The Push by Claire McGowan
/The Push by Claire McGowan
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Content warnings for pregnancy loss, failed adoption, fertility issues, domestic abuse, and parental death. Apologies for those I missed.
https://books2read.com/u/3JXlvQ
What appears to be an accidental death at a backyard barbeque quickly reveals itself to be far more sinister in this gripping psychological thriller from Claire McGowan. A group of parents, with nothing in common besides their upcoming parenthood, come together every week as a prenatal support group. There are couples struggling with fertility, some with unplanned pregnancies, some planned, and some waiting on babies to adopt. The more DS Alison Hegarty investigates the death, she uncovers secrets from every couple involved, with some secrets far more sinister than others. Dealing with her own fertility issues, Hegarty is quickly swept up in the drama and secrets of the group, and struggles to find out who is actually telling the truth.
The story jumps back and forth through time, from the viewpoints of all the characters. It is no exaggeration to say that every character has something to lose in this story, and so it’s incredibly difficult to tell if and when anyone is telling the truth. While I found myself reading through the story very quickly, it did feel like there were some parts that did slow the story down a bit, but overall, it’s a well written thriller.
I really enjoyed the variety of characters included in the novel. From an ultra wealthy couple who seemed far too perfect, to a lesbian couple with a strained relationship, to the devout Muslim couple who married quickly and didn’t seem to every speak to each other. Our main character Jax, seems to have the most secrets to hide. She was involved in a highly publicized legal scandal and has tried to put the past behind her. Now working at a nonprofit and unexpectedly pregnant by her much younger boyfriend, she is convinced that someone is using her past to jeopardize her career and soon-to-be family. Watching her juggle the stress of pregnancy, the uncertainty of her career’s future, and the strain it all put on her relationship with her boyfriend was intense. Oh, and I didn’t even mention her relationship with her mother. That’s a doozy! This was a tense novel and Jax’s character sure bore the brunt of it.
If you are a fan of locked-door mysteries with a dose of rich people problems, this is a great pick for you. I highly enjoyed this novel and look forward to reading more from this author.
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https://books2read.com/u/3JXlvQ
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title. All opinions and mistakes are my own. This post contains affiliate links and I earn from qualifying purchases.