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Sainted in Error
What do you wear when you testify against your best friend as she goes on trial for murder?
As Maggie Patterson runs her hand over the clothes in her closet and muses about the prosaic details of preparing for a shockingly personal murder trial, she is catapulted into the memories that led her to this moment. Piece by piece, she assembles the fragments of her past to make sense of a violent crime, the echoes of which ripple through her recollections.
Maggie and Cynthia meet as college freshmen and are seemingly destined to be best friends for life. As the years pass, however, Maggie's marriage and career lift her to success and wealth while Cynthia's jealousy and untreated mental illness cause their relationship to disintegrate. As the stories of the two women's lives unfold, Cynthia's paranoia and anger sour every relationship she has and turn even the people who have loved her most against her, ultimately bubbling over into an event that Maggie never sees coming.
Not a murder mystery in the usual sense, and spanning time and space, Sainted in Error delves into the tenacity of friendship and the damage that the stigma still attached to mental illness can do.
As Maggie Patterson runs her hand over the clothes in her closet and muses about the prosaic details of preparing for a shockingly personal murder trial, she is catapulted into the memories that led her to this moment. Piece by piece, she assembles the fragments of her past to make sense of a violent crime, the echoes of which ripple through her recollections.
Maggie and Cynthia meet as college freshmen and are seemingly destined to be best friends for life. As the years pass, however, Maggie's marriage and career lift her to success and wealth while Cynthia's jealousy and untreated mental illness cause their relationship to disintegrate. As the stories of the two women's lives unfold, Cynthia's paranoia and anger sour every relationship she has and turn even the people who have loved her most against her, ultimately bubbling over into an event that Maggie never sees coming.
Not a murder mystery in the usual sense, and spanning time and space, Sainted in Error delves into the tenacity of friendship and the damage that the stigma still attached to mental illness can do.
- GenresFictionMystery Thriller
305 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 13, 2022
"What do you wear when you testify against your best friend as she goes on trial for murder?" This opening line of both the synopsis and the book was what pulled me in. Not a question I would ever want to answer, and yet, it's one that unfolds the story of Maggie and Cynthia, their intertwined lives, the dissolving of a friendship, the disintegration of mental health, and the dynamics of re.
I wish I knew how to categorize this novel. A murder mystery doesn't seem quite right, even though, yes, there is a murder trial. But Sainted In Error, goes back in time in order to see what led to the ultimate unraveling and choice of murder. This story introduces Maggie and Cynthia meeting as freshman in college in the early 1970s (the story spans into the early 2000s), watches them both fall in love for the first time, first heartbreaks, finding love again, bringing children into the world, finding careers and life paths. And in between everything is the rupturing and wearing down of a friendship that become toxic, abusive, manipulative, and ultimately, deadly.
What I loved most about this book was Winders ability to show what is like to have a toxic relationship that spans decades. Though Maggie is telling the story, we see clearly how much Cynthia is a part of it and gets deeply intertwined in it.. Even when living in different states, in experiencing different lives, reading the story unfold and seeing how Cynthia pulls Maggie back in, how their friendship gets barbed and twisted over the years, seeing it rupture, examining the emotional shrapnel over time, it's truly done well.
The hardest part of this book to review is the mental illness and bipolar disorder suggestion. As someone with various mental health disorders, I do tend to overanalyze when mental illness is concerned, and even after taking some time to think about what I want to say, I still can't formulate the words. It was hard to read. Cynthia was a character I recognize, Maggie's defense and years long friendship is relatable, and damn is it difficult to watch the consequences play out in this story. At the end of the day, I really am glad to have read this book and will read more by Winders.
I would like to give content warning for racist behavior/slurs against Asian women, ableism regarding bipolar disorder, some fatphobic remarks, some scenes of explicit and implicit domestic violence, and emotional abuse towards friends and lovers.
Thank you to Glenda Winders, Mascot Books, and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for a honest review. Sainted In Error is set to be published February 1, 2022.
