My book of the month for September is The Girl Before by J.P. Delaney.
Now, I shall start this by saying J.P. Delaney is not an author I was previously familiar with. I downloaded this on my kindle prior to going off on holiday, along with a load of other titles and authors, as I decided it was time to broaden my reading material. So I started this book with a clean slate and no expectations.
That said, it is not an exaggeration to say it is one hell of a good read. Its an interesting read, as it jumps from the current "girl" Jane, to the previous girl "Emma". One had been attacked, the other had lost her baby. Now, they have both in their timelines moved into what is described as the most high tech house I have ever heard of. Literally everything automated and controlled by IT and gadgets.
Its not an easy read - the creepy architect / owner of the house is clearly obsessive, controlling and manipulative. The book does at times crossover between psychological thriller and wannabee erotic fiction, but it is a good read for all that.
Right up until the end, its not clear where its heading, and there are some parts that are just horrible. The bit in the Japanese restaurant for one. Not my cup of tea certainly, but it gives a certain shock value to the book that is quite rare.
The ladies themselves, at first introduction seem quite weak but as the storyline develops, they become strong women, which makes it a compelling read. Its a fascinating book, which doesn't follow traditional story arcs. It has some great twists and a good, satisfying end. I thought this book was a fabulous read.
I have also heard it is going to be made into a movie, which is brilliant news. So there we have it, my book of the month. Let me know what you think of it. Enjoy.
