"Hold Still" is about Kate, a woman who takes a photograph at the moment of her Albanian husbands death, that then leads her on a discovery of secrets, distrust and into the dangerous criminal underworld of violence. This is an excellent taut thriller with the usual unexpected Adler twists and turns. This is the third book I have read by the author Tim Adler (the others being "Slow Bleed" and "Surrogate") and I have to say it makes a refreshing change when you find someone whose every book is as enjoyable as the previous one if not better. I have fast become a fan of Tim's polished writing which is gritty, informative, intriguing and cleverly planned. His page turning novels are very addictive, and I hope to read more one day by him. On an extra note all of these paperback books published by the modern Urbane Publications are quality printed with strikingly photographic covers and worth every penny. I always admire books when time and effort has gone into their beautiful design and print.

‘I photographed my husband’s death’ This is the premise of the story that is Hold Still by Tim Adler. The very thought of photographing your loved one’s death is haunting in its self, then begins a nerve jangling twisting thriller that will keep the reader on edge until the very end. Both Kate and her husband Paul are visiting Albania, for a family funeral but goes tragically wrong. While relaxing I their hotel room together, Paul who is extremely preoccupied with his business and somewhat stressed goes to the balcony with his phone and Kate starts to take what she believes is just a normal photograph that they will look back on, moments later there are screams, Kate runs to the balcony to be confronted with her husband lying dead on the street below. An apparent suicide? Kate is overcome with grief, and cannot come to terms with the loss of her husband. Something is nagging at Kate and despite the local police closing the case all is not as it seems and so she returns home and later studies the photographs and what was on her husband’s phone? Our protagonist Kate does not let up and soon she decides that the truth about Paul’s death is out there, she is convinced he did not take his own life. So begins a roller coaster of a tense thriller that continues at a pace. While Kate is utterly determined to get to the truth, there are dangers lurking around every corner and she is placed in some serious danger for her own life as she travails Europe to find the real truth and help bring the culprits to justice and at the same time closure. In Hold Still we come face to face with drugs, prostitution and human trafficking, nothing is held back by Adler. You cannot help be being drawn into the story and Kate is no ordinary woman she is solid and determined she makes her own decisions about who she needs to trust and makes an excellent lead character. The ending is fast and furious and delivers at break-neck pace. With no clues from me as to the result. Hold Still is a thoroughly gripping tense thriller and intrigue and drama. An entertaining read that keeps the reader wondering what lies ahead. My thanks to Matthew at Urbane Publications for a review copy. Hold Still by Tim Adler published by Urbane Publications and was released 17 Match 2016. THE LAST WORD BOOK REVIEW

Hold Still by Tim Adler is a clichéd suspense novel. Kate Julia and her husband, Paul are in Tirana, Albania for the funeral of his uncle. After the funeral, Paul steps out onto their balcony. The next thing Kate hears is car horns and sees his body on the street below. Kate cannot believe that her husband killed himself. Kate had snapped a picture right before Paul disappeared and the picture does not add up with the information Kate receives from the police. Kate has her husband cremated and returns home to London. However, the more Kate looks into her husband’s death, the less it makes sense. Then her flat is broken into and tossed. What is going on? Kate meets John Priest at a support group. Kate contacts him after the break in. John is understanding and sympathetic, but there is more to John than meets the eye. What happens when Kate keeps (recklessly) probing Paul’s death? Will she still be alive to tell the tale? I found Hold Still to be a very predictable novel. Once I started reading the story, I knew exactly how it would play out (I do not want to give away any spoilers). Kate is a naïve, trusting women who does everything she is not supposed to do (like trust a man she just met). I had trouble getting into this book (I actually never did). I like to dive into a story and be drawn into that world. Instead, Hold Still was a book that I read (to a reader there is a big difference). There were no unexpected surprises or twists. I give Hold Still 3 out of 5 stars. It was okay, but nothing great. There is some foul language and sex in the novel as well as extreme violence (fair warning). I received a complimentary copy of Hold Still from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review of the novel.