"A beautiful, heartrending, fully immersive thriller centred around an abduction. Chosen as a LoveReading star book."
Set aside plenty of quality time, as once I started, this was a read in one beautiful, heartrending, fully immersive sitting for me. When Elissa is abducted, her hopes of escape flame into being after Elijah finds her hidden in the heart of Memory Wood. A truly fabulous opening sets the scene, I felt as though I knew Elijah, his very being is stamped on the pages, and yet there is so much that remains unknown. Knowing the abduction was coming set my heart pounding and added to the tension rather than dispersing it. While the seven days of the story slide backwards and forwards in part one, I was completely confident and very much in every moment. In part one chapters are headed by the day, and one of the characters, while in part two you know exactly when you are. Sam Lloyd’s words were so in tune and belonging to each child that I almost didn’t need to know who was heading the chapter. I was on edge and uncertain as to the outcome throughout, as the ending hurtled towards me I gasped and felt utterly consumed. The Memory Wood is one of those novels that I almost wanted to read from behind a cushion, and yet I couldn’t put it down. Chosen as a LoveReading star book, this is a must-read for me.
| Primary Genre | Thriller and Suspense |
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Elissa and Elijah, an unlikely friendship born of terror and loneliness, can it survive? If this is Sam Lloyd's first novel, I can't wait to see what he comes up with next!
Wow! What a fantastic book! I think this is one of my favourite books of all time and will stay with me for a long time to come.
Elissa is a 13-year-old chess player who gets snatched whilst attending a chess tournament. Her ordeal is horrific and brutal, but she is a brave and resourceful girl. In her captivity, she meets Elijah. Elijah is an enigmatic and very weird character who obviously has his own story which is gradually revealed. The story is so captivating and full of twists and turns. Just when you think you know which way the story is going, it takes another twist and goes in another direction, leaving the reader stunned. The setting for the story, The Memory Wood is a strange and creepy place which leaves the reader unsettled and out of their comfort zone.... Read Full Review
Wow! Just wow! For a debut thriller, I have to say this is intense. Absolutely loved it, couldn’t put it down. I urge anyone and everyone to read this.
The title of this book is intriguing. I can’t say much as yet about the cover as I’m not sure if this is the final design, but I liked the orange-tinged pages. It made me wonder what secrets were concealed among them.
The book is made up of two parts and within each part, three main characters tell the story from their viewpoint. This works well and helps to create a sense of drama, tension and frustration.
The story revolves around Elissa, a 13-year-old genius chess player who goes to compete at a major chess tournament. Horrendously, she is abducted from the car park and so begins a battle to survive. DS Mairead MacCullagg is in charge of the investigation and has her own personal battle to try to survive as well as trying to find Elissa.... Read Full Review
Dark and delicious thriller, The Memory Wood is a great novel from beginning to end, I couldn't put it down!
I read the book in three days flat as I became totally engrossed! Essentially a story about a young, female, nerdy, chess champion who is kidnapped and the aftermath of the hunt for her and her kidnapper.
An interesting take on mental health issues, which is so relevant for today's openness about this crippling illness. An original storyline of how the two main characters Elijah and Elissa try to outwit each other, playing cat and mouse. Elijah wants a friend but on his terms, that is keeping her hostage, and Elissa just wants to go home. There is new drama on every page, with a proper ending to the story, something that seems to be lacking in many novels these days.... Read Full Review
