***Review*** Who Are You by Elizabeth Forbes

Who Are You by Elizabeth Forbes

Released: 1st July 2014
Publisher: Cutting Edge Press
Series: No
Format: ARC
Source: From Publisher
Find at: Goodreads | Amazon UK | Waterstones

Author Twitter: Elizabeth Forbes

Many thanks to Cutting Edge Press for my copy of this book, this is in exchange for an honest review

Goodreads Synopsis:


 Alex, a career officer in an elite regiment, returns from Afghanistan a changed man. He has left the Army behind and is attempting to forge a civilian career as a security advisor. His wife, Juliet, is delighted. She, Alex and their son Ben now live in a well-appointed house in a leafy London suburb.
But all is not well. Juliet's research on the internet suggests that Alex is suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) but pride means that he will not seek professional help.
Finding solace in web forums, Juliet is offered the use of a cottage and is urged to remove Ben to a place of safety. After a lot of secretive planning and the financial support of Alex's mother who had suffered at the hands of her husband, Juliet and Ben escape the tyranny of their home with the hope of starting afresh...

My Review
I don't normally go for books with military themes but this one seemed to jump out at me.  I noticed that it also had great reviews by people I really trust in the blogging community.  Well I can say they were not wrong.  It was gripping right from the first page.  I know when a five star book is in the making as I stay up late reading it, I love my sleep and usually nothing comes between me and sleep, but Who Are You did.  Yes I feel tired now, but it was worth it.  Explosive from start to finish and totally mind blowingly dark.

If you are fainthearted do NOT read this book, it is gritty and realistic and at times a little uncomfortable.  There are some disturbing moments and I did have to put the book down a give myself a moment before I could carry on.  I think this is why it was five stars, Elizabeth Forbes does not hold back.  This makes the book very realistic and also has a way of playing with your emotions. 

 At times I really hated the main character Alex, but on the flipside sometimes I felt a glimmer of pity.  Circumstances throughout his life have totally destroyed him.  The same for Juliet she has her problems too.  Flawed characters are so interesting because they are multi-dimensional, it does make for interesting reading.


I really did rate this book so I have gone and bought Nearest Thing to Crazy which is the other book Elizabeth has written. I can't wait to see how this one compares.

Things I liked about this book:
It was realistic, I've never had experience of PTSD before and this was very enlightening to the effects it can have on not just the person but the family too.

Things I disliked about this book:
I wish it was longer!  

Overview:
A gripping and chilling read. I was hooked

My Thoughts on the Cover:
It's a bit menacing, there is something unnerving about the eyes.  Creeps me out a bit but perfect for a psychological thriller.