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The Other Side of Her
A missing backpacker
A million-dollar reward
Ordinary people cracking under pressure
Busy parents Mia and Ryan were devastated when their former nanny, Irish backpacker Tara, tragically disappeared. But that was two years ago. Now they want to move on and focus on their son ... so why are the police questioning them again?
When single mum Beth wakes up to a house burglary, she immediately suspects her abusive ex-husband. But when bad things continue to happen to Beth, her fear is overtaken by desperation and anger.
A dark secret binds these families together. How far will they go to protect their own?
A million-dollar reward
Ordinary people cracking under pressure
Busy parents Mia and Ryan were devastated when their former nanny, Irish backpacker Tara, tragically disappeared. But that was two years ago. Now they want to move on and focus on their son ... so why are the police questioning them again?
When single mum Beth wakes up to a house burglary, she immediately suspects her abusive ex-husband. But when bad things continue to happen to Beth, her fear is overtaken by desperation and anger.
A dark secret binds these families together. How far will they go to protect their own?
327 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 26, 2023
26 people are currently reading
680 people want to read
About the author
B.M. Carroll
5 books120 followersLibrarian Note: B.M. Carroll also writes under the name Ber Carroll.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
August 28, 2024
The Other Side Of Her by Australian born Irish writer DM Carroll had me in from the start it was quick paced unnerving read that had me on the edge of my seat, the narration by Anthea Greco was superb & I could feel the tension building chapter by chapter.
Ryan & Mia live in Newcastle N.S.W they are an elite couple who have everything they need but their Irish Nanny Tara went missing two years earlier & vanished without a trace.
Siobhan Tara’s mother doesn’t believe she drowned so she finds someone who will investigate her daughter’s disappearance.
Ryan & Tara have Elliott who has ADHD & is hard to control but their daughter Tilly is their delight. There is a reward of one million dollars for any information on Tara’s whereabouts, but there are many secrets to be revealed in the story which I can’t divulge let’s just say this was one hell of a story that had me guessing right to the end all the stars 🌟
Ryan & Mia live in Newcastle N.S.W they are an elite couple who have everything they need but their Irish Nanny Tara went missing two years earlier & vanished without a trace.
Siobhan Tara’s mother doesn’t believe she drowned so she finds someone who will investigate her daughter’s disappearance.
Ryan & Tara have Elliott who has ADHD & is hard to control but their daughter Tilly is their delight. There is a reward of one million dollars for any information on Tara’s whereabouts, but there are many secrets to be revealed in the story which I can’t divulge let’s just say this was one hell of a story that had me guessing right to the end all the stars 🌟
June 15, 2023
A young Australian couple's Irish nanny mysteriously disappears.
Two years later, a million-dollar reward is offered for information about the nanny's disappearance; prompting new interest in the case.
What REALLY happened to the missing nanny?
The book instantly hooked me with its intriguing premise.
Yet, as the story unfolded, the book failed to deliver. 🥺😭🥺
WHY?
1) Too much repetitive text.
Readers are repeatedly told (at least 20 times) that the couple's young son suffered from ADHD and behavioral problems.
It was also stated multiple times that the son's ADHD was inherited from his father.
2) Fragmented storyline.
The book unfolded from two POVs, in the then and now.
In addition to the repetitive text, the book was frequently all over the place. (Where was the editor?)
3) Plot holes.
Why wasn't the couple under intense scrutiny when their nanny originally went missing?
What was the impetus for such a large $$$ reward?
I listened to the audiobook read by Anthea Greco.
Although the narrator did a superb job with the narration, the book would have benefited from two narrators since there were two POVs.
Positives: In addition to the book's ultra-compelling premise, I especially enjoyed the author's note at the end of the book.
2.5 stars🥺😭🥺
Two years later, a million-dollar reward is offered for information about the nanny's disappearance; prompting new interest in the case.
What REALLY happened to the missing nanny?
The book instantly hooked me with its intriguing premise.
Yet, as the story unfolded, the book failed to deliver. 🥺😭🥺
WHY?
1) Too much repetitive text.
Readers are repeatedly told (at least 20 times) that the couple's young son suffered from ADHD and behavioral problems.
It was also stated multiple times that the son's ADHD was inherited from his father.
2) Fragmented storyline.
The book unfolded from two POVs, in the then and now.
In addition to the repetitive text, the book was frequently all over the place. (Where was the editor?)
3) Plot holes.
Why wasn't the couple under intense scrutiny when their nanny originally went missing?
What was the impetus for such a large $$$ reward?
I listened to the audiobook read by Anthea Greco.
Although the narrator did a superb job with the narration, the book would have benefited from two narrators since there were two POVs.
Positives: In addition to the book's ultra-compelling premise, I especially enjoyed the author's note at the end of the book.
2.5 stars🥺😭🥺
April 21, 2023
The Other Side of Her deals with a range of important social issues within a compelling mystery and suspense story. The difficulties of dealing with children suffering ADHD, the suffering caused by the coercive control from partners and ex-partners and the financial impact that results are all front and centre here. All of these issues play a major role in the development and resolution of the story that’s the main focus, that of a missing woman, Tara, a backpacker who disappeared after going swimming at Bondi one night.
To set the background for the story, we’re taken back 2 years to the semi-remote property of Mia and Ryan in Morisset on the New South Wales central coast.
Tara arrives in Australia from Ireland, a young woman who is to work as an au pair to Elliott. Elliott is only 10 years old and is diagnosed with ADHD. He is prone to frequent tantrums and requires close attention and medication to keep his mood swings under control.
Unfortunately, Tara is hardly the ideal person for the job. She’s more the party type of girl who likes to hit the town and enjoy the city life. Living and working on a property far from the bustling city is hardly her idea of a good time. Neither is dealing with the difficult Elliott.
Mia and Ryan, Elliott’s parents are devoted to their son and work hard to ensure the family unit is strong. Mia in particular is far from impressed by Tara’s attitude, especially when she ignores all of the specific instructions she leaves for Elliott’s care. Tensions were clearly high between Tara and her employers.
The story is told from at least 3 separate timelines and perspectives: 2 years ago from the perspective of Mia, 5 weeks ago from the perspective of Ryan and the present day from the perspective of Beth. The obvious question is: how is Beth connected to Mia and Ryan and then, how is this connected to the disappearance of Tara.
The investigation into Tara’s disappearance is reopened 2 years after the fact and this is where we come in. Very quickly we are given the distinct impression that Mia and Ryan are hiding something in relation to her disappearance. Each time the police visit they become tense and nervous and we’re slowly fed tiny snippets to indicate that the couple are guarding a secret. Big or small, they feel guilty about something.
