CLOSER

5 stars out of 5

Absolutely loved this one - my only "issue" was that all the other things I needed to do got in the way of finishing it in one sitting. Oh well - guess there's something to be said for anticipation making me wait.

Chapters switch back and forth among several characters, such as Emma, a paralegal with a talented 10-year-old daughter Maisie; Maisie herself; Emma's mum Val; and Joanne, an attorney and Emma's boss who's also the mother of 10-year-old Piper (the latter a selfish, nasty bully who simply doesn't understand the word "no" - probably because the little twit has never heard it).

Each character has some sort of past secret, as slowly revealed in the chapters. At issue in the beginning, though, is that Emma and her husband Shaun have given up on their marriage. They've come to an amicable exchange of responsibilities when it comes to Maisie, and they still live in their home (albeit in separate rooms). That worked fine until Shaun found the love of his new life - and whoops, it turns out to be Joanne. 

The three adults seem to be dealing with the somewhat uncomfortable situation fairly well, but Maisie is particularly disturbed. Not only does she not understand what's really going on with her parents, she absolutely detests Piper; they go to the same dance classes where, needless to say, Piper is an prima donna extraordinaire. Then her dad moved in with Joanne, forcing Maisie into much more contact with Piper than she ever wants (honestly, I can't blame the kid; Piper is a totally obnoxious brat who could use a few good smacks upside the head). But every time Maisie tries to tell her dad or, God forbid, Piper's mum about the awful things Piper says and does, they defend Piper and tell Maisie to try harder.

Emma's mum does realize her daughter's discomfort - manifested both in personality and behavioral changes - but Maisie retreats within herself and won't open up to anyone. And Emma's attempts to warn Shaun that Piper (and perhaps Joanne) are putting Maisie in danger fall on eyes and ears that are blinded and deafened by his newfound one true love. So, Emma decides to do some digging for herself; but as she embarks on that journey, events of her past begin to haunt her, threatening a danger of a different sort.

Everything comes to a head near the end, with more than one major surprise and a cliffhanger ending that will curl your mustache even if you don't have one. Kudos to the author, and thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy. Whew!

Closer by K.L. Slater (Bookouture, October 2018); 354 pp.