Thank you Brilliance Audio, #partner, for the ALC of Blood Ties in exchange for my honest review.
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Published: July 26, 2022
Summary:
Betrayal, secrets, revenge, and murder: they’re in the blood in a provocative novel of psychological suspense by the award-winning, internationally bestselling author of Everything Is Mine.
As Norway’s newly appointed minister of justice, child-rights advocate Clara Lofthus has a chance to accomplish something meaningful on behalf of the most vulnerable members of society. It couldn’t be more personal. After her husband’s death, she is the sole caretaker of her twin sons, Andreas and Nikolai. She’s also still haunted by her own traumatic childhood—and the lengths to which she was willing to go to pursue her own brand of vigilante justice. How far? No one ever needs to know. And this is just one of Clara’s secrets.
Then one day, Clara comes home from work to make a terrifying discovery: her sons have been kidnapped. Clara’s search leads to her hometown in Western Norway, where she learns that her mother has been released from the mental hospital she has been living at for the past thirty years. Hot on Clara’s heels is a local reporter, who is every bit as relentless as she is. He’s determined to disrupt Clara’s life even further and will not rest until he exposes the truth about her past.
As the fate of her sons hangs in the balance, the demons of Clara’s past are flushed out of hiding, threatening to come home to roost.
My thoughts:
This is the follow-up to Ruth Lillegraven’s Everything Is Mine, which I just recently listened to and quite enjoyed, as dark and chilling as it was. And this newest installment is just as dark and chilling and I’m so glad I discovered this series!
I will say, I really think you need to read this series in order. So much of what happens in this book is predicated on what happened in the first book. Yes, you could just pick this one up as the author does give just enough back story without regurgitating the entire first book, but I think you would have a much more richer reading experience if you come into this book having already read Everything Is Mine. If not, perhaps after reading this one, you will enjoy it so much that you will want to go back to see what you missed!
As far as this one goes, again, I found myself completely swept up in the story. Without giving anything away, I will say that it really keeps you on your toes. I loved that point of view alternates from a few different perspectives, including Clara’s sons. They are key to this story, and I think hearing their point of view really helped show their vulnerability.
This is a fast-paced, brilliantly plotted book. I loved the twists and turns it took and the themes it explored – grief and loss, as well as motherhood and the past. It took a few turns I was not expecting and ended with a little teaser that definitely left me wanting, and needing, more! I do hope there is more to this series. I for sure will be keeping an eye out to see what comes next from this very talented author and will be keeping my fingers crossed it’s another Clara Loftus book!
Audio thoughts:
Once again, this book is narrated by a full cast of narrators, and I could not have been more pleased. It really brought the story to life and was just amazing to listen to. I do hope this continues if there are more books in the series!
Books in this series:
- Everything Is Mine
- Blood Ties
