A simple cast of characters, a relatively simple plot, but a brilliant and absorbing story.
The characters, and there’s only really two, Connie and Olivia. Connie the serial killer and Olivia the middle aged mother of two twins.
But there’s much more to both characters.
From the start there is no doubt that Connie is a killer, in fact shes in prison serving a life sentence for killing seven people. She shows no remorse, and throughout the investigation, and still whilst in prison, she has never given any reason as to why she killed those seven random people.
Olivia is an ex detective. She took maternity leave when she had her twin boys, and never went back. Now, 18 years later, they have gone to university and she is bored. There is an emptiness in her life she tries putting down to empty nesting, or rather her husband puts does.
He’s a successful business man who earns enough for her to stay at home. But she has a bee in her bonnet, and it’s Connie Cross, the infamous killer.
Why?
Not only is she intrigued by the fact that Connie has never given a reason for the killings, but she also had dealings with her when Connie was a very young girl.
Olivia was the Family Liaison Officer assigned to Connie when her baby sister died suddenly at home.
The police would be involved in any sudden death but when Connie let it slip to a neighbour that she thought her Dad dad killed her the Police arrest him.
What had always been a bad relationship between father and daughter, as well as his abusive behaviour towards Connie’s Mom, make him an ideal suspect. But he is innocent and the relationships get even worse.
Olivia meets with an ex colleague, who is now a Detective Inspector and was part of the team that arrested Connie when her crimes came to light, and tells him shes thinking of writing a book about Connie. He tries to convince her to return to policing but helps her get access, as a visitor, to Connie.
What follows is Then-and-Now chapters as Connie’s story is told.
How she became a killer, why she killed the people she killed.
All the time Olivia is realising that her home life is not what she wants anymore.
But is that her choice, or is Connie manipulating her.
Because at the end of the day Connie just like to mete out justice in her own way.
You always hear the phrase on TV talent and reality shows. If you are going to do “simple” it has to be perfect.
This is the epitome of that.
It’s a simple story but it is written so well it is stunning.
It unfolds slowly, without being boring.
There are no shocks or twists that make it unlikely.
It is simply one of the best books I’ve read for some time.
Pages: 464. Publisher: Quercus. Audiobook length: 10h 7m Narrator: Susie Riddell
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