Substitute by Susi Holliday

 

From Goodreads

Three people live. Three people die. You make the choice.

Like any mother, Chrissie wants to protect her family. She would do anything to keep them safe. So when a mysterious stranger turns up at her door, offering to prevent the deaths of the people she loves, it sounds too good to be true. The only problem: she must choose someone to die in their place. A substitute.

When her daughter Holly has a terrible accident, Chrissie has no option but to enter the programme. In that horrifying moment, she would do anything to save her. But even after Holly makes a miraculous recovery, Chrissie is convinced it’s just a coincidence. After all, who can really control the laws of life and death?

But as the dangers to her family escalate and her chosen substitutes begin to disappear, Chrissie finds herself in an underworld of hidden laboratories and secretive doctors. And the consequences of playing by their rules are far deadlier than she ever imagined… 

My thoughts

My thanks to The Book Club on Facebook Reviewer Group (TBConFB) for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

I gave this a 4 stars or 8/10.

This was an interesting premise for a story.  Swapping people for others in order to protect those that we love, who wouldn't if faced with this choice take the person offering that choice up?  It sure would be a dilemma and a half.

When a stranger turns up at Chrissie's door one day offering to stop people that she loves from dying, but in return she has to choose someone to die instead.  A substitute that will die instead of that loved one!  As a parent Chrissie would do anything to protect her family, they are her life.   It's not long before Chrissie becomes entangled in the programme, following an accident to her daughter.  As her daughter improves and begins to recover well.  Chrissie assumes it's coincidental, no one can control life and death or can they?

All is not as it seems in this story, their are greater things at play than Chrissie could ever imagine.  As she becomes aware of what is happening and things begin to be revealed, secrets from the past merge with the present and danger surrounds her.

This was a great read and I was glad to have had the chance to read it.  If you ever come across it, do yourself a favour and grab it with both hands.  I am sure that you will soon be immersed among the twisted mind of this Author as she weaves her magic and draws you in.