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Eye For An Eye
RIGHT OR WRONG?
Only nine criminals in the UK have been granted lifelong anonymity.
Their crimes so heinous that their identities are permanently changed for their own safety.
CRIMINAL OR VICTIM?
Upon release, they're given a second chance: new identities and new homes with new neighbours who have no idea. Because, by law, they cannot be named as who they are - or were...
REDEMPTION OR REVENGE?
But what if someone started systematically exposing their true identities? Not to the press, or the public, but to the families of their victims.
Who deserves justice? And who gets to decide?
Only nine criminals in the UK have been granted lifelong anonymity.
Their crimes so heinous that their identities are permanently changed for their own safety.
CRIMINAL OR VICTIM?
Upon release, they're given a second chance: new identities and new homes with new neighbours who have no idea. Because, by law, they cannot be named as who they are - or were...
REDEMPTION OR REVENGE?
But what if someone started systematically exposing their true identities? Not to the press, or the public, but to the families of their victims.
Who deserves justice? And who gets to decide?
544 pages, Paperback
First published July 20, 2023
794 people are currently reading
8,194 people want to read
About the author
M.J. Arlidge
45 books3,989 followersM.J. Arlidge has worked in television for the last 15 years, specialising in high end drama production. Arlidge has produced a number of prime-time crime serials for ITV In the last five years, and is currently working on a major adaptation of The Last of the Mohicans for the BBC.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 1,124 reviews
July 12, 2023
*4.5 stars*
In the UK, nine criminals who carried out the most heinous crimes, have been released and granted lifelong anonymity. That’s the law, new identity, new home, new neighbours who have no idea what these people have done. The victims families are filled with rage at the thought that they get to start a new life, something that the victims never got, and it’s fair to say that these criminals took away the victims families lives too, because every single day they have to live with the torment of what was done to their loved ones.
Now, however, these families are being given information as to the whereabouts of the criminals - what will they do with this information? Will they mete out their own form of justice? - what would you do?
The police need to find who is releasing this information asap, but investigations keep on leading them down blind alleys, but of course this creates more interest for the reader.
An exciting and thought provoking book that I can certainly recommend.
*Thank you to Netgalley and Orion Publishing group for my ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
In the UK, nine criminals who carried out the most heinous crimes, have been released and granted lifelong anonymity. That’s the law, new identity, new home, new neighbours who have no idea what these people have done. The victims families are filled with rage at the thought that they get to start a new life, something that the victims never got, and it’s fair to say that these criminals took away the victims families lives too, because every single day they have to live with the torment of what was done to their loved ones.
Now, however, these families are being given information as to the whereabouts of the criminals - what will they do with this information? Will they mete out their own form of justice? - what would you do?
The police need to find who is releasing this information asap, but investigations keep on leading them down blind alleys, but of course this creates more interest for the reader.
An exciting and thought provoking book that I can certainly recommend.
*Thank you to Netgalley and Orion Publishing group for my ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
June 22, 2023
I would like to thank netgalley, and Orion publishing group,and the brilliant author M.j.arlidge for an early copy of his book.
A brilliant author, he has a fantastic series Helen Grace which I really enjoy reading,This is a standalone read. This book starts with criminals who's past is catching up with them they have changed there identity undercover they are targeted,There crimes are horrific should they be allowed to live a normal life..they are hunted down by who? Theres the victims and there families do they deserve justice..This book really makes you think. it's a long read his books are long really worth reading. A five star book for me.looking forward to more of his books.
This book will be reviewed on goodreads, Amazon, waterstone's..
A brilliant author, he has a fantastic series Helen Grace which I really enjoy reading,This is a standalone read. This book starts with criminals who's past is catching up with them they have changed there identity undercover they are targeted,There crimes are horrific should they be allowed to live a normal life..they are hunted down by who? Theres the victims and there families do they deserve justice..This book really makes you think. it's a long read his books are long really worth reading. A five star book for me.looking forward to more of his books.
This book will be reviewed on goodreads, Amazon, waterstone's..
August 3, 2024
3⭐️
The concept of this sounded great — criminals given lifelong anonymity, until someone starts leaking their details… but I was so disappointed 🥲 (maybe it was all the hype)
SO many people love this book and even on GR I’m struggling to find another ‘mid’ review, so let me explain:
Pros:
- Great moral dilemma that got you thinking
- Actual writing was easy to read
Cons:
- WAY too many characters - maybe up to 10 POVs/timelines, I absolutely couldn’t keep track (especially with some similar names like Emily and Olivia etc)
- Only one plot twist at the end which I guessed
- Way too long, 530+ pages. There was so much repitition
- Honestly I was glad to finish it
You may be wondering why I still have this 3 stars given my review, however to rate this book any less based on the ‘big thinking’ topic wouldn’t be fair. It was unbiasly executed and believable, but just not in a way I could consume or digest in an enjoyable way
The concept of this sounded great — criminals given lifelong anonymity, until someone starts leaking their details… but I was so disappointed 🥲 (maybe it was all the hype)
SO many people love this book and even on GR I’m struggling to find another ‘mid’ review, so let me explain:
Pros:
- Great moral dilemma that got you thinking
- Actual writing was easy to read
Cons:
- WAY too many characters - maybe up to 10 POVs/timelines, I absolutely couldn’t keep track (especially with some similar names like Emily and Olivia etc)
- Only one plot twist at the end which I guessed
- Way too long, 530+ pages. There was so much repitition
- Honestly I was glad to finish it
You may be wondering why I still have this 3 stars given my review, however to rate this book any less based on the ‘big thinking’ topic wouldn’t be fair. It was unbiasly executed and believable, but just not in a way I could consume or digest in an enjoyable way
March 20, 2025
RIGHT OR WRONG? CRIMINAL OR VICTIM? REDEMPTION OR REVENGE?
There are nine criminals in the UK who have been granted lifelong anonymity. When they are released, they are giving a ‘second chance’. New life, identity and homes with no one around them being none the wiser. But when someone systematically starts exposing these past criminal’s new identities not to the public but to the family of their victims. Will they go and seek justice or leave well alone? What would you do!?
Bloody eck’ this was one hell of a morally twisted read. The book starts off with a banger with one of the past criminals being killed and we are then opened to a whole heap of characters and all of their flawed characteristics.
I’m not even going to sugarcoat it… this was one long ass book and to top off it the number of characters in this book is diabolical! Not only am I having to remember their names, but I also need to remember their past names before they were granted their anonymity AND also remember what their crimes were. (pass me the vodka!)
Honestly if it wasn’t for the VERY short chapters and my genuine intrigue on how it was all going to play out. I probably would have ended up DNF’ing it. This is not one of those books you can read and put down and go back to another day, because I promise you, you will return saying “Who the F is who and what?”
Had there been less characters, the read would be more easily digestible. With that being said I am glad that I stuck with it because it was a good fascinating read. I love a book that has me questioning my own opinions and thoughts on social matters and debating moral dilemmas.
There was some characters POVs I enjoyed more than others and the twist at the end was predictable and nothing groundbreaking.
Less characters, more fast paced, about 350 pages long and not so repetitive this could have been a five-star read. But I appreciate the somewhat realism of it all and will check out this author other works.
3.5 ⭐
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
⋆｡°✩pre read⋆｡°✩
I beg your pardon!? Have you seen the blurb?
This is giving action filled drama and i am SAT!
First for me for this author, hope it delivers!
💛🖤💛
There are nine criminals in the UK who have been granted lifelong anonymity. When they are released, they are giving a ‘second chance’. New life, identity and homes with no one around them being none the wiser. But when someone systematically starts exposing these past criminal’s new identities not to the public but to the family of their victims. Will they go and seek justice or leave well alone? What would you do!?
