The Blurb
ALL SHE WANTS IS THE PERFECT FAMILY… NO MATTER WHAT IT TAKES
‘Your secret didn’t die with me.’
The mysterious note tucked inside the pages of a recently returned book leaves librarian, Morag McLaughlin, chilled to the bone. She knows it was meant for her.
Someone out there knows her darkest secrets and they could destroy everything.
Torn apart from her own family, she will stop at nothing to create a perfect new one.
Why are they all so ungrateful? She’s only looking after them...
Isn’t she?
You Need Me is out today from Red Dog Press. You can purchase direct from the publisher here or buy a numbered, limited edition hardback with a signed and dedicated bookplate here. It is also available in bookshops and online at Kobo, Google and Amazon.
My Review
Morag is a middle aged, single woman working in a library. She enjoys her work, although her efforts at friendship with her colleagues have fallen flat. Over time, the library has attracted a few misfits and lonely people - it's warm, welcoming and free - and Morag has welcomed them all, starting a wee group which meets every week. Welcomed them all, that is, except Jess, the young woman who works in the local cafe. So whilst Morag goes out of her way to look after her wee group, Jess is excluded. But, as we discover, Morag has secrets she doesn't want uncovered...
If you've read Sins of the Father (and if you haven't, you should) you will already know that Sharon likes her crime fiction on the darker side. And this book is another slice of noir. Told from several points of view - mainly Morag's but also Jess's and some of the members of the Tuesday group - and taking place over an unspecified time (doesn't feel like too long though), this is an atmospheric read. The first chapter, with Morag alone in the library, is fantastic, richly descriptive and a little bit creepy. This really sets the tone for the rest of the book with wonderful characterisation and scene setting throughout. The book is set in a small town and Bairden describes the streets, buildings and interiors with just enough detail - the library, the cafe, Morag's house and various other locations - for us to be able to picture them but without ever overdoing it.
The characterisation is another really strong point, a really well drawn cast. But these are not characters who are easy to like! Morag, particularly, was beautifully described. For me, Susan was probably the most sympathetic character, and one I felt desperately sorry for. And I loved Wireless Joe. He's not a major character but Bairden has taken care to draw him with as much care as the main cast.
I had a growing feeling of unease reading this, knowing something was coming but not knowing what until it finally began to click. I think Sharon's writing has matured in the last year or so and this is a well planned, well rounded story. It is very dark and bleak though, with no real lighter moments, which I would have welcomed. That said, I enjoyed it, as I tend to read more on the darker side of crime anyway.
In You Need Me, Bairden has given us a study in family and friendship, healthy and toxic, in a story of wanting to belong, manipulation, revenge and redemption. The characters are brilliant and the descriptive writing is great. Looking forward to the next book!
The Author
By day Sharon Bairden is the Services Manager in a small, local independent advocacy service and has a passion for human rights; by night she has a passion for all things criminal. She blogs over at Chapterinmylife and is delighted to be crossing over to the other side of the fence to become a writer.
Sharon lives on the outskirts of Glasgow, has two grown up children, a grandson, a Golden Labrador and a cat. She spends most of her spare time doing all things bookish, from reading to attending as many book festivals and launches as she can.
She has been known to step out of her comfort zone on the odd occasion and has walked over burning coals and broken glass – but not at the same time!
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