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Most Difficult Thing
WHAT WOULD YOU SACRIFICE TO UNCOVER THE TRUTH?
On the surface, Anna Witherall personifies everything the aspirational magazine she works for represents. Married to her university boyfriend David, she has a beautiful home and gorgeous three-year-old twin daughters, Stella and Rose. But beneath the veneer of success and happiness, Anna is hiding a dark secret, one that threatens to unravel everything she has worked so hard to create.
As Anna finds herself drawn into the dark and highly controlled world of secret intelligence, she is forced to question her family’s safety, and her own. Only one thing is certain: in order to protect her children, she must leave them, forever.
And someone is watching. Someone she thought she could trust. Someone who is determined to make them all pay.
Stylish and assured, The Most Difficult Thing is an irresistible combination of contemporary espionage and domestic suspense, and a compulsive, highly charged examination of betrayal.
On the surface, Anna Witherall personifies everything the aspirational magazine she works for represents. Married to her university boyfriend David, she has a beautiful home and gorgeous three-year-old twin daughters, Stella and Rose. But beneath the veneer of success and happiness, Anna is hiding a dark secret, one that threatens to unravel everything she has worked so hard to create.
As Anna finds herself drawn into the dark and highly controlled world of secret intelligence, she is forced to question her family’s safety, and her own. Only one thing is certain: in order to protect her children, she must leave them, forever.
And someone is watching. Someone she thought she could trust. Someone who is determined to make them all pay.
Stylish and assured, The Most Difficult Thing is an irresistible combination of contemporary espionage and domestic suspense, and a compulsive, highly charged examination of betrayal.
432 pages, Paperback
First published July 11, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 247 reviews
April 9, 2022
As soon as I read the bio of the author as former journalist of Independent and granddaughter of Kim Philby: UK’s one of the most famous communist double agents, I became very curious about this book.
It’s combination of two different genres: domestic thriller meets espionage. I can admit the story had a promising and effective start but when I nearly reach the first half I felt I was a little lost in the middle of nowhere. I couldn’t relate with the spy story. I found it less believable and over exaggerated and let’s not forget the ultra self pitying heroine who really gets on my nerves at some chapters! The ending is also a little haphazard and sudden.
The storyline was intriguing at first. Three best friends from different backgrounds, having different future dreams. David is heir of global company TradeSmart whose CEO is his philanthropic father Clive Whitherall. Meg is ambitious intern at local newspaper, aiming to be powerful journalist. And Anna is newbie who starts to work in a magazine whose life changes as soon as she meets with undercover journalist Harry.
She finds herself drawn at the dark web of espionage world, living a double life. And after that story moves into a real surprising and different direction that I won’t speak about not to blurt out more spoilers! Just go blind and read to learn what’s gonna happen next if you’re intrigued enough.
I’m giving three promising premise didn’t end up the point that I expected to see stars. It was still great beginning for a new thriller/ espionage writer and I honestly I’m still interested to read more works of the author in near future.
But the promising story’s soft finale with unanswered questions and not so much likable heroine made me lower my stars! I’m so sure her next book will be so much promising after showing us her unique skills and potential in this book.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Harper 360/ Borough Press for sharing this reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
It’s combination of two different genres: domestic thriller meets espionage. I can admit the story had a promising and effective start but when I nearly reach the first half I felt I was a little lost in the middle of nowhere. I couldn’t relate with the spy story. I found it less believable and over exaggerated and let’s not forget the ultra self pitying heroine who really gets on my nerves at some chapters! The ending is also a little haphazard and sudden.
The storyline was intriguing at first. Three best friends from different backgrounds, having different future dreams. David is heir of global company TradeSmart whose CEO is his philanthropic father Clive Whitherall. Meg is ambitious intern at local newspaper, aiming to be powerful journalist. And Anna is newbie who starts to work in a magazine whose life changes as soon as she meets with undercover journalist Harry.
She finds herself drawn at the dark web of espionage world, living a double life. And after that story moves into a real surprising and different direction that I won’t speak about not to blurt out more spoilers! Just go blind and read to learn what’s gonna happen next if you’re intrigued enough.
I’m giving three promising premise didn’t end up the point that I expected to see stars. It was still great beginning for a new thriller/ espionage writer and I honestly I’m still interested to read more works of the author in near future.
But the promising story’s soft finale with unanswered questions and not so much likable heroine made me lower my stars! I’m so sure her next book will be so much promising after showing us her unique skills and potential in this book.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Harper 360/ Borough Press for sharing this reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
November 29, 2020
Color me seriously CONFUSED, friends.
