Portobello Book Blog

If you are a regular reader of this blog you will know I am a massive fan of Jo Spain’s books whether it’s her DI Tom Reynolds series or her standalone thrillers. In fact, last year two of her books made my Top reads list. Six Wicked Reasons is the latest standalone book and it’s about a murder investigation where six members of the Lattimer family – three brothers, three sisters – are all suspects. The murder takes place on a yacht so the police know that they are looking for the culprit amongst a very small group of people. It’s up to Detective Downes to find out what caused a huge rift in the family ten years ago and why the reappearance of the one of the brothers who had been presumed dead, has resulted in a death. Though it seems that there were any of Six Wicked Reasons for the murder, for my review I’m going to give you six very good reasons to read the book!

Reason 1

Everyone loves a story about a dysfunctional family and my goodness this one is the very definition of dysfunctional! While none of the Lattimer family seem particularly likeable, for most of the book the victim seems like a fairly reasonable person. So what’s gone wrong in this family?

Reason 2

The way it’s written from all the different viewpoints of the brothers and sisters is fascinating as you get everyone’s take on what’s been going on. Or at least, as much as they want you to know…

Reason 3

Which leads me nicely into secrets and lies. If you like a story where you can’t quite trust a character because you know they are hiding something, then this is a book for you. Every single one of the family has something to hide, usually from other members of the family but sometimes it’s the family as a unit keeping secrets from the rest of the world.

Reason 4

Not only is there a death, but it’s clear something has happened to blow this family apart ten years ago and if you are like me you will be DESPERATE to know what it was. With lots of teasers and plenty cliffhangers throughout the book, Jo Spain kept me guessing and hanging on right till the end to reveal exactly what had gone on.

Reason 5

If you are a fan of closed room type mysteries like Agatha Christie then you should definitely read this. It reminded me of that style of murder mystery when you know it has to be one of a certain group because of where the murder took place. Because the death in this book happened on the yacht, it has to have been caused by one of small group of people on board. And in the usual way of things, I had no idea who or why. By the time we get near the end of the book, any one of the family could have had reason to want the victim dead, it seemed that every single person had a motive!

Reason 6

Jo Spain’s writing is sharp, fast paced, oh so clever and addictive. It had me turning the pages and compulsively reading to find out the truth. Six Wicked Reasons is full of twists and surprises. This is a cracking thriller which you will find hard to put down.

My thanks to Milly Reid at publishers Quercus for kindly sending me a review copy of the book. Six Wicked Reasons is available now in hardback, ebook and audiobook formats. The paperback will follow in September. You should be able to buy or order a copy at your usual book retailer, or you will find various buying options on the publishers’ website here: Six Wicked Reasons

From the back of the book

It’s June 2008 and twenty-one-year-old Adam Lattimer vanishes, presumed dead. The strain of his disappearance breaks his already fragile family.

Ten years later, with his mother deceased and siblings scattered across the globe, Adam turns up unannounced at the family home. His siblings return reluctantly to Spanish Cove, but Adam’s reappearance poses more questions than answers. The past is a tangled web of deceit.

And, as tension builds, it’s apparent somebody has planned murderous revenge for the events of ten years ago.

About the author

Jo Spain’s first novel, top ten bestseller With our Blessing, was one of seven finalists in the Richard and Judy Search for a Bestseller Competition. It was named as an Irish Times crime fiction book of the year by Declan Burke. Beneath the Surface (2016) and Sleeping Beauties (2017), the second and third in the DI Tom Reynolds series followed, to further critical acclaim. Her standalone thriller, The Confession, released in January 2018, became a number one bestseller and sold in multiple territories. Jo is releasing the fourth Tom Reynolds, The Darkest Place, in 2018 and a new standalone Dirty Little Secrets in 2019.

Jo also writes for TV and is the co-writer of new series Taken Down.

A graduate of Trinity College Dublin, Jo lives in Dublin with her husband and their four young children. Jo previously worked as a policy advisor in the Irish parliament and as vice-chair of the business body InterTrade Ireland.

Jo’s debut novel is set against a background of the infamous Irish Magdalene Laundries and Mother and Baby homes. The author’s own father was born in one such home in Dublin and the novel’s backdrop was constructed based on the in-depth research she undertook while attempting to trace her family roots.

Her favourite writers include Pierre LeMaitre, Fred Vargas, Louise Penny, Jo Nesbo, Ann Cleeves, B.A. Paris, Elizabeth Haynes and Agatha Christie.