When the different threads all gradually come together the secret starts to become more obvious. This also means that the paths of Beth and Mia and Ryan will also cross.
There is a dominant theme playing out through the course of the book and it lies around the fragility of the family unit and the obstacles that are placed in the path of comfort and happiness. It all boils down to what a person would do to protect their family, just how far would they be willing to go?
From the various divergent timelines, the story crashes into the present and the terrible reality of what has taken place becomes all too real. One small mistake is compounded by more and more until lives begin spiralling out of control.
Strong, well-described characters are a strength of the story and this helps to gain an understanding of the motivations behind many of the actions taken throughout the novel. The use of the multiple timelines and differing viewpoints keeps a tight rein on the pacing and this allows a constant build up of tension. I found it to be a domestic suspense thriller that was compelling reading and, in many ways, quite thought-provoking.
The only small disappointment I had was in the ending which felt rushed and understated creating a feeling of finishing with a whimper rather than a bang.
My thanks to Affirm Press and NetGalley for providing the digital ARC of this book so that I might read, enjoy and write this review.
To set the background for the story, we’re taken back 2 years to the semi-remote property of Mia and Ryan in Morisset on the New South Wales central coast.
Tara arrives in Australia from Ireland, a young woman who is to work as an au pair to Elliott. Elliott is only 10 years old and is diagnosed with ADHD. He is prone to frequent tantrums and requires close attention and medication to keep his mood swings under control.
Unfortunately, Tara is hardly the ideal person for the job. She’s more the party type of girl who likes to hit the town and enjoy the city life. Living and working on a property far from the bustling city is hardly her idea of a good time. Neither is dealing with the difficult Elliott.
Mia and Ryan, Elliott’s parents are devoted to their son and work hard to ensure the family unit is strong. Mia in particular is far from impressed by Tara’s attitude, especially when she ignores all of the specific instructions she leaves for Elliott’s care. Tensions were clearly high between Tara and her employers.
The story is told from at least 3 separate timelines and perspectives: 2 years ago from the perspective of Mia, 5 weeks ago from the perspective of Ryan and the present day from the perspective of Beth. The obvious question is: how is Beth connected to Mia and Ryan and then, how is this connected to the disappearance of Tara.
The investigation into Tara’s disappearance is reopened 2 years after the fact and this is where we come in. Very quickly we are given the distinct impression that Mia and Ryan are hiding something in relation to her disappearance. Each time the police visit they become tense and nervous and we’re slowly fed tiny snippets to indicate that the couple are guarding a secret. Big or small, they feel guilty about something.
When the different threads all gradually come together the secret starts to become more obvious. This also means that the paths of Beth and Mia and Ryan will also cross.
There is a dominant theme playing out through the course of the book and it lies around the fragility of the family unit and the obstacles that are placed in the path of comfort and happiness. It all boils down to what a person would do to protect their family, just how far would they be willing to go?
From the various divergent timelines, the story crashes into the present and the terrible reality of what has taken place becomes all too real. One small mistake is compounded by more and more until lives begin spiralling out of control.
Strong, well-described characters are a strength of the story and this helps to gain an understanding of the motivations behind many of the actions taken throughout the novel. The use of the multiple timelines and differing viewpoints keeps a tight rein on the pacing and this allows a constant build up of tension. I found it to be a domestic suspense thriller that was compelling reading and, in many ways, quite thought-provoking.
The only small disappointment I had was in the ending which felt rushed and understated creating a feeling of finishing with a whimper rather than a bang.
My thanks to Affirm Press and NetGalley for providing the digital ARC of this book so that I might read, enjoy and write this review.
June 19, 2025
Mia and Ryan, living in Morrisset near Newcastle, NSW, had advertised for an au pair for their highly functional ten year old son, Elliott. He had ADHD and without regular, rigid routine, he had continual meltdowns. Ryan worked in Sydney and commuted each day, while Mia was desperate to go back to work. When she picked the young Irish girl, Tara, up from the local train station, Mia wondered how Tara would go. But it wasn't long before Tara was moaning about the isolation and lack of shopping available. And it also wasn't long before she was heading to Newcastle on the train to the backpackers lodge, where she met other youngsters like herself. She wasn't enamoured with Elliott; thought he was a brat - Mia could see she wouldn't see the six month contract out. But when Tara disappeared, seemingly back to the bright lights of Sydney, Mia and Ryan put it all behind them, preparing to carry on as they were before.
Beth was a single mum, divorced from her abusive husband, with daughter Tilly to care for. When things began happening around her house; a burglary, car stolen, handbag taken, she couldn't but help think it was her ex-husband. What was going on? And why was she being targeted?
The Other Side of Her is an excellent psychological thriller which had my heart in my throat several times. The fear of being the lone adult in the dark of night, with noises downstairs, and danger surrounding them, was terrifying. Beth and Tilly were great characters, as was Pippa, Beth's next door neighbour. A great read which I recommend.
Beth was a single mum, divorced from her abusive husband, with daughter Tilly to care for. When things began happening around her house; a burglary, car stolen, handbag taken, she couldn't but help think it was her ex-husband. What was going on? And why was she being targeted?
The Other Side of Her is an excellent psychological thriller which had my heart in my throat several times. The fear of being the lone adult in the dark of night, with noises downstairs, and danger surrounding them, was terrifying. Beth and Tilly were great characters, as was Pippa, Beth's next door neighbour. A great read which I recommend.
May 4, 2023
The Other Side Of Her is the eleventh novel by Irish-born Australian writer B.M. Carroll. Two years ago, Ryan and Mia Anderson employed Irish backpacker, Tara McAllen as au pair for their eight-year-old son, Elliot, a boy with ADHD. Disappointed with the rural location of their property, outside Morisset, near Newcastle, and quite unsuited to her role, the nineteen-year-old only stayed six weeks before heading back to Sydney, where she apparently went for a drunken nocturnal swim at an unpatrolled beach, after which she was reported missing, presumed drowned.
Six weeks ago, Ryan and Mia become decidedly uneasy on learning that Tara’s mother, Siobhan, and the NSW Police are offering a million-dollar reward for information on Tara’s whereabouts. Siobhan cites inconsistencies surrounding the circumstances of Tara’s disappearance, but Mia and Ryan can’t conceive of what those might be, or why police want to interview them again.
