Spotlight: Climbing in Heels

We've been hearing a lot of great buzz about Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas's debut novel, Climbing in Heels. People Magazine says it's "The Devil Wears Prada meets Sex and the City". We're excited that it's out in the world and look forward to reading it soon. 

It's the story of friendship, betrayal, survival, standing up when they pass you by, and saying I won't go when they want you gone. And it's also a story about how some of those women became very much like the monsters who trained them.

Meet Beanie Rosen, the fast-talking and even faster-thinking Valley girl who knows where she wants to go, and doesn’t care if she doesn’t look the part.

Mercedes Baxter, who learned early on how to leverage the monied friends of her monied friends' parents until she found a foothold in Hollywood.

And Ella Gaddy, a sexy free-spirit anti-debutante from a white-glove Kentucky home who shakes up any room she walks into.

Read Climbing in Heels and watch these women meet, meld, fight, strategize and climb their way into your heart.

A rollicking tale of sex, drugs, and power – in heels. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

“You won’t be able to put this delicious book down. So, grab a cup of coffee and curl up with Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas’s Climbing in Heels. You’ll be really glad you did.”
 ―Amy Ferris, author of Marrying George Clooney 

“It’s a sharply observed, brilliantly plotted, and bighearted page-turner!” 
―Laura Zigman, author of Separation Anxiety 

“It’s moving, insightful, and shows us how far we’ve come―and how far we need to go. It’s a book you won’t put down, with characters you won’t forget. I loved it!” 

―Darren Star, creator of Sex and the City and Emily in Paris

Photo from Elaine's Facebook page

Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas began her career at the William Morris Agency and rose by the late 1980’s to become the Senior Vice President of the WMA, and later the Senior Vice President of ICM, guiding the careers of, among others, Julia Roberts, Jennifer Lopez, Nicholas Cage, and Madonna. More recently, she has produced a broad, successful slate of films and television series including Maid in Manhattan, Mona Lisa Smile, Hustlers, Marry Me, Emily in Paris, The Fosters, and many others. (Bio courtesy of Amazon.) 

Visit Elaine on Instagram and Facebook.

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Spotlight and Giveaway: Hello Juliet

Introduction by Melissa Amster

We're excited to help Samantha M. Bailey celebrate the publication of her fourth suspense thriller, Hello, Juliet! I really enjoyed this one and it kept me guessing the entire time. You can find my review here. My casting choice for Ivy led me to find out that Samantha was a fan of The Sex Lives of College Girls (which is sadly not returning). So we've had fun chatting about that show recently. Speaking of TV, if you grew up enjoying teen drama shows (or watch them now as a guilty pleasure), you'll appreciate Hello, Juliet even more! Samantha has one copy to share with a lucky reader!

Ivy Westcott fled LA as her acting career imploded. In a flash, she lost her first love and chosen family―her Hello, Juliet castmates. But she never discovered who turned her closest friends against her. Now the whole world knows her as #PoisonIvy.

A decade later, Ivy is horrified when a celebrity exposé thrusts the Hello, Juliet cast back into the limelight, dredging up the old scandals she hoped to escape. Desperate for a fresh start and some financial stability for her mother and manager, Ivy agrees to participate in a top-secret reunion episode.

Ivy’s poised for a comeback, but past betrayals become a present danger when she and the man who once broke her heart find their costar dead.

Determined to find justice and clear her name, Ivy must tear down the facades of cast and crew to uncover chilling secrets that have plagued the Hollywood set from day one. Or she could be the next to die. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

“Bailey perfectly captures the hunger for fame and the desperate measures some will take to achieve it, while also delivering a story filled with twists and surprises. A top-notch, single-sitting read.” 
―Kimberly Belle, internationally bestselling author of The Paris Widow

“Hello, smash hit. Briskly paced and packed with suspense and twists, Hello, Juliet is the escape every thriller reader deserves.” 

―Jaime Lynn Hendricks, bestselling author of A Lovely Lie

“Hello, Juliet by Samantha M. Bailey is a wickedly unputdownable thriller teeming with secrets, suspense, and sly revelations. Not to be missed!” 

―Heather Gudenkauf, New York Times bestselling author of Everyone Is Watching

Credit: Dahlia Katz Photography

Samantha M. Bailey is the USA TODAY and #1 international bestselling author of WOMAN ON THE EDGE, optioned for series adaptation, WATCH OUT FOR HER, shortlisted for Canada Reads 2025, A FRIEND IN THE DARK, an Amazon Charts bestseller, and HELLO, JULIET, out April 29, 2025. Her novels have sold in twelve countries. She lives in Toronto, where she can usually be found tapping away at her computer or curled up on her couch with a book. (Bio courtesy of Samantha's website.)

