Rachel’s dead and she’s never coming back. Or is she?
As she prepares for her wedding to Dominic, Catherine has never been happier or more excited about her future. But when she receives an anonymous package—a familiar snow globe with a very grisly addition—that happiness is abruptly threatened by secrets from her past.
Her older sister, Rachel, died on a skiing holiday as a child. But Rachel was no angel: she was vicious and highly disturbed, and she made Catherine’s life a misery. Catherine has spent years trying to forget her dead sister’s cruel tricks. Now someone has sent her Rachel’s snow globe—the first in a series of ominous messages…
While Catherine struggles to focus on her new life with Dominic, someone out there seems intent on tormenting her. But who? And why now? The only alternative is what she fears most.
Is Rachel still alive?
I'm delighted to be hosting the blog tour for Forget Her Name by Jane Holland today. Many thanks to the author, publishers and Rachel Gilbey of Rachel's Random Resources for inviting me and for my ecopy of the book.
Well, Jane Holland certainly hasn't made this easy for me, I think I've spent longer trying to figure out exactly what to say in my review than I did actually reading the book! I picked up Forget Her Name intending to just make a start reading it, a few hours later I put it back down having been completely absorbed in this superlative psychological thriller. I really don't want to say too much about the plot though; there are so many surprising twists and turns, it's a book that really needs to be experienced rather than explained - suffice to say that trying to agree on venues and seating plans is nothing compared to what Catherine endures prior to her wedding to Dominic. She is perplexed when she is sent a snow globe that once belonged to her deceased older sister, Rachel and horrified to discover a gruesome addition to its contents. This is just the start of her nightmare, however, and before long Catherine's life has taken a sinister turn - but will anybody listen to her fears? Catherine's memories of Rachel may be confused but they suggest she was a damaged individual; manipulative, amoral and sadistic. There's something Catherine hasn't been told though, is Rachel really dead?
The plot is riveting then and it's matched by some excellent characterisation. I actually didn't particularly like any of the people in the book, so the fact I enjoyed it so much is a testament to Jane Holland's writing. She understands that readers don't have to like characters but they do have to be interested in their stories, what compels them to act the way they do, what secrets are they hiding? I couldn't help but feel for Catherine as her life seems to spiral out of control but her actions are sometimes far from straightforward, frequently frustrating and at times left me staggered. I had conflicting feelings about her parents too, pity for their loss, and anger at the way they seemed to be treating Catherine. They have a privileged background and don't really understand why she has chosen to volunteer at a food bank and marry A&E nurse, Dominic. I had the impression they still wanted to control her life, understandably considering what they went through with Rachel but whatever mysteries they are desperate to keep in the past surely can't stay concealed forever.
As my assumptions and theories were proved wrong time and again I raced though the book, my jaw frequently dropping to the floor. Forget Her Name is a dark, intelligently crafted and unsettling thriller with a shocking ending that might divide opinions but I loved it. This is the first book I've read by Jane Holland but I certainly won't be forgetting her name!
Don't forget to check out the posts by the brilliant bloggers who are also taking part in this tour, details are below.
Forget Her Name is published by Thomas & Mercer and can be purchased in from Amazon UK and Amazon US.
About the Author
Jane Holland is a Gregory Award–winning poet and novelist who also writes commercial fiction under the pseudonyms Victoria Lamb, Elizabeth Moss, Beth Good and Hannah Coates. Her debut thriller, Girl Number One, hit #1 in the UK Kindle Store in December 2015. Jane lives with her husband and young family near the North Cornwall/Devon border. A homeschooler, her hobbies include photography and growing her own vegetables.
Social Media Links
Twitter - @janeholland1
Facebook Author Page - https://www.facebook.com/JaneHollandAuthor/
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