Camilla Way

THE LIES WE TOLD is a gripping and emotional psychological thriller, told mainly from the POVs of two women thirty years apart. Both are faced with a terrible situation. In present day, Clara’s boyfriend Luke has gone missing without a trace, while back in the 1980s, Beth is struggling to raise her very troubled daughter. But how are they connected? Secrets and lies rarely stay hidden forever, as Clara soon finds as she searches for clues to Luke’s disappearance.

This book is dark and show more unsettling, in particular Beth’s dilemma with her daughter, Hannah. What’s a mother to do? Ugh! I was impressed with how the author wove the many threads of this suspenseful mystery together, and just when you think things have reached a conclusion — hold on! This is the second book I’ve read AND loved by Camilla Way. Eagerly anticipating her next!

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. show less

Heather and Edie were friends when they were 16, but there was some kind of falling out. They are now in their 30s. Edie long-since moved away and is now pregnant and on her own. After Edie has her baby, she is unable to function, and Heather shows up to take care of them. But once Edie comes to her senses, she can’t get past what happened when they were younger and asks Heather to leave. But Heather doesn’t want to go…

The story is told in alternating chapters between Edie in her 30s show more and Heather at 16, so the reader hears the story from both characters’ perspectives and as things happen at each age. I thought this was very suspenseful; it kept me wanting to read to find out what had happened when they were 16, plus what was going on in “current” day and how things were going to turn out. I did prefer Edie’s viewpoint, but I think it really made a difference for the suspense to get into Heather’s head, as well. I was almost going to “up” my rating just a touch near the end, but the end, itself, was a little too open-ended for me. Some things were tied up, but not everything. show less

I found The Dead of Summer to be a chilling and compelling look into the world of three young teenage misfits. In a series of flashbacks we are told the story by Anita. A loner all her life, Anita and her family moved to London from Leeds after the death of her mother in the 1980’s. She doesn’t fit in at school and the only friend she is able to make is Denis, a slightly slow boy. Through Denis she meets Kyle, who lives across the street from her and whom she has already noticed and been show more attracted to. Kyle is the leader of the group and the other two always follow him.

We are told at the beginning of the book that there was a event that left everyone but Anita dead. As she relates her story to a psychiatrist many years later, she fills in the blanks and we are shown what actually happened that summer. We learn about each of the children’s background, from Denis’s overprotective, religious mother to Kyle’s younger sisters’ disappearance a year earlier. This is a disturbing, yet riveting story that I found very hard to put down. Definitely not a book for the faint-of-heart.

The Dead of Summer is Camilla Way’s debut novel, yet she has produced a well crafted plot that keeps the reader engrossed. Her skilful manipulation keeps the book fresh and unpredictable. There are times when you find a book that really speaks to you, and for whatever reason, this book spoke volumes to me. show less

Watching Edie is goosebumpy creepy! When Heather wangles her way back into Edie's life it reminded me of that 90's film, Single White Female. As the story flips back and forth between Before and After, you can't read fast enough to find out 'what went on in the past?'

Before: Edie is the popular girl at school and Heather can't believe her luck when Edie chooses to befriend her. Heather is the unpopular, studious fat girl - every class seems to have one (of course, it was me in my class). I show more couldn't help but wonder whether Edie had an agenda for making friends with Heather but she did seem to genuinely care for her. Then something devastating happens that fractures their friendship...but as with all good novels, we have to wait until the end to find out what happened.

After: Edie is pregnant and alone when suddenly Heather gets back in touch with her. Edie seems reluctant to speak to her but Heather won't take no for an answer. When Edie has no option but to accept Heather's help, the psychological fun really starts. Just how far will Heather go to get back in Edie's life? Is she here to help or is she out for revenge?

Watching Edie is written with so much suspense that the pages flit by effortlessly. I loved how Before was written in the voice of Heather and After written in the voice of Edie - seeing the story from both sides with very unique voices. It's so brilliant but creepy and I'd love to see Watching Edie made into a film.

I received this e-book from the publisher, HarperCollins, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. show less