The Things We Never Said - Susan Elliott Wright

The past shapes us all. But what happens when it hides a secret that changes everything?

In 1964 Maggie wakes to find herself in a mental asylum, with no idea who she is or how she got there. 

Remnants of memories swirl in her mind - a familiar song, a storm, a moment of violence.

In the present day, Jonathan is grieving after the loss of his father. A cold distant man, he was not easy to love, but at least while he lived there was hope for reconciliation. Then a detective turns up on Jonathan's doorstep to question him about crimes committed long ago. 

And as the truth is gradually revealed, both Maggie and Jonathan realise that nothing is quite what it seems.

Simon & Schuster UK - Fiction
Year: 2013 - Paperback
Pages: 375
ISBN: 978-1-4711-0121-5

I loved this book. It had you gripped from the start.  Throughout the book you weave between the present and the past and learn how the lives of Maggie and Jonathan are linked.  I don't want to describe what happens in the book or it will spoil it for you. What I did like however was the fact that the author includes real characters in her book. Part of the story is situated in Hastings East Sussex and describes an old lady who walks around the town with a pram containing a doll and if you get too close she will shout at you 'don't you touch my baby'. Having been to Hastings many times I can tell you that up until my last visit there is indeed an old lady who walks around the town with a doll in a pram  and will tell you not to touch her baby if you get too close.  These touches to me make the story more real. You will find in reading this novel that you can really relate to each of the characters and understand the reason they took or will take the actions they do in order to protect themselves and their families. Although Susan Elliott Wright is known as a writer this is her first novel  but is a very compelling read and one I would and have recommended. It is now doing the rounds of the office but we are going to wait for the last one to finish reading it before we ask what everyone thought.  But on the QT those who have read it have said it was excellent.