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Her Turn to Cry
Twelve years ago Joycie Todd’s mother abandoned her. But what if she never really left?
London, 1965. Top model Joycie Todd lives a glittering life with photographer Marcus Blake. But her childhood tells a different story…
When she was eleven, Joycie’s mother disappeared. Run away with another man, so everyone says. But Joycie can’t forget the thumps she heard in the night, or the bloodstained rug hidden under the bed. A rug that was gone the next day.
Twelve years later, Joycie has left her past behind. But when an old friend dies, Joycie is left a letter beseeching her to find out the truth. Unable to keep the door locked any longer, Joycie sets out to discover why her mother left her – if she ever really did.
As she travels to the shabby seaside towns of her childhood, Joycie soon finds that it’s not just her mother who vanished all those years ago. Joycie knows the disappearances are connected, she just doesn’t know how. But there’s someone out there who does – and they will do anything to keep it buried.
256 pages, Paperback
First published July 8, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 28, 2016
Her Turn to Cry is an atmospheric and very readable crime drama come psychological thriller, mostly great because of its time and setting and the way the author brings all that to life.
I really enjoyed it - it has a few cleverly placed little twists and turns and is also a strong family drama with an intriguing mystery at its heart.
My main issue was that I did not really warm to the main character who was annoying to the point of me actually sighing in some places, but to be fair I guess that was due to her circumstance which again the author does get across well.
The ultimate resolution is not necessarily predictable but I'm still going to say again that I wish the publishers would stop saying "twists you won't see coming" - this of course does not make the book any better or worse than it otherwise would have been but can SEEMINGLY do that. Her Turn To Cry was a good story well told, the constant waiting for those unseeable twists could detract from that so my strong advice would be to ignore that tagline and just enjoy the book.
The writing is immersive, the tale is not necessarily new but compelling and Chris Curran gets a great sense of the time into the narrative and for me, that was its strength.
I really enjoyed it - it has a few cleverly placed little twists and turns and is also a strong family drama with an intriguing mystery at its heart.
My main issue was that I did not really warm to the main character who was annoying to the point of me actually sighing in some places, but to be fair I guess that was due to her circumstance which again the author does get across well.
The ultimate resolution is not necessarily predictable but I'm still going to say again that I wish the publishers would stop saying "twists you won't see coming" - this of course does not make the book any better or worse than it otherwise would have been but can SEEMINGLY do that. Her Turn To Cry was a good story well told, the constant waiting for those unseeable twists could detract from that so my strong advice would be to ignore that tagline and just enjoy the book.
The writing is immersive, the tale is not necessarily new but compelling and Chris Curran gets a great sense of the time into the narrative and for me, that was its strength.
November 24, 2018
I really loved the concept of this story. It kept me guessing and the plot thickens bit by bit.
Characters were believable and rounded
Characters were believable and rounded
July 6, 2018
Famous 60s model Orchid has the world at her feet but, as little Joycie Todd, she had a sad and painful childhood. Her mother ran off with another man and her father went to prison. Before Joycie can enjoy her success and the love of acclaimed fashion photographer, Marcus, she must put the demons of her past to rest. As she revisits old haunts, she discovers some powerful people don’t want her to find out the truth.
Set partly in seaside towns in 1953 when little Joycie was living in lodgings with her music hall comic father, and partly in swinging London in 1965, this solid mystery has a nostalgic, cosy quality.
Set partly in seaside towns in 1953 when little Joycie was living in lodgings with her music hall comic father, and partly in swinging London in 1965, this solid mystery has a nostalgic, cosy quality.
August 29, 2016
Having loved Chris Curran’s debut novel Mindsight, I was eagerly awaiting her second and Her Turn to Cry proved to be just as gripping and page-turning.
It is 1965 and Joycie Todd, a famous model, lives with her photographer boyfriend, Marcus. She seems to have it all. However, we soon learn that events from Joycie’s past have left her damaged and unhappy. Despite Marcus bolstering her modelling career, and his obvious love for her, Joycie is unable to reciprocate his attentions.
Growing up in the 1950s, with her father and his friend as a popular theatre act, Joycie’s mother disappears. Rumour says she ran off with a man, but when Joycie finds a bloodstained rug under the bed, and is haunted by nightmares and snippets of memories from her past, she begins to ask questions. When Joycie reconnects with her aunt, she is propelled to seek the truth about her parents, if she is ever to settle in her present life.
