This book was requested from NetGalley in exchange of an honest review
Lies behind the Ruin is a new, contemporary look at the time-old case of ‘fatal attraction’. This is the story of Emily and Paul, a couple who have been together for a few years, have two kids and seem happy in every possible way in their British home. However, an ill-fated accident at Paul’s work leads to the complete unraveling of the domestic fabric of their lives as Paul begins to make one mistake after another in order to get himself out of increasingly dicey situations.
To begin with, one must take a minute to appreciate the title once the you have read the book because it is an absolutely genius play on words, for it could apply to the actual physical ‘ruin’ in the book as well as to the ruin of a marriage. The cover of the book is very modernistic and monochrome and sort of French in design when you come to think of it. It gives you a clue that what you are about to read is not going to be romantic, mushy stuff but hard, hurt-your-eyes kind of glaring truths.
While the concept appears simple enough at first glance, in the hands of Helen Mathews it becomes a story that is engrossing and entertaining. The author manages to create an atmosphere that is full of suspended tension and the gruesome vibes of lies being told to cover for guilty secrets. The story moves between Britain and France (with the major drama occurring in France and more in-depth descriptions of the French countryside and way-of-life than the British side) and the author also brings in fleeting mentions of Brexit to round off the entire experience. The narrative alternates between the point of views of Emily and Paul. While Paul is unlikable from the beginning, Emily begins to grow on you after a time.
The ending of the book was something that I truly appreciated, mainly for the way that Emily takes blow after blow to her psyche and still manages to soldier on and fight for her kid. And just when one thinks that matters are going to spin completely out of control, the author adds a twist that mires things in the reality of everyday life.
There doesn’t seem to be much one can say about the book without giving away the plot, but it is certainly a good read for lovers for Danielle steel and contemporary middle-age dramas. May be a tear-jerker for some.
Wanton Ruminating 