I was sent this book to review just as I was about to go into hospital for knee surgery so I thought I would have plenty of time to read it but I was in so much pain afterwards that I just sat watching endless episodes of Escape to the Country on tv and feeling sorry for myself!!! So I just dipped into the book when I could muster some interest in reading!!
However, I have just finished it and realised how much I enjoyed it. Although, I'm not always keen on stories which continually flip between timescales, I would certainly read more from this author but wouldn't want a series based on the main character. Although rape is horrible it doesn't have to ruin your whole life and I find characterisations in books where woman go down that route, even though they are successful in other areas, just seem weak.
Also, ( and I know I'm going to get blasted here) but people who put themselves in a position which allow rape or other crimes to happen should take some responsibility. Yes, of course, women should be able to go where they like without fear of assault but they should also be alert and take precautions to avoid any sort of nastiness in all situations. Sorry, but I do think there are also degrees of rape just as there are degrees of assault and some stranger holding a knife to your throat, having dragged you into a dark alley as he rapes you is going to be more traumatic than half heartedly changing your mind half way through intercourse with someone you have previously had a relationship with, in my opinion.
Modern feminism thinking seems to point to a victim always having no responsibility but I do not agree that is always the case. For instance, if a woman had been continually abused then leaves but agrees to go back one more time to chat and collect her things from the former shared house and then gets attacked again, why be surprised!!! Why not take several friends with you for support.
Of course, attackers should be prosecuted and I believe most sentences aren't tough enough but I still think people have to take some responsibility for some of the situations they put themselves in. If you're drunk and go out half naked you could get raped, attacked, have something stolen, fall down and hurt yourself, walk in front of a car etc. Why have so little respect for your own safety!!
These are just my thoughts on reading this book and are not really about the book itself which was actually an easy and enjoyable read. The only thing I wasn't happy with, at the risk of a bit of a spoiler, is I think one of the characters could have done some research very easily online to solve a mystery which dogged her/his thoughts, but I won't say who or what it was So I found that bit rather hard to digest and was a weak link in the story.