I struggled and lurched through this tedious story, only to get to the end and not have any idea at all what the hell was going on. I still don't after pondering it for thirty minutes. Stories rarely confuse me...even when they probably should. Part of the Family managed to do just that. Maybe I should give an extra star for accomplishing something others haven't? 🤔
So, I think this could best be summed up as characters spying on characters spying on characters. Make sense? Good, hopefully you're less confused than I am. There were so many unanswered questions and unlikeable characters and "weird looks" from the entire cast. Anna, our main character, was always seeing "expressions she'd never seen before," on the faces of her friends and family. It became tiresome. I was always questioning what timeline I was in, as it would just switch mid-chapter and I'd have to figure it out based on circumstances. Very irritating.
Ultimately, I'd describe this book as choppy and not very well-written.
1.5 stars rounded up because there did seem to be some potential at the beginning.
Available January 26, 2021
Despite my lackluster review, I'd like to extend my appreciation to NetGalley, Edelweiss, and Harper 360-The Borough Press.
I struggled and lurched through this tedious story, only to get to the end and not have any idea at all what the hell was going on. I still don't after pondering it for thirty minutes. Stories rarely confuse me...even when they probably should. Part of the Family managed to do just that. Maybe I should give an extra star for accomplishing something others haven't? 🤔
So, I think this could best be summed up as characters spying on characters spying on characters. Make sense? Good, hopefully you're less confused than I am. There were so many unanswered questions and unlikeable characters and "weird looks" from the entire cast. Anna, our main character, was always seeing "expressions she'd never seen before," on the faces of her friends and family. It became tiresome. I was always questioning what timeline I was in, as it would just switch mid-chapter and I'd have to figure it out based on circumstances. Very irritating.
Ultimately, I'd describe this book as choppy and not very well-written.
1.5 stars rounded up because there did seem to be some potential at the beginning.
Available January 26, 2021
Despite my lackluster review, I'd like to extend my appreciation to NetGalley, Edelweiss, and Harper 360-The Borough Press.
February 21, 2021
This book starts out with an interesting (if common) premise: Anna’s marriage appears ideal, but may be less so....and she’s making her escape. Some additional interesting elements are introduced: a love triangle (or rectangle?) when Anna was young, immense wealth, and even a little espionage. The author has an engaging and page-turning writing style, but ultimately the plot got a bit too convoluted and began to get in its own way with too many characters. It was a bit confusing to follow and somewhat hard to understand Anna’s motivations or root for/empathize with her as a heroine because of some of the things she was doing. I also wasn’t as interested in the secondary story/family introduced later on, and the espionage angle of the story was less interesting to me than the domestic thriller I originally thought I was getting.
I would definitely try this author again, because I like her writing style. But this plot just wasn’t for me.
Thanks to Harper Collins, NetGalley and the author for the ARC to preview!
I would definitely try this author again, because I like her writing style. But this plot just wasn’t for me.
Thanks to Harper Collins, NetGalley and the author for the ARC to preview!
December 17, 2020
This book starts off with one of the most over-used tropes around at the moment - Anna and David Witherall have the perfect life until...it all gets derailed. Only this time it went in a few unexpected directions and I became quite absorbed in this story. I actually really enjoyed it. It wasn’t fast paced but it was clearly going somewhere. Unfortunately it went to a just a few too many somewhere’s. Talk about unreliable narrators... this book has them in spades! You couldn’t trust a word anyone said.
Anna, David and Meg all met at uni and when they started in their fledgling careers in journalism Anna and Meg shared a flat. David, a business major, worked in the city but they still hung out together. Until Meg disappeared suddenly. Fast forward a bit and Anna moves into David’s house, we’ll his father’s who doesn’t use it anymore as she can’t afford the rent on Meg’s flat by herself. Fast forward again and they become friends with benefits. But Anna has also met Harry Dwyer, a former journalist and presently a spy of some sort! Anna becomes obsessed with Harry and when he admits he’s trying to get some dirt on David’s father for environmental vandalism she offers to spy for him. But she doesn’t know the full story. Ah yes, here come the secrets and lies, secrets and lies. It was quite gripping for a while there but the ending really let this book down. It was another case of misdirection and one or more twists too many.
