Hardcover: 416 pages
- Publisher: Quercus (30 Aug 2012)
- Language: Unknown
- ISBN-10: 1780874960
- ISBN-13: 978-1780874968
- Format: Kindle Edition
- File Size: 641 KB
Every love story has a dangerous twist.
Tamia Challey is horrified when her husband, Scott, is accused of something terrible - but when she discovers who his accuser is, everything goes into freefall. Backed into a corner and unsure what to think, Tamia is forced to choose who she instinctively believes. But this choice has dire consequences for all concerned, especially when matters take a tragic turn.
Then a stranger arrives in town to sprinkle rose petals in the sea in memory of her lost loved one. This stranger carries with her shocking truths that will change the lives of everyone she meets, and will once again force Tamia to make some devastating choices...
The Rose Petal Beach is the eighth novel by Dorothy Koomson, it centres around Tamia Challey; her marriage, her husband and her friends.
Tami has a seemingly perfect life - until the night the police knock on the door and arrest her husband. He goes away with them, unshocked and without any explanation.
Tami spends the night at the station begging for answers, and by the end of it she wishes she hadn't as her world is turned upside down as she is horrified by the crime Scott is charged with. When Scott is finally released on bail his revelations rock her world to its very core and her life falls apart around her. She is left not knowing who to believe and worst still, who she can trust.
The book is narrated by Tami herself and her friends Beatrix and Mirabelle also reveal their perspectives on things which widens the picture and gives much depth to the plot and characters.
As you would expect there are many twists along the way, and a real underlying darkness - it shows that even behind the 'perfect' family can lurk many sinister secrets . I was shocked by the way Mirabelle's part played out, in fact she turned out to be my favourite character. The strength and sadness behind her was a real testimony to the author.
I thought all the characters were strong. I disliked Beatrix immensely from the very beginning and my heart went out to Tami even though I believe she made many wrong decisions and I felt myself shouting as I turned the pages!
The Rose Petal Beach is cleverly written, flicking between past and present so you can watch the romance between Scott and Tali building in rather a Romeo and Juliet fashion. It is then that you realise the bond and ties that bind the couple and give you an insight into why Tami makes some of the decisions she does.
The ending was completely unpredictable - and looking back it would be difficult to spot all the tiny clues, even for the most savvy plot detective! I did enjoy the explanation of the tale of The Rose Petal Beach at the end - it has a very sad and poignant quality.
It is very difficult to review this book without giving away any spoilers, but fans of Dorothy Koomson will enjoy this - and it would be a great read for anyone wishing to try something new!
Many thanks to Sophie at ed PR for providing a copy of The Rose Petal Beach in exchange for an honest review.
