Louise Candlish The Only Suspect Simon & Schuster (Australia), Simon & Schuster UK 08 Mar 2023.

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review.

The Only Suspect is another success for Louise Candlish. Once again, she has devised a novel that has all the intrigue, twists and turns to keep a reader engrossed. None of these is the all too familiar contrived clumsy attempt to fulfill the current requirement that a twist be included in a psychological thriller. Instead, Candlish is almost fiendishly clever in developing the characters and plot to ensure that any twist makes sense – which is why the narrative moves forward smoothly and the reader is left wondering why they didn’t see the clues to the mystery. Even where I had suspicions, I was not disappointed with the reveal.

The Only Suspect introduces characters who, while aggravating at times, always act within the parameters Candlish has established. Their behaviour makes sense. The story line is easy to follow, as it moves between past and present, building a narrative that introduces a love affair, murder, deception and guilt. At times self-deception prevails, at others, characters acknowledge lost opportunities creating a sombre recognition that things might have been different.

Rick’s past story is one of almost obsessive love, with enough self-deprecation and inability to deny others’ needs maintain the reader’s sympathy, although there are enough asides to foster the possibility that his integrity can be challenged. Similarly, the ebullient Rollo who shares his flat, provides support but not without a price. The lovely but elusive Marina is the focus of Rick’s love and concern when he hears about her relationship with Drew who physically looms over the relationship and the past storyline.

In the present Alex and Beth, married, childless and middle-aged differ on the opening of a bushland trail and Beth’s providing accommodation to a pregnant friend. Again, self-deprecation, inability to deny others’ determination to proceed with their hopes, obscures events in this narrative.
The Only Suspect, like Candlish’s The Heights, is better than a good read. It is gripping from start to finish.

This lady can write! Her books are fully of plot twists and red herrings and even if you try to second guess her you won’t get them all.
The book is told in two time lines. Present day, Alex Parker, he is happily married and living in a nice community. Why then is he paranoid about being “found out” and what is his aversion to publicity and the neighbourhoods plans to develop a walk way behind the terraced houses.
1995. Rick Ward meets Marina Stanley, a temp in the building where he works. They start to meet up for lunch and slowly Marina confides in Rick that her husband, (she had to tell him she was married after an acquaintance saw them together), is abusive and controlling. Together they hatch a plan to run away but as in any good story, nothing goes to plan and Rick finds himself in hiding accused of murder.
There is a lot happening in this book but it is an easy read and easy enough to follow the plot lines. A great entertaining read.

#TheOnlySuspect #NetGalley