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You Need Me
‘Your secret didn’t die with me.’
The mysterious note tucked inside the pages of a recently returned book leaves librarian, Morag McLaughlin, chilled to the bone. She knows it was meant for her.
Someone out there knows her darkest secrets and they could destroy everything.
Torn apart from her own family, she will stop at nothing to create a perfect new one.
Why are they all so ungrateful? She’s only looking after them...
Isn’t she?
The mysterious note tucked inside the pages of a recently returned book leaves librarian, Morag McLaughlin, chilled to the bone. She knows it was meant for her.
Someone out there knows her darkest secrets and they could destroy everything.
Torn apart from her own family, she will stop at nothing to create a perfect new one.
Why are they all so ungrateful? She’s only looking after them...
Isn’t she?
- GenresSuspense
316 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 11, 2021
4 people are currently reading
197 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 17, 2021
Well … what an emotional rollercoaster of a book this was. Filled with creepy, cruel and manipulative characters that by the end of the book I just couldn’t help to feel sorry for, so much so that it very nearly had me in tears.
This was a story filled with dark secrets from a bunch of dark characters – some you loved and others not quite so much, however every single one of them was intoxicating, to the point of being addicted to them.
The main character Morag – well, I honestly don’t think you will find a character as creepy and as weird as this one. From the offset she seemed disturbed and those feelings just continued to increase as the story progresses. YES, the woman had a hard childhood and even crueler mother and I did feel sorry for her I truly did. BUT, that being said she had more than one screw loose in her head. BUT she was the most intoxicating character of them all, just wanting to be loved – who could deny anyone that??
Ronnie – straight away I felt sorry for him, you knew he had something wrong with him and everyone in his life used him and manipulated him. He was known as the village weirdo and all I ever wanted to do was hug him.
Susan – Another poor soul been caught under the grasp of Morag, wanting to rebuild her life after her ex relationship but got lured in by the worst of the village bunch – practically fighting over her friendship.
And then there is Jess – someone I believe the author wanted us to feel sorry for throughout most of the book and it worked I did. But soon enough Jess started showing traits of Morag, not as much the creepy side but manipulative – oh yes, she could give Morag a run for her bloody money on that one. She turned out to be pretty evil – especially after she threw the HUGE spanner in the works.
This book is definitely a MUST READ for any thriller fan. I COULD NOT put this book down. It was absolutely fantastic and as Sharon is still fairly new to writing with this only being her second book – I can definitely concur that she has one hell of a budding career ahead of her!!
This was a story filled with dark secrets from a bunch of dark characters – some you loved and others not quite so much, however every single one of them was intoxicating, to the point of being addicted to them.
The main character Morag – well, I honestly don’t think you will find a character as creepy and as weird as this one. From the offset she seemed disturbed and those feelings just continued to increase as the story progresses. YES, the woman had a hard childhood and even crueler mother and I did feel sorry for her I truly did. BUT, that being said she had more than one screw loose in her head. BUT she was the most intoxicating character of them all, just wanting to be loved – who could deny anyone that??
Ronnie – straight away I felt sorry for him, you knew he had something wrong with him and everyone in his life used him and manipulated him. He was known as the village weirdo and all I ever wanted to do was hug him.
Susan – Another poor soul been caught under the grasp of Morag, wanting to rebuild her life after her ex relationship but got lured in by the worst of the village bunch – practically fighting over her friendship.
And then there is Jess – someone I believe the author wanted us to feel sorry for throughout most of the book and it worked I did. But soon enough Jess started showing traits of Morag, not as much the creepy side but manipulative – oh yes, she could give Morag a run for her bloody money on that one. She turned out to be pretty evil – especially after she threw the HUGE spanner in the works.
This book is definitely a MUST READ for any thriller fan. I COULD NOT put this book down. It was absolutely fantastic and as Sharon is still fairly new to writing with this only being her second book – I can definitely concur that she has one hell of a budding career ahead of her!!
