Scan barcode
lainibop's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Mental illness, and Pedophilia
avoraciousreader68's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
4.5
4.5
Book source ~ Tour
Rebecca Findlay married Lucas for revenge and he has no idea what he’s gotten himself into or how badly damaged his wife truly is. But he’s about to find out.
Ho-ly. Shit. This story is horrible. It’s awful. Dark and twisted and so fucked up. I love it! Hmmm…what does that say about me? Eh. Who cares! This book stayed with me for a long time. The subject matter is horrifying, but the characters are what kept me reading. So much damage, so many layers, it’s like a rotten onion where you keep peeling in hopes of getting to a decent usable portion. There are triggers galore in this, so be warned. It’s not for the timid. Seriously. If you like your thrillers dark and twisted then this is one to add to your shelf. I read this last year, so I might be ready for a re-read now. Or almost ready. Soon?
annrawson's review
5.0
A powerful and compelling novel which explores childhood trauma.
Some spoilers follow, especially for the first part of the novel.
The story begins with a heart-stopping prologue in which the main character, Rebecca, wakes up from what is clearly a recurrent nightmare to discover she has been sleeping next to a dead man...
Part One is narrated by sixteen year old Rebecca, who tells us the story of her childhood. It's an unusual structure for the novel, and this first third constitutes what would usually be considered backstory. As a reader, I am impatiently longing to discover what is happening in the prologue - who is the dead man, how did he die?
Soon I am drawn in by Bairden's skill as she evokes Rebecca's childhood, marred by poverty and abandonment and abuse piled on abuse. It's painful reading, as so often the young Rebecca is let down by those who are supposed to protect her - the father who abandoned her at birth, her mother who allowed, encouraged her abuse, the social worker who looked the other way, an abusive foster family. And yet we see evidence of Rebecca's resilience, and at the end of the first part she has been helped by a good psychiatrist, and has real hope for the future.
Part Two takes us back to a time shortly before the Prologue. Now grown up, Rebecca has a job, and a husband, and would seem to be a survivor. Only we very quickly learn that beneath the surface, there are more sinister things going on. She's abusing her husband, who is the son of her abuser. She is being tormented by silent phone calls. Her life is unravelling.
There are so many vividly drawn characters in this novel. As well as Rebecca, we get to see the dark past of her husband Lucas, the misery and despair of the social worker, Jim, and
the confusion, pain and anger of Nicole. None of them can be seen as wholly good or bad and they all do terrible things, and yet Bairden's compassionate writing allows us to empathise with all these broken souls.
This is a story with darkness at its heart, and there are many twists and turns to torment and delight lovers of crime fiction.
The revenge story is one of my favourite genres, and this is a truly outstanding contribution.
Some spoilers follow, especially for the first part of the novel.
The story begins with a heart-stopping prologue in which the main character, Rebecca, wakes up from what is clearly a recurrent nightmare to discover she has been sleeping next to a dead man...
Part One is narrated by sixteen year old Rebecca, who tells us the story of her childhood. It's an unusual structure for the novel, and this first third constitutes what would usually be considered backstory. As a reader, I am impatiently longing to discover what is happening in the prologue - who is the dead man, how did he die?
Soon I am drawn in by Bairden's skill as she evokes Rebecca's childhood, marred by poverty and abandonment and abuse piled on abuse. It's painful reading, as so often the young Rebecca is let down by those who are supposed to protect her - the father who abandoned her at birth, her mother who allowed, encouraged her abuse, the social worker who looked the other way, an abusive foster family. And yet we see evidence of Rebecca's resilience, and at the end of the first part she has been helped by a good psychiatrist, and has real hope for the future.
Part Two takes us back to a time shortly before the Prologue. Now grown up, Rebecca has a job, and a husband, and would seem to be a survivor. Only we very quickly learn that beneath the surface, there are more sinister things going on. She's abusing her husband, who is the son of her abuser. She is being tormented by silent phone calls. Her life is unravelling.
There are so many vividly drawn characters in this novel. As well as Rebecca, we get to see the dark past of her husband Lucas, the misery and despair of the social worker, Jim, and
the confusion, pain and anger of Nicole. None of them can be seen as wholly good or bad and they all do terrible things, and yet Bairden's compassionate writing allows us to empathise with all these broken souls.
This is a story with darkness at its heart, and there are many twists and turns to torment and delight lovers of crime fiction.
The revenge story is one of my favourite genres, and this is a truly outstanding contribution.
kime's review
3.0
Clearly I'm in the minority here, but I didn't love this one, and I really wanted to. After reading the blurb and other people's reviews about how dark and disturbing this book is, I couldn't wait to dive in. The thing is though, I didn't bond with this writing style and I didn't find it to be specifically strong. Over and above that, the first half of the story (when Rebecca was a kid) was fantastic and I was glued to every page (and yes, it was dark and disturbing and exactly what I love), but then Rebecca reaches adulthood, and that's where the story lost me. I found the plot to be ridiculous and many elements of it truly unbelievable. Over and above that, Rebecca was an awful person and I didn't bond or like her at all. And yes, I know why she was awful, but still, I couldn't find one redeeming feature about her. And her husband was weak and pathetic, and no, just no. It didn't work for me. Sorry, but this one gets a 3 star rating from me, and that's being kind. If the first half hadn't been so engrossing, the rating would have been lower.
the_b00kreader's review
5.0
**TW**
This book contains details of sexual, physical and emotional assault, abuse of drugs, murder, child neglection and mental health. If a sensitive reader this book is not at all suited for you.
This book contains details of sexual, physical and emotional assault, abuse of drugs, murder, child neglection and mental health. If a sensitive reader this book is not at all suited for you.
More...