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Book Summary and Reviews of To the Lions by Holly Watt

To the Lions by Holly Watt

To the Lions

by Holly Watt

  • Critics' Consensus:
  • Published:
  • Sep 2019, 400 pages
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About this book

Book Summary

An international thriller featuring a female journalist who stumbles upon a dark conspiracy, and her determination to follow the clues, no matter how far that takes her.

Casey Benedict, star reporter at the Post, has infiltrated the lives and exposed the lies of countless politicians and power players. Using her network of contacts, and her ability to slip into whatever identity suits the situation, Casey is always on the search for the next big story, no matter how much danger this might place her in, or what the cost might be, emotionally.

Tipped off by an overheard conversation at an exclusive London nightclub, she begins to investigate the apparent suicide of a wealthy young British man whose death has left his fiancée and family devastated. The young man's death, however, is only the tipping point of a much more sinister and dangerous scandal involving the world's most powerful leaders and magnates—men who are gathering in northern Africa for an extreme and secret hunt. With fellow reporter Miranda and combat veteran Ed by her side, Casey's determined hunt for the truth will take her from the glitz of St. Tropez to the deserts of Libya and on to the very darkest corners of the human mind.

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Reviews

Media Reviews

"The crime at the heart of this tale is nothing short of horrific, and Watt's narrative sparks and crackles with dread, leading brave readers on a harrowing exploration of unthinkable evil and what it means to bear witness. A terrifying and unforgettable journey." - Kirkus Reviews

"Visceral storytelling enhances a harrowing plot that continually ratchets up tension while spotlighting the global refugee crisis, debating journalistic ethics, and contemplating the value of an individual life. Watt is off to a strong start." - Publishers Weekly

"At its heart this is a first-rate Fleet Street novel...equally good on the spy-like ploys used by undercover hacks as it is on tensions and teamwork in the newsroom." - The Sunday Times (UK)

"Sensational! I loved it. Superbly plotted... A sure hit." - Clare Mackintosh, internationally bestselling author of I Let You Go, I See You, and Let Me Lie

"A globe-trotting tale of investigative journalism that crackles with the energy of peak James Ellroy." - Mark Edwards, bestselling author of Follow You Home

"This book is astonishing. Containing the most horrific concept for a crime novel I've ever encountered, it manages also to be beautifully written and tragic. It made me question the value we put on human life and consider what it means to be human. Utterly unforgettable." - Emma Flint, bestselling author of Little Deaths

This information about To the Lions was first featured in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.

Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.

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More Information

As an investigative journalist, Holly Watt has written about the refugee crisis, traveling to Libya, Lebanon, and Zaatari refugee camps in Jordan, and covered stories ranging from the Panama Papers to chasing modern-day pirates in the Indian Ocean. She has written for the Sunday Times, the Telegraph, and the Guardian. She lives in London. To the Lions is her first novel.

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