Book Review: One Step Ahead (E-arc)

Book Name: One Step Ahead
Author: C L Peache

Publisher: The Bombay Circle Press

Genre: Mystery

Format: E-Arc

Print length: 303 pages 

One Step Ahead by C.L. Peache is a suspense and mystery novel that leads to the unfolding of secrets and with guilt and loss wrapped in suspense.

 

Blurb

Jill Towers died in an accident.

At least, that is what the newspaper suggests.

After Jill Towers falls to her death from a cliff during the Island Walk, the glue that held her friend group is gone forever. Two years later, mourning her death, four friends come back to Jersey for a charity walk.

But broken friendships have prominent cracks and these cracks hold dark secrets that come up to the surface when Haydon, Yesenia, Gary and Maisie reunite. After all, Haydon left the island soon after the death, Yesenia withdrew into her shell, Maisie ran until her heartbeat overpowered the thought of Jill’s death…and Gary went on about his business dealings as if it was just another Tuesday.

Their friendship goes through another test when they all set off for the Island Walk, but it seems like they all have their own agenda to finish the walk, which may or may not have to do with Jill.

With Jersey Beans, the local news portal, dishing out one scoop after the other, tension rises with the entire island scrutinising their every action. Will the gruelling 48.1 mile get them before the truth does? Will one of them crack and reveal what actually happened on that day? Or was it really just a freak accident?

Review

The story is set in Jersey, where Jill died, which appeared to be an accident, yet people suggested there was more to her death. Her friends Maisie, Yesenia, Gary, and Haydon came forward to participate in a charity walk in her memorial on the same Island they lost, organized by Gary to support the people who helped in extracting Jill's body from the Island where she died.

The character development is sketchy though the back story and their relationship with Jill showcased their vulnerabilities and insecurities that developed over time as they kept blaming themselves for Jill's death. The characters are relatable and flawed and would allow readers to picture the situation of a friend group where everyone seemed close-knit until there came a mystery, loss, and insecurities. Maisie, Yesenia, and Haydon thought Jill died because of them, but when the truth comes out, it lets readers wonder how stupid the characters were to think of themselves as the reason for Jill's death. E.g. Yesenia confessed that Jill died because I told her she should jump from the cliff. 

The author's writing style is mysterious and suspenseful but it appears dragging and repetitive at times like Haydon doing loops about thinking who the blackmailer could be, Maisie wondering about the secret she held and many more situations appear as if they are running in a loop rather than bringing it all at place. The visualization effect of the bond they shared, and the fight that took place where Jill died appeared as if the picture was playing. Readers would feel terrified at the moment while reading it.

Readers who love to read mystery and suspense unfolded by secrets and loss will get an inkling of this novel. But, the pro readers of suspense and mystery might get distracted due to the uneven pace.