I read ‘Knife Edge’ by Simon Mayo last year and thoroughly enjoyed it so I was very much looking forward to reading his latest novel. The radio presenter come author writes well and along with intruging storylines and interesting characters the novels make entertaining reading. There are cases of suspected tinnitus that starts as a ticking sensation and gets steadily worse. But to make matters worse appears to be infectious. The outbreaks are occurring across the world, starting on a small scale but accelerating to plague level and ultimately killing people. No one knows or can explain what is happening but the situation is getting worse all the time. What is the mystery behind the illness that is threatening to change the world. The premise for this book is excellent and most of the time proved to be a fascinating read. However I personally felt it didn’t have to be quite so long and maybe a 50 page edit would have worked a lot better. Still a fascinating and thought provoking read.

Tick Tock marks Simon Mayo’s third foray into the world of adult fiction and, in my opinion, it’s his strongest offering yet. This is a pandemic-set story, set in a post-Covid world. The infection manifests with a ticking in the ear, audible to others, that gradually gets worse and worse. And then people start dying… The tale is told in quite an insular way, following the experiences of just three characters - Kit, a schoolteacher, Rose, his daughter, and Lilly, his girlfriend. I thought this approach worked well, touching just enough on the paranoia and panic shuddering through society without having to touch upon those who would, I’m sure, insist Covid-style that the whole thing was a government hoax. In the past, I’ve struggled somewhat with the author’s dialogue writing, finding it rather clunky in places, but that wasn’t remotely an issue here. Furthermore, I thought the characters were likeable and well rounded, with the relationship between Kit and his daughter Rose being particularly well written. A taut and atmospheric thriller. Recommended. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers, Doubleday, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Having read and thoroughly enjoyed Knife Edge I was excited to read Tick Tock. Simon Mayo is not a one-trick pony! Following the Covid pandemic a new tinnitus problem starts to spread - but tinnitus isn't catching is it? And this tinnitus isn't just heard by the sufferer - people around the sufferer can hear a ticking noise ... and it is spreading. Kit is Head of English teacher and his daughter, Rose, hates that he teaches at her school. Her best friend starts to suffer from this ticking. Rose is physically thrown from a bus, a pariah. Lilly is Kit's partner and a bacteriologist. The three of them are trying to find out what is causing all this.. The three main characters are all well drawn and interact well, supporting each other. The plot moves fast and this is another page turner. Many thanks to Netgalley for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

I have read one of Mr Mayo's previous outings, Knife Edge, before and although I thought the middle was a bit of a miss for me, the start and end were great so it didn't put me off reading more of his work and I'm pleased it didn't, as I enjoyed this one. Having survived the Covid pandemic and things are returning to 'normal', another illness strikes that could prove just as deadly. Kit, his daughter Rose and partner Lilly find themselves right in the centre as the new pandemic emerges and starts to spread. There is a very strong sense of tension from the start which grows as Kit and Rose try to evade what you feel is inevitable infection whilst Lilly uncovers a possible family connection and secret Government research and dubious testing practices. The characters are strong and are believable, the plot is current (maybe a little too current!) and the pacing is good. There is quite a bit of scientific speak which I felt was a bit too much and, I think, wasn't particularly necessary or added to the story that much. Overall, a decent thriller which kept me engaged and my thanks to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and NetGalley for enabling me to read Tick Tock and share my views.

Tick Tock evokes the events, fear and helplessness of the last pandemic whilst creating a world where something as devastating but different occurs. You are drawn to Kit, Rose and Lilly as the apocalyptic events unfold from their viewpoints. The twenty-first century equivalent of the disaster stories of the 1970s is addictive reading. With enough scientific details to create authenticity, this story is thought-provoking. I like the tension and the characterisation, I received a copy of this book from the publisher.