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Circle of Doubt
She thought she was the perfect mother—until the new neighbours moved in.
Emma and Dele’s dreams came true nine years ago when they adopted their daughter, Isla. It felt like fate, like they were meant to find each other, and now they’re living the life they always wanted. But then one day a new family moves into Forest Grove—and Emma can’t shake the chilling feeling that the wife looks just like Isla’s birth mother.
Emma tells herself that this sophisticated stranger can’t possibly be the troubled woman she remembers from the adoption. But as they get to know each other and it becomes clear that Tatjana has a special interest in Isla, her suspicions grow.
When small things start to go wrong and her parenting abilities are brought into question, Emma feels undermined, turning to her sister Harriet for support. But things only spiral further when secrets from her past suddenly resurface.
With rumours swirling, Emma begins to doubt herself. Could Tatjana be Isla’s birth mother? And, with everything that’s happening, is Emma the right person to be raising her daughter at all?
Emma and Dele’s dreams came true nine years ago when they adopted their daughter, Isla. It felt like fate, like they were meant to find each other, and now they’re living the life they always wanted. But then one day a new family moves into Forest Grove—and Emma can’t shake the chilling feeling that the wife looks just like Isla’s birth mother.
Emma tells herself that this sophisticated stranger can’t possibly be the troubled woman she remembers from the adoption. But as they get to know each other and it becomes clear that Tatjana has a special interest in Isla, her suspicions grow.
When small things start to go wrong and her parenting abilities are brought into question, Emma feels undermined, turning to her sister Harriet for support. But things only spiral further when secrets from her past suddenly resurface.
With rumours swirling, Emma begins to doubt herself. Could Tatjana be Isla’s birth mother? And, with everything that’s happening, is Emma the right person to be raising her daughter at all?
301 pages, Paperback
First published January 5, 2021
1019 people are currently reading
2850 people want to read
About the author
Tracy Buchanan
21 books595 followersHello! Fab to see you here. I live in Buckinghamshire, UK with my husband, my little girl and our (very naughty) puppy, Bronte.
I travelled extensively while working as a travel magazine editor, and have always been drawn to the sea after spending my childhood holidays on the south coast visiting family – a fascination that inspires my writing.
I now dedicate my time to writing and procrastinating on Facebook.
I'd love to hear from you so please come say hi on one of the following platforms... plus if you join The Reading Snug I've set up with fellow authors, Kelly Rimmer and Kerry Fisher, you might even bag yourself some freebies including an early copy of my latest novel, The Lost Sister!
https://www.facebook.com/TracyBuchana...
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheRe...
https://www.instagram.com/TracyBuchan...
https://twitter.com/TracyBuchanan
https://www.tracy-buchanan.com
I travelled extensively while working as a travel magazine editor, and have always been drawn to the sea after spending my childhood holidays on the south coast visiting family – a fascination that inspires my writing.
I now dedicate my time to writing and procrastinating on Facebook.
I'd love to hear from you so please come say hi on one of the following platforms... plus if you join The Reading Snug I've set up with fellow authors, Kelly Rimmer and Kerry Fisher, you might even bag yourself some freebies including an early copy of my latest novel, The Lost Sister!
https://www.facebook.com/TracyBuchana...
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheRe...
https://www.instagram.com/TracyBuchan...
https://twitter.com/TracyBuchanan
https://www.tracy-buchanan.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 192 reviews
November 15, 2020
Set in the fictional town of Forest Grove, the story centers on Dele and Emma Okoru, the adoptive parents of ten-year old daughter, Isla. As Emma struggles with insecurities about her personality and mothering abilities, especially as the white mother of a mixed race daughter, these are intensified when the rich, glamorous new couple, architect Lawrence and fashion designer Tatjana Belafonte, move to the village. Emma is quick to notice that Tatjana, who is black, looks like a matured version of Jade Dixon, the seventeen year old, heroin-addicted girl who gave birth to Isla. When Tatjana takes a particularly keen interest in Isla and mysterious events start happening that call into question Emma’s character and mothering skills, Emma is firmly convinced that Tatjana is actually Jade returned to take Isla away from her.
The story is told in a dual narrative. In one there’s the unreliable narrator Emma, who is sharing the daily unfolding of events, as she struggles to fit into the mean girl, catty mom culture of Forest Grove, where her every action is handled by the judge and jury panel of ladies who are members of the Mums of Forest Grove Facebook Group, which Emma doesn’t belong to. We also find out she has a hidden, mysterious past that she fears could threaten her custody of Isla, were it to come to light. In the other narrative, we have a series of inner monologue style “letters” to Isla, where someone clearly intent on getting Isla back unfolds their plan, while disparaging Isla’s “fake” parents. Each effort to undermine Emma is explained in a birds-eye view by this person, creating the unsettling feeling of how far they might go to get what they want, as the story shows them upping the ante with each new action against her.
The story does an excellent job of creating the dynamic tension between characters and displaying the fickle allegiances of various members of the community, especially the ladies. Those women are simultaneously awful and awesome. It was well-paced, suspenseful, and the main characters, at least, felt fully formed. The plot was intriguing, and the story did a great job of showing Emma’s isolation in her increasing desperation to prove her theory to her loving, but skeptical husband and others, that Tatjana really is Jade and that she really is plotting against her. There were two fantastic twists that I didn’t see coming at all - and both really elevated the story for me.
One minor issue that was mildly irritating is Buchanan’s borderline comical overuse of exclamation points. Really - the majority of them weren’t necessary and gave the writing a more amateurish feel than it should have had. Oh … and this particular gem of writing:
“The large window looking towards the garden was smashed, glass shattered on the carpet, the blinds covering the window tangled and broken. Lying among the glass was a boulder from the rockery outside.
Somebody must have thrown it through the window!”
Barring a rock sprouting wings, I’m fairly certain that could have been deduced without need of telling me, but hey … to each their own.
All in all, I had a lot of fun with this one and enjoyed it thoroughly!
★★★★
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. #CircleofDoubt #NetGalley
The story is told in a dual narrative. In one there’s the unreliable narrator Emma, who is sharing the daily unfolding of events, as she struggles to fit into the mean girl, catty mom culture of Forest Grove, where her every action is handled by the judge and jury panel of ladies who are members of the Mums of Forest Grove Facebook Group, which Emma doesn’t belong to. We also find out she has a hidden, mysterious past that she fears could threaten her custody of Isla, were it to come to light. In the other narrative, we have a series of inner monologue style “letters” to Isla, where someone clearly intent on getting Isla back unfolds their plan, while disparaging Isla’s “fake” parents. Each effort to undermine Emma is explained in a birds-eye view by this person, creating the unsettling feeling of how far they might go to get what they want, as the story shows them upping the ante with each new action against her.
