This was the second book that I’ve read in the past few months where someone writes a journal or diary on the basis of a recommendation from a therapist. While I don’t keep a journal or diary, I have taken up sketching again this year, and so could relate to the person in the book who had taken to choosing something other than the cheapest book and pens available. But the character also has to come to terms with living inside their head and their book too much and that they have to “live again”. It’s all about balance, I suppose.

Eager to fit in, Anna and Peter spend their first evening with their new neighbors, a couple who turn up on their doorstep to welcome them with open arms. But when Anna pops over the next morning to thank them for their hospitality, there’s no answer. The house is bare and unoccupied, and the neighbors have vanished without a trace. What’s more, everybody else on the street is convinced that no one ever lived there at all.As the two survivors try to get their story straight to the police it’s destined to be seen through by their actions, body language, etc. clearly, these two are amateurs. The Hike” is the fourth stand alone novel and was released in 2022. Four hikers go into the mountains, but just two return. However is it tragedy? Or is it treachery? 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 had to stop myself from reading this in one sitting, it was fast paced & full of intrigue. I did kind of guess what was going on, which made the book more fun for me, as I haven’t read any other books with this concept; very original, loved it. I’m a fan of Susi Holliday’s writing and have read nearly all her titles. I won a copy of The Street & aim to give an unbiased review of the book.

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. Two couples (sisters and their husbands) plan a vacation in the Swiss Alps after being cooped up for a year and a half of not going anywhere during the pandemic. But the hike takes a tragic turn and only two of them survive. Something sinister is afoot, but who is behind it all? Because every single character is abominably detestable. 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 Interwoven throughout the tale is short spurts of narrative from an unknown person, this adds a great deal of suspense and tension to the story. Who is following them? Why are they being followed? What does this mystery person know, or want?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. 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.

The story is amateur, the writing is amateur, the squabbles are amateur, even the “accidents” are amateur. 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. And I liked this book! I did! All the way up to the ending. I'll admit, I like things to be all wrapped up with a neat bow on top when it comes to endings. I just have too many questions otherwise. And then it bothers me and I have to go Google about it and see if others have the same questions as me. And see if I can find any answers. See if maybe the author answered some pressing questions online. But I just don't like it. I end the book on a deflated note. And just so you know, I'm not talking about little cliffhanger endings. Like, oh every bit of the mystery has been solved and now the characters are talking about life and the aftermath of whatever terrible thing happened to them. And then someone sort of gives a hint that maybe... whatever. Maybe they're going to start their own cult. Maybe they're going to seek revenge. Maybe they're so damaged they want to go on their own murder spree. Those endings are fine because I still get all the answers to the various pieces of the central mystery. This first one is not a big deal and is not a spoiler but there WILL be big spoilers after this one so skip to final paragraph if you don't want to see them. The first small issue, and the only one of its kind in the whole book that I noticed, is that in one paragraph it says that Anna threw a piece of paper (that had been a message left on her door by a neighbor) on the floor. The next paragraph says that her husband grabbed the piece of paper out of her hand to read it. I'm surprised this got past an editor. every character had their own personal agenda and it was not good, and they are all not nice people. They have done things in their life they try to justify as ok when it’s not. Affairs, financial abuse, etc. All the arguing or little snarky comments from the get go just wore on me. Oh c’mon! Can’t we just all try to get along??? NoThe last chapters in the book get more interesting, but they also get more absurd and harder to believe. I mean, would you tell your spouse about something you did that could get you sent to prison for life? Not to mention your spouse would probably think you're a psychopath! In fact, none of them really get on with each other. There's a real spark of hate and distrust that flashes throughout the group, often covered by fake smiles and a little compassion, but more often than not, revealing itself in pointed remarks and insults, especially between the two sisters. Not one of these people are likeable, but they are all very well drawn. I'm fond of the obnoxious character and often think that they are far more interesting than the nice guys out there .... well, in fiction anyway! 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.