Every book published by Canelo Crime has been amazing. At the beginning of 2023, I didn’t know I liked thrillers. Now, if I see Canelo on a tour invite, I’m scrambling to sign up. Who needs sleep, right? Besides, if you’re reading excellent books like this one by Amanda Cassidy, you won’t sleep until you finish anyway. You’ll “one more chapter” yourself right into the next day.
About the Book
What you see isn’t always what you get.
Elle Littlewood can barely believe her luck when her producer tells her about the chance to get her hands on a dilapidated chateau in Aix-En-Provence, France for a rock bottom price. It seems too good to be true, but as a home interiors influencer, she knows this would make incredible content.
Lately, Elle has noticed the cracks start to show. Her life is the envy of thousands, and her social media posts show a beautiful, accomplished woman. Yet this wasn’t always the case. If they knew the truth about her past, they would never look at Elle the same way again.
Elle needs this house. She doesn’t care that it comes with huge strings attached. And when people get in her way, there’s nothing Elle won’t do to protect her brand. After all, she’s survived by doing things that people could never imagine—and knows she will do them again.
A dark, voyeuristic and utterly captivating crime thriller that fans of People Like Her and Sun Damage will love from CWA Debut Dagger shortlisted author Amanda Cassidy.
My Thoughts
I’ve read one other book by Ms. Cassidy so far, and there are similarities and differences between this one. So, if you’re a fan, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. Both books included a messy, imperfect, larger-than-life FMC. But this one had her act together more – at least on the surface. Elle, a semi-successful social media influencer, has a life that turns people green with envy. As with many people in the limelight, it soon becomes clear that she can’t entirely be confident who she can trust. Her past, previously unknown to those who care about her, haunts her just as she gets the lifetime career opportunity. And it’s an important opportunity for her career, relationship, family, and life.
I enjoy Ms Cassidy’s ability to make successful women messy and relatable. To break down those barriers that would typically make us “normies” feel some way and remind us that they’re just humans with real problems – sometimes outrageous ones. And the twists and turns just kept coming. Just when you thought you had things figured out, bam, she hit you with something else. I didn’t trust any other characters as far as I could throw them, except one who showed up late. I completely trusted him, even though others didn’t. I just did, despite all the reasons not to do so.
If you don’t know about real estate and France, this also had some interesting facts surrounding that. I am so grateful to the author and LBT for including me on this tour, and I can’t wait to read more books by the lovely Ms. Cassidy!
Who’s It For?
If you enjoy complex, twisty thrillers, this is an absolute delight. If you’ve read Amanda Cassidy before, I don’t think you’ll be dissapointed. I’ve read one before, “The Returned,” and this had some similarities and a lot of differences. All good, all enjoyable, and a fantastic read for any thriller lover. If you do love thrillers, I absolutely can’t recommend Amanda Cassidy – and anything Canelo Crime publishes – enough, because they haven’t steered me wrong yet!
Content Warnings: Murder, Death, Graphic Violence, Betrayal, Homelessness, Extreme Poverty, Gambling Addiction, Discussions of IVF, Parental Financial, Dysfunctional Family Interactions, Child Loss/Death, Alcohol/Drug Abuse
Question of the Day
Have you been to France?
Answer of the Day
I went to Paris once. By myself when I was nineteen. Quite a story. Perhaps I’ll tell it someday.
About the Author
Amanda Cassidy is a freelance journalist, commissioning editor and former Sky News reporter.
She’s a frequent contributor to national radio, print and television and holds a BA in European Studies from Trinity College Dublin. Her debut novel Breaking was shortlisted for this year’s CWA John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger Awards. The Returned, her second novel, was published last year and received rave reviews.
When she’s not on a plane, you’ll find her in her cottage in Dublin where she lives with her husband and three children. The Perfect Place, Amanda’s latest novel, is out in August.
Amazon US: https://a.co/d/i7rQTQ5
Amazon UK: https://amzn.eu/d/5oIkcIW
Bookshop UK: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-perfect-place-a-twisty-and-unputdownable-crime-thriller-amanda-cassidy/7662935?ean=9781804368121
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/210461660-the-perfect-place
Publisher’s Website: https://www.canelo.co/authors/amanda-cassidy/
Published by Amorina Carlton. Award-winning American author, Amorina Carlton, is currently working on her first novel. You can find more about her published work and works in progress on the home page. She also serves as the PR/Marketing Lead for Ravens and Roses Publishing, and reviews books, mostly by other indie authors, here and on Bookstagram.