I was initially drawn to this book by the bright and bold front cover - however, having now finished reading, I'm not sure that it really depicts the content.

However, the blurb revealed a really intriguing premise and I knew I'd enjoy the read.

Sid was a great main character to explore, who, being a scientist, was determined to get answers and explanations. I really related to her as I have a similar mentality and tend not to believe anything, without proof or seeing it for myself.

The story started off a little slower than I'd expected, but although I wasn't instantly on the edge of my seat, I was intrigued enough to become totally invested. Both the pace and tension really ramps up as you read and I loved all the little twists and turns.

The storyline was gripping and quite scarily believable - it really made me think about the state of society and the political process. I'm not a huge fan of politics, but this really got us all talking at home about the effects of misinformation.1 Donna39 3

When a man is found dead at the side of the road, with a hidden message for Sidney from her father who disappeared 14 years ago, she has to find out what happened to him. It leads her down some treacherous paths and she uncovers many secrets whilst leading her own investigations. Starting with three friends her father knew from school.

Wow, this was my first time reading this author and I absolutely loved it, so much I didn't want it to end. The storyline, writing style and characters were all perfect, it was fast paced and had me hooked from the first page. If you enjoy a pacey thriller with plenty of twists from start to finish I can highly recommend it and will definitely be reading more books from CJ Carver in the future.

Thank you to Bloodhound Books and CJ Carver for the Advance Reader Copy1 Alyson Read973 46

Twenty-eight-year-old Sidney Scott is self-employed as a supernatural scientist, a kind of ghostbuster revealing the truth behind psychic scams and frauds. Her physicist father Michael disappeared while home from his work in Geneva when she was fourteen and her mother died four years later. After rather going off the rails, she settled down in a remote farm cottage with loaned guard dog and companion Tank. Sid is contacted by Detective Kelly to tell her a man has been murdered with what was probably her father’s last words to her hidden on his person. A man losing his mind and obsessed with Annwn, the Welsh mythological Otherworld. Could he hold a clue to what happened to Michael and was he killed because of it? While the police investigate the murder, Sid gets little information from Kelly and so makes her own inquiries, and the trail leads her to a mysterious man called Winstone Fairchild who gives her a photo of four men who were associates since school days. Her father and the murdered man were two. The others are now both powerful leaders, one of a political party aiming to topple the government and the other the head of a sinister religious cult. Two men plotting something huge. Amidst violent demonstrations across the country and strange goings on at the commune, Sid finds herself threatened and the trail keeps leading back to these two prominent men whilst she acquires an unexpected protector in Win. What terrible dark secrets are being kept and how far will someone go to keep them buried? And who amongst all these people can Sid really trust?
This story has a great protagonist in Sid and some vibrant characters, such as White Witch Liz and the endearing Gabriel. It’s a highly engrossing and often harrowing tale, shocking and horrifying at times with absolutely loads going on and with plenty of twists and intrigue, whilst also being firmly rooted in very credible current scenarios such as nationalism, civil unrest and belief in the paranormal. I can definitely recommend this as a book you will be glued to with your mouth open until the final page and very satisfying ending. I think I have just found my “Book of the Year”! jeff popple167 5

C. J. Carver is in good form with her latest novel, A Treachery Of Friends.

A Treachery Of Friends opens with a late night phone call drawing Sidney Scott back into the mystery surrounding the disappearance of her father fourteen years ago. A man has been found dead alongside a road in Gloucestershire. Inside his clothing is a postcard from Sid’s father dated the day he disappeared. Desperate to find out the secret about her father’s disappearance, and his connection to the dead man, Sid embarks on her own investigation that leads to her father’s old friends from university. One is the head of a religious cult. The other is an ambitious politician. And both have secrets they want to stay buried, secrets that Sid will have to uncover before a killer strikes again.

