Today’s book review is of Laura Sim’s new novel, How Can I Help You? Read on to find out what I thought…
Title: How Can I Help You
Author: Laura Sims
Publisher: VERVE Books
Synopsis:
No one knows Margo’s real name. Her colleagues and patrons at a small-town public library only know her middle-aged normalcy, congeniality and charm. They have no reason to suspect that she is, in fact, a former nurse with a trail of countless premature deaths in her wake. She has turned a new page, so to speak, and the library is her sanctuary, a place to quell old urges. That is, at least, until Patricia, a recent graduate and failed novelist, joins the library staff. Patricia quickly notices Margo’s subtly sinister edge and watches her carefully. When a patron’s death in the library bathroom offers a hint of Margo’s mysterious past, Patricia can’t resist digging deeper – even as this new fixation becomes all-consuming.
My review:
On the surface, this book may seem calm, but start scratching around and you soon realise this is a dark, gripping novel about obsession and pretences. We start the book with Margo – though we know this is not her real name – an ex-nurse who is now working at a library. She’s got a lot of secrets – but when a new staff member, Patricia, starts, Margo feels very taken with her – a feeling which soon turns sour…
How Can I Help You is a slow-burning thriller which incorporates sinister people who seem, on the surface, pretty normal – but not entirely normal! I enjoyed reading about how both Margo and Patricia hid their secrets from those around them, but it becomes clear that people are starting to pick up on something not being right. I love an unreliable, odd protagonist and Margo is certainly that – and we also see chapters from Patricia’s perspective too, never being quite sure who is more of a danger to the other! I loved the underlying tension that runs throughout this novel and found it a gripping read despite the fairly slow pace.
The book then concludes in a dramatic and satisfying way as the pace picks up. I really enjoyed this dark novel and definitely want to read more now by Laura Sims.
My rating: 5/5
Many thanks to the publisher, VERVE, for providing a copy of this book on which I chose to write an honest review.