Bloody eck’ this was one hell of a morally twisted read. The book starts off with a banger with one of the past criminals being killed and we are then opened to a whole heap of characters and all of their flawed characteristics.
I’m not even going to sugarcoat it… this was one long ass book and to top off it the number of characters in this book is diabolical! Not only am I having to remember their names, but I also need to remember their past names before they were granted their anonymity AND also remember what their crimes were. (pass me the vodka!)
Honestly if it wasn’t for the VERY short chapters and my genuine intrigue on how it was all going to play out. I probably would have ended up DNF’ing it. This is not one of those books you can read and put down and go back to another day, because I promise you, you will return saying “Who the F is who and what?”
Had there been less characters, the read would be more easily digestible. With that being said I am glad that I stuck with it because it was a good fascinating read. I love a book that has me questioning my own opinions and thoughts on social matters and debating moral dilemmas.
There was some characters POVs I enjoyed more than others and the twist at the end was predictable and nothing groundbreaking.
Less characters, more fast paced, about 350 pages long and not so repetitive this could have been a five-star read. But I appreciate the somewhat realism of it all and will check out this author other works.
3.5 ⭐
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
⋆｡°✩pre read⋆｡°✩
I beg your pardon!? Have you seen the blurb?
This is giving action filled drama and i am SAT!
First for me for this author, hope it delivers!
💛🖤💛
September 8, 2023
Oog om oog is de nieuwste standalone thriller van M.J. Arlidge. Ik las eerder nog helemaal niets van hem en daarin ben ik denk ik een uitzondering. Iedereen kent intussen de overbekende Helen Grace serie en ik ben in nog geen enkel boek gestart daarvan. Maar na het lezen van oog om oog zijn deze boeken weer heel wat hoger komen te liggen op mijn (virtuele) stapeltje. Oog om oog gaat over de re-integratie van misdadigers in het gewone leven onder een nieuwe naam met een nieuwe identiteit en achtergrond. Ze worden daarbij begeleid door mensen van sociaal werk en moeten strikte regels naleven. We zien hoe ze zich gedragen en aangepast hebben doorheen de jaren of hoe ze net uit de gevangenis komen en in het dagelijkse leven worden gekatapulteerd. We zien ook de keerzijde van de medaille en dat zijn de rouwende families die een dierbare verloren en worstelen met zichzelf. Maar wat als de identiteit van de criminelen bekend gemaakt wordt en hun nieuwe geconstrueerde leventje voor iedereen te grabbel ligt? Oorlog breekt dan uit en dat zal je geweten hebben in dit boek. Een heel herkenbaar beeld wordt geschept en je leeft echt mee met de getroffen familieleden. Het verhaal is boeiend geschreven en ondanks de bijna 600 bladzijden, vloog ik door het boek. Het sleept je mee op een tocht en de vraag is wie de verklikker is die de identiteit te grabbel gooit van de vrijgelaten daders. Er passeren heel wat namen de revue, maar als we echt te weten komen wie het is, wauw, dat zag ik niet aankomen! Arlidge heeft me dus in zijn greep gekregen met dit boek en kan dan ook rekenen op 4.5 sterren.
https://elinevandm.wordpress.com/2023...
https://elinevandm.wordpress.com/2023...
February 9, 2024
Wow. This is some dark stuff.
Criminals who committed the most heinous crimes has been released and given new identities to start a new life. But what if someone leaks the locations of these perpetrators? A message sent to the families of the victims? A chance to get even, a chance to make it right.
The content of this book will be up for morale debate. One would think that a person could be rehabilitated if given the right help. But, if someone could hurt, torture and kill another person and not feel an ounce of remorse, is society inclined to embrace these offenders? I believe that the moment you decide to take someone's life, you are no longer human.
A decent book, kinda bit slow though.
Criminals who committed the most heinous crimes has been released and given new identities to start a new life. But what if someone leaks the locations of these perpetrators? A message sent to the families of the victims? A chance to get even, a chance to make it right.
The content of this book will be up for morale debate. One would think that a person could be rehabilitated if given the right help. But, if someone could hurt, torture and kill another person and not feel an ounce of remorse, is society inclined to embrace these offenders? I believe that the moment you decide to take someone's life, you are no longer human.
A decent book, kinda bit slow though.
June 8, 2024
O carte ce surprinde o mare dilemă morală.
Sunt îndreptățite familiile victimelor să se răzbune pe ucigașii care le-au răpit persoanele dragi?
După ce și-au ispășit pedeapsa(da, vezi să nu) criminalii sunt eliberați și reintegrați în societate cu noi nume și povești.
Doar că la un moment dat apar scurgeri de informații și familiile victimelor primesc detalii ce conțin numele și adreselor celor care le-au distrus viața așa că răzbunarea intră automat în discuție.
Sunt îndreptățite familiile victimelor să se răzbune pe ucigașii care le-au răpit persoanele dragi?
După ce și-au ispășit pedeapsa(da, vezi să nu) criminalii sunt eliberați și reintegrați în societate cu noi nume și povești.
Doar că la un moment dat apar scurgeri de informații și familiile victimelor primesc detalii ce conțin numele și adreselor celor care le-au distrus viața așa că răzbunarea intră automat în discuție.
March 27, 2024
Ondanks de hoeveelheid pagina's die het boek telt, leest dit boek ontzettend snel weg. De voornaamste reden hiervan zijn de korte hoofdstukken die zich steeds op een ander hoofdpersonage richt. In vrijwel ieder hoofdstuk gebeurt er wel iets waardoor je verder wilt lezen.
Het is wel een boek om je hoofd bij te houden omdat er veel personages zijn die de revue passeren die voor het verhaal belangrijk zijn.
Het interessante aan deze hoofdstukken is dat je een kijk in het hoofd van deze personages krijgt. Van een rouwende vader tot aan mensen die onder toezicht van de reclassering staan en alles wat daarmee te maken heeft.
Een aanrader als je van spannende thrillers houdt!
Het is wel een boek om je hoofd bij te houden omdat er veel personages zijn die de revue passeren die voor het verhaal belangrijk zijn.
Het interessante aan deze hoofdstukken is dat je een kijk in het hoofd van deze personages krijgt. Van een rouwende vader tot aan mensen die onder toezicht van de reclassering staan en alles wat daarmee te maken heeft.
Een aanrader als je van spannende thrillers houdt!
September 20, 2023
Mr Arlidge writes a fantastic series about DI Helen Grace, many of which are contenders for book of the year, but this standalone was not particularly enjoyable for several reasons, and I struggled with it. The story is told from many points of view, murderers, victims, families, MP’s, probation officers, police, and vigilantes. Whereas this approach can work well, I think that I got fed up of the constant changes and there were so many characters, I found it difficult to follow. Especially when some of the characters have several names. It was difficult to keep track. At least for me.
I also found it difficult to find a likeable character on either side. I think I prefer the police procedurals and the investigations. Rather than all the ins and out of the psychological analysis.
I think its great that the author has tried something different, not just different to their usual style. But different to most others in this genre. To be fair reading the reviews, most people seem to approve, but not for me.
Please bring back DI Helen Grace
I also found it difficult to find a likeable character on either side. I think I prefer the police procedurals and the investigations. Rather than all the ins and out of the psychological analysis.
I think its great that the author has tried something different, not just different to their usual style. But different to most others in this genre. To be fair reading the reviews, most people seem to approve, but not for me.
Please bring back DI Helen Grace
February 3, 2024
My Rating: 1⭐️ wish I could poke out my eyes to erase the memory!!!
