Half-Past Tomorrow

 

By Chris McGeorge
Crime | Thriller

Review

A 2022 Top Rated Read

Widow Shirley Steadman is a 70-year-old volunteer hospital radio presenter who lives in the North East of England. Having experienced her fair share of tragedy with the suicide of her beloved son Gabe, she finds comfort in his visits to her home as a ghostly presence. 

One day, while getting ready for her radio show, she discovers a pirate station — 66.40 Mallet AM — and listens to the news. To her utter amazement it isn't today's news; it's tomorrow's! She's even more astonished when everything reported actually comes true — the following day!! So fascinated by what she's found, she keeps tuning in. But things take a more sinister turn when murders are reported and the only person who can prevent them is Shirley.  

I loved Half-Past Tomorrow. I thought it was a highly original story which really appealed to me with its elderly female protagonist and a puzzling mystery to solve. I've read the author's three earlier novels and enjoyed each one, so for me his books have become must-reads. 

I immediately connected with Shirley and was drawn into the conundrum. Yes, you do need to suspend disbelief but I didn't feel it detracted from what was a fantastic story. The author has a great talent for writing excellent mysteries and I can't wait to discover what he comes up with next.

Book Source: Purchased copy

My Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Paperback: 342 pages

Publisher: Orion (5th August 2021)

ISBN-13: 978-1409187592

Synopsis

Shirley Steadman, a 70 year old living in a small town in the North East of England, loves her volunteer work at the local hospital radio. She likes giving back to the community, and even more so, she likes getting out of the house. Haunted by the presence of her son, a reluctant Royal Navy officer who was lost at sea, and still in the shadow of her long dead abusive husband, she doesn't like being alone much.

One day, at the radio station, she is playing around with the equipment and finds a frequency that was never there before. It is a pirate radio station, and as she listens as the presenter starts reading the news. But there is one problem - the news being reported is tomorrows. Shirley first thinks it is a mere misunderstanding - a wrong date. But she watches as everything reported comes true. At first, Shirley is in awe of the station, and happily tunes in to hear the news.

But then the presenter starts reporting murders - murders that happen just the way they were reported.

And Shirley is the only one who can stop them.