All The Hidden Truths by Claire Askew @OneNightStanzas @HodderBooks @BloodyScotland

Book Description:

In the aftermath of a tragedy, the world needs an explanation.

In Edinburgh, after the Three Rivers College shooting, some things are clear.

They know who. They know when.

No one can say why.

For three women the lack of answers is unbearable: DI Helen Birch, the detective charged with solving the case. Ishbel, the mother of the first victim, struggling to cope with her grief. And Moira, mother of the killer, who needs to understand what happened to her son.

But as people search for someone to blame, the truth seems to vanish…

From a prizewinning poet, ALL THE HIDDEN TRUTHS is a searing, compelling and powerful debut.

My Thoughts:

As soon as I read the blurb for his book, I knew I wanted to read more. Sadly numerous deaths in school shootings are not just fiction, it has happened far to many times than it should. I for one was really interested in knowing the whys and hows.

I have to say this is more than just a crime novel. Seeing things from three different perspectives really takes you deep into this story. I had every empathy for both mothers. Trying to put myself mentally into their shoes and how I would feel and react if it had been my son or daughter. You really get a sense about these women and I took to both of them.

The story centres more on the two women and how they try to comprehend with what has happened. The police presence is felt though as people are out for blood at what has happened. Like the reader, they want to get behind the why and how of how this happened and the pressure is on them for answers. Throw in an unruly journalist and you really have a page turner of a read.

All The Hidden Truths makes you question how well you know someone and what is going on inside their head. It is at times a sad and emotional read yet it gets more compelling with every new chapter reached. It isn’t a fast paced, action packed thriller, yet it makes for a truly compelling read that I couldn’t wait to get back to every time I put it down. My first book by this author and certainly won’t be my last.

My thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.

All The Hidden Truths is available to purchase from Amazon. (Please note that link used is an affiliate link).