Rabbit Hole - Kate Brody

Rabbit Hole is Kate Brody's debut novel.

What do you think of when you hear 'rabbit hole'? I always think of Alice in Wonderland. "Down the rabbit hole" is an English-language idiom or trope which refers to getting deep into something, or ending up somewhere strange." The title is quite apt for Brody's book.

Teddy's older sister Angie went missing ten years ago. When Teddy's father dies, it triggers something for Teddy. Maybe Angie's still alive, maybe she can find her. Perhaps the amateur sleuths on Reddit can help? These thoughts and actions start the journey to the rabbit hole for Teddy.

I was caught up in the idea that maybe Angie was alive. There are clues that lean towards that premise. But, there are just as many that point another way. Teddy is caught up the investigation either way and it consumes her. She's not herself - or is she? Brody plays with the reader, keeping us guessing. I wanted to shout at Teddy, asking her to open her eyes to see what she is doing to herself and her life. She's most definitely an unreliable protagonist. I'm not sure how I feel about her.

Now, the mystery of Angie drives the book forward. But the questions of family, loss, love, guilt dysfunction and more are explored through Teddy's family, old and new friends, co-workers and more.  

Rabbit Hole is an unsettling read and those last few pages are food for thought. See for yourself - read an excerpt of Rabbit Hole. 

The Sunset Years of Agnes Sharp - Leonie Swann

I've discovered I have a newly found affinity for mysteries with seniors as the protagonists. Why? Maybe because I'm getting closer to that age group!

The Sunset Years of Agnes Sharp by Leonie Swann is one of those books.

Swann opens the book with Hettie perusing a curious set of shoes. Hettie just happens to be a tortoise! But she's one of a group of characters that populate Sunset Hall. The Hall is home to a group of seniors that live as a family. They're determined to not be sent to a institutional care home. They're a quirky bunch, all with some health issues, with memory loss being one of them. Swann alludes to their past employments, but I'll let you discover what those might be.

A body is found in their greenhouse (classic) and then another next door. There's no doubt about it - these are both murders and it's definitely too close to home! And of course, they start their own investigation. Given that memory loss is at the top of the list, we have more than one unreliable narrator. 
The past and present collide many times. What's now and what's then? As a reader we don't know and the path to the final aha moment doubles back on itself more than once.

I quite enjoyed this book, the characters, the premise and the plot. I do think it could be shortened up a wee bit though. See for yourself - read an excerpt of the Sunset Years of Agnes Sharp.