REVIEW: He's My Man by Daniel Hurst

He's my Man (Shocking Short Stories #3) by Daniel Hurst

Genre: Psychological thriller, Short story, Quick reads

Read: 12th January 2026

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Amazon

Published: 20th December 2025

★★★ 3 stars

DESCRIPTION:

A short story with a shocking twist...

He comes home to me. He eats dinner with me. He sleeps close to me. But there is a distance between us, and I can feel him slipping further away. So I need to fight for us. I cannot give up on what we have.

I cannot give up on my man. Especially not if somebody else is coming in between us. Because he's not anybody else's man. He's mine. I'll do anything to keep it that way...

A shocking standalone short story from Daniel Hurst, the bestselling author of UK #1 The Doctor's Wife

MY THOUGHTS:

A super quick read at 47 pages, this took me just 45 minutes to finish. And still have time to put on a Midsomer Murders or McDonald and Dodds.

Mel is busy cooking dinner; spaghetti carbonara, Harry's favourite meal. And although he has a busy high finance job with long hours and not much downtime, tonight he's promised to be home early after the past couple of nights working late. She's looking forward to sitting down to the meal, sharing a bottle of wine and then snuggling up on the sofa watching TV together.

But when Harry arrives home, he's tired and not up for anything but dinner and bed. A jog was on the cards but after dishing up a heavy bowl of pasta that is now off the table. He leaves the room to shower and Mel awaits his return. Only he doesn't. So she tiptoes to the bedroom and is about to walk in when she hears his voice on the phone. Leaning closer to find out who he could be talking to, she hears a lot more than she bargained for.

He's seeing somebody else. How could he just give up on them without a fight?

Mel is determined to find out who she is and to put a stop to this nonsense. Harry is her man. Her's. No one else's. And she will do anything to keep it that way.

This was an OK read. He's delivered better but there are still a couple of surprises along the way though nothing earth shattering. The previous short story "The Body" is by far my favourite. The most annoying thing about this one was every second paragraph Mel keeps calling Harry "my man". My man walks to the bar...he comes home to me every night because he's my man...my man is like that...my man this, my man that. It was bordering on nauseating. And very irritating.

The reveal was a nice twist. And then there is another twist before the end. A nice quick easy read.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Daniel Hurst was born in the northwest of England, a part of the world famous for its comedians, pasties and terrible weather.

He has been employed in several glamorous roles in his lifetime, including bartending, shelf stacking and procurement administration, all while based in some of the most exotic places on the planet, like Bolton, Preston and South London.

Daniel writes psychological thrillers and loves to tell tales about unusual things happening to normal people. He has written all his life, making the progression from handing scribbled stories to his parents as a boy to writing full length novels in his thirties. He lives in the North West of England and when he isn’t writing, he is usually watching a game of football in a pub where his wife can’t find him.

Since following his lifelong passion for writing in 2020, he has amassed a loyal and devoted set of readers, and regularly has several books in the top 100 of the Psychological Thriller Charts on Amazon. His title The Passenger became the #1 selling psychological thriller in the UK in October 2021. The Doctor's Wife is his first publication with Bookouture.

A prolific writer, Daniel likes to keep readers on their toes by self publishing even more books in between those released through his publisher.

Social Media links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

REVIEW: The Body by Daniel Hurst

The Body (Shocking Short Stories #2) by Daniel Hurst

Genre: Psychological thriller, Short story, Quick reads

Read: 11th January 2026

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Amazon

Published: 13th December 2025

★★★★★ 5 stars

DESCRIPTION:

A short story with a shocking twist...

As my wife's body lies on the floor of our home, I know it's not going to be easy getting her from the house to the woods where I can bury her without anybody seeing me.

It's going to be hard to get away with this. But I could never have imagined just how hard it would be.

One body is bad enough. But what happens if there's two?

A shocking standalone short story from Daniel Hurst, the bestselling psychological thriller author of the UK #1 The Doctor's Wife, My Neighbour's Affair and The Couple's Revenge

MY THOUGHTS:

Oooh now I liked this one!

Short, snappy and darkly shocking this is one of Hurst's better short stories (though it will take a bit to outdo "The New Years Party" which I loved!!) It is very cleverly written and at only 54 pages it certainly packs a punch. 

We meet each new character with every chapter as the story snowballs from something relatively simple into something far more complex...in just 54 pages! For the most part I didn't think any of the characters were going to be named which would have made it even more genuis. With each chapter a new perspective unfolds as one event leads to the involvement of several others and the repercussions of each. Ending with the Hurst trademark twist with a BANG! Didn't see that one coming either!

