The Cornish Retribution

by Amanda James

[zooloo1983]

I don’t actually know how to write this review! This book kept me up until 1 am reading it, as I was just hooked. I had to find out what was going on! When the tour for this book came up, not going to lie I didn’t even read the blurb I signed up straight away because I loved Rip Current (see my review here!) that Mandy had written and I knew I had to read this straight away!

Now not going to lie, I do not think I have ever read a book where I did not like any of the lead characters. To me, they were all a bit awful in their own way. Yet, I needed to know their story, I had to know why things were being done! Aaaahhhhhhhh

Sam, at the start I really liked her and I felt for her, she has lost her husband Adam a man she was completely and utterly in love with. I was sad for her as it was tragic. He should not have died. Then her daughter Helena (Who I adored!!) coerces Sam to go to a school reunion, where she is reunited with Penny and Dan, two people who ripped her heart out when they were sixteen. After she met them, I began to dislike her, her behaviour was despicable. I get that she was hurt by the pair, but her thoughts, words and her actions were so unkind towards Penny.

Dan and Penny, well where do you start with them! Dan, a womaniser who is not at all nice to Penny, and he is so clearly in love with Sam still. Trying to meet up with her as often as possible and try as he might get himself immersed in her life one way or another. His treatment towards Penny was not deserved and she is treated horribly. Slime and ball.

Penny, again, she did a horrid thing to Sam when they were kids. But she just never learned. She is constantly described as a doormat and she seriously needed a good talking to. She is jealous of Sam, knows Dan wants her, and can’t decide if she wants to be a friend or foe to Sam, spouting secrets off to Dan about Sam.

Once they are entwined in each other’s lives again, disaster strikes and a spiral of unthinkable and bizarre actions happen. I could not get my head around Sam, here was this widow, who yes had been hurt, but began to act like a crazy person. She pushed everyone away and ignored help from people, but why? And did the one thing she said she would never do, it just bemused me to act the way she did. Why couldn’t she see what was going and on and why? However, despite this I could understand some of her actions, maybe I am already in crazy town waiting for her! There is more I want to say but I can’t bear to spoil it so I will seeth quietly.

Now you may be thinking, god this is a negative review..but I assure you it really isn’t! Despite my thoughts on the three people, I LOVED THIS BOOK. If I didn’t it wouldn’t have kept me up all night. It was crazy, and if I am being honest at times a little psychotic, but that is what I thought was great about it. The web of lies and deceit clearly catching up with said characters and the outcome was shocking, to say the least. There is a happy ending, but I am not sure how deserved it was to be fair but that made it all the more a chilling ending to a story. Because I did spend the time (in my head everyone else was asleep!) going WHAT THE ACTUAL HELL!!

I loved being back in Cornwall again, the setting is breathtaking and I wish I could get down there more often and visit the places in the book, they sound peaceful and dare I say it perfect, all of this is garnered from the description we are given. Plus I LOVE all the book covers too, beautiful!

The book kept me hooked until the very last page, it was thrilling to read. It was dark and twisted and it was my cup of tea. I love trying to get into the character’s head to figure out what makes them twisty.

I may have only read two of Ms James books, but I have loved both of them and devoured them both so quickly! In my eyes, she does no wrong! 🙂