I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Precious Thing by Colette McBeth Published by Headline Review on April 10, 2014
Genres: Contemporary, Fiction, Mystery, Thriller
Pages: 384
Format: Paperback
Source: Publisher
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Remember the person you sat next to on your first day at school? Still your best friend? Or disappeared from your life for good?
Some friendships fizzle out. Rachel and Clara promised theirs would last for ever.
They met when Rachel was the new girl in class and Clara was the friend everyone wanted. Now in their late twenties Rachel has everything while Clara's life is spiralling further out of control. Then Clara vanishes.
Imagine discovering something about your oldest friend that forces you to question everything you've shared together. The truth is always there. But only if you choose to see it.
Precious Thing is told from the point of view of Rachel. With the story changing between the adult Clara and Rachel and how they were as children.
Comparing to Gone Girl is a huge mistake, the only similarity is that they are about two people whose lives are entwined and who despite being close before, have drifted apart. There is suspense, there is malipualtion and a secret bubbling away in the background. But other than that this is a different read. For a start I didn’t dislike both Rachel and Clara like I did with Nick and Amy. Also I wanted them to resolve their issues and be happy. Whereas with Nick and Amy as far as I was concerned they had what was coming to them.
Suspense is built slowly throughout the book and you will begin to question what it is that Rachel is hiding. Is she sane, there are so many times when her mental wellbeing comes into question, is she really not crazy like she insists? And who in this story is actually the victim? Who is that is actually being manipulated? Is it Rachel, Clara, other characters or the reader whose judgement is correct?
I loved reading how the girls have grown up and how the balance of power has shifted and how much this has affected their relationship. Rachel is no longer the shy new girl as school. And she has so much more influence over Clara than before. There is a lot to think about in this book as events start to spiral out of control. And secrets that have remained hidden for so long are unveiled.
Precious Thing is a compelling and satisfying read. Which may not have a lot of twists and turns but manged to carry the reader forward with sheer pace and energy!
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