Whispers and Lies by Joy Fielding
Finished July 8th, 2007
Rating: 7/10
2007 Summer Mystery Reading Challenge Book #3
From the Publisher
A suspenseful tale of a woman who rents out the small cottage behind her house to a mysterious young stranger, Joy Fielding’s latest novel is about trusting and not trusting one’s instincts. Terry Painter is hooked from the very first meeting with her prospective new tenant. Alison Simms spots the rental notice posted in the hospital, and blows into Terry’s life like a tropical storm. Alison loves the cottage, right down to the colour combination, and moves in immediately. Terry, usually responsible and pragmatic, surprises herself for failing even to ask for references, but she is drawn instinctively to Alison, and realises she wants her to stay. Alison fills a gap in her life, bringing friendship and warmth.
Yet almost simultaneously, Terry begins to have suspicions about Alison. How much does she know about her, really? Alison has some strange habits and stranger friends. She has a limitless supply of cash in her purse, and knows the house so well it’s as if she’s been in it before. Her reasons for coming to Delray don’t quite add up, and she won’t talk about her parents: “We weren’t on the best of terms.” Moreover, Terry notices a shadowy figure lurking around her house, and starts to receive disturbing phone calls. Snippets of overheard conversation, surreptitious glances in Alison’s diary, and her mother’s nagging voice in her head make Terry paranoid that her tenant may want to do her harm.
For a mystery, it was a little slow at times. I thought I had the ending figured out and the author really through me for a loop and provided an unexpected ending. Overall I enjoyed it and will read more from this author.
1 comment:
I read this book about a year and a half ago. I enjoyed it. I think If I recall I rated it 3 stars. Have you read Lost by Joy Fielding? I don't recommend that one.
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