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Please Don't Leave Me Here
Is Brigitte a loving wife and mother, or a cold-blooded killer?
Nobody knows why she was out so early on the morning she was knocked down in a hit-and-run. Or why a man was found beaten to death in her apartment that same day.
Brigitte claims she has no memory of what happened, but when the investigation is reopened fourteen years later, unwanted questions start cropping up:
What was Brigitte doing before she was run over?
Who killed the man in her apartment?
And why is she haunted by the face of Kurt Cobain, who reminds her of someone she’d rather forget…?
As Brigitte’s world begins collapsing in on her, she is forced to confront the truth about that night – even if it means losing her husband, her kids, and maybe even herself.
Nobody knows why she was out so early on the morning she was knocked down in a hit-and-run. Or why a man was found beaten to death in her apartment that same day.
Brigitte claims she has no memory of what happened, but when the investigation is reopened fourteen years later, unwanted questions start cropping up:
What was Brigitte doing before she was run over?
Who killed the man in her apartment?
And why is she haunted by the face of Kurt Cobain, who reminds her of someone she’d rather forget…?
As Brigitte’s world begins collapsing in on her, she is forced to confront the truth about that night – even if it means losing her husband, her kids, and maybe even herself.
290 pages, Paperback
First published July 29, 2015
11 people are currently reading
675 people want to read
About the author
Tania Chandler
4 books29 followersTania Chandler is a Melbourne-based writer, writing teacher, and editor. 'All That I Remember About Dean Cola' is her third novel.
https://linktr.ee/taniachandler
https://linktr.ee/taniachandler
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
May 8, 2024
This first novel in the series is set in suburban Melbourne, and told in the first person by Brigitte – it is really her life story.
Brigitte was knocked down by a car when she was a very young mother. This has left her with considerable memory loss and slight physical disability. She is married to a plain-clothes police officer and has two young children.
From the start it is apparent that she is a complete mess – a terrible mother and an unfaithful wife. Her main interest is consumerism – the latest designer outfits, make-up, etc.,etc. She is completely insecure and is vaguely aware that she did something terrible shortly before the accident.
I am afraid I had no sympathy whatsoever because of her total inability to take any decisive steps in the right – or even wrong - direction. The narration switches from 1994 to 2008 (which is the present) and the events leading up to the accident. It’s described as a ‘riveting psychological thriller’ but I honestly can’t agree with that statement - it could very loosely be described as a crime story, I suppose, in that some of the characters are definitely criminals and others police officers.
It is not badly written – Tania Chandler is a professional writer who is apparently already working on a sequel. Will it be for me? I doubt it, based on my feelings overall for the first in the series.
Brigitte was knocked down by a car when she was a very young mother. This has left her with considerable memory loss and slight physical disability. She is married to a plain-clothes police officer and has two young children.
From the start it is apparent that she is a complete mess – a terrible mother and an unfaithful wife. Her main interest is consumerism – the latest designer outfits, make-up, etc.,etc. She is completely insecure and is vaguely aware that she did something terrible shortly before the accident.
I am afraid I had no sympathy whatsoever because of her total inability to take any decisive steps in the right – or even wrong - direction. The narration switches from 1994 to 2008 (which is the present) and the events leading up to the accident. It’s described as a ‘riveting psychological thriller’ but I honestly can’t agree with that statement - it could very loosely be described as a crime story, I suppose, in that some of the characters are definitely criminals and others police officers.
It is not badly written – Tania Chandler is a professional writer who is apparently already working on a sequel. Will it be for me? I doubt it, based on my feelings overall for the first in the series.
September 8, 2015
A really excellent psychological thriller this - which has a lot going for it, the fact that it doesnt have the word Girl in the title, even though this is the story of a girl - and whether or not she is a killer - is just an aside that I thought I'd throw out there!
That's not the reason it's so good though,obviously. There is some really excellent writing here, beautiful descriptive prose that gets you right into the head of the main protagonist and a really really intriguing and enthralling story. Whilst there are two timelines to be had here as well, Tania Chandler has chosen to be a lot more straighforward about it, which really helped - and she brings a deep pyschological depth to all the characters that is definitely above and beyond a lot of the similar seeming tales around this year.
Whether or not Brigitte really is a killer or simply a victim that got away may be the anchor to the story as a whole, but this is not so much about THAT as it is about HER. Her life, the relationships she develops, her upbringing and attitude. I really found her to be intensely fascinating and she does have a very hard time of it and although it's possible she once murdered somebody you will root for her all the way.
The resolution is not immediately obvious which is always a huge plus - and this is one of those novels where you are caught up in events from first page to last rather than hoppity skipping through to find out "whodunnit" - in a sense it doesnt really matter, for me this was more about how Brigitte would end up, whether she would face her inner demons and win or lose.
Overall really great stuff. And in answer to a question I saw on Twitter recently - is the Psychological thriller dead - my answer is a resounding NO. That genre lives and breathes in novels like this one.
Highly Recommended.
