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The Alibi Girl
‘If you like your thrillers darkly comic and outrageous this ticks all the boxes’Sun on Sweetpea by CJ Skuse
JOANNE HAYNES HAS A SECRET.
THAT IS NOT HER REAL NAME.
And there’s more. Her flat’s not hers. Her cats aren't hers. Even her hair isn’t really hers.
Nor is she any of the other women she pretends to be. Not the bestselling romance novelist who gets her morning snack from the doughnut van on the seafront. Nor the pregnant woman in the dental surgery. Nor the chemo patient in the supermarket for whom the cashier feels ever so sorry. They're all just alibis.
In fact, the only thing that’s real about Joanne is that nobody can know who she really is.
But someone has got too close. It looks like her alibis have begun to run out….
PRAISE FOR CJ SKUSE:
‘This darkly comic novel…has the potential to become a cult classic.’ Daily Mail
‘Sweetpea hits all the right buttons. A dark, twisted read about a female serial killer with dollops of humour, sarcasm and a lightweight approach…keeping you gripped and on the hook, both smiling and squirming.’ Maxim Jakubowski, Lovereading
‘You MUST read this book especially if you like your (anti) heroes dirty-mouthed, deadly and dark, dark dark. ADORED IT' Fiona Cummins, author of Rattle
‘This isn’t a book for the squeamish or the faint-hearted … think Bridget Jones meets American Psycho’ Red
‘This book is OUTRAGEOUS’ Compulsive Readers
‘This anti-hero is psychotic without doubt, sexually voracious and incredibly funny.’ Shots magazine
JOANNE HAYNES HAS A SECRET.
THAT IS NOT HER REAL NAME.
And there’s more. Her flat’s not hers. Her cats aren't hers. Even her hair isn’t really hers.
Nor is she any of the other women she pretends to be. Not the bestselling romance novelist who gets her morning snack from the doughnut van on the seafront. Nor the pregnant woman in the dental surgery. Nor the chemo patient in the supermarket for whom the cashier feels ever so sorry. They're all just alibis.
In fact, the only thing that’s real about Joanne is that nobody can know who she really is.
But someone has got too close. It looks like her alibis have begun to run out….
PRAISE FOR CJ SKUSE:
‘This darkly comic novel…has the potential to become a cult classic.’ Daily Mail
‘Sweetpea hits all the right buttons. A dark, twisted read about a female serial killer with dollops of humour, sarcasm and a lightweight approach…keeping you gripped and on the hook, both smiling and squirming.’ Maxim Jakubowski, Lovereading
‘You MUST read this book especially if you like your (anti) heroes dirty-mouthed, deadly and dark, dark dark. ADORED IT' Fiona Cummins, author of Rattle
‘This isn’t a book for the squeamish or the faint-hearted … think Bridget Jones meets American Psycho’ Red
‘This book is OUTRAGEOUS’ Compulsive Readers
‘This anti-hero is psychotic without doubt, sexually voracious and incredibly funny.’ Shots magazine
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 6, 2020
267 people are currently reading
2460 people want to read
About the author
C.J. Skuse
17 books849 followersC.J. SKUSE is the author of the Young Adult novels PRETTY BAD THINGS, ROCKOHOLIC and DEAD ROMANTIC (Chicken House), MONSTER and THE DEVIANTS (Mira Ink). She was born in 1980 in Weston-super-Mare, England. She has First Class degrees in Creative Writing and Writing for Children and, aside from writing novels lectures in Writing for Young People at Bath Spa University. C.J. is currently working on adult novel SWEETPEA for HQ/HarperCollins (out April 2017).
C.J. loves Masterchef, Gummy Bears and murder sites. She hates carnivals, hard-boiled eggs and coughing. The movies Titanic, My Best Friend's Wedding and Ruby Sparks were all probably based on her ideas; she just didn't get to write them down in time. Before she dies, she would like to go to Japan, try clay-pigeon shooting and have Ryan Gosling present her with the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
You can find C.J. Skuse on Facebook or on Twitter www.twitter.com/CeejaytheAuthor.
C.J. loves Masterchef, Gummy Bears and murder sites. She hates carnivals, hard-boiled eggs and coughing. The movies Titanic, My Best Friend's Wedding and Ruby Sparks were all probably based on her ideas; she just didn't get to write them down in time. Before she dies, she would like to go to Japan, try clay-pigeon shooting and have Ryan Gosling present her with the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
You can find C.J. Skuse on Facebook or on Twitter www.twitter.com/CeejaytheAuthor.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 340 reviews
September 30, 2022
Ellis, a doctor, is getting her roots done, telling the hairdresser about her four kids and her doting husband; Joanne has had to take a day off of her cleaning job as her baby is ill; then there's the best selling writer who flirts with the doughnut man; and the pregnant soon-to-be wed going back and forth for bridal gown fittings! They are all the same person, whatever identity Joanne assumes for a specific audience she tells hundreds of lies to create and maintain her specific realities. Girl's always got an alibi! But what happens when the truth bears its unwanted head?
This compelling trip into quality suspense writing starts with a first person narrative of the 'alibi girl' as she strives to create a life, or should that be lives for herself in this (UK) town she has not long moved to. As her story, or should that be stories (you getting the drift?) begin to emerge she sense a much more dangerous and closer threat from her past, but is it real? This is a shockingly well crafted tale about the treatment of mental health sufferers in society, trauma, survival and reality itself, and instantly places C.J. Skuse as one of my must-read writers. Truly a gem of a read, with its unpredictability, and also its charming and surprising feel good factor derived from the dark humour and overall story. 8.5 out of 12. Now this is what I call a good read!
2022 read
This compelling trip into quality suspense writing starts with a first person narrative of the 'alibi girl' as she strives to create a life, or should that be lives for herself in this (UK) town she has not long moved to. As her story, or should that be stories (you getting the drift?) begin to emerge she sense a much more dangerous and closer threat from her past, but is it real? This is a shockingly well crafted tale about the treatment of mental health sufferers in society, trauma, survival and reality itself, and instantly places C.J. Skuse as one of my must-read writers. Truly a gem of a read, with its unpredictability, and also its charming and surprising feel good factor derived from the dark humour and overall story. 8.5 out of 12. Now this is what I call a good read!
