Into the Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes

Into the Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Goodreads: Catherine Bailey has been enjoying the single life long enough to know a catch when she sees one. Gorgeous, charismatic and spontaneous, Lee seems almost too perfect to be true. And her friends clearly agree, as each in turn falls under his spell.

But what begins as flattering attentiveness and passionate sex turns into raging jealousy, and Catherine soon learns there is a darker side to Lee. His increasingly erratic, controlling behaviour becomes frightening, but no one believes her when she shares her fears. Increasingly isolated and driven into the darkest corner of her world, a desperate Catherine plans a meticulous escape.

Four years later, Lee is behind bars and Catherine--now Cathy--compulsively checks the locks and doors in her apartment, trusting no one. But when an attractive upstairs neighbour, Stuart, comes into her life, Cathy dares to hope that happiness and love may still be possible . . . until she receives a phone call informing her of Lee's impending release. Soon after, Cathy thinks she catches a glimpse of the former best friend who testified against her in the trial; she begins to return home to find objects subtly rearranged in her apartment, one of Lee's old tricks. Convinced she is back in her former lover's sights, Cathy prepares to wrestle with the demons of her past for the last time.

Utterly convincing in its portrayal of obsession, Into the Darkest corner is an ingeniously structured and plotted tour de force of suspense that marks the arrival of a major new talent

My thoughts: I really liked the Thriller/Suspense element of this book. I enjoyed the story and particularly enjoyed the OCD and PTSD element including Catherine's seeking treatment and finding success in treating the anxiety and associated issues. The book is intense but needs to come with a strong warning. It is very sexual and sexually violent. I could have done without the details. Also, the language is very strong. The hardest swear words are used as both verbs and name-calling nouns. If you are sensitive to those words, don't read this book. It really is bad.

On the upside, the story is very well timed. The book works from two time periods up until the present time period (which is really 2008, I think). It starts with a court scene. Mr. Brightman is being questioned on the stand by attorneys. He is claiming that Catherine Bailey was mentally unstable and he only physically hurt her one time. He hit her. Once, he said. The truth to that particular scene in question is answered at least by the end of the book, although much more occurs after that scene.

Next chapter is a grisly scene a couple of years earlier where a woman meets her death by a man that she dared love. Don't know who she is but that will be answered.

Then we're consistently on two time-lines. The present day with a woman named Cathy who is old before her time. She suffers from moderate to severe OCD and has nightmares. She checks her doors and windows and must do so in a certain order and feel just so or it isn't safe. The reader gets the idea that Cathy and Catherine are the same person. Which they are. Meet new possible love interest, a tenant named Stuart. But Cathy doesn't have time for love interests. She works and caters to her OCD.

Next is the time period that is roughly three years earlier where Catherine is an outgoing, socially active young and vivacious woman who catches the eye of a handsome doorman at a club. She's wearing a red dress that is divine. Both she and handsome Lee (the doorman) think so. This is where Cathy's story really begins and how Mr. Brightman ends up in the courtroom.

It is an excellent thriller. The author builds a believable story. But be forewarned that it is sexually charged with violence and language.

View all my reviews *I received a free copy of this book from publishing company in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.