I must confess that it wasn't the publisher's blurb that got me into this one, but the stuff from the back cover.

This intriguingly structured novel requires the reader to exercise those "little grey cells" to solve all the mysteries - and there is more than one. There are several voices in this novel, so do take notice of anything that helps you distinguish one from another.

We hear most of the story from "the horse's mouth", beginning in September 2012, when a 16 year old disadvantaged boy, Kieran Watts, joins Lucas Gordon's class at Foxwell Academy, and attaches himself to Lucas like an evil limpet. From that point, in Ellen's own words, it is just one disastrous mistake after another.

And from my point of view, Ellen Saint is far from your "average mum". ( )

This is a twisty, convoluted story which appears to be a story within a story called Saint or Sinner by Ellen Saint. She is taking a writer's workshop run by Felix Penny a crime novelist. This workshop is also attended by a journalist, Michaela Ross, writing Killing Time for the Sunday Times Magazine. The story weaves its web through the eyes of the characters in the book who all tell a different story. Ellen is a totally unlikeable, unreliable character who can be very annoying because of the intense anger which clouds her judgment and perspective. She is using writing as a means of grieving for the loss of her son, Lucas in a tragic accident with his friend Kieran Watt. Ellen is blinded by her grief and determination of seeking revenge for her son's death. It soon becomes apparent that she is becoming mentally unstable as her view of events differs greatly from other people. It will definitely mess with your head as it isn't clear what is fact and what is fiction. What really happened? Who is the victim? ( )

Louise Candlish also writes a clever novel with twists that you don't see coming. In The Heights, grieving mother, Ellen Saint, is writing a story of the man who ruined her life. Kieran Watts becamde friends with her son Lucas. Ellen never cared for Kieran, and she holds Kieran responsible for Lucas's death. She has never forgiven him, and with Lucas's father, Vic, plots to kill Kieran.
So, when she sees Kieran, a bit disguised, living in The Heights, 2 years after his supposed death, she is shocked and dismayed. She believes Vic deceived her. She wants Kieran dead, and she plots to do it again.
What follows is a tale of what happens when hate overtakes your daily life. The ending will surprise you! ( )

Louise Candlish uses a clever device to open this story. The reader is thrust into a creative writer’s workshop being described by a Times magazine writer. So, there is a writer describing the Uber writer who is leading the session and reading a chapter of one of his student’s work. Writer, writer, writer - get it? It is all about the writing.

Where do we start - with the setting, and then the characters, and then all the flaws and emotions, the rage, the hate and the never ending obsession. Unfortunately the hate and obsession overshadow everything and permeate every page of this very well written psychological tale. Lots to learn, much information is imparted; “high place phenomenon “, “Motiveless malignancy”. Anyway, the writing is superb, the vocabulary excellent, the story is strong and believable but the constant hammering on the hate and obsession diminished the sum total for me. I am giving high marks for the writing.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for a copy. ( )

This is I think the third book I've read by Louise Candlish. This one I did enjoy but The Other Passenger is my favourite so far. This story follows Ellen Saint and her family and what happens to their son Lucas.

This story is a typical thriller. It has the build up of tension and a few twists along the way. Again being a thriller there is a lot that is perhaps unbelievable but can be got away with in a fictional world. Not saying it hasn't happened in real life and is certainly possible. From a mother's point of view I can certainly see where Ellen is coming from and could well do have the same thoughts but doubt very much I would act on them.

I did enjoy the book overall but it didn't quite wow me and I did feel st times it became predictable especially the ending. I would certainly read more by the author in the future. Her books are very easy to read and have a lot going for them. ( )