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A review by solennsbooknook
Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
Liz Nugent, the queen of the psychological thriller has a new book coming out early next year (2/3/23) and I was delighted to get my hands on a @netgalley ARC as I really love her books.
Sally is a recluse, she lives with her elderly father in the countryside and has very little social interactions with others, going so far as pretending to be deaf to avoid conversations. When her father passes, she complies with his wish to be thrown out with the rubbish and is then completely thrown by the media storm and police presence that arises. Not only are people interested in her present notoriety but when the press dig into her past a dark history starts to come out and a message arrives giving a hint that someone sinister is still looking for her.
The book gets darker as we find out more and more about who Sally is and where she came from. It’s just so cleverly done in the typical Liz Nugent style. It was enthralled from the opening chapter and I raced through it staying awake well past my bedtime to get it read and then having a rather unsettled sleep. I couldn't put it down. Its brilliantly paced and I felt the key difference with her previous works, is that the main character is really likeable. I got some real chuckles from Sally and her complete lack of a social filter as she starts forming relationships which helped lift the darker topics that are at the heart of the plot. I believe Liz wrote the book during the lockdowns and there is such a theme of isolation permeating throughout.
Liz Nugent has done it again, brilliantly paced, sharp and clever writing, this is the best psychological thriller I have read in a long time and if you like her previous books then this is a much read. Just make sure you’ve visited the dentist beforehand as it might put you off going for a while’
Sally is a recluse, she lives with her elderly father in the countryside and has very little social interactions with others, going so far as pretending to be deaf to avoid conversations. When her father passes, she complies with his wish to be thrown out with the rubbish and is then completely thrown by the media storm and police presence that arises. Not only are people interested in her present notoriety but when the press dig into her past a dark history starts to come out and a message arrives giving a hint that someone sinister is still looking for her.
The book gets darker as we find out more and more about who Sally is and where she came from. It’s just so cleverly done in the typical Liz Nugent style. It was enthralled from the opening chapter and I raced through it staying awake well past my bedtime to get it read and then having a rather unsettled sleep. I couldn't put it down. Its brilliantly paced and I felt the key difference with her previous works, is that the main character is really likeable. I got some real chuckles from Sally and her complete lack of a social filter as she starts forming relationships which helped lift the darker topics that are at the heart of the plot. I believe Liz wrote the book during the lockdowns and there is such a theme of isolation permeating throughout.
Liz Nugent has done it again, brilliantly paced, sharp and clever writing, this is the best psychological thriller I have read in a long time and if you like her previous books then this is a much read. Just make sure you’ve visited the dentist beforehand as it might put you off going for a while’