I have read all of Claire McGowan’s books so I was delighted to be given the opportunity to receive an ARC copy of her latest novel, “The Push.” It is an engrossing murder mystery set in London involving the 12 members of an ante-natal group drawn together from different backgrounds, their only commonality the fact that they were expecting a child. At a post-birth party hosted by one of the members, someone takes a fatal plunge from a glass balcony to a rockery below. Alison, the detective investigating the incident, believes instinctively that the death was not an accident but has a hard time proving it.
The motives and background of each of the different characters are revealed through flashbacks beginning with the first group meeting to the day of the incident itself and their lives shortly afterwards. Each character is struggling with issues, both emotional and financial, which could provide a motive for murder. It is not until mid-way through the book that the actual victim is revealed, adding to the sense of mystery.
This was a deftly written mystery, which will leave the reader guessing until the very end. The characters were well drawn and their personal drama keeps the reader invested in the story. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good murder mystery with well-developed characters.
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Reviews with images
The Puzzle Clues Will Reveal the Killer
What is a detective to do when someone falls off/is pushed off a balcony, and nobody saw a thing? Well, the easy answer is to call it an accident, close the case, and move on. But something seems off to Alison, and this detective is determined to discover the truth.Six very different couples who met at a prenatal class facilitated by Nina, attend a barbeque hosted by one of the new mothers, Monica. They don't know each other well, but they are bonded by their shared experiences. What should have been a lovely get together is anything but a good time. Somehow, there are only four babies in attendance, almost no one is telling the truth, and oh yes, there is that little issue of a dead body.The story is told from multiple perspectives, starting ten weeks ago leading up to the barbeque, and Alison's investigation of the incident. The identity of the deceased is not immediately revealed, so I was trying to figure out who was missing from the interviews Alison held. Once I knew who died, then it was a guessing game to figure out which of them did it or if it was just a tragic accident.I didn't particularly like any of the characters. Not only do they have no qualms about lying to the police, but they easily lie to their partners. All I could think about was one of the endings to Clue, the movie, where all of them were guilty. Then I could picture Alison, who was trying to have a baby raising all four infants. No way these kids would grow up normal with this group of parents.But, I digress, there was no butler, so you can at least rest assured that he didn't do it. A fast-paced read that came together in a way that I didn't imagine. I enjoyed putting the clues together, though if this had been a jigsaw puzzle, mine would not have shown the killer's identity.I received a DRC from Amazon Publishing UK through NetGalley.
Top reviews from other countries
Katie W
brilliant…. couldn’t put it down
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 30, 2024
Vanessa Navarro Reverte
A thrilling story with well-written characters
Reviewed in Spain on May 2, 2022
J. Blake
Brilliant but best read quicker rather than slowly
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 23, 2023