Until September 11th 2001, I could never understand how people of a certain generation always knew where they were and what they were doing on the day that President John. F. Kennedy was assassinated. With a family member working only a block away from WTC, I can remember September 11th of 16 years ago as if it was yesterday. I can still feel the shock, fear and disbelief as the majestic twin towers collapsed, towers that I had stood before to photograph only the previous September. So I was a little unsure how I would feel about reading a book set around this horrific event, but I had absolutely no cause for concern as Pat Young recreates events with so much grace and compassion in her EXCEPTIONAL debut novel, Till The Dust Settles.

Lucie is in an abusive relationship with her husband, Curtis, and in an attempt to take back control, applies for a job as a cleaner in the World Trade Center. Her job interview is on September 11th 2001 and she's worried about turning up late after applying make-up to cover up the imprint of her husband's hand on her face. For once, the detestable Curtis has saved Lucie's life as by turning up late she is outside WTC when the plane hits. In the confusion and blindness of the dust cloud, Lucie drops her handbag and when she scambles to pick it up, she picks up somebody else's bag. In an attempt to return it, she is mistaken for the bag's owner and she realises that she might have an opportunity to escape Curtis once and for all.

Phew! What a scorching read. I was shocked to find that this is Pat Young's debut novel, it is so impeccably written and she has created such a strong likeable character in Lucie that you root for her from the start. There are so many moments that tug at your heartstrings and I felt completely emotionally invested in the book that I gasped and held in my tears several times over. Lucie may have been a beaten wife but she is so strong underneath and Pat Young has quite a rollercoaster ride in store for her before she even has a chance of her own happy ever after.

Without capitalising on such a tragic event, Pat Young has written an emotional story of hope and new beginnings. Without darkness we wouldn't have light and this story is the perfect example of that. Till the Dust Settles is such an exceptional debut novel and if ever a book is well worth 5 stars, this is it. It makes me wish I had a secret extra star to give to outstanding books such as this. Absolutely superb!

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion. ( )

On September 11th 2001, Lucie Jardine is in Manhattan desperate to get away from her abusive and controlling husband. Suddenly New York and the world is changed forever by the attack on the World Trade Centre, and Lucie stumbles across an an opportunity to change her life and take on a new identity. Thinking that she has found safety at last, it becomes clear that the new life she has walked into holds it’s own dangers…

I listened to this audiobook, and it did keep me going during my long runs. I found the premise very interesting, and certainly for the first part of the story it held my interest. However, I did feel that it lost its way a bit at the end, and the story finished on a disappointing note.

The book was narrated by Star Phoenix and honestly I’m not sure if I would listen to anything else she narrated. At first I thought her voice would be annoying but I got used to it when she was narrating in the third person. However, when she attempted voices, it sometimes felt like taking a cheese grater to my ears. She voices Lucie in a sing-song little girl voice, and Lucie’s husband Curtis was given an incredibly grating voice. Also there were references to Lucie’s accent having a Scottish lilt (the character is from Scotland orignally) yet she spoke in a completely American accent! Only a little niggle maybe, but a niggle nonetheless.

Overall, I think I would possibly read more by this author, but I would rather read a physical book, or listen to a different narrator, but if you do like thrillers, this might be something you would enjoy. ( )