- Format: Kindle Edition
- File Size: 2531 KB
- Print Length: 262 pages
- Publisher: Thomas & Mercer (1 Jan. 2020)
- Sold by: Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.
- Language: English
- ASIN: B07Q8TXTRF
Synopsis
Thirty years ago, Elise and Nathaniel shared a horrific trauma that united them in grief. Now, grown up and married with a young family, they feel their worst nightmares are behind them. Until the day their daughter is abducted and murdered.
Both Elise and Nathaniel lost their mothers to a notorious killer who manipulated innocent victims into taking their own lives. Could it be that ‘the Watcher’ has returned for another round of the same sadistic game? Why now? And why are Elise and Nathaniel being targeted again?
When Elise’s family falls under suspicion, her world crashes down around her. Is there anyone she can trust, or is her whole life built on lies?
Only one thing is clear: someone left their cruel game unfinished all those years ago. This time the Watcher intends to win – once and for all.
Review
I Choose You is dark and intense thriller about the implosion of a family after a murder. Elise and Nathaniel met under tragic circumstances, both their mothers were victims of the Suicide Watcher, who gave the victims the choice of killing themselves or being killed. When their sixteen year old daughter is murdered they question why them, and could the Suicide Watcher be back. The chapters are split between Then and Now, Then looking back at Ida’s murder and the investigation, and Now looks at the fall out for the family. Complex and intelligent, this book has more layers than a Mille-Feuille.
The main plot line focuses on the murder of Ida and the many possible suspects who could have wanted her dead. There are many sub plots that look into the suspects, the family and friends and how Elise and Nathaniel cope. There are also chapters from the Suicide Watcher, explaining the motives behind the crimes, trying to justify them. A marriage based on tragedy is probably not the best foundation and there are definitely cracks in the relationship. Elise was brought up by her father Ray, a famous psychologist know for his experiments on the human psyche. She has a brother Sonny, a defence lawyer with plenty of skeletons in his closet. Add to this friends, clients of Ray and the Suicide Watcher you have a list of suspects all with secrets and lies.
Gayle Curtis certainly throws everything at this book; rape, murder, post-natal depression, a serial killer, addiction, child trafficking. I do think this was maybe a bit much at times, and didn’t really need all of this. Each of the main characters had secrets that came out during the book which turn the book on it’s head. I liken this book to entering a Maze, there are many twists and turns, some in the right direction some dead ends, until you finally reach the middle and conclusion, worn out.
I Choose You is a book about family, the lies we tell and the secrets we keep to protect each other. The split timeline keeps you gripped and the detailed characters, that are all dysfunctional add to the tension in the book. With many shocks and surprises along the way this thriller will keep you guessing until the end.
