#gifted @bibliolifestyle @williammorrowbooks @harperaudio

 

I read a lot of thrillers.  A lot.  That means it’s hard to surprise me.  

 

Oh, but @gillianmauthor did just that.  

 

Riveting, captivating, and utterly clever.  I was entirely enthralled by the concept of this novel.  It is a MUST READ for fellow thriller junkies.  (Or actually… anyone… it has such broad appeal because it’s full of heart with an enveloping writing style and adept character development.)  

 

In just a matter of moments Jen’s son will turn 18.  An adult.  Where has the time gone?  As she reminisces while looking out the window, she’s suddenly met with a side of her son she’s never seen before.  A side she never could’ve expected.  A murderer.  Overrun with shock and awe, Jen cannot let this happen.  But how can you undo a murder you’ve just watched?  And how did her son… her brilliant, nerdy, happy son… how did he end up here?

 

What a premise!  But… take my word for this… that’s *all* you need to know.  Don’t go reading a bunch of reviews.  Don’t even read the full Goodreads synopsis.  Go in <totally> blind.  I did.  And I was rewarded in big ways because I didn’t know the vehicle McAllister used to work through this premise.  It is completely and totally brilliant.  A fresh take that I’ve never experienced before.  But it’s best experienced through McAllister’s mesmerizing prose, not synopsis/reviews. 

 

While the cleverness of this novel rightfully takes center stage, it can’t be overlooked that McAllister has given us a thriller full of heart.  As a mother and wife, I was deeply invested in Jen’s dilemma.  Uncovering hard truths.  Reassessing decisions, even the seemingly insignificant ones.  Wondering if you’ve given enough.  As a deeply reflective person, Jen resonated with me in a way most mystery/thriller characters do not.  

 

I had both physical and audio copies for this one.  Because I felt the need to devour this book, I preferred my physical copy when given a choice (I read faster than I can listen.).  But the audiobook, masterfully narrated by Lesley Sharp (and her perfect Brit accent!), was exceptionally well done.  It was easy to follow, even given the premise, and Sharp well depicted the tension and haste Jen was under. 

 

Of note:  This is a @reecebookclub pick for August!