Meanwhile, in Newcastle, Bethany Jenkins is dismayed and worried when her home is broken into, and days later, her ten-year-old Corolla is stolen. She had hoped that her financially abusive, controlling ex-husband, Kane had stopped his harassment campaign, but she can’t imagine who else might feel they have a right to her car.
That doesn’t seem to be the end of mishaps and nasty things happening. She feels like a target and her anxiety is sky-high. The safety of her seven-year-old daughter Tilly is a priority and, were it not for supportive friends, neighbours and family, she’d be even more distraught.
Much more cannot be said without spoilers, but Carroll gives the reader a cleverly plotted tale with some well-placed red herrings distracting from the facts until those eventual lightbulb moments. Her characters have depth and appeal for all their flaws and failings, and her depiction of the setting is flawless. Carroll uses the story to examine just how far a mother would go to protect her child, and includes an interesting twist on domestic abuse. Intriguing and thought-provoking, Carroll’s latest is unputdownable.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Affirm Press.
Six weeks ago, Ryan and Mia become decidedly uneasy on learning that Tara’s mother, Siobhan, and the NSW Police are offering a million-dollar reward for information on Tara’s whereabouts. Siobhan cites inconsistencies surrounding the circumstances of Tara’s disappearance, but Mia and Ryan can’t conceive of what those might be, or why police want to interview them again.
Meanwhile, in Newcastle, Bethany Jenkins is dismayed and worried when her home is broken into, and days later, her ten-year-old Corolla is stolen. She had hoped that her financially abusive, controlling ex-husband, Kane had stopped his harassment campaign, but she can’t imagine who else might feel they have a right to her car.
That doesn’t seem to be the end of mishaps and nasty things happening. She feels like a target and her anxiety is sky-high. The safety of her seven-year-old daughter Tilly is a priority and, were it not for supportive friends, neighbours and family, she’d be even more distraught.
Much more cannot be said without spoilers, but Carroll gives the reader a cleverly plotted tale with some well-placed red herrings distracting from the facts until those eventual lightbulb moments. Her characters have depth and appeal for all their flaws and failings, and her depiction of the setting is flawless. Carroll uses the story to examine just how far a mother would go to protect her child, and includes an interesting twist on domestic abuse. Intriguing and thought-provoking, Carroll’s latest is unputdownable.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Affirm Press.
November 9, 2023
I had been waiting quite a while for this book from my library, but I’m pleased to say it was well worth the wait. When Mia and Ryan’s Irish backpacker nanny, Tara disappeared they were concerned and had no idea what had happened to her. At the time Mia and Ryan did all they could with helping the police with their enquiries.
So why now after two years did the police start questioning Mia and Ryan again? The Other Side Of Her by Aussie author B.M. Carroll is an intense thriller that will keep you guessing.
So why now after two years did the police start questioning Mia and Ryan again? The Other Side Of Her by Aussie author B.M. Carroll is an intense thriller that will keep you guessing.
May 29, 2023
⭐️5 Stars⭐️
Ohhh this was so intriguing, I devoured it! The Other Side of Her by B.M. Carroll has a haunting and creative plot that is totally addictive. Fear, desperation and ruthlessness rule in this excellent read.
Tara McAllen, nineteen, travels from Ireland to Australia to be an au pair for a family with a young boy who has ADHD and is prone to frequent tantrums. Tara is disappointed with the remote rural location and is not exactly cut out to be nanny of the year! When Tara goes missing her clothes are found at the iconic Bondi beach, she is presumed drowned.
In another timeline single mother Bethany Jenkins is suspicious when her home is broken into and then later her ten year old car is stolen. She wonders if it’s her controlling ex-husband.
There’s an unexpected twist on domestic abuse in this novel! A thought provoking read and look at everyday mothers who would do absolutely anything for their children, their commitment never wavering. I loved how the connection between the families cleverly came together!
Publication Date 26 April 2023
Publisher Affirm Press
My thanks to Affirm Press for a copy of the book to read and review.
Ohhh this was so intriguing, I devoured it! The Other Side of Her by B.M. Carroll has a haunting and creative plot that is totally addictive. Fear, desperation and ruthlessness rule in this excellent read.
Tara McAllen, nineteen, travels from Ireland to Australia to be an au pair for a family with a young boy who has ADHD and is prone to frequent tantrums. Tara is disappointed with the remote rural location and is not exactly cut out to be nanny of the year! When Tara goes missing her clothes are found at the iconic Bondi beach, she is presumed drowned.
In another timeline single mother Bethany Jenkins is suspicious when her home is broken into and then later her ten year old car is stolen. She wonders if it’s her controlling ex-husband.
There’s an unexpected twist on domestic abuse in this novel! A thought provoking read and look at everyday mothers who would do absolutely anything for their children, their commitment never wavering. I loved how the connection between the families cleverly came together!
Publication Date 26 April 2023
Publisher Affirm Press
My thanks to Affirm Press for a copy of the book to read and review.
April 19, 2023
B M Carroll's books just keep getting better and better. This was another excellent novel from Ber which told the story of Tara, an irish au-pair who comes to Australia to help out Mia and Ryan and their young challenged son. Tara is not living up to Mia's expectations as she is lazy, likes to go out and party and seems to have taken a shine to Ryan. In another part of the story single mother Beth is having lots of things going wrong in her life as she struggles to look after herself and her young daughter with an ex-husband who left her with nothing. All of a sudden Tara goes missing with her clothes being found on a beach in Sydney but no body. Its hard to talk too much about this without giving any spoilers, but this book kept me up until the early hours of the morning and I highly recommend it to readers of crime.
I did like the fact that this book was set in Australia as well as you can imagine the locations quite well. B M Carroll is a go to author for me and I will read anything she will write! Thanks go to Affirm Press and Net Galley for a complementary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I did like the fact that this book was set in Australia as well as you can imagine the locations quite well. B M Carroll is a go to author for me and I will read anything she will write! Thanks go to Affirm Press and Net Galley for a complementary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 11, 2023
With The Other Side of Her, it's best to go in blind for a better reading experience. Hence, why I'm not choosing to give a sypnosis. All you need to know that a young Irish backpacker has been missing for the past two years and that thanks to a hefty million dollar reward, it's game on to cover up any misdemeanors.
In saying that, one of the MC Mia, really rubbed me up the wrong way. It's so plainly difficult to even be sympathetic towards her. Controlling, manipulative and all round gaslighting her poor husband, Jason, it becomes apparent quite quickly that she's got something to hide. After all, everything that had to be done was for their son.
