Straight away I was gripped by this book.
It wasn't what I initially expected when I picked up it up and read the description but in a good way.
It was heartbreaking reading what a young child had to deal with but the flashbacks to Kitty's childhood really added to the story.
After reading the incredible ending it left me desperate to read more. And I would love to see a sequel to this or even a movie adaptation.
Fans of The Exorcist, either the book or TV show/movie, should really enjoy this.
I would also be interested in reading more from the author.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Narrated by Kitty and in varying timelines, from her as a ten year old child in 1987 and again in 2019 and present day. It begins with Kitty as an adult on the way to the police, where we learn of events that took place during her childhood. I normally abhor child narration but here it really works. After all there is no narration more unreliable than long ago memories and from a child’s innocent perspective.

The setting is creepy with a remote woodland cottage and sinister goings on. I don’t want to say too much but boy this author has tackled some dark subjects here. Definitely not for the faint hearted. Think dark and twisted fairytale marching into horror territory and you catch my drift. Not your average thriller that’s for sure. But as a big King fan since childhood I’m used to that.

A nice steady pace that doesn’t really slow until the end where it totally turned things on it’s head. But for me I personally preferred the present day narration as that’s when things are revealed. And as for that ending! Bit of a jaw dropper and it will definitely be a Marmite one.

Kitty Marchland knows that her childhood was different to other people's. Raised by a mentally ill mother and an emotionally distant father, her memories of her early years are full of strange situations and odd occurrences. But none more disturbing than what happened when she was 10, and her father moved the family to a remote cottage hidden away in the woods. Years later, and Kitty is finally able to face up to the dark and disturbing event at the heart of her childhood, but is she ready for what comes next?

Oh my gosh, this one was brilliant. Genuinely, it was one of those books where you're gripped immediately, and you end up devouring it in one go. Obviously, the synopsis is a bit vague, which I actually think was a good thing as it meant that you go in completely blind to the true heart of the story. Now, I won't go into detail due to worries about spoilers, but I will say that I think the element of the novel which I found to be strongest was the subtle inference of something almost paranormal being involved in events, as this helped lift the book from a standard mystery thriller into more of a psychological horror, which is something I found very enjoyable. There were definitely a few sections that were really creepy, and the slowly building tension was genuinely gripping.

At first, I personally wasn't a fan of Kitty as an adult - I found her to be quite irritating and self-pitying. However, as her traumatic backstory is slowly revealed, she definitely becomes more of a sympathetic character, and you reflect more on the intense trauma she went through as a child, and how that made her into who she is today. However, I did find the pacing of her storyline was a bit off kilter - there was a huge amount of focus on her childhood, whereas the storyline of what happens to her as an adult felt a bit skimped on. Personally, I wanted a more in-depth consideration of her own mental health, and the struggles she faces towards the end of the book.

Despite this, I still really enjoyed this book. I found it to be a clever and suspenseful tale of one young girl's disturbing childhood and the lingering impact it has over the rest of her life. Hold Your Breath is a truly standout read, which fully pulls you in and demands that you finish it as soon as possible! Yes there was room for improvement, but when is there not? All in all, I really recommend this one, and I can't wait to see what the author does next.

Wow ! A creepy horror filled and disturbing thriller that will stay with you long after you've finished the book ! Brilliantly written ! I highly recommend ! Thanks to Netgalley and AvonBooksUK for the opportunity to read and review this book ! Opinions are solely my own ! #Netgalley #AvonBooksUK #HoldYourBreath

Hold Your Breath was a great read!
The characters were fleshed out perfectly, especially the protagonist, Kitty.

Although I figured out the big twist early on, I thoroughly enjoyed watching the events play out. I was disturbed, uncomfortable, and downright scared for Kitty. That's what makes a good thriller - connecting to the characters. No matter how much you love a character, you never really know how innocent they are until the end.

There were some pacing issues but other than that, I'd recommend this one to any thriller/mystery fan.

