02 December 2022

Where do I start? This book will leave your hair standing on ends. Simon Say Die is a creepy tale that will keep you turning pages. I raced through this book in two sittings. I could not drag myself away from it. This is a scary look at a mother dealing with the worst-case scenario. The author shows how no one knows a child quite like a mother. But what happens when no one believes you when you say there is something very wrong with your child? When you reach for this book, be ready for a gripping late-night read.

Erika Strauss is new to me. Reading this book, I found myself loving how dark this story was. She tells the story from various characters’ perspectives, leaving you just a little unsure with small hints that you might be misjudging some of them. The way you are allowed into Max’s mind is brilliant. This story might be dark, but it’s a brilliantly gripping read. The final twist left my jaw dropping. This is a brilliant work of fiction and I look forward to reading more of this author’s work. I love how dark this story was.

Angela Thompson was not planning to be a mother. When she fell pregnant, she decided to do everything to ensure that her child will grow up happy. But the first time she looked into her baby’s eyes she realised that something was not right. For ten years she has tried to find a doctor to help her, for anyone to see what she sees in her child, yet no one believes her. The regular temper tantrums combined with missing items, creepy drawings and dead animals were seriously concerning to Angela. When a local boy is beaten to death and left for dead in the park police are on the hunt for a child killer. Angela is sure that Max is involved, but all the evidence points to her. Angela has never hurt a child in her life, and now she faces death row for a murder she did not commit, while no one will believe that a sweet ten-year-old boy could possibly be involved.

This was a brilliant read. The author draws you into the minds of her characters leaving you seeing their innermost thoughts. My heart broke for Angela. The idea of having a child that obviously has problems while you are all alone with no support is super scary. This story highlighted that you never really know what happens in someone else’s home and that a mother knows her child better than anyone.

Angela is not just a struggling single mother. This woman is tormented by her child. I loved the way she tried to convince herself that she might be wrong. She did her best to be a good mother, no matter what Max did. Not once did I feel that she was being unreasonable.

Mari, Angela’s sister, only saw the good in Max. She did not have Max full-time, so it was easy for him to be a “good boy” when he was around her. Mari never believed that there was anything wrong with Max until he moved into her home and her family started falling apart. I could not blame Mari, who wants to believe that a child could be evil? Max is just a child.

I have no idea what inspired the author to write this book, but she did a fabulous job with Max. A sweet little boy one moment, and an evil monster the next. Who would believe that a child could be this evil? The more time you spend in Max’s head, the more you feel that it could not be possible for a child to be this disturbed. Some of his thoughts are way beyond his years. I pity any parent that has to deal with a child like Max. This character will put you off ever having a child.

Simon Say Die is a deliciously dark tale that will keep you up at night while it leaves you chilled to the bone. A brilliant read, that is already a strong contender for my book of the month for December. Yep, I loved this book.

If you enjoy a dark, twisty psychological thriller that will give you the chills as you read, you simply must add this title to your TBR. There are a few scenes with animal abuse that you need to be aware of in case you are a sensitive reader. While this story is a creepy read, the author is not excessively graphic. It’s a dark, twisty tale you do not want to miss. Get a copy!