Golden girl gone with no trace
THEN SHE WAS GONE by Lisa Jewell (Century £12.99)
I’VE been a big fan of Lisa Jewell for years — she’s a wonderful writer who creates believable protagonists alive with humanity.
Here, she has departed from her usual chick lit and gone full tilt into a psycho thriller, but she’s lost none of her brilliance. Indeed, I think this is my favourite of hers so far.
Fifteen-year-old Ellie Mack is a dream daughter, a golden girl loved deeply by her family. One day, however, in the middle of the GCSE exams she has worked so hard for, the unthinkable happens and Ellie vanishes without trace.
Her mother, Laurel, is distraught and, as the years go by with no sign of Ellie, Laurel’s relationships with the rest of her family become increasingly distant.
A new boyfriend begins to help thaw Laurel’s broken heart but, as the gripping read unfolds, it becomes apparent there are disturbing links between his family and hers. Deeply emotional and incredibly clever. Bravo.
THE CONSEQUENCE OF LOVE by Sandra Howard (Simon & Schuster £20)
NATTIE has never known what happened to the love of her life since he disappeared with a new identity after an act of amazing bravery. In the intervening years, she married Hugo and had two children, but now, Ahmed is back and, despite her best attempts to forget him, it’s clear their love burns as brightly as ever.
Anyone looking at Nattie’s life would think she enjoyed the perfect existence, but Hugo is vulnerable and paranoid and, though Nattie is fond of him, her heart has always belonged to Ahmed.
It’s clear that sneaking around and lying to Hugo is only going to make him more suspicious and unhappy, but Nattie is in deep and cannot control her feelings.
Every action has a reaction, however, and consequences must be faced. This pacy, far- reaching novel is beautifully written, emotionally engaging and stuffed full of characters you’ll root for.
BEST LAID PLANS by Kathy Lette (Bantam Press £14.99)
LETTE’S latest novel showcases her wonderful comic writing at its high-energy, eminently readable best.
Here, her typically fast and furious delivery provides a laugh a minute, as well as a deeply poignant portrayal of the depths of despair it’s possible to reach as the fiercely protective mother of a bullied autistic child.
Lucy has tried everything to help her beloved son, Merlin, who is desperately seeking love, but suffers cruel knock- backs at every turn — much as he has his whole life.
She cannot bear to witness any more rejection or humiliation of her gentle, tortured boy, so decides to hire him a prostitute. Saying this doesn’t work out well is an understatement, but things go from bad to worse when he comes home with a girlfriend he found himself.
Rough, tough, covered in tattoos and just off remand, Kayleigh is not the sort of person Lucy imagined for Merlin. She realises she should have been more careful what she wished for. Merlin however, becomes more obsessed by the minute.
Alternately hilarious and heart-breaking, I loved every minute I spent reading this.