Everything She Forgot

by Lisa Ballantyne

on Tour September 14 - October 17, 2015

Synopsis:

Driving home, Margaret Holloway is rear-ended and trapped in the wreckage of her car. Just as she begins to panic, a stranger pulls her free and disappears. Though she escapes with minor injuries, Margaret feels that something's wrong. Flashbacks to the crash are dredging up lost associations from her childhood. And somehow, Margaret knows that it's got something to do with the man who saved her life. As Margaret uncovers a mystery with chilling implications for her family and her very identity, Everything She Forgot winds through a riveting dual narrative and asks the question: How far would you go to hide the truth-from yourself?

Book Details:

Genre: Suspense
Published by: William Morrow Paperbacks
Publication Date: October 6, 2015
Number of Pages: 432
ISBN: 0062391488 (13: 978-0062391483)
Purchase Links:

Critical Praise:

“Ballantyne’s effortless prose took me across the Atlantic and didn’t let me return until its surprising and satisfying conclusion. A tight story that comes full circle and keeps you reading.” — Bryan Reardon, author of Finding Jake

Author Bio:

Lisa Ballantyne was born in Armadale, West Lothian, Scotland and studied English Literature at University of St Andrews. She lived and worked in China for many years and started writing seriously while she was there. Before being published, Lisa was short-listed for the Dundee International Book Prize. Her debut novel, The Guilty One was translated into over 25 languages, long-listed for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award and short-listed for an Edgar Allan Poe Award. The Guilty One was also the Autumn 2012 Richard and Judy Book-club Winner. She lives in Glasgow.

Catch Up:

Tour Participants:

Get More Great Reads at Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours

Book Review

The book itself is split into chapters where each major character has a chapter to themselves. Some chapters referring to them in the present; some in the past. I often have an issue with books that go backwards and forwards in time, as if you don't pick the book up for a few days it gets confusing and you can forget where you got to. With this book however, because the chapters were named after the characters, I found it an easier read.

Whilst the storyline itself was good, the story surrounding Molly, who was abducted as a young schoolchild, I did find it a little predictive in places, working out where the story was going.

I did get quite engrossed in the book; despising the religious Angus Campbell and loving he lovable rogue "Big George". It was easy to immerse yourself into the story.

I have one "niggle" about the book in that it's a crime story based in the UK, but there are a lot of words; phrases and spellings, that are American and wouldn't be used by British Gangsters, Law Enforcement or Brits in general. E.g Carryall (holdall); Tires (tyres); Pedophile (Paedophile). Just a small niggle.

I would like to have seen the story continue a little longer, especially in relation to Angus Campbell, as I felt (without giving any spoilers) that he needed punishing.

Having said all that it was an enjoyable read and a perfectly believable storyline.