Review: You Belong To Me by Samantha Hayes

 

Fleeing the terrors of her former life, Isabel has left England, and at last is beginning to feel safe.

Then a letter shatters her world, and she returns home determined not to let fear rule her life any more.

But she's unable to shake off the feeling that someone who knows her better than she knows herself may be following her.

Watching. Waiting.

Ready to step back into her life and take control all over again. 

(Description from Goodreads)

Note: This is the third book that features the recurring character of Detective Inspector Lorraine Fisher, but it can be read as a standalone without having read the two previous books (Until You’re Mine and Before You Die).

Hayes’ writing is absolutely brilliant. I found myself being drawn right into Isabel’s world, as the sinister truth of what she is running from is gradually revealed. Hayes also does an excellent job of writing a believable villain who is all kinds of creepy and twisted. However, I felt that in this book, Detective Inspector Fisher’s personal issues started to get a little repetitive towards the end and didn’t really add anything to the storyline.

Hayes is one of the best psychological thriller authors I’ve ever read as she has an amazing ability to mess with the reader’s mind. Having read all of Hayes’ previous books, I knew to expect a multitude of twists and turns in the plot. I like to form my own theories and suspicions as to what is going on and what will happen next as I am reading along. There were a few moments where I thought “Yes! I was right!”, but there were also some “I totally did not see that one coming!” moments. I love Hayes’ ability to make you think one thing only to have it turn out to be something completely different.

Overall this was a fantastic book with a gripping storyline that definitely had me turning the page continually. If you like mystery and suspense, then this book is for you. 4.5/5 rating.