
Don't Turn Around
by Jessica Barry
Pub Date 30 Jul 2020
Random House UK, Vintage Publishing
Harvill Secker
Pub Date 30 Jul 2020
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Talking about this book? Be sure to tag it using #DontTurnAround #NetGalley |
Description
An addictive, fast-paced thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Perfect for fans of LISA GARDNER and CLARE MACKINTOSH.
'A novel like razor-wire...part chase thriller, part psychological suspense, altogether audacious, wholly ingenious' AJ Finn, author of #1 bestseller The Woman in the Window
'An action-packed and fiercely feminist big-screen–ready chiller' Kirkus Reviews
Two strangers, Cait and Rebecca, are driving across America. Cait’s job is to transport women to safety. Out of respect, she never asks any questions. Like most of the women, Rebecca is trying to escape something.
But what if Rebecca’s secrets put them both in danger? There’s a reason Cait chooses to keep on the road, helping strangers. She has a past of her own, and knows what it’s like to be followed.
And there is someone right behind them, watching their every move...
‘A grab-you-by-the-throat novel of suspense that follows the trail of two women pushed to the extreme. Don’t Turn Around is the female-driven thriller you've been waiting for’ Danielle Trussoni, New York Times bestselling author of Angelology
'Gripping ….This action-packed story will keep readers riveted' Publishers Weekly
'[A] propulsive psychological thriller...delivers hold-your-breath tension'
Booklist
Praise for Jessica Barry's LOOK FOR ME:
'Opens at full throttle and never lets up' Karin Slaughter
'A daring tightrope walk of a novel. Exhilarating, emotional' A. J. Finn
'Barry writes with an eye for detail, an ear for voices, and a desire to show readers something about our world and those who inhabit it' Independent
An addictive, fast-paced thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Perfect for fans of LISA GARDNER and CLARE MACKINTOSH.
'A novel like razor-wire...part chase thriller, part...
Description
An addictive, fast-paced thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Perfect for fans of LISA GARDNER and CLARE MACKINTOSH.
'A novel like razor-wire...part chase thriller, part psychological suspense, altogether audacious, wholly ingenious' AJ Finn, author of #1 bestseller The Woman in the Window
'An action-packed and fiercely feminist big-screen–ready chiller' Kirkus Reviews
Two strangers, Cait and Rebecca, are driving across America. Cait’s job is to transport women to safety. Out of respect, she never asks any questions. Like most of the women, Rebecca is trying to escape something.
But what if Rebecca’s secrets put them both in danger? There’s a reason Cait chooses to keep on the road, helping strangers. She has a past of her own, and knows what it’s like to be followed.
And there is someone right behind them, watching their every move...
‘A grab-you-by-the-throat novel of suspense that follows the trail of two women pushed to the extreme. Don’t Turn Around is the female-driven thriller you've been waiting for’ Danielle Trussoni, New York Times bestselling author of Angelology
'Gripping ….This action-packed story will keep readers riveted' Publishers Weekly
'[A] propulsive psychological thriller...delivers hold-your-breath tension'
Booklist
Praise for Jessica Barry's LOOK FOR ME:
'Opens at full throttle and never lets up' Karin Slaughter
'A daring tightrope walk of a novel. Exhilarating, emotional' A. J. Finn
'Barry writes with an eye for detail, an ear for voices, and a desire to show readers something about our world and those who inhabit it' Independent
Available Editions
EDITION | Other Format |
ISBN | 9781787301115 |
PRICE | £14.99 (GBP) |
Available on NetGalley
NetGalley Shelf App (EPUB) |
Send To Kindle (MOBI) |
Download (EPUB) |
Featured Reviews

My Recommendation
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Wow! Don’t Turn Around is breathtaking. Possibly the best book I’ve read this year! I have a real weakness for books based in America and this had me going crazy with suspense. Summer must read |
My Recommendation
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My Recommendation
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This was another thrilling and suspenseful novel by Barry. Sensational! Cait and Rebecca are diving across America, from Lubbock, Texas to Albuquerque, New Mexico. But their trip is not a smooth one. The pick up itself was very mysterious and we come to know that each woman is running away from something. Then, there are a series of incidents that leave them both feeling like their past has caught up with them. Through the story we come to know more about each of their past, their circumstances that have led them to being here, traveling across the country and the dangers they may face. I can't say more without spoilers and I DO suggest you go in not reading more or knowing. What I will say is I loved it. Barry's writing style is so unique and I can see both of her books being made into films, as they are action packed and fast moving. The story was suspenseful and I was completely drawn in. Definitely one I recommend. A big thanks to NetGalley, Harvill Secker and Vintage Books for this review copy. |
My Recommendation
|

