The Escape by C.L. TaylorMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Time taken to read - over the course of 1 day
Pages - 433
Publisher - Avon
Blurb from Goodreads
The new psychological thriller from the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Accident, The Lie and The Missing.
"Look after your daughter's things. And your daughter…"
When a stranger asks Jo Blackmore for a lift she says yes, then swiftly wishes she hadn't.
The stranger knows Jo's name, she knows her husband Max and she's got a glove belonging to Jo's two year old daughter Elise.
What begins with a subtle threat swiftly turns into a nightmare as the police, social services and even Jo's own husband turn against her.
No one believes that Elise is in danger. But Jo knows there's only one way to keep her child safe – RUN.
My Review
Jo Blackmore has a lot going on, she has a condition that controls most aspects of her life, her daughter is her pride and joy. When Jo is approached by a stranger and her daughter is threatened it kick starts a change of events that will change Jo's life and everything she thought she knew.
The book kicks off with an unpleasant encounter for Jo, a request for a lift turns to a threat on her daughter. Jo is in an utter panic and speeds off to rescue her child, her husband listens to her claims but lets face it, Jo has priors for over reacting and Max is trying to be a good husband but Jo is being increasingly erratic. The book was multi dimensional for me, it tackles mental health, consequences of choices and actions, marriage, family, love, loss, violence and stalking. One mothers harrowing journey of trying to protect her family, keep her sanity and be mistrusted and questioned by those closest to her.
The vibe of fear and claustrophobic atmosphere is evident from practically page one, drawing the reader in to the story from the get go. At parts I was frustrated by some of Jo's choices however it echos, for me, the realistic fears and limitations of living with a condition that dictates almost every aspect of your life. Add to that a hefty dose of fear for your child's life, an inability to trust your own self and to be questioned by the one person who should have your back whilst trying to battle just going out and about. Taylor does well to create an every day family then pour on every parent's worse nightmare, a cat and mouse game and the breakdown of relationships all because of one incident.
I have read all of Taylor's books so far, I enjoy her writing style and had I not had lots of things getting in the way I would have read this in one sitting. Tense, atmospheric and leading the reader down a path where you trust no one, suspect everything and turn into a Jessica Fletcher desperately trying to solve the mystery before it is revealed to you. 4/5 for me this time, available to buy from all good retails in treebook and ebook, this is a standalone so you can grab it and jump right in.
