Book Review - Almost Dead by Blake Pierce

Name: Almost Dead
Author: Blake Pierce
Genre: Crime and Psychological Thriller

My Ratings: 5 buzzes out of 5.

First, huge thanks to the Author and BookSirens for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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BLURB

A riveting mystery replete with complex characters, layers of secrets and dramatic twists and turns.

After the disastrous fallout from her last placement in England, all 23-year-old Cassandra Vale wants is a chance to pick up the pieces. A high-society, divorced mother in sunny Italy seems to be the answer. But is she?

With a new family come new children, new rules, and new expectations. Cassandra’s determination to make this one last - until a horrifying discovery pushes her to a breaking point.

And when the unimaginable occurs, will it be too late to pull herself back from the brink? Who, she wonders, is she becoming?

A riveting mystery replete with complex characters, layers of secrets, dramatic twists and turns and heart-pounding suspense, ALMOST DEAD is book #3 in a psychological suspense series that will have you turning pages late into the night.

MY REVIEW 

The book starts with Cassie being arrived in Italy in search of her sister Jacqui. But her life seems to be turning upside down as a string of unfortunate events unfolds when she's been appointed at a new house as an Au Pair. 

Note that I haven't read the first two books but it was never a problem. The book gives the account of her history that we can piece together to understand what happened in those books. 

Long story short, it can be read as a standalone. 

The writing style of the author is brilliant. It was easy to get into, explicitly explaining the scene yet keeping it brief. 

The chapters were short (I guess everyone, especially crime thriller fans, loves it). Therefore, comes the whole package of loads of cliffhangers, fast storytelling and lots of twists and turns. 

The book is written in the third person but changes its focus from the main character Cassie to another character (I won't say who, just know that it was a female character). 

I thought it was a really smart and clever move. As they both represented strong and brave female characters plus their role and interaction with the story was so different yet the mental anxiety and confusion going inside their minds make them stand in the same situation and is incredibly presented by the author. 

Coming to the 'characters' element of the book. They were all great. Whether the main characters or supporting characters they were very well made and used. The main character Cassandra was easy to connect to (I don't know why but maybe it was because we were on the same page of facing and fighting our mental anxiety). 

The supporting characters were again nicely introduced and departed from the main storyline.

All in all, if you are a fan of crime and psychological thrillers and short chapters then no other reasons are required just READ IT.

P.S. - Even if this book gave me the impression of almost everything that happened in the first two books I want to read them. And certainly, after reading this you will want to read the next book too. So, do read the book if you are willing to read the next one. 

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