Susi Holliday grew up close to Edinburgh and spent a number of years working in her family’s newsagent and pub before studying statistics and microbiology. She’s worked as a statistician in the pharmaceutical industry for more than 16 years, however it was on a six month round-the-world-trip that she took with her husband that she refound her passion for writing. The main relationship (Anna and Peter) was unrealistic and just didn’t ring true. For example, why would Anna choose a time when they are not close and there’s so much tension already to tell him about the affair? There seemed to be a lot of inconsistency - I know this was probably to give a sense of intrigue (is Peter a goodie or a baddie? Ooh the suspense) - but it was all so thinly drawn. I did not care about either of them - (and I really am a very caring person, honest!) Also, the story is paced and written well. I never felt bored. The writing kept me hooked, unable to put the book down, and was able to maintain a sense of paranoia throughout the whole thing. The mountain setting was vividly described; the isolation, the treachery of the mountainside paths, the obstacles, the forests, the snapping twigs, all add depth and tension to this fast moving and surprising story.

I did guess some of the stuff early on but that didn’t detract from the reading. Plus there were a few anomalies but again, that did not distract me.On the first night, their immediate neighbours turn up with wine to welcome them and they end up having an evening finding out about the rest of the neighbourhood. When Anna goes to thank them the next day, she discovers that their house is empty, and they are no where to be seen. She meets other neighbours who deny anyone having every lived there. I find this book too convoluted to describe as I was unable to gain a foothold in the story. I was interested enough in the characters, who were by turns rotten and relatable, and their conflicts, both internal and with each other, to follow it all through to the end. But I never really got how the scenes all related to the ones behind and in front of them. It's all just kind of a big shrug for me. Included are a couple of minor spoilers, but I didn't know how to convey a proper synopsis without including these small little pieces. Spoilers are noted before they are revealed below.) Returning to being a writer, one of the characters comments about the job as being literally being paid to make things up – worse than a tabloid journalist. While these thoughts reflected a moment of self-doubt in the character, the reality is, of course, that the two are worlds apart. While many tabloid journalists may make things up like a novelist, and both may have financial reasons for what they are doing, ultimately novelists, when they are doing their job properly, not only avoid outright lies, they can do a better job at helping us to question society and the way things are. Holliday does this in “The Street”. You can just enjoy the story for what it is. But there are deeper issues underpinning the book – ones which will make you question what you would do in certain situations, and, depending on your answers, have implications for how justice can work.

I nearly stopped reading after the first 15% because they were all so annoying. But it's written surprisingly well, for the most part, and there was just enough mystery to keep me hanging on. The Deaths of December” is the first stand alone novel and was released in 2017. The hunt’s on for a serial murderer in a thrilling festive crime novel. It is well-paced, with good characters and an uncompromising theme of secrets, lies and the bane of social media. Peter and Anna, eager to fit in, spend their first evening with their new neighbors, this couple that show up on their doorstep to welcome them with open arms. However when Anna pops over the next morning to thank them for their hospitality, there isn’t any answer. The house is unoccupied and bare, and the neighbors have disappeared without a trace. What’s more, everyone else on the street is convinced that nobody ever lived there at all. Anna & Peter move to a new development on the shores of The Forth, having decided on a fresh start away from London. The houses are ultra-modern and appear to be of a similar style & layout. Some have gardens leading to the beach, including theirs.A great read which I’ve throughly enjoyed reading, sat in the garden on the last couple of sunny days. Anna and Peter have moved to a new life in Scotland on a nice but somewhat peculiar new development called The Street and struggle to integrate themselves into the community there. I'm going to put all of my issues that include HUGE spoilers, in one long paragraph so skip to last paragraph for final thoughts and rating.

Susi Holliday takes her readers on an exhausting hike, there are twists that I anticipated, but didn't happen and things that I never imagined that just seemed to come from nowhere. Trust me, don't ever think you've worked this one out, because if you do, I'll be very very surprised. When only two of the four hikers make it down from the mountain, the police press them for their story—but soon become suspicious when their accounts just don’t add up. The story is amateur, the writing is amateur, the squabbles are amateur, even the “accidents” are amateur. The Last Resort” is the second stand alone novel and was released in 2020. Seven strangers with seven secrets, and a perfect crime. Susi cut her teeth on short stories and flash fiction, and was shortlisted for the first CWA Margery Allingham Prize in 2014.All across the USA, people are showing up dead. The deaths don't appear to be connected in any way until one particular death occurs and gets the Secretary of Defense's attention. He arranges for a task force to investigate. It is the neighborhood thriller that isn’t quite a neighborhood thriller. However, I won’t say more on that for fear of giving too much away. Outside of the summary, go in blind, and you won’t be disappointed. The Street By Susi Holliday- Characters It was awful. Poorly written. No real sense of intrigue and a plot that doesn’t get off the ground or bring much in the way of surprises. Annoying main character. Annoying characters full stop. Ok. This is going to be very brief. Let’s simply say that there are a variety of personalities, and they are all written expertly. They are compelling and thought-out. You often know something is bubbling just beneath the surface of each character, and The Street, as a whole, but you won’t know what. And that keeps the suspense gaining momentum till the end.

The Street by Susi Holliday is an engaging novel that initially drew me in with its mysterious storyline and realistic characters, it just didn't STAY engaging and mysterious. I was intrigued and felt like this was a great story, I truly wanted to know what was going to happen!I loved the idyllic Swiss Alps setting in this story. Somewhere so beautiful but can also be so dangerous. Cat, Ginny and their husbands aren’t experienced hikers but the route they take should be a fairly easy one. And the app that you will come to read about? It is a personality all its own. The Street By Susi Holliday- Audiobook As I'm reading I can't wait for the psychological twist, when I go "ahhh there it is, this is so great" moment. Sadly to say I didn't get it. However the story was a good, although a little unbelievable, I mean who leaves their phone behind when going on a hiking trip?! Seriously that is beyond stupid and they all deserved to die, ok die is a little extreme, but they should definitely never procreate. As she battles a growing obsession with the mystery, Anna finds herself becoming increasingly paranoid. She thought she’d escaped her own troubled past, but as the truth catches up with her, life starts to unravel. Maybe she’s not the only resident of The Street with something to hide… The Street By Susi Holliday-Review