"What Stays Unsaid" by Sophie Flynn

 

"What Stays Unsaid" by Sophie Flynn is a twisty psychological thriller revolving around a joint hen-do, secrets, and toxic friendships. I'm drawn to the getaway-gone-wrong trope, so the blurb immediately appealed to me.

The novel opens with a death and then shifts to the present. Four friends gather for a hen weekend to celebrate the impending marriages of two brides, Alex and Millie. Organized by their best friends, Georgia and Jenny, the getaway quickly goes awry. A tragic event from their shared past — the loss of childhood friend Becca — still haunts them. Someone is determined to expose the truth of what happened and will go to any length to do so. An unexpected guest adds to the mystery, and it becomes clear that some secrets can't stay buried for long. Sometimes, what remains unsaid should stay that way, or there's no turning back.

Keep your wits about you because this is a twisty story where everyone has secrets. Told from multiple points of view in the first person, the narrative flows back and forth through time, tracking the tangled chain of the narrators' relationships. The characters are the heart of the story, their intertwining dynamics driving the plot forward.

Initially, I found the protagonists likable. They are morally gray characters with complex motivations and distinct personalities. Becca was the bold leader, Alex the clever one, Millie the naive, and Georgia the shy girl turned sharp-tongued. Jenny, a later addition to the group, remained true to her sweet nature. However, as the story progressed and their layers were peeled back, they became less relatable to me. Jenny and maybe Millie were the only ones I liked. I appreciated Jenny's interactions with her female partner and the discussion of motherhood in the tale.

I loved how the layers built upon secrets slowly unraveled until the truth was revealed. The curiosity sparked in the opening scenes gradually escalated into nerve-wracking tension. The Dartmoor setting and stormy weather enhanced the chilling atmosphere. The writing effortlessly transitioned between timelines and narrators.

This is a thought-provoking thriller that delves into themes of trust, deception, and the lengths we go to protect our friends. While I disliked seeing characters evade consequences, it's a minor criticism. With its exploration of toxic friendships, lies, abuse, and human fallibility, the author crafts a gripping tale that kept me engrossed.

The plot was original, and while I anticipated some twists, others caught me off guard. The author skillfully weaves an engaging, unique narrative filled with enough twists and turns to captivate any reader. Despite my qualms about characters escaping accountability, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and recommend it to fans of the genre who appreciate stories exploring the darker aspects of human nature.

This is a smart thriller that deals with issues of trust, concealment, and trying to protect your friend at any cost. I didn't like when people were getting away with things that nobody should get away with, as in this book, but that's a minor quibble. With themes of toxic friendship, lies, secrets, abuse, sexual assault, eating disorder, and fallible human nature, the author has weaved a tale that I couldn't stop reading.

The plot was original, and while I guessed some of the twists, others caught me by surprise. The author weaves an excellent, unique book, and has given the book plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader hooked up. I didn't like that people were getting away with things that nobody should get away with, but that's a minor quibble. I enjoyed the book and recommend it to fans of the genre who like books that explore the human nature at its worst.

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own.

* For more info about the book:   "What Stays Unsaid" by Sophie Flynn