Haven’t we all wanted to pretend everything is fine?
Jane doesn’t like confrontation. Given the choice, she'd prefer to focus on what’s going well, the good things in life.
But when her husband, Leon, is brutally attacked in the driveway of their home, in front of their two young children, Jane has to face reality. As he lies in a coma, Jane must open her eyes to the problems in her life, and the secrets that have been kept from her, if she’s to find out who hurt her husband – and why.
Maybe it’s time to face up to it all. Who knows what you might find . . .
Open Your Eyes by Paula Daly was published in paperback by Transworld on 26 July 2018. My thanks to the publisher who sent my copy for review.
I read this whilst sitting by the pool in Rhodes in the September sunshine and hardly lifted my head from the pages at all. I've read and enjoyed all of Paul Daly's previous books, she's one of those authors who seem to fly a little under the radar for some reason. But oh my goodness, she's good. She's very very good. I almost inhaled this story.
Jane and Leon are preparing to visit his mother with their two small children. Jane rushes back into the house and when she returns to the car, she finds Leon badly injured. He's been attacked, on their own driveway, whilst sitting in his car, in front of the children. With no clues as to what happened, or who did it, Jane's life begins to spiral out of control.
As Leon lays in a coma, Jane slowly discovers that their life has become something of a lie. Everyone knows Leon; he's a well-know, prize winning author of crime fiction. His books are popular, and sell well. Or so Jane believes. Gradually and slowly, she finds out truths that are both shocking and betraying. She doesn't know her husband at all.
As a avid reader who goes to lots of literary festivals and events, and has met lots of authors and publishers, I particularly enjoyed the setting of this novel. The publishing world is one of mystery and intrigue to those of us who look in from the outside and Paula Daly exposes little snippets along the way that may be imagined, but could be true ...
Open Your Eyes is an absorbing and chilling story which kept me guessing right up to the unexpected and startling ending. As the secrets are revealed, the tension increases and there were times that I found myself holding my breath in anticipation of just what Jane may come across next.
An absolutely gripping tale of betrayal, friendship and jealousy, packed with secrets and suspense. I loved every page and look forward to reading more from this fabulous author.
Paula Daly is the acclaimed author of five novels. Her work has been sold in fifteen countries, shortlisted for CWA Gold Dagger Crime Novel of the Year award, and her books are currently being developed into the ITV drama - Deep Water - set to air in 2019.
She was born in Lancashire and lives in the Lake District with her husband, three children, and whippet Skippy.
Twitter @PaulaDalyAuthor
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