“The Couple at the Sixth Table” by Daniel Hurst [Book Review]

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There is an old piece of advice that writers hear all the time. If you want to be a writer, you better be a reader. I usually try to knock off twenty books between the books I’m writing, just to see what’s out there and what people like these days. So I looked for the best selling toys of the last few years and went ahead The Couple at the Sixth Table (buy here) by Daniel Hurst.

The story follows Anna, a traveler whose life is about as good as stale toast. He works at a restaurant where a couple, Max and Nadine Murphy, come every week and always sit in the same place, at the sixth table. Same time, same table, same style. Before long, Anna begins to pay more attention to them. And by very little, I mean very little. Her curiosity becomes completely her own, especially for Max. Since her life is not going well, Anna starts creating these dream situations in her head where she is part of their world.

The book starts slowly. Like, very slowly. So slowly that I thought of throwing it aside and grabbing something else. For a long time, Anna actually watched the couple and let her imagination run wild. Meanwhile, his feelings get darker and darker as the story progresses, and finally he moves from fantasy to reality, when Anna starts stalking the couple.

Eventually, the problems in Max and Nadine’s marriage begin to show. Nadine, who at first seemed like a sweet, quiet woman, finally grows a backbone and decides that she will not let anyone destroy her family. Max also shows his bad side along the way, even when things hit the fan, he stands by Nadine to deal with the mess.

Most of the dialogue sounded good, and some of the comparisons were ones you’ve heard a hundred times before. I found myself rolling my eyes more than once. Still, I read on, partly out of stubborn curiosity. I mean, this was a best-selling author. Something had to happen eventually.

And to be fair, it eventually does. In the final part of the book, the tension begins to rise, and we get a twist that is at least believable. Was it amazing? It’s hard to say. Maybe after waiting a long time for something interesting, any action felt like a reward. It’s like being hungry and someone gives you a cake. It may be old and battered, but at the same time, it’s the best cake you’ve ever tasted.

Finally, The Couple at the Sixth Table it has a solid idea at its core. I wish the suspense had crept in earlier instead of waiting until the last moment to stir things up.

That being said, I have read a few other books by Daniel Hurst recently that I honestly really enjoyed and felt were worth the cover price. For that reason, I’m not removing him from my reading list just because this one was a sleeper. One thing I love about Hurst’s writing is that he keeps things straight. His stories flow smoothly, stay focused on the plot, and don’t wander off.

So, what can you buy there? If you’re curious about Hurst’s work, it’s probably a good idea to dig through his catalog and see what grabs your attention. He’s written a lot of great stuff, so there’s plenty to choose from, and chances are you’ll find one that works for you.

When it is The Couple at the Sixth Tablethis one did not reach me. The ideas behind it had potential, but slow construction and late payments left it sitting well below my expectations. It’s not a total loss, but it’s not the first book I’d point someone to if they ask where to start with Daniel Hurst.

Publisher: Catterall Edition
Publication date: April 1, 2022
Language: English
Print length: 263 pages
ISBN-10: 1919600574
ISBN-13: 978-1919600574

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