It's often said that the act of writing can be cathartic and in Hold Your Breath, it's becomes obvious why Katherine - or Kitty - Marchland should have taken the decision to write about her deeply troubling experience in a remote cottage in Northumberland when she was just ten years old. She published it as fiction but as the book starts, the adult Katherine is facing questions about what really happened and as the narrative switches between past and present, the truth turns out to be horrifying.
The chapters written from young Kitty's perspective capture the voice of a rather precocious, lonely young girl superbly. Suddenly uprooted from her home after watching her mother's mental health decline over time, she frequently tests her father's patience, clearly desperate for some attention, however negative. Although she behaves badly at times, I really felt for Kitty and not just because of the appalling scenes she witnesses. She is constantly expected to entertain herself and when she attempts to question the reasons behind their sudden move or what is being done to her mother, she is given short shrift. Her father doesn't come out of the story well although there are glimpses of humanity within him and at least some suggestion that he realises what they are doing is morally wrong.
One of the things I enjoyed most about Hold Your Breath was the suggestion of sinister paranormal interference and together with the local folklore regarding a witch, there are parts of the story which are really quite chilling. I don't want to give too much away about what is done to Kitty's mother, Marjory, other than to say that when they are joined by Father Tobias and his adult daughter, Amanda, there are some scenes which are closer to horror than to a straightforward crime novel. This certainly isn't a book for anybody who is upset by graphic descriptions and mentions of mental illness, rape and child abuse. It's necessarily shocking however, as what Kitty experiences here helps to explain why she eventually behaves as she does.
Until the latter chapters of the book, the sections featuring Katherine as an adult mostly serve to connect her current predicament with her childhood memories and it's a device that works well, seamlessly linking the past and present. When it becomes apparent that a tragedy occurred in the forest, the tension steadily grows and although we know who, there is a dark sense of foreboding as to exactly how events culminate in a death. As the novel progresses, it is implied that Kitty may be an unreliable narrator but what the unsettling ramifications of this mean aren't divulged until late in the story, by which time my sympathies were still mostly with her - or at least the vulnerable child she once was - even though there is a chance she hasn't told the full truth in her account of that terrible period in her life.
Cleverly incorporating elements of the supernatural, Hold Your Breath is creepy and disturbing crime fiction. With a well-paced and gritty plot, perceptive characterisation and satisfying conclusion, I read this gripping novel in a day. This is the first book I've read by B.P. Walter but it won't be the last.

You know when you find a favourite author by just reading the first few chapters on their new book. Well BP Walter for me is one of those. I read A Version of the Truth Last year and boy did that raise the bar for my love of a good psychological book. Hold Your Breath is no different. There is something about BP Walter’s writing that holds me in awe.

Ok enough gushing lets get on with why I enjoyed this book so much.

Plotline and characters are massively important when I am reading a psychological thriller, add in some twist turns and a holy crap didn’t see that coming then for me you have a winner. I know not everyone likes this but for me I do. I love not knowing, it gets my heart racing, it make me want to continue to turn page after page as I need to know what happens.

Hold Your Breath follows Kitty Marchland. She hasn’t had the best life, her father uprooted them from their home to some remote cottage in the woods add in that her mother isn’t well and you have a young girl stuck. She sees things someone should not see at a young age and that is why she is the way she is. You can’t help but feel sorry for Kitty and want great things for her.

The book flows from present day to 1987 and 2018. I love when a book does this as it gives me more insight to what is happening. It gives you a sense of what has happened but in snippets. It leaves your head spinning with what is real and what isn’t. It literally is a page turner as you are compelled to find out what happens.

Hold Your Breath does have some hard subjects that it talks about. So I will say at times it will be hard for some readers HOWEVER I feel that they are done really well. The book looks at Mental Health, Suicide and violence, rape and child abuse. They are such hard topics to read and for some would cause immense trigger. But Walter writes it in such a way that is so chilling but not offense.

