, suspenseful read...

I’d like to thank Bookouture and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘A Face In The Crowd’ by Kerry Wilkinson in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

It’s Friday night and Lucy’s on the No. 24 bus overflowing with people trying to get home from work, she tries to get a seat but ends up standing. When she gets off at her stop she starts walking, then stops, as her bag feels different, heavier. On opening it she finds an envelope stuffed full of money, £3,640 when she gets to count it, but how did it get into her bag in the first place, and who put it there? Lucy tells herself she’ll take it to the police station after work the following day, but when one of her only shoes splits in two she borrows some of the notes to buy a new pair as surely the rightful owner won’t miss a couple of pounds until she’s able to repay it?

Kerry Wilkinson has once again produced a novel that’s completely different to those he normally writes. It starts slowly then the tension increases as Lucy tries to find where the money has come from, all the time feeling she’s being watched. It has a plot that’s original and intriguing, and I empathised with Lucy who’s kind-hearted and caring of others, having no money other than that from her job in the supermarket. As the story continues there are twists and turns and a very surprising ending that I wasn’t expecting. This is a very enjoyable novel and one I can recommend.

I was excited to start this book but it just didn't hold my interest. I couldn't get into it at all.

Lucy is living paycheck to paycheck. Barely scraping enough to get by in her studio apartment with her dog Billy keeping her company.
Where did it all go so drastically wrong?
Her life wasn’t always this way. Once engaged to be married, her whole life ahead of her. Now it’s reduced to a matter of basic survival! One day at a time.

An overcrowded bus ride gives Lucy a ray of hope. She’s surprised to suddenly find an envelope in her purse. It’s not hers...she has no idea how it got there. The biggest shocker? It’s stuffed full of cash!
Now what’s a girl to do? Lucy has always prided herself on being honest....but she’s so very desperate for the money!

The bigger immediate question is how did this envelope makes it’s way into her purse and by who’s hands? Who’s the rightful owner? Is it possible she’s now in danger holding onto this money?

Kerry Wilkinson has a way of cleverly drawing you into his stories. I found myself completely enmeshed in the story-line, actually losing track of time while flying through the pages. My only issue was with the ending. I kept thinking my copy was missing the final chapter...but no. That was it. Hmm....

A buddy read with Susanne!

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and Kerry Wilkinson for an ARC to read and review.

“ A face in the crowd” grabbed me from the start.iI found the main character of Lucy to be one that you felt a lot of empathy for, and I was eager to find out the story would unfold.
On the whole I found it an enjoyable read, but I must admit that the ending didn’t come as a complete surprise, and was a bit implausible.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the chance to give an honest review for this book

An intriguing mystery with a few good twists and turns along the way. You really feel like you live in the apartment complex with these people, especially Lucy and her good dog Billy.

A really enjoyable read and something a bit different from the usual thriller. What would YOU do if you were down on your luck, struggling to make ends meet and then somebody slipped an envelope containing thousands of pounds into your bag when you were on the bus? That’s what happens to Lucy, and her journey to discover who the giver of her mysterious gift is is a twisty turny one that leads you down many blind alleys and keeps you guessing...and I loved Billy the dog! A great summer holiday read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the chance to read this and give an unbiased review.

Okay, new favourite author alert! So I was attracted to this book by its cover and the hugely intriguing blurb. Lucy, who is living in debt and poverty after the death of her husband Ben in a train crash, steps off her packed morning bus only to find an envelope full of cash placed in her handbag. Initially Lucy wants to turn it in...but what if it isn't claimed? If there's one person who could really do with three grand, it's Lucy. Vowing to try and find its owner, Lucy keeps the money under close watch until she feels she can go ahead and spend some...

However, odd things begin happening around Lucy. There's someone new living in the flat across the hall, their presence remaining a mystery. A man she's started dating is attacked on the way home, and a tenant in the building has been found dead. Lucy has a feeling the money and the events could be linked, but first, she needs proof...

Kerry Wilkinson's writing style is great; it flows wonderfully, and there are lots of twists and gripping moments, sometimes small, that made this such a gripping read. I think that's one of the reasons I liked this book so much (besides the ending, but I'll get to that...). I have read many psychological thrillers lately, and they mainly tend to be dark and atmospheric from the very beginning, the characters women, often mothers with secret pasts, whereas this one was not, and I loved it. Lucy lives a normal life, goes about her normal day, and unexpected things happen. It was refreshing, not to mention witty.

The only thing that spoiled this for me somewhat was the ending. It was going so, so well until the end approached, and it was just way too far-fetched and hasty, and (without trying to spoil too much here), the death of Lucy's neighbour was completely unnecessary. Things just didn't seem to tie together so well in the end.
However, I still thoroughly enjoyed this book and I'm really hoping Kerry Wilkinson writes more like this in the future. I was so happy when reading this as it's exactly the kind of read I'm always on the lookout for.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Addicting fun read. Lots of twists. Super easy and fast to read!
I will definitely look for other books by this author!

What can I say, absolutely riveting, the twists and turns kept me on the edge of my bed, yes, bed, kept going to put it down but couldn't, who would have guessed, not me that's for sure, Kerry has done it again.

I read this in one day, its a good book with an interesting premise. A Face in The Crowd By Kerry Wilkinson was another suspense/thriller. Well written and a quick read.

I enjoy books where you find yourself asking, “What on earth is going on?” which this one did! Trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together, I did not figure it out until the very end.

She hopes to get a seat to herself, tries to avoid eye contact, and, if she’s really lucky, reads a chapter of her book. But it’s a Friday – and the bus is always crammed at the end of the week. Personal space doesn’t exist. She keeps her elbows close and clings to a pole at every juddering stop.

When she gets off, something feels different. An envelope stuffed with thousands of pounds is in her bag. Is it the answer to her prayers, or the beginning of a nightmare?
Because, in the end, everything has a price.

I was definitely hooked on the story, wondering what was going to happen next. Enjoyable!

Pre-order here, what a bargain- its only $2.99!

This book should come with a warning; that’s how addicting it is. Kerry Wilkinson has managed to create yet another rollercoaster thrill-ride for book lovers. In a genre that is so littered with template whodunits and melodramatic foreshadowing, Wilkinson has managed to set himself apart. This narrative is unique, brilliantly written, and fiendishly clever. It is absolutely engaging from the first page until the very last. Amazing. 5 Stars.


Thank you to #NetGalley for this ARC of #AFaceInTheCrowd