Wrong Time, Wrong Place (2013) Novella

When two couples go hiking in the Scottish Highlands they come across a girl, half-naked, badly beaten, unable to speak English and clearly running away from someone. Unable to leave her there alone and vulnerable, the hikers take her back to the apparent safety of their lodge. They soon wish they’d never set eyes on the girl… I must say that the Quick Reads format is absolutely perfect for a crime thriller! Wrong Time, Wrong Place drew me in straight from the start and didn’t let me go until the last page. As the story is condensed into 100 pages, the thrill of the chase is almost non-stop. I read the whole book in around an hour and was totally gripped throughout. Despite the short nature of this book, Wrong Time, Wrong place is an immensely satisfying read with plenty of twists and turns and heightened tension. It’s fast paced, terrifying and gripping, and I’m pretty sure my heart rate increased while reading this one! It was so easy to imagine that I was right there with the characters, as if I was being hunted too. There was one twist in the plot which I did see coming, but it certainly didn’t spoil the read. However, the ending was very much a surprise and certainly not one I’m used to in crime novels. I’m not going to spoil it for anyone though, so you’ll just have to read the book to find out. Wrong Time, Wrong Place is an excellent bite-size read for seasoned readers, as well as those trying to get back into reading. If fact, if I was someone trying to get back into reading and I’d read this book, I think I would be compelled to go and read a full-length crime thriller. I’ve not previously read any Simon Kernick’s other books, but I’ll definitely be seeking out his other books. After reading this, I suspect I’ve been missing out! Recommended bite-size reading!