The story does an excellent job of creating the dynamic tension between characters and displaying the fickle allegiances of various members of the community, especially the ladies. Those women are simultaneously awful and awesome. It was well-paced, suspenseful, and the main characters, at least, felt fully formed. The plot was intriguing, and the story did a great job of showing Emma’s isolation in her increasing desperation to prove her theory to her loving, but skeptical husband and others, that Tatjana really is Jade and that she really is plotting against her. There were two fantastic twists that I didn’t see coming at all - and both really elevated the story for me.
One minor issue that was mildly irritating is Buchanan’s borderline comical overuse of exclamation points. Really - the majority of them weren’t necessary and gave the writing a more amateurish feel than it should have had. Oh … and this particular gem of writing:
“The large window looking towards the garden was smashed, glass shattered on the carpet, the blinds covering the window tangled and broken. Lying among the glass was a boulder from the rockery outside.
Somebody must have thrown it through the window!”
Barring a rock sprouting wings, I’m fairly certain that could have been deduced without need of telling me, but hey … to each their own.
All in all, I had a lot of fun with this one and enjoyed it thoroughly!
★★★★
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. #CircleofDoubt #NetGalley
May 28, 2021
Thank you NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for my ARC. Emma has a great life with a loving husband and a beautiful daughter they adopted 11 years ago. When a new family moves into her picturesque village, Emma’s world is turned upside down. Her new neighbor resembles Isla’s birth mother. Does she want her daughter back, or is Emma just being paranoid? This character driven emotional thriller tugged at my heart while also surprising me with unexpected twists. Highly recommend to those who enjoy a compelling story with emotion and suspense. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
January 8, 2021
Happy Publication Week!
This book was phenomenal! I think my thriller-loving heart will keep this one with me for a long time.
I read this in one day, because I just couldn’t put it down. I HAD to know what was going on!
“ ...I can’t tell you how frustrating it’s been to only be able to grasp at small pieces of you, when I ought to have you as a whole.”
Emma and Dele Okoro adopted Isla when she was almost two years old. She had a rough start at life after spending her first year with her mother who was addicted to drugs, followed by 6 months in foster care.
Emma, a social media consultant and Adele, a book store manager were able to give young Isla the comfortable and loving home that she so desperately needed in Forest Grove. A place that is “Home to Strong Branches and Deep Roots” and known as the “ Utopia of the woods.”
The people in this town, mothers especially, can be a bit snobby and Emma has found it hard to fit in , that is until she meets the new girl in town, a fashionista named TatJana “Tat” who extends an olive branch. A fashion designer is all Isla has ever wanted to be when she grows up, so she immediately takes a liking to her as well.
Tat and her architect husband,Lawrence Belafonte, are the ones that everyone’s been gossiping about. They are the family employing the gigantic red crane that is tearing apart the forest to lay down their newly constructed mansion.
The only problem with the friendship is that Tat looks JUST like Isla’s birth mother Jade Dixon and Emma begins to panic. How can’t her husband see this uncanny resemblance? TatJana is everything that Jade could have been if she had gotten her act together, and nine years later she very well could have.
This novel contains dual perspectives, one person who desperately wants Isla back, and another who is determined to keep her...and some of the threats get GOOD.
“What if i strode over to her right now and picked that log up by her feet and smashed her head in?”
“ ...Game over for your pretend parents.”
But, Emma’s past isn’t as perfect as it may seem, for she’s holding onto a debilitating secret— one that could cause her to lose her daughter.
A jaw-dropping thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. This one had a twist that I didn’t see coming at all, and one that I figured out only minutes before, and that’s really saying something!
Tracy Buchanan—You got me! I can’t wait to read more of your work.
Thank you to Netgalley, Lake Union Publishing & Tracy Buchanan for allowing me to read an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.
4.5 ⭐️ rounded up to 5 for Goodreads.
Spoilers below—BEWARE:
I didn’t give this book a full five stars because there were a few circumstances that I thought were a bit far-fetched, such as Emma not knowing that the drink was spiked at the Halloween party—she definitely would’ve tasted rum and vodka. Also, Emma not even using the bathroom after claiming to have been looking for it when she was caught in the Belafonte’s bedroom. It also bothered me that it mentioned that black people were hard to tell apart a few times in the story.
This book was phenomenal! I think my thriller-loving heart will keep this one with me for a long time.
I read this in one day, because I just couldn’t put it down. I HAD to know what was going on!
“ ...I can’t tell you how frustrating it’s been to only be able to grasp at small pieces of you, when I ought to have you as a whole.”
Emma and Dele Okoro adopted Isla when she was almost two years old. She had a rough start at life after spending her first year with her mother who was addicted to drugs, followed by 6 months in foster care.
Emma, a social media consultant and Adele, a book store manager were able to give young Isla the comfortable and loving home that she so desperately needed in Forest Grove. A place that is “Home to Strong Branches and Deep Roots” and known as the “ Utopia of the woods.”
The people in this town, mothers especially, can be a bit snobby and Emma has found it hard to fit in , that is until she meets the new girl in town, a fashionista named TatJana “Tat” who extends an olive branch. A fashion designer is all Isla has ever wanted to be when she grows up, so she immediately takes a liking to her as well.
Tat and her architect husband,Lawrence Belafonte, are the ones that everyone’s been gossiping about. They are the family employing the gigantic red crane that is tearing apart the forest to lay down their newly constructed mansion.
The only problem with the friendship is that Tat looks JUST like Isla’s birth mother Jade Dixon and Emma begins to panic. How can’t her husband see this uncanny resemblance? TatJana is everything that Jade could have been if she had gotten her act together, and nine years later she very well could have.
This novel contains dual perspectives, one person who desperately wants Isla back, and another who is determined to keep her...and some of the threats get GOOD.
“What if i strode over to her right now and picked that log up by her feet and smashed her head in?”
“ ...Game over for your pretend parents.”
But, Emma’s past isn’t as perfect as it may seem, for she’s holding onto a debilitating secret— one that could cause her to lose her daughter.
A jaw-dropping thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. This one had a twist that I didn’t see coming at all, and one that I figured out only minutes before, and that’s really saying something!
Tracy Buchanan—You got me! I can’t wait to read more of your work.
Thank you to Netgalley, Lake Union Publishing & Tracy Buchanan for allowing me to read an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.
4.5 ⭐️ rounded up to 5 for Goodreads.
Spoilers below—BEWARE:
I didn’t give this book a full five stars because there were a few circumstances that I thought were a bit far-fetched, such as Emma not knowing that the drink was spiked at the Halloween party—she definitely would’ve tasted rum and vodka. Also, Emma not even using the bathroom after claiming to have been looking for it when she was caught in the Belafonte’s bedroom. It also bothered me that it mentioned that black people were hard to tell apart a few times in the story.
December 10, 2020
LOVED IT, thanks Sophie for telling me how good it was, you were right!
