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A review by rowena_m_andrews
Everything to Lose by Gordon Bickerstaff
4.0
I actually read ‘Everything to Lose’ twice before writing this review. The first time I came to this book, the second in the series, without having read book one and it does very well as a standalone, but with enough threads tied to ‘Deadly Secrets’ as to rouse my interest. So, I went back and read ‘Deadly Secrets’ (I will post the review on Goodreads later this week), and then reread ‘Everything to Lose’, fundamentally it was the same reinforcing its strength as a standalone. But I enjoyed having that fuller understanding of past events and Gavin’s character, and I would highly recommend reading both books because of this.
It was refreshing to read a science-based thriller, which is something I haven’t come across very often and helped ground the story very much in reality because it was a plausible concept executed brilliantly. A fascinating blend of past and present, was just the first step in a gripping read that had its own thrilling, complex plot, nestled within the web of the larger, overarching plot, which combined with that ending leaves you needing more.
The pacing was fantastic, a fast-paced rollercoaster than knew just when to slow for maximum impact and thrill, and both times it was impossible to put this book down once I’d started it. As with all thrillers, there was some violence, but nothing that felt excessive or didn’t propel the narrative forward, and the action was well done and brought the pieces together perfectly. In some places, the brisk almost journalistic writing which helped keep the pace moving, and served the narrative well, for the most part, felt a little too brief and fragmented, and could perhaps have been slowed and softened in places, but this is a minor complaint from a book that I couldn’t put down.
In terms of characters, I enjoyed Gavin – the fact that he is a Scientist rather than a detective or a more traditional main character for a thriller making him stand out from the beginning. But I liked how his development was done, and how he was shaped by past events. Both emotionally and in terms of the choices laid before him, as it gave a sense of realism and consequence to his actions and his character. Zoe was also a fantastic character, and everything I look for in a female character, strong without being cold with it, and it was great to see some of her life beyond her work.
It was refreshing to read a science-based thriller, which is something I haven’t come across very often and helped ground the story very much in reality because it was a plausible concept executed brilliantly. A fascinating blend of past and present, was just the first step in a gripping read that had its own thrilling, complex plot, nestled within the web of the larger, overarching plot, which combined with that ending leaves you needing more.
The pacing was fantastic, a fast-paced rollercoaster than knew just when to slow for maximum impact and thrill, and both times it was impossible to put this book down once I’d started it. As with all thrillers, there was some violence, but nothing that felt excessive or didn’t propel the narrative forward, and the action was well done and brought the pieces together perfectly. In some places, the brisk almost journalistic writing which helped keep the pace moving, and served the narrative well, for the most part, felt a little too brief and fragmented, and could perhaps have been slowed and softened in places, but this is a minor complaint from a book that I couldn’t put down.
In terms of characters, I enjoyed Gavin – the fact that he is a Scientist rather than a detective or a more traditional main character for a thriller making him stand out from the beginning. But I liked how his development was done, and how he was shaped by past events. Both emotionally and in terms of the choices laid before him, as it gave a sense of realism and consequence to his actions and his character. Zoe was also a fantastic character, and everything I look for in a female character, strong without being cold with it, and it was great to see some of her life beyond her work.