This book is so atmospheric, it literally sent chills down my spine. From every page BP Walter is setting you up for an explosive read. You are following Kitty as she remembers what happens when she went to live in the remote cabin in the woods. But the reality is far harsher than anyone would have expected.

I’d highly recommend BP Walter if you love a good atmospheric, spine chilling thriller that will have your head spinning.

Many Thanks to Avon Books for sending me the eArc.

A fantastic creepy read, it had me gripped till the last page. It was shocking in some parts as it deals with rape and child abuse. I would like to read more by B P Walter .

If you're a fan of mystery stories, fairy tales and weird fiction with a realist flavour, Hold Your Breath is the ideal choice for you. With a pre-teen protagonist, themes of the religious occult, and the woodland setting, the novel really reminded me a lot of Stephen Chbosky's 'Imaginary Friend'.

Walter is a very talented writer and his second novel is no exception.

Ooooh, this was a spooky and eerie read. It sent shivers down my spine. Being so different to recent books meant that I was even more curious as to what direction the plot would take. A mixture of supernatural, suspense and suspected witchcraft, this book felt like a breath of fresh air to my reading.

The story is told from Kitty’s perspective as a ten year-old back in 1987, and then Kitty in present day (I’ll let you do the maths!). Readers quickly learn that Kitty has been hauled in by police, questioned over a serious event that took place during her childhood. And there you have it: this establishes the plot as reader and police alike learn the story of what really happened to Kitty as a child.

Walter really uses the setting to intensify the atmosphere of the book. Set in a remote forest, there are plenty of spooky symbols surrounding Kitty, including the creaky, abandoned cottage that she now inhabits, and the strange things happening to her mum. Because of course, recounted events are done so from Kitty’s young perspective – so we never know how accurate her interpretation is, or whether it is her innocent brain making connections with what she thinks she saw happening.

I wasn’t expecting a book on exorcisms and, to be honest, I was concerned that the writer would make this become a wacky, witchy story! However, as explanations come to light, I appreciated the normalcy that is suggested. Whilst the events appear sinister, there is more to it than what Kitty initially interprets. The book itself reminded me of twisted fairy tales that are always a lot darker when you revisit them as an adult: ‘Hansel and Gretal’ for example.

Kitty’s isolation is a driving force in her story and I felt so sorry for her. Her relationship with her father is strained and poor Kitty sees things that no child should. It has a profound affect on her and emphasises the importance of mental health and the need to speak out. Indeed, her mother’s fate left me wondering if Kitty would echo this, particularly as the climax of events intensifies.

This was a really enjoyable and different story. I think it will haunt me for a while. It certainly is a ‘haunting’ narrative on many levels: not just because of the exorcisms, but how the protagonist is portrayed. A book that surprised me from start to finish, I appreciated the pacy narrative and unexpected developments.

With thanks to Avon books and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

😊 Hold Your Breath is B.P. Walter's latest psychological thriller and an awesome and exhilarating read. The novel features Katherine (Kitty) Marchland who is on her way to Wickton Close Police Station in Newcastle. She has received the telephone call she has been dreading, from DI Cousins of Northumbria Police, requesting her attendance for police questioning regarding events that took place in 1987, when Kitty was just 10 years old. As the police review a suspicious death, Kitty is forced to examine her most painful memories, back when her dad uprooted the Carlson family from Essex to live in a remote cottage in the woods, in the wilds of Northumbria.

In the present day, Kitty has written a book, purportedly a work of fiction but claiming it is partly a memoir based on her experiences. Kitty is a questionable narrator, and it’s not obvious as to whether this is deliberate or the befuddled mind of a troubled, frightened young girl.

