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Aug 28, 2018SkokieStaff_Steven rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Liz Nugent’s “Unraveling Oliver” is a kind of Goldilocks of suspense fiction: not too cold, not too hot, not too short, not too long, not too soft, not too hard. In the first chapter, we learn that Oliver Ryan, a handsome, well-to-do, and suave author of a beloved series of children’s books, has just beaten his wife nearly to death. As the book progresses, we trace back the course of Oliver’s life through his own recollections as well as the memories of people who knew him. By the end, we understand what sparked Oliver’s heinous act while discovering a great deal about the deeply damaged man who performed it. Unlike in many thrillers, the characters in this book do not behave ridiculously nor do the plot developments unduly strain credulity. Nugent’s skillfully constructed book is thoughtful and measured, and all the more effective because of her restraint.