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I Will Ruin You
12 hours
In the latest novel from New York Times bestselling author Linwood Barclay, a teacher’s act of heroism inadvertently makes him the target of a dangerous blackmailer who will stop at nothing to get what he wants.
How would you react in a life-or-death situation?
It’s a question everyone asks themselves, but few have to face in real life. English teacher Richard Boyle certainly never thought he would find himself talking down a former student intent on harming others, but when Mark LeDrew shows up at Richard’s school with a bomb strapped to his chest, Richard immediately jumps into action. Thanks to some quick thinking, he averts a major tragedy and is hailed as a hero, but not all the attention focused on him is positive.
Richard’s brief moment in the spotlight puts him in the sights of a deranged blackmailer with a score to settle. The situation rapidly spirals out of control, drawing Richard into a fraught web of salacious accusations and deadly secrets. As he tries to uncover the truth he discovers that there’s something deeply wrong in the town—something that ties together Mark, the blackmailer, and a gang of ruthless drug dealers, and Richard has landed smack in the middle of it. He’s desperate to find a way out, but everyone in his life seems to be hiding something, and trusting the wrong person could cost him everything he loves.
What price will he pay for one good deed?
In the latest novel from New York Times bestselling author Linwood Barclay, a teacher’s act of heroism inadvertently makes him the target of a dangerous blackmailer who will stop at nothing to get what he wants.
How would you react in a life-or-death situation?
It’s a question everyone asks themselves, but few have to face in real life. English teacher Richard Boyle certainly never thought he would find himself talking down a former student intent on harming others, but when Mark LeDrew shows up at Richard’s school with a bomb strapped to his chest, Richard immediately jumps into action. Thanks to some quick thinking, he averts a major tragedy and is hailed as a hero, but not all the attention focused on him is positive.
Richard’s brief moment in the spotlight puts him in the sights of a deranged blackmailer with a score to settle. The situation rapidly spirals out of control, drawing Richard into a fraught web of salacious accusations and deadly secrets. As he tries to uncover the truth he discovers that there’s something deeply wrong in the town—something that ties together Mark, the blackmailer, and a gang of ruthless drug dealers, and Richard has landed smack in the middle of it. He’s desperate to find a way out, but everyone in his life seems to be hiding something, and trusting the wrong person could cost him everything he loves.
What price will he pay for one good deed?
Audiobook
First published May 7, 2024
About the author
Linwood Barclay
81 books6,500 followersLinwood Barclay is the #1 internationally bestselling author of seventeen novels for adults, including No Time for Goodbye, Trust Your Eyes and, most recently, A Noise Downstairs. He has also written two novels for children and screenplays.
Three of those seventeen novels comprise the epic Promise Falls trilogy: Broken Promise, Far From True, and The Twenty-Three. His two novels for children – Chase and Escape – star a computer-enhanced dog named Chipper who’s on the run from the evil organization that turned him into a super-pup.
Barclay’s 2011 thriller, The Accident, has been turned into the six-part television series L’Accident in France, and he adapted his novel Never Saw it Coming for the movie, directed by Gail Harvey and starring Eric Roberts and Emily Hampshire. Several of his other books either have been, or still are, in development for TV and film.
After spending his formative years helping run a cottage resort and trailer park after his father died when he was 16, Barclay got his first newspaper job at the Peterborough Examiner, a small Ontario daily. In 1981, he joined the Toronto Star, Canada’s largest circulation newspaper.
He held such positions as assistant city editor, chief copy editor, news editor, and Life section editor, before becoming the paper’s humour columnist in 1993. He was one of the paper’s most popular columnists before retiring from the position in 2008 to work exclusively on books.
In 2004, he launched his mystery series about an anxiety-ridden, know-it-all, pain-in-the-butt father by the name of Zack Walker. Bad Move, the first book, was followed by three more Zack Walker thrillers: Bad Guys, Lone Wolf, and Stone Rain. (The last two were published in the UK under the titles Bad Luck and Bad News.)
His first standalone thriller, No Time for Goodbye, was published in 2007 to critical acclaim and great international success. The following year, it was a Richard and Judy Summer Read selection in the UK, and did seven straight weeks at #1 on the UK bestseller list, and finished 2008 as the top selling novel of the year there. The book has since been sold around the world and been translated into nearly thirty languages.
Barclay was born in the United States but moved to Canada just before turning four years old when his father, a commercial artist whose illustrations of cars appeared in Life, Look and Saturday Evening Post (before photography took over), accepted a position with an advertising agency north of the border. Barclay, who graduated with an English literature degree from Trent University, in Peterborough, Ontario, was fortunate to have some very fine mentors; in particular, the celebrated Canadian author Margaret Laurence, whom Linwood first met when she served as writer-in-residence at Trent, and Kenneth Millar, who, under the name Ross Macdonald, wrote the acclaimed series of mystery novels featuring detective Lew Archer. It was at Trent that he met Neetha, the woman who would become his wife. They have two grown children, Spencer and Paige.
Three of those seventeen novels comprise the epic Promise Falls trilogy: Broken Promise, Far From True, and The Twenty-Three. His two novels for children – Chase and Escape – star a computer-enhanced dog named Chipper who’s on the run from the evil organization that turned him into a super-pup.
Barclay’s 2011 thriller, The Accident, has been turned into the six-part television series L’Accident in France, and he adapted his novel Never Saw it Coming for the movie, directed by Gail Harvey and starring Eric Roberts and Emily Hampshire. Several of his other books either have been, or still are, in development for TV and film.
After spending his formative years helping run a cottage resort and trailer park after his father died when he was 16, Barclay got his first newspaper job at the Peterborough Examiner, a small Ontario daily. In 1981, he joined the Toronto Star, Canada’s largest circulation newspaper.
He held such positions as assistant city editor, chief copy editor, news editor, and Life section editor, before becoming the paper’s humour columnist in 1993. He was one of the paper’s most popular columnists before retiring from the position in 2008 to work exclusively on books.
In 2004, he launched his mystery series about an anxiety-ridden, know-it-all, pain-in-the-butt father by the name of Zack Walker. Bad Move, the first book, was followed by three more Zack Walker thrillers: Bad Guys, Lone Wolf, and Stone Rain. (The last two were published in the UK under the titles Bad Luck and Bad News.)
His first standalone thriller, No Time for Goodbye, was published in 2007 to critical acclaim and great international success. The following year, it was a Richard and Judy Summer Read selection in the UK, and did seven straight weeks at #1 on the UK bestseller list, and finished 2008 as the top selling novel of the year there. The book has since been sold around the world and been translated into nearly thirty languages.
