Release Date: Expected 20th July 2023
Publisher: Quercus Books
When Finn Hensen gets a call from his sister Jess to say their father has died, neither is heartbroken. Their parents divorced many years ago, after which their father, Jimmy, continued to live a bohemian lifestyle in sun-soaked Mallorca.
Ownership of his beautiful but dilapidated farmhouse in the mountains now passes to Finn and his sister. The only problem is that Jimmy recently remarried and his new wife, Ruensa, is still living there.
The pair agree that Finn should go to Mallorca and tactfully take possession of their inheritance. When he arrives, however, Finn is surprised to find that Finca Siquia has been completely transformed into a chic Mediterranean bolthole by Ruensa and her twenty-seven-year-old daughter, Roze. The Spanish police, meanwhile, are asking awkward questions about Jimmy's death . . .
Are Ruensa and Roze the helpless victims of circumstance? Or will they stop at nothing to get Finca Siquia for themselves?
Ownership of his beautiful but dilapidated farmhouse in the mountains now passes to Finn and his sister. The only problem is that Jimmy recently remarried and his new wife, Ruensa, is still living there.
The pair agree that Finn should go to Mallorca and tactfully take possession of their inheritance. When he arrives, however, Finn is surprised to find that Finca Siquia has been completely transformed into a chic Mediterranean bolthole by Ruensa and her twenty-seven-year-old daughter, Roze. The Spanish police, meanwhile, are asking awkward questions about Jimmy's death . . .
Are Ruensa and Roze the helpless victims of circumstance? Or will they stop at nothing to get Finca Siquia for themselves?
"My generation are sometimes mocked for talking about 'my truth' rather than 'the truth' - an easy habit to criticise, but one which accepts, perhaps, that, in a world where so many different versions of the facts are constantly available, it matters not so much what actually happened as who one chooses believe."
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again - JP Delaney is an absolute master of suspense.
This one was a little different than his usual deeply psychological thrillers — more quiet, slow, less about the shock reveals and more about the subtle and silent cues and the thoughts going on. I love seeing this progression in the authors style but at times I did find the pacing quite slow throughout. It did pick up quickly as we approached the big reveal, but I found that while I didn't see it coming, it also wasn't hinted at really throughout so the satisfaction wasn't quite there for me as much as usual.
The setting was excellent, a beautifully unsuspecting backdrop of sun and sea that harshly contrasts with the secrets and lies that start to cast their shadows. Greed, lust, anger, despair, grief, desperation — every character is a complex mix of big emotions which gives the reader a strange feeling as all these feelings are invoked but we know all our characters are hiding something, not letting us know exactly who to suspect.
In between a suspicious death and an ever-growing mystery, an entire tapestry is made that delves into family politics, war, immigration, extortion and relationships - a complete snapshot of a moment in these peoples lives and the many complicated parts that make up who they are. These many strands slowly come together in a feverish, desperate fervour before it all starts to fall apart in the most disastrous ways.
A highly entertaining and thrilling read perfect for the summer, although it might make you lock your doors one more time.
This one was a little different than his usual deeply psychological thrillers — more quiet, slow, less about the shock reveals and more about the subtle and silent cues and the thoughts going on. I love seeing this progression in the authors style but at times I did find the pacing quite slow throughout. It did pick up quickly as we approached the big reveal, but I found that while I didn't see it coming, it also wasn't hinted at really throughout so the satisfaction wasn't quite there for me as much as usual.
The setting was excellent, a beautifully unsuspecting backdrop of sun and sea that harshly contrasts with the secrets and lies that start to cast their shadows. Greed, lust, anger, despair, grief, desperation — every character is a complex mix of big emotions which gives the reader a strange feeling as all these feelings are invoked but we know all our characters are hiding something, not letting us know exactly who to suspect.
In between a suspicious death and an ever-growing mystery, an entire tapestry is made that delves into family politics, war, immigration, extortion and relationships - a complete snapshot of a moment in these peoples lives and the many complicated parts that make up who they are. These many strands slowly come together in a feverish, desperate fervour before it all starts to fall apart in the most disastrous ways.
A highly entertaining and thrilling read perfect for the summer, although it might make you lock your doors one more time.
⭐⭐⭐
I was gifted an advanced reviewers copy of this title in return for an honest review. Please check content warnings before reading as this title contains subjects that may be triggering or upsetting.
Comments
Post a Comment