Happy Reading Folks!
That's not the reason it's so good though,obviously. There is some really excellent writing here, beautiful descriptive prose that gets you right into the head of the main protagonist and a really really intriguing and enthralling story. Whilst there are two timelines to be had here as well, Tania Chandler has chosen to be a lot more straighforward about it, which really helped - and she brings a deep pyschological depth to all the characters that is definitely above and beyond a lot of the similar seeming tales around this year.
Whether or not Brigitte really is a killer or simply a victim that got away may be the anchor to the story as a whole, but this is not so much about THAT as it is about HER. Her life, the relationships she develops, her upbringing and attitude. I really found her to be intensely fascinating and she does have a very hard time of it and although it's possible she once murdered somebody you will root for her all the way.
The resolution is not immediately obvious which is always a huge plus - and this is one of those novels where you are caught up in events from first page to last rather than hoppity skipping through to find out "whodunnit" - in a sense it doesnt really matter, for me this was more about how Brigitte would end up, whether she would face her inner demons and win or lose.
Overall really great stuff. And in answer to a question I saw on Twitter recently - is the Psychological thriller dead - my answer is a resounding NO. That genre lives and breathes in novels like this one.
Highly Recommended.
Happy Reading Folks!
September 29, 2015
Originally posted on Beauty, Books and Babble
From the outside, Brigette seems like a regular woman - happily married, beautiful children and a career she enjoys. But Brigette isn't normal, because Brigette can't remember anything about her life before 1994. All she knows is that the same day the car struck her and her memory went missing, a man was found dead in her apartment.
In 2008, the case still remains unsolved, but when the story of the girl with memory loss and the dead man begins to surface again, Brigette and the people around her start to ask themselves a question: is she really an ordinary, loving mother, or is she in fact a cold blooded killer who got away with murder ?
I found the book to be a bit of a slow burner to start with as we are introduced to the intricate ins and outs of Brigette's daily life, but this slow burning start was definitely needed to allow us to truly see and understand Brigette's loss of control when things hit rock bottom for her. As she begins to turn to heavy drinking and numerous painkillers, we slowly see her calm facade crumble to pieces and a deep, damaged part of her is revealed, all making for a character that's hard to root for and like.
Things change for the reader, however, when we reach the second part of the book. It's 1994, and once again we follow the story alongside Brigette... a very different Brigette to the one we've met in 2008. All of sudden we are given a glimpse of a vulnerable young girl stuck in an abusive relationship, a dangerous job and a life she doesn't want to lead. Brigette becomes relatable, likeable and someone I could empathise with greatly. The slow burning story suddenly hooked me with each and every page and the protagonist I didn't take a liking to became someone I felt warmth towards and was invested in.
Tania Chandler has done a magnificent job of creating a wonderfully complex, opinion-changing character who is lost and damaged, making for an unreliable narrator that we want to unravel and understand. Whilst making my way through the story in order to solve the mystery of the murdered man, I also found myself wanting to untangle the obscurity surrounding Brigette and who she actually is.
I love that I was kept guessing throughout the full book. Dark subjects such as drug abuse and domestic violence crop up throughout the story to create a tale that is grim and realistic with no obvious finish line. As bits of Brigette's past began to piece together her life in the future, the story was well wrapped up and drawn to a satisfying finish.
Filled with deep and complex characters, Please Don't Leave Me Here is a debut novel that had a slow start but soon became an engrossing page turner with twists and turns to keep you guessing until the end.
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March 21, 2020
3.5★s
This is one of those occasions when I get really annoyed with the publisher and the marketing department.
The back cover of this book proclaims it as "A riveting psychological thriller". Not true. It's anything but riveting or a thriller.
It is indeed a psychological examination of a young woman going through massive changes in her life. There IS an element of mystery to be explored - a question mark about Brigitte's part in the death of an unsavoury underworld figure several years earlier.
The story takes place in two time periods. First, in 2008, we are introduced to the mature Brigitte, a mother of two, married to Sam, a policeman. The re-opening of the cold case regarding the unsolved murder of Eric Tucker sends Brigitte into a downward spiral. She was the prime suspect in his death fourteen years earlier.
Part 2 of the novel takes us back to 1994, when 20 yo Brigitte was working as an exotic dancer in a city nightclub owned by the sleazy Eric Tucker. At first she feels flattered that he has invited her into his life and his apartment. But his cruel nature becomes apparent in his violent behaviour and emotional abuse of her. She's young and underconfident, her family is not available to support her, she lacks education and experience. She wants to leave the nightclub scene but she does not know how. Then she meets Matt, a man who really cares for her, and her need to leave Eric and the subterranean world of Melbourne's underbelly becomes urgent. But it is not easy for her...
Part 3 switches back to 2008 and we learn more about the mystery surrounding Eric's death and what happened to Brigitte. For me the resolution of the story was a little unconvincing, in particular the issue of repressed memory. But the mystery of who killed Eric is put to rest in a surprising way. I did not see it coming!
