The Evidence (Slater)-BoT-Psychological Thriller-Available Now

What a roller coaster of a read this one was!

From the opening podcast transcript to the closing thoughts on the bonds between a mother and her child, the author did a fantastic job of keeping the tension ratcheted through a compelling narrative.

At first, I didn’t know what to make of Esme. She seemed high-strung and very much like a helicopter parent. Some of her early reactions to co-workers and her son made me question her stability.

However, I could also see how her demeanor was vital to the other characters’ motivations.

That sentence makes sense in the context of the book.

I never really got a bead on Michelle at all. There were only a handful of scenes with her “in person” before other events occurred. After that, everything came from Esme’s point of view. This made it a little difficult to understand why Michelle did what she did.

Yep, speaking in riddles to avoid spoilers. That’s what you’ll get here.

I did like how Justine’s actions were questionable. Was she looking to sabotage Esme because of Esme’s control of pretty much everything? Or was she actually trying to help Esme? Justine’s role in everything was explained quite satisfactorily.

Owen was a real piece of work – but once I “met” his mom, Brooke, I realized that there was no other way that he could have been. I did not see that whole plot thread coming at all, and that was a real jaw-dropper!

I did guess something about Simone early on, but as I mentioned, the author did a fantastic job of throwing just enough red herrings and twists in that I wasn’t sure if I was right or not until close to the end.

What I think I enjoyed most about the book was how Esme’s podcasts of interviews with Simone actually mirrored what Esme was experiencing in real life – and Esme only caught glimpses of it herself.

It’s difficult to see situations for what they really are when you’re smack dab in the middle of them. It sometimes takes outside perspective to shine a light on things.

I just now realized that Esme’s gut was telling her that all along. Wow…didn’t put that together while I was reading. Nicely done on that!

I also just realized that there more parallels between Esme/Zach, Brooke/Owen, and Simone/Andrew than I originally thought.

The power of a good book is that it plants enough seeds that you keep thinking and discovering aspects long after you have finished reading it.

I can’t say much more about this book without going into plot details, and I don’t want to do that, because it’s definitely one that you want to experience on your own, without spoilers.

If you are looking for a taut thriller that will keep you guessing, with some excellent observations on the lengths that mothers will go to in order to protect their sons, this should definitely be at the top of your list.  

Author Bio:

For many years, Kim sent her work out to literary agents but never made it off the slush pile. At the age of 40 she went back to Nottingham Trent University and now has an MA in Creative Writing.

Before graduating, she received five offers of representation from London literary agents which was, as Kim says, ‘a fairytale … at the end of a very long road!’

Kim is a full-time writer and lives in Nottingham with her husband, Mac.