I received an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review

Loved this one. Very unexpected, kinda creepy, bit of a slow burn. But I loved it, even if a had to take a hot shower after. Definitely good for a Halloween read

Did you remember to lock the doors? Are you sure? Go double-check. Goosebumps might not be the only thing that surfaces when you read, “Ask No Questions” written by Claire Allan to be published January 21, 2021. You’ve been warned.

Imagine finding out that the bogeyman is real. Just ask Ingrid Devlin. She knows. On Halloween night twenty-five years ago, 8-year-old Kelly Doherty, went missing. A couple of days later her body was found in a creek behind a housing estate in Derry. A neighbourhood boy, Jamesy Harte was charged with her murder. Even though childhood innocence was lost for those children who knew Kelly, everyone has slept a little easier at night knowing that the monster was behind bars. In possession of her interview with the recently released perpetrator, Ingrid, now a tenacious and unrelenting reporter, attempts to shed light on what really happened that night. It starts out as a quest for a feature article in the local paper, but Ingrid soon discovers that writing the Kelly Doherty anniversary story has become her worst nightmare. Hoping to sideline her story, someone has broken into and vandalized both her car and her home. Desperate to get to the root of the story, she faces her fear and continues to re-interview those who gave statements 25 years ago. Are the twin Heaney boys telling the truth? Was Jamesy wrongfully imprisoned? If so, does that mean the monster is still at large?

I was born in Northern Ireland, along the Antrim Coast, not far from the setting of this fantastic crime thriller. I loved recognizing the names of places I’ve been and reading Irish expressions I’d grown up using. Many times my Irish accent surfaced while I was reading in my mind and I smiled when I realized what was happening. All warm feelings aside, this book was at the outside edge of what I was comfortable reading. Allan kept it under wraps and the actual murder was never described, but I’ll admit I skipped a few lines when the Heaney boys described what they’d found at the ‘rezzie’.

You’ll love Allan’s writing style and her masterful transitions between October 31st 1994 and October 2019. With 4 bestseller novels under her belt, I’m not surprised that this was a spectacular thriller. Allan has mastered the successful twist that trademarks a great suspense. I didn’t see it coming. She’d let me down the garden path and then when I least expected it…BOOm! In fact, the ending contained multiple surprises and was tied up in a masterful, satisfying resolution. She created rich, flawed and human characters and the storyline was fast-paced with well-timed twists. Her 18 years as a journalist no doubt had a positive impact on her success with this novel.

Thank you Claire Allan, Avon Books UK and Netgalley for this advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Claire Allan, is a former journalist from Derry, Northern Ireland. This book contains easy to understand Irish dialect such as 'eejits" or idiots and "jumper" also known as sweaters in America. This book made me feel like I was a local in Ireland following the case of a young girl murdered. The murder is not described in detail so this book is suitable for people that may usually shy away from anything depicting harm to a young child. There's one sexual situation that does NOT involve the child. I enjoyed this book and would classify this as MYSTERY/THRILLER.
I really enjoyed the twists, the fact that the author did not include too many characters and the depiction of Halloween in Ireland. The plot was perfectly cultivated and the author did not stray from the main plot.
I also enjoyed the fact that the author named a character in her book after a fan she met at a book signing - Sue in the police department.
This book comes out January 2021 and in the mean time, I will read her other books! I invite you to check out this author!
Her name is Rose
Apple of my eye
Forget me not
The liars daughter

Thanks to Netgalley and Avon for a preview of this book I absolutely loved it. I had read Allens previous books but this is my favourite. Imogen is a great character & very likeable. The storyline is fast paced & exiting. I don't want to give to much away about the book, but READ it! It's my favourite thriller of 2020. I can't wait for more from this talented writer.

