Too Close - Book Review

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Connie is at the park with her children when she meets Ness, another young mother who turns out to be her new neighbour. The two become friends, as do their children, forever in and out of each other's houses and sharing everything. When Ness divorces her wife, Leah, Connie is there to help her through it, until a shocking betrayal leads to Connie doing something so unthinkable that afterwards, she cannot remember it.

Emma is a forensic psychiatrist assigned to Connie's case, there to make sure she is ready to face trial for what she did. The case is close to home for Emma, and she struggles to maintain her professional boundaries as she tries to understand Connie and come to terms with her own personal tragedy.

Too Close deals with dark themes, including mental illness, suicide, assault and murder. I found it utterly gripping and was up trying to finish it way past when I'd planned to go to sleep.

From the blurb I was expecting a fast-paced psychological thriller, but Too Close is not that at all. It's mainly about the "why" of the crime, not the "who" or the "what", and spends a lot time developing the characters of Connie and Emma. It's dark and disturbing and sad, and by the end, I was left not sure how I felt about it all. It certainly gives the reader plenty to think about, and would be a great choice for discussion at a book club.

Disclaimer: I was given a complimentary copy of this book by Random House UK, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Published: November 24, 2018

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More articles by Jennifer Muirhead:
The Locked Door - Book Review
The Strangers We Know - Book Review
Prison Witch - Book Review