The author smoothly switches between the past and the present, as we follow Joycie on her gripping journey towards the truth. I had a real sense of the 50s dilapidated English coastal towns and the performers of the old music halls, along with the backstage atmosphere, right to “present” day 1965.
Themes of abuse and power are deftly handled, yet the author doesn’t shy away from the realities of those times.
I found Her Turn to Cry an addictive page-turner, as Joycie develops and eventually blooms into her true self. With incredible suspense, excellently-drawn characters and a thrilling plot, I would highly recommend this to readers of crime and psychological thrillers.
It is 1965 and Joycie Todd, a famous model, lives with her photographer boyfriend, Marcus. She seems to have it all. However, we soon learn that events from Joycie’s past have left her damaged and unhappy. Despite Marcus bolstering her modelling career, and his obvious love for her, Joycie is unable to reciprocate his attentions.
Growing up in the 1950s, with her father and his friend as a popular theatre act, Joycie’s mother disappears. Rumour says she ran off with a man, but when Joycie finds a bloodstained rug under the bed, and is haunted by nightmares and snippets of memories from her past, she begins to ask questions. When Joycie reconnects with her aunt, she is propelled to seek the truth about her parents, if she is ever to settle in her present life.
The author smoothly switches between the past and the present, as we follow Joycie on her gripping journey towards the truth. I had a real sense of the 50s dilapidated English coastal towns and the performers of the old music halls, along with the backstage atmosphere, right to “present” day 1965.
Themes of abuse and power are deftly handled, yet the author doesn’t shy away from the realities of those times.
I found Her Turn to Cry an addictive page-turner, as Joycie develops and eventually blooms into her true self. With incredible suspense, excellently-drawn characters and a thrilling plot, I would highly recommend this to readers of crime and psychological thrillers.
July 10, 2016
We meet Joycie Todd, a top model who seems to have the world at her feet and a man, Marcus, who will do anything for her.
Twelve years ago, when Joycie was aged just eleven, her mother suddenly left the family home, it has been assumed she had found herself a fancy man and upped and left with him, but did she? Or did something else happen? After the death of a close family friend, Joycie decides she needs to know what happened to her Mum. Through a series of flashbacks to when she was a child, Joycie begins to slowly peace together what she can remember and nothing is quite as it seems. Travelling back to old childhood haunts, back to painful memories and people she would rather have forgotten about, but to get to the truth, Joycie must face her past and those demons.
Her Turn To Cry is set in the 1950s and 1960s and whilst it is billed as being a psychological thriller, it is quite unlike anything else I have read in such a long time, but I loved it and couldn't put it down. Like Joycie, I needed to know what happened. Throughout the entire book, the author keeps you as the reader on a twisty and turning path, you might think you have figured out what happened, but I can assure you, that you will not have done and the plot in itself opens a whole can of worms with regards to social issues and views from a time long ago, some quite controversial which are written about so passionately and without judgement.
An amazing read!
Twelve years ago, when Joycie was aged just eleven, her mother suddenly left the family home, it has been assumed she had found herself a fancy man and upped and left with him, but did she? Or did something else happen? After the death of a close family friend, Joycie decides she needs to know what happened to her Mum. Through a series of flashbacks to when she was a child, Joycie begins to slowly peace together what she can remember and nothing is quite as it seems. Travelling back to old childhood haunts, back to painful memories and people she would rather have forgotten about, but to get to the truth, Joycie must face her past and those demons.
Her Turn To Cry is set in the 1950s and 1960s and whilst it is billed as being a psychological thriller, it is quite unlike anything else I have read in such a long time, but I loved it and couldn't put it down. Like Joycie, I needed to know what happened. Throughout the entire book, the author keeps you as the reader on a twisty and turning path, you might think you have figured out what happened, but I can assure you, that you will not have done and the plot in itself opens a whole can of worms with regards to social issues and views from a time long ago, some quite controversial which are written about so passionately and without judgement.
An amazing read!
July 5, 2016
To the outside world, Joycie Todd seems to have it all: a highly successful modelling career, a luxurious home, a man that would do anything for her... Looks can be deceiving however. When she was aged eleven, Joycie's mother let the family home with a new man. Or did she? Joycie remembers the night her mum left; she also remembers the bloodstained rug under the bed which disappeared the next day. Twelve years later, after the death of a family friend, Joycie decides that it is finally time to find out the truth once and for all. What exactly did happen to her mother?
