Book Review: Emma in the Night by Wendy Walker

Title: Emma in the Night

By: Wendy Walker

Published: August 8th 2017

By: St. Martin’s Press

Genre: Mystery-StandAlone-Fiction

Buy it: Book Depository

From the bestselling author of All Is Not Forgotten comes a thriller about two missing sisters, a twisted family, and what happens when one girl comes back…

One night three years ago, the Tanner sisters disappeared: fifteen-year-old Cass and seventeen-year-old Emma. Three years later, Cass returns, without her sister Emma. Her story is one of kidnapping and betrayal, of a mysterious island where the two were held. But to forensic psychiatrist Dr. Abby Winter, something doesn’t add up. Looking deep within this dysfunctional family Dr. Winter uncovers a life where boundaries were violated and a narcissistic parent held sway. And where one sister’s return might just be the beginning of the crime. 

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This book is really brilliantly told. It’s dark, creepy and twisted and doesn’t stop surprising you with each chapter. I can’t stop recommending it if you like mystery or if you just want to try with, it’s just incredible and so unpredictable!

The book follows the story of two sisters Cass (15) and Emma (17), one night they disappear and three years after, Cass returns home, but there are no Emma’s traces anywhere. The only one that can help the police to find her is her sister Cass. She tells everyone a story of kidnapping and betrayal which takes place on a mysterious island where the two were. But to forensic psychiatrist Dr. Abby Winter, something doesn’t fit and will go to the ultimate consequences to discover truth. 

I will not make this a very long review since I want to avoid any kind of spoiler or talk about something like too much, you know. I think the best way to get into this book is to know nothing at all, in fact I recommend you not to read the synopsis, I think what I have explained to you is the only thing you need to know. Sometimes the synopsis may contain in fact unnecessary information and in the end prevent the enjoyment of the book

It’s been a few days since I finished it and I still can’t stop thinking about this book, it’s fascinating the way it catches you, it’s a mystery thriller that you can’t put it down. From the beginning I was trying to create some theories in my head of what could have really happened with these two sisters and every time I felt that some of my ideas had meaning something happened and completely crumbled. It’s very incredible the way the author unfolds the story because you never stop being interested in the case and when you think you know everything, you really don’t, that is something so successful to do with a book like this one. I assure you a very high dose of OMG, SHOCKS and alot of feels everywhere.

The book is told under two points of view, one is Cass’s, Emma’s sister who has recently appeared, after being gone for 3 years, and the other one is the Dr Abby Winter’s, who has been the one in charge with his partner to investigate the case once it happened and of course now that Cass has appeared.
I really liked that the story had a dual POV, I think it makes the experience of reading this book something much more interesting and dynamic. Also going through a case like this, which has so many secrets and so much darkness, I think it’s fascinating to see how each character unfolds in it.

I want to make a WARNING: This book has many very hard and shock scenes, such as scenes of abuse (both psychological and physical) and quite explicit sexual ones as well, has a family dynamics very particular and twisted, I think that although I can’t specify many things in a clear way, because spoilers, I wanted you to know that, so that in this way you can be prepared to read a book full of harsh themes.

On the other hand touches a topic that has been new to me, as is the Narcissism, I had never read a book before touching a topic so shocking and painful. .For me it was very interesting, as I said before, I didn’t have any kind of knowledge about this pathology so I only know what I’ve read in this book, so I couldn’t say if the subject is touched in a good way or no, but you can judge once you read about it
I think that this topic of narcissism is very important and central to the plot, and gives the whole thing a creepy aura and suspense at times, the fact of living with someone who is so unpredictable with their behavior really scares. For me it was a learning so I appreciate that

I think the characters in general are very interesting, has unexpected reactions all the time and I feel that the author wants us to see the more dark side of the human being and shows you how far is someone able to go cause envy, ambition, hate, love, it’s really shocking and I feel that the story is always taking the characters to their limits, it’s so incredible to read. I really felt that I was with them in some scenes, because the book catches you a lot and is very atmospheric

Finally I want to emphasize again the incredible author’s writing style, is simply brilliant and I can’t wait to read more of her work in the future. I dare to say that maybe this is one of the best books that I’ve read in terms of writing, I can’t stop saying it because I was very surprised by the author’s ability to create something like this, she’s so talented

The end is insane you guys, you have to prepare for it.

Obviously I highly recommend this book, especially if you like the mystery but even if it is not your usual type of genre I think you could enjoy it, there is something in this book that simply catches you, also if you want to read something well written this book is perfect for you. I want to repeat that if you’re a sensitive reader this book may be impressive, but otherwise I think you should give it a try because it deserves it. It deserves more recognition! 

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Rating

4.7/5 Stars

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