Right or Wrong? Nine criminals have been paroled and granted lifetime anonymity in the UK. Their crimes so heinous that their IDs are permanently hidden for their own safety. Given a second chance upon release and no one in their new neighbourhoods knows who exactly is living next door….
But someone knows their secret… each one is in grave danger… but do the public actually care if the killer of the killers is caught… DUN DUN DUUUUUNNNNN
Ok first off big thank you to Lit with Leigh for the buddy read - there was a time during this that I was actually in front… It happened I swear… then I was left in the dust 🤣 but JEEEZZUS this book was rough!!!
This is approx 540 pages and it is AT LEAST 240 pages too long… it is written like … Spot the dog jumped over the fence then licked his own eyeball and then stabbed a toddler… I mean it had gore but it was written so basic and childish that it really took the impact out of it. It was so long guys… I am not even kidding we had so much back story on back story that was so unnecessary…. Repetition and round and round.
Also - and you know me… I love LOVE multi-POV absolutely live for it… throw in the baddies POV and the goodies and some extras for fun… I love it… but O. M. G!! There were soooo many POVs in this… not one was labelled and again I don’t normally care but we had Mike, we had Mark, we had Issac, we had Emma, we had Olivia, and Chris, and Sam, and Jack and we had the Cops and it goes on and on.. so many people with either similar names or similar stories. And with all the stuff going on no feelings were felt… this was confusion, frustration and wishing it was over.
There is a vigilante out there giving out the details of the worst of the worst and then the family members are gong gang busters on those people… like some SAW kind of shit is happening… but the writing was so terrible that is just felt like nothing… so and so got stabbed in the face… his face was ripped off… oh no… his face is ripped off, there is blood everywhere… who could have done this…
AND THE COP - I can’t remember her name and I am not looking it up because whatever… but she was all sympathy for the criminals… now I get it you have a job to do but shut the actual fuck up about how terrible is is that a child murdering, torturing piece of shit is being hunted… like I am not sorry someone is after that sick MF - and I was sick and tired of hearing all about how the vigilantes should be ashamed of themselves and blah blah… no… just no… we are not going to just fly past their actual hideous crimes and feel sorry for them… thats fine you gotta find the killers but shut up about how they don’t deserve it… in the scheme of things… life is handing out fairness passes to these sickos… so I couldn’t connect with her on any level…
I am not going to do spoilers… but the ending… omg lets throw in a twist here and twist there and they are all giving me whiplash for the final reveal which was just to be honest boring AF… like yeah ok… wooo thats the baddie… so lame… it was seriously so lame.
I am going to cut myself off cause I think you can understand how I am feeling about this one… its one star and do I recommend it to anyone NO … I do not. I am sure there are people out there who are like KARLY YOU ARE MAD THIS WAS SICK… well I disagree… and thats ok I am glad you guys liked it but I will under no circumstances recommend this to anyone.
Check out Lit with Leigh’s review when she does it I feel like its going to be a laugh 🤭
Right or Wrong? Nine criminals have been paroled and granted lifetime anonymity in the UK. Their crimes so heinous that their IDs are permanently hidden for their own safety. Given a second chance upon release and no one in their new neighbourhoods knows who exactly is living next door….
But someone knows their secret… each one is in grave danger… but do the public actually care if the killer of the killers is caught… DUN DUN DUUUUUNNNNN
Ok first off big thank you to Lit with Leigh for the buddy read - there was a time during this that I was actually in front… It happened I swear… then I was left in the dust 🤣 but JEEEZZUS this book was rough!!!
This is approx 540 pages and it is AT LEAST 240 pages too long… it is written like … Spot the dog jumped over the fence then licked his own eyeball and then stabbed a toddler… I mean it had gore but it was written so basic and childish that it really took the impact out of it. It was so long guys… I am not even kidding we had so much back story on back story that was so unnecessary…. Repetition and round and round.
Also - and you know me… I love LOVE multi-POV absolutely live for it… throw in the baddies POV and the goodies and some extras for fun… I love it… but O. M. G!! There were soooo many POVs in this… not one was labelled and again I don’t normally care but we had Mike, we had Mark, we had Issac, we had Emma, we had Olivia, and Chris, and Sam, and Jack and we had the Cops and it goes on and on.. so many people with either similar names or similar stories. And with all the stuff going on no feelings were felt… this was confusion, frustration and wishing it was over.
There is a vigilante out there giving out the details of the worst of the worst and then the family members are gong gang busters on those people… like some SAW kind of shit is happening… but the writing was so terrible that is just felt like nothing… so and so got stabbed in the face… his face was ripped off… oh no… his face is ripped off, there is blood everywhere… who could have done this…
AND THE COP - I can’t remember her name and I am not looking it up because whatever… but she was all sympathy for the criminals… now I get it you have a job to do but shut the actual fuck up about how terrible is is that a child murdering, torturing piece of shit is being hunted… like I am not sorry someone is after that sick MF - and I was sick and tired of hearing all about how the vigilantes should be ashamed of themselves and blah blah… no… just no… we are not going to just fly past their actual hideous crimes and feel sorry for them… thats fine you gotta find the killers but shut up about how they don’t deserve it… in the scheme of things… life is handing out fairness passes to these sickos… so I couldn’t connect with her on any level…
I am not going to do spoilers… but the ending… omg lets throw in a twist here and twist there and they are all giving me whiplash for the final reveal which was just to be honest boring AF… like yeah ok… wooo thats the baddie… so lame… it was seriously so lame.
I am going to cut myself off cause I think you can understand how I am feeling about this one… its one star and do I recommend it to anyone NO … I do not. I am sure there are people out there who are like KARLY YOU ARE MAD THIS WAS SICK… well I disagree… and thats ok I am glad you guys liked it but I will under no circumstances recommend this to anyone.
Check out Lit with Leigh’s review when she does it I feel like its going to be a laugh 🤭
July 10, 2023
There’s nothing I love more in a book than a moral dilemma, one which gives the reader much to debate. How would you react if the identity of someone who had hurt one of your loved ones was revealed? If you knew where they lived and what they were now called? Would you take vengeance? The premise is an interesting one high profile killers who have served their time and are now under witness protection and anonymity. But details of who they are and where they live have been leaked and vigilantes, mainly the families of the victims, are getting revenge.
To begin with, I was concerned that Artlidge introduces so many characters, the killers, their victims, the victim’s families and law enforcement, that I wouldn’t be able to keep track, but thankfully, each character has a unique voice that sets them apart. Using so many POV does have its advantages, as you gain insight into the victims, the vigilantes, and the difficulties faced by the probation officers and detectives.
I’m not sure if Arlidge is expecting readers to have sympathy for the killers as they have served their time, been rehabilitated and then there’s the nature vs. nurture debate thrown in, but I found it difficult to raise even a smidgen of sympathy for the killers who committed such heinous crimes. I could sympathise to some extent with the vigilantes, once I knew what motivated them, but that doesn’t mean I agreed with them being the judge, jury and executioner.
The retribution that is meted out by the vigilante’s is descriptive, as are other crimes that have been committed by the killers, so maybe this isn’t one I would recommend to readers of a nervous disposition. This book has a very different vibe to the Helen Grace series, but that’s not a bad thing, just don’t expect to finish this book loving the characters! Eye For An Eye is a hard-hitting, bold, twisted thriller, with a complex plot, and unlikable characters. This book is the perfect read for book clubs as I’m sure it will cause some heated debates!
You can follow me on
http://www.twitter.com/@reviewcafe
Or read more of my reviews on my Instagram page at
https://www.instagram.com/thebookrevi...
