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Thursday, May 17, 2018

REVIEW: Everything That Follows by Meg Little Reilly @harpercollins #mirabooks @MegLittleReilly

Everything That Follows
by Meg Little Reilly



Publisher:  Mira Books
Publish Date:  May 1, 2018
Paperback
320 Pages
Standalone
Genres:  Psychological Suspense, Contemporary

CAUGHT IN THE BACKWASH, THEY HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THEIR LIVES…

For fans of Megan Abbott and Chris Bohjalian comes a novel of moral complexity about friends who must choose between self-preservation and doing the right thing in the wake of a fatal boating accident. Set in the moody off-season of Martha’s Vineyard, Everything That Follows is a plunge into the dark waters of secrets and flexible morals. The truth becomes whatever we say it is…

Around midnight, three friends take their partying from bar to boat on a misty fall evening. Just as the weather deteriorates, one of them suddenly and confusingly goes overboard. Is it an accident? The result of an unwanted advance? His body disappears quickly, silently, into the dark water. The circumstances are murky, but what is clear is that the other two need to notify the authorities. Minutes become hours become days as they hesitate, caught up in their guilt and hope that their friend has somehow made it safely to shore. As valuable time passes, they find themselves deep in a moral morass with huge implications as they struggle to move forward and live with their dark secret.
 

My Review:


I'm having a hard time putting this really in a thriller category.  I think psychological suspense may work for this but for some reason I keep leaning more towards the contemporary side.  One fatal accident and the decision to not call the authorities lead to disruptions in their relationships, work lives and within themselves.

This is a moderately paced book and the author does a fantastic job putting you into Kat's mind and she struggles with her conscious throughout.  Kat and Hunter saw Kyle fall over the edge of the boat during a stormy night and did nothing.  Sean, Kat's boyfriend, suspects something is going on with Kat and Hunter... after all there is a certain intimacy in sharing such a large secret.  But not everything is as it seems.  Keeping secrets, however, has a way of manifesting into every aspect of your life.  Is there any way to get past this feeling?  Paranoia sets in and now everyone is the enemy. 

I really did enjoy the atmosphere of this book.  I struggled with Kat and Hunter throughout their process.  What I didn't quite understand was Ashley - I did enjoy her role in the book but felt towards the end it all was just a bit too... easy?  If you've read the book then I think you'll know what I mean. 

A character driven novel that focuses on the mental gymnastics that one tends to do when one lie piles on top of another.  Suitable for those looking for a lighter "thriller".  Two roads diverged... which path would you take?

★★★☆




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