This is a very tense and gripping thriller. I was hooked from the prologue as it definitely created an eery chilling tone. It follows the Flowers family after the tragic death of Ruby-May. The narrative is told from the perspectives of Amy Flowers (Rubys mum) and Nick Flowers (Rubys uncle and Amys brother). I have to say, I was reading this not trusting anyone! Every character seemed flawed and felt unreliable, and I think that was the idea. Kay managed to keep the suspense going throughout the book by switching between the present and one year ago, around the time of Ruby-Mays death. This gave a good backstory to not only the characters but the suspicion surrounding Ruby-Mays death.
Grief is a massive theme in the book and it explores how everyone copes with this in different ways and the impact this can have on children. This was definitely one of the strengths of this book for me. I felt the grief and sadness reading this book; its truly incomprehensible. The issue of family is also a key element. Whether anyone can truly recover from such as a dysfunctional, fractured and tragic childhood. Do you ever really know the ones you live with and trust? Its a dark story told well, and keeps you in suspense right up until the end. Its a very clever ending, I did not see it coming! So many secrets, grievances and strained family relationships; certainly a tense thriller.
If you enjoy psychological thrillers and a story that keeps you gripped until the last page, this is for you.
Grief is a massive theme in the book and it explores how everyone copes with this in different ways and the impact this can have on children. This was definitely one of the strengths of this book for me. I felt the grief and sadness reading this book; its truly incomprehensible. The issue of family is also a key element. Whether anyone can truly recover from such as a dysfunctional, fractured and tragic childhood. Do you ever really know the ones you live with and trust? Its a dark story told well, and keeps you in suspense right up until the end. Its a very clever ending, I did not see it coming! So many secrets, grievances and strained family relationships; certainly a tense thriller.
If you enjoy psychological thrillers and a story that keeps you gripped until the last page, this is for you.