To begin with, I was concerned that Artlidge introduces so many characters, the killers, their victims, the victim’s families and law enforcement, that I wouldn’t be able to keep track, but thankfully, each character has a unique voice that sets them apart. Using so many POV does have its advantages, as you gain insight into the victims, the vigilantes, and the difficulties faced by the probation officers and detectives.
I’m not sure if Arlidge is expecting readers to have sympathy for the killers as they have served their time, been rehabilitated and then there’s the nature vs. nurture debate thrown in, but I found it difficult to raise even a smidgen of sympathy for the killers who committed such heinous crimes. I could sympathise to some extent with the vigilantes, once I knew what motivated them, but that doesn’t mean I agreed with them being the judge, jury and executioner.
The retribution that is meted out by the vigilante’s is descriptive, as are other crimes that have been committed by the killers, so maybe this isn’t one I would recommend to readers of a nervous disposition. This book has a very different vibe to the Helen Grace series, but that’s not a bad thing, just don’t expect to finish this book loving the characters! Eye For An Eye is a hard-hitting, bold, twisted thriller, with a complex plot, and unlikable characters. This book is the perfect read for book clubs as I’m sure it will cause some heated debates!
You can follow me on
http://www.twitter.com/@reviewcafe
Or read more of my reviews on my Instagram page at
https://www.instagram.com/thebookrevi...
August 21, 2023
“Oog om oog - MJ Arlidge”
⚖️⚖️⚖️⚖️⚖️
Wat een boek! 😯
Fantastisch geschreven! ♥️
Heel goed gevonden en gruwelijk met momenten 🩸
Misschien naar het einde toe een beetje snel afgeraffeld, maar zeker en vast de moeite waard dit! 🤩
Ik ben - en blijf - fan van Arlidge! 🫢♥️
⚖️⚖️⚖️⚖️⚖️
Wat een boek! 😯
Fantastisch geschreven! ♥️
Heel goed gevonden en gruwelijk met momenten 🩸
Misschien naar het einde toe een beetje snel afgeraffeld, maar zeker en vast de moeite waard dit! 🤩
Ik ben - en blijf - fan van Arlidge! 🫢♥️
November 29, 2023
I-i.. have some thoughts.
So this story is reading like a seriously bad review of the UK probation system. We get to follow some parolees - ex juvenile offenders - who have been granted anonimity coz they have rehabilitated and repented and served their time. But wait, someone is killing them off by leaking the details of their new identities to the families of their victims!
The storytelling may seem convoluted but you get into it smoothly - all the names and characters - but it's giving true crime podcast and I was here for it.
The narrator is hands down the best I have heard. Loved her - so if you can, get the audio version. if you like thriller, whodunnit but then multiple murders at the same time - this will be your jam. With this type of stories, we often get the combo 'one killer / one or more victims' - but here you get to read about multiple murders and perps in present and past (lots and lots of deranged people and deeds). It isn't without triggers though - SA (off page), child abuse (descriptive), pregnancy (on page) so read at your own risk.
What did I learn?
Monsters are made
Shitty parents make shitty kids
Rehabilitation is utopia
Once a monster - always a monster.
And I found myself questioning - why the Fck do people go into this line of business? They all HATE their charges, have no trust in the system, feel neglected and abused by it, and those who don't are dazed by their incessant ambition. Gross.
Highly recommend!
So this story is reading like a seriously bad review of the UK probation system. We get to follow some parolees - ex juvenile offenders - who have been granted anonimity coz they have rehabilitated and repented and served their time. But wait, someone is killing them off by leaking the details of their new identities to the families of their victims!
The storytelling may seem convoluted but you get into it smoothly - all the names and characters - but it's giving true crime podcast and I was here for it.
The narrator is hands down the best I have heard. Loved her - so if you can, get the audio version. if you like thriller, whodunnit but then multiple murders at the same time - this will be your jam. With this type of stories, we often get the combo 'one killer / one or more victims' - but here you get to read about multiple murders and perps in present and past (lots and lots of deranged people and deeds). It isn't without triggers though - SA (off page), child abuse (descriptive), pregnancy (on page) so read at your own risk.
What did I learn?
Monsters are made
Shitty parents make shitty kids
Rehabilitation is utopia
Once a monster - always a monster.
And I found myself questioning - why the Fck do people go into this line of business? They all HATE their charges, have no trust in the system, feel neglected and abused by it, and those who don't are dazed by their incessant ambition. Gross.
Highly recommend!
August 8, 2023
Zes criminelen in Engeland hebben anonimiteit verkregen. Door de ongelooflijke wreedheden uit hun verleden leek een nieuwe start en re-integratie onmogelijk, totdat de overheid besloot hen een tweede kans te geven: elk van hen kreeg een nieuwe identiteit, in een nieuwe stad, met een nieuwe baan – en niemand die het ooit te weten zou komen. Dat dachten ze tenminste.
Sociaal medewerkster Olivia begeleidt gevangenen om te re-integreren in de maatschappij. Maar als de échte identiteit van haar ex-gevangenen gelekt wordt aan de familie van het slachtoffer maakt Olivia kennis met de meest duistere kanten van de mens. Want de familieleden willen allemaal, stuk voor stuk, gerechtigheid voor het onrecht dat hun geliefden jaren geleden is aangedaan.
'Oog om oog' is het nieuwste werk van M.J. Arlidge en ik had het geluk dat ik dit boek al eerder mocht lezen. Het is een losstaand verhaal en het begint meteen met een heftige en spannende achtervolging van een moordenaar die weer op vrije voeten is. Zijn identiteit is bekend geworden en sindsdien moet hij vrezen voor zijn eigen leven.
M.J. Arlidge maakt in dit boek gebruik van heel veel verhaallijnen. Zo lees je onder andere vanuit verschillende daders, een aantal nabestaanden, de politie en een sociaal werkster die criminelen weer leert terugkeren in de maatschappij Er komen dus nogal wat personages op je af, maar dit zorgde er bij mij voor dat ik het verhaal heel erg boeiend vond.
Het concept vond ik ook heel erg interessant: wat als een dierbare van je wordt vermoord? Ben je dan zelf ook in staat om diegene te vermoorden?
De hele tijd vroeg ik mij af wie degene was die de informatie (nieuwe identiteit en adres van de moordenaars) doorspeelde naar de verschillende nabestaanden. Er passeren een aantal verdachten, maar de echte dader bleef tot het eind goed geheim. Pluspunten!
Eigenlijk had ik bij dit boek geen enkel moment dat ik mij verveelde en 'Oog om oog' telt toch maar liefst bijna zeshonderd pagina's! Ik ben dan ook zeer zeker te spreken over dit verhaal. De schrijfstijl van Arlidge blijft heerlijk!
Ik wil @boekerij heel erg bedanken voor dit recensie-exemplaar!
Beoordeling: 4,0/4,5 ⭐
Sociaal medewerkster Olivia begeleidt gevangenen om te re-integreren in de maatschappij. Maar als de échte identiteit van haar ex-gevangenen gelekt wordt aan de familie van het slachtoffer maakt Olivia kennis met de meest duistere kanten van de mens. Want de familieleden willen allemaal, stuk voor stuk, gerechtigheid voor het onrecht dat hun geliefden jaren geleden is aangedaan.
'Oog om oog' is het nieuwste werk van M.J. Arlidge en ik had het geluk dat ik dit boek al eerder mocht lezen. Het is een losstaand verhaal en het begint meteen met een heftige en spannende achtervolging van een moordenaar die weer op vrije voeten is. Zijn identiteit is bekend geworden en sindsdien moet hij vrezen voor zijn eigen leven.
