In contrast to last week’s post, this one will be about only one book. There is a bit more to say about that, however. When I had finished the first book of the week, I actually started reading, and gave up on, not one but two other books. This was because they turned out to be second books in a series – both of them! I really must get in touch with our Library Service and inform them of this as I am sure that they don’t intend to purchase second and third parts of series and not the first book!

Before She Knew Him by Peter Swanson

Anyway, having got that off my chest, I must give you the blurb of the finished book: Before She Knew Him by Peter Swanson:

Hen and her husband Lloyd have settled into a quiet life in a new house outside of Boston, Massachusetts. Hen (short for Henrietta) is an illustrator and works out of a studio nearby, and has found the right meds to control her bipolar disorder. Finally, she’s found some stability and peace.

But when they meet the neighbours next door, that calm begins to erode as she spots a familiar object displayed on the husband’s office shelf. The sports trophy looks exactly like one that went missing from the home of a young man who was killed two years ago. Hen knows because she’s long had a fascination with this unsolved murder—an obsession she doesn’t talk about anymore, but can’t fully shake either…

I found the book pretty absorbing. Here is the verdict that I wrote on Goodreads:

Before She Knew Him by Peter Swanson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Well, if you want a creepy, twisting plot that leaves you puzzled and then hits you with a big surprise, then you must read this!

It is virtually impossible to review this book in any detail because that would give away important parts of the plot. Let me just say that, since my stroke, I have found it very difficult to focus on books and remember the plot from one reading session to the next. Not with this book! I was completely drawn in and totally immersed from the beginning.

I am now going to search out more books by this author – I really hope my library has the ebooks!

What a great start to my 2021 Reading Journey!

View all my reviews

The Catch by T M Logan

I am now about two thirds through another book, which I will write about next week: The Catch by T M Logan. I am really enjoying it so far and have more of Logan’s books on reserve. When I have finished this post, I will read a bit more.

Happy Reading to you all!

Love and best wishes,

Anne

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