Barclay was born in the United States but moved to Canada just before turning four years old when his father, a commercial artist whose illustrations of cars appeared in Life, Look and Saturday Evening Post (before photography took over), accepted a position with an advertising agency north of the border. Barclay, who graduated with an English literature degree from Trent University, in Peterborough, Ontario, was fortunate to have some very fine mentors; in particular, the celebrated Canadian author Margaret Laurence, whom Linwood first met when she served as writer-in-residence at Trent, and Kenneth Millar, who, under the name Ross Macdonald, wrote the acclaimed series of mystery novels featuring detective Lew Archer. It was at Trent that he met Neetha, the woman who would become his wife. They have two grown children, Spencer and Paige.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 523 reviews
May 13, 2024
3.5⭐️
After high school English teacher Richard Boyle intercepts Mark LeDrew, a former student attempting to enter the school building with a bomb strapped to his chest and manages to talk him out of entering the building thus averting a mass tragedy, he is hailed a hero. However, the incident also attracts the attention of a former student with a grudge. Billy Finster, an airport baggage handler with shady dealings, threatens to go public with his allegations unless Richard pays him for his silence. Richard vehemently denies Billy’s allegations but suspects that Billy’s accusations might not be completely baseless as Mark had also voiced similar grievances. But Billy isn’t Richard’s only problem. Jealous colleagues, a lawsuit, irate parents protesting Richard’s classroom discussions on books they deem inappropriate and coping with the trauma of almost being blown up and the strain of keeping secrets from his wife complicated the situation further. Unbeknownst to Richard, Billy’s criminal associates are being investigated by Richard’s sister-in-law, who works in law enforcement. As the narrative progresses, we follow Richard as he tries to deal with his blackmailer, keep himself and his family safe from Billy’s criminal associates and get to the truth behind Billy’s accusations.
Having enjoyed the author’s work in the past, I was eager to read his latest offering. I was intrigued by the premise of I Will Ruin You by Linwood Barclay. The narrative is shared in short chapters from multiple perspectives, including Richard’s first-person PoV. Twisty, suspenseful and consistently paced, there is a lot to like about this thriller. The beginning of the novel had me hooked. Richard was an interesting protagonist and I thought the author incorporated several relevant themes into the narrative. However, as the narrative progressed, I thought that there was perhaps too much going on (a few of the sub-plots were unnecessary), which was distracting. I was hoping for a more tightly woven thriller and I can’t help feeling a tad disappointed, though I did enjoy the novel overall and look forward to exploring more of the author’s work in the future.
Many thanks to William Morrow for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
After high school English teacher Richard Boyle intercepts Mark LeDrew, a former student attempting to enter the school building with a bomb strapped to his chest and manages to talk him out of entering the building thus averting a mass tragedy, he is hailed a hero. However, the incident also attracts the attention of a former student with a grudge. Billy Finster, an airport baggage handler with shady dealings, threatens to go public with his allegations unless Richard pays him for his silence. Richard vehemently denies Billy’s allegations but suspects that Billy’s accusations might not be completely baseless as Mark had also voiced similar grievances. But Billy isn’t Richard’s only problem. Jealous colleagues, a lawsuit, irate parents protesting Richard’s classroom discussions on books they deem inappropriate and coping with the trauma of almost being blown up and the strain of keeping secrets from his wife complicated the situation further. Unbeknownst to Richard, Billy’s criminal associates are being investigated by Richard’s sister-in-law, who works in law enforcement. As the narrative progresses, we follow Richard as he tries to deal with his blackmailer, keep himself and his family safe from Billy’s criminal associates and get to the truth behind Billy’s accusations.
Having enjoyed the author’s work in the past, I was eager to read his latest offering. I was intrigued by the premise of I Will Ruin You by Linwood Barclay. The narrative is shared in short chapters from multiple perspectives, including Richard’s first-person PoV. Twisty, suspenseful and consistently paced, there is a lot to like about this thriller. The beginning of the novel had me hooked. Richard was an interesting protagonist and I thought the author incorporated several relevant themes into the narrative. However, as the narrative progressed, I thought that there was perhaps too much going on (a few of the sub-plots were unnecessary), which was distracting. I was hoping for a more tightly woven thriller and I can’t help feeling a tad disappointed, though I did enjoy the novel overall and look forward to exploring more of the author’s work in the future.
Many thanks to William Morrow for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
May 28, 2024
4.5🌟
Talk about a day going from bad to worse….
Richard is a local high school teacher who should be on cloud-nine right now. After all, he thwarted a potential school bombing this morning. So why isn’t he celebrating with his family? Well, let’s see…
🔹A lawsuit resulting from the bombing
🔹A group of parents coming together to question his selection of reading materials for their kids.
🔹And a blackmailer that popped up out of the blue.
So much for being a hero!
This was a fun, light thriller where our MC goes from one “what have you gotten yourself into now” moment to another! Loved it!
I’ve been reading Linwood Barclay’s books for years. I decided to try the audio for this latest and glad I did. Both narrators, George Newbern and Johnathan McClain did a brilliant job!
In the final third of the read the twist come at you fast and furious so make sure you’re paying attention or you will easily miss out!
Talk about a day going from bad to worse….
Richard is a local high school teacher who should be on cloud-nine right now. After all, he thwarted a potential school bombing this morning. So why isn’t he celebrating with his family? Well, let’s see…
🔹A lawsuit resulting from the bombing
🔹A group of parents coming together to question his selection of reading materials for their kids.
🔹And a blackmailer that popped up out of the blue.
So much for being a hero!
This was a fun, light thriller where our MC goes from one “what have you gotten yourself into now” moment to another! Loved it!
I’ve been reading Linwood Barclay’s books for years. I decided to try the audio for this latest and glad I did. Both narrators, George Newbern and Johnathan McClain did a brilliant job!
In the final third of the read the twist come at you fast and furious so make sure you’re paying attention or you will easily miss out!
May 27, 2024
Linwood Barclay is one of my go-to thriller authors, known for crafting heart-throbbing page-turners that leave you breathless and on the edge of your seat. His latest psychological thriller is no exception, showcasing his exemplary storytelling skills. The only things that held me back from giving it five stars were the predictable final twist and the whirlwind of incidents that touched on several trigger subjects, such as drug use, gun violence, dysfunctional family issues, and sexual harassment. It felt a bit overwhelming at times, with so much happening simultaneously, making it hard for me to fully grasp and absorb all the themes. However, Barclay's masterful execution ties up the storylines with satisfying explanations and a well-rounded ending. I was also impressed by the layered and realistic characterization.
