A review by tessa_talks_books
Talking to Strangers by Fiona Barton

4.0

One-word review:  Timely

Emojis: 😟😥🧐🫣

Rating: 4 🌟s

My Top-Five-style Review:

5. Detective Elise King, a character so relatable, her journey through a slow recovery from successful cancer treatment feels authentically emotive. Her story is handled with such empathy that it's easy to feel like you're right there with her, championing her when the situation calls for it.

4. The plot, a slow-burn procedural, is made even more engaging by the short chapters and the deeply relevant societal issues that easily hold your attention. These issues are not just part of the story, but they resonate with the current world, making the narrative more compelling and relatable.

3. I could never have predicted that conclusion, and I love how crafty and clever the author was in coming up with such an ending. The unexpected twist will keep you on the edge of your seat, eager to unravel the mystery.

2. This is book two in a series but can easily be read as a stand-alone novel. I also listened to parts of the audiobook and found it very well done, with a narrator who was able to hold my attention, which is no easy task.

1. I love the look at the different challenges women in their forties go through, particularly those who have gone through divorce and now are single parents, trying to navigate the digital world and dating, and dealing with the challenges of recovery. It's timely and authentic to a bone-chilling degree.