JL Butler is the pseudonym for Tasmina Perry, well known for her steamy novels that have kept me company on many a beach holiday. I've always enjoyed her writing, it reminds me of the greats from days past; Judith Krantz, Shirley Conran et al.
I hadn't realised that JL Butler is the same author writing psychological thrillers, and was really interested to se just how she would do this.
Unfaithful is a rollicking ride of a story and kept me totally entertained throughout. It's a tale of betrayal and obsession, set amongst the privileged and wealthy people in London. It moves at a decent pace, although I did feel that there were parts that could have moved faster. However, the final few chapters are utterly nail biting and I had a definite jaw dropping moment, more than once.
Rachel Reeves seems to have the perfect life, with her wealthy husband, a daughter who is off to university and a beautiful home. However, she's restless. Rachel gave up her job as an editor when she had Rachel and has not worked out of the home since then. She's ready to go back out there and her well-connected friend Serena engineers an invitation to a publisher launch party, in the hope that Rachel can get a foot back in the door.
She certainly does. She's offered a job, on the strength of her previous publishing success, almost immediately. The party was a good idea. However, a new job is not all that Rachel gets that night. She also comes across an old flame and it becomes clear that it doesn't take much for their fire to reignite.
Rachel immediately regrets her hasty decision and does all that she can to forget. It's not so easy though, as she begins to receive texts and messages. All sorts of strange things begin to happen to her. She's scared (so was I), and she's not sure what to do.
I didn't really like Rachel! I'm not sure if the reader is supposed to, and it makes no difference to me at all, I'm a fan of a flawed character to be fair. She makes some strange and hasty decisions, she hides things and she panics, but oh my goodness, the author has created her so well. The tension builds quickly and we are never sure who is behind Rachel's terror. All I can say is that I had no inkling of the truth, and Rachel certainly doesn't either!
I particularly enjoyed the setting and getting a glimpse into the world of publishing; the sales meetings, the tactics, the parties, the authors to be cosseted and the constantly changing world of books. I think this adds another level to what is a entertaining and well structured story.
Thrills, twists, glamour and red herrings a plenty. Enough to please any reader.