marnie | once upon a time book reviews 's Reviews > I am Quinn

What can I say about this book. Firstly what a debut! I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy that I read earlier this month, and secondly since then, I still have not been able to get this story out of my head!

I have never read anything like this before!

What makes this story great and stand out from others in this genre, is that throughout the book in parts, it is written from the perspective of Quinn Roberts after her death has taken place, which is a brilliant concept.

Set in the town of Newbridge, Quinn’s body is found after her friend Viv raises the alarm, when a week goes by without any word from her. Suffering from mental illness and having spoken to her friends about suicide before, the worst is feared when Quinn’s body is found surround by a number of pills. With no recollection as to how she died, the question that Quinn must face is, did she take her own life?

But when an autopsy is undertaken, it is revealed that Quinn didn’t die from an overdose, but was in fact murdered. Detective John McQuillan now has his work cut out for him and its not helped by the incompetence of a police officer who’s laziness left a contaminated crime scene with little clues as to who could be responsible.

As Quinn’s family move on with their lives, (some a lot quicker than you would think after the death of a loved one!) the murder investigation comes to a stalemate and eventually becomes a cold case.

For Detective John McQuillan and Quinn’s sister Erin though, there is no other option but to keep the investigation going, when other’s have given up and they are relentless in making sure that Quinn’s murder is solved no matter how long it takes. For both, it is for justice, but for Erin it is also for the love of a sister and the need for the family to have closure and move on as best as they can and more importantly for Quinn to finally be at peace.

Do I recommend this book:

Hell yes!!

Character wise I had different emotions for each of them as to be expected. Any one of them could have been responsible. For me the ones who stood out the most was Alec, Quinn’s overbearing and egotistical husband who would belittle her at any chance he got and who I absolutely detested. Her son Jack who at times frustrated me to no end with his lack of empathy towards his mother’s struggles, and Quinn’s landlady’s son Ronny, who was just way too creepy for my liking. So called friends were also a disappointment and instead of helping Quinn who was clearly reaching out for help decided to turn the other way and for some, felt relief in her passing.

For the story, I was gripped right from the beginning. I was taken on an emotional rollercoaster as I gained more insight into Quinn’s life and her struggles. I felt her pain, as well as the pain and emotional stress of her mother and father, sisters and brother in law, then I was lead to a fist pumping satisfying ending with a big smile on my face!

I was so caught up in this book that I read this in one sitting. McGarvey is a fantastic storyteller and still can’t believe this is her debut! It has it all to make this an intriguing and brillant psychological suspense.

Thanks to Bloodhound Books for a spot on this blog tour and allowing me to read an advance copy of I am Quinn.

All opinions are my own and are not biased in any way