The Captive by Deborah O’Connor – Book Review

The Captive by Deborah O’Connor – Book Review

The Captive by Deborah O'Connor

The Captive

Author – Deborah O’Connor
Publisher – Zaffre
Pages – 216
Released – 7th January 2021
ISBN-13 – 978-1838772659
Format – ebook, paperback, hardcover, audio
Rating – 5 Stars
I received a free copy of this book.
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Synopsis

Hannah knows the cage intimately. Small, the size of a shopping centre parking space. A bed, a basin, a table and chair. A hatch and metal drawer through which to exchange food and other items.

Then there’s him. Always there on the edges of her vision, no matter how hard she tries to block him out.

Every day, the same thoughts run through Hannah’s mind:

What if he speaks to me?
What if he hurts me?
What if he gets out?

Review by Stacey

Set in a world where convicted criminals are to live in cages in their victim’s homes, to show them who they have hurt and to try to rehabilitate them, as well as saving the government some money. The book opens with cake maker Hannah awaiting the arrival of Jem, the person convicted of killing her police officer husband. The cage has been set up in the room where Hannah spends the most time, her Kitchen.

Hannah doesn’t want Jem in her house. She doesn’t want to spend time in the same room as the man who killed her husband, even though Jem has stated he wasn’t guilty the whole way through his trial and is still protesting his innocence to Hannah. She is scared of him but is unwilling to let him side that side of her.

Over time as Jem protests his innocence, he provides Hannah with information about her husband, which makes her dig deeper into his life, a life she never knew he lived. What was he hiding? And by searching for the truth has Hannah now placed herself in danger too?

Wow, I mean could you imagine having to spend every day in the same house as the person who has violated you or someone you love? Having to talk to them, feed them, they are there constantly reminding you of the horrid ordeal in your life. It is unthinkable, but author Deborah O’Connor brings this world to life with her all too realistic take on a sham government that cuts costs by making people have to live like this.

Hannah thought she had a perfect life, the life of a police officer’s wife. Happy and content, living her dream in a place where million-pound mansions are the norm but her husband’s job came with some perks and so she lives amongst them until that fateful night her husband was murdered. Now she is living a nightmare, one where she has to live in the same house as his murderer.

I loved the build-up in the multi-layered plot that was filled with twists that kept me engrossed and eager to find the truth. It was fascinating to watch Hannah go from this mild and meek woman to a woman determined to uncover the truth and find out about her husband’s secret life.

As I began The Captive I was unsure how it was labelled a thriller, but as the book progresses is became darker and more sinister than I imagined. The tension rose and the pace quickened. Such an amazing read, one that has left me breathless and thankful that the world within Deborah O’Connor’s mind isn’t real.

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Author Info

Deborah O’Connor is a writer and TV producer. Born and bred in the North-East of England, she now lives in London with her husband and daughter.

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10 Responses

  1. Tasha says:

    I definitely want to read this. I like the unusual plot. Thanks for your helpful review.

  2. Like you I don’t think I would want to be in the same space as the persor who killed my loved one. That is asking too much.

  3. This sounds INTENSE. Gosh, I can’t imagine having to deal with this from the victim’s perspective.

  4. Wow! Where has this one been hiding?! I’ve got to read this one for myself. Fabulously tantalizing review!

  5. Fantastic that you want to read the book.

  6. Can you imagine. I think I might be done for murder having to spend that much time with someone who murdered my husband or family.

  7. It is very intense and captivating too.

  8. I’m glad I have brought it to your attention. I hope you enjoy it too.

  9. Finitha Jose says:

    Love the sound of this. Thanks for sharing

  10. Glad you like the sound of it. Thanks