Next up is something a bit darker, a review of ‘The Cleansing’ by J.A.Baker. Many thanks to BloodHoundBooks for the blog tour invite and ARC.
When Ray moves to a new house in the village of Whitchurch, he leaves behind a relationship and a luxury apartment in search of a better life in the countryside.
However, he soon realises that sleepy Whitchurch also has its own fair share of problems. Last year, a woman’s body was discovered in the woods nearby. The killer was never caught.
Soon suspicious things start to happen. Threatening letters are sent, cars are vandalised and headstones are desecrated. But who is responsible for these acts and why?
As the tension in the village builds, Ray begins to feel the pressure. Someone is out to cause trouble and that someone might be closer to Ray than he ever imagined.
What does TWG think?
I’ve heard a lot about Whitchurch and have envisioned myself visiting there one day, however after reading ‘The Cleansing’, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a little apprehensive. Hah!
The main question that will no doubt cross the threshold of your brain whilst reading this book, would be ‘whodunnit??’. I would genuinely surprised if that question didn’t cross your mind at least once, because it crossed my mind like a little convoy of ducks crossing the road.
Ray has reached a time in his life where he wants peace. But at what price? With a new house and a fresh start paving the way for a new life for Ray, he can’t wait to start enjoying life. Like I said; at what price?
So many sinister and unexplained things happen throughout the book, some minor and some not, and all fingers seem to be pointing at the newcomer. Things aren’t as simple as they seem in ‘The Cleansing’, and I thought that J.A.Baker is extraordinary at creating a nail biting tension which kept me guessing until the very end.
The pace isn’t all that fast and be prepared to be drip fed snippets of information throughout the book but, most importantly, be prepared to be hooked.
Dark, dangerous, and damn right devious; ‘The Cleansing’ is even twister than a bottle of domestos with a child lock on it!
About the author.
J.A.BAKER was born and brought up in North East England and has had a love of language for as long as she can remember.
She enjoys reading many genres of books but especially enjoys psychological thrillers. When she’s not busy writing, she can be found trying to keep on top of her high maintenance garden!
In December 2016 she was signed by Bloodhound Books who published Undercurrent.
Her second novel, Her Dark Retreat was published in October 2017. Since then she has written four other novels – The Other Mother, Finding Eva, The Uninvited and The Cleansing which is her latest release.
J.A. Baker has four grown-up children and a grandchild and lives in a village near Darlington with her husband and madcap dog.
You find out more about J.A.Baker by visiting her website at
http://www.jabakerauthor.co.uk/
The Writing Garnet 