Into the Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes

This brilliant debut novel is a page-turner with a chilling ending. It is impossible not to feel empathy with the main character, despite her occasional unwise choices, and impossible not to cheer her on as she gains control of her life. The story touches on stalking, PTSD, sexual assault, domestic violence, and the devastating effects of those skilled in manipulation and psychological terror.

Haynes gives the reader a riveting plot with a twist or two, several nail-biting climaxes and some bombshell revelations that will have them gasping. There are also two court transcripts that explain certain incidents.

The gripping tale is told in an alternating narrative that switches between the two timeframes: dates are clearly marked so that it is easy to distinguish the 'when' of events. He's closed-mouthed about his job, but charms her friends, and as she gets involved with this enigmatic figure, a man who can be loving and vulnerable, but also rough and controlling, her life changes in major ways. In October 2003, Cathy meets a somewhat mysterious but totally gorgeous man named Lee. In 2007, Cathy Bailey is frightened and withdrawn, crippled by the OCD rituals she follows to keep her emotions under control, to keep the fear and panic at bay. In 2003, personnel manager Catherine Bailey is confident and carefree, with a full but somewhat risky social life that involves copious drinking and sexual promiscuity. And her friends clearly agree, as each in turn falls under his spell. Gorgeous, charismatic, spontaneous Lee seems almost too perfect to be true. Into The Darkest Corner is the first novel by British author, Elizabeth Haynes. Into The Darkest Corner UK edition USA paperback Catherine has been enjoying the single life for long enough to know a good catch when she sees one.

Into the Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes