This is the author's debut novel. It's a very addictive suspense thriller. I enjoyed it immensely because it was a quick easy read, after reading a deeper, darker book.
STORY SUMMARY
Helen Thorpe is married to Daniel Thorpe. Helen appears to have a charmed life: Daniel is a handsome architect and their house is the one Helen and her 2 brothers (Rory and Charlie) grew up in. It's a gorgeous Victorian that they are renovating. Helen is also successfully pregnant with a boy after 4 miscarriages.
But her perfect life is about to change and it begins on the first day of her prenatal classes when she meets the troublesome Rachel. Rachel is impulsive, unpredictable and single. She definitely doesn't seem to be very maternal at all: she drinks alcohol, smokes and appears to have little interest in parenthood. But for some reason, Helen is drawn to her.
It might be because Rachel is alone and needs a friend. But if Helen is honest with herself, she too could use a friend since her "best friend" Katie is busy covering a rape case/trial with her journalist job and her sister-in-law Serena is busy with her own pregnancy, Rory, her house, and her photography business. Rachel makes Helen laugh which helps Helen to not focus on her fears about this pregnancy and upcoming birth.
But Rachel's behavior becomes even more unsettled and now everyone in Helen's life is starting to notice and become concerned.
When Rachel threatens to expose a secret ....a past crime in fact...that could destroy Rory's , Serena's, Daniel's and Helen's lives, it becomes quite clear that there are more than just a few secrets involving these families.
And then Rachel goes missing........
.....and then her body is discovered in Helen and Daniel's basement.
Who is the killer? What and why did this happen??
MY THOUGHTS
THis is like a " cat and mouse" game. There is a lot of twists and turns in the main plot with the underlying story/plot a definite plus to this novel. I started to suspect I knew who was behind all the secrets....and then I was pleasantly surprised to find out I was correct....along with a major twist of a surprise.
This book has excellent setting and character development. It's set in an exclusive part of London and I love how the author describes the neighborhood, the cafes and pubs, and the entire Greenwich Park. (and I googled the name and yes London really does have a Greenwich Park with very ancient trees).
The plot moves quickly and each section is titled by the number of weeks of pregnancy that Helen is in. The book begins with part of a letter from someone to Helen. It doesn't say who is writing the letter but I guessed correctly at the beginning to find out I was right in the end when another piece of the letter is sent to her from the person in prison.
Parts of the book go back 10 years earlier and this is indicated at the beginning of that part.
Some main themes in this novel are: pregnancy, miscarriage, motherhood, prescription drug use, alcohol/parties, rape, survivors, single-parenthood, friendship, marriage, adultery, secrets, betrayals, murder, obsession, stalking, fraud, marital relationship.
I love that this is a psychological thriller with some amazing twists.
In my opinion, this book is appropriate for ages 17 and older (due to some mature content).
I only found one editing error!
On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest, I rate this a 9.
No comments:
Post a Comment