Kerry Buchanan is another new author to Joffe Books and the blurb to this book sounded as though it ticked most of my boxes and I was right. Wow what a brilliant read it was.

Nic is a university student on a night out with her boyfriend, Colm, but she wakes up chained to a wall with no memory of how she got there. But the nightmare is just beginning. Covered in cuts weakened by loss of blood she can only listen as around the corner Colm is being tortured. Fear and panic give her additional strength and she manages to pull free from the wall and escape. But that is not the end of the nightmare.

An absolutely gripping story that had me turning page after page with adrenaline pumping. I read many crime thrillers but it is rare that a book leaves me with my heart racing as this one did. The suspense and intrigue are a constant throughout the whole book right to the very end. No padding in this one just page after page of gripping story.

The characters are realistic and develop well I love Nic and Asha and the connection that builds between them and they are backed up perfectly by other characters all with their own uniqueness. The whole book ties together perfectly with different personalities bringing something to the story.

An absolutely brilliant read, one complaint -. that ending .- WOW - now I am pacing the floor waiting for the next in the series.

A massive 5 golden stars from me - more please.

What a fantastic debut novel. Will definitely be looking out for this author in the future. Full of twists and turns and extremely well written.
Started in a nightclub in Belfast and the main characters just gel together seamlessly. Brilliant surprising ending.
Highly recommended

If there’s one thing that I like doing, it’s discovering new authors. Kerry Buchanan is certainly a new author for me. I read the synopsis for ‘Knife Edge’ and it certainly sounded like an interesting read. So without further ado I grabbed a cup of tea, grabbed my Kindle and settled down for what I hoped would be a cracking read. Oh ‘Knife Edge’ was a cracking read and then some. I thoroughly enjoyed very single second of ‘Knife Edge’ but more about that in a bit.
Oh my word, as soon as I started to read ‘Knife Edge’ that was it. I just knew that I wouldn’t be able to put the book down. The story and the characters intrigued me and I just couldn’t stop reading. My Kindle wasn’t exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I couldn’t bear to miss a single second of the story. The pages turned increasingly quickly as I worked my way through the book. At one point the pages were turning that quickly that the page numbers became a blur. I found ‘Knife Edge’ to be a gripping read, which kept me guessing and kept me on the edge of my seat.
‘Knife Edge’ is brilliantly written and then some. The author certainly knows how to grab your attention from the start and draw you into a compelling story. Reading ‘Knife Edge’ was much like being on a scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with several twists and turns along the way. For me, the story in ‘Knife Edge’ hit the ground running and maintained a fast pace throughout. I also loved the fact that this book is set in Northern Ireland, as I have Northern Irish roots. I felt as though I was part of the story and that’s thanks to Kerry’s very vivid and realistic storytelling.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Knife Edge’ and I would recommend this book to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Kerry’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

Set in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Nicola Gordon (Nic) has been persuaded by her friend Colm to go on a night out to a club, Limelight, with friends to celebrate student housemate Hannah’s birthday. Nic and Colm are always the sensible ones in the group. The next thing she remembers is waking up in an abandoned cottage, naked, gagged and bound. Their kidnapper has already started to cut Colm by the sounds of it. Six days they remain there, the attacker coming and going, and using each of his six knives in turn. When he gets to the biggest and most lethal looking one, she knows this will be the end. As Colm is brutally stabbed, she manages to pull herself free and runs for her life. Waking in hospital she is interviewed by DI Ram, over from Leeds, and DS Asha Harvey and is eventually allowed home. Harvey and DC Aaron Birch have found and searched the cottage and have found no trace of the killer or Colm except for a lot of blood. No one even saw Nic and Colm being taken from the club that night. Nic and Hannah try revisiting the club to see if they remember anything and there they meet Birch who has been assigned to keep an eye on Nic. As Nic heads back to the cottage with Harvey and Birch the next day to see if anything jogs her memory, they think they spot the killer. Is Nic’s life still under threat? Then Colm's body turns up near Lisburn and it starts to look like Nic didn’t really know Colm at all. It all gets worse when Ram tells Nic this is not the killer’s first rodeo by any means. Nicknamed "The Slasher", he’s had at least four attempts in Leeds, with three kills so far and now appears to have relocated. And Ram has his own reasons for wanting this killer brought to justice. Soon the police and Nic are caught up in a game of cat and mouse with a deadly sinister killer intent on pursuing his target and using Nic’s sister as bait. Can they stop him in time? There are loads of exciting twists and turns in this thrilling story, ending with a jaw dropping dramatic conclusion and a satisfying surprise.
Birch, Harvey, Lonnie and Ram are all very likeable characters and clearly very skilled at their jobs, which is fortunate as Nic is not thinking clearly at times.
This certainly does not feel like a debit novel, since it is so well written and polished, and I am greatly looking forward to the next story in this series. Highly recommended! 5*

Nic is talked into going to a nightclub with a relative new friend, although she really didn't want to. When she wakes up, she's bound hand and foot with a gag in her mouth. Her friend is across the room, also bound and gagged.

