Thank you #simonschuster and #netgalley for this advanced copy of my first Liz Nugent book. This one is my favourite read of the year thus far. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the world from Sally Diamond’s perspective. That in itself would have been interesting but diving into her mysterious, suspenseful and often sad life events made this novel stand out. Highly recommend this book!

I devoured this dark & tragic tale. Sally is quirky, she’s strange. She pretends she’s deaf when she’s out in public so that she doesn’t have to talk to people. But as her story unfolds we gain some insight into why she is the way she is. Her unique, hidden childhood has shaped her odd ways. I loved how the chapters alternated POVs and how this book played out. As I said, it was dark, and sad, but not graphic and it was so good!

Her father told her to put him out with the trash, so that’s exactly what she did.
And now, from this one mistake, Sally Diamond is thrown into the spotlight. When she starts questioning her past, the truth about her birth parents will horrify her and quite possibly put her in danger.

This book is dark, and twisty and sometimes hard to read. There are some serious TW’s here, so make sure you check those out before picking this one up

This book had my favourite writing technique- alternating POV / dual timeline chapters.
Not always done well, Liz Nugent’s execution was flawless. The timelines came full circle and painted a thorough picture of the characters past and present.
While this is not the type of book I usually read I did really enjoy it.

Strange Sally Diamond is literal perfection and I CAN NOT recommend this book enough this summer!

There isn’t even a way to adequately explain this book. At my best effort I’d say it’s a tremendously unique character drama, with a dark and twisty and gritty thriller story as the undercurrent to the plot, with one of my favourite lead characters in any book I’ve read, ever, in my life.

I literally don’t want to even hint at anything beyond that because this book TRULY deserves to have readers come in utterly blind and get to experience the story fresh. I wish I could wipe my memory and read this one again, it’s that brilliantly done.

Just trust me on this one, and get it on your pile, stat. I promise promise promise you will absolutely not regret it.

Thank you @simonschusterca for the copy! And by god @liznugentwriter PLEASE never stop writing books. The world needs them.

Synopsis:

Sally Diamond cannot understand why what she did was so strange. She was putting her father out with the rubbish when he died. Now everyone's eyes are on Sally; the hungry media, the worried police and a sinister voice from the past she doesn't remember. As she learns the horrors of her childhood, Sally steps into the world for the first time; making friends, finding independence and learning people don't always mean what they say. When messages arrive from a stranger who knows more about her past than she does, her life will be thrown into chaos once again....

Review:

One word - wow. This was such a masterpiece of psychological suspense. The chapters were short and sweet and flipped between the past and present. I was 100% engaged throughout the entire book and to be honest, I don't think anyone can even fathom/think about what is coming next because you are just so engrossed in this story. Sally is a unique but likeable FMC, who is quirky and a product of a traumatic childhood. This book created AMAZING discussion in our chat about nature vs nurture, with me having an unpopular opinion as usual LOL. I don't want to spoil anything so message me if you've read it, and let's discuss!

Thank you Simon & Schuster for the eGalley!

YOU ARE MAGICAL: my DM to Liz Nugent after finishing her book Strange Sally Diamond.

I have literally no concept of how I am going to review this thriller... but this is not the typical Freddy The 13th style thriller, and instead is along the lines of Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine and Room.

Let's give this a go.

I have VERY strong opinions towards this book; strong feelings of both love and hate. The parts of it that I loved are the reasons I hated; the reasons I hated it are what caused me to love it. I have such a mishmash of emotions towards this book, towards the people in it (and trust me when I say they are people - they are not characters).

I have to start with saying that to me, a stand out book is one that has a cast that I feel passionately about; is one that makes me think and question everything I thought I knew about what is right and wrong; makes my insides churn; and makes me feel strong emotions towards. This is exactly all of what this book is. And this is that book to the Nth degree!

I am just not someone who could devour this book. Instead, it took me a week-ish to read, as it was not one that I could sit and read for long periods of time. I needed breaks because of the content; the subject matter. It made my skin crawl, and my stomach was constantly twisted in knots thinking about these people.

I have a strong, strong emotional attachment to this book, to the person Sally is. This is the type of person I want to keep in my pocket and protect her at all costs. And it's making me tear up and cry thinking about her.