It seems that too many spies can also spoil the broth, of course there were spies spying on spies and - you get the picture. I love a convoluted story line but this was, let’s just say - washing machine spin cycle! Sometimes the old adage of KISS - Keep It Simple Stupid is worth remembering. Also the characters were not very likeable. Anna in particular who narrates the story in the first person is awfully self absorbed and overly melodramatic. She tended to overthink everything and I kept thinking - girl, you just need to chill! Look I did enjoy the story and it would mainly appeal to fans of psychological thrillers, it was not what I’d call a romance. There were twists to enjoy but it just got too busy at the end there. Thanks to Edelweiss for providing me with a copy to review. My opinions are my own.
Anna, David and Meg all met at uni and when they started in their fledgling careers in journalism Anna and Meg shared a flat. David, a business major, worked in the city but they still hung out together. Until Meg disappeared suddenly. Fast forward a bit and Anna moves into David’s house, we’ll his father’s who doesn’t use it anymore as she can’t afford the rent on Meg’s flat by herself. Fast forward again and they become friends with benefits. But Anna has also met Harry Dwyer, a former journalist and presently a spy of some sort! Anna becomes obsessed with Harry and when he admits he’s trying to get some dirt on David’s father for environmental vandalism she offers to spy for him. But she doesn’t know the full story. Ah yes, here come the secrets and lies, secrets and lies. It was quite gripping for a while there but the ending really let this book down. It was another case of misdirection and one or more twists too many.
It seems that too many spies can also spoil the broth, of course there were spies spying on spies and - you get the picture. I love a convoluted story line but this was, let’s just say - washing machine spin cycle! Sometimes the old adage of KISS - Keep It Simple Stupid is worth remembering. Also the characters were not very likeable. Anna in particular who narrates the story in the first person is awfully self absorbed and overly melodramatic. She tended to overthink everything and I kept thinking - girl, you just need to chill! Look I did enjoy the story and it would mainly appeal to fans of psychological thrillers, it was not what I’d call a romance. There were twists to enjoy but it just got too busy at the end there. Thanks to Edelweiss for providing me with a copy to review. My opinions are my own.
June 16, 2019
The author comes with an interesting background as former journalist for the Independent and also the granddaughter of the UK’s most famous communist double agent, Kim Philby, also with high praise from Louise Candlish on the blurb for this book
It took, for me, a long time to read and am not quite sure now finished it why what happened happened!!
Quite confusing in parts and with one of the most unlikeable, self centred main characters,Anna, I have met in a book the story seems to trundle on at a lethargic speed with an unbelievable ‘spy’ story that I just couldn’t relate to
The promise is there and all the mainstays of a good tale but somehow it just never resonated with me and there were too many flaws in it and when the ‘action’ does happen its all rather benign
The ending left it open with more unanswered than answered questions!!
Got to say the descriptive writing of things unrelated to the actual bones of the book ie scene settings and atmospheres, feelings etc were excellent and probably kept me reading the book rather than the actual story
I would definitely read the 2nd book by the author when its out as I am sure a great book is there, just not for me, this time
4/10 2 Stars
January 5, 2020
How did this even get published? 😵
June 10, 2019
The Most Difficult Thing is a beautifully lyrical domestic drama and espionage hybrid with two very different but very engaging women at the heart of it .
Lies and deceit are at the centre of a seemingly strong and powerful marriage and Charlotte Philby takes the reader on an emotional and riveting journey through the lives of Anna and her "Nanny" Maria keeping things edgy and off kilter, never quite sure where the truth lies between all the shades of grey.
This makes for a compelling page turner that holds attention throughout, leading you to a classically thought provoking finale. Character is key here but I won't give anything away, this is a book best read cold, it's emotional impact coming from often unexpected directions.
I loved it. Different and fascinating, a really excellent read.
Lies and deceit are at the centre of a seemingly strong and powerful marriage and Charlotte Philby takes the reader on an emotional and riveting journey through the lives of Anna and her "Nanny" Maria keeping things edgy and off kilter, never quite sure where the truth lies between all the shades of grey.
This makes for a compelling page turner that holds attention throughout, leading you to a classically thought provoking finale. Character is key here but I won't give anything away, this is a book best read cold, it's emotional impact coming from often unexpected directions.
I loved it. Different and fascinating, a really excellent read.
August 19, 2020
This book was many things — none of them good. It was unbelievable, un-relatable, poorly organized, and disjointed. It also comes with a big bunch of WTF?!
Was this a romance novel? Sure started out that way. Maybe it was Chic-Lit. Although that would be an insult to Chic-Lit. Was this a spy novel? It seemed to go in that direction, but who recruits an untrained person (or several untrained people) to do something like this? FOR YEARS! So unbelievable!
