Author: B.M. Carroll
Publisher: Affirm
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Year of release: 2023
Release date: 26/04/23
Rating 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Synopsis
A missing backpacker A million-dollar reward
Ordinary people cracking under pressure.
Busy parents Mia and Ryan were devastated when their former nanny, Irish backpacker Tara, tragically disappeared. But that was two years ago. Now they want to move on and focus on their son … so why are the police questioning them again?
When single mum Beth wakes up to a house burglary, she immediately suspects her abusive ex-husband. But when bad things continue to happen to Beth, her fear is overtaken by desperation and anger.
A dark secret binds these families together. How far will they go to protect their own?
Review
Tara McAllen makes the 17,304 km journey from Ireland to Sydney, Australia; to au-pair for parents Mia and Ryan’s energetic eight-year-old son Elliot who has ADHD. It is time for Mia to return to the workforce hence the need to hire Tara, it will be an adjustment period for everyone.
Upon learning Tara McAllen disappeared, both Mia and Ryan Anderson were obviously devastated at hearing this news about their former nanny, but the time has come for them to move on and focus on Elliot and his needs. Why are the police questioning them again? Two years have passed since the 19-year-old went for a swim on an unpatrolled beach and caught a rip; what new information can they provide to the police they haven’t already? There is no body, there is no evidence, there is nothing to dread.
One-night single mother Beth Jenkins to Seven- year- old Tilly wakes to a house burglary, her mind instantly placing the culprit as her abusive ex-husband and Tilly’s father Kane who still after all this time feels entitled to everything however, when bad things continue to happen Beth’s anger quickly turns to desperation and fear. Making her way over to the house alarm, her hand pressing down on the red button the wail of the alarm splits the night apart; things are about to change for Beth and Tilly for the better Beth will make sure of it.
A dark secret binds these families together. How far will they go to protect their own?
I was immediately drawn to this book thanks to this paragraph Busy parents Mia and Ryan were devastated when their former nanny, Irish backpacker Tara, tragically disappeared. But that was two years ago. Now they want to move on and focus on their son … so why are the police questioning them again?
I instantly got the feeling not all is as it seems with these people, if someone I knew disappeared, I wouldn’t be treating it like it was an object in the way. Two years and they want to move on that’s it, count me in, I knew I needed to find out what happened to Tara McAllen.
The Other Side of Her really benefited from the use of Dual Perspective it’s a writing technique I have always been drawn to as a reader as I believe it adds to the plotline and keeps me wanting more, and not being able to guess the plotline quite so easily or as quickly as I might if it was written using the first-person perspective technique.
Every once in a while I find my mind still wonders back over this book, I think this is because author B.M. Carroll did an outstanding job in crafting three-dimensional characters, not all of them were likeable and this makes for an even better read in this reviewer’s opinion. There is something oddly satisfying about having to spend time in a certain character’s point of view even when you’d much rather they met an unfortunate accident; I believe it only added to my anticipation to reach the conclusion.
B.M. Carroll has approached the subject of disability with sensitivity and care. This reader really got the sense she wanted Elliot to be seen as a curious energetic Eight-year-old living with a Neurodevelopmental condition rather than “this is Elliot he has ADHD”.
One thing is for sure I was able to forge a much stronger connection with Beth and Ryan than I was with Mia. I really, really wanted to like that woman but there was something that kept her at arm’s length for me as a reader. I think it might have something to do with Mia’s at times vile attitude towards everyone around her except Elliot, this made for a few eyerolls from this reviewer throughout this read.
The Other Side of Her is an absolute winner in the Mystery Thriller genre and a book that I will be recommending to people should they ask the question every reviewer gets, “What do you recommend I read”? There are a few periods where the plot does slow making it a much slower read for me than I had originally anticipated.
The Other Side of Her is the first book I have read by this author, and it won’t be my last! I was immediately hooked to the nail-biting race to finish feeling I experienced in the opening chapters. Another highlight for me as a reader here was all the curve balls The Other Side of Her throws your way in the early stages of the book; I can’t remember the last time I felt that intense eerie feeling rather than just being promised it.
Sub plots in The Other Side of Her:
- Financial abuse
- Single Parent
- Emotional Abuse
- Gaslighting
- Coercive control
- Disability representation
Tropes in The Other Side of Her:
- Misjudged death
- Incompetent police
- Stuck together.
- Killer plays with detective
- The big reveal
- Twist ending
I highly recommend this book to a mature audience fans of the Mystery Thriller genre will have no hesitation adding this to their bookshelves. Any fan of the authors previous novels I am sure will not need any convincing to read The Other Side of Her. If like me, you are a reader who is always willing to read anything and are on the hunt for a good Mystery Thriller or a new author to your collection well look no further B.M. Carroll is for you. One thing is certain hold onto your hat you’re in for a brilliantly woven plot twist.
With continued thanks to Affirm Press for sending a physical copy of the book to read and review in exchange for my honest opinion.