M.J. Arlidge maakt in dit boek gebruik van heel veel verhaallijnen. Zo lees je onder andere vanuit verschillende daders, een aantal nabestaanden, de politie en een sociaal werkster die criminelen weer leert terugkeren in de maatschappij Er komen dus nogal wat personages op je af, maar dit zorgde er bij mij voor dat ik het verhaal heel erg boeiend vond.
Het concept vond ik ook heel erg interessant: wat als een dierbare van je wordt vermoord? Ben je dan zelf ook in staat om diegene te vermoorden?
De hele tijd vroeg ik mij af wie degene was die de informatie (nieuwe identiteit en adres van de moordenaars) doorspeelde naar de verschillende nabestaanden. Er passeren een aantal verdachten, maar de echte dader bleef tot het eind goed geheim. Pluspunten!
Eigenlijk had ik bij dit boek geen enkel moment dat ik mij verveelde en 'Oog om oog' telt toch maar liefst bijna zeshonderd pagina's! Ik ben dan ook zeer zeker te spreken over dit verhaal. De schrijfstijl van Arlidge blijft heerlijk!
Ik wil @boekerij heel erg bedanken voor dit recensie-exemplaar!
Beoordeling: 4,0/4,5 ⭐
August 1, 2023
The premise for this book sounds great - criminals who were granted new identities because of their historical crimes get exposed and hunted down by their victims' families. This certainly has the potential for a real moral dilemma for the reader: who deserves justice? Who are the actual 'bad guys'?
However good the idea was, the execution badly let it down. I found myself getting increasingly annoyed as I read this, frustrated by the plot holes, bloated cast of characters and lack of direction. I never usually do this, but I found myself making a list of what was annoying me as I read:
1. All the characters are the same. There is no discernible difference between any of them. They all talk the same, the same as the narrator, and this is a book which has adults, 14 year olds, criminals, police officers, MPs, Northerners, Southerners ... The dialogue wasn't authentic and characters changed their personalities based on the goal of each chapter.
2. Similarly, the author didn't show, he told. So there are moments when characters just tell other characters a whole lump of text so the author could tell the reader something pivotal.
3. Repetition. Oh my God, the repetition. Sooooo many scenes between people ended with someone getting angry. Like, you need to count them. This feeds into my point that all characters are the same. They all react in the same way. The author also loves to show off the fancy words he knows, putting them into the mouths of characters who would never say them, and taking you out of the story with his overly wordy style. Words he uses not once but on multiple occasions include bonhomie, recalcitrant, truculent, voluble, pariah, obfuscate, and, bizarrely, the phrase 'I wouldn't piss on him if he was on fire'.
4. There was just too much going on. Too many characters in too many short chapters all basically doing the same thing. There was no clear lead character for me to get behind and I felt nothing for any of the characters.
A nice little twist near the end made me consider a more positive review but ultimately I finished this book massively underwhelmed and glad I'd finished.
However good the idea was, the execution badly let it down. I found myself getting increasingly annoyed as I read this, frustrated by the plot holes, bloated cast of characters and lack of direction. I never usually do this, but I found myself making a list of what was annoying me as I read:
1. All the characters are the same. There is no discernible difference between any of them. They all talk the same, the same as the narrator, and this is a book which has adults, 14 year olds, criminals, police officers, MPs, Northerners, Southerners ... The dialogue wasn't authentic and characters changed their personalities based on the goal of each chapter.
2. Similarly, the author didn't show, he told. So there are moments when characters just tell other characters a whole lump of text so the author could tell the reader something pivotal.
3. Repetition. Oh my God, the repetition. Sooooo many scenes between people ended with someone getting angry. Like, you need to count them. This feeds into my point that all characters are the same. They all react in the same way. The author also loves to show off the fancy words he knows, putting them into the mouths of characters who would never say them, and taking you out of the story with his overly wordy style. Words he uses not once but on multiple occasions include bonhomie, recalcitrant, truculent, voluble, pariah, obfuscate, and, bizarrely, the phrase 'I wouldn't piss on him if he was on fire'.
4. There was just too much going on. Too many characters in too many short chapters all basically doing the same thing. There was no clear lead character for me to get behind and I felt nothing for any of the characters.
A nice little twist near the end made me consider a more positive review but ultimately I finished this book massively underwhelmed and glad I'd finished.
October 8, 2024
Mi-a plăcut foarte mult, ideea cărții e ceva ce n-am mai citit și am înțeles ca acest fapt chiar se aplică în SUA. 5 foști criminali primesc vieți noi și nume noi după ce-și ispășesc pedeapsa, urmăriți foarte îndeaproape de un Serviciu de Probațiune, bineînțeles. Dar atunci când are loc o scurgere de informații, aceștia încep să fie uciși de rudele victimelor. Fiecare dintre ei are câte un consilier de probațiune, astfel că atunci când încep crimele, aceștia sunt alarmați și se creează haosul.
Autuorul ne povestește din perspectiva fiecăruia, ceea ce simt, dacă au reușit să ducă vieți normale, dacă au remușcări, toți au cazuri destul de interesante și de neiertat, deoarece au comis niște crime brutale atunci când erau doar niște copii, iar lucrul asta mi-a dat fiori, sincer. Eu nu am putut să empatizez cu nimeni, aveam sentimente de furie față de toți. Numai cu Emily am putut empatiza puțin, într-un mod, deoarece avea cele mai multe remușcări. Oamenii care omoară oameni sunt monștri, nu oameni.
A fost o droaie de personaje, am început puțin mai greu pentru că aveam atâtea perspective, dar cu cat trec paginile, te obișnuiești și înțelegi care-i treaba cu toate. Mi se pare ireal să poți duce o viață normală după ce ai ucis pe cineva și m-am convins ca unii chiar nu se schimbă niciodată, așa cum avem un exemplu și aici, în carte. Am simțit durerea victimelor, dar nu sunt tocmai de acord cu ochi pentru ochi. Acele persoane erau deja pedepsite de soartă și duceau o viață grea, le era greu să se integreze, să creeze ceva bun cu altcineva…Și-au distrus singuri viețile.
Mi-a fost greu să fac diferența dintre bine și rău în această carte. Dacă tu, ca rudă îndurerată a cuiva ucis, ești capabil să ucizi pe cineva cu sange rece, te mai poți numi un om bun? Înțeleg ca îți faci dreptate, dar nu pot să spun ca ești mai bun decât ucigașul persoanei dragi. De final nu mi-am dat seama, persoana care a fost în spatele scurgerilor de informații a fost neașteptată pentru mine. Oricum, o carte care te pune pe gânduri și care merită citită. E perfectă pentru acest sezon.🧡🍂
Autuorul ne povestește din perspectiva fiecăruia, ceea ce simt, dacă au reușit să ducă vieți normale, dacă au remușcări, toți au cazuri destul de interesante și de neiertat, deoarece au comis niște crime brutale atunci când erau doar niște copii, iar lucrul asta mi-a dat fiori, sincer. Eu nu am putut să empatizez cu nimeni, aveam sentimente de furie față de toți. Numai cu Emily am putut empatiza puțin, într-un mod, deoarece avea cele mai multe remușcări. Oamenii care omoară oameni sunt monștri, nu oameni.
A fost o droaie de personaje, am început puțin mai greu pentru că aveam atâtea perspective, dar cu cat trec paginile, te obișnuiești și înțelegi care-i treaba cu toate. Mi se pare ireal să poți duce o viață normală după ce ai ucis pe cineva și m-am convins ca unii chiar nu se schimbă niciodată, așa cum avem un exemplu și aici, în carte. Am simțit durerea victimelor, dar nu sunt tocmai de acord cu ochi pentru ochi. Acele persoane erau deja pedepsite de soartă și duceau o viață grea, le era greu să se integreze, să creeze ceva bun cu altcineva…Și-au distrus singuri viețile.