January 2, 2022
OMG, what a deliciously twisted dark piece of fiction You Need Me turned out to be! And you know what? I absolutely loved every single page of this disturbing thriller. If you are looking for a ‘cosy read’ then book won’t be for you, but if like me you’re a lover of a fiction that veers to the dark, gritty side you will LOVE IT!
On the surface, Morag, a librarian, appears to be a kind and caring woman, offering help and support to damaged individuals she sees as ‘family’. emerges. Morag is one creepy character, that’s for sure! As the author deftly peels back the layers of her complex personality, a more disturbing and spine chilling side to her personality emerges.
The Doty is told from multiple POV but each character has a distinctive voice so there’s no confusion. Sharon Bairden has expertly created the most complex and damaged characters. They all have one thing in common, they want to feel needed, and ultimately loved. Their stories are raw, intense and desperately sad. They have been broken by the very people who should have been protecting and loving them. They are so desperate to fit in they are easy prey when it comes to being manipulated and moulded.
There’s a sense of dread that builds as the story takes a far more sinister turn, and I appreciated the twist and turns the plot took. Every time I thought I had it all worked out, the author would throw a curve ball, so I was never sure what to expect.
Bairden has created a psychological thriller which is nigh on possible to put down. I can honestly say ‘it’s one of the best thrillers I’ve read for a while’. It’s creepy, spine chilling but addictive. I can’t wait to see what twisted plot the author comes up with next. Highly recommended.
On the surface, Morag, a librarian, appears to be a kind and caring woman, offering help and support to damaged individuals she sees as ‘family’. emerges. Morag is one creepy character, that’s for sure! As the author deftly peels back the layers of her complex personality, a more disturbing and spine chilling side to her personality emerges.
The Doty is told from multiple POV but each character has a distinctive voice so there’s no confusion. Sharon Bairden has expertly created the most complex and damaged characters. They all have one thing in common, they want to feel needed, and ultimately loved. Their stories are raw, intense and desperately sad. They have been broken by the very people who should have been protecting and loving them. They are so desperate to fit in they are easy prey when it comes to being manipulated and moulded.
There’s a sense of dread that builds as the story takes a far more sinister turn, and I appreciated the twist and turns the plot took. Every time I thought I had it all worked out, the author would throw a curve ball, so I was never sure what to expect.
Bairden has created a psychological thriller which is nigh on possible to put down. I can honestly say ‘it’s one of the best thrillers I’ve read for a while’. It’s creepy, spine chilling but addictive. I can’t wait to see what twisted plot the author comes up with next. Highly recommended.
September 13, 2021
Wow, wow, wow! Sharon Bairden’s debut novel blew me away so have been eagerly awaiting to see what else she had lined up for her readers and boy she has gone darker and more twisted in You Need Me! I loved it!
There are quite a few characters in this story but the way the author introduces us to each one, it was easy to keep on top of who is who and I was eager to know more about them. I was also intrigued as to how all these characters lives were all entwined with each other.
This is very much a story about manipulation and preying on vulnerable people. Even though some characters were unlikable, it didn’t stop me from feeling some empathy for all of them at some point through out the story. Each character has had hardships in their own personal life and I could feel my anger at boiling point at times when certain characters were abusing their position of trust.
You Need Me was a compelling story that actually shocked me at how easy people can manipulate someone as well as how easy it can be to be manipulated. It was actually quite scary and some parts made for some uncomfortable reading where I wanted to scream at the characters to not be taken in. There were so many alarm bells going off in my head that it had me pounding away to turn each page on my Kindle to see how it would all end for these characters that I had come to know. My heart was racing towards the end and its a book that even once you have finished and put down, it’s one that will stay with you. The author has smashed it again and delivered a brilliantly dark and enthralling story of which if you love dark and twisted reads, then get adding this to your must read pile!
