This is a compelling read, and one which is hard to discuss without revealing too much of the plot. Michael, an author, is newly arrived in London, having left his home in Wales following the death of his Journalist wife in Pakistan. Next door live Josh and Samantha with their two daughters, and this unlikely fivesome become close friends. The story begins as Michael discovers his neighbours have gone out leaving their door unlocked. The events of that afternoon reverberate through the book and beyond.

First Michael, then other characters are introduced and described. We're having back stories and introductions until at least half way through the book. This is done in a way which invites curiosity, and drew me into the story.

This is book about grief, about guilty secrets, about relationships. It's also a poetic book. There's this: 'tiny women lost in monstrous SUVs, their painted nails clutching the steering wheels like the feet of caged birds', and subtle observations describing rooms, scenes on Hampstead Heath.

This is a clever, reflective novel. To call it a thriller is a mis-description. The action is all in the minds of the protagonists and is pyschologically astute. I'm glad to have read it.

( )

Michael, the main character in I Saw a Man is working through his grief after tragically losing his wife. Starting afresh in London, he quickly becomes close friends with the young family next door, but when Michael finds their back door unexpectedly open one day it sets off a chain of events that will change their lives forever.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Sheers keeps the tension going throughout, and with well thought out characters it had me turning the pages from the get-go. It reminded me of some of McEwan's better books, with its flawed characters, London setting and unexpected plot.

I'd not heard of Sheers as an author before (I believe he's a poet and playwright also), but I'll certainly be keeping an eye out for his other titles.

4 stars - recommended: a great holiday page-turner. ( )

I Saw a Man is a suspense novel that reveals its secrets gradually. It is not until we are more than halfway through the book that we learn the precise nature of the devastating incident that changes the lives of all the characters, but the intricately choreographed buildup to that incident makes the book impossible to put down. Michael Turner, a successful writer of non-fiction—an “immersion journalist” who delves into the lives of others, leaving himself out of his work—has moved into an apartment near Hampstead Heath in London. Months after the death of his wife Catherine, a reporter killed while on assignment in Pakistan, he is still in mourning but getting accustomed again to venturing out into the world, socializing and making friends. When he meets his new neighbours, Josh and Samantha Nelson, and their daughters Lucy and Rachel, a close bond develops and he finds himself spending as much time at their place as he does at his own. However, it is this unfettered familiarity that in the novel’s opening pages sends Michael into the Nelson house, which he believes to be empty, on an innocent errand one Saturday afternoon in June, a decision that has tragic consequences for everyone. Owen Sheers writes with a steady hand and maintains a firm grip on a complex story that weaves together multiple narrative threads and moves back and forth in time with astounding ease. The drama he has constructed is psychologically astute, humane and socially aware. Michael, Catherine, Josh and Samantha—all of them convincingly flawed—are endowed with extensive and detailed backstories, their lives—filled with hopes, dreams and thwarted ambitions—fully drawn in three dimensions. Admittedly, there are aspects of the story that strain credibility, and several chapters devoted to the drone pilot responsible for Catherine’s death, which look deeply into the effects of guilt on a rational mind when the main story has more than enough guilt to go around, seem tacked-on. But, minor caveats aside, I Saw a Man is a profoundly moving novel, written with great imaginative flair. Sheers' novel demonstrates, in unsentimental and entertaining fashion, that despite our best efforts we can’t escape the consequences of our decisions. ( )

This is a good novel.
Michael Turner moves back to London after the death of his wife.
He becomes really friendly with his neighbours Josh, Samantha and their 2 daughters Rachel and Lucy.
Michael is a writer he receives a letter from an ex US Pilot who confesses to flying the Drone who killed his Wife.
Michael has to pop next door to get a screw driver back from Josh, he explores their house, Lucy the youngest Daughter sees him and falls down the stairs and dies.
Michael runs away he panics, Josh was having an affair that's why he was out. Josh, Samantha and Rachel are devasted.
They split up but Josh figures out Michael was in the house.
Michael has got really friendly with Samantha but he runs off back to America. He cant tell her why.
Very enjoyable sad book. ( )

Hard to review a thriller without giving anything away! Although I had some problems with the ending, this is a compulsive read, and extremely well written. With themes of grief, guilt and loss this isn’t a light read, but the main characters aren’t demanding you like them, so I stayed as an dispassionate observer of their worlds. ( )