Beautiful Malice

Beautiful Maliceby Rebecca James

So. Were you glad, deep down? Were you glad to be rid of her? Your perfect sister? Were you secretly glad when she was killed?Following a terrible tragedy that leaves her once-perfect family shattered, Katherine Patterson moves to a new city, starts at a new school, and looks forward to a new life of quiet anonymity.But when Katherine meets the gregarious and beautiful Alice Parrie her resolution to live a solitary life becomes difficult. Katherine is unable resist the flattering attention that Alice pays her and is so charmed by Alice’s contagious enthusiasm that the two girls soon become firm friends. Alice’s joie de vivre is transformative; it helps Katherine forget her painful past and slowly, tentatively, Katherine allows herself to start enjoying life again.But being friends with Alice is complicated – and as Katherine gets to know her better she discovers that although Alice can be charming and generous she can also be selfish and egocentric. Sometimes, even, Alice is cruel.And when Katherine starts to wonder if Alice is really the kind of person she wants as a friend, she discovers something else about Alice - she doesn’t like being cast off. (goodreads.com)

Holy cow! I could not put this book down last night! I was falling asleep by 8:30 and went up to bed but the book was just taunting me from my dresser and I had to get back up and finish reading it even with my blurry, burning eyes.There was something haunting about this book but I can't tell you what. The chapters alternated between past, present and future and they seemed innocent and simple and yet I knew, I just KNEW that SOMETHING was GOING TO HAPPEN. The way the story is written just know that around the corner you'll find the monster, the climax the SOMETHING and I was completely psyching myself out while reading.I don't know how to write about this book without spoiling anything, but I will say that Alice is one totally psycho chick. Woah! She's just not right in the head and I could tell that right from the start.I had no problems navigating the time changes from chapter to chapter, they seemed to flow seamlessly and made complete sense to me as I finished one chapter and started the next. I think this was a brilliant accomplishment on the author's part because sometimes alternating chapters get confusing and overwhelming and the telling of a story from past to present isn't the easiest thing to do.When SOMETHING finally happened I realized I had been holding my breath for at least half of the book. I was so happy to breathe! And I was completely surprised by what the SOMETHING was. I had my suspicions of course, but they were off slightly. Not completely, but the story did not flow in the way I thought it would. I liked that about the book.I first heard of this book in a Penguin Group Canada newsletter I received earlier in the summer. The title of the book and the summary instantly caught my attention and it's the first time I have ever asked a rep if there was a possibility of review copies floating about. I felt like a fool for even asking her but she let me know that if one crossed her desk she'd see what she could do. I am so happy that I did ask her because this was a brilliant book and it was so simplistically psychologically thrilling that I know I will reread it in the future to see if I can pick up any of the clues I missed this first time around.I literally held my breath for that last half of the book. I knew SOMETHING was going to happen and I was freaking myself out thinking it would be on the next page. The wait for the SOMETHING was killing me!This is a fantastic debut for author Rebecca James. I think she wove a complex thriller in such a simple fashion. Her writing style works fabulously and the mystery is enthralling and breathtaking.I can't wait to read more from this author in the future!