I don’t believe that the current ( not past) romance between Ali & Bill was necessary, nor did it add anything of value to the plot.

I didn’t know what to say, and so I left, feeling deeply ashamed of the person I’d become. Or maybe it was even worse than that. Maybe I’d been like this all along.” DS Alison Hegarty, herself struggling with infertility, is called in to investigate. She’s convinced the fall was not an accident, and finds the new parents have a lot to hide. Wealthy Ed and Monica show off their newborn while their teenage daughter is kept under virtual house arrest. Hazel and Cathy conceived their longed-for baby via an anonymous sperm donor―or so Hazel thinks. When old college friends get together for a night of dinner and reminiscing, it was supposed to be a reunion, to catch up and relive old memories.Through questioning the society and circumstances that allowed eight young women to vanish without a trace―no conclusion or conviction, no resolution for their loved ones―bestselling crime novelist Claire McGowan delivers a candid investigation into the culture of secrecy, victim-blaming and shame that left these women’s bodies unfound, their fates unknown, their assailants unpunished. Recommended: It wasn't for me, maybe it is for you. I see that some found it to be a delightful read. Maybe, you would too.

BBC Unveils Xmas Schedule Including 'Peaky Blinders' Dance Performance & Rebecca Ferguson Series; Netflix UK Docs Commissioner Moves To Raw; Leonard Cohen Drama Sales; Sarah Pinborough Adaptation; UKTV Drama Boss - Global Briefs Claire McGowan has pulled off that rare thing—a thrilling suspense novel that not only keeps the reader constantly guessing but also features authentic and engaging characters." - A K Turner What is exhilarating about this novel, is that it takes place during a time when the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland are working hand in hand so as to find out what happened to the missing people such as Paula’s mother, who had mysteriously disappeared during the Troubles. Some of the missing people were believed to have been captured by the paramilitaries, while other people believed that the missing people had decided to run away. In this installment, Paula’s family is not the only family that has lost a loved one. Apart from Paula, we are also introduced to other pivotal characters such as Paula’s boyfriend, Aiden who is in charge of the local newspaper. Aiden’s father who was the editor and the owner of the newspaper was murdered because the IRA were not happy with the stories that he wrote.University friends gather together after 25 years. A few head to bed, a few stay up and continue the party. When various reasons pull the 6 out of bed early in the morning, Ali's best friend Karen stumbles into the kitchen claiming that Ali's husband, Mike raped her. To throw an extra twist into an already complicated situation Ali is a rape and assault advocate for a non-profit. Who does she believe? What really happened that night? DRAMA. I found it impossible to guess at the ending as there are many twists, turns and red herrings along the way and the writing style absolutely flowed for me. Tiny Synopsis: Ali Morris has her friends from her Oxford Uni days visit for the weekend to catch up after for a reunion. It seems Ali has the most charmed life with the amazing successful husband, 2 great kids, beautiful home, and a respectable job helping women in Amidst all the partying and drinking, Ali's best friend Karen stumbles inside from the garden accusing Mike of sexually assaulting her. Mike denies the accusation but Karen does not relent. Ali does not know who to believe – Is her husband capable of committing such a heinous crime? Is her best friend capable of telling such an improbable lie? Secrets start to unravel and the reader is forced to think what kind of a friendship did the six share as everybody is hiding something or the other from everybody else. The rape accusation also reveals a murder of a common friend Martha while they were still in college. The plot becomes more and more complex as the story progresses.

I thought I had read a book by McGowan previously but I don't recognise any of the other titles nor the writing style so I think I must be mistaken. What I do know is that I will absolutely read another book by this author. This follows 43-year Ali, who is the quintessential suburban housewife. She's married to her university boyfriend, Mike, who is a corporate lawyer, and they are parents to 15-year old Cassie and 10-year Benji. One night they are hosting a celebration dinner with their Oxford University friends to mark their 25th anniversary. We meet Callum and Jodi, who are trying for IVF are finally having their first baby; Benji, who's broken up with his Swedish girlfriend and still holds a soft spot for Ali; and Karen, who didn't graduate and is mother to 18-year old Jake. Their friends are staying over for the weekend. It was supposed to be the perfect get-together. Until Ali wakes up in the middle of the night and comes downstairs to find Karen bleeding and covered in bruises. She's been raped...by Ali's husband, Mike. Who will Ali believe?... At some point before the drugs come out, Ali and Jodi decide to call it a night. But then, a while later, while everyone is in a bit of a stupour, not knowing where they are or what time it is, there is screaming and Karen comes stumbling inside claiming she’s been raped … by Mike, Ali’s husband. If Ali thought that incorrect room assignments were the worst of her problems, she’s about to be mistaken! With one person fighting for their life, one in prison, one confronting a past that has been buried for far too long, and another so scared they can’t sleep at night... you won’t soon forget the outcome of this story!

Publication Order of Paula Maguire Books

The author creates urgency and keeps up a steady pace as events unfold, secrets are exposed and characters are left reeling from the aftermath, dealing with it in their own troubled methods. I was pleasantly surprised by 'What you did' - it's my first McGowan novel, but definitely won't be my last. There are several twists and turns along the way, some of them guessable, some of them definitely coming as strong and well-written surprises.

When Karen staggers in from the garden, bleeding and traumatised, she claims that she has been assaulted - by Ali’s husband, Mike. Ali must make a split-second decision: who should she believe? Her horrified husband, or her best friend? With Mike offering a very different version of events, Ali knows one of them is lying - but which? And why? I am familiar with Claire McGowan’s books having read a few from her Paula Maguire series. This is a stand-alone novel and she has proved that she can do both perfectly well. McGowan delivers a hugely relevant novel for the post #MeToo era and a searing indictment of how far we still have to go. A story that is like a fine wine laced with poison—it’ll slay you." - L V HayAnd that is only the start. Brilliantly written, this book will have you up all night!!! Every time you think you have everything all figured out, in comes another surprise. Dark, at times, but a solid MUST read. Readers are given insights into the friends' shared past and what happened on a dark night years ago through their various POVs, which is done to muddy the waters and create tension among the friends and readers.