The story follows English teacher Richard Boyle, who is hailed as a Good Samaritan—a dedicated teacher, husband, and caring individual. His life takes a drastic turn when his troubled former student, Mark, shows up at the school with dynamites strapped to his body, threatening to blow them up. Risking his life, Richard manages to negotiate with Mark and persuade him to move outside the school premises. Tragically, Mark trips and detonates the explosives outside, but Richard is hailed as a hero. However, his actions thrust him into a whirlwind of events, including lawsuits from Mark's parents, blackmail from another student, and scrutiny over his choice of reading materials for his students. As Richard delves deeper, he uncovers connections between Mark's attack and dangerous drug gangs threatening the town's peace. With his marriage faltering and trust in his friends wavering, Richard realizes that he may be the prime suspect in Mark's death and must race against time to clear his name and uncover the truth. Amidst suspicion and deceit, one wrong move could lead him down a path of no return.
Overall, this thriller is a mind-bending, twisty, adrenaline rush that deserves a spot on your reading list. I highly recommend it to fans of Barclay's work and eagerly anticipate his future releases.
Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing me with a digital review copy of this addictive page-turner in exchange for my honest review.
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The story follows English teacher Richard Boyle, who is hailed as a Good Samaritan—a dedicated teacher, husband, and caring individual. His life takes a drastic turn when his troubled former student, Mark, shows up at the school with dynamites strapped to his body, threatening to blow them up. Risking his life, Richard manages to negotiate with Mark and persuade him to move outside the school premises. Tragically, Mark trips and detonates the explosives outside, but Richard is hailed as a hero. However, his actions thrust him into a whirlwind of events, including lawsuits from Mark's parents, blackmail from another student, and scrutiny over his choice of reading materials for his students. As Richard delves deeper, he uncovers connections between Mark's attack and dangerous drug gangs threatening the town's peace. With his marriage faltering and trust in his friends wavering, Richard realizes that he may be the prime suspect in Mark's death and must race against time to clear his name and uncover the truth. Amidst suspicion and deceit, one wrong move could lead him down a path of no return.
Overall, this thriller is a mind-bending, twisty, adrenaline rush that deserves a spot on your reading list. I highly recommend it to fans of Barclay's work and eagerly anticipate his future releases.
Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing me with a digital review copy of this addictive page-turner in exchange for my honest review.
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July 9, 2024
A heroic act brings unwanted attention for a high school teacher!
3.5.
When a former student, Mark LeDrew, enters Lodge High where Richard Boyle works, wearing explosives, Richard manages to talk him down. But while retreating Mark accidentally removes his finger from the trigger, detonating the bomb, killing only himself in the blast. Richard is unwittingly a hero – praised by his family, school and community for his actions and bravery.
But his moment in the spotlight brings enemies out of the woodwork, all of whom hold grievances against Richard. To protect his reputation, Richard attempts to resolve the matters himself. It's his first of many mistakes, because Richard has much more to lose than just his reputation.
I Will Ruin You (love the title) was an exhilarating, fast-moving, exciting, quick read. Honestly, Linwood Barclay has always reminded me of Harlan Coben, and vice versa – not enough for me to mix up the two authors – but their writing styles and types of plots share commonalities. There were some rollercoaster chapters cliffhangers, but unfortunately the final reveal was kind of obvious. Also, there were several sub-plots that were either resolved too easily or fizzled out which made me wonder if they were only included to distract from the perpetrator and add more suspects. Which didn’t work on me. Even though drug-dealing isn’t my preferred plot in a domestic thriller there were some great twists in that storyline.
All in all, an above average read which kept me entertained and glued to its pages.
3.5.
When a former student, Mark LeDrew, enters Lodge High where Richard Boyle works, wearing explosives, Richard manages to talk him down. But while retreating Mark accidentally removes his finger from the trigger, detonating the bomb, killing only himself in the blast. Richard is unwittingly a hero – praised by his family, school and community for his actions and bravery.
But his moment in the spotlight brings enemies out of the woodwork, all of whom hold grievances against Richard. To protect his reputation, Richard attempts to resolve the matters himself. It's his first of many mistakes, because Richard has much more to lose than just his reputation.
I Will Ruin You (love the title) was an exhilarating, fast-moving, exciting, quick read. Honestly, Linwood Barclay has always reminded me of Harlan Coben, and vice versa – not enough for me to mix up the two authors – but their writing styles and types of plots share commonalities. There were some rollercoaster chapters cliffhangers, but unfortunately the final reveal was kind of obvious. Also, there were several sub-plots that were either resolved too easily or fizzled out which made me wonder if they were only included to distract from the perpetrator and add more suspects. Which didn’t work on me. Even though drug-dealing isn’t my preferred plot in a domestic thriller there were some great twists in that storyline.
All in all, an above average read which kept me entertained and glued to its pages.
May 17, 2024
What would you do if you are in English teacher Richard Boyles shoes? He’s mid lesson (FYI., The Road, Cormac McCarthy) when he spots someone running towards the school entrance wearing a suicide vest. He tells the class to lock and then bar the door, to call 911 whilst he rushes to the front door, yelling.’ Lockdown’ en route. There, intent on causing maximum harm is ex student Mark LeDrew and he has a very specific kill list. What occurs on that fateful door threshold puts Richard in the spotlight and he comes to the attention of another student in Billy Finister and he has a score to settle. This dramatic day is a catalyst for a sequence of events as Richard finds himself at the centre of a cluster storm. Is Richard in freefall? Is he the hero the media believes him to be?
The start of the book is both shocking, terrifying and moving and it certainly pulls you into the storytelling and there’s always something going on to keep your attention there. There are numerous suspenseful moments and chapters which end on cliffhangers which keeps you reading eagerly on. As you would expect from this experienced best selling author there are plenty of intriguing twists, it’s all told at a brisk pace and builds to an unexpected ending because they’re such good misdirection.
In the middle of all the drama is Richard and basically he’s a good man, but he doesn’t always make the most rational decisions because he’s under pressure and how. Does he deserve what falls on his head? Up to you to decide although I do shout Noooo at him on a couple of occasions !
Whilst I can honestly say this novel keeps me entertained, the plot has a lot of things going on in it, perhaps there are too many subplots which gets a bit overwhelming. It’s a bit like a load of fireworks all going off at the same time, exploding in different directions and you don’t know which way to look. Probably the authors intention so you don’t spot the most important plot firework!
Overall though, it maintains my interest throughout which is the aim of an authors game!
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HQ for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
The start of the book is both shocking, terrifying and moving and it certainly pulls you into the storytelling and there’s always something going on to keep your attention there. There are numerous suspenseful moments and chapters which end on cliffhangers which keeps you reading eagerly on. As you would expect from this experienced best selling author there are plenty of intriguing twists, it’s all told at a brisk pace and builds to an unexpected ending because they’re such good misdirection.