She somehow gets her hands unbound and when her abductor comes in with a large knife, she makes a run for it.

She's finally safe .. isn't she?

Detectives Asha Harvey and Aaron Birch arrive at the scene hours later. There is no body, there is no sign of the killer. It’s as if it never happened.

This is only the beginning of her torment .....

This is well-written, suspense starting on the very first page and maintaining a high level until the very last unexpected conclusion. The characters are deftly drawn an work well with each other. It seems horrific that this crime can be committed and investigated against a backdrop of beautiful Belfast. As this is the first in the series, I look forward to what happens in the lives of these most diligent detectives.

Many thanks to the author / Joffe Books / Books n All Book Promotions / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime thriller. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

4.5 stars

Knife Edge by Kerry Buchanan is the first in the new crime series starring Detectives Asha Harvey and Aaron Birch.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Joffe Books (in particular Nina Kicul for sending me a widget), and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


Series Information:
DS Asha Harvey, along with DC Aaron Birch handle crime in Belfast, Ireland.


My Synopsis:   (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Even though Nic hated nightclubs, she went out because she had promised a friend.  Colm said he would go if she did. When she wakes up, she is naked, gagged, and her hands bound behind her.  Her body is covered in knife wounds.  Colm is across the room, and in worse shape than she is.  When the man returned on the sixth day, and started in on Colm again, Nic broke free and ran.

DS Asha Harvey and DC Aaron Birch locate the cabin where Nic was held, but Colm is nowhere to be found.  Actually, other than the copious amounts of blood, the entire place was cleared out.

DI Ram has come to Belfast to assist in the case.  He has been following this particular perpetrator for some time.  This is not the first "Slasher" case there has been, and Nic may not be the last.  When someone close to her is taken, Nic is willing to do almost anything to end this nightmare.


My Opinions:   
For a debut novel, this was simply amazing, and definitely made me want to read more of this series.

The writing was really good.  Occasionally the descriptions were a little lengthy, like the scene where Nic was in the fields looking for her sister, and again when Aaron and Nic were at the boat, both which caused me to skim a bit.  But otherwise, things moved very quickly, and everything was so entertaining, that I only deducted 1/2 star for that.

The characters were great.  I love Asha and Aaron.  I was surprised, and pleased, that a victim would play such a large role in the solving of the crime, and in the book.  This is rarely done, so it was a pleasant occurrence, and it worked!

As I said, the plot and twists were fabulous.  I had guessed the perpetrator early on, but that really didn't matter.  The ending was a shock, and totally appropriate!

It even had a glossary of terms for "US readers"....which I didn't really think was necessary.

This was just an amazing, entertaining read, and a great start to a new series.  It grabbed me from the start and still had me at the end.  The suspense and action was non-stop.  Definitely one of those "unputdownable" novels.  Rarely do I find one in a debut novel.  I have found myself a new author to follow!  I can't wait for the next one.

I hate to say it, but this one was a disappointment. I enjoyed the characters but that's it. I figured out the villain very shortly into the book. It took away from the suspense of the story and I found myself skipping chapters repeatedly just to get to the end. It's a shame because there was a lot of potential here and the writing style was decent.

This book puts a dangerous view on stalking!
Twists and turns throughout the book and pure evil in some of the characters.
Absolute page turner

Nic always hated clubbing. She only went out that night because she promised a friend. She wakes up naked and bound in an abandoned cottageon the middle of nowhere. Her bodyb is covered in cuts. Across the room her friend groans in pain. A shadow passes the window. He's back. He picks up a knife and begins to cut her friend. In that moment of bloody freny, Nic wrenches free and runs. She's finally safe. But this is only Just beginning.

