This sounded very intriguing, and I thought it would be a great read based on the description.

It started well and was gripped by the prologue, which felt intense and exactly what I looked for in a good thriller. However, as the book starts and progresses, it doesn't quite fit the exciting prologue

The story unfolds through multiple POVs, which took a little while to get used to, and the details of what happened 10 years ago are slowly revealed, but for me, it took a bit too long. Also, there is a lot of repetition.

The pacing is rather slow. It's only the last 10% where things really started to pick up.

I thought the way the author explores the effect of loss and grief was well done and shows how all the characters were dealing with the grief in different ways even after 10 years.

The characters were well-written, with a good amount of backstory. However, I didn't particularly find any of them likeable.

Overall, this is a good debut novel, but it did read more like a YA thriller rather than an adult one. Nevertheless, I would happily pick up another book from this author.

I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher's Headline for my advanced review copy (eARC). These are my honest and unbiased thoughts, and I am sharing them voluntarily.

Ten years ago Phoebe Dean died in a car crash. A car being driven by her brother Grant. An accident that, according to evidence, occurred 27 minutes before Grant called for help. Why? And what was he doing during those 27 minutes? Could Phoebe have been saved if he had acted earlier?
For ten years these, and more, questions have been asked and no answers ever given. Also present that night was Becca who has been supporting Grant ever since the accident. And, on the same night of that accident, another young man, Wyatt, also disappeared, leaving his sister June in limbo... coincidence or...?
A lot of tragedy happened that night...
Back in the present and we are a few days away from the ten year anniversary and a memorial is arranged. Also, after another nasty accident at the same place, on the bridge, has left people asking for it to be demolished and a vote is set to be taken.
And that's pretty much all I can say as I think you really need to get to know these characters as the author intends. You need to learn what happened at their speeds. In fact, also as they themselves learn it. As more of the truth becomes known, as told in flashback, more of the present day stuff becomes clear. And then there's that sweet spot, that a-ha moment. That point where my jaw dropped and... well, I'll leave that to you to find out.
I tried to guess ahead. I did OK and also spectacularly badly. And I eat sleep repeat this genre book. But yeah, kept me guessing all the way through. And I loved it.
And so, as I finished. I went to check out the author's back catalogue and, blow me down. It's a debut book. WOW. I guess I'll just have to wait to see what the author serves up for next time. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book

I read this last summer and completely forgot to review! All I know is that I will be re-reading because it was blo*dy brilliant. I was gripped by the writing and storyline. It really had me in awe on my sunbed - I felt like I was watching a really good Netflix programme.
I will be recommending.

This book is set around the mystery of what happened the night Phoebe Dean dies in an accident. As the 10 year anniversary of her death approaches, there is still no clear answer as to why it took her brother 27 minutes to call for help. Alongside this, June is lamenting the loss of her brother Wyatt who disappeared the same night that Phoebe died.

The book has a fantastic opening, with an atmospheric depiction of Phoebe's last moments. However, beyond that I did find the pace was lacking, and the number of character voices made the early chapters challenging to keep up with. However, the plot was well considered, and there was an incredible twist towards the end which I did not anticipate until quite close to the reveal. In addition, although most of the characters were not very likeable, they were well developed.

Ultimately, with an excellent start and unexpected twist, despite the slow pace this was a good read. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read.

Read if you love:
- Psychological thrillers
- Multi POV
- Debut novel
- Fast paced

I really enjoyed this book & was hooked from the get go. Psychological thrillers are my all-time favourite so this was always going to be a massive tick for me but the added grief storyline gave this so much more dimension which I really loved.

Twenty-Seven Minutes takes readers on a gripping journey through the complexities of human relationships. I thoroughly enjoyed the novel for its emotional depth and intricate storytelling, but the many unlikeable characters and a slower pace may deter some readers.

The narrative revolves around a web of characters, each dealing with their own set of personal struggles. We hear from three main characters – Grant, who is Phoebe’s brother (Phoebe died in a car accident whilst Grant was driving, after a party many years ago); Becca, who was also in the car, and has battled with guilt for a long time because she believes she caused the accident; and June, whose brother Wyatt disappeared the same night. But why did Grant apparently wait 27 minutes to call the ambulance after the accident? What is going on with June’s brother? I liked the switch between perspectives, giving us a deeper insight into what happened.

I also enjoyed its portrayal of characters who are far from perfect. The author delves into the flaws and imperfections of each individual, making them feel authentic and relatable.

The novel’s pacing might surprise some readers who may think this seems like a fast-paced thriller! It’s actually a fairly slow burner; the reader slowly uncovers more about each character and how they had an impact on what happened that fateful night…

Ashley Tate’s writing style is engaging and evocative, drawing readers into the intricate lives of the characters and encouraging them to reflect on the difficulties of human connections and people’s choices during difficult times.

If you enjoy stories that explore the depth of human emotions and enjoy a slow-burning, mysterious narrative, I’d say that Twenty-Seven Minutes is ideal for you. I really enjoyed it and loved the surprise towards the end I didn’t see coming. I’ll say no more!

This book was such a surprise and was much more more than I expected it to be.
I have read a lot of crime/ thriller/mystery books in the last 2-3 months and Twenty Seven Minutes really stands out from the rest.
A really gorgeously written mystery with characters written and developed with great care and consideration. There is some really beautiful prose in this one and the authors understanding of loss grief is apparent throughout ,, coupled with a well woven plot that made this book hard to put down.

