Week 6 of our stay at home order began yesterday, and it is safe to say that I am getting tired of staying home. Now don't get me wrong, I completely understand the need to do my part in flattening the curve. Still, the monotony of self-isolation is getting to me. I've taken comfort in the familiar. I've made some of my favorite recipes, rewatched favorite movies, and have stayed fairly consistent in reading mystery/thriller novels. This week, I chose a random title from my library's selection of ebooks Perfect Little Children by Sophie Hannah. With a premise that quickly caught my attention, I settled in for what promised to be an easy but satisfying read.
Remember that friend that you used to be so close to? Think of that person who you effortlessly melded with, the kind of person who could look at you and instantly discern your mood and thoughts. I'm talking best friend, kids call you aunt or uncle despite no blood relation, kind of friendship. Odds are you can probably relate that description to someone in your own life. That same description would perfectly apply to Beth and Flora. They went on family vacations together, raised their children together, and were pretty much as close as you can be to someone outside of your own family. But that was twelve years ago. The two have not seen each other in that period of time. Cold turkey cut each other off. Just like that.
As Beth drives her now teenage son to football practice, she notices Flora's house sitting as it always had along the route. Curiosity is getting the better of her, so she drops her son off and circles back to the house. Beth doesn't even know if her ex-friend still lives there, but something is drawing her to the place. She steps out of her car and waits. From across the street, she sees Flora step out from her car, a little older but still the same friend Beth remembers. Twelve years ago, Flora's two children were five and six years old. Beth is startled to watch Flora remove the same children as if frozen in time, from the vehicle. They are unmistakably the same kids, but they have not aged a day since Beth last saw them. What has happened to these children!?
In Perfect Little Children, author Sophie Hannah wastes no time in setting up a perplexing mystery that instantly establishes the obsession of both her main character and her reader. As Beth delves deeper into her infatuation with her friend's life, the suspense only deepens. Hannah writes with an urgency that makes it impossible to stop reading for fear of missing out on whatever wild reveal lies on the next page. I was reminded of The Girl on the Train or The Woman in Cabin 10. Like the women in those novels, Beth takes her investigation to a truly unhealthy level in which it completely consumes her and isolates her from her family. I'll admit, the obsession is not necessarily the most believable thing. I'd probably have just left well enough alone, but I'm also not the protagonist in a thriller novel. I was pleasantly surprised by the way Perfect Little Children managed to capture my attention. From the stellar set up to the non-stop twists and turns, it made for a wild and entertaining ride.
For more information visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads.
(2020, 15)
Perfect Little Children by Sophie Hannah
I'm tired of staying home, too. Even more tired of feeling anxious whenever I have to go out. At least you found a good read to get you through another day of this fun worldwide pandemic. :)
ReplyDeleteI feel you on that. I'm dreading making a trip to the grocery store this week!
DeleteI have to go tomorrow! And I know the dread of which you speak. ;D
DeleteI just got back from mine, and it wasn't half bad! Good luck on your daring journey! :)
DeleteNow, that not aging part is curious. I can see why you needed to keep reading. Stay at home has definitely had me involving myself in some curious activities that I haven't done in years just for a variety. :)
ReplyDeleteThere have been goods and bads to staying home for sure. I've definitely spend time in the kitchen exploring new recipes, but I'm growing tired of the sameness of each day.
DeleteThis sounds good despite the investigations obsession..lol Yeah, we feel you, we've been home since early March and our state has not peaked yet. Thankfully hubby had a free year of Apple TV and we've been watching some good mysteries.
ReplyDeleteI've got that Apple TV subscription too! I really enjoyed The Morning Show. What mysteries have you watched?
DeleteHonestly...I love being home. I don't like the 'why', but I am loving all this time with my daughter, and teaching her at home. I have probably said that before. Grocery store trips are stressful, so I try to do them when she is at her dad's house.
ReplyDeleteI loved The Girl on the Train so I think I will give this one a try.
Here's my hold updates, thought you might be interested...
The Sun Down Motel - 12th on 2 copies
Eight Perfect Murders - 16th on 3 copies
Perfect Little Children - 10th on 2 copies
I can see how having all this extra time to spend with your daughter is huge!
