AFTERWARDS is my second book written by Rosamund Lupton and again the author kept me up all night. I thought that she could not out -do her first novel, Sisters, but AFTERWARDS is another thriller.
It started on a beautiful day, a perfect day for the students to be outdoors for their games. Grace had just given her eight year old son, Adam, permission to return to the school building for his birthday cake so that he could share it with his classmates. The building was empty except for the youngest class and the nurses suite, today being manned by Grace’s seventeen year old daughter.
When Grace turns to look at the school again, smoke is pouring from the top windows. Her children are inside the burning building. Grace rushes in to save Adam and Jenny. Later in the hospital, she learns that she and Jenny have been gravely injured and Adam has stopped speaking. All evidence points to arson. Grace has information that will help, but is unable to share what she knows with anyone and Adam may know too much.
A Rosamund Lupton novel is so full of twists, turns, and surprising characters that a fuller plot summary would be unfair to you. Grace does learn that people, even best friends, are not always what they seem and that true evil might just exist. She also learns how far a mother will go to protect her children and, maybe, how far a child will go to protect a parent.
This is a crime novel with a creative premise and a lyrical style. The contrast between the ordinary family, complete with teenage angst, and hidden evil is well done. After the fire, Grace has been faced with a horrific crime as well as a painful betrayal, but she has also learned the power of deep love.
Rosamund Lupton is an author that I do suggest that you try. AFTERWARDS may require a temporary suspension of disbelief for some of you, but in the hands of a good author, it is worth it.
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