I wish I knew how to categorize this novel. A murder mystery doesn't seem quite right, even though, yes, there is a murder trial. But Sainted In Error, goes back in time in order to see what led to the ultimate unraveling and choice of murder. This story introduces Maggie and Cynthia meeting as freshman in college in the early 1970s (the story spans into the early 2000s), watches them both fall in love for the first time, first heartbreaks, finding love again, bringing children into the world, finding careers and life paths. And in between everything is the rupturing and wearing down of a friendship that become toxic, abusive, manipulative, and ultimately, deadly.
What I loved most about this book was Winders ability to show what is like to have a toxic relationship that spans decades. Though Maggie is telling the story, we see clearly how much Cynthia is a part of it and gets deeply intertwined in it.. Even when living in different states, in experiencing different lives, reading the story unfold and seeing how Cynthia pulls Maggie back in, how their friendship gets barbed and twisted over the years, seeing it rupture, examining the emotional shrapnel over time, it's truly done well.
The hardest part of this book to review is the mental illness and bipolar disorder suggestion. As someone with various mental health disorders, I do tend to overanalyze when mental illness is concerned, and even after taking some time to think about what I want to say, I still can't formulate the words. It was hard to read. Cynthia was a character I recognize, Maggie's defense and years long friendship is relatable, and damn is it difficult to watch the consequences play out in this story. At the end of the day, I really am glad to have read this book and will read more by Winders.
I would like to give content warning for racist behavior/slurs against Asian women, ableism regarding bipolar disorder, some fatphobic remarks, some scenes of explicit and implicit domestic violence, and emotional abuse towards friends and lovers.
Thank you to Glenda Winders, Mascot Books, and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for a honest review. Sainted In Error is set to be published February 1, 2022.
August 18, 2022
LOVED this one. not as thriller as my usual favs but still kept me hooked. plot spanned many years + family drama + best friend drama + mental health = all the drama i could ask for in a book
January 6, 2022
We know these girls. One we like. She's nice, a hard worker and considerate of others. The other one is pretty on the outside but she is mean spirited with an agenda of her own design. Most of us would walk away from the girl that is repulsive. Yet, Maggie enjoys her new college roommate, Cynthia. They are opposites and they seem to balance each other.
The author sets the stage with the first sentence. "What do you wear when you testify against your best friend as she goes on trial for murder?" Immediately, the reader can guess what will happen with this storyline as Maggie shuffles through her closet looking for the ideal outfit. It's the characters that make this book appealing like reading gossip about your neighbors.
Maggie's family works on a farm and she's on a tight budget when she enters her college dorm to meet Cynthia who has established herself with the bed by the window. Maggie is a liberal that joins protests and other hippies. Cynthia was raised as a conservative and says, "Rich people are all Republicans...We vote with our pocketbooks."
Opposites attract and they get along until one becomes successful after graduating and the other one doesn't. Most friendships would break off at some point but Maggie has a big heart and remembers the friendship that brought them once together. Sadly, Cynthia had a mother with bipolar traits and committed suicide. Now she needs medical help as well with meds and a psychiatrist - but refuses.
This book is beautifully written. I paused when reading, "You never know which of the hundreds of little choices you make every day will be one that ends up shaping your life -- whether for better or worse." It examines life stages and relationships on all levels. It gives one a deeper understanding of someone that needs major therapy. At the end, there are a list of helpful questions for book clubs to review.
My thanks to Glenda Winders, Mascot Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read this advanced copy with an expected release date of February 1, 2022.
The author sets the stage with the first sentence. "What do you wear when you testify against your best friend as she goes on trial for murder?" Immediately, the reader can guess what will happen with this storyline as Maggie shuffles through her closet looking for the ideal outfit. It's the characters that make this book appealing like reading gossip about your neighbors.
Maggie's family works on a farm and she's on a tight budget when she enters her college dorm to meet Cynthia who has established herself with the bed by the window. Maggie is a liberal that joins protests and other hippies. Cynthia was raised as a conservative and says, "Rich people are all Republicans...We vote with our pocketbooks."
