I was able to read an advance copy of this book through netgalley.
This story is definitely "psychological" in that it describes the damaged psyche quite well--how childhood trauma is carried subconsciously, how differently people cope with pain and loss, the fine line you tread when dealing with the mental illness of a loved one, and how easy it can be to lose track of reality. The author clearly has an understanding of human emotions, and her talent is in creating flawed characters who, even if not likeable, the reader can feel sympathetic towards.
I wouldn't quite call this a "thriller" because it lacks the twists and turns. There is a mystery, but I couldn't figure out what it was until it was revealed 2/3 of the way through the story. In my opinion, the build-up to that was a little too long, and I was starting to get a little bored. But once past that point, it really picked up. I don't usually love thrillers, so I may be in the minority, but I enjoyed the focus on character development and was really glad that there weren't any crazy horror scenes like I was expecting.
I would definitely be interested in reading more by Anna Downes in the future.
This story is definitely "psychological" in that it describes the damaged psyche quite well--how childhood trauma is carried subconsciously, how differently people cope with pain and loss, the fine line you tread when dealing with the mental illness of a loved one, and how easy it can be to lose track of reality. The author clearly has an understanding of human emotions, and her talent is in creating flawed characters who, even if not likeable, the reader can feel sympathetic towards.
I wouldn't quite call this a "thriller" because it lacks the twists and turns. There is a mystery, but I couldn't figure out what it was until it was revealed 2/3 of the way through the story. In my opinion, the build-up to that was a little too long, and I was starting to get a little bored. But once past that point, it really picked up. I don't usually love thrillers, so I may be in the minority, but I enjoyed the focus on character development and was really glad that there weren't any crazy horror scenes like I was expecting.
I would definitely be interested in reading more by Anna Downes in the future.