Marianna S. (Angeloudi) reviewed on + 160 more book reviews
This debut novel by Elizabeth Haynes chronicles the wrecked life of Cathy Bailey, who suffers from advanced and crippling OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) and PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and the causes of her two illnesses. How did she transform from a confident, popular young working girl with many friends and lots of self confidence, to this shrinking, fearful, compulsive mess of a person? This is a tautly-written thriller that unfolds slowly, using flashbacks in Cathy's life 4 years in the past to 2007/8. Her relationship with the seemingly perfect Lee Barrett unfolds, and the web starts to enshroud the reader slowly and inevitably. With an increasing sense of horror and unfolding, Cathy's story and relationship with the enigmatic and handsome Lee Barrett starts to emerge.
Cathy is so afraid of her past that she is merely existing, too paralysed with fear for her safety that she can barely function. Lee's controlling and obsessive behavior starts to emerge, ever so slowly, that the reader is filled with dread knowing that something horrible is going to happen. The slow unfolding and pacing of the story will not appeal to all readers, as it takes some getting used to, as well as the narrative technique of flashbacks and flashes forward in the story. The book is long and slow-moving, with the narration of the pivotal event in Cathy's life not finally emerging until page 250 of 400. The story contains some violent descriptions and a gripping, suspenseful tale that is hard to put down. I was glad when I finally finished this book covering the darkest side of obsession and controlling behaviour.
Cathy is so afraid of her past that she is merely existing, too paralysed with fear for her safety that she can barely function. Lee's controlling and obsessive behavior starts to emerge, ever so slowly, that the reader is filled with dread knowing that something horrible is going to happen. The slow unfolding and pacing of the story will not appeal to all readers, as it takes some getting used to, as well as the narrative technique of flashbacks and flashes forward in the story. The book is long and slow-moving, with the narration of the pivotal event in Cathy's life not finally emerging until page 250 of 400. The story contains some violent descriptions and a gripping, suspenseful tale that is hard to put down. I was glad when I finally finished this book covering the darkest side of obsession and controlling behaviour.
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