2022 read
February 8, 2020
There’s something about CJ’s books that just works for me. I’m pretty sure this won’t appeal to everyone, same as Sweetpea. I want to point out that The Alibi Girl is nothing like Sweetpea. The dark humor is still there, but don’t expect to find any characters like Rhiannon. This one is like psychological fuckery. What’s real? Wtf is going on? I still don’t really know. They kept the synopsis brief & vague for a reason. If you are going to read this my advice is to stay away from possible spoilers. Also, it’s a slow burn so if you’re not in the mood for that vibe, hold off. (It’s not a traditional thriller, maybe more of a mysterious character study).
October 20, 2019
OMG THIS BOOK!!!!!
I absolutely love this book. C.J Skuse has this amazing ability to write such interesting characters, that you really feel for.
"Joanne" is not the most likeable character in the world but I really felt sorry for her. I totally connected to her and felt so invested in her story.
This book is incredibly funny. It's a very dark, sarcastic sense of humour, which might not be for everyone but I could not stop laughing out loud.
But towards the end, I was tearing up. I felt so sorry for her and so connected to her story and experiences which rarely happens in thrillers.
This isn't the most fast paced thriller in the world but its definitely full of action and there is a really strong mystery running throughout the story.
I absolutely loved the writing. It was engaging and easy to read. I was chuckling throughout.
This is such a unique and different book, with such an unforgettable main character. I would recommend this to everyone. C.J Skuse does it again!
TW: suicide and graphic violence
I absolutely love this book. C.J Skuse has this amazing ability to write such interesting characters, that you really feel for.
"Joanne" is not the most likeable character in the world but I really felt sorry for her. I totally connected to her and felt so invested in her story.
This book is incredibly funny. It's a very dark, sarcastic sense of humour, which might not be for everyone but I could not stop laughing out loud.
But towards the end, I was tearing up. I felt so sorry for her and so connected to her story and experiences which rarely happens in thrillers.
This isn't the most fast paced thriller in the world but its definitely full of action and there is a really strong mystery running throughout the story.
I absolutely loved the writing. It was engaging and easy to read. I was chuckling throughout.
This is such a unique and different book, with such an unforgettable main character. I would recommend this to everyone. C.J Skuse does it again!
TW: suicide and graphic violence
August 11, 2020
It was a hot day, and (like lots of people) I haven't been able to go on holiday this year, and I wanted to recreate what is, for me, a holiday experience: lying in the sun all afternoon and reading a nice, easy book – usually a thriller – in one sitting. I picked The Alibi Girl because it was the first thriller I found on my Kindle. I was unsure it would be right for me: while I adored Sweetpea, Rhiannon is a singular character, and I wasn't certain I would get along with a different story by the same author. But it got its claws into me quickly. Skuse is such an entertaining writer, it's easy to overlook how skilfully put together her plots are, too.
At the beginning of the book, we're introduced to a woman calling herself Mary. It's soon clear this is just one of many identities: she's Genevieve at work, Joanne to her upstairs neighbour, Charlotte at the donut stand she regularly visits, and so on. She lies about her job, partner and family, reinventing herself as she goes along. Yet it doesn't take long for the reader to realise she is far from a scheming con artist. She's lonely, in many ways very naive, and obsessed with memories of her childhood. Flashbacks give us a glimpse of her younger years, with an unreliable dad, a doting aunt and a cousin as close as a sister.
What unfolds is a gripping and unpredictable story, with an ingenious perspective shift halfway through. Like Sweetpea, it's often very funny too. The plot kept me guessing, but I was also seduced by the flashbacks, which are just such a fantastic portrait of the best bits of a working-class childhood – Skuse absolutely nails the simple pleasure that can be found in make-believe games, for example. The icing on the cake is the ending: whichever way you choose to interpret it, it fits the 'alibi girl' perfectly.
TinyLetter | Linktree
At the beginning of the book, we're introduced to a woman calling herself Mary. It's soon clear this is just one of many identities: she's Genevieve at work, Joanne to her upstairs neighbour, Charlotte at the donut stand she regularly visits, and so on. She lies about her job, partner and family, reinventing herself as she goes along. Yet it doesn't take long for the reader to realise she is far from a scheming con artist. She's lonely, in many ways very naive, and obsessed with memories of her childhood. Flashbacks give us a glimpse of her younger years, with an unreliable dad, a doting aunt and a cousin as close as a sister.
What unfolds is a gripping and unpredictable story, with an ingenious perspective shift halfway through. Like Sweetpea, it's often very funny too. The plot kept me guessing, but I was also seduced by the flashbacks, which are just such a fantastic portrait of the best bits of a working-class childhood – Skuse absolutely nails the simple pleasure that can be found in make-believe games, for example. The icing on the cake is the ending: whichever way you choose to interpret it, it fits the 'alibi girl' perfectly.
TinyLetter | Linktree
January 28, 2020
Joanne pretends different people, depending on who she’s talking to but someone is watching her. Will her real identity be exposed?
The Alibi Girl is quite a difficult novel for me to review, I’m still not entirely sure how I feel about it!
I can’t deny this is a well written book, full of complex characters and I would definitely read something else by this author, but I just think the overall storyline was a bit blah in comparison to the characters. I mean it was billed as a thriller but there weren't really many thrills in it.
We spend the majority of the first part of the book really getting to know Joanne. I didn’t find her all that likeable but as the novel goes on, you can’t help but feel for her, she’s a deeply troubled woman due to things out of her control.
The pace does pick up in the second half but then the ending seemed at odds with the rest of the novel.
Unfortunately The Alibi Girl didn’t work for me but I think if like the focus of the story to be unlikeable and complicated characters, I would highly recommend this book for you.
The Alibi Girl is quite a difficult novel for me to review, I’m still not entirely sure how I feel about it!
I can’t deny this is a well written book, full of complex characters and I would definitely read something else by this author, but I just think the overall storyline was a bit blah in comparison to the characters. I mean it was billed as a thriller but there weren't really many thrills in it.
We spend the majority of the first part of the book really getting to know Joanne. I didn’t find her all that likeable but as the novel goes on, you can’t help but feel for her, she’s a deeply troubled woman due to things out of her control.
The pace does pick up in the second half but then the ending seemed at odds with the rest of the novel.
Unfortunately The Alibi Girl didn’t work for me but I think if like the focus of the story to be unlikeable and complicated characters, I would highly recommend this book for you.
November 29, 2021
I had a hard time getting in to this book at the beginning... I was just so confused about what was going on. But, BUT, I am so glad I stuck with it. What a good, heartbreaking, interesting story. I loved this author already because of the Sweetpea series, and this book only cemented it a little bit more.
March 2, 2023
I liked this book, I didn’t love it as much as the Sweetpea series but it was still good.