In the middle of all the drama is Richard and basically he’s a good man, but he doesn’t always make the most rational decisions because he’s under pressure and how. Does he deserve what falls on his head? Up to you to decide although I do shout Noooo at him on a couple of occasions !
Whilst I can honestly say this novel keeps me entertained, the plot has a lot of things going on in it, perhaps there are too many subplots which gets a bit overwhelming. It’s a bit like a load of fireworks all going off at the same time, exploding in different directions and you don’t know which way to look. Probably the authors intention so you don’t spot the most important plot firework!
Overall though, it maintains my interest throughout which is the aim of an authors game!
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HQ for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
June 26, 2024
A Teacher's act of heroism puts him in the crosshairs of a diabolical blackmailer who is determined to get what he wants no matter the cost! I Will Ruin You grabbed my attention from the very first page with the harrowing scene and had me wondering how thing were going to work out as the plot morphed into something that I did not see coming.
Richard Boyle is a high school English teacher who stepped in and stopped a former student who had a bomb strapped to his chest from causing a major catastrophe at the school. Little does Richard know that the attention he receives from his heroic actions that day will have a very negative effect on his life. A vengeful blackmailer is determined to settle a score and Richard finds himself in the middle of accusations, lies, secrets, drugs, and danger!
This book started strongly and then slowed down a bit. There were times where I had no clue where things were going and how everything was going to be tied together. There is a lot going on within the pages of this book. There were also times where I wasn't even sure that I liked this book mainly because there were a few things thrown in that didn't seem to help the plot. I stayed with it, and I was impressed with how Linwood Barclay brought everything together in the end! There were a few 'aha' moments when everything became clear.
This book is told through the POV's of many characters which was a nice touch. I enjoyed getting to know their motivations and thoughts. As Richard tried to clear his name and get to the truth, I could feel his desperation and frustration. I also enjoyed the tension, sense of unease and the mounting danger which are woven nicely into the book.
As I mentioned, Linwood Barclay pulled everything nicely together in the end. I saw one reveal coming but overall was impressed by how everything came together. While I didn't enjoy this one as much as I have his other books, I still found this book to be enjoyable, well thought out, and wonderfully written.
*I listened to the audiobook and thought the narration was wonderful. Very nicely done.
Thank you to HarperCollins UK Audio and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
Richard Boyle is a high school English teacher who stepped in and stopped a former student who had a bomb strapped to his chest from causing a major catastrophe at the school. Little does Richard know that the attention he receives from his heroic actions that day will have a very negative effect on his life. A vengeful blackmailer is determined to settle a score and Richard finds himself in the middle of accusations, lies, secrets, drugs, and danger!
This book started strongly and then slowed down a bit. There were times where I had no clue where things were going and how everything was going to be tied together. There is a lot going on within the pages of this book. There were also times where I wasn't even sure that I liked this book mainly because there were a few things thrown in that didn't seem to help the plot. I stayed with it, and I was impressed with how Linwood Barclay brought everything together in the end! There were a few 'aha' moments when everything became clear.
This book is told through the POV's of many characters which was a nice touch. I enjoyed getting to know their motivations and thoughts. As Richard tried to clear his name and get to the truth, I could feel his desperation and frustration. I also enjoyed the tension, sense of unease and the mounting danger which are woven nicely into the book.
As I mentioned, Linwood Barclay pulled everything nicely together in the end. I saw one reveal coming but overall was impressed by how everything came together. While I didn't enjoy this one as much as I have his other books, I still found this book to be enjoyable, well thought out, and wonderfully written.
*I listened to the audiobook and thought the narration was wonderful. Very nicely done.
Thank you to HarperCollins UK Audio and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
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December 22, 2023Favorite author Alert!
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June 13, 2024
I am a big fan of Linwood Barclay books. He has a way of putting every day people into extraordinary situations and seeing just how messed up their lives can become, This is what happens to English teacher, Richard Boyle.
This teacher finds himself trying to talk down a former student who turns up at the school with a bomb strapped to him, He manages to talk him down, but it is the start of an absolute nightmare for the teacher. If it can go wrong it will, and he finds himself in some seriously dangerous situations. I don’t want to spoil anything so you just need to read this to believe it. It is a wild story and highly entertaining. Just go with it, it is fun and shocking at the same time.
The narrator George Newburn was just brilliant. Made me believe that there was a whole cast narration. I will definitely like to listen to more from him.
Thanks so much to Harper Collins UK Audio for my advanced copy to listen to. Out on August 1st.
This teacher finds himself trying to talk down a former student who turns up at the school with a bomb strapped to him, He manages to talk him down, but it is the start of an absolute nightmare for the teacher. If it can go wrong it will, and he finds himself in some seriously dangerous situations. I don’t want to spoil anything so you just need to read this to believe it. It is a wild story and highly entertaining. Just go with it, it is fun and shocking at the same time.
The narrator George Newburn was just brilliant. Made me believe that there was a whole cast narration. I will definitely like to listen to more from him.
Thanks so much to Harper Collins UK Audio for my advanced copy to listen to. Out on August 1st.
June 16, 2024
This is the fourth book I've read by this author and have to say I have loved every one of them and will definitely be reading more and recommending them to everyone. What a thrill ride.
All of his books could easily be made into movies especially "I will ruin you" which is probably every teacher's worst nightmare.
Richard Boyle an English teacher spots an ex pupil on the school grounds with a bomb strapped to his chest. He somehow manages to jump into action and avoid a catastrophe to become the hero, but now all eyes are on him and someone starts to blackmail him, putting his whole livelihood at risk. What would you do?
I part read and part listened to this book and was easily able to pick up where I left off due to the great narration by George Newburn and Johnathan McClain, two American actors, who do a fantastic job.
Great characters, great twisty story, great book and a big thank you to Harper Collins UK Audio/HQ for giving me the chance to read and review an advance copy of this Linwood's latest hit.
All of his books could easily be made into movies especially "I will ruin you" which is probably every teacher's worst nightmare.
Richard Boyle an English teacher spots an ex pupil on the school grounds with a bomb strapped to his chest. He somehow manages to jump into action and avoid a catastrophe to become the hero, but now all eyes are on him and someone starts to blackmail him, putting his whole livelihood at risk. What would you do?
I part read and part listened to this book and was easily able to pick up where I left off due to the great narration by George Newburn and Johnathan McClain, two American actors, who do a fantastic job.
Great characters, great twisty story, great book and a big thank you to Harper Collins UK Audio/HQ for giving me the chance to read and review an advance copy of this Linwood's latest hit.
June 10, 2024
4.5 Stars
Loved Linwood Barclay's newest thriller.