The characters were adeptly constructed and believable in their roles, whether intended to be inherently good, bad or somewhere in-between. The clarity of B. P. Walter's writing made it an easy story-line to follow, and the comfortably paced, tense, and twisty plot went down a treat as it snaked along. The author's writing is of a variety that any thriller fan can appreciate -gilt-edged, and he was able to create a sinister tone that continued until the very last page. Hold Your Breath was a mesmerising story of families, mental illness, manipulation, deception, secrets and oodles more, which keeps the reader guessing and completely attached to their e-reader.

Even though parts of this story made rather uncomfortable reading nevertheless, it remained entertaining, smart and creepy. I loved this brilliant thriller and would have given it far more than five stars if I could. Would I read more from B.P. Walter? Yes... the author is obviously a very good writer. My thanks must go to B.P. Walter for writing such an awesome book! 😊

I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel at my request from Avon Books via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.

From my blog: Always With a Book:

This is the first book I've read by B.P. Walters, though it definitely will not be the last. There is nothing I love more than a creepy, atmospheric thriller and this book has that in spades!

I loved that this book is told all from one point of view, but jumps around to different time lines. It begs you to pay attention, but as you get further into the story, you will be hard-pressed to put the book down. I devoured most of this book in one sitting and was completely drawn in to what was going on. I loved that we are given clues, but not told outright what really happens until the very end - and boy oh boy did I have it completely wrong as to what I thought had happened.

This is a chilling, dark tale of mental illness and we see how it impacts a family. It's fast-paced and will keep you guessing as to what is really going on. In 1987, 10-year Kitty tells us what happened during those few weeks at the cottage in the woods and how she felt about what was going on. As an adult, when forced to confront what happened back then, we see that those weeks had a lasting impact on Kitty and we realize that Kitty might not have been as reliable a narrator as we thought.

This book is laid out like a jigsaw puzzle and ever so slowly the pieces fit together just right but it's not without some jarring moments. The characters, whether you like them or not, will keep you glued to the pages until you put that last piece together and even still you are left a little speechless. And the setting could not have been more perfect - a remote cottage in the woods? Nothing is more atmospheric and creepy for what happens there. It adds to that feeling of unease and heightens the tension that is already building.

I could not read this book fast enough and despite it's rather dark nature, I found it to be quite enjoyable and will definitely be checking out B.P. Walter's other books.

During her childhood Kat's mum becomes increasingly unwell so her father moves the family in to a house in the woods where he attempts to cure her illness. This novel follows Kat as an adult who's recently published a book telling a fictionalised account of what happened in the woods during that time-frame.

This was an entertaining, original read that I find myself enjoying but unfortunately I don't think it's anything too memorable for me. I also wasn't a fan of the ending, which felt rather dissatisfying for me.

Overall, i'd recommend if you're looking for a rather dark and entertaining read to kill a couple of hours but it's not a new favourite of mine.

After reading the authors last book I was keen to get hold of a copy of this new one.
A dark, gritty and somewhat scary thriller it had me gripped from the v beginning
Katherine receives a call from the police asking her to come down to the station for interview. Although not formal at this time it concerns an old incident that happened many years back linking the reader to the story of 10 year old Kitty now Katherine. The book follows these 2 time lines.
I enjoy this authors writing as I find it v easy to get into, but as with his previous book, there are some uncomfortable topics dealt with. Saying that I was drawn very much into it which was down to the great plot and well thought out characters. Another great read !!

