Running Scared: A Gritty Thriller Set in Urban Manchester

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On the Kingston Estate, Manchester Alexis, 'Lexi' James and her best mate Nicole Harvey who now lives on the posh Riverside estate after her family goes up in the world, but Bad boy Ryan King comes in between them they both have the hots for him and Lexi doesn't stand a chance against her pretty mate Nicole. The author style of writing is like I said one of a kind and she never disappoints me with her work, everyone I read has left me content I just wish they would come faster. I admit that that I have only read one other book from Mandasue Heller but, after reading Brutal, I will make sure I will read other books from her. Because this is a five-star read. I loved it. Returning home one night to her high-rise flat, she is faced by a terrifying scene that changes her life forever – and matters are made worse when she is put into care in another town. Frank offers her a bed for the night but it’s the middle of winter, and when heavy snowfall prevents her from leaving the next day, he’s forced to extend the invitation. But the longer Irena stays, the easier it gets for the men she’s trying to escape from to find her.

When Frank lost his lovely wife his life seemed broken and lonely. His daughter is emigrating and his son has his own life to live with his wife. Living on a farm makes him seem even more lonely. not having immediate neighbours and someone you can just chit chat to if you go out your front door, Frank seems to have sunken into a slump.

I have read every one of Mandasue’s books and can honestly say you never know what to expect...yes the elements of crime, gangs are there but every book is so different and unlike you sometimes find yourself thinking with prolific and successful authors books ‘mmmmm this seems familiar’, I never have with this author As always ( some things you dont mind being unchanged, this is one ) the story is littered with characters that are instant, instant to love AND instant to hate and of course the odd one like Big Shirl that you cant help but want to see ( even though shes vile!! )

Brutal certainly lives up to its title here and is yet another brilliantly gripping thriller from Ms Heller. I've read every one of her novels and can say with certainty that this is one of her best to date. It has all of the grit we've come to expect from her and the plot is tense and exciting from the get-go. Once again we enter the harsh gangland underworld which is impeccably described in chilling detail and along with a supply of stellar characters who will illicit ferocious responses in readers in terms of emotion, we are dealt an unpredictable story. Some characters you love, some you hate, and some you love to hate.

The writing starts and finishes with you, the reader, in the centre of this story and holds you there through every line Returning home one night to her high-rise flat, she is faced by a terrifying scene that changes her life forever and matters are made worse when she is put into care in another town. I thought this might be some sort of police procedural or gangland drama, but it's not. it's more of a drama with a thriller edge. There is a police investigation led by DI Ken Seddon, but it doesn't really come to much. We know the identity of the killer pretty early and it did get dull reading him trying to catch up to what I already know. Detectives in fiction only work if the reader knows as much as they do.