Mi-a fost greu să fac diferența dintre bine și rău în această carte. Dacă tu, ca rudă îndurerată a cuiva ucis, ești capabil să ucizi pe cineva cu sange rece, te mai poți numi un om bun? Înțeleg ca îți faci dreptate, dar nu pot să spun ca ești mai bun decât ucigașul persoanei dragi. De final nu mi-am dat seama, persoana care a fost în spatele scurgerilor de informații a fost neașteptată pentru mine. Oricum, o carte care te pune pe gânduri și care merită citită. E perfectă pentru acest sezon.🧡🍂
July 27, 2023
In the author’s note, MJ Arlidge asks the question - ‘how would you feel if you finally came face to face with your child’s killer?’ “Eye for an Eye” is a story based as the title suggests and explores the many lives of people involved in this fictional situation, as imagined by the author.
The story opens with a dark, chilling and graphically violent chapter, setting the scene perfectly for how the story is to unfold and for the reader to anticipate the brutality of what’s to come.
I liked how the viewpoint was from various sides - the victim’s family living with the torment of how their loved one died and often their own life sentences dealing with it and the re-formed offender, now back in the community trying to live a normal and new life. I felt quite a few differing emotions throughout this novel, from sympathy and understanding towards the grieving families, emotional support for the probation workers doing a job that cant be easy, to the concern from the general public about rehabilitating offenders relocating to their local community. Even a family learning that all they ever knew about a family member was a fabrication and have a past that is just too unbelievable to comprehend.
This book created an ‘interesting’ conversation/debate between my husband and I, and needless to say, I believe would make one of the most discussed book club debates to date. Is it ‘natural justice’ or the human conscience requiring retribution in order to gain the upper hand or do offenders deserve rehabilitation and the right to live a normal and undiscovered life after a sentence has been served? These are the million dollar questions thankfully ones I can just read about and don’t have to answer in reality.
“Eye for an Eye” is a no holds barred story featuring the savagery of the crimes committed by the criminals involved and the ensuing revenge attacks, so if you’re easily upset or offended this book may not be for you.
This is my favourite MJ Arlidge book to date and a one that I will never forget or will stop talking about to others. Tantalisingly good and brilliantly terrifying!
#EyeForAnEye - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The story opens with a dark, chilling and graphically violent chapter, setting the scene perfectly for how the story is to unfold and for the reader to anticipate the brutality of what’s to come.
I liked how the viewpoint was from various sides - the victim’s family living with the torment of how their loved one died and often their own life sentences dealing with it and the re-formed offender, now back in the community trying to live a normal and new life. I felt quite a few differing emotions throughout this novel, from sympathy and understanding towards the grieving families, emotional support for the probation workers doing a job that cant be easy, to the concern from the general public about rehabilitating offenders relocating to their local community. Even a family learning that all they ever knew about a family member was a fabrication and have a past that is just too unbelievable to comprehend.
This book created an ‘interesting’ conversation/debate between my husband and I, and needless to say, I believe would make one of the most discussed book club debates to date. Is it ‘natural justice’ or the human conscience requiring retribution in order to gain the upper hand or do offenders deserve rehabilitation and the right to live a normal and undiscovered life after a sentence has been served? These are the million dollar questions thankfully ones I can just read about and don’t have to answer in reality.
“Eye for an Eye” is a no holds barred story featuring the savagery of the crimes committed by the criminals involved and the ensuing revenge attacks, so if you’re easily upset or offended this book may not be for you.
This is my favourite MJ Arlidge book to date and a one that I will never forget or will stop talking about to others. Tantalisingly good and brilliantly terrifying!
#EyeForAnEye - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
April 23, 2024
Back for another MJ Arlidge novel, I was intrigued with the subject matter of this story. While the British justice system ensures that those who are guilty serve time, there is a compassionate side when it comes to minors who commit significant crimes. Brutal murderers who have yet to turn eighteen are treated with kid gloves and released back into the community after a short time in a youth facility, sometimes with a new identity to allow them to reinvent themselves. What would happen if someone leaked this intel, particularly to those who were harmed by the crimes? Such is the premise of Arlidge’s book. With strong themes and great narrative build, Arliidge keeps the reader in the driver’s seat throughout.
Only nine criminals who have passed through the UK justice system have been granted complete anonymity after serving their time. All none of these individuals were children when they committed their heinous crimes, though were given the benefit of the doubt upon release. While they are closely monitored, these nine have been given a new life to start a future that does not allow the past to haunt them.
When one such criminal is found murdered, the local authorities treat it like any other homicide. However, as the investigation gains momentum, it’s revealed that the victim has a sordid past and one that could point to the motive. The victim committed a horrible crime while still a youth and has been given a new chance. It seems as though the prime suspect is a member of the family who have been living in grief ever since. But was this a chance encounter?
While headlines blare the truth behind the murder, it appears as though someone is feeding the newsies information that has been sealed, both about the victim and their youthful past. Further investigation proves that someone leaked the information directly to the family, which could leave the other eight ‘newly reinvented former criminals’ in grave danger. A website pops up with the new identities of the others, pointing the public in their direction. Family members, still filled with rage, learn of the location of those who killed their loved ones and take matters into their own hands. The police scramble for answers and to quell the fury, things are only getting started. Who is releasing these names and how can they be stopped before a full-on panic fills the streets of every UK community? Arlidge does well with this concept and delivery.
I have read many of the novels penned by MJ Arlidge, liking them all to varying degrees. There is a sense of real passion in his writing, which helps push the story along and keeps the narrative on point. Arlidge knows how to set the scene and keeps the reader on their toes as the story gains in intensity and reaches some of those electrifying moments. The characters help hash out some of the other angles to keep the reader on their toes throughout the reading experience. There is a great flavoring to the angst and struggle that emerges through the narrative, which adds to the novel’s power for the attentive reader.
Plot points are essential to keeping the story moving, especially with so much going on. Arlidge is able to both surprise and shock the reader with his narrative direction, proving strong story lines to keep things moving in a forward direction. I enjoyed how the piece took shape and where the reader found themselves throughout the experience. I am eager to read more of Arlidge’s work, other his long-running series or more standalone pieces.
Kudos, Mr. Arlidge, for some strong social commentary throughout this novel.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Only nine criminals who have passed through the UK justice system have been granted complete anonymity after serving their time. All none of these individuals were children when they committed their heinous crimes, though were given the benefit of the doubt upon release. While they are closely monitored, these nine have been given a new life to start a future that does not allow the past to haunt them.
When one such criminal is found murdered, the local authorities treat it like any other homicide. However, as the investigation gains momentum, it’s revealed that the victim has a sordid past and one that could point to the motive. The victim committed a horrible crime while still a youth and has been given a new chance. It seems as though the prime suspect is a member of the family who have been living in grief ever since. But was this a chance encounter?
While headlines blare the truth behind the murder, it appears as though someone is feeding the newsies information that has been sealed, both about the victim and their youthful past. Further investigation proves that someone leaked the information directly to the family, which could leave the other eight ‘newly reinvented former criminals’ in grave danger. A website pops up with the new identities of the others, pointing the public in their direction. Family members, still filled with rage, learn of the location of those who killed their loved ones and take matters into their own hands. The police scramble for answers and to quell the fury, things are only getting started. Who is releasing these names and how can they be stopped before a full-on panic fills the streets of every UK community? Arlidge does well with this concept and delivery.