The only problem I am having is what to say as don’t want to give anything away really, it’s a good book to ‘go in blind’
But...what I will say is this...Emma and Dele have a near perfect life in the amazing wooded village of Forest Grove, it is as idyllic as it sounds, except for the playground Mum’s ( all nastily wonderful ) and the bitchy fest Watsapp group they run ( also nastily wonderful ), a new family arrive, they seem VERY OTT and are taking an interest, too much of an interest in Emma and her family, Emma is suspicious of them
but could her mind be playing tricks on her, again
The story is really well told and there are many faucets to it, it’s exciting, quick moving and horrifying yet keeps the dream like status of Forest Grove alive, it’s a clever tale of the past hurtling forward, manipulation and also has a nod to even baddies being redeemable
Once doubt arises, it grows..and grows
Really, really good and will definitely be reading more from this author
10/10
5 Stars
February 17, 2021
Thank you NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for my ARC. Emma has a great life with a loving husband and a beautiful daughter they adopted 11 years ago. When a new family moves into her picturesque village, Emma’s world is turned upside down. Her new neighbor resembles Isla’s birth mother. Does she want her daughter back, or is Emma just being paranoid? This character driven emotional thriller tugged at my heart while also surprising me with unexpected twists. Highly recommend to those who enjoy a compelling story with emotion and suspense. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
January 6, 2021
The book was good, but at the same time, it was the same rehashed plot. A small happy family with Emma, Dele and daughter Isla, then new neighbors moved in. The only issue was the woman looked like her adopted daughter’s mother. This raised Emma’s suspicions, especially when strange things too started happening. Sounded familiar?
I went into this book with low expectations as I knew author Tracy Buchanan’s books could go either way for me. The story was exciting in the beginning, then slowly dragged on. I never understood why the husbands of the main characters never believe them when they present their fears. Everything is shoved as paranoia with some past mental illness quoted. Grow up. There is something known as a woman’s instincts.
Here too, I wanted to whack Dele when he refused to believe his wife even when she presented him with proof. I liked Emma in places when she became proactive with the support of her sister.
Facebook groups and messages were highlighted as there were many catty and bitchy neighbors of the two-legged kind who wrote awful things about Emma based on rumors. I knew these things existed as I had been on the other end of the bias. Those felt realistic.
The story had the POV of a silent hidden spectator who spoke about Isla’s past before she was adopted, and it was absolute fun to try to guess that person. As the story progressed, there were a couple of twists that were different than the other thrillers. That made the book interesting.
Overall, I would say it was a good book. Could be downloaded for free if there is Kindle Unlimited subscription.
I went into this book with low expectations as I knew author Tracy Buchanan’s books could go either way for me. The story was exciting in the beginning, then slowly dragged on. I never understood why the husbands of the main characters never believe them when they present their fears. Everything is shoved as paranoia with some past mental illness quoted. Grow up. There is something known as a woman’s instincts.
Here too, I wanted to whack Dele when he refused to believe his wife even when she presented him with proof. I liked Emma in places when she became proactive with the support of her sister.
Facebook groups and messages were highlighted as there were many catty and bitchy neighbors of the two-legged kind who wrote awful things about Emma based on rumors. I knew these things existed as I had been on the other end of the bias. Those felt realistic.
The story had the POV of a silent hidden spectator who spoke about Isla’s past before she was adopted, and it was absolute fun to try to guess that person. As the story progressed, there were a couple of twists that were different than the other thrillers. That made the book interesting.
Overall, I would say it was a good book. Could be downloaded for free if there is Kindle Unlimited subscription.
January 21, 2022
I read Wall of Silence some time ago and thoroughly enjoyed that novel. Like this book of hers, Circle of Doubt draws you slowly into Buchanan's web of subtle and sometimes violent intrigue.
Emma is clearly a loner who lacks confidence and finds it difficult to fit into the culture of the superficially idyllic village of Forest Grove. As she struggles to cement relationships there are some clever hints about her background - hints about her past that could lead to her losing her adopted daughter. When a fashionable couple move into the village showcasing their Mcmansion and extravagant lifestyle, Emma's comfortable existence takes an uncomfortable turn. She feels threatened by the wife who looks just like her daughter's birth mother; she becomes a marketing consultant for the smooth, handsome husband.
The author develops her plot very expertly and reveals several exciting surprises in this psychological thriller - surprises that I didn't expect. One of them concerning her sister caught me completely off guard.
Shawn Callon, author of The Diplomatic Spy, wrote this review.
Emma is clearly a loner who lacks confidence and finds it difficult to fit into the culture of the superficially idyllic village of Forest Grove. As she struggles to cement relationships there are some clever hints about her background - hints about her past that could lead to her losing her adopted daughter. When a fashionable couple move into the village showcasing their Mcmansion and extravagant lifestyle, Emma's comfortable existence takes an uncomfortable turn. She feels threatened by the wife who looks just like her daughter's birth mother; she becomes a marketing consultant for the smooth, handsome husband.
The author develops her plot very expertly and reveals several exciting surprises in this psychological thriller - surprises that I didn't expect. One of them concerning her sister caught me completely off guard.
Shawn Callon, author of The Diplomatic Spy, wrote this review.
January 29, 2021
Set in the fictional village of Forest Grove,
Circle of Doubt
centres on Dele and Emma Okoru, the adoptive parents of ten-year-old Isla. They have a good life... until a new family moves into the area and Emma is convinced that one of the new mothers on the school run is Isla's birth mum. With her suspicions growing, things start to go awry and her parenting abilities are brought into question. As Dele doubts her concerns, a troubled Emma turns to her sister Harriet for support, but things only worsen when secrets from her past emerge.
This book has a very strong start. The story is told in a dual narrative, the first being the unreliable narrator Emma, who is sharing the daily unfolding of events as she struggles to fit in with Forest Grove life and the other mothers. The second narrative is a series of 'letters' to Isla, where someone disparages Isla’s 'pretend' parents. Snippets from Facebook group posts are also interspersed. Tracy Buchanan did a great job with the pacing and Circle of Doubt contains some intriguing elements in the storyline, dealing with emotion, manipulation and malice, but also redemption. This gripping novel is well-written, packed with mystery and contains some excellent character portrayal. A clever, compelling tale I'm immensely pleased to have read.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Amazon Publishing UK, Lake Union Publishing via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
This book has a very strong start. The story is told in a dual narrative, the first being the unreliable narrator Emma, who is sharing the daily unfolding of events as she struggles to fit in with Forest Grove life and the other mothers. The second narrative is a series of 'letters' to Isla, where someone disparages Isla’s 'pretend' parents. Snippets from Facebook group posts are also interspersed. Tracy Buchanan did a great job with the pacing and Circle of Doubt contains some intriguing elements in the storyline, dealing with emotion, manipulation and malice, but also redemption. This gripping novel is well-written, packed with mystery and contains some excellent character portrayal. A clever, compelling tale I'm immensely pleased to have read.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Amazon Publishing UK, Lake Union Publishing via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
June 3, 2021
3/5 ⭐
I enjoyed this. Typical thriller, nothing really special with it. I did think I had it figured out and then I didn't. I wasn't expecting the twist near the end.