The strength of this book lies in its portrayal of an ordinary young woman of limited skills and resources who finds herself trapped in an unsatisfactory situation. The impacts on her social and psychological well-being of the challenges she faces make for a meaningful exploration of family, love, relationships and loss.
The prose style is engaging and I found this book really easy to read. Brigitte comes alive on the page. I loved all the references to popular culture and to inner suburban Melbourne, elements which strengthened the book's sense of authenticity. More than once I speculated whether Brigitte's story had autobiographical elements of the author's own youth.
Please Don't Leave Me Here is a good read, but not a great read, and it is certainly not a riveting thriller. Rather, enjoy it for its own thoughtful qualities, not what some marketing dude thinks will make it a best-seller.
This is one of those occasions when I get really annoyed with the publisher and the marketing department.
The back cover of this book proclaims it as "A riveting psychological thriller". Not true. It's anything but riveting or a thriller.
It is indeed a psychological examination of a young woman going through massive changes in her life. There IS an element of mystery to be explored - a question mark about Brigitte's part in the death of an unsavoury underworld figure several years earlier.
The story takes place in two time periods. First, in 2008, we are introduced to the mature Brigitte, a mother of two, married to Sam, a policeman. The re-opening of the cold case regarding the unsolved murder of Eric Tucker sends Brigitte into a downward spiral. She was the prime suspect in his death fourteen years earlier.
Part 2 of the novel takes us back to 1994, when 20 yo Brigitte was working as an exotic dancer in a city nightclub owned by the sleazy Eric Tucker. At first she feels flattered that he has invited her into his life and his apartment. But his cruel nature becomes apparent in his violent behaviour and emotional abuse of her. She's young and underconfident, her family is not available to support her, she lacks education and experience. She wants to leave the nightclub scene but she does not know how. Then she meets Matt, a man who really cares for her, and her need to leave Eric and the subterranean world of Melbourne's underbelly becomes urgent. But it is not easy for her...
Part 3 switches back to 2008 and we learn more about the mystery surrounding Eric's death and what happened to Brigitte. For me the resolution of the story was a little unconvincing, in particular the issue of repressed memory. But the mystery of who killed Eric is put to rest in a surprising way. I did not see it coming!
The strength of this book lies in its portrayal of an ordinary young woman of limited skills and resources who finds herself trapped in an unsatisfactory situation. The impacts on her social and psychological well-being of the challenges she faces make for a meaningful exploration of family, love, relationships and loss.
The prose style is engaging and I found this book really easy to read. Brigitte comes alive on the page. I loved all the references to popular culture and to inner suburban Melbourne, elements which strengthened the book's sense of authenticity. More than once I speculated whether Brigitte's story had autobiographical elements of the author's own youth.
Please Don't Leave Me Here is a good read, but not a great read, and it is certainly not a riveting thriller. Rather, enjoy it for its own thoughtful qualities, not what some marketing dude thinks will make it a best-seller.
August 12, 2015
PLEASE DON'T LEAVE ME HERE is a Melbourne based Australian crime novel that goes beyond the confines of traditional crime fiction.
Author Tania Chandler has crafted a moving tale of two distinct plot threads which ultimately converge to form a singular, broad spanning plot that at once paints a startlingly different picture of lead character Bridget from what readers are introduced to in the first half of the novel while also providing context to the murder mystery that envelops her throughout the present day passages as past events unfold.
PLEASE DON'T LEAVE ME HERE has the feeling of reading two books at once, such is the differentiation from present day Bridget as mother, wife to a cop husband, and homemaker to the more risque young, impressionable woman who uses the nightlife and her good looks to get by. It's a clever yin and yang effect that links a violent mystery to an unassuming character without compromising plausibility.
Another element I particularly enjoyed was the use of dreams to break-up the narrative, a theme that was maintained throughout both past and present story-lines. It was interesting to see the relevance of these strange dreams come to fruition as the novel progressed; Bridget is a complicated character perfectly written by Chandler.
PLEASE DON'T LEAVE ME HERE is a highly enjoyable read that gives readers a multidimensional look at the lead character through two quite different aspects of life.
http://justaguythatlikes2read.blogspo...
Author Tania Chandler has crafted a moving tale of two distinct plot threads which ultimately converge to form a singular, broad spanning plot that at once paints a startlingly different picture of lead character Bridget from what readers are introduced to in the first half of the novel while also providing context to the murder mystery that envelops her throughout the present day passages as past events unfold.
PLEASE DON'T LEAVE ME HERE has the feeling of reading two books at once, such is the differentiation from present day Bridget as mother, wife to a cop husband, and homemaker to the more risque young, impressionable woman who uses the nightlife and her good looks to get by. It's a clever yin and yang effect that links a violent mystery to an unassuming character without compromising plausibility.
Another element I particularly enjoyed was the use of dreams to break-up the narrative, a theme that was maintained throughout both past and present story-lines. It was interesting to see the relevance of these strange dreams come to fruition as the novel progressed; Bridget is a complicated character perfectly written by Chandler.
