Klaxon reviews: Amazon, Instagram, goodreads,TikTok...
- Ronan Bryan
- Jan 31
- 13 min read
If you liked reading Klaxon, we'd love to hear what you think about the book. Please feel free to contact us and also to post on Amazon - if that's where you bought your copy - or on the social media platform of your choice!
Here are some reader reviews from the UK and around the world that have appeared since the book was published in December 2022:
Mrs-Wood
5.0 out of 5 stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 January 2025
Binged it over a weekend
Great read, couldn't put it down. Having worked with domestic violence victims it resonated. It was raw, honest and ultimately very dark in places. Highly recommend.
Mrs Bee
4.0 out of 5 stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 September 2024
Gripping
All of the fear that anyone who has been in a coercive controlling and violent relationship will know very well. The loss of self, and the constant fear of doing anything or nothing that can provoke retaliation laid bare. An excellent book, very much enjoyed by this reader.
Happy Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 August 2024
Superb
Superb debut with an explosive ending. Very relatable characters, honest, and made me question some of my own choices. It really pulled at my heartstrings and I had a few tears along the way. Definitely recommended.
Mike Kavanagh
5 out of 5 stars / Goodreads
Reviewed in the Poland on 28 May 2024
...had to finish the rest of the book in one sitting
I began reading Klaxon without knowing exactly what to expect, and although the slow build-up sets the scene well, I still found the twist shortly after the halfway point very unexpected. After that I was hooked and had to finish the rest of the book in one sitting.
The structure of the novel is unusual; about a quarter of the way through, the narrative switches to a 10-year flashback that gradually brings us back to the present. However, it is cleverly written so that the action at the start of the book becomes relevant again as the story reaches its climax, giving the story a satisfying conclusion.
The plot is thought-provoking and at times terrifying, as we share the main character's hopes and fears. There are moments when we see her making bad decisions and want to call out to her, but unfortunately she is caught in the same trap in which many otherwise intelligent people are ensnared. This novel shines a light on the topic of domestic abuse, helping us to understand the conflicting emotions that keep people in toxic relationships.
Suzanne Hutchings
5 out of 5 stars / Amazon
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 March 2024
Excellent
This book had me hooked from the first few pages, wanting to know more about the ‘unique’ characters. Although the topic was hard to read and I was irritated by the main character , I became aware of my ignorance to this subject. I thank the Author for giving me an informative insight to the terrible situation anyone of us could find ourselves in. We read this at my book club and had a very good discussion afterwards .
Kate
5.0 out of 5 stars / Amazon
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 February 2024
Outstanding
An outstanding novel. Occasionally you read a book and it lives on in your head. Months later, sat at traffic lights you don’t notice the lights have changed because you’re still thinking about it. Just read it.
Nigel Metcalf
4.0 out of 5 stars / Amazon
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 October 2023
Verified Purchase
Thoroughly enjoyable read throughout
From the very start I enjoyed the quick wit of the storytelling, but as the book advanced the issues inside became more gripping to the end. An excellent thriller. Highly recommend this book, as it raises issues within relationships and dominating partners. Bravo !!
Samantha Beckinsale*, Actor / Writer / Producer
25th September 2023
A rollicking, totally addictive and thrilling storyline
Klaxon is one of those rare finds - an artistic creation that has the power to change how we as a society think and feel about something serious.
It's a game changer on every level - personally, societally, politically - all rolled up in a rollicking, totally addictive and thrilling storyline, with brilliantly honed, utterly believable and recognisable characters.
I literally couldn't put it down and you just wait 'til the end!!
* One of the stars of LWT's London's Burning, which ran from 1988 - 2002
Miriam
August 31, 2023
This is an amazing read and I highly recommend it
Where do I start😊😊😊 this is a phenomenal book. It touches on real hard subjects but doesn’t romanticize them.
Louise goes on holiday to a windmill for what she learns is a wellness retreat. She is apprehensive and resistant at first but soon finds what she needs to help her decide what her next moves are in terms of her husband. Her husband is not a good guy and by the end of the book you’ll fully understand exactly why. Louise is facing some very real danger and you’ll ask yourself throughout the book “why?! Why aren’t you just making the decisions you know you need to make?!” Is it ever really that easy though? This is written from the perspective of real life, in real life situations like this women feel stuck. We see Louise have to come to terms with what is and not what she wants it to be. It’s a hard read in the sense of you will feel everything Louise feels. You will cry with her and be mad with and at her but it will all come full circle and then you’ll root for her.
This is an amazing read and I highly recommend it.
Leah Gee, Ringstead, Norfolk
14th August 2023
I was gripped, couldn’t put it down and read it at every opportunity
Excited to have this fabulous book by Niamh Bryan for sale in store. I was gripped, couldn’t put it down and read it at every opportunity. Just when I thought I knew what was going to happen another twist happened. Limited stock available so grab it whilst you can. #psychologicalthriller #twistsandturns #greatread #klaxon #norfolk ##lovelocal #lovenorfolk #supportlocal #supportsmallbusiness #ringstead #hunstanton #heacham #sedgeford #snettisham #dersingham #holme #docking #brancaster #thornham #burnhammarket #wells
The General Store, 41 High Street, Ringstead, Norfolk PE36 5JU
miri_reads_books TikTok review (NB 5minutes listen; 1.21 - 1.30 - 9 second audio gap)
10th August 2023
Let me tell you, it was a great book
My review of Klaxon by @Niamh Bryan Author. My audio spaces for a minute because i got a phone call but its super brief, push through lol
#bookpals #bookbestie #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookreviewer #bookrecs #indieauthor #indiauthorsoftiktok #indieauthorspotlight #books #booklover #bookstoread #klaxon #niamhbryan
Miri - 3370 Following 1820 Followers 6049 Likes 'Booktoker obsessed with all things book but also a mom obsessed with everyday things to make life easy!'
Susan Bright, CEO, EIDA - the Employers Initiative on Domestic Abuse.
30th June 2023
I’m recommending it to my Book Club
“Klaxon is a compelling read which kept me engrossed until the last page.
More importantly, it gives a convincing insight into how easy it is to get trapped in a controlling relationship, how hard it can be to leave, and questions the role of family, friends and work colleagues, who suspect what is going on.
Domestic abuse is not widely understood or acknowledged. It can happen to anyone from all walks of life; it is all around us, yet largely unseen.
This book will help raise awareness and I’m recommending it to my Book Club since it will generate a great discussion.”
Full article: 'Employers’ organisation CEO recommends ‘Klaxon’ to book club'
Michael J Prattis
4.0 out of 5 stars / Amazon
A good read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 August 2023
Verified Purchase
A good read and insight into the mind of a victim of coercion and physical abuse, and hopefully how the workplace environment was, rather than the present times .
Sue Barrow
5.0 out of 5 stars / Amazon
Compelling Read, Unable to put the book down
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on 15 June 2023
The story was fiction: The psychology is real. This is the most compelling description of the psychology of being controlled in a relationship by both a partner and the false beliefs created by society: Love does not conquer all.
There are many books and numerous training sessions on Domestic abuse. Still, nothing else has ever come close to communicating and understanding victims' psychology and conflicting emotions as this book by Niamh Bryan does.
To achieve this in such a readable narrative is mind-blowing. I hope this enables them to be wider supported in their communities and their decisions understood.
This makes the book sound like a safeguarding course. It is, maybe, but it is also an inspired work of fiction—a very talented writer.
Melanie C Nock, Jonathan Banatvala
5.0 out of 5 stars / Amazon
A true page turner
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on 9 May 2023
Verified Purchase
A great insight into the way people can ignore and forgive the worst actions through love, understanding and low self esteem. Great story, I couldn't put it down
Kenza
5.0 out of 5 stars / Amazon
An extraordinarily powerful emotional thriller
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on 21 April 2023
Verified Purchase
Sparse prose, tightly woven plot, read this in one sitting on a train journey across the country and was in floods of tears when I arrived. Lots to reflect on in the following days. I would like to see a lot more of this author.
Carolyn Isobel Primrose
5.0 out of 5 stars / Amazon
Really gripping
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 April 2023
Verified Purchase
This novel explores an abusive relationship, both psychological and physical. The main character, Louise, is well portrayed and the difficult choices she makes, often to protect her son, are compelling to read. The story builds the main and support characters in a very real manner, keeping me hooked on developments in the plot. A really good first novel and hope to read more from Niamh Bryan.
Mel
5.0 out of 5 stars / Amazon
Fantastic read, couldn't put the book down, a real page turner
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 March 2023
Verified Purchase
Fantastic debut novel.
I found myself willing Louise to break free from the relationship.
I won't say anymore as I would hate to ruin the story for anyone wanting to read this book.
Highly recommend.
Mary
5.0 out of 5 stars / Amazon
Absolutely a page turner!
Reviewed in the United States on 16 March 2023
Verified Purchase
I was drawn into this story from the beginning. Seeing the situation through the main character’s eyes and how she justifies what she’s going through, while seeing the stealth of her husband chipping away at her, made me speed through to see the outcome. Riveting story about difficult issues needing the light of day. I look forward to reading more from this author!
Lara
5.0 out of 5 stars / Amazon
Found catharsis in this tense thriller set in the wilds of Norfolk
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 March 2023
Verified Purchase
From the first pages, you will find yourself willing on Louise, the heroine of the book, to break free of the relationship trap she’s found herself in. You read on to follow her on a journey of realisation, escape and ultimately hope. Tense, atmospheric and beautifully characterised, I think this book will offer readers a moment of release and catharsis too.
Lucy
5.0 out of 5 stars / Amazon
Couldn’t put down!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 March 2023
From the writing style to the way the characters were description, they story was gripping and dark with a little bit of satire humour from Louise. What a story.
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars / Amazon
Highly recommend
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 February 2023
Verified Purchase
Really enjoyable book that I would highly recommend.
Ms H.
5.0 out of 5 stars / Amazon
It IS the page-turner it claims to be!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 February 2023
Verified Purchase
So often a book has cover claims that are not delivered by the pages. This does what it says on the tin. It is a page turner that leaves the reader feeling uneasy and slightly on edge. I had to keep reading to find out if the heroine triumphed.
I have not found any other books by this author but I will keep checking because I am eagerly awaiting another publication.
J . Johnstone
5.0 out of 5 stars / Amazon
Page turner
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 February 2023
Verified Purchase
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Highly recommend it.
Barrie Terry
5.0 out of 5 stars / Amazon
Thrilling
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 29 January 2023
Verified Purchase
A real page turner - full of suspense and psychological tension.. gripping
Michele
5.0 out of 5 stars / Amazon
A real page turner!
Reviewed in Canada on 25 January 2023
Verified Purchase
I very much enjoyed reading this! It gave me a perspective that I did not have and helped me realize how subtle abuse can be. And I couldn't put it down!
I definitely recommend it!
Jem
5.0 out of 5 stars / Amazon
Compelling page turner
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 January 2023
Verified Purchase
In her debut novel, the author builds a highly plausible narrative of how a successful and intelligent woman can fall victim to coercive control, often putting the needs of her husband and child before her own despite the alarm bells (Klaxon!) sounding. Added to the mix is the trap of working in the same business as her husband where any contemplation of blowing the whistle becomes an unthinkable action. The sense of claustrophobia and erosion of her self belief is vividly depicted.
I enjoyed this novel a lot and but for being struck with the lurgy, would have devoured it in one sitting.
I would recommend it to anyone, but particularly those who are sceptical about whether coercive control truly exists, or whether it could ever happen to a professional woman.
Una Murray
5.0 out of 5 stars / Amazon
Well worth a read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 January 2023
Verified Purchase
Thought provoking and couldn't be more timely with the issues it raises. Well worth a read.
Philip Shaw
5.0 out of 5 stars / Amazon
Insightful, well written and a real page turner!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 January 2023
Verified Purchase
For anyone interested in people and other peoples lives. A real insight in to what can go on behind closed doors, how easy it is is to fall into a controlling, toxic relationship, and how difficult it can be to leave....
Myra seberry
5.0 out of 5 stars / Amazon
compelling read!!
Reviewed in Australia on 6 January 2023
Verified Purchase
This book is an easy page turner, so if your looking for a book that you won’t want to put down this is it. Now with that said it’s not a comfortable subject matter but one that needs to be addressed and the author has brought the reality of domestic abuse both emotionally and physically to light. She highlights the difficulties that all the characters had to endure from Louise (the abused) her son and friends and family, but the book also had a lightness to it that made it very easy to invest it. I did wan to throttle her husband and I wanted to shake some sense into Louise, but throughout I also found myself feeling a lot of empathy for the characters.
Great book ❤️
boubou
5.0 out of 5 stars / Amazon
Drama, insight, humour + pace
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 January 2023
Verified Purchase
I really enjoyed this book. It’s a relationship thriller set in the UK: from Norfolk to the Midlands, and from Edinburgh to Wales.
The first two thirds of the story set the scene and ramp up the drama. It explodes into action in the final third and then races towards a denouement.
The insights into the dynamics of a middle-class coercive relationship ring very true and are balanced by humour and pace: the book draws you in - sometimes reading through half-closed fingers (!) - and then keeps you hooked until the end.
Its also a book about the power of friendship and resourcefulness when the chips are really down.
It would make great TV.
Ian Whitten
5.0 out of 5 stars / Amazon
Wow, this was not what I was expecting!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 January 2023
Wow, this was not what I was expecting. A friend recommended this, and I bought it without knowing anything of what the book was about When I read the cover I was pretty sure that this was not going to be for me, but having spent the money, I thought I would give it a try.
Never a fast reader, I started this book after lunch one day in the lazy Christmas period and I finished it the same day, which speaks volumes about how much the story gripped me. An easy and enjoyable read, the book is well-written, builds up slowly, and has a protagonist (Louise) for whom I felt genuine sympathy and, at times, fear, as well as a convincing antagonist (Mark). Throughout all its various stages, their relationship feels real and it’s easy to see why Louise fell for Mark and why she stayed with him as things gradually turned sour.
Considering the subject matter and the growing sense of menace, the writing has a surprising amount of warmth and humour. It may not be full of belly laughs, but there was certainly enough to make me chuckle aloud on a few occasions.
The story has some incredibly imaginative ideas - the last 60/80 pages or so are compelling and tense, including one particularly inspired and feasible plan to get the heroine out of her predicament. Of course, as is the nature of a story this fails, but it merely adds to the tension and the ever-intensifying feeling of despair for Louise and the reader … until it reaches a deeply satisfying ending that I did not see coming at all.
The three-dimensional support characters are well written and have their own motivations and reasons for helping Louise … or not, as the case was for far too long in one or two instances.
Niamh Bryan is a new author to watch, and I'm hoping she'll write a second book in the not-too-distant future. If she does, I'll buy that too. You should buy this one now.
PW
5.0 out of 5 stars / Amazon
Insightful & Suspenseful Page Turner of a Novel
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 31 December 2022
Verified Purchase
The author delves into the difficult and emotional topic of coercive and violent relationships with deft and empathy. All the while weaving a suspenseful story that showcases the challenges of breaking free from such relationships, even if one is well-educated, has an independent income and lives an affluent and seemingly perfect life.
Well-crafted main and supporting characters provide a rich tapestry for this insightful novel.
d-girl
5.0 out of 5 stars / Amazon
Couldn't put this down
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 December 2022
Verified Purchase
This was a real page turner. Uncomfortable at times. Thought provoking and resulted in discussions and acknowledgement as to the truth of domestic abuse. A very good read and an excellent first novel. I hope there will be more from this author.
KLAXON is a new novel and thriller about a woman seeking to escape an abusive and dangerous relationship. This Blog seeks to highlight issues around domestic violence and the sources of help for its victims. If you would like to find out more and to get involved with the blog or the promotion of Klaxon through book clubs and other means, please contact the Klaxon team.
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