A Psychological Thriller/Suspense set in Ireland. Office jobs can be stressful. Aoife’s may be lethal.Aoife’s life is finally on track. She’s happily married, pregnant with her first child and has the world’s best mother-in-law. But when Aoife accepts a job as an office temp, her entire life begins to unravel. Is one of Aoife’s colleagues a murderer? Is Aoife the next target? Why is her husband … target? Why is her husband unconcerned?
Can office politics lead to murder? Girl Targeted is a perfect read for fans of Behind Closed Doors, Girl on a Train and the Silent Wife.
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Girl Targeted by Val Collins
Published: January 23, 2018
Val Collins Books
I received a copy of this book for free, and I leave my review voluntarily.
Val Collins is the author of the award-winning psychological thriller GIRL TARGETED, the international bestseller ONLY LIES REMAIN, and her new release, THE SILENT SPEAK. All three books feature heroine Aoife Walsh.
A native of Ireland, Val began reading at the age of three and still devours books at the rate of one per week. Her favourite authors range from Philippa Gregory and Sophie Kinsella to Lee Child and Linwood Barclay.
[Aoife is a very common Irish name and is pronounced Eeefah (a bit like Eva with an ‘f’).]
“What the hell was going on?”
Aoife is preparing to have her first child and working part-time as a temp for a busy company. Aoife starts to realize things aren’t what they seem, but no one will listen to her concerns. Her husband is icing her out, her workmates are weirdly sketchy, and her mother-in-law appears to be playing both sides of the game. When Aoife discovers something tragic in the office, suddenly her life changes, and she might not survive to tell anyone the truth.
This is Val Collins debut novel, and the necessary elements are all present. The plot, the characters, and the twist are all so well done.
I really enjoyed getting to know Aoife, and she is such a bold character. All of the characters were well-plotted and well developed. The personalities were all so different and so distinct.
I enjoyed the build-up of the storyline and watching as all the pieces started falling into place. The lead-up to who did what was very well plotted and not obvious.
I am enjoying Val Collins as an author and the idea of a series focused around Aoife. As the character gets fleshed out and we get to know her more, I can see her becoming a dynamic and empowering leading lady.
Exciting! Addictive! Thrilling! Suspenseful! This novel pulled me ALL the way in, immediately. Everything you could want in a mystery drama!
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
Girl Targeted is the author’s first book. I, of course, read the second first. I highly recommend you read this before you read Only Lies Remain. There are parts in Girl Targeted that are intense and it is heightened if you haven’t read Only Lies Remain. Though, really, I was barely breathing through one scene even with what I knew.
I like how this writer spins her stories. In this one I did use a book club book so I could make a tree to make it easier to keep track of who everyone was and how they connected. There is a lot happening that needs to be solved but those things keep me turning pages. I was up all night! I kept saying just let me see how this chapter ends; I think I got it just a few more pages; omg what! I can’t stop now; and finally, oh wow the end is here and I smell breakfast, (I can smell the coffee shop across the way). It was worth staying up and I can sleep for a bit this morning.
I like Aoife and her curiosity. I don’t like that she doesn’t always think of the danger. I have heard it said, what you don’t like in someone else may be because you don’t like it in you. I’ll leave that there. Haha. Jason had me furious. I’m not certain anyone will like him. Yet I married someone who acted like that. I really think most of us have met a Jason. After experiencing one, I hope you haven’t been up close and personal with one. If you have, I hope you made it out okay. I understand his reasonings but bad things happen to us all. It doesn’t give you the right to treat others badly. I’m torn on my feelings for Maura. Amy was once again the only character I was trusting…and she was only eight months old. Good job Ms. Collins.
I hope you didn’t think I was going to go into the plot. I’m too afraid I’ll give out spoilers. Go read the book. I hope you enjoy it!