PLEASE DON'T LEAVE ME HERE is a highly enjoyable read that gives readers a multidimensional look at the lead character through two quite different aspects of life.
http://justaguythatlikes2read.blogspo...
August 24, 2017
A very enjoyable read. It's set in inner city Melbourne in 2008 and 1994. Brigitte has lost her memory after a car accident in 1994. There's a dead body and a cold case by 2008. The story is gripping and kept me turning the pages wanting more (and ending up with a few very late nights). Clues are scattered throughout the novel giving the reader heaps to do. Which are the clues that matter and which ones don't... Well written with great tension throughout.
See my full review here,/a>
See my full review here,/a>
July 28, 2015
Chandler sets this in Melbourne and brings the inner city alive as she first shows us Brigitte's current life with police husband, twins and hints of a darker past, and then in part two takes us back to 1994 and we see another life and how events can make for turns in trajectories. An enjoyable read.
August 21, 2015
I received this book via first reads.
Wow! I have just finished this book and can honestly say it was amazing. I loved the authors unusual writing style and the story that unraveled was one that sucked me in and didn't want to let me go!
Wow! I have just finished this book and can honestly say it was amazing. I loved the authors unusual writing style and the story that unraveled was one that sucked me in and didn't want to let me go!
September 16, 2015
I was lucky to win this through goodreads first reads, I decided to rate this a solid 4★ because the story kept me hooked and I thought the characters were well thought out I look forward to reading the next book as I read there's another on the way
July 18, 2016
I was super excited to read this book, because not only is the author from Melbourne but it's also set in Melbourne (where i'm from) and i haven't read many books based in my home city, let alone a psychological thriller, being one of my favourite genres of books.
Its also set in 1994 and 2008, so there is a few references from both of these times eg: Chanel No 5 perfume, Kurt Cobain , Julia Gillard- which i found enjoyable and quite easy to follow.
2008: Brigitte is introduced as a loving mother and wife, having survived a hit and run back in 1994 the same day police found a concert promoter beaten to death in his apartment, she has moved on mainly because she doesn't remember anything before the incident, she is married to a cop with two lovable twins- Until the cold case is reopened and she starts being investigated by Aiden, who is living in her house no thanks to her husband. When Brigitte and Aiden have a steamy one night stand, guilt consumed Brigitte and she starts having nightmares of Kurt Cobain, and odd dreams she doesn't understand the meaning too.
The story progress until Brigitte tragically tries to commit suicide via sleeping pills which she becomes addicted to as the story unravels.
We then are introduced to Brigitte in 1994, working at a strip joint, in an abusive relationship with a drug lord and finding herself falling in love with her writing professor. Scared of what will happen if Eric, her boyfriend finds out about Matt, Brigitte uses Eric profession and the fact he spends weeks away to her advantage, falling even more deeply in love with the handsome Matt, who is persuading her to a better life. Until she falls pregnant and has to unconsider what she wants in her life, whether she wants the baby, and which man to pursue.
This novel takes many twists and turns, with a shocking reveal that leaves the reader utterly speechless, i for one never saw this ending coming and i'm getting quite good at this 'pick the bad guy' game in thrillers and murder/mystery books. Once again NO SPOILERS as i myself hate them, but give this book as go if it sounds like you might enjoy it, definately worth the read.
Being Tania Chandler's first book i was a little surprised at how well written and easy to follow it was,having started with the after, and then the before made it even more interesting to see how Brigitte's character grew from an abused stripper to a loving mother and wife. She is likable, loving and i think readers will be able to relate to her on some level, or even her growth from a young woman to an adult mother. The characters in general feel real, unlike some books where they dont feel believable, or like they pass as real everyday people, unless we are talking fantasy or another genre. The fact the story was based in Melbourne made it extremely enjoyable to read as i knew a lot of the locations referenced in the book which made imagining the story even more easier, almost like you could even know Brigitte yourself, or have seen her on a train and not even known.
There is some romance throughout as we see different relationships in Brigette's life, although i wouldn't say it's the main focus of this novel.
Recommended to anyone liking: Psychological Thrillers, Murder/Mystery.
August 22, 2015
What a wonderful novel!
I loved the complexity of the psychologically damaged protagonist - her strange dreams and the effect her mother has had on her life.
This was an involving, intelligent book and as a debut novel all the more commendable.
Delighted to have received this book as a first reads winner.
I loved the complexity of the psychologically damaged protagonist - her strange dreams and the effect her mother has had on her life.
This was an involving, intelligent book and as a debut novel all the more commendable.
Delighted to have received this book as a first reads winner.
September 22, 2015
My View:
This has to be the scariest book cover I have come across in quite some time…that smoke blurred image that distorts the facial features of this photo, for some reason I find this very spooky- thankfully the book is not scary , it is …intriguing and very sad.