The writing in this book is very similar, although the subject matter may be dark there is always a sense of humour about it and there is for want of a better word another crazy girl in the lead role. I like that this author can write about strong female characters too.
The first half of the book is told from the point of view of our lead character and then we follow her cousin for the second half, this is cleverly done in order not to give the game away too soon. Through the eyes and ears of each character the plot slowly unfolds and along the way there are plenty of twists and turns and odd reveals, lots of keep you entertained in this one. It really felt like I couldn’t trust anything I was reading, everything and everyone seemed a bit shady (some lots shady!), just who are the bad guys?
I found the whole book to be intriguing and I couldn’t put it down, I finished this in a couple of days, most of it in just 2. I enjoyed the mystery, and loved the humour but I wasn’t mad keen on the ending, all a little bit too tidy and sentimental for me.
This is a very easy book to read and rolls along at quite a pace once you get into it, hence I got through it so quickly, the author has a nice relaxed writing style, the humour is great, but do prepare yourself for some sad/dark factors of the story. I enjoyed it but it was not quite perfect for me.
The writing in this book is very similar, although the subject matter may be dark there is always a sense of humour about it and there is for want of a better word another crazy girl in the lead role. I like that this author can write about strong female characters too.
The first half of the book is told from the point of view of our lead character and then we follow her cousin for the second half, this is cleverly done in order not to give the game away too soon. Through the eyes and ears of each character the plot slowly unfolds and along the way there are plenty of twists and turns and odd reveals, lots of keep you entertained in this one. It really felt like I couldn’t trust anything I was reading, everything and everyone seemed a bit shady (some lots shady!), just who are the bad guys?
I found the whole book to be intriguing and I couldn’t put it down, I finished this in a couple of days, most of it in just 2. I enjoyed the mystery, and loved the humour but I wasn’t mad keen on the ending, all a little bit too tidy and sentimental for me.
This is a very easy book to read and rolls along at quite a pace once you get into it, hence I got through it so quickly, the author has a nice relaxed writing style, the humour is great, but do prepare yourself for some sad/dark factors of the story. I enjoyed it but it was not quite perfect for me.
November 14, 2019
The Alibi Girl is the latest standalone thriller by CJ Skuse and if you liked Sweetpea and In Bloom you will enjoy this.
It’s a really difficult book to review without giving away any spoilers or secrets and there is so much I want to say but can’t because you won’t thank me for ruining the story. What I can say is that The Alibi Girl is a book of two halves and for me personally I loved the first half, but the second half lacked the humour and darkness associated with the author’s previous books.
The main character Joanne (or whatever name she chooses to call herself that day) is a deeply troubled and disturbed young woman. It’s clear from the beginning that Joanne has a murky past and some issues with reality, but it isn’t until I got further into her story that I began to realise what exactly was going on… I really can’t say much more without spoiling anything.
The Alibi Girl is quite dark in places and heartbreakingly sad in others and it’s hard not to feel sorry for both of the female characters in this story. I didn’t personally find this book as humorous or gripping as Sweetpea, but I adore the authors style of writing and look forward to reading her next book.
It’s a really difficult book to review without giving away any spoilers or secrets and there is so much I want to say but can’t because you won’t thank me for ruining the story. What I can say is that The Alibi Girl is a book of two halves and for me personally I loved the first half, but the second half lacked the humour and darkness associated with the author’s previous books.
The main character Joanne (or whatever name she chooses to call herself that day) is a deeply troubled and disturbed young woman. It’s clear from the beginning that Joanne has a murky past and some issues with reality, but it isn’t until I got further into her story that I began to realise what exactly was going on… I really can’t say much more without spoiling anything.
The Alibi Girl is quite dark in places and heartbreakingly sad in others and it’s hard not to feel sorry for both of the female characters in this story. I didn’t personally find this book as humorous or gripping as Sweetpea, but I adore the authors style of writing and look forward to reading her next book.
February 2, 2020
I had to re-read the blurb for this book to see what I could and couldn’t say in my review.
What I can say is this is a thriller with a great sense of humour running through it.
The main character has many names and in different situations she pretends to be different people.
The reason for this unfolds as the book goes on and I really felt for her at times.
Whilst there’s humour in the book the underlying feeling I felt for the main character was sympathy at first as she’s trapped, and really doesn’t have anyone to turn to.
If you enjoyed Sweet Pea and In Bloom, you’ll love this book as C J Skuse has a real way with words.
As I’ve said, at times you will laugh out loud but at other times your heart will break.
This is a great, original story and I loved it.
Thanks to HQ and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
What I can say is this is a thriller with a great sense of humour running through it.
The main character has many names and in different situations she pretends to be different people.
The reason for this unfolds as the book goes on and I really felt for her at times.
Whilst there’s humour in the book the underlying feeling I felt for the main character was sympathy at first as she’s trapped, and really doesn’t have anyone to turn to.
If you enjoyed Sweet Pea and In Bloom, you’ll love this book as C J Skuse has a real way with words.
As I’ve said, at times you will laugh out loud but at other times your heart will break.
This is a great, original story and I loved it.
Thanks to HQ and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
March 20, 2020
I really liked this book. It had me hooked right from the start. It’s a book that’s all over the place but in a good way. In the end you don’t really know what to believe as the narrator is so unreliable. I liked how it had chapters from the past which explained what was happening in the present. I really liked the characters Foy and Neil they definitely stood out and I really warmed to them. This was an enjoyable read and I can’t wait to read more from this author.
February 2, 2020
A big thank you to HQ Stories and C. J. Skuse for sending me an ARC of The Alibi Girl and allowing me to take part in the blog tour.
I was a big fan of Sweet Pea and so was really excited to get the opportunity to read The Alibi Girl in advance; I do like the way Skuse writes her characters internal dialogue because I always find it quite amusing and there's always comments that never fail to make me laugh out loud.
I feel quite mixed about this book; on one hand I couldn't put this book down and it was a really quick read. There are some really interesting characters and the overall concept of the plot was very intriguing. But there was just something about it that didn't work for me. I'm not sure what it was but there was something I didn't quite enjoy or connect with. I think it might be the ending; it felt very rushed and just a bit to, perfect(?) in a way.
The bad guy gets killed and it's covered up, and then every character finds a partner and falls in love and they all move happily to a chateau in France. It just didn't quite work for me if i'm honest and everything felt too neatly done. I'm not saying I wanted murder and gore, but I think it was just lacking something that I needed to make it a stronger read.
