It is the most gripping suspense mystery you'll read this year. They said it was an accident.Her mother knows they're lying. But the truth comes with a price... IT'S EVERY PARENT'S WORST NIGHTMARE. Abi Knight is startled awake in the middle of the night to a ringing phone and devastating news - her teenage daughter, Olivia, has been in a terrible accident. Abi is told that Olivia slipped and fell from a bridge into the icy water below, and now she lies silent, dependent on life support. But then Abi sees the angry bruises around Olivia's wrists and learns that her sensible daughter is in fact three months pregnant . . . WOULD YOU BELIEVE IT IF THEY TOLD YOU IT WAS AN ACCIDENT?
The Night Olivia Fell by Christina McDonald was published in paperback by HQ in March this year. My thanks to the author and publisher who sent my copy for review.
The story begins with a middle of the night phone call. Just the thought of the phone ringing, late at night is enough to scare the wits out of most of us.
For Abi, it's the beginning of her nightmare. The worst night of her life and the most terrible news to listen to. She's told that her daughter Olivia has had an accident and is in hospital. Abi is a single mother who has loved, adored and protected Olivia for her entire life. Olivia is bright and sporty and whilst she often grumbles about her mother's over protectiveness, she knows that she is loved.
Abi's devastation continues when she learns that Olivia is officially brain dead; there is nothing that the medics can do for her. However, according to state law, they are required to keep her alive via machines as Olivia is pregnant. Abi is shocked beyond belief, she really thought she knew everything about her daughter.
As far as the police are concerned this was a tragic accident and Olivia fell from a bridge. Abi doesn't believe them, especially when she spots a ring of bruises
This clever author has structured her novel so very well. The reader is introduced to Abi and then to Olivia as we hear her story in her own words and this certainly gives two sides to the story. It's an interesting concept and is skilfully done, allowing the reader to get a real insight into Olivia's character, and her actions right up until that fateful moment on the bridge.
The Night Olivia Fell packs a massive emotional punch at times, this is not just a psychological thriller, or a mystery. It is also an in-depth and probing look at the mother/daughter relationship. Abi's pain is beautifully and sometimes painfully portrayed, especially as she realises that the birth of a grandchild will mean that Olivia will truly be gone forever.
Clever and gripping. This is a fine debut from a talented author and I will look forward to her next book with great anticipation.
Christina McDonald is the USA Today bestselling author of The Night Olivia Fell, which has been optioned for television by a major Hollywood studio. Her writing has been featured in The Sunday Times, Dublin, USAToday.com, and Expedia. Originally from Seattle, WA, she has an MA in Journalism from the National University of Ireland Galway, and now lives in London, England with her husband, two sons, and their dog, Tango.
www.christina-mcdonald.com
Twitter @Christinamac79
Author Page on Facebook
Instagram @christinamac79
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