Weekends are for me the perfect time to read psychological thrillers, because only on the interval between Friday evening and Sunday I am able to fully focus on my book(s), instead of splitting my time between extensive work projects, family chores and obligations and in general, many other activities that may disturb my already distorted focus.
The Perfect Home by Natasha Boydell was a serious candidate for my bookish weekend, and I am grateful for being able to read it now instead for any day of the week. As the book starts, we are slowly slowly introduced into an ambiance of suspense and it is very hard to abandon the book until you will know the end.
The book is exploring a theme that I´ve seen used in many successful psychological thrillers: it is set in a relatively middle class environment, in the midst of an elegant neighbourhood where you expect the least criminal behaviour. However, beauty and wealth does not guarantee the absence of crime, as not the social status determines the exposure and inclination to crime. Hence, the role of psychological crime writers to explore the gaps and the hidden truths behind the good looking people and their luxury homes.
Westford Park is such a microcosm and we are informed from the very beginning that we are about to deal with the disappearance of a teenager girl. Covering 12 months, we are slowly introduced into the story, back and forth, and particularly the residents of the area and their secrets. A tempting game that Boydell is playing in a very unexpected way.
The plot may be limited by time, location and characters, but the characters do make the most of it. Humans, insufferable - not few of them - deeply caught into the maze of lies to recognize the truth and their responsibility. Too selfish to acknowledge their responsibility.
It was my first time reading Boydell but would definitely try to follow up with more of her books. The Perfect Home was a flawless introduction to her writing.
Rating: 4.5 stars
Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own
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