The Trap by Melanie Raabe

The Trap by Melanie Raabe
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 2 days

Pages - 352

Publisher - Grand central Publishing

Source - The Works

Blurb from Goodreads

In this twisted debut thriller, a reclusive author sets the perfect trap for her sister's murderer -- but is he really the killer?

For 11 years, the bestselling author Linda Conrads has mystified fans by never setting foot outside her home. Haunted by the unsolved murder of her younger sister--who she discovered in a pool of blood--and the face of the man she saw fleeing the scene, Linda's hermit existence helps her cope with debilitating anxiety. But the sanctity of her oasis is shattered when she sees her sister's murderer on television. Hobbled by years of isolation, Linda resolves to use the plot of her next novel to lay an irresistible trap for the man. As the plan is set in motion and the past comes rushing back, Linda's memories -- and her very sanity -- are called into question. Is this man a heartless killer or merely a helpless victim?


My Review

Linda is a successful author, she lives in a very small world, her home. After her sister died, murdered, she has became a recluse, agoraphobic and for over a decade has kept that existence with her dog. When a voice from her past sparks a fire in her world she knows she can't stop until she brings justice to the person who has kept her prisoner in her own home and took her sister from her.

This is different for a debut, we have a bit of an unreliable character, she struggles to engage with the outside world. When she happens upon the voice of the man who killed her sister she needs to act, the police didn't help then would they now?

So Linda isn't a loveable character although you get used to her after a bit. She has been devastated by her sisters death and we see her overcome many issues to get closure. The book follows her plan to catch a killer and we also have a story within a story when she writes a "fictional" account of what really happened to draw in the killer. I found this format a bit hard to get used to, the second story, I felt, took forever to get to the point. The plan to get the killer was a bit out there but it is interesting to watch her plan, prepare and plot.

Whilst there is a murder and a bit of cat and mouse, there is also the whole relationships, personal growth and coming to terms with many issues within her life. I thought it was a good story although I didn't love the second story, I felt it detracted and took a bit to get to the point. Otherwise an interesting plot and daring plan from a woman practically housebound to take on the person who murdered her sister and changed her whole life. 3/5 for me this time, I look forward to seeing what this author brings out next.

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