THE NECKLACE by Matt Witten

 

The clock ticks down in a heart-pounding crusade for justice

Susan Lentigo’s daughter was murdered twenty years ago—and now, at long last, this small-town waitress sets out on a road trip all the way from Upstate New York to North Dakota to witness the killer’s execution.

On her journey she discovers shocking new evidence that leads her to suspect the condemned man is innocent—and the real killer is still free. Even worse, her prime suspect has a young daughter who’s at terrible risk. With no money and no time to spare, Susan sets out to uncover the truth before an innocent man gets executed and another little girl is killed.

But the FBI refuses to reopen the case. They—and Susan’s own mother—believe she’s just having an emotional breakdown. Reaching deep, Susan finds an inner strength she never knew she had. With the help of two unlikely allies—a cynical, defiant teenage girl and the retired cop who made the original arrest—Susan battles the FBI to put the real killer behind bars. Will she win justice for the condemned man—and her daughter—at last?

Perfect for fans of Karin Slaughter and Harlan Coben

Optioned for film—with Leonardo DiCaprio attached as producer

MY THOUGHTS:

It's hard to know where to start with this review. From the start I suppose. It's my first book by this author. It's a very touching, gut wrenching, heartfelt, heartbreaking, realistic story. At least for me it was. Another of the ones that will leave you breathless. 

This book left me with so many tears. It started at almost the very beginning and made me cry throughout. It's a very sad story and one that gives you a lot to think about. A lot of things that make you wonder. Who could be so evil as to hurt a little girl like this. To rape and murder that innocent little seven year old. What mother ever recoups from such a horrible loss. What family can survive it.

How do you go on after such a loss. And the biggest question of all... Is the guilty man truly in prison on death row. Will he be punished for such a heinous thing. 

After serving twenty years in prison, Susan Lentigo, is finally going to get justice for her daughter's murder. She is going to go watch the man who raped and murdered her seven year old daughter die. Finally. She's looked forward to this since it started. Since her daughter's body was found. Since her whole world was ripped apart. Since the day she received that dreadful phone call telling her they found her...

But what if the wrong man is in prison. What if the true monster is still out there. What if he does it again. Or has he. Who could be this cruel and conniving. How could he have gotten away with this. Or do they honestly have the right man. This book really does keep you guessing. Just when you think you have it you are dealt another blow. But in the end you will find closure. You will find out who did this horrible thing. Thanks to Susan's relentless searching. Her continued voice.. It will all come out. It is quite shocking what happens here. It fooled me. I thought I had it. I thought I knew. I was so wrong.

This book will take you inside the death chamber. You will feel the horrors that a person feels when he's being put to death. It's very realistic. The feelings of both families. The victims family and the accused's family. The prisoner's feelings as he faces you for the last time. You will feel what Susan feels as she finally faces the man who raped and killed her precious little girl. She fought to the end for that and she will get justice. She will finally be able to have peach. Her daughter will be left in peace finally. 

This is a truly a heartbreaking story. It's the story of a family's loss. A child being raped and murdered. It's a dark one in that it was a child. Can a family withstand such a horrible act. A daughter who in every way possible blames her own mother for the loss. A mother who accepts that blame. If only... There are a few of those. If only... 

Thank you #NetGalley, #edelweiss, #ocenviewpublishing, #MattWitten for this ARC. This is my own true feelings about this book.

5/5 stars. I recommend it but with caution. It's about a child being raped and murdered. Though it does not go into deep detail, that is the subject. But it's a good read. Edge of your seat.