the setup…
Sally Diamond has lived with and under the protection of her parents all of her life. Her mother passed away some years ago and now her father has died after a devastating illness. One of the last things he said to her was that she should “put him in the bins” when he died. See, Sally is called Strange Sally Diamond for a reason as she’s emotionally and socially underdeveloped so she took her father literally. She placed him in the incinerator, deciding to delay reading the contents of the envelope he’d left addressed to her with better instructions. Of course, upon that discovery by friends of her father, Sally was forced into a more public existence than she’d ever experienced. As she adjusts to new friends, media attention and self sufficiency, secrets about her life are also exposed and her past emerges in unexpected ways.
the heart of the story…
Sally’s history is indeed shocking, fascinating and tragic but I won’t elaborate as that’s the true heart of the story that should only be revealed within the pages. But Sally’s awakening to the realities of life and relationships is equally as compelling as she navigates this new world with help from some trusted people who were important to her parents. Her literal interpretations and unfiltered reactions are a reminder of how much we unconsciously edit ourselves. It was heartwarming to see her come into her own but also frightening as there are forces within and surrounding her that I worried she was ill equipped to handle. The story is told from her point of view and one other character who I won’t name. Hers is from the present, the other transitioning from past to present and it’s chilling.
the narration…
Regan and Hogan bear the weight of the storytelling up to the epilogue and both were masterful. She embodied the “strangeness” and innocence of Sally and he captured the confusing essence of his. If you can listen to this story, do it!
the bottom line…
I count on Nugent to not only shake my imagination to the core but create characters who keep me off balance from beginning to end and this one takes that to new levels. I expected a page turner but this was off the charts. And the ending? Again, a Nugent classic where I had to rewind several times to not only make sense of it but ensure I’d heard it right. Outstanding, on every level.
Book Info
- Release Date: July 18, 2023
- Narrators: Jessica Reagan, Stephen Hogan & Sara Lynam
- Audio Length: 10 hours, 2 minutes
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Listen to a Sample!
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(Thanks to Simon & Schuster Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Blue Mood Café 
Fantastic review, Jonetta! Such a great read 🙂
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Thank you, Deanna💜 Nugent never, ever fails.
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I have this one on hold at the library. Now, I am very anxious to give it a go after reading your fantastic review!
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Thank you, Marialyce💜 I’m hoping this one lives up to my hype for you (I think it will!).
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Fantastic review Jo, sounds like the audiobook was amazing!
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Thank you, Nicki💜 It was and the author told me she was sent a sample of Regan’s work and she was wowed. Nugent’s books always have the best narrations.
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Wow that’s brilliant!
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What an intriguing premise! Wonderful review!
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Thank you, Jodie💜 And what I wouldn’t reveal? Gobsmacking.
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Excellent review Jonetta!
Anne – Books of My Heart
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Thank you, Anne💜
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Such a great review, how can I not add to my list?! I don’t think I’ve read any of her books yet so time to change that!
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Thank you💜 Oh, Inge, her backlist is just as outstanding! Unraveling Oliver is in my top ten of all time favorites. Best on audio.
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Thank you for the recommendation Jonetta, I certainly want to give it a try!
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I can see how this story would keep you off balance. It sounds fascinating to me because of that. Excellent review!
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Thank you, Tessa💜 Nothing at all predictable here!
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Fab review! I’ve been eyeing this story for a while and I definitely can’t wait to read it. Sally sounds like such a fascinating character!
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Thanks, Yvo💜 Go for it!
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This sounds wonderful! I’ve not read anything by this author but you’re definitely tempting me with your descriptions of Sally.
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Suzanne, you’ll thank me later if you read her backlist, on audio💜 She’s more than an auto read for me…I don’t even read the book blurbs.
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So, SO good! Definitely a contender for my “book of the year”.
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Oh, I agree, Eva💜
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This sounds brilliant, Jonetta! Especially with an ending that keeps you thinking about it for hours and hours afterward! Thanks for sharing. 😀
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Thanks, Lashaan💜 You’d love this author.
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Yay, I can’t wait to read this! I’m planning for it to be my next book.
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Fingers crossed 🤞 you enjoy it at least as much as I did, Diana💜
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Wow, this sounds fantastic, Jo. I will have to see if my library has the audiobook.
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If you’ve ever listened to a Nugent book, she will forever be an auto read.
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