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cfogg's review against another edition
5.0
I have read Jane Corry’s previous two books & in my opinion, this is the best one. I loved it - couldn’t put it down! Lots of twists & turns, plenty to keep you guessing.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher & Jane Corry for the ARC copy of this book.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher & Jane Corry for the ARC copy of this book.
cfogg's review against another edition
5.0
I have read Jane Corry’s previous two books & in my opinion, this is the best one. I loved it - couldn’t put it down! Lots of twists & turns, plenty to keep you guessing.
marilynw's review against another edition
3.0
This review seems difficult to write. I enjoyed the book but it was very convoluted. At first I had severe doubts about the main character of Vicki. When the book begins, she is an aroma therapist, dealing with epilepsy and the problems that her epilepsy medicines cause, while always wondering when her next seizure will happen. We know things have happened in her past that are important to the present time but these things are revealed slowly and later in the book. We know that Vicki is still obsessed with her former husband David and mourns a child named Patrick.
With what we know towards the beginning of the book, I don’t trust Vicki or her memory of events. There is mention of prison and memory losses due to her seizures and the side effects of the medicines that she takes. She lives her life afraid that people will find out about her epilepsy and not want to use her as an aroma therapist and she is afraid of the dangers of having a seizure while alone or in public.
We also meet an eight year old girl named Scarlet, whose timeline starts in 2006. Scarlet is used by her drug and alcohol abusing mother, in order to help her mother commit crimes for money and anything else her mother wants. Scarlet thinks what she and her mother do are games and doesn’t realize that her mother is using her to pursue her life of crime. Eventually Scarlet’s mom is arrested and Scarlet is sent to live in foster homes, the first one horrible, the second one very good, but all Scarlet can think of is that she has been taken away from her mother and that she wants to be with her mother again.
The story is told from alternating views of Vicki in present time and Scarlet from 2006 and going forward and then eventually from the views of Vicki and Helen. None of the narrators are very reliable, Vicki because she doesn’t want to face certain things, reveal certain things, and can’t remember certain things and Scarlet because she’s young and has been raised horribly by a criminal of a mother and because she’s so traumatized by her life that she has no grasp of what is really happening in it and to her. And then there is Helen, who we know is looking for something by taking up with Vicki’s ex-husband David, but we don’t know what she wants from him or why she wants it.
Further into the book I began to really like Vicki because we learn she was an educated, hard worker, who picked her career (before her second career of being an aroma therapist) based on wanting to help others and we are allowed to understand things that happened in Vicki’s life that led her to her present day problems and worries. Scarlet is a sympathetic character too, especially because she is so young, has been used and abused by her criminal mother, because she had no one to show her what a normal, healthy life should be like. At the same time, Scarlet’s thinking is so damaged by what has been done to her by her mom and others that it’s hard to feel hope for her.
Even though I had some idea where things were going at times, there was a lot of information withheld, so that we have no way of figuring out what was going to happen next. While enjoying the roller coaster ride, which mostly kept going down, down, down, for Vicki, the book often felt very manipulative and frustrating to me. I do think I’ll be pondering on it for a while because it’ll take some time to unravel all that we learned, some of which became clear only very close to the end of the book.
Thank you to Pamela Dorman Books, Penguin Publishing Group, and Edelweiss for this digital Advanced Review Copy.
With what we know towards the beginning of the book, I don’t trust Vicki or her memory of events. There is mention of prison and memory losses due to her seizures and the side effects of the medicines that she takes. She lives her life afraid that people will find out about her epilepsy and not want to use her as an aroma therapist and she is afraid of the dangers of having a seizure while alone or in public.
We also meet an eight year old girl named Scarlet, whose timeline starts in 2006. Scarlet is used by her drug and alcohol abusing mother, in order to help her mother commit crimes for money and anything else her mother wants. Scarlet thinks what she and her mother do are games and doesn’t realize that her mother is using her to pursue her life of crime. Eventually Scarlet’s mom is arrested and Scarlet is sent to live in foster homes, the first one horrible, the second one very good, but all Scarlet can think of is that she has been taken away from her mother and that she wants to be with her mother again.
