Many thanks to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster | Atria Books | Emily Bestler Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by a favorite, Will Dean. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. I've never rated his books lower than 5 stars and this one is no exception - 5 shining stars!
Peggy and Dean live on an isolated and run-down canal boat with their teenage son, Sampson. Dean was once a promising author and still works on his craft every night, requiring his family to be completely silent while he does so. Peggy is not allowed to work, but volunteers at the local library where she works on her own novel in secret. Sampson is bullied relentlessly at school, and his home life is full of tension. Soon things come to a boiling point.
Will Dean has done it again - I sped through this book with my heart in my throat the entire time. The tension and fear drip off every page and I felt all the emotions along with the characters. The control and isolation inflicted by Dean onto the family is complete - they are at his mercy for whatever scraps he offers. Told in the alternating POV of Peggy and Sampson, we get a first row seat to the gaslighting and abuse. It's raw, real, emotional and you won't be able to look away. Very highly recommended!
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