Oh my goodness what an absolute thriller of a read this was. I was blown away by this book and it gripped me from the start like a vice. Utterly fantastic.

An amazing dark thriller I have read some David Mark books before; I have always enjoyed them but usually mark them with 4 stars as they are not quite a 5 for me. However, I had no hesitation in giving ‘Cages’ 5 stars, it was atmospheric, graphic and disturbing with an amazing plot and an ending that I just did not see coming. So many books in this genre, although good to read, can disappoint in the ending but not this one! Right at the start, we are introduced to Annabeth Harris and her sad story. As a teenager, she had been sexually abused, got into drinks and drugs and eventually meets an older man who keeps her prisoner and uses her for sex. When Annabeth finds out she is pregnant her only thought is for her unborn child so to escape, she resorts to extreme measures and kills her abuser with a snow globe, managing to cover up her tracks and dispose of the body. Fast forward 15 years and Annabeth and her son Ethan have made a new life for herself, Annabeth is doing very well as a prison officer at HMP Holderness in Yorkshire and her future is looking good. One of her innovations at the prison is to ask an author, Rufus Orton, to do a course on creative writing. Rufus is a 49-year-old, near alcoholic, who is desperate for cash and is happy to do anything to help his dire financial state. He is surprised however when he finds that he is enjoying the course and getting really absorbed in helping the prisoners to understand the delights of creative writing. However, the course is ruined by the presence of Griffin Cox, a man suspected of the abduction of teenage children over several years. The Humberside police are trying to find conclusive evidence of his crimes, but Griffin is very clever and has his own agenda. The plot really starts to thicken when Griffin reveals to Annabelle that he knows about her previous life by passing her a snow globe, and together with Rufus, the three of them are drawn into a deadly trap. As stated earlier the ending was totally unexpected in more ways than one and I do not want to give away anything that happens, but it was such a good read that I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good crime thriller. Dexter Elite Book Group received a copy of the book to review

*4.5 stars * Annabeth Harris is a Prison Officer, but her past was very different, and it’s a past she intends to keep firmly hidden, because if anyone finds out what she’s done, then she’s finished! Rufus Orton is an author, something of a has been, he’s had some success in the past, but publication of his latest book has been postponed, and he’s completely skint - bills piling up, court bailiffs are regular visitors, the house he shares with his family is crumbling through neglect, but then a lifeline comes along, in the form of an invitation to pass on his knowledge via a creative writing course, for inmates of HMP Holderness in East Yorkshire. Annabeth specifically asked for Rufus, as she’s one of his few loyal fans. HMP inmate Griffin Cox, has grabbed himself a place on the creative writing course, even though as a VP (vulnerable prisoner) kept in segregation for his own safety, it shouldn’t be allowed. He’s in prison for a sex offence and abduction, though he claims he’s innocent. One thing’s for sure, he’s going to stir things up for everybody on the course. Cox is hugely intelligent, and he loves playing games, files information about others in his own head, to enable him to get inside theirs. Let the games commence! ‘Cages’ is a stand-alone from talented author David Mark. It simmers with menace throughout, and excellent use of smoke and mirrors ensures a gripping read, in addition, it comes with some neat little twists at the end. Highly Recommended.

This is a solid psychological thriller that maintains interest throughout. It's a tense novel about 3 key characters; Rufus - a character who was highly acclaimed as a writer, but, who is going through hard times and so when the offer of a job teaching creative writing in a prison, he accepts. Annabeth - A prison warden, who is behind the job offer and who has her own dark secrets. Cox - a manipulative sex offender who joins the writing class as a way of seeking freedom. It takes a while to get going and is, at times, a difficult read, but it's really well written and skilfully brings things to a satisfactory conclusion, with twists and turns along the way.