Kim Deister
This is the first book I’ve read that takes place in the new world of the COVID pandemic. It was written and came out as it was ongoing, so I admit I approached it with trepidation, wondering how it would play out in the midst of something still happening, if it would feel more gimmicky than plot-necessary. My fears were all for naught. Using COVID created an interesting premise right from the beginning. The idea of using lockdown to explore a new relationship without outside influences is fascinating. But it is also terrifying, creating a situation where anything could happen and who would know? It also fosters a controlled environment, where one can create a new reality in which all their secrets remain hidden. And that made for an incredibly engrossing read. The story had jumps in the timeline, from the present to varying times in the past. It also had multiple perspectives. from those of Ciara and Oliver in the past to the detective in the present. Timeline jumps and multiple POVs sounds as is it could become confusing, but it really wasn’t, instead creating a story that unfolded in delicious little tidbits. There were so many twists and turns, so many times when I thought I had it all figured it out. And I was generally wrong, which is something I love. That’s the thing I love most about good thrillers, being wrong and then being utterly surprised. 56 Days gave that to me. As the layers are peeled back, as secrets are revealed, the story becomes something new, something different. So good!