Twisted, tangled and thrilling this short story is unpredictable and very very clever. Loved it!

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Daniel Hurst was born in the northwest of England, a part of the world famous for its comedians, pasties and terrible weather.

He has been employed in several glamorous roles in his lifetime, including bartending, shelf stacking and procurement administration, all while based in some of the most exotic places on the planet, like Bolton, Preston and South London.

Daniel writes psychological thrillers and loves to tell tales about unusual things happening to normal people. He has written all his life, making the progression from handing scribbled stories to his parents as a boy to writing full length novels in his thirties. He lives in the North West of England and when he isn’t writing, he is usually watching a game of football in a pub where his wife can’t find him.

Since following his lifelong passion for writing in 2020, he has amassed a loyal and devoted set of readers, and regularly has several books in the top 100 of the Psychological Thriller Charts on Amazon. His title The Passenger became the #1 selling psychological thriller in the UK in October 2021. The Doctor's Wife is his first publication with Bookouture.

A prolific writer, Daniel likes to keep readers on their toes by self publishing even more books in between those released through his publisher.

Social Media links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

REVIEW: If He Finds Us by Daniel Hurst

If He Finds Us (Shocking Short Stories #1) by Daniel Hurst

Genre: Psychological thriller, Short story, Quick reads

Read: 11th January 2026

Goodreads

Amazon

Published: 6th December 2025

★★★★ 4 stars

DESCRIPTION:

He's looking for us. What if he finds us?

When I arrive at the house and see the man who lives there, I feel safe. I feel like he can protect me. He has two children. They seem safe too. So I hide with them. I hide from the man who wants to find me. But if he does, I've just put a whole family in danger. If I have, I might not be able to save them...

A standalone short story with a shock ending from Daniel Hurst, the bestselling author of UK #1 The Doctor's Wife, The Couple's Revenge and Til Death Do Us Part

MY THOUGHTS:

Not sure what I expected with this short story but I was pleasantly surprised. I'd talked myself into NOT liking it when I saw it was set in Texas as I read British authors because I prefer British settings. However, Hurst has surprised me with this quickfire offering of just 70 pages which barely had enough time for surnames to be exchanged. It had an estimated read time of 1 hour and 40 minutes. I think I was done in an hour. It was a very quick read. And to the point.

But that point goes off on a bit of a tangent that I, a seasoned thriller reader, didn't see coming which placed this little quick read up a notch.

Sherry is running from an ex who wouldn't let her go and Marcus, with his two children Elsie (8) and Theo (5), is also running from the past. Thrown together, they make the perfect family. All of them in hiding together.

After three months on the farm, it's like Sherry has always lived there and the couple, still unsure of the future, find themselves attracted to each other. Plus Sherry adores little Elsie and Theo and spending time with them.

But then a trip into town for supplies threatens to become deadly for them all. Will they escape alive?

A fun-filled quickfire read that was a little predictable in part...until Hurst throws us a last minute twist that changes everything sending chilling vibes with it.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Daniel Hurst was born in the northwest of England, a part of the world famous for its comedians, pasties and terrible weather.

He has been employed in several glamorous roles in his lifetime, including bartending, shelf stacking and procurement administration, all while based in some of the most exotic places on the planet, like Bolton, Preston and South London.

Daniel writes psychological thrillers and loves to tell tales about unusual things happening to normal people. He has written all his life, making the progression from handing scribbled stories to his parents as a boy to writing full length novels in his thirties. He lives in the North West of England and when he isn’t writing, he is usually watching a game of football in a pub where his wife can’t find him.

Since following his lifelong passion for writing in 2020, he has amassed a loyal and devoted set of readers, and regularly has several books in the top 100 of the Psychological Thriller Charts on Amazon. His title The Passenger became the #1 selling psychological thriller in the UK in October 2021. The Doctor's Wife is his first publication with Bookouture.

A prolific writer, Daniel likes to keep readers on their toes by self publishing even more books in between those released through his publisher.

Social Media links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

 

REVIEW: You Started It by Daniel Hurst

You Started It by Daniel Hurst

Genre: Psychological thriller, Short story, Quick read

Read: 16th November 2025

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Amazon

Published: 4th June 2025

★★★★ 4 stars

DESCRIPTION:

Revenge takes time....

Alison thought she lived a quiet, normal life with her husband, Damian. But that all changes when an unexpected visitor reveals a shocking truth about her partner. Things will never be the same after that as a deadly game of deceit begins, full of shocks and surprises, lies and betrayal, and ultimately proving that when it comes to revenge, it's best to take your time.

