Amy Whey loves the life she’s created for herself after a very troubled time as a child and teenager. She’s married to a good man, mother to an infant son and a teenaged stepdaughter, with whom she has a strong relationship. She’s a scuba diving instructor, active within her community and best friend to her neighbor Charlotte who she adores. Char runs the neighborhood book club but Amy has hosted it in her basement as they grew in attendance. But the night mysterious new neighbor Angelica Roux shows up for the first time, she orchestrates a power shift that is all kinds of sly and crafty. It soon becomes clear to Amy that this woman is trouble and she’ll need her wits to protect all that she treasures from her machinations.
I cannot emphasize enough how emotionally disturbing this story was to me. It’s all due to Roux (as she preferred to be called). She was diabolical and even when I wasn’t all that happy with Amy, I just couldn’t bear seeing her win at her “game.” Amy has lots of explosive secrets from her past, which could disrupt the lives of all those she holds dear. Who <I>is</i> this woman and how did she manage to discover so much about Amy and other neighbors?
This was like foreseeing a highway pileup about to happen and being on the side of the road praying it doesn’t. Amy’s a complicated soul, struggling with her own innate tendencies to fight back using Roux’s tactics. It’s a fantastic challenge between good and evil, and not just between Amy & Roux but within Amy herself and the reader. I really wanted Roux to not win, which is different from losing. You’ll have to read the book for yourself to better understand that distinction. The author narrated her own story and she was way too good at portraying these characters! She got under my skin (can you tell?) with Roux and made me get her in a way I didn’t want. This is the ultimate in psychological thrillers and I’m just glad I made it through and came out on the other side.
Book Info
- Release Date: July 30, 2019
- Narrator: Joshilyn Jackson (author)
- Audio Length: 13 hours, 22 minutes
- Publisher: HarperAudio
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(Thanks to HarperAudio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
You have me wondering if Roux is someone from Amy’s last or not. This sounds so good! Excellent review, Jo.
That was supposed to be past. 😆
I knew what you meant😏
Thank you, Mischenko💜 Discovering exactly who Roux was is the heart of this story and worth finding out. This is a must read.
I’m adding it. Definitely intrigued! 😉
Wonderful review Jo. If I hadn’t already listened to this one, I would be rushing out to find it. I agree, it sure was a twisty, thriller that I couldn’t put down. I loved the narration as well. Did you know that she was a former actress?
Thank you, Carla💜 This one grabbed me by the throat and just held until the end. When I added the book to my shelf, I researched the author at that time because she was also the narrator and learned of her acting history. She certainly showed those skills with this performance.
So happy you enjoyed this story. I know it kept me up way past bedtime! Excellent review, Jo!
Thank you, Marialyce💜 I saved the last two hours for my morning walk, thinking I’d handle any frustrations from a bad ending by taking it out on the asphalt😏 That day was a fast clip!
This is my kind of read – dark and twisted mentally. Love those kind of psyc thrillers. Wonderful review, Jo!
Thank you, Tessa💜 You’d love this!
I really need to read my copy of this book. Great review, Jo!
Thank you, Jacob💜 Be prepared to get disturbed!
Nice review Jonetta! Honestly, JJ is a bit too dark for me. I was all in until she threw in the icky child abuse scene.
But she is a great writer!
Thanks, Carol💜 Believe it or not, I suspected that pretty early on. Yes, she’s a very good writer!
This sounds really good Jo, great review!
Thanks, Nicki💜 I think you’d enjoy it, too.
Oooh I have this but it’s one I kinda forgot about, I’ll have to bump it way up 😄 Great review!
Thank you, Kelly💜 I’d definitely bump it up!
I loved this one too. Such a great, twisty story.
Glad you did, too! It was deliciously twisty.
Terrific review, Jonetta! I love this author and also thought this was a good read! Hope you had a good weekend 🙂 <3
Thank you, Deanna💜 My first time reading this author but not my last.
I hope you enjoy many others 🙂 <3