The Pact: The gripping thriller for readers who love dark academia and shocking twists

Sharon Bolton, where have you been all my life?! This is exactly what I love; dark and twisty academia with a bunch of unlikeable characters. An easy 5 stars, and a bonus 👏🏻 for being set in Oxford.

I am instantly drawn to thrillers that involve a group of close knit friends hiding a secret from their past, (in this case their involvement in the death of a woman and two children) that if threatened to be exposed could destroy the lives they have built in the time since. The difference in this one, and what makes it stand out, is that one takes the blame for them all and by doing so the others agree that they will each owe her a “favour” of her choice when she is released after serving her prison sentence. It’s the least they can do right?…. Sharon Bolton weaves an intricate tale that is slowly built up at first by setting the scene, before she releases her foot off the brake for a more thrilling and actioned pack second half. When Megan is released from prison, this is when it gets really good and the tension and suspense ramps up. The characters are all very unlikeable, entitled you know what’s, each have moved on without much thought for Megan or following through on their promise when she comes to collect, but it works in this space and doesn’t hinder the story in any way. I feel it enhances it all the more. The Pact is a thrilling and additive read that I found to be very entertaining. My first book by Sharon Bolton, she is now on my radar and I will be on the lookout for more of her work in the future.

really good. couldn't stop reading!