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‘The Girl Before’ – J.P. Delaney

The Girl Before

I’d been intrigued by this novel when I read a sample from NetGalley, and was very excited to be sent a copy by the publishers in advance of publication in January 2017.

Having just finished this, my feelings are mixed. I raced through the book, desperate to know where this was going, but there were things that I feel will increasingly infuriate me once a little time has passed.

The story is told from two perspectives: that of Emma, then, and Jane, now. Both women look similar and have similar vulnerabilities (which only come to light as we progress through the narrative). Through what seems a fortunate set of circumstances, the women are authorised to rent an award-winning architect-designed home that comes with a clear set of rules that need to be followed. I’ll be frank, nobody in their right mind would deign to go along with this set-up. The approach of the two women to this experience, and the behaviour of Edward the architect, smack of some serious personality issues. Dare I say it, the whole premise of this experience felt exploitative.

From the beginning of the story it is evident that something awful happened to Emma. The evident similarities in the experiences of the narratives – told in a fairly linear fashion, though separated by some time – sets alarm bells ringing for Jane. The page-turning element was here in abundance, and it doesn’t surprise me in the slightest that there is talk of a big-budget Hollywood movie before the book has even been published. I could not wait to find out exactly what was going on, and spent a lot of time second-guessing who exactly had done what, and why.

What concerned me most in this was the portrayal of the main female characters. Though we come to learn more about Emma, and perhaps come to understand her better by the end of the novel, I couldn’t help but feel she was presented in such a way as to make us believe that she deserved what was happening to her. Nothing is quite as it seems, but there was a sense that Delaney (thought to be another previously published thriller writer) put Emma in scenarios that encourage us to see her negatively. This is less apparent with Jane – who comes out fighting – but the behaviour of Edward was, at best, obsessive, but, at worst, abusive.

There were some genuinely creepy moments revolving around the house, and the experience of living by these clearly defined rules. Worryingly, there were moments where you could see the appeal of such an existence. What this reaction says about me, I probably don’t want to know!

All in all, this was a story that was skilfully presented. Perhaps, if I’m being brutally honest, this is a novel that seduces with its pared-down approach to telling us the story. While I found the narrative cleverly structured, I was more than a little surprised by the final outcome as there was a lot to explain this that I don’t feel we were given. I also found it hard to be asked to sympathise with such intensely unlikeable characters. What I did admire was the ending, which suggests that the story could continue in the future.

‘Twisted’ – Sara Shepard

Having ended the original series with ‘Wanted’ it’s painfully clear that number nine in the series is cashing in on the success of the TV series.

There’s nothing particularly new here. It’s not bad, but there’s nothing to really mark it out as anything other than more of the same.

The story begins with the girls going on holiday to a fabulous resort in Jamaica. Next thing we know it’s a year later, the girls are barely talking and there’s something shocking that happened on the holiday that we spend the whole book being taunted about.

Throughout this the girls acted in fairly expected fashion. They get themselves into situations that nobody in their right mind would contemplate, they are determined to act alone and the adults in their lives are so damaged themselves that it’s little wonder the girls are so skewed in their outlook. A has returned – even though she is thought to have died.

By my reckoning there have now been three incarnations of A, and you start to think the girls would realise they might be better off simply acknowledging the mistakes they make and accepting the consequences of their actions. Nothing is credible, but it’s great fun and there is something about the series that draws you in (even if it’s sticking with it until the end to work out just where it will all go).

‘A Seven Letter Word’ – Kim Slater

A Seven Letter Word

While I’d enjoyed Slater’s debut, ‘Smart’, the protagonist was not necessarily one that people easily warmed to. With Finlay Macintosh Slater has created a young character who has plenty to admire, without him coming across as irritating.

It’s been a couple of years since Finlay’s mum disappeared with no explanation. His stammer has got worse since her disappearance, and he is being bullied at his new school. Finlay’s dad is barely holding things together and we can see he is struggling to support Finlay as he deals with his own feelings. It would be all too easy to paint Finlay as a victim, but – as in life – there’s a lot of positives to him, and it’s a case of him starting to recognise those strengths.

