Vicki is a woman with a troubled mind, a sad past, and a horrible ex-husband. When her ex-husband, David, goes missing, and the police arrive on her doorstep asking her if she knows where he is, she is thrown into a life she never thought possible. A life of questions without answers. A life of mystery. A life where she isn't sure what has happened or what is going on. Vicki is an aromatherapist who can't find a way out. She wants to confront David's new wife, Tanya, who should be the first suspect, but doesn't seem to be.
Then the story follows Scarlet, a young girl forced by her mother to play a dangerous game, which eventually gets them both in trouble. Scarlet then learns what it is like to live without her mother, and Zelda learns what it is like to have her daughter removed from her custody. Every visit is traumatic, and in the end Scarlet see who her mother really is, but she doesn't act, because no matter what Zelda is still her mother.
The first third of the story follows the beginning of the stories of Scarlet and Vicki as she learns of David's disappearance. This was probably the most interesting part of the story. The characters were intriguing. Learning about the games Scarlet was made to play by her mother was interesting, and gave a view into a dark side of life that I would have no idea about. I have never been involved in criminal activity, and I wouldn't even know how to do some of the things that Zelda made Scarlet do to make money. When Scarlet is taken and Zelda is punished the story that unfolds from there is sad and, well sad, because the truth of what is going to happen is probably not going to have a happy ending, especially since Zelda doesn't seem like she is going to change.
The next third is a set up of what is going to happen in the last third, and neither seems to be surprising or interesting. The biggest thing is we learn more about what a dick David is, and boy is he a 100% grade A dick, and we learn more about Vicki and why she is so trouble, also why she is still so in love with David, even though he treated her like garbage. Of course, he still treats her like garbage, and everyone else in his life. The ending isn't a huge surprise, especially after reading the beginning. None of the characters were really relatable, even though the author tries to make Scarlet and Vicki relatable, they really aren't. None of the characters have anything to offer the reader. Yet, as I say this the beginning of the book was well done, I wish it came together a little better, and I wish the book didn't become as vicious as it ended up being.
I can't really say whether one should or shouldn't read this, but in my opinion is was only okay. Some people might like it, but others might find it mediocre, as I did.
I want to say one last thing, the title in a little farfetched, and this could have used a better, more thrilling, and one better suited to the content.