With multiple layers not making this your simple psychological thriller, find the true meaning to All in Her Head by Nikki Smith.
The plot:
Alison is more alone than she’s ever been.
She is convinced that her ex-husband Jack is following her.
She is certain she recognises the strange women who keeps approaching her at work. She knows she has a good reason to be afraid. She just can’t remember why.
Then the mention of one name turns her life upside down. Alison feels like she’s losing her mind… but it could just lead her to the truth.
I’ll be keeping my eye on this author
To start with, there’s a fantastically gripping epilogue which your mind will turn to consistently throughout the story. I knew then that that was my whole day gone, because I needed to read it right there and then.
Some of the topics covered are quite horrible and unexpected, but need to have been portrayed in this way. Some moments are in your face and ‘this is so heartbreaking’, and others are more delicately discussed. It covers motherhood and is overflowing with suspense and worthy ‘biting your nails to stubs’ moments.
The chapters are split between Alison and Jack, as well as following different time periods. It’s really easy to follow, and the voices are distinctive – for someone who doesn’t usually like this formatting, I couldn’t have imagined it done in any other way.
The story itself is really well executed – you can tell it’s been thought through, down to every location the input different characters have. All in Her Head flowed seamlessly, making it a real page-turner.
I guessed a few elements but was surprised at how it all turned around. It’s hard to explain without giving out spoilers, but I feel like if you really read into everything in part 1, it all makes sense and don’t end up too surprised. The book didn’t feel like it really needed that big twist, and the second half really drills down into Alison’s mind.
A well-written psychological thriller not to be missed, with an ending which will leave you emotional. A great debut, and I’ll be keeping my eye on this author.
All in Her Head, Nikki Smith, RRP £14.99 (hardback); Book Depository
Pages: 325
Publisher: Orion Books
Genre: Psychological Thriller