I want to use a word Nugent uses as she thanks other writers in her acknowledgments: Thank you Liz Nugent for writing a book that can revolt me, while simultaneously causing me to love it in equal measure. Thank you for writing one of my top reads of 2023, hands down.

Thank you NetGalley, Tandem Collective Global and Simon & Schuster Canada for the complimentary copies to read and review.

This is an extremely dark and entertaining thriller, that is still fun in parts because of the wonderful character of Sally. Her quirkiness and honesty prevent the book from being only a tragic tale and when she was the focus it gave you a break from the disturbing aspects of the story. This is the first book I have read by this author and I have to check out her others.

An excellent psychological thriller. Nugent's writing hooks you in and doesn't let go until she's ready. I loved the dual POVs because it really gave you every aspect of the story she was telling. I thought Sally was an excellent character and I enjoyed her progression throughout the novel. I liked that it kept me guessing, and while I some of my theories turned out to be correct, there were still twists I didn't see coming.
Read this thriller if you like fast-paced, short chapters, and great character development! 4.5 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada. This book was way out there..like what did I read? This book went where it did not need to go and it can provide nightmares...my gosh!

Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent is a psychological thriller about a woman who considers struggles with emotional issues, and finds out why.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Simon & Schuster Canada and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


My Synopsis:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Sally is 43 years old, and she just lost her father, who she attempted to burn in the compost barrel out back.  He said to put him out with the trash when he died, so that's what she did.  She doesn't understand why people are upset.

Of course, Sally doesn't understand a lot of the emotions that other people take for granted.  She prefers to be left alone, quietly playing the piano, and ignoring most people.  She was adopted when she was seven, and can't remember anything from before that. 

Unfortunately, the death of her father is about to put Sally front and center.  She has become headline news.  Partly because of her rather strange attempt at disposing of her father's body, but also because Sally's early life was devastating, and she is just learning about it now.  Apparently a lot of other people knew about her adoption, and who her real parents were.  She did not.  When she receives a familiar teddy bear in the mail from a stranger in New Zealand, she starts to worry that her early life is returning to haunt her.


My Opinions:
This was really an amazing story.  Although it is quite bleak, and often sad, it is also funny.  It is about family and friendship.  On the darker side, it is about secrets and lies, racism, child-abuse and rape.  The book looked at how those events can carry over to adulthood.  It is also about bravery and is overall, quite inspiring.

The story is told from both Sally's perspective and that of Peter (past and present).  I loved Sally's "voice".  She grew from child-like innocence to a wonderful woman who has not quite lost that child-like charm.

The story was rather long, but it was an easy read, and I just loved Sally so much.  She is someone you can root for.  The ending was a little disappointing, but that's because I like to see everything wrapped up neatly, and crimes punished.  However, that disappointment is not stopping me from giving it 5 stars.

This may have been the first book I have read by this author, but it definitely won't be the last.

Here's hoping your next read is 5 stars !!!

I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC (Advance Reader Copy) in exchange for sharing my honest opinion Thank you Simon& Schuster.

Prepare yourself to be utterly captivated and shocked by Liz Nugent's book. It's an enthralling rollercoaster that kept me glued to the pages from start to finish. The book delves fearlessly into the darkest corners of human experience, exploring triggers and disturbing themes such as abuse, captivity, manipulation, and more.

Meet Sally, a fascinatingly quirky and neurodivergent character, caring for her frail and aging father. But there's more to Sally's story—her past unfolds chapter by chapter, revealing secrets that will leave you breathless.
Nugent's brilliant storytelling employs not one but two riveting perspectives, giving you an exclusive backstage pass to the characters' innermost thoughts and emotions.

For lovers of suspenseful and dark tales, this book is an absolute must-read. Amidst the intense themes, the narrative cleverly sprinkles bits of humor, providing a truly immersive and thrilling experience.

Warning: You won't be able to resist the urge to devour this book in one sitting, regardless of the heart-pounding triggers. It's easily among my top favorite reads of the year—a literary gem that will linger in your mind long after you turn the final page.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book .I really liked it at first but as I got into it I found it too hard to read because of the horrific childhood Sally had. It was giving me nightmares so I stopped reading it. No fault of the author itself, it is just a trigger I have with children.

Wow. This is an exceptional read - one that is truly unique and deeply, profoundly, unsettling.

