The novel follows the adventures of two outsiders, trying to fit in and find the one place they can truly call home. A tranquil dock in sunny Seattle sets the scene, however the peace is quickly shattered when a building goes up in smoke and everyone suspects it’s the doing of a ten-year-old pyromaniac.

The story quickly picks up pace when heroine Andes, a twenty-five-year old traveller trying to find the one place she can call home, accompanies her new ward Chase to Sunnyside Queens- where trouble seems to follow them.

Mary Carter turns the chick lit genre on its head delivering Andes- the ultimate flawed heroine whose obsession with deadly vipers is one of many secrets she will do everything to keep under lock and key.

However this is not to be as history rears its ugly head, forcing Andes to face her past once and for all, and return to the place she ran away from ten years ago.  

I enjoyed the unique storyline which explores the obscure inner workings of a religious cult in West Virginia. Carter’s style is unusual in that her characters are rebellious misfits, yet the reader is sure to fall in love with them all the same; Mary is almost educational in the way that she humanises conditions that are usually misunderstood- such as religious practices and pyromania impulses.

As the plot unravels with every unpredicted twist and turn, light is shed on Andes history before the true horrors of her past are revealed. This novel is certain to keep the reader guessing with every turn of a page, be sure to expect the unexpected! From cover to cover this will set your pulse racing- this is one book you will not be able to put it down.

By Abbey Wass

I have just finished Marian Keyes new novel This Charming Man, and I must say that I am wholly undecided whether I actually like this book or not?

The ‘charming’ or not so charming protagonist, Paddy De Courcy is an evil Irish politician and the embodiment of fear itself for all the women involved in the plot. He is a serial domestic abuser and the plot follows the relationships he has with various women, gradually revealing the violence behind the seemingly perfect façade.

I think the feminine and sparkly cover betrayed the harsh, gritty storyline within; I expected a light hearted rom-com style read, and instead got a graphic insight into the imprisoned life a sufferer of domestic violence leads.

This is not to say this ‘informative’ novel is bad, just unexpected and very sad. Keyes is clever in the way she portrays the acrimonious Paddy, first making you empathise with his situation lulling you into a false representation of his character, and then swiftly pulling the rug from beneath your feet!

The violent scenes are somewhat heartbreaking, which should in effect make it a gripping and good read, however I still come to the conclusion that it is just not something I would like to read about.

Sorry Keyes, although it is an educating read it is just not my cup of tea!

Rating: 2/5