*** SPOILER ALERT ***
And why we're on the subject of unbelievable — the whole TradeSmart scenario was so, SO unbelievable and oversimplified. And WHO HAS CHILDREN AS PART OF AN ASSIGNMENT AND THEN ABANDONS THEM??? And then they're not David's? At the end I coudn't even tell what was supposed to real and what was supposed to be lies. The changing perspectives added nothing to the story. Maria was a childhood friend, maybe a past romance, and also a SPY? What?! David died in a car accident and no one identified the body so he could fake his own death?? What the WHAT?!?!
And what was all that in Anna's past about her brother that the author NEVER EXPLAINED and just hinted at and has absolutely zero relevance to the story except that Anna is an idiot and always has been.
It's not even worth asking these questions because I don't care. There is nothing and no one to care about in this story, except maybe to feel sorry for the poor children.
I'm not sure how this book got published — it was that bad.
Was this a romance novel? Sure started out that way. Maybe it was Chic-Lit. Although that would be an insult to Chic-Lit. Was this a spy novel? It seemed to go in that direction, but who recruits an untrained person (or several untrained people) to do something like this? FOR YEARS! So unbelievable!
*** SPOILER ALERT ***
And why we're on the subject of unbelievable — the whole TradeSmart scenario was so, SO unbelievable and oversimplified. And WHO HAS CHILDREN AS PART OF AN ASSIGNMENT AND THEN ABANDONS THEM??? And then they're not David's? At the end I coudn't even tell what was supposed to real and what was supposed to be lies. The changing perspectives added nothing to the story. Maria was a childhood friend, maybe a past romance, and also a SPY? What?! David died in a car accident and no one identified the body so he could fake his own death?? What the WHAT?!?!
And what was all that in Anna's past about her brother that the author NEVER EXPLAINED and just hinted at and has absolutely zero relevance to the story except that Anna is an idiot and always has been.
It's not even worth asking these questions because I don't care. There is nothing and no one to care about in this story, except maybe to feel sorry for the poor children.
I'm not sure how this book got published — it was that bad.
October 26, 2020
Such promise from a writer with an interesting background. Unfortunately being the granddaughter of the notorious spy, Kim Philby, does not guarantee a good result.
Anna, Meg and David have been friends since meeting at university; David, shunning his father's successful company goes to work in the City, whilst the girls work at a fashion magazine. David is obviously smitten with Anna, but she's oblivious, and once Harry is on the scene David has no chance as Anna becomes besotted with Harry. Meanwhile Meg mysteriously packs her bag and takes off with no explanation.....and Anna and David get together. Hang on – what? Yes, Anna and David get it together and produce twin daughters, but all the while Anna has been leading a double life – spying on David's father's company which is involved in Dirty Dealings. But who is her Handler? Harry, who disappears more often than a rabbit down a burrow.
I struggled with this book. Anna is probably one of the most unsympathetic and unlikeable characters I've come across; she is so self-absorbed, so pathetic and self-pitying, it's all about Anna. I found it difficult to accept that, given her lack of interest in David, she would dive into a relationship with him and produce children. She fails to bond with them and is so lacking in anything but self-pity, I could have hit her. No wonder David is moody and unpredictable, one minute declaring his love for her, the next speaking to her in a most disparaging way.
The book is written from two points of view – Anna, and Maria, a young Greek woman, who has known David since they were both children, and is now working as a nanny for the Anna's children, because Anna Can't Cope. All is not what it seems with Maria, who is obviously also leading a double life. The construction is odd as there are endless short chapters all headed Anna, followed by the same for Maria. Certain phrases and terminology irked me, as did occasional clunky writing.
One would think that given the themes of this book: domestic thriller, spies, and the odd bit of romance chucked in, you'd have an interesting book, but I found it boring and confusing, hopping about with no warning, nothing in the text to indicate that certain bits are memories. It actually feels as though two people have written this, as the beginning was really attention-grabbing. Unfortunately the author(s) couldn't sustain it and by the time I got to the third part I skimmed through to the end, which was a disappointing fizzle and left me thinking that Ms Philby had struggled to find a suitable ending.
This book is about as exciting as clipping your toenails.
My thanks to Netgalley for a free e-book
Anna, Meg and David have been friends since meeting at university; David, shunning his father's successful company goes to work in the City, whilst the girls work at a fashion magazine. David is obviously smitten with Anna, but she's oblivious, and once Harry is on the scene David has no chance as Anna becomes besotted with Harry. Meanwhile Meg mysteriously packs her bag and takes off with no explanation.....and Anna and David get together. Hang on – what? Yes, Anna and David get it together and produce twin daughters, but all the while Anna has been leading a double life – spying on David's father's company which is involved in Dirty Dealings. But who is her Handler? Harry, who disappears more often than a rabbit down a burrow.