The story is told from alternating views of Vicki in present time and Scarlet from 2006 and going forward and then eventually from the views of Vicki and Helen. None of the narrators are very reliable, Vicki because she doesn’t want to face certain things, reveal certain things, and can’t remember certain things and Scarlet because she’s young and has been raised horribly by a criminal of a mother and because she’s so traumatized by her life that she has no grasp of what is really happening in it and to her. And then there is Helen, who we know is looking for something by taking up with Vicki’s ex-husband David, but we don’t know what she wants from him or why she wants it.
Further into the book I began to really like Vicki because we learn she was an educated, hard worker, who picked her career (before her second career of being an aroma therapist) based on wanting to help others and we are allowed to understand things that happened in Vicki’s life that led her to her present day problems and worries. Scarlet is a sympathetic character too, especially because she is so young, has been used and abused by her criminal mother, because she had no one to show her what a normal, healthy life should be like. At the same time, Scarlet’s thinking is so damaged by what has been done to her by her mom and others that it’s hard to feel hope for her.
Even though I had some idea where things were going at times, there was a lot of information withheld, so that we have no way of figuring out what was going to happen next. While enjoying the roller coaster ride, which mostly kept going down, down, down, for Vicki, the book often felt very manipulative and frustrating to me. I do think I’ll be pondering on it for a while because it’ll take some time to unravel all that we learned, some of which became clear only very close to the end of the book.
Thank you to Pamela Dorman Books, Penguin Publishing Group, and Edelweiss for this digital Advanced Review Copy.
nickymaund's review against another edition
5.0
From the start this had me gripped - I devoured it! There are multiple viewpoints; the obvious main lead Vicki, a girl called Scarlett and then later on a young woman called Helen. Corry leaves you wanting more - just how are these 3 seemingly separate characters connected, and what do they all have in common? There are twists galore in this story - it certainly leaves you guessing. The characters’ backstories are written with such emotion that you can’t help feeling for them, even the more unsavoury ones. This is my first read by Corry and I’ll definitely be checking out more of her books. The two narrators in this story do a cracking job bringing the characters viewpoints.
lernstreads's review against another edition
2.0
This book was SO slow going until the last 75 pages or so. Then it was like the author realized they had been trying to drive with the parking brake on so they shifted that off and put the pedal to the floor. It felt like she realized, "I have a TON of loose ends to tie up and I want to throw in these random twists I haven't set up for in any way! I better get on it!"
kazza27's review against another edition
5.0
Scarlett lives with her Mother and she leads a very dysfunctional life which is unbeknown to her.
This life includes her Mother using Scarlett to play a game to help her make money and feed her addiction. One day the Police turn up during the game and Scarlett's life is changed forever.
Vicki is an Aromatherapist living in Cornwall and it appears that she is hiding from something. One day the Police then turn up on her doorstep to say her Ex Husband David has been reported missing by his wife Tanya and Vicki becomes a suspect.
This book has many different stories weaved into one. The individual stories make you want to keep on reading and Jane's Character development is in-depth and meaningful. My favourite part of the book was how the author twists the stories to bring in further important characters who when first introduced you question why, however all the characters have an important part of shocking conclusion. A really great read.
This life includes her Mother using Scarlett to play a game to help her make money and feed her addiction. One day the Police turn up during the game and Scarlett's life is changed forever.
Vicki is an Aromatherapist living in Cornwall and it appears that she is hiding from something. One day the Police then turn up on her doorstep to say her Ex Husband David has been reported missing by his wife Tanya and Vicki becomes a suspect.
This book has many different stories weaved into one. The individual stories make you want to keep on reading and Jane's Character development is in-depth and meaningful. My favourite part of the book was how the author twists the stories to bring in further important characters who when first introduced you question why, however all the characters have an important part of shocking conclusion. A really great read.
windy_witch's review against another edition
3.0
This story is about Vicki who suffers from epilepsy and works as an aromatherapist in a quiet seaside town. It is clear that she is trying to hide something from her past from the beginning. The police turn up one day announcing that her ex-husband has been missing for some time and want to know if she has seen him recently. This unwanted visit from the police brings back memories that she was trying to banish.
As the story unfolds the author brings the story in from the past of a young girl called Scarlet, it is quite difficult from the beginning to ascertain where this ties into the plot with Vicki and her missing husband. However following through the story and as events unfold you find out the truth about Scarlet in the end. I did find this a little difficult to follow at times and struggled to fit these pieces together.
However overall I enjoyed reading this novel and would like to thank Negalley for the opportunity to read it.
As the story unfolds the author brings the story in from the past of a young girl called Scarlet, it is quite difficult from the beginning to ascertain where this ties into the plot with Vicki and her missing husband. However following through the story and as events unfold you find out the truth about Scarlet in the end. I did find this a little difficult to follow at times and struggled to fit these pieces together.
However overall I enjoyed reading this novel and would like to thank Negalley for the opportunity to read it.
georgilvsbooks's review against another edition
5.0
My first read by Jane Corry.
This book is split into three parts. The first and second had me hooked.
Part three, I devoured! The story and all the twists came together in this section and left me gobsmacked!
Such an exhilarating read.
Will defiantly be reading more from this author.
This book is split into three parts. The first and second had me hooked.
Part three, I devoured! The story and all the twists came together in this section and left me gobsmacked!
Such an exhilarating read.
Will defiantly be reading more from this author.
zooloo1983's review against another edition
4.0
This book is nothing short of what I have come to expect from a book with Jane Corry on the cover!! I mean, if you want a book that turns you upset down and inside out and then just, just when you think you can calm down, you get a final sting right as you finish the book.
What a story!! A vicious story of revenge and deceit had me riveted to the spot. Ok, well, the first 20% of the audiobook. I didn’t have a clue what was happening and thought I might not be in the mood for it. But then, all of a sudden, when we focused on Scarlet, I was hooked. That child was manipulated by her mother in the worst way, and then, later in foster care, it wasn’t easy. Until she had the perfect home. My heart went out to her. I was begging for this story to be a happy one for this poor naive child.
Vicki, I was fascinated by her. Her story of becoming a prison governor was briefly touched upon, all to lead you to the big reveal, which I had guessed, but still, the shock of it all took me by surprise. She was treated awfully by everyone, and it angered me when she was accused of faking her epilepsy.
Helen, well dear Helen, your card was marked when you first appeared, and I knew who you were. I just didn’t realise how deep everything went with her, and the length she went to was….well not surprising.
Leaving us with the worst woman in the book. Zelda! What a despicable woman. I detested her from the second she spoke. She is such a self-centered and cruel woman. Urgh.
All these women are linked to the disappearance of the ugliest of men, David. This disappearance is a catalyst for so many things, one of them being death.
Jane really had a way with her words, and she hasn’t failed me yet. She wrote deception and sleight of hand so well. Even if you know and can guess it, it isn’t always a happy thing to guess right because you don’t want it to be true! Her characters all have flaws; yes, even the MC, is she as reliable as we are led to believe? It was interesting to see how she uses mental and physical health in a way to progress the story, throwing doubt every step of the way!
I look forward to my next read by Jane and already have my eye on it. She is fast becoming one of my favourite authors.
What a story!! A vicious story of revenge and deceit had me riveted to the spot. Ok, well, the first 20% of the audiobook. I didn’t have a clue what was happening and thought I might not be in the mood for it. But then, all of a sudden, when we focused on Scarlet, I was hooked. That child was manipulated by her mother in the worst way, and then, later in foster care, it wasn’t easy. Until she had the perfect home. My heart went out to her. I was begging for this story to be a happy one for this poor naive child.
Vicki, I was fascinated by her. Her story of becoming a prison governor was briefly touched upon, all to lead you to the big reveal, which I had guessed, but still, the shock of it all took me by surprise. She was treated awfully by everyone, and it angered me when she was accused of faking her epilepsy.