On the other hand, all the empthany is handed to single mother Beth, who unwittingly finds herself targeted for no reason at all. Someone is desperately wanting her used car, but why? The finger is pointed to her nasty ex, Kane. Could it be as easy as that to explain the sense of forbidding that Beth carries around day after day, or has she unknowingly found herself embroiled in something much more sinister?
This was such a great thriller that sucked me in from the get go!!
🌟🌟🌟🌟✨/5
In saying that, one of the MC Mia, really rubbed me up the wrong way. It's so plainly difficult to even be sympathetic towards her. Controlling, manipulative and all round gaslighting her poor husband, Jason, it becomes apparent quite quickly that she's got something to hide. After all, everything that had to be done was for their son.
On the other hand, all the empthany is handed to single mother Beth, who unwittingly finds herself targeted for no reason at all. Someone is desperately wanting her used car, but why? The finger is pointed to her nasty ex, Kane. Could it be as easy as that to explain the sense of forbidding that Beth carries around day after day, or has she unknowingly found herself embroiled in something much more sinister?
This was such a great thriller that sucked me in from the get go!!
🌟🌟🌟🌟✨/5
February 19, 2025
Well, wasn't this a masterpiece!
Tender yet propulsive prose, convincing characters deftly portrayed, authentic dialogue, suspense with substance. To say I am impressed with this author's writerly gift is an understatement. Thank you, BM Carroll. Your writing embodies the reason I read (and live for) fiction.
The local setting (northern central coast and Newcastle, NSW Australia) was a bonus novelty.
Tender yet propulsive prose, convincing characters deftly portrayed, authentic dialogue, suspense with substance. To say I am impressed with this author's writerly gift is an understatement. Thank you, BM Carroll. Your writing embodies the reason I read (and live for) fiction.
The local setting (northern central coast and Newcastle, NSW Australia) was a bonus novelty.
August 5, 2023
Creepy suburban noir. Believable characters including one with an overwhelming sense of entitlement. Interesting library cameos.
February 17, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
May 29, 2023
I was so excited to read this book and it didn’t disappoint - in fact it may be my favourite B.M. Carroll book yet. Like her others, The Other Side of Her is twisty and suspenseful - with one twist that made my jaw drop open. The book centres around a missing Irish backpacker/au pair, Tara, and I found myself immediately drawn in by the strong characters and the fast pace of the storyline. A definite must-read.
May 9, 2023
Thank you Affirm Press for sending us a copy to read and review.
The Other Side Of Her is a consuming psychological thriller that will get you good.
A tale of deceit, lies and malice until the devious climax.
Single mother Beth lives with her young daughter Tilly in a cheap rental.
Finances are low and she lives the best she can to support her daughter.
One night she wakes to a mysterious person inside the house, she thinks it’s her abusive ex husband and he’s found her.
Things continue to happen and Beth fears for her life.
Ryan and Mia are busy parents to their demanding son, Elliot.
They are trying to move on from a tragic incident two years ago, where their nanny Tara disappeared and the case unsolved.
Now out of the blue the investigation is in the news again.
These two families are about to connect in ways that will change their lives forever…..
I was mesmerised by the well thought out characters, the plot of manipulation and the red herrings woven together.
With alternative chapters from the viewpoint and eyes of three leads, its ingenious narrative is cleverly crafted and creative.
As the story progresses it gets twisty, haunting and totally addictive.
It’s convincing, smart, gripping, intense and dispatched a great ending.
A book that delivers on many different levels.
A thriller that really hit the spot for me.
The Other Side Of Her is a consuming psychological thriller that will get you good.
A tale of deceit, lies and malice until the devious climax.
Single mother Beth lives with her young daughter Tilly in a cheap rental.
Finances are low and she lives the best she can to support her daughter.
One night she wakes to a mysterious person inside the house, she thinks it’s her abusive ex husband and he’s found her.
Things continue to happen and Beth fears for her life.
Ryan and Mia are busy parents to their demanding son, Elliot.
They are trying to move on from a tragic incident two years ago, where their nanny Tara disappeared and the case unsolved.
Now out of the blue the investigation is in the news again.
These two families are about to connect in ways that will change their lives forever…..
I was mesmerised by the well thought out characters, the plot of manipulation and the red herrings woven together.
With alternative chapters from the viewpoint and eyes of three leads, its ingenious narrative is cleverly crafted and creative.
As the story progresses it gets twisty, haunting and totally addictive.
It’s convincing, smart, gripping, intense and dispatched a great ending.
A book that delivers on many different levels.
A thriller that really hit the spot for me.
July 24, 2023
Introducing you to this twisty and gripping book by @bmcarrollauthor 🤯
When Mia and Ryan look for an au pair to help with their son, Elliott, Irish backpacker Tara lands the job. However, is she the best fit? 🤔 So when she suddenly goes missing, Mia and Ryan are naturally the prime suspects - and cleared - until Tara’s mum knows there’s something off and want’s more investigating conducted.
Beth is one of our other POVs. With an angry and narcissistic ex husband, it seems he’s always at the root cause of anything going wrong in her life. But when someone specifically tries to steal her car, break into her home and flood it and steal her bag from work, she begins to wonder if something else is going on.
It doesn’t take long to piece together what’s happened… and how everyone is so connected. The how, why and suspense in it all coming together is high, and made for a really great page turner!
Thank you @affirmpress for my gifted copy.
#theothersideofher
When Mia and Ryan look for an au pair to help with their son, Elliott, Irish backpacker Tara lands the job. However, is she the best fit? 🤔 So when she suddenly goes missing, Mia and Ryan are naturally the prime suspects - and cleared - until Tara’s mum knows there’s something off and want’s more investigating conducted.
Beth is one of our other POVs. With an angry and narcissistic ex husband, it seems he’s always at the root cause of anything going wrong in her life. But when someone specifically tries to steal her car, break into her home and flood it and steal her bag from work, she begins to wonder if something else is going on.
It doesn’t take long to piece together what’s happened… and how everyone is so connected. The how, why and suspense in it all coming together is high, and made for a really great page turner!
Thank you @affirmpress for my gifted copy.
#theothersideofher
April 28, 2023
4.5 stars
I have finally found THAT thriller that kept me so intrigued that I couldn't put the book down. With short chapters, multiple POVs and an Aussie setting, if I wasn't feeling unwell and didn't have to sleep, I would have read it straight through from start to finish! I'm not even going to give you a synopsis as you need to go in blind to get the best outcome with this one. All you need to know is that someone goes missing and the police are enquiring.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I have finally found THAT thriller that kept me so intrigued that I couldn't put the book down. With short chapters, multiple POVs and an Aussie setting, if I wasn't feeling unwell and didn't have to sleep, I would have read it straight through from start to finish! I'm not even going to give you a synopsis as you need to go in blind to get the best outcome with this one. All you need to know is that someone goes missing and the police are enquiring.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
June 9, 2023
I inhaled this in a night after BM Carroll’s book launch. It’s an original Aussie murder mystery with realistic characters and settings and a few clever twists and turns, that kept me guessing til the end.
