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A review by clair_82
The Damselfly by Susi (S.J.I.) Holliday, Susi (S.J.I.) Holliday
5.0
Holliday has done it again with The Damselfly, I loved Willow Walk but I think this one just slightly pips it to the post - a brilliant, compelling murder-mystery that keeps you gripped until the end.
Katie is the perfect student, she is happy in her relationship with Neil and has high hopes to get away from her deadbeat town and family. Katie lives with her mother, her younger sister Brooke (who is just horrid) and brother, Brett who she does have a soft spot for. Following a scratchcard win, Katie and Neil are planning their move to London. However, the plans for a better life does not go according to plan as she is found dead in her bed.
Polly is back in Banktoun, she clearly has unhappy memories of Banktoun so why is she back as the school's guidance counsellor?! Also, her first day back was not going to be the easy start of 'flying under the radar' as she'd have hoped given the news that was announced to the school about Katie.
DS Davie Gray and DC Louise Jennings are tasked with the investigation into Katie's death and end up unravelling lots of secrets that add more complexity to the muder hunt. I really liked their partnership and how they interacted with oneanother.
Alongside the various first person narratives; we are also privy to Facebook posts which was a great tool in showing the growing tensions amongst the younger Banktoun generation, and blog posts from an unknown author.
Once again, Holliday has created realistic, well-developed characters who pull you into the plot - I picked up this book to start it and before I knew it I was already 100 pages in. It has short snappy chapters that I love, and is broken down in days which lends itself to 'just one more chapter'!
Whilst The Damselfly is part of a trilogy, it can be read as a standalone but, if you have opportunity, it is well worth reading the 3 books in order to really get a feel for the town, its inhabitants and past, tragic events.
Katie is the perfect student, she is happy in her relationship with Neil and has high hopes to get away from her deadbeat town and family. Katie lives with her mother, her younger sister Brooke (who is just horrid) and brother, Brett who she does have a soft spot for. Following a scratchcard win, Katie and Neil are planning their move to London. However, the plans for a better life does not go according to plan as she is found dead in her bed.
Polly is back in Banktoun, she clearly has unhappy memories of Banktoun so why is she back as the school's guidance counsellor?! Also, her first day back was not going to be the easy start of 'flying under the radar' as she'd have hoped given the news that was announced to the school about Katie.
DS Davie Gray and DC Louise Jennings are tasked with the investigation into Katie's death and end up unravelling lots of secrets that add more complexity to the muder hunt. I really liked their partnership and how they interacted with oneanother.
Alongside the various first person narratives; we are also privy to Facebook posts which was a great tool in showing the growing tensions amongst the younger Banktoun generation, and blog posts from an unknown author.
Once again, Holliday has created realistic, well-developed characters who pull you into the plot - I picked up this book to start it and before I knew it I was already 100 pages in. It has short snappy chapters that I love, and is broken down in days which lends itself to 'just one more chapter'!
Whilst The Damselfly is part of a trilogy, it can be read as a standalone but, if you have opportunity, it is well worth reading the 3 books in order to really get a feel for the town, its inhabitants and past, tragic events.