The fifth thriller from Claire Allan sees several of her Derry-based characters return, most notably the dubiously-ethical Ingrid Devlin, a journalist we've seen make life trickier for several people in the past. This time Ingrid is the central character, writing up a piece on the 25th anniversary of a crime in her own old neighbourhood - the murder of an 8-year-old girl one Halloween.
Her editor, with whom she is having a tiny bit of an affair, doesn't want her to delve into the claims of innocence that the man accused is now making. And the twins who found the body, boys she grew up with, have changed utterly: one a charismatic, successful man; the other stumbling through life. All three men are hiding something, and Ingrid will discover the truth... even as the personal threats towards her grow more and more violent.
This is not an IRA novel, but it is very much a Northern Ireland novel - a world in which the legacy of violence and swallowed-back secrets is evident, even as Derry happily succumbs to globalised/Americanised/commercialised Halloween customs.
Allan uses her own background in journalism to give a satisfying texture to Ingrid's work - yes, she is sometimes off interviewing people whose stories are relevant to the plot, but she is also covering the courts or dealing with HR regulations. She's also used to a certain level of hostility towards her - it's only when this ramps up that she starts getting worried, and us as readers along with her. The stakes are personal, not just a matter of professional pride, and it's a story that lets us see Ingrid with more nuance than we ever have previously.
And it's a page-turner - a read-in-one-sitting, what-happened-I-must-know tale. Much fun to read, despite the grim subject matter.

It’s been 25 years since Kelly Doherty disappeared on Halloween night. The eight year old’s body was found three days later, but no one has ever been charged. Intrepid journalist Ingrid Devlin wants to get to get to the bottom of the case and get justice for the little girl, but someone doesn’t like her poking around. The Doherty family seem strangely unconcerned about their daughter’s death and the more Ingrid digs, the more she realizes that this family is not at all what they appear

This was a great book to read a week before Halloween. It was well written and kept me interested in the outcome.

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

OMG! This book was absolutely fantastic! I was given an advanced copy this afternoon & it had me hooked from the start. Fast paced, edge of your seat reading, full of twists & turns with an ending I thought I had the answer to, but was totally wrong.

Perfect Halloween reading!

I don't want to give anything else away add this is a book highly recommended by me & well worth a read! Looking forward to reading more of this author's books.

Journalist Ingrid Devlin in Derry is writing a story about Halloween Night 25 years ago as a remembrance of the 8-year old who was brutally murdered on that night, Kelly Doherty. It changed everything for the the people of Derry; innocence was lost and fear filled in.
But someone seems to want to shut her up and she has some very frightening physical and mental threats.
This is a fast, intense read that, despite my not liking Ingrid, had me reading till I thought my head would explode! She was just too pushy; to the point of endangering herself as well as others. Would definitely not be my choice of jobs...
The ending was unexpected, very good.
Recommended for lovers of psychological thrillers.
Thank you NetGalley and Avon UK Publishing for the eARC.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. A girl was murdered over twenty five years ago in a small town. Journalist Ingrid wants to find out what happened that night. People she knew maybe hiding a secret. Someone does not want her to figure out what happened. This book was very intriguing.

I thought this book was very good. It captured my interest right away and I loved the fact that I didn’t guess the ending. Claire Allan just keeps getting better.

Another page turning read from the awesome Claire Allan. This book is a case of who done it - no spoiler alerts.. But the ending was not who I thought it would be. If you enjoy a fast moving murder mystery then you need to read Ask No Questions, it is brilliant and it also deals with families being torn apart and all of them secretly harbouring their own demons, but the truth always wins through in the read. This would be a great story line for TV drama. Thanks to Claire Allan, her publishers and Netgalley for the advance copy in return for an honest review.

Ambitious journalist Ingrid Devlin learned as a child that monsters were real, when local girl Kelly Doherty was found murdered after a days-long search. Now, it's the anniversary of Kelly's death, and there's a story out there which needs to be told - is the man convicted of her murder really guilty?

But not everyone wants the truth to be uncovered...

Ask No Questions is well written and plotted, and if it never totally grabbed me, that could well be because I was a little distracted by events in the outside world (the US election) at the time. I appreciated Ingrid's drive and ambition, even if she wasn't necessarily likeable, and it all got quite exciting towards the end.

An enjoyable read.

I love Claire Allen's books and it was fun to have one focus on Ingrid Devlin, a character who has been "challenging" in the past.

This book focuses on the murder of an 8-year-old girl on Halloween, the man accused of the crime and those who experience the fallout.

Tough subject matter handled well; this is gritty, dark and entertaining. I could not put it down.

Thank you to Avon UK for sending me a widget. It was my pleasure to write an honest review.

I've read all of this author's books and she just keeps getting better! This book kept me guessing right up to the fantastic twist at the end. This book has everything you could want in a thriller.

I have enjoyed all of Claire Allan’s books and this one was no exception.

Kelly Doherty was murdered on Halloween when she was 10. Twenty five years later Ingrid Devlin is doing an anniversary story for the local paper. Ingrid was friends with Kelly all those years ago and as she digs deeper into the darkness of that night, someone is watching Ingrid and is determined to stop her.

A great thriller with plenty of twists. I thought I guessed the killer but was completely wrong. I look forward to the next book from this author.

Ingrid Devlin, journalist was a child herself when a schoolmate was murdered. Now on the 25th anniversary of Kelly's death Ingrid starts to write an investigative piece. and all sorts of horror comes out into the daylight at last. I loved Claire Allan's previous books and this was just as good. In a gut wrenching , frightening and unsettling way. Marvellous and yet at the same time horrific. Highly recommended. Thank you #Netgalley and @AvonBooksUK for the chance to read this. @ClaireAllan

Having grown up in Northern Ireland in the 80s and 90s I found reading this book really nostalgic. I remember Halloween before it became Americanised and kids running in and out of each others' house in 50p false faces. Even against the backdrop of the troubles we felt safe so I could relate to the shock and horror at the disappearance and subsequent murder of a young girl. It really was unheard of here so I could understand why all these years later Ingrid was still affected by it and was determined to find out the truth. It was as big a shock to me as it was to her when she finally unearthed what had really occurred on that fateful Halloween night. A great thriller which just demands to be read in one sitting.

Claire Allan always writes gripping drama and this is no exception. It's a quick read and a fast one as there's lots of drama and investigation. I didn't see the end coming at all and was worried as it's a missing child case and a murder. Always upsetting to read about but Claire writes it in such a way that it's compelling. Characters are well formed and developed. The ending was quite something.

I have read all of Claire Allan's novels but this is by far my favourite. I loved it!. A great page turner and I didn't want it to end. I read it in two sittings!! I thought that I had the plot worked out in my head 2 or 3 times but I was so off the mark!!! This is a must read for any fans of the thriller genre. Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for the chance to read this.

Ingrid Devlin is a thirty-five year old journalist in Derry, Northern Ireland, who has devoted her life to her career. Hallowe'en 2019 is the 25th anniversary of the abduction and murder of her childhood friend, Kelly Doherty, a tragedy that had scandalized the nation. Her editor assigns her to do a piece on it, she reconnects with the twin boys who discovered the body and the neighborhood man who was convicted of the crime. Now on release, he continues to protest his innocence and has found attorneys to champion his cause.

As Ingrid dives into the story, she quickly becomes part of it. Someone targets her, warning her off. When the violence escalates, Ingrid realizes there are reasons why someone wants the truth to remain buried.

I read the story in two sittings. The first late at night until my eyes gave out. The second sitting the following day. As I came to the climax, the kindle's battery gave out. While I waited for it to recharge, I paced the room unable to focus on anything else. The story is that compelling.

It's a thriller, It's gritty. It's about a murder. It's about a young woman's harsh appraisal of her own life. The story is expertly constructed with ever-increasing tension. It represents the best of the new thriller subgenre, the female protagonist. I highly recommend.

Claire is a really skilful writer and has really come into her own in this genre. I have read all her books and each one gets better. Lots of twists to keep your guessing and a tight plot line keeps the pages turning.

