Book Review ~ Blog Tour ~ Shadows of Regret by Ross Greenwood.

SHADOWS OF REGRET Ross Greenwood – blurb –

If your life was ruined, would you seek redemption or take revenge?
From the #1 bestselling author of Fifty Years of Fear, SHADOWS OF REGRET is the unforgettable story of a woman’s struggle to rejoin society.
Katie committed a terrible crime. Sixteen years was the price she had to pay. Once released from prison, she finds the world has changed. Her chances appear bleak, but Katie is a survivor. Isolated and alone, she struggles to make sense of her new life. Starting again isn’t easy, especially after what she’s done. Despite not feeling free or safe, Katie overcomes her fears and confronts the future. But history won’t remain forgotten. Gradually, memories of the past are revealed. When Katie finally exposes the awful truth and sees there are others who share the blame, she must choose her path. Will she seek redemption, or will she take revenge?
“If you enjoyed Eleanor Oliphant’s journey but prefer your stories darker, this is perfect for you.”
“There are writers, good writers and ones that have the power of words to captivate you in an instant. Ross Greenwood has this in spades.”
‘Shadows of Regret’ on Amazon: Getbook.at/ShadowsofRegret

Review

My thanks to the author and blog tour organiser for the ARC in return for an honest review.

One of the many reasons I loved this book was the author’s innate understanding of prison life, of its effect on the prisoner, that people aren’t born criminals, that events shape their path to a life behind bars. Each has a story and the person who enters prison is forever changed by the environment.  The world moves on, while life behind the wall continues at a different pace, secluded from change, that entry into the world outside can be a shock to the system. Ross Greenwood captures this and more with perfect clarity and tells a story that is both fascinating and compelling.

The joy of his writing is that he draws you into the story and enables you to invest in Katie’s life. Whatever your views on crime and punishment, he makes you understand her motives and why she seems forever caught in a spiral of behaviour, that can only leave her isolated and unable to move on. It is a story that is both fascinating and addictive, because the teasing insights compel you to read on. With incredible insight and empathy for Katies back story and state of mind, he puts her narrative together like an intricate jigsaw puzzle, until you are so invested in her fate, that your anxiety builds and builds as the conclusion approaches. It is a wonderful feeling that a story that which is so well put together, it engineers such an emotional response to a fictional story.

Katie is a fabulous main character, complex, wounded and flawed, but all her behaviour, reveal parts about herself, that make you want her to overcome adversity. I didn’t always agree with what she did, but at other times I cheered her on. Ross Greenwood asks us to look at her and judge ourselves against her. I have to say I could not condone all of her actions, yet I was conflicted enough that I couldn’t bring myself to denounce her. We are complex creatures and sometimes reactions don’t always make sense to us. With Katie, I think the writer has created a narrative in which her activities are driven by a history that can no longer be buried and that makes her a rich and rewarding read. She is strong and fascinating character, who stands at the centre of a very strong ensemble cast.

The story will test your understanding of a world that you will never have encountered, but it will fascinate and entertain you in many ways. A real page turner that had me enthralled, made me think and left me wanting more novels from the very talented Ross Greenwood.

You can purchase this novel from Amazon

About the author. 

 

Ross Greenwood was born in 1973 in Peterborough and lived there until he was 20, attending The King’s School in the city. He then began a rather nomadic existence, living and working all over the country and various parts of the world.
Ross found himself returning to Peterborough many times over the years, usually, so he says “when things had gone wrong.” It was on one of these occasions that he met his partner about 100 metres from his back door whilst walking a dog. Two children swiftly followed. And, according to Ross, he is “still a little stunned by the pace of it now.”
Lazy Blood book was started a long time ago but parenthood and then four years as a prison officer got in the way. Ironically it was the four a.m. feed which gave the author the opportunity to finish the book as unable to get back to sleep he completed it in the early morning hours.
Ross Greenwood’s second book, The Boy Inside, was picked up by Bloodhound Books, and in September 2017, Fifty Years of Fear was published. The year 2018 saw the publication of his next psychological thriller, Abel’s Revenge. All his books are thought provoking, and told with a sense of humour.
Ross Greenwood hopes you enjoy reading them. Please feel free to get in touch on http://www.rossgreenwoodauthor.com

You can follow the author on Facebook and Twitter.