Cover Image: The Anniversary

The Anniversary

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

I was really looking forward to this novel and I was not disappointed! The Anniversary a great read. The summary of the book tells you all you need to know about the storyline and there is no spoilers in my review.

A page turner for me and I had know idea where the story was taking me, kept my interest to the end, which was a surprise. The chapters move between 1994 and the present, each character telling their side of the story. I enjoy the style of writing and characters. The main characters, Carrie Colman and her mother, Sylvia were my favourite characters. I found the book emotional, surprising, witty and sad. I really enjoyed the book!

I give the book 4 stars. I would recommend this novel.

I WANT TO THANK NETGALLEY FOR THE OPPORTUNITY OF READING AN ADVANCED COPY OF THIS BOOK FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.

Was this review helpful?

My first book by this author
Cassie was aged 4 when a mass shooting took the life of her father and 10 other people in a small town. Cassie now has a baby of her own. Her mother , who was widowed in the attack now has Alzheimer's ( a bit of a common device this). Journalist Alison wants to know the truth but then so , soon after does Cassie
It doesn't zoom along but there is enough to keep your interest piqued with little tit bits revealed at the end of chapters. Told from Cassie's POV pretty much exclusively it's a bit one dimensional but the back stories do help to flesh it out
I sympathised with Cassie and her problems with Amy. I didn't really go for the gushy "aren't mums and babies wunnerful" at the end
Cassie your mum had Parkinson's as well (very common with Alzheimer's) hence shuffling gait
Putting a parent in a care home is not easy but if you need to do it do. Overall it's best for them and their health and well being. Do not stress That the system is lacking I quite agree
The plot is well told, no huge twists (for which I thank the author enormously) just gradual reveals of past events unfolding. A good ending, unsurprising but that really doesn't matter one jot. It fitted with the rest of the book. Overall a very good read and one I am pleased to have read and knowing the other book the author has written I will now read

Was this review helpful?

The Anniversary is the first book I've read by Laura Marshall and I found it to be an enjoyable, gripping and unpredictable read. It is told from the point of view of Cassie whose father was the final victim of a serial killer. 25 years on and Cassie delves into the past to discover the truth. I found Cassie to be a character I could empathise with and the I felt that the author covered various themes in the novel sensitively.
3.5 stars
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital ARC.

Was this review helpful?

On 15th June 1994, Travis Green - husband, father, upstanding citizen - walked through the streets of Hartstead and killed eleven of his neighbours. The final victim was four-year-old Cassie Colman's father. As the twenty-five year anniversary approaches, Cassie would rather forget the past - even as her mother struggles to remember it at all. Then something hidden in her mother's possessions suggests those eleven murders were not what everyone believes. Once Cassie suspects she's been lied to about the most important event of her life, she can't stop digging up the past. But someone will do anything to keep it buried.

The Anniversary was a fantastic read. It’s told from Cassie’s point of view, and she’s an engaging character - flawed, but doing her best - and we also learn bits about the other victims, as more facts gradually emerge about what happened back then. I really liked the sensitive depiction of Cassie’s mother, Sylvia, and a - for once - a relatively accurate representation of the social care system. The ending is very satisfying.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

Was this review helpful?

It’s the stuff of nightmares. On June 15, 1994, Travis Green, father and husband and up until then, an upstanding citizen, walked through his town of Hartstead and murdered 11 of his neighbours – young men and women, parents, grandparents. Twenty five years on, Cassie Colman – the four-year-old who remembers her father (the final victim) being killed – wonders what really happened on that day, and what provoked Travis in such a horrific and permanent way. When she discovers something in her mother’s possessions that could turn her memories on their head, she’s determined to plan her own investigation – with a little help from an old friend – into the biggest event the town had ever witnessed. The novel flips between Cassie juggling being a mum and being a carer to her mother, and the neighbours and friends who became victims in June 1994. The type of book that’ll make the hairs on your arms stand up, as you delve further and further into the twists and turns (for there are plenty).

Was this review helpful?

It’s been 25 years since Travis Green rampaged through the village and killed 11 people before turning the hun on himself. Now the last victim’s daughter, Cassie, has returned to the village with her baby girl to look after her ailing mum and with the help of a local journalist she wants to uncover the truth.
I’m a massive fan of Laura’s books and this was fantastic. Gripping and with characters I really liked. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

On a warm day in June in 1994, Travis Green walked through the streets with a loaded gun and killed 11 of his neighbours, seemingly at random. The final victim was 4 year-old Cassie Colman's father, shot in front of her and her mother in their kitchen.
As the 25 year anniversary approaches, Cassie would rather forget the past. Then something hidden in her mother's possessions suggests those 11 murders did not happen quite as everyone believes.
Once Cassie suspects she's been lied to about the most important event of her life, she can't stop digging up the past.
But someone will do anything to keep it buried . . .

I loved this book a lot. For me, the most interesting thing was going through the victims of the shooting one by one and learning more about them just before they were killed. I enjoyed Cassie as a character and felt like her perspective brought a lot to the storyline. This book was intriguing, enjoyable and an interesting read.

Recommended to those who enjoy character driven books (as well as plot driven books, this is both!), past traumas and intense horrific actions.

Was this review helpful?

After reading Laura Marshall’s previous book, I was super excited to read this one.
I was quickly drawn in and raced through it. The characters and plot are intriguing and there’s a great twist at the end.
I’d definitely recommend this book.

