This is a brilliantly written book with great characters, good plot and an easy to read narrative style. I really enjoyed the way Phoebe draws you in through great characterisation; all the characters felt real and I was drawn in by them immediately. The structure was good, flitting between past and present with the anonymous voice threaded throughout, which kept me guessing. The suspense was pitched just right and there were some really tense moments particularly towards the end (but I don't want to spoil the plot line) so I shall keep quiet as to why exactly I found myself perched on the edge of the sofa, cup of tea poised in my hand!The setting was well executed and I could really see and experience the flat where Corinne and Dominic lived and the house where Ashley and James lived. The children seemed real and Corinne's quest to have a child was written really well and was compelling reading.I like the way Phoebe took me down a few paths to keep me guessing and I found myself thinking at times "it was that person or this person" which was really good, but half way into the book, I had a good idea where it was going. There were a few instances when I was jarred out of the plot, (can pregnant women eat scallops and would she risk it if she had been desperate to try for a baby) but apart from that, I really enjoyed this book. The ending was tense, (I had guessed it), but this didn't spoil my enjoyment of the book. It was written so well that I didn't mind at all and was happy to be carried away by the brilliant narrative. For me, I would have ended the book sooner, but the extra chapters at the end gave me a good excuse to stay in the character's heads a little longer.I'm not sure if I needed the ending spelling out to me as it appeared to be.
This is a brilliant debut and one which I whizzed through very quickly. I would thoroughly recommend it and defy anyone not to be drawn into it immediately. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my advance copy. I look forward to reading the next one from this talented writer.