Tuesday, 4 March 2014

Book review : The Darkening Hour - Penny Hancock


The Darkening Hour is the chilling tale of two women who seem diametrically opposed but whose destinies become intertwined. At first glance, Theodora has it all - a high-powered job at a radio station, an attractive American lover and a rich ex-husband. But she also has an elderly father with Alzheimer's and a depressed grown- up son, both of whom need looking after, as well as a motley crew of siblings to deal with, since her mother's death. Then there's Mona, who has been shipped over from Morocco to be the answer to Theodora's prayers, working as a live-in carer for her father.

Mona desperately needs the money that Theodora can provide, to send back to her poor family in Morocco, but it soon becomes clear that Theodora needs Mona more than she would care to admit too. As Mona takes control of her house, her father and her son, Theodora becomes more ruthless and controlling to show who's the boss.

With both women facing personal tragedies, things reach boiling point. Who will come out on top? Or, with a body ending up in the Thames, can there only be losers?

The story is told in tandem, with chapters alternately told by Mona and Theodora. Both have their own secrets and hidden agendas so it's hard to know who to trust or feel sorry for, which leads to a really gripping story that will haunt you long after you've turned the final page.

star rating : 4.5/5

RRP : £7.99

  • Paperback: 432 pages
  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd (30 Jan 2014)
  • ISBN-10: 0857206257
  • ISBN-13: 978-0857206251
  • Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 12.8 x 3.2 cm




Disclosure : I received a review copy of the book.

Other reviews you may be interested in :

Book review : In The Blood - Lisa Unger

Book review : Born Bad - Josephine Cox

2 comments:

  1. looks like a really good read, will have to give that one a go

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have read a few great reviews of this book so might look into buying it for the Summer hols!

    ReplyDelete