May 13, 2023
I loved the first 100 pages or so of this and then I simply lost interest. I'm so disappointed as the synopsis sounded amazing.
Read
June 12, 2023Disclosure: This is the first five-star review I have made this year, and one of my very few ever. This is a propulsive, absorbing story that had my interest from the very beginning.
The plot involves a missing Irish backpacker, a girl who is hired as a nanny by an Australian couple living outside Newcastle. The only child, their son, Elliot, has ADHD (quite severely, by my reckoning). Tara, the Irish nanny, is not really up to the job, goes clubbing and drinking excessively, getting home late and living just as we expect 19-year olds to do.
The boy’s parents, Ryan and Mia, are quite troubled, Ryan being ADHD himself and in a boring warehouse job, Mia, on the other hand, is a smart, controlling woman who is a project manager, when she can find a job that suits. Another person enters the story, Beth, who is a masseur (not a sexual one please, this is Australia), is a single parent with a 7-year old girl. How the two narratives play out is very well done. My only misgiving was Chapter 29, when Beth starts to have suspicions beyond her capacity, in my eyes.
The novel, as well as being a murder mystery, is also about parenthood, and what parents will do for their children. Highly recommended!
The plot involves a missing Irish backpacker, a girl who is hired as a nanny by an Australian couple living outside Newcastle. The only child, their son, Elliot, has ADHD (quite severely, by my reckoning). Tara, the Irish nanny, is not really up to the job, goes clubbing and drinking excessively, getting home late and living just as we expect 19-year olds to do.
The boy’s parents, Ryan and Mia, are quite troubled, Ryan being ADHD himself and in a boring warehouse job, Mia, on the other hand, is a smart, controlling woman who is a project manager, when she can find a job that suits. Another person enters the story, Beth, who is a masseur (not a sexual one please, this is Australia), is a single parent with a 7-year old girl. How the two narratives play out is very well done. My only misgiving was Chapter 29, when Beth starts to have suspicions beyond her capacity, in my eyes.
The novel, as well as being a murder mystery, is also about parenthood, and what parents will do for their children. Highly recommended!
September 16, 2024
Interesting premise that failed to deliver.
The pacing got slow after the initial chapters as each character seemed to have this repetitive internal monologue. How many times do we need to be reminded?
The different POVs would have been engaging if their personalities didn’t change a little before half way through and then the story no longer teased anything out but blatantly told you the story. I couldn’t connect with any of the characters beyond the surface level except for what they did and the whole thing just felt dull and unsuspenseful.
The pacing got slow after the initial chapters as each character seemed to have this repetitive internal monologue. How many times do we need to be reminded?
The different POVs would have been engaging if their personalities didn’t change a little before half way through and then the story no longer teased anything out but blatantly told you the story. I couldn’t connect with any of the characters beyond the surface level except for what they did and the whole thing just felt dull and unsuspenseful.
September 17, 2023
Although I thoroughly enjoyed how the complex themes of motherhood, poverty, marriage, domestic violence, and learning difficulties were explored with nuance and care, I felt like parts of the novel could have been more succinct. At times, I was wishing the plot forward and frustrated at moments of repetition (which I’m sure were intentional, but I found occasionally annoying). The author’s note was also beautiful — and felt like a perfect conclusion.
November 6, 2023
Am accidental second read for me, I wanted to check the suburb and accidentally settled in and started reading it again! I love B.M Carroll, I love her characters, the normal every day plots and people that just happen to involve a dead young woman…so twisty, so turny, I could not put it down. Also leaves you with so much to think about; but this review is spoiler free; read it!! So good down to it’s bones..
January 8, 2024
Thoroughly enjoyed this well crafted book, would highly recommend it to anyone interested in thrillers.
July 18, 2023
One-night single mother Beth Jenkins to Seven- year- old Tilly wakes to a house burglary, Making her way over to the house alarm, her hand pressing down on the red button the wail of the alarm splits the night apart; things are about to change for Beth and Tilly for the better Beth will make sure of it.
Read the full review below
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Read the full review below
https://hundredacreofbooks.com/index....
August 10, 2023
The first part of the book started out strong but I lost interest in the alternating POVs.
July 16, 2023
Personality twists that make plot uncompelling.
The Other Side of Her folds in two points of view, that of Mia and Beth; then and now. In the past, Mia and Ryan hire Irish nanny, Tara; and the present, two years later, when Tara has died. Beth Jenkins has her own trail of problems in the present day. How are the two plotlines connected?
On one hand, there’s Mia’s voice. Mia and Ryan have an 8-year-old son, Elliot, with ADHD. Having been his fulltime carer, Mia is keen to return to her high-powered career in project management. They have downsized to a small town, Morisset, in a rural New South Wales (NSW), Australia, to minimise costs, living off Ryan’s meagre income as a warehouseman. Mia’s job will pay a whole lot more. So, it is with excitement and trepidation that they hire Irish teenager, Tara McAllen, as a nanny. Mia hopes that nineteen-year-old Tara will be able to manage their difficult son? Mia needs Tara and Elliott to bond so that she can be gainfully employed and restore the family’s finances.
On the other hand, in Newcastle, NSW, in the present day, Beth Jenkins is facing one mishap after another. Her house is constantly being broken into, jeopardising her own and her seven-year-old daughter, Tilly’s, safety. Then her old Corolla is stolen from work. Beth suspected her narcissistic ex-husband, Kane, who has tried to deprive her of all the family’s savings. However, there are other men she’s unsure of, including the Good Samaritan who always happens by when she’s in trouble, and pulls out all stops to help her. The only people she can rely on are neighbours, friends and family.
Two years after Tara’s death, the Australian police have reopened the case. Tara’s mother in Ireland and the Australian police have combined to offer $1 million reward for information about Tara’s death. We know from the outset that Mia and Ryan are in consternation, trying to cover their tracks. Why, is the big question. What do they have to hide? You hope they’re not the culprits as it’s not fun to have a protagonist who is actually the bad guy or girl.
