Tuesday 14 March 2017

Book review : Dangerous To Know - Anne Buist


Last year, I reviewed Medea's Curse by Anne Buist, the first book in a new series of psychological thrillers focusing on troubled forensic psychiatrist Natalie King. In that review, I concluded : "She is certainly a complex character and left me feeling quite ambivalent towards her - even by the end of the novel, I felt as if I hadn't really got under her skin and understood her complex motives and hangups, but as the novel is the first in a new series, I'm sure we'll get to know her much better in the subsequent titles."

Well, this was my chance ! I've just finished reading the next book in the series, Dangerous To Know, which gives us another glimpse into the chaotic life of trouble-magnet Natalie, and I have to admit, I liked her more after this one. After a serious mental breakdown, Natalie needs time to heal and recuperate, so she is under strict orders to keep her meds under control, slow down her high octane lifestyle and chill out for a while in a peaceful beachside retreat. She does try, but this being Natalie, it doesn't last long.

Characters from the previous novel put in an appearance, but aren't wholly essential, if you haven't read the first book. We catch up with Georgia, the patient that Natalie was treating who is under suspicion of murdering her children, and Liam, her toxic love interest, as well as the calming influence of her own psychologist/tutor. The most intriguing character in the novel, though, is the charismatic but unsettling Frank Moreton, who becomes Natalie's research supervisor, and just happens to be married to her old enemy from university, Alison, who isn't at all happy to see Natalie reappear in her life. Frank soon starts to confide in Natalie - Alison is in the final stages of pregnancy and his first wife, Reeva, died when she was eight months pregnant, so he is understandably worried. When Natalie starts receiving threats, she decides to take a closer look at Frank's complicated and oppressive family and opens up not just a can of worms but a barrel of deadly snakes !

Despite Natalie's yearning for peace and tranquility, she soon finds herself embroiled in yet another fast-paced, exciting and dangerous adventure, which kept me guessing right up until the final pages. There are red herrings a-plenty and the author purposely throws out fake leads along the way. I really enjoyed learning more about Natalie too, and the final scenes, not least of all the destruction of her beloved Ducati, suggest that her life may be about to veer off in a whole new direction. I'll definitely be reading the next book to find out where she ends up.

star rating : 4/5

RRP : £8.99

  • Paperback: 336 pages
  • Publisher: Legend Press (15 Mar. 2017)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1785079425
  • ISBN-13: 978-1785079429
  • Product Dimensions: 13 x 2.9 x 20 cm



Disclosure : I received the book in order to write an honest review.

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