DeleteYou're pretty close on all the holds! My only fear when I have so many books on hold is that they'll all become available at the same exact time. Thankfully my library has a feature that allows me to push back when I receive my copy if I need to. It can be a tricky balance!
It's a blessing for the most part, but a curse in that she does not want to practice dance. We can't go to the studio, obviously, so her instructors have been putting out videos each week for all the classes. Eleanor fusses and fights because "it's not the same". She has a barre and a mat here to practice, but being in the studio makes all the difference in the world. She loves to dance and it is a huge drain on her to be away from a place and people she loves.
DeleteOur library does too, so that is very helpful. But unlike with my non-fiction stuff, I can burn through fiction pretty quick - just a couple of hours. So at least if they all come in at once, it won't take me the whole two weeks to read any!
I definitely feel Eleanor's pain! So much of my own experience studying music was communal and collaborative, so virtual lessons have to be such a huge adjustment.
DeleteI'm very jealous of your reading speed!
I can only imagine! It is a struggle to get to talk to some of my students, and not everyone has access to devices, or Internet or anything. COVID-19 has really shown how completely unprepared so many school districts across the country truly are.
DeleteIt is a skill acquired over many, many years!
This situation shows just how underfunded/ill prepared our school systems are. There is such a need to stay on the cutting edge of technology.
DeleteThey're frozen in time. I think I would be just as curious as Beth. The Girl on the Train surprised me. I usually have to like characters to enjoy a book, but there is something to be said for a very engrossing plot.
ReplyDeleteThis one really burns through the plot. I don't know that I'd call Beth likable, but she is certainly on an engrossing journey.
DeleteI am so intrigued by the premise behind this and the children. I need to know. I wasn't that impressed with the First Hannah book I read, but this one has got me hooked big time!
ReplyDeleteThis was my first book by the author. I would definitely read another!
DeleteThis sounds fantastic! I want to know how those kids haven't aged! I am going to have to add this one to my wish list. I am strangely okay with being home. I do go into the office a bit and walk the dogs but that has been it. I do know that this has been really hard for everyone. Hang in there, Ethan!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the encouragement! This week as been better so far. I've implemented a much more stringent routine for each day, and that seems to make things feel a bit more normal.
DeleteYeah, I know some who are going nuts with the stay at home orders. I still go into work, so I'm not feeling it as much. My husband has been working from home, and it's been getting to him a bit. Plus we cook all the time. We did before, too, but we usually ate out at least once or twice a week. Picking up food just isn't the same. Hope you find some creative ways to battle the stir crazy!
ReplyDeleteThis mystery sounds like it either has a supernatural element or Beth has a skewed perception of reality. Maybe she's gone a little nuts from the covid lockdown, too? Lol!
Hahaha I never connected her situation to potentially playing out like a Covid situation. It is very much like Rear Window though.
DeleteI'm a homebody and have been before this all started so it doesn't bother me all that much, plus my son is homeschooled already so really not much changed for me and him except that he can't go to the park like he used to or the hockey games ):
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds good. I've been eyeing it. I like thrillers like these.
I'm glad this hasn't been much of an adjustment for you guys. This whole situation is certainly a double edged sword as far as the positive and negative impacts it is having.
DeleteNo matter how many times I tell myself to read only light, happy novels, I still find myself drawn to my favorite genre - mystery/thrillers. I've read some pretty heavy ones lately, but they've been by my favorite authors, so I guess they're comfort reads in a way?
ReplyDeleteI've only read one Hannah novel (A GAME FOR ALL THE FAMILY) and I didn't love it. This one sounds good, though. I'll have to give it a go, especially if it's unputdownable. My favorite kind :)
I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who gravitates to the darker novels!
DeleteYeah, being stuck at home is definitely rough some days. I wave between emotions. hah
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds awesome though! I do want to read more mysteries - I love them, and I find I can get lost in them more these days. Perfect Little Children has a great premise - I'm intrigued.
-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
This one was a wonderful escape into a different kind of craziness. I hope you and yours are all safe and well!
Delete