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Charlotte Barnes

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Penance: A gripping psychological suspense full of twists Kindle Edition

by Charlotte Barnes (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

4.0 88 ratings

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From the author of The Things I Didn’t Do: She never reported the men who attacked her years ago. Now someone is taking revenge . . .

Years ago at university, Celia’s boyfriend turned on her in a horrifying way—joining with his friends to sexually assault her during a party. Celia didn’t go to the police. She told no one except her best friend, Lily. She just wanted to move on with her life.

Now, her settled life with her beloved husband and daughter has been disrupted when one of her assailants is found dead. Celia can’t help but wonder if the friend she confided in—who’s gone on to become a private investigator—could be capable of murder. So she decides to search for answers.

But her pursuit takes her down a path Celia never expected—and raises an even more terrifying question: Is she capable of murder herself?

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BZY8FVQZ
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bloodhound Books (April 26, 2023)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 26, 2023
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 1622 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 263 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #1,116,585 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #1,691 in Women's Psychological Fiction
- #4,549 in Vigilante Justice Thrillers
- #8,964 in Women's Friendship Fiction

Customer Reviews:
4.0 88 ratings

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About the author

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Charlotte Barnes

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Charlotte Barnes is an academic, crime writer, and poet based in Worcester, UK. Her crime writing covers everything from psychological thrillers to good old-fashioned detective work. She is currently working on a new psychological thriller.

Customer reviews

4 out of 5

88 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

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Amorina Carlton

Lots of Triggers, But Really Good!

Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2023

About the Book
From the author of The Things I Didn’t Do: She never reported the men who attacked her years ago. Now someone is taking revenge . . .

Years ago at university, Celia’s boyfriend turned on her in a horrifying way—joining in with his friends to sexually assault her during a party. Celia didn’t go to the police. She told no one except her best friend, Lily. She just wanted to move on with her life.

Now, her settled life with her beloved husband and daughter has been disrupted when one of her assailants is found dead. Celia can’t help but wonder if the friend she confided in—who’s gone on to become a private investigator—could be capable of murder. So she decides to search for answers.

But her pursuit takes her down a path Celia never expected—and raises an even more terrifying question: Is she capable of murder herself?

My Thoughts
This book hooked me from the first chapter. The pace then carried me on at a break-neck speed (in a good way) as I needed to know what was going on and what was going to happen next. The first third of the book tricked me into thinking one thing, and the rest of the book was another surprise altogether.

The characters in this book were loveable – except for the ones that clearly weren’t supposed to be. The author developed them well. I felt Celia’s emotions and was drawn into the experience. The author developed Celia’s relationship with her family and friends beautifully. I loved the depiction of her little triangle family, since I have one of my own I always adore when they’re represented in media because even today we’re not considered the “norm.” I loved seeing her regular life alongside the wild, ridiculous situation happening to her.

This was such an interesting experience that challenged my own moral compass and ideas. It really highlighted some issues we have in our criminal justice system – even though I live in the United States, I know we have similar issues – and it’s sad. I could see this story taking place here as well. While, of course, it was a story about death, loss, and tragedy, it was a story about love, family, and friendship, and it was a story about what you would do if you found out that someone you love with everything you are had done something horrific. And, it was an exercise in a way of how that might change you as a person. I really enjoyed going on that journey with Celia as it changed her, and in some ways, healed her.

I haven’t read the author’s previous book, but I will definitely add it and future books to my list. This one was good. The plot, characters, and premise were exciting, relatable, and unique. I can’t wait to read more.

Who’s It For
If you love morally grey characters and exploring moral questions, this is a brilliant book for you. If you love fast-paced thrillers with twists and turns that keep you guessing, you will love this book.

Content Warning: Sexual assault, mention of child harm (off page), murder, PTSD, adult situations, adult language

Helpful

Jerica Elizabeth

A page-turning thriller

Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2023

This thriller was a quick read for me because I could not put it down! Seriously. I was reading at work while my coffee brewed because I needed to see how it was going to end!
In her first year of university Celia is attacked by her boyfriend's friends at a party. Now years later the men who attacked her are turning up dead. Celia must face her own feelings and trauma over the event as she tries to find out who may be targeting these men.
I've read a few thrillers now that fall into this post- Me Too era and I'm here for it. I loved that the book focused less on what actually happened to Celia and more on how it's affected her, leaving her with what seems like constant anxiety and panic attacks. And I loved the question it raises--how DO we feel about monsters being targeted by a monster?
This was a compelling read and one i couldn't stop talking about with my friends (seriously, I even brought it up at a wedding I was attending!) And I'll definitely be looking for more from this author!

Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2023

The prologue was very intriguing and had me wondering who was murdering these men until 35% of the book when the story really picks ups. The story is very well written and descriptive. It shows you what can happen when past traumas can impact you years later out of nowhere.
The relationship between the characters, especially Lilly and Celia's was great. I really enjoyed Lilly's character and how fierce she's when it comes to Celia.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read. There were a few things left unanswered and the author provided enough information for you to figure out what was happening.
CW: Please read all triggers and content waiting. Ex:
Sexual assault mentioned.

Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2023

Celia was attacked in college and she was too scared to do anything about it. Now when one of her attackers turns up dead, the police question her and she’s not sure what they know or why she’s suddenly in the crosshairs. As bodies stack up, it’s clear someone is targeting these men. Can Celia figure out what is happening before she ends up on the hook for their murders.

This is a great revenge story. It goes quite quickly from being a pacey mystery to an all out kick a** revenge story. I’m not sure I bought Celia’s quick transition. But I really loved Lily’s strong, balanced attitude. Read this one if you loved The Collective.

Thanks to Love Books Tours for the gifted copy. All opinions above are my own.

Helpful

Amanda Felton

Twisty turning so good

Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2023

This book was so so good. I couldn’t get enough of it. I loved Celia and Lilly and how close they were. The twists and turns in this book are crazy. I was shocked I was surprised I was impressed. This book had all the feels for me. I love a good book that keeps you guessing and gosh this book had all of that !! I was disappointed with the ending I wanted more detail in Celia’s story and her coming into her own!! I highly recommend this book!! Go and get it !!

Helpful

Kindle Customer C📲📱🔖📚📖

Betrayals hurts.

Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2023

This is a story that's comes out April 26th of 2023. The paperback is available April 12th of 2023. This a story of a woman getting hurt in a tragic horrible way. The female betrayed is Celia, by her boyfriend Theo. and his friends plan to gang rape, Celia. Then, Theo girlfriend that was Celia at the time. was sexually assaulted by him and his friends at a party. Celia only told her friend, and roommates, Lily. Celia moved on n her life with a loving husband name Simon, and a daughter's name Dawn. The past a way of coming back up and men are missing and found murdered. This story ending is so awesome.

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Mimiorphee

I lost interest

Reviewed in France on November 15, 2023

Verified Purchase

DNF @60%
Penance wasn't my first book by this author, but although I loved the mystery and the pace of my previous read, this story left me unfeeling. I couldn't make myself relate to the characters or get invested into the storyline. The mystery unfolded soon enough, so much so that I lost interest halfway. I tried to read more but couldn't get into it anymore. My reading bubble was burst.

Max Petch

An exploration of agency and revenge

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 26, 2023

Verified Purchase

In this fantastic book, Barnes tells a brilliant story of the lengths that people will go to. Exploring how a person lives with or works through their trauma.

Penance is an absolute page turner, with each story beat keeping me on tender hooks all the way through.

Whilst some of the topics covered aren't pleasant, I think this is Barnes' most important novel to date!

One person found this helpful

livia sbarbaro.

Gripping ...

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 7, 2023

Verified Purchase

When Celia was a first year student at University, she looked at life through rose coloured glasses, the thing about rose coloured glasses is sometimes you don't see the red flags ..One night at a house party , she is assaulted by her then boyfriend and his friend .Scarred and broken inside, she tells no one apart from her best friend Lily ..She puts that night into a box and pushes it to the back of her mind. Now Celia, a literary talent representative, is married to Simon .They have a beautiful daughter and their lives are happy and settled. When Celia finds out that one of her attackers has been murdered, as the memories of that night come flooding back , she sets out to find who killed him ..But is revenge a dish best served cold ..? Or is it an eye for an eye and the whole world is blinded ...

One person found this helpful

Ms Lesley A Curwen

Moral quagmire - both fascinating and disturbing

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 23, 2023

Verified Purchase

I found this portrait of a marriage, and a friendship, dazzling and disturbing. The story shows us the slow creep of amorality (and worse) in the character of someone already quite broken. In the end, the reader too finds themself seduced by wrong decisions, getting used to a reality which is utterly unacceptable.

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Charlotte Barnes

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