A Treachery Of Friends is a fast moving and engaging thriller that goes down some unexpected paths, as Sid narrows in on what happened to her father. The political elements of the book will probably resonant more with British readers than those elsewhere, although there is an universal truth to Caroline's predictions. Regardless, Caroline keeps the interest level high and there are some genuine shocks as the book twists its way to the final bloody outcome.

Sid is a well sketched and interesting character, who has more than her share of flaws, but is also a kind-hearted and determined young woman. Her job as a researcher and debunker of paranormal scams gives good texture to the story and adds some interesting asides. There is also considerable poignancy in Carver’s portrayal of the children caught up in the conspiracy at the core of the story.

In all, A Treachery Of Friends is a very entertaining crime thriller that casts a sharp light on how easy it is to subvert democracy and bring about worrying change.

Four and a half, rounded up to 5.

See my full review at: https://murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/h... Lizzie Hayes522 26

When Sidney Scott was eight her father showed her some magic tricks. She became fascinated and hooked on the science behind magic. Then her father disappeared but un the magic card tricks he never reappeared.

Fourteen years later, Sid is a supernatural sceptic, some people called her a ghostbuster. Her speciality is exposing paranormal scams. When she receives a call from Detective Kelly, of the Gloucestershire police, she is both frightened and hopeful that it relates to her father’s disappearance. But it relates to a traffic accident and the death of one Owen Evans, who Sid has never heard of. But in his clothing is a post card with her name and address on it, and it is undoubtedly in her father’s handwriting. Then he breaks the news that Owen Evans death was not an accident, but a murder.

Detective Kelly is circumspect in what he tells Sid, but from the postcard she gleans enough to set off on her own investigation. Her starting point is St John’s College, where Owen Evans had been a student. After giving her name to the Head Porter he makes a telephone call and then hands her a piece of paper and tells her to ring one Winstone Fairchild, who will be able to help her. And through him she learns of two powerful men: one is an ambitious politician, and the other the leader of a religious cult.

There is much unrest in the country, with demonstrations orchestrated by people out only for themselves. Sid makes the mistake of visiting the cult, where she finds true evil. As in most mysteries the people you place your trust in are not always good people. On the other hand, people can also surprise you.

Horrifying, in fact terrifying. To say that the story is scary is a gross understatement. Could this happen?

I have read every book by C J Carver, and she always has me on the edge of my seat as the twists and turns of the story unfold. Yet again she delivers an incredible read. Highly recommended.
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Reviewer: Lizzie Sirett
Vanessa2,377 20

"A round of applause" for this book called A Treachery of Friends by CJ Carver. This was a book was brilliant, that gripped me from the start especially as it just pulled me in and I found it hard to put down. I just wanted to read more and find out what happened next. So glad Sleep is over rated!
It's full of brilliant twists and turns throughout that made it a page turner and I loved the character Sid and just wanted to give her a hug.

Sadly this book cover did not do it justice, it would not catch my eye if I was in a book shop or a supermarket etc. But, glad I had a chance to read it -

I highly recommend it. Don't be put off by the cover! 5 ??????????

Big Thank you to Bloodhound Books and CJ Carver for the Advance Reader Copy2 s Sue Wallace 6,551 86

A treachery of Friends by C.J. Carver.
A man lies bleeding on the roadside. Hidden in his clothing is a message to Sidney from her father—who has been missing for fourteen years . . ..Practical and level-headed Sid doesn’t believe in miracles. So she sets out on a search for her father that leads to his old friends from university—or at least, the two of them who are still around. One is the head of a religious cult. The other is an ambitious politician. And both have secrets they want to stay buried—secrets Sid will have to uncover before a killer strikes again . . .
My first book by this author. I really enjoyed this book. Lots of action. Gripping. This book had me hooked. Twisty and lots of didn't see that coming. I will be looking forward to reading more from this author. 4* Bobbi Wagner4,359 43

