Trust Me

 

By T.M. Logan

Review

Ellen Devlin is on a train when a young mother sitting opposite asks if she'll look after her baby, Mia, while she takes a phone call. Thinking nothing of it, Ellen is happy to oblige; after all it'll only be for a few minutes. But as the minutes tick by, Ellen becomes increasingly concerned that the mother hasn't returned. Then, as the train stops at a station, Ellen spots the woman disembarking and hurrying away. 

Searching the baby's bag she discovers a note with the message: Please protect Mia. Don't trust the police. Don't trust anyone. Ellen's life is about to be plunged into danger. Who can she trust if not the police? Why does Mia need protecting and from whom?

Phew, this was certainly a tangled web of intrigue and deceit; a real page-turner! Although I had to suspend disbelief on several occasions, my enjoyment of the story wasn't affected — it was pure escapism. Protagonist Ellen was very likeable. Despite fertility issues and being abandoned by her husband for another (now pregnant) woman, she was strong, resilient and resourceful. 

The plot hurtled along at a good pace and held my attention throughout. I figured out who the 'baddie' was before the big reveal, which left me slightly deflated when I wanted to be blown away but overall it was a good, solid, enjoyable read with plenty of twists and turns.  

★★★★☆

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Zaffre
• Publication Year: 2021
• Author: T.M. Logan
• Genre: Psychological Thriller

Synopsis

TWO STRANGERS. A CHILD. AND A SPLIT SECOND CHOICE THAT WILL CHANGE EVERYTHING.

The chance encounter

Ellen was just trying to help a stranger. Giving a few minutes respite to a flustered young mother sitting opposite her on the train. A few minutes holding her baby while the woman makes an urgent call.

Five minutes pass.
Ten.

The twist

As the train pulls into a station, Ellen is stunned to see the woman step off the train and rush away down the platform, leaving her baby behind.

Then she discovers a note in the baby's bag, three desperate lines scrawled hastily on a piece of paper:

Please protect Mia
Don't trust the police
Don't trust anyone

WHAT WOULD YOU DO?