The book probably isn't helped by the fact that it is in the first person, which always means an unreliable narrator, and we find the most unreliable narrators in Joanne. It was very clear from the off that she had mental health problems and that her baby was actually a doll. Her life was very sad, she'd experienced a lot of trauma during such a short life and it had clearly meant that she did't really develop from her childhood life. But she also wasn't that likeable? Which made it difficult.
I will say that Skuse knows how to weave a story together that is always entertaining and you never quite know what you're going to get on the next page. I was convinced that Foy was dead so suddenly having her rock up was quite the shock as you can imagine! It's definitely a fast-paced novel, and it never really lets up from the first page. I also really appreciate the humour throughout this book as it manages to lighten up some dark tones.
Whilst I didn't love this one as much as Sweet Pea, it was still an interesting and enjoyable read! Definitely recommend you have a go at it.
I was a big fan of Sweet Pea and so was really excited to get the opportunity to read The Alibi Girl in advance; I do like the way Skuse writes her characters internal dialogue because I always find it quite amusing and there's always comments that never fail to make me laugh out loud.
I feel quite mixed about this book; on one hand I couldn't put this book down and it was a really quick read. There are some really interesting characters and the overall concept of the plot was very intriguing. But there was just something about it that didn't work for me. I'm not sure what it was but there was something I didn't quite enjoy or connect with. I think it might be the ending; it felt very rushed and just a bit to, perfect(?) in a way.
The bad guy gets killed and it's covered up, and then every character finds a partner and falls in love and they all move happily to a chateau in France. It just didn't quite work for me if i'm honest and everything felt too neatly done. I'm not saying I wanted murder and gore, but I think it was just lacking something that I needed to make it a stronger read.
The book probably isn't helped by the fact that it is in the first person, which always means an unreliable narrator, and we find the most unreliable narrators in Joanne. It was very clear from the off that she had mental health problems and that her baby was actually a doll. Her life was very sad, she'd experienced a lot of trauma during such a short life and it had clearly meant that she did't really develop from her childhood life. But she also wasn't that likeable? Which made it difficult.
I will say that Skuse knows how to weave a story together that is always entertaining and you never quite know what you're going to get on the next page. I was convinced that Foy was dead so suddenly having her rock up was quite the shock as you can imagine! It's definitely a fast-paced novel, and it never really lets up from the first page. I also really appreciate the humour throughout this book as it manages to lighten up some dark tones.
Whilst I didn't love this one as much as Sweet Pea, it was still an interesting and enjoyable read! Definitely recommend you have a go at it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2021
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
C.J. Skuse has swiftly sneaked into my favorite mystery/thriller writers' podium. Her books have "something" that works for me, but surely they won't be everyone's cup of tea. The "Sweetpea Series" is absorbing, dark-humored, gritty, mind blowing and fast paced. "The Alibi Girl" is quite different, it's more of a slow burn psychological character study, not the average commercial thriller you may expect from the summary. So, try to avoid spoilers. Ellis (aka Joanne aka Genevieve aka so many alibis) is a young girl running from her traumatic past trying to survive the only way she knows how: by lying and hiding. She's not strong as Rhiannon but all the opposite. By the end, you'll love this unlikable character and the journey it takes for her to start her life over in a much more healthier state of mind surrounded by those who love her real self. Recommend it if you're looking for less thrill, more slow burning intrigue and some drama. TW: sexual abuse, addiction and violence.
C.J. Skuse has swiftly sneaked into my favorite mystery/thriller writers' podium. Her books have "something" that works for me, but surely they won't be everyone's cup of tea. The "Sweetpea Series" is absorbing, dark-humored, gritty, mind blowing and fast paced. "The Alibi Girl" is quite different, it's more of a slow burn psychological character study, not the average commercial thriller you may expect from the summary. So, try to avoid spoilers. Ellis (aka Joanne aka Genevieve aka so many alibis) is a young girl running from her traumatic past trying to survive the only way she knows how: by lying and hiding. She's not strong as Rhiannon but all the opposite. By the end, you'll love this unlikable character and the journey it takes for her to start her life over in a much more healthier state of mind surrounded by those who love her real self. Recommend it if you're looking for less thrill, more slow burning intrigue and some drama. TW: sexual abuse, addiction and violence.
April 17, 2020
"How do you forget about the bricks that built you? How do you look at yourself in the mirror and be someone you know you're not?"
Joanne Haynes has a pretty ordinary life: she works as a maid in a hotel, has a baby, and takes care of her cats. But she lives with a big secret: Joanne is not her real name and this is a life that was created for her in order to hide her real one. Many people know Joanne but only as one of her many alibis, so they do not know her at all. Joanne has managed to stay hidden for almost eighteen years but now it seems that someone from her past has finally found her and they will not stop until Joanne pays with her life. As Joanne tries to convince those near her that she is not being paranoid and the threat is real, she needs to separate her alibis with who she really is.
This is yet another book I came across by chance. The premise quickly drew me in and kept my interest throughout the narrative. When we first we Joanne, she is a single mother, when she meets a specific person she becomes a mother of five married to a handsome man, and yet to another person she is a successful author that has bestsellers abroad. Joanne is constantly changing her alibis and lying to pretty much everyone. She was not always like this but a tragic event in her life forced her to hide her real identity or else risk her life. As we read along, as readers, we do begin to wonder wether Joanne is an unreliable narrator and how much of what she is saying is true. She certainly comes off as unbalanced and has a history of exaggerating when there is no reason to. Initially, I had my doubts about this book but as the plot unfolded and the bigger picture revealed, I saw what Skuse was going for. The tone is one of uncertainty and doubt. This is an entertaining read, with a healthy dose of dark humor and I definitely needed to know how it ended. I was not disappointed with the overall story and while some details were easy to decipher, as a whole, there was many things that surprised me. My biggest qualm with the book is the ending, it did seem far fetched and too perfect. Otherwise, I did enjoy this book and I am glad to have come across it.
Joanne Haynes has a pretty ordinary life: she works as a maid in a hotel, has a baby, and takes care of her cats. But she lives with a big secret: Joanne is not her real name and this is a life that was created for her in order to hide her real one. Many people know Joanne but only as one of her many alibis, so they do not know her at all. Joanne has managed to stay hidden for almost eighteen years but now it seems that someone from her past has finally found her and they will not stop until Joanne pays with her life. As Joanne tries to convince those near her that she is not being paranoid and the threat is real, she needs to separate her alibis with who she really is.
