‘By the end, you’ll be shaken as each piece slots satisfyingly into place’
– The Other Side of Night
[ About the Book ]
David Asha wants to tell you a story about three people:
Elliott Asha, his son, broken by a loss that will redeem him.
Ben Elmys, a surrogate father and David’s trusted friend, a man who might also be a murderer.
Harriet Kealty, a retired detective searching for answers to three mysterious deaths, while also investigating a man who might turn out to be the love of her life.
Every word David tells you is true, but you will think it fiction . . .
[ My Review ]
The Other Side of Night by Adam Hamdy published September 15th with MacMillan and is described as a ‘thoughtful, provoking, moving “head-spinner of a novel” (John Connolly) with intriguing narratives and plot swerves that will leave you reeling.’
“What would you sacrifice for love?” – This is the opening line of The Other Side of Night and is the question asked by David Asha as he explains why he has decided to tell his story and the story of his beloved son Elliot. What follows is a mind-bending and quite extraordinary tale that is quite unlike anything I have ever encountered before.
David Asha takes the reader on a journey into the before and after of a life that went through some radical and bizarre experiences that really defy anything you have ever read. David Asha is grieving initially leaving us perplexed as to what happened to Elliot yet also intrigued and hooked from the opening pages.
Harriet Kealty is a police officer whose life has been completely upended by an internal investigation into a case she was involved with. Forced into retirement she is unsure of what her life will now consist of and is clearly depressed but unwilling to get any professional assistance. One day, in a second-hand bookshop, she stumbles on an open book with a strange handwritten note from someone looking for help. Harriet is immediately curious, and with little else on her hands, she decides to do her own bit of research.
Unexpectedly her search leads her to Ben Elmys, a man who ghosted her after a very short but intense relationship. Ben is the surrogate father to Elliot Asha, who is now without a parent. There is a very valid question over the loss of both Ellliot’s parents and Ben Elmys might just know more than he is willing to tell.
Confused? Well, here’s the thing I can’t really say anymore as Adam Hamdy made one very important request that I very much intend to adhere to.
“Please review and share the book, but don’t give away any spoilers”
The Other Side of Night is a disconcerting tale told from many differing perspectives which, at times, can be quite overwhelming. It is a mystery like no other that, I can guarantee, will leave you rendered speechless. As the chapters unfold the plot thickens, unravelling slowly as you approach the end. Adam Hamdy has been very brave in writing this book. It will not be to everyone’s taste as it is very much out there but I applaud him for his sense of adventure in trying something so unique and original. Most definitely The Other Side of Night is the absolute perfect book-club choice as the conversations around this book and the subject it delves into would make for some very fascinating observations and discussions. An abstract novel that fascinates and intrigues, The Other Side of Night is an intelligent, ingenuous and alternative read, one that leaves you feeling completely rattled, in a good way of course!
[ Bio ]
British author and screenwriter Adam Hamdy works with studios and production companies on both sides of the Atlantic.
He is the author of Black 13, a Scott Pearce novel, and the Pendulum trilogy, an epic series of conspiracy thriller novels. James Patterson described Pendulum as ‘one of the best thrillers of the year’, and the novel was a finalist for the Glass Bell Award for contemporary fiction. Pendulum was chosen as book of the month by Goldsboro Books and was selected for BBC Radio 2 Book Club.
Prior to embarking on his writing career, Adam was a strategy consultant and advised global businesses in the medical systems, robotics, technology and financial services sectors.
Twitter ~ @adamhamdy
Loved this book. Did you get yours via NetGalley? If you did I have a question x
Mel I got a proof in the post. Sorry x
That’s ok. Just trying to see if anyone else had a dodgy NetGalley copy. All the f’s were missing in mine x