Strange Sally Diamond is indeed strange, but she is also heartbreakingly vulnerable, a character written with such authenticity that once you get to know her, her voice will begin to haunt you. One of two first-person POV narrators of this story, Sally’s world is dark, and it will take some time, (paced perfectly by this master storyteller) for the reader to get inside her head. But once enough of her backstory is revealed, there is no going back. Yes, Sally is strange, but she is also incredibly compelling, both smart and ‘deficient’, and her story is absolutely impossible to put down.

Without giving the plot away (no spoilers here), you will need to read it to learn more. Including, tantalizingly, the identity of the second first-person narrator.

Suffice it to say that this is a book about unspeakable evil. And trauma. And the resilience of the human spirit. But most of all, it is a story about lost innocence, and the longing for love, and acceptance, that will persist - in even the most hideous of circumstances.

Highly recommended, (for all but sensitive readers), this book is guaranteed to chill you to the core. Leaving you strangely (and ironically) wanting more - these characters, beginning with Sally, so beautifully captured and deeply entrenched, it will take some time to free them.


A great big thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an ARC of this book. All thoughts presented are my own.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5!

Oh my gosh what did I just read?!?! and why am I so obsessed with it? Strange Sally Diamond is SUCH a different book but in the best way. I am always looking for unique stories and this one delivered. While the story line is quite dark, it's for anyone who likes a twisty thriller that's more on the psychological side than the gore side.

This book will stay with you long after you finish it wondering just exactly you got to the end without figuring out what is going on. If you are looking for a good thriller read for the summer, this is it! Also tho if you want a good Halloween/October read... I highly suggest this too!

This novel brought to mind Room, The Maid, and Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine.

For years, Sally Diamond was told by her adoptive father, a psychiatrist, that she is emotionally disconnected and socially deficient. Certainly she finds people confusing and conversation awkward because she can’t read social cues. In fact, she often pretends to be deaf so she doesn’t have to interact with others. When she is 42, her father dies and she is forced to connect with the outside world. After having lived in virtual isolation outside a small Irish village, she faces quite an adjustment.

Sally has always found it strange that she doesn’t remember anything from her childhood before the age of 7 when she was adopted. However, in letters left to her by her father, she learns that she and her biological mother experienced unimaginable trauma. Just as Sally sets out to learn more about her past, she receives a parcel from someone in New Zealand who calls her Mary.

The book is narrated from two perspectives: Sally in the present and a boy named Peter in the past. Peter, who has been told he suffers from “necrotic hominoid contagion,” is raised by his father who keeps a woman in captivity in a room adjacent to Peter’s. It is obvious that there must be a link between Sally and Peter so much of the interest is in how their stories will merge. Of course, though some parts of the plot are predictable, there are some unexpected twists.

There is a lot of serious and sensitive subject matter: pedophilia, abduction, imprisonment, sexual and physical abuse, emotional manipulation, and misogyny. On the other hand there is hope. Sally finds a supportive group of people who help her navigate through her new world.

And there is even humour. Sally is naïve and very literal so her reactions and blunt, unfiltered comments are funny. The book opens with Sally trying to incinerate her father’s body because he joked that she should put him out with the trash when he died. When someone learns of the death and wonders whether to call the police or a doctor, Sally says, “’It’s too late for a doctor, he’s dead’” and doesn’t think authorities need to be notified because “’it’s none of their business.’” When the vicar invites her to attend church, she responds with “’No, . . . it’s very boring.’” And she asks very personal questions of people.

Sally is an endearing character. Though quirky and awkward, she is likeable. It is impossible not to cheer her on as she works on a number of issues such as trust and anger management; at one point she mentions having to work on “touch, empathy, patience, diplomacy, self-control, and so on.” She has a lot of hurdles to overcome but she conquers her fears.

The novel looks at the dark side of human nature. Some characters seem truly evil but the author does show that there are reasons for their behaviour. For example, we know little about Peter’s father but there are definite hints at the source of his hatred of women. This portrayal of complex characters is what I appreciated. Sally, for instance, has her rages which can lead to violence, but it is clear that she is vulnerable.