This is yet another book I came across by chance. The premise quickly drew me in and kept my interest throughout the narrative. When we first we Joanne, she is a single mother, when she meets a specific person she becomes a mother of five married to a handsome man, and yet to another person she is a successful author that has bestsellers abroad. Joanne is constantly changing her alibis and lying to pretty much everyone. She was not always like this but a tragic event in her life forced her to hide her real identity or else risk her life. As we read along, as readers, we do begin to wonder wether Joanne is an unreliable narrator and how much of what she is saying is true. She certainly comes off as unbalanced and has a history of exaggerating when there is no reason to. Initially, I had my doubts about this book but as the plot unfolded and the bigger picture revealed, I saw what Skuse was going for. The tone is one of uncertainty and doubt. This is an entertaining read, with a healthy dose of dark humor and I definitely needed to know how it ended. I was not disappointed with the overall story and while some details were easy to decipher, as a whole, there was many things that surprised me. My biggest qualm with the book is the ending, it did seem far fetched and too perfect. Otherwise, I did enjoy this book and I am glad to have come across it.
March 24, 2020
My review on my website. www.bookread2day.wordpress.com Twitter@bookpage5
This one book I recommend reading
We know if we tell lies, we would end up in a complete mess than we started with. Many of us have been told by our parents never lie.
But Joanne Haynes isn’t her real name and her hair isn’t really hers. So why is Joanne pretending to be someone else? This becomes much more clearer as you dive into the story. She has told so many lies, but she isn’t lying about a coffin catalogue and the feeling of being watched. She is convinced that the woman who was murderd in a hotel room, was really looking for Joanne.
What I particularly liked about the author C J Skuke, is her honestly. The Alibi Girl, was originally her sisters Penny Skuke’s idea, but author C J Skuke, stole her sisters concept and run off with it and made the story into a dark psychological suspense.
I personally loved reading about Joanne Haynes, how she made up stories about who she is to different people. Something isn’t right with the fake Joanne Haynes.
This one book I recommend reading
We know if we tell lies, we would end up in a complete mess than we started with. Many of us have been told by our parents never lie.
But Joanne Haynes isn’t her real name and her hair isn’t really hers. So why is Joanne pretending to be someone else? This becomes much more clearer as you dive into the story. She has told so many lies, but she isn’t lying about a coffin catalogue and the feeling of being watched. She is convinced that the woman who was murderd in a hotel room, was really looking for Joanne.
What I particularly liked about the author C J Skuke, is her honestly. The Alibi Girl, was originally her sisters Penny Skuke’s idea, but author C J Skuke, stole her sisters concept and run off with it and made the story into a dark psychological suspense.
I personally loved reading about Joanne Haynes, how she made up stories about who she is to different people. Something isn’t right with the fake Joanne Haynes.
April 21, 2020
Alibi Girl by C.J.Skuse
I’m a huge C J Skuse fan!
I’ve read all her YA books, my fave is Dead Romantic, & Sweet Pea and In Bloom are frickin *excellent* crime novels which are perfect for fans of Killing Eve.
The Alibi Girl sees “Joanne” curate an array of different personas which act as a form of protection as no-one can discover who she *really* is.
From the outset it’s obvious she’s a bit emotionally fragile and vulnerable. She sees exactly what she wants to see, rather than what’s actually happening, and all her lies become tangled when people begin to realise she’s not what she seems.
It’s a really different kind of book, Joanne is a unique character (or characters?) and the situations she finds herself in are increasingly bizarre which held my interest throughout.
I love CJS acerbic and cynical writing, it adds to the believability of the story no matter how outlandish Joanne’s actions got.
This is a brilliant stand-alone novel and the ending was really clever as I’m still not entirely sure what to believe!
I’m a huge C J Skuse fan!
I’ve read all her YA books, my fave is Dead Romantic, & Sweet Pea and In Bloom are frickin *excellent* crime novels which are perfect for fans of Killing Eve.
The Alibi Girl sees “Joanne” curate an array of different personas which act as a form of protection as no-one can discover who she *really* is.
From the outset it’s obvious she’s a bit emotionally fragile and vulnerable. She sees exactly what she wants to see, rather than what’s actually happening, and all her lies become tangled when people begin to realise she’s not what she seems.
It’s a really different kind of book, Joanne is a unique character (or characters?) and the situations she finds herself in are increasingly bizarre which held my interest throughout.
I love CJS acerbic and cynical writing, it adds to the believability of the story no matter how outlandish Joanne’s actions got.
This is a brilliant stand-alone novel and the ending was really clever as I’m still not entirely sure what to believe!
Read
November 13, 2025I've read and enjoyed two of C. J. Skuse's female serial killer books, 'Sweetpea' (2017) and 'In Bloom' (2018), so I had high expectations of her standalone novel, 'The Alibi Girl' (2020). I wasn't disappointed. It was well-written and well-narrated.
I immediately felt like I was living in the head of Joanne Haynes, the main character. Joanne is an adult who still wants to be a child. She lies all the time, partly for survival, partly to cope with her isolation, and partly because the lies are as real to her as the truth of a life she doesn't want to be living.
The story is told from Joanne's point of view, so, given how often and how extravagantly she lies, it takes a while to figure out what's really going on. It's clear that Joanne is in hiding, but I didn't know from whom or why. The exposition was beautifully done, vividly evoking the trauma, the anxiety, the compulsions and the threats that shape Joanne's life.
Present-day Joanne is twenty-eight, but the key events of the story took place when she was ten years old. C J Skuse captured the ten-year-old girl's view of the world perfectly and poignantly. Her life then was a mixture of innocence, trust, fantasy, and an all-absorbing friendship with her cousin. What the ten-year-old Joanne could not see, but the reader can, is that Joanne's father's behaviour is placing her at risk.
'The Alibi Girl' is an immersive story. The reader lives in Joanne's head and that's not at all a pleasant place to be, not because Joanne is unpleasant but because she's unstable. It's an instability caused by trauma. A trauma that smashed a little girl's world and left her isolated, unable and unwilling to deal with being an adult but deeply afraid of being found by the people who are hunting her.
Joanne's life, her history, her anxiety, her neuroses were too grim for me by the time I was halfway through the book, so I set it aside.
It may seem odd that I'll happily read C J Skuse's novels about a serial killer who always has a list of people she'd like to kill, but couldn't face reading about a woman who was broken at ten years old and has never recovered. For me, the difference is that I could keep a mental and emotional distance between me and the serial killer, even while being deeply engaged in what was happening to her, but I couldn't keep that distance from Joanne, especially Joanne at ten years old.
