Landscape architect Tessa Markham has been touched by tragedy. What should have brought great joy - giving birth to fraternal twins.....
.....turned out to have sad consequences. Her daughter Lily died at birth and her son Sam died three years later from acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Shortly after Sam's death Tessa 'kidnapped' an infant in a pram, and - when apprehended - claimed she found the baby unattended and was taking him to the police station. The story seemed sketchy but Tessa was known to be grief-stricken and clinically depressed, so no charges were filed.
Now, a couple of years later, Tessa is separated from her husband Scott, working at 'Villa Moretti Garden Center', and living alone.
So it's a shock when Tessa returns home one afternoon to find a little boy - who says his name is Harry - in her kitchen. Harry is calmly coloring pictures and says that Tessa is his new mummy.
Not wanting to face the police on her own, Tessa calls her estranged husband Scott - who immediately insinuates she snatched the child.
Unfortunately the police have a similar reaction, and Tessa teeters on the edge of being charged with abduction while the cops investigate.
Tessa's nosy neighbor Carly is a freelance journalist, and it doesn't take long for articles to appear online, with the headline: "Did Tessa Markham abduct a five-year-old boy?"
From here on, Tessa's life becomes a nightmare. Packs of journalists camp outside her home and workplace, and she can't put a foot outdoors without being chased by reporters and snapped by photographers. The news-people harass Scott as well, and he blames his wife for all the trouble.
Wanting to clear her name Tessa decides to launch her own investigation - to learn how Harry came to be in her house. To say more about the plot would be a spoiler.
The book is billed as a psychological thriller, but - in truth - there's not much suspense. Most readers will probably work out the 'secret' about Harry well before it's revealed in the story. Thus, interest in the book must be maintained by the characters, some of whom are more compelling and believable than others.
Tessa is an engaging protagonist, consumed by grief yet trying to get on with her life. She enjoys tending the plants at work (though it's a far cry from landscape architecture) and dreams of reconciling with Scott. Tessa is a loner, but gets on well with her boss - Ben Moretti - who runs 'Villa Moretti's' garden store and café.
For his part, Ben is a nice guy with a soft spot for Tessa. He provides her with coffee and cinnamon danish - or wine and lasagna - on occasion, and is always there when Tessa needs a hand. Ben's the hero of the book.
Tessa's husband Scott is an unsympathetic character.....a complete asshole. He's disdainful of Tessa's concerns, suggests she's mentally disturbed, and refuses to believe a word she says. When Tessa practically begs him to hear her out, he refuses. He's a totally unlikable person.
That said, I don't find Scott to be a credible character. Even an estranged husband wouldn't be that dismissive of his wife.....especially when she's going through such a trauma.
The journalist Carly Dean is annoying and intrusive, so she's quite realistic! Some of Carly's behavior, though, is outright illegal - and there should be consequences (IMO).
Other secondary characters add interest to the story, and keep the action moving.
I was disappointed with the mystery, which is easy to figure out.....with no major surprises. Also, one plot point is not satisfactorily resolved. Tessa repeatedly tries to discover why Harry's dad waited four days to report the child missing, but she never gets the answer. And I want to know!
In the end, I found this novel unsatisfying. However, I'm in the minority and many people love the book. So, if you find the premise intriguing, you might want to read the story and judge for yourself.
Thanks to Netgalley, the author (Shalini Boland) and the publisher (Bookouture) for a copy of the book.
Rating: 3 stars
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