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Friday 31 January 2020

One Scheme of Happiness by Ali Thurm



One Scheme of Happiness is a dark and unsettling tale exploring themes of obsession, jealousy, deceit and desire. It is a beautifully written novel, well-paced, with a strong and atmospheric sense of place.

Helen has always been the shy one, the one who stayed behind in her hometown and cared for her sick mother. When her friends return to the quiet seaside town, Helen’s repressed emotions are unleashed. She becomes embroiled in Sam and Vicky’s unravelling marriage and complicated games, yet at the same time she is playing a game of her own. As her uneasy friendships with Sam and Vicky become mired in deceit, Helen starts to make bad decisions and destructive choices.

The novel explores what happens when someone will do almost anything to get the thing they think they want. What appears to be a straightforward love triangle turns out to be something much more complex and much less predictable - no one is who they first appear to be - and Helen’s life spins out of control as she begins to self-destruct.

One Scheme of Happiness draws you in from the start and doesn’t let you go. A confident and accomplished debut.

THE BLURB:

"It’s funny what you remember about childhood games.

Helen was always the wallflower at school, while Vicky and Sam were the golden couple. But as time passes, and the teenage sweethearts’ relationship begins to falter, Helen faces a choice – will she help her friends rekindle their marriage, or will she help herself to the man she has always loved?

You know what they say...it's always the quiet ones you have to watch."


You can buy a copy here 

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