Escape

Escape: A Haunting Psychological Thriller by L.A. Davenport

Dr. John Hunter seeks refuge at a luxury hotel, hoping to escape the crushing grief of his wife’s death. But the serene coastal paradise he thought would offer solace instead plunges him into a labyrinth of mystery and self-doubt. Disturbing encounters with enigmatic guests, eerie noises outside his room, and a hidden passageway hint at something far darker lurking beneath the surface of the hotel’s glamorous facade.

As John’s past collides with the secrets of the present, his fragile grip on reality begins to unravel. What is the connection between the hotel’s staff and its sinister history? And what is the truth behind the haunting events that follow him wherever he turns?

Set against the backdrop of stunning Mediterranean landscapes, Escape is a gripping psychological thriller about loss, guilt, and the search for redemption. L.A. Davenport weaves a tale of suspense that will keep you turning pages late into the night, questioning what is real and what is imagined.

Fans of atmospheric thrillers and slow-burning suspense will be captivated by this evocative and unsettling novel.

A powerful psychological thriller with well realized characters and a gripping plot, Escape is an absorbing and enthralling read. The BookLife Prize

An “entertaining story that will keep you gripped to the end…I could not put it down...The descriptions in the book were brilliant. It made me feel I was in the Mediterranean with John…If you like crime mystery this book is for you. Emma Fitzgerald

“There is plenty of action for the thriller lover" in Escape, The Hunter Cut, alongside "the brutal violence that comes with the subject matter." Peter Fleming

It "started slow and really got dramatic towards the end…There is a dark side to this escape to the Mediterranean." Abi Clark

Escape, The Hunter Cut is a “gritty and twisty story” and a “poignant thriller…The moment the action starts it’s an adrenaline fuelled story that keeps you on the edge and turning pages.” Annarella

“Another captivating read from L.A. Davenport, the storyline held my attention and the character and setting detail, poor John really goes through tough time after tough time…A highly recommended read.” Ellie Shepherd

We were very excited to announce that a Blog Tour for Escape, The Hunter Cut, took place from Monday 6 to Sunday 12 May, 2024, with a blogger posting a review each day.

All the latest updates and news are posted below.

Emma Fitzgerald, aka Tea Leaves and Book Leaves, was up first.

In her review, posted on her website, she said that the descriptions in Escape, The Hunter Cut, were "brilliant" and "made me feel I was in the Mediterranean with John."

She found that, after a few chapters, "the pace sped up and then I could not put it down," and she felt so bad for John as he descended into his world of pain that she "wanted to shout at him to run."

Overall, Emma said that Escape, The Hunter Cut, is an "entertaining story that will keep you gripped to the end. If you like crime mystery this book is for you. 4 stars."

Tuesday was the turn of Peter Fleming, who reviewed the book on his blog Peter turns the page.

In a detailed, thoughtful and insightful review, he said that John is "not the most likeable hero at times but he is a good man who starts questioning himself and his purpose, before he embarks on something of a modern chivalric quest for justice (or is it vengeance)."

Turning to Jasna, Peter writes that she is "nicely judged," and leaves the reader wondering which "version of her ‘truth’ is correct, or whether it is somewhere in between."

He adds that the interaction between John and Jasna is "low-key and quite touching which is nicely judged considering ‘surgeon falls for hostess on holiday whilst grieving his wife’ is edging into fiction cliché territory."

"The reader is unsure of their motives or indeed who is exploiting who, so it never ends up as Pretty Woman, more a reminder that there is good in us all."

Overall, Peter says that "there is plenty of action for the thriller lover" in Escape, The Hunter Cut, alongside "the brutal violence that comes with the subject matter."

On the Thursday, Abi Clark took to Instagram to review Escape, The Hunter Cut.

She said that the descriptions in the novel are "great," adding: "There is a dark side to this escape to the Mediterranean."

"Will John be able to solve the murders?"

Overall, Abi said Escape, The Hunter Cut, "started slow and really got dramatic towards the end!!"

Friday was the turn of Annarella.

On her blog, she said the “gritty and twisty story” of Escape, The Hunter Cut, is “intriguing and I appreciated the storytelling and the character development.”

Annarella described Jasna as an “enigmatic and unreliable character,” and is described with a “light touch and is never judged.”

She added that It is a “slow burning story,” but “the moment the action starts it’s an adrenaline fuelled story that keeps you on the edge and turning pages.”

Overall, Annarella described Escape, The Hunter Cut, as a “poignant thriller.”

The penultimate day of the blog tour, Ellie Shepherd took centre stage.

Over on Facebook, she said: “Another captivating read from L.A. Davenport, the storyline held my attention and the character and setting detail, poor John really goes through tough time after tough time.”

“A highly recommended read.”

Last, but certainly not least, was Dee.

“I enjoyed Escape: The Hunter Cut,” she wrote on Instagram. “I wasn’t sure where it was going at first, but it all becomes clear.”

She also mentioned something that was a matter of great debate before Escape, The Hunter Cut, was published, but we’re glad we stuck with now: “I liked how short the chapters are, it meant I could sneak one or two in while I had a couple of minutes.”

Thank you, Dee, for wrapping up a wonderful blog tour!

Read about how a strange occurrence in a five-star hotel and a chance encounter with a mysterious Russian led to the genesis of Escape, watch teasers for the book, and much, much more, here.

And read how L.A. Davenport’s heartbreak following the death of David Bowie led him to Tumblr and the inspiration for the dream sequences in Escape.

L.A. Davenport is a writer and storyteller born in Cork, Ireland. He studied Medical Sciences and Social Anthropology at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, and has written novels, short stories, essays and reflections exploring science, history and the human experience. He divides his time between Lincolnshire and the Côte d’Azur, and has a fondness for typewriters, long walks and strong cups of tea.

Learn more about L.A. Davenport and his writing at Pushing the Wave.