A review by onemorepagecrew
The Damage by Caitlin Wahrer

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book had a grip on my attention for two days and I was sneaking my ear buds in any chance I could to hear it unfold.  In this dark and suspenseful novel, we meet brothers Tony and Nick who are 17 years apart and resemble more of a parent / child dynamic than a sibling dynamic.  Nick, the younger brother, is violently assaulted by a man he meets at a bar and the plot line centers on the months leading up to the trial.  The detective and Tony’s wife, Julia, are also key roles in the book and all four characters are notably well-developed by the author.  
 
The author did a fantastic job of weaving each person’s perspective together at just the right moments in the storyline to slowly show the reader the truth.  The truth was never so far out of reach that I was lost, and it was truly a subtle mystery that felt like a puzzle.  Just when I felt the bow had been tied on this novel, it had an unexpected ending that was believable and yet not one I predicted at all.  
 
The final piece that really placed this in the top tier book for me was the depth of which the author explored the impacts of assault and how each person had to process the trauma.  It’s not glossed over or moved to a backstory.  It stayed right there, showing its far-reaching impact on everyone. 
 
If you can read heavier topics and are looking for a suspenseful novel, I highly recommend this as an audio book. 
 
Content warnings: Sexual assault, Rape, Self-harm, Suicide attempt, Alcoholism 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings