The Rumour by Lesley Kara

The Synopsis

When single mum Joanna hears a rumour at the school gates, she never intends to pass it on. But one casual comment leads to another and now there’s no going back . . .
Rumour has it that a notorious child killer is living under a new identity, in their sleepy little town of Flinstead-on-Sea.
Sally McGowan was just ten years old when she stabbed little Robbie Harris to death forty-eight years ago – no photos of her exist since her release as a young woman.
So who is the supposedly reformed killer who now lives among them? How dangerous can one rumour become? And how far will Joanna go to protect her loved ones from harm, when she realizes what it is she’s unleashed?

My Review

What. A. Book. The Rumour is one of those reads that hooks you instantly and keeps you locked in until the very last word.
I didn’t find out that it was a debut until I’d finished reading and I never would’ve guessed! It really is outstanding.
Kara is a master at predicting what you’ll be thinking and keeping you right where she wants you. I suspected everyone - and I mean everyone - coming up with elaborate theories about how it might all fit together, but I wouldn’t have guessed the ending in a million years! Kara was one step ahead the whole time and had me in the palm of her hand.
I loved the writing style and the vividly written scenes added to the atmosphere as the sense of foreboding grew.
At times it was so tense that I held my breath and towards the end the tension only grew. I don’t think I’ve ever used so many exclamation marks in my notes as when I was writing about how tense this book was!!
My heart flipped at one of the final twists and I don’t think I can put it better than what I wrote in my notes at the time: WHAT. A. KILLER. TWIST. SO CLEVERLY WRITTEN. TRULY CHILLING
The ending is phenomenal, so tense and emotionally charged. Just when you think it’s all over, yet another chilling detail sends you spinning once again.
I absolutely loved this book. I could go on and on, but I’d rather you read the book and see for yourself, you won’t regret it.
Overall I’m giving The Rumour 5 out of 5 and adding it to my five-star favourites shelf. It’s chilling, addictive and a really phenomenal read. This is the epitome of a five star read for me, I couldn’t fault it.

Click to buy from Amazon UK

This e-book was provided free in exchange for an honest review

About the Author

Lesley Kara is an alumna of the Faber Academy ‘Writing a Novel’ course. She lives on the North Essex coast. The Rumour is her first novel.