Strange Sally Diamond is not an easy book to pigeonhole. Set between Ireland and New Zealand, a dark and sinister story of horrific abuse and controlling behaviour is slowly unravelled. When Sally’s father dies, she takes him literally and disposes of his body in the bin. The media storm that follows reveals a past Sally cannot remember, which her father had misguidedly tried to protect her from, but I don’t think he did her any favours keeping her isolated and ill-prepared to cope with the outside world.
The story moves back and forth in time, between different perspectives and locations, and the shocks just keep on coming. Flashes of humour prevent the darkness from taking over. I liked Sally and enjoyed reading her chapters, and watching her try to move on and live life on her own terms. The chapters from her brother’s point of view, on the other hand, were very disturbing and not for the faint-hearted.
The writing is excellent, the characters well drawn and convincing, and Strange Sally Diamond would be a good choice for a book club with lots of potential for lively discussions. This was the first book I had read by Liz Nugent, and though I don’t think ‘enjoy’ is the correct word to describe this story, I did find it interesting and thought-provoking, and will certainly go on to read her other books. Thanks to Penguin, Sandycove and NetGalley for a digital copy to review.

Although it was an extremely disturbing read, I relished reading Liz Nugent's Strange Sally Diamond. The central character who is in her 40's is quirky and blunt, the author's writing is phenomenally good, and though some of the themes are chilling, there is also humour and lightness. A truly marvellous tale.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Penguin General UK - Sandycove via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

It's best to go into this book knowing as little as possible, I had no idea how dark and grim it would be but it was absolutely fantastic. I have read some great books lately but this was one I did not want to end. I feel like I now need to dig into the authors back catalogue.
I can see this featuring highly in a lot of end of year award lists.

So many people were raving about this book and Liz Nugent is always such a good read. I did enjoy the read, but it goes down a pathway that you have no idea about and I found this very dark and heavy. The opening is a woman throwing her dead father out with the bins, and this is only a small and largely insignificant part of the story. The story is well plotted out, keeps your attention, but I found it difficult.

It is quite difficult to write a review without spoilers because this book si full of unexpected and unique events. Sally is a socially inept loner who struggles to comprehend that things said cannot always be taken literally. Her father has died and because of a throwaway remark he made Sally thinks she should burn his body. Sally is clearly neurodivergent, but instead of being portrayed as a character to be pitied she is shown to be strong and capable. Her reasons for her behaviours, once explained, do make some sense and the reader is helped to understand why she behave the way she does. Add to this an extremely traumatic childhood which she does not remember for much of the book and Sally seems all the more remarkable for the very fact that she survived to become the individual she is.

I loved every moment of this book. From the opening where we make our first impressions of "Strange Sally Diamond", and through the slow unfurling of the backstory which explains exactly what we need to do and in the perfect pace... this book is a masterpiece of storytelling. The characters are amazing, the plot is brilliant, and I was intrigued by every single page. Highly recommended.

I've never read anything by Liz Nugent before, but I've heard a lot about her work. She's been described to me as "the queen of opening lines", and the opening line of Strange Sally Diamond definitely had me hooked. I wanted to know more about this character and why she behaved in the unorthodox way that she did.

Sally Diamond is one of the most complex characters I have ever come across in a book. It is testament to Liz Nugent's talent that she has managed to create a character with so many layers who feels many emotions that she struggles to express, and yet despite her often angry and violent presentation, I still felt sympathy for her. The narration is in the first person - between Sally, and a character who is introduced later called Peter - and these accounts are not always reliable. This meant I found it difficult to know who to trust throughout the story which made it more intriguing for me.

Strange Sally Diamond is extremely well plotted and I loved the detail that the author has included to create a really tense atmosphere the whole way through. The novel is very dark, and at times there is some graphic violence, but whilst this may be uncomfortable for some readers, I found the story gripping from beginning to end.

I can't wait to delve into this author's back catalogue now!

I really enjoyed this book, I literally read in 2 sittings, a fast read.
Loved Mary/Sally great character and enjoyed watching her grow in confidence, which then obviously disappointed me with the ending.
Some very sad and horrifying storylines, check trigger warnings. Overall I loved it definitely a book that will stick with me.
Thank you to the publisher for my advance copy for an honest review

Strange Sally Diamond

The first thing I have to say is ‘Wow! What an opening.’ I read the first page then went to find my other half so I could read it to him. He’s one of those people who say ‘just chuck me in a bin bag’ so I thought he’d love it too. Of course it’s horrifying, but I also found it blackly comic and with Irish ancestors myself I can honestly say it’s an Irish trait. We laugh at the story of Mother - my great-grandmother - putting her head in the oven and wondering why it was taking too long. It was an electric oven. Tragic, horrifying, but hilarious at the same time. I felt this all the way through the story of Sally Diamond, a young woman having to negotiate a new life after the death of her incredibly protective father. He was an academic doctor and it turns out Sally was his subject. He leaves Sally letters to read after his death to give her all the information about what to do next. However, Sally can be very literal and by carrying out his verbal wishes to be in a bin bag, it turns out she may have committed a crime. Luckily family friend and GP Angela comes to the rescue, explaining to the police that Sally is ‘different’ she’s been sheltered and her childhood before her adoption was very traumatic. In fact her father left specific instructions in his letters, but as Sally points out he should have labelled the envelope ‘open this as soon as I’ve died’. Sally learns that she was born in terrible circumstances and it’s only chance that saved her. How will Sally cope with the detailed news about her past and how will she integrate into the community and learn how to manage by herself?

I found Sally rather endearing, despite her tendency to ask personal questions and disappearing to play the piano when things get too much. Sally knows that her mother died, in fact she committed suicide after their escape. She was born Mary Norton, in a locked extension attached to the home of Connor Geary and his son. Sally’s mother was abducted by Geary and brought back to the specially built annex where he chained her to he radiator. Denise Norton was subjected to all forms of abuse and violence and gave birth to her daughter in captivity. They were only found when a burglar broke into the house and Denise shouted to him ‘I am Denise Norton’ in the hope he’ll tell the authorities. Sally doesn’t remember anything about her earliest years, but when she’s sent a grubby, old teddy in the post she knows instinctively that he’s hers. Sally was adopted by the husband and wife psychologist team who were treating her and her mother after they left hospital. After a short space of time, it became clear that Denise would not recover well and it was decided that in order for her to develop, Mary must be removed from her mother. Tragically, as soon as this happened, Denise committed suicide. Ever since, and with the new name Sally, she has lived an isolated rural life in Ireland. Sally has her quirks: she asks deeply personal questions; she would tear out her hair if upset; she could be extremely violent. As we followed Sally’s journey it started to feel really uplifting and I was so happy for her.

Then the book changes and we’re listening to a man called Peter from New Zealand, having emigrated from New Zealand. I found Peter’s father terrifying, he is a misogynist and incredibly controlling to the extent of telling his son he has a rare disease that means he can’t touch other people. This lie will have terrible consequences, when Peter tries to make connections with others. Slowly a terrifying story emerges about their home in Ireland and the ghost who lives through the wall. Sometimes he’d hear the shrieks and moans through the wall. When Peter was left to be looked after by the ghost, something terrible happens and the trauma will stay with him for life. I felt so moved by Peter’s story, but terrified by what he could become. I felt as if the loss of his friend Rangi that was the next turning point. He can also be extremely violent and even though he is assailed by guilt afterwards, the damage is done. I hoped and hoped for a point of redemption for him. When his father starts to build a barn and look for another victim he has no choice but to be complicit. If something happened to his father, would he able to come clean and let them victim go? Does he ever wonder about what happened to his mother’s family in Ireland?

