Jill Charron wakes up in a hospital room with no memory of the past six weeks, only to find out she was involved in a fatal accident in Italy that killed her best friend Simone. As she tries to clear her name while dealing with amnesia, the story unfolds through a mix of Jill's narration and various media sources like blog posts, police interviews, and news reports. The suspenseful plot keeps readers engaged as they question Jill's innocence and try to piece together the truth behind the accident.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed, although Jill's unlikability may hinder reader investment. The dynamics between Jill and Simone highlight themes of jealousy and social status.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is multifaceted, employing an epistolary format that combines narrative perspective with various media types, maintaining suspense throughout the story.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers around Jill, who suffers from amnesia following a car accident in Italy that killed her best friend. The story explores themes of memory, media scrutiny, and the pursuit of truth through various narrative formats.

Setting:

The setting moves between Italy and a U.S. hospital, highlighting the cultural implications of a tragic event surrounded by media frenzy.

Pacing:

The pacing is brisk, combining various narrative elements effectively, though some readers may find parts slow.

The realization made me uneasy. I must have crashed somewhere else. I hoped I’d remembered to call my mom. I felt a ripple of worry. If not, I was going to be in deep shit for not coming home. She was...

Notes:

The protagonist, Jill Charron, suffers from amnesia after a car accident in Italy that killed her best friend, Simone.

Jill's narrative is mixed with police interviews, blogs, and social media posts to create suspense and provide context.

The story explores themes of memory, truth, and the impact of wealth and privilege on justice.

There are parallels drawn to the Amanda Knox case, although the plots are different.

Jill's character is described as unlikable, with her selfishness and reliance on wealth contributing to this perception.

The ending of the book is open-ended, which some readers found effective while others did not.

The book addresses the distortion of truth in media coverage and internet commentary.

The author blends genres, making 'With Malice' part psychological thriller and part mystery.

The writing is noted for keeping readers guessing and providing unexpected twists throughout the story.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of death, car accidents, trauma, and public scrutiny.

From The Publisher:

For fans of We Were Liars and The Girl on the Train comes a chilling, addictive psychological thriller about a teenage girl who cannot remember the last six weeks of her life.

Eighteen-year-old Jill Charron's senior trip to Italy was supposed to be the adventure of a lifetime. And then the accident happened. Waking up in a hospital room, her leg in a cast, stitches in her face, and a big blank canvas where the last 6 weeks should be, Jill comes to discover she was involved in a fatal accident in her travels abroad. She was jetted home by her affluent father in order to receive quality care. Care that includes a lawyer. And a press team. Because maybe the accident...wasn't an accident. Wondering not just what happened but what she did, Jill tries to piece together the events of the past six weeks before she loses her thin hold on her once-perfect life.

Ratings (3)

Liked It (2)
Did Not Like (1)

Reader Stats (12):

Read It (3)
Want To Read (6)
Not Interested (3)

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With Malice?

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About the Author:

Eileen Cook is a multi-published author with her novels appearing in eight different languages. She spent most of her teen years wishing she were someone else or somewhere else, which is great training for a writer. Eileen lives in Vancouver with her two very naughty dogs and no longer wishes to be anyone or anywhere else.www.eileencook.com.

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With Malice

Eileen Cook