How sad that so many lives are destroyed because of a swift wrong decision or event. This book showed the anguish that was caused by the death of a young girl in Derry many years ago. Ingrid , the same age as this child is now a reporter for the local newspaper and is committed to finding the truth of what happened that Halloween night so many years ago. What she discovered is traumatic to her own life as well as to so many others. The book is a compelling mystery in that what appears to have happened so many years ago is so far from the actual truth.

This was an edge-of-your-seat, stay-up-until-2am-to-finish-it kind of psychological thriller -- featuring one of the character's from Claire Allan's work that I've always wanted to know more about.

Twenty-five years ago, on Halloween night, eight-year-old Kelly Doherty went missing while out trick or treating with friends. Two of her young classmates found her body, floating face down on the banks of the Creggan Reservoir, three days later.

Journalist Ingrid Devlin, who was friends with Kelly, is investigating – but, as she digs further, it becomes clear that someone doesn’t want her to know the truth. She starts to realise that the Doherty family are not as they seem - and neither are some other ghosts from her past. But will she expose what really happened that night before it’s too late?

This book was absolutely brilliantly paced (and just brilliant, overall). Full of so many twists and turns, it had me constantly guessing who was responsible -- even though I ended up getting it wrong each and every time.

Ingrid's been a character that pops up in Allan's other work, so I was really happy that we got more insight into her as a character -- and having a journalist as the central character added an interesting layer to the story.

A young girl went missing on Halloween 25 years ago. When her body was found a few days later, a local man, Jamesy, was soon convicted and served 17 years in prison. He's now been out for 8 years and is contacted by a journalist, Ingrid, who is working on an anniversary piece for her newspaper. But he surprises her by stating that he's innocent and determined to finally clear his name. She has always been haunted by this crime, as all of the young children of Derry were, and for some reason she feels there might be some truth to Jamesy's claim.

Understandably, no one wants to hear what he has to say, and her editor has forbidden her to included anything in her piece about him declaring his innocence. She can't help herself though, and she continues to dig into the old case. She's in touch with the two twin brothers who discovered the body, whose lives have taken significantly different paths in the years since the crime. She used to be friends with them before the crime, but now that so many years have passed, they are both strangers to her. But there's that hunch she has that they may know more than she thought... Even though Ingrid continues to be harassed and threatened for her digging, she continues in her pursuit of the truth. But can she find out the whole story before someone silences her for good?

I enjoyed this book and was surprised at how everything turned out, which doesn't happen too often! It's a gripping read that leads to a satisfying and emotional conclusion. You won't want to pass this one by!

I read this book in one sitting, I could not put it down. Claire is an amazing author that leaves the reader really feeling the anticipation into where the story is heading. I felt the unease at the start and it didn't let up until the last few sentences. I became so engrossed with this story that I didn't realise I had nearly finished it. What makes a good psychological thriller is this book right here, with twists and turns at every corner and the ending was superb. Each chapter is a different person so you feel as though you are getting their background aswell as the story, which makes it even more exciting to read. If you haven't read a book by Claire Allan before I would highly recommend her books.

This book was absolutely fantastic. It was well written and kept me interested in the outcome. The Author created rich, flawed and human characters and the storyline was fast-paced with well-timed twists.

Interesting twist on the journalist doing a story on a 25 year old murder,when that journalist grew up with and was friends with the victim.
Fast paced and had me guessing all the way... or at least until I KNEW who it was. Wrongly so.
I love it when that happens.
Really liked the main character ,despite some of her more foolish decisions.
A very decent read.

I loved this thriller! The atmosphere was ominous as befitting this type of novel, and gThe interaction between the characters kept me glued to the pages. Highly recommended!

Lots of twists and turns in this psychological thriller! It was quite creepy and kept me guessing and I can usually figure out the “bad guy” halfway through, but this one took me by surprise! Loved it!