Tara is painted as a selfish, spoilt brat, interested only in the nightlife and scoring guys. Why, the reader wonders, did she come all the way out to a rural nothing place, hours away from Sydney, let alone Newcastle? Could the parents find no one nearer, or at all, to look after their son with his unusual behaviours? Someone more mature? Though I was interested in Mia’s voice to begin with, it suddenly switched from a caring mother to a bossy domineering woman. Ryan becomes variously cuckolded to caring. Beth is too trusting; and the only likeable character.
Initially interesting, the book lost me after the halfway point. The ending was extremely disappointing. So much so, that I am unlikely to pick up another book by this author. The reasons are the poor grammar and editing, the constant repetition of Elliot’s ADHD, then Ryan’s ADHD, the mean women proliferating the novel; and worst of all the about-turn in someone’s personality that had been described a certain way. When Mia and Ryan are certainly hiding something, why didn’t the police investigate them more when Tara had died, presumably by accidental drowning? The clues that magically appeared 2 years later, were actually there all along, but the police didn’t care.
I did not find The Other Side of Her to be at all page-turning or well-plotted. The twists and turnarounds were not like red herrings. They were like missteps. The characters didn’t ring true.
This book review also appears in https://Amazon.com and https://thereadersvault.blogspot.com/...
The Other Side of Her folds in two points of view, that of Mia and Beth; then and now. In the past, Mia and Ryan hire Irish nanny, Tara; and the present, two years later, when Tara has died. Beth Jenkins has her own trail of problems in the present day. How are the two plotlines connected?
On one hand, there’s Mia’s voice. Mia and Ryan have an 8-year-old son, Elliot, with ADHD. Having been his fulltime carer, Mia is keen to return to her high-powered career in project management. They have downsized to a small town, Morisset, in a rural New South Wales (NSW), Australia, to minimise costs, living off Ryan’s meagre income as a warehouseman. Mia’s job will pay a whole lot more. So, it is with excitement and trepidation that they hire Irish teenager, Tara McAllen, as a nanny. Mia hopes that nineteen-year-old Tara will be able to manage their difficult son? Mia needs Tara and Elliott to bond so that she can be gainfully employed and restore the family’s finances.
On the other hand, in Newcastle, NSW, in the present day, Beth Jenkins is facing one mishap after another. Her house is constantly being broken into, jeopardising her own and her seven-year-old daughter, Tilly’s, safety. Then her old Corolla is stolen from work. Beth suspected her narcissistic ex-husband, Kane, who has tried to deprive her of all the family’s savings. However, there are other men she’s unsure of, including the Good Samaritan who always happens by when she’s in trouble, and pulls out all stops to help her. The only people she can rely on are neighbours, friends and family.
Two years after Tara’s death, the Australian police have reopened the case. Tara’s mother in Ireland and the Australian police have combined to offer $1 million reward for information about Tara’s death. We know from the outset that Mia and Ryan are in consternation, trying to cover their tracks. Why, is the big question. What do they have to hide? You hope they’re not the culprits as it’s not fun to have a protagonist who is actually the bad guy or girl.
Tara is painted as a selfish, spoilt brat, interested only in the nightlife and scoring guys. Why, the reader wonders, did she come all the way out to a rural nothing place, hours away from Sydney, let alone Newcastle? Could the parents find no one nearer, or at all, to look after their son with his unusual behaviours? Someone more mature? Though I was interested in Mia’s voice to begin with, it suddenly switched from a caring mother to a bossy domineering woman. Ryan becomes variously cuckolded to caring. Beth is too trusting; and the only likeable character.
Initially interesting, the book lost me after the halfway point. The ending was extremely disappointing. So much so, that I am unlikely to pick up another book by this author. The reasons are the poor grammar and editing, the constant repetition of Elliot’s ADHD, then Ryan’s ADHD, the mean women proliferating the novel; and worst of all the about-turn in someone’s personality that had been described a certain way. When Mia and Ryan are certainly hiding something, why didn’t the police investigate them more when Tara had died, presumably by accidental drowning? The clues that magically appeared 2 years later, were actually there all along, but the police didn’t care.
I did not find The Other Side of Her to be at all page-turning or well-plotted. The twists and turnarounds were not like red herrings. They were like missteps. The characters didn’t ring true.
This book review also appears in https://Amazon.com and https://thereadersvault.blogspot.com/...
May 14, 2024
In my opinion this book can be divided into two sections, the first 75% and the final 25%. I would have given the first 75% of the book a 2-star rating, however the final 25% of the book was so much better to the point that it elevated my rating to a 4-star review overall.
After finishing the book, I kept thinking about it for a few days (a sign of a good book), trying to pinpoint what exactly I felt about it and I reached the conclusion that a lot of the things I initially wasn’t keen on were down to editing. The plotline itself is interesting but there are points where the writing is repetitive, for example it is repeatedly said in various ways (and sometimes the same way) that Elliot needs routine, once or twice would have been enough to get the point across. There is also a lot of scenery description, some of it necessary, some of it excessive.
Some of the characters (particularly Mia) would have benefitted from more character development as a lot of the focus was on what was happening rather than any focus on emotions such as guilt, remorse or care. As the undertone of the book seemed to be ‘sometimes good people do bad things’ more character development would have allowed the reader to see the multi-faceted natured of the character and would maybe have enabled the reader to have more sympathy and understanding of the motivations towards the characters actions. Other characters were better developed such as Beth, she is written with a realistic background story and is slowly built so that the reader understands the situation she finds herself in and the impact of various actions upon her. Ryan is also well written, particularly in the latter half of the book, more attention is paid to his inner feelings and as a result despite his misgivings he is an almost likeable character which is a due to wonderful writing.
As with any fiction book it is difficult to review it without giving any spoilers but I will try my best. There were a few plot holes which I found irritating firstly if a business experiences a break-in, you would expect that the first thing the police or business owners would do would be to check the CCTV, but this doesn’t happen and CCTV is not even mentioned until about 20 chapters later where it is revealed that the salon doesn’t have it, what business doesn’t have CCTV in the 2020’s? Also the character of Beth should be a police officer because the rate that she managed to piece together random coincidences to form an accurate picture was rapid and slightly unbelievable.
That said I wanted to focus on the final 25% and other positives of the book, this section was well-written and edited really well, the previous sections had been a slow build but it was worth it in the end, perseverance paid off and the reader was given a gripping, interesting unravelling of the story. There were quite a few good little twists towards the end and the pace really picked up as the plotline started to come together. The book also focused on some engaging and expected topics such as coercive control of both men and women and the long-lasting impact of this. The plotline was clearly well thought through as it wasn’t obvious where the book was heading until the very end, I frequently found myself thinking that the plot was going to go in a certain way only to discover that it didn’t which was a joy to read.