Although 'Her Turn to Cry' is billed as a psychological thriller, the setting of the story (the 1950s and 1960s) meant that it wasn't as fast-paced as those set in the modern day. This is not a bad thing, though, as the author is able to build up a true image of the era and shows how life had changed in Britain for young people in the post-war years. The characters were likeable and you definitely find yourself willing Joycie to find out exactly what happened in the past whilst also hoping she finds happiness in the present.
One of the main strengths of this book is that the author manages to keep you in the dark until the very end as to the whereabouts of Joycie's mother. Several other plot lines are successfully weaved into the story and, again, the author manages to blur how they are linked. The ending was not expected and was quite shocking. Without going into too much detail and potentially spoiling part of the plot, Chris Curran also deals with a issue that would have been extremely controversial in this era. This is handled in a very sensitive way and there is definitely empathy felt for the characters involved.
I found this to be a fairly quick read but one that is recommended.
With thanks to Net Galley and Killer Reads for my copy of the book.
Although 'Her Turn to Cry' is billed as a psychological thriller, the setting of the story (the 1950s and 1960s) meant that it wasn't as fast-paced as those set in the modern day. This is not a bad thing, though, as the author is able to build up a true image of the era and shows how life had changed in Britain for young people in the post-war years. The characters were likeable and you definitely find yourself willing Joycie to find out exactly what happened in the past whilst also hoping she finds happiness in the present.
One of the main strengths of this book is that the author manages to keep you in the dark until the very end as to the whereabouts of Joycie's mother. Several other plot lines are successfully weaved into the story and, again, the author manages to blur how they are linked. The ending was not expected and was quite shocking. Without going into too much detail and potentially spoiling part of the plot, Chris Curran also deals with a issue that would have been extremely controversial in this era. This is handled in a very sensitive way and there is definitely empathy felt for the characters involved.
I found this to be a fairly quick read but one that is recommended.
With thanks to Net Galley and Killer Reads for my copy of the book.
May 28, 2018
An absorbing read, well written.
Set in two time periods, the early 50s and the mid 60s. I'm never quite sure with contemporary books that are written about the past - there's always some sort of all-knowing or wisdom of hindsight. In this case, I spotted a mention of Matteus Rosé and an implication of its sophistication, and there seemed to be quite a lot of detail about people going to phone boxes to make calls, or waiting in on calls, or not being able to phone.
Some good characterisation although perhaps a bit broad-brush, and all the characters acted true to type. They weren't stereotypes but they were definitely types and lacked contradictions, although that didn't really matter because the book was mainly a 'What happened' (variation on a whodunnit).
I thoroughly enjoyed it; I especially enjoyed that it seemed mature and thoughtful, but, perhaps, at the end of the day, there was nothing outstanding about it - just better than run-of-the-mill.
Set in two time periods, the early 50s and the mid 60s. I'm never quite sure with contemporary books that are written about the past - there's always some sort of all-knowing or wisdom of hindsight. In this case, I spotted a mention of Matteus Rosé and an implication of its sophistication, and there seemed to be quite a lot of detail about people going to phone boxes to make calls, or waiting in on calls, or not being able to phone.
Some good characterisation although perhaps a bit broad-brush, and all the characters acted true to type. They weren't stereotypes but they were definitely types and lacked contradictions, although that didn't really matter because the book was mainly a 'What happened' (variation on a whodunnit).
I thoroughly enjoyed it; I especially enjoyed that it seemed mature and thoughtful, but, perhaps, at the end of the day, there was nothing outstanding about it - just better than run-of-the-mill.
January 15, 2019
I bought this book after hearing the author Chris Curran talk at Hastings LitFest. I love a good mystery thriller and this fitted the bill perfectly for me. Being partially set in my home town just added to the fun. The characters are believable and engaging, and the story-line had me guessing to the end. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
October 19, 2017
An easy read and good page turner which kept you guessing to the end.
July 12, 2016
Joycie Todd is living the perfect life. Or so people think. As her alter ego, Orchid, she is a top model, and she lives with photographer Marcus Blake, the man who fostered her career and who is completely in love with her even though Joycie cannot return his love.
And yet since the death of an old friend, Joycie has been haunted by bad dreams, a half remembered incident from the past, one so vague, she’s not sure it is even true. When she was eleven years old Joycie’s mother disappeared, never to be heard from again. Her dreams are about that night and something she thinks she heard. Something she thinks she saw.