I enjoyed reading this suspenseful mystery. This is a newer author for me which I enjoyed their writing skills as well as their attention to details that made the story come to life. This is a well written story about a father who has been missing for years and when a note is found on a dead man. Sidney is determined to find her father and what happened. I enjoyed her character and what she brought to the story. She is my favorite of the book and I enjoyed her connectiveness. This is a fast paced, hard to put down mystery that you don't want to miss. A story that will keep you turning pages to the end. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to seeing what is next for this author. I highly recommend this book. Alison Cairns870 9

A great read. Sidney Scott, a 28 year old supernatural scientist, has lived alone and isolated, with guard dog Tank for several years. Fourteen years ago her father went missing, and four years later her mother died. Now Sid finds a detective at her door having found a postcard to her from her father on the body of a murdered man. Sid turns amateur sleuth, feeling the police aren't answering questions. She finds a link to a local cult leader, and a very right wing politician. SId's quest leads her into dangerous situations and she has no idea who to trust. I was with Sidney in not knowing who was trustworthy or not. This was an edge of the seat thriller and I thoroughly enjoyed it. #atreacheryoffriends #bloodhoundbooks K279 8

Sid Scott receives a visit from the police about a traffic accident, the driver was killed but he had a postcard to Sid from her father, the only trouble, Sid’s father disappeared 14 years before and the postcard was dated the day he disappeared.
Getting no answers from the police Sid decides to investigate, this leads her to discover the dead man and her father had gone to the same school and were at the same university at the same time.
There seemed to be a group of four, the other two being a government minister and a cult leader. Will they be able to help her find out what happened to her father. M.S.Author 5 books12

Decent plot line, let down by dull writing.

I wouldn't call this an edge-of-the-seat thriller by any means. A tale of yet another despot political leader, extremism disguised as religion, keep the little woman at home chained to the kitchen sink philosophy. And a young woman on a mission to find her father, not expecting to uncover horrific evidence of a terrorist act designed to manipulate the voting public. And of course there's a romance element added to the story which wasn't entirely convincing. For me, the writing lacked engagement which was a huge disappointment. Don't think I'll be following the author anytime soon. Cathy193 10

Sid has been a non believer in anything that can’t be explained, always finding a way a reason but when a postcard is found on a murdered man’s body from her father 14 years after he disappeared she is presented with a lot of things that she cannot find explanations for. Her search leads her to a cult and old university friends of her father plus a whole lot more than she bargains for.
An excellent novel that led me to think hard about our political system and what could happen. Very thought provoking. Robin Price924 24

This book has everything a thriller should have and more. Much more. This is the first time I have read a novel by CJ Carver. I will definitely be reading a lot more.
The plot is topical, authentic, powerful - and nerve shreddingly tense. It is an astonishing story; bang-up-to-date and all too close to what could so easily happen in these troubled times we live in now.
Sid and Win are fabulous characters. I do hope they will return in future novels.
A Treachery of Friends deserves to be a smash hit and CJ Carver deserves a place in the front rank of contemporary thriller writers. Lynette Ekins12

LOVED this book.

Very gripping with several twists and turns to keep you on your toes. Missing parent, religious cult, extreme politician - this book has the lot!

Characters are amazing and would love to read more about Sid.

Very well written with all story arcs being concluded and consistences running throughout the book too. Highly recommend. Aileen Davis124 5

This was a good read. My brain took a little while to comprehend that Sid was a woman and Kelly - I'm blaming long hours at work. The story draws you in and has you thinking about how the media and politics can shape your opinion of the world. Be careful what you wish for. Well written and I will read more by this author David Beniston482 1 follower

If you want to read a good thriller based on realism then this book is not for you. The idea is ok and it could maybe just possible in far rght US states but in the UK while there are right wing nutters there are far too many groups that would oppose this kind of coup. Plus even with a right wing controlled media, social media would destroy any notion linked to the ideologies in this book. Mandy Innes82

