The Birthday Girl Review

**Thank you to HarperCollins UK and NetGalley for sending me an ARC in return for an honest review. 4.5 stars!!! This book has got to be one of the best I have read so far this year. It was so intense. I had no idea what was going to happen next. I was literally on the edge of my seat. The book is based on the premise that 3 friends are invited to a weekend getaway by their mutual best friend for her fortieth birthday. But, what unravels in the days that follow makes us realise that this is no ordinary birthday celebration. From the get-go, Sue Fortin creates a story fraught with tension and an underlying sinister edge. The story focuses on the secrets friends keep, family dysfunction and the lengths one would go to get revenge. The MC Carys apparently seems to be harbouring a lot of insecurities and lies. Moreover, as a reader, we can sense that she has a past that she wishes to keep buried and doesn't confront her issues. In addition, we can also gauge that her friends are not as straightforward about their lives either. The book takes a lot of twists and makes you actually wonder who can be trusted. No one is above board. That added a lot of dimension to the characters and enlivened the storyline further. I also thought the structure helped in amping up the psychological impact of this book. The chapters were short and concise which made reading fairly easy. Interspaced between Carys POV of events, the author also gives a peek into the mind of the perpetrator which leaves the reader guessing why this person who would want revenge but as the story unfolds, you are left second-guessing if your guess to who might be capable of such heinous acts is right. I especially loved that part of the novel as it helped one to get actively engaged with the plot. In terms of the reveals, they were absolutely mindblowing and I was left speechless at how things were wrapped up. In essence, I would say Sue Fortin is a master storyteller and I look forward to reading more of her work. I would recommend this thriller if you like complex plots and like playing amateur detective. I know I sure did :)

#crime #mystery #thriller #adult #SueFortin