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gervase_fenA taut, psychological suspense thriller rooted in the everyday and the domestic. Natty and Sean have built a successful hotel business in the Lakes. When an old friend from university, the glamorous psychotherapist Eve, turns up, it seems to be a godsend after Natty and Sean’s youngest daughter collapses with a burst appendix while on a school trip in rural France.
Ten days later Natty returns, to find her marriage over. Eve has moved in, and Natty must face up to how little she knows about Eve – and the truth behind the lies that she tells. Not that Natty is without her secrets too, secrets Eve is more than prepared to exploit.
This is an example, I think, of a type of thriller that I don’t read much myself – ‘domestic jeopardy’ I suppose might be an appropriate term – how much does the protagonist really know about their closest friends / spouse (cf. Gone Girl, Before I Go to Sleep)? Paula Daly roots her story firmly in the mundane realities of shopping (although she’s wrong about Co-Op delivery times), running out of petrol, arranging care for an elderly parent. Eve is a thoroughly boo-able villainess, but also a smart one, and a lot of the suspense comes from seeing if Natty will be able to outwit her. It’s hard not to root for a heroine who reads Michael Connelly “(not the Harry Bosch ones, not so keen on those, but I’ve read the ones featuring Mickey Haller – The Lincoln Lawyer, etc.)”
This may well win the Dagger – it would be a perfect fit for a three part prime time ITV1 adaptation starring Olivia Colman and Keeley Hawes. It also has the best closing sentence of any of the nominees I’ve read.
Ten days later Natty returns, to find her marriage over. Eve has moved in, and Natty must face up to how little she knows about Eve – and the truth behind the lies that she tells. Not that Natty is without her secrets too, secrets Eve is more than prepared to exploit.
This is an example, I think, of a type of thriller that I don’t read much myself – ‘domestic jeopardy’ I suppose might be an appropriate term – how much does the protagonist really know about their closest friends / spouse (cf. Gone Girl, Before I Go to Sleep)? Paula Daly roots her story firmly in the mundane realities of shopping (although she’s wrong about Co-Op delivery times), running out of petrol, arranging care for an elderly parent. Eve is a thoroughly boo-able villainess, but also a smart one, and a lot of the suspense comes from seeing if Natty will be able to outwit her. It’s hard not to root for a heroine who reads Michael Connelly “(not the Harry Bosch ones, not so keen on those, but I’ve read the ones featuring Mickey Haller – The Lincoln Lawyer, etc.)”
This may well win the Dagger – it would be a perfect fit for a three part prime time ITV1 adaptation starring Olivia Colman and Keeley Hawes. It also has the best closing sentence of any of the nominees I’ve read.