The synopsis for 'Hold Your Breath' certainly sounded intriguing and I couldn't wait to get started. The book sounded like a deliciously twisty psychological thriller. I wasn't wrong either because it was all that and more. I did enjoy reading 'Hold Your Breath' even if parts of it did make me rather uncomfortable, but more about that in a bit.
It didn't take me long at all to get into the book once I got started. The synopsis of this book really appealed to me and I was intrigued to see how the story would develop. I made the fatal mistake of starting to read this book shortly before I went to bed. Let's just say I became so immersed in the story and the writing, that I just couldn't put the book down and bedtime was delayed somewhat. I just had to know how the story was going to conclude. The pages turned increasingly quickly, the further into the story I reached. I was gripped by the story and on the edge of my seat throughout. Certain things which are discussed within this book aren't for the more sensitive of people. That's not meant as a criticism but more an indication for people to be aware.
'Hold Your Breath' is extremely well written. The author has one of those writing styles that is easy to get along with and to get used to. The story is set using different time frames. One timeline describes events as they happen in the present day and the other timeline describes things as they happened in the past and illustrates what led to the present day set of circumstances. I hope that makes sense. I loved the fact that part of the story is set in Northumberland, which is in the North East of England. It was so refreshing to read a story, which is partially set somewhere with which I am familiar. Some of the characters were truly unpleasant to the point where a shiver or two went down my spine. I found that I was trying to become too involved in the story and tried to interact with the book as if the individual characters could hear me. I know this is a work of fiction, but I find that if I enjoy a book to the extent that I enjoyed this one, then I tend to 'live' the story as it were real. The fact that I am so convinced by the story is all down to the author's very vivid and very realistic descriptions.
In short, I really enjoyed this book even if it wasn't always an easy read. I would recommend this book to other readers, but as I mention above certain unpleasant subjects are discussed. I will definitely be reading more from this author in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

BP Walter returns with another pitch-perfect and difficult to categorise thriller with one of the most creepy and spine-tinglingly sinister atmospheres I have encountered of late. The author isn't afraid to pack the plot with twists, turns and surprising reveals that give it pep and pizazz whilst gripping you thoroughly in the process. He does a really excellent job of crafting a story that keeps its direction of travel under wraps for much of the book; something many bestselling thriller writers often struggle with. All in all, this is an impressive, tense and nail-biting sophomore offering and one crime readers will devour just as the tagline promises. Highly recommended. Many thanks to Avon for an ARC.

Last year I reviewed B.P Watler’s debut thriller A Version of the Truth so was excited to see he had his second novel, Hold Your Breath out this month. In 1987 Kitty’s mother is suffering with mental health problems, which is having a damaging effect on the family. One day her father packs up the car and drives to Northumberland, to a cottage in the woods for a family holiday. In reality, this is her father’s last ditch attempt to get care for his wife so she won’t have to go into hospital. Kitty is left to her own devices, to roam the woods and the house where she sees and hears things that she will never forget. In the present day Katherine has written a book based on those few weeks in the woods and is forced to confront what really happened when she was ten years old. A real slow burner, that goes to some very dark places, this is a thriller that will make you hold your breath in suspense.

The plot has a split time line, 1987 and the present and Kitty/Katherine is the narrator in both. In 1987 Kitty, as she prefers to be called, is only ten years old but seems to have an older head on her shoulders. She has a confidence about herself, and is very defensive about herself and her family. Home life has been difficult with her mother being unwell and she feels sidelined and neglected. Like any child, her response to this is to know what buttons to press, how to get a reaction adding to the tension in the cottage. In the present day Katherine is very much changed, she has a lot less confidence, has little or no contact with her family and also has a history of mental health problems brought on by the events in 1987. The two timelines work well together, ten year old Kitty shows us events as they happened, what she saw and heard, how she felt. In present day, forced to confront her past, we see the lasting damage and how maybe a ten year old may not see everything clearly.

Hold Your Breath is like a jigsaw, slowly all the random pieces begin to fit together, and when in the right place complete a picture of those three weeks in the forest. The characters are compelling, all flawed, but they draw you into the book and their roles in events. B.P Water goes to some very dark places in this book but does so with understanding and consideration which keeps it real, and not just for dramatic effect. The disturbing and feeling of unease bring fear to the forefront of this book, so as the reader I felt I was constantly on edge, waiting for the next dark turn. More on the plot I won’t say, this is a book you have to experience first hand, and I recommend you do.

