Book Review: The Family Friend by Claire Douglas
About the book
When Imogen inherits a country house near Bath, she thinks it’s a mistake. She last saw its owner, reclusive artist Dorothea Roe, sixteen years ago, during a tragic summer which she’s never forgotten.
But a chance discovery in the study leads Imogen to believe Dorothea left her a secret message.
And when rumours begin to swirl that Dorothea was murdered, she suspects that the house might not be the life-changing gift she thought. Who would want to kill Dorothea?
Could it be tangled up in Imogen’s own dark family history?
And what if Imogen is now the one in danger?
Why we love it
If ever there was a time to get completely lost in a gripping, 'can't put it down until I've read just one more chapter' crime thriller, it's summer. Thankfully Claire Douglas can be safely relied upon to fit the bill and her latest novel, The Family Friend, ticks all the boxes - a compelling plot, a suitably eerie setting and plenty of well-timed twists and turns to keep you reading well after midnight.
The story follows Imogen, who inherits a remote country house near Bath from Dorothea Roe, an artist she hasn't seen since spending a life-changing summer with her as a teenager. But what should feel a dream come true for Imogen and her boyfriend Josh, soon takes a darker turn when Imogen discovers a hidden box addressed to her in Dorothea's studio. Why exactly did Dorothea leave the house to her and was her death as quite as straightforward as it first appeared? As the story moves between the past and the present, long-buried secrets gradually begin to surface.
Claire Douglas has a knack for creating atmospheric reads and she absolutely nails it here. A crumbling old house in the woods with secret hiding places is the perfect setting for a story built on secrets and its isolation perfectly mirrors Imogen's gradual sense of claustrophobia within her own relationships. There's a distinct sense of unease that builds with every chapter, a gradually increasing tension as one secret after another is revealed.
The book is told over multiple timelines and perspectives, switching seamlessly between Imogen's perspective in the present and Dorothea's in the past, without ever interrupting the flow and pace of the story. I was sufficiently invested in both characters throughout and their individual stories complemented each other perfectly, gradually weaving their lives together while also serving to drive the plot forward.
For me, The Family Friend is exactly what I want from a psychological thriller. Fast-paced without ever feeling rushed, interesting characters and packed with enough red herrings and plot twists to keep you guessing right to the end.
If you're already a Claire Douglas fan, you'll love diving into this one and if you've never picked up one of her books before, this is the perfect one to start with. Just don't begin reading it if you know you've got an early start the next day!
