Book Review – Save Me by Lisa Scottoline

 

Published April 12th 2011 by St. Martin’s Press

ISBN13: 9780312380786

From the New York Times bestselling author of Think Twice andLook Again comes an emotionally powerful novel about a split-second choice, agonizing consequences, and the need for justice 

Rose McKenna volunteers as a lunch mom in her daughter Melly’s school in order to keep an eye on Amanda, a mean girl who’s been bullying her daughter. Her fears come true when the bullying begins, sending Melly to the bathroom in tears. Just as Rose is about to follow after her daughter, a massive explosion goes off in the kitchen, sending the room into chaos. Rose finds herself faced with the horrifying decision of whether or not to run to the bathroom to rescue her daughter or usher Amanda to safety. She believes she has accomplished both, only to discover that Amanda, for an unknown reason, ran back into the school once out of Rose’s sight. In an instance, Rose goes from hero to villain as the small community blames Amanda’s injuries on her. In the days that follow, Rose’s life starts to fall to pieces, Amanda’s mother decides to sue, her marriage is put to the test, and worse, when her daughter returns to school, the bullying only intensifies. Rose must take matters into her own hands and get down to the truth of what really happened that fateful day in order to save herself, her marriage and her family.

In the way that Look Again had readers questioning everything they thought they knew about family, Save Me will have readers wondering just how far they would go to save the ones they love. Lisa Scottoline is writing about real issues that resonate with real women, and the results are emotional, heartbreaking and honest.

 

I found this book really difficult to get interested in until I got half way through it. I really wanted to like this book but I didn’t click with the main character very well at first.
Once the impetus changed from the initial plot concept to a more detective type investigation the style seemed to improve drastically and Rose’s character really developed.
I almost abandoned this book but persevered because it was a book club choice for my own group.
I am glad I persevered because the second half of the book was really good and very enjoyable, much improved from the first half.

I only give this book 3/5 stars because of the slow start. I did like the book overall but I didn’t really like it and definitely didn’t love it.

Related articles

• Author Review: Lisa Scottoline (melissamwolff.com)
• Book Review: Lisa Scottoline – Come Home (elizababble.wordpress.com)

 

~ by adelesymonds on September 1, 2012.