Loved this creepy thriller of a book by Claire Allan. It kept me on my toes and kept me turning page after page fro the beginning to the end. My first book by Claire Allan, but will definitely not be my last!
Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

I think Claire Allans books just keep getting better. Ask No Questions is a thrilling read with a brilliant ending. I never imagined who the killer really was. I couldn't put this book down and read it in two sittings.
Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this book.

Completely gripped from first to last. An atmospheric and twisty thriller that I highly recommend – though suggest you don't read in the wee small hours (spooked!). Already looking forward to Claire Allan's next one.

Wowwwww!! Y’all I just knew by looking at the cover of this book and the title that I would love it. Amazing characters and the storyline and writing was phenomenal.

Such a exciting thriller. Has everything a good book needs. Kept me in suspense
Would recommend this to anyone who asks what to read next

A fantastic thriller with a most unexpected ending. I really enjoyed the plot, and each of the characters added an interesting dimension to the story.

The intricate past relationships of the characters add to the tension of the story and it is easy to see how we assume things and judge people based on little more than outward appearance.

This is the first novel by this author that I have read, but it definitely won’t be the last!

#netgalley #claireallan #asknoquestions #avonbooksuk

Didnt see that one coming. Great book well written characters and plot.
Has everything a great thriller needs. Enjoyed this one.

Thanks to the Author, the publisher and NetGalley for an early release of this book.

Love the fact that this is set in Derry and mentions the craic and plenty of other familiar Irishisms! We follow ingrid who is investigating a case about a former classmate who was murdered way back when.

The plot kept me guessing right all along and the ending was totally unexpected - exactly what you want from a thriller!

What a fabulous book! I really loved this psychological thriller set in Derry NI it was very atmospheric I really felt I was there.A real page turner ,one of those books that once you start you don't want to put down .Ask No Questions is a gripping fast paced read and I didn't guess the ending !! Many thanks to the Publisher the Author and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review .

Well this was an interesting read such a great premise and I had never read anything like it before. I kept me gripped and I had to find out what happened next.

I thought I knew but I didn't well done.

Pure escapism as I had never read any of her books before but will now.

I was given an advance copy by Avon books and netgalley in exchange for a honest and fair review which I have done.

I really enjoyed this book. It is a really good psychological thriller with all the twists and turns you’d expect to keep you guessing right until the end. It has a slow and steady pace as the story gradually builds up in intensity and edginess and you get to know the different characters and their shared history, This is the second book I have read and loved by Claire Allan and I’m pretty sure it won’t be my last.

This is an excellent journalistic thriller, set in Derry with enough local colour to assure any middle-class liberal readers that they are not in Islington any more.

Ask No Questions really is a novel about assumptions, both those of the leading characters and those of the gentle reader. Although many of the characters either know or suspect that there has been a frame-up and a cover-up, most of them have wasted a quarter century of their lives on one wrong assumption or another about just what that was. The police and the law are mostly in the background of the story, but their wrong assumption, as is sometimes the case in real life, is that somebody who is less capable of dealing with everyday life than the average man, is somehow going to be more capable of murder.

Murder is a talent which most of us lack, and in times of war the majority of conscript soldiers cannot bring themselves to actually aim to kill unless they are in immediate personal danger themselves; many of them cannot do it even then. This is why murder as a talent is sought after by organised crime, terrorist gangs and paramilitaries the world over. Even when the victim is a little girl, the search for a murderer needs to be a search for the rare talent which allows someone to kill another human being, not for the disability which sets a person apart, but which generally mitigates any harm they might do.

There is a cover-up as well as a murder and in this story the motive of the person who is instrumental to that cover-up is so surprising and unsettling that the reader probably won’t guess what it is until the very end. Murders can happen with very little motive, or at least the motive is often meaningful only to the murderer, but cover-ups always need a motive and that can be more shocking than the crime being concealed.

I really enjoyed this. We follow Ingrid, a journalist reporting on the 25th anniversary of the murder of an eight year old girl on Halloween. Ingrid was only ten herself at the time of the murder, and remembers it well. As she investigates for her article, it becomes clear to her that the man who has spent most of his life in prison for the murder was probably wrongfully convicted, and someone will stop at nothing to ensure she doesn't look too deeply into it.

