Rob is reaching the end of his prison sentence in Brixton Prison. He is allowed out on day release to reintegrate into society. On his first day out en route to his placement at a charity shop he bumps into a woman. Over the following days and weeks he builds up a relationship with the woman, Steph. She is attractive, intelligent and attentive. It is obvious why Rob is attracted to her. But why is Steph so interested in Rob? What would happen if she knew the truth about his background? What does she want from him?
Brixton Hill is an absolutely brilliant thriller, so well constructed with two superb main characters. Lottie Moggach has clearly worked so hard to produce a brilliant book which deals with the life inside and out of prison so well.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for a Kindle copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was an interesting story, getting a look into how the prison system works for prisoners about to finish there sentence. However there was not much that happened during the story and for me felt very forgettable.
Thanks to Netgalley for allowing me.to read an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

Very cleverly written. I thought that the twist was really well written. I felt sorry for Rob by the end of the book. Everything felt so real and raw throughout.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

Brixton Hill is Moggach’s third foray into the literary thriller genre and is even better than her previous offerings. When I grow apathetic towards the countless throwaway thrillers on the market I know I can rely on Ms Moggach to provide a thought-provoking, authentic and high-quality crime read from start to denouement.

Convicted of manslaughter after an errant punch that killed the victim, Rob has been imprisoned in Brixton jail for his 7-year sentence which is soon to be over when he will be returned to society. As a category D inmate, he is permitted day release to rebuild his normal life outside of the prison walls to prepare for his upcoming parole and he uses this time to volunteer in a local charity shop where he works in the back room sorting donations ready for presentation on the shop floor. All he must do now is continue to be on his best behaviour and keep his nose clean to secure his release. On his journey to work one morning, he encounters glamourous and dangerously enticing Steph and they build a friendship whereby they walk this route together most mornings despite this sort of relationship being strictly prohibited by his day release contract. What could possibly go wrong in this scenario when both hold deep, dark secrets?

This is a compulsive, complex and utterly addictive rollercoaster ride from the moment you pick it up and although it is much more of a detail-orientated, slow-burn thriller than fast and furious this works to its favour giving the author ample time to craft an ominous atmosphere and develop the characters superbly. It’s also a realistic, extensively researched piece that focuses on giving an authentic insight into the tedium and uneventfulness of prison life rather than creating twists merely for shock value like some stories. I also love that she subtly weaves social commentary on important topical issues into the narrative, too. Undoubtedly, this is grit lit at its finest and Moggach truly has a gift for spinning a memorable yarn in a genre bursting with distinctly forgettable tales. Highly recommended. Many thanks to Corsair for an ARC.

