Keep Him Close

Easy 5 stars from me! This is so good, it starts very dramatically and unfolds very naturally and organically, making the reader go through a whole range of emotions until reaching a really excellent conclusion. This is the story of two mothers and three sons. Alice Hyde is the mother of Benoit, known as Benny and Lou(is) Durand and Indigo Owen, is the mother of Kane. On 17th August their lives collide and shatter when Lou dies and Kane is arrested two days later. What follows is a very moving and powerful story of mothers love as the two women in their different but eventually joint ways try to elicit the truth of what happened to Lou. The story is principally told from the point of view of both women but the story of the night in question is told from the perspectives of the young men who were there.

The portrayal of the characters is beautifully observed and described. The teenage boys with their angst, bravado, insecurities and aggression are easy to picture and Indigo is easy to like as she is open and has a loving relationship with Kane. Alice seems so self contained and unemotional that she could easily be mistaken for a robot but you end up really admiring her and most definitely warming to her. I love the dynamic between the two mothers as they did their best for their sons and certainly going the extra mile for them when the police fail to do so.

There are some very tense scenes that are so powerful you almost hold your breath. There’s grief, guilt, regret, compassion but ultimately healing as justice is achieved. Some revelations are jaw droppers and I like the danger that emanates from time to time.

Overall, this is a slow burner, psychological drama of high quality, there is tension but also powerful emotion. Several scenes really tug at your heart, especially as a parent you are able to empathise with how the characters feel and I confess to the odd tear in my eye. I think Emily Koch is a terrific writer and delivers an excellent well written, thoughtful and thought provoking read. Highly recommended.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK, Vintage Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Emily Koch is without doubt one of the most mesmerising storytellers I have ever come across, and Keep Him Close is a just exemplar of her immeasurable talents. This is a domestic noir of pathos and power; with its perfectly calibrated plotting and hauntingly beautiful prose, this is a novel that combines both style with substance that almost imperceptibly creeps into your bones and slowly attaches itself to every sinew of your body. Thrumming in tension and hauntingly evocative, it is essentially a story of two mother and two sons - one son seemingly the murderer of the other. son. Yet, Keep Him Close is more than a mystery; it is a extraordinarily perceptive and poignant study of the human condition. Told from the perspective of the two mothers - each very different in attitude and personality, the story unfolds at pitch-perfect pace. Ultimately this is a story of tragedy and its repercussions; a very human story told with soulful resonance and unrestrained power in the inimitable voice of Emily Koch.

A wonderful novel.

I really enjoyed this book so much. It has a really great plot, superb main characters and I read it in one sitting. I would highly recommend this book.

I had already read "If I die Before I Wake "and thoroughly enjoyed it so I was looking forward to reading Keep Him Close and I wasn't disappointed .What a brilliant read,it starts very dramatically and is told through the points of view of two Mothers ,Alice who has two sons Benny and Lou and Indigo who has Kane .Their worlds collide one dreadful night, one a grieving Mother and the other the Mother of her son's Murderer.Both are determined to find out the real truth of what really happened that night.This is a very moving story with some twists and turns until we eventually find out the truth about that night.A wonderful story of Mothers and their strong love for their sons .Many thanks to the Publisher the Author and NetGalley for my review copy in return for an honest review .

A brilliant suspense filled novel with a real emotional heart. I found the way Koch developed her characters very satisfying - little details here and there that built up slowly to reveal the whole picture. Really enjoyed it. Thanks to Netgalley & Random House for the proof.

Completely captivating from the start, I couldn't put it down. The story of two mothers both with sons, one son died but how? The very different mothers become entwined and solve the mystery between them. A family story of compromise and love.

Intricate and mesmerising, Keep Him Close is the heartbreaking, heartwarming story of two women, two mothers and their sons.

Your teenage son dies while out with his brother and a friend. The friend Kane confesses to Causing Lou’s death. OK so this is how this book starts but not how it ends. Two mothers are losing their sons and end up drawn together in their search for the truth.
A well written and moving book which forces you not to take things at face value.

Fantastic read. It’s very fast paced. Well written once you start it you don’t to put it down. It was a psychological thriller with a twist I’d say, my emotions were up and down with this one. Top read

An absolutely outstanding story. Full of grief and mother's love. I couldn't wait to see how this book panned out. Brilliant and original story. Highly recommended.

Excellent read from beginning to end. Two women, very different in personality and relationships with their sons. Three sons who's lives are intertwined. Perfectly written, excellent story, couldn't;t out it down.