You started it. But who will finish it?

A fast-paced psychological thriller short story full of twists from the bestselling author of UK #1 The Doctor's Wife, The Couple's Revenge and The Passenger.

MY THOUGHTS:

Daniel Hurst has been one of my favourite thriller writers since I discovered him about four years ago (around the time he became a full time author). His thrillers a fast pacy reads with short snappy chapters that keep you swiping (or turning) the pages right to the very end. I have found in recent times that I've enjoyed his earlier offerings more than his latest ones though they are still quick and easy reads even if more OTT than is per usual for his unique style. Of course, I have my ultimate favourites of his which, to be honest, will be tough to beat no matter how good the next book might be. 

I have recently gone through major surgery and am recovering slowly though I do find it hard to concentrate on reading anything too complex. So I thought I would give Daniel's last short story a go which he published a few months back. I figured that it would be an easy enough tale to digest and I wouldn't have to concentrate too much on it. And given that it's a short story, it's a very quick read which I managed to devour in an hour before dinner.

Firstly, I have to say that Daniel hooks us in from the start with a play by play account of Alison's frantic search for her missing husband and subsequent not being taken seriously when first reporting him missing. She and Damian had been happily married for fifteen years sans children so it was just the two of them. But when he didn't arrive home from work by 6pm as is his usual routine one evening, Alison is naturally worried. By 9pm she is understandably frantic. But the police take her concerns with a grain of salt assuring her that he is "probably working late" or "out for drinks with some colleagues and lost track of time" or any number of reasons. However, after a week they finally take her concerns seriously and question her both for information and as a suspect. At any rate, they are no closer to finding him...or whatever's happened to him.

When she receives a knock on her door she runs to open it hoping it will be Damian with some hare-brained reason as to where he's been this past week or the police with some positive update to share. It's neither. It's a stranger. But while he is a stranger to her, he seems to know exactly who she is.

"Hello Alison..."

He greets her with a smile as she opens her front door to him. He goes on to explain who he is and why he's there. She is speechless. He makes her an offer she couldn't refuse. A chance to get answers and maybe even her own piece of revenge. But what she didn't bargain on was the escalation things took when she finds herself framed for murder...and no way of proving her innocence!

I was pleasantly surprised by the journey this short story took me on, despite its OTT nature (that's just Daniel Hurst's way) and thoroughly enjoyed it even after I found myself wanting to bang Alison's head on something hard to knock some sense into her. The woman was gullible not to mention stupid. And while I enjoyed this twisted tale for those most part it was the epilogue ending that let it down. It was off the scale OTT that past the point of any believability or suspension of belief. It was just plain ridiculous. I'm sure Hurst could have construed a better ending than that and it was this that let the entire tale down. I loved that it was different in concept and thoroughly enjoyed it up until that ridiculous epilogue.

However, that being said - it was still a fast pacy read that I enjoyed and I would still recommend it to others for a quick read, which can be easily done so in an hour.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Daniel Hurst was born in the northwest of England, a part of the world famous for its comedians, pasties and terrible weather.

He has been employed in several glamorous roles in his lifetime, including bartending, shelf stacking and procurement administration, all while based in some of the most exotic places on the planet, like Bolton, Preston and South London.

Daniel writes psychological thrillers and loves to tell tales about unusual things happening to normal people. He has written all his life, making the progression from handing scribbled stories to his parents as a boy to writing full length novels in his thirties. He lives in the North West of England and when he isn’t writing, he is usually watching a game of football in a pub where his wife can’t find him.

Since following his lifelong passion for writing in 2020, he has amassed a loyal and devoted set of readers, and regularly has several books in the top 100 of the Psychological Thriller Charts on Amazon. His title The Passenger became the #1 selling psychological thriller in the UK in October 2021. The Doctor's Wife is his first publication with Bookouture.

A prolific writer, Daniel likes to keep readers on their toes by self publishing even more books in between those released through his publisher.

Social Media links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

 

REVIEW: 20 Minutes Until it's Over by Daniel Hurst

20 Minutes Until it's Over (20 Minutes #20) by Daniel Hurst

Genre: Psychological thriller, Novella, Quick read

Read: 23rd March 2025

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Amazon

Published: 21st April 2022

★★★★★ 5 stars 

DESCRIPTION:

The final book in the bestselling 20 Minute Series!

The threat to Earth has never been more real, and as the fate of humanity hangs in the balance, there is nowhere on the planet that is safe.