I struggled with this book. Anna is probably one of the most unsympathetic and unlikeable characters I've come across; she is so self-absorbed, so pathetic and self-pitying, it's all about Anna. I found it difficult to accept that, given her lack of interest in David, she would dive into a relationship with him and produce children. She fails to bond with them and is so lacking in anything but self-pity, I could have hit her. No wonder David is moody and unpredictable, one minute declaring his love for her, the next speaking to her in a most disparaging way.
The book is written from two points of view – Anna, and Maria, a young Greek woman, who has known David since they were both children, and is now working as a nanny for the Anna's children, because Anna Can't Cope. All is not what it seems with Maria, who is obviously also leading a double life. The construction is odd as there are endless short chapters all headed Anna, followed by the same for Maria. Certain phrases and terminology irked me, as did occasional clunky writing.
One would think that given the themes of this book: domestic thriller, spies, and the odd bit of romance chucked in, you'd have an interesting book, but I found it boring and confusing, hopping about with no warning, nothing in the text to indicate that certain bits are memories. It actually feels as though two people have written this, as the beginning was really attention-grabbing. Unfortunately the author(s) couldn't sustain it and by the time I got to the third part I skimmed through to the end, which was a disappointing fizzle and left me thinking that Ms Philby had struggled to find a suitable ending.
This book is about as exciting as clipping your toenails.
My thanks to Netgalley for a free e-book
September 3, 2019
I have mixed feelings towards this book...
The starting really caught my attention and had me intrigued but then the more I read the more it started to go in a complete different way than I was expecting.
I'd love to try and give a summary of the book but I honestly don't even know how.
All I can say is that the main character Anna, is hiding things from her family and gets herself into a big sticky situation.
But like also the way this ended makes me think there might be a second book. Because if there isn't going to be another book, then I am very confused by that ending as it left things very open.
I'm sorry but i'm also over reading about a main female protagonist who starts to lose her mind and goes crazy. Oh and who is also dependent on a guy to give her life any meaning because if she doesn't have him there, then she won't know how to cope.
I think I liked the writing and the pacing of this book, and I also really liked the way the author described the atmosphere, places they visited, ect! But unfortunately, I just think the story line was too bizarre and unbelievable for me to enjoy. The relationships in this story were also a miss as well, as I felt no chemistry between anyone and they were just all over the place!
If you are interested in reading about spys and bringing down a big corporate and all that smart, technical stuff, then this might be for you. However, it was not for me.
The starting really caught my attention and had me intrigued but then the more I read the more it started to go in a complete different way than I was expecting.
I'd love to try and give a summary of the book but I honestly don't even know how.
All I can say is that the main character Anna, is hiding things from her family and gets herself into a big sticky situation.
But like also the way this ended makes me think there might be a second book. Because if there isn't going to be another book, then I am very confused by that ending as it left things very open.
I'm sorry but i'm also over reading about a main female protagonist who starts to lose her mind and goes crazy. Oh and who is also dependent on a guy to give her life any meaning because if she doesn't have him there, then she won't know how to cope.
I think I liked the writing and the pacing of this book, and I also really liked the way the author described the atmosphere, places they visited, ect! But unfortunately, I just think the story line was too bizarre and unbelievable for me to enjoy. The relationships in this story were also a miss as well, as I felt no chemistry between anyone and they were just all over the place!
If you are interested in reading about spys and bringing down a big corporate and all that smart, technical stuff, then this might be for you. However, it was not for me.
May 17, 2020
Anna is just starting her career at a magazine when she meets the mysterious reporter Harry. Along with her friends Meg and David they become what seems a tight friendship group. However, Harry is not what he seems and is actually an undercover reporter. Anna now in love with Harry ends up getting roped in to a scheme to take down a company that's dumping hazardous waste illegally. Things become even complicated as the owner of the company happens to be David's father. How far will Anna go to impress Harry? Or will she find herself in way too deep?
Throughout this the writing is excellent and I really enjoyed the constant build up. However, for me, the ending just fell a little bit flat. We told that A and B were happening but never really got to see the play off. There is a lot of plot in this and you really have to be paying attention or you will miss important parts.
I wish the author went into more detail on certain parts but overall this was an enjoyable read and the pacing throughout was great!