I enjoyed this. Typical thriller, nothing really special with it. I did think I had it figured out and then I didn't. I wasn't expecting the twist near the end.
November 15, 2020
Thought this started off slow and was repetitive. But as I got further into the book it had more oomph to it. Ended up having a great twist I didnt see coming. Overall was a good book.
Thanks to the Author, the publisher and NetGalley for an early release of this book.
Thanks to the Author, the publisher and NetGalley for an early release of this book.
November 19, 2020
To start, I love the cover of the book. The colour is pleasing and the circle of thorns is very fitting.
The title, Circle of Doubt, really describes my feelings about the book. As I was reading it I had my doubts that I would be able to give a positive review.
The story is about a young biracial couple moving into a “perfect” community with their adopted daughter. Right from the beginning, the mother had trouble fitting in with all the “perfect” mothers. Then strange things started happening, making her doubt her sanity. She thought that someone was trying to make her look like a bad mother. They were.
In today's reading world, there is a glut on the market of psychological thrillers. In order to stand out from the others, there has to be a unique aspect to the characters or storyline. The story just did not have these aspects.
I could not identify with the main characters, they seemed very insipid. The “perfect” mothers of the community were just plain bitchy. They followed their leader all the way. I don't need characters or a storyline that is realistic because I read to be entertained. I can't even figure out if they were realistic or not, I found them annoying. This was just a struggle.
Then, around the 70% mark of the book, the twists and turns started and it really did get interesting. The things that happened really did surprise me and I found some redemption in the rest of the book. I finished reading the book on an up note but it took me too long to get there.
I see that there are many positive reviews for Circle of Doubt. Perhaps it was just the wrong time and place for me to read this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance reader's copy of the book.
The title, Circle of Doubt, really describes my feelings about the book. As I was reading it I had my doubts that I would be able to give a positive review.
The story is about a young biracial couple moving into a “perfect” community with their adopted daughter. Right from the beginning, the mother had trouble fitting in with all the “perfect” mothers. Then strange things started happening, making her doubt her sanity. She thought that someone was trying to make her look like a bad mother. They were.
In today's reading world, there is a glut on the market of psychological thrillers. In order to stand out from the others, there has to be a unique aspect to the characters or storyline. The story just did not have these aspects.
I could not identify with the main characters, they seemed very insipid. The “perfect” mothers of the community were just plain bitchy. They followed their leader all the way. I don't need characters or a storyline that is realistic because I read to be entertained. I can't even figure out if they were realistic or not, I found them annoying. This was just a struggle.
Then, around the 70% mark of the book, the twists and turns started and it really did get interesting. The things that happened really did surprise me and I found some redemption in the rest of the book. I finished reading the book on an up note but it took me too long to get there.
I see that there are many positive reviews for Circle of Doubt. Perhaps it was just the wrong time and place for me to read this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance reader's copy of the book.
June 4, 2022
What a read
As a fan of the Forehead Grove books, I highly enjoyed this book. I love the way the author writes. The blending of multiple POVs with the town telling through social media, works in a way I've never seen before. Can't wait to begin the next book in the series
As a fan of the Forehead Grove books, I highly enjoyed this book. I love the way the author writes. The blending of multiple POVs with the town telling through social media, works in a way I've never seen before. Can't wait to begin the next book in the series
December 8, 2020
This gave me chills, I can't imagine how Emma must be feeling knowing that Tatjana could be the birth mother of their adopted daughter. The fear and uncertainty would be devastating and playing mind games with Emma. The book was thrilling and had me on the edge of my seat. Tatjana definitely did have ulterior motives and it just shows you that you never truly know someone no matter what. Emma second guessing herself had my heart breaking for her - she was put in a truly awful position.
This was an excellent read! Absolutely adored it and would highly recommend. Thank you NetGalley and Tracy for allowing me to read this wonderful book.
This was an excellent read! Absolutely adored it and would highly recommend. Thank you NetGalley and Tracy for allowing me to read this wonderful book.
November 28, 2020
Emma, Dele, and their daughter Isla move to a small town. Emma is already struggling to fit in when a new family moves in, and the wife, Tatjana, alienates Emma even further. Isla is adopted and Emma feels that the Tatjana looks like Isla's birth mother and even scarier, seems to take a special interest in Isla while shutting Emma out. The story is primarily narrated by Emma, with chapters thrown in from an unknown sinister voice.
This book seemed pretty straightforward to me for much of it and I was wondering if that was all there was. However, the author starts throwing some interesting twists out in the 2nd half of the book and there are definitely some surprises. I was completely caught off guard by one of the twists in the latter part of the book.
I thought Emma's lack of confidence and the extreme bitchiness of the other moms got pretty old, but both of these areas improved as the book continued. I also thought that the ending tied things up just a little too neatly to seem plausible, though I appreciated the sentiment.
Overall, a decent read that mixes mystery with questions around family bonds. I think it was worth the read even though it wasn't my favorite. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book seemed pretty straightforward to me for much of it and I was wondering if that was all there was. However, the author starts throwing some interesting twists out in the 2nd half of the book and there are definitely some surprises. I was completely caught off guard by one of the twists in the latter part of the book.
I thought Emma's lack of confidence and the extreme bitchiness of the other moms got pretty old, but both of these areas improved as the book continued. I also thought that the ending tied things up just a little too neatly to seem plausible, though I appreciated the sentiment.
Overall, a decent read that mixes mystery with questions around family bonds. I think it was worth the read even though it wasn't my favorite. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 26, 2020
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC of Circle of Doubt by Tracy Buchanan.
Emma and Dele have everything they could ask for after adopting their daughter Isla nine years before. They knew she was coming from an unsafe parentage, but now they could give her all of the love and security she would ever need.
But everything gets shaken up when a new family moves into the neighborhood, and while the mother of the family is posh, popular and well liked, Emma senses something familiar about her. Not only that, but Emma has noticed small things going wrong in her life, mix ups in communication, and even her own daughter turning against her. Is this Isla's birth mother, coming back from the past?
Overall a decent story, it was just a bit over-the-top dramatics. I struggle to think that after even a fraction of what had happened, would ever bring any of those families to share a similar space ever again. The characters all felt like campy cartoon character versions of themselves, and the villain of the story was a bit too "mustache twirly" for me.
Emma and Dele have everything they could ask for after adopting their daughter Isla nine years before. They knew she was coming from an unsafe parentage, but now they could give her all of the love and security she would ever need.
But everything gets shaken up when a new family moves into the neighborhood, and while the mother of the family is posh, popular and well liked, Emma senses something familiar about her. Not only that, but Emma has noticed small things going wrong in her life, mix ups in communication, and even her own daughter turning against her. Is this Isla's birth mother, coming back from the past?
Overall a decent story, it was just a bit over-the-top dramatics. I struggle to think that after even a fraction of what had happened, would ever bring any of those families to share a similar space ever again. The characters all felt like campy cartoon character versions of themselves, and the villain of the story was a bit too "mustache twirly" for me.