London, like every other major city, has fallen into a state of disorder, and its inhabitants are having to spend almost as much time worrying about the dangers on the ground as they are about the dangers in the sky.

As the clock ticks down until the moment of reckoning, it’s every man or woman for themselves, and several characters decide to take shelter in the only place they can.

They head underground...

They go back to where it all began…

MY THOUGHTS:

The culmination of events that we have followed over the course of 20 books has come this - the final book. Set three months after "20 Minutes in the Air", this one reads like a Doomsday-prepper's paradise as everyone prepares for the asteroid that was predicted to wipe out the earth and all humanity to come to fruition. I admit, it was very Doomsday-ish for the most part - too much for my tastes - but then in true Daniel Hurst fashion, he pulls the rug out at the eleventh hour and throws us a final twist that we never expected or even saw coming! And for me, it was that that saved this book from a 4 star (or even less) rating.

So. 20 minutes until it's over. Till what's over? The book? The series? Mankind? It actually seemed rather poignant that today I was only reading about how God wiped out mankind in the great flood saving only Noah, his family and two of each kind of animal. God said he would never wipe us out in such a way again. So how would the world end then? With an asteroid hurtling through the great expanse of His universe toward earth? Who knows? But I just found it ironic to read of two ways that mankind was to be wiped out in the same day.

So the people of London have sheltered as they did during air raids throughout the war, in the underground, hoping that it will be enough to save them. But I doubt it. Not with the force that such a space rock will create upon making contact. But one thing is for sure, as you read this final installment, you are wondering how it will all end? Will anyone survive? Or will the asteroid change course at the last minute, narrowly missing earth as it passes? Whatever the outcome, it's here that we bid farewell to those we have come to love (and some we've come to loathe). 

It took me six weeks to binge read the books (in between book tours and real life along the way) and I certainly had some favourite books and some not so favourite. I was certainly invested in the lives of the characters that we came to know in each of them while others made a passing appearance. Things started to go a little awry after the prison riot and I found the series begin to peter out, especially with the introduction of an asteroid on New Years Eve (otherwise I loved that installment!). The next two were nail-biting as things in the air became a little hairy and by the end I was wondering what was going to happen in this final book.

My favourite character? Hands down has to be lovable rogue mischievious Harry. I have a soft spot for him as my dad was also West Ham born and bred. Closely followed by firm favourites Jelena and Bogdan.

I didn't love this book but I certainly LOVED that ending! It was so perfect. And for that reason alone I am giving it 5 stars!

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Daniel Hurst was born in the northwest of England, a part of the world famous for its comedians, pasties and terrible weather.

He has been employed in several glamorous roles in his lifetime, including bartending, shelf stacking and procurement administration, all while based in some of the most exotic places on the planet, like Bolton, Preston and South London.

Daniel writes psychological thrillers and loves to tell tales about unusual things happening to normal people. He has written all his life, making the progression from handing scribbled stories to his parents as a boy to writing full length novels in his thirties. He lives in the North West of England and when he isn’t writing, he is usually watching a game of football in a pub where his wife can’t find him.

Since following his lifelong passion for writing in 2020, he has amassed a loyal and devoted set of readers, and regularly has several books in the top 100 of the Psychological Thriller Charts on Amazon. His title The Passenger became the #1 selling psychological thriller in the UK in October 2021. The Doctor's Wife is his first publication with Bookouture.

A prolific writer, Daniel likes to keep readers on their toes by self publishing even more books in between those released through his publisher.

Social Media links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

REVIEW: 20 Minutes in the Air by Daniel Hurst

20 Minutes in the Air (20 Minutes #19) by Daniel Hurst

Genre: Psychological thriller, Novella, Quick read

Read: 22nd March 2025

Goodreads

Amazon

Published: 4th March 2022

★★★★★ 4.5 stars (rounded up)

DESCRIPTION:

The bestselling 20 Minute Series continues at high altitude!

With several flights having departed and numerous characters in the sky hoping for a smooth ride to their destination, the seatbelt signs are off, and the passengers are free to move around the cabin. But pleasant flights can be interrupted with words like:

Turbulence. Engine Trouble. Mayday.

But if things seem dangerous and deadly on Earth, it's only worse out in space as the race begins to meet the hazard that threatens everything.

What goes up, must come down...

MY THOUGHTS:

The culmination of events that began just thirty minutes before in "20 Minutes Before Take Off" goes up a notch as the race is on for one plane to land safely, another to return to the UK after a medical episode, a serial killer on the loose in mid air as several space shuttles launch simultaneously on a mission to save the planet from total destruction. Yep, it's all happening, folks...even if a little OTT, as is Daniel Hurst's way.