Richard Boyle, a teacher at a high school, stops a student from blowing up the school.
The student was strapped with explosives, and Richard talks him away from the school.
Before the bombs detonate, the student tells Richard of one teacher who had molested him in the past.
Richard is devastated but keeps this story to himself until he starts getting threatened.
It was a suspenseful story from beginning to end with lots of twists
Loved Linwood Barclay's newest thriller.
Richard Boyle, a teacher at a high school, stops a student from blowing up the school.
The student was strapped with explosives, and Richard talks him away from the school.
Before the bombs detonate, the student tells Richard of one teacher who had molested him in the past.
Richard is devastated but keeps this story to himself until he starts getting threatened.
It was a suspenseful story from beginning to end with lots of twists
May 25, 2024
Linwood Barclay brings another thought-provoking novel to the table for the curious reader. Always able to dig into a topic, Barclay keeps the reader in the thick of things as he weaves a chilling tale about sacrifice and the pitfalls of being selfless. Barclay has a great ability to rise above the fray to shock and surprise. Another great piece that had me reading well into the night.
Richard Boyle thought this would be another Monday morning at school. While teaching high school English, Richard is forced to deal with a former student. With a bomb strapped to his chest, Mark LeDrew, hopes to right a wrong and harm some people at school, but things soon go sideways and Richard Boyle is able to prove himself a hero after the explosion. Only LeDrew perishes in the aftermath.
Richard is able to spend a little time in the spotlight, but that leaves the door open for a deranged blackmailer with a score to settle. The lies and abuse accusations spiral out of control, forcing many to wonder if Richard is the hero he appeared to be that day, or if he has deep secrets that could destroy him. As Richard takes time digging into the accusations the blackmail presents, he discovers that there is a connection to the blackmailer, Mark LeDrew, and a collection of local drug dealers. The mystery deepens and Richard can only wonder why he’s caught in the web.
As Richard seeks to clear his name, he discovers that not everyone is ready to simply take his word for it. He must strive to get to the truth, even if it means scorning those he thought he could trust. The realisation that everyone’s secrets could be weaponised has Richard wondering who he can trust to clear his name. All this came to pass simply because he tried to do a good deed! A great novel in which Barclay forces the reader to self-reflect on their own selfless acts.
Whenever I read something by Linwood Barclay, I can be sure that I’ll end up hooked after the first few chapters. He has a way of leading the reader along a path, charging his stories with suspense and some psychological moments. In a narrative that points in a specific direction, Barclay is able to divert the reader’s attention long enough to change direction and prove just as chilling. By the time the story’s momentum is maximised, the reader is fully committed and finds there is no way out. Great characters emerge, helping to add something else to his stories. That these are standalone novels makes character development all the more important.
In what looks to be a story about a man’s personal sacrifice, things turn to his being smeared for an assault in the past. There are many moments of plot development that Barclay shapes and utilises to his advantage. The surprises and quick twists keep the story on edge and provide the reader with something they can enjoy, unable to guess what awaits them around the corner. I have long enjoyed Linwood Barclay’s writing and this novel did nothing but support that sentiment!
Kudos, Mr. Barclay, for another story that leaves it all on the field.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Richard Boyle thought this would be another Monday morning at school. While teaching high school English, Richard is forced to deal with a former student. With a bomb strapped to his chest, Mark LeDrew, hopes to right a wrong and harm some people at school, but things soon go sideways and Richard Boyle is able to prove himself a hero after the explosion. Only LeDrew perishes in the aftermath.
Richard is able to spend a little time in the spotlight, but that leaves the door open for a deranged blackmailer with a score to settle. The lies and abuse accusations spiral out of control, forcing many to wonder if Richard is the hero he appeared to be that day, or if he has deep secrets that could destroy him. As Richard takes time digging into the accusations the blackmail presents, he discovers that there is a connection to the blackmailer, Mark LeDrew, and a collection of local drug dealers. The mystery deepens and Richard can only wonder why he’s caught in the web.
As Richard seeks to clear his name, he discovers that not everyone is ready to simply take his word for it. He must strive to get to the truth, even if it means scorning those he thought he could trust. The realisation that everyone’s secrets could be weaponised has Richard wondering who he can trust to clear his name. All this came to pass simply because he tried to do a good deed! A great novel in which Barclay forces the reader to self-reflect on their own selfless acts.
Whenever I read something by Linwood Barclay, I can be sure that I’ll end up hooked after the first few chapters. He has a way of leading the reader along a path, charging his stories with suspense and some psychological moments. In a narrative that points in a specific direction, Barclay is able to divert the reader’s attention long enough to change direction and prove just as chilling. By the time the story’s momentum is maximised, the reader is fully committed and finds there is no way out. Great characters emerge, helping to add something else to his stories. That these are standalone novels makes character development all the more important.
In what looks to be a story about a man’s personal sacrifice, things turn to his being smeared for an assault in the past. There are many moments of plot development that Barclay shapes and utilises to his advantage. The surprises and quick twists keep the story on edge and provide the reader with something they can enjoy, unable to guess what awaits them around the corner. I have long enjoyed Linwood Barclay’s writing and this novel did nothing but support that sentiment!
Kudos, Mr. Barclay, for another story that leaves it all on the field.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
July 29, 2024
Linwood Barclay has been a favorite author of mine for many years. I like his writing style, placing ordinary people in extraordinary situations, with short chapters that move the story along quickly. This one had a lot going on-school violence, abuse, drug dealing, blackmail, book banning, marital issues-not all of which are my favorite topics. I was often frustrated by some of Richard's decisions and the lack of communication between Richard and his wife, Bonnie. The last part of the book is fast-paced with all the loose ends tied up nicely, although I thought the ending was rather abrupt. Not my favorite of the author's books, but still an entertaining and quick read.
September 2, 2024
The opening scene is tense and attention grabbing. School teacher Richard Boyle spots an ex-student approaching the school in a manner that strongly suggests he intends to do harm. He’s got to act quickly and decisively, or this could end catastrophically. A scene plays out that is both dramatic and sad, and which throws suspicion on at least one member of the school staff for historic deeds, which most likely prompted this act.
In the aftermath of this event, Richard returns to the school to what might be described as a mixed reception. In the background, one teacher in particular seems to be plotting against him. But then Richard is faced by a second major challenge as he is confronted – out of school – by a former student who accuses him of historic misdeeds. This scenario, too, has potential for things to end disastrously for both him and his family.
A group of bad actors involved in drug dealing and Richard’s sister-in-law, a cop, are now added to the pot. What follows is a complex series of events, in which Richard makes a series of poor decisions. In addition, to make the story work and to keep the reader guessing, the author asks us to accept quite a number of unlikely co-incidences and swallow a series of misdirections. In truth, I found this all to be pretty unconvincing and highly contrived. Added to this, I was pretty sure from very early on that I knew who would turn out to be the mysterious baddy lurking in the background (I was proven to be right).