My Recommendation
|
|
My thanks to NetGalley and publisher Random House UK, Vintage Publishing, for the ARC. This is a well-written, fast-paced scary thriller. The atmosphere is tense and unrelenting as two women travel across State lines in America from Texas to Albuquerque, each harbouring their own secrets, each with a reason to believe that someone is out to stop them reaching their destination. Cai is a part-time barmaid and freelance journalist and a driver for a women's organisation, whose purpose is to take women to places of safety. She picks up Rebecca at midnight to drive through the night to their destination. Cait doesn't need to ask questions, she's just the driver. As their trip continues they find themselves threatened by another vehicle on the long, dark road; the driver of which seems intent on killing them. Who is he after, and why? Tense and atmospheric this keeps you on the edge of your seat! |
My Recommendation
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My Recommendation
|
|
Good. An excellent atmospheric book that will keep you on the edge of your seat, as it builds to mounting crescendo which will leave speechless. This book also makes you question what you would do in the situation faced by one of the main characters and will have you asking other people about what they would do. |
My Recommendation
|

My Recommendation
|
|
Tense from the very outset, Cait drives for an organisation helping women who need to escape a situation at home or get somewhere that will change their futures and Rebecca needs a lift for that very reason. However it is not a straightforward journey with someone on their tail, ramming them and trying to drive them off the road. Both women are harbouring secrets from each other and both think that they are the target. As the tale untwists the complexity increases and it is hard to know who to believe and who is really at risk. Fast, messy and twisted- leaves you breathless! |
My Recommendation
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My Recommendation
|
|
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for this arc. I loved Jessica Barry's debut novel, Freefall, so was excited to read this and it did not disappoint. Just like Freefall this a pacy, action-driven thriller revolving around two compelling female protagonists. We follow Cait, who is a driver. Her job is drive women safely to their destination without asking any questions. She is waiting outside a lush suburban house for Rebecca. Rebecca gets in the car and they drive off to their destination. However both women are hiding secrets...And who is following them?... There was so many twists and reveals I did not see coming, so the less you know the better. Barry writes such complex, messy female characters that have you hooked. I really enjoyed the way flashbacks to the past was woven throughout the book. The chapters are short and quick, there is such momentum in Barry's prose. Barry also taps into topical issues, such as the Metoo movement, and the current thorny political atmosphere of America. Don't Turn Around is high in adrenaline, pacy, topical with compelling female protagonists. 5/5 |
My Recommendation
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My Recommendation
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This was a wonderful novel with characters that draw you right in and don’t let go. The storyline flowed seamlessly and kept me glued to the pages. |
My Recommendation
|

My Recommendation
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#DontTurnAround #NetGalley A brilliant masterpiece of the year. Highly recommended. 322 miles of road. 6 hours. 2 strangers. 1 killer. Too many secrets. Cait Monaghan and Rebecca McRae are on a desolate road that slices through the New Mexican desert. They've never met before tonight. Both have secrets to protect. Both of their lives are in danger. When a truck pulls up fast behind them, they assume it's punk teenagers or run-of-the-mill road rage, but it soon becomes clear that whoever is driving the truck is hunting them for sport—and they are out to draw blood. As the miles unspool and the dangers mount, the pasts they've worked so hard to keep buried have come back to haunt them. Someone wants one of them dead. But which one? And given the lives the two women have been leading, that someone could be almost anyone. The plot of the novel is very strong. Its characters are mind blowing. They're like real life characterswe see everyday. Narration of the story is at its best. A must read. Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for giving me an advance copy of this masterpiece. |
My Recommendation
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My Recommendation
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|
Don’t Turn Around by Jessica Barry Thanks @netgalley @randomhouse for my arc. Pub date 30 July 2020 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• An absolutely incredible story with a suspense that kept me on the edge of my seat. The story is told from various characters point of view, seemingly disconnected to one another. A fabulous book. Highly recommended xx |
My Recommendation
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Additional Information
Available Editions
EDITION | Other Format |
ISBN | 9781787301115 |
PRICE | £14.99 (GBP) |
Available on NetGalley
NetGalley Shelf App (EPUB) |
Send To Kindle (MOBI) |
Download (EPUB) |
Featured Reviews

My Recommendation
|
|
Wow! Don’t Turn Around is breathtaking. Possibly the best book I’ve read this year! I have a real weakness for books based in America and this had me going crazy with suspense. Summer must read |
My Recommendation
|