How someone deals with the prospect of leaving prison after serving a long term sentence is the idea behind this piece of fiction. Combining descriptions of life behind bars within a well constructed storyline, Brixton Hill is a book that I couldn’t tear myself away from. Two very believable characters, Rob and Steph make this novel utterly engrossing. Their chance meeting as Rob makes his daily commute from the open prison to his charity shop job marks the beginning of a fleeting friendship in which his desire to connect with this woman whilst staying out of trouble is severely tested. Is Steph who she says she is and how far would Rob go to help her?
The opening scene of Rob exiting the prison gates into the world beyond, in which he feels at a loss, unfamiliar with his surroundings is powerful. Immediately I could picture myself walking down that hill by his side, comfortable in his company, warming to his character and sensing he was a good guy, despite being unaware of the nature of his crime.
I absolutely loved the vivid descriptions of life on the high street and his backroom job at the charity shop sifting through other people’s cast offs. Rob’s interactions with manager Colin hint at a man rehabilitated and ready to resume normal life.
At times moving and poignant,this novel is beautifully written, cataloging Rob’s conflicting emotions leading up to his imminent release, emotions that are heightened having met Steph. The author has managed to imagine a character so well, conveying the myriad of emotions any inmate serving a long sentence presumably experiences as their long awaited freedom beckons. Rob is portrayed as an ordinary human being like anyone else, employing his own coping mechanisms to endure his situation,so irrespective of his crime I felt a deep connection with this man. He is thoughtful introspective and remorseful so despite his obvious flaws I had a huge amount of empathy for him.
Time stood still for me whilst reading about Rob and from his first interaction with Steph, I felt the spark of hope that life beyond his sentence could offer. Their fleeting meetings are emotionally charged with an unspoken promise of more to come so that Rob quickly becomes besotted with this woman, his head in the clouds. I could sense the air between them laden with expectation as they slowly revealed snippets of their lives in the few snatched minutes afforded to them. However, Steph is perhaps not being entirely truthful with Rob, giving you the distinct impression she may have a hidden agenda. Her actions are governed by a survivor’s instinct so I felt compelled to forgive her when I better understood what motivated her.
I found Rob’s description of cell life and the characters he shared his limited space with fascinating. The everyday tensions between these men who have no choice but to coexist side by side bubble away under the surface as Rob endeavours to keep his eyes focused on the end goal. As more is revealed about Rob’s crime and Steph’s personal circumstances so the tension increases with a sense of impending trouble that encourages the reader to keep turning the pages. His time inside and his cell mates are crucial to a plot line with writing that seamlessly weaves some very clever twists into the narrative, making Brixton Hill an exceptional piece of storytelling.
Rob’s chance to reconnect with a world that feels alien to him is beautifully described with the notion that time outside the prison walls moves at a very different pace. I found the observations of how to cope with the slow passage of time whilst inside insightful. His reflective nature and apparent nonchalance at his own mother’s failure to visit saddened me bringing to mind a conversation I had many years ago with someone who had first hand experience of prison life. In fact his own view on open prisons and the unsettling effects they can have on inmates more used to the regimented routine of closed prisons mirrored some of Rob’s own reflections.
Whether or not Rob is deemed a good citizen in the authorities eyes or even his own is food for thought. Certainly the guilt he carries with him is a burden he feels unable to shrug off so that I felt his despondency. Even though he will have served his punishment I couldn’t help but agree with him that his sentence will forever define him especially when trying to set up a new life.
With an ending that is just brilliant in terms of creativity I LOVED this book and will be recommending to all my book friends. Casting aside the reflections on guilt and punishment which touched a nerve in me this is a fine example of a cleverly constructed plot. I’m in awe of this author’s writing and without hesitation give this novel a 5 star rating.

This was a great thriller that kept me gripped throughout.

Rob is out on day release from prison as he approaches his release date. He has served seven years for manslaughter.

When he's walking to his volunteer job at a charity shop, a woman stumbles in front of him, and as he assists her, he is immediately captivated by her eyes.

As he seemingly bumps into her at random every time he goes to his job, they strike up conversation, and he finds himself becoming more and more attracted to her.

But what he doesn't know is that these encounters are anything but random.

He is the target for a scheme that has been planned in detail.

The woman, Steph, at first happy to play along, finds herself liking Rob, and tries desperately to call the scheme off. But it is beyond her control. She too has become a pawn in a game that she can see no way out of.

However, Rob has become wise to his role as pawn, and in a brilliant twist, he ensures that Steph is protected and able to escape her abusive husband.

Brixton Hill raises the question of whether a terrible mistake should define the rest of your life, as well as giving a realistic account of prison life.

I absolutely loved this book. It is beautifully written, well researched, original and very engaging. Highly recommended. One I shall give to friends

This book is so well written, the characters have depth of character which enables the reader to feel their raw emotion,
Rob and Steff have a chance encounter on Brixton Hill, and then continue to have illicit, almost clandestine meetings on a daily basis., the meetings slowly become electrically charged, and the two lives become entwined.
The author writes in such a way that the reader feels that they are walking with Rob and Steff, except the reader sees the whole picture of despair and desperation...Excellent book

A strong, original read. Love the character development. A slow burner but definitely one to read to challenge perceptions. Highly recommended.

What a fascinating, original read this was. It followed the life of a prisoner nearing the end of his sentence in an open prison. Rob is preparing for being released after a 7 year sentence by working in a charity shop. We learn about his daily life; how the other inmates treat him; how the staff view him; the way his employer treats him. On his way to work one morning he meets Stephanie and it is the start of a new friendship, one he is not allowed to develop. This is a fascinating tale about Rob, why he is in prison and how he deals with it.
Many thanks to Netgalley/Lottie Moggach/Little, Brown Book Club UK for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

This book is not the usual genre I would usually read but I enjoyed Under the Sun by the author and decided to request this title. The storyline is of a prisoner coming to the end of his sentence having been moved to an open prison in South London and his struggles with getting to the release date without being involved in any situations that may go against this happening. He is allowed out on day release to work in the back room of a charity shop and one day has a “chance” meeting with a woman and begins a relationship/friendship – something that is completely against the rules. He grows infatuated with her and becomes embroiled in exactly the type of situations he had been trying to avoid resulting in far-reaching consequences. The description of inside the prison and the inmates’ way of life, the daily violence, deceptiveness, duplicity and despair is very convincing, and the plot is twisting and tense. A thoroughly absorbing and thought-provoking book.

