Good Bad Girl by Alice Feeney (Pan Macmillan)

Everybody has a mother, but not everybody has a mother’s love. 

The story is set two decades after a baby is snatched from a stroller, and later a woman is murdered in a care home. The two crimes are somehow interconnected, and the plot unfolds in this backdrop as the characters navigate their secrets, lies, and the quest for truth. The care home plays a vital role in the events and revelations that occur throughout the novel.

Despite being deceived into residing in a nursing home, eighty-year-old Edith is determined to plan her escape. Patience, who works at the care home, finds solace in cleaning up and bonding with Edith, as they share a kindred spirit. However, Patience conceals the truth from Edith on various fronts. Clio, Edith's own daughter, chooses not to communicate with her. Furthermore, someone with ill intentions is poised to knock on Clio's door.

The novel revolves around the long-held secrets and lies of its characters. They have been concealing the truth about their past, and as the narrative unfolds, additional secrets are unearthed. It also delves into the complex dynamics between mothers and daughters, examining the reasons behind the strained relationship between Clio and her mother.

Throughout the story, the characters continuously question whom they can trust, wrestling with their identities and the consequences of their past. The theme of redemption and the possibility of atoning for past mistakes are also explored. The characters are compelled to confront their pasts and seek reconciliation for their actions.

The care home setting in "Good Bad Girl" adds to the overall sense of suspense, mystery, and psychological depth within the novel. It intensifies the feeling of confinement, heightens the intrigue, and serves as a symbolic representation of the internal struggles faced by the characters.

"Good Bad Girl" by Alice Feeney is a captivating novel that delves into the complexities of mother-daughter relationships. The author's trademark twists kept me hooked, and I found the plot to be immersive and personal.

4/5