Book Reviews: Before She Knew Him; and Madam, Will You Talk?

Review: Before She Knew Him by Peter Swanson

Publication: March 5, 2019, William Morrow
Genre: psychological thriller
About: an unstable young woman worries about her new neighbor

Before She Knew Him

Henrietta has bipolar disorder but takes medication to control her up and down moods. She is happily married to Lloyd who understands and cares for her, watches out for her. When new neighbors Matthew and Mira move in next door, Hen begins to notice things that unsettle her. For one, she sees a fencing trophy on Matt's office shelf that she thinks belonged to a student who had been murdered years ago, case unsolved. That student went to the same school at which Matt teaches. Coincidence?

Hen develops a strange relationship with Matt, who begins to confide in her, knowing her own history of violence and mental health issues. Things begin to escalate out of proportion and the emphasis of the plot focuses on these two individuals.

A story with several interesting plot twists, unexpected and therefore intriguing. The psychological profiles fuel the story and propel the reader to keep turning pages to the end.

My rating: 4.5/5
Thanks to the publisher for an ARC copy for review.

Review: Madam, Will You Talk? by Mary Stewart  

Madam, Will You Talk?

Published June 28th 1956 by William Morrow
Genre: mystery set in Provence, France
Source: library book

I read this many years ago and enjoyed re-reading it, especially to get more information about cities and towns in Provence and the main city of Marseilles, both described so well by Mary Stewart. Both a romance and a novel of suspense, Madam, Will You Talk? was entertaining and delightful  I thought the ending or wrap-up of the story was a chapter too long, but nevertheless, four stars! 

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