When she meets her estranged Aunt, she is compelled to look back to the past to try and find the truth of what happened to her parents. But in doing so Joycie finds herself being followed, being threatened by the mysterious Bill, in a bid to ‘encourage’ her to let sleeping dogs lie. If she can’t, then people she loves may be at risk. If she does, then she will never truly be able to move on with her life, her memories there to forever taunt her.
‘Her Turn to Cry’ is a gripping thriller. Set in 1960’s London with flashbacks to the 1950’s and the times surrounding Joycie’s mother’s disappearance, you really get a sense of the era, of the old music hall/vaudeville style of act in which Joycie’s father performed when she was a child. The descriptions of the backstage environs and the sense of community are so vivid that you really feel like you are there with Joycie, watching the various characters as they prepare for their shows. There is also a real authenticity when looking at some of the key themes of the story, abuses of rights and power which we are only now really starting to set right in modern day. All are handled sensitively, yet evoke the hatred and prejudice which would have been prevalent in the 50’s and 60’s. It makes this a very emotive piece at times.
Switching between past and present can be problematic in a novel, and it is easy to lose the thread of the story. Not in this case. The transition from present day to the scenes set in the past is very fluid, and well written, helping both the pace and overall flow of the narrative. It also helped keep the tension just right, driving the need to keep on reading to try and discover what Joycie’s secret was, although it was probably easy to guess, and also what really happened on the night her mother left. I whizzed through this in a day, and found myself engrossed in the story to the last. The great character development (all of them are so beautifully fleshed out, the bad guys larger than life and menacing in perfect proportion) and setting are two big reasons for this in my book.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. An easy read but still gripping and tense in all the right places. For me a ‘sit-forward-in-my-seat-because-I’m-totally-engrossed’ page turner, but however you like to describe it, it gets a well-deserved 5 stars from me.
My thanks to Net Galley and publishers Harper Collins UK for the cpy of 'Her Turn To Cry' in exchange for my review.
And yet since the death of an old friend, Joycie has been haunted by bad dreams, a half remembered incident from the past, one so vague, she’s not sure it is even true. When she was eleven years old Joycie’s mother disappeared, never to be heard from again. Her dreams are about that night and something she thinks she heard. Something she thinks she saw.
When she meets her estranged Aunt, she is compelled to look back to the past to try and find the truth of what happened to her parents. But in doing so Joycie finds herself being followed, being threatened by the mysterious Bill, in a bid to ‘encourage’ her to let sleeping dogs lie. If she can’t, then people she loves may be at risk. If she does, then she will never truly be able to move on with her life, her memories there to forever taunt her.
‘Her Turn to Cry’ is a gripping thriller. Set in 1960’s London with flashbacks to the 1950’s and the times surrounding Joycie’s mother’s disappearance, you really get a sense of the era, of the old music hall/vaudeville style of act in which Joycie’s father performed when she was a child. The descriptions of the backstage environs and the sense of community are so vivid that you really feel like you are there with Joycie, watching the various characters as they prepare for their shows. There is also a real authenticity when looking at some of the key themes of the story, abuses of rights and power which we are only now really starting to set right in modern day. All are handled sensitively, yet evoke the hatred and prejudice which would have been prevalent in the 50’s and 60’s. It makes this a very emotive piece at times.
Switching between past and present can be problematic in a novel, and it is easy to lose the thread of the story. Not in this case. The transition from present day to the scenes set in the past is very fluid, and well written, helping both the pace and overall flow of the narrative. It also helped keep the tension just right, driving the need to keep on reading to try and discover what Joycie’s secret was, although it was probably easy to guess, and also what really happened on the night her mother left. I whizzed through this in a day, and found myself engrossed in the story to the last. The great character development (all of them are so beautifully fleshed out, the bad guys larger than life and menacing in perfect proportion) and setting are two big reasons for this in my book.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. An easy read but still gripping and tense in all the right places. For me a ‘sit-forward-in-my-seat-because-I’m-totally-engrossed’ page turner, but however you like to describe it, it gets a well-deserved 5 stars from me.
My thanks to Net Galley and publishers Harper Collins UK for the cpy of 'Her Turn To Cry' in exchange for my review.
August 26, 2016
Having loved Chris Curran’s debut novel Mindsight, I was eagerly awaiting her second and Her Turn to Cry proved to be just as gripping and page-turning.