Opposites attract and they get along until one becomes successful after graduating and the other one doesn't. Most friendships would break off at some point but Maggie has a big heart and remembers the friendship that brought them once together. Sadly, Cynthia had a mother with bipolar traits and committed suicide. Now she needs medical help as well with meds and a psychiatrist - but refuses.
This book is beautifully written. I paused when reading, "You never know which of the hundreds of little choices you make every day will be one that ends up shaping your life -- whether for better or worse." It examines life stages and relationships on all levels. It gives one a deeper understanding of someone that needs major therapy. At the end, there are a list of helpful questions for book clubs to review.
My thanks to Glenda Winders, Mascot Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read this advanced copy with an expected release date of February 1, 2022.
December 24, 2021
“What do you wear when you testify against your best friend as she goes on trial for murder? It’s ridiculous that I’m so anxious over such a minuscule and trivial part of this whole nightmare.”
In Winders’ novel, Maggie Patterson’s longtime college friend, Cynthia Morgan, suffers an undiagnosed mental disorder for years, culminating in violence and murder.
“Sainted in Error” is a gripping tale of the unrelenting anguish that psychological afflictions cause.
In Winders’ novel, Maggie Patterson’s longtime college friend, Cynthia Morgan, suffers an undiagnosed mental disorder for years, culminating in violence and murder.
“Sainted in Error” is a gripping tale of the unrelenting anguish that psychological afflictions cause.
March 20, 2025
4.5 stars. Kept me engrossed from start to finish. Much better prose than the average mystery novel.
March 12, 2022
Sainted in Error by Glenda Winders was a knot in my stomach. Literally. I physically felt it tightening and turning every time I was reading this novel.
If you like: slow-burning thrillers, mental illness and what its stigma can do to a person, destroyed friendships and a knot in your stomach the whole time when you read it then you are in the right place.
Our two protagonists: Maggie Patterson and Cynthia Morgan meet in 1973 at UCLA where they became college roommates.
The two girls are quite different from each other. Starting from their background: Maggie growing up on a farm with a loving family and Cynthia being an orphan at least emotionally with a father who is always working but has enough money to keep Cynthia 'afloat' in her life.
Nevertheless, they became close friends until Cynthia meets her love, at first sight, the medic student Richard. They are blindly in love and soon Cynthia becomes pregnant. She has to stop her education and they move to Kansas.
At the same time, Maggie who is our main character and we view everything from her point of view is studying hard to become a journalist so she can even work harder to become a successful one. She is very good at what she is doing and she also has a passion for it which obviously keeps her going way past her working hours.
The fact that Cynthia had to give up her career (being a psychiatrist, mainly because of her mom) and had to turn into a pampered housewife with an ongoing mental illness quietly working its way out is what is evidently going to lead us where the whole book started; in the courtroom.
I have found it very hard to review this book.
The opening is so strong that the knot in my stomach did not disappear for the whole time I was reading it.
The unpleasant feeling of waiting for something horrible to happen and to know that until the end of the book you won't face it is what made me decide to keep reading.
To be honest, until 60% of the book I wasn’t sure if I was the right audience for this novel.
Mainly because I leaned towards Cynthia more than the main character.
I found Maggie’s language intrusive and also very privileged for some reason.
As the story evolved and the characters were growing up I could finally see where we were going with Cynthia but still, all I could think about was: What is wrong with everyone in this book?
Probably I'm going to need some time to digest this story. It felt way too real and faux at the same time.
Like how almost every character was a hypocrite (except Peter) and at the same time, you could understand their point of view as well.
Simply the fact that how hard is to help someone who doesn’t want to be helped but wants to be loved unconditionally.
But it's definitely worth it because of the very last sentence in the book.
That self-reflection in the end was very well thought out.
Overall, a thought-provoking book but I would recommend choosing a good time to read it because it can be overwhelming if you are sensitive to it, which keeps you from seeing the bigger picture.
Thank you Mascot Books and Glenda Winders for the chance to read Sainted In Error.