This is a narrative of many mysteries, survival, and memory and how low self-esteem can really shape a person’s life choices and boy has Brigitte mad some very poor choices… as we reach the conclusion of this book we catch a glimmer of hope that Brigitte is perhaps about to make a good decision – the past being acknowledged as the past and maybe accepting/owning her own feelings and a truth revealed.
Tania Chandler takes an addictive personality, low self-esteem, poor parenting and loss of memory and creates a very credible personality that is Brigitte. At each turn of the page you can understand why poor decision are made and empathise with the protagonist who is exploited and manipulated by even those who care for her. This is a grim, realistic story that ends with just a trace of optimism – or is that me looking for a positive outcome? Who knows…?
Tania Chandler has mastered the art of writing the unreliable narrator in this book.
This has to be the scariest book cover I have come across in quite some time…that smoke blurred image that distorts the facial features of this photo, for some reason I find this very spooky- thankfully the book is not scary , it is …intriguing and very sad.
This is a narrative of many mysteries, survival, and memory and how low self-esteem can really shape a person’s life choices and boy has Brigitte mad some very poor choices… as we reach the conclusion of this book we catch a glimmer of hope that Brigitte is perhaps about to make a good decision – the past being acknowledged as the past and maybe accepting/owning her own feelings and a truth revealed.
Tania Chandler takes an addictive personality, low self-esteem, poor parenting and loss of memory and creates a very credible personality that is Brigitte. At each turn of the page you can understand why poor decision are made and empathise with the protagonist who is exploited and manipulated by even those who care for her. This is a grim, realistic story that ends with just a trace of optimism – or is that me looking for a positive outcome? Who knows…?
Tania Chandler has mastered the art of writing the unreliable narrator in this book.
January 2, 2016
3.5 stars. Another one of the Summer Read titles and it didn't disappoint. Look forward to the sequel as I really enjoyed this first novel by Tania Chandler. Gritty, raw and definitely lived up to being a page turner. Well written, Chandler develops her main protagonist Brigitte as one tough character that finds herself more than once in the wrong place which subsequently leads to a life of deceit and heartache. Loved the story's backdrop, could picture the Melbourne locations where the action took place. Look forward to seeing more from this author and love this particular psychological thriller genre.
March 22, 2016
This is a clever, well paced, well written thriller. In it's genre it is as good as it gets.
Brigitte is a mess - looking for lover and acceptance from an upbringing where she was rejected from her mother. There is a murder she may have committed, pain from the injuries she suffered after a car accident, a trail of bad relationships, and a need for drugs and alcohol. She is also an ex-stripper and mother of twins. How hard can your life get?
Brigitte is a great character, the plot is easy to follow but not predictable. An impressive debut.
Brigitte is a mess - looking for lover and acceptance from an upbringing where she was rejected from her mother. There is a murder she may have committed, pain from the injuries she suffered after a car accident, a trail of bad relationships, and a need for drugs and alcohol. She is also an ex-stripper and mother of twins. How hard can your life get?
Brigitte is a great character, the plot is easy to follow but not predictable. An impressive debut.
September 3, 2015
I loved this book. I could hear the dialogue, and loved the characters and the Melbourne setting.
the author's ability to capture a mood, and to evoke a sense of danger was superb.
Cracking good read, loved the old person's home and all of that part of the book as well.
Tania Chandler is an author to watch out for.......
the author's ability to capture a mood, and to evoke a sense of danger was superb.
Cracking good read, loved the old person's home and all of that part of the book as well.
Tania Chandler is an author to watch out for.......
March 22, 2017
Tense and thrilling. Loved it.
September 22, 2015
Originally posted on:> http://lauraslittlebookblog.blogspot....
When I saw that this book had been likened to The Girl on the Train, my curiosity was instantly heightened. I had really liked The Girl on the Train, so was interested to see what this book would be like, and also because of the success of The Girl on the Train, I was expecting great things.
Please Don't Leave Me Here starts in 2008 where Brigitte is married and a Mother of twins; fourteen years after a man was found dead in her apartment. Brigitte was investigated by the police, but claimed to have no memory of what happened. Now the case has been reopened and the question is; is Brigitte a loving Mother or a cold blooded killer?
Please Don't Leave Me Here had a really different kind of narrative. I have never known a book quite like this to dramatically change my perception of a character. The book may start in 2008, but it goes back to 1994 to the events that led up to the death of a man in Brigitte's apartment. How you feel about Brigitte and the judgment you make of her initially is completely thrown when we are taken back to 1994 when she is just 19. It is almost like reading about two different characters.
I loved how this book makes you question everything about Brigitte and what started as a book that I wasn't really that into, had me hooked the instant we were taken back to Brigitte's past and actually had me sympathising with her, when at first I couldn't bear her. Brigitte is definitely one of the most interesting characters I have come across in fiction, there is just so much depth to her, from herself to the relationships that she has with others. She is what makes this story so enthralling and I actually became more interested in what would happen to her rather than if she was a killer or not.
