A review by heatherreadsbooks
The Jump by Doug Johnstone
4.0
Struggling to come to terms with the suicide of her teenage son, Ellie lives in the shadows of the Forth Road Bridge, lingering on its footpaths and swimming in the waters below. One day she talks down another suicidal teenager, Sam, and sees for herself a shot at redemption, the chance to atone for her son's death. But even with the best intentions, she can't foresee the situation she's falling headlong into - a troubled family, with some very dark secrets of their own.
The Jump is emotionally charged and addictive. Tut as you might at Ellie's actions and harshness on others, the terrible way in which she handles certain situations, the mad places she puts herself in, you have to know what happened. Have to.
Despite being a morbid and grim story from start to finish, there is a note of optimism, an attempt to find a second chance at life after the loss of her son. A few times you want to reach into the pages and tell her to tone down the attitude a little, but it's one hell of a blend between tugging on the heartstrings and being a page turner.
The Jump is emotionally charged and addictive. Tut as you might at Ellie's actions and harshness on others, the terrible way in which she handles certain situations, the mad places she puts herself in, you have to know what happened. Have to.
Despite being a morbid and grim story from start to finish, there is a note of optimism, an attempt to find a second chance at life after the loss of her son. A few times you want to reach into the pages and tell her to tone down the attitude a little, but it's one hell of a blend between tugging on the heartstrings and being a page turner.