I’d recommend this book to anyone after an absorbing fictional read and I look forward to reading the authors other work.
After finishing the book, I kept thinking about it for a few days (a sign of a good book), trying to pinpoint what exactly I felt about it and I reached the conclusion that a lot of the things I initially wasn’t keen on were down to editing. The plotline itself is interesting but there are points where the writing is repetitive, for example it is repeatedly said in various ways (and sometimes the same way) that Elliot needs routine, once or twice would have been enough to get the point across. There is also a lot of scenery description, some of it necessary, some of it excessive.
Some of the characters (particularly Mia) would have benefitted from more character development as a lot of the focus was on what was happening rather than any focus on emotions such as guilt, remorse or care. As the undertone of the book seemed to be ‘sometimes good people do bad things’ more character development would have allowed the reader to see the multi-faceted natured of the character and would maybe have enabled the reader to have more sympathy and understanding of the motivations towards the characters actions. Other characters were better developed such as Beth, she is written with a realistic background story and is slowly built so that the reader understands the situation she finds herself in and the impact of various actions upon her. Ryan is also well written, particularly in the latter half of the book, more attention is paid to his inner feelings and as a result despite his misgivings he is an almost likeable character which is a due to wonderful writing.
As with any fiction book it is difficult to review it without giving any spoilers but I will try my best. There were a few plot holes which I found irritating firstly if a business experiences a break-in, you would expect that the first thing the police or business owners would do would be to check the CCTV, but this doesn’t happen and CCTV is not even mentioned until about 20 chapters later where it is revealed that the salon doesn’t have it, what business doesn’t have CCTV in the 2020’s? Also the character of Beth should be a police officer because the rate that she managed to piece together random coincidences to form an accurate picture was rapid and slightly unbelievable.
That said I wanted to focus on the final 25% and other positives of the book, this section was well-written and edited really well, the previous sections had been a slow build but it was worth it in the end, perseverance paid off and the reader was given a gripping, interesting unravelling of the story. There were quite a few good little twists towards the end and the pace really picked up as the plotline started to come together. The book also focused on some engaging and expected topics such as coercive control of both men and women and the long-lasting impact of this. The plotline was clearly well thought through as it wasn’t obvious where the book was heading until the very end, I frequently found myself thinking that the plot was going to go in a certain way only to discover that it didn’t which was a joy to read.
I’d recommend this book to anyone after an absorbing fictional read and I look forward to reading the authors other work.
March 24, 2023
The Other Side of Her is a solid, enjoyable murder-mystery set in Newcastle, Morisset and Sydney. The author, B.M. Carroll (or Ber Carroll) is Irish–Australian and brings both of her national allegiances together in this book where Tara, a young Irish au pair, is missing presumed dead after she leaves her Australian employers to go backpacking and swims drunk at the iconic Bondi Beach. The story of Tara is interspersed with a story about Beth and her daughter Tilly, struggling to survive the aftermath of a coercive and controlling partner, Kane. The financial impacts on women escaping domestic and family violence are particularly evident: "She can decide to have a drink with Caitlin in exchange for beans on toast for dinner" is presented as a positive in comparison to the financial abuse Beth experienced inside her relationship: "Financial abuse: so there was a term for what this was, this day-to-day poverty and powerlessness."
The other central theme of the book is living with a neuro-divergent child: "Nothing like a car trip to change the mind of ADHD naysayers." Tara was employed to look after Elliot who is neuro-divergent. As a 19-year-old she finds his mother Mia somewhat overbearing: "Tara is young, free, single, and incapable of thinking like a married, battle-weary, slightly paranoid mother." After all, Mia is the one tasked with giving Elliot the best chance in life defending him against people like fellow class parents who are "disapproving of Elliot's outbursts, harsh in their assessment of his character, committed to excluding him from social activities as a result." The weight of this burden of responsibility for ensuring her son has a good life leads to Mia making some terrible choices but maybe there's more at play...
The two story-lines are connected in the latter part of the book. The weaknesses for me was the amount of explaining over showing what motivated characters through their action: "Juggling the demands of a new job with a child who relied on her so heavily for emotional regulation." I guess the author was bringing together some complex themes, including the gendered nature of coercive control and a field of knowledge about how parents play a role in the way neuro-divergent children emotionally regulate, but I felt I was being lectured to a lot of the time. There's something to be said for letting readers join some of the dots themselves. What does come through quite strongly in the book is the way all four mothers: Mia, Beth, Tara's mother, Siobhán, and Ryan's mother Dianne, all intensely love their children, and the hard choices this can lead to.
With thanks to NetGalley and Affirm Press for sending me a copy to read.
The other central theme of the book is living with a neuro-divergent child: "Nothing like a car trip to change the mind of ADHD naysayers." Tara was employed to look after Elliot who is neuro-divergent. As a 19-year-old she finds his mother Mia somewhat overbearing: "Tara is young, free, single, and incapable of thinking like a married, battle-weary, slightly paranoid mother." After all, Mia is the one tasked with giving Elliot the best chance in life defending him against people like fellow class parents who are "disapproving of Elliot's outbursts, harsh in their assessment of his character, committed to excluding him from social activities as a result." The weight of this burden of responsibility for ensuring her son has a good life leads to Mia making some terrible choices but maybe there's more at play...
The two story-lines are connected in the latter part of the book. The weaknesses for me was the amount of explaining over showing what motivated characters through their action: "Juggling the demands of a new job with a child who relied on her so heavily for emotional regulation." I guess the author was bringing together some complex themes, including the gendered nature of coercive control and a field of knowledge about how parents play a role in the way neuro-divergent children emotionally regulate, but I felt I was being lectured to a lot of the time. There's something to be said for letting readers join some of the dots themselves. What does come through quite strongly in the book is the way all four mothers: Mia, Beth, Tara's mother, Siobhán, and Ryan's mother Dianne, all intensely love their children, and the hard choices this can lead to.
With thanks to NetGalley and Affirm Press for sending me a copy to read.
September 2, 2023
I’ll firstly start by saying that this is the first experience reading a book by B M Carroll (Ber Carroll), but it definitely won’t be my last. I loved the plot, loved the characters, loved the suspense, loved the twists, and especially loved that it was set in locations that I knew (Newcastle and Morisset NSW)…..yep, I loved it.
Now I would love to nothing more that to get into the nitty gritty in this review, but alas there is a major twist that happens in the story and I don’t want to risk spoiling it for anyone, so I’ll keep it vague.
