Portobello Book Blog

I was lucky enough to read this book quite a few months ago when it was still at the stage of being considered for publication by ChocLit under their Death by ChocLit label. I didn’t know at the time it was written by Sheryl Browne, whose romance novels I really love. Sins of the Father is the sequel to After She’s Gone which was published on Tuesday. Sins of the Father will follow next week on 28th February.

I LOVED this book. It is a terrific thriller that I literally couldn’t put down! The main character DI Matthew Adams’ life goes out of control when he is set up by someone to makes it look like he has committed a terrible crime. The story follows his desperate attempts to prove his innocence, especially to his wife Rebecca, while the person who is out to get him has plans which put his family at risk.

I was gripped by the story from the beginning and the tension is kept up the whole way through the book. The writing style with viewpoints from all the main characters really made me feel like I was right there, watching the action. And there was plenty action right to the very end.

The characters were very believable and likeable – apart from Jasmine but you’re not meant to like her, of course. She is a really nasty piece of work and very very clever. I even felt a bit sorry for her sidekick who she tricked into helping her. Matthew’s wife Rebecca doesn’t feature hugely but when she does, she is someone you feel a lot of sympathy for. She’s been through so much yet has remained a loving and dedicated wife to Matthew, trusting him implicitly. Even her trust is shaken by the events but at heart she knows her husband is innocent of what he is being accused of.

A fast paced read packed with lots of dramatic incidents. Would make a great film too! Sheryl Browne can clearly write a gripping thriller just as well as she can write an emotional love story.

From the back of the book

What if you’d been accused of one of the worst crimes imaginable?

Detective Inspector Matthew Adams is slowly picking up the pieces from a case that nearly cost him the lives of his entire family and his own sanity too. On the surface, he seems to be moving on, but he drinks to forget and when he closes his eyes, the nightmares still come.

But the past is the past or is it? Because the evil Patrick Sullivan might be out of the picture, but there’s somebody who is just as intent on making Matthew’s life hell, and they’re doing it in the cruellest way possible.

When Matthew finds himself accused of a horrific and violent crime, will his family stand by him? And will he even be around to help when his new enemy goes after them as well?