Both of these books have something in common. They both gaslit me very effectively and in both cases, I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it.
Book review: In Glass Houses
Author: Edel Coffey
This murder mystery set in New York is centred around an ageing journalist who reinvestigates the murder that ruined her career. Set in a glitzy, glass apartment complex, the twisty book gives a sneaky David the upper hand over a rich and privileged Goliath.
Synopsis
Eddie is a washed-up journalist relegated to the social beat. When an invitation to a swish apartment complex opening puts her in the path of the family that was once at the centre of the story that ruined her career, she is desperate to go, just so that she can covertly take a second stab at the murder case that ruined her.
At the event she meets not only the man wrongly sentenced for the murder but also an old flame that is at the centre of the mystery. As Eddie investigates, a tightly-wound lie unravels that wealthy and influential people are desperate to keep hidden.
Reviewer’s thoughts
This book kept me guessing and caught me unaware. Some of the clues to the whodunnit were deliberate red herrings that hinted at a neat conclusion but the big twist made me do a double take.
Book review: The Name Game
Author: Beth O’Leary
This romance has enough twists and lack of tropes to push it firmly into the genre-bending category.
Synopsis
Two people arrive on the cosseted and fictional British Isle of Ormer. Both claim to be called Charlie Jones. Both have a picture of the heartfelt, hand-written letter that landed them the job at the farm shop. They instantly hate each other for stealing their chance at a new beginning.
The owner of the shop makes an unprecedented decision to hire both of them on a short-term contract but only one will get the job at the end of the day.
The quirky islanders pick sides, each choosing their favourite Charlie and go out of their way to make their unfavoured Charlie feel unwelcome. Meanwhile, the reader is given glimpses, via flashbacks, into each of the Charlies’ lives before they were seconded to Ormer.
But all is not as it seems.
Reviewer’s thoughts
This book is very cleverly put together. When I got to the twist, I immediately wanted to reread the book, because — WTF?
There’s only one other book that has gaslit me so successfully and it has been my favourite ever since. The Name Game has also earned a permanent place on my shelf.
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