Thorn in the Flesh [Kindle Edition]

Anne Brooke (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Thorn in the Flesh is a gripping psychological thriller whose central character Kate goes through a whole gamut of emotions from the deeply sensual to the tenderness of true friendship, betrayal, loss, fear, a sense of personality annihilation and nail biting terror. I am constantly amazed by Anne Brooke's ability to understand abnormal levels of perversion. But at the end of this novel one is left not with the feeling of an abnormal caricature but more with a query and urge to understand what strange twist of otherwise normal events could have sown such a tragic seed. -- Margaret Gill, author of Narwhal

Product Description

Thorn in the Flesh by Anne Brooke tells the story of Kate Harris, a lecturer in her late thirties, who is attacked in her Surrey home and left for dead. Continuing threats hinder her recovery, and these life changing events force her to journey into her past to search for the child she gave away. Can she overcome the demons of her own personal history before time runs out?

Originally published in the UK by Goldenford Publisher Ltd., Bristlecone Pine Press is pleased to bring this book to the eBook platform. This is a psychological thriller that will have you compulsively turning the page. As one reviewer said, "I read the last one hundred pages in one sitting!"

Product Details

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 265 KB
• Print Length: 276 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0557222036
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Bristlecone Pine Press; 1st Bristlecone Edition edition (August 2, 2008)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
• Language: English
• ASIN: B001DS7G96
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #470,107 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

More About the Author

I write gritty novels, energetic short stories and often quite dark poetry. I am also a regular reviewer for the Vulpes Libris review site

I grew up on an apple farm in the heart of rural Essex. After gaining 3 A levels and 1 S Level, in which my specialist subjects were Oscar Wilde and Lord Byron, I read English at Durham University. There I focused on Medieval and Old English, and must be one of the few people who has read the Anglo-Saxon poem, "Beowulf", in the original language. However, I remember almost nothing about it now.

After University, I spent six months doing voluntary work before taking a series of administrative jobs in insurance, education and legal conferencing. When I could stand it no more, I went back to Durham University to take my MA in Medieval English and Latin.

I married my husband in 1993 and moved to Surrey, where I have lived for the last seventeen years. Interests include playing bad golf, theatre-going, birdwatching, reading books with at least one dead body in them, and of course writing, which - sometimes - keeps me sane.

My website can be found at: http://annebrooke.com and I also blog regularly at http://annebrooke.blogspot.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review from Sarah Watts, Writewords site, August 30, 2008

By 

Ms. A. Brooke "Anne Brooke" (Godalming, Surrey) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Thorn in the Flesh (Kindle Edition)

I've been meaning to write a review of 'Thorn in the Flesh' for some time. It's taken a while partly because I haven't known quite what to say. It's like a discovery you look forward to sharing with someone special - but you don't want to tell them too much and spoil the surprise. Surprising it certainly is. Having read three of Anne's novels now one might expect to see a certain pattern emerging - qualities in the writing that makes you think - ah yes, this is typical; this is similar to what she did before. Many of us are happy to read our favourite authors confident that they will deliver more of the same ingredients that worked so well before. No - think again. Each of Anne's books is gloriously individual - each builds on the strength of what has gone before to deliver something new - a fresh experience for the reader. When I read 'Thorn in the Flesh' I literally could not put it down. Anne delivers a compelling story that keeps you turning the pages. I found her strong central character Kate entirely believable. She is depicted with searing honesty and the character is fearless in her refusal to compromise - to conform to expectation. I imagine that because of this Kate is a character the reader will love - or love to hate. Here is a woman who is attacked in the sanctuary of her own home - whose certainties and securities are torn away - what happens next? Where does she go from here? 'Thorn in the Flesh' is not a comfortable read, it provides no cosy solutions and ultimately it gives no easy answers. It gets under the skin of the reader and causes you to look into the void - to imagine the unimaginable. It is to the credit of the author that the character's journey is so believable. To me there is truth in the story and integrity in the writing. The story taps into the resonance of ancient myth delivered with the pace and assurance of a modern thriller. Read and enjoy." (Review from Sarah Watts originally published on the Writewords site)

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Very Impressive Work!, December 24, 2008

By 

Jay A. Hartman "Publisher" (San Mateo, California United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Thorn in the Flesh (Kindle Edition)

I recently had the opportunity to read this work, and was completely blown away by the quality of the writing. Brooke manages to create brilliantly flawed characters, and thrusts them into a story that never becomes cliche or boring. At times suspenseful, at times heartbreaking and at all times a story worth delving into, Brooke presents a story that doesn't necessarily allow itself to be pigeonholed into a specific genre, thus broadening its appeal to many readers. If you'd like to read our full review of this title, please feel free to visit http://ereadindeed.blogspot.com .