My Review
Oh my!! The first scene, the first chapter, so unexpected, shocking the socks off me. That was the best. Author Jill Childs knocked this one out of the park. She called it her book baby, and I could clearly see the love poured out in the prose.
Two women: one, the wife and the other, the mistress. And you know it wouldn’t end well. It didn’t, for Ralph, when the wife Helen came to know about the mistress Laura. They were on the edge of the abyss, and one fall knocked them all down. This was Laura’s story followed by Helen’s. And I got the bird’s eye view of it.
Reading the first chapter, I knew the author had written this book to send shock currents down my body. The words chosen had the right emotion attached to it. Little bubbles of excitement ran in me. I was getting the gossip right from the front seat. (Look, I am getting my jollies from where I can. I don’t watch the television. Books are it, for me)
I had to talk about the characterization. JILL made her puppets dance to her every tune, they were brilliantly etched that I thought them to be real. New facets were revealed and gawd, weren’t some Aholes… ahem I mean jerks. You can guess whom I am talking about. Talk about eating the cake and having it too.
The book gathered pace because I was obsessed with it. I couldn’t stop reading, I had to know what the wife thought and what would she do next. It was so goddamn interesting. And the last line… My goosebumps got goosebumps. I couldn’t help but cackle wildly like a witch.
Wicked and wily was this author, she got my goose cooked (and I am a vegetarian). I was curious, hungry to know more every time I turned the page. It was that thrilling for me. I would call this book a domestic noir too.
My Rating
Book Links
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Book Blurb
I didn’t turn up uninvited. He asked me to come.
He didn’t need to ask twice. He knew I’d agree. Kind Laura. Obedient Laura. Laura the soft-spoken schoolteacher with the faded cardigans and flat shoes. Nobody ever suspected someone like me would appeal to handsome, charismatic, happily married Ralph. I think even he was surprised by his choice. But I’m used to people underestimating me.
But then maybe I underestimated Ralph too. Because I never thought he’d be capable of doing what he did. It wasn’t only dangerous, it was very, very wrong. And I’m not talking about cheating on his wife.
As I said, I didn’t turn up uninvited. He asked me to come. The last thing on my mind was killing him.
Book Details
Publication Date: September 2020
I received an 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
10 Responses
A good read for you, Shalini. Domestic thrillers are not working currently for me.
Domestic noir sounds very intriguing. I will have to put this one on my TBR. Great review, Shalini ☺️
I have this one coming up on my TBR – can’t wait to get to it now.
Get your claws in it right now. It is so much fun.
Enjoyed your review Shalini. 😂 I didn’t know you’re a vegetarian. What exactly is a domestic noir?
A dark family thriller. Domestic is family and noir is black (in French, I think) how are you doing Laurie?
Oh…thanks for telling me.
I’ve seen better days, Shalini. Experiencing a painful gastrointestinal flare-up. Been sick for days. Hanging in there though. Thanks for asking. 🤗 How have you been doing lately?
You are so right, Shalini. Expect something “dark” when you read something “noir.” This falls into the category of “I want to like it” because Shalini makes it sound so good, but I won’t be reading it because it is too much of a thriller!
This sounds dark and thrilling. Great review, Shalini!
This one sounds fabulous, love your review, you paint a vivid picture of the story x