I have read many of the novels penned by MJ Arlidge, liking them all to varying degrees. There is a sense of real passion in his writing, which helps push the story along and keeps the narrative on point. Arlidge knows how to set the scene and keeps the reader on their toes as the story gains in intensity and reaches some of those electrifying moments. The characters help hash out some of the other angles to keep the reader on their toes throughout the reading experience. There is a great flavoring to the angst and struggle that emerges through the narrative, which adds to the novel’s power for the attentive reader.
Plot points are essential to keeping the story moving, especially with so much going on. Arlidge is able to both surprise and shock the reader with his narrative direction, proving strong story lines to keep things moving in a forward direction. I enjoyed how the piece took shape and where the reader found themselves throughout the experience. I am eager to read more of Arlidge’s work, other his long-running series or more standalone pieces.
Kudos, Mr. Arlidge, for some strong social commentary throughout this novel.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
January 8, 2024
Zooo ik zag echt niet aankomen wie hier achter zat knap geschreven weer!!! Heel origineel idee!
January 22, 2024
In 2014 debuteerde scenarioschrijver M.J. Arlidge als auteur met de thriller Eeny Meeny (Iene miene mutte, 2015), het eerste deel van een serie waarin de eigengereide inspecteur Helen Grace de hoofdrol heeft. Hij heeft ook enkele standalones geschreven, waaronder het in augustus 2023 verschenen Oog om oog. Het gegeven dat enkele oud-criminelen, die een zware misdaad pleegden toen ze kind waren, na hun – vaak relatief korte – straf onder een andere naam en in een andere plaats beschermd verder kunnen leven, terwijl er pogingen zijn en worden ondernomen om hun nieuwe identiteit te achterhalen, vormden de inspiratiebron voor dit boek.
Nadat ze hun straf erop zat, ontvingen zes kindmoordenaars volledige anonimiteit. Ze kregen een andere naam, wonen in een andere plaats en ook hun verleden werd aangepast, dit alles met de garantie dat niemand kan achterhalen wie ze ooit zijn geweest. Als blijkt dat er toch informatie over hen is uitgelekt, ontstaan er bij steeds meer mensen wraakgevoelens over wat de slachtoffers, allen kinderen, en hun familie is aangedaan. De roep om gerechtigheid wordt daarom steeds groter en vergeldingsacties blijven niet uit, maar is dit wel de juiste manier om genoegdoening te krijgen?
Voordat het eigenlijke verhaal begint, vertelt Arlidge in het kort waarom hij deze thriller geschreven heeft. Dit is al interessant om te lezen, maar de vraag waar hij zijn relaas mee beëindigt kan de lezer in feite voor een dilemma zetten. Want hoe voel jij je als je tegenover de moordenaar van je kind komt te staan? Dit is een intrigerend gegeven, want je weet natuurlijk niet hoe je gaat reageren, maar dat je je niet prettig voelt, zal zo goed als zeker zijn. In de plot draait het om zes voormalig delinquenten die, toen ze zelf nog kind waren, één of meer kinderen om het leven hebben gebracht. De situatie van ieder van hen is anders, maar in één ding staan ze gelijk: de familie van het slachtoffer is uit op wraak en zijn erop uit om voor eigen rechter te gaan spelen.
Dit levert zonder meer een boeiend en intrigerend verhaal op, dat over het algemeen niet bovenmatig spannend is. Toch gebeurt er meer dan voldoende, waardoor de lezer van begin tot eind bij alles betrokken blijft. Hij voelt namelijk aan dat escalaties in de lucht hangen, maar natuurlijk niet wanneer dit gaat gebeuren en op welke manier. De auteur werkt hier heel geleidelijk aan steeds meer naartoe en als het moment suprême eenmaal daar is, is de desbetreffende scène behoorlijk gruwelijk en beangstigend, zowel voor het slachtoffer als voor de lezer. Situaties als deze komen overigens niet zo heel veel voor, Arlidge richt zich vooral op de psychologische effecten van de kindermoorden en hetgeen daar het gevolg van is, overigens zowel bij de daders als de nabestaanden. Daarnaast staat de vraag of eigengericht aanvaardbaar is of niet uiteraard ook centraal in het geheel.
De plot wordt afwisselend verteld vanuit diverse perspectieven, zoals een reclasseringsambtenaar, de vader van een slachtoffer en enkele kindmoordenaars. Hierdoor krijg je een goed beeld van hoe ieder van hen de verschillende voorvallen beleeft of beleefd heeft. De keuze van de auteur om een en ander van een paar kanten te belichten is een goede, want dit maakt het totaalplaatje compleet. Bij sommige personages wordt aandacht aan hun privéomstandigheden besteed, hoewel de meeste daarvan wel degelijk met de gebeurtenissen te maken hebben.
Het tempo waarin alles zich afspeelt ligt behoorlijk hoog en de schrijfstijl is kenmerkend voor Arlidge: vlot, beeldend en niet al te ingewikkeld. Oog om oog is echter geen simpele of luchtige thriller, daarvoor is het goed uitgewerkte thema te beladen. Daarnaast laat de auteur je tevens nadenken over het dilemma of je in bepaalde omstandigheden wel of niet eigen rechter mag zijn. Het antwoord daarop is misschien moeilijker dan op het eerste gezicht lijkt.
Nadat ze hun straf erop zat, ontvingen zes kindmoordenaars volledige anonimiteit. Ze kregen een andere naam, wonen in een andere plaats en ook hun verleden werd aangepast, dit alles met de garantie dat niemand kan achterhalen wie ze ooit zijn geweest. Als blijkt dat er toch informatie over hen is uitgelekt, ontstaan er bij steeds meer mensen wraakgevoelens over wat de slachtoffers, allen kinderen, en hun familie is aangedaan. De roep om gerechtigheid wordt daarom steeds groter en vergeldingsacties blijven niet uit, maar is dit wel de juiste manier om genoegdoening te krijgen?
Voordat het eigenlijke verhaal begint, vertelt Arlidge in het kort waarom hij deze thriller geschreven heeft. Dit is al interessant om te lezen, maar de vraag waar hij zijn relaas mee beëindigt kan de lezer in feite voor een dilemma zetten. Want hoe voel jij je als je tegenover de moordenaar van je kind komt te staan? Dit is een intrigerend gegeven, want je weet natuurlijk niet hoe je gaat reageren, maar dat je je niet prettig voelt, zal zo goed als zeker zijn. In de plot draait het om zes voormalig delinquenten die, toen ze zelf nog kind waren, één of meer kinderen om het leven hebben gebracht. De situatie van ieder van hen is anders, maar in één ding staan ze gelijk: de familie van het slachtoffer is uit op wraak en zijn erop uit om voor eigen rechter te gaan spelen.
Dit levert zonder meer een boeiend en intrigerend verhaal op, dat over het algemeen niet bovenmatig spannend is. Toch gebeurt er meer dan voldoende, waardoor de lezer van begin tot eind bij alles betrokken blijft. Hij voelt namelijk aan dat escalaties in de lucht hangen, maar natuurlijk niet wanneer dit gaat gebeuren en op welke manier. De auteur werkt hier heel geleidelijk aan steeds meer naartoe en als het moment suprême eenmaal daar is, is de desbetreffende scène behoorlijk gruwelijk en beangstigend, zowel voor het slachtoffer als voor de lezer. Situaties als deze komen overigens niet zo heel veel voor, Arlidge richt zich vooral op de psychologische effecten van de kindermoorden en hetgeen daar het gevolg van is, overigens zowel bij de daders als de nabestaanden. Daarnaast staat de vraag of eigengericht aanvaardbaar is of niet uiteraard ook centraal in het geheel.
