Look Both Ways: From the international bestselling author of books like Take Your Breath Away comes an electrifying crime thriller

Product Information

I love Linwood Barclay's books, so when this was offered for audiobook review, I grabbed it. I really didn't know what the story was about when I agreed, and when I started it, I almost gave up, in fact, I put it aside a couple of times. Once I gave it a chance and got into it, I was hooked. Look Both Ways is the story of a small island, Garrett Island, where the residents participate in a P.R. program to promote self-driving cars. All the gas guzzlers were taken and everyone was given an autonomous vehicle, "The Arrival". What happens when someone puts a virus into the main computer that runs all the cars? This is a gripping thriller/horror story that makes me want to hang onto my gas guzzler and not even think about these self-driving cars. Garret Island, off the coast of Massachusetts, is the venue for a publicity campaign for the Arrival self driving car. All the islanders have been encouraged to give up their regular cars for a month in return for driving one of the brand new autonomous vehicles. Although driving is a misnomer as they don’t even have steering wheels. Touted as being the safest form of transport, they are programmed to protect life and obey all road rules. Sandra Montrose, an islander and PR expert, has been engaged to organise a bells and whistles launch function for the media.

If "Jurassic Park but with autonomous automobiles" sounds like a very cool concept, that's because it is' FINANCIAL TIMES Single mum Sandra is prepping for the huge media event, and she's ready for a driverless future. Widowed after her husband fell asleep at the wheel, she's relieved that her kids may never need to drive themselves. Barclay is a terrific writer … I couldn't put it down, and you won't be able to either. If you enjoy thrillers, this is the real deal. It never lets up' STEPHEN KING Barclay’s 2011 thriller, The Accident, has been turned into the six-part television series L’Accident in France, and he adapted his novel Never Saw it Coming for the movie, directed by Gail Harvey and starring Eric Roberts and Emily Hampshire. Several of his other books either have been, or still are, in development for TV and film. Inspired by his decades-long love of cars, internationally bestselling author Linwood Barclay envisions a world in which automotive technology outpaces our wildest dreams—and our darkest nightmares—in a gripping new novel of action and suspenseAlways eager to read Linwood Barlcay’s novels, I made some time in my schedule for this one. Combining his well-established talent with a life-long obsession of cars, Barclay entertains the reader while forcing them to think on just how technology could turn against us. With his stellar writing style leading the way, Barclay shows us a different side to his craft, which is equally as enthralling as his usual publications.

Sandra Montrose, single mom and public relations executive, prepares for Arrival Inc.’s flashy press event on Garrett Island, a small isolated community that is the setting of a visionary experiment. All the residents have given up their cars which were sent to the mainland and for the past month the islanders have been given the use of the Arrival, a revolutionary autonomous vehicle. What could go wrong? Everyone on Garrett Island has been given battery powered self-drive cars. For one month these voice activated cars will do all the driving. For one month there will be no road deaths and no accidents as the cars communicate and monitor everything around them. Sounds like heaven, what could possibly go wrong?Inspired by his decades-long love of cars, internationally bestselling author Linwood Barclay envisions a world in which automotive technology outpaces our wildest dreams—and our darkest nightmares— in a gripping new novel of action and suspense. If “Jurassic Park but with autonomous automobiles” sounds like a very cool concept, that’s because it is’ FINANCIAL TIMES

Arrival Inc has arranged a huge press event to showcase their cars which is being managed by Sandra Montrose, a PR executive, resident of Garrett Island, single mum and recent widower. This project could turn her life around as it’s so high profile, but being a Barclay thriller, you know that something is about to go terribly wrong. We follow the disaster through the lives of four heroic people — Sandra Montrose, the local PR person hired by the car company, her teenage daughter, her twelve-year-old son, and their secretive seventy-something neighbor who has a classic Caddy hidden away in his garage. Barclay is a terrific writer … I couldn’t put it down, and you won’t be able to either. If you enjoy thrillers, this is the real deal. It never lets up’ STEPHEN KING Barclay’s latest offers characters that are appealing or despicable as required: narcissistic CEOs; a gutsy widow; a clever and resourceful twelve-year-old boy; a reclusive neighbour with a handy secret; and one who is not as nice or sweet as first appears. He gives them entertaining dialogue, and also manages to feature a 1959 Cadillac Coupe de Ville, a coat of meat, quite a lot of violence with copious ensuing blood spilt, and some gruesome deaths. Three of those seventeen novels comprise the epic Promise Falls trilogy: Broken Promise, Far From True, and The Twenty-Three. His two novels for children – Chase and Escape – star a computer-enhanced dog named Chipper who’s on the run from the evil organization that turned him into a super-pup.

Find a Book

The residents of Garrett Island are part of a ground-breaking experiment. For a month, their cars will be replaced by self-driving vehicles – voice-controlled, comfortable and safe. I didn't think this was going to be in the usual Barclay style however he did come through with the murder, mayhem and jaw-dropping twists I have come to expect. With some rather ruthless characters, red flags and its underlying themes this is a thoroughly fast paced and hugely entertaining read and of course there are surprises along the way. There were certain characters that I was desperately hoping would make it to the end of the book. My favourite characters were Sandra and the serial killer neighbour (you have to read the book to get that one). As much as I enjoyed the book, I must admit to feeling rather relieved when I came towards the end and that is no reflection at all on the writer’s ability. I could just let my imagination have a rest! One to recommend though. Linwood Barclay has taken every fear I had about self-driving cars and magnified them. I love it! But it's safe to say that I will be firmly hanging on to my traditional gas-guzzling car, thank you very much. DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harlequin Australia, HQ & MIRA, via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Look Both Ways by Linwood Barclay for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

As the excitement reaches a fever pitch, Sandra Montrose – islander, single mom, and public relations executive – prepares for Arrival Inc.’s flashy press event. Sandra is more than ready for this new world. Her husband died after falling asleep at the wheel and she’s relieved that her two teens, Archie and Katie, will never need driver’s licenses. Look Both Ways was one wild ride and I was on the edge of my seat as the AI in the cars started working together and turn against their owners.Inspired by his decades-long love of cars, internationally bestselling author Linwood Barclay envisions a world in which automotive technology outpaces our wildest dreams—and our darkest nightmares— in a gripping new novel of action and suspense Part Christine and part Terminator, the story takes on a life of its own from a variety of perspectives. As each sub-plot inches closer to the centre, things come together and the truth behind the Garrett Island disaster becomes clear. However, could anyone have predicted what the end result would be or who might end up on the losing end? Linwood Barclay at his best in this one, which stirs up as many questions as it does answers.