Reviews

Panic Room by Robert Goddard

pandash94's review against another edition

3.0

This is a fast paced thriller, but ultimately the story is just a bit odd. I'm not sure what I expected the reason for the panic room to be, but it wasn't this! It seemed completely unlinked to the rest of the story.

I did however like the characters of Don and Fran and how their background was incorporated.

abooknbrew2's review against another edition

mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This is the 6th Robert Goddard book I’ve read, and apart from one of them, Play to the End, I’ve enjoyed all of them, this one included.

Starting out the book we briefly meet Blake the house sitter. Living alone in a luxury house in Cornwall, Blake enjoys the seclusion, it suits her but she won’t be alone there for long.

Don Challenor an estate agent has just lost his job. His ex wife takes pity on him and gives him a chance to earn some money. She’s a lawyer and her client wants to sell the home that Blake is house sitting. All Don Challenor needs to do is go to Cornwall and in his capacity as an estate agent value the house and take down all the particulars ready for a sale. Straightforward, yes? NO! This is a Robert Goddard slow burn thriller and visiting the house is just the start of his troubles. As he surveys the house, taking photo’s, taking measurements he comes across something of an anomaly in the structure of the home which bring us to the title of the book, could this be a panic room?

This is what I like about Goddard’s books. The central character is always an unassuming person going about their every day business only to be roped into investigations into all sorts of nefarious goings on, full of dodgy characters, often with the odd Russian thrown in for good measure, they keep you guessing as you follow the search for the truth. It had its tense moments, mystery and intrigue culminating in a big reveal with a twist I certainly didn’t anticipate. Another fab book from this author, I enjoyed every page.

nattyjanereads's review against another edition

mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

geebux's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

christinebeswick's review against another edition

3.0

Fairly enjoyable - an interesting take on a tech/eco thriller - but overall a bit disappointing. I expected more from Blake's back story and the story as a whole was a bit scrappy.

erinnejc's review against another edition

4.0

A great story, with a thrilling plot. Have read many by Robert Goddard and this one is up their with his best!

jettie's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

emcoffin's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

noontje's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

emmastinylibrary's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

I was intrigued by the title and the beginning of the book detailed a secret panic room in a Cornish mansion that may contain someone who is watching the innocent estate agent and housekeeper staying in the house. 

Unfortunately at around page 200 it became very boring with no moving forward with the story. I began to skim read, but found nothing interesting and the ending was inconclusive too. Such a shame as this could have been a brilliant idea for a story.