Title: Blue Monday
Author: Nicci French
First published January 1, 2011
416 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780718154950 (ISBN10: 0718154959)
Rating: 3.81
Overview
Blue Monday by Nicci French is a gripping tale of dark impulses and a day that changes everything. When a five-year-old girl goes missing, the nation is in uproar and the police are in a desperate search for answers.
Psychotherapist Frieda Klein is left troubled when one of her patients reveals dreams of a child who resembles the missing girl. As Frieda delves deeper, she realizes the patient’s dreams may hold the key to the abduction.
With Detective Chief Inspector Karlsson’s help, Frieda discovers a link to an unsolved child abduction from twenty years ago. Now Frieda is at the center of the race to track down the kidnapper.
But as she dives deeper into the twisted mind of a psychopath, she realizes that sometimes the mind is the deadliest place to lose yourself. Blue Monday is a page-turner that will leave you on the edge of your seat.
About the Author
Nicci Gerrard and Sean French are both accomplished writers in their own right.
Nicci was born in Worcestershire in June 1958 and graduated from Oxford University with a first class honours degree in English Literature. She began her career working with emotionally disturbed children in Sheffield before teaching English Literature in Sheffield, London and Los Angeles.
In 1985, Nicci moved into publishing, launching Women’s Review, a magazine for women focused on art, literature and female issues. Nicci had two children with journalist Colin Hughes, but their marriage ended in 1989.
Nicci went on to work as acting literary editor at the New Statesman and then as deputy literary editor at the Observer, before becoming a feature writer and executive editor.
Sean was born in Bristol in May 1959 to a British father and Swedish mother. He also studied English Literature at Oxford University, graduating with a first class degree.
Sean won Vogue magazine’s Writing Talent Contest in 1981 and worked as their theatre critic from 1981 to 1986. During that time, he also worked as deputy literary editor and television critic for the Sunday Times and was the film critic for Marie Claire and deputy editor of New Society.
In the mid-nineties, Sean had two novels published, as well as several non-fiction books, including biographies of Jane Fonda and Brigitte Bardot.
Nicci and Sean met in 1990 while working at the New Statesman and were married in 1990. They have two daughters together.
In 1995, they began writing together under the pseudonym Nicci French. Their first joint novel, The Memory Game, was published in 1997 to critical acclaim.
They have since written several more novels together, including What To Do When Someone Dies in 2009. Nicci and Sean also continue to write separately.
Nicci works as a journalist for the Observer, covering high-profile trials, while Sean’s last novel is Start From Here.
Editoral Review
Blue Monday by Nicci French is a psychological thriller that was first published on January 1, 2011. Nicci French is actually the pseudonym of a husband and wife writing duo, Nicci Gerrard and Sean French, who have written several novels together.
The genre of this book is a blend of crime, thriller, and mystery that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The story is set in contemporary London, primarily in the wealthy suburbs.
The main character is a psychotherapist named Frieda Klein who is dealing with some personal issues while simultaneously trying to help one of her patients, a troubled young boy named Alan. However, when a five-year-old boy named Matthew goes missing, Frieda agrees to help the police with the investigation.
The plot thickens when it is discovered that Matthew’s abduction is linked to a series of similar child abductions that occurred 22 years ago. The characters in the book are well-developed, and the pacing of the plot is excellent, with the narrative steadily building towards a climactic finale.
The themes of trauma, guilt, loss, and healing are well-woven into the story without feeling heavy-handed. The historical significance of the book lies in its exploration of how past traumatic events can have a lasting impact on the present.
The writing in Blue Monday is clear, concise, and evocative. The author has a talent for creating vivid descriptions and engaging dialogue, which makes the story come to life in the reader’s mind.
The plot structure is well-crafted, with a balance of both action and psychological suspense. However, there are a few plot points that require some suspension of disbelief, which can be a bit of a detractor for more discerning readers.
Overall, Blue Monday is a well-written and engrossing read that is perfect for fans of the psychological thriller genre. However, it falls short when compared to other works in the genre that offer more complex and nuanced character development.
Despite its few flaws, the book is worth reading for the gripping plot, compelling lead character, and masterful prose. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy psychological thrillers, crime fiction, and mysteries.
The book would benefit anyone looking for a suspenseful and entertaining read that also explores deeper themes. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would give Blue Monday a solid 8 for its excellent storytelling, well-crafted plot, and engaging prose.
