Do Unto Others
- Mark Jenkins
Trigger Warnings: Violence/Murder, Manipulation, Animal Abuse (no descriptive, very minimal reference)
Do Unto Others by Mark Jenkins is the epitome’ of what I feel the ultimate psychological thriller SHOULD be - an intense, supercharged, emotionally twisted ball of crazy riding on a rollercoaster of plot twists that will give the most seasoned reader whiplash.
Mark includes complex yet relatable characters who are authentic and faced with genuine moral dilemmas. Each character has a back story that is built layer upon layer allowing you, the reader, a chance to build that character in your mind as you read along.
Our story begins with a “flashback” scene where Brooke, Cathy and Dana are making each other a promise that they will take a possibly damning secret to their graves.
Meet best friends Alicia, Brooke, Cathy and Dana - otherwise known as the AlphaBabes. You know, ABCD - alpha and babes. Yeah, I knew you would get it. The girls met in college and over their college careers created many a memory together and agreed to stick together through thick and thin - no matter what. Of course, no one knew that the “through thick and thin” would come so soon and test the bonds of friendship.
On the night of Alicia and Ryan’s wedding, everyone was attending the reception and having a great time. Alicia and Ryan kept their whits about them by toasting to their marriage but enjoyed watching their friends and family celebrate their union. Brooke, Cathy and Dana were all on the dance floor with Gio, Ryan’s friend and the limo driver for the night. Spirits were high and the booze was flowing when the time came for Gio to drive Alicia and Ryan away from the reception. Alicia noticed Gio sway and asked if he was fine and he reassured her he was and the couple was whisked away to begin their life as Mr and Mrs - except the roads were wet and the car was going too fast. A fiery crash that night took the lives of the recently married couple and the limo driver leaving the remaining alphababes to swear each other to secrecy knowing nothing good would come from them going to the authorities after the fact as the role they played in the fiery crash would only result in more heartache by bringing about criminal charges of their own.
Almost a year goes by and one by one each of the remaining alphababes meet the man of their dreams with high hopes they can finally move past the death of Alicia, Ryan and Gio. As each of the girls settle into a familiar relationship routine with their dream guy, they all wonder what it would be like to reconnect with and share their happiness with their friends. As things begin to surface and bring about uneasiness to their relationships, each of the girls tries to piece together what is going on but due to their own past insecurities and phobias, they dismiss what should have been red flags and dive deeper into the relationship devoting themselves even more.
Secrets are revealed, lives are shattered, friendships lost forever and mysteries unearthed - the alphababes will NEVER be whole again.
Get ready to take the craziest ride of your life with Alicia, Brooke, Cathy and Dana in the psychological thriller that your mind has been really craving………but just when you think it’s over, think again. Find out for yourself who gets the last bite of revenge and always keep in mind “Do Unto Others” as you would have them do unto you…….or NOT!!!
As always, all opinions and reviews are of my own volition. I have not been promised any compensation by the author, present or future, for my review.