I can see why this has some similarities to The Girl on the Train, but I think Please Don't Leave Me Here is different in it's own right. So even if you didn't like The Girl on the Train, I think you will enjoy this.
A very intriguing and fascinating story, that although started off slow, quickly turned in to a engrossing read.
When I saw that this book had been likened to The Girl on the Train, my curiosity was instantly heightened. I had really liked The Girl on the Train, so was interested to see what this book would be like, and also because of the success of The Girl on the Train, I was expecting great things.
Please Don't Leave Me Here starts in 2008 where Brigitte is married and a Mother of twins; fourteen years after a man was found dead in her apartment. Brigitte was investigated by the police, but claimed to have no memory of what happened. Now the case has been reopened and the question is; is Brigitte a loving Mother or a cold blooded killer?
Please Don't Leave Me Here had a really different kind of narrative. I have never known a book quite like this to dramatically change my perception of a character. The book may start in 2008, but it goes back to 1994 to the events that led up to the death of a man in Brigitte's apartment. How you feel about Brigitte and the judgment you make of her initially is completely thrown when we are taken back to 1994 when she is just 19. It is almost like reading about two different characters.
I loved how this book makes you question everything about Brigitte and what started as a book that I wasn't really that into, had me hooked the instant we were taken back to Brigitte's past and actually had me sympathising with her, when at first I couldn't bear her. Brigitte is definitely one of the most interesting characters I have come across in fiction, there is just so much depth to her, from herself to the relationships that she has with others. She is what makes this story so enthralling and I actually became more interested in what would happen to her rather than if she was a killer or not.
I can see why this has some similarities to The Girl on the Train, but I think Please Don't Leave Me Here is different in it's own right. So even if you didn't like The Girl on the Train, I think you will enjoy this.
A very intriguing and fascinating story, that although started off slow, quickly turned in to a engrossing read.
Read
June 8, 2018A remarkable debut. Stylish, assured writing and a compelling, totally believable protagonist. Ms Chandler makes us believe in Brigitte even as we wonder whether to believe her.
Graeme Simsion, Author of The Rosie Project
[F]irst-time author Chandler proves chillingly good at powerlessness, despair, and the unreasonable batterings of fate.
Katharine England, Adelaide Advertiser
[C]omplicated but intriguing … Chandler ensures twists and turns until then end.
Weekly Times
Graeme Simsion, Author of The Rosie Project
[F]irst-time author Chandler proves chillingly good at powerlessness, despair, and the unreasonable batterings of fate.
Katharine England, Adelaide Advertiser
[C]omplicated but intriguing … Chandler ensures twists and turns until then end.
Weekly Times
March 13, 2016
Please don’t leave me here tells the tale of Brigitte, a mother in inner city Melbourne. She has twins, and a husband who works for the police. She continues to fear that his profession will kill him, and this anxiety seeps into her day to day.
After a chance intimacy with a stranger at a friends party, Brigitte’s past comes crashing into her reality. After an accident in 1994 she was seriously injured and conveniently forgot the elements of the crime committed. When this stranger begins to untangle the cold case, the reader begins to wonder if Brigitte is to be trusted with her narrative.
Brigitte of 1994 seems to be completely different to the 2008 version. She’s younger and living a dangerous existence. But beyond those facts the two Brigitte’s are actually quite similar. In abusive relationships, stuck with situtations beyond her control, both tales are singing the same tune.
The dream sequences are a little out of place – but perhaps the surreal element of these dreams is meant to disjoint the reader and the reality of Brigittes lives. Lovers of Kurt Cobain and the early 90’s will probably enjoy the trip down memory lane, but lovers of well written thrillers will probably think this debut is lacking.
After a chance intimacy with a stranger at a friends party, Brigitte’s past comes crashing into her reality. After an accident in 1994 she was seriously injured and conveniently forgot the elements of the crime committed. When this stranger begins to untangle the cold case, the reader begins to wonder if Brigitte is to be trusted with her narrative.
Brigitte of 1994 seems to be completely different to the 2008 version. She’s younger and living a dangerous existence. But beyond those facts the two Brigitte’s are actually quite similar. In abusive relationships, stuck with situtations beyond her control, both tales are singing the same tune.
The dream sequences are a little out of place – but perhaps the surreal element of these dreams is meant to disjoint the reader and the reality of Brigittes lives. Lovers of Kurt Cobain and the early 90’s will probably enjoy the trip down memory lane, but lovers of well written thrillers will probably think this debut is lacking.
January 12, 2016
This book grips you by the gut and doesn't let go. It is uncomfortable at times, with some of the actions done by and to the protagonist being written in a fairly powerful way. That doesn't mean it's bad though; in fact it engrosses you into the story even more. For me, the character and story feel like they'll be in my head for a few days, similar to how Requiem For A Dream (movie) is after you watch it.
The only actual (small) negative I had was that the book time travels backwards somewhat, and I was so impatient to see what happens next in current day that it was frustrating to step backwards. It wasn't long before I sucked into the story of that time, though, and the frustration left me.