De plot wordt afwisselend verteld vanuit diverse perspectieven, zoals een reclasseringsambtenaar, de vader van een slachtoffer en enkele kindmoordenaars. Hierdoor krijg je een goed beeld van hoe ieder van hen de verschillende voorvallen beleeft of beleefd heeft. De keuze van de auteur om een en ander van een paar kanten te belichten is een goede, want dit maakt het totaalplaatje compleet. Bij sommige personages wordt aandacht aan hun privéomstandigheden besteed, hoewel de meeste daarvan wel degelijk met de gebeurtenissen te maken hebben.
Het tempo waarin alles zich afspeelt ligt behoorlijk hoog en de schrijfstijl is kenmerkend voor Arlidge: vlot, beeldend en niet al te ingewikkeld. Oog om oog is echter geen simpele of luchtige thriller, daarvoor is het goed uitgewerkte thema te beladen. Daarnaast laat de auteur je tevens nadenken over het dilemma of je in bepaalde omstandigheden wel of niet eigen rechter mag zijn. Het antwoord daarop is misschien moeilijker dan op het eerste gezicht lijkt.
May 23, 2024
3,5 sterren
February 25, 2024
Een geweldige thriller. Het is dat ik maar vijf sterren kan geven, anders zouden het er nog meer zijn geweest. Dit is echt de beste thriller die ik in tijden gelezen heb en ook het beste boek dat ik tot nu toe dit jaar heb gelezen. Het idee achter het boek vond ik vanaf het begin al leuk. Daarnaast is het verhaal super verslavend. Het was dat ik gisteravond te moe was om nog veel te lezen. Anders had ik toen ook wel meer gelezen. Het is ook lang geleden dat ik meerdere uren achter elkaar heb gelezen. En het is dat ik vanmiddag wat anders te doen had, want anders had ik het boek al eerder uitgehad. Dit is echt zo’n boek waarin je blijft lezen. De hoofdstukken zijn kort en doordat het perspectief steeds wisselt, blijft de spanning erin. Ook zit het verhaal goed in elkaar. Pas tegen het einde begon ik mijn vermoedens te krijgen. Daarvoor wist ik niet wie erachter zat. Eerst had ik namelijk een ander op het oog, maar die bleek het net te zijn. Het is dat ik de Helen Grace-serie zat begon te raken en dat ik daarom met de boeken van M.J. Arlidge ben gestopt. Daarom ben ik blij dat hij deze standalone heeft geschreven. Ik hoop dat er nog veel zullen volgen. Dit is echt een super goed boek en de vijf sterren echt waard. In het voorwoord vertelt de schrijver trouwens hoe hij op het idee kwam voor dit boek. Daar stond ook zijn voornaam (Matthew) bij. Nooit geweten dat hij zo heet.
June 24, 2023
Confusing, unnecessarily long and a bit lost.
I’m not sure that this was the best direction for M J Arlidge. At points I felt like he was writing like another author (namely John Marrs) rather than being true to himself and his own personal style.
Tackling multiple characters pov’s and storylines whilst also treading a fine line of debate. This book is no small read, at around 500 pages it is certainly lengthy. The chapters are short and punchy so it’s definitely a page turner however not a thrilling read. It started with quite a bit of gumption but swiftly afterwards became very dull and plodding only to revive itself towards the end. Of which, I skimmed which I’ll explain why…
I’m just confused as to what the whole central theme was trying to achieve. There were a lot of instances that were perfect for book clubs and social debates but as a story, one that’s meant to thrill and enthrall it did little more than annoy. Yes these people have served their given time and understood why they were incarcerated. But the crimes that they committed were so heinous I struggle to feel any empathy for them on their release. I felt like Arlidge was trying to demonstrate a ‘nature vs nurture’. But in my eyes they were despicable people who really showed no signs of changing, so good riddance!
I think for a book like this to succeed you need to play to the obvious reader’s reaction and then use it to show how their misconceptions are not fully grounded. I don’t think personal circumstances and feelings alone are enough to convince a sitting crowd that a unrepentant killer is forgivable.
Which leads me on the characters themselves. They’re all horrid. Even the ones that aren’t meant to be are just not very nice. Sometimes you can love a horrible character but in this book I didn’t find myself drawn to any of them. Other than their crimes or their position in authority they were all a bit vacuous.
So all in all I’m left a bit disappointed and uneasy with my comments because I’m not sure exactly what I’ve just read. Sorry M J but I like Helen Grace so much more!!
I’m not sure that this was the best direction for M J Arlidge. At points I felt like he was writing like another author (namely John Marrs) rather than being true to himself and his own personal style.
Tackling multiple characters pov’s and storylines whilst also treading a fine line of debate. This book is no small read, at around 500 pages it is certainly lengthy. The chapters are short and punchy so it’s definitely a page turner however not a thrilling read. It started with quite a bit of gumption but swiftly afterwards became very dull and plodding only to revive itself towards the end. Of which, I skimmed which I’ll explain why…
I’m just confused as to what the whole central theme was trying to achieve. There were a lot of instances that were perfect for book clubs and social debates but as a story, one that’s meant to thrill and enthrall it did little more than annoy. Yes these people have served their given time and understood why they were incarcerated. But the crimes that they committed were so heinous I struggle to feel any empathy for them on their release. I felt like Arlidge was trying to demonstrate a ‘nature vs nurture’. But in my eyes they were despicable people who really showed no signs of changing, so good riddance!
I think for a book like this to succeed you need to play to the obvious reader’s reaction and then use it to show how their misconceptions are not fully grounded. I don’t think personal circumstances and feelings alone are enough to convince a sitting crowd that a unrepentant killer is forgivable.
Which leads me on the characters themselves. They’re all horrid. Even the ones that aren’t meant to be are just not very nice. Sometimes you can love a horrible character but in this book I didn’t find myself drawn to any of them. Other than their crimes or their position in authority they were all a bit vacuous.
So all in all I’m left a bit disappointed and uneasy with my comments because I’m not sure exactly what I’ve just read. Sorry M J but I like Helen Grace so much more!!
December 8, 2023
Tjah, wat zal ik eens over dit boek zeggen. Mijn verwachtingen waren mega hoog, want ik durf mezelf gerust een Arlidge fan te noemen. Deze zijn niet geheel waargemaakt. De schrijfstijl van Arlidge blijft fijn en bondig. Echter zijn er zo veel personages neergezet met allemaal een eigen verhaal dat het in het begin moeilijk is om ze uit elkaar te houden en je bijna aantekeningen er naast moet houden tijdens het lezen. Dit maakte dat ik er niet lekker in kwam. Dit bleef eigenlijk zo tot ongeveer 150 pagina's voor het einde, waar ineens vaart in het boek zat en er meer spanning in kwam, waardoor ik uiteindelijk niet geheel teleurgesteld ben in dit boek.
August 25, 2023
This is one of the worst books I've read. I'm surprised I actually finished it. The characters are one dimensional and the plot is laughable. Mawkish hokum. I gave it 1 star as I did finish it! I like the Helen Grace books but this was like a different author. I've read better first time self published books.
April 29, 2024
3,5
este homem escreve cenas mm macabras masss até não desgostei. Ao inicio estava bem confusa porque são muitos personagens com muita coisa a acontecer mas no fim já estava a par de tudo e não adivinhei o plot (as always)
este homem escreve cenas mm macabras masss até não desgostei. Ao inicio estava bem confusa porque são muitos personagens com muita coisa a acontecer mas no fim já estava a par de tudo e não adivinhei o plot (as always)
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