Strange Sally Diamond
Gallery/Scout Press
July 18, 2023
Hardcover (UK edition)
384
Purchased
Sally Diamond cannot understand why what she did was so strange. She was only doing what her father told her to do, to put him out with the rubbish when he died.
Now Sally is the centre of attention, not only from the hungry media and worried police, but also a sinister voice from a past she has no memory of. As she begins to discover the horrors of her childhood, recluse Sally steps into the world for the first time, making new friends, finding independence, and learning that people don't always mean what they say.
But when messages start arriving from a stranger who knows far more about her past than she knows herself, Sally's life will be thrown into chaos once again . . .
My review:
Note that this picture is for the UK cover, which I ordered because I much prefer it.
I've read all of this author's previous work, and have been a big fan, but for me, this is her best yet! However this book will not be for everyone. I strongly encourage you to check out trigger warnings for abuse, rape, and psychological trauma, among other things. Having said that, this was a riveting read and will definitely be one of the "buzz books" of 2023 (as of now 51% of Goodreads reviewers rated it 5 stars........not an easy feat to accomplish). Told in two timelines, we have Sally, a neurodivergent middle aged woman who has been kept isolated from the world, and Peter, a boy with a horrible father, who has also lead a life secluded. It's pretty obvious right from the start how their lives intersect, but getting to that point while reading their respective stories is dark and harrowing. Lest you think this book is a big depressing mess, I can assure you that there are some lighter sections where we learn to love and care for Sally and root for her to succeed in life however she sees fit. I guarantee you will not forget the characters from this one, especially dear Sally!
A psychological thriller at its best, I cannot recommend this one enough (as long as you are comfortable with the dark topics). If you enjoy this one, be sure to check out her backlist of books, they are all great reads.
Great review Donna- I just finished it and loved it!
Wasn't it so good? I highly recommend her backlist of books. I think this one is her best yet, but the others are also good reads with the same kind of creepy foreboding.