If you like: slow-burning thrillers, mental illness and what its stigma can do to a person, destroyed friendships and a knot in your stomach the whole time when you read it then you are in the right place.
Our two protagonists: Maggie Patterson and Cynthia Morgan meet in 1973 at UCLA where they became college roommates.
The two girls are quite different from each other. Starting from their background: Maggie growing up on a farm with a loving family and Cynthia being an orphan at least emotionally with a father who is always working but has enough money to keep Cynthia 'afloat' in her life.
Nevertheless, they became close friends until Cynthia meets her love, at first sight, the medic student Richard. They are blindly in love and soon Cynthia becomes pregnant. She has to stop her education and they move to Kansas.
At the same time, Maggie who is our main character and we view everything from her point of view is studying hard to become a journalist so she can even work harder to become a successful one. She is very good at what she is doing and she also has a passion for it which obviously keeps her going way past her working hours.
The fact that Cynthia had to give up her career (being a psychiatrist, mainly because of her mom) and had to turn into a pampered housewife with an ongoing mental illness quietly working its way out is what is evidently going to lead us where the whole book started; in the courtroom.
I have found it very hard to review this book.
The opening is so strong that the knot in my stomach did not disappear for the whole time I was reading it.
The unpleasant feeling of waiting for something horrible to happen and to know that until the end of the book you won't face it is what made me decide to keep reading.
To be honest, until 60% of the book I wasn’t sure if I was the right audience for this novel.
Mainly because I leaned towards Cynthia more than the main character.
I found Maggie’s language intrusive and also very privileged for some reason.
As the story evolved and the characters were growing up I could finally see where we were going with Cynthia but still, all I could think about was: What is wrong with everyone in this book?
Probably I'm going to need some time to digest this story. It felt way too real and faux at the same time.
Like how almost every character was a hypocrite (except Peter) and at the same time, you could understand their point of view as well.
Simply the fact that how hard is to help someone who doesn’t want to be helped but wants to be loved unconditionally.
But it's definitely worth it because of the very last sentence in the book.
That self-reflection in the end was very well thought out.
Overall, a thought-provoking book but I would recommend choosing a good time to read it because it can be overwhelming if you are sensitive to it, which keeps you from seeing the bigger picture.
Thank you Mascot Books and Glenda Winders for the chance to read Sainted In Error.
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February 16, 2022SAINTED IN ERROR BY GLENDA WINDERS
BOOK REVIEW
From the first page I was hooked! Beginning in the courtroom where Maggie is forced to give eye-witness testimony to a murder her best friend committed, Winders' story follows the lives of the college roommates, who each betray the friendship through unavoidable circumstances. Their lives unfold from freshman college days when they were paired as roommates but had nothing in common and tried to avoid unnecessary contact with each other, through becoming best and only friends. However, the friendship always seemed lacking and more one-sided with Maggie, the lonely protagonist, carrying the unpredictable emotional burdens which Cynthia causes, always makes excuses for her friend, whose wonderful boyfriend becomes Maggie's other best friend.
Cynthia and Richard marry and move to new life thousands of miles away, and life goes on. Maggie happily pursues her journalism career, suffers great tragedy, and years later finds Mr. Right, Peter. The friendship continues across the miles, through raising children and careers soaring...except for one. Cynthia, who never finished her degree, is jealous and seeks revenge. The sad seduction of a lifelong friendship is undermined. Maggie makes excuses for Cynthia's abominable behavior, while Cynthia refuses to seek medical help for her rages and vengeful ways, which infect each member of both families from afar and during holidays together. The story and situations are compelling and draw the reader along, always wondering, who will be the victim of the deranged murderer?
