He Started It By Samantha Downing

‘He Started It’ is the latest book by Samantha Downing.

No-one knows you better than your family. They know the little things that make you smile. Your proudest achievements. Your darkest secrets. Sure, you haven’t always been best friends. But if it seemed as though someone was after you, that you might be in danger, then you’d be on each other’s side. Right?

When I initially started this book, I found it slow to get started, the concept is a fascinating one. A brother and two sisters have to go on a road trip to scatter their grandfather’s ashes in the Nevada desert. Once they have done this, they will all receive quite a sizeable inheritance. The only thing is they’re having to re-enact a road trip that took place twenty years ago and changed their lives forever.

The story is seen solely through the flashbacks and narrative of the older sister Beth, as she counts down the days until the road is over. Only her brother Eddie and sister Portia know what really happened years ago, whilst Felix, Beth’s husband and Eddie’s new wife Krista are clueless.

As they travel through the different states on the road trip, it stirs up new unwanted memories and feelings that cause upset and paranoia to the siblings especially when they are convinced that they are being followed. The road trip is a dark one as they visit Bonnie and Clyde and UFO museums which make for fascinating and informative reading about the criminal duo.

Once I got into the story, I found that it flows at an interesting pace, with many twists and revelations throughout the story that kept the reader engaged. The flashbacks to the previous road trip give an insight into what happened many years ago and keeps the reader on their toes.

I found the characters all quite interesting and flawed in their own way, with her shared secrets and the commitment to carry out a task purely for the money.

‘He Started It’ is a twisty and unique storyline that really pulls the reader in. Injected with humour from sibling rivalry and suspense throughout, this gripping road trip take many dark turns along the way before reaching its final destination.

You can buy ‘He Started It’ from Amazon and is available to buy from good bookshops.