Minnie's Fiction Addiction

👀 First impressions:
I picked this up expecting a quick, twisty thriller and that is exactly what I got. The story follows Keisha Ceylon, a woman who pretends to have psychic visions and approaches families of missing people to “help” them for a fee. It is such a simple setup but it works incredibly well, especially when she targets a man whose wife has disappeared and quickly realises she has stepped into something far more dangerous than a routine scam. The book expands on Barclay’s earlier novella Clouded Vision, so the pacing is tight and there is absolutely no wasted space. It hooked me from the opening scene.

✅ What I Liked:
Keisha is what drew me in most. She is not a traditional heroine and I loved that about her. She is flawed, selfish, frightened, brave and sometimes foolish, and that mixture makes her incredibly compelling to follow. The pacing is another strength. Chapters move quickly and every choice Keisha makes pushes the situation further out of her control, which creates a really addictive momentum. The tension builds gradually until it suddenly becomes clear how dangerous everything has become. I also enjoyed the escalating sense of chaos that follows Keisha from the moment she knocks on the wrong door.

❎ What I didn’t Like:
Some of the side characters felt a little underdeveloped, mostly because the story moves so fast. I occasionally found myself wanting just a little more depth around the edges. There are also moments that felt slightly rushed, scenes that ended just as I wanted a bit more aftermath or emotional space. It never ruined the experience but it did leave me wishing for a tiny bit more detail.

📚 Why You Should Read This Book:
This is perfect for anyone who wants a fast paced thriller that can be read in a day. It is especially good if you enjoy morally grey characters, domestic tension, and stories where one bad decision spirals into a full disaster. It is gripping without being heavy and is ideal when you want something entertaining that wastes no time getting to the point.

💭 Final Thoughts:
Never Saw It Coming is sharp, quick and surprisingly character driven considering its length. Keisha carries the story beautifully with all her flaws and questionable choices. She is memorable in a way many thriller protagonists are not. Although this is not Barclay’s most complex novel, it succeeds completely on the level it aims for. It is tense, fun, readable and exactly the sort of thriller you reach for when you want something you can fall into immediately.

🛍️ Where to buy
To buy your own copy click HERE and HERE

Final Rating ★★★★ – A slick and suspenseful suburban thriller that keeps you guessing