It is 1965 and Joycie Todd, a famous model, lives with her photographer boyfriend, Marcus. She seems to have it all. However, we soon learn that events from Joycie’s past have left her damaged and unhappy. Despite Marcus bolstering her modelling career, and his obvious love for her, Joycie is unable to reciprocate his attentions.
Growing up in the 1950s, with her father and his friend as a popular theatre act, Joycie’s mother disappears. Rumour says she ran off with a man, but when Joycie finds a bloodstained rug under the bed, and is haunted by nightmares and snippets of memories from her past, she begins to ask questions. When Joycie reconnects with her aunt, she is propelled to seek the truth about her parents, if she is ever to settle in her present life.
The author smoothly switches between the past and the present, as we follow Joycie on her gripping journey towards the truth. I had a real sense of the 50s dilapidated English coastal towns and the performers of the old music halls, along with the backstage atmosphere, right to “present” day 1965.
Themes of abuse and power are deftly handled, yet the author doesn’t shy away from the realities of those times.
I found Her Turn to Cry an addictive page-turner, as Joycie develops and eventually blooms into her true self. With incredible suspense, excellently-drawn characters and a thrilling plot, I would highly recommend this to readers of crime and psychological thrillers.
It is 1965 and Joycie Todd, a famous model, lives with her photographer boyfriend, Marcus. She seems to have it all. However, we soon learn that events from Joycie’s past have left her damaged and unhappy. Despite Marcus bolstering her modelling career, and his obvious love for her, Joycie is unable to reciprocate his attentions.
Growing up in the 1950s, with her father and his friend as a popular theatre act, Joycie’s mother disappears. Rumour says she ran off with a man, but when Joycie finds a bloodstained rug under the bed, and is haunted by nightmares and snippets of memories from her past, she begins to ask questions. When Joycie reconnects with her aunt, she is propelled to seek the truth about her parents, if she is ever to settle in her present life.
The author smoothly switches between the past and the present, as we follow Joycie on her gripping journey towards the truth. I had a real sense of the 50s dilapidated English coastal towns and the performers of the old music halls, along with the backstage atmosphere, right to “present” day 1965.
Themes of abuse and power are deftly handled, yet the author doesn’t shy away from the realities of those times.
I found Her Turn to Cry an addictive page-turner, as Joycie develops and eventually blooms into her true self. With incredible suspense, excellently-drawn characters and a thrilling plot, I would highly recommend this to readers of crime and psychological thrillers.
November 18, 2016
Curran has a particular talent for blending dark pasts with haunting presents.
This masterful peeling back layers of information and secrets holds the reader rapt, second-guessing every assumption and leaving us blindsided by those little things we should have seen all along.
Orchid is beautiful, popular and in the right place at the right time -London, mid 1960s. The worm at the heart of this rose is an unanswered mystery. When Orchid, or Joycie as she was known back then, was eleven years old, her mother disappeared.
"Run off with another man, love."
Her childhood was spent following her father, a successful music hall act. The glamour of the 1950s onstage reflects Joycie's current modelling career - all of it looks great to the audience. Behind the curtain, under the make-up, it's a different story.
Half-memories and snatches of a dream send Joycie on a mission to find out what she can about her missing mother. And the clues begin to tell a different story.
A fascinating, well-woven world of public face, private pain, all set in the colourful era of the 50s/60s. This is cinematic in its scope and visual imagery, and can be devoured in one hungry sitting. Because these are characters you care about and you HAVE to know what happens.
This masterful peeling back layers of information and secrets holds the reader rapt, second-guessing every assumption and leaving us blindsided by those little things we should have seen all along.
Orchid is beautiful, popular and in the right place at the right time -London, mid 1960s. The worm at the heart of this rose is an unanswered mystery. When Orchid, or Joycie as she was known back then, was eleven years old, her mother disappeared.
"Run off with another man, love."
Her childhood was spent following her father, a successful music hall act. The glamour of the 1950s onstage reflects Joycie's current modelling career - all of it looks great to the audience. Behind the curtain, under the make-up, it's a different story.
Half-memories and snatches of a dream send Joycie on a mission to find out what she can about her missing mother. And the clues begin to tell a different story.
A fascinating, well-woven world of public face, private pain, all set in the colourful era of the 50s/60s. This is cinematic in its scope and visual imagery, and can be devoured in one hungry sitting. Because these are characters you care about and you HAVE to know what happens.