Many characters we have come to know and love are at this very minute above the clouds heading for their destination yet hurtling towards something else entirely. Due to human error by a mechanic on the ground, these passengers will not be arriving in Berlin.

One plane is ferrying our favourite main characters out of the country and to the safety of Belgrade until a medical episode sees them having to return to make an emergency landing back in the UK.

Another plane is on course to the sunny climes of Spain as a gangster flees authorities with his wife and daughter until a shock discovery causes them to change course and possibly return from whence they came. But does he have a back up plan to get himself out of this?

And then a very nasty character we have followed from the beginning is enjoying the on board mile high club the private jet he's on has offered, but then he has something else in mind that will endeavour to make his journey far more interesting...though less so for the others involved.

Meanwhile, space shuttles from the UK, America, Russia and China have all simultaneously launched on a course to intercept the asteroid that threatens to wipe out earth and all mankind in just three months time. And the government are keeping it all hush-hush for fear of creating panic, but one man is intent on getting the news out even if it is the last thing he does!

It's all action in this second last installment as the race to save mankind is on...and all will be revealed in the final book.

Next...20 Minutes Until it's All Over

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Daniel Hurst was born in the northwest of England, a part of the world famous for its comedians, pasties and terrible weather.

He has been employed in several glamorous roles in his lifetime, including bartending, shelf stacking and procurement administration, all while based in some of the most exotic places on the planet, like Bolton, Preston and South London.

Daniel writes psychological thrillers and loves to tell tales about unusual things happening to normal people. He has written all his life, making the progression from handing scribbled stories to his parents as a boy to writing full length novels in his thirties. He lives in the North West of England and when he isn’t writing, he is usually watching a game of football in a pub where his wife can’t find him.

Since following his lifelong passion for writing in 2020, he has amassed a loyal and devoted set of readers, and regularly has several books in the top 100 of the Psychological Thriller Charts on Amazon. His title The Passenger became the #1 selling psychological thriller in the UK in October 2021. The Doctor's Wife is his first publication with Bookouture.

A prolific writer, Daniel likes to keep readers on their toes by self publishing even more books in between those released through his publisher.

Social Media links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

REVIEW: 20 Minutes Before Take Off by Daniel Hurst

20 Minutes Before Take Off (20 Minutes #18) by Daniel Hurst

Genre: Psychological thriller, Novella, Quick read

Read: 21st March 2025

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Amazon

Published: 28th January 2022

★★★★★ 4.5 stars (rounded up)

DESCRIPTION:

The bestselling 20 Minute Series continues as the characters prepare to take to the skies...

There are a lot of reasons to board a plane and fly away. For leisure purposes. For a business trip. Or to run from the person chasing you...

As several characters heed their boarding call and strap themselves in, they all have a different reason to be getting away.

Some passengers are innocent. Some are not. And some are taking to the skies because the fate of mankind might just depend on it...

MY THOUGHTS:

The eighteenth installment of this exciting series sees our friends just one week after the events of "20 Minutes to Midnight" when more than just fireworks lit up the London sky.

So much is happening on the tarmac and beyond in this next chapter of the story that hurtling closer to the end. The lives of many could potentially seemingly hang in the balance while the countdown is on to something far bigger than any of us. A serial killer intent on revenge, an escape convict outwitting authorities, a school excursion going awry, a marriage on the rocks and much much more.

Who will live? Who will die? Will Jelena and Bogdan make it and live happily ever after? Will Ronnie evade capture? Will Valentin get his mark or will he be finally be caught once and for all? And will Harry continue to get into mischief?

What I love most about this book is reliving that feeling you get being pushed back into your seat and that rush of adrenaline as the plane you are in leaves the tarmac and into the air. Best feeling ever! 

Private jets and commercial airlines take to the skies whilst another flight hurtles through the atmosphere on a course to prevent something far greater from taking place. Will they make it in time?

Two more books to go to find out...

Next...20 Minutes in the Air

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Daniel Hurst was born in the northwest of England, a part of the world famous for its comedians, pasties and terrible weather.

He has been employed in several glamorous roles in his lifetime, including bartending, shelf stacking and procurement administration, all while based in some of the most exotic places on the planet, like Bolton, Preston and South London.

Daniel writes psychological thrillers and loves to tell tales about unusual things happening to normal people. He has written all his life, making the progression from handing scribbled stories to his parents as a boy to writing full length novels in his thirties. He lives in the North West of England and when he isn’t writing, he is usually watching a game of football in a pub where his wife can’t find him.

