What You Wish For by Mark Edwards

This psychological thriller looks at the power of cult and belief and how some people will exploit other people's obsessions. It covers the tale of a missing woman who is part of a UFO cult, but it doesn't feature any aliens or space travel. Thank goodness.

Effective and a good level of suspense. The writing is tight and easy to follow and the conspiracy is interesting. The story, however, is a tad far-fetched and not because it has aliens as its focus but because I couldn't believe the lengths a man would go to after knowing a woman for only four months. Perhaps this is another aspect of obsession though. Other things are a bit corny, too: 'I saw the most beautiful woman in the world', the chasing around between continents, readiness to murder and so on.

​Oh yes, and alien porn.
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That being said, it is a great holiday read and I did finish it. Despite the often comical beliefs some characters have about UFOs, at no point is their faith mocked, just those corrupt characters out to make on their beliefs. Easy to read with nothing too taxing and the ending is strangely satisfying. Once again for this author, the love interest ladies are both redheads. I wonder if  Mark Edwards books are all semi-autobiographical...

Published by Thomas and Mercer 24 June 2014. See other books by Mark Edwards The Magpies, Here to Stay, Follow You Home.