Thursday's Children by Nicci French

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Finally....It’s been a while but we are back with psychotherapist Frieda and well worth the wait it has been! So, it’s Thursday and we’ve moved on a bit, perhaps 18 months after the last book and Frieda has accepted that she has relationships that mean something to her, with Sandy, Reuben, the wonderful builder Josef and of course Chloe, her ubiquitous niece who has embarked on a relationship with Jack, Frieda’s protégée.
It is this book that brings, finally, all the threads and hints of Frieda’s past in the previous books, together. When an old acquaintance looks up Frieda to ask a favour of her, Frieda is again caught up in a police investigation but this one strongly resonates with her own past. It’s difficult to say anything without giving away the storyline but Frieda has to confront her past; her big secret is out as she confides in her friends and strives to help the daughter of her old schoolmate. We are taken right back to Frieda’s own schooldays, her friends and her family and finally the reader gets to know and understand why Frieda is as she is.
With this book there is a sense that Frieda is working against a ticking clock, that if she does not unravel the biggest mystery of her past then she will never move forward but with the help of the wonderful Josef and the strong support of her other friends, Frieda is able to put her past to bed.
But....again, that shadowy figure lurking in the background, which has designated himself Frieda’s guardian of sorts and who knows where she is and what’s she’s doing...what will become of him and will someone finally believe that he does exist?
This series of books just gets better...I think I have said after reading each one that it is the best yet and I’m saying it again! Fast paced with a sense of time running out, you literally cannot stop turning the pages to learn more. Frieda is complex and fascinating, the supporting cast of characters are not involved as much in this book but are still important to the storyline and we continue to learn about them and although the story is, as ever, dark and serious, there is light relief with Chloe and her eagerness to share details of her private life and Frieda’s subsequent TMI stance which adds that touch of normality and recognition from the reader.
An amazing piece of work which makes me want to go back to the first books and re read them all. And yes, again I’m waiting for Friday! If you haven’t yet read this series, I urge you, do, you are missing out!

Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin for the ARC e-book.