Title: A Tidy Ending
Author: Joanna Cannon
Publisher: The Borough Press

Synopsis:

Linda has lived in a quiet neighborhood since fleeing the dark events of her childhood in Wales. Now she sits in her kitchen, wondering if this is all there is: pushing the vacuum around and cooking fish sticks for dinner, a far cry from the glamorous lifestyle she sees in the glossy magazines coming through the mail slot addressed to the previous occupant, Rebecca.

Linda’s husband Terry isn’t perfect—he picks his teeth, tracks dirt through the house, and spends most of his time in front of the TV. But that seems fairly standard—until he starts keeping odd hours at work, at around the same time young women in the town start to go missing.

If only Linda could track down and befriend Rebecca, maybe some of that enviable lifestyle would rub off on her and she wouldn’t have to worry about what Terry is up to. But the grass isn’t always greener and you can’t change who you really are. And some secrets can’t stay buried forever… 

My Review:

I don’t want to give too much away about this entertaining, dark and fun read, but if you want to read something character-driven which is well-written and has a satisfying dose of mystery in it, then this is one for you!

The story follows Linda, a housewife whose mundane life lacks excitement and glamour. She’s surrounded by frustrating family members – especially her husband Terry, who is far from a perfect husband, and a mother who doesn’t seem particularly caring. But Linda doesn’t seem to mind too much – she certainly knows she’s settled in life but she continues plodding along because what other choice does she have?

Then the murders which have rocked the town she lives in start to increase, and Linda begins to notice someone close to home who could be involved. We see things through Linda’s eyes but are never quite sure just how much she’s taking in.

Though not necessarily a light-hearted book, you can’t help but chuckle at Linda’s observations and it does indeed present a neat conclusion! It’s a little slower at times but never boring. I really enjoyed A Tidy Ending and it’s made me want to read more by Joanna Cannon.

My Rating: 4.5/5

Many thanks to the publisher, The Borough Press, for providing a copy of this book on which I chose to write an honest review.

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