No Place to Hide is my first read of J.S. Monroe and I am so impressed with this psychological thriller I need to read his backlist. This story demonstrates high anxiety and paranoia and had me terrified myself, I don't think that the blurb gives much away at all. It is very fast-paced with short chapters that will keep you hooked and unable to put the book down.
Until I started reading, I didn't realise the setting of the story would be sometimes in Cornwall. I purposefully don't read a lot of books based in Cornwall, but the Cornish references in this book were very funny at times. I think sometimes it went a little overboard, and there was a spelling mistake of a place name that hurt my Cornish soul. I couldn't find any reference online that the author has any connection to Cornwall, but I could be wrong.
The plot focuses heavily on technology, but I think the author does a great job of explaining devices and concepts to the general reader. I am also not personally familiar with Marlowe's play of Dr Faustus, but again this was well described by the author with context and explanation.
The characters in the book were well-developed, fully rounded, and dare I say, many were even likeable, for instance I enjoyed Ji's cool persona. I connected with both FMCs, feeling deep sympathy for them each.
There were some shocking twists that were completely unexpected and the ending is truly a triumph. I highly recommend this unique, fast-paced thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5

Thank you to NetGalley, Aria & Aries and J.S. Monroe for allowing me to read this advanced reader copy.