The Sunshine Man

by Emma Stonex
The Sunshine Man cover
Good Books rating 3.83
Thriller/Suspense
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99 Hardback • £16.99
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 3650
  • Added: 2025-10-18
  • Updated: 2025-10-19
  • ISBN: 9781984882196
  • Publisher: Penguin
  • Published: 2025-11-11
  • Formats: 2
  • Reviews: 3

Birdie Keller's life is forever changed when she learns that Jimmy Maguire, the man who killed her sister, has been released from prison. Determined to make him pay, she sets out on a dangerous journey to confront him, armed with a pistol and a plan. However, as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that nothing is as straightforward as it seems. Jimmy, too, has his own secrets and ghosts to confront, and the two find themselves entangled in a deadly game of cat and mouse. As Birdie and Jimmy navigate their shared past and the murky world of family secrets and betrayals, the novel delves into themes of loss, revenge, and the lasting impact of crime. The Sunshine Man is a tense, spellbinding thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, weaving a complex tale of shattered lives and unresolved mysteries.

Reviews
Emma's Bibliotreasures · 2025-06-04
gripping 4.50

The novel is praised as an addictive page-turner with a powerful setting in rural Devon. The intertwining of past and present creates a compelling narrative.

This reviewer found 'The Sunshine Man' to be a heart-stopping novel that masterfully blends shared pasts with a tense present. The rural Devon setting adds a haunting beauty to the story, making it an addictive read. They appreciate how the author weaves together different timelines to create a gripping narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The emotional depth and tension make it a standout thriller.

Quick quotes

    A heart-stopping novel of shared pasts and a fury-fuelled present

    An addictive page-turner set against the sweeping hills of rural Devon

    The Sunshine Man is a powerful story of reckoning

The Guardian · 2025-05-16
ambitious 4.00

The novel is described as an ambitious revenge thriller that takes the reader on a journey through both geography and emotion. The reviewer praises its emotional depth and tension.

The Guardian describes 'The Sunshine Man' as an ambitious revenge thriller that takes readers on a journey from London to Devon, both geographically and emotionally. The reviewer highlights the novel's emotional depth and tension, making it a compelling read. They appreciate the author's ability to create a gripping narrative that keeps readers engaged. The story's exploration of revenge and its consequences is particularly noted for its depth and complexity.

Quick quotes

    Stonex's second novel is an ambitious revenge thriller

    Takes the reader on a journey from London to Devon, both geographically, and via time

    A wonderful emotional thriller

From Belgium With Book Love · 2025-04-28
mixed 3.00

The reviewer found the nostalgia and urgency in the story riveting, but felt the execution was uneven. The emotional depth and tension are highlighted as key strengths.

The reviewer had mixed feelings about 'The Sunshine Man,' appreciating the nostalgia of Birdie's past and the urgency of her present. They found these elements riveting, but felt the overall execution was uneven. The emotional depth and tension are particularly praised, making the story compelling despite its flaws. The reviewer suggests that while it's not a perfect read, it has moments of brilliance that make it worth the journey.

Quick quotes

    Overall, for me, The Sunshine Man was a mixed bag

    I found the nostalgia of Birdie's past and the urgency of her present riveting

    It took me a while to get into the story

Appears in Lists