The story is set around several key characters…..
Tara is a 19yo Irish backpacker that disappeared two years ago. She liked to go out, get drunk and party, and was very unimpressed with the isolation of the house, her nanny duties, and was not what you would call a tidy person.
Mia and Ryan employee Tara as a nanny for their son Elliot. Their expectation versus the reality of Tara are worlds apart, and now they are trying to navigate through the upheaval of a renewed investigation into Tara’s disappearance.
Beth is a struggling single mum to 7yo Tilly, trying to make a happy life for the both of them after escaping an abusive marriage, but bad things keep happening to her. You really don’t know what her connection is to Tara, but you think there must be one.
When I started the book I thought you were seeing all the characters front and centre, however as the story develops, you realise that you were getting a side glimpse and as things progress, including a big twist, you find out things are not as they seem and you see them in a whole new light.
There are basically three story timelines throughout the book. Beth’s story is present day, Ryan’s begins six weeks earlier and Mia’s is two years ago, but Ber Carroll has done this with great skill and it works brilliantly, giving the reader the opportunity to not only see events through different eyes, but to also gather information along the way that bring you to the surprising conclusion.
One of my favourite characters is actually not one of the main ones but is one of the minor characters named Charlie. Now once again I can’t say too much about Charlie without spoiling a couple of things, so what I will say is that once you read the book you will then understand my love of Charlie.
The Other Side of Her is entertaining, engaging and will leave you with the satisfaction you feel when you read a great book, and once you read it, let me know if you agree with me about Charlie.
#theothersideofher
#bmcarroll
#crimetwist
Now I would love to nothing more that to get into the nitty gritty in this review, but alas there is a major twist that happens in the story and I don’t want to risk spoiling it for anyone, so I’ll keep it vague.
The story is set around several key characters…..
Tara is a 19yo Irish backpacker that disappeared two years ago. She liked to go out, get drunk and party, and was very unimpressed with the isolation of the house, her nanny duties, and was not what you would call a tidy person.
Mia and Ryan employee Tara as a nanny for their son Elliot. Their expectation versus the reality of Tara are worlds apart, and now they are trying to navigate through the upheaval of a renewed investigation into Tara’s disappearance.
Beth is a struggling single mum to 7yo Tilly, trying to make a happy life for the both of them after escaping an abusive marriage, but bad things keep happening to her. You really don’t know what her connection is to Tara, but you think there must be one.
When I started the book I thought you were seeing all the characters front and centre, however as the story develops, you realise that you were getting a side glimpse and as things progress, including a big twist, you find out things are not as they seem and you see them in a whole new light.
There are basically three story timelines throughout the book. Beth’s story is present day, Ryan’s begins six weeks earlier and Mia’s is two years ago, but Ber Carroll has done this with great skill and it works brilliantly, giving the reader the opportunity to not only see events through different eyes, but to also gather information along the way that bring you to the surprising conclusion.
One of my favourite characters is actually not one of the main ones but is one of the minor characters named Charlie. Now once again I can’t say too much about Charlie without spoiling a couple of things, so what I will say is that once you read the book you will then understand my love of Charlie.
The Other Side of Her is entertaining, engaging and will leave you with the satisfaction you feel when you read a great book, and once you read it, let me know if you agree with me about Charlie.
#theothersideofher
#bmcarroll
#crimetwist
May 14, 2023
Ber Carroll has written eleven novels but only the last few under the shortened name “BM” to signify the books being darker and grittier. And there is definitely some darkenss in her latest book The Other Side of Her, a story of murder, a cover up and a woman on the edge. But also a story that draws on Carroll’s own experience as an Irish backpacker on a working visit to Australia.
The Other Side of Her starts with two very separate stories. Beth is a single mother still dealing with the aftermath of the split from a controlling ex while trying to get her life together. Meanwhile Ryan and Mia are a couple dealing with a young son with ADHD and whose life is back in the spotlight when an investigation into missing Irish backpacker Tara, who worked for them as a nanny, is reopened. The narrative also drops back to the time when Tara came to work for Ryan and Mia, an arrangement which was far from idea for anyone. It takes until about half-way through the book for the two threads to come together. The connection is both tangential and critical and puts Beth and the couple on a collision course.
While the set-up is intriguing, Carroll has to essentially betray her characters in order to build tension. At one point Beth is point blank advised to report her growing suspicions to the police by her best friend, an action which may well have put her in a much better place. She takes a different action which ups the pressure on her and sets up the final act of the book. While this works in terms of the novel, many of Beth’s actions in this regard make little sense. But that said, Carroll still manages to confound reader expectations and lead up to a character-based, unexpected resolution.
The Other Side of Her is an interesting domestic thriller that has a few hot button drivers. The first is how far parents will go to protect and safeguard their children. The second is the way Carroll\ zeroes in on a relationship in which the husband is emotionally abused and manipulated. At the core of the story is a series of misjudgements and personal pressure that leads to tragedy. Carroll is interested in the aftermath of – the way people respond to this pressure (both positive and negative). And while some of the character moments feel forced, she manages to ask some interesting questions and generate a fair amount of tension on the way.
The Other Side of Her starts with two very separate stories. Beth is a single mother still dealing with the aftermath of the split from a controlling ex while trying to get her life together. Meanwhile Ryan and Mia are a couple dealing with a young son with ADHD and whose life is back in the spotlight when an investigation into missing Irish backpacker Tara, who worked for them as a nanny, is reopened. The narrative also drops back to the time when Tara came to work for Ryan and Mia, an arrangement which was far from idea for anyone. It takes until about half-way through the book for the two threads to come together. The connection is both tangential and critical and puts Beth and the couple on a collision course.
While the set-up is intriguing, Carroll has to essentially betray her characters in order to build tension. At one point Beth is point blank advised to report her growing suspicions to the police by her best friend, an action which may well have put her in a much better place. She takes a different action which ups the pressure on her and sets up the final act of the book. While this works in terms of the novel, many of Beth’s actions in this regard make little sense. But that said, Carroll still manages to confound reader expectations and lead up to a character-based, unexpected resolution.
The Other Side of Her is an interesting domestic thriller that has a few hot button drivers. The first is how far parents will go to protect and safeguard their children. The second is the way Carroll\ zeroes in on a relationship in which the husband is emotionally abused and manipulated. At the core of the story is a series of misjudgements and personal pressure that leads to tragedy. Carroll is interested in the aftermath of – the way people respond to this pressure (both positive and negative). And while some of the character moments feel forced, she manages to ask some interesting questions and generate a fair amount of tension on the way.
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