Synopsis: Allison is a character who appears to have an ideal life. She has a loving family, a great job and a bright future. However, it soon becomes clear that this perfect life is a lie. She drinks too much, works too much, and, despite continuously claiming she will stop her destructive behaviour, cannot seem to end her affair with a colleague. All this uncontrollable and negative behaviour results in Allison not spending enough time with her family, something her controlling husband constantly berates her for.

The story follows Allison as she is given her first murder case to defend. A woman accused of stabbing her husband who is willing to plead guilty and go to jail. As both a lawyer and wife, Allison can tell that there is something which does not add up in the story the woman is telling and uncovering the truth shows Allison more about her own life than she wants to admit. If this was not enough, on top of the pressures of her home and work life, Allison is receiving threatening messages every time she is with her secret lover. Someone knows the truth and is not afraid to expose her.

We see as Allison’s life falls apart around her. Her successful career is not enough to hold together her family and amidst a tangled web of lies and deceit one wrong move could destroy everything.

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Review: This book somehow managed to be compelling whist uncomfortable to read. The characters were highly dislikeable, almost frustratingly so, and yet whilst Allison’s self-destructive behaviour drove me mad it was also relatable. There is very little good to be found in her situation and any sympathy you would have for her family due to her drinking and overworking quickly evaporates due to her husband’s controlling and critical behaviour.

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