Split between the current day, and diary entries from last year, this is one of the most original plots I have ever read.
Alex South is a 39-year-old alcoholic. She is also a TV journalist who is has already had one “episode” on live TV.
When a woman is found murdered, in a park just around the corner from her house, Alex gets another chance and is sent with her cameraman and producer to the crime scene.
This is the third woman to be killed in similar circumstances in a few weeks and the press are saying there’s a serial killer on the streets.
The book is written in the first person from Alex’s point of view. The struggles of getting through the day without appearing drunk, trying to keep the balance between the sober shakes, and the outward drunk.
She struggles with panic attacks and blackouts. Her memory is shot, and things she did 24 hours ago are hazy at the least.
But she’s functioning, she’s managing to carry herself professionally, and convinces herself that she will get sober……one day. But first she needs to be the investigative reporter on-the-spot for the serial killer murders.
This book is brilliant. Jody Sabral is a journalist and so she knows the business, and it shows in the realism of this story. But what really puts this book above the others is the realism with which she treats the alcoholism of Alex.
The self-destructive cycle of life. Waking up in the morning convinced today will be a sober day, but reaching for wine instead of coffee, and there’s always a justification.
The pure panic when no booze is available. The waking up, sometimes next to a complete stranger, and having no idea who they are, or how you got to bed, and then actually finding comfort in somebody just being there.
The walking out of a shop with a bottle of wine, or vodka, in your bag you had no intention or recollection of buying
The water bottle with vodka in it.
The belief that you’re fooling the people around you.
I loved this book. The story is great, the characters are really well written, and I didn’t get anywhere near guessing the end.
Pages: E-book 951KB
Publisher: Canelo
Publishing Date: 11 June 2018
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