There
certainly was enough hype about this book this spring to warrant a
read. My copy has a sticker on it that says, “Thriller of the Year”
with which I take umbrage. When I think of “thrillers” I
think about being on the edge of my seat dying to, but scared to, turn
the pages. There are unsavory people here, and plenty of lying,
cheating, and creepiness. But I was never scared to turn a page or
worried for any of the characters' safety. That being said this a
great read with plenty to speculate about and unusual character
development. It has been a while since I read a book where I didn't
like, even a little bit, any of the main characters!
Nick
and Amy appear to be the perfect couple. Both are well educated,
smart, and good looking. On the fifth anniversary of their wedding
Amy goes missing. A good one third of the book is a set up for you,
the reader, to hate and suspect Nick of murdering her. Amy was independently wealthy
when she married Nick. She was also an extraordinary beauty, popular
and professional before they both lost their jobs and moved to Nick's
home town to run a local bar. Nick also teaches part-time at the
community college. Once Amy suddenly disappears it comes out that
she was not happy being away from NYC, they had spent all of her
money, and Nick has been having an affair with a student of his. The
police proceed making what they believe to be a clear murder case against
Nick. Nick does himself no favors by lying and trying to cover up his
indiscretions. Evidence starts to pile up which Nick swears has been
planted.
Looking
at Nick and Amy the reader soon sees that these are not normal
people. One is a sociopath and the other a narcissist. Amy's parents
aren't normal either. They have spent a lifetime creating a series of
children's books about their daughter called “The Amazing Amy”
series, then trying to make her live up to their expectations. At
first they back Nick but then turn against him. Nick's father is a
very mean and vindictive man suffering from Alzheimers but aware
enough to still get out of the nursing home and haunt his family. The
only one in Nick's corner is his sister who stays loyal to the end.
You
will not be disappointed in this book, and if you are like me you
will almost have it figured out but there will be just enough twists
and turns to keep you guessing to the end. Be prepared to have the
hair stand up on the back of your neck when the real crimes are all
revealed. It is disturbing to think about the ramifications of being
in a relationship you can't get out of when your partner is a
sociopath. What would you do if you were innocent of a crime but all
the evidence pointed to you? What lengths would you go to if you
needed to free yourself from a relationship that seems to be killing
you? What would you do if the person you married isn't who you
thought they were? What if you found out your partner is truly evil?
And here is one for you, what would it be like if you were so
beautiful that all your life people just wanted to give you things
and be near you? Could you ever learn to be a normal person with
empathy and humility? Are there people like that? Are sociopaths born
or are they products of their environment? Is narcissism inherent or
learned?
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