If you are looking for a book that has secrets and twists, off-the-wall crazy characters, a dash of “what-did-I-just-read,” and a stinging commentary on social media, this is the one for you.
Seriously, I am struggling with how to describe this book because it was all of what I just said and more, but it wasn’t gonzo or ridiculous.
It was just a really, really good story! It wasn’t static, it morphed as it went, growing organically until the breathtaking climax. And before I get into the rest, can I just say that the pivotal scene was one of the most cinematic I have ever read?
Anyway, as usual, I don’t want to give away any plot points, which is going to be tough in this review.
I thought the author did a fantastic job of creating both Abbie and Rachel. It was obvious from the beginning that they both had something to hide, but the true extent of those secrets took a long time to be revealed. And even when there were hints, they didn’t give away the full nature of the deceit.
Each was meant to be sympathetic in their own way. And as truths were revealed, I found myself wondering whether or not I still felt sorry for them or if they deserved what was happening.
It’s a talented author who can make me care about characters enough to give them deeper thought and connect to my own feelings about them.
Apple: https://apple.co/3FlxrGk
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3laxlJn
Google: https://bit.ly/3r9quRU
I found myself predisposed to dislike Rachel, but I recognize that was due to my distaste for social media influencers. I don’t want to say too much, but she really personifies the whole scam of Insta-celebrities.
(BTW, pay attention to the Instagram posts that are interspersed with the chapters. That is all.)
I’m sure that was by design because the character was too well-established for the author to not mean for that connection to be made.
As for Abbie, she was a bit of a sphinx. I think she truly believed in what she was doing and could always justify her actions. But her reactions to certain events showed that she was as in control of herself as Rachel was – and that didn’t make for a good combination.
There were a few subplots that I wasn’t too sure about at first, but later in the book, it became apparent as to why they were necessary. The same goes for a few facts about Fran and Rachel’s friendship. I get it, but they didn’t necessarily fit into the bigger scheme.
Unless, of course, they were meant to be as off-the-wall as where it all ended up.
Honestly, I could prattle on. Let’s just leave it at this is one of my favorite psych thrillers of the year. Oh, and Annie Wilkes has nothing on the characters in this book.
Go. Read it now.
Instagram: juliageek
Twitter: @thatjuliacrouch
Author Bio:
Julia started off as a theatre director and playwright. While her children were growing up, she swerved into graphic design. After writing and illustrating two children’s books for an MA, she discovered that her great love was writing prose. The picture books were deemed too dark for publication, so, to save the children, she turned instead to writing for adults. Her first book, Cuckoo, was published in 2011, and she has been writing what she calls her Domestic Noir novels ever since. She also writes for TV and teaches on the Crime Writing MA at the University of East Anglia. She has three grown up children and lives in Brighton with her husband and two cats, Keith and Sandra.