My Recommendation
|
|
This was another thrilling and suspenseful novel by Barry. Sensational! Cait and Rebecca are diving across America, from Lubbock, Texas to Albuquerque, New Mexico. But their trip is not a smooth one. The pick up itself was very mysterious and we come to know that each woman is running away from something. Then, there are a series of incidents that leave them both feeling like their past has caught up with them. Through the story we come to know more about each of their past, their circumstances that have led them to being here, traveling across the country and the dangers they may face. I can't say more without spoilers and I DO suggest you go in not reading more or knowing. What I will say is I loved it. Barry's writing style is so unique and I can see both of her books being made into films, as they are action packed and fast moving. The story was suspenseful and I was completely drawn in. Definitely one I recommend. A big thanks to NetGalley, Harvill Secker and Vintage Books for this review copy. |
My Recommendation
|

My Recommendation
|
|
My thanks to NetGalley and publisher Random House UK, Vintage Publishing, for the ARC. This is a well-written, fast-paced scary thriller. The atmosphere is tense and unrelenting as two women travel across State lines in America from Texas to Albuquerque, each harbouring their own secrets, each with a reason to believe that someone is out to stop them reaching their destination. Cai is a part-time barmaid and freelance journalist and a driver for a women's organisation, whose purpose is to take women to places of safety. She picks up Rebecca at midnight to drive through the night to their destination. Cait doesn't need to ask questions, she's just the driver. As their trip continues they find themselves threatened by another vehicle on the long, dark road; the driver of which seems intent on killing them. Who is he after, and why? Tense and atmospheric this keeps you on the edge of your seat! |
My Recommendation
|

My Recommendation
|
|
Good. An excellent atmospheric book that will keep you on the edge of your seat, as it builds to mounting crescendo which will leave speechless. This book also makes you question what you would do in the situation faced by one of the main characters and will have you asking other people about what they would do. |
My Recommendation
|

My Recommendation
|
|
Tense from the very outset, Cait drives for an organisation helping women who need to escape a situation at home or get somewhere that will change their futures and Rebecca needs a lift for that very reason. However it is not a straightforward journey with someone on their tail, ramming them and trying to drive them off the road. Both women are harbouring secrets from each other and both think that they are the target. As the tale untwists the complexity increases and it is hard to know who to believe and who is really at risk. Fast, messy and twisted- leaves you breathless! |
My Recommendation
|

My Recommendation
|
|
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for this arc. I loved Jessica Barry's debut novel, Freefall, so was excited to read this and it did not disappoint. Just like Freefall this a pacy, action-driven thriller revolving around two compelling female protagonists. We follow Cait, who is a driver. Her job is drive women safely to their destination without asking any questions. She is waiting outside a lush suburban house for Rebecca. Rebecca gets in the car and they drive off to their destination. However both women are hiding secrets...And who is following them?... There was so many twists and reveals I did not see coming, so the less you know the better. Barry writes such complex, messy female characters that have you hooked. I really enjoyed the way flashbacks to the past was woven throughout the book. The chapters are short and quick, there is such momentum in Barry's prose. Barry also taps into topical issues, such as the Metoo movement, and the current thorny political atmosphere of America. Don't Turn Around is high in adrenaline, pacy, topical with compelling female protagonists. 5/5 |
My Recommendation
|

My Recommendation
|
|
This was a wonderful novel with characters that draw you right in and don’t let go. The storyline flowed seamlessly and kept me glued to the pages. |
My Recommendation
|

My Recommendation
|
|
#DontTurnAround #NetGalley A brilliant masterpiece of the year. Highly recommended. 322 miles of road. 6 hours. 2 strangers. 1 killer. Too many secrets. Cait Monaghan and Rebecca McRae are on a desolate road that slices through the New Mexican desert. They've never met before tonight. Both have secrets to protect. Both of their lives are in danger. When a truck pulls up fast behind them, they assume it's punk teenagers or run-of-the-mill road rage, but it soon becomes clear that whoever is driving the truck is hunting them for sport—and they are out to draw blood. As the miles unspool and the dangers mount, the pasts they've worked so hard to keep buried have come back to haunt them. Someone wants one of them dead. But which one? And given the lives the two women have been leading, that someone could be almost anyone. The plot of the novel is very strong. Its characters are mind blowing. They're like real life characterswe see everyday. Narration of the story is at its best. A must read. Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for giving me an advance copy of this masterpiece. |
My Recommendation
|

My Recommendation
|
|
Don’t Turn Around by Jessica Barry Thanks @netgalley @randomhouse for my arc. Pub date 30 July 2020 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• An absolutely incredible story with a suspense that kept me on the edge of my seat. The story is told from various characters point of view, seemingly disconnected to one another. A fabulous book. Highly recommended xx |
My Recommendation
|