01/04/2025
It's great to read a great read... sharing this with you if you fancy a good crime novel and celebrating the launch of this amazing book for my wonderful friend Helen Aitchison Writes Write on the Tyne. It's going to be amazing and I can't wait for the next in what I hope will be a series tracking the cases of these wonderful characters ###.
Full review:
Somebody's Nobody evoked a range of emotions, even to the point where I desperately wanted the murderer to evade discovery. It also prompted deeper reflection on victims, perpetrators, and how investigations are handled from the investigating team’s perspective. Helen’s extensive knowledge, gained from years of working in social care, with individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, shines through, adding layers of detail that many authors often miss.
I’ve been a fan of Helen’s writing since The Dinner Club, where I fell in love with the characters. I’ve now added these new characters to my list of favourites, and I hope there are more to come. Similar to The 31 Days of May, Helen addresses complex and extreme mental health topics, including trauma. This time, she also explores the adverse effects of alcohol and drugs on individuals and families, as well as the despicable individuals who ruin lives by pushing drugs on vulnerable people. While other writers might avoid these issues, Helen shares her considerable knowledge and understanding in a stimulating and captivating way. It’s a challenging read at times but cleverly written in a unique style that keeps the reader guessing, without relying on unnecessary twists at the end.
Like Helen’s other books, I read this one in just a few sittings, and I had to force myself to put it down at times to get to work on time. I loved it and hope there are more books in Helen’s head, so the delightful Ericson comes out of retirement, and we learn more about Polly too. I can’t help but hope that the murderer (no spoilers) gets the help, support, and peace they need to recover from a terrible childhood.