Since following his lifelong passion for writing in 2020, he has amassed a loyal and devoted set of readers, and regularly has several books in the top 100 of the Psychological Thriller Charts on Amazon. His title The Passenger became the #1 selling psychological thriller in the UK in October 2021. The Doctor's Wife is his first publication with Bookouture.

A prolific writer, Daniel likes to keep readers on their toes by self publishing even more books in between those released through his publisher.

Social Media links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

REVIEW: 20 Minutes to Midnight by Daniel Hurst

20 Minutes to Midnight (20 Minutes #17) by Daniel Hurst

Genre: Pscyhological thriller, Novella, Quick read

Read: 20th March 2025

Goodreads

Amazon

Published: 27th December 2021

★★★★ 4 stars

DESCRIPTION:

It's New Year's Eve in London and that only means one thing. Fireworks, and lots of them.

As the citizens of England's capital gather on the banks of the Thames, there is an enemy lurking amongst them. It's an enemy who has struck before and now they are ready to strike again.

Happy New Year? Or the start of something bad?

MY THOUGHTS:

It's New Year's Eve and six weeks after the chaotic events of "20 Minutes Behind Bars" in which several prisoners escaped, including gangster Ronnie Larkhall, notorious serial killer Valentin, terrorist Jamal and our hero of the series, Bogdan. Not everyone came out of the prison riots unscathed with Diego just one of the many fatalaties that day.

But today is New Year's Eve and revellers are gathered on the banks of the Thames near Tower Bridge to watch a aeronautic flyover before the fireworks at midnight. But while many have gathered in the city for celebrations, there are some who have evil intentions with fireworks not the only thing lighting up London's skyline tonight.

But however exciting this installment began, it ended with something of an eye-rolling flop. What just happened in those final two chapters? The stand off with Bogdan was just stupid but the final chapter was even stupider. Knocking a star off for the eye rolling stupidity of those last two chapters.  As much as I have enjoyed this series, this is the most disappointing. I hope it improves with the final three and finishes with a bang.

A nod to Harry getting himself into even more mischief. Is there no trouble that Harry cannot seem to help himself into? At this rate, he is going to be grounded until he is 35!

Next...20 Minutes Before Take Off

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Daniel Hurst was born in the northwest of England, a part of the world famous for its comedians, pasties and terrible weather.

He has been employed in several glamorous roles in his lifetime, including bartending, shelf stacking and procurement administration, all while based in some of the most exotic places on the planet, like Bolton, Preston and South London.

Daniel writes psychological thrillers and loves to tell tales about unusual things happening to normal people. He has written all his life, making the progression from handing scribbled stories to his parents as a boy to writing full length novels in his thirties. He lives in the North West of England and when he isn’t writing, he is usually watching a game of football in a pub where his wife can’t find him.

Since following his lifelong passion for writing in 2020, he has amassed a loyal and devoted set of readers, and regularly has several books in the top 100 of the Psychological Thriller Charts on Amazon. His title The Passenger became the #1 selling psychological thriller in the UK in October 2021. The Doctor's Wife is his first publication with Bookouture.

A prolific writer, Daniel likes to keep readers on their toes by self publishing even more books in between those released through his publisher.

Social Media links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

REVIEW: 20 Minutes Behind Bars by Daniel Hurst

20 Minutes Behind Bars (20 Minutes #16) by Daniel Hurst

Genre: Psychological thriller, Novella, Quick Read

Read: 10th March 2025

Goodreads

Amazon

Published: 10th November 2021

★★★★★ 5 stars

DESCRIPTION:

The bestselling 20 Minute series continues in a very dangerous setting...

Verdicts have been reached, sentences have been handed out and several criminals have learnt their fate. They did the crime. Now they must do the time.

Guards. Prisoners. Visitors. And one very memorable 20 minutes behind bars.

In a place where nobody wants to go, people will do anything to get out...

MY THOUGHTS:

The sixteenth book in this thrilling series takes place one month after the events of "20 Minutes in Court"...and it's not what you'd expect! It's action-packed from beginning to end and in typical Hurst style, a tad OTT whilst being believable. And hugely entertaining.

We catch up with the regulars who have had a starring role in most of the series, many of whom found themselves behind bars for one reason or another after appearing in court just once month ago. There are some who are the loved ones of those in prison while others are victims of crime. And then there are the new faces of various prison staff as well as a couple of prisoners. We get a first hand glimpse when a reporter turns up for an interview with a prisoner to be confronted with something entirely different.

