Loved this book! I definitely could have read it in one sitting if I had enough hours in the day for work, children AND reading! I knew I wasn't putting it down again (until the end) around 300 pages in, no matter what. The book is broken up into days. Within each day, there are chapters. Some of the chapters are present time; others are historical events. The story is fast-paced, so even though I was curious about the traumatic event that caused Anna's agoraphobia, I was caught up in the story itself as it unfolded.
When reading psychological thrillers like this, I often think about the potential "curve balls", twists and turns the story will take. There came a point in this story when I realized a significant twist was coming and I already started processing how the proceeding events changed in my mind with this new knowledge. What I couldn't figure out is what was going to happen after this revelation. Was I surprised by the end? Absolutely. One thing I loved about this well-written story is the fact that the reader knows all of the characters involved. There is not a "minor" character who is rarely referred to that ends up being a significant part of the end. Nope. In this book, the reader is introduced to everyone we need to know.
I loved the old movie (black & white) references throughout the book. I loved how movies would be playing in the background while Anna processed what was happening in her life. She lived and breathed these movies - and add that obsession to four bottles of wine.... well, it would mess up any one's line of thought! Anna's drinking made me cringe however!! I kept screaming inside my head, "Anna, put the bottle down!!" Can you say functioning alcoholic? Or, semi-functioning alcoholic?!
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good ride!
Wendy's Rating: *****
