This psychological thriller is likely to appeal most to its Young Adult audience, or rather to readers unfamiliar with the work of Patricia Highsmith.
Otherwise, although well-written and fast-moving, it borrows so much from a certain Highsmith novel that it is somewhat lacking in suspense. The device of telling the story in reverse does allow some element of mystery over the main character’s back story, and works well on the whole, though it loses a bit of momentum towards the end when some chapters cover shorter periods of time. There was also an amusing twist in the interpretation of events adopted by law enforcement.
Overall though, like its anti-heroine, the book lacked a really convincing identity of its own.
Otherwise, although well-written and fast-moving, it borrows so much from a certain Highsmith novel that it is somewhat lacking in suspense. The device of telling the story in reverse does allow some element of mystery over the main character’s back story, and works well on the whole, though it loses a bit of momentum towards the end when some chapters cover shorter periods of time. There was also an amusing twist in the interpretation of events adopted by law enforcement.
Overall though, like its anti-heroine, the book lacked a really convincing identity of its own.