Rating: 4 out of 5.

3.5 stars, rounded up to 4

This is a pretty good mystery/thriller set in a tiny village in northern England. Kate Shaw’s husband Michael stepped in front of a lorry after being questioned by police in the disappearance of a young mother that lived on the estate he managed. To the outside world, it appears Michael committed suicide rather than be caught for the crime. But Kate knows her husband and doesn’t believe he’s done anything wrong.

But then questions arise about Michael’s activities before the crime, and evidence pointing at his guilt have Kate starting to question everything she’s ever known about her life. Trying to cope with the events, and shield her six-year-old daughter from what’s going on, Kate has to decide if she will hide incriminating evidence against Michael that she finds, or turn it over to the police.

This book has a good pace and isn’t overly bloated with irrelevant side issues or red herrings. I did get a little tired of Kate’s constant inner dialogue going over the facts again and again, but that’s probably just my bias against first person points of view. I’m not a fan.

The author does a great job of building tension and while parts of the book were predictable, others were not and that was refreshing. I don’t think I would put this book in the same category of Gone Girl or The Girl on the Train, but it was a good book that held my attention.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Bookouture. All opinions are my own.