‘Return to Harlech’ by Ruth Torjussen is such a deliciously dark and twisty psychological thriller/horror story. I admit this is the first time I have read any work of Ruth Torjussen so had no expectations as I sat down to read. Boy, I had a surprise with this book. That’s the one thing blogging brought me that nothing can replace… finding excellent new authors.

We are introduced to Tess and Steve, a married couple. Tess is desperate for a baby and wants to attempt to save her marriage so books a romantic trip to Harlech, Steve’s home town. She is expecting a relaxing time but she expects wrong as Steve’s past catches up with them.
The characters in this book are so fantastically human and their flaws just shine so bright. Ruth Torjussen has done such a good job in making Steve one of my most hated characters hands down. I warmed to Tess as I discovered more about her back story and life with Steve. Her character development was apparent with Tess growing enough as the story unfolded to begin to get stronger and a little more confident, looking at her own issues too.

The book had me from the first page, I was hooked and Ruth Torjussen’s descriptions of the settings had me picturing everything, I could have been there. The story kept me flipping the pages and wanting more, I needed to know the past and the present…I needed to know exactly what was going to happen.

I couldn’t have guessed the ending if I had tried – a twist towards the final part of the book takes you somewhere you would never expect. This was my first experience of Ruth Torjussen’s writing and I have found another perfect author for me.

With thanks to Love Books Tours and Ruth Torjussen for the gift of ‘Return To Harlech’.