Throughout this the writing is excellent and I really enjoyed the constant build up. However, for me, the ending just fell a little bit flat. We told that A and B were happening but never really got to see the play off. There is a lot of plot in this and you really have to be paying attention or you will miss important parts.
I wish the author went into more detail on certain parts but overall this was an enjoyable read and the pacing throughout was great!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 1, 2020
Gave up.! Sorry, just couldn’t get into this book at all.
Read
July 24, 2019Excellent Debut Novel
Although I thought this a little slow to start with, the tension builds into a taut thriller where you are never quite sure who is telling the truth.
With two strong female characters and a 3 dimensional supporting cast, once the book picks up pace you are faced with a page turner that kept me up late through to the powerful finish.
I wouldn't classify this as espionage, and anyone expecting trade craft secrets passed down by Philby's grandfather will be disappointed, however this is a richly drawn portrait of of deceit and secrets.
Recommended.
Although I thought this a little slow to start with, the tension builds into a taut thriller where you are never quite sure who is telling the truth.
With two strong female characters and a 3 dimensional supporting cast, once the book picks up pace you are faced with a page turner that kept me up late through to the powerful finish.
I wouldn't classify this as espionage, and anyone expecting trade craft secrets passed down by Philby's grandfather will be disappointed, however this is a richly drawn portrait of of deceit and secrets.
Recommended.
January 15, 2021
After over 400 pages that ending is WHACK!!! Just when I started to care about the characters.
Also the “twists” were just too much. Felt like that episode of Community where the Dean/Annie/Jeff/Professor Professorson were all trying to teach each other a lesson haha.
Also the “twists” were just too much. Felt like that episode of Community where the Dean/Annie/Jeff/Professor Professorson were all trying to teach each other a lesson haha.
June 2, 2021
BOOK BLURB: On the surface, Anna Witherall has the perfect life. Married to her university boyfriend David, she has an enviable job, beautiful home, and gorgeous three-year-old twin daughters, Stella and Rose. Their competent and capable nanny, Maria, is practically part of the family. But beneath the veneer of success and happiness, Anna is hiding a dark secret.
Hyped as the most compulsive book ever, I found it fell way short. The plot is complex and filled with characters who are, at most times, simply uninteresting and boring. The writing is a little choppy. I found myself skipping pages just to get to the end. And what I found there left a lot to be desired. Too many unanswered questions .... some characters bounced in and out, and never showed up for the conclusion. I'm sorry I didn't like it ....
Many thanks to the author / Borough Press / Harper360 / Netgalley for the digital copy of PART OF THE FAMILY. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Hyped as the most compulsive book ever, I found it fell way short. The plot is complex and filled with characters who are, at most times, simply uninteresting and boring. The writing is a little choppy. I found myself skipping pages just to get to the end. And what I found there left a lot to be desired. Too many unanswered questions .... some characters bounced in and out, and never showed up for the conclusion. I'm sorry I didn't like it ....
Many thanks to the author / Borough Press / Harper360 / Netgalley for the digital copy of PART OF THE FAMILY. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
May 23, 2020
1.5* (only because I finished it)
The most difficult things is... to say something positive about this novel.
This was one of the most annoying, infuriating and illogical book I’ve ever read.
After reading the blurb I had a vague idea that the story is about a professional female spy who tries to juggle motherhood and work while investigating her father-in-law’s fishy business dealings. Well, I was wrong.
To start with, the protagonist Anna wasn’t a professional spy but a young woman who started “investigating” the business dealings of her friend’s (later boyfriend and husband) after her lover asked her to do so, without any training or experience on the ground.
Then there was the question of being a mother. The novel starts with Anna being sad because she has to leave behind her twin daughters but on the next page is revealed that she doesn’t really have any feelings or connection to them whatsoever. What follows is a weird story told by alternating narrators and storylines (quite often with flashbacks in flashbacks).
The characters are one-dimnsional, often stupid and most of them seem to hide something and/or do things without clear motivation. Some of the relationships between them and their reactions were so unreal and unbelievable that I considered DNFing the book couple of times but always decided against it (don't ask me why, I don't know the answer).
But the most questionable part of the book, at least for me, was the chapter when Anna was giving birth. I went trough almost the exact same thing (emergency c section with twins, weeks before due date) at the exact same hospital mentioned in the novel and I can tell you that no baby and/or mother goes home only hours after an operation like that.
I could continue ranting but there’s a character limit so will just say that reading this book was a waste of time.
The most difficult things is... to say something positive about this novel.
This was one of the most annoying, infuriating and illogical book I’ve ever read.