I immediately felt like I was living in the head of Joanne Haynes, the main character. Joanne is an adult who still wants to be a child. She lies all the time, partly for survival, partly to cope with her isolation, and partly because the lies are as real to her as the truth of a life she doesn't want to be living.
The story is told from Joanne's point of view, so, given how often and how extravagantly she lies, it takes a while to figure out what's really going on. It's clear that Joanne is in hiding, but I didn't know from whom or why. The exposition was beautifully done, vividly evoking the trauma, the anxiety, the compulsions and the threats that shape Joanne's life.
Present-day Joanne is twenty-eight, but the key events of the story took place when she was ten years old. C J Skuse captured the ten-year-old girl's view of the world perfectly and poignantly. Her life then was a mixture of innocence, trust, fantasy, and an all-absorbing friendship with her cousin. What the ten-year-old Joanne could not see, but the reader can, is that Joanne's father's behaviour is placing her at risk.
'The Alibi Girl' is an immersive story. The reader lives in Joanne's head and that's not at all a pleasant place to be, not because Joanne is unpleasant but because she's unstable. It's an instability caused by trauma. A trauma that smashed a little girl's world and left her isolated, unable and unwilling to deal with being an adult but deeply afraid of being found by the people who are hunting her.
Joanne's life, her history, her anxiety, her neuroses were too grim for me by the time I was halfway through the book, so I set it aside.
It may seem odd that I'll happily read C J Skuse's novels about a serial killer who always has a list of people she'd like to kill, but couldn't face reading about a woman who was broken at ten years old and has never recovered. For me, the difference is that I could keep a mental and emotional distance between me and the serial killer, even while being deeply engaged in what was happening to her, but I couldn't keep that distance from Joanne, especially Joanne at ten years old.
February 10, 2020
After reading and absolutely adoring this authors previous books Sweetpea and In bloom , i was so excited to see she had a new book coming out! , and even more excited that the publishers kindly sent me an advanced copy to read and review as part of the review tour!.
This one had me gripped and so curious all the way through, i really loved the main character and really enjoyed following her life and the twist & turns it delivered. This was a crime thriller with such a difference, it really is full of so much heart, and one that i just found to be so interesting too.
I just really love the authors writing and i would highly recommend her books to anyone! they are dark , they are unique and a real breathe of fresh air! if you are a fan of thrillers that have dark humour and a main character you will love, then look no further!
Thank you again to the publisher and the author!
This one had me gripped and so curious all the way through, i really loved the main character and really enjoyed following her life and the twist & turns it delivered. This was a crime thriller with such a difference, it really is full of so much heart, and one that i just found to be so interesting too.
I just really love the authors writing and i would highly recommend her books to anyone! they are dark , they are unique and a real breathe of fresh air! if you are a fan of thrillers that have dark humour and a main character you will love, then look no further!
Thank you again to the publisher and the author!
March 8, 2023
The Alibi Girl proved to be a decent mystery thriller adventure, with a difference.
Lots to enjoy though I thought that the first half was much stronger than the second.
Slightly convenient on occasion, with the conclusion just being rather to 'Happy Ever After' for me.
Enjoyed the writing style and intend to read much more in future from this highly talented author.
Rating: 3.5 stars.
Lots to enjoy though I thought that the first half was much stronger than the second.
Slightly convenient on occasion, with the conclusion just being rather to 'Happy Ever After' for me.
Enjoyed the writing style and intend to read much more in future from this highly talented author.
Rating: 3.5 stars.
February 26, 2020
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the Publisher.
Gripping, hypnotic, and very strange (in a good way!), THE ALIBI GIRL by CJ Skuse was unlike anything that I had ever read before and is sure to be a hit with all suspense and thriller fans.
Joanne Haynes has many secrets. To every person that she meets, she is someone different with a different name and a different life. She is a pathological liar who has created new personas depending on the day and the mood that she is in - from the happily married mum of five to the bestselling author. Joanne is a liar. But there is a reason for this because Joanne cannot be who she truly is because it is dangerous. Joanne has to stay hidden in order to survive and along the way, making up these other lives have helped her to stay somewhat sane. But somebody has found her and will do whatever it takes to make sure Joanne disappears for good this time.
Haunting and sad at times, THE ALIBI GIRL has a way of making you connect with Joanne even though she has done and said some disturbing things. Moving from past to present where we get to see how Joanne came into existence, my heart broke for the little girl who just wanted love and stability with her family, and I desperately wanted her to find a way out of the darkness and to be happy again like she used to be.
There is never a dull moment in this book and while there are a few confusing moments, it wasn't long before things became clearer and the drama became even more heightened.
THE ALIBI GIRL by CJ Skuse is not a fast-paced, action-packed story but yet it manages to have the same impact on the reader and when I finished reading this book, I had to take a moment to let it all sink in. It is an engrossing story and I highly recommend it.
Gripping, hypnotic, and very strange (in a good way!), THE ALIBI GIRL by CJ Skuse was unlike anything that I had ever read before and is sure to be a hit with all suspense and thriller fans.
Joanne Haynes has many secrets. To every person that she meets, she is someone different with a different name and a different life. She is a pathological liar who has created new personas depending on the day and the mood that she is in - from the happily married mum of five to the bestselling author. Joanne is a liar. But there is a reason for this because Joanne cannot be who she truly is because it is dangerous. Joanne has to stay hidden in order to survive and along the way, making up these other lives have helped her to stay somewhat sane. But somebody has found her and will do whatever it takes to make sure Joanne disappears for good this time.
Haunting and sad at times, THE ALIBI GIRL has a way of making you connect with Joanne even though she has done and said some disturbing things. Moving from past to present where we get to see how Joanne came into existence, my heart broke for the little girl who just wanted love and stability with her family, and I desperately wanted her to find a way out of the darkness and to be happy again like she used to be.
There is never a dull moment in this book and while there are a few confusing moments, it wasn't long before things became clearer and the drama became even more heightened.
THE ALIBI GIRL by CJ Skuse is not a fast-paced, action-packed story but yet it manages to have the same impact on the reader and when I finished reading this book, I had to take a moment to let it all sink in. It is an engrossing story and I highly recommend it.
November 26, 2020
Another great book! I felt so many emotions reading this - Ellis had the most awful life, traumatic childhood/adult life and the things she has gone through in the book, it makes sense why she told so many lies. I don't think anyone could have gone through the things she has and have been completely okay.