My thanks to Red Dog Press for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
There are quite a few characters in this story but the way the author introduces us to each one, it was easy to keep on top of who is who and I was eager to know more about them. I was also intrigued as to how all these characters lives were all entwined with each other.
This is very much a story about manipulation and preying on vulnerable people. Even though some characters were unlikable, it didn’t stop me from feeling some empathy for all of them at some point through out the story. Each character has had hardships in their own personal life and I could feel my anger at boiling point at times when certain characters were abusing their position of trust.
You Need Me was a compelling story that actually shocked me at how easy people can manipulate someone as well as how easy it can be to be manipulated. It was actually quite scary and some parts made for some uncomfortable reading where I wanted to scream at the characters to not be taken in. There were so many alarm bells going off in my head that it had me pounding away to turn each page on my Kindle to see how it would all end for these characters that I had come to know. My heart was racing towards the end and its a book that even once you have finished and put down, it’s one that will stay with you. The author has smashed it again and delivered a brilliantly dark and enthralling story of which if you love dark and twisted reads, then get adding this to your must read pile!
My thanks to Red Dog Press for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
September 12, 2021
This is an interesting read and I found it quite difficult to work out as none of the characters were particularly likeable so it was impossible to know who to trust. Lots of mysterious goings on. As it progresses I formed a clearer picture, and then when back stories come into play it fits together nicely. Some really sinister moments- not for the faint hearted. I had worked out the ending. Sneaky, calculating, dark.
October 19, 2021
I LOVED this!!!! I can’t stress enough how much I loved this book.
This is my first by Bairden and my days, what a treat. This author has skills! From the moment I began this book, I couldn’t put it down. A cobweb of manipulation, deceit and downright disturbing agendas with a punch of a twist towards the end.
The characters were expertly written - some are devious and twisted, some are vulnerable and being manipulated, but ultimately all want to be accepted, loved and needed. I loved every character and invested in each one of them.
Written from multiple POV, but done so cleverly that it isn’t confusing, you really do “feel” for what these characters are going through. It was a tad heartbreaking towards the end. I found it utterly compelling and was so desperate to find out just what in the heck was going on - I hit 60% and still didn’t have a scoobie!
If you’re looking for a thriller full of devious deception and manipulation but with characters that will reach into your soul, then read this!!! You won’t be disappointed.
Thank you so much to Red Dog Press for the opportunity to read a digital copy. My review is voluntary and thoughts entirely my own.
This is my first by Bairden and my days, what a treat. This author has skills! From the moment I began this book, I couldn’t put it down. A cobweb of manipulation, deceit and downright disturbing agendas with a punch of a twist towards the end.
The characters were expertly written - some are devious and twisted, some are vulnerable and being manipulated, but ultimately all want to be accepted, loved and needed. I loved every character and invested in each one of them.
Written from multiple POV, but done so cleverly that it isn’t confusing, you really do “feel” for what these characters are going through. It was a tad heartbreaking towards the end. I found it utterly compelling and was so desperate to find out just what in the heck was going on - I hit 60% and still didn’t have a scoobie!
If you’re looking for a thriller full of devious deception and manipulation but with characters that will reach into your soul, then read this!!! You won’t be disappointed.
Thank you so much to Red Dog Press for the opportunity to read a digital copy. My review is voluntary and thoughts entirely my own.
October 16, 2021
Growing up, I was apprehensive of librarians. They had the power to deny me books!!! But I never encountered one quite like Morag. She’s an entirely different level of librarian!!!
On the surface, Morag is a kind and caring individual who’s lonely and looking for a personal connection. But as I peeled back the layers of You Need Me and got to know this quirky individual, I realised that first impressions really are deceiving. She is as creepy as hell with her thoughts and obsessive behaviour #Shudder
I loved the way the story jumped between the characters. The different voices kept my brain whirring as to what was going to happen next. At each chapter, my jaw dropped. What next was going to happen? Surely events can’t spiral more out of control??! Well I’m not going to tell you, you’ll have to find out for yourself!
