To the Edge of Shadows: A psychological, thrilling and heart-warming read

Sarah Phillips is robbed of her memory when, at the age of thirteen she was involved in an horrific car accident that took away from her not only her childhood memories but also memories of her father and sister who died in the crash. Slowly gaining consciousness after the accident her Aunt Leah is the only family she has left. Eventually she leaves hospital to live in her aunt’s small terraced cottage, but her life in anything but normal. She is compelled by her damaged mind to count the steps she takes, to always travel along the same route without any deviations and to never step inside a car again. She is a virtual prisoner in a very small area of Exeter, leaving the security of her home with her aunt only to travel to and from her doctor’s office for check-ups and to monitor her progress.

Eventually her aunt buys a florist shop not far from where they live and Sarah settles in to help her on the days she can. She still has horrible nightmares and evil headaches that sometimes keep her bed bound, but she manages quite well with her job as assistant. That is until one night she finds a brochure on her pillow advertising a new development of designer apartments. She immediately thinks that her aunt wants her to take the move towards independence. She buys the flat and sadly leaves the only home she remembers, but once in the apartment her life spirals horribly out of control. Control is a way of life for Sarah; the only way she is able to live. All she wants from life is a quiet life without drama; she is shackled by her brain injury.

Unknown to Sarah, living in the same block of apartments as herself is a young lady called Ellie Wilson. She has had a nightmare of a life; abused and finally deserted by her distant, cruel mother, her father having left them and therefore unaware of how Ellie had suffered. That is until the postman, who hears her whimpers, looks through the letterbox and sees her lying crumpled at the bottom of a staircase with horrible injuries. She is rushed to hospital where she is reunited with her father, who is plagued by the guilt of not being able to have protected her. They build a life together and she lives happily thereafter until she is robbed of him by a tragic accident. Ellie is everything that Sarah isn’t. She is adventurous, outgoing and craves for a life quite different from the one she is living. She finds Sarah an enigma and becomes totally obsessed with her. As Sarah struggles to make sense of what is happening to her without Leah’s support, Ellie begins to take over her life.

I absolutely adored this chilling novel. The menace and suspense of the story kept me turning the pages, eager to find out how the story would be resolved. The finale was everything I hoped it would be, but took me totally by surprise. The plot was laced with twists and turns and the story was edgy and tense. I loved the character of Leah, who was a wonderful guardian to Sarah, supportive but instinctively knowing that Sarah needed to spread her wings in order to live her life more fully, without the restraints she imposed on herself. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel and I would have no hesitation at all in recommending this as an excellent read. I would like to thank the publishers and Netgalley for my copy of ‘To the Edge of Shadows’ by Joanne Graham in return for an honest review and to congratulate Joanne on having written a wonderful novel.

Joanne Grahams writing is like poetry. I found myself highlighting so many passages on my kindle that nearly each page is bright yellow. Her ability to take an emotion and paint a picture is enviable. To The Edge of Shadows surprised me in so many ways that I find myself thinking about this book throughout the day.

Sarah wakes from a horrific accident with amnesia. When she awakens her Aunt Leah is at her side and does not leave it for another 6 years. It is so hard to truly explain the story without giving a lot away. I will ask that you not be off put by the description of
"girl wakes with amnesia" ... I know that story and premise has been played out as much as " girl goes back home after years away to find herself' again". There is NOTHING run of the mill about this story. The contrasts of the subject matter and the poetic beauty of the writing is memsmorizing.

I dare you to buy "To The Edge Of Shadows" and not be whisked away by the gorgeous prose. I also dare you to not to fall in love with the charachters. I double dog dare you to say you were not surprised as hell at the revelations throught the story. Joanne Graham is going on my list of authors to recommend to my friends and book clubbers. She was simply born to write and I am just thankful she is sharing her tremendous gift.

Thank you Netgally so much for the opportunity to read in exchange for this honest review.