06 November 2024

Thank you to Anne Carter, from Random Things Tours for including me on this blog tour.

J.J. Green crafts a drama teeming with small-town tensions and the aftermath of personal and communal grief. Shay Dunne, our protagonist, is someone whose grief and trauma have driven her to become a “poison pen” – not by choice but by circumstance. The act of sending accusatory letters as a means of purging sets the tone for a dark chain of events that spirals into a suspenseful read.

The backdrop of a post-Covid Irish village, where the scars of isolation and loss are evident, gives the narrative a unique depth. It’s a community still finding its footing, where everyone knows each other’s business, and secrets are currency. Green does a fantastic job of immersing readers in this world, where suspicion and whispers travel like wildfire.

Shay is a flawed character. Her internal struggle between guilt, grief, and the desire for revenge feels raw and authentic. As her letters trigger unintended consequences, her journey becomes a tense exploration of how the smallest actions can have catastrophic effects. I found myself both empathizing with and questioning her choices, a testament to how well Green has developed her psychological complexity.

The narrative is peppered with unsettling moments, and the suspense builds steadily. Green’s writing is sharp, making the atmosphere thick with unease. The story unfolds through a maze of deceptions and unexpected reveals, keeping the reader guessing. I particularly appreciated how the author wove themes of loss and collective trauma into the plot, making the village itself a character shadowed by pain.

While the pacing starts slow, it picks up as the stakes become clear. Some readers may find the initial build-up a bit too gradual, but I thought it was worth the payoff when the threads of intrigue came together in a satisfying resolution.

The story is an exploration of grief, guilt, and the ripple effects of seemingly small actions. If you enjoy stories set in close-knit communities where everyone has something to hide, JJ Green’s novel delivers a gripping read with an atmospheric sense of dread that lingers.