Visit Samantha online:

Website * Facebook * Instagram

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Giveaway ends May 4th at midnight EST. 

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Book Review: Serial Killer Games

By Sara Steven

Dolores dela Cruz has been dying to spot one in the wild, and he fits the mold strangler gloves, calculated charm, dashing good looks that give a leg up in any field . . . including fields of unmarked graves.

The new office temp is definitely a serial killer.

Jake Ripper finds a welcome distraction in his combative and enigmatic new coworker. He hasn’t come across anyone as interesting as Dolores in a long time. But when mere curiosity evolves into a darkly romantic flirtation, Jake can’t help but wonder if, finally, he’s found someone who really sees him, skeletons in the closet and all.

Until Dolores asks Jake’s help to dispose of a body . . . (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads.)

Serial Killer Games is all about how nothing is as it seems, and that’s what made it oh so fun. Even the reader buys into what is initially presented on the surface–that Jake could very well be a serial killer, and Dolores (or Dodi as she’d preferred to be called) could very well need assistance with disposing of a body. It’s hard to know for sure if those stakes are as high as we’re to believe them to be, and that uncertainty is also felt within these two primary characters, who want nothing more than to trust in each other’s first impressions. 

But it goes so much deeper than that. Beneath the surface, Dodi and Jake are harboring a lot of secrets that are exposed slowly over the course of the book, and even I felt sideswiped by some of them! It’s all in an effort of protection. Jake feels like there is a limited amount of time on his side, and Dodi has had profound loss, leading into creating much-needed distractions that will prevent them from falling in love. 

I loved the darker avenues here–the morbid curiosity and interest in subjects that would ordinarily be considered as taboo. It was fun to see that some of the supporting characters fed into that, too, particularly for Jake. While I enjoyed the whole story, my favorite part is the last third of the book, when revolutionary truths are exposed and both characters discover that even in the strange and unusual, relationships can be forged and sometimes, it’s okay to trust again. 

There is a pretty substantial event that I was shocked by, which only banded me to the characters even more. I loved the snark and banter between everyone, and it was an enjoyable darkly humorous ride the whole time! A much-deserved five-star read! 

Thanks to Berkley for the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Book Review: Intersections

By Sara Steven

Style-guru Charlotte Oakes sells beautiful lifestyles, but her mentally ill daughter is an addict, her long marriage is dead, and she is pregnant with her ex-lover’s baby. Stunned after witnessing a hit-and-run in Chicago that leaves a child dead, Charlotte thinks she sees her Prius fleeing the scene. Her troubled daughter, Libby, is the only one who could have been driving.

His partner and best friend killed in a drug bust, police officer Ed Kelly learns that forensics has found that the fatal bullet came from Ed’s gun. Under internal investigation, Ed copes by filming cars at the site of the recent hit-and-run, hoping to catch the child’s killer. There, he notices Charlotte’s pilgrimages to the makeshift memorial, and over the weeks, the two become unlikely friends sharing intimate stories. But Charlotte won’t trust him with her most vulnerable secret of her suspicions about her daughter’s involvement in the accident.

When Ed finally learns the truth about, he struggles with his beliefs and duties. If he keeps quiet, he has breached his commitment to the law. But if he does the right thing as an officer, he may send Libby to jail—and lose Charlotte. (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads.)

Intersections is told in an honest way. I love the direct, open dialogue that happens between characters, particularly Charlotte and Ed. They form a unique friendship that isn’t conventional and not accepted by their inner circle, but despite what others think, they still pursue the friendship because they need to rely and depend on one another. Charlotte feels as though she has no one else in her corner, and Ed feels misunderstood. 

The dynamic between Charlotte and her daughter Libby is heartbreaking to read. Charlotte tries incessantly to do all she can to help Libby, but given Libby’s mental health struggles, the help feels far outside the realm of truth and reality for her. It doesn’t help that Charlotte’s ex– Libby’s father–isn’t much of a presence or support. Often, Charlotte takes on everything, but at a huge detriment to herself. 

The hit-and-run site, despite its dark beginnings, becomes a type of sanctuary and meeting ground for Charlotte and Ed. There, they both work towards a common goal of solving the hit-and-run, even with Charlotte already suspecting that her daughter might have been the culprit. There are deep conversations that take root there, too, allowing Charlotte a means of dealing with her grief over her broken home and the impending birth of a child she carries who has no real safe paternal lineage, while trying to work through the tough relationship she has with Libby.

