Many thanks to Sriya and publisher Penguin Books UK for my spot on this Blog Tour.
OMG! OMG! OMG! Jane Shemilt is a master puppeteer. She pulled me so cunningly into this book that I never understood when I was snared. My breath hitched, my pulse raced, there was a weird energy in me. The only words my brain screamed out was – TELL ME THE FREAKING TRUTH. What happened to the kids?
Eve wanted to help kids with dyslexia. Kids of 2 families came to her for tutoring. Soon they became friends. Everyone was happy, or so they appeared to be. The children were supposedly great friends, but something insidious was happening. None saw the truth until it was too late.
My first book by author Jane Shemilt, and I was hooked. The claws of the story soon got a foothold in me after a rocky beginning of too many characters, and it inveigled into me one chapter at a time. The author used the power of her words to create a dual atmosphere where everything appeared honky dory, but that was just a mask. Pull it down and the aura of evil could be felt.
It oozed, spreading its dark tendrils so deep into the characters that it caught the children and adults unawares. The scenes were brilliant, something felt off in all as if every character was playing a different character in their fictional life. Abuse was hidden well, giving me glimpses of it as hints initially then it blew in like a gust.
A dark petrifying read, it was uncomfortable with its chilliness, where truth was the core, and the action was its effect. Ms. Shemilt has written a brilliant slow burn thriller which kept growing as the pages turned.
A compelling read, indeed. I had to take a few deep breaths at the end of the read as it was difficult to let go of the final reveal.
I received a free ARC from NetGalley and the publisher, and this is my journey into its pages, straight from the heart!! STRICTLY HONEST AND UNBIASED.
All my reviews can be read here
Their children are friends first. They hit it off immediately, as kids do. And so the parents are forced to get to know each other. Three wildly different couples. Three marriages, floundering.
There are barbecues, dinner parties, a holiday in Greece. An affair begins, resentments flare, and despite it all the three women become closer.
Unnoticed their children run wild. The couples are so busy watching each other that they forget to watch their children. Until tragedy strikes.
Because while they have been looking the other way, evil has crept into their safe little world and every parent’s biggest nightmare is about to come true…
9 Responses
It sounds terrifying. wonderful review, Shalini!
Read the book long long back. Thank you so much ❤️
I want to know too, you hooked me!
It might be known as playground too… It has two titles. You would love it check your cloud you might be having it
You have given me another book to read, Shalini 😉 Fantastic review!
This was so good. I think you would find it a 4 star read. Knowing what I know about you… When you get it, I would love to know what you thought
Sounds scary, especially with kids involved. Great review.
Thank you. It was different I could feel the danger. The parents could not. I felt like poking them
I get those feelings sometimes.