In the engaging thriller "Colliers Cove," Jessica Walker's seemingly tranquil life takes an unexpected turn after her whirlwind romance with Neil. Following a job loss, Neil proposes a visit to his sole relatives—a pair of elderly sisters inhabiting a quaint coastal residence. Welcomed with warmth and affection at first, Jessica soon finds herself caught in a disquieting web of inexplicable occurrences that unsettle her days and disrupt her nights.

Drawn into a perplexing series of events, Jessica grapples with mounting fear and a growing sense of unease. As she confronts a multitude of mysterious incidents, the novel skillfully interweaves an atmosphere of psychological disquiet and escalating tension. Deftly, the author navigates Jessica's journey as she grapples with the looming specter of danger and her own faltering grasp on reality.

"Colliers Cove" delivers an immersive and compelling narrative that masterfully intertwines elements of psychological suspense and gripping intrigue. Through the character of Jessica Walker, readers are led on a hair-raising exploration as she ventures to confront the unsettling truths that underpin her precarious situation. With artful pacing and skilled storytelling, the novel serves as a riveting thriller that captivates, leaving the reader trembling on a precipice of uncertainty and eagerly seeking resolution alongside the tenacious and embattled protagonist.

It's a pretty safe bet to say that in a psychological thriller like this when the two main characters embark on a whirlwind romance it isn't going to end happily. It is one of the favourite tropes of the genre and Beverley Hansford skillfully weaves several others into his latest novel. It all adds to the pleasure of recognising a degree of predictability and being able to tut at the endangered heroine for being so obviously naive and unable to suspect what we, the readers, have already guessed is going to happen to her.
Years ago this would have been an ideal vehicle for the late, great Alfred Hitchcock to turn into a suspenseful film noir. He would have probably torn the heart out of it and added his own twists but it works just perfectly as the author intended.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
I guess this book just wasn’t for me. I was a bit confused with the timelines and I think there was some back and forth in timelines but it was not stated at the beginning of the chapter. The beginning kind of drug on and I was confused between Graham and Neil at first.
I had a hard time just getting past the beginning of this book. It wasn’t for me but may be good for others.

I love the opening of this book. It seems os compelling.
And then I don't know what happened. It reads like your mom telling you a long winded story about going to the hairdresser and never getting to the point. There are all these details we don't need that go nowhere.
For instance, she cuts her foot and needs a plaster, then she has to wear boots to the party and change in to nicer shoes there. I was thinking she was leaving blood clues to something. But nope. It was just a detail that went nowhere. This happens 97 times.
BUT it was not a bad book because this naive and nice girl is being gaslit and manipulated. It just needs the details to mean something, anything, or take them out. It is also a little flowery. "They had a nice discussion." Lunch was a quiet sociable affair."
Why are you hanging out with these people?!
Oh and Neil is always ALWAYS needing to make a few calls. Why? Is he a telemarketer? (We find out why and it is super obvious)

And why in this modern age does this homegirl have a secret disabled child? I wouldn't be around anyone like that.
I am American so the second something weird happened I would swear and leave, especially if there was reliable public transportation like a freaking train. This woman just stays and stays and stays in this weird and toxic place. THERE IS A TRAIN.
ALSO, why is a woman who is sleepwalking and waking up in the middle of nowhere wearing see through nighties. If he doesn't want it when I am wearing costco sweats and doc martens then he doesn't want it and that's on him. I am not putting that much effort in, especially if I might wake up somewhere weird in the night.
Not only is Jessica "silly" and dull but her potential murderers can't even do a murder.
I am a phone addict so it is also weird to me that she isn't constantly texting all her friends about this. Obviously, despite all my criticism I liked this one. I wouldn't write all this if I didn't.

Wonderful story! I so love Jessica's character, so innocent and trusting!
When Jessica finds out she has inherited some money, it coincides with changes at her job, and meeting a new man. Things then turn darker as strange things keep happening to her.
I loved this book and the characters, hooked until the end!
Highly recommend.

Colliers Cove by Beverley Hansford was an intriguing romance/suspense.
Hansford has written a gripping mystery full of suspense. I devoured this so quickly.
The setting was utterly wonderful and atmospheric. And the characters kept me turning the pages.
Hansford’s ability to craft a gripping story filled with suspense and emotional depth is truly commendable.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You NetGalley and Troubador for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!