When four influential members of London’s most exclusive private club are poisoned, a young waitress is charged with their murder after being caught fleeing the scene of the crime. As the trial grips the nation, five men begin to question how well they really knew her.
There’s her father, who remembers the sweet girl growing up in Devon; her childhood friend, who is swept up in her fascination with conspiracy theories; her lover, who wants to distance himself from a young woman with an obsession; her barrister, who knows she’s hiding something; and the journalist investigating the case, who is convinced he knows exactly who she is: a cold-blooded killer.
Five men. Five stories. But are you ready to hear hers?
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Her Many Faces is a taut, character-driven psychological thriller that drew me in from its opening scene and refused to let go. Nicci Cloke builds her story around a compelling structure: five different men, each convinced they know the “real” Katie, the young waitress accused of murdering four high-profile members of an exclusive London club. What unfolds is a layered portrait of their perception, their bias, and of how frail and uncertain their memories can be.
The author’s great strength is the use of voice. Each narrator brings their own emotional baggage, blind spots, and motives, and the contrast between their accounts creates a gripping puzzle. The novel excellently explores various themes; class, power, and media storytelling without ever slowing the pace. Katie herself remains deliberately distant, vague and elusive, this elevates the tension and the author constantly invites the reader to question whether Katie is misunderstood, manipulative, or something far more complex.
The atmosphere is vivid and unsettling, the courtroom drama blends so well with intrigue, and psychological suspense. The author keeps the narrative tight and the reveals are so well-timed, creating a strong sense of unease as the men’s stories start to clash.
If you enjoy thrillers that focus on character psychology, unreliable narrators, and the blurred lines between truth and narrative, Her Many Faces delivers a satisfying and thought-provoking read. It’s the kind of book that leaves you questioning not just the characters, but your own assumptions as well.
A fabulous read, highly recommended by me.
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Her novels have been published in twelve languages and she previously worked at Faber Academy – and as a cocktail waitress
www.niccicloke.com
X @niccicloke
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