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Over My Shoulder: A Dark Psychological Drama about Power and Control Kindle Edition

by Patricia Dixon (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 809 ratings
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Falling in love with the perfect man leads a young woman into a terrifying trap in this “addictive and intriguing” psychological thriller (Linda Huber, bestselling author of Baby Dear).

When Freya meets Kane, he charms her off her feet and whisks her away into his lavish life. Falling in love with him is a dream come true. But as time goes by, his subtle manipulations escalate into something far worse. And as her new life becomes increasingly intolerable, Freya realises escape is out of reach.

Kane is deeply controlling, dangerous, and unpredictable. And he’s convinced that Freya has done him wrong. She knows that when she least expects it, he will make good his promise to exact revenge. Freya is no fool, but will she ever be free?
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  1. Print length
    386 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Bloodhound Books
  5. Publication date
    August 24, 2018
  6. File size
    1567 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author


Patricia Dixon was born in Manchester where she still lives with her husband. They have two grown up children and one grandson, plus the company of a lazy bulldog. Ignoring her high school reports and possibly sound advice from teachers, Patricia shunned the world of academia and instead, stubbornly pursued a career in fashion. Once the sparkle of London life wore off she returned north and embarked on a new adventure, that of motherhood. Now, almost thirty years later she has acquiesced to the wise words of her elders and turned her hand to writing. Patricia has written five novels set in the Loire and then, in complete contrast, a much darker story of psychological suspense. She is currently writing her next book, a murderous tale set in the sixties and if she’s not at her desk Patricia loves to read historical fiction or attempts recipes that look great on television but not necessarily her plate. And when the penny jar is full she cashes in her coins and heads to France, the lure of red wine and escapism equalled only by the pursuance of her dream job, writing for a living.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09C6LSYXK
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bloodhound Books (August 24, 2018)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 24, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1567 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 386 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 809 ratings

About the author

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Patricia Dixon

Patricia Dixon

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Patricia Dixon lives in Manchester and is an international best-selling author of eighteen novels.

She writes across genres including women’s fiction, historical fiction and psychological literary fiction.

Her stories are often set in her home city and the Loire. Both places are close to her heart and from where she gathers inspiration for her characters and tales.

In May 2017 she signed with Bloodhound Books, leading fiction publishers.

Her latest novel A Family Affair was released in August 2023

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
809 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Noelle Clinton
5.0 out of 5 stars Buy this book – you won’t regret it!
Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2017
Verified Purchase
In the interests of disclosure I would state that I received a copy of this book from the Publisher in return for a fair and honest Review. However I would add that I enjoyed the story so much that I actually pre-ordered and purchased a copy of the ‘finished article’ on Amazon, despite having already received an ARC, as I felt that the enjoyment the book had given me more than merited the (very reasonable) purchase price!

‘Over My Shoulder’ is a departure from Patricia Dixon’s usual themes, but the Author can certainly hold her own in the thriller genre. The story gripped me from the start, and I found myself hurtling through the pages at breakneck speed in order to find out the next step in Freya’s rollercoaster adventure. Initial happiness at her blossoming relationship with Kane will steadily give way to feelings of terror, anger, sadness and a whole range of other emotions as his true character unfolds before your eyes and you realise the reserves of inner strength Freya will need to call upon.

This book is a tense, fast-paced thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat to the last line. It is a well-crafted story, beautifully written, about an important topic that needs to be brought to the fore of people’s consciousness. The vernacular and vocabulary used really evokes the period in which the story is set (it starts off in the nineties).

Patricia Dixon is an Author who is going from strength to strength and I look forward with anticipation to reading her future offerings.
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Jennifer
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic!
Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2017
Verified Purchase
This is my first book by this author as her usual genre is romance and I normally only read psychological/thrillers. This book was fantastic!!! Patricia Dixon please consider doing more of these kind of books because you are SO good at it! I'll admit when I read the first few paragraphs I thought oh no, I'm not sure I'm going to like this as it is told as an auto biography type style BUT as I continued on, I was HOOKED.

The character development in this book was fantastic as well, I really cared for Freya and absolutely hated and loathed Kane. Let me also say the psychological abuse was spot on! I don't know how many times I said Holy Sh*@ during this book! (haha) I was tearing through the pages towards the end, I had to know how it was going to end. So well written and amazing. 5+ stars!
2 people found this helpful
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Joann R. Greene
4.0 out of 5 stars Story Lines been done many times
Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2017
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I was about ready to quit this book after a few chapters. I thought, here we go again, a seemingly nice guy who has issues of his own and has to control his girlfriend. After that comes the abuse and other horrors that women endure. Well, my internet connection was down and I had no other book to read, on my Kindle, other than this one so I plogged on. I did sort of fly through some of it but all in all I was taken in by this well written book. I must admit the ending was different from others I've read and I really couldn't wait till the end. I so wanted a some-what happy ending.
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Deb
5.0 out of 5 stars WOW ... just WOW
Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2019
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This was an emotional & personally difficult book to read, but I'm not going to write my own book here. Patricia Dixon is an amazing writer who makes her characters, the scenes & the story so real you'll feel like you are there while thanking God that you are not. This is a must read.
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Sean Z
5.0 out of 5 stars Magnificent read!
Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2019
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Best book ever! It’s a true story too! I can’t imagine the horror f this woman’s life, it just keeps going and going...most brave and courageous woman I’ve ever read about ...hard to believe it’s a true story...unbelievable! I hope God has blessed the rest of her life with nothing but glory...live on Freya!
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Book lover
3.0 out of 5 stars Dark subject matter.
Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2018
Thank you Netgalley, Bloodhound Books and the author for the Chance to read this ARC.

