I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Published: November 17, 2020

Relay Publishing

General Fiction (Adult)/ Mystery & Thrillers

Jo Crow was a finance executive who wrote on her commute to and from work. She didn’t think she would ever share her work, thinking it was too dark for publishing. But she got some unsolicited advice from a publishing executive who changed that thought process. She quit her job and turned to writing full time. She has three books under her belt and many more stories to tell.

“Five, four, three, two, one.”

This is the first novel from Jo Crow that I have read, and it definitely won’t be the last. She is a talented woman. I enjoyed this book; the characters, the writing, the plot were all enjoyable. This is a fast-paced tale that will keep you turning pages as you try and figure out just what is going on and who is to blame.

Molly comes with a lot of baggage. And a lot of secrets, and a lot of emotional scars. She ran away from a situation, taking something that technically didn’t belong to her. And she spent a lot of time looking over her shoulder. Molly met Bryan and felt something she hadn’t felt in a very long time. Security. Safety. Love. Bryan provided a safe and secure life for Molly and their son. Until pieces of Molly’s past come sneaking back to the present. It is only a matter of time before the whole truth is revealed, and the devastation may not leave anyone in its wake.

The character development in the novel is so well done. The story is crafted so intricately. Jo Crow writes a good thriller. As the story unfolds and the plot thickens, you genuinely find yourself not knowing who is right, who is wrong, and who is dangerous.

Jo Crow weaves a twisted tale the involves betrayal, deception, mental illness, and uncertainty. Every single issue was handled beautifully. Mental illness is a tricky thing to write about because it is crucial to represent mental illness with as much respect and care as possible and not misrepresent a character’s negative traits simply because they have some mental illness. Jo Crow was very clever with how she wrote about Molly’s struggles.

Molly is such a strong, bold character. And despite all of the chaos she goes through, some of it because of her own doing, she remains diligently true to who she is. As her world starts to crumble, she is left to flounder on her own. When she starts to doubt everyone in her life, she struggles to find a stable place to think.

There are so many twists and turns along the way, and when you start to think you’ve figured it out, another piece falls into place, changing everything you thought you knew.

As her past quickly becomes her present, Molly is more determined than ever to make sure it doesn’t become her future.