This book is emotional, twisty, shocking - there's just too many to say! I loved every minute reading it, I was completely absorbed in the story, I read it in just a few hours. It really is THAT good.
This book is emotional, twisty, shocking - there's just too many to say! I loved every minute reading it, I was completely absorbed in the story, I read it in just a few hours. It really is THAT good.
March 8, 2020
I just didn't get it. Wasn't for me
June 9, 2023
Setting: 'Spurrington-on-Sea', North-west England.
Joanne Haynes lives a solitary existence in a basement flat in a north-west England seaside town and works as a housekeeper in a local hotel - but, although she is Joanne to some people, she goes under other names when she interacts with different people in the town, for example in the local shop, the hotel where she works, the wedding dress shop, at the doughnut stall. But none of these names is her real one - at times, she lapses back to memories of her childhood as Ellis, in particular fantastic holidays with her cousin Foy at her parent's pub near Bristol. But she has not seen Foy since she was a child, when she and her father were placed in witness protection - and, ever since, Ellis has been paranoid about being found. So much so that the programme has had to change her name and location several times and increasingly her 'minder' Scants thinks that her fears are all in her head - until they're not....
This is the third book I have read by this author, following on from the first two 'Sweetpea' novels, and was every bit as enjoyable after a bit of a confusing start. Really enjoyed the story development and how the author disclosed the past events gradually to maintain tension - great characters too!
Highly enjoyable read - 9/10.
Joanne Haynes lives a solitary existence in a basement flat in a north-west England seaside town and works as a housekeeper in a local hotel - but, although she is Joanne to some people, she goes under other names when she interacts with different people in the town, for example in the local shop, the hotel where she works, the wedding dress shop, at the doughnut stall. But none of these names is her real one - at times, she lapses back to memories of her childhood as Ellis, in particular fantastic holidays with her cousin Foy at her parent's pub near Bristol. But she has not seen Foy since she was a child, when she and her father were placed in witness protection - and, ever since, Ellis has been paranoid about being found. So much so that the programme has had to change her name and location several times and increasingly her 'minder' Scants thinks that her fears are all in her head - until they're not....
This is the third book I have read by this author, following on from the first two 'Sweetpea' novels, and was every bit as enjoyable after a bit of a confusing start. Really enjoyed the story development and how the author disclosed the past events gradually to maintain tension - great characters too!
Highly enjoyable read - 9/10.
February 8, 2020
This is the story of Joanne who changes her name and who is on a regular basis. This depends on who she is interacting with.
I loved the premise of this book. It was so original.
The characters were so well developed. I loved the writing style of this book. It was very engaging and had some dark humour interwoven in the story. There are lots of twists and turns in this book which I didn’t see coming.
This book gripped me and I couldn’t put it down. It is so much more than a thriller. It’s also a story of love and friendship.
I highly recommend this book.
I loved the premise of this book. It was so original.
The characters were so well developed. I loved the writing style of this book. It was very engaging and had some dark humour interwoven in the story. There are lots of twists and turns in this book which I didn’t see coming.
This book gripped me and I couldn’t put it down. It is so much more than a thriller. It’s also a story of love and friendship.
I highly recommend this book.
February 6, 2020
Joanne Haynes is hiding….but from who?
When a woman’s body is found in the hotel Joanne (Genevieve) works at, she knows it was murder…..she’s seen someone strangled before…..
Have the Three Little Pigs found her?
Poor Ellis, taken away from the only family she had, she now lives alone in a world of lies and make believe….but is someone watching?
A cliché I know, but I really couldn’t put this down….I just had to know, what was real and what wasn’t…. I found it to be so well written and I was drawn into Ellis’ world with its dark humour and troubled characters. I really liked Ellis with all her quirks and felt really sad for her and baby Emily…she’s a bit of a female Walter Mitty..
While not exactly a thriller, it does have violence and murder and a twisty plot. But I felt at its heart it’s a tale of fear, loneliness, love and family and I loved every minute.
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for a free ecopy of the book. This is my honest and unbiased review.
When a woman’s body is found in the hotel Joanne (Genevieve) works at, she knows it was murder…..she’s seen someone strangled before…..
Have the Three Little Pigs found her?
Poor Ellis, taken away from the only family she had, she now lives alone in a world of lies and make believe….but is someone watching?
A cliché I know, but I really couldn’t put this down….I just had to know, what was real and what wasn’t…. I found it to be so well written and I was drawn into Ellis’ world with its dark humour and troubled characters. I really liked Ellis with all her quirks and felt really sad for her and baby Emily…she’s a bit of a female Walter Mitty..
While not exactly a thriller, it does have violence and murder and a twisty plot. But I felt at its heart it’s a tale of fear, loneliness, love and family and I loved every minute.
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for a free ecopy of the book. This is my honest and unbiased review.
February 15, 2020
Jesus Christ this book 😱 I loved it!
Joanne is a pretty odd character, I really did not like her to begin with. You can tell shes got some serious underlying problems but my god... my heart broke for her the deeper into the story I got 💔
From page one, I was hooked! I had way too many questions in my head right from the start 🙈 and am I for one hate being kept waiting so mysteries really get under my skin 😂 C J Skuse does such a fantastic job of drip feeding you just enough information to shock but not enough so you know whats gonna happen. I literally did this face at one point -> 😱
I loved the fact that there were two different time frames mashed together, it works perfectly for the characters and lends a hand to the reader trying to differentiate truth from lie.
I honestly can’t talk too much about this without giving stuff away but it is brilliant!
Thank you HQ and C.J.Skuse for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Joanne is a pretty odd character, I really did not like her to begin with. You can tell shes got some serious underlying problems but my god... my heart broke for her the deeper into the story I got 💔
From page one, I was hooked! I had way too many questions in my head right from the start 🙈 and am I for one hate being kept waiting so mysteries really get under my skin 😂 C J Skuse does such a fantastic job of drip feeding you just enough information to shock but not enough so you know whats gonna happen. I literally did this face at one point -> 😱
I loved the fact that there were two different time frames mashed together, it works perfectly for the characters and lends a hand to the reader trying to differentiate truth from lie.
I honestly can’t talk too much about this without giving stuff away but it is brilliant!
Thank you HQ and C.J.Skuse for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
February 16, 2021
Enjoyed it!
August 30, 2020
4.5 stars!
This was a really enjoyable read! A mystery/thriller about a young woman who goes by different names and uses different personas to keep her identity secret.
It was really well paced and I loved the writing style, it had me hooked in the first 50 pages.