Finlay, though he struggles with speaking, is actually a genius at Scrabble. He ends up involved with his school Scrabble club and, through a number of very convenient factors, ends up forming new friendships, learning about himself and even getting his happy ending (of sorts).

‘This Is Our Story’ – Ashley Elston

This Is Our Story

Five go into the woods at River Point. Four come out. Nobody will reveal who actually fired the shot that killed Grant, but all four boys had handled the gun. They know one of them is lying, but vow to stick together.

A gripping premise, and the cover hints at the actual outcome. I was desperate to know more from the opening, and I really enjoyed the twists and turns that made up this story.

It was interesting to see a lot of the story told from the view of Kate, a senior who has more in common with the River Point Boys than those close to her realise. As part of her Senior year work placement, she works in the office of the DA – and just happens to end up working on the case.

What follows is a really intriguing exploration of how a case might be built up, and the effects of a high-profile case on those involved. Throughout, I was second-guessing who might be responsible.

Ultimately, the ending felt a little flat – though not in such a way that disappointed me – simply because I’d been convinced something really dramatic would occur, but what we got instead was a very appropriate conclusion that made perfect sense.

‘Cuckoo’ – Keren David

Cuckoo

As a child soap star, Jake is used to everyone knowing his name and following his every move. One day his character goes up to his bedroom and, six months later, still hasn’t been seen or heard from. Nobody is quite sure what is happening, but then real life takes over and becomes far more dramatic than any story-line Jake has been involved in previously.

Told in an interesting format, we are given the script for a project that Jake decides to post on YouTube in order to give his view of events. As the main protagonist in the story, we’re never certain to what extent Jake is biased in his account, and the comments from other characters does suggest strongly that there is more to the story than Jake is telling us.

The novel focuses on Jake’s deteriorating relationship with his family and shows the ease with which somebody can lose their comfortable life. We are shown Jake dealing with life on the streets, but he falls on his feet and ends up becoming friends with an elderly recluse who just happened to be a great actress.

If I’m entirely honest, this felt rather disjointed and like there was too much going on at one time. Though I enjoyed the general idea, I do wish that David had resisted the urge to give Jake the Hollywood-ending.

‘The Other Alice’ – Michelle Harrison

The Other Alice From the moment I saw this cover, I was intrigued. Even without knowing it was by Michelle Harrison, once I read the outline for this story I was desperate to read it.

Midge has always loved his sister Alice’s stories, but he’s acutely aware of the hold they have over her. Alice has always been adamant that a story cannot be left unfinished, and when she has been unable to resolve a story, strange things have happened.

When Alice goes missing, Midge is convinced that the answer lies somewhere in her writing. Her notebook has gone missing, but Midge – along with a curious cast of characters from Alice’s own stories – are determined to find her and help the characters work out their ending.

What follows is a skilful blend of magic and horror, full of riddles and an almost grotesque cast of characters that will haunt your imagination for a long time after you close the pages of the novel. Recommended for readers above 9 years, I think this will also appeal to anyone who loves stories and writing.

I’m not sure if this will make it past the nominations stage for the Carnegie 2017 Awards, but it’s definitely one I’d recommend.

‘Things I Should Have Known’ – Claire LaZebnik

Things I Should Have Known

Scheduled for release in March 2017, I have to thank NetGalley for granting me access to an early copy of this novel in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Claire, on the surface, seems a typical American teenager. She has everything going for her, and is rather obsessed with popularity. Determined to help prepare her autistic sister, Ivy, to lead a more independent life, Claire decides it is time to get her a boyfriend. Ethan, a boy in Ivy’s special needs class, seems perfect. Claire can overlook the fact that Ethan is the younger brother of David, the know-it-all in her class who seems to wind her up at every opportunity.