Bairden’s second novel is a tense affair showing how someone’s desire for human connection and love can drive them to the extreme. I was glued to my kindle, fearful for those captured in the web of deceit that Bairden’s characters had woven from the beginning. If you love your twisty turny mind-f*** reads, you need to read You Need Me….. STAT!!!!!
On the surface, Morag is a kind and caring individual who’s lonely and looking for a personal connection. But as I peeled back the layers of You Need Me and got to know this quirky individual, I realised that first impressions really are deceiving. She is as creepy as hell with her thoughts and obsessive behaviour #Shudder
I loved the way the story jumped between the characters. The different voices kept my brain whirring as to what was going to happen next. At each chapter, my jaw dropped. What next was going to happen? Surely events can’t spiral more out of control??! Well I’m not going to tell you, you’ll have to find out for yourself!
Bairden’s second novel is a tense affair showing how someone’s desire for human connection and love can drive them to the extreme. I was glued to my kindle, fearful for those captured in the web of deceit that Bairden’s characters had woven from the beginning. If you love your twisty turny mind-f*** reads, you need to read You Need Me….. STAT!!!!!
December 1, 2021
I read and adored Sharon Bairden's debut novel; The Sins of the Father back in November 2020, I had high hopes for her second book and have not been disappointed in the least.
Bairden doesn't write uplifting, jolly stories, her characters are not people who will fill the reader with joy. This is really dark, almost overwhelmingly so in places, but once again, this clever author has got right into the hearts of her characters.
These are people who have struggled their way through their early years, who have been let down and abused, yet have made it to adult hood. As adults, they are damaged, dangerous to themselves and to others and a couple of them seem beyond repair.
At first, Morag the librarian feels a little different to the others. She lives in a better part of Glasgow, with her own front garden and no needles laying around. She has a steady job in the local library and runs a club for the vulnerable. Morag is a good egg ..... isn't she?
Appearances can be deceiving and it's not that long before the author cleverly begins to peel away Morag's layers. She reveals a woman who is tortured by her memories and who, in turn, feels that life is very unfair. She just wants to help other people, but Morag's idea of help may differ from the norm.
You Need Me is a dark, often disturbing and brutal story, filled with a cast of characters who wouldn't look out of place as extras in the latest Trainspotting film. However, it is so well crafted, with such authority and realism, and becomes so gripping at time despite the darkness.
At its heart, You Need Me is a study in humanity and how people can cause so much pain to others. Often it is those closest to them who suffer the most; the ones that they've given birth to, or have chosen to spend their lives with. The horrors that some of these characters have endured can almost absolve them of their own terrible wrongdoings .... but not quite.
This is a dark and violent crime thriller with a huge dollop of psychological noir mixed into it. It's shocking but incredibly difficult to put down. Another highly recommended read from me.
Bairden doesn't write uplifting, jolly stories, her characters are not people who will fill the reader with joy. This is really dark, almost overwhelmingly so in places, but once again, this clever author has got right into the hearts of her characters.
These are people who have struggled their way through their early years, who have been let down and abused, yet have made it to adult hood. As adults, they are damaged, dangerous to themselves and to others and a couple of them seem beyond repair.
At first, Morag the librarian feels a little different to the others. She lives in a better part of Glasgow, with her own front garden and no needles laying around. She has a steady job in the local library and runs a club for the vulnerable. Morag is a good egg ..... isn't she?
Appearances can be deceiving and it's not that long before the author cleverly begins to peel away Morag's layers. She reveals a woman who is tortured by her memories and who, in turn, feels that life is very unfair. She just wants to help other people, but Morag's idea of help may differ from the norm.
You Need Me is a dark, often disturbing and brutal story, filled with a cast of characters who wouldn't look out of place as extras in the latest Trainspotting film. However, it is so well crafted, with such authority and realism, and becomes so gripping at time despite the darkness.
