This is the latest release from Mary Kubica, a former high school history teacher who is now the bestselling author of many suspense novels.
Meghan Michaels, an ICU nurse and single mom, is trying to find a balance between being a single mother and her stressful job. When a patient named Caitlin arrives in the ICU with a traumatic brain injury after apparently jumping from a bridge, Meghan is unnerved, especially in light of the fact that her sister committed suicide in a similar fashion years earlier. But as a witness comes forward, claiming Caitlin’s fall was not an accident, the incident quickly becomes a police investigation. At the same time, a predator is at large in the neighbourhood, assaulting women. As Meghan learns more about Caitlin and her suspicious family, she quickly gets into a dangerous situation. When she realizes that she and her daughter are in danger, she pulls out all the stops to keep them safe.
This is a slow-burn thriller with an engrossing storyline. In the first half of the story, Kubica mainly sets up the storyline and leaves her audience questioning where this story is headed. The second half of the story has several unexpected twists and is far more captivating. The epilogue is especially interesting, with a clever final twist. Meghan’s character is quite flawed, and throughout the story, she puts too much trust in others and gives away too much about herself. She also has a really bad habit of getting caught up in other people’s problems. This aspect of her character is especially frustrating to witness, as it’s glaringly apparent that it will all come back to haunt her.
Narrator Andi Arndt delivers a compelling and convincing performance that makes this an extremely easy listen. Her portrayal of Meghan, full of emotion and drama, is an extremely authentic depiction of a mother who becomes frantic when her daughter’s welfare is threatened. Arndt definitely makes this audiobook feel shorter than it is, as you’ll be completely engrossed in all the dialogue and unfolding drama. If you’ve enjoyed Kubica’s previous novels or enjoy a slow-burn thriller that heats up in the second half, you’ll surely enjoy this one!
