I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The String Diaries by Stephen Lloyd Jones Series: The String Diaries #1
Published by Headline on July 17, 2014
Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Historical, Mystery, Thriller
Pages: 419
Format: Paperback
Source: Publisher
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Selected for the Radio 2 Book Club.
He has a face you love. A voice you trust. To survive you must kill him.
The rules of survival are handed from mother to daughter. Inherited, like the curse that has stalked Hannah and her family across centuries.
He changes his appearance at will, speaks with a stolen voice and hides behind the face of a beloved, waiting to strike.
Generation after generation, he has destroyed them. And all they could do was to run.
Until now.
Now, it is time for Hannah to turn and fight.
THE NEW NOVEL BY STEPHEN LLOYD JONES IS AVAILABLE NOW - THE SILENCED: A DARK AND GRIPPING THRILLER
The String Diaries is a difficult book to review. If I try to say anything more than what is in the synopsis I run the huge risk of spoiling the story, or at least you may be able to guess what is happening. So I’m a bit limited in what I can say.
Lloyd Jones manages to effortlessly combine Hungarian folklore with elements of the supernatural and thriller, as well as a small dash of romance. Creating this beautiful book that keeps you on your toes.
Hannah has to verify everyone, and if in doubt run. How is the person they are running from hidden and how can they stop running? The fear and the reason for hiding is unclear, what or even, who are they running from? The reader slowly receives a trickle of information as the book progresses and then speeds up as all the pieces of the puzzle come together.
The narrative weaves between different time periods – including the late 1970’s in Oxford, and the late 1800’s in Hungary (more specifically Budapest). This scattered narrative is how Lloyd Jone’s can provide limited information, but it also helps to expand on the reasons for Jakab’s villainous behaviour and why he is relentless in his pursuit of Hannah.
Once you start The String Diaries, it is very hard to put down. The twists in the plot and the non-linear narrative makes it difficult to guess the outcome. How will Hannah survive? Will anyone be willing to help her? And will she ever be able to stop running?
[…] read Stephen first book The String Diaries and I loved it – this author manages to mix fantasy with a fast-paced thriller. I am have […]
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[…] Written in the Blood is one of the few cases where the sequel is the best, hands down. There is just so much more in this book, it is very hard to know where to begin. Which is saying something as I loved and adored The String Diaries. […]