My guest reviewer, Claire Knight, has shared her thoughts below on Pierre Lemaitre’s Blood Wedding – translated by Frank Wynne. There is something about the cover of this book that I just love! Might be another I need to add to my TBR…thanks Claire….?
Synopsis:
Sophie is haunted by the things she can’t remember – and visions from the past she will never forget.
One morning, she wakes to find that the little boy in her care is dead. She has no memory of what happened. And whatever the truth, her side of the story is no match for the evidence piled against her.
Her only hiding place is in a new identity. A new life, with a man she has met online.
But Sophie is not the only one keeping secrets . . .
Claire’s Rating: 4/5
Claire’s Review:
There was a lot of excitement when Blood Wedding was released on Netgalley and having heard of Pierre LeMaitre but never having read any of his books, I thought why not?
The book is kind of a story of two parts. The first part of the book is a bit slow and not exactly a psychological thriller as it is marketed. I can see why some people gave up on the book before Sophie’s section ended. But like I said, it’s a book of two parts and once Sophie goes on the run, the pace starts to change and I had to keep reading!
To start with, I didn’t warm to Sophie. She appeared to be a cold, ruthless woman but as the story developed, my opinion changed. First impressions are not always the best impression. Lemaitre’s writing is like a jigsaw puzzle that you need to read the whole story to get the big picture.
Everything happens for a reason, most people put it down to fate. Everything that happens to Sophie happens for a reason but her reason has a name.
This is the first book in about 20 years that I’ve read by a French author – I did A-Level French so had to muster my way through some French literature. Thankfully Blood Wedding has been translated into English as my French is extremely rusty! I know I already have the first two books in the Camille Verhœven series by Lemaitre so I’m looking forward to reading them when I get chance! I’ve heard a lot of good things about this series.
Many thanks to Quercus Books, Maclehose Press and Netgalley for giving me Blood Wedding in return for my unbiased opinion.
Totally intrigued after reading your review, Claire! The link below will take you to amazon, if anyone else is interested in checking out this series too!
[amazon template=iframe image1&asin=B01ARXVU9E]
Great review, I enjoyed this book although I agree it took a little while before the pace really got going.
Thanks Jane
Fab introduction to this book and your writing. Wishing you all the best.