Hold Your Breath is a tense, thrilling and creepy read. It is Kitty’s narrative that draws you in, an innocent child witness to some distressing scenes, the reader experiencing them with her. Well written, a pressure pot of suspense, this is a deliciously dark and sinister thriller and one I highly recommend.

33 years ago, Kitty’s father drove her and her mother away from their quiet suburban life to an isolated cottage in the middle of a forest. Only 10 at the time, Kitty was angry and resentful, but aware on some level that her father was desperate, because her mother is obviously seriously mentally ill. Met by Amanda, a psychologist, and her father, a priest (I think… it’s never precisely clear if this is a role being played) the adults try varied ‘therapies’ to help, some of which Kitty witnesses and are obviously deeply distressing and traumatic for such a young child.

(All the trigger warnings, by the way. Seriously, this book needs so many trigger warnings I don’t even know where to start. Parts of it verge over into horror, so… approach with caution).

In the present day, Kitty, now using the name Katherine, has written a book, ostensibly fiction but claiming it is in large part a memoir based in real experiences… and in this book she all but accuses her father and Amanda, now her stepmother, of murder. But it seems Katherine isn’t the most reliable of narrators, and it’s not at all clear whether this is deliberate or the malfunctioning memory of a troubled, frightened child.

Whatever the case, I could never get past the fact that Kitty was 10 at the time of the events. Scared and traumatised, it’s ridiculous that she might for a moment be held culpable and frankly, she should have consulted a lawyer who would have made that absolutely clear to her from the beginning.

The writing is superb, the portrayal of a woman sinking deep into paranoid delusions and her husband desperately trying to keep her from being institutionalised almost painful to read. I thoroughly enjoyed the read and found it quite gripping, but I have to say I felt pretty let down by the ending. I like all the major plot threads to be tied off and there are far too many left open here. Four stars for a great read that just doesn’t quite finish things off properly.

What a brilliant and disturbing read! I enjoyed it from beginning to end.

"I need to ask you to present yourself at Wickton Close Police Station, Newcastle tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m. to be interviewed under police caution."
2020........A telephone call that Katherine has been waiting for and dreading.

In 1987 Katherine and her mother and father leave their home in Grays in Essex to go and stay in a cottage in the woods in Northumbria. Katherine's mother is not well and this move is meant to help her. What happened in this cottage is shocking beyond words.

"I genuinely believe the things I witnessed in that cottage in the woods and the area surrounding it damaged me irrevocably."

Its a book about mental illness; about the impact on families, how it can destroy lives, about revenge and the subsequent impact on peoples lives.

A brilliant must read the book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review for 'Hold your breath' by B.P.Walter

Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Avon books publishers

This is the first book that I have read by this author but it won't be my last.

This book is written from Kitty's (Katherine) perspective mainly from when she was a child via an interview.

The book is written using the past and present in 3 different timelines which are 2020, 1987 and 2019. All timelines run smoothly into each other so it doesn't leave readers confused.

THE plot is quite dark, disturbing and sinister and includes trigger themes such as suicide, strong language, child abuse, mental health and rape. I would not recommend it to readers who are easily offended.

The storyline is unique and the descriptions very good. I was dragged straight in and found it an excellent page turner. I would class this book as a psychological thriller and I quite enjoyed the twists. The book does calm down during the last 10% but I did quite enjoy the ending although it didn't really go out with the bang I would have hoped for considering the rest of the book hence 4/5 instead of 5/5.

THE characters were all compelling, strong, well defined and believable although Kitty herself annoyed me with her attitude a few times but then she is a typical 10 year old child. The father wasn't much of one and didn't give her much form of love and seemed to push her away quite alot so I couldn't really blame Kitty for being the way she was.

I would recommend this to fans of mystery, murder, gore, psychological thrillers, suspense, horror and dark books. I would NOT recommend to readers who are sensitive to bad language.

368 pages

£2.99 to buy on kindle. I think this is a very good price for this book.

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