The only actual (small) negative I had was that the book time travels backwards somewhat, and I was so impatient to see what happens next in current day that it was frustrating to step backwards. It wasn't long before I sucked into the story of that time, though, and the frustration left me.
October 12, 2015
Amazing book! I was particularly drawn by Tania Chandler`s ability to write the dreams. They were dreams; they looked like dreams - fragmentary and bizarre - but they held the main clues to the story. To understand the whole story, do not skip the dream sequences. Like I said above, they do help to understand the story, but they also give an enormous background to Brigitte's character. And they are executed absolutely brilliantly. I don`t remember any other writer - at least modern writer - who had done it so well.
August 11, 2015
3.5 stars. Wasn't sure about it at first, but it really got going and I was sucked in. The 1994 part of the novel was my favourite (I'm a total sucker for the 90s). Really, really great concept, I just thought that the characters could have done with a little more fleshing out.
October 29, 2015
This is an unusual book that keeps you guessing right until the end. Richly drawn, believable characters and a gripping plot make this a great read for lovers of thrillers.
October 31, 2016
Another enjoyable book by Tania Chandler. I love the sense of place in Melbourne and the sound track that seems to accompany the story. A book and its prequel.
June 24, 2023
This story is told in two parts, the present, 2008, and the past, 1994, and takes place in Melbourne. We begin in the present, Brigitte is married to Sam, a detective with twins, a boy and a girl. Brigitte is a stay at home Mum,who writes part time for a parenting magazine. In 1994 Brigitte was involved in a car accident and has lost her memory and still suffers pain from her injuries. Sam investigated a murder close by and the case was never solved, and now it has been opened as a cold case. Brigitte takes alot of pain killers, and has bad dreams, and then Sam is killed. She is messed up, but is she a murderer? Not really a psychological thriller, but not a bad read.
July 28, 2018
A brilliant and entrancing story, told from a female point of view.
October 28, 2021
A lot to like - it improved as it went along and the last third was gripping
February 18, 2017
I really enjoyed this novel on a number of levels. It is a crime novel, at its core, but it's a lot more than that. The writing is lovely and engaging, and the pace keeps you reading - I did a couple of later than usual "lights out" as I wanted to keep going. The structure is a little unusual, I think, but it does work. I could probably have done with slightly fewer dream excerpts - I can see why they're there, but occasionally I found them a little distracting. This is certainly not a criticism - the pace was still full on and I was drawn in. A couple of nights with not enough sleep attest to this!
Chandler's characterisation is simply excellent - all of them believable, many one can relate to, and some first-grade human detritus as well. As an ex-detective, I always critically view authors' depictions of police officers, as they are often not very realistic, even from otherwise excellent writers. No such concern for me here - Chandler has done a solid job with her police characters. Drawing on my police background, Chandler's examination of relationship violence and psychological entrapment and capitulation are chillingly on the money, and she covers the "flesh industry" with seedy accuracy, too (I worked in Vice, amongst others).
No spoilers here, but you won't see the end coming!
A great read, beautiful writing, and I am going to be buying more of Chandler's work.
Bravo Tania.
Chandler's characterisation is simply excellent - all of them believable, many one can relate to, and some first-grade human detritus as well. As an ex-detective, I always critically view authors' depictions of police officers, as they are often not very realistic, even from otherwise excellent writers. No such concern for me here - Chandler has done a solid job with her police characters. Drawing on my police background, Chandler's examination of relationship violence and psychological entrapment and capitulation are chillingly on the money, and she covers the "flesh industry" with seedy accuracy, too (I worked in Vice, amongst others).
No spoilers here, but you won't see the end coming!
A great read, beautiful writing, and I am going to be buying more of Chandler's work.
Bravo Tania.
September 16, 2015
How I love an unreliable narrator, and in Tania Chandler's stunning debut you meet one of the very best of them, Brigette could be anything, and whilst the reader is privy to her private thoughts, her dreams and her reality, we really don't know quite how honest she is.
The story opens in 2008. Brigette and her policeman husband Sam have toddler twins, their relationship feels a bit fraught, right from the start and when Brigette finds out that an old, unsolved murder case is about to be re-opened, she falls to pieces.
Brigette swiftly spirals out of control, developing a love-hate relationship with Sam's colleague Aiden. Her drinking becomes heavier, her dependence on painkillers and tranquillisers muffles her world, and her dreams become more vivid, with Kurt Cobain watching her, speaking to her, frightening her.
Part two of the book takes the reader back to 1994, the time of the murder that has evoked such a strong reaction. We were given titbits of information in part one; was Brigette involved in the murder? Did Sam cover for her? Is Aiden getting uncomfortably near to the truth?
In 1994, Brigette was a stripper, she earned a lot of money dancing provocatively, wearing little but a g-string and going home every night with handfuls of dollar bills. Brigette was unhappy, she wanted more, she wanted to study, to write, to be more than an object for rich men to lust after. Brigette was controlled by her older lover Eric, a man who controlled her, owned her and disgusted her.
