In an isolated retreat, deep in the Northumbria moors, three women arrive for a weekend getaway. Their husbands will be joining them in the morning. Or so they think.
Macmillan created a winning cast of characters here, presented in couples which both compliment and contrast with one another ... although this may feel like an easy read, the details are important and the twists are unexpected! ... A novel of not just nail-biting suspense, but also friendships, love, and a secretive past which loops into the present, The Long Weekend is one you’ll want to just go ahead and add to your TBR. Macmillan has once again come through with what is sure to be one of the most exciting thrillers of the year.
Macmillan has chosen the setting for the first half of her novel well. The rugged, remote landscape is atmospheric, unsettling and increasingly claustrophobic. As Emily observes, it’s like a place out of a terrifying fairy tale. So it’s somewhat disappointing that in the book’s second half, she leaves the spooky peaks of northern England behind for less memorable locales. But she makes up for the change of scenery with a sequence of unexpected and propulsive twists that prove none of these characters are exactly who they initially seem to be. Shifting perspectives --- including sections told from the point of view of a character whose identity is withheld until late in the book --- will keep readers guessing as to who’s really behind the letter and the crimes that follow ... The brisk pacing is a plus, as there’s little time to linger on the less well-developed elements of the plot and characters. Some readers might wish Macmillan had spent a little more time fleshing out her villain’s motivations or find themselves wondering how one person fails to see the truth about their marriage. A compelling subplot involving two characters ends up being dropped relatively early on. Ultimately, though, this is an eminently readable page-turner.
... a real corker. It’s fascinating to watch the three friends’ relationships crumble as they try to figure out whose husband is being targeted and why ... Guaranteed to keep readers on the edges of their seats.