So, for me, this was a story that started brightly but then deteriorated into an elaborately conceived but improbable jumble that really made little sense. It just didn’t feel real. On the upside, the audio version I listened to was very well narrated, and the pace of the story, as well as a constant sense of threat and urgency, was well maintained throughout. On this basis it’s a three star rating from me (which might just be a little on the generous side).
My thanks to HarperCollins UK Audio for providing a copy of this audiobook via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
In the aftermath of this event, Richard returns to the school to what might be described as a mixed reception. In the background, one teacher in particular seems to be plotting against him. But then Richard is faced by a second major challenge as he is confronted – out of school – by a former student who accuses him of historic misdeeds. This scenario, too, has potential for things to end disastrously for both him and his family.
A group of bad actors involved in drug dealing and Richard’s sister-in-law, a cop, are now added to the pot. What follows is a complex series of events, in which Richard makes a series of poor decisions. In addition, to make the story work and to keep the reader guessing, the author asks us to accept quite a number of unlikely co-incidences and swallow a series of misdirections. In truth, I found this all to be pretty unconvincing and highly contrived. Added to this, I was pretty sure from very early on that I knew who would turn out to be the mysterious baddy lurking in the background (I was proven to be right).
So, for me, this was a story that started brightly but then deteriorated into an elaborately conceived but improbable jumble that really made little sense. It just didn’t feel real. On the upside, the audio version I listened to was very well narrated, and the pace of the story, as well as a constant sense of threat and urgency, was well maintained throughout. On this basis it’s a three star rating from me (which might just be a little on the generous side).
My thanks to HarperCollins UK Audio for providing a copy of this audiobook via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 14, 2024
Seeking Solution from Ruin
Review of the William Morrow hardcover (May 7, 2024) released simultaneously with the William Morrow eBook and the HarperAudio audiobook.
Such is circumstance that soon after reading GR Friend Berengaria's review of Linwood Barclay's Never Saw it Coming (2010) I happened to be in the library and there was Barclay's latest novel right there on the New Releases shelf. I saw that as a sign and grabbed it up right away 😊!
Barclay never disappoints with his suspense fiction and I Will Ruin You is yet another successful outing. The plots do get somewhat elaborate and unrealistic at times though. Could a mild-mannered high school teacher defuse a school suicide-bomb threat, be subjected to a blackmail scheme, be hunted by ruthless drug dealers, attempt to solve a possible teacher-student abuse case, be suspected of murder, become the unwilling go-between in a drugs for cash exchange deal etc. etc. and still manage to survive? In a Linwood Barclay novel, yes he can!
Trivia and Links
I Will Ruin You has a subplot about book banning which the teacher Richard Boyle is dragged into due to his use of the off-curriculum book The Road (2006) by Cormac McCarthy in his English language reading class. Author Linwood Barclay wrote a short column about his personal experiences with book banning in a story from his childhood and with his later writing mentor Margaret Laurence and her book The Diviners (1974) which you can read at Linwood Barclay Talks About Book-Banning from The Book Reporter, May 10, 2024.
Barbara Peters of the Poisoned Pen Bookstore interviews Linwood Barclay on the release of I Will Ruin You on its YouTube channel and you can watch the interview here.
Although born in the U.S. in 1955, Linwood Barclay moved with his parents to Canada in 1959 and has lived here ever since, so I count him as a Canadian author. He was a popular humour columnist in my hometown's Toronto Star newspaper for the early part of his career until 2008. After the breakthrough success of his 5th novel No Time for Goodbye (2007), he became a full time novelist. He is somewhat like Harlan Coben, i.e. the books typically have an ordinary person protagonist who is thrust into a mysterious and dangerous situation which they have to resolve.
Review of the William Morrow hardcover (May 7, 2024) released simultaneously with the William Morrow eBook and the HarperAudio audiobook.
Such is circumstance that soon after reading GR Friend Berengaria's review of Linwood Barclay's Never Saw it Coming (2010) I happened to be in the library and there was Barclay's latest novel right there on the New Releases shelf. I saw that as a sign and grabbed it up right away 😊!
Barclay never disappoints with his suspense fiction and I Will Ruin You is yet another successful outing. The plots do get somewhat elaborate and unrealistic at times though. Could a mild-mannered high school teacher defuse a school suicide-bomb threat, be subjected to a blackmail scheme, be hunted by ruthless drug dealers, attempt to solve a possible teacher-student abuse case, be suspected of murder, become the unwilling go-between in a drugs for cash exchange deal etc. etc. and still manage to survive? In a Linwood Barclay novel, yes he can!
Trivia and Links
I Will Ruin You has a subplot about book banning which the teacher Richard Boyle is dragged into due to his use of the off-curriculum book The Road (2006) by Cormac McCarthy in his English language reading class. Author Linwood Barclay wrote a short column about his personal experiences with book banning in a story from his childhood and with his later writing mentor Margaret Laurence and her book The Diviners (1974) which you can read at Linwood Barclay Talks About Book-Banning from The Book Reporter, May 10, 2024.
Barbara Peters of the Poisoned Pen Bookstore interviews Linwood Barclay on the release of I Will Ruin You on its YouTube channel and you can watch the interview here.
Although born in the U.S. in 1955, Linwood Barclay moved with his parents to Canada in 1959 and has lived here ever since, so I count him as a Canadian author. He was a popular humour columnist in my hometown's Toronto Star newspaper for the early part of his career until 2008. After the breakthrough success of his 5th novel No Time for Goodbye (2007), he became a full time novelist. He is somewhat like Harlan Coben, i.e. the books typically have an ordinary person protagonist who is thrust into a mysterious and dangerous situation which they have to resolve.
August 1, 2024
Happy publication day 🎉🥳
The book opens with English teacher Richard Boyle mid lesson, he notices a figure outside, when he realises ex pupil Mark Ledrew is approaching the school vested up with explosives he ditches procedure, shouts to his class to barricade and call 911. He talks to Ledrew who mentions incidents that happened to him when he was at the school, The lawn mower man abused him. He talks Ledrew down, but as he makes his way outside he trips his shoelace and lets go of the button only killing himself, he’s shaken, his wife Bonnie is mad that he put himself in the line of fire like that and his daughter Rachel is as proud as punch.
Boyle is rightfully hailed a local hero, but ex pupil Billy Finster sees the news footage and he’s out to earn some money from Boyle in order to keep his mouth shut about what Richard done to him. Finster is working as a baggage handler, taking extra packages of drugs in along the way and earning cash that he keeps hidden from his wife.