Although this book got off to a slow start it still held my attention enough to keep reading and I’m glad I did as it really picked up pace further into the story. Sid I spent most of the time not quite knowing who was trustworthy and who wasn’t. Scarily with the rise in extreme right wing politics this is a work of fiction that you can very easily see becoming a horrifying reality Alison Bryant91 7

Absolutely amazing! I loved this book and it pulled me in. I was talking to people about it and the real fear and possibility was scary. I didn’t join all the dots - the author kept me guessing in some ways right to the end. Worth more than 5 stars! Jill Coates80 3

Absolutely loved this book. Very well written and scarily believable. The plot is fast paced, with twists and turns aplenty, definitely an 'edge of your seat thriller'. Highly recommended, I will definitely reading more from this author.

Thank you to Bloodhound Books for this ARC Nanci148 3

A new to me author MUST READ thriller with a new and different storyline that was captivating ! Twists and turns and tension mounting I did not want the book to end as throughly entertaining and engaging!!! This has all the elements of a truly great thriller!!!! Helga Sutton87 6

Oh my goodness!! I could not put this book down, I was totally hooked. It was a real eye opener as to how some people can behave . Scarily believable.
A definite must read. BRILLIANT Faye Ridpath607 27

I received this book for free from Bloodhound Books.

This was an adrenaline filled book and a very scary commentary on what our world can become, given the right catalyst. Becca Ashton81 2

I absolutely loved this book and couldn’t put it down. The twists and turns kept me guessing all the way through Sarah Jane191

ITV drama potential. Mrs Jane307 2

The plot is terrifying, yet I didn't feel that I was reading a thriller. The writing felt more akin to a magazine story than a thriller. Reaghan10

A chilling reminder of how the UK might end up if we don’t quell deep fake news and other forms of misinformation.

Well written, well paced, with enough tension to keep me reading well into the wee hours. A real page-turner. If you mystery, suspense, and political intrigue, you’ll enjoy this.

I was disappointed that Carver feels the need to use Americanisms in a British novel: ‘wet liberals’ ‘stuccoed’ and ‘donuts’ stand out, and ‘coronated as prime minister’ made me smirk. Bit of fake news there, I think. It also seems there’s a bit of mix-up in Flick’s family tree. I’m sure Win should be her uncle, since his dad is Flick’s grandad. These niggles aside, the plot is crafted well and the characters are believable and well-drawn, no mean feat considering how plentiful they are.

Sidney, the female protagonist, is independent and determined, while still able to show empathy. A cool-headed scientist, even she admits eventually that not everything can be explained. She’s a well-rounded character and I’d love to read more stories featuring her and women her.


Thanks to Bloodhound Books for the ARC.mystery political-thriller thriller Lynn Mccarthy578 25

A brilliant book.
This author kept me guessing twists and turns through out and i couldn't put it down well plotted a well written book i recommend you try it. Joanne Robertson1,373 639

A Treachery of Friends is an intelligently crafted and plotted thriller with a fascinating storyline that really made me think beyond the fiction due to its very topical premise. When Sid discovers she has a connection to a recent tragic incident, she uses her powers of observation and beliefs to help in the search for her father who went missing 14 years ago. Her character is very believable and I found myself liking her far more than I had expected! It was nice to have a strong female protagonist in such a powerful role throughout this gripping thriller and I found myself unable to put this down and that was mainly due to cleverly created characters that I came to care about.
Definitely one to watch out for. Caroline 'relaxing with my rescue dogs'2,178 34

This was such an edge of the seat read (so does live up to the hype) , I just got so addicted it was so good, I was absorbed into the story and wasn't sure how it was going to go. It was so scarily realistic in a far fetched way (that will only make sense once you read it). It got me thinking about how it could happen.

I was given an advance copy by bloodhound books but the review is entirely my own.2023-arcs 2023-reads-and-listens bloodhound Scott Parsons343 16

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