For Ed, the talks he has with Charlotte remind him that there is life beyond the police force, even while dealing with the loss of his partner. There is a lot of change and transition happening in his world, too, and he feels lost and desperate at times. There were a lot of interesting scenarios that I don’t often get to read about, like parental surrogacy, and it was told from a very real perspective. In the end, I hoped for the best for everyone involved, even Libby, who could be difficult to understand and relate to. I love reading about unconventional friendships and really, familial structures that don’t meet the one-size-fits-all standard, and I felt Intersections really gave insight into both subjects and it was written well. It was a definite five-star experience!    

Thanks to Books Forward for the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Spotlight: Anywhere You Go

Tatum Ward and Eleanor Chapman lead totally opposite lives. Tatum’s never left her Midwestern hometown. She resides in a quaint guest cottage on her parents’ property while working part-time as a waitress, where she spends most shifts ignoring her feelings for a beautiful regular named June. Eleanor dedicates every waking hour to her high-profile press career, sacrificing personal relationships for professional success, save for the occasional hookup to fight off her loneliness. When both women’s lives unexpectedly blow up at the exact same time, they each need an escape, and fast.

In Tatum’s hometown, Eleanor expects a quiet hideaway where she can recharge. Instead she gets wrapped up in the family drama that Tatum left town to avoid, pulled in by Tatum’s charismatic older sibling, Carson, who charms Eleanor at every turn. Tatum ends up in Eleanor’s New York high-rise apartment with June. One week together in the big city might make it impossible for Tatum to avoid not just her true feelings for June, but her real dreams for her life.

Amid a friendship with a reclusive Hollywood actress and a complicated family reunion, Tatum and Eleanor each discover much more than they bargained for away from home. Their house swap won’t last forever, but it might be just long enough for both women to surrender their defenses and finally fight for the life—and love—they deserve.

"I love the way Bridget Morrissey writes romance—sweet and curious and filled with those small, human moments that make up a relationship. In Anywhere You Go, she blesses us with two swoony stories, and I found myself dying to know how each would end and living when they started to interconnect. This book was jam-packed from start to finish—sparkling banter, hilarious side characters, two cats I would foster in a heartbeat, and some truly hot moments including a single paragraph that set me on fire. I would go anywhere with Bridget Morrissey!"
—Alicia Thompson, USA Today bestselling author of The Art of Catching Feelings

"Anywhere You Go is a warm hug of a book! Bridget Morrissey masterfully weaves two heartwarming love stories, one that delivers the cozy, close-knit vibes of a small town, while the other is infused with the excitement and curiosity of exploring romance in the city. This book is perfect for readers who adore found families and watching as two friends fall deeply in love. Get ready to swoon!"
—Lauren Connolly, author of PS: I Hate You

**Purchase Anywhere You Go here**

Credit: Provvidenza Catalano

Bridget Morrissey lives in Los Angeles, California, but hails from Oak Forest, Illinois. When she’s not writing, she can be found coaching gymnastics or headlining concerts in her living room. Visit Bridget at her website and on Instagram.

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Sara and Melissa Talk About...Favorite TV Shows of the 21st Century

We've been running a column series to get more personal with our readers. We are now into our sixth year!

This month, we are talking about our top 10 favorite TV series of the 21st century. We'd love to know what yours are, so please don't hesitate to share in the comments!

We're always open to topic suggestions, so please don't hesitate to share those in the comments. We'd also love to know if you can relate to anything we've said or hear your own thoughts on the topic. So don't be shy. :) We look forward to getting to know you as much as we're letting you get to know us. You can find our previous columns here, in case you missed them. 

Melissa Amster:

Putting together this list was like choosing a favorite child. I've enjoyed so many shows over the past 25 years. I'm going to share some runners-up (and that list was hard to narrow down too), but explain why they didn't make the list. I'm also commenting on some of Sara's picks, and I noticed that neither of us chose Six Feet Under, even though we talk about it a lot. Sara is commenting on mine, as well.

Sara: I actually had Six Feet Under on my list at first and considered keeping it, but I felt the other shows on my list were more impactful to me. Of course, the last episode of the series will forever remain one of the most heartbreaking and memorable. Sia's "Breathe Me" took on a whole new meaning.

Here's my top 10, in no particular order (except for the first two). 

