The Promise by Casey Kelleher.

This novel is set in south London and deals with drugs and prostitution. Follow a good range of characters as they get on with their daily lives trying to do their level best to improve the quality of life.

I found The Promise to be a brilliant read. It puts the reader into a different world of how some people live. I loved the way Casey told her story, in particular how she detailed the private thoughts of her characters. Most novels have dialogue between characters and you have to take their words at face value. But in The Promise after the dialogue you are given the private thoughts of a character as to what they really think of the other person. This knowledge adds so much more to the story.

I have NEVER used drugs or prostitutes but The Promise gives you a thrilling ride that includes drug use and sex. Yet for all the thrill of the drug use and sex, Casey managed to give the thrill without making the reader feel uncomfortable. You could pass this book onto your grandmother and she would not be offended. Casey has a great skill at describing things you have never experienced or wanted to do but still get a great buzz from your favourite seat without any of the danger or making you feel uncomfortable. Casey has that measured skill of just revealing enough to give a thrill to the reader without causing any distaste.

I liked Casey’s balance of characters, there were prostitutes, punters, a drug dealer, a pimp, a pub landlord, vulnerable children and social workers. I liked the tension woven into the story where you were guessing what would happen next. Many characters were making promises but sadly these were not upheld. There were many twists and turns in this novel and a big surprise at the end. I liked how creepy Casey made Javine’s treatment by Delray and Lenny, you can imagine what fun they had with her but Casey did not disclose the details to the reader but left them to their imagination. So the tension builds and I started to worry about the safety of Javine’s two pet dogs called Dolce & Gabbana.

I found The Promise a pleasure to read, it was thrilling and very engaging, allowing me to enter into another world. This type of escapism with all it’s urban reality is such a joy to read. I got such a buzz from this book that I have no doubt in voting it the top score of 5 stars. This is quality writing that would also make a great television drama.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Bookouture for giving me a copy of this book on the understanding that I provide an honest review.