PENGUIN Like This, For Ever: (Lacey Flint: 3): the chilling psychological thriller from Richard & Judy bestseller Sharon Bolton

Not many crime thrillers justify close to 500 pages; this one emphatically does.It is not easy to place in terms of the usual crime fiction headings. It is not really a police procedural, not least because the narrative is driven principally by a young boy. One of the many attractions of this novel is the way in which it features young people in central roles without lapsing into either sentimentality or into stereotypical two-dimensional figures plucked from patronising generalisations about children in current society. Certainly one of the things I found most refreshing about the book is the natural and convincing way in which intelligent and articulate children hold our attention.It is via the shifting perspectives on events that Sharon Bolton ratchets up the tension. As twist follows twist the suspense builds ever upwards without weakening towards the highly dramatic ending. It is, perhaps, in the nature of a crime melodrama. The sharp, physical actuality caught up in the action centred along the Thames (almost Dickensian in the powerful atmosphere evoked) and the natural dialogue coexist with a spiralling plot that holds effortlessly our willing suspension of disbelief.All takes place against a network of human relationships that in itself compels our absorbed interest. This is, I believe, the third book in the series and if there is a weakness it is that the character of Lacey remains rather shadowy, largely realised through less than explicit references to her traumatic experience before the events here begin. Nonetheless, this is a minor criticism of a crime novel that is beautifully written and is a compulsive page turner. I shall certainly now read the earlier novels.

The third book in the series, Like This For Ever picks up a few months after the previous book ( Dead Scared) ended. Detective Lacey Flint is on sick leave recovering from the traumatic events that took place in the previous story and whilst contemplating her future, the last thing she wants to do is get involved in another case. However, as young Barney lives right next door to Lacey, she finds herself once again becoming involved despite not officially being at work and another intriguing story unfolds, brilliantly written by the author Sharon Bolton, who previously went by the name S.J. Bolton.I will point out here that this novel works equally well as a stand alone novel too. Indeed I did not realise until recently that there actually was a Lacey Flint series as Bolton has written some stand alone novels too. I actually read the second book first and thoroughly enjoyed it before realising there was a another book before that and so then read that one too before seeking out this 3rd novel. Therefore I have read these books in the wrong order and it has not hampered my enjoyment at all.Here in LIke This For Ever, Bolton once again produces a story you will find difficult to put down. It all takes place in London around the Thames and there are more than a few twists before the killer is revealed. I found I had a few suspects at varying points and still could not predict the ending. The story was a riveting read and held my attention throughout and there was still a surprise at the end.The story touches on some very up to the minute themes such as the obsession with vampire culture and the use of social media to give opinions, information and news. Indeed Facebook plays a key part in the story and I think Bolton handled this aspect perfectly.The writing flowed and I enjoyed every character. Leading the investigation once again is Dana Tulloch, who also featured in the previous book and psychiatrist Evi Oliver also makes a fleeting appearance here again too.Bolton packs short punchy chapters with plenty of supense and intrigue and excels at character development in my opinion which is why I am thoroughly enjoying these Lacey Flint novels. Sometimes her books seem so real, because of her knack for storytelling, intrigue and ordinary characters which she develops so well, to make them all interesting.Whilst Lacey isn't exactly a greatly likeable character, Bolton has certainly made her interesting and intriguing enough and the continuing chemistry running between her and DI Mark Joesbury makes for good reading too. It sees me willing their relationship to develop further as it is always teetering on the edge as they dance around their mutual attraction to one another.Will they ever get it together? Whilst sometimes I wish they would, other times I wonder if it would spoil my enjoyment of these books, so I think I am happy with the way it is now, but will be equally ok with wherever the author decides to go with these two characters in future books, as I am sure she will handle it well enough.The young boys (and girl) which feature in this book as Barney's friends as well as the character of Barney himself were a joy to read about. Sometimes when a story focuses around children the author can seem out of touch at times, but these characters were thoroughly believable and enjoyable. Barney is a great character, I could almost feel his anxiety at times and I felt the author really got inside his head to produce not only an intriguing young boy, but also an excellent twist which added to the suspense.I read this book whilst on holiday and finished it in two days. If I had been home I probably would have wanted to read it in one sitting!

Once again another brilliant read from Sharon Bolton. I really couldn't make my mind up who dun it and it never occurred to me who it eventually was. The only thing that spoilt it for me was the soppy bit at the end which really quite spoilt it for me. I am not a fan of soppy. but I wouldn't put me off reading a really good story. I would recommend any of the books Sharon Bolton has written and that I have read so far. Now book 4 'The Dark and Twisted Tide'

Not as gripping as the first book or as intriguing as the second, however Like This, Forever was still a good read. I felt it sidelined Lacey a little, which worked in her favour as she was running the risk of becoming a 'perfect' character and therefore a little boring.Whilst I 'guessed' who the killer was relatively early on, the twists made me doubt it and I really enjoyed that.One thing I am finding a little difficult as the series progresses is Lacey's relationship with Joesbury. I find it too dramatic and Joesbury seems too nice to be caught up in Lacey's self centred personality. #justdoit

Having read the first two books in the Lacey Flint series this is by far the best although I gave them both five stars too!Sharon Bolton is such a good writer: I was convinced one character was the killer then decided on another, then another. Such were the twists and turns in the story.I would recommend that the reader should read the series in the correct order as the characters develop in each book especially in the case of the prisoner!Looking forward to book four!