This book is filled with action, tension and it's thrilling. It gives us a different take on stalking and abduction and it's filled with twists. he story does start with quite a horrific scene, so this books not for the faint hearted. It's also quite ans addictive read. The action starts straoight away. I liked the authors style in writing this book. With it's fast pace this is a quick book to read. I could not put it down. I loved this debut novel and i will be looking out for more from the author in future.

I would like to thank #NetGalley, #JoffeBooks and the author #KerryBuchanan for my ARC of #KnifeEdge in exchange for an honest review.

Although I knew who the perp was from very early in the book I still couldn’t put this book down.

Great characters and loved the strength of the main character Nic. A great thriller and a must read.

A really gripping storyline with a cast of interesting characters. A strange tale of a very clever and diligent murder/ abductor who takes great pleasure in prolonging the misery of his victims and his grim determination to track down the one who got away. However the end was very disappointing it seems the author ran of ideas or is there plans for a sequel?

Found this in the Read Now section of Netgalley. Thank you to the author for allowing me to check it out.

I couldn't suspend my disbelief, and because of that, I couldn't enjoy it. The entire plot hinged on characters behaving in improbable ways and making dangerously stupid decisions. Police procedure? What's that? The initial victim inserts herself into the investigation with the complete support of the police working the case. She takes it upon herself to track down the villain and everyone is totally ok with it. And as impossible as that is, is be willing to buy it IF she knew what she was doing, but no, she just... flings herself face first into life threatening situations with no plan.

The best I can say is that it is a quick, fast-paced read. It starts off in media res, and the action is nonstop. But there was no room for the characters to be fully realized, three-dimensional people, and no time for the reader to get invested in them.

This one wasn't for me.

Knife Edge by Kerry Buchanan describes itself as utterly addictive. It does not lie. The action starts right away and does not let up. I really liked Nic. I also liked the detectives Asha and Aaron. A lot of the stuff happening and decisions made probably wouldn’t happen in real life, but because the story, overall, was so gripping, I suspended disbelief and went with it. I also was not prepared for all the twists and turns. I will definitely read more by this author. Thank you to Netgalley and Joffe Books for the ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

4.5 Stars

“You think it’s over…it’s not over. The games have just begun…”
—John Kramer (Jigsaw), Saw IV

Nic has never been much for going out to bars, but reluctantly agrees to an evening out with friends. The last memory she has was being handed a drink, and then waking up in a shack naked, tied to a ring in the wall…and at the mercy of a mad man…one that measures each day of her captivity with a different knife he uses to cut and sculpt her battered body. Then the unimaginable happens…on the sixth day, when Nic is sure this is the day she dies, she breaks free of her bondage and escapes. Now she’s determined to help the police bring this psycho to justice…but the killer is just starting his little game…

Knife Edge is a nail-biting suspenseful crime thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat! And that ending! OMG! (Insert Cliffhanger Alert!) Loved this debut novel by Kerry Buchanan and will most definitely be on the lookout for the next release! Highly recommend to fans of this genre!



**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. **

Nic somehow manages to escape her abductor - but Colm the friend who was taken at the same time wasn't so lucky. Nic then starts getting messages from her abductor telling her it's not yet over. As if to prove his point he then re-abducts a woman who previously got away from him. A good story

Thoroughly enjoyed it. Looking forward to reading more Kerry Buchanan books.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher I read a free advance review copy of the book. This review is voluntary, honest and my own opinion.

Thanks to Netgalley, Joffe, & Ms. Buchanan for the ARC of Knife Edge, a descriptive, dark IrIsh thriller. The story begins with a serial criminal torturing the main character, Nic. The ensuing race to catch this evil person involves DCs Asha & Aaron, both described quite well in the book. I thought the plot a bit unrealistic with the victim's involvement in solving the crime, but it is a novel, not real life.

It was so helpful to this American that a glossary of colloquially Irish phrases was included, why doesn't everyone do that! This made the story so much easier to enjoy.

Possible spoiler here, but, I don't know how the reader couldn't figure out "who done it". The cast of suspects in the narrative was limited. This new author has great potential & the book ending was certainly written so as to expect a 2nd in this series, which I would read, 3.75 stars.

Dark and Chilling, gives you Goosebumps
This is Harvey and Birch Book One.
Belfast Northern Ireland and Nicola Gordon is in hospital after been found naked, she was in a hell of a mess all she remembers is fleeing the cottage from who? and where was Colm? she had been to Katy's Bar to celebrate Hannah's birthday. Six days they had both been held, and now waking up with her mother by her side, things started to surface in her mind.
D.S. Asha Harvey along with D.C. Aaron Birch after she is taking home to Hannah's are doing everything they can as she starts to remember and they need to find this person for kidnapping and now murder, Colm is dead. they both put Nic at ease and now she was been followed.
Oh my this book, oh wow so fast pace, I enjoyed chapter after chapter, It will send your heart pounding, it's full of massive twists, either way this book will shock you to the core right till the core right till the very end. I'm done and satisfied that this book is worthy of every star rating, look forward to the next.