Please Don't Leave Me Here is a challenging read, it's complex and complicated and just a little bit strange. However, that really shouldn't put anyone off reading it because it's also incredibly clever and teases the reader all of the way through. The dream sequences are, at times, a little off putting, yet they do add to the darkness and tension that runs throughout the story. There's a seediness about Brigette that even when married to a respectable policeman is difficult to shake off. Her earlier life and experiences seem to have shaped her later years, and it seems incredibly easy for her to slip back to the drink and drugs that played a huge part of her early years.
The character of Brigette totally overshadows the plot, she's larger than life and incredibly well put together. Please Don't Leave Me Here is the story of Brigette, with an unsolved murder and the ghost of a dead rock star co-starring.
The story opens in 2008. Brigette and her policeman husband Sam have toddler twins, their relationship feels a bit fraught, right from the start and when Brigette finds out that an old, unsolved murder case is about to be re-opened, she falls to pieces.
Brigette swiftly spirals out of control, developing a love-hate relationship with Sam's colleague Aiden. Her drinking becomes heavier, her dependence on painkillers and tranquillisers muffles her world, and her dreams become more vivid, with Kurt Cobain watching her, speaking to her, frightening her.
Part two of the book takes the reader back to 1994, the time of the murder that has evoked such a strong reaction. We were given titbits of information in part one; was Brigette involved in the murder? Did Sam cover for her? Is Aiden getting uncomfortably near to the truth?
In 1994, Brigette was a stripper, she earned a lot of money dancing provocatively, wearing little but a g-string and going home every night with handfuls of dollar bills. Brigette was unhappy, she wanted more, she wanted to study, to write, to be more than an object for rich men to lust after. Brigette was controlled by her older lover Eric, a man who controlled her, owned her and disgusted her.
Please Don't Leave Me Here is a challenging read, it's complex and complicated and just a little bit strange. However, that really shouldn't put anyone off reading it because it's also incredibly clever and teases the reader all of the way through. The dream sequences are, at times, a little off putting, yet they do add to the darkness and tension that runs throughout the story. There's a seediness about Brigette that even when married to a respectable policeman is difficult to shake off. Her earlier life and experiences seem to have shaped her later years, and it seems incredibly easy for her to slip back to the drink and drugs that played a huge part of her early years.
The character of Brigette totally overshadows the plot, she's larger than life and incredibly well put together. Please Don't Leave Me Here is the story of Brigette, with an unsolved murder and the ghost of a dead rock star co-starring.
May 24, 2016
This novel took me on a dark and winding road of connection, coincidence and secrets. Chandler's writing is assured, her characters are people you think you know, or at least have met once or twice. Flaws are close to the surface, which is the real strength of her characterisation, as authors often fall into the hole of creating an unpleasant character when writing a character with faults. Not in this novel, however.
In Part I, the protagonist, Brigitte, jolts through that which comes her way, the core and the peripheral indistinguishable in her world: her mother's voice scratching in her ear; the one-too-many glasses of wine; her run-over cat. She is trying to keep many things humming along including being wife, mother and sister; a writer of monthly articles for 'Parenting Today'; landlady to Aiden, one of her husband's colleagues; and a past. (Incidentally, what happens on the night of the twins' birthday will make you view cake quite differently.) And Kurt Cobain.
Part II is heartbreaking. Who doesn't know a young woman who falls in love, falls for money over substance, falls into a hole. The positivists say holes such as these are made by the people who fall into them. They've had their chances, they never wanted for a roof over their heads and a meal on the table, so it must be their fault. But Chandler is able to weave a different version of how people come to fall in holes, a story that is altogether more satisfying, even while you lay in bed clutching the book, hoping that the bad thing you think is bearing down will be diverted. And Kurt Cobain shoots himself. The biggest hole of all.
I loved this book. It is dark and spindly like an old Tasmanian apple orchard in winter.
In Part I, the protagonist, Brigitte, jolts through that which comes her way, the core and the peripheral indistinguishable in her world: her mother's voice scratching in her ear; the one-too-many glasses of wine; her run-over cat. She is trying to keep many things humming along including being wife, mother and sister; a writer of monthly articles for 'Parenting Today'; landlady to Aiden, one of her husband's colleagues; and a past. (Incidentally, what happens on the night of the twins' birthday will make you view cake quite differently.) And Kurt Cobain.
Part II is heartbreaking. Who doesn't know a young woman who falls in love, falls for money over substance, falls into a hole. The positivists say holes such as these are made by the people who fall into them. They've had their chances, they never wanted for a roof over their heads and a meal on the table, so it must be their fault. But Chandler is able to weave a different version of how people come to fall in holes, a story that is altogether more satisfying, even while you lay in bed clutching the book, hoping that the bad thing you think is bearing down will be diverted. And Kurt Cobain shoots himself. The biggest hole of all.
I loved this book. It is dark and spindly like an old Tasmanian apple orchard in winter.
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