The darkest side of fairy tales comes true for one innocent woman in Claire Kendal's terrifying debut novel of obsession and violence.
Clarissa has just come through a wrenching breakup, and her ex's colleague Rafe swooped in to woo her as soon as the field was clear. When Clarissa repeatedly rejects him, Rafe shows up wherever she goes, sending unwelcome gifts and worming his way into her friends' affections. When chosen to serve on a jury, Clarissa is thrilled at the opportunity to escape Rafe and even feels an attraction to another juror. However, keeping herself from her pursuer only sends his ugly devotion into overdrive, and Clarissa finds herself fending off an increasingly violent madman with few resources at her disposal.
Told mostly by way of journal entries Clarissa writes addressing her captor--a record she intends to use as evidence--Kendal's brutal thriller will leave readers breathless with horror and suspense. Her characters' discussion of fairy tales--Rafe is a folklore scholar--underscores the idea that we are raised with a dangerous concept of eternal love, that the handsome prince obsessed with rescuing his beloved against all obstacles has more in common with the deadly Bluebeard than we realize. Although readers sensitive to violent and disturbing content may want to give this no-holds-barred account a wide berth, others will be rewarded by Kendal's spot-on character psychology, taut pacing and quietly elegant prose. This harrowing nightmare will appall and engross simultaneously; Kendal's talent will win many fans. --Jaclyn Fulwood, blogger at Infinite Reads