There is complete and utter carnage as a handful of prisoners hatch out a plan for escape, but no one expected things to turn out quite the way they did. All hell breaks loose as the prisoners attempt to, some who should never see the light of day again. But what does it mean for those caught in the crossfire? And how will it all end?

With just four more books left in this thoroughly thrilling and entertaining series, part of me doesn't want it to end. But onwards and upwards to what lay in store for New Year's Eve...and the prisoners still on the loose.

Next...20 Minutes to Midnight

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Daniel Hurst was born in the northwest of England, a part of the world famous for its comedians, pasties and terrible weather.

He has been employed in several glamorous roles in his lifetime, including bartending, shelf stacking and procurement administration, all while based in some of the most exotic places on the planet, like Bolton, Preston and South London.

Daniel writes psychological thrillers and loves to tell tales about unusual things happening to normal people. He has written all his life, making the progression from handing scribbled stories to his parents as a boy to writing full length novels in his thirties. He lives in the North West of England and when he isn’t writing, he is usually watching a game of football in a pub where his wife can’t find him.

Since following his lifelong passion for writing in 2020, he has amassed a loyal and devoted set of readers, and regularly has several books in the top 100 of the Psychological Thriller Charts on Amazon. His title The Passenger became the #1 selling psychological thriller in the UK in October 2021. The Doctor's Wife is his first publication with Bookouture.

A prolific writer, Daniel likes to keep readers on their toes by self publishing even more books in between those released through his publisher.

Social Media links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

REVIEW: 20 Minutes in Court by Daniel Hurst

20 Minutes in Court (20 Minutes #15) by Daniel Hurst

Genre: Psychological thriller, Novella, Quick Read

Read: 9th March 2025

Goodreads

Amazon

Published: 1st October 2021

★★★★★ 5 stars

DESCRIPTION:

It's time for some to have their day in court...

After the dramatic events of the wedding day, things get serious for various characters as they either look to defend themselves or help put somebody else behind bars.

The prosecution. The defence. The judge. The jury. And the accused.

On a busy day for the justice system, only one thing matters:

Innocent. Or guilty?

MY THOUGHTS:

Hot on the tail of "20 Minutes Before the Wedding", this one picks up pretty much where events in the last one left one, albeit some two months later. The setting this time was court and all those involved were in several courtrooms either giving evidence, as a juror, a court reporter, the judge or even the defendant, as the case was in several of them.

Jelena and Bogdan sit in the courtroom to witness the trial of Diego after his crimes were unveiled after last book, along with Lindsey, the woman he was going to marry.

Paula, April and Will sit in on the case against Valentin, but he surprises them all with a statement of his own.

Carol is sitting in on the case against Mick who was driving the lorry that ploughed into several cars on the motorway several months ago when he fell asleep at the wheel.

Shane is sitting in the public gallery of the coroner's inquest into events after he and his friend Gaz were arrested for throwing bricks on the motorway.

Louise is also sitting in on preceedings as she was caught up in the events that day too.

Damian is about to give evidence against his uncle Ronnie and his right hand man Bulldog, but events come to an abrupt halt all too soon.

Harry is on a school excursion to learn about the justice system and that actions always have consequences and the justice system is the result. But a meeting with bad boy Shane in the gents puts a bad taste in his mouth yet leaves him feeling sorry for the lad.

Jamal is in court to answer the charges against him in the terrorist attack in Battersea Park on bonfire night the year before, and he doesn't care what is said about him. Only that the world knows his name and why he is doing this.

There are others playing their part in the system but nothing prepares the reader for the shock ending. Now I need to dive into the next one! And I devoured this one immediately after the previous one, reading both in one day.

Next...20 Minutes Behind Bars

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Daniel Hurst was born in the northwest of England, a part of the world famous for its comedians, pasties and terrible weather.

He has been employed in several glamorous roles in his lifetime, including bartending, shelf stacking and procurement administration, all while based in some of the most exotic places on the planet, like Bolton, Preston and South London.

Daniel writes psychological thrillers and loves to tell tales about unusual things happening to normal people. He has written all his life, making the progression from handing scribbled stories to his parents as a boy to writing full length novels in his thirties. He lives in the North West of England and when he isn’t writing, he is usually watching a game of football in a pub where his wife can’t find him.

Since following his lifelong passion for writing in 2020, he has amassed a loyal and devoted set of readers, and regularly has several books in the top 100 of the Psychological Thriller Charts on Amazon. His title The Passenger became the #1 selling psychological thriller in the UK in October 2021. The Doctor's Wife is his first publication with Bookouture.