After reading the blurb I had a vague idea that the story is about a professional female spy who tries to juggle motherhood and work while investigating her father-in-law’s fishy business dealings. Well, I was wrong.
To start with, the protagonist Anna wasn’t a professional spy but a young woman who started “investigating” the business dealings of her friend’s (later boyfriend and husband) after her lover asked her to do so, without any training or experience on the ground.
Then there was the question of being a mother. The novel starts with Anna being sad because she has to leave behind her twin daughters but on the next page is revealed that she doesn’t really have any feelings or connection to them whatsoever. What follows is a weird story told by alternating narrators and storylines (quite often with flashbacks in flashbacks).
The characters are one-dimnsional, often stupid and most of them seem to hide something and/or do things without clear motivation. Some of the relationships between them and their reactions were so unreal and unbelievable that I considered DNFing the book couple of times but always decided against it (don't ask me why, I don't know the answer).
But the most questionable part of the book, at least for me, was the chapter when Anna was giving birth. I went trough almost the exact same thing (emergency c section with twins, weeks before due date) at the exact same hospital mentioned in the novel and I can tell you that no baby and/or mother goes home only hours after an operation like that.
I could continue ranting but there’s a character limit so will just say that reading this book was a waste of time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2019
I didn't really get on with this book. It started well and I liked the character of Anna and her intriguing past. The writing seemed to change though when Maria appeared and became much more melodramatic and unconvincing. It was almost like reading a different author, or writing from when she was much less experienced and then it was padded out and re-ordered.
The final parts were just silly and unbelievable and the end of the book was very disappointing. I enjoy some creative ambiguity, but to be just left hanging like that.
3* is generous.
The final parts were just silly and unbelievable and the end of the book was very disappointing. I enjoy some creative ambiguity, but to be just left hanging like that.
3* is generous.
December 23, 2019
Well the reviews were better than the book. The main character wasn't very likeable. The plot had to many twists and turns at the end so that it was hard to understand who the real person was and exactly what was going on. The end was left to your imagination.
July 20, 2020
Just about scraped 3 because the writing kept me interested. The plot was promising but then it got too confusing and the ending was odd and unsatisfying. I would read the second book though (if there was one) and would be interested to see how it all ends.
September 29, 2020
The premise of the book was good, I was taken in by the blurb. But the delivery was confusing and I had to struggle to get to the end. I hopped, skipped, and rushed through the entire book.
An okay read
An okay read
September 21, 2020
Finished with it - rather than finished!
January 19, 2021
This book was easy enough to follow along, but the ending-if you can even call it that-felt as though the author just stopped writing mid thought. Disappointed.
January 21, 2024
A combination of domestic drama and espionage thriller, the frequent time switches and twists and turns of the plot made it difficult for me to work out what exactly was going on and who was spying on whom. I also found it rather slow. Anna seemed a rather unlikely - and unwise - choice of spy, naively walking into situations where she seemed certain to be discovered. I can't say I warmed to her or was convinced by her motivations to do what she did. And the ending properly confused me. It was if the author just stopped writing and never started back up. Perhaps reading this book was all a dream and I'll wake up knowing exactly what it was all about.
April 23, 2022
I doubt even the author knows exactly what all the threads/clues/hints meant or what happened and why. This book makes no sense.
And wtf was that ending about.
And wtf was that ending about.
October 24, 2019
- thanks @harpercollinsaus for sending the book my way!
This book started with a great premise, and my expectations jumped from zero to a hundred. I wanted to enjoy this book too severely; I did.
I'm not quite sure about what genres The Most Difficult Thing fits; it's a little bit of a psychological thriller with spies and organisational crime. Although the genre conventions can work together, I believe this wasn't the case. Generally, there was too much going on; the whole espionage business was far fetched, and I lost interest in that side of the plot straight away.
I kept reading, hoping to find some great revelation about the main character, Anna, but there was none. Anna was wholly unlikable, which made my reading experience even harder. Her personality is contradictory; she is a successful journalist, but also dumb and naive? I felt tons of rejection towards her thoughts and actions, and I couldn't believe all the unnecessary drama she was attracting to herself. I was also upset about how she didn't notice certain things happening right in front of her face; which makes her quite a poor spy and just stupid. She was continually making dramatic statements like: "If only I had known..." which were brutally unnecessary. As a reader, I can decipher that not everything is what it seems. Too much telling, too little showing.