I found this to be an interesting debut novel. Its very descriptive and emotive. It is an unusual take on abduction and stalking. There are lots of surprises and it kept me guessing.
Looking forward to reading more from Kerry Buchanan.

Thanks to Joffe Books and NetGalley for ARC.

3.5 stars

An intricately plotted novel about the hunt for an organized serial killer, aided by a young woman victim. Most characters are well developed, & the stakes are kept high & ever rising til the end of the story.

[What I liked:]

•There are great & sympathetic side characters, mostly the investigation team (Asha, Ram, Lonnie, & Aaron). They helped the investigation feel like more than a dry procedural.

•Scenes from the unidentified killer are woven in throughout the story, providing tantalizing insights into his MO & plans, which keeps the suspense high. Those left me always wanting more details into what he’d do next, and why.

•Nic & Ram’s personal connections to the ongoing case provide emotional depth & helped me engage all the more in hoping for a positive outcome to the story.


[What I didn’t like as much:]

•While I felt that Asha & Aaron got an amount of character development befitting side characters, I wish Nic could have been fleshed out more. I don’t know much about her likes, dislikes, dreams, ambitions, etc. Her characterization is left to how she deals with her trauma in the present.

•Nic does some pretty foolish things without, imo, strong enough motivations to take the risks that she’s well aware are very dangerous. She is young & traumatized of course, but maybe if I was given more depth of insight into why she did these things I would buy her actions more easily.

CW: racism, murder, torture (hard to read but not excessively graphic), kidnapping, drugging

[I received an ARC ebook copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Thank you for the book!]

Knife Edge is the debut novel by Kerry Buchanan and follows the story of Nic; having been kidnapped and tortured by the media dubbed ‘Slasher,’ as she embarks on helping the local police force solve the case.

Nic goes for an uncharacteristic night out with a group of her friends only to wake up alongside her friend and tortured. She manages to escape to the sounds of her friend being brutally murdered and get help; in the form of Detectives Asha Harvey and Aaron Birch.

The plot of Knife Edge is intense. It’s a thrill-read of epic proportions with high characterisation to help keep the delight of the discoveries entertaining. There are some strong characters written about in the story, some of which I do hope to see again in future novels by the author as this is a very strong debut novel. I enjoyed the easy-flow of Kerry Buchanan’s writing style; nothing overly complicated to impact on the reader's imagination paired with some very challenging scenes; that of torture, left my imagination reeling in a way that I find most delightful.

As the story unfolds, Nic plays an ever-increasing role in solving the case of her kidnapper. While I enjoyed Nic as a character, her determination throughout the story is admirable and what motivates her actions is reasonably justified. I do feel that Nic falls into the ‘too good’ category at times. Whenever a hook within the plot is discovered it’s by Nic; she takes the law into her own hands and seems to have the Detectives wrapped around her little finger. I found that she went from relatable to a ‘Miss-know-it-all’ towards the second half that rather hampered my personal enjoyment of the book. I found Nic’s involvement within the case and the relationship she formed with the Detectives rather incredulous; the fact she was allowed access to investigate crime scenes with them and the extent of her involvement as anything other than a victim of the crime was a little bit beyond my suspension of disbelief.

As with all thrillers, I was trying to figure out who the culprit was – I think the ‘guessing game’ of thrillers is what makes them so entertaining and I had a good inclination to who it was rather early on in Knife Edge. It’s something as a reader that I cannot stop myself from doing but I was rather disappointed to have figured out the ‘big reveal’ so early on.

In between scenes of investigation and family drama, there are chapters written from the culprits perspective – it highlights his sadistic intent, his paranoia and the disturbing thoughts he has towards the women he kidnaps. These chapters are brief but add to the tension throughout the novel in a startling way. They give the whole books a renewed sense of urgency in solving the case and kept the thrill-read rolling.

I really disliked the ‘resolution’ of this novel. It felt a little forced and open-ended. I’d have much rather be left with a feeling of completion from a story and sadly, I found what was offered in Knife Edge a little lacking.