‘From the #1 bestselling author of Breaking Point and
winner of Crime Novel of the Year at the An Post Irish Book Awards’
– In Her Place
[ About In Her Place ]
Who is the other woman? That’s for you to decide.
Ann devoted years to her mother’s care – and now she’s gone, Ann feels lost.
Justin is also grieving, but his wife is still alive. Deborah is in a coma and she doesn’t have long left.
When the two meet, they are instantly drawn to one another and, before long, they’ve fallen deeply in love.
Ann quickly moves in with Justin and his little girl, making them the perfect family. But just as Ann settles into her new life, Justin’s is turned upside down. Unexpectedly, his wife has survived. Deborah is coming home.
Neither knows what to do. But one thing is certain: Ann has earned the life Deborah left behind, and she plans to keep it . .
[ My Review ]
In Her Place by Edel Coffey published March 21st with Sphere and is described as ‘a gripping suspense for book clubs’. It is her second novel following on from the extremely successful Breaking Point.
Set in New York, In Her Place is primarily Ann’s story as she navigates life following the tragic death of her mother. Ann had been the main carer looking after the daily needs of her mother who suffered with Motor Neuron Disease. Ann was a journalist and single so her sisters, married with children, agreed that it made more sense for Ann to take over the role as carer. In their eyes, Ann had less commitments. Ann suspended her life and along the way she lost her job, her friends and her confidence.
Following her mother’s death, Ann is left in limbo. Her sisters want to sell the family apartment. leaving Ann potentially homeless and she is feeling undervalued and vulnerable. A chance meeting in an upstate bar changes everything for Ann. His name is Justin and he, like Ann, is grieving. But Justin’s grief is for his wife who is still alive but her time is very limited. She has an unexplained illness that is tragically impacting her body, which is gradually shutting down. Justin is expecting her inevitable passing at any moment and is looking for solace.
What is initially a one night stand quickly develops into something more. Ann is aware of her financial situation and attempts to keep her struggle and challenges private from Justin, but, as the days pass, her difficulties soon become apparent to him. Justin is a wealthy man, a father of Sophie, a little girl who is missing her mummy. Justin asks Ann to move in with them and, as they seem to have a strong connection, Ann agrees. Her sisters are infuriated with the speed the relationship is moving but it feels right to Ann. As the days and weeks pass, Ann adjusts to this new standard of living with the weight of her previous existence lifting off her shoulders but one day there is shocking news – Deborah has miraculously recovered following a successful drug trial and is coming home.
This news sends Ann in a spin. There are unexpected complications now at play and Ann is not quite prepared to give up this new world that she has become completely immersed in. How can she possibly establish herself as Justin’s partner? How can she keep this new life as her own? Can she replace Deborah? Or will Deborah remove every last presence of Ann from Justin’s mind and heart?
In my review of Breaking Point, I stated that it was ‘a thought-provoking, disturbing and extremely poignant novel’ but I have to say that I didn’t quite connect with In Her Place in the same manner. It is a compulsive read but I felt absolutely no warmth for any of the main characters. In Her Place is a domestic thriller with plenty of twists throughout. It is definitely a case of suspending belief at times, as the plot does go a little awry but it is a fast read, one that is very easy to get into, a perfect holiday read!!
[ Bio ]
Edel Coffey is an Irish journalist and broadcaster. She began work as an arts journalist and editor with the Sunday Tribune and has since worked as a presenter and reporter with RTE Radio, and as editor of the Irish Independent Weekend Magazine, and Books Editor of the Irish Independent. She is a regular contributor to The Irish Times, a weekly columnist with the Irish Examiner, and Books Editor of The Gloss magazine. Her debut novel, Breaking Point, was a number one bestseller in Ireland and winner of Crime Novel of the Year at the An Post Irish Book Awards.
She lives in Galway with her husband and children. In Her Place is her second novel.
x ~ @edelcoffey