The plot itself was confusing, to say the least; there were several plot holes which were left unresolved, which only added to my overall frustration. It goes without mention that the inconclusive ending gave me quite the headache; not only it does not make sense, but also it does not live up to the build-up of the narrative. Overall, I cannot deny that the story is gripping as I kept reading non-stop, wanting to know what the hell was going on. Unfortunately, the narrative unfolding was terribly anti-climatic.
This book started with a great premise, and my expectations jumped from zero to a hundred. I wanted to enjoy this book too severely; I did.
I'm not quite sure about what genres The Most Difficult Thing fits; it's a little bit of a psychological thriller with spies and organisational crime. Although the genre conventions can work together, I believe this wasn't the case. Generally, there was too much going on; the whole espionage business was far fetched, and I lost interest in that side of the plot straight away.
I kept reading, hoping to find some great revelation about the main character, Anna, but there was none. Anna was wholly unlikable, which made my reading experience even harder. Her personality is contradictory; she is a successful journalist, but also dumb and naive? I felt tons of rejection towards her thoughts and actions, and I couldn't believe all the unnecessary drama she was attracting to herself. I was also upset about how she didn't notice certain things happening right in front of her face; which makes her quite a poor spy and just stupid. She was continually making dramatic statements like: "If only I had known..." which were brutally unnecessary. As a reader, I can decipher that not everything is what it seems. Too much telling, too little showing.
The plot itself was confusing, to say the least; there were several plot holes which were left unresolved, which only added to my overall frustration. It goes without mention that the inconclusive ending gave me quite the headache; not only it does not make sense, but also it does not live up to the build-up of the narrative. Overall, I cannot deny that the story is gripping as I kept reading non-stop, wanting to know what the hell was going on. Unfortunately, the narrative unfolding was terribly anti-climatic.
July 31, 2019
Having read the synopsis for this book, I was really looking forward to reading this book. Unfortunately, it never lived up to my expectations for a number reasons.
Firstly, I took a severe disliking to the main character who is self-centred to the extent that despite having a husband and young family her attention is purely fixated on her own needs.
Then there is the espionage element of the plot line which to say is confusing is an understatement. Essentially, Anna’s boyfriend at the time Harry persuaded her to act as a spy to bring down her future father in laws business empire. It’s hard to understand who Harry is working for, what the aim of the organisation is, why they are paying Anna these large sums of money. At first we are led to believe that Harry works for a government intelligence agency, which appears to be what Harry is thinking, but then this changes near the end of the book.
The ending was disappointing as there were a number of unanswered questions, which makes me think there will be a follow up book, which despite my negative review I will probably read it as this book had the potential of being really good.
The positives are the book was well written and the character descriptions were good.
I’d like to thank NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
Firstly, I took a severe disliking to the main character who is self-centred to the extent that despite having a husband and young family her attention is purely fixated on her own needs.
Then there is the espionage element of the plot line which to say is confusing is an understatement. Essentially, Anna’s boyfriend at the time Harry persuaded her to act as a spy to bring down her future father in laws business empire. It’s hard to understand who Harry is working for, what the aim of the organisation is, why they are paying Anna these large sums of money. At first we are led to believe that Harry works for a government intelligence agency, which appears to be what Harry is thinking, but then this changes near the end of the book.
The ending was disappointing as there were a number of unanswered questions, which makes me think there will be a follow up book, which despite my negative review I will probably read it as this book had the potential of being really good.
The positives are the book was well written and the character descriptions were good.
I’d like to thank NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
November 8, 2019
I am usually prepared to go along with unlikely and unbelievable stories if the writing is excellent. While the writing is quite good the story is so preposterous and so full of holes that it didn’t persuade me at all. I felt no empathy for the central character, Anna, in fact I found her passivity and gullibility immensely off-putting. The beginning starts well - it has you hooked - but then there is the long, soggy middle where the narrative just meanders. The ‘twists’ that all come rushing in the last few chapters have all been clumsily and obviously telegraphed earlier so don’t really come as a surprise.
August 30, 2019
During uni, Anna is BFFs with Meg and David. When the mysterious Harry enters her life, Meg goes off radar and Anna is asked to spy on David's dodgy father's business. The narrative skips back and forth in time to tell the story of Anna and David, their tragic childhoods and how Anna unwittingly became a spy to help her country. Considering Philby's heritage, it's no surprise that her debut novel concerns espionage. It's well-written and engaging and I loved all the little reveals and twists. I would be very interested to see where this author goes next with her writing.
October 8, 2019
A disappointing read.
March 23, 2022
This book was all over the place and the ending was very confusing. It was hard to keep up with the plot. I honestly thought It could be way better.
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