As I read My Word Against His by Lauren North, I was never quite sure where the author was going. That’s a good thing in a psych thriller.
Celia is the main character, and we get most of the plot from her perspective. This makes for interesting reading because it is difficult to get a bead on her.
Is she trustworthy? Stable? Insane? Lying?
My opinion of her changed quite often, which made for dynamic reading.
I like how the author broke the story into different parts, each with varying points of view – but with Celia as the constant. It was a unique method of storytelling, and it worked.
While the first part is taut with anticipation, the conflict between Celia and Sam continues even as the reader gets events from other people’s points of view. It sounds a bit convoluted, but in reading the story – it isn’t. It all makes sense.
I had a feeling about Celia’s “memories” and how they influence her current situation. But the author left just enough false clues to make me question whether or not I was right (I was).
But even with that, there were times when I couldn’t tell who was lying and who wasn’t. These parts were especially “psych thriller” on the reader as much as the characters.
There are a few things that didn’t quite fit (to me). Sam’s story seems like more a vehicle (pun intended) than anything with substance. I kept waiting for a twist there. And I wish that Henry’s story was a little bit more fleshed out – maybe a few more scenes from his perspective.
However, the twists at the end are really good and lay to rest any doubt as to how Celia’s attitude and actions have influenced her family over the years.
My Word Against His is a solid psych thriller, and I look forward to reading more from Lauren North.
