Blurb
Scarlett’s aunt lived – and was brutally murdered – in the apartmentupstairs. But Scarlett is determined that life should return to some kind of normal, even if that means living with just a ceiling between her and the scene of such a devastating crime.
After all, this is her home. She’s safe here. Isn’t she?
Dee is busy balancing her job as a funeral director with organising an event to mark the disappearance of her best friend, ten years ago. She’s got enough on her plate without worrying about the threatening messages that are appearing on her company’s Facebook page.
When Scarlett approaches Dee about planning her aunt’s funeral, anunexpected link emerges between them. Together, the two women coulduncover secrets that have long been buried. Even while someone wants to stop them digging . . .
My Review
I loved The Rumour by Lesley Kara and have read everything she has written since. Her latest is not only an intriguing mystery of a murder/suicide and a decade old disappearance, it is also an intense character study with two unusual females at the helm.
There is Scarlett whose Aunt Rebecca was brutally murdered by her partner in the apartment upstairs. Chronically ill her family view her as weak and needing to be looked out for. As someone with a chronic and debilitating illness I felt the author not only showed how strong illness actually makes people but also the reality behind flares. How refreshing it is to read about illness/disability in a realistic but also positive way.
We also have Dee who runs funeral firm Fond Farewells with business partner Lindsay. They are arranging Rebecca’s funeral and also a big memorial for the anniversary of her missing friend Gina. When threats start appearing my first thought was the convenience of the timing and that they must be connected. Was it murder/suicide or was it framed to look that way? And where is Gina?
This is a slow burn thriller that had me asking so many questions and looking for clues to find the answers. While it did take me some time to get into the mystery the characters grabbed me from the start and although I did work most of it out it was still an enjoyable read.
About the author
LESLEY KARA is the author of Sunday Times bestsellers The Rumour and Who Did You Tell? Her debut, The Rumour, was also a Kindle No.1 bestseller. She is an alumna of the Faber Academy ‘Writing a Novel’ course. She lives on the North Essex coast. You can follow Lesley on Twitter @LesleyKara or visit her website at www.lesleykara.com
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Melanie’s reads 
It’s good that the chronic illness was portrayed well. It’s frustrating for us sufferers when you read a book and a character suffers a condition that you know how they would feel, but they’re off doing cartwheels and shit that wouldn’t be possible 😂
This sounds good, but I’m realising lately I’m not a fan of a slow burner xx
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Cartwheels and shit 🤣 I couldn’t even do that before I got sick. This is definitely more character driven than plot but most of hers are x
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That’s what I didn’t like about One of the Girls by Lucy Clarke. Did you read that yet? I can’t remember x
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Yes was on the tour for it x
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Did you like it?x
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Preferred it to get other one I read The Castaways, didn’t like that at all x
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How funny as normally we’re so similar in book taste but I loved The Castaways 😂
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Gemma who I buddy read it with liked it too x
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Great review, Melanie. Glad it was portrayed well, but a slow burn can be hit or miss.
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Thank you and I agree, I think a slower plot only works well if you are invested in the characters quickly.
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