Richard is paying up, but he knows he didn’t abuse the boy, so who did and how will the story end up?
The opening is brilliant, it sets the tone of anticipation for the rest of the book, and while I solved the puzzle less than half way in. I still enjoyed the rest of the story.
The dual narration by George George Newbury and Jonathan McClain was excellent for the most part, but one of them made Billy’s wife sound like a bobs burger character and I had to keep reminding myself to be serious.
Huge thanks to HarperCollins U.K. audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this audio arc.
The book opens with English teacher Richard Boyle mid lesson, he notices a figure outside, when he realises ex pupil Mark Ledrew is approaching the school vested up with explosives he ditches procedure, shouts to his class to barricade and call 911. He talks to Ledrew who mentions incidents that happened to him when he was at the school, The lawn mower man abused him. He talks Ledrew down, but as he makes his way outside he trips his shoelace and lets go of the button only killing himself, he’s shaken, his wife Bonnie is mad that he put himself in the line of fire like that and his daughter Rachel is as proud as punch.
Boyle is rightfully hailed a local hero, but ex pupil Billy Finster sees the news footage and he’s out to earn some money from Boyle in order to keep his mouth shut about what Richard done to him. Finster is working as a baggage handler, taking extra packages of drugs in along the way and earning cash that he keeps hidden from his wife.
Richard is paying up, but he knows he didn’t abuse the boy, so who did and how will the story end up?
The opening is brilliant, it sets the tone of anticipation for the rest of the book, and while I solved the puzzle less than half way in. I still enjoyed the rest of the story.
The dual narration by George George Newbury and Jonathan McClain was excellent for the most part, but one of them made Billy’s wife sound like a bobs burger character and I had to keep reminding myself to be serious.
Huge thanks to HarperCollins U.K. audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this audio arc.
May 14, 2024
My first 2-star book by talented author Linwood Barclay.
WHY 2 STARS?
Not a fan of books about school violence, sexual abuse, and drugs.
Character development was shallow and dialogue boasted waaaay too many tangents.
I listened to the audiobook read by George Newbern and Johnathan McClain.
Both narrators did a superb job with the narration.
June 12, 2024
Linwood Barclay did, in fact, ruin me. He ruined my ability to go to sleep at a reasonable hour. He ruined my ability to focus on adult tasks. He ruined my ability to give attention to my other current physical read because I needed to find out what twists awaited me in his book.
I must confess I’m beginning to think thrillers should be a subgenre of fantasy. Anyone who has ever said, “You must suspend disbelief” knows how preposterous these books can get. There isn’t anything you can really believe in, but a good author sure makes you want to. Barclay definitely created some far fetched scenes, but they are absolutely gripping, and I greedily consumed them.
It wasn’t just the riveting suspense that captivated me with this one. I really loved the conversations surrounding The Road by Cormac McCarthy, as well as the importance of reading books that challenge us or make us uncomfortable. I agree with the main character’s viewpoint on this and I thought it was intelligently addressed.
Although this is generally true with thrillers and horror, I Will Ruin You bursts with potential triggers for readers. This includes an attack on a school, gun violence, and suicide. I particularly struggled with one of the main threads surrounding sexual abuse, although I wouldn’t say it triggered me. I felt uncomfortable with what Barclay was doing with it, worrying that he was treating it indelicately. It was resolved in a way that I was able to accept, but I still wish he hadn’t chosen to use this as a plot device. I do think the main character brought up some sensitive points regarding the issue, and I’m grateful Barclay included that. I also couldn’t help but be affected by what I mentioned in the previous paragraph as I considered how things transpired with this issue.
I have seen a couple people write that I Will Ruin You’s twist was glaringly obvious. I’ve made the same complaint about other books, but I guess I didn’t see what they saw in this one. It took me a little time to piece things together, and I love when that happens. I had the satisfaction of figuring it out without the annoyance of putting it together too quickly. While I don’t mind a jaw dropping twist, this is my favorite way to engage with a mystery.
I really love this guy’s books and I don’t know why this is only the fifth one I’ve read by him. His backlist is lengthy and I need to make a greater effort to dig into it this year. I’m confident that Linwood Barclay’s novels are going to keep being sure things for me.
I am immensely grateful to William Morrow Books and Goodreads for my copy. All opinions are my own.
I must confess I’m beginning to think thrillers should be a subgenre of fantasy. Anyone who has ever said, “You must suspend disbelief” knows how preposterous these books can get. There isn’t anything you can really believe in, but a good author sure makes you want to. Barclay definitely created some far fetched scenes, but they are absolutely gripping, and I greedily consumed them.
It wasn’t just the riveting suspense that captivated me with this one. I really loved the conversations surrounding The Road by Cormac McCarthy, as well as the importance of reading books that challenge us or make us uncomfortable. I agree with the main character’s viewpoint on this and I thought it was intelligently addressed.
Although this is generally true with thrillers and horror, I Will Ruin You bursts with potential triggers for readers. This includes an attack on a school, gun violence, and suicide. I particularly struggled with one of the main threads surrounding sexual abuse, although I wouldn’t say it triggered me. I felt uncomfortable with what Barclay was doing with it, worrying that he was treating it indelicately. It was resolved in a way that I was able to accept, but I still wish he hadn’t chosen to use this as a plot device. I do think the main character brought up some sensitive points regarding the issue, and I’m grateful Barclay included that. I also couldn’t help but be affected by what I mentioned in the previous paragraph as I considered how things transpired with this issue.
I have seen a couple people write that I Will Ruin You’s twist was glaringly obvious. I’ve made the same complaint about other books, but I guess I didn’t see what they saw in this one. It took me a little time to piece things together, and I love when that happens. I had the satisfaction of figuring it out without the annoyance of putting it together too quickly. While I don’t mind a jaw dropping twist, this is my favorite way to engage with a mystery.
I really love this guy’s books and I don’t know why this is only the fifth one I’ve read by him. His backlist is lengthy and I need to make a greater effort to dig into it this year. I’m confident that Linwood Barclay’s novels are going to keep being sure things for me.
I am immensely grateful to William Morrow Books and Goodreads for my copy. All opinions are my own.
June 4, 2024
4.5 stars… I really enjoyed this one jumping from listening to reading and going through most of the book in a day.
Richard thwarts a school bombing becoming a hero…
quickly he is sued by the parents of the bomber, a blackmailer, who sees him on the news, comes after him for something he never did, parents are going after his choice of school reading material and his wife is angry at him for taking chances.
What a page turner!
Richard thwarts a school bombing becoming a hero…
quickly he is sued by the parents of the bomber, a blackmailer, who sees him on the news, comes after him for something he never did, parents are going after his choice of school reading material and his wife is angry at him for taking chances.
