'It Could Never Happen Here,' by Eithne Shortall, is a fascinating look at the Irish little town of Cooney, where nothing is kept hidden and playground politics rule the lives of the parents at Glass Lake Primary School. We know a body has been recovered from the river at the start, but who it is and why they died remains a mystery as we follow the two weeks leading up to the tragedy. This is a dark cloud that hangs over the story, which alternates between flashbacks to police interviews and the inquiry. It's fast-paced, intricate, timely, and has strong echoes of Lianne Moriarty's 'Big Little Lies,' so I had a great time reading it (despite how many times I guessed the victim and explanation).
Overall, this is a disturbingly plausible novel with some unsettling narrative lines about security and the impact of a young generation growing up with accessible internet access. This is a fascinating and essential book that is also very engaging. This one comes highly recommended from me! 4 out of 5 stars
Overall, this is a disturbingly plausible novel with some unsettling narrative lines about security and the impact of a young generation growing up with accessible internet access. This is a fascinating and essential book that is also very engaging. This one comes highly recommended from me! 4 out of 5 stars