Helen, well dear Helen, your card was marked when you first appeared, and I knew who you were. I just didn’t realise how deep everything went with her, and the length she went to was….well not surprising.
Leaving us with the worst woman in the book. Zelda! What a despicable woman. I detested her from the second she spoke. She is such a self-centered and cruel woman. Urgh.
All these women are linked to the disappearance of the ugliest of men, David. This disappearance is a catalyst for so many things, one of them being death.
Jane really had a way with her words, and she hasn’t failed me yet. She wrote deception and sleight of hand so well. Even if you know and can guess it, it isn’t always a happy thing to guess right because you don’t want it to be true! Her characters all have flaws; yes, even the MC, is she as reliable as we are led to believe? It was interesting to see how she uses mental and physical health in a way to progress the story, throwing doubt every step of the way!
I look forward to my next read by Jane and already have my eye on it. She is fast becoming one of my favourite authors.
fizreads's review against another edition
5.0
Find this review and others on my blog: https://fizwrites.wixsite.com/website/post/the-dead-ex-review
‘He cheated. He lied. He died’. What a great catchphrase. I’m joking but Jane Corry does not fail to impress she has quickly become my go-to favourite mystery/crime/thriller author because her novels are so cleverly crafted with such page-turners that you will be reading any opportunity you have you will also be thinking about it regularly too.
I love a good thriller and this is my third of Corry’s books I have picked up and I loved it, devoured it even. I love when thrillers use medical conditions in menacing ways (that sounds so wrong) but its also because you learn and are educated so much about that condition in this book the main character Vicki has epilepsy which causes her to forget stuff for the plot it is great but also it is such a great insight into how people live with it, how hard it is but also the signs people can spot if the person is in an epileptic fit and what to do. I am still not over Louise Jensen’s ‘The Date’ which explores the medical condition of prosopagnosia and so many other books.
I love how this tackles such heavy topics as well and I think because Jane herself worked in prison the prison scenes are so vivid and authentic that it makes the book that much better. It is psychological, it is deep and twisted and I was completely enthralled from the first page. This was a real page-turner. It has two p.o.v’s one from Vicki who is now an aromatherapist and Scarlet whose story we follow from childhood to the present day. Both of their stories were gripping and when Helen came into the mix it just kept me on my toes hooked until the very end, I loved every minute of this fast pace book. If your looking for a page-turner look no further.
This was my third book of Jane Corry's, safe to say she is now in the category of my go-to for any type of mystery/thriller type of book. Highly addictive, so clever. 4.5 rounded up.
‘He cheated. He lied. He died’. What a great catchphrase. I’m joking but Jane Corry does not fail to impress she has quickly become my go-to favourite mystery/crime/thriller author because her novels are so cleverly crafted with such page-turners that you will be reading any opportunity you have you will also be thinking about it regularly too.
I love a good thriller and this is my third of Corry’s books I have picked up and I loved it, devoured it even. I love when thrillers use medical conditions in menacing ways (that sounds so wrong) but its also because you learn and are educated so much about that condition in this book the main character Vicki has epilepsy which causes her to forget stuff for the plot it is great but also it is such a great insight into how people live with it, how hard it is but also the signs people can spot if the person is in an epileptic fit and what to do. I am still not over Louise Jensen’s ‘The Date’ which explores the medical condition of prosopagnosia and so many other books.
I love how this tackles such heavy topics as well and I think because Jane herself worked in prison the prison scenes are so vivid and authentic that it makes the book that much better. It is psychological, it is deep and twisted and I was completely enthralled from the first page. This was a real page-turner. It has two p.o.v’s one from Vicki who is now an aromatherapist and Scarlet whose story we follow from childhood to the present day. Both of their stories were gripping and when Helen came into the mix it just kept me on my toes hooked until the very end, I loved every minute of this fast pace book. If your looking for a page-turner look no further.
This was my third book of Jane Corry's, safe to say she is now in the category of my go-to for any type of mystery/thriller type of book. Highly addictive, so clever. 4.5 rounded up.