zooloo1983
Written on Sep 2, 2018
I wondered which path I would be led down with this book, and I had an inkling where it was going when I was reading it. I had previously guessed a twist in the story thanks to some hints from the author but still, when the revealing happened it was still shocking to have it confirmed. The ending albeit no surprise seemed too easy for my liking, but then maybe just once in a while it should be easy, maybe the main character deserves easy and that’s why I haven’t let it get to me, plus I liked Kaitlyn.
I feel now I’ve read so many thrillers like this, you can tell the signs of an unhinged person. You can see there is always something that pulls the MC into a false sense of security and as much as you are screaming at them to get away they stay. There were a couple of twists which I kinda guessed (repeating myself I know!) but what I hated was the way that Kaitlyn felt when she discovered them. Alex had done a complete number on her as her self-worth and confidence is at an all-time low making her question who can she trust. The unreliable narrator plays a part too as when we reflect back we are only seeing part of the picture that we are allowed to see. One supposed enemy not being one at all.
At the beginning of the book, at the end of the chapters, we got an insight of Alex’s wooing and man that was intense. Seriously you need to read the book even if it is just to check out the emails. To me, outside of the situation, it was a clear, flashing red light, loud klaxon sounding warning for me to run to the hills not jump ship and move hundreds of miles away from friends and family! It is easy to forget how everything wrapped up in a pretty bow and a hot body is not necessarily sweet and nice.
When we get to 80% through the book, the intensity begins to ramp up and I felt I was holding on that bit tighter to my kindle as I was speeding through the pages (I was also in the bath at the time and it was cold!). Even though you believe you know where the story is going, something else happens and there is a light at the end of the tunnel and friendships renewed and then BAM! There is one storyline that was never resolved and I really wanted closure on it!
What really happened? Did they get away? Are they ok? If not under the tree where are they? (Are you intrigued yet?)
I loved the sound of how picturesque the Old Vicarage sounded and I would have loved to live there. The imagery of the Lake District sounded breathtaking and it’s somewhere I’ve always wanted to go. So it was nice to imagine it in my head for now.
I was hooked on this book and I read it in a day, the writing flowed and the storyline was easy to lose yourself in albeit screaming loudly! The other comment to make about the writing is that you feel this could actually happen! It was all believable, nothing was too far-fetched, just a disturbed human being, so thinking about it makes this book a tiny bit unnerving.
The story is a whirlwind, a bit like Kaitlyn and Alex, never knowing what destruction is on the way, sitting on tender hooks for the next incident to happen, a feeling of dread and that was just me living it with Kaitlyn, the fear of the unknown. When you learn of Alex and his background, your opinion changes but is this just an excuse? Nature vs nurture? Is he becoming the one person he doesn’t want to become?
This is a thrilling book, but an unsettling one at the same time especially when the big reveal sucker-punches you.