A web of secrecy and lies
Following a traumatic experience, Nell Ballard and Joe Peach have escaped the clutches of their tyrannical foster mother, Meaghan, and are now living rough on the streets of London. Unfortunately, Joe is not as strong as Nell, and finds life on the streets hard – especially as he is a drug addict and needs to feed his addiction.
Nell is totally in love with Joe and would do anything to protect him. So, when he abandons her in a night club and leaves with a mysterious older woman, she immediately follows them to a house in West London.
Fearing for his safety, she ensconces herself in a nearby café, from where she can watch the house. Sadly, despite her long vigil, the only person to emerge from the building is a young woman, who then walks into the café. Nell is desperate to get inside the house to find Joe, so when she overhears the woman discussing a job interview for a PA at the house, she decides to blag her way into the job.
However, nothing is as it seems at Starling Villas. Having convinced the owner, Dr Robin Wilder, to employ her as a housekeeper, as well as a PA, it soon becomes clear to Nell that she is not the only one keeping secrets. Between the unexplained disappearance of the last housekeeper and the strange behaviour of her new employer – not to mention the fact Joe is nowhere to be seen – Nell begins to realise she may have made a big mistake by accepting the job.
Set in Wales and London, ‘Fragile’ is an intriguing novel which starts in the middle of the story, then gradually fills in the earlier part by means of memories and flashbacks. Although shifting timelines can often be confusing, in this instance it works perfectly, while still maintaining the suspense of the present as it builds towards an emotional ending.
Each character is struggling with his or her own demons, especially Nell whose life has not been easy. Rejected by her birth mother and mistreated by her foster mother, it is only by sheer resilience and strength of character she has managed to survive her past. However, life can be cruel and when her past starts to catch up with her, Nell finds that strength put to the test as she tries to establish who is telling the truth.
Full of mystery and plot twists, ‘Fragile’ is a brilliantly written thriller that pulls you in right from the start. As all the secrets are gradually revealed, each chapter will make the reader eager for the next. The ending, however, is heart-breaking.
Nell is totally in love with Joe and would do anything to protect him. So, when he abandons her in a night club and leaves with a mysterious older woman, she immediately follows them to a house in West London.
Fearing for his safety, she ensconces herself in a nearby café, from where she can watch the house. Sadly, despite her long vigil, the only person to emerge from the building is a young woman, who then walks into the café. Nell is desperate to get inside the house to find Joe, so when she overhears the woman discussing a job interview for a PA at the house, she decides to blag her way into the job.
However, nothing is as it seems at Starling Villas. Having convinced the owner, Dr Robin Wilder, to employ her as a housekeeper, as well as a PA, it soon becomes clear to Nell that she is not the only one keeping secrets. Between the unexplained disappearance of the last housekeeper and the strange behaviour of her new employer – not to mention the fact Joe is nowhere to be seen – Nell begins to realise she may have made a big mistake by accepting the job.
Set in Wales and London, ‘Fragile’ is an intriguing novel which starts in the middle of the story, then gradually fills in the earlier part by means of memories and flashbacks. Although shifting timelines can often be confusing, in this instance it works perfectly, while still maintaining the suspense of the present as it builds towards an emotional ending.
Each character is struggling with his or her own demons, especially Nell whose life has not been easy. Rejected by her birth mother and mistreated by her foster mother, it is only by sheer resilience and strength of character she has managed to survive her past. However, life can be cruel and when her past starts to catch up with her, Nell finds that strength put to the test as she tries to establish who is telling the truth.
Full of mystery and plot twists, ‘Fragile’ is a brilliantly written thriller that pulls you in right from the start. As all the secrets are gradually revealed, each chapter will make the reader eager for the next. The ending, however, is heart-breaking.
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