Book Review: Never Look Away by Linwood Barclay

Several years ago, I read Linwood Barclay's thriller Too Close to Home. I liked it, but didn't necessarily love it. Then I had the opportunity to read Barclay's most recent novel, The Accident, and whoa! It was a whole different ballgame. In the ensuing years, Barclay perfected his craft. He is a supreme storyteller, as well as a master of suspense. I loved The Accident (read my review here) and couldn't wait to read more of Barclay's novels.

A bit about the book: David Harwood and his wife Jan have hit a rough patch. As a journalist, times are hard for David as the media world moves from small-town newspapers to nationally-owned news and online journalism. David couldn't be more thrilled when Jan suggests a day at a new local amusement park for them and their four-year-old son Ethan. He sees it as a sign that they're both willing to work on their marriage and save their family.

The day of the visit to the amusement park, however, things go from bad to worse. First, Ethan goes missing. Just after he's found, Jan turns up missing. As police search for his wife, David becomes suspect number one. He conducts his own investigation, trying to stay one step ahead of the police who are after him. Was Jan taken, or did she leave of her own accord? Or did David, in fact, have something to do with her disappearance?

Why you want to read it: Mystery and thriller fans will delight in Barclay's ability to keep readers on their toes. The term "page-turner" was invented for novels like Never Look Away. Barclay creates a sense of understanding in his readers, then yanks the rug out from under them, causing readers to question every truth they believed they knew. As in his previous novels, Barclay throws in enough plot twists to make the novel exciting without causing it to become far-fetched.

Secrets are something Barclay does well in all of his novels. We all have them -- we just don't usually have anyone writing about our deepest mysteries. Barclay uncovers the truth about both David and Jan layer by layer, with a precise method that keeps readers guessing until the last page. As Barclay reveals new truths about his characters, he also causes readers to care more deeply about them -- making each revelation truly surprising.

The bottom line: If you are a lover of mystery or suspense novels, you'll love Linwood Barclay's work. Never Look Away is an excellent example of his expertise. You should also give his other novels a try!

About the author: Linwood Barclay is the author of several other standalone novels, including the new novel Trust Your Eyes, set to release in September. He began his career with a series based around character Zach Walker, then branched out into other novels. Although born in America, Barclay has spent the majority of his life living in Canada. You can connect with the author on Facebook, on Twitter, and even on YouTube.