I was hoping that these two damaged people would get to meet each other. Both of them need family and a sense of where they’re from, even when the truth is awful to comprehend. The author has such a talent for playing with the reader’s emotions, letting us feel for a character then finding out they’ve done something terrible or making us feel sorry for a character we dislike, because of something they’ve experienced. Her characters are always complicated and flawed, but this was the next level. I loved watching Sally start to thrive with the support of those around her. She uses the money she inherits to renovate a cottage closer to the village. She starts to build relationships with her dad’s sister Aunt Christine and her Uncle Mark too. The high point is a lovely party at Sally’s cottage with a bouncy castle for the kids, which she is even persuaded to try herself. Then a stranger from New Zealand turns up at her door and I was riveted to the story from then on to see how this will affect Sally. Can two damaged people console and support each other, or will they drag each other down? We are about to witness the difference between growing up opposite sides of the wall. This was a fascinating novel, especially if you love psychological thrillers and studying how someone’s start in life contributes to the person they are. I was also fascinated with the idea that those who heal can also hurt. When your adopted child is also your subject, your academic reputation and possibly even your funding lines become blurred. The author created a character that I was so emotionally invested in, she will definitely stay with me.

A story to keep you on the edge of your seat, delving into the depravity of man but also a world of hope and support (so hard not to say too much and ruin it).

We meet Sally Diamond who is definitely strange, although no official diagnoses has been given. She struggles to relate to other people, and prefers to be left alone. Her love of the piano is her only indulgence. When her father dies, a spotlight is shone on her and her history and its a really strange one, one that explains much of Sally's oddness. But for Sally, all this is new news. She will need to find a way to adapt to this information, and uncover her horrific childhood which will continue to haunt her.

Its a story of hope and rebirth on one side, but also of torture and control. So much care has been taken to develop each and every character. Sally is innocent, naïve and untethered. She is desperate to find her way, despite her obstacles, and those around her rise up to offer her the support she needs. There is so much pathos in her story, and we will her to triumph,

Her nemesis is also a victim of circumstance, he is unhinged and controlling, morally misguided, but also so desperate for love, and trying to find his own way. The story should be so sad, and there are moments which are completely horrifying, but the author deftly switches between the dark scenes and ones of rebirth and potential.

Its a complete rollercoaster of a ride, and impossible to put down no matter what emotions they spark. A dark tale I will not forget quickly.

Strange Sally Diamond is the fifth novel from Irish author Liz Nugent.

Having read the previous four, I should have known better than to let myself be lulled into a false sense of security and assume that Liz had gone in a different writing direction. I actually got to one part and said "ah, there we go" out loud 😂😂

Sally Diamond's Dad has recently passed away. He always joked that Sally should put him out with the bins when he died - and unfortunately, that's exactly what she does.

When news of Sally's actions reach the local village, people are shocked - Sally has always kept herself to herself. But news travels fast - and soon, Sally's past comes back to haunt her in spectacular fashion.

Cold cases, family secrets, and a long lost teddy bear - who is Sally Diamond?

I really enjoyed this, but I like Liz's writing style in general. It's incredibly readable, and I found it hard to put down. I found Sally hard to warm to, but I was rooting for her, and wanted her to be happy. I felt that some of the other characters were a little harsh with her given what she'd been through, but I suppose nobody knows how they'd react in those situations (and I sincerely hope I never find out, thank you very much)!

Warnings galore here, it's incredibly hard to read at times, mainly due to the graphic nature of the cruelty & violence in some chapters. I did have to take a breather from it at times, some of the incidents were really upsetting, so do approach with caution if you find that kind of thing hard to read.

If you like a good thriller, you can't get better than Ireland's women at the moment. They're all playing an absolute blinder, and Liz is no exception. She's an auto-buy author for me, so while I read this on Netgalley with thanks to @vikingbooksuk , I did buy a copy for myself too.

