My first thought was to give this book 4 stars, there were some weak moments, a few scenes I felt were contrived to lead me down the wrong path and too many moments where I felt Melody's character lacked substance. That said, I couldn't put this book down, I thought about the characters when I wasn't reading, I rushed to the conclusion though I didn't want it to end, a five star read for sure!

The Life I Left Behind is narrated by three different characters, Melody who was attacked so badly she was in a coma and lost many of her memories including the attack, Eve, a young woman killed by Eve's assailant, and DI Victoria Rutter who is investigating Eve's murder.

Though having a deceased narrator is not new, think The Lovely Bones, it is done really well here and Eve was my favorite narrator. Eve's narration does not have a super natural feel for those of us who do not particularly care for that genre. Melody is a defeated woman, engaged to a controlling man who is an enabler, perhaps for his own benefit. Melody does not trust her instincts after her brutal attack and has become a recluse hiding from life.

Detective Inspector Rutter is an honorable, hard working woman who is committed to solving Eve's murder while tying up Melody's attack. She believes justice will prevail.

I enjoyed this book immensely and highly recommend it for an edge of the seat read.

At times I felt physically uncomfortable reading LACY EYE. The relationship between Hanna and Dawn was often difficult to read. I felt Hanna's love for her odd daughter, I felt her embarrassment of Dawn's behavior, her need for her daughter to fit in. A mother's love was captured and depicted in the pages of this novel with brutal honesty, perhaps forcing the reader to ponder the occasions they may have had a lacy eye where their children were concerned.

Dawn was a mystery to me, as sweet as she was cruel, was it all an act, always an act or did Rud cultivate what was already there. Rud gave me the creeps, his character was well drawn.

With characters giving me the creeps and the book making me uncomfortable, you might think I did not like this book but quite the opposite is true. This book transported me to Hanna's world, I ached with her and I triumphed with her, the book made me feel. It is a good read when you experience emotion right along with the characters.

I couldn't wait to return to my book when I was away from it. I give the author high praise for taking me on an arduous journey that kept me on the edge of my seat.