Book Review: In Her Words by J.S Ellis

Today’s book review is back to basics for me: a thriller. And boy was this a good thriller. I read this book in just two sittings and was left gagging for me. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Blurb

In Her Words* by J.S Ellis introduces us to Sophie Knight, a stunningly beautiful woman who has it all but is looking for more. She seems to find what she is missing when young and carefree Michael Frisk walks into her life. However, Sophie is not perfect. She is unhappy in her marriage and is hiding her alcoholism from her husband. Plus, she also is dealing with the gut feeling that she was raped having woken one morning in an alcoholic haze with bruises on her body and no recollection of what happened to her.  When unsettling notes and mysterious phone calls start, Sophie wonders whom she should turn to. Is Michael the cause of the frightening things happening in her life, or is he the answer to her problems?

Review

In Her Words had me on edge. Just what did happen Sophie and would she come to any further harm? The fact that the story is told through diary form from Sophie’s point of view made the story even more intense. I could really feel her fear and my stomach was in knots wondering what she had got herself into.

Look, there is no denying that Sophie is a mess. She is an alcoholic who keeps making one bad decision after another, and perhaps her knowingly getting herself into an affair means she doesn’t deserve any sympathy. Now, I don’t condone the decisions she makes but I really liked her as a character and wanted her to come to no harm.

Over the course of the book we discover more about why Sophie is the way she is and it’s sad. The way she is continually treated by the people in her life increased my sympathy towards her. And, even though this entire book is told from her point of view, she doesn’t martyr herself or beg for the sympathy of the reader. There is no fluff about Sophie and that’s what made me like her even more. Now, it would spoil a wonderful read for me to start divulging what happens Sophie but I will say one thing, if you think your husband finding out you are having an affair is the worst thing that could happen, think again.

In Her Words is a bit heavy on the male bashing but I wouldn’t take that personally. The majority of the male characters in this book were written to be hated, especially Mike and his friends who are particularly sinister. Plus, the double standards between men and women made my blood boil. But that was all part of this well plotted story, a story that succeeded in evoking emotion in me.

Overall, I loved this book. I wish I could read it all over again having forgotten the plot. Can you recommend any other books like this?

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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