2 elements make this one of my favourite books of the year
The quick element of shock at the story and the wonderfully simplistic but engaging story telling style

We start by meeting Maggie who is held captive in a ‘cell’ by a ‘Mr Best’ we soon find out this has gone on for years and she has had 3 sons whilst there...2 have been taken by her captor on their 3rd birthdays and the 3rd son is due to be 3 in 7 days...hence the title, Maggie has 7 days to save him

The story bobs back and forth from present to past and past past but the effortless way the story is told means it is anything but confusing and at all times I knew which year and part of the story we were in/at

The story is emotive, brutal at times, dark and cold at others but at all times felt real, I believed it was all happening and was at various times angry, outraged, sad and wanting justice, the last part of the book really had me sat up on tenderhooks almost flicking the next kindle app page before I had finished the last

I detested ‘Mr Best’ everything about him was cruel, and the way he ingratiated himself with Maggie’s family was clever and sickening

Sub stories of a fight with cancer and drug addiction were well told and actually added to the story

There are uncomfortable scenes between Maggie and Mr Best that are there for the story and not simply put in for shock value, they are not over gratuitous and can be skipped over if needed and are a small part of the story

Really quite a brilliant book and I doubt even the casualest ( made up word ) of readers would take 7 days to read

Outstanding

10/10
5 Stars

What a book! Seven Days by Alex Lake was a book that I was so completely engrossed in from the very beginning. How could you not be - the story is fantastic. It is written so well that you just keep turning those pages. It is a fast paced and very emotional book. I challenge you not to like this book. I have read all of Alex Lake's books and enjoyed them . Definitely an author to look into if you have not already.

The subject matter of this book is not always the easiest to read. Maggie Cooper is kidnapped when she is 15. 12 years later she is still being held captive in a hidden basement by the man. Over those years she has given birth to 3 sons, 2 of whom have been taken away from her on their 3rd birthdays. Now her 3rd son Max is about to tur 3 and she knows she has to do something to protect him. She has 7 days to come up with a plan to save her son - and hopefully escape with him.

I loved that the book is told from multiple points of view. Not only do we hear from Maggie and Max, but also her parents and brother James. We see how Maggies disappearance has impacted their lives and changed them forever. We also hear from the police officer looking for her, and still 12 years has not give up hope.

Thanks to Harper Collins UK and Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased..

This book reminded me of Room by Emma Donoghue at the beginning as the subject matter is the same, although it was darker as the abductor keeps killing the babies when they reach 3 Years old. The way the story kept flashing back was a good way of presenting it and exploring the feelings of Maggie’s parents. I was outraged by the way in which Best kept trying to ingratiate himself with the family - sick, twisted little man. Hated reading about James’ descent into addiction too. Was satisfied by the ending. The suspense built well and I was thoroughly gripped.

This book is brilliant - a genuine page turner.

The thing I loved most about this book is that the bad guy is the most vile creature but is written in such an understated way - it's properly disturbing.

I think the reason this book works so well is that it isn't sensational. It's realistic and believable and all the more powerful for that.

The characters! The best (!) cast of characters I've come across in a long time, not one of them is weak, they are all really well written. my only observation is that Maggie's mother feels a bit absent but overall this isn't a big deal.

A brilliant thriller that I've already gotten 3 people to buy. Can't wait to read more by Alex :)

Probably my favourite Alex Lake book so far! Set nearby to where I live, this is a disturbing and chilling look at a crime that seems to be happening more and more. When Maggie is abducted and held captive in a basement, she gives birth to 3 sons. Son Max has his 3rd birthday coming up but Maggie is terrified as on her last two sons 3rd birthday, her abductor took them and she hasn’t seen them again since. So now the countdown is on to save her son.
This is a tough read at times due to the subject matter and there were some shocking scenes but it they were never portrayed in a voyeuristic way. Maggie was a strong character who carried this book with her strength of character and bravery. It was a gripping storyline that kept me engaged throughout.

Maggie Cooper is a normal fifteen year old girl. That is, until the day she is taken by a strange man, and wakes up locked in a basement.

Maggie is now in her late twenties and still in the basement. Three times, Maggie has given birth to sons. The first two children - Seb and Leo - were taken away on their third birthdays, and she has never seen them again. Maggie determined that she won't let anything happen to her third son, Max. But she needs to think of a solution, and fast. Because she has just seven days until Max's birthday. His third birthday...

This book has been compared to Room by Emma Donoghue, and with good reason. But for me, this book was even twistier, and even more gripping, perhaps because in Room, we have only the protagonist and her son for the bulk of the book, whereas in Seven Days, we get to see how Maggie's disappearance takes its toll on her family. I loved the characters in this, and it hurt me to see them unravel in the wake of Maggie's abduction, particularly her brother, James. I wanted her captor to get his comeuppance so badly, and was genuinely unnerved and on edge every time he featured in a scene (also ENRAGED, but I won't say why as I don't want to include any spoilers!)

