Sphere | May 2015 | 384 pgs
Purchased
To begin with, I Let You Go is Clare Mackintosh's debut and what a great debut it is!
On a rainy afternoon, five-year-old Jacob is on his way home with his mother and during that short moment of releasing his hand to brush the strands of wet hair from her eyes, Jacob dashes across the street on his own and out of nowhere a car comes speeding by and knocks into Jacob. The driver drives off without acknowledging anything while Jacob's mother screams in desperation and devastation. Jacob didn't live and the driver is never caught.
What follows after is Jenna Gray has moved from Bristol to a remote cottage on the Welsh coast to start things afresh. Haunted by the accident and from the loss of her child, she is hoping that a new environment will help her escape from her painful past.
On the other end, the hit-and-run case headed by DI Ray Stevens isn't going on smoothly and without any clues and evidence after six months the superintendent decides the case as closed. DC Kate, who is working together with Ray, thinks otherwise though and the two of them decide to pursue the case discreetly. Aside from this, Ray also feels torn between his career and his family as there are times he couldn't make time for his eldest son when there are troubles in school and this causes a strain between him and his wife, Mags.
There are many layers to this story and while this is a psychological thriller, the writing style and the plotting are unlike any others and this is one reason why I found myself so engrossed with the book. The characterisation is another great draw of the story as they are well developed and add intrigue to the overall story. I couldn't even begin to describe how many times the story caught me by surprise and how my emotions felt like a roller coaster ride. There were heart pain, anger and then sadness as I devoured those pages looking for a closure - a good closure and most of all, justice and law.
I Let You Go is a well written, well crafted story and is one of the best psychological thriller/police procedural I read this year. And oh, I need to mention that Clare Mackintosh will have a new release out in July 2016 - I See You. That would be on my to-buy list, without a doubt.
Posts
I'm so glad you liked it! This one has some surprises, doesn't it? My cover was different, but I like this one, too.
Ooh, I want to read this, Melody. Thanks for giving me another title to add to my wishlist, and also to look out for her newest coming soon. I love suspense in all forms.
What a hard story to read, though, with such a tragic accident right at the start. It's definitely not a summer read--I like my summer books frivolous and light--but maybe in the fall. :)
Jenclair - Yes, lots of surprises and I really enjoyed the thrills, simply wow! I also like that other cover about the sand art.
Rita - I think you might like this one, Rita. :)
Lark - It was no doubt a hard story to read, especially when a child is concerned. I hope you'll enjoy it when you get to it. :)
This one is on my list and I have to say your review makes me want to read it next. Great review, my mouth was open in shock. The next one is on Netgalley if your interested.
Such a hard topic to read about . . . But this sounds so good! I am looking forward to readin this one.
Marce - I'm looking forward to reading your review, Marce. And thanks for telling me that Netgalley has the new book! I think I'll most probably buy it. :)
Wendy - Yes, it was indeed a hard topic to read about. I hope you'll like this one, despite the topic.