The mystery of this novel progressively involves more characters and fascinating story development in unexpected ways. Winders shows well-rounded, believable characters through excellent dialogue. I felt as if I were in the room with each person, hanging on their every word as I watched the story come to its bittersweet conclusion. This is a terrific novel for escape reading, with deep insight into complicated lives of people who have a loved one with a possible mental disorder untreated.
by BONNIE NEELY
BOOK REVIEW
From the first page I was hooked! Beginning in the courtroom where Maggie is forced to give eye-witness testimony to a murder her best friend committed, Winders' story follows the lives of the college roommates, who each betray the friendship through unavoidable circumstances. Their lives unfold from freshman college days when they were paired as roommates but had nothing in common and tried to avoid unnecessary contact with each other, through becoming best and only friends. However, the friendship always seemed lacking and more one-sided with Maggie, the lonely protagonist, carrying the unpredictable emotional burdens which Cynthia causes, always makes excuses for her friend, whose wonderful boyfriend becomes Maggie's other best friend.
Cynthia and Richard marry and move to new life thousands of miles away, and life goes on. Maggie happily pursues her journalism career, suffers great tragedy, and years later finds Mr. Right, Peter. The friendship continues across the miles, through raising children and careers soaring...except for one. Cynthia, who never finished her degree, is jealous and seeks revenge. The sad seduction of a lifelong friendship is undermined. Maggie makes excuses for Cynthia's abominable behavior, while Cynthia refuses to seek medical help for her rages and vengeful ways, which infect each member of both families from afar and during holidays together. The story and situations are compelling and draw the reader along, always wondering, who will be the victim of the deranged murderer?
The mystery of this novel progressively involves more characters and fascinating story development in unexpected ways. Winders shows well-rounded, believable characters through excellent dialogue. I felt as if I were in the room with each person, hanging on their every word as I watched the story come to its bittersweet conclusion. This is a terrific novel for escape reading, with deep insight into complicated lives of people who have a loved one with a possible mental disorder untreated.
by BONNIE NEELY
April 27, 2022
Powerful read!
What a magnetic story in Sainted in Error by Glenda Winders. This is the first book I've read of this author, and I absolutely loved this read, and just became a fan. We found ourselves with Maggie, and she's getting ready to attend and testify at her friend's murder trial. Then, it becomes interesting. We learn of the backstory of Maggie, and Cynthia. There were signs that Cynthiawas in trouble. But only in hindsight did Maggie see them. The story plays out, and we see how their relationship changes, and what drags Maggie away, probably when Cynthia needed her the most. It's very powerful story that brings mental illness into the forefront, and its stigma that it carries. No one wants to be or feel "crazy" or "insane." This author brings the story to life. The characters had a lot of depth, and were very realistic. This author either had experience or did her research (or both), and portrayed Cynthia's actions accurately and unfortunately, how some suffer. It is a very well-written plot, and I enjoyed it. It’s one of those embraceable stories. It’s definitely un-put-downable! Wow! Simply masterful. Very impressive story telling. Sainted in Error is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews and I read this book and give my honest and unbiased review.
What a magnetic story in Sainted in Error by Glenda Winders. This is the first book I've read of this author, and I absolutely loved this read, and just became a fan. We found ourselves with Maggie, and she's getting ready to attend and testify at her friend's murder trial. Then, it becomes interesting. We learn of the backstory of Maggie, and Cynthia. There were signs that Cynthiawas in trouble. But only in hindsight did Maggie see them. The story plays out, and we see how their relationship changes, and what drags Maggie away, probably when Cynthia needed her the most. It's very powerful story that brings mental illness into the forefront, and its stigma that it carries. No one wants to be or feel "crazy" or "insane." This author brings the story to life. The characters had a lot of depth, and were very realistic. This author either had experience or did her research (or both), and portrayed Cynthia's actions accurately and unfortunately, how some suffer. It is a very well-written plot, and I enjoyed it. It’s one of those embraceable stories. It’s definitely un-put-downable! Wow! Simply masterful. Very impressive story telling. Sainted in Error is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews and I read this book and give my honest and unbiased review.
April 10, 2023
This was an interesting book that would make a good travel companion. Not too deep, moves easily, and pretty satisfying in the end.
The protagonist starts the story with the revelation of a murder and a murderer, though the victim isn't revealed. This is probably the most well executed aspect of the book, because it really does leave you guessing.