The writing style is brilliant - fast paced, engaging, and truly gripping. I read this in one long gulp, and I'm so glad I didn't have to wait between chapters!

Highly recommend this one, particularly for fans of domestic thrillers - it has all the elements I usually look for in this kind of book, with a little something extra too (and those last few chapters, oh my god - I'm surprised I have any fingernails left!)

Five shiny stars from me, and I'll definitely be gifting this one to a few people - a really well written and thought provoking novel.

Thank you to NetGalley, who provided me with a free ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Max is three in seven days time. Maggie Cooper has seven days before her captor takes him as he had her previous two little boys. She has been held in captive for twelve years and was 15 years old when she was taken. They are being held in some sort of cellar with no natural light or proper washing or toilet facilities. She has been used and abused by her captor who is probably now in his late 60’s. This is the shocking premise of this novel by Alex Lake and although it is by no means an easy read it is at no point graphic because it doesn’t need to be. It focuses on Maggie’s desire to survive and save her son and it shines a spotlight on the impact her capture has on her family. This well written story goes on a countdown to Max’s birthday and back and forth from the events of the capture and the intervening years.

The stand out aspect for me in this book is the characters. Maggie is quite simply amazing. Her will to survive, her resourcefulness, the care and deep love of her children is tangible. She creates imaginative and wonderful worlds to transport gorgeous Max to so they can transcend their terrible circumstances. Maggie’s family are wonderful too, especially her father Martin, who should be dad of the year or even the decade. Brother James is the one who most overtly seems to suffer from Maggie’s loss as he goes down a catastrophic path of self destruction. Her mother Sandra, is kind and caring so much so that her generous nature leads to Maggie’s captor inserting himself in their lives. I think that is one of the most twisted aspects of him as it’s as if he sticking the knife in twice. He also taunts DI Jane Wynne over the years in the form of letters. The family’s rising panic when they realise Maggie is missing is so well described as are the ups and downs of learning to live without her. The tension builds up really well towards the seventh day as Maggie uses all her wits and resolve to get her freedom. The ending is very emotional.

Overall, a well written book which deals with a difficult topic as sensitively as possible and kudos to the author for that.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK - Harper Fiction.

Oooooh ! What a book ! I must admit I was a bit concerned when I read the blurb on the back of the book, I wasn’t quite sure. But I was really pleasantly surprised. It is a brilliantly written book with many twists and turns. 9/10

This is my 4th book by Alex Lake, I never really know how I feel about them, some have been better than the other, some have been unrealistic (in a really crazy way!) but they always keep you wondering what’s happened.

This book had me gripped pretty much straight away, you are told who the ‘perpetrator’ is very early on but the questions that surround it are left unanswered making this one hard to put down.

I felt like the middle section of this book focussed a bit too much on unnecessary things but it didn’t really distract too much from the main storyline. I loved that break up of small chapters and different characters.

This is one of the better Alex Lake books I have read, I feel that the ending was slightly rushed though and we never really found out ‘why’ things happened which was really disappointing.

Wow! Twist turns dramawhat a fantastic rollercoaster ride this book brings . Fantastic, well written and hard to put down be prepared to be totally involved in this book highly recommended

I loved this book! The chapters are incredibly short and made you want to just keep on reading. There were many times that I was screaming inside my head, we know where she is. But nobody else did.
I was literally glued to my phone racing my way through this brilliant psychological thriller. I can’t wait to read more by Alex Lake. Highly recommended.

I read this is one sitting!

The concept immediately caught my eye, and the writer managed to keep my interest with her clever style of inserting flashbacks and with multiple characters each with their own narratives. At times multiple narrators can become
Messy but Lake avoided that here.

The story built to a satisfying conclusion, and I would recommend for any fans of fast paced thriller and crime novels!

Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.

A race against time to save her child…

This story centres around Maggie and a calendar, which she has kept since she was abducted at the age of 15, during this time, while locked in a basement, she has given birth to three boys; Seb, Leo and Max, on each of their third birthdays Seb and Leo were taken from her and she never saw them again, in seven days time Max will be three and the countdown has begun, but she can't let it happen again......

The author tells this story from many different perspectives; Maggie, who is dreading Max's third birthday, her mum, dad and brother and how her loss has affected them and lastly, DI Wynne, the detective leading the investigation, determined to solve the case. This is such a powerful, rollercoaster of a read that describes not only how Maggie is surviving being held captive, but also the detrimental effect her being missing from their lives is having on the whole of her family, with each passing year it's looking less likely they will ever see her again. This is a tense, and often, horrifying read which kept me gripped throughout, I loved the short choppy chapters, I hated her captor with a passion and was desperate for him to be caught and for Maggie and Max to escape. The plot is so well thought out and imaginative, definitely not for the feint hearted readers amongst us, but if you like something that packs a punch, then this is for you. I highly recommend and will definitely be reading more of this author's work.