What a page turner!
May 4, 2024
Definitely not one of Barclay's best novels.
June 16, 2024
I Will Ruin You is my first time reading Linwood Barclay, and boy he did not disappoint! The story is told from a few different viewpoints, and I loved the way they set the pacing and tone of the book. The pacing was whip quick and there was literally never a dull moment between Richard being blackmailed after saving his school from a student with the intent to kill, drug dealers, and a host of secrets. Barclay even threw the subject of book banning into this timely and heart-racing storyline, making it full of substance as well as suspense.
The audiobook was fantastic and narrated by George Newbern & Johnathan McClain. I have listened to both of them before and they are insanely talented which came through perfectly in I Will Ruin You. I would highly recommend the audio, but it will be a quick read any route you decide to go. I wasn’t sure if there would be any gore, and minus the part in the beginning, there really wasn’t anything too awful, so squeamish readers should be fine. I couldn’t believe where the climax took us, and it raised the hair on my arms it was so mind-blowing! This definitely won’t be the last of me reading Barclay, and I must get to his other books now.
The audiobook was fantastic and narrated by George Newbern & Johnathan McClain. I have listened to both of them before and they are insanely talented which came through perfectly in I Will Ruin You. I would highly recommend the audio, but it will be a quick read any route you decide to go. I wasn’t sure if there would be any gore, and minus the part in the beginning, there really wasn’t anything too awful, so squeamish readers should be fine. I couldn’t believe where the climax took us, and it raised the hair on my arms it was so mind-blowing! This definitely won’t be the last of me reading Barclay, and I must get to his other books now.
May 11, 2024
I don't believe I have ever read a book with a dumber cast of characters. What a group of idiots! Richard and Bonnie don't communicate and just run off on tangents. Neither of the young men involved in the crime has the brains of a squirrel. It was annoying to read. I would have quit, but Barclay has an excellent track record with me.
January 11, 2024
One of my favorite authors, he is always an auto request. Richard is the star of the book! Every 2 to 3 chapters is his POV. Richard is a teacher, one of has past students shows up at his school with a bomb strapped to his chest. Richard is so quick on his feet and because of this, it does not turn into a major tragedy. The next thing that happens is another past student tries to blackmail him.
Is the student with the bomb and the blackmailer part of a gang?
Deadly Secrets, Dangerous Scenes, and Page Turning! 3.5 stars!
Special thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy! This book is set to release 5/7/24.
Is the student with the bomb and the blackmailer part of a gang?
Deadly Secrets, Dangerous Scenes, and Page Turning! 3.5 stars!
Special thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy! This book is set to release 5/7/24.
Read
May 17, 2024Delighted
June 24, 2024
Linwood Barclay has become one of my go-to authors!
August 15, 2024
As always, another fabulous book from Linwood Barclay. Really entertaining book that will draw you in and hold your full attention until the end.
May 24, 2024
This book is another winner for Linwood Barclay who never fails to draw me into this stories. Teacher Richard spots a student, Mark, with a bomb strapped to his chest and manages to avert disaster making himself a hero for a brief time. After this event a former student with revenge on his mind blackmails Richard for a crime he did not commit - it is a cancel culture situation with Richard as the victim of this accusation while trying to protect his family and his teaching career. The web is spun with Mark, the blackmailer and a pair of psychotic drug dealers all tied together. LB knows how to tell a story and create a complex puzzle of suspense and tension. Very engrossing read and recommended especially for LB fans. Not my favorite of his works but a very entertaining tale.
June 23, 2024
This one was a little implausible in places, and the main character (a schoolteacher), does so many dumb things, but it all gets tied together in the end. Despite all of that, it was still an enjoyable audiobook, just not his best.
May 29, 2024
This one started out good - I feel like the storyline took too many different directions and I lost interest in it.
July 28, 2024
A gripping thriller that delves into the unexpected consequences of heroism and the terrifying ripple effects of one good deed.
Richard Boyle, an English teacher, never imagined he would be thrust into a life-or-death situation. But when his former student, Mark LeDrew, storms into the school with a bomb, Richard’s quick thinking averts a disaster, earning him the title of hero. However, this newfound attention quickly turns dark when he becomes the target of a relentless blackmailer with sinister motives.
The story plunges Richard into a tangled web of salacious accusations and dangerous secrets, revealing a dark underbelly in his seemingly quiet town. As Richard tries to navigate this treacherous path, he uncovers connections between Mark, the blackmailer, and a ruthless gang of drug dealers, finding himself in a desperate fight to protect everything he holds dear.
As a reader from Malaysia, I’m particularly grateful for the stricter gun control laws we have here. Unlike the USA, where firearms are more easily accessible to citizens, our regulations help prevent such tragic scenarios from unfolding in our communities.
Thanks to @putrifariza & @times.reads for this review copy!
For those who enjoy intense, edge-of-your-seat thrillers with well-crafted characters and intricate plots, I Will Ruin You is a highly recommended read.
It not only entertains but also provokes thoughtful reflection on the fragility of safety and the complexities of heroism.
#IWillRuinYou #thriller #malaysiamembaca #bookstagrammalaysia
Richard Boyle, an English teacher, never imagined he would be thrust into a life-or-death situation. But when his former student, Mark LeDrew, storms into the school with a bomb, Richard’s quick thinking averts a disaster, earning him the title of hero. However, this newfound attention quickly turns dark when he becomes the target of a relentless blackmailer with sinister motives.
The story plunges Richard into a tangled web of salacious accusations and dangerous secrets, revealing a dark underbelly in his seemingly quiet town. As Richard tries to navigate this treacherous path, he uncovers connections between Mark, the blackmailer, and a ruthless gang of drug dealers, finding himself in a desperate fight to protect everything he holds dear.
As a reader from Malaysia, I’m particularly grateful for the stricter gun control laws we have here. Unlike the USA, where firearms are more easily accessible to citizens, our regulations help prevent such tragic scenarios from unfolding in our communities.
Thanks to @putrifariza & @times.reads for this review copy!
For those who enjoy intense, edge-of-your-seat thrillers with well-crafted characters and intricate plots, I Will Ruin You is a highly recommended read.
It not only entertains but also provokes thoughtful reflection on the fragility of safety and the complexities of heroism.
#IWillRuinYou #thriller #malaysiamembaca #bookstagrammalaysia
August 29, 2024
Always readable and sometimes downright good, Mr Barclay writes decent mysteries. This is one of his better books. Another hapless hero is dragged into a situation that quickly spirals out of control as he goes from hero to bad guy who must redeem himself.
4 stars
4 stars
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