Was this review helpful?

I really wanted to like this book, but it was ultimately very disappointing and predictable. The blurb is great, however the characters were boring and Cassie really is another special level of stupid

Was this review helpful?

On 15th June 1994, Travis Green walked through the streets of Hartstead and killed eleven of his neighbours. The final victim was four-year-old Cassie Colman's father.

With the twenty-fifth anniversary approaching, the Hartstead shooting is brought back into the limelight and, like many, Cassie would rather forget the past. That is, until she discovers something which suggests that those murders did not happen quite like everyone said. Although, not everyone is so keen for her to dig up the past.

The Anniversary is quite possibly the best crime fiction book I have read in a very, very long time. Having read one of Laura Marshall's books before and remembering how much I enjoyed it, I was keen to read The Anniversary, and wow, it lived up to my expectations and more! I was thoroughly hooked the entire way through.

Some crime fiction books are predictable but this one was not in the slightest. The entire way through I was kept in suspense, and I truly did not expect any of the twists and turns.

Themes in the book included violence (including domestic violence), becoming a first time parent, single parenting, questioning morals and dementia. I thought the themes were handled sensitively and I actually really enjoyed how the author explored the idea of new parenting and how other parents make it look easy. Whilst, I am not a parent myself, I enjoyed the whole façade vs. reality, and how the author dared to go down the route of a character who doesn't make motherhood look like a breeze. I am sure a lot of parents will appreciate this.

I was sad to get to the end of this book and cannot wait for the next release by Laura Marshall. All in all The Anniversary was a compelling read, full of twists and turns. Five stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little Brown Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I enjoyed this from the first page. It’s well written and easy to get into, with an interesting main character, Cassie, who is struggling as the anniversary of a terrible shooting approaches. She was just four when her father was killed and is now back in her home town as a single mother, caring for her mother who has dementia. There are plenty of twists and turns in this gripping novel. I was never sure who to trust, which made for an entertaining and absorbing read. There are also some very honest observations about motherhood. I would definitely recommend The Anniversary.

Was this review helpful?

Such a brilliantly written novel with a fantastic basis on morbid curiosity & the ones left behind after a well documented & infamous incident. So clever and an absolute must read

Was this review helpful?

A spectacular thriller telling the story of a woman whose father fell victim to a mass murder years ago and her quest to find out the truth about what happened during the massacre. Couldn’t tear myself away!

Was this review helpful?

25 years ago Travis Green killed eleven of his neighbours. Cassie Colmans father was amongst the murdered and she saw it happen. But when she finds something hidden in her mother's possessions she needs to uncover the truth.

I found this story really interesting. I was hooked from the beginning. Its a dark read about a traumatic event and although it seemed an open and shut case, it wasn't quite as simple as she uncovers the secrets that have been hidden. It was very emotional but I enjoyed it.

Was this review helpful?

This was a well written book but I found it lacked suspense. The twists were good but often quite predictable. The characters were realistic and well described. I just wish I had loved it more as I was really looking forward to reading it.

Was this review helpful?

An excellent, well written book which held my interest throughout, all the characters were well described and I can thoroughly recommend this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and The Little Brown BG Publishers for allowing me to read this book.

Was this review helpful?

Cassie has a young baby and she has moved back to her childhood home to look after her mum who has dementia.
It is almost the twenty fifth anniversary of the day a gunman walked round the town randomly shooting residents including Cassie’s father. A reporter is questioning everyone involved with the victims hoping to write a story about that terrible day and to find new evidence.
I enjoyed this book and the twist and turns in the story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Marshall is a talented writer. This book is excellent. It is very well written The character of Cassie is well likeable and relatable. I liked how this book was written from the point of view from several characters and you cared about all of them. Its a brilliant read and will keep you at the edge of your seat.

Was this review helpful?

The Anniversary by Laura Marshall
I give this book 4.5 stars

On 15th June 1994, Travis Green walked through the streets of Hartstead and killed 11 of his neighbours. The final victim was 4 year-old Cassie Colman's father.
As the 25 year anniversary approaches, Cassie would rather forget the past. Then something hidden in her mother's possessions suggests those 11 murders were not what everyone believes.
Once Cassie suspects she's been lied to about the most important event of her life, she can't stop digging up the past.
But someone will do anything to keep it buried . . .

I was drawn in right from the first chapter.Told from Cassies pov, this great storyline has just the right amount of twists and turns that gradually reveal themselves and some interesting characters. A fantastic mystery thriller you will want to keep reading right to the very end! l loved how along the way we also discover a bit about each of the victims involved which builds up the tension.An engaging and enjoyable easy read
With thanks to NetGalley, Laura Marshall and Little Brown Book Group UK for the chance to read and review this book.

Was this review helpful?

I had previously read and enjoyed 'Friend Request' by the same author so I was really looking forward to this and I was not disappointed!
The author has a really interesting writing style in that the main protagonist can, at times, be rather unlikeable! but as the story unfolds the reasons behind this with Cassie become clear.
There are triggers with domestic abuse and violence in this story but I felt the back story was written in a sensitive way.
Like the previous book, there are some great twists and made directions in this book, I was taken by surprise several times.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it really had me holding my breath and thinking about it when I wasn't reading..
Thank you to Netgalley, Little, Brown Group and Sphere for the advance copy.
Nn I had a small technology issue with my download so could not view the last page, I will be buying a copy to read that last page to ensure I've not missed something!

Was this review helpful?