55 by James Delargy #blogtour #providedforreview #whoisfiftyfive @JDelargyAuthor @annecater @simonschusterUK

I’m not a psychic, but I feel reasonably certain that…

I will be featuring 55 by James Delargy in my future TOP 2019 READS

post at the beginning of 2020, of course after all the partying in the #onemoreword household has stopped.

I am not ashamed to say that I am a slow reader and when I enjoy a book I turn into an even slower reader because I don’t skim, I enjoy. Every. Little. Word. I never finish a book in a day (don’t get too excited because I didn’t do that here either), but I did read the whole big 423-page hardback in 2 days. 2 days!

I couldn’t put it down.

I read 55 when I was making a cup of tea, I read 55 when I should have tidying up, I read 55 when I was watching the BBC news in the morning – Who needs anymore BREXIT nonsense anyway.

I was hooked. I was gripped.

The writing was great, the pacing suited the story and it was another book where I loved the setting. When I was reading 55 the heat of the Australian outback felt like it was its own character. It was oppressive. It was intense. And it was far removed from my rather mild and wet Scottish drizzle on my doorstep.

I can totally see this book getting turned into a film or TV series – If anyone from NETFLIX reads my blog (HA!) then you should definitely look into an adaptation of 55. #WhoIsFiftyFive?

What does 55 do well?

• EVERYTHING

What does 55 do badly?

• Nothing.

Should you read it?

• Yes. Now. Go. Please?!? I  need more people to talk about this great book with, without fear of giving away a spoiler.

So – The ending was very good, it wrapped the whole story up well and I liked that it wasn’t a surprise twist, but instead the author built up to it. It was a solid ending. It was a great ending and one I will remember.

But the very last couple of chapters – BRUTAL. Did I like it? NO! I closed the book and thought – SPOILER! But it is safe for you to assume I was thinking a bad word. Many bad words.

That ending thou is going to haunt me…

Great book. Great read.

I am looking forward to whatever James Delargy decides to write next.

I received a copy of 55 by James Delargy from the publisher, via the blog tour organiser – The review is my own opinion.

About the book –

Two suspects. Two identical stories. Which one is the truth?

Wilbrook in Western Australia is a sleepy, remote town that sits on the edge of miles and miles of unexplored wilderness. It is home to Police Sergeant Chandler Jenkins, who is proud to run the town’s small police station, a place used to dealing with domestic disputes and noise complaints. All that changes on a scorching day when an injured man stumbles into Chandler’s station. He’s covered in dried blood. His name is Gabriel. He tells Chandler what he remembers – he was drugged and driven to a cabin in the mountains and tied up in iron chains. The man who took him was called Heath. Heath told Gabriel he was going to be number 55. His 55th victim. Heath is a serial killer. As a manhunt is launched, a man who says he is Heath walks into the same station. He tells Chandler he was taken by a man named Gabriel. Gabriel told Heath he was going to be victim 55. Gabriel is the serial killer. Police Sergant Chandler Jenkins needs to find out who is telling the truth – and quick. is He is forced to call in Mitch, his former partner and now insufferable superior, a partnership which dissolved in acrimony years earlier. Can Mitch and Chandler uncover the truth, before the 55th victim is taken?

About the author

James Delargy was born and raised in Ireland and lived in South Africa, Australia and Scotland, before ending up in semi-rural England where he now lives. He incorporates his diverse knowledge of towns, cities, landscape and culture picked up on his travels into his writing. 55 is his first novel, which has been sold in 19 countries so far and optioned for film by Zucker Productions in partnership with Prodigy Pictures.