After the Accident by Kerry Wilkinson
Genre: Domestic thriller, Mystery, Suspense, Family drama
Read: 15th July 2020
Purchase: Amazon
(publication date: 31st March 2020)
★★★★★ 5 stars
Clever, creative and compelling. This new standalone thriller is totally different from anything you might normally read. Forget everything you know about Kerry Wilkinson and the style in which he writes - AFTER THE ACCIDENT is a completely different format from the norm. Written with a series of interviews spliced together, it was certainly an unusual read that elicited some thought-provoking moments in this cleverly crafted mystery.
The story centres around the McGinley family who had frequented the Mediterranean island of Galanikos regularly up until nine years ago when Geoffrey McGinley's business partner Alan Lee fell to his death from one of the island's clifftops. Although no charges were laid, and Geoff McGinley had been questioned at the time, the Lee family firmly believed that he had killed Alan.
Now Geoff McGinley has returned with his wife Bethan, daughter Emma, son Julius with his twin girls Chloe and Amy, as well as current business partner Daniel Dorsey, his wife Liz and their son Victor and wife Claire. A nice cosy family holiday of ten people for what was promoted to the family as "mum's final trip abroad" coinciding with their 35th anniversary and her birthday. Why his business partner and family were there is something of a mystery as it really made no sense to have them along for what is in essence a "family holiday". Unless, of course, one was to believe the theory put forward by Emma. And then it makes perfect sense...in a way.
It is obvious from the beginning that Geoff, the patriarch of the McGinley family, is a force to be reckoned with. He is used to being in charge and issuing orders that are to be complied with. That is seen as soon as he starts shouting "Three taxis!" to all and sundry upon their arrival at the airport. He had apparently ordered three taxis to ferry all ten people to their hotel only to arrive to find none. But this was to be only the first of many dramas for what would turn out to be a very long week for all involved.
Their first night in Galanikos, the families gather together for dinner in the hotel restaurant where plenty of drama took place resulting in everyone going their separate ways. Emma, wanting to escape her family, went to another hotel and settled herself at the bar where she met Paul Bosley. Little did she know that Paul was on the island with his film crew doing a documentary on the death of Alan Lee, who died there nine years before. But even when Paul told her, she still didn't reveal her link to that event. Instead, the two of them went up to Paul's room where they spent the night together.
The next morning, no one could find Emma as she was not in her room. But when she did return, she discovered that her father had been found at the bottom of a cliff behind the hotel that morning, and was now in a coma in hospital. The question that then went through everyone's minds was - did he fall accidentally...or was he pushed?
Throughout the retelling of these events, it is clear from the outset that there are tensions between almost everyone. Neither of them like the other and vice versa. All parties are quick to point the finger at someone else. But one thing is for sure - whatever happened, none of them are completely blameless. Suspicions and accusations abound as the possibility is presented that McGinley met with foul play. As to who may have been responsible, belief and loyalties were divided.
There are many questions raised throughout this story, but most of all, which of them was the unreliable narrator? You don't know what really happened or who to believe or which of them are telling the truth. By the end you may still be left with questions, unsure of who you fully believe.
This story is not a fictionalised series of events orchestrated by this wonderfully talented author. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, previously titled as "Seven Days in July", is based on true events and the entire story is told through a series of interviews made to a media company for a documentary that, in the end, never saw the light of day. What Kerry has done has spliced these interviews together to form a chronological series of events...it was really quite clever and ingenious of him to tell a story that he never actually wrote. But rather presented it to his audience of fans who by now have their own theories or beliefs as to what may or may not have happened. A great book for book club discussions. Incidentally, all names have been changed so no amount of googling will herald any results.
I thought that AFTER THE ACCIDENT was a thoroughly entertaining read. It was solid, it was engaging and it was addictive. I was completely absorbed and despaired when I was so tired I fell asleep reading it...but I soon picked it back up the following morning and did not put it down until I'd finished. It was utterly clever and brilliant and made for compulsive reading.
By the end, the reader is left to ponder their own thoughts as what they may have thought happened. Not normally how I like my mysteries to conclude, but this one is different. It became not only a question of who did what but whether anything was done at all.
I won't say what I think happened or who I think may be responsible, as I don't want to spoil it for other readers. Although you may come up with a completely different theory. But it is a story that makes you think and dissect all the evidence that has been presented to you. I will say however, that despite it being presented in interview form, it didn't detract from the story in any way. I still felt as if I was there and seeing things as they happened. Ingeniously clever.
An intriguing mystery for thriller fans and true crime buffs alike, AFTER THE ACCIDENT is a tale of something and nothing; reality and fiction; truth and lies. Of two families and a secret. It's all smoke and mirrors by the end. Definitely recommend!
Lastly, in Kerry's words...
"Is it a true crime tale, or is it an examination of family, jealousy and grief? Maybe it's all of those things? Or maybe, it is a simple tale of someone who pushed their father off a cliff and got away with it."
I would like to thank #KerryWilkinson, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #AfterTheAccident aka #SevenDaysInJuly in exchange for an honest review.
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