At its heart, You Need Me is a study in humanity and how people can cause so much pain to others. Often it is those closest to them who suffer the most; the ones that they've given birth to, or have chosen to spend their lives with. The horrors that some of these characters have endured can almost absolve them of their own terrible wrongdoings .... but not quite.
This is a dark and violent crime thriller with a huge dollop of psychological noir mixed into it. It's shocking but incredibly difficult to put down. Another highly recommended read from me.
October 14, 2021
Morag McLaughlin is a librarian, middle-aged, sensible, frumpy and with a habit of collecting vulnerable people and trying to help them. But she carries a world of secrets in her battered handbag, and when a note drops out of a recently-returned book - "Your secret didn't die with me" - she knows it is meant for her.
Ronnie is struggling with his mother's demands and his mental demons. Susan fled her old life with daughter Lily, but is struggling more than she expected to start again. Alan is used by "friends" and finds escape in drugs. All three have been taken under Morag's wing and find the library a place of support and safety. Meanwhile, young coffee shop worker Jess - bored, overworked, underpaid, lonely after only moving to the town recently - has been told she is not welcome to join the "Tuesday Club" support circle... Her view of Morag is thus rather different, and we gather that all is not quite as it seems.
Reading about these vulnerable, damaged people is at times difficult, because Bairden's attention to detail is heart-breaking - and all the more so for being careful to remain unsentimental and simply offer the realities without exaggeration or hand-wringing.
There are some horrendous and tragic past events that fair chill the blood of the reader, but the pain and anger build to a reveal that turns into a resolution, allowing a new future to be a real possibility.
Morag and Jess are contrasting characters, but there are similarities too: Both put on a "public face" but are fragile behind it; both are struggling with memories, good and bad, of their mothers; both are lonely. And while neither woman is likable, they can be relatable and I have sympathy for them both at various points.
This is another audacious novel from Bairden. If you like something dark with grit, realism and empathy, then You Need Me should be on your TBR.
Ronnie is struggling with his mother's demands and his mental demons. Susan fled her old life with daughter Lily, but is struggling more than she expected to start again. Alan is used by "friends" and finds escape in drugs. All three have been taken under Morag's wing and find the library a place of support and safety. Meanwhile, young coffee shop worker Jess - bored, overworked, underpaid, lonely after only moving to the town recently - has been told she is not welcome to join the "Tuesday Club" support circle... Her view of Morag is thus rather different, and we gather that all is not quite as it seems.
Reading about these vulnerable, damaged people is at times difficult, because Bairden's attention to detail is heart-breaking - and all the more so for being careful to remain unsentimental and simply offer the realities without exaggeration or hand-wringing.
There are some horrendous and tragic past events that fair chill the blood of the reader, but the pain and anger build to a reveal that turns into a resolution, allowing a new future to be a real possibility.
Morag and Jess are contrasting characters, but there are similarities too: Both put on a "public face" but are fragile behind it; both are struggling with memories, good and bad, of their mothers; both are lonely. And while neither woman is likable, they can be relatable and I have sympathy for them both at various points.
This is another audacious novel from Bairden. If you like something dark with grit, realism and empathy, then You Need Me should be on your TBR.
October 15, 2021
I really enjoyed this authors debut novel, so was excited to get stuck into this one.
Morag works as a librarian and is known for attracting waifs and strays due to her caring nature and affinity for helping people. Her current small group all have their issues, but when new girl Jess tries to join the group, she is told in no uncertain terms that she is not welcome. Morag has enough to deal and doesn't think much more of it, but when she finds a threatening note in a returned book, she knows that it was meant for her and realises that her secrets are not as well hidden as she thought they were.
This is another dark, disturbing read on occasions, only because the descriptions of what some of the characters have suffered in their pasts to cause their trauma was very realistic. Characters that, while not necessarily very likeable from their actions, they are at least understandable to a certain extent, and I think I held my breath for the last quarter of the book!
If you are the mood for a dark, gritty read then this should definitely find its way to your TBR pile.
