You Were Made For This
Michelle Sacks
Little, Brown and Company 2018
339 pages

Mesmerizing from the get-go, You Were Made for This is the amazing first novel by South African-born writer, Michelle Sacks. It is a true psychological thriller. Kindle at Amazon: You Were Made for This

Life is idyllic in Sweden. It is a joyous new beginning for a perfect, happy family of three: Mom (Merry), Dad (Sam), and adorable new baby, Connor. Their little enclave couldn’t be happier, with everything a growing family could want: A relaxed pace, walks in the forest, homemade everything—pass the tasty, perfect blueberry pie—and lovely neighbours; such a change from the rat race of New York City. Happy, happy, happy.

The new parents are revelling and blossoming in their new-found paradise. We soon realize that life and the people in it are nowhere near what they seem to be. The facade slowly and methodically crumbles away.

To compound what lies beneath, Merry’s friend Frank arrives on the scene. Since childhood, the women have forged a deep-rooted rivalry, coupled with a fierce symbiotic loyalty that nothing can alter. They are the best of friends.

Deeply layered and chilling, You Were Made for This by Michelle Sacks has a strong sense of foreboding. Something is just not right. The plot creeps upon you ever-so-gently, at first simply causing pause. Then the hairs on the back of your neck recognize the characters’ sickness and profound capacity for cruelty. Like a slow motion accident that compels your attention, you can’t quite believe the horror of what is happening. You can’t stop reading because you need to see just how far it will go. You are shocked every time.

You Were Made for This by Michelle Sacks is scary and disturbing, partly because it is so well written, but also because the characters seem so real. Sacks does an excellent job of building the psychological landscape, drawing you in, and holding you firmly in place as you descend further and further into their shocking and twisted lives.

You Were Made for This is a blockbuster of a book. I guarantee it will stick with you.

It is highly recommended.

J. Curran

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