If you like cosy mysteries, small-town crime, and investigative journalisim, you need to be reading these books. Ten Seconds is a little slower than the previous two books, but Ben Harper is still a great lead. I loved that this book had a more personal touch given Ben's relationship to Madeline, as it set the stakes early. Racing towards answers, diving into the past, and partnering with Sam made this book such a great read. Can't wait to read more by Robert Gold - I'll literally be a ride or die for this series until we count down to the end.

Ben Harper watches his boss get into a car never imagining that she would be declared as missing the next morning. To find her, he has to return to the case that made her journalism career and there’s more than just her life on the line…

At first, I really struggled with this book as it started off quite slow and I felt bored but by the halfway point, it picked up and then I couldn’t put my kindle down.

One of the main plot lines felt a bit lost and took a back seat, which was a shame as it seemed a bit pointless to include as it didn’t really add anything to the plot. Despite this, the plot was interesting once things began to pick up. The ending had me in my feels and I even had a little cry. Unfortunately some parts of the ending did feel a bit rushed and more like an afterthought.

The atmosphere that was set in terms of suspense of whether Madeline would be found and the intruder breaking into women’s houses was fabulous. I really like the characters in this series and seeing them progress. I also really liked how the book was brought to life through the rich descriptions of the setting.

There was some derogatory language used about a person with substance use disorder in Madeline’s newspaper article, which instead should have used person first language, for example “a person with substance use disorder who was a prostitute”. The term “drug addicted” used within the book should be reworded, not just because it’s not person first language and reduces the person’s identity to their substance use disorder, but it also contributes to the stigma and negative bias used when discussing addiction. There are also some instances of ableism in one of the character’s pasts, which people should be aware of.

⚠️ CWs: cursing, alcohol and drug use, blood, physical assault, kidnapping, gun use, murder, bullying, sexual assault, derogatory language, ableism; mentions fatphobia, person with substance use disorder, student/teacher relationship, car accident, miscarriage, vomit, cobercive control, homophobia, rape ⚠️

Ten Seconds by Robert Gold is the third book in the Ben Harper series and it was a riveting read.. it was an extremely clever and well thought out story which went back to the past but also featured other criminal activities that happened in the present.
There was the mystery stalker terrifying women, the kidnapping of Madeline, Ben Harper’s boss and the ex husband who caused a nuisance.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading more in the series.
Highly recommended

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

This is the third in the series of the Ben Harper books, although I haven't read the second one yet!

This was a fast paced thriller. Enough going on to keep you entertained throughout, but not so much that it felt overwhelming.

I really enjoy this author's style of writing and look forward to the next in the series.

A solid 4.5 stars from me

The third adventure in the Ben Harper, investigative reporter series. Ben is in a race against time to rescue his boss, Madeline from a crazed killer out for revenge. A captivating read.

Another thrilling read from Robert Gold.

It was lovely to catch up with regular characters while following the race to save Madeline.

I’ve become attached to the series regulars, particularly Sam.

Ten Seconds tackles some serious issues without going overboard.

Harlan Coben, the master of contemporary thrillers and mysteries, promises on this book’s dust jacket that “Ten Seconds will keep you up all night”, so I was willing to put this challenge to the test – and of course the master of the craft was not wrong! This novel is in fact the third instalment of a series featuring fictional journalist Ben Harper, but because plot and characters are so compelling, it can be read as a stand-alone book too. The novel’s construction is interesting as it not only introduces Ben as the purportedly reliable point of view (less so as the plot rolls on) but also the criminal’s point of view as an initially unreliable source (a voice that becomes more convincing as we learn about the motives behind their crimes). Initially, Ben appears to pursue the reasons behind the mysterious appearance of his friend and mentor, fellow journalist Madeline. He is supported in his efforts by Madeline’s father. But throw the character of Madeline’s mother into the mix, as well as the police investigation conducted by Ben’s lover, and things will undeniably get more complex …
I raced through the novel to see how the plot ended and can happily recommend this thriller, although I cannot help thinking it would have worked just as well with fewer characters. Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for allowing me to read the advance copy that enabled this honest and independent review.