Well written book with some interesting twists, enjoyed this! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this advanced copy.

I really enjoyed this book. Rob is coming to the end of a 7 year sentence. He is now working at a local charity shop as part of his preparations for release. One morning he helps a woman who has fallen over and they gradually become friends. It soon becomes clear that the woman, Steph, is not who Rob believes she is, and he is in danger of jeopardising his release by helping her. The book kept me guessing til the end and I liked the way it gave an insight in to the life of a prisoner. Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
Copied to Goodreads.

I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK. Hnestly it is the biggest non-event of my reading month. For probably 80% of the book we are treated to meetigns between Rob and Steph. In the next 20% the reasons become evident. they are not very exciting and ultimately the plans come to naught just as the book does. I do not understand the highly rated reviews they must have read a different book to me because this was rubbish

I don't understand pricing of books a fabulous book i read yesterdau is on Kindle unlimited for free fot his you expect me to ay £8

Thanks to Netgalley for the preview of this book. It was a really enjoyable and exciting read. Rob was a very credible & likeable character so you couldn't help root for him. The storyline is fast moving and really well done.

A fast paced and interesting read set against the background of prison life. Not sure what genre I’d class it as as it’s not quite a thriller in the current sense, definitely enough twists and turns to keep you interested until the end though. Seemed a well researched and authentic look at the prison service too. Would recommend.

A prisoner on day release meets a lady as he is walking towards the charity shop where he works. Each day she is waiting to walk with him - but why?
Seeing things from each point of view gives the impression we know them but both have secrets from one another and from us.
I thought the characters were well portrayed and interesting as well as the storyline.

Rob is an inmate of Brixton Prison. As a category D prisoner, he is allowed out on day release, working in a local charity shop as preparation for his potential parole which is imminent. Imminent, that is, as long as he can keep himself clear of trouble. While walking to the charity shop one morning, Rob has a seemingly chance encounter with Steph and a relationship of sorts develops between the two. Even though this relationship is limited to sharing a walk each day down from the prison to the charity shop, Rob is aware it strictly breaches the terms of his day release. This is the premise for the excellent plot, and it soon becomes obvious that Steph has an ulterior motive.

As the story unfolded, I found myself questioning who exactly the villain is and who the victim. Has Rob's circumstances made him vulnerable and ripe for exploitation? Is Steph the architect of her own actions? Or are unseen forces pulling the strings? This mix, and the craft with which it's depicted, makes for a intriguing and compulsive read. Once started, I didn't want to put this book down.

Lottie Moggach weaves an intricate plot, and the twists that unfolded along the way surprised and kept me guessing. Her narrative is engaging and highly entertaining. I also enjoyed the detail of prison life effortlessly slotted into the storytelling. The monotony and pettiness of sharing a prison cell irks, and I could almost smell the stale air and feel the stultifying claustrophobia of Rob's incarceration. I haven't read a novel which has pulled me so effectively into its fictive world for a long time.

I found this novel a great introduction to Lottie Moggach, and I'll definitely be reading her other books.

Interesting insight into life in a low category prison and day release. Good back story for characters and a bit of an unexpected twist. Recommended.

In Brixton Hill author Lottie Moggach offers forensic detail on prison life from the slang, the food, the inherent drug problems and the pecking order amongst the inmates. And then she introduces the somewhat curious story of Rob, an inmate nearly at the end of his prison term, who is being reintegrated into society by working in a charity shop. On his walk to work everyday Rob traverses Brixton Hill where he literally picks up the glamorous Steph. A relationship of sorts develops but nothing is as it seems. From Rob’s initial cell mate Deller to the obnoxious Marko who supersedes him this character driven tale represents a microcosm of South London’s ne’re do wells. It’s an interesting plot with a surprising ending. Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown for the ARC.