Let me start by saying my opinion of this book changed pretty quickly. However, when I first started reading it, I really didn’t like it. I didn’t think the author wrote with very much style. I was a bit snobby about it, I think. I almost didn’t read further than Chapter 3. It didn’t feel like a book I could get into — I was wrong.

Thankfully, I chose to continue reading and to try to get to know the characters. At the end of the book, I still didn’t like any of them. They all had a multitude of flaws and no redeeming features. This was part of the reason I didn’t like it at first. But, I did become fascinated by them. I wanted to know who was telling the truth and who was lying.

The book is about a woman, Jessica, who claimed her teacher raped her at her at her prom ten years ago. The teacher was prosecuted, convicted, and sent to prison. He is now out of prison and living with his wife in the house they always lived in. Jess’s mum lived in the same village, and she has just died, meaning Jess must return to the village to help her brother to sort out the house and bury their mother.

Jess’s family is one that, I think, will be familiar to all of us. They are that family which is constantly in trouble with the law. Other people tend to be a little afraid of them. Jess’s mother is an alcoholic and her older twin brothers are in prison for a violent offence. So, Jess never had a great start in life. She drinks too much, herself. The question is, what about her history and the night of the prom is true?

The closer I got to the end of the book, the more exciting it became. Danger fills the pages, and I really wanted to know what happened. There is an incident that I did not see coming. It was very clever. We also find out some stuff that I didn’t expect, and I really liked the way it was disclosed. However, the events of the prom night were not surprising. I think most people will be able to figure them out before the end. I’m trying not to give anything away because it really is a great build up to the climax.

All in all, I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. I’m glad I decided to persevere and not give up. It was well worth my getting rid of my snobbish glasses and switching them for some accepting ones.

Fans of psychological thrillers. You really get under the skin of the main character. It is also a great he said/she said that will keep you guessing until the end.

The plot twists. The pace of the book is great, too.

Any of the characters. But, actually, that didn't matter because we aren't supposed to. They are meant to be untrustworthy and dangerous.

Frustrated, at first. Then, excited and eager to reach the end and find out the truth.

Her writing isn't the greatest I've ever read. But, with this genre, the focus is on creating suspense and telling a gripping story, and she certainly does this.

It is an exciting, fast read. Some of the plot twists are genius.

Don't read if you like literary, verbose prose. This book isn't about the writing; it is about the plot.

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Created Sep 11, 2021 at 5:38am • Submit your own review...