I came across Clare Mackintosh’s novel I Let You Go on Twitter. It’s another one of those psychological thrillers with a split narrative and a huge, stunning twist. But, for once, I really loved the twist and the split narrative actually added not only other POVs but another genre altogether. Unfortunately I can’t say much about the twist, only that I found it great but if I told you why, it would be utterly spoilt. But I can talk about the split narrative.
The prologue describes a horrible accident. A small child runs from his mother and is killed in a hit and run. The novel is told from several POVs – the two most important ones being Clare’s and the police’s. Adding the POV of the police was quite unusual and made this book a combination of psychological thriller and police procedural, which worked well.
Clare runs from Bristol after the accident and hides in Wales. She’s an artist but her hand has been so severely wounded that she cannot work as a potter anymore. She starts to take photographs of the beaches, where she lives. It’s out of season when she arrives and the cottage she rents is far away from any other houses. The only people she sees are the owner of a caravan park and the local vet who helps her when she finds an abandoned puppy. While Clare, who is haunted by memories of the accident and other traumatic events, tries to heal and find new meaning in life, the police frantically look for the person who killed the little boy.
The book has a leisurely pace until the twist in the middle, but from then on it gets very fast paced and suspenseful. We find out that the accident isn’t the only horrible thing in Clare’s past and that the past she hopes she’s left behind, is catching up with her. I can’t say more.
This is a suspenseful, well-plotted, fast-paced psychological thriller with a major twist. The characters are well-drawn, the setting is atmospheric and the end doesn’t disappoint. Maybe the police parts are a tad too long, unless this is meant to be a first in a series. If it’s a standalone, then those parts could have done with some cutting because we don’t need to know that much about the private lives of the detectives. Possibly, though, it was Clare Mackintosh’s homage to her twelve years in the police force. All in all, a minor thing that doesn’t change that I enjoyed this book a lot.
Beauty is a Sleeping Cat 
Great commentary as always Caroline.
Based upon your description it does sound like the narrative is well crafted.
There are so many stories out there told from the point of view of the police. Highlighting that angle along that of the civilians involved seems like it has a lot of potential.
Thanks, Brina, Yes, I thought it was an unusual combination and worked well. But it had a lot of other great elements. A good pick for someone looking for a suspenseful novel.
It makes it tough when you can’t discuss too much. Well good for this book that it worked well with the split narratives.
It was a relief after Disclaimer.
It was pretty hard to write the review without giving anything away.
yes I would imagine that it was a bit of a faith-restorer that these spilt narratives CAN work well.
Yes, it was but I’m moving away from this type of book now. I think I had my share for this year,
I agree. You can’t read too many in a row.
I’ve picked up and put down a few books of this type lately, because, much as I love them, the writing and the characterisation were weak. It sometimes seems that the twist is all that matters. This sounds like a much better book, and I’ll look out for it.
I know what you mean. The writing is simple, but it had a really stunning twist and the characters were well drawn.
An entertaining book, in my opinion.
This sounds like a fun read. Kudos to you for writing a review without giving anything away!
Yes, it’s quite well done, I thought. It’s was a difficult review to write. 🙂
It’s good to hear that this book stands out from the pack of split-narrative psychological thrillers as there are so many around these days. I don’t think it’s for me as I tend to find this type of fiction a bit too creepy, but a friend might like it. I’ll pass your recommendation along. Great commentary as ever, Caroline, especially given the need to conceal the twist!
Thanks, Jacqui. If you have a friend who likes this type of book, she really might enjoy it. It’s creepy towards the end.
This sounds like an excellent read, so I requested it from the library. (Visiting other people’s blogs is totally hazardous for my TBR list.) It sounds as though it might be the first book in a series, doesn’t it? I’m interested to see what an ex-police officer brings to the writing of the ‘procedural’ part of the narrative: I think that side of things is often glossed over or mis-written in other novels.
I enjoyed your review, and I really want to know about the twist. 🙂
🙂 I hope you will like it. Let me know. The police part feels very authentic. Nothing glamourous in that at all. It takes up a lot of space though, which made me think it could be the start of a series.
Some bloggers say they do not read modern “crime” novels.They are missing out.
Let them stick to classic literature i like entertainment.
I know.
This one was very entertaining.
I’ve seen this book everywhere, but not read a review of it before now. I’m delighted to hear that you rate it! Perhaps I’ll consider it more seriously now.
I know what kind of things got on your nerves in some recent crime fiction – therefore I’m not entirely sure it would be for you. But you might find it much better than The Girl on the Train.
Great blog,
Thanks, Wolfy
Lovely review, Caroline. I can’t wait to buy the book, and from your review, looks like I am going to enjoy it. Thank you! 🙂
Thank you, Deepika. 🙂 I hope you’ll like it. Let me know.
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