This was absolutely magnificent, exactly what one would expect from Liz Nugent. Nobody does family dynamics and eerie like her

Such a hard book to review. On the one hand, I loved the dark subject matter, but at the same time I struggled with the writing style and the endless exposition in the dialogue. The protagonist had Eleanor Oliphant vibes which I didn't mind, but some of the contrivances of the plot were hard to suspend disbelief for - SPOILER the fact that a head of cyber security would send his DNA through the post when he has taken care never to leave a digital footprint was actually ridiculous...he would definitely have seen Minority Report! Also Sally's ability to have SO many friends in such a short time was very unrealistic. At the same time, I could not put the book down and overall would say I enjoyed it.

This was so good I stayed up most of the night to keep reading!

Strange Sally Diamond once had another name but she doesn’t remember that. Her adoptive mother and father disagreed on when to share the story of her early years and when her mother dies her father takes the action he thinks best. To keep her safe, protected and without the knowledge of where she came from. But at what cost?

When he dies all that Sally knows is their sheltered existence and that needs to change so she can live happily among her community, in spite of her …quirks. But can anyone ever really change? Is life cyclical and do we inevitably revert back to our default?

I confess the ending of this book felt a little rushed compared to the rest of the book but maybe that is because I want to know what happens after, when the dust has settled.

Had me hooked from the start, a great page turner, would highly recommend.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

I wasn't sure this book would be for me but was proved completely wrong. A really unique, moving, uplifting and sad story.

I've seen this book absolutely raved about since it was first released. This is unusual and means it must be good.
I got a break in my schedule long enough to bump this up my tbr and have read it in a day. I wasn't able to put it down.
This is a story of characters, Sally at the centre, navigating her way through life after her adoptive father dies. She finds out the truth about her life and why there was an outcry when she 'put him out with the trash' as he requested.
I love Sally and her quirky ways. As the novel progresses and she grows and learns, she falls back less and less on her strange ways as a result of her upbringing and starts to live an unconventional but somewhat normal life.
I felt most for Peter/Steve. His life was impacted so many times over by things out of his control.
There are dark themes within this, but nothing is gratuitous. Being set at some points in the early eighties, misogyny and racism are rife.
Every single character adds to the story and its funny and sweet between the horrendous back story it's covering. A really wonderful read. One that's going to stick with me for some time.

Sally is a very unusual lady - she takes everything anyone says very literally and does not react well with people. Her father has protected her from life and they live very remotely in Ireland. But then he becomes unwell and dies, and her life begins to change forever. In her 40s she finally discovers the unusual circumstances of her first years that have left her so damaged and then someone from her past gets back in touch, sparking her curiousity and memories.

A really powerful and disturbing book, showing how traits can be learned as well as inherited, and how damaged people can become through their experiences. There are some real villains in here, and some good people, but mostly just ordinary people trying to cope with life the best way they can.

Its a gripping read, and will leave you incredibly sad and angry. I couldn't put it down.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin General UK for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When Sally Diamond's adoptive father dies her reaction brings the media flocking to the small town she lives in. However the truth of who Sally really is sends the world into a frenzy. All her life Sally has struggled to cope with people and now she has to forge a new life and form relationships. Whilst Sally does well to adjust she is still terrified of the past and now a strange person is contacting her from the other side of the world.
I had always found Liz Nugent's writing a bit histrionic in terms of laying on the dark psychology a little too much and this book has so many reviews calling it dark. However I found it a delight, yes the subject matter should be horrific but is almost seems darkly humorous at points. The story is clever and the little twist at the end works well.

I loved this book. The Strange Sally Diamond of the title is a grown woman who takes her father’s suggestion of “put me out with the bins when I’m dead” literally and who struggles to make connections with other people. The storyline is unusual and expertly drawn as we follow the heartbreaking and terrifying family history of Sally Diamond and experience her development as she unearths her family history.

It’s set in rural Ireland and the hook for me was in the opening paragraph as it’s exactly what my Irish mum used to say.

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it, as it is very dark and disturbing in parts. But, it’s so fascinating I practically read in one sitting. It’s also one of those books you know will take a while to leave you.

Congratulations to the author on another excellent read and thanks to NetGalley and Penguin General UK publishers for the opportunity to preview in exchange for this honest review.

Highly recommend. 5*