A really fantastic debut , I am already looking forward to more from Ashley Tate.

4 star.

I was so looking forward to read this book, the premise was intriguing and it could have been a wonderful thriller. However, it did not live up to expectations I'm afraid.
It was a struggle to read but I carried on just in case it changed at the end; it didn't.
There was a massive build up for basically nothing. Yes, the end was unexpected, but by that point I was so bored that it didn't even excite me that much.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishing house for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Strange character relationships and a bit of a repetitive middle sandwiched between a good, grippy start and ending.

It took me a while to get into this book, but I stuck with it and I'm glad I did. The characters and their mood swings were a little difficult to follow at times, but that could just be because of my own battle with depression, rather than the characters themselves. The book time jumped, telling the story of before the accident and the present as the 10 year anniversary neared and gradually building up to the truth of what actually happened.

Brief overview: Phoebe died in a tragic car accident but 10 years on there are still secrets to be uncovered about what really happened that night.

I didn’t particularly enjoy this read if I’m totally honest. I didn’t gel with any of the characters, I felt it dragged on far too long and I can’t say I really cared for the story. The final reveal wasn’t the big twist promised and I can’t say it changed much for me.

It wasn’t all bad and had some interesting points but overall not one I will remember unfortunately.

These of course are just my own personal views and I’d encourage everyone to check out the blurb to see if it’s something you might enjoy.

I’m so sorry, but this was painful to read. “Perfect” Phoebe died in a car accident 10 years ago and for some reason, her brother waited 27 minutes to call for help. That’s the alleged premise of the book, but what we actually get is a messy past and present account from so many people I lost count and have no idea how they all relate to each other, or to the accident.

Dull, undeveloped characters who must be in their late twenties, yet are behaving like 12 year olds, obvious mental health issues, which are largely ignored and no real plot.

There was a mild twist at the end, but by then, I was past caring.

1 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review.

This story of psychological suspense and tragic drama is Ashley Tate's debut, it probes beneath the surface of precisely what occurs in the 27 minutes between a horrifying crash happening at night, with teen Phoebe Dean dying on the bridge, and the time it takes her brother, Grant, who had been driving, to call for help. It is now coming up to the 10 year anniversary when these events took place and nothing is the same in this emotionally tense dual narrative with its explosive beginning and then settles into a more darkly heavy, claustrophobic, slower pace as it focuses on the impact and repercussions that follow. West Wilmer has never forgotten the perplexing mystery of what could possibly have happened, rife with rumours and gossip.

The time is now ripe for the truth of Phoebe's death to begin to emerge. Grant's family has suffered, left broken and drowning in their inescapable grief, splintering apart, barely existing, whilst Grant has been left constantly plagued everyday by his troubling memories of the traumatic events. However, Grant was not alone that night, Becca had been there too, she has supported Grant, helping to keep his secrets. Then there is June, whose brother Wyatt, disappeared around the same time. This is a twisty story of small town communities and memories that keep a haunting past alive through the years, the interactions and relatioships of a widely disparate cast of characters, good and bad, of secrets, guilt, loss, mental health and regrets.

Tate skilfully creates and develops characters that drew me in and kept me engaged, with all the twists and turns, right up until the surprising ending. Told over a period of 3 days, this is one for readers looking for interesting indepth characters, and the complexities and ways small communities operate, the connections and relationships, the struggles, and the nature of grief and sorrow. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

This is a thriller that flicks between multiple time periods and multiple POVs, with a really interesting twist that I didn't see coming - but I didn't entirely warm up to the writing style or to many of the characters. Still, if you do like a twisty read then this is worth giving a go!

I was really interested to read this debut novel after reading the synopsis, but sadly the premise didn't live up to it in my opinion.
I started off really enjoying the book and was looking forward to reading more, but the further in I got my attention wandered and I debated whether to finish or not. I found it more a small town soap opera rather than a thriller and long winded. However i wish the author success

For a debut this was good
Some dark subjects covered and covered well,maybe a bit slow at times and maybe the twist wasn’t as shocking as I had expected but nonetheless a good read

This debut novel by Ashley Tate starts off with a bang, I was immediately hooked and excited to read on. A dual timeline tale of secrets, grief and intrigue in a small town, the writing is good and this is a fast read. Unfortunately I found the middle of this book to be less enjoyable and I found some of the passages to be quite repetitive. I found the relationships between the pairs of siblings to be uncomfortable and a little unrealistic. However I found the ending to be enjoyable and mostly satisfying.
I would recommend this book for fans of mystery thrillers with dysfunctional family dynamics.

With Thanks to Headline and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review

This book kept me guessing as to what had happened 10 years previously and who was telling the truth and who was hiding the truth. It explores relationships between siblings set in a small relatively poor town where everyone seems to know everyone. Surprisingly because the mothers have such influence on their offspring, their own characters and motives aren’t really explored. I liked the ending which wrapped up all the loose ends.

This grabbed my attention from the first page and I could not stop reading the story to find the truth it kept me wanting to read more.
A real heart wrenching story that keeps you guessing until the end.
Would highly recommend.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

TW: death, car accident, murder, gaslighting, mental abuse, manipulation, addiction, drugs, grief

The opening pages of Tate’s thriller were so wonderfully written, gripping and captivating. Unfortunately from there, the story dragged a little for me and I hated the big twist. It just took a bit too long for us to get there as well.