In its examination of intergenerational trauma, the book questions whether severely damaged people can be made healthy. Is some harm irreparable? There are several characters who have been traumatized by events and they all react differently. Does evil just perpetuate evil? Can goodness conquer the darkness that exists in all of us to some extent?

For me, this was an engrossing read with never a dull moment. Though not a thriller, there is an intense sense of unease throughout. If you like dark and disturbing psychological suspense, this is the book for you. The ending, though open-ended, is perfect, and certainly gives the reader food for thought.

“𝑫𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅? 𝑷𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒏’𝒕 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒉𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈.”

Having heard fantastic things from my friend Dennis (@ScaredStraightReads) and having enjoyed Liz Nugent’s Lying in Wait, I was very much looking forward to diving into her latest.

This book is fascinating, for many reasons: one part mystery, one part character study, one part family saga, Nugent dives into these many aspects with well written prose that is addictive to read. Sally Diamond suffers from mental illness and is considered “strange” or “quirky” by the townfolk; this could have been gimmicky or used for comedic value, but Nugent writes about Sally with finesse, research, and care, especially once you learn more of her past. The story moves between Sally’s perspective and one other, both presenting two sides to trauma: the dark horrific picture of abuse and the effects it can have long afterwards. Nugent develops a strong support system around Sally, each character contributing to Sally’s understanding of the world and her past. One thing I love about Nugent’s writing is that she is not scared to dive into some dark places; it is easy to label the other narrator as “bad,” but Nugent also shows the shades of grey that make you consider the idea that people aren’t 100% one thing. This second character is complex, disturbing and unlikeable - and yet I found myself completely absorbed when his narration appeared.

Strange Sally Diamond is a story of trauma, manipulation, isolation, nature versus nurture, and trust. It contains some big triggers, as it focuses on the dark side of humanity, but is brilliantly executed with a central character that you will root for. Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the ARC!

Sally is such an interesting character. She’s inside her own head, emotionally stunted and has a hard time with saying the right thing and social situations.
This is a book that will definitely not be for everyone. It is very dark and there are so many layers to this story.
I found the first part to be more fast paced than the second part, however it was definitely intriguing and made me want to keep reading. I had absolutely no idea where this story was going.
It’s definitely one of those books that will stick with me for a long time.

I REALLY ENJOYED MY READ. First time reading from this author and I can't wait to discover more. I highly recommend it. The main character was amazing, loved her with all my heart. The storyline was interesting, even if it's dark, I think this is a story everybody should read. (check TW) The pace was perfect, theres a lot of diverse characters in it, I felt a lot of different emotions while reading it, it was a rollercoaster haha. I won't say too much but I wish that the ending was a bit different this is why I don't give it 5 ⭐️

Strange Sally Diamond is an odd little book that really pulled me in with its characters and secrets.

It opens with Sally’s father dying. She’s a woman in her 40s with little life experience and no friends, and she thinks she’s doing the right thing by burning her father’s body in the shed. A neighbour calls the police and suddenly she has to question everything she knows about herself and her life.

I’m often torn on books with protagonists who seem to be on the autism spectrum — sometimes they’re treated as childlike, or cute, or stupid. Sally is a much more complex character, and her behaviour makes sense with her backstory. She actively drives the plot.

There’s another main character who appears partway through the book, and the contrast between that person’s history and Sally’s is fascinating and so sad.

This book has a lot of darkness but also a lot of hope. It’s a character-driven story, more of a quiet drama than thriller most of the time. I’d recommend it to readers who like to slow down a bit and really consider the people behind true crime stories.

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for my review copy of this book.

Okay, the combination of the title and cover made Liz Nugent's new novel, Strange Sally Diamond, a must read for me.

The unsettling prologue sealed the deal. I was hooked, binge reading 'til late at night.

Sally Diamond is decidedly different. Her background harbors many secrets and events that account for her actions, thoughts, demeanor and more.

The 'why' and 'how' of this is slowly and deliciously eked out by Nugent over the course of the book. One answer brings yet another question. I thought Nugent manipulated the reader wonderfully. There are surprises and twists throughout the book.

I loved Sally's straightforward manner and was firmly behind her as she navigates the path to owning her life. And sad for what has come before. Nugent populates her supporting cast with a wide variety of temperaments. They play a large part of the plot. Some good, some bad.

Nugent's plotting is dark and unsettling. It's also very hard to put it down!