1. Ghosts: If it's possible to love a show more than Schitt's Creek, then Ghosts won that honor. (I'm talking about the US version.) It's so funny and heartwarming and it's definitely saving my sanity these days. I got my husband into it, so now I'm re-bingeing it while also caught up on the fourth season (and I can't wait for him to experience that soon). I highly, highly recommend it for some high quality entertainment.

Courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes

2. Schitt's Creek: So great, I watched it thrice! Iconic characters, funny dialogue, and lots of sweet (and sometimes bittersweet) moments. 

Sara: I really love this show, too. I'm glad you recommended it to me. Whenever you use the word "bebe" when we chat online, I can hear Moira saying it. 

3. Orphan Black: Sara got me into this show and I'm sooo glad! It was brilliant and really well done throughout. Tatiana Maslany is incredible at playing multiple characters. She was especially awesome as Helena. I also loved the supporting characters, especially Felix. My husband watched OB too and after each episode, we'd say "such a great show!" There was one time we were watching and someone raised a gun to shoot someone. At that very moment, there was a huge thunderclap outside and the power went out. Wild timing!

Sara: I forgot that I recommended Orphan Black to you! You usually suggest such great shows to me, that I forget which ones I've suggested to you.Tatiana was excellent in all of her roles on the show. 

Courtesy of Adventures in Vertigo

4. Desperate Housewives: This was my version of a soap opera. I was totally there for it and loved the characters and storylines. I can relate to all the women in some way or another. Sara watched it years later and I got to relive it vicariously through her. 

Sara: "Yes..." (Said in my very best Mary Alice inflection.) You know a show is great when your kids like it, too. My eldest watched the episodes with me, after getting hooked on Orson (Kyle MacLachlan) and Dave (Neal McDonough). It's a soap opera with a mystery punch to it, and I couldn't wait to see what might happen next on Wisteria Lane.

5. Somebody Somewhere: Such a wonderful series in so many ways. I just love how everyone is so flawed and genuine. I can't get enough of Sam and Joel's friendship. And Fred Rococo is one of the best supporting characters. I wish there were going to be more seasons because I'd definitely watch! 

Sara: It's not often I get overly emotional when I watch a show, but when Brad sang a special song to Joel with Sam's help, I think I may have actually cried a little. I felt like we got to see a side to Bridget Everett we've never seen before. 

6. A Million Little Things: This show came out around the same time as This is Us, but I ended up liking it more. It's about a group of adult male friends who bond after being stuck in an elevator and become even closer after one of them commits suicide. The extension of friendship includes the wives and girlfriends in their lives, and even some kids. The storylines cover a variety of topics. I love the friendships between all the characters. And it was definitely emotional at times. 

7. Cobra Kai: Great series from beginning to end. I loved all the Karate Kid nostalgia. It was an adrenaline rush to watch the competitions. And I loved seeing them try to take down the villains (especially Silver). The bromance/frenemy relationship between Daniel and Johnny was definitely interesting. I also loved that Chozen became a part of the series. Another favorite supporting character for me!

Sara: My whole family loves Cobra Kai. After watching all three movies in the 80s franchise when I was a kid, I never thought I'd like Johnny, but he was my favorite character on the show. I love his wit and gruff demeanor.

8. The Bold Type: If you want a fabulous "girl power" show, this is the one to watch! Not only are the three main characters amazing, their boss Jacqueline (played by Melora Hardin) is the boss that anyone would want at their own job. The series handles some current issues with tact and sensitivity, but also doesn't hold back. 

Sara: Melissa recommended The Bold Type, and I liked it, too! I loved the various storylines and felt I could live vicariously through all of the characters, even when I didn't always agree with their choices--Sutton made a decision that I felt wasn't the right one, but it's what helped to make her and the others feel more well-rounded and fleshed out as characters. No one was perfect and I appreciated that.

9. Ugly Betty: While my husband thought it was basically The Devil Wears Prada, America Ferrera won my heart in her role as Betty. I loved the campiness of it and how it played out as a telenovela in some ways. I also loved the supporting characters and it was a great introduction to Michael Urie (whom I now love on Shrinking). Betty's nephew was also adorable. (The actor is on Hacks now.) I was sad when it finished for good. 

Courtesy of Ugly Betty Wiki

10. Stranger Things: I'm not much for horror, but this series does it so well. I love that it's set in the 1980s and all the nostalgia. There's also a lot of heart to the characters and I genuinely care about what they are going through from one season to the next. A lot has happened in the past few seasons, and while some of it is scary for sure, it also keeps my attention and leaves me wanting more. There's a lot of humor too. I can't wait for it to come back! 