I didn't particularly like Ingrid's character, but she was well written and there was a constant feel of tension throughout the book. I felt desperately sorry for Jamesey, the outsider who had been wrongfully accused of the murder and the author did a really good job of pulling on my heartstrings. I also liked Declan, whose life has gone in a downward spiral since he found the body at only ten years old himself.

It was difficult to know who to trust, the whole time I was confident I knew who was responsible and let's just say I was only very slightly right about it.

Overall I would say this is an excellent thriller and I would absolutely recommend it.

I have read most of Claire Allan’s novels and none have disappointed. This is another cleverly plotted storyline which leads the reader in several different directions.

Twenty-five years ago, on Halloween, Kelly Doherty disappeared and was found a few days later murdered. Her body was found by twins from her class and it affected the two of them in different ways. The murder rocked Derry.

Ingrid Devlin is an investigative reporter covering the anniversary of the murder for the local newspaper and interviews Jamesy Harte, who was convicted and sent away to prison for the murder. He has been released and has always stated his innocence. Ingrid was at the same school as Kelly and has always felt guilty.

The plot follows the investigation and things begin to get nasty as somebody is trying to stop the investigation.

I read this in a day. The writing and plotline are superb along with clever twists and turns as everybody seems to know something about the night Kelly vanished which they have not spoken about.

Another brilliant read from Claire Allan. Not to be missed and highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books UK and Claire Allan for my ARC of “Ask No Questions’ in return for my honest review.

An intelligently written psychological thriller with a riveting storyline and a cast of highly believable characters. A very satisfying read.

My third book by Claire Allan and this was my favourite one so far although I am sure I will say that about any future books as she really is a most talented author. The plot was extremely well crafted and I loved the main character of Ingrid Devlin she was so likeable and she just never gave up as she was determined to get to the bottom of the murder of Kelly Doherty who was killed when they were both children. Twenty five years on and Ingrid is a journalist covering the anniversary of the the murder and beginning to wonder wonder if the man who was convicted for the murder and has just been released really did it, then things take a nasty turn and Ingrid finds herself being targeted her car and flat vandalised and she begins to fear for her safety.
Well the plot just thickens from then on and races along at a fair old pace, full of suspicious characters I just couldn’t put the kindle down !!
Loads of twists and secrets kept me guessing and I have to say I didn’t figure out the ending making it a great read and I look forward to reading the next book from Claire Allan and I can highly recommend this one.
My thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

WOW. I loved this book. First ive read from this author but another name added. I thought i knew what was going to happen in it. Boy was i wrong! Twists and turns like you wouldnt believe. I couldnt put it down. FAB

Clare Allan does it again, this author never fails to impress me. This book has the pure grit needed for a crime book yet still has the emotional elements to allow the audience to connect with the characters. Ingrid is a successful ambitious reporter , currently working on a story she recalls from her childhood. Tragically a young Kelly went missing and was found murdered. The local oddball was arrested and served a life sentence. He is now released and wants to clear his name. Ingrid is covering the story but someone wants her to leave well alone.. she soon becomes the victim of some serious threats and criminal behaviour. This one had me hooked...prepare to be engrossed.

A dark, disturbing story, full of secrets and cover ups. I enjoyed this and although I knew that one character had to know more than first appears, I still didn't expect quite the final reveal when it came.

4.5 stars for this chilling read.

Ask No Questions has everything: Hallowe'en, the bogeyman, murder, lies , secrets.

It is the 25th anniversary of the murder of the young child Kelly and Ingrid ( I do love her) is about to write an anniversary article. The accused is out of prison and now says he is innocent.

That's all I am saying.

The pages turned themselves (as I was checking the doors were locked) as I raced to the conclusion.

I am a great fan of Claire Allan, she is a great storyteller.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK, Avon for a creepy chilling read.