Witness [Kindle Edition]

I hadn't heard of Cath Staincliffe until last year when I saw so many excellent reviews of her novel The Kindest Thing which explores the aftermath of a woman's decision to help her husband die. She has also written an 8 book crime series but with The Kindest Thing and now Witness, her writing has an added dimension - the crime and its investigation no longer take centre stage.

Witness opens with the brutal murder of a teenage boy in Manchester. The story revolves around four bystanders who happen to witness the killing - Fiona, a midwife who suffers panic attacks following the murder, Mike, a delivery man who is torn between doing the right thing and protecting his family, Cheryl, a single mother who knows the perpetrators and Zach, a homeless young man who is hoping for a fresh start via a witness protection programme. As in her previous novel, the question, "What would you do?", is put very firmly to the reader.

I don't read a lot of contemporary fiction but I think Cath Staincliffe may very well have converted me with this novel. Written in the third person, each chapter relates the back story of each witness, how they came to be at the murder scene, how they are encouraged/discouraged re the looming trial. The characters are distinctive, all coming from different backgrounds but all have so much to lose by bearing witness. The author creates a very vivid picture of modern-day Manchester and the influence of gang culture, the sway held by gang leaders. We also see how difficult it is for the police to gain the trust of potential witnesses, trying to reaasure them that there will not be any repercussions.

Witness is an extremely readable, well paced story about ordinary folk in extraordinary circumstances. Each of the main characters is strongly delineated, realistic, filled with the same strengths and weaknesses as we readers and thus the author makes it easy for us to empathise with their dilemna. Looking forward to reading Cath Staincliffe's previous stand-alone novels and future writing from this very perceptive, insightful author.

When Danny Macateer is shot on a Sunday morning in Hulme, it dramatically effect's the lives of four people. Four people who saw, and were inadvertently involved in something they would must certainly have preferred not to have witnessed.

First on the scene is Fiona a midwife, she heard the shot from inside her home and rushing to Danny's aid tried her best to save his life. Now she is haunted by the memory and the metallic smell which she can't seem to get rid of, no matter what she does. Now plagued by panic attacks she is constantly in fear.

For single mother Cheryl, it's too close, she recognises the car and the killer, but he also knows her.

Mike a delivery man is driving past and sees the actual shooting, he calls an ambulance, but dealing with the police he's missed nine deliveries. His boss is on his back and when he tells his wife, she freaks out and tells him he must say nothing of what he saw or their lives will be in danger.

Homeless man Zak, is just looking the wrong way at the wrong time. Living nowhere wandering the streets Zak is vulnerable - would he be safer telling the police what he saw?

Several people know who shot Danny Macateer but will they have the courage to speak out. This is a heart-searing story as we follow the lives of these four people caught up in abnormal circumstances.

Brilliantly crafted, a traumatic story in which any one of us could find ourselves involved. No matter how good a citizen we are, do we have the courage to do the right thing and in doing so put ourselves, and those we love at risk. Will the witnesses come forward and withstand the pressure of giving evidence?
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Lizzie Hayes

I really enjoyed this book, an interesting read, a little bit different to the norm. It focuses on four witnesses to the shooting of a teenager, all vastly different characters, a midwife , a wagon driver, a teenage single mum, and a homeless man. This book tells the story from each of their points of view, from the day of the shooting till after the trial. It's very readable, one of those books where you can really identify with the characters and don't want to put it down.