Title:Emma in the Night
Author:Wendy Walker
Published:August 2017, St. Martin’s Press
Format:ARC Paperback, 320 pages
Source:Publisher
From the bestselling author of All Is Not Forgotten comes a thriller about two missing sisters, a twisted family, and what happens when one girl comes back…
One
night three years ago, the Tanner sisters disappeared: fifteen-year-old
Cass and seventeen-year-old Emma. Three years later, Cass returns,
without her sister Emma. Her story is one of kidnapping and betrayal, of
a mysterious island where the two were held. But to forensic
psychiatrist Dr. Abby Winter, something doesn’t add up. Looking deep
within this dysfunctional family Dr. Winter uncovers a life where
boundaries were violated and a narcissistic parent held sway. And where
one sister’s return might just be the beginning of the crime.
My thoughts:Last year, I read Wendy Walker’s debut novel, All is Not Forgotten, and I was blown away by how dark and twisty it was – I loved it! Of course, I was psyched to see she had another book coming out and couldn’t wait to get my hands on it, but was a little apprehensive at the same time – could she pull it off again with another hit? Well…I think she did! In fact, I actually liked this one better, if you can believe it!
This is a twisty, crazy book. It’s at once a mystery/suspense novel layered on top of a psychological thriller that gets under your skin and doesn’t let up until you get all the answers you desperately need. I found there was not one part of this book that didn’t captivate me – I was entranced from start to finish!
The story is told from two points of view – from Cass, who has just turned up after being missing for three year, and from Dr. Abby Winters, a Forensic Psychiatrist and FBI agent. Cass’s chapters were at times a bit strange – she was revealing the events of what happened while she gone, and always insisted her mother be present, but at times, her emotions didn’t match what she was talking about. It was odd!
Dr. Abby herself is a complicated, complex character. She specializes in narcissistic personalities and suspects that not all is as Cass tells. She had become obsessed with this case when the girls first went missing, and was jumping at the gun to talk with Cass when she re-appears. She spent a lot of time studying Cass’s family – seeing the dysfunction to the full extent. Dr. Abby has plenty of first-hand experience with a narcissistic mother, so she just doesn’t understand why Cass would come home to a mother that just isn’t nice? What is Cass up to?
This book kept me on my toes as secrets are slowly revealed and just like a jig saw puzzle, it all comes together. The twists and turns this book takes are crazy, and as each piece is revealed, you are left scratching your head, wondering how you didn’t see that coming. Ever so slowly the tension ramps up, until the final secret is revealed. This book takes you on a wild ride and I loved every bit of it! Wendy Walker is two for two with me and I cannot wait to see what comes next from her!!!
This sounds awesome! I love psychological thrillers. Totally gonna add this to my TBR, thanks!
It was like a jigsaw and several pieces just did not fit. A bit disjointed at times but it ultimately came together.
Oh this sounds good! I've had Wendy Walker on my TBR and this sounds like a book I just need to read!