(#gifted @michaeljbooks) I read this book in two sittings one Saturday - I often finish books in a day to be fair, but usually just by dint of being a naturally fast reader. This was a case of the book being one of those unputdownable, bingeable thrillers! I always enjoy a book told from dual perspectives, and each chapter ended on such a tense note that I had to remind myself to slow down through the next chapter to avoid racing through to find out what happened.

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The Recovery of Rose Gold is loosely based on the Gypsy Rose and Dee Dee Blanchard case (it’s mentioned in the acknowledgements of my edition), but there are major changes to the story, so don’t think it’s just a fictional account of that case. Throughout the book we’re lodged right inside the heads of Rose Gold and her mother Patty, which makes for a truly uncomfortable reading experience. Patty made her daughter believe she was extremely ill for 18 years before being exposed for poisoning her daughter for attention and sympathy.

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The psychological manipulation is real, and the way Patty plays on her daughter’s doubts and anxieties over being a good mother is sickening. But the manipulation goes two ways. I like it when characters can surprise me in a book - when you think you’ve got them pinned down but then a wild card comes out of nowhere.

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However, possibly because the book is mainly a thriller/mystery and Wrobel wanted to focus more on creating tension (which she does brilliantly), I found some of it a bit superficial. I’d have liked a more in-depth exploration into the psychology of both Patty and Rose Gold. It would have made such an interesting and disturbing read if we had more inner reflection from the characters. Instead, there’s a lot of dialogue between the two which is fine, but you never really know what’s beneath the surface - not necessarily a bad thing in a thriller though!

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Overall I thought it was a great way to spend a Saturday, and if you like your fiction dark and twisty then this is one for your radar!

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*Disclosure: this book was previously gifted as part of a campaign to celebrate its UK release. All opinions are my own as usual!