We’re nearly into summer season trip right here in my home and I used to be in search of one thing lighter (however with homicide), so I picked up The Drowning Girl by Robyn Harding. Thriller readers in Canada will acknowledge Harding’s title as she has written seven different books, most of them on this style, and so they typically hit our bestseller lists. I learn and loved a earlier work of hers, Her Fairly Face, and I additionally interviewed her onstage about her writing course of, so I can attest that she’s a real delight, and a author to observe when you like studying home thrillers. This e-book was admittedly a HOT learn for summer season 2023 so I’m a yr behind, however it’s a page-turner regardless of while you decide it up.
Plot Abstract
Lee has fallen very far, very quick in her life. She was a extremely regarded chef along with her personal restaurant, fulfilling her dream of getting her personal profitable enterprise with a number of mates surrounding her. However when the pandemic hit she felt pressured to take a mortgage from a seedy man with a violent historical past, and unable to pay him again, she fled the east coast for Seattle, with nothing however the garments on her again. Dwelling in her automobile with solely a meagre wage from a job at a neighborhood diner, she is sick and uninterested in sleeping in worry, however issues start to enhance for her as she meets two new individuals who provide solace from her nightmare state of affairs. Hazel is a rich lady who lives in an enormous home by the ocean and brings Lee breakfast in her automobile when she’s parked in her neighborhood for the night. Jesse is a sexy private coach who doesn’t learn about Lee’s residing state of affairs, and so they rapidly begin up a bodily relationship that acts as an exquisite distraction. Admittedly, Lee met each via unusual circumstances; Hazel was on the verge of drowning herself making an attempt to flee her abusive marraige when Lee got here to her rescue, and Jesse appeared to look out of nowhere with a sort smile and no questions requested. Hazel ultimately asks Lee to assist her disappear, providing a hefty money reward for her efforts, so how might Lee say no? However each Jesse and Hazel will not be what they appear, and Lee rapidly learns that her belief was as soon as once more misplaced.
My Ideas
Books like these are far more pleasurable to learn when you don’t get caught up within the particulars. By nitpicking conditions and reactions, one can simply get caught up within the ‘that is unbelievable’ mindset. Studying thrillers, particularly home thrillers, is far more enjoyable when you’ll be able to simply glide of the story. Sure, a few of Lee’s backstory appeared like a little bit of a stretch, however as soon as I moved previous these preliminary doubts, I used to be simply swept alongside into her current day nightmare.
The narrative switches between Lee and Hazel’s views, ultimately forsaking Lee and focusing solely on Hazel for the final half of the e-book. As a result of their conditions are so totally different (wealthy/poor, single/married) but their targets are one and the identical (freedom), their characterization turned a lot stronger the nearer they got here to at least one one other. I used to be nearly disenchanted when realizing we weren’t going to listen to far more from Lee, just because I favored studying about them collectively greater than aside. Each ladies had been victims, however not utterly innocent both, as Harding is cautious to incorporate their dangerous deeds together with their redeeming options. As I learn extra home thrillers I’m realizing this can be a widespread trope; most characters can’t be labelled as both good or dangerous, everybody has a number of skeletons of their closet, which ups the suspense and units the stage for future twists and crimson herrings.
This can be a fast and entertaining learn, good for passing a sunny afternoon within the yard. There are actually solely 4 characters in it, so the storyline is straightforward, not requiring a lot mind energy to get via. The ending isn’t stunning however it’s satisfying, so all issues thought-about it deserves its ‘scorching’ e-book of the summer season label.
