Chapter by Chapter

The cover for author Hannah Jayne’s The Escape grabbed my attention but the novel’s premise hooked my intrigue. While it did sound like your basic amnesia/murder mystery story, I soon learned that The Escape by author Hannah Jayne was incredibly unique. The Escape was unlike most murder mysteries that I’ve had the opportunity to read. It was exciting and exhilarating and a total ride from start to finish.

In The Escape, Adam and Fletcher go into woods for a hike when they are both attacked. Uncertain of where they are or what is going on, it seems hopeless and unlikely that the two boys will find help. It isn’t until the Police Chief’s daughter, Avery, stumbles across Fletcher on a search party that the mystery of who attacked the two boys begins to unravel. When Adam is found murdered, both Fletcher and Avery begin to seek out just who it is that attacked them both. But as new information arises and strange flashbacks begin to haunt Fletcher, the killer’s true identity might be closer to the two of them than either of them know.

Honestly, I hadn’t expected myself to love The Escape was much as I did. I thought that it would be typical and average, but it turned out to be anything but. What immediately reeled me in was Jayne’s writing. There’s something about it that just works. It’s beautiful and descriptive. Readers will be able to imagine the setting with ease and find their hearts pounding often through Jayne’s use of descriptors and thoughtful prose. Her distinct style makes The Escape a wonderful read that takes hold of you and never lets go.

The point of view (POV) in The Escape switches between both Fletcher and Avery. It’s very interesting to live inside both characters’ heads. Mainly because both Fletcher and Avery have contrasting personalities that provide different insights into the story. Personally, I loved reading Fletcher’s POV. Jayne writes his character in a way that provides some major psychological implications. Fletcher isn’t ‘cool’ like Adam was. Fletcher is the less than average ‘weird kid’ and getting to see the story through his eyes was great.

If I were to describe The Escape to someone interested in reading, I would tell them that this novel is more than a murder mystery. It’s a psychological thriller than messes with your head. There’s a constant use of red herrings, making it impossible to fully know who the novel’s true antagonist is until its final pages. There are instances where you aren’t sure the force that Fletcher and Avery are up against is even human. It’s terrifying in the most spine-tingling way and I loved every moment of it.

I would recommend The Escape to readers who are big fans of murder mysteries with a twist. Any readers who are big fans of novels that are filled with nothing but heart-pounding action should definitely give The Escape a go. It’s a thrilling novel that you could easily finish in one sitting and will leave you breathless.