I would like to thank HarperCollins UK and Netgalley for the auto approval, I will post my review on Goodreads and Amazon.

This book kept me gripped, I was thee hoping saying to myself save him don't let him be taken.....it was a rollercoaster book.
Great story kept me reading till the end in a short time

An absolutely great story that is totally gripping. This book is well written and keeps you hooked right into the story. It is very emotive as you know the bigger picture for so much of it but are waiting for it all to come to a head!

5 Stars from me

Wow, Seven Days is deeply disturbing and emotive read about a typical young girl who is snatched by a local predator and kept captive in his basement for years and years. He repeatedly rapes her resulting in three children and it is the third one who forms the focus of our story as she becomes determined not to let him die.

I couldn't help but draw parallels with Room and I wonder if one inspired the other?

The whole family backstory was beautifully orchestrated and I really enjoyed the thought and creativity that went into the construction of their lives.

Seven Days is a brilliantly clever book and a captivating read, I had genuine trouble putting it down. Much like other books I have read by Alex Lake it is emotive, interesting and cleverly put together. Very much recommended.




Synopsis: The twisty new psychological thriller from the Sunday Times bestselling author

A race against time to save her child…

In seven days, Maggie’s son, Seb, turns three. But she’s not planning a party or buying presents or updating his baby book. She’s dreading it. Because in her world, third birthdays are the days on which the unthinkable happens… she loses her child.

For the last twelve years Maggie has been imprisoned in a basement. Abducted aged fifteen, she gave birth to two sons before Seb, and on their third birthdays her captor came and took them from her.

She cannot let it happen again. But she has no idea how to stop it. And the clock is ticking…

Alex Lake writes a hugely engrossing and entertaining novel thriller full of suspense and menace.

Maggie Cooper is dreading her son Max's third birthday in seven days time when he turns three. Maggie was abducted twelve years ago and has been imprisoned in a basement, ever since. Aged only fifteen when she was captured, she gave birth to two sons before Max and on their third birthdays her captor took them both from her. She is determined that it will not happen again, to Max. But the clock is ticking as she figures out how to stop events from being repeated.

Alex Lake delivers an unrestrained and exuberant story of menace with a toxic concoction of terror, fear, tension and suspense. Throughout the different stages of their lives following Maggie's disappearance, the reader is shown how her abduction has affected her family. The reader is also privy to Maggie's emotions at the different stages of her life in captivity, as she copes with her sons being cruelly wrenched from her. Told mostly from Maggie's perspective, I liked the way the author gave other family members a voice to relate their own feelings.

Seven Days is beautifully plotted, a cracking story and a book that I revelled in all the way through. It brought no disappointments and everything was well wrapped up in the fabulous finale. I loved this powerful, soul-stirring tale and I will be looking at Alex Lake’s back catalogue.

A riveting and exemplary thriller that I'm very happy to recommend.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from HarperCollins via NetGalley at my request. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

Wow what a read! A true deep psychological thriller, that really draws you in, the short chapters make if feel like you are racing through the book dying to get to the end to see what happens!
Maggie a 15 year old girl is abducted one day by a weird elderly man who has been tracking her movements and planning for this day! As the story unfolds it comes to light that Mr Best knows Maggie’s mum from his teaching days,and in a weird twist mr best the abductor works his way into the families life after he has taken Maggie! During Maggie’s captivity she has three sons with best, the eldest two are taken on their third birthdays, so Maggie makes s plan to escape with max her third child, from her rudimentary calendar she realises she has 7 days to effect an escape! What follows is a shocking, harrowing account bourne out of a mother’s love and desperation. This book will shock you and make you truely grateful for your normal life and existence!
Thank you net galley for this early read.

Seven Days is another gripping novel from Alex Lake.

Maggie is a prisoner trapped in a stranger's basement. Captured as a teenager, and now in her twenties, Maggie longs for the world she hasn't seen for so long, but she knows that nothing will ever be the same for her again.

Life has changed beyond recognition for Maggie.

Not only has she been held against her will, but she has also been raped against her will, many times.

She is now counting down the days to her son Max's third birthday, but not so that they can celebrate (Maggie has nothing to give her son, even if she wanted to), but so she can ensure his safety.

Maggie has had children in captivity before, but when they have reached their third birthday they have been taken away from her, and Maggie has never seen them again.

She is determined that Max will not suffer the same fate.

We also see events from Maggie's family's perspective, from the harrowing days when she first went missing, to them trying to get on with their lives years later. Their struggles are as real and as painful as Maggie's.

Seven Days is a novel that will stay with you after it's final chapters, and I think the author's best so far!

A fast paced book told in short chapters so you just want to "read one more". I loved it and would definitely recommend it