Morag works as a librarian and is known for attracting waifs and strays due to her caring nature and affinity for helping people. Her current small group all have their issues, but when new girl Jess tries to join the group, she is told in no uncertain terms that she is not welcome. Morag has enough to deal and doesn't think much more of it, but when she finds a threatening note in a returned book, she knows that it was meant for her and realises that her secrets are not as well hidden as she thought they were.
This is another dark, disturbing read on occasions, only because the descriptions of what some of the characters have suffered in their pasts to cause their trauma was very realistic. Characters that, while not necessarily very likeable from their actions, they are at least understandable to a certain extent, and I think I held my breath for the last quarter of the book!
If you are the mood for a dark, gritty read then this should definitely find its way to your TBR pile.
October 24, 2021
This is a deep, dark look into the minds of people. Broken people who try to break other broken people under the guise of fixing them. So chilling that you feel the characters ooze from the pages, expecting a tap on the shoulder and hoping you don’t get one!
It starts off slowly and builds and building, ramping up the tension until you’re sitting there with your heart in your mouth needing the end to come. Yet, not wanting it too, because of the exploration of people, their problems and their basic humanity or lack of it.
I loved the character of Jess and Ronnie. I felt Ronnie was a great exploration of mental health issues without trivialising them.
Morag I’m sure is as Sharon Bairden wanted her to be. Unlikeable, even when her story is revealed.
This is Sharon’s second book and her writing is immensely seasoned and she’s going to go far. If you haven’t read her first book, get it from Red Dog now! She’s a talented woman to watch out for in the writing world.
With thanks to Red Dog Press and the author for the advanced reading copy of this book.
It starts off slowly and builds and building, ramping up the tension until you’re sitting there with your heart in your mouth needing the end to come. Yet, not wanting it too, because of the exploration of people, their problems and their basic humanity or lack of it.
I loved the character of Jess and Ronnie. I felt Ronnie was a great exploration of mental health issues without trivialising them.
Morag I’m sure is as Sharon Bairden wanted her to be. Unlikeable, even when her story is revealed.
This is Sharon’s second book and her writing is immensely seasoned and she’s going to go far. If you haven’t read her first book, get it from Red Dog now! She’s a talented woman to watch out for in the writing world.
With thanks to Red Dog Press and the author for the advanced reading copy of this book.
September 9, 2023
2.5 rounded up. I spent over half of this book completely confused about what was going on. It seemed like the author wanted to leave our more details than was necessary to keep the reader following the story successfully. A lot of the book seemed boring and slow. The characters were on the whole completely unlikeable with few redeeming qualities. There was more than one who were manipulative and creepy. There were many that were mentally ill or drug addicts. There was more than one crazy, nasty mother. There were several who were loners, depressed or suicidal. There was more than one murderer. I also saw a number of typos. I really, really need to learn how to stop reading when I’m not enjoying a book!
October 21, 2021
Wow what have I just read? The author has done an amazing job at bringing a story so dark, and with so many twists, I was second guessing myself throughout the read trying to work out what was actually going on.
This book had dark characters galore. Normally you will find a story has one character with a dark past, but the author went further than that with her storyline.
Loved it, recommend it, can’t wait for what comes next.
This book had dark characters galore. Normally you will find a story has one character with a dark past, but the author went further than that with her storyline.
Loved it, recommend it, can’t wait for what comes next.
May 14, 2022
Sharon Bairden has done it again! She is a master of telling creepy stories that suck you in and take your breath away! You'd like to believe that Morag is kind and helpful as she takes in the broken members of her community and makes them a family. But is she? Or is there something sinister lurking beneath her exterior? Bairden's brilliant writing pushes and pulls us in all directions, and there's no way you will be able to stop reading until the bitter end!