November 23, 2020
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC. This book started out creepy and menacing. Then it switches to a normal family trying to get ready to start the day. The book alternated between the creepy, menacing chapters and the more "normal" chapters. I felt Isla sounded to grown up for only being 10. Dele was such a minor character I don't really know what to say about him.. The book was well-written and thought the "Facebook" transcripts seemed very real and typically bitchy. There were so many characters it was hard for me to keep everyone straight. Emma to me was kind of pathetic. The reveal completely surprised me. The ending/epilogue was a little to pat for me.
November 12, 2020
“Circle of Doubt” by Tracy Buchanan is a tightly woven family suspense. I really liked the characters and how they all interlocked with one another into the story.
Red herrings are thrown in to put the reader off the scent and it’s not clear who can be trusted until the moment it’s revealed!
This is the first book by this author that I’ve read and I’m looking forward to reading more by her. A great, fast paced, highly enjoyable read.
Red herrings are thrown in to put the reader off the scent and it’s not clear who can be trusted until the moment it’s revealed!
This is the first book by this author that I’ve read and I’m looking forward to reading more by her. A great, fast paced, highly enjoyable read.
November 30, 2022
3.5 stars
What this thriller lacks in originality is certainly made up for in terms of suspense and twists, as at no point does it allow you to rest easily amid its claustrophobic atmosphere. Well developed and scattered with some clever ideas, the concept may not set itself apart too greatly from others in the genre, but it maximises the potential with a menacing narrative that fills you with increasing paranoia as the story unfurls.
There are multiple narratives and formats on display which are used effectively throughout, giving it extra layers and enhancing the plot with a crafty sense of misdirection. The characters all have a lot of depth to them and although there are some scenes that can feel a little repetitive, the action moves along at a brisk pace and maintains a high level of intrigue.
Nine years ago, Emma Ofori and her husband Dele adopted a little girl called Isla, whose teenage mother Jade was unable to look after her. They are a happy family and have recently moved to the village of Forest Grove, where one morning a rock suddenly smashes through their living room window, and initially Emma thinks it may have been a racially motivated act.
A total introvert, Emma has so far struggled to make friends since moving to Forest Grove and she is looked upon with scorn by the other mothers at Isla's primary school. Then on the way to school she is accused by another woman of careless parking and there she encounters Laurence, an architect who has just moved to the area and is building a house nearby. Much to Emma's shock, she sees that his wife Tatjana looks exactly like Jade.
After a number of strange incidents happen in the ensuing weeks and Tatjana becomes increasingly friendly with Isla, making her look like a bad mother in the process, Emma is convinced that the other woman is Jade and she has come back to reclaim her daughter. And it is true, someone is looking to discredit Emma and take Isla away, and there is an incident in Emma's past that she wants to keep hidden at all costs.
Right from the very first chapter, you know that something is afoot and there is an extremely threatening vibe that only intensifies once Tatjana enters the story. As each passing event goes by it gets more unsettling for Emma and as the reader you really begin to feel that on her behalf, while the question of whether Tatjana is Jade or not hangs in the air with no clear answer either way.
The first real twist occurs about two thirds of the way through and despite the fact I did work it out in the end, I should have seen it coming earlier. It is just very well teased and rather hidden in plain sight. It is nothing however compared to the twist that arrives closer to the end, which is totally unexpected and somewhat mind-blowing as it pulls the proverbial rug from underneath you.
Most of the story is written in the third person from the perspective of Emma, and you can really feel her growing trepidation and fear. In between these chapters we have short sections which address Isla in the second person, from the viewpoint of the person who is looking to take her, which are full of foreboding. Elsewhere, we also have sections of an online chat forum for Forest Grove residents, mostly the mothers at Isla's school.
For the most part, Emma is a likeable character whose growing fear is easy to understand and I felt able to connect and empathise with her. Actually, it is only towards the end where you realise how much depth she actually has. Dele was not developed as much but seemed a good character, Isla was smart and kind of adorable, while Emma's sister Harriet is headstrong and full of conviction.
Along with Emma, the most complex character in the book by far is Tatjana, who clearly has some kind of agenda at the beginning and is portrayed as elegant and sophisticated, but turns out to be quite vulnerable. Even then, you are still made to feel suspicious of her. Laurence is just suave all the way, and so many of the other mothers are annoyingly two-faced.
Again, there is nothing particularly unique about Forest Grove as a setting compared to what we see in other thrillers, but the fact that it is so small and everyone knows each other does lend itself to some tension, with all the gossip that comes with it. Some of the best insights come through the extracts of the chat forum, which also offers more in the way of character and plot development.
One of the more impressive things here was the writing, which is fairly vibrant and has a real sense of personality. In contrast, if there was one moment I did not like, it is when Emma drinks alcohol late in the story even when she is teetotal - that was unnecessary and sent a bad message. As for the ending, one thing that happened seemed far-fetched, but otherwise it was great.
Overall, the unrelenting suspense and powerful degree of depth given to the characters make this an unquestionably good thriller. The plot may not stand out too much from the crowd, but the writing and storytelling are both strong and there is a twist that truly catches you out in a damning realisation. On top of that, it is certainly a page-turner.
What this thriller lacks in originality is certainly made up for in terms of suspense and twists, as at no point does it allow you to rest easily amid its claustrophobic atmosphere. Well developed and scattered with some clever ideas, the concept may not set itself apart too greatly from others in the genre, but it maximises the potential with a menacing narrative that fills you with increasing paranoia as the story unfurls.
There are multiple narratives and formats on display which are used effectively throughout, giving it extra layers and enhancing the plot with a crafty sense of misdirection. The characters all have a lot of depth to them and although there are some scenes that can feel a little repetitive, the action moves along at a brisk pace and maintains a high level of intrigue.
Nine years ago, Emma Ofori and her husband Dele adopted a little girl called Isla, whose teenage mother Jade was unable to look after her. They are a happy family and have recently moved to the village of Forest Grove, where one morning a rock suddenly smashes through their living room window, and initially Emma thinks it may have been a racially motivated act.
A total introvert, Emma has so far struggled to make friends since moving to Forest Grove and she is looked upon with scorn by the other mothers at Isla's primary school. Then on the way to school she is accused by another woman of careless parking and there she encounters Laurence, an architect who has just moved to the area and is building a house nearby. Much to Emma's shock, she sees that his wife Tatjana looks exactly like Jade.
After a number of strange incidents happen in the ensuing weeks and Tatjana becomes increasingly friendly with Isla, making her look like a bad mother in the process, Emma is convinced that the other woman is Jade and she has come back to reclaim her daughter. And it is true, someone is looking to discredit Emma and take Isla away, and there is an incident in Emma's past that she wants to keep hidden at all costs.
Right from the very first chapter, you know that something is afoot and there is an extremely threatening vibe that only intensifies once Tatjana enters the story. As each passing event goes by it gets more unsettling for Emma and as the reader you really begin to feel that on her behalf, while the question of whether Tatjana is Jade or not hangs in the air with no clear answer either way.
