A review by _onemorechapter_
Daisy in Chains by Sharon Bolton

challenging dark informative mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

𝑻.𝑾: Murder and violence, Mental health issues, Body shaming and fatphobia, Bullying
 
💭Let’s dive into Daisy in Chains, a dark, twisty thriller that’s as much about murder and manipulation as it is about society’s ugly obsession with appearances. On the surface, it’s a story about Hamish Wolfe, a (possibly) charming serial killer convicted of murdering plus-size women. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll find a story that wrestles with heavier themes—body image, fatphobia, and how society often dehumanizes women based on their size. This book promises murder, manipulation, and a killer with *charm for days*—but does it deliver? Kind of.  

The victims in this story were all members of a “Fat Club,” a support group for plus-size women. They sought connection, support, and acceptance in a world that can be harsh to anyone who doesn’t fit the mold of conventional beauty. Instead, they became targets of violence. The book doesn’t shy away from showing how society’s body-shaming attitudes might have contributed to their vulnerability.

Here’s the scoop: Hamish Wolfe, our enigmatic and ultimate heartthrob (and maybe guilty) prisoner, is accused of preying on these women specifically because of their size and the world is divided between those who think he’s guilty and those who think he’s framed (and want to marry him??). His supposed motive? Hatred toward plus-size women is rooted in personal history. But as the story unfolds, Bolton peels back layers to reveal that nothing—and no one—is as simple as it seems. Is Hamish really a monster fueled by body hatred, or is there more to his story?

Then there’s Maggie Rose, a sassy, our reclusive lawyer and true crime writer with a flair for drama and an unmatched poker face, who refuses to let society’s expectations dictate her life. She adds a stark contrast to the conversations about body image, with her unapologetic, no-nonsense attitude toward appearances.
Hamish wants Maggie to help clear his name. She reluctantly takes the case, and that’s when the mind games begin.  

And then there’s Detective Pete Weston, the guy who put Hamish behind bars in the first place. Pete is no-nonsense, dedicated, and maybe just a little too obsessed with Maggie. His tension with Maggie added another layer to the story—though I couldn’t decide if I wanted them to bicker more or finally team up.  

🔍What I liked: 
- The creepy, atmospheric vibe—it’s like walking through a foggy moor with danger lurking behind every twisty tree and how the story blends psychological tension with social commentary. 
- Maggie is one heck of a mysterious character. She’s cold, brilliant, and low-key fascinating.  
- The way the book forces readers to confront uncomfortable truths about fatphobia and societal biases. It doesn’t just use the victims as props—it highlights the struggles they faced, both in life and death.
- Detective Pete Weston brought some emotional weight to the story. His unwavering belief in Hamish’s guilt contrasted perfectly with Maggie’s uncertainty, keeping the stakes high.
-The short chapters are interspersed with newspaper articles, drafts of Maggie’s novel about Hamish and letters from Hamish and a variety of people. This worked remarkably well, adding layers to the story and revealing clues here and there whilst not revealing too much. And, of course, such chapters easily lend themselves to the justification of ‘just one more’ before reluctantly closing the pages for a short while.
- Maggie’s complex dynamic with Hamish and Detective Pete Weston adds a layer of grounded humanity to this otherwise bleak tale.  
- There are twists. OH, there are twists. Just when you think you’ve got it figured out, Bolton smacks you with another curveball.  

🤔 What didn’t hit for me:  
- The *ending*. Let’s be real—it wasn’t satisfying. The big twist felt like a gotcha moment without enough buildup, leaving more questions than answers. Why did certain characters make the choices they did? What about the unanswered clues sprinkled throughout the book? It felt like Bolton was trying too hard to be clever, but it left me feeling disconnected instead of wowed.  
- The exploration of body shaming felt underdeveloped at times. While it’s clear that Bolton wanted to address this topic, it often felt overshadowed by the central mystery.  
- Hamish...is he charismatic, or just plain manipulative? I wanted to feel *something* about him, but I couldn’t decide if I wanted to swoon or roll my eyes.  

Overall, Daisy in Chains is as much about the crimes as it is about the society that allowed them to happen. It’s a dark reminder of how societal biases can shape lives—and deaths. While I appreciated the attempt to tackle these themes, I wish the story had gone deeper into the victims’ perspectives and given them more of a voice.
It’s one of those books where the journey is more fun than the destination. The atmosphere and characters kept me turning pages, but the ending left me scratching my head and flipping back to see if I missed something.   

𝐏.𝐒 This is my second book by Bolton and it is far better than the "The Fake Wife"!

🔸𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: ⭐⭐⭐.5
🔸𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆:Thriller, Crime Fiction, Mystery, Psychological thriller, Suspense 
🔸𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏: Sure, if you’re in the mood for something twisty and brooding, but don’t expect all your questions to be answered. 

QOTD - If you’ve read this, let’s chat—did that ending work for you, or are you still wondering what the heck just happened? 👀