A prolific writer, Daniel likes to keep readers on their toes by self publishing even more books in between those released through his publisher.

Social Media links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

REVIEW: 20 Minutes on the Road by Daniel Hurst

20 Minutes on the Road (20 Minutes #13) by Daniel Hurst

Genre: Psychological thriller, Novella, Quick reads

Read: 7th March 2025

Goodreads

Amazon

Published: 7th July 2021

★★★★★ 5 stars

DESCRIPTION:

It's a busy Friday night on one of the UK's many motorways and several characters are back and determined to get to their destination on time.

Fast lanes. Traffic jams. Road rage.

So many vehicles and so many drivers. Where is everybody going? And will they all make it there safely?

MY THOUGHTS:

I had to take a break due to my busy schedule this week but I was thrilled to be returning to this exciting series and catching up with some old favourites. Taking place two months after the events in Las Vegas in "20 Minutes in the Desert", we are back in England rejoining everyone in the evening rush hour. This has to be one of the more exciting books in the series as rush hour becomes murder on the motorway.

Jelena is on her way to the rehabilitation place Bogdan is currently in, jetsetting her way in her impulsive buy - a bright yellow Lamborghini. Not entirely practical and definitely not so on our roads with the amount of potholes we have. But hey - live and let live!

Harry is still causing a bit of trouble, but not too much this time round. Just pure clumsiness. You can't help but love cheeky Harry.

I felt for Lizzy in light of the events of the last book, but she keeps on keeping on.

Valentin. I got Christopher Worrell vibes when reading his chapter pondering why couldn't he get caught up in the motorway madness? If you're not from Australia and familiar with Worrell, he was one of Australia's most prolific serial killers in the 70s in South Australia where he abducted, tortured, raped and killed seven girls with his partner in a short amount of time. His rampage stopped when he was killed in a car accident in Truro (South Australia). But at 13 books in, I know his time will come. I'm hanging on and waiting for that time.

How ironic that the very killer Paula and her team have been hunting is on the same road at the same time, probably passing each other. Both are on the opposite side to the massive pile up they are witnessing from their side of the road. 

April. OK...mediums? Really? I know she wants to get to the bottom of who killed her bestie but mediums? After her encounter with the one in Las Vegas who gave her the name Valentin, the police are going to laugh her out of the station if she goes to them with that.

And Bogdan is sitting in his wheelchair at the rehab facility eagerly awaiting Jelena's arrival. But she's late, which is not like her. Has something happened to her?

Yay! Will and Chantelle! And of course Louise. Group hug!

I don't know how many times I shake my head at Lindsey for her naivety. After Las Vegas and now seeing her question Diego's late nights and disappearances, she still fell for his charm and believed his every word.

Diego? I was so hoping he would get his comeuppance. If not in the accident, when they were pulled from the car at the last minute and he saw who their rescuer was. I'm like...yes! PLEASE!

The rest of this shambolic mess and the cause of are two 12 year olds from the nearby council estate, Shane and Gaz. Each daring the other to see how much carnage they could create from the bridge. And Mick? Well, not the best choice to have made but as long haul lorry driver he should have listened to his body and stopped. He knew the risks. A few other returning characters and a couple of other new faces round off this exciting installment which was a race to the finish and I devoured in a sitting. One of my favourites of the series!

Summing up - we have stupid children, motorway madness and a trail of devastation. But in the midst of it all, we get a couple of wedding proposals coupled with the one already in the works I guess we're all going to a wedding next!!

Next...20 Minutes Before the Wedding

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Daniel Hurst was born in the northwest of England, a part of the world famous for its comedians, pasties and terrible weather.

He has been employed in several glamorous roles in his lifetime, including bartending, shelf stacking and procurement administration, all while based in some of the most exotic places on the planet, like Bolton, Preston and South London.

Daniel writes psychological thrillers and loves to tell tales about unusual things happening to normal people. He has written all his life, making the progression from handing scribbled stories to his parents as a boy to writing full length novels in his thirties. He lives in the North West of England and when he isn’t writing, he is usually watching a game of football in a pub where his wife can’t find him.

Since following his lifelong passion for writing in 2020, he has amassed a loyal and devoted set of readers, and regularly has several books in the top 100 of the Psychological Thriller Charts on Amazon. His title The Passenger became the #1 selling psychological thriller in the UK in October 2021. The Doctor's Wife is his first publication with Bookouture.

A prolific writer, Daniel likes to keep readers on their toes by self publishing even more books in between those released through his publisher.

Social Media links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads