Rebound

What a delight, an original, fresh new voice. I simply could not put this book down. Rebound by debut author Aga Lesiewicz is a taut, claustrophobic, psychological thriller.

Anna is a media high flyer, Head of “On-Air” creative and programming for a major TV company. She has all the trimmings of success, along with a house in Highgate and BMW X5. Her life is good. Anna is a nice person, isn’t she? Did she do a bad thing? And how bad, a thing? The reader is the judge.

At the start of the novel Anna has a great boyfriend, James and two close, supportive friends, Bell and Michael. Anna adores her chocolate Labrador Whisper, who accompanies Anna on her runs on the heath. Running helps Anna to de-stress.

But Anna’s perfect life begins to wobble. She finishes with her boyfriend of three years, then restructuring at her company is announced and her team are worried about their jobs. For the first time she socializes with her neighbours.When Anna meets a handsome stranger on the heath, she names him "Dior Man" and becomes obsessed with him although they never speak. Anna makes a choice and she has to face the consequences.

A series of violent attacks on women take place on the heath where Anna jogs. As her personal and professional life begin to unravel Anna starts to think her life might be in danger.

The characters are very well drawn and there is a marvelous nbsp;sense of place.  It is refreshing to have policemen who don’t have a drink or relationship problem and no serial murderers [with new and novel ways of torturing their victims]. The plot keeps the reader engaged as it twists and surprises. A great read and a high bar to set for the next novel, I look forward to it.