I loved this book, the twists and turns along the way kept you guessing as to who did what and why and would they find Madelaine in time.

The writer drags you in and I couldn't put the book down.

Will be reading more by him.

LATE NIGHT
📖 BOOK REVIEW 📖
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

#TenSeconds by #RobertGold

➡️for synopsis

My third by this author and I must say I’m really enjoying the Ben Harper series!

This was literally a no stress read; although the format was different to the previous two books, I still enjoyed how it played out and all came together. The mystery and tension were built easily and there were many twists and turns to keep me guessing until the end.

The characters (and community) are really at the heart of this book (and this book series) and I loved seeing how stories developed along side the mystery. A great read. Can’t wait for more!

With thanks to author RG, #spherepublishing and @netgalley for allowing us to read this one!

OUT TOMORROW!

-EMILY

@the_book_girls_1

Robert gold strikes again. Brilliant book, throughly enjoyed reading this one.
These characters never disappoint.

Cannot wait for the next one

I am a big fan of Robert Gold’s series featuring Ben Harper. This is the third installment in the series and it didn’t disappoint.

It is full of twists and turns and by now, three books in, the reader is highly invested in the characters.

I feel like Gold could have fleshed out the background characters story a little bit more but this didn’t hamper my enjoyment of the book.

Curl up in a comfy chair and settle in for a rollercoaster ride! I can’t wait for the next one … nine … promises / chances / months ??? What will it be?!

Another fast-paced thriller with Ben Harper investigating the nefarious deeds and secrets of Haddley, but this time racing against the clock to save a dear friend.

We met the ruthless and formidable Ben's boss, Madeline, all the way in Twelve Secrets and this book will give us some insight into the investigation that made her a legend: she made her name calling on the police to arrest Billy Monroe for the murder of young architect which resulted in his conviction. Twelve years later, after an evening celebrating Sam's birthday, Madeline is kidnapped and desperate Sam turns to Ben to help him find his daughter.

Despite the name of the series suggesting that we are following the adventures of Ben, the way Robert Gold is telling the story is making it more about small town of Haddley and community through the prism of crimes Ben is investigating. Beside his chapters written in first person, we are often getting chapters from the point of view of other characters who are somewhat peripherally connected to the mystery at the center of the plot and not always integral to solving it. Gold is following the same formula in this one and, in my opinion, he's done it better and better with each book.
Beside the chapters of Ben and Sam (hilariously) investigating what happened to Madeline, we are getting glimpses of chef East Malier and his husband Will Andrews who we met all the way in the first book. We see where is Sarah and her adorable son and what happened to her and Nathan. Detective Constable Dani Cash is back both in official capacity, but also as Ben's partner who is still in a marriage. Her superior Lesley Barnsdale gets her own chunk of the story with a perfect man or the worst mistake in her life dilemma. And all that is interconnected with chapters from Billy's childhood.
It sounds all utterly disconnected, but Gold actually managed to tie it all by the end in a clever way and it's honestly what made it the best book of the three currently released. I always thought some of the things and characters mentioned were left unresolved from the first novel (especially East and Will) who seemed to me to only there to serve as red herrings, but Gold finally tackled the pair and gave us some background story and perhaps gave answers to anything regarding these two. The same is with Madeline whose character has been given some depth.
The best part of the story is the addition of Sam who is actually a terrific investigating partner to Ben. We need this to become a standard, mr Gold.

All in all, if you liked the previous books in the series, you will not be disappointed. If you never read Robert Gold before, this one is a fast-paced thriller, full of twists, a perfect weekend read.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

Ben Harper is back in the 3rd instalment in this series. Ben is ready to hunt down who has kidnapped his friend and boss, Madeleine. And solving crime along the way.

This is another great instalment from this author. I really love the characters, they’re all so well written, and I really hope we get to see more of Madeleines Mum, Annabel, as she seems brilliant.the storyline was gritty, with twists and turns along the way. A great read as per usual!!

I hugely enjoyed the first two novels in this series, so had high hopes for the third - Ten Seconds. We're back with Ben Harper, a great lead character, and while the book starts off a bit slower than the other two did, I enjoyed the slightly calmer start – and it soon transforms into the twisty, suspenseful ride we've come to expect from this series!

