This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
Reviewed by Jennifer Joyce
Lia Thompson has been living with her fiancé in Philadelphia and working hard as an ER doctor, but has to return to England when her grandmother dies suddenly. Ivy’s Norfolk home and possessions have been left to Lia so she moves into the house temporarily while she sorts out her grandmother’s estate. Lia spent part of her childhood living in the Norfolk village with her grandmother and being back begins to dredge up painful memories. She also begins to suspect that her grandmother’s death wasn’t the simple heart attack it first appeared to be. When Ivy’s doctor gets in touch to voice his own fears of what really happened to her, Lia starts to notice clues that her grandmother had felt threatened by something or someone.
Aidan knew Lia when they were teenagers and attended the same college while sitting their A Levels. He sat behind Lia and would sketch her portrait, his feelings for her building in secret. Aidan is pleased when Lia returns to Norfolk, thrilled for the opportunity to get to know her again, but he is keeping a secret from Lia and the rest of the village. As the two become closer and his old feelings resurface, Aidan worries about her finding out the truth about him.
Up Close is an atmospheric thriller set in a cold and dismal coastal village. There are mysteries around every corner – why was Ivy afraid in her own home? What is Aidan hiding, and why is Lia’s old best friend, who she hasn’t seen since she was a teenager, acting so strangely? And who would want to murder a defenceless old woman? Ivy’s house is old, chilly and creepy, adding to the sense of peril as Lia digs deeper and searches for clues as to what really happened to Ivy and why. Unfortunately, for me, the story was too slow to begin with. The pace did eventually pick up and the last few chapters were action packed and full of suspense and danger, but it took too long to get there and I had guessed who was responsible for Ivy’s death long before it did. I liked the feel of the book and the tension created with so many suspicious characters looming, but I struggled with the pace and was constantly waiting for it to pick up.
7/10
Up Close is published by Choc Lit Publishers and is out tomorrow, 7 December.
Henriette Gyland’s Website