Series: Frieda Klein #4
Publication Date: 26th March 2014
Pages: 421
Book Source: Penguin Books Australia
Synopsis: When psychotherapist Frieda Klein left the sleepy Suffolk coastal town she grew up in she never intended to return. Left behind were friends, family, life and loves but, alongside them, painful memories; a past she couldn't allow to destroy her.
So when an old classmate appears in London asking Frieda to help her teenage daughter, long buried memories resurface. But when tragedy strikes, Frieda has no choice but to return home and confront her past. And monsters no one else believes are real . . .
Through a fog of alibis, conflicting accounts, hidden agendas and questionable alibis, Frieda can trust no one in trying to piece together the shocking truth, past and present.
My Thoughts:
I rarely, if ever read a series out of order
but the publisher assured me this book worked well as a stand alone. Not
sure I agree but too late now. I certainly enjoyed the writing style but I
think I'd have got more out of Thursday's Children if I'd read the previous
books in the series.
Frieda Klein ... hmm. Reading the books in
order do you feel more of a connection with her? Obviously she's a very good
psychotherapist but she also comes across as a hard-ass, emotions
tightly in check. I'm sure the woman has a heart in there? And she does
have a close-knit circle of friends so that's gotta be good.
Right? Frieda's friend Josef is particularly adorable.
Frieda returns to her home town on the trail of
a rapist/murderer whilst piecing together traumatic memories from her own past.
Add to the mix, she's not been back to Braxton since leaving 23 years ago and
her mother is now dying and unlikable, although I'm guessing she was unlikable
long before she was dying.
It's a gripping crime fiction with a bleak,
menacing feel ... sad to read of young rape victims not being believed by
family members.
There were a number of
references to Dean Reeve but not having read the previous books I'm a bit lost
on his significance and the connection between him and Frieda, other than it
ain't feel-good.
Now to hunt down Monday to
Wednesday :)
I think I would have a hard time reading about a therapist that's a hard ass :)
ReplyDeleteI'm sure she's a compassionate therapist Julie but I should ask someone who's a fan of the series whether you get a better sense of Frieda if you've read the previous books.
DeleteI was all what? Oh the days, the days, I am tired, lol
ReplyDeletelol poor B
DeleteI would never recommend theses as standalones, though each book features a distinct case the continuity of the characters is crucial. I'm planning on reading this soon, having read the previous books
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the story line and writing style Shelleyrae but I wish I'd kept to my rule. But you're just the person to ask having read all the books ... is the connection with Frieda more tangible?
DeleteI have the first of the series on my wishlist. Series books so rarely stand alone, no matter what the publicist wants us to thing :)
ReplyDelete