I am finding it quite difficult to review this book because.I really struggled to stick with it. Now I know this is just me as there is nothing but praise and positive reviews given until now.
I found it quite dreary at the beginning and even commented to my husband that I was struggling to stick with it.
It was very drawn out or maybe very thoroughly described depending on your point of view.
The situation was described to the reader perhaps a bit too simply almost like a paint by numbers situation. I didn't enjoy the way the author wrote in the first person and kept speaking to me, the reader, as though I had. no patience for her or thought her decisions were wrong, stupid or naive.

The subject matter was dark and difficult and if when reading this anyone recognises their own situation then there are helpful phone numbers and websites t the back of the book.

The book did make me aware of the horrors that go on in an abusive relationship and how depraved some people are.
Not really for me - sorry.
4 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazingly Realistic & Insightful
Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2018
Verified Purchase
An accurate description of a narcissistic psychopath. If it appears too good to be true, it typically is. We all need to be educated to recognize early signs of these monsters and then run the opposite direction! This story was very well done and in the survivor's voice, kept me hooked through the end. Highly Recommended!
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Top reviews from other countries

Mari
5.0 out of 5 stars Well I am thrilled I read that review because this is a fantastic read and one of my favourite novels so far ...
Reviewed in Canada on October 13, 2017
Verified Purchase
I bought this after reading a 1* review which slated the book because it was unlike the author's other books. Well I am thrilled I read that review because this is a fantastic read and one of my favourite novels so far this year.

Freya is a 25 year old girl enjoying her life, living with her best friend and in a relationship with a steady but loving local guy. During work she meets Kane an older charismatic man who draws her into his more sophisticated world. Soon she dumps her boyfriend much to the horror of her friends and family.

She is enthralled with Kane and dazzled by his lifestyle and the attention he showers on her. Soon however he begins his little games, manipulating and scheming and then finally comes the abuse both physical and emotional. Patricia Dixon shows how easy it can be to become embroiled in a passionate affair and how quickly it can change by a few words and threats. Freya defends Kane to her loving family who are worried by her loss of weight and lack of communication with her family and friends.

Freya slowly becomes alienated from her family, friends and even her boss and co-workers thanks to Kane's mastery in manipulation and guilt tripping.

This story starts in the 1990's before cell phones and social media became so prevalent. It shows the working class of Manchester beautifully. A close knit family willing to protect and defend their family members even if it's slightly on the shady side of the law.

This book is written in the form of Freya talking directly to the reader about her younger self. Although this is unusual this method totally works, Freya asking us directly what we would do in that situation.

Patricia Dixon is masterful in conveying the threat and emotional blackmail that Freya must have felt throughout the ordeal.

The characters are extremely well developed and I loved the family dynamics. We all have that one dodgy member of the family who is a wheeler and dealer. To make me hate Kane so much and wish for his comeuppance takes great skill by an author.

This is a dark emotional tale which tugs at the heartstrings one minute then makes you want to bash Kane over the head the next. I hope there will be more to come in this genre from this talented writer.
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Neats
5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliantly dark and disturbing read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 20, 2017
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Over My Shoulder is a dark and deeply disturbing story about domestic abuse which won't be for everyone, but it's one that I couldn't get enough of so I'm not sure what that says about me!

What starts out as a seemingly hearts and flowers tale of girl meets boy quickly descends into a gripping and thought-provoking one of manipulation that took me on an unforgettable journey.

Freya is an average girl working and living in Manchester in the 1990's. She enjoys her job, has friends and is happy with her boyfriend Kane comes into her work one day and Freya takes a real shine to him, he's good looking, attentive and owns his own business. So when Kane starts to engineer ways for their paths to cross Freya soon dumps her boyfriend and starts spending time with Kane.

What Freya doesn't know about Kane is that he has a dark, manipulative side and its not long before she starts to notice this, little comments about her physical appearance, what she's wearing and what she's eating. It's clear that Freya isn't happy but is she brave or strong enough to leave Kane?

Patricia Dixon has taken a difficult subject and constructed a hard hitting but totally believable tale that's written with empathy. I was rooting for Freya and hoping that she could get away from Kane and his unscrupulous ways. He is the embodiment of evil and I can honestly say that I despised him with a passion which is a credit to Patricia's writing as it takes a lot for me to truly loathe a character. This is an atmospheric book and one that had my heart racing at times as I became more and more horrified at the depths that Kane would go to to control Freya. There's no graphic descriptions of violence but the threat is there and knowing that this is a situation that affects many women (and men) makes it more horrifying.

Over My Shoulder is a captivating novel and one that I would highly recommend to all fans of psychological and domestic noir thrillers.
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Over my shoulder
Reviewed in France on May 24, 2017
Verified Purchase
Wow! This is compulsive reading, didn't want to put it down, never knowing until the very end how it would finish.
So different from your other books but nonetheless it was well written and can't wait for your next book. Thank you
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Paul Williams
5.0 out of 5 stars Even more relevant now than when it was written
Reviewed in Australia on June 17, 2020
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I read this book last year and now am re-reading it after I have finished Patricia Dixon's latest novel #MeToo. I think they are companion books and should be read together, as they are both about gaslighting, emotional manipulation, and sexual abuse. Over My Shoulder is breathtakingly brilliant. It's a #MeToo book that goes into those painful dark spaces, and is so well written, I was mesmerised and could not stop reading. On second read, even when I know what's going to happen, it's even better.
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Caroleanne
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!
Reviewed in Canada on May 30, 2023
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What a great story! You really feel close to the protagonist as she’s talking to you the whole time. I love that style! I’m just sad the book is finished :-)
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