We’re sticking to suspense thriller again. I have to say I have slight anxiety, so it takes a lot of willpower for me not to skip pages and read who the culprit is. And this ending was definitely something I didn’t see coming.

Who else hates when you can predict the ending? Well then with this book, you won’t be disappointed.

Time of Death is part of Mark Billingham’s Detective Inspector Tom Thorne series. A loner detective always breaking the rules to solve the case. I know it may sound cliche-ish but I promise this book packs a big punch.

This is my first Mark Billingham novel and it definitely won’t be my last. This plot revolves around Thornes’s girlfriend DS Helen Weeks, who returns home after many years due to a current case that links to her past thus cutting Tom and her vacation short. But through most of the plot, she refuses to reveal why she really has come back and she insists on staying even though this is not both their jurisdiction. 

Thorne however is drawn to the case and even though local police are not happy with his involvement as they believe they have solved it, Thorne cannot help himself and begins his own investigation on the side much to their dismay. 

Coming back home reveals many tiny secrets typical of small communities and even though Helen is unhappy throughout the story yet she continues to stay, sometimes taking out her frustration on Thorne.

 It’s difficult. We all do it. And I know it’s terribly wrong, to displace our anger on people who love us. I’m very guilty of this. Here’s my new strategy, if I extremely angry or sad I wait till I’m calmer before I touch my phone and text something I will definitely regret. I can be very unreasonable when angry. 

So, ‘coming home’ was one of the running themes and it resonated very well with me.

 I spent five years away from the place I grew up in. 5 years with a giant learning curve, especially learning about myself and the things I value. 

Coming home has had its perks. Firstly, home food. Considering how sometimes I ate microwave popcorn for breakfast, you can understand how home food is a big perk.  

But coming back hasn’t been easy. From having my own space and apartment (sort of) to now living with family who sometimes forget that I used to live alone, this is especially a factor when they ask me what time I’m coming back home which initially was unusual since nobody asked me for 5 years!  Of course, there’s a lot more adjustments and the small fear of walking into blasts from the pasts! Coming home has been tough in many ways but here’s what I’ve learned and I’m grateful for;

1. Moving is hard.Moving countries is harder. And I had STUFF. Like 480 kgs of stuff. Which I packed and shipped home all by myself. Seriously not a lot of help from anyone. All leaving formalities were done by my lonesome. The whole process was overwhelming and daunting and had me crying alone several times. But I learned, if I could do THAT, I could handle a lot more. 
2. Lonelinessis something I’ve battled since I was really young. And it amplified in 2019. So moving back to be around people that love me was a relief. I know it’s something I have to deal with but it’s less hard when you have family and friends. 
3. Love. In 2019 I was convinced I would never love again. 2020 laughed and showed me I can!
4. Dance.Oh my god, DANCE. I’ve always dreamt of learning but confidence and time got in the way. Dance is helping me work on my confidence and it’s been something I’ve held onto tight this year! I haven’t mastered my pirouettes but I’m getting there! Just learning more about how to live less in my head and more in my body.
5. Grandparents. My sister’s and my love for old people come from our giant love for them. Moving back allowed me to spend lots of time making them laugh and they’ve added so much joy to my life and added to another Instagram account dedicated to my grandma!

9-5. When I was leaving the ‘glamorous life of traveling around the world’, there were lots of fears, a lack of computer skills, and just a general lack of a 9-5 job experience. So many people were convinced I was making the worst decision of my life. I moved anyway, got a job I love and brilliant colleagues. And yes, those computer skills got a whole lot better! 

So here’s my conclusion, Time of Death, readit. It’s excellent. If you think 2020 should have fewer surprises then don’t read it. Because this book has a lot of plot turns. The decision to move back, excellent again. Learned my comfort zone is always up for expansion.

So here’s my actual conclusion! I listened to my heart, turned off all the junk people were telling me, packed my things, and got going. (Bumper sticker worthy?)