The Choice by S.J. Ford is a brilliant read. It is an action, crime, suspense, thriller that engages you from the first chapter.
Jane Bell really isn’t a nosy neighbour. But when her daughter picks up a receipt, dropped by her new and reclusive neighbour James Foster, for nails x 500, electrical wiring and fertilizer, it does make her suspicious. She calls the police hotline, only to be told that it is not a crime to buy these products, even if you don’t have a garden.
With other events adding to her suspicions, and the police still not looking in to it all, when an opportunity arises to stop her neighbour, Jane takes it!
Now the name Jane Bell is known to everyone in Birmingham – even the whole UK.
To the parents of the 289 children who attend St Oliver’s CE Primary School whose lives she saved, Jane Bell is a hero.
To the police, Jane Bell is a murderer.
The story is narrated by:
Jane Bell, as she waits for her trial in goal.
Neil Bell, her husband, as he balances work and caring for their two small children.
Detective Inspector Bill Simmons, called to the scene when it was established this was no ordinary vehicle accident and was sceptical about bombs present.
Aneesa, the journalist for Birmingham’s Gazette. She is excited to be the feature writer covering Jane’s and James’s story. This will be the story of her life.
Simon Rafferty, the lawyer taking Jane’s case pro bono. This is the case he has been waiting for his whole life.
What they don’t know is, all their lives will be changed forever.
289 children are tucked up into their beds every night by their parents who are so grateful to Jane.
But will Jane ever get the chance to tuck up her own children? What will the Jury decide?
I loved this book. Fantastic characters, fantastic plot, twists at the right time, totally a book you can’t put down! One of the best books I have read in a while.
Thank you to Head of Zeus and Beauty and Lace for the opportunity to read this great book.
ISBN: 9781801101370
Publisher: Head of Zeus
A selection of our Beauty and Lace Club members are reading The Choice by SJ Ford. You can read their comments below, or add your own review.
I love to read, any book on any topic. I now love ebooks as they are easier to store, I was running out of bookshelves! My other interests are family, gardening and our beautiful King Charles spaniel dog who is my reading companion.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read The Choice by SJ Ford.
I enjoyed the book immensely. It was written well and kept me turning the pages. I felt sorry for Jane being jailed and away from her family. We had to guess at 5he outcome in the end but I believe she was exonerated. The closing paragraphs were a surprise.
Oooh! What a story! The Choice by S J Ford, needs to be a movie. When faced with a conundrum with such far reaching consequences, what would you do? Every story has two sides, but unfortunately we usually don’t get to hear both. This starts off as a choice that I feel I could have made, but as the other side of the story comes out, it made me think about the reasons people do bad things and how easily people can be taken advantage of when they are vulnerable. Watch out for the twist in the tale at the end – you’ll never see it coming. I was glued to this book and will look for others by the same author. ThNk you so much Beauty and Lace for letting me review this book >:o)
The Choice by S J Ford, published by Head of Zeus, is a raw drama posing a scarily realistic moral dilemma. Jane Bell, mother of two, has deliberately killed a man. She has run him over while he was bringing his wheelie bin in, because she is convinced that he has been making bombs and is planning a terrorist attack on her children’s school…
Are her actions justified to protect innocent lives, including her own children? How much proof is needed before someone should act? All of these questions race through your mind as you piece together what has led to this…
Told from several perspectives, Jane, the mum who drove the car, her husband Neil, Bill the detective struggling with problems of his own at home, Aneesa the journalist covering the case and Simon the QC who wants the celebrity this case will bring.
The Choice is the story of a (dare I say) average mum, who finding her fears ignored, takes matters into her own hands to (ostensibly) keep her children and their schoolmates safe. But is that all there is to it… there are always two sides to a story…what drove James Foster(the victim)to even contemplate bombing a school?
A thought provoking and disturbing read.
This story presents an interesting moral dilemma, and keeps you turning the pages to know what will happen. I agree that it should be turned into a movie or mini series, because I think it could play out really well on the screen. I enjoyed the read, and found it thought provoking.
Thanks to Beauty and Lace and Head of Zeus for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
And plenty of twists and turns, too!
Jane Bell is the mother of two young children who is faced with a dilemma when she pieces together information of her neighbour. Not knowing where to turn to, and seemingly let down by traditional paths, Jane takes matters into her own hands.
This story is an interesting one which highlights the decisions people make when they feel desperate and the fallout of that. Told from the perspectives of multiple characters, The Choice provides multiple viewpoints on the choice and leads the reader questioning what they would do in the same situation. Lots of twists and turns keeps the story moving and allows for a deeper exploration of the issues presented.
Thank you Beauty and Laceb S J Ford, and Head of Zeus for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
Wow what a story!
Thank you so much for the opportunity!
I was completely hooked from the beginning and really felt the emotions so strongly.
This would be a magnificent movie!
Wow what a power read filled with twists and turns so enjoyable and easy to read and thoroughly enjoyable. Love books like these you will be amazed at how great this book is I found it hard to put down