"Elizabeth is Missing" meets "The Marlow Murder Club" in this endearing crime tale set in England. I loved both books, so the description of the plot immediately grabbed my attention. The story follows Margaret, an 89-year-old woman with early-stage dementia, and is told from her perspective as she shares her thoughts with her late husband and us, the readers.
Margaret Winterbottom has a secret she hasn’t shared with anyone, not even her family. She has lived on Garnon Crescent her entire life and believes she knows her neighbors - until she’s proven wrong. When her best friend next door, Barbara, is found dead in her house, Margaret’s world is turned upside down.
With the help of her 15-year-old grandson, Margaret tries to crack the case, as the police seem to be focusing on the wrong suspects. But as her memory starts to fade, the lines between past and present blur, and she’s unsure of what’s real. Misplaced objects only add to her confusion. As the duo digs deeper into the mystery, secrets come to light, and emotions flare.
The story captivated me from the very beginning and held my attention until the last page. I loved the book, and Margaret, in particular, got under my skin. Her reminiscences of World War II, her moments with her late husband, and her bond with her grandson were incredibly touching.
The author mentioned that the story was inspired by his own relationship with his grandmother, and his love for her shines through in his portrayal of Margaret. She is a well-rounded, fleshed-out character, and it was easy to become invested in her struggles and her life. When she forgot her way home, my heart truly went out to her.
The book explores themes of loss, the role reversal between parents and children, memory, aging, and the effects of illness on family relationships. The author paints a realistic picture of a woman on the cusp of amnesia and its impact on her family. It was heartbreaking to read about the illnesses of aging, and the desperate need to hold on to the present.
The writing is richly detailed, and I could easily picture each character, place, and scene. I loved how Margaret spoke to her late husband throughout the story, sharing her worries and reflecting on her life. Her relationship with her grandson was heartwarming, and I appreciated his care for her. Margaret’s daughter irritated me at first, but as the story unfolded, I came to understand her better.
By the last section of the book, I had my suspicions about the identity of the perpetrator, but I was still pleasantly surprised by the twists. I also appreciated how the second plotline regarding Margaret’s past was woven into the present-day mystery. The pacing was moderate, which suited the story of an aging heroine.
The style of writing is easy to follow, but the book could benefit from another round of editing. Some chapters start without capital letters, and in a few words, the letter “O” appears randomly in uppercase. Despite these minor issues, I’m giving the book full stars. It’s a compelling debut, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I recommend it to fans of the genre and anyone who loves crime stories solved by elderly amateur sleuths. I look forward to reading more from this author.
* Thank you Edelweiss and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.
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