The Bridesmaid: The addictive psychological thriller that everyone is talking about

This is one of those cleverly plotted books that turned me inside out and slapped me around as everything I thought I had so smugly deduced was inside out and backward. Oh, that Nina Manning is a wily one. I was distrustful of all the characters as most of them seemed rather vile and deceitful. The storylines were multi-layered and cunningly textured to continually poke and taunt my curiosity. I was intrigued, ensnared, and invested in unraveling the dreadful secrets of the past that the author ruthlessly baited me with throughout. I was so wrong in my observations and wild theories, and quite happy to be. What a devious and shrewd scribbler, I am in awe of her capricious storytelling.

Here’s an author who knows how to keep readers guessing! Sasha and Caitlin meet as children and become best friends. Caitlin comes from a wealthy family, Sasha is the child of the hired help but they form a close bond which lasts through the years. Sasha keeps Caitlin on a bit of a pedestal, doing anything for her – even keeping secrets. Now they’re grown up and Caitlin is getting married her bridesmaid is, of course, Sasha. Sasha bears the responsibility for making the big day just the way Caitlin wants it, going the extra mile again and again but the bride is hard to please and continually manages to utter put-downs and snide remarks toward her bridesmaid. As the big day approaches, the strain begins to show and cracks open in the relationship. Secrets which kept them together now threaten to tear them asunder. Nina Manning knows how to grab her audience, keep them on their toes and reel them in. With a cast of well-crafted characters and secrets galore swirling in the background, this is one which consumed me. I’m not sure I actually liked Caitlin very much; I’ve never had much time for those who think they’re entitled and she certainly fits that bill. I enjoyed the chapters going back and forth in time meaning we were learning about the history of the friendship at the same time as the wedding got closer. An excellently plotted story line, packed with information which stopped me overthinking what else was going on. The secrets, when revealed, were both surprising and shocking. Without a doubt, this is a stunningly clever psychological thriller from an author who knows her stuff; one to watch and earning my recommendation and all five stars.