The first real twist occurs about two thirds of the way through and despite the fact I did work it out in the end, I should have seen it coming earlier. It is just very well teased and rather hidden in plain sight. It is nothing however compared to the twist that arrives closer to the end, which is totally unexpected and somewhat mind-blowing as it pulls the proverbial rug from underneath you.
Most of the story is written in the third person from the perspective of Emma, and you can really feel her growing trepidation and fear. In between these chapters we have short sections which address Isla in the second person, from the viewpoint of the person who is looking to take her, which are full of foreboding. Elsewhere, we also have sections of an online chat forum for Forest Grove residents, mostly the mothers at Isla's school.
For the most part, Emma is a likeable character whose growing fear is easy to understand and I felt able to connect and empathise with her. Actually, it is only towards the end where you realise how much depth she actually has. Dele was not developed as much but seemed a good character, Isla was smart and kind of adorable, while Emma's sister Harriet is headstrong and full of conviction.
Along with Emma, the most complex character in the book by far is Tatjana, who clearly has some kind of agenda at the beginning and is portrayed as elegant and sophisticated, but turns out to be quite vulnerable. Even then, you are still made to feel suspicious of her. Laurence is just suave all the way, and so many of the other mothers are annoyingly two-faced.
Again, there is nothing particularly unique about Forest Grove as a setting compared to what we see in other thrillers, but the fact that it is so small and everyone knows each other does lend itself to some tension, with all the gossip that comes with it. Some of the best insights come through the extracts of the chat forum, which also offers more in the way of character and plot development.
One of the more impressive things here was the writing, which is fairly vibrant and has a real sense of personality. In contrast, if there was one moment I did not like, it is when Emma drinks alcohol late in the story even when she is teetotal - that was unnecessary and sent a bad message. As for the ending, one thing that happened seemed far-fetched, but otherwise it was great.
Overall, the unrelenting suspense and powerful degree of depth given to the characters make this an unquestionably good thriller. The plot may not stand out too much from the crowd, but the writing and storytelling are both strong and there is a twist that truly catches you out in a damning realisation. On top of that, it is certainly a page-turner.
September 27, 2021
This was a very solid read. I've loved Tracy's books for years - and I love that she's gone more into the psychological thriller genre than when she first started out. I saw this at my local library a few weeks back and just had to borrow it. It's been a while since my last read by Tracy but I slipped into this novel the same way I do a comfy, worn pair of socks.
I was immediately intrigued by the story - married couple, Emma and Dele adopt a little girl Isla, they move to Forest Grove (the setting of Buchanan's other novel Wall of Silence, as well as her new novel Trail of Destruction) however one day, a new family move in, the Belafontes, and Emma swears that Tatiana looks like Jade, Isla's drug-addled foster mother. And, as is the way in these novels, Emma's life slowly starts to disintegrate in small but fundamental ways and Emma assumes it's Tatiana who has come back to reclaim her daughter.
This novel was a super easy, read in two sittings kind of read. I read a massive chunk while out with my boyfriend and then finished it while work was quiet. The story just skipped along at a really nice pace, and I was intrigued to find out who the narrator was who was writing to Isla during a chapter here and there throughout the novel. I wasn't particularly surprised by the reveal, but it was very well done and very well written by Tracy.
I really liked Emma; I can't imagine adopting a child, having that child for eight years and then fearing the biological Mam might come back one day and just take the child back. I also assume that you can't actually do that, because y'know THE LAW, but still. Especially since Emma was hiding a quite massive secret - that of which I didn't guess and which DID leave my jaw on the floor. It was the kind of chapter where I had to re-read the last sentence two or three times to actually wrap my head around it because I was like '....sorry, WHAT?'. There wasn't even a hint of it in my opinion so bravo indeed to Tracy for fooling me.
I really liked Circle of Doubt - it was a solid, quick read with enjoyable prose and Emma was a really good narrator. I felt claustrophobic at times reading the novel as I imagined the forest in the aptly-named Forest Grove, and it's the second novel in a row (the first being When She Disappeared - I also recommend this novel) with a house IN THE ACTUAL FOREST. Like, that's my DREAM. A house just away from society. My boyfriend and I discuss it all the time, in fact, like 'Shall we just move to a cabin in the woods?' and the answer, invariably, is yes. We just haven't sorted the logistics of how we'll keep all of the animals we intend to have as cabins in the woods don't come with fields and our horses are going to have to go somewhere.
I am now going to order myself the other two Forest Grove books, because quick and easy reads really are my favourite thing and Tracy Buchanan is absolutely one of my favourite authors. Circle of Doubt was an incredible read.
I was immediately intrigued by the story - married couple, Emma and Dele adopt a little girl Isla, they move to Forest Grove (the setting of Buchanan's other novel Wall of Silence, as well as her new novel Trail of Destruction) however one day, a new family move in, the Belafontes, and Emma swears that Tatiana looks like Jade, Isla's drug-addled foster mother. And, as is the way in these novels, Emma's life slowly starts to disintegrate in small but fundamental ways and Emma assumes it's Tatiana who has come back to reclaim her daughter.
This novel was a super easy, read in two sittings kind of read. I read a massive chunk while out with my boyfriend and then finished it while work was quiet. The story just skipped along at a really nice pace, and I was intrigued to find out who the narrator was who was writing to Isla during a chapter here and there throughout the novel. I wasn't particularly surprised by the reveal, but it was very well done and very well written by Tracy.
I really liked Emma; I can't imagine adopting a child, having that child for eight years and then fearing the biological Mam might come back one day and just take the child back. I also assume that you can't actually do that, because y'know THE LAW, but still. Especially since Emma was hiding a quite massive secret - that of which I didn't guess and which DID leave my jaw on the floor. It was the kind of chapter where I had to re-read the last sentence two or three times to actually wrap my head around it because I was like '....sorry, WHAT?'. There wasn't even a hint of it in my opinion so bravo indeed to Tracy for fooling me.
I really liked Circle of Doubt - it was a solid, quick read with enjoyable prose and Emma was a really good narrator. I felt claustrophobic at times reading the novel as I imagined the forest in the aptly-named Forest Grove, and it's the second novel in a row (the first being When She Disappeared - I also recommend this novel) with a house IN THE ACTUAL FOREST. Like, that's my DREAM. A house just away from society. My boyfriend and I discuss it all the time, in fact, like 'Shall we just move to a cabin in the woods?' and the answer, invariably, is yes. We just haven't sorted the logistics of how we'll keep all of the animals we intend to have as cabins in the woods don't come with fields and our horses are going to have to go somewhere.
I am now going to order myself the other two Forest Grove books, because quick and easy reads really are my favourite thing and Tracy Buchanan is absolutely one of my favourite authors. Circle of Doubt was an incredible read.
