Published on 10th November 2022 in paperback by Penguin UK.
From the cover of the book:
He knows she would do anything for him. She knows his certainty is his weakness
He thinks he'll get what he wants. She thinks he'll get exactly what he needs.
Two liars.
One twisted path.
A game of cat and mouse.
BUT WHO IS THE HUNTER? AND WHO IS THE PREY?
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Well respected college professor Stephen Harding is a man who looks good for his years, and he takes arrogant pride in the fact that he has no trouble still attracting women much younger than himself. This weekend, he is looking forward to a romantic interlude with Ellie Masterson, a college student fifteen years his junior. This will be their first holiday together, and the chance to spend a relaxed weekend enjoying uninterrupted time with each other is an exciting prospect, especially since he has surprisingly found himself falling for this young woman. Ellie is nervous about the weekend ahead, but also anticipating the surprises she has in store for her lover...
When they arrive at the chic, remote cabin that will be their home for the next few days, they quickly settle into enjoying their time away from prying eyes, but as the snow starts to fall, cutting them off from the outside world, events take a dark turn - for Stephen is not quite the respectable man he purports to be... but then Ellie is not the innocent young woman she has been masquerading as either...
Nobody But Us is a novel that holds you fast through shocking twists and turns, ramping up the tension with a delicious slow-burn that builds to a bloody reckoning as events spiral out of control. It unfolds through the narratives of Stephen and Ellie, flipping back and forth in time as Van Rensburg drops her shocking reveals with precision. She injects seductive clues about Stephen's true nature that whisper unsettling notions in your ear right from the first time you meet him, and this contrasts beautifully with the way Ellie's story unfurls ever so gradually throughout, only bringing her actions and motivation into focus well into the tale.
As this is spoiler free zone, I will keep Stephen and Ellie's secrets close, but I really enjoyed how Van Rensburg flips your perspective on their characters as she drives the plot about the events that have brought them to this remote cabin, and she doesn't shy away from visceral shock tactics to force both you, as the reader, and the characters themselves to take a good hard look at their actions. She uses the cabin location to perfection, almost as a third character alongside Stephen and Ellie, and makes the absolute most of the isolated, snowy landscape as an ideal backdrop to the chilling events that play out.
Within this cracking thriller, that begs to be read in a single, breath-taking session, Van Rensburg explores some very deep themes, particularly the abuse of positions of trust, and consent in the many shades of the #MeToo movement, and what she has to say will definitely make you think. I will leave you to discover how and why for yourselves, but can guarantee you will enjoy the ride!
Nobody But Us is available to buy now in paperback, hardcover, ebook and audio formats.
Thank you to Penguin for sending me a paperback copy of this book in return for an honest review.Laure Van Rensburg is a French writer living in the UK and an Ink Academy alumna. Her stories have appeared in online magazines and anthologies such as Litro Magazine, Storgy Magazine, The Real Jazz Baby (2020 Best Anthology, Saboteur Awards 2020), and FIVE:2:ONE. She has also placed in competitions including 2018 & 2019 Bath Short Story Award.
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