BOOK REVIEW: An Accusation: A Novel by Wendy James

 

Publication Date: January 1, 2021 Format: Kindle Genre:  Kidnapping Thriller

Publisher: Lake Union Publishing Pages: 325 Buy: Kindle | Paperback

Synopsis

When eighteen-year-old Ellie Canning is discovered wandering the countryside, dazed and traumatized, she tells a harrowing story of abduction, captivity, and escape. An overnight symbol of survival and empowerment, Ellie enthralls an outraged nation.

Then authorities zero in on an unlikely suspect: high school teacher Suzannah Wells, identified by Ellie as the woman who kept her drugged and bound in a basement. The evidence against Suzannah is damning—vilified by the media, Suzannah’s only defense is that not a single word Ellie says is true. Suzannah has no reason to lie. But then again, neither does Ellie.

The nightmare spins out of control as disturbing details about Suzannah’s past emerge, and the court of public opinion wants blood. Even those closest to Suzannah begin to doubt her. But how innocent is she? How innocent is Ellie? And which one has more to hide?

Review: 

I got this book through Kindle Unlimited on Amazon.com. 

This is a very twisty turning book that leaves you guessing.  Just when I thought I had it all figured out there is a new twist.  Alternating chapters gives you the opportunity to see things from all sides.  Suzannah is caring for her mother who has a form of dementia that come from substance abuse.  Her outrageous behavior is creepy and also an added comedy element to an otherwise fairly dark book .

Based on the 18th Century event named the Canning Affair, which has been fictionalized before, Wendy James took this story and made it fresh again.  Bringing the story to life in a small Australian town.  Small town folk always seem to turn on each other at the drop of a hat.  Suzannah finds her quiet life quickly spiraling out of control.  Arrested for kidnapping, Suzannah finds herself in a town turned against her, with the exception of her boyfriend and the man she bought her house from. 

I really liked this story and found the characters and the situation scary in that I could see it happening.  Suzannah's mother is a great addition as comic relief.  I recommend this book as a fun quick read. 

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