The Secrets of Strangers: A BBC Radio 2 Book Club Pick

This book was delivered in really good form. The binding seems to be good quality.

I read this book in one sitting! It is tense, gripping and unbelievably moving. It starts strong with an introduction to each of the characters in every chapter, and we watch how their lives overlap without them knowing anything about one another. The descriptions are vivid and human, and despite the book beginning with their daily routines, I was still gripped and desperate to find out where the story was going! I loved every single character – from Mutesi with her endless optimism, to Neil, a victim of his own impulses. The book sees the lines between criminal actions and innocent actions blurred and makes you question what is right and wrong, looking at it from each characters point of view. I loved every second of it! This book will stay with me for a long time.

I am a huge fan of Charity Norman, she is one of those authors who manages to bring each character to life in your mind with incredible detail and once again she’s created a stunning, thought-provoking and highly emotive story in The Secrets of Strangers.Set in a cafe in Balham, London “Tuckbox” is a busy coffee shop, packed with commuters, parents on school runs, gym mummies gossiping over a cappuccino and customers getting their caffeine fix before the day begins. Owned and run by the friendly and loved Robert, a recent widower, the customers are shocked and terrified when a young man armed with a shotgun comes into the Tuckbox and shots the owner dead and then takes hostages.The story is told by numerous narrators and each character has such an authentic voice that the reader is immediately transported into the cafe and can almost taste the emotion, fear and despair felt by the hostages, the negotiators and the gunmen.I was taken on an incredibly powerful journey through each character and chapter. My emotions ranged from shock to sympathy and back again throughout the book. What starts off as an horrific and violent unprovoked attack on a seemingly innocent victim ended up making me question everything I’ve read and rethink my judgement.At times it was heart-breaking and then heart-warming, my emotions were all over the place. The Secret of Strangers may be a work of fiction, but it left me feeling hopeful and positive about the human race and that most people are kind, caring, compassionate and more importantly brave. 5 stars

I have never read a book so fast it is so well written and so emotional. You really feel you know all the characters by the time you finish and my heart went out to the gun man in a way I wouldn't have thought possible at the beginning. The victim is not really a victim at all and thats what carries you through the unfolding story. All I can say is OMG buy this book !!!

Another absolute winner from Charity. I have enjoyed all of her books to date. The scenario was quite plausible and demonstrated how lives can change in a flash. Charity displays an understanding of human behaviour and I felt as though I knew the characters well from her descriptions. Just couldn't put this book down and would highly recommend it but be prepared for an emotional journey. Thank you Charity.

I put off reading this book for awhile as I didn’t think it looked as interesting as I thought it would be however it was incredibly gripping and the characters were fascinating. A really brilliant book. I would definitely recommend it.