Day: August 23, 2021

This is going to be a different kind of review. And as I explain, I hope people understand why.

First things first. I could not have read this at a timelier point. I don’t think it’s a spoiler to say any of this, but I will try to keep it somewhat vague so as not to give anything away.

Right now, there is tragedy unfolding in Afghanistan. I’m not going to get political (because it would be easy to do) but I will say that it all didn’t have to happen the way it is happening.

The current situation makes Ed’s memories in this story all the more poignant – for so many reasons. They were actually the hardest parts to read because those are scenes that have been replayed countless times over the past 20 years.

For me, that added to the poignancy of the story. Regardless of what really happened to Ed and why he did the things he did, it brought home once again how dire the situation is, and always has been, in Afghanistan.

In an odd twist of life, I also happened to finish the book just as I received word that a close friend had passed away. It wasn’t entirely unexpected, but it was sudden.

Again, with me in that mindset, this story took on a totally different tone for me.

Your loved ones never leave you whether you know it or not. It’s never too late to do the right thing. Closure is a vital part of any situation you find yourself in.

I’m sure the author didn’t set out to write something that was utterly thought-provoking, so to back up a bit, this is a cracking good thriller.

Only, who is the psychological victim? Louise…or the reader?

Even taking what I said out of the equation, this was still a great book that kept me guessing. And I do think that was entirely intentional. What parts of life are real, and what parts are figments of imagination? Can you imagine something that you didn’t know existed?

The author goes someplace that I’m sure several readers may find confusing. I could see where it wouldn’t be everyone’s cup of tea.

But for me, and the mindset I was in as I read, it was a great reminder to keep an open mind to the mysteries of life. We never know why things happen the way that they do…and sometimes that is okay because there are things that are much bigger than we could imagine.

A different type of review, for a different type of book. I definitely recommend this one.

Author Bio

Jill always loved writing – real and imaginary – and spent thirty years travelling the world as a journalist, living overseas and reporting wherever the news took her. She’s now made her home in south-west London with her husband and twin girls who love stories as much as she does. Although she’s covered everything from earthquakes and floods, wars and riots, she’s decided some of the most extraordinary stories are right here at home – in the secrets and lies she imagines behind closed doors on ordinary streets just like yours.