I have enjoyed past books by this author (see my reviews of I Know You Lied and The Leaving Party). In fact, the latter still sticks in my mind as one of the best examples of a claustrophobic psychological thriller.
That same feeling comes across clearly in The Birthday Weekend.
Even though the story largely belongs to Louise, the author does a terrific job of creating a foreboding feeling that emanates from each of the four main characters.
Collectively, that’s a powerful force in this book.
Each of the women have something to hide – that becomes clear very early on. Just how much of it has to do with the catalyst for the weekend soiree (to use Amy’s word) – well, that’s for you to read for yourself.
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The past event that Amy wants to address on her birthday weekend obviously impacted all of the women, but (as with the secrets) it’s difficult to discern who had what stake in it.
The author also does a great job of laying the groundwork that what happened to Hannah has an actual bearing on the choices that the women have made that have led them to their current situations.
I know that sounds convoluted, but I don’t want to give away plot points by mentioning specifics. And it’s not at all confusing in the plot itself.
The only thing that kept this from being five stars for me was the way the author sometimes shifts timeframes. For example, Louise will be in the present but remember something in the past and then we are instantly in the full memory of that past event.
It’s a natural way for a person to think, so it did work in that regard. And to flip back and forth in chapter form would have caused the flow of the narrative to break.
In thinking of it that way, it was probably the best choice for relaying the important information without revealing the secrets. It just jarred me a few times to realize that I was suddenly in the past.
Nevertheless, the author builds to a climax that is (for the most part) surprising and cathartic. It was almost like I had been holding my breath along with the characters, wondering when the other shoe was going to drop, and all would be revealed.
Once again, great job by the author. I will certainly continue to search out her other psychological thriller books.
Author Bio:
Lesley attended the Curtis Brown Creative 6 month novel writing course in 2015/6, and in 2017 The Orchid Girls (then On The Edge) was shortlisted for the Lucy Cavendish fiction prize.
Lesley is the author of psychological thrillers and spends her days writing in coffee shops in Kings Cross where she lives and works as a librarian. She loves the atmosphere and eclectic mix of people in the area. Lesley discovered Patricia Highsmith as a teenager and has been hooked on psychological thrillers ever since.
