Thank you in advance to Minotaur Books for the ARC of this novel to read and review. This review is given without payment or incentive.
“The First Mistake”, a psychological thriller, is Sandie Jones’ second novel. It is a stand-alone read so if you haven’t read “The Other Woman” you won’t need to. The books are not part of a series.
Like her previous book, this one is also is written in United Kingdom (British) English with their spellings. As I had read another “Brit Chick Lit” book and “The Other Woman” prior to this, I caught on pretty quick.
Like her previous novel, Jones begins this will a chilling prologue from obviously the antagonist’s point of view – the person planning the evil that will come to the surface in the book.
Alice’s life could have been different had her first husband, Thomas Evans lived. She is now remarried with a second child. Nathan Davies, her second husband, seemingly has brought her happiness and life back together. Alice is also a successful business woman carrying on the company legacy of her first husband Tom, but she is battling inner demons that could sabotage her happiness and success.
However, it is a good time for Alice when she meets Beth – a true friend who doesn’t judge her. Someone to celebrate with, commiserate with, and talk to. A “mom” friend as well since Beth is a single mother to Millie who becomes Olivia’s friend.
The story is divided in three (3) parts:
#1) Present Day – Alice
#2) Nine Years Earlier – Beth
#3) Present Day – Alice & Beth
Alice soon discovers the truth about her first husband Tom (Sophia’s dad), Beth, and Nathan (Olivia’s dad). The truth threatens Alice’s marriage and her friendship with Beth. The truth can also impact the friendship between Olivia and Millie.
Alice has to now reconcile Tom’s “accident” with what she’s seeing on Facebook, in addition to a real estate “deal of a lifetime” that her husband Nathan thinks could be a turning point for her company, one that will put it on the map. But, Alice also has to wonder if Nathan is having an affair and motivated by other factors.
Then there is Beth’s agenda – revenge for what happened to her. Why doesn’t she want to meet Alice’s husband? In three years, Beth has yet to meet Nathan, who begins to wonder if Beth exists.
As usual, Jones weaves the tale in unimaginable turns and twists. Just when you think you know what is going on, you have to recalculate your assessment. Jones doesn’t have the big reveal until the last 20-30 pages of the novel – and it is usually different than what you think. It does keep you guessing.
The last page (which is about five to six sentences long) of the novel will leave you asking – what JUST happened?
I read it in the three parts (prologue/part one; part two; part three/epilogue) over four (4) days, skipping a day before reading the end of the book.
The previous book’s title – “The Other Woman” connected to the plot of that story. I am still left wondering what “The First Mistake” was and who it was referring to: Alice, Tom, Nathan, or Beth. Perhaps I missed it, but I didn’t see a connection between the title and plot.
This is definitely a book that requires paying attention. I honestly had to re-read the last chapter and epilogue over a few times. For some readers, it can be a complicated plot. I did find it interesting and original.
If you’re sitting on the fence with this one – borrow it from a friend or library first.
For the readers who enjoyed “The Other Woman”, they might enjoy this novel.
“The First Mistake”, a psychological thriller, is Sandie Jones’ second novel. It is a stand-alone read so if you haven’t read “The Other Woman” you won’t need to. The books are not part of a series.
Like her previous book, this one is also is written in United Kingdom (British) English with their spellings. As I had read another “Brit Chick Lit” book and “The Other Woman” prior to this, I caught on pretty quick.
Like her previous novel, Jones begins this will a chilling prologue from obviously the antagonist’s point of view – the person planning the evil that will come to the surface in the book.
Alice’s life could have been different had her first husband, Thomas Evans lived. She is now remarried with a second child. Nathan Davies, her second husband, seemingly has brought her happiness and life back together. Alice is also a successful business woman carrying on the company legacy of her first husband Tom, but she is battling inner demons that could sabotage her happiness and success.
However, it is a good time for Alice when she meets Beth – a true friend who doesn’t judge her. Someone to celebrate with, commiserate with, and talk to. A “mom” friend as well since Beth is a single mother to Millie who becomes Olivia’s friend.
The story is divided in three (3) parts:
#1) Present Day – Alice
#2) Nine Years Earlier – Beth
#3) Present Day – Alice & Beth
Alice soon discovers the truth about her first husband Tom (Sophia’s dad), Beth, and Nathan (Olivia’s dad). The truth threatens Alice’s marriage and her friendship with Beth. The truth can also impact the friendship between Olivia and Millie.
Alice has to now reconcile Tom’s “accident” with what she’s seeing on Facebook, in addition to a real estate “deal of a lifetime” that her husband Nathan thinks could be a turning point for her company, one that will put it on the map. But, Alice also has to wonder if Nathan is having an affair and motivated by other factors.
Then there is Beth’s agenda – revenge for what happened to her. Why doesn’t she want to meet Alice’s husband? In three years, Beth has yet to meet Nathan, who begins to wonder if Beth exists.
As usual, Jones weaves the tale in unimaginable turns and twists. Just when you think you know what is going on, you have to recalculate your assessment. Jones doesn’t have the big reveal until the last 20-30 pages of the novel – and it is usually different than what you think. It does keep you guessing.
The last page (which is about five to six sentences long) of the novel will leave you asking – what JUST happened?
I read it in the three parts (prologue/part one; part two; part three/epilogue) over four (4) days, skipping a day before reading the end of the book.
The previous book’s title – “The Other Woman” connected to the plot of that story. I am still left wondering what “The First Mistake” was and who it was referring to: Alice, Tom, Nathan, or Beth. Perhaps I missed it, but I didn’t see a connection between the title and plot.
This is definitely a book that requires paying attention. I honestly had to re-read the last chapter and epilogue over a few times. For some readers, it can be a complicated plot. I did find it interesting and original.
If you’re sitting on the fence with this one – borrow it from a friend or library first.
For the readers who enjoyed “The Other Woman”, they might enjoy this novel.