Sara: Talk about a title sequence that will never leave your psyche. Within the first few seconds, I know what show is playing, even if I can't visually see what's on my TV screen. Stranger Things is so cleverly written, combining everything we love about the 80s with suspense and thrill. When the seasons are on, I can't help but binge-watch them all. 

Top Five Runners-up:

Four Weddings and a Funeral: It only got one season, which was disappointing, since it was really well done. A love letter to rom-coms. 

Sara: I agree, it was a really cute show. I wish it had more screen time than just one season. 

Ted Lasso: Lots to love about the show and I'm glad it's coming back for a fourth season, but season three felt weak to me.

Riverdale: I was obsessed with this show for a while, but it also got really dark and made me anxious. Still, it had musical theater episodes!

Sara: On a somewhat related note: I think the Coral character from this season's The Masked Singer is Camila Mendes, who played Veronica on Riverdale. But that's just my guess. 

Virgin River: It's a comfort show for me, even though there's some intense stuff happening from time to time. It just gets really sappy sometimes.

Sara: It's a comfort for me, too. I joke about how it's this simplistic, calming presence, but at times interrupted by storylines that involve things like murder, destructive relationship experiences, bad guys, and drug plots. It gives the appearance of sweetness but there is a nice dramatic side to the show, too.

Only Murders in the Building: Funny, witty, great actors and cameos, and an immersive NYC feel. I wanted to include this in the top 10, but there were times when it could get slow for me. 

Sara: Yes, so much fun! I love the cameos and it's never easy for me to figure out "whodunnit."

With my older son in front of the Murders building

Sara Steven:

I love television. I think the majority of us who were children in the 80s can probably express that same sentiment. It started with Saturday morning cartoons. Then the teen dramas of the late 90s, like Dawson’s Creek. That parlayed into fun late 90s dramedies like Ally McBeal, or the then scandalous Sex and the City. There are great shows everywhere it seems, and although the list I’m sharing consists of shows from the 21st century, quite a few of them I never watched when they originally aired. Usually, I’d get a recommendation from someone, which would spur me on to look into the show. 

It’s great that we have the option to watch whatever we want, given all of the various apps and viewing platforms available. It was really hard to narrow this list down to just 10, but I did it! Here is my top 10 list of what I feel are the best shows from 2001-The Present:

Breaking Bad (2008)

My eldest recommended we watch “Breaking Bad,” which turned out to be one of the best shows I’ve seen in a long while. If one of us has an epiphany of sorts, we’ll usually break out Jesse Pinkman’s line of, “Ahhh….wire….” (you most likely have to see the show to get that reference.) But it’s pretty hilarious. 

House (2004)

My eldest was really into this show, too, when they were just entering teenhood. I found that fascinating; that they’d take interest in a show that seemed like it might go over a young teen’s head, but the plan now is to re-watch the show after we’re done rewatching “The Office” and its extended uncut episodes. Something we learned from this show: It’s never lupus. Until it is.

The Office (2005)

Some of my favorite moments from the show: When Dwight breaks out into classic Hannibal Lector and says, “Hello, Clarice,” while wearing a first aid CPR dummy’s plastic skin. Or when Michael performs The Lazy Scranton Rap, but the best is from the last season, when Michael shows up to be there for Angela’s wedding. 

Melissa: I enjoyed The Office until Michael left. Then I lost interest. My favorite episode is "Diversity Day" in season one. "Wanna go to the beach?" 

Arrested Development (2003)

Marry me. Please! What a fun show. This is a show that I never watched when it first aired, not until it was available on Netflix. Just the other day, something had happened and one of my family members screeched, “He did it again!” Just like Lucille (Jessica Walter) would do whenever Gene Parmesan (Martin Mull) surprised her. And who doesn’t love the chicken dance?

Melissa: I always say "pass the GENE Parmesan" whenever we're having pasta for dinner. I loved AD too, but felt it jumped the shark in season three (which is ironic because they had an episode about jumping the shark at one point). Also, "has anyone ever SEEN a chicken?" 

Battlestar Galactica (2004)

At first, I didn’t think I’d like this show. My husband is a sci fi kind of guy and recommended it to me, so I decided I’d put in the effort and watch a few episodes. Seasons later, back when Blockbuster was still a thing, I’d go to my local video store and desperately search for the latest seasons and episodes, because back in those days, other than Netflix on DVD, that’s all we could do. I became obsessed!

