In this episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa is joined by Ilona Bannister to talk about her striking new novel Five — a tense, original and deeply thought-provoking thriller set over just a few minutes on a train platform.
What would you do if you had only five minutes left and didn’t know it?
That chilling question sits at the heart of Five, a novel about five strangers, interconnected lives, hidden stories, and the ripple effects of tragedy. Ilona talks about the real-life inspiration behind the book, the creation of its unforgettable narrative voice, and why this story led her naturally into the thriller space.
Philippa also reviews:
- The Heir Apparent by Rebecca Armitage
- Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz
- Dissection of a Murder by Jo Murray
In this episode
- Ilona Bannister on the inspiration behind Five
- Why the novel begins on a train platform
- How the book explores fate, connection, mortality and missed moments
- The challenge of writing a fast-paced novel set across such a short time frame
- The creation of the book’s sharp, unusual narrative voice
- Why one character had to be cut and another took her place
- Writing through lockdown, parenting, and difficult life circumstances
- Why thrillers can be powerful spaces for emotional and literary storytelling
- Philippa’s latest reading updates and reviews
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