Optioned For TV By A Major Hollywood Studio
Author: Christina McDonald
Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Gallery Books (February 2019)
- Paperback: 368 pages
- Listen to Excerpt
Publisher’s Synopsis:
In the vein of Big Little Lies and Reconstructing Amelia comes an emotionally charged domestic suspense novel about a mother unraveling the truth behind how her daughter became brain dead. And pregnant.
A search for the truth. A lifetime of lies.
In the small hours of the morning, Abi Knight is startled awake by the phone call no mother ever wants to get: her teenage daughter Olivia has fallen off a bridge. Not only is Olivia brain dead, she’s pregnant and must remain on life support to keep her baby alive. And then Abi sees the angry bruises circling Olivia’s wrists.
When the police unexpectedly rule Olivia’s fall an accident, Abi decides to find out what really happened that night. Heartbroken and grieving, she unravels the threads of her daughter’s life. Was Olivia’s fall an accident? Or something far more sinister?
Christina McDonald weaves a suspenseful and heartwrenching tale of hidden relationships, devastating lies, and the power of a mother’s love. With flashbacks of Olivia’s own resolve to uncover family secrets, this taut and emotional novel asks: how well do you know your children? And how well do they know you?
My Thoughts
This story, told by both Mother and Daughter’s viewpoints, captured my interest almost immediately. It begins with a tragedy and mystery, but McDonald manages to weave many things into her multi-layered debut novel.
Since the synopsis above covers much of the plot, I’m going to share only my thoughts regarding the writing. If you’re looking for a thriller, this probably isn’t the book for you. But if you want a story that keeps you turning pages and moving from suspect to suspect, this won’t disappoint you.
I believe most of us with children can even understand some of Abigail’s reactions, more specifically her wish to protect her daughter. We no doubt also recognize that many of her choices weren’t healthy, but they felt authentic, especially due to her history.
Abigail’s daughter also seemed to behave in a believable teenage manner of both inquisitive and somewhat rebellious.
The Night Olivia Fell touches on so many different topics. Yes, it is a mystery, but it is far more than that. For me, it caused reflection on my life, my choices, and my children.
What Concerned Me
There is a chance meeting on a school outing that might require you to suspend disbelief.
My Conclusion
Though I was sure I had the mystery solved about halfway through, I guessed wrong. However, the story was fair to readers and didn’t pull a rabbit out of the hat at the last minute to sensationalize the ending. (Don’t you just hate it when they do that? Soooo not fair!) It felt just fine to me. I just guessed wrong.
Fans of mysteries that lead you on a trail from here to there and back again will love this book. But as I mentioned earlier, it is so much more than just a mystery. It’s a story about relationships and making mistakes, but doing the best you can at the time.
About The Author
Christina McDonald is an author of domestic suspense novels, including The Night Olivia Fell, which has been optioned for TV by a major Hollywood studio. She has worked for companies such as USATODAY.com, The Sunday Times, Dublin, and Expedia. Originally from Seattle, WA, she has an MA in Journalism from the National University of Ireland Galway, and now lives in London, England with her husband, two sons, and their dog, Tango.
She is currently writing her third novel.
McDonald’s Bio
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