My favourite thing about this book was how it perfectly captured the feelings, experiences and emotions you have when you’re a kid, which helped make the main character really likeable and relatable.
Another thing I really appreciated was that there were multiple mysteries woven into the plot and not just a single one which the author uses to drag the reader through the entire book and when it’s eventually revealed is then, inevitably, anticlimactic. On the contrary, it remained engaging and interesting, with information cleverly scattered throughout and plot twists that weren’t easily predictable but also weren’t too far-fetched.
The POV changed halfway through the story, which is something that would usually irritate me but it was completely necessary and helped pull the second part of the story together, and so I didn’t mind at all. I also didn’t mind the type of ending this story had (don’t wanna spoil it) which isn’t usually my favourite kind, but again I feel it can be justified.
The only slight quarrel I have with this book has nothing to do with the book itself, but the way it was promoted and reviewed by critics as also being humorous?? I didn’t really get that from the story and didn’t laugh at any point?? But obviously that doesn’t really have anything to do with the story or the writing.
Overall I really liked this book and highly recommend it!
This was a really enjoyable read! A mystery/thriller about a young woman who goes by different names and uses different personas to keep her identity secret.
It was really well paced and I loved the writing style, it had me hooked in the first 50 pages.
My favourite thing about this book was how it perfectly captured the feelings, experiences and emotions you have when you’re a kid, which helped make the main character really likeable and relatable.
Another thing I really appreciated was that there were multiple mysteries woven into the plot and not just a single one which the author uses to drag the reader through the entire book and when it’s eventually revealed is then, inevitably, anticlimactic. On the contrary, it remained engaging and interesting, with information cleverly scattered throughout and plot twists that weren’t easily predictable but also weren’t too far-fetched.
The POV changed halfway through the story, which is something that would usually irritate me but it was completely necessary and helped pull the second part of the story together, and so I didn’t mind at all. I also didn’t mind the type of ending this story had (don’t wanna spoil it) which isn’t usually my favourite kind, but again I feel it can be justified.
The only slight quarrel I have with this book has nothing to do with the book itself, but the way it was promoted and reviewed by critics as also being humorous?? I didn’t really get that from the story and didn’t laugh at any point?? But obviously that doesn’t really have anything to do with the story or the writing.
Overall I really liked this book and highly recommend it!
February 12, 2020
The Alibi Girl had the same great writing style as the previous books I’ve read by C. J. Skuse. I always feel bad saying a book is ‘easy’ to read as it almost seems to diminish the effort that went into writing it, but that’s really the best word I have for it. There’s just a supremely readable quality to Skuse’s books, a sense of flow and effortlessness that make them difficult to put down.
And I genuinely was gripped from start to finish. Although this book is quite different from the Sweet Pea series, there are hints at the same sense of humour and the author behind the work. I love when you can catch glimpses of an author’s personality and recognise a book as distinctly theirs.
This book wasn’t what I had expected when I first picked it up. I was particularly surprised when the point of view changed halfway through; it threw me for a loop and I wasn’t sure where things were going to go. But I ended up loving the direction the story took. Skuse is great at writing characters who have flaws but who you can’t help liking, and I felt genuinely invested in the protagonist’s story.
I also appreciated the way snippets of truth were slowly revealed. The childhood flashback scenes were particularly effective and enjoyable to read; Skuse brilliantly captured that sense of magic you feel in the school holidays and it made me so nostalgic.
Overall, this was another success from C. J. Skuse! If you haven’t read any of her books yet, you are missing out!
And I genuinely was gripped from start to finish. Although this book is quite different from the Sweet Pea series, there are hints at the same sense of humour and the author behind the work. I love when you can catch glimpses of an author’s personality and recognise a book as distinctly theirs.
This book wasn’t what I had expected when I first picked it up. I was particularly surprised when the point of view changed halfway through; it threw me for a loop and I wasn’t sure where things were going to go. But I ended up loving the direction the story took. Skuse is great at writing characters who have flaws but who you can’t help liking, and I felt genuinely invested in the protagonist’s story.
I also appreciated the way snippets of truth were slowly revealed. The childhood flashback scenes were particularly effective and enjoyable to read; Skuse brilliantly captured that sense of magic you feel in the school holidays and it made me so nostalgic.
Overall, this was another success from C. J. Skuse! If you haven’t read any of her books yet, you are missing out!
February 27, 2022
It's been a while since I read a book in practically one sitting!
I really enjoy Skuse's writing; this is the third book I've read by her and she's excellent at keeping the momentum going. Her books don't have a dull moment in them.
The Alibi Girl is about a 28 year old woman in witness protection; she's been in the programme since she was 10 and sadly because of that has never really grown up. She gives everyone she meets a different backstory about herself as well as a different name.
People who know her think she's mental, or just desperate for attention. Her reality is so much sadder; for 18 years she's been hiding from the men who killed her father and it's left her paranoid and unable to let go of the security of her childhood.
Skuse has a knack for writing dark books with excellent twists and very dark humour. There aren't many writers who can do this.
The only thing I wasn't keen on was the slightly ambiguous ending.
I would definitely recommend this book if you enjoy thrillers with realistic characters.
I really enjoy Skuse's writing; this is the third book I've read by her and she's excellent at keeping the momentum going. Her books don't have a dull moment in them.
The Alibi Girl is about a 28 year old woman in witness protection; she's been in the programme since she was 10 and sadly because of that has never really grown up. She gives everyone she meets a different backstory about herself as well as a different name.
People who know her think she's mental, or just desperate for attention. Her reality is so much sadder; for 18 years she's been hiding from the men who killed her father and it's left her paranoid and unable to let go of the security of her childhood.
Skuse has a knack for writing dark books with excellent twists and very dark humour. There aren't many writers who can do this.
The only thing I wasn't keen on was the slightly ambiguous ending.
I would definitely recommend this book if you enjoy thrillers with realistic characters.
March 2, 2020
Next up is The Alibi Girl by C. J. Skuse who can always be relied upon to produce an enjoyable, cynical and genuinely entertaining crime thriller. To me personally she also has the mantle of being one of the funniest people on Twitter with her acerbic observations and fabulous sarcasm as demonstrated by her brilliant book Sweetpea. I loved the premise of this really quite emotionally fragile woman inventing a host of personas, slewing them on and off like a snake skin, but ultimately of them being a very necessary form of armour for her as her back story unfolds. Sharp, perceptive and despite some of its lighter moments, has some interesting observations on the nature of family loyalty, the persistence of childhood memory and how it shapes us as adults. Recommended
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