Degrassi: The Next Generation (2001)

Back in the 80s, I watched the original “Degrassi”, and I liked the show. But I had no idea it had continued on or was a thing, not until Melissa shared it with me. It was a frequent show in my household. So much so, there is a video of my youngest singing the theme song! Who isn’t still reeling from what happened to J.T.?

Melissa: I was highly considering adding this to my list, but the characters got annoying in later seasons and the storylines kept repeating themselves. Still, it was a great distraction during the pandemic. 

Courtesy of SheKnows

Handmaid’s Tale (2017)

I read this book years ago, which is what encouraged me to watch the show. The show has really become a focal point and at times a reference given the climate of our society over the last several years, a dystopian viewpoint that some fear is a cautionary tale. No matter the background or what has happened, June never gives up, which encourages us to feel that we can’t give up, too. 

90 Day Fiancé (2014)

As I’m working on this post, I’ve got the latest episode of 90 Day Fiancé on in the background! I can get as in depth into an episode as I want, or days like day, it’s background noise for me. But either way, I enjoy the show and the sometimes wild individuals who are doing their best to find love in unexpected ways and places. This is another show that Melissa recommended to me, and while she doesn’t watch it anymore, I can carry the torch for the both of us. 

Melissa: I'm cracking up at this since I didn't know Sara was going to keep at it. We still have our inside jokes from when we both watched. We even wrote a post about it!

Westworld (2016)

This is another show my husband recommended to me, and once again he knew it was something I’d appreciate! The first two seasons were the ultimate, with the last couple of seasons dragging on, but I still stuck it out and watched it through to the very end. Nothing excited me more when I discovered who Bernard really was. “It doesn’t look like anything to me.” 

Severance (2022)

I recently finished watching this show, and I can’t wait until we get to see more of it! It’s mind bending and unconventional, leaving viewers on several cliffhangers. Is it a good idea to sever yourself from yourself? That’s the ultimate question. My favorite character is Milchick. How Tramell Tillman does it, I’ll never know. 

Courtesy of Decider

Tell us your favorite TV shows from the 21st century!

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Book Review: Message Deleted

By Becky Gulc

‘THE MESSAGE HAS DISAPPEARED.

SO HAS YOUR BEST FRIEND…

You receive a text from your best friend:

Can’t speak… don’t text or call… pls just come

But as you race to her house,

the message is deleted.

She answers the door, insists everything’s fine.

She says she never sent a message.

Something’s not right, but what can you do?

Six hours later, the police call.

There’s blood all over your friend’s house.

She’s missing.

And you were the last person to see her alive . . .’ (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon UK.)

K.L. Slater has written over 20 psychological thrillers, yet Message Deleted was the first one I’ve read. I saw some great reviews online for this one and the synopsis definitely piqued my interest so I quickly got myself a copy.

This is a novel I was immediately gripped by. The story begins strong with Saffy waiting for a job interview when she receives a concerning text message from her best friend Leona asking her to come over. Of course Saffy goes to her, but when the text message disappears and Leona herself denies all knowledge of sending this it’s clear something strange is going on. When Leona and her family subsequently go missing, it seems Saffy is the last person to have seen them and subsequently all eyes are on her. So where is Leona and her family and who is responsible?

The suspense of what happened to Leona and her family was sustained well throughout the novel and there were several twists and turns particularly in the closing chapters. I didn’t predict the outcome or who was involved and that’s always a sign of clever writing. In particular I think it helped that Saffy’s character is written in a way which certainly made me feel she could be an unreliable narrator at times – as readers we are given hints to trauma she and her family have experienced, but without going into much detail until key moments of the story, and this certainly helped the narrative in my opinion.

I wouldn’t particularly say I warmed to the characters as such, I don’t think I was meant to, and this kept me guessing as to who was involved and why. The fact that I didn’t have any strong feelings for any character, I didn’t feel particularly emotionally attached, yet I was still gripped by the story is again testament to the writing, I simply had to find out what had happened! 

Yes I had some frustrations with elements of the story, the fixation of the investigation on Saffy when it didn’t seem apparent why; the convenience of some of the encounters between characters, and the choices some of the characters made, but I still thoroughly enjoyed this novel. 

I read this book within a couple of days, the chapters are short and punchy and it was always tempting to read just one more, and then just one more. This worked for me and I am definitely keen to read further novels by K.L. Slater!

More by K.L. Slater:

Husband and Wife

The Girlfriend

The Silent Ones

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