Lead Review
- Book: Trust Me
- Location: Coniston Water
- Author: Zosia Wand
Lizzie is 27. She is the partner of Jonty, 53 – and lives with him and his 17 year old son, Sam, in a village on Coniston Water in the English Lake District. Despite being much closer to him than Jonty in terms of age, she is in effect Sam’s step mum. Lizzie feels they are a family, but her position is a little precarious – Jonty and she have never formalised their relationship.
Sam begins to behave in strange ways. He one minute makes unsolicited sexual advances to Lizzie, and the next is full of remorse. Lizzie initially puts it down to teenage hormones, but increasingly believes he is being manipulated and groomed. Others share this view – but tend to believe that Lizzie is the manipulator and groomer… She begins to doubt herself and her own sanity. As the story progresses she does, though, begin to develop suspicions as to who the groomer might be – but will anyone believe her?
A game of cat and mouse follows.
Trust Me is a disturbing read. The subject matter is challenging, and the atmosphere that Zosia so cleverly creates is unnerving. There is a feeling of apprehension as you turn every page. You never quite know where the story is heading or when violence will erupt… It is in the tradition of the best psychological thrillers.
The story moves to an exciting conclusion. You’ve sort of guessed it, but that in no way detracts from it.
And there is a big additional plus for TripFiction readers. The scenery and ambiance of the Lake District really come to life. Zosia was born in London, but now lives in the Lake District. Her passion for the area comes though loud and clear.
Trust Me is a very good and a very disturbing book. Highly recommended. It’ll make you think about relationships and who, indeed, you can trust.
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