At the beginning of the novel, we delve into the personal lives of Ben, Dani, their colleagues and families, and there's a bit of romance in there too. We know there are a lot of unsettling feelings around someone breaking into houses in the area, but this feels very much in the background of the novel. Of course, it's all setting up for what is to come, and Robert Gold cleverly weaves these character-building threads into the larger tapestry of the plot.

Then Madeline goes missing, and as soon as Ben realises this, the book really ramps up a gear. The investigation takes us back to a past case that made Madeline's career – a case riddled with secrets and unexpected connections – and her father Sam turns sort-of-Detective along with Ben, as they try to track her down. These two characters bounce off each other brilliantly.

I also really like that some of the characters we meet in this book are brilliantly flawed. They're not good or bad; rather we see into their lives and what has made them behave the way they do, and this adds so much more richness to the book.

Also interspersed throughout the narrative are snippets from an unknown character. Their story is tragic, and makes you wonder about the impact of nature versus nurture. Did their past shape their actions? The answer is cleverly left for you to decide.

There are dramatic moments in this novel but it never feels over the top. Various elements of the narrative which at first seem separate come together (a type of plot I always enjoy) to create an engaging, addictive novel. Ten Seconds could be read as a standalone but I'd really recommend you read the first two to get the most out of it!

The third book in the Ben Harper series is easily as unputdownable as the first two!
As in the first two books there are a lot of things happening in Haddley that the police are investigating, I was curious about how many would be related by the end of the book once all the threads had been pulled out and exposed!
This book has a few narrators with the bulk seeming to come from Ben himself. It was so good to connect with him and everyone else we have come to know in Haddley so well, especially Dani!
The shocking ending was breathtaking when it happened and I don’t think I’ve ever turned pages that fast to find out what exactly had happened and to who!
This was a great read for me and I’m now eagerly awaiting the next book and wondering what there are going to be Nine of?

The third installment in the Ben Harper series is another captivating read by Robert Gold! You can blindly pick up his books, confident that they will take you on a thrilling journey filled with unexpected and ingenious plot twists.

Madeline Wilson finds herself in grave danger after a night out celebrating her father Sam's birthday with Ben. Her sudden disappearance leaves everyone bewildered and concerned. The question of her kidnapping arises, and the possibility of a connection to an old murder case that Madeline was involved in emerges.

Amidst this turmoil, a stalker terrorizes women, and Ben becomes deeply involved in both, investigating this disturbing case and racing against time to find Madeline.

The story is full of twists and turns, maintaining a rapid pace that keeps you enthralled from the beginning to the very end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Bookgroup UK for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Another great read from this author. I'm such a fan of these books always such intriguing mysteries that leave you guessing right up until the end. This one was fast paced, the entire story occurred over the space of two days so there was a packed in. I also enjoyed the fact that more characters from the area and Ben's life were getting there own chapters which makes broadens the scope of the books.

Highly recommend.

When Ben's boss goes missing after a birthday meal, he has to call on all his investigative skills to try and find her. With her parents in tow, Ben begins looking into the cases that Madeleine had been involved with that may have caused her to be in danger, but ends up unravelling more than expected.

Already being a fan of this series, this was a great instalment with plenty of twistcand turns and a good cast of characters, old and new.

Recommended if you are in the mood for a character-driven mystery, but I do think reading the first two books would be beneficial.

This is one if those thrillers that just surpasses most of the competition. It feels like you're watching a series on Netfix! I hadn't read any if the series so it was a hit of a learning curve working out who the characters were but they all soon became very familiar. They're well written and have death and dimension. They have replaceable reactions which I also loved. The plot was well paced and plotted out. There's so much going on but it never felt over the top of messy, it all worked together perfectly to culminate in an amazing book I couldn't out down. An absolute must read

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of Ten Seconds by Robert Gold in return for my honest review. This is the third book in the Ben Harper series but if you haven’t read the previous two there are enough reminders to help keep you up to date but I would highly recommend reading the other books to really get to know all the characters you won’t be disappointed. This is a really well written thriller with lots of really likeable characters, twists and turns to keep you guessing till the end, can’t wait till the next book.