loved

The plot of this book is so understated, but so well executed. As a reader you have this nervous energy as you are reading. The nature of Ruby’s return keeps you on edge even without lots of dramatic, overtly suspenseful things happening because she is so unpredictable and the author does such a good job of building a sense of dread throughout.

This story is such a good example of how secrets can spiral out of control, how situations can get twisted when everyone is so concerned with looking out for themselves. It could easily have been frustrating as so much could have been cleared up if people just spoke to each other, but the way the community is described makes their secretive actions perfectly believable. There is a good level of distrust generated for most of the characters, even Harper as the narrator, because she was so close to events it was possible her narrative could be unreliable. This helps add to the anticipation as you’re waiting for Ruby to get her revenge, and for the truth to be revealed.

I couldn’t put this book down and was so excited as the story kept twisting and turning. I didn’t like or trust any of the characters but was still desperate to find out the truth of what happened the night that the Truetts died. And, crucially, I was not disappointed