Burnt Paper Sky by Gilly Macmillan (What She Knew - US Title)

Read from October 7th - 17th 2015.

Published February 2015

Format    Paperback - 384 pages

Review

Powerful!!! This debut novel of Gilly Macmillan is a real energetic, fast paced compelling read. What ever has happened to eight year old Benedict Finch? Ben went missing after an afternoon walk in the woods with his mother Rachel and his dog Skittle.When to allow your child to run ahead of you for the first time is an extremely hard decision to make for any parent.That Sunday in October, it was Rachel's turn to make it......... There is a fair bit of back story to Rachel and Ben's life up till this point which becomes evident throughout the story from beginning to end knitting it's way into the plot. What attracted me with this novel is the fact that it wasn't like any other 'child goes missing' book.It isn't soft,mushy and teary or showing it from Bens side.It does something very different and tells the story mainly from Rachel Jenner and DI Clemo's day by day view point.The chapters being defined by names as oppose to numbers which switch back and forth between the characters.This is something that normally confuses me in other books but Gilly Macmillan has pulled this off smoothly and kept the whole story flowing equally throughout.One characters chapter didn't over shoot the other which can be an easy thing to do when writing this way.They ran along side each other as to complement each other. I particularly enjoyed the style of this book.There were chapters put together similar to a play script format.This is evident in the chapters of sessions where DI Clemo is chatting to his counsellor.Gilly Macmillan also adds in emails and shows what can occur on social media pages during a case like this.All this variety adds to the palpable tension as the clock is ticking.Twists and multiple suspects keep you turning the pages and wanting to read more.Between some of the chapters is some facts which are clearly referenced and accompany the story nicely along the way. The ending was superb.I thought it was going to end rather abruptly and give me that lost something feeling but it didn't.It followed through and gave closure to the story.Gilly Macmillan seems to looks after her story but also her readers. You can see that a lot of research has gone into putting this book together. A fabulous, easy read thriller that I would recommend to anyone who likes this kind of story.Certainly has become one of my favourites. 5 out of 5 stars for this fabulous read.