August 12, 2016
This book is worth reading and holds your attention right to the end. Joyce's mother Mary, left home when Joyce was 11. Mary has never been heard of since. Joyce is now 24 and when Irene, an old friend of her mum and dad's, dies. Joyce finds a letter and old memories of the night her mother disappeared are opened. Joyce never believed that her mother had left her and with her friend Marcus, sets out to find the truth. However shocking! I really enjoyed the story and read it in an afternoon.
September 30, 2023
Her Turn to Cry by Chris Curran.
Twelve years ago Joycie Todd’s mother abandoned her. But what if she never really left? A tautly written psychological suspense novel, perfect for fans of B.A. Paris and Alex Lake.
London, 1965. Top model Joycie Todd lives a glittering life with photographer Marcus Blake. But her childhood tells a different story…
When she was eleven, Joycie’s mother disappeared. Run away with another man, so everyone says. But Joycie can’t forget the thumps she heard in the night, or the bloodstained rug hidden under the bed. A rug that was gone the next day.
Twelve years later, Joycie has left her past behind. But when an old friend dies, Joycie is left a letter beseeching her to find out the truth. Unable to keep the door locked any longer, Joycie sets out to discover why her mother left her – if she ever really did.
As she travels to the shabby seaside towns of her childhood, Joycie soon finds that it’s not just her mother who vanished all those years ago. Joycie knows the disappearances are connected, she just doesn’t know how. But there’s someone out there who does – and they will do anything to keep it buried.
A brilliant read. Loved the story and characters. 5*.
Twelve years ago Joycie Todd’s mother abandoned her. But what if she never really left? A tautly written psychological suspense novel, perfect for fans of B.A. Paris and Alex Lake.
London, 1965. Top model Joycie Todd lives a glittering life with photographer Marcus Blake. But her childhood tells a different story…
When she was eleven, Joycie’s mother disappeared. Run away with another man, so everyone says. But Joycie can’t forget the thumps she heard in the night, or the bloodstained rug hidden under the bed. A rug that was gone the next day.
Twelve years later, Joycie has left her past behind. But when an old friend dies, Joycie is left a letter beseeching her to find out the truth. Unable to keep the door locked any longer, Joycie sets out to discover why her mother left her – if she ever really did.
As she travels to the shabby seaside towns of her childhood, Joycie soon finds that it’s not just her mother who vanished all those years ago. Joycie knows the disappearances are connected, she just doesn’t know how. But there’s someone out there who does – and they will do anything to keep it buried.
A brilliant read. Loved the story and characters. 5*.
May 4, 2018
A gripping psychological thriller with scenes in two time periods, and a high-stakes sense of danger in both. This is not my usual choice of read, but I very much enjoyed the characters, pacing, and heart-in-mouth moments. Recommended.
November 1, 2022
lovely read
July 17, 2016
This was a really enjoyable, well-written novel and I'm not sure what genre I would put it in; it is so multi-faceted. I didn't find it as gripping as I expected but it was certainly an addictive read as the story slowly unfolds and Joycie uncovers all of her family secrets.
In 1965, Joycie appears to have it all - she's a well known model, living with her photographer boyfriend, Marcus. Behind the scenes though, Joycie is a damaged individual, scarred by events that happened over 12 years ago. Joycie is part of a theatre family in the 1950's. Her Dad, Charlie Todd, and obnoxious Sid Sergeant are a popular theatre act who have no end of admirers waiting at the stage door. When Joycie's Mum suddenly disappears, the rumour mill claims that she has run away with one of her many fancy-men. Joycie isn't so sure as none of her Mum's clothes have been taken and she found a bloodstained rug hidden under the bed...or did she imagine it as the next day it had gone?
Without giving away any of the story, I found it really interesting and disturbing to see how events from Joycie's childhood had moulded her into the person she has become. From reading her story, it's no surprise to see that she hides behind the facade of model 'Orchid'. To the outside world, Orchid is confident and beautiful but behind closed doors Joycie is afraid to let Marcus get close to her. I felt as if she was a cracked vase that had been superglued together but at risk of being broken into a million pieces if she's hugged too hard.
Joycie does turn out to be tougher that I thought as she uncovers all of the skeletons in her family's closet. Skeletons that Chris Curran has revealed with tact and sensitivity, whilst being true to the era when such skeletons, through fear, remained firmly in the closet.
Her Turn to Cry is a very addictive read; the thread throughout the story is the disappearance of Joycie's Mum but there's so much more going on. I felt that stones were being overturned that could have absolutely anything underneath them and as the story went on, I felt Joycie getting stronger and really evolving into the woman she was always destined to be.
I received this e-book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
In 1965, Joycie appears to have it all - she's a well known model, living with her photographer boyfriend, Marcus. Behind the scenes though, Joycie is a damaged individual, scarred by events that happened over 12 years ago. Joycie is part of a theatre family in the 1950's. Her Dad, Charlie Todd, and obnoxious Sid Sergeant are a popular theatre act who have no end of admirers waiting at the stage door. When Joycie's Mum suddenly disappears, the rumour mill claims that she has run away with one of her many fancy-men. Joycie isn't so sure as none of her Mum's clothes have been taken and she found a bloodstained rug hidden under the bed...or did she imagine it as the next day it had gone?
Without giving away any of the story, I found it really interesting and disturbing to see how events from Joycie's childhood had moulded her into the person she has become. From reading her story, it's no surprise to see that she hides behind the facade of model 'Orchid'. To the outside world, Orchid is confident and beautiful but behind closed doors Joycie is afraid to let Marcus get close to her. I felt as if she was a cracked vase that had been superglued together but at risk of being broken into a million pieces if she's hugged too hard.
Joycie does turn out to be tougher that I thought as she uncovers all of the skeletons in her family's closet. Skeletons that Chris Curran has revealed with tact and sensitivity, whilst being true to the era when such skeletons, through fear, remained firmly in the closet.
Her Turn to Cry is a very addictive read; the thread throughout the story is the disappearance of Joycie's Mum but there's so much more going on. I felt that stones were being overturned that could have absolutely anything underneath them and as the story went on, I felt Joycie getting stronger and really evolving into the woman she was always destined to be.
I received this e-book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
July 28, 2016
I thank the author and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to get a free digital copy of this story through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
It was a good story, but not as gripping as I expected. I enjoyed every chapter; it was like the guessing game as I always guessed and always wrong who did it or who is the person behind it.
I was not surprised when I found out, and the ending was a bit disappointing as it was predictable.
The characters were strong and believable. The plot is good, and I like how every chapter has flashbacks and sometimes a cliffhanger which made me turn the page and find myself addicted as Joyce starting to uncover the mystery of her past and face her fear. Albeit she can be annoying sometimes but she is one of the strongest characters that I feel like I can relate to what is happening to her after all the years that she kept that secret.
Not the best one out there but it is well written, and I enjoyed it.
I am loving the book cover as well. Well done!
It was a good story, but not as gripping as I expected. I enjoyed every chapter; it was like the guessing game as I always guessed and always wrong who did it or who is the person behind it.
I was not surprised when I found out, and the ending was a bit disappointing as it was predictable.
The characters were strong and believable. The plot is good, and I like how every chapter has flashbacks and sometimes a cliffhanger which made me turn the page and find myself addicted as Joyce starting to uncover the mystery of her past and face her fear. Albeit she can be annoying sometimes but she is one of the strongest characters that I feel like I can relate to what is happening to her after all the years that she kept that secret.
Not the best one out there but it is well written, and I enjoyed it.
I am loving the book cover as well. Well done!
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November 25, 2016Excellent follow-up to Mindsight, Chris Curran's first published novel under the Killer Reads imprint. I loved the setting of Her Turn to Cry, 1960's London, and the realistic picture of seedy, down-at-heel seaside theatres and boarding houses.
Joycie is a well-rounded heroine, and her search for the truth about her mysterious past had me gripped from page on. I also lived the gentle romance which helps Joycie deal with the truth about her parents.
Can't wait for the next novel from this talented author.
Highly recommended.
Joycie is a well-rounded heroine, and her search for the truth about her mysterious past had me gripped from page on. I also lived the gentle romance which helps Joycie deal with the truth about her parents.
Can't wait for the next novel from this talented author.
Highly recommended.
July 1, 2016
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I found this book very hard to get into and then just as hard to keep reading. I cant say I liked any of the characters and Joycie in particular was very annoying. The writing style was ok....ish.
I found this book very hard to get into and then just as hard to keep reading. I cant say I liked any of the characters and Joycie in particular was very annoying. The writing style was ok....ish.
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