The rest of a book is a character study of the murderer over time, the best friend of the protagonist. While I thought her story was interesting, it doesn't quite sound like the people I know with bipolar. At a book club the author addressed, she said it drew on anecdotal experience - I wonder if that was also verified clinically.
While the overall story is interesting, I felt it lacked a bit of depth and several characters were just foils without development. I also found the first chapter - a description of clothes - an absolute bore, and disconnected from the personality of the character described in the rest of the book (serious, driven, decisive). It almost felt as though the editor suggested it be put in there, so as to make it clear that the book was "women friendly" - if that's true, it's very uncomfortable.
Overall, 3.5/5 stars. Would recommend if it was nearby and you wanted a light read.
The protagonist starts the story with the revelation of a murder and a murderer, though the victim isn't revealed. This is probably the most well executed aspect of the book, because it really does leave you guessing.
The rest of a book is a character study of the murderer over time, the best friend of the protagonist. While I thought her story was interesting, it doesn't quite sound like the people I know with bipolar. At a book club the author addressed, she said it drew on anecdotal experience - I wonder if that was also verified clinically.
While the overall story is interesting, I felt it lacked a bit of depth and several characters were just foils without development. I also found the first chapter - a description of clothes - an absolute bore, and disconnected from the personality of the character described in the rest of the book (serious, driven, decisive). It almost felt as though the editor suggested it be put in there, so as to make it clear that the book was "women friendly" - if that's true, it's very uncomfortable.
Overall, 3.5/5 stars. Would recommend if it was nearby and you wanted a light read.
August 8, 2022
Sainted in Error by Glenda Winders is a tough one to review. I read a little bit of everything but still feel like it was a little out of my reading realm. That being said, I read it very quickly, so I obviously enjoyed it. We start off with Maggie trying to figure out what she is going to wear to her best friend’s murder trial. We know there was murder and who committed the murder, but we don’t know who was murdered or why so there is a bit of a murder mystery. But this murder mystery spans time between Maggie and Cynthia’s relationship and their families. This is a story of how two women met and the direction their lives took, their careers, marriages, children, and family. The book was beautiful and well written, the story was believable, I could have been reading a memoir. As we meet the characters, we not only learn more about Maggie and Cynthia, their strengths, weaknesses, and why they are the way they are. We get to know each person in their families or close to them and soon realize anybody could be the victim.
I recommend if you enjoy books with mental illness, friendship, drama, and a bit of mystery.
I recommend if you enjoy books with mental illness, friendship, drama, and a bit of mystery.
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July 11, 2022In “Sainted in Error”, the main character prepares to testify against her former best friend in a murder trial. So for me as a reader, the book was not a “whodunnit”, so much as a “whogotit” and “whydidit”. The author takes us back through the formation and ultimate disintegration of a friendship. Two women meet as college freshmen and are complete opposites, but become fast friends. Their friendship is tested through the years as one of the women struggles with mental health issues that prompt her to commit unforgivable actions. An interesting character study.
June 26, 2023
This is a brilliantly written story of complex friendships and families brought together and torn apart. Mental illness and other weighty issues factor large in the story, but the narrator’s conversational tone is a comforting counterpart. I could not put this book down because I absolutely needed to know the ending alluded to in the first pages. If you enjoy books that both entertain and make you think, you’ll love Sainted in Error. I certainly did!
February 2, 2022
A beautifully written breathtakingly novel,the author wrote a poignant story concerning love,loss ,mental illness and the mind field.that brings. Especially when someone you once cared about,commits the despicable act of.murder. I have not heard of this author before,but I will be looking out for more of her work.
December 8, 2022
A murder mystery and more. Two college roommates whose relationship becomes toxic - jealousy, and competitive. Maggie and Cynthia develop very different lives - Maggie has a successful career and happy marriage. Cynthia has untreated mental illness, gave up her career to be a stay at home mom.
