Customer Reviews

The Farm (Unabridged)

Really gripping from the start, read it in two sittings. Just had to keep reading , really good story couldn't put it down.

A very strong psychological thriller, full of twists and brooding Scandinavian backdrop, cleverly achieved with very little actual 'action'. Furthermore, it's more than a thriller, offering wider insight and intelligent discussion of the human condition. Enjoyed it very much.

I picked up THE FARM from my TO READ pile, but didn't think I'd get through much of it as I had a BIG day planned in London. How wrong I was. Reading the book just made by day that much better. I started it on the bus, finished it on the bus back, and during the day, every spare second I had, I was straight into the book. Nothing like Child 44, which when I worked at Waterstones, I reviewed the �2.99 version and had it published on the back (very proud), this new novel is an addictive page-turner, so that I was so excited about. Every time I had to put it down, I had to tell my boyfriend, how amazing it was, what was going on and telling him he had to read it next ... which he is going to. I thought the characters were great, especially how they developed and how your interest in them grew more and more. I loved how you couldn't trust people, I loved the pace, the twists - I loved everything about this book and thought it was the most exciting book I've ever read. I was totally gripped. Tom Rob Smith is an incredible writer and this book proves it - the fact that I read it during a meal at The Four Seasons Hotel is proof enough that this book is one to grab you with every single letter, word, paragraph, chapter .. MIND BLOWING! This is a must-read, must-buy, must-share, must-suggest-to-book-clubs triumph!

I'm new to Tom Rob Smith, but bought the book after reading a very interesting article in the Times with Rob - where he spoke about the psychotic episode experienced by his own mother which inspired the book. Set mostly in the wilds of Sweden, it is a dark story brimming with atmosphere. We are never sure if the main character is telling the truth or not - or whether she is deluded about the string of sinister events which she experiences when moving to a remote farm. I found the ending entirely surprising, but totally logical in retrospect. The other aspect of this book which I loved was the style. The writing tells the story without resorting to tricks, or drawing attention to itself - but still delivered a novel full of menace and suspense. Now off to check out Tom's back catalogue.

As a complete departure from the Leo Demidov series of books, I was interested to see whether Tom Rob Smith's jaunt into new territory would hit the mark. It does. Although his writing appears understated, he packs a real psychological punch in a story woven around secrets, lies and divided loyalties. It's a dark and compelling tale which cleverly weaves past and present, exploring contemporary issues. It's difficult to comment without exposing too much, but suffice to say the story had me hooked from the first page and I didn't see the final twists.

I found it very easy to form an immediate mental picture of the characters. Tom Rob Smith builds a strong sense of atmosphere, particularly the claustrophobic, isolated and introspective communities of rural Sweden. The references to myth and legend, trolls and feast days add to the mystery of what's true and what's imagined and transport the reader into a different reality.

I was engrossed from start to finish by top class storytelling.

Tense psychological thriller featuring a well worked plot with strong elements of family deception, hidden secrets and possible insanity set in two different locations, Sweden and England. There's a brooding atmosphere in the parts of the novel set in Sweden but a much more upbeat, though far from chirpy, vibe when the author moves his plot to London.

There are really only two lead characters, Daniel and his mother Tilde, and though Daniel's father, Chris, is very much involved he's absent for most of the novel. Much of what we learn about Tilde's situation is handed to us through a series of deep conversations between mother and son. There's obviously been deceit and possibly a serious crime, Tilde seems genuinely frightened and confused, but; has she become mentally frail or is there truth in her account?.

This is a slow, winding story and original in that it's mostly related from mother to son. I enjoyed the intrigue and was curious to find out just exactly what was going to happen. The ending wasn't what I expected and I certainly hadn't figured it out.

Without a doubt it was the building sense of uncertainty that kept me hooked. There was always a feeling that something else was going to happen..and it does.

It can be slow going at times but overall a good read.

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Beautifully written full of suspense. Unusual plot the characters are very well sketched and the Swedish countryside is truly captured

This book is amazing - a totally compelling read, I couldn't put it down! The best thriller I've read in a while.

A real page turner. It will l lose you sleep and rearrange your day but at least you've enjoyed a great read.

despite ordering this book several weeks ago, still waiting. Where is it? could not submit more words without several expletives!