With that kind of summary, you can – if I’m being honest – spot where this is going a mile off. However, though it clearly signals its intentions, the novel quickly veers off in another direction and was definitely better for it.

We are treated in this novel to a story that explores the issue of autism and how it can impact on everyone’s lives. We are treated to a rather sweet romance. We are also treated – and I think this was, by far, the best bit – to a frank exploration of the more complex thoughts and feelings that might be part of the experience of someone living with a family member with autism. Claire and David don’t always get things right, and they certainly have some lessons to learn about themselves and their siblings.

‘What Light’ – Jay Asher

What Light

The cover is unashamedly highlighting that this is a romance, and though it is described as ‘unforgettable’ I wasn’t totally engaged by it.

Sierra has got used to upping sticks and moving across country for Christmas every year so she can help her parents with their tree lot. Heavy on the seasonal influence, this is the kind of book best suited to reading when the nights are drawing in, it’s cold and Christmas is just around the corner.

On the occasion that we first meet Sierra we are told that this might be the last year that she and her parents will go to the lot. With her visit already touched by sadness, it is somewhat inevitable that Sierra is then going to find herself falling for Caleb, a local boy who has a bad reputation.

After a few weeks of angst and some issues with parents/friends worrying about the impact this relationship will have on Sierra, we’re then left with a lovely moment indicating this relationship might go somewhere. It is left rather up in the air, but I suppose it doesn’t hurt anyone to realise that not every issue will be resolved. It would take a very hard-hearted person to not be moved by the ending, and there were some interesting thoughts explored. Ultimately, sadly, it never really gripped me in the way it was intended.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest thoughts.

‘The Masked Truth’ – Kelly Armstrong

I found the start of this really got me hooked.

We watch Riley as she prepares to start her impromptu evening baby-sitting…only to end up cowering under the bed with her young charge as the adults are murdered.

The action then moves on to show Riley has become seen as quite the hero, though she feels guilt about her role in events, and is encouraged to take part in a group therapy weekend.

Involvement in this event is, perhaps naturally, something she is not keen to participate in. What follows is, honestly, beyond belief and though it was interesting enough as I was reading it will not – I’m pretty certain – be that memorable.

It’s giving nothing away to reveal that once the weekend starts – and the teens involved are without phones or any other means to communicate with the outside world – we learn that they are taken captive. Naturally, given the subject, there’s some violence, and the focus on Max and his schizophrenia might be hard for some to read.

Just when you think you’re keeping up with events, you start to realise that we’re always one step behind!

‘Twenty Questions for Gloria’ – Martyn Bedford

Gloria was missing for over two weeks, and nobody had any idea where she was. All they knew is that she was likely to be with Uman, a new boy in the area who seemed to have a hold over Gloria.

There’s no getting away from the fact that Gloria is an incredibly selfish character, who really seems most naïve in some ways. She is suffering from a state of perpetual boredom, and is clearly struggling to feel loved in a family where her brother has left for university and her parents are busy with their own interests. It’s little surprise that when Uman comes along she falls quite heavily for him. He’s different, doesn’t want to do the same things as her friends and has a strong sense of self-confidence that must be very appealing for a young girl who is so full of self-doubt.

When we first meet Gloria she is sitting with her mother in a police interview room, about to speak with the police about where she has been for the last fifteen days. Slowly, we are told some of the details about how she and Uman arrived at the decision to leave their homes and what they did during the time they were away. Gloria’s parents and the police seem convinced that Uman manipulated her into running away, but Gloria’s story denies this.

Throughout the story I have to confess to thinking how immature the two main characters were. Simply using ‘big words’ doesn’t make you clever, and the issues that they face when they are hiding out reveals clearly just how ill-equipped they are for looking after themselves.

There are hints throughout that there is more to Uman’s story than Gloria is told; we never get a satisfactory answer to this. This had the potential to be a great story – sadly, it never quite got there in my view.