Sunday, February 28, 2016

What She Knew by Gilly Macmillan FIC Mac

This is a debut novel and I am looking forward to her second one!  I love psychological thrillers.  I finished this one in two days because I couldn't wait to find out who the guilty party was.   Rachel Jenner has had a tough year.  Her doctor husband has divorced her and is remarried.  Rachel spends a lot of time thinking about the new couple, which isn't good for her mental health.  She is trying to keep a normal home for Ben, her 8 year-old son.  So every Sunday they go for a walk in a large wooded park with their puppy (farewell gift from daddy).  Rachel is taking photos (her new career) when Ben asks permission to run ahead to where the swings are.  After hesitating Rachel says yes and off he goes.  But when she arrives at the swings she only sees one swing gently swinging - but no Ben.

The novel takes place over the next week.  The first morning after Ben's disappearance the Police want Rachel to make a television appeal to the kidnapper(s).  They have a carefully scripted statement for her to make.  But Rachel goes rogue and threatens to kill whoever took Ben.  She looks wild and at the end she flashes a big smile.  If Ben were watching she wanted him to feel comforted by that smile.  The media (and especially the social media) didn't take it that way and lots of people began to think she was responsible.

The book is narrated by Rachel and alternately by the detective in charge of the case.  I thought it was a great read.

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