As soon as I read the blurb - and then the first few chapters - on ReadersFirst, I had to find out the whys, the hows and the 'BUT WHAT THE...??!'
We are introduced to Beth - married mother of 2 - who is dropping her son off at football practice... only she has detoured somewhat to the front door of an old best friend who she hasn't seen in 12 years. She's lucky in her timing as she manages to catch a glimpse of her old friend, Flora, who looks the same - only a little older as to be expected - and is surprised to see that her 2 children, who were toddlers when she knew them back when and would be teenagers now... are still toddlers. After 12 years. How is this possible?!
I instantly had 2 theories - one supernatural and one not - and had to find out if either were correct (they weren't) so spent my points earned through writing reviews on ReadersFirst to claim a copy of my own. It is an uncorrected proof which doesn't look particularly appealing but I didn't let that discourage me and instantly began to read it. I couldn't put it down!
Sophie Hannah writes in a very accessible and detailed way which results in a good collection of well rounded characters. We are taken along for the ride in Beth's head, and we also get to know her husband and children - her daughter Zannah was particularly fun to get to know. I have not read any of Sophie's books before but I am definitely going to have a look out for them.
Our protagonist goes home and tells her family straight away about what she has discovered, and they all try to guess what the deal this - this kind of transparency and lack of sloooooow reveal was very refreshing! this is what a normal reaction would be and I was relieved to see that the book started off at a good speed. It continues at a constant pace as we experience along side Beth her emotions and eventual discoveries as she quickly decides she is not going to let this go. Now at this point (and indeed at a few others in the course of the book) you have to suspend belief somewhat as most people would just discuss it indoors in detail, speculate, perhaps try to find out some information in a roundabout way, then leave it be and carry on with their own lives. But for the purpose of the story this wouldn't work of course! So we run with the understanding that Beth herself knows that it is imperative this not be left alone. The suggestion of a secret between Beth and Flora - the explanation for the 12 years of separation - is hinted at early on and this also peaked my interest. I just hoped that both questions would be answered!
...and they were. However I must say I was a little disappointed at the outcome and explanation for why the children had not aged. It does clarify things (mostly) but this is one of those other points where you need to suspend belief a little and understand that you cannot know what you would do in any given situation unless you have experienced it for yourself. Physically, emotionally and mentally. Overall though, I didn't feel like my time had been wasted once I came to the end of the book. I enjoyed it! and would recommend it as an intriguing, well written, mystery thriller.
Thank you to ReadersFirst, Sophie Hannah and Hodder & Stoughton for the uncorrected proof copy received in return for an honest review. All views and opinions expressed are my own.
We are introduced to Beth - married mother of 2 - who is dropping her son off at football practice... only she has detoured somewhat to the front door of an old best friend who she hasn't seen in 12 years. She's lucky in her timing as she manages to catch a glimpse of her old friend, Flora, who looks the same - only a little older as to be expected - and is surprised to see that her 2 children, who were toddlers when she knew them back when and would be teenagers now... are still toddlers. After 12 years. How is this possible?!
I instantly had 2 theories - one supernatural and one not - and had to find out if either were correct (they weren't) so spent my points earned through writing reviews on ReadersFirst to claim a copy of my own. It is an uncorrected proof which doesn't look particularly appealing but I didn't let that discourage me and instantly began to read it. I couldn't put it down!
Sophie Hannah writes in a very accessible and detailed way which results in a good collection of well rounded characters. We are taken along for the ride in Beth's head, and we also get to know her husband and children - her daughter Zannah was particularly fun to get to know. I have not read any of Sophie's books before but I am definitely going to have a look out for them.
Our protagonist goes home and tells her family straight away about what she has discovered, and they all try to guess what the deal this - this kind of transparency and lack of sloooooow reveal was very refreshing! this is what a normal reaction would be and I was relieved to see that the book started off at a good speed. It continues at a constant pace as we experience along side Beth her emotions and eventual discoveries as she quickly decides she is not going to let this go. Now at this point (and indeed at a few others in the course of the book) you have to suspend belief somewhat as most people would just discuss it indoors in detail, speculate, perhaps try to find out some information in a roundabout way, then leave it be and carry on with their own lives. But for the purpose of the story this wouldn't work of course! So we run with the understanding that Beth herself knows that it is imperative this not be left alone. The suggestion of a secret between Beth and Flora - the explanation for the 12 years of separation - is hinted at early on and this also peaked my interest. I just hoped that both questions would be answered!
...and they were. However I must say I was a little disappointed at the outcome and explanation for why the children had not aged. It does clarify things (mostly) but this is one of those other points where you need to suspend belief a little and understand that you cannot know what you would do in any given situation unless you have experienced it for yourself. Physically, emotionally and mentally. Overall though, I didn't feel like my time had been wasted once I came to the end of the book. I enjoyed it! and would recommend it as an intriguing, well written, mystery thriller.
Thank you to ReadersFirst, Sophie Hannah and Hodder & Stoughton for the uncorrected proof copy received in return for an honest review. All views and opinions expressed are my own.