Note: I’m not going to spoil this book but I am going to give away something about the plot machinations regarding this book. If you want to go into this book tabula rasa, skip this review (and really, all reviews because I have no doubt they will inevitably mention what I’m about to mention). If you don’t mind knowing something specific with regards to the plot, even though it is not at all a spoiler, read on.
Nest…
…
There’s nothing I hate more than people trying to sell me on a book by playing up a twist. I get it that in some books it’s impossible to recommend them without acknowledging that there’s a curveball coming. But still, the whole time, you’re anticipating the twist. It can’t leave your mind as a reader no matter what. And almost always, when it happens, I’m disappointed. Because in knowing there’s a twist, it makes the signs so obvious.
So yeah, this book has a big twist. I kinda saw it coming but it was still interesting. And it made the book good. But more importantly, it’s a well-written book. When I cast aside the advance knowledge of what’s coming, I realized how good Clare Mackintosh is. Apparently she’s a seasoned writer though I hadn’t heard of her before this one. And I’ll definitely be reading more of her stuff.
The thing that works for me here is the characterization: the cop chapters were hit-or-miss but Jenny’s were really interesting and I came to feel for her as a character. That’s what’ll drive this one home for the reader, more than the twist itself.