Maggie testifies against Cynthia
Maggie testifies against Cynthia
November 15, 2022
I cannot recommend this book enough. We all have friends that give glimpses of the antagonist, but seeing how it can impact the lives of those around them was incredible. The author got me so emotionally attached to the characters as well. I have never read a book like this before
May 27, 2026
Was pretty good but does repeat some things, maybe to make book longer ? And there’s a little babble here & there that some may find interesting but I just scanned it and moved on. BUT besides that I thought it was good! Felt like a real persons story.
March 31, 2022
This is so outside the realm of what I normally read, but I couldn't put it down. I read the whole thing yesterday and loved it. Would highly recommend for anyone who likes a mystery drama
March 21, 2023
Could not put this one down!
July 16, 2022
I would give Sainted in Error 4.5 out of 5 stars, but since I can’t do half stars on Amazon, I’m giving it a 5 out of 5.
Genre-wise I would call this women’s fiction. The book starts with the main character, Maggie, who is picking out what she’s going to wear to court where she’s going to testify against her best friend, Cynthia, who’s on trial for murder. Then we go back to when Maggie and Cynthia first meet in college and we follow them through the next 20 or so years of their lives—through their relationships, breakups, careers, marriages, divorce, kids, etc.
We discover that Cynthia is bipolar and we watch her mental health deteriorate over time. This part of the book hit close to home for me. One of my roommates in college was also bipolar and attempted to commit suicide one night while I was out. Mental health struggles are real and they can be very scary for everyone involved.
As the reader you know from the beginning that Cynthia committed murder, but you don’t know who she murders until the end of the book, so there’s an element of suspense there. I enjoyed the story and found it very thought provoking.
Genre-wise I would call this women’s fiction. The book starts with the main character, Maggie, who is picking out what she’s going to wear to court where she’s going to testify against her best friend, Cynthia, who’s on trial for murder. Then we go back to when Maggie and Cynthia first meet in college and we follow them through the next 20 or so years of their lives—through their relationships, breakups, careers, marriages, divorce, kids, etc.
We discover that Cynthia is bipolar and we watch her mental health deteriorate over time. This part of the book hit close to home for me. One of my roommates in college was also bipolar and attempted to commit suicide one night while I was out. Mental health struggles are real and they can be very scary for everyone involved.
As the reader you know from the beginning that Cynthia committed murder, but you don’t know who she murders until the end of the book, so there’s an element of suspense there. I enjoyed the story and found it very thought provoking.
December 7, 2021
Thank you NetGalley and Mascot Books, Subplot for the eARC.
Maggie is on her way to a very personal murder trial - that of her previous best friend, Cynthia. As she's looking for an outfit to wear, she reminisces about their friendship. A friendship that started out in college and was wonderful to begin with, but eroded over time as Cynthia's behavior became more and more erratic. She became a poisonous influence to the point that Maggie basically terminated their friendship. Cynthia's marriage, her relationship with her two daughters and any other people in her life is fraught with her nastiness, jealousy and embarrassing outbursts. She's seeing a 'therapist', refuses to see a psychiatrist or go on medication and basically ruins her life, blaming everyone around her.
It's a really good book, not a murder mystery as such, more the story of a life unravelling because of an undiagnosed mental illness. It's hard to like Cynthia, to be as patient with her as Maggie was, but it's an intense, grown-up novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. Highly recommended!
Maggie is on her way to a very personal murder trial - that of her previous best friend, Cynthia. As she's looking for an outfit to wear, she reminisces about their friendship. A friendship that started out in college and was wonderful to begin with, but eroded over time as Cynthia's behavior became more and more erratic. She became a poisonous influence to the point that Maggie basically terminated their friendship. Cynthia's marriage, her relationship with her two daughters and any other people in her life is fraught with her nastiness, jealousy and embarrassing outbursts. She's seeing a 'therapist', refuses to see a psychiatrist or go on medication and basically ruins her life, blaming everyone around her.
It's a really good book, not a murder mystery as such, more the story of a life unravelling because of an undiagnosed mental illness. It's hard to like Cynthia, to be as patient with her as Maggie was, but it's an intense, grown-up novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. Highly recommended!
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