June 7, 2023
You Need Me is a gritty and uncomfortable look in the cracks of society, the people who live in those cracks and the dangers they can face whilst everyone else is oblivious or, worse, don't care. I am not being the slightest bit dramatic or exaggerating in saying that. The book has no Trigger warnings listed but if it did it would have TW for .
It gives an unflinching and uncomfortably close look at the reality these kinds of people can face whilst at the same itme peeling back the cover of a sinister manipulation at hand. You don't know who to trust either because you witness them manipulating others or because they cannot give an accurate idea of reality. Because of this you don't know who to trust nor do you know who the characters should trust. In addition to this you struggle to actually like the characters but in this instance it works for the story- I don't think we are meant to particularly like anyone here but feels more like the writer wanted us to bare witness in the cruelty of it all because all the characters that we would typically like in these stories- people who would be kind heroes to swoop in and save everyone etc...they're aren't here because society doesn't care. There are no heroes because the people we would expect to be the heroes- the supposed good citizens around them- laugh and call them weird and freaks and turn their noses up at them. They are left in the darkness to fend for themselves. In that regard we are the closest to characters being heard that they get.
I did admittedly see a lot of the twists coming- still enjoyable to read but not exactly surprising, and a lot of the trauma people struggled with could be summed up as "Mummy issues" which makes sense when you read it but multiple characters had the same kind of mummy issues with two having the exact same type of "norman bates vicious" vibe of mother. This was made apparant very early on and because chapters were broken up into different character perspectives it did feel a bit copy-cat-esque to jump from one character with a mum like that...to another character with exact same kind of mum. I feel like writer could have explored a different angle of a different toxic dynamic maybe. Besides that a couple minor grumbles about halfway through we suddenly start seeing addition of scottish slang/ wording a lot more which is fine but it felt absent in the first half so to suddenly see it a lot in second was a tad jolting and again going back to perspectives jumping right at begginning wasnt a big fan of how quick it swapped but I do see why the writer did it that way and they did do it well still overall.
An enjoyable read, I would definetly consider reading more from this writer :)
It gives an unflinching and uncomfortably close look at the reality these kinds of people can face whilst at the same itme peeling back the cover of a sinister manipulation at hand. You don't know who to trust either because you witness them manipulating others or because they cannot give an accurate idea of reality. Because of this you don't know who to trust nor do you know who the characters should trust. In addition to this you struggle to actually like the characters but in this instance it works for the story- I don't think we are meant to particularly like anyone here but feels more like the writer wanted us to bare witness in the cruelty of it all because all the characters that we would typically like in these stories- people who would be kind heroes to swoop in and save everyone etc...they're aren't here because society doesn't care. There are no heroes because the people we would expect to be the heroes- the supposed good citizens around them- laugh and call them weird and freaks and turn their noses up at them. They are left in the darkness to fend for themselves. In that regard we are the closest to characters being heard that they get.
I did admittedly see a lot of the twists coming- still enjoyable to read but not exactly surprising, and a lot of the trauma people struggled with could be summed up as "Mummy issues" which makes sense when you read it but multiple characters had the same kind of mummy issues with two having the exact same type of "norman bates vicious" vibe of mother. This was made apparant very early on and because chapters were broken up into different character perspectives it did feel a bit copy-cat-esque to jump from one character with a mum like that...to another character with exact same kind of mum. I feel like writer could have explored a different angle of a different toxic dynamic maybe. Besides that a couple minor grumbles about halfway through we suddenly start seeing addition of scottish slang/ wording a lot more which is fine but it felt absent in the first half so to suddenly see it a lot in second was a tad jolting and again going back to perspectives jumping right at begginning wasnt a big fan of how quick it swapped but I do see why the writer did it that way and they did do it well still overall.
An enjoyable read, I would definetly consider reading more from this writer :)
January 17, 2023
A great, satisfying, complex story. Bleak but more entertaining and less uncompromisingly bleak than its predecessor, 'Sins of the Father'. Thoroughly recommended.
January 24, 2026
⭐️ 2.5 ⭐️
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