The Pact

By: Sharon Bolton

Narrated by: Hanako Footman

Length: 12 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

A golden summer, and six talented teenagers are looking forward to the brightest of futures—until a daredevil game goes horribly wrong, leaving three strangers dead.

18-year-old Megan takes the blame for the crime, leaving her friends to get on with their lives. In return, they each agree to a 'favour', payable on her release from prison.

Twenty years later Megan is free.

It is payback time.

And her friends start disappearing, one by one . . .

Richard & Judy bestseller Sharon Bolton is back, with her twistiest thriller yet.

©2021 Sharon Bolton (P)2021 Orion Publishing Group

Critic reviews

"Deliciously compelling." (Daily Mirror)

"Delightfully dark." (The Times)

"Addictive and thoroughly satisfying." (Jane Casey)

Wow

I don’t usually write reviews but this book/ story was phenomenal. It keeps you guessing right up to the very end, definitely worth the credit.

So close to a 5 out of 5 it makes my stomach hurt

I have never been so invested in a story in my entire life. So amazing. Reprehensible characters, great description, action that kept me on the edge of my seat. I finished this 11 hour listen in a day and a half. But, I can’t give this book 5 out of 5 stars. The ending was rushed. What was a thrilling ride for the first 2/3 of this book, turned into a cop out ending complete with typical third act revelation and fight against the bad guy. It left me so confused. I hoped the story would show Megan’s machinations and manipulations for a lot longer. The synopsis promises a torturous thrilling game, and the author sets up the perfect deadline, a July 1st party where all Megan’s ‘friends’ have to deliver on their promise. I was convinced Megan was going to reveal the evil of her ‘friend’ group at that party. Set them up for ANOTHER murder in front of their friends and family or have them start implicating and framing one other. I wanted Megan to walk down that huge staircase at the July 1st party and reveal to the group that she never meant to go through with the reveal, only for it to be too late because by that point all the others had corrupted themselves or committed some heinous act. I especially wanted Megan to make Talitha suffer in the worst way, preferably by murdering her attorney father. Or have Daniel give up something only to renege and say she doesn’t need it. But then, instead of sticking to that brilliant plot where Megan slowly infiltrates their lives like a poisonous mold, the last 1/3 of the book veers into this rushed murder spree. It left me scratching my chin. It felt like the author really had something special, lightening in a bottle, only to let it go. So much wasted potential.

Surprise

First book from this author, and I really enjoyed this. Lot of twists and overall the plot kept me engaged the entire book. Will read another of the authors books after this one!

I can never be a detective

I loved having this to listen to while I work. Definitely can never be a detective because I had it wrong like 5 different times. Fun twists and well developed characters

Amazing Book

This book was absolutely one of the best books I’ve listened to in a long time. The narrator was amazing, she really brought this book to life! Read it, listen to it…just get it!

Fast paced read slightly dissatisfied with ending

Overall I really enjoyed this story, but I did feel slightly let down by the ending.

KEPT MY GUESSING!

Totally guessed this one wrong, The
"Ah hah" moment only came after the reveil!

Edge of the seat thrill

Great, engaging story. Gives the listener credit and makes you think.
Fun twists. Enjoyable from the get go.

Excellent

Great book thrilling to the last minute
Characters develop so well along with the story. I did not want it to end.

Just WOW

So I will admit the first few chapters (setting up the plot with the characters as teenagers) almost lost me and I almost turned it off, but holy crap, I am so glad I finished it. Once I hit part 2 (20 years later) I was COMMITTED. I was riveted to my seat listening to this and I was in a deep sadness when it ended. I’m a very picky reader and this book just hit the spot for me.