A review by wanderaven
Little Black Lies by Sharon J. Bolton
5.0
Because I've been less enthusiastic lately about Lacey Flint than I used to be, I was slightly hesitant to ask St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy of Bolton's new book, Little Black Lies.
But I've loved Bolton since day one and I was pleased to see - for the first time in many years - a non-Lacey book, so I was happy to take on this new stand-alone novel set in the Falkland Islands.
And I'm so very, very glad that I did.
I'm ashamed to admit I didn't know much about the Falklands before reading Little and I wasn't sure what to expect from such a different setting. Bolton, however, retains British and Scottish vibes including her talent with creating suffocating, insular communities, while weaving in a novel history, other cultures, and a new environment for her fans.
Catrin Quinn is a resident of the Falklands and three years ago, she was a (somewhat) happily married woman with two children and a third on the way. But then someone - her best friend, in fact - destroyed her entire world.
Catrin is contemplating revenge but her plans are stymied by the disappearance of a young boy - the third in the area - and whales determined on suicide, and even celestial events. I don't want to reveal much about the way the novel is organized as it could be considered somewhat of a spoiler, but I was pleased with Bolton's choices.
Addictive and emotional, this is one of those novels that made me neglect my life and annoyed at anything and anyone who pulled me away, however briefly. Don't get me wrong - I do still like Lacey and will continue to read her but there are elements of her continuing story that are somewhat fatiguing. Bolton's new novel reminded my why I've loved her since the beginning of her career and I feel bold enough to proclaim it as my favourite so far.
*Little Black Lies will be released in the United States on May 19th, 2015.
But I've loved Bolton since day one and I was pleased to see - for the first time in many years - a non-Lacey book, so I was happy to take on this new stand-alone novel set in the Falkland Islands.
And I'm so very, very glad that I did.
I'm ashamed to admit I didn't know much about the Falklands before reading Little and I wasn't sure what to expect from such a different setting. Bolton, however, retains British and Scottish vibes including her talent with creating suffocating, insular communities, while weaving in a novel history, other cultures, and a new environment for her fans.
Catrin Quinn is a resident of the Falklands and three years ago, she was a (somewhat) happily married woman with two children and a third on the way. But then someone - her best friend, in fact - destroyed her entire world.
Catrin is contemplating revenge but her plans are stymied by the disappearance of a young boy - the third in the area - and whales determined on suicide, and even celestial events. I don't want to reveal much about the way the novel is organized as it could be considered somewhat of a spoiler, but I was pleased with Bolton's choices.
Addictive and emotional, this is one of those novels that made me neglect my life and annoyed at anything and anyone who pulled me away, however briefly. Don't get me wrong - I do still like Lacey and will continue to read her but there are elements of her continuing story that are somewhat fatiguing. Bolton's new novel reminded my why I've loved her since the beginning of her career and I feel bold enough to proclaim it as my favourite so far.
*Little Black Lies will be released in the United States on May 19th, 2015.