Friday, May 29, 2020

The Woman Before Me

Cate Austin is a newly minted prison  probation officer.  She quickly learns that the guardians in the prison have no use for their charges.  Her first case is that of Rose Wilks, a woman who had killed a child.

When Cate meets Rose’s partner, she discovers that Rose and Jason are not married.  Rose has not told her this.  Jason’s ex, Emma, was the mother of the boy Rose is accused of killing.  They had given birth at the same time and were in the hospital together.  Only, shortly after Rose and Jason’s son had died.  She befriended Emma.  Jason also tells Cate that Rose will never be able to have another child.

Now it is Cate’s job to determine whether Rose should be released on parole.  Is she remorseful for the death that she had caused?  She interviews Rose, and those closely involved in the incident.  Based on what she has learned, can she recommend release?

Author Ruth Dugdall has interspersed throughout this psychological thriller, the thoughts and reminiscing of Rose, which she records in a black book.  It is only after the decision of the Parole Board that Cate gets to read it.  Dugdall’s novel was a different, yet intriguing kind of read.

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