Watching Edie by Camilla Way

Watching Edie
By Camilla Wray
Published by HarperCollins (28 July 2016)
ISBN: 978-0008159016

Publisher's description

THERE ARE SOME FRIENDS YOU’LL NEVER FORGET…

NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU TRY

BEFORE

Edie is the friend that Heather has always craved. But one night, it goes terrifyingly wrong. And what started as an innocent friendship ends in two lives being destroyed.

AFTER

Sixteen years later, Edie is still rebuilding her life. But Heather isn’t ready to let her forget so easily. It’s no coincidence that she shows up when Edie needs her most.

NOW

Edie or Heather?

Heather or Edie?

Someone has to pay for what happened, but who will it be?

My verdict
Watching Edie is SO cleverly plotted and well written. I read it in one sitting - every time I put it down, I felt compelled to pick it up again.

It's a totally bewitching book about friendship, lies and secrets. Two teenagers, Edie and Heather, become best friends, yet they couldn't be more different. They meet again 16 years later, when Edie is about to become a single mother, and Heather manages to worm her way back into Edie's life. The story is written from both of their points of view, but cleverly Edie's in the present and Heather's in the past. So although you're reading the two sides of their story, you're not getting the full story from either of them - in the past or the present.

The writing is chilling, disturbing and unsettling. I knew there was something in the dark background of the characters - I just couldn't work out what it was.

The publisher asked readers to tweet one word about their thoughts at the end. Well, my one word was 'stunned'. But actually I also felt sick and was horrified and actually angry. I love a book that brings out so many emotions. This is certainly a book I won't forget in a hurry - if at all.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Read an extract of the book here.