The Festival

Sometimes it’s hard to pin point why you dislike a book but with this one it wasn’t!It was a slow paced book for a thriller, the characters were awful, the authors ignorance of people on the autistic spectrum was shocking, I skimmed through this book as it did not draw me in at all

I really enjoyed reading this, it was fast-paced and kept me guessing until the end (I got it wrong!) The atmosphere of the festival was particularly well done and I felt like I was there. I’m not quite giving it five stars though because there were a couple of things I found jarring. Firstly, the four main characters are thirty-nine years old, but the bleak way their lives are described it as if they are pushing ninety rather than forty. It took me out of the story a couple of times because I had to double-check their ages. If you are thirty-nine or above prepare to feel depressed about your age after reading this! Secondly there are some lazy descriptions when it comes to characters: one character is referred to as having facial scarring in order to demonstrate he is unattractive to one of the four main women. It is a shame that facial differences are still so often used as a negative.

Four former schoolfriends now near their forties, jaded by life. Orly, husband taken by cancer. Lenny, husband in jail. Mel deserted by Gary, her life now revolving round beloved son Billy. Thea, living with rich Bruno whose teen children detest her. It is Gillfest's twentyfifth anniversary. Why not be there, try to recreate the excitement and exuberance of their last visit so many years ago...?We know from the start tragic events mean this Gillfest's last. It intrigues to surmise. Increased hostility from embittered locals? Outrage from religious fanatics at such antics on a sacred Druid site? Whatever the reason, we are told death(s?) will result.All set then for a thoroughly involving read? Only partly so.Strengths involve portrayal of the atmosphere at such festivals - a converging of enthusiasts dedicated to three days of self-indulgence as their idols entertain. Tents may not be comfortable (and sometimes raided), alcohol consumed to excess, drugs freely distributed and ever present the smell of urine. But, what the hell, live for the moment - hopefully with memories to cherish.Yes, all that seems authentic, the writer able to testify from experience. What does reduce impact is its being so hard to care what happens to these four so determined on their brief escape from reality. So much drinking with inevitable consequences. Rather creakingly contrived tension. Possible revenge from a drug dealer outwitted? Emnity from former schoolmates with a grudge? Rejected suitors now determined to harass? Whatever the reason, messages perturb, signs all is not right. Cue for unlikely nocturnal activity in rather forbidding woods, frantic searches for one gone missing, suspicion of being pursued by one with evil intent.It all boils down to a need to care and to believe. Admittedly a major twist stuns, shedding new light on all that has gone before. Full marks for that one. On the whole, though, rather disappointing.

Now, I read this book partly out of curiosity as a festival is my idea of hell 😂 - I don't like camping, being wet or cold! I felt this book was really well written - I was able to visualise the scenes and the setting because it was well described. The characters were all written well enough that I could differentiate between them easily. The first quarter of the book is dedicated to introducing the characters, which although definitely helps later on, I did feel it went on a bit too long and I was eager to get to the festival.It was an interesting concept of 4 friends meeting up after 15 years, all at very different places in their lives and having had very different experiences in the intervening years. Throw in some grudges, some new and old enemies and it wasn't going to be a relaxing weekend! The only thing I found frustrating is that there was security as the festival, so why didn't they approach them when things started happening? Obviously that wouldn't have made a story, but it seemed daft to me!My favourite quote:"The wall opposite used to be covered in Blu Tack bullet holes in the plaster, from a constant cycle of posters being hung up and taken down. But these little markers of her journey to adulthood have been filled and painted over."

I found the story a bit slow and too many characters to deal with. Was a good read though

There was a lot of foul language

Not bad but a preposterous ending

Enjoyable tale which i read in two sittings. We are told enough about each of the four friends to understand a little of there background, family, careers etc. As the story progress's we discover secrets some more startling than others! Towards the end things become a little darker but quite honestly rather unbelievable and it didn't take a genius to work out......I won't say to much more as i don't want to spoil it for anyone.I will finish my review by saying, good easy read but don't expect to be on the edge of your seat!