I am delighted to be taking part in the Blog Tour to celebrate the publication of Gillian McAllister's latest psychological thriller, Anything You Do Say. Penguin are releasing the digital edition of the book on October 19th 2017 and the paperback is due out on January 25th 2018.
McAllister’s second novel, Anything You Do Say, is an incredibly unique and intelligent take on the psychological thriller- told in two narratives (Reveal & Conceal), following two different eventualities that weave together seamlessly. Lawyer by day, McAllister blends her professional legal expertise with moral conundrums that ask the reader what would you do?
When Joanna hears the footsteps behind her that every woman dreads she makes a snap decision. She turns and she pushes, sending her pursuer tumbling down the steps to lie motionless on the floor.
Reveal - Calling 999 Joanna waits for the police to arrive. For judgement, for justice, whatever that may be. She just needs to hope her husband will stand beside her.
Conceal - She didn't mean to do it. She was scared, she panicked. And no one saw. No one will know. If she leaves now. If she keeps quiet, and prays silently to never hear that knock on the door . . .
My Thoughts
Gillian McAllister has created a wholly satisfying and complex novel. It is essentially two stories both of which have enough detail and depth to be sustained on their own. Joanna finds herself in a situation where she can follow one of two paths- either to run and leave the man she pushes, hoping he is unhurt, or stay and inform the authorities. In alternating chapters, we find out how both scenarios pan out and how the consequences of either decision ripple out, affecting so many people.
In the centre of both stories is Joanna, who before the accident has spent her life avoiding situations, never really feeling happy in her own skin. As a reader, you can't help but identify with her in every stage and think 'What would I have done?' I particularly admire how you are led to consider moral and ethical questions and also how the author shows that neither course of action works out smoothly. There is no black and white solution.
The relationships between the characters are detailed and beautifully drawn, and the decisions and actions in both 'Reveal' and 'Conceal' sections are the product of character. That is to say, the stories develop through the characters. This adds to the feeling of authenticity, together with the obviously painstaking research into the police and legal procedures. Although this is a psychological thriller with much tension and suspense, it is also a novel with plenty of light and shade. It has to be one of the most impressive books I have read this year.
In short: an original and thought provoking read.
About the Author
Gillian McAllister has been writing for as long as she can remember. She graduated with an English degree and lives in Birmingham where she now works as a lawyer. Her debut novel Everything But The Truth was a Sunday Times top ten bestseller. You can find her on Twitter @GillianMAuthor.
Book link: Amazon UK
Thanks to Jenny Platt at Penguin Random House and Gillian McAllister for a copy of the book and a place on the Tour.
Follow the rest of the Tour!
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