August 18, 2021
Emma and Dele’s dreams came true when they adopted their beautiful daughter, Isla. They live their perfect life in a lovely village when another family suddenly moves in – and Emma thinks the mother looks suspiciously like Isla’s birth mother…
Emma tries to shake the feeling that the sophisticated women is the troubled young girl who gave up Isla nine years ago, but Tatjana has an intense interest in Isla and when small things start to go wrong and her parenting abilities are brought into question, Emma feels undermined, turning to her sister Harriet for support. But things only spiral further when secrets from her past suddenly resurface.
I really enjoyed this novel – more than I thought I would if I’m completely honest. Told in dual timelines, Emma struggling with the day-to-day life of cattiness of the mothers in her small town and a new job, and a series of letters to Isla which show the reader that someone is intent on gaining custody.
Emma could be considered an unreliable narrator as she has a hidden past that threatens her parental rights, and her paranoia starts to come to light.
There are a lot of characters to get your head around, and how they all connect to each other but as someone who’s not a mother, I think I can safely say that the author highlights the highs and lows of schoolyard politics pretty well!
This really pokes at the jealousy of siblings, parents and children - what’s right, what’s wrong?
CIRCLE OF DOUBT will bring a up a lot of feelings for any parent, biological or adoptive, about the lengths you go to in order to protect your children. It is a suspenseful read with a number of interesting themes and I would recommend if you’re looking for a compelling story filled with emotion.
Emma tries to shake the feeling that the sophisticated women is the troubled young girl who gave up Isla nine years ago, but Tatjana has an intense interest in Isla and when small things start to go wrong and her parenting abilities are brought into question, Emma feels undermined, turning to her sister Harriet for support. But things only spiral further when secrets from her past suddenly resurface.
I really enjoyed this novel – more than I thought I would if I’m completely honest. Told in dual timelines, Emma struggling with the day-to-day life of cattiness of the mothers in her small town and a new job, and a series of letters to Isla which show the reader that someone is intent on gaining custody.
Emma could be considered an unreliable narrator as she has a hidden past that threatens her parental rights, and her paranoia starts to come to light.
There are a lot of characters to get your head around, and how they all connect to each other but as someone who’s not a mother, I think I can safely say that the author highlights the highs and lows of schoolyard politics pretty well!
This really pokes at the jealousy of siblings, parents and children - what’s right, what’s wrong?
CIRCLE OF DOUBT will bring a up a lot of feelings for any parent, biological or adoptive, about the lengths you go to in order to protect your children. It is a suspenseful read with a number of interesting themes and I would recommend if you’re looking for a compelling story filled with emotion.
January 23, 2021
I would firstly like to thank Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely love that we got another Forest Grove read! I didn't immediately make the connection, but I really enjoyed 'Wall of Silence', and this one topped that! It doesn't continue on so both books can be read as standalones but I do hope Buchanan writes more! Developing the stories of characters we have already been introduced to is something that makes me very excited for further books!
Sinister events, scandal, juicy gossip, lies, a fast-moving plot, relatable characters, drama, clever writing, suspense, and plenty of twists and turns, what more could you want??
Can't wait for the next!
I absolutely love that we got another Forest Grove read! I didn't immediately make the connection, but I really enjoyed 'Wall of Silence', and this one topped that! It doesn't continue on so both books can be read as standalones but I do hope Buchanan writes more! Developing the stories of characters we have already been introduced to is something that makes me very excited for further books!
Sinister events, scandal, juicy gossip, lies, a fast-moving plot, relatable characters, drama, clever writing, suspense, and plenty of twists and turns, what more could you want??
Can't wait for the next!
February 12, 2021
I feel I am being generous with my 3 stars here. I have really enjoyed all of Tracy Buchanan's previous books but this one was not up to the usual standard. I was constantly irritated by the excessive use of exclamation marks - particularly at the end of a chapter.
The chapter where Emma visits a council estate was full of stereotypical descriptions and it was pretty convenient when the first person she met happened to know of Jade.
There was one slight surprise for me which I liked - something I didn't see coming. Othersise, not one I would say I loved, which is a shame as I was looking forward to it.
The chapter where Emma visits a council estate was full of stereotypical descriptions and it was pretty convenient when the first person she met happened to know of Jade.
There was one slight surprise for me which I liked - something I didn't see coming. Othersise, not one I would say I loved, which is a shame as I was looking forward to it.
February 28, 2021
Wow this is crazy and intense! Emma and Dele Okoru have a wonderful marriage and daughter, Isla, who they adopted nine years ago. Soon their lives takes a turn when a new family moves into their community. She believes Tatjana Belafonte is someone connected to the adoption, could she be Jade Dixon, the birth mom?
Tatjana takes interest in Isla causing Emma a lot of stress and undermining her parental abilities. Things become very intense, suspenseful and twisty. Emma has a few secrets that will soon be shared. Thank you to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK, and the author for a gifted copy. This is my honest review.
Tatjana takes interest in Isla causing Emma a lot of stress and undermining her parental abilities. Things become very intense, suspenseful and twisty. Emma has a few secrets that will soon be shared. Thank you to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK, and the author for a gifted copy. This is my honest review.
January 26, 2021
I enjoyed Wall of Silence, so I thought I may like this one as well. I thought Circle of Doubt would be more of a thriller, but instead found it to be a petty fiction women's drama book about a bunch of bad gossipy suburban people . It reminded me of a bunch of other books I've read before and I'm sure I will completely forget what this book was about. I gave it two stars because of the two twists toward the end, which I had already guessed were coming, but it was still made the book more enjoyable.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 19, 2025
This was just okay but fast paced, and I was able to listen to it all in one day. This was not nearly as good as the first one in the series, but the plot twist was pretty decent. You can definitely tell the Black characters were written by a white woman. Not necessarily a terrible job, but not great either.
January 29, 2021
I love Forest Grove! This is the second time the author has brought us to this wicked little village full of gossiping Stefford wives in wellys. I devoured this book so many good little twists and surprises.
June 24, 2023
Ten konec dost na hovno no xddd
March 18, 2021
I did not like this title for the most part. Much of that could have been the make narrator, but I thought that the premise was a bit of a stretch, and many of the characters were very unlikable. There was an interesting twist about 3/4 of the way through and the ending was pleasant, but neither did enough to change my original feeling.
November 22, 2020
Tracy Buchanan has crafted an outstanding domestic thriller that relies heavily on its characters. Focussed on interpersonal relationships, ‘Circle of Doubt,’ to be published January 5, 2021, explores the potential for evil in a seemingly perfect neighbourhood. It is a richly layered and utterly immersive read.
Emma and Dele Okoru, a biracial couple, adopt a beautiful little girl and move to fictional Forest Grove to start family life in an idyllic location. This picturesque village is on the edge of a forest and the families who live there embrace nature, walk their children to school, have stay-at-home moms and are heavily involved in the community. Sounds perfect, doesn’t it? That’s just on the surface. Just one look at Mums Of Forest Grove Facebook Group will confirm your doubts. Everyone looks perfect, but the snarky and petty comments left on the feed show the residents’ true colours. The Okorus have their share of skeletons in the closet, but they are united in their focus of providing their daughter Isla with the best childhood. As soon as Emma meets the other neighbours at school pick up, her insecurities about her capability of mothering Isla start to surface. These insecurities are compounded as soon as the new neighbours move in and the wife looks disturbingly similar to Isla’s birth mom.
