Swindled by S E Shepherd

Swindled by S.E. Shepherd
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Pages -

Publisher - Hobeck Books

Source - Review copy

Blurb from Goodreads

‘He’s out there somewhere. He’s taken everything from me, and … I hate him!’

Lottie

Beautiful, but a little spoilt, Lottie Thorogood leads a charmed life. Returning home from horse riding one day, she finds a stranger, drinking tea in the family drawing room – a stranger who will change her life, forever.

Hannah

After a bad decision cut short her police career, Hannah Sandlin is desperate to make her mark as a private investigator. She knows she has the skills, but why won’t anyone take her seriously? She’s about to become embroiled in a mystery that will finally put those skills to the test and prove her doubters wrong. It will also bring her a friend for life.

Vincent

Vincent Rocchino has spent his life charming the ladies, fleecing them and fleeing when things turn sour. How long can he keep running before his past catches up with him?

S.E. Shepherd’s brilliant new novel is a tale of how the strong bond of friendship can overcome the darkness of deception, and a gripping new thriller that you won’t want to put down.


My Review

Book one in a new series and told from three characters we meet Hannah, Lottie and Vincent - three very different people. The book splits the timeline from the before to now, Lottie and Hannah meet through a job and despite being from very different worlds come together as friends. Vincent, a good looking cad has used his looks and charm to get ahead in life. These three could not be more different so what brings them together?

Hannah was a newbie police officer who made a decision that has huge ramifications, Lottie was a spoilt little madam and Viincent knew he deserved better and there are always people who can help him get what he wants/deserves.

The story goes back and forth between the three, some very unsavoury people and shocking behaviours, actions and consequences. Friendship, family, how lives can change so quickly and the long reach of things that go to pass. Personal growth, how people can become a better person when circumstances change and the flip side - just how horrible a person can be, selfish, amoral and so self absorbed. I hated Vincent he is a horrible human being and Hannah's back story was really interesting to follow. When one door closes another opens, Hannah is determined to make her new business work and with the help of her new friend Lottie she will help them both.

It was a bit different to start with as you aren't exactly sure how things will play out, the characters are very different. As you start to get into it and the threads start to unravel you realise how the three people are interlinked. There is enough shade and badness to keep you intrigued and turning the page, where is it going and what is coming next! I look forward to book two and see where the author is going to take this series, 4/5 for me this time.

View all my reviews