The First Mistake by Sandie Jones
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Special thanks to Minotaur Books and Sandie Jones for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review
I just love thrillers. Your mind expects the unexpected and yet, there is always an element of surprise. I just love the element of surprise. As a reader, you deserve to be surprised too. As such, this review will be spoiler free.
The First Mistake by Sandie Jones is a thriller unlike any other. It is told in three parts. At first, it took me some time to get into the story. I was unsure how everything would play out and was hesitant of the three parts. Plus there was a lot of whiplash between the present and the future that made me a little weary.
However…..do you know what I realized? The First Mistake is written like the slow rise to the top of the roller coaster. Part One is getting on the ride. Part Two is the slow creep up to the top of the highest point. Both parts are filled with anticipation. Part Three is the moment you go over the edge and you are taken through all the twist and turns the ride has to offer. That is The First Mistake, reader. Slow and steady then WHAM!
Part One
Part One sets the stage. After losing her first husband, Alice quickly marries Nathan. They have the picture perfect life: the perfect marriage, two adorable girls, a prosperous design company, etc. Nathan is doting and jolly. He supports her 100% Then one day, her world starts to slowly crumble…
I first thought Alice was a bit weak and I didn’t care for her much. She sort of lets people, especially her husband and her best friend, get into her head a little too much. By the end, my thoughts had changed. Sandie Jones wrote her that way purposefully. I now have mad respect for Alice.
Part Two
Alice’s best friend, Beth, raises red flags the minute she enters the story. There is just something so off about her. She’s pushy and evasive and spends a lot of time trying to persuade Alice to thinks awful things about BOTH her husbands.
Then in Part II, we learn more about Beth. And another stage / layer is set that thickens the plot and raises so many more questions.
Part Three
The final part is where it all comes tumbling down. And boy, does it free-fall fast. Suddenly, reader, you are on one wild, OMG ride.
That’s all I can say about Part Three. I said no spoilers and I meant it.
Recommendation
Read it. It’s pretty brilliant if you take a step back and think of the author’s talent and her ability to write The First Mistake the way that she did. If you are looking for more by Sandie Jones, check out my review on The Other Woman.
