This gripping thriller is set in the long forgotten time of 1144. The novel follows a complex web of deception and intrigue where nothing is as it seems. Ekins develops a cast of characters entangled in a high- stakes game of manipulation, crafting a narrative that is both unpredictable and engrossing. The tension builds throughout the story, with each twist deepening the mystery and pulling the reader further into its world of secrecy and betrayal. Ekins based her novel on a true event: a boy called William was murdered on Easter Sunday in 1144. The murderer was never caught. What transpires after the murdered boy was found is purely Ekins' imagination, though some of the characters in the novel were living at the time of the murder and have been deftly woven into the mystery. The protagonist, Anselm, navigates moral ecclesiastical dilemmas and personal challenges that make him feel real and relatable. Engaging Overall, Hoodwink! is an engaging read for fans of psychological thrillers and suspense novels. Ekins crafts a world filled with deception and danger - that of England in the 12th century. The intricate plot is filled with many twists and turns. If you're looking for a mystery, Hoodwink! does not disappoint. The ending did surprise some in the group and one or two admitted they had completely missed a couple of major clues. As an additional note the group liked the use of Roman numerals to announce each chapter and we all felt we had refreshed our knowledge of these . The group also suggested that a glossary be added in further print runs to aid knowledge of the world and inner workings of the monastery as the life and beliefs of that time are key components of the story. So who did it? We shall never know, but Ekins attempts a good mystery murder. Battersea Matters Summer 2025. Top reviews from United Kingdom Amazon Durham 5.0 out of 5 stars Who might have dunnit? Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 February 2025 Verified Purchase This book takes back to a time when every aspect of life was more or less governed by the Church's activities... for better and for worse. The 21st century reader is very fortunate to have a guide as skilled as the author for this journey ... we see the gentle, healing and loving aspects of a brotherhood of monks, but such warmth is almost naive in the face of some fanatics who seem bent on hijacking the situation for their own ends. The tragic and sordid manipulation of a child's death into a ritual murder which heaps blame on an innocent minority community sends echoes through the centuries to the present day. Demonising 'the other' is still a popular blood sport, alas. This book is a real page turner (and it has a lot of pages)... I really hope as many people as possible can read this work, it informs us, it educates us and it entertains us... a rare Triple Crown for a historical novel. DM Chappers 5.0 out of 5 stars A Real page Turner! Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 December 2024 Verified Purchase A real page turner, which I shall be handing out as Christmas presents. England, 1144, the murder of a child that remains unsolved after nearly 900 years. In her wonderful and intriguing narrative, Susan Ekins shows how rumour and fabrication can encourage credulous citizens to turn on their neighbours. Marie 5.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing and compelling Reviewed in the UK on 14 February 2025 I read this book in three days whilst on holiday.