Reviewed by Kristin
On the surface, Millicent and her husband have the perfect
life. She’s a real estate broker, he’s a tennis pro, and they enjoy family
breakfasts and dinners and weekly movie nights with their teenage children Rory
and Jenna. Millicent would never dream of serving or eating anything so
unhealthy as a hot dog or a soft drink. Organic food and plenty of exercise are
much more the family’s speed. They live in an almost McMansion in a gated
community called Hidden Oaks near Orlando, and are very well respected in the
country club set. Most everyone likes them, except for, well, the women who
Millicent and her husband stalk and kill.
The story is told by the husband, who is never actually named other
than an alias or two that he uses while out scouting for women. The tale
unfolds in layers with bits and pieces of their backstory being revealed as
more women disappear. Millicent seems to be in charge of the whole enterprise,
or is she?
Insights into their minds are offered by Nameless, but the
whole thing kept me guessing. Was Millicent damaged as a child? What really
happened to her sister? Is she a complete psychopath? Is he? Is he an
unreliable narrator? What about the kids? Could Rory or Jenna be involved? Just
how much does heredity shape your likelihood of being a troubled individual?
Downing’s debut novel is brilliantly crafted. The twists and
turns in this story take you on a careening roller coaster ride, and likely
will be enjoyed by any fans of recent psychological thrillers. The plot will
give you delicious little shivers, interspersed with great shudders of horror
and perhaps a few squawks of “WHAT?!” I just finished it this morning and have
discovered that her new release He Started It came out a couple of weeks
ago. I’m on hold waiting for our library copy to come back, and will dive in as
soon as I can get my hands on it.
Author C.J. Tudor may have said it best in her blurb: “All
hail the new Queen of the psycho thriller!!”
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