After He Died By Michael J Malone – A Review

Publisher: Orenda Books

Publication Date: 20th September 2018

You need to know who your husband really was

Paula Gadd is no stranger to heartbreak. Having lost her son Christopher 7 years ago and now mourning the recent death of her husband Thomas, she is awash with grief and overwhelmed with her loss.

When she is approached by a young woman at Thomas’s funeral who simply says ‘You need to know who your husband really was’, Paula is left wondering what on earth this woman could mean and questioning her entire marriage to the man she loved and has now lost.

With Thomas not there to explain himself, Paula is left to try and piece together events surrounding Thomas’s death. The only people who can offer her any help are Thomas’s two brothers Joe and Bill and the strange woman Cara who she met at the funeral.

Paula struggles with what Cara is telling her, the difference between the man she knew and loved and the type of man Cara is portraying with her information are so at odds with each other. Whilst dealing with her grief Paula is left to unravel the past whilst protecting her future.

What I enjoyed about this book was the fact that although it is a thriller there was a gentle humour at various points. Paula has a very touching relationship with Joe who is a priest and brother of Thomas. Joe as a character was very engaging, as I enjoyed reading the scenes between him and Paula, they share a lovely bond.

Cara is also a very engaging character, such a strong willed kick ass woman, she does masses for girl power! Determined and driven she is a force to be reckoned with. Even though the relationship between Cara and Paula is initially extremely strained, they ultimately share a begrudging bond aswell.

Aside from larger than life characters this book is chock full of plot twists. Tense and gripping, especially in the latter chapters, this story will keep you guessing throughout.

It’s difficult to know who to trust and who to believe, you can really feel Paula’s confusion and bewilderment. Living a life she never expected and discovering things she never in a million years would have thought would happen.

As with all good action packed thrillers, this one is pacey and full of momentum. Just when you think you might have it all sussed out you’re back at square one.

Tense and full of twists, this is a great thriller to get your hands on. I would thoroughly recommend it.

Thank you as always to Anne Cater and the Orenda team for the review copy.

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