Blood Orange by Harriet Tyce

From Goodreads

An electrifying debut thriller for fans of Anatomy of a Scandal, Apple Tree Yard, and Gone Girl.

Alison has it all. A doting husband, adorable daughter, and a career on the rise - she's just been given her first murder case to defend. But all is never as it seems...

Just one more night. Then I'll end it. 

Alison drinks too much. She's neglecting her family. And she's having an affair with a colleague whose taste for pushing boundaries may be more than she can handle.

I did it. I killed him. I should be locked up.

Alison's client doesn't deny that she stabbed her husband - she wants to plead guilty. And yet something about her story is deeply amiss. Saving this woman may be the first step to Alison saving herself.

I'm watching you. I know what you're doing. 

But someone knows Alison's secrets. Someone who wants to make her pay for what she's done, and who won't stop until she's lost everything....

A disturbing, toxic and compelling novel that explores the power of fear and desire, jealousy and betrayal, love and hate, BLOOD ORANGE introduces a stunning new voice in psychological suspense. 

My thoughts

I gave this a 5 stars or 10/10. This story had me gripped from the first few pages. It was a well written debut novel and I can't wait to read more by Harriet Tyce.

Alison a married barrister, appears to have it all. However, Alison is also on a path of self destruction. What to many people seems to be a great marriage on the face of it, is not all it appears to be. Her husband taking over most of the domestic stuff and being the main carer of their young daughter, finds every opportunity he can to knock her confidence in the home. In my eyes he has pushed Alison into the arms of another man, she is having an affair with one of her colleagues, it's a no holds barred affair where anything goes …. Alison also likes a drink and doesn't often stop at one.

This story deals with the complexities of life, relationships, betrayal, fear and trust or what is lacking and pushes people to cross certain boundaries that shouldn't be crossed. It shows how far people can and will go, in order to get the results that they want for themselves in life.

I can't say that I really liked any of the characters, they were all flawed in their own ways and were all out for what they could get. I did feel sorry for Alison's young daughter, she was an unwilling pawn in the games that her parents played with one another.

I look forward with interest to see what Harriet Tyce writes next.