Tatiana and Lawrence Belafonte, another biracial couple, are the dream team of Forest Grove. Everyone envies and aspires to be the Belafontes. Not only do they have a to-die-for new home, luxury vehicles, fashion-forward apparel and a big bank account, but they also seem like the perfect match. In fact, it’s Tatiana’s ‘too perfect’ persona that repels Emma and ignites her deep dive into her neighbour’s past. Tatiana’s perfection, both in-person and online, is just what struggling mothers don’t need - more strain to add to the already heavy load of community pressure.
What a deliciously wicked read! I absolutely loved this gripping thriller and devoured it in one sitting. The idea of a perfect family fascinates us even when we know, at some level, that there’s no such thing. Tracy Buchanan explores this issue as she exposes the stresses society puts on mothers to be perfect. It was made ‘next level’ fantastic with the addition of the Facebook posts and the stalker’s perspective. They added to the characterization and plotline because readers could get a glimpse of each neighbour’s true character and they give readers a feel for the vibe of the community. One particular post had me giggling; Dele was described as “living in hipster-snowflake hell.” In addition to interpersonal relationships clouded by feelings of inadequacy, Buchanan also highlights how grief affects us and what coping mechanisms we employ to allow us to walk through the trauma. How refreshing for a five star read to have no guts, gore, sex or profanity! I love Buchanan’s writing style. She has the ability to insert unexpected twists and turns into her writing, producing a binge-worthy read. This may be my first introduction to Buchanan, but I’m definitely going to read book 1 in the Forest Grove series and put her on my ‘go-to’ list.
Thank you Tracy Buchanan, Amazon Publishing UK, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for this fantastic advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Emma and Dele Okoru, a biracial couple, adopt a beautiful little girl and move to fictional Forest Grove to start family life in an idyllic location. This picturesque village is on the edge of a forest and the families who live there embrace nature, walk their children to school, have stay-at-home moms and are heavily involved in the community. Sounds perfect, doesn’t it? That’s just on the surface. Just one look at Mums Of Forest Grove Facebook Group will confirm your doubts. Everyone looks perfect, but the snarky and petty comments left on the feed show the residents’ true colours. The Okorus have their share of skeletons in the closet, but they are united in their focus of providing their daughter Isla with the best childhood. As soon as Emma meets the other neighbours at school pick up, her insecurities about her capability of mothering Isla start to surface. These insecurities are compounded as soon as the new neighbours move in and the wife looks disturbingly similar to Isla’s birth mom.
Tatiana and Lawrence Belafonte, another biracial couple, are the dream team of Forest Grove. Everyone envies and aspires to be the Belafontes. Not only do they have a to-die-for new home, luxury vehicles, fashion-forward apparel and a big bank account, but they also seem like the perfect match. In fact, it’s Tatiana’s ‘too perfect’ persona that repels Emma and ignites her deep dive into her neighbour’s past. Tatiana’s perfection, both in-person and online, is just what struggling mothers don’t need - more strain to add to the already heavy load of community pressure.
What a deliciously wicked read! I absolutely loved this gripping thriller and devoured it in one sitting. The idea of a perfect family fascinates us even when we know, at some level, that there’s no such thing. Tracy Buchanan explores this issue as she exposes the stresses society puts on mothers to be perfect. It was made ‘next level’ fantastic with the addition of the Facebook posts and the stalker’s perspective. They added to the characterization and plotline because readers could get a glimpse of each neighbour’s true character and they give readers a feel for the vibe of the community. One particular post had me giggling; Dele was described as “living in hipster-snowflake hell.” In addition to interpersonal relationships clouded by feelings of inadequacy, Buchanan also highlights how grief affects us and what coping mechanisms we employ to allow us to walk through the trauma. How refreshing for a five star read to have no guts, gore, sex or profanity! I love Buchanan’s writing style. She has the ability to insert unexpected twists and turns into her writing, producing a binge-worthy read. This may be my first introduction to Buchanan, but I’m definitely going to read book 1 in the Forest Grove series and put her on my ‘go-to’ list.
Thank you Tracy Buchanan, Amazon Publishing UK, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for this fantastic advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
December 19, 2020
3.5
This really would have been a 4 star read had the writing not really irritated me at the beginning. Maybe this is just my reading quirk but I really loathe the info dumps that you now tend to get at the beginning of these kinds of domestic noir thrillers. I don't need this whole scene-setting, info-dumpy, clumsy way of introducing characters and their backstory. I didn't need to know what Emma did for a job so early on, etc.
There were a couple of clangers in the novel, in my opinion. Why would the parents put an 18-month-old in a cot when they first adopted her? They'd surely buy a toddler bed. Also, Isla was apparently adopted at 18 months, but then that later became two years old. There was a scene where Isla was talking with her mouth full and this was described, for Emma to then say "don't eat with your mouth full." I presume this is a mistake?
And, to end the negatives, why, in these domestic noir thrillers, do people call each other darling all the damn time? I loathe the word. I never hear it in real life, it makes me cringe.
And for the positives ... I got into the novel after a few chapters. I liked the undercurrent of Emma having previously done something terrible, and was fairly surprised when that event was revealed (although I didn't like Harriet's inclusion **no spoilers**)
The Facebook exchanges felt true to life of a small, isolated village with parents all competing for the popular crown at the school gates.
Overall, I liked the suspense and the plot was an interesting one. I will seek out more by this author.
I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
This really would have been a 4 star read had the writing not really irritated me at the beginning. Maybe this is just my reading quirk but I really loathe the info dumps that you now tend to get at the beginning of these kinds of domestic noir thrillers. I don't need this whole scene-setting, info-dumpy, clumsy way of introducing characters and their backstory. I didn't need to know what Emma did for a job so early on, etc.
There were a couple of clangers in the novel, in my opinion. Why would the parents put an 18-month-old in a cot when they first adopted her? They'd surely buy a toddler bed. Also, Isla was apparently adopted at 18 months, but then that later became two years old. There was a scene where Isla was talking with her mouth full and this was described, for Emma to then say "don't eat with your mouth full." I presume this is a mistake?
And, to end the negatives, why, in these domestic noir thrillers, do people call each other darling all the damn time? I loathe the word. I never hear it in real life, it makes me cringe.
And for the positives ... I got into the novel after a few chapters. I liked the undercurrent of Emma having previously done something terrible, and was fairly surprised when that event was revealed (although I didn't like Harriet's inclusion **no spoilers**)
The Facebook exchanges felt true to life of a small, isolated village with parents all competing for the popular crown at the school gates.
Overall, I liked the suspense and the plot was an interesting one. I will seek out more by this author.
I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
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