I read and enjoyed the previous book about investigative journalist Ben Harper so I was excited to receive a review copy of “ Ten Seconds”. When out for a birthday celebration with her father, Sam and colleague, Ben, Madeleine steps into a car to go home and promptly disappears. Ben teams up with Sam to look for Madeleine when it becomes clear she has been kidnapped and they are in a race against time to find her before something worse happens. Told not to involve the police, Ben cannot even tell his girlfriend Dani who works for the local Haddley police force. This makes for a difficult period in their relationship. The tension ratchets up as time passes and Madeleine is not found. There are clues about the perpetrator who is linked to a former case Madeleine worked on. The man convicted, Billy, has recently been released from prison. I enjoyed returning to Haddley and reading more about the characters who featured in earlier books in the series. I liked Ben- he works well with retired reporter, Sam, an interesting character who really came to life in the course of the novel. He is desparate to find his daughter, even calling up his ex wife to help in the search. There were many twists and turns as the plot moved along and the author managed to keep me guessing until the very last page. The last section was edge of your seat exciting! I definitely recommend this book and the whole series set in Haddley by Robert Gold. I’m now looking forward to catching up with Ben and his friends in the next instalment and certainly hope I don’t have to wait too long. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my arc.

Having enjoyed the first two books in the series, I was really looking forward to reading this book and it did not disappoint. This book once again has Ben Harper at the centre of the plot, as his boss Madeline is kidnapped and Ben and Madeline's Father Sam are left wondering what has happened. Not satisfied with progress Ben and Sam set out to investigate themselves, with this unlikely duo proving to be engaging characters. With a number of other plotlines and character voices, the author successfully weaves a clever plot with interesting characters all within a fast paced read. This was a compelling read, with plenty of twists and I really enjoyed it. I look forward to the next book in the series! Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read.

I hugely enjoyed the first two novels in this series, so had high hopes for the third - Ten Seconds. We're back with Ben Harper, a great lead character, and while the book starts off a bit slower than the other two did, I enjoyed the slightly calmer start – and it soon transforms into the twisty, suspenseful ride we've come to expect from this series! At the beginning of the novel, we delve into the personal lives of Ben, Dani, their colleagues and families, and there's a bit of romance in there too. We know there are a lot of unsettling feelings around someone breaking into houses in the area, but this feels very much in the background of the novel. Of course, it's all setting up for what is to come, and Robert Gold cleverly weaves these character-building threads into the larger tapestry of the plot. Then Madeline goes missing, and as soon as Ben realises this, the book really ramps up a gear. The investigation takes us back to a past case that made Madeline's career – a case riddled with secrets and unexpected connections – and her father Sam turns sort-of-Detective along with Ben, as they try to track her down. These two characters bounce off each other brilliantly. I also really like that some of the characters we meet in this book are brilliantly flawed. They're not good or bad; rather we see into their lives and what has made them behave the way they do, and this adds so much more richness to the book. Also interspersed throughout the narrative are snippets from an unknown character. Their story is tragic, and makes you wonder about the impact of nature versus nurture. Did their past shape their actions? The answer is cleverly left for you to decide. There are dramatic moments in this novel but it never feels over the top. Various elements of the narrative which at first seem separate come together (a type of plot I always enjoy) to create an engaging, addictive novel. Ten Seconds could be read as a standalone but I'd really recommend you read the first two to get the most out of it!

Robert Gold is fast becoming one of my favourite authors. Having read the previous two books I couldn’t wait for the next instalment, the only problem being, now I’ve read it, I’m back to waiting! It was brilliant to be back with all these familiar characters (for new readers, the author includes reminders of what has happened to bring you up to speed). The action was swift to start and the rapid pace didn’t let up at all. I raced through, eager to reach the resolution, whilst wanting to make the book last. The plot has many layers to it, with the reader able to pick up clues sprinkled throughout, and have a go at solving the mysteries. This has everything I look for in a book, brilliantly authentic characters, embedded in realistic relationships, fast-paced, compelling action and an ending that completes the story, even if there was a sad moment. I was addicted and can’t wait for more!

When news editor Madeline Wilson is kidnapped, her family is in a race against time to rescue her. The only clue they have is a cryptic link to a twelve-year-old murder. I have enjoyed all three of the books in the Ben Harper series by Robert Gold, however, I think Ten Seconds is the best to date. The book works well as a stand-alone story, however reading the previous two books in the series gives a greater understanding of the characters involved in Ten Seconds. Investigative journalist Ben Harper lives on the outskirts of London in the town of Haddley, a town where everyone seems to be harbouring a secret. Fans of the series will know that Ben is the type of character who never gives up when he has a story in his sights, even if his own life is put at risk. The situation is no different in Ten Seconds. Madeline Wilson is Ben’s boss, she’s also the daughter of Sam Hardy, Ben’s old mentor. Sam is now retired but Ben still turns to him for advice, there is almost a father-and-son style relationship between the pair. With this in mind, Ben is determined to help find Madeline. The kidnappers have stressed that the police are not to be contacted so the pair have to use the skills they have developed as journalists. This also puts Ben in a difficult position as his girlfriend is a police officer. Ben and Sam realise that the kidnapping is linked to an old murder case. Years ago the police had given up trying to solve the case, but Madeline refused to give up and through dogged determination and relentless reporting an arrest and conviction was finally brought about. As Ben and Sam investigate they travel the country looking for clues, learning that people close to home may be hiding secrets linked to the original murder. Set over a short window of time means that the pace never lets up. The description of the kidnap fills you with trepidation, fearful that there will not be a successful conclusion to the story. The deeper Ben digs, the more you suspect everyone. A secondary storyline also adds confusion for the reader. I was deeply worried about Ben and Dani’s fledgling relationship. Time constraints, along with the kidnapper’s warning, meant that Ben didn’t confide in Dani. Dani felt that there was a lack of trust between them. The finale was filled with tension as a number of lives were at risk. As all the loose ends are tied up there is a sense of relief but the conclusion is tinged with sadness.