Mary, Mary: A Novel

A literate, well-plotted, fascinating thriller -- and there are so very few of them being published these days. RIchly characterized, mesmerizing to read. See her other novel "The Courtship Gift" as well for another fine book

I just completed Mary, Mary, and I had to take the day off in order to finish it. This book is absorbing. The characters are unique and well drawn, the reader really gets to know them. The plot is full of twists, which kept me in total suspense. I highly recommend this book to fans of Minette Walters, and Ruth Rendell. Julie Parsons has done and excellent job. I am looking forward to her next book.

I opened this book expecting your basic cheap thriller, which I love. But so much more was here. A cool woman. A truly despicable crime. And perfect justice. More than a thriller, it is a novel worth the page turning. Worth the thinking about.

Fans of Elizabeth George's novels will love this book. It is a harrowing exploration of the psyches of both the perpetrator and the victims of a sadistic crime. The author interweaves three or four plot lines concerning the victim's mother and grandmother, an alcoholic policeman and other characters skillfully and seamlessly. "Mary, Mary" is not a "whodunit" and it is not a conventional mystery. Not only does the author deal with a crime of terrible cruelty and its aftermath, but she also shines a light on the secrets that we keep from ourselves and from others. Parsons shows how these secrets fester and poison our relationships; they sometimes destroy our lives. This is not a "feel-good" book, but for a first novel, it is an extraordinary achievement.

I found this book rivetting. Normally I would not read a psycho-thriller such as this, but on the advice of a friend I picked it up, and subsequently could not put it down. This work is a well crafted piece of literature with attention to detail and build-up of characters I found fascinating. Ms. Parsons is a keen student of humanity, especially those on the edge of reality. One can feel the frustration and pain of Margaret, a mother torn by the abduction and brutal murder of her only daughter when she returns home to Ireland from New Zealand. I found the volley between past and present a twist that was most intriguing. This is certainly the stuff box-office hits are made of. No hesitation at all of recommending this excellent read!