Title- The Suspect
Author- Kathryn Croft
Publisher- Bookouture
Expected date of Publication- 8th February, 2023
Format- Kindle edition
Rating- 4/5
Summary- Lori had taken her toddler out for a stroll in the park when she was brutally murdered. Twenty-eight years later, Jess still cannot come out of that trauma. Though she has no memory of it, she still feels vulnerable all the time. Then one day, Nathaniel French, who was suspected of murdering her mother but was acquitted due to lack of evidence, approaches her. According to him, he had not murdered Lori so many years back, it was someone else. When Jess tries to discuss this issue with her family, she discovers that they are lying. Nathaniel on the other hand demands that he has an idea about who the real killer was and wants to confide in her about it. Just after that he goes missing and his body is discovered few days later. Whose dark secret was he harbouring which made him lose his life? Is Jess's life in danger too?
Review- This psychological thriller novel is so gripping that it kept me awake till late at night. It is a prime example of how one person's wreckless actions can have devastating consequences on some other person's life. The author has thrown light on the tiresome life of a single mother of a toddler. She has also addressed issues like PTSD and the mental state of a motherless child. She has tried to point out that a little love and compassion can help someone from falling into the clutches of danger.
The story is told from the point of view of two characters- Lori and Jess. Through Lori's parts, the readers get to know what had happened in the past before she was murdered, whereas, through Jess's parts we get an idea about the present day scenario. Lori works at a video shop and is not as establised as her sister Mionie, who is a doctor. Mionie often rebukes her during family gatherings and their mother never protests. Lori lives with her daughter in an apartment. Her partner and Jess's father Danny, visit them occasionally, but is not ready to move in with them. Then one day, she is murdered. Twenty-eight years later, Jess is a professional photographer who loves her job. She has still not come out of the trauma of her mother's brutal murder and always feels threatened. When Nathaniel approaches her, she is determined to find the truth even if it jeopardizes her safety.
It was a fascinating read which kept me at the edge of my seat all the time. It often happens with me in case of thriller novels that I can guess the actual culprit before it is revealed in the story but in this case I was wrong. I had never imagined that it would end the way it did. I would highly recommend this book to those who love mystery/thrillers.
I am highly grateful to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me with a free ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.
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