How I Lost You By Jenny Blackhurst

[amazon_link id=”1472218965″ target=”_blank” ][/amazon_link]’How I Lost You’ is the latest book by Jenny Blackhurst.

They told her she killed her son. She served her time. But what if they lied? I have no memory of what happened but I was told I killed my son. And you believe what your loved ones, your doctor and the police tell you, don’t you? My name is Emma Cartwright. Three years ago I was Susan Webster, and I murdered my 12-week-old son Dylan. I was sent to Oakdale Psychiatric Institute for my crime, and four weeks ago I was released early on parole with a new identity, address, and a chance to rebuild my tattered life.This morning, I received an envelope addressed to Susan Webster. Inside it was a photograph of a toddler called Dylan. Now I am questioning everything I believe because if I have no memory of the event, how can I truly believe he’s dead? If there was the smallest chance your son was alive, what would you do to get him back?

‘How I Lost You’ is Jennifer’s first novel and it’s a strong debut that stay with you, long after you finished it.

The story is written through the narrative of Emma Cartwright , a woman who has just released from a psychiatric institute for killing her baby boy Dylan. After being diagnosed with puerperal psychosis, a form of post natal depression, she is confused about the fateful night but she knows that she no longer has a child or a marriage due to her actions that night.

Now back in the real world, with a new identity as Susan Webster, she is trying to move on and start again but then suddenly someone sends her a photograph of a little boy with the caption ‘Dylan Aged 3’ and so Susan begins her own investigation into the night along with Nick, a journalist who wants to cover her story. But as Susan, delves further into her past and unveils some mucky secrets about her far from perfect life, it seems that someone is trying to prevent Susan from revealing the truth and it appears that Susan may be innocent, but all she has to do is prove it no matter the consequences.

As a lead character, Susan is a fascinating one, trying to lead a normal life, she lives in fear that someone will recognise her and her terrible past will be uncovered. Unhappy and burdened with a tremendous guilt, she is determined to find out what happened that night and even though her life and those around her, seems to be in danger, she is adamant that the truth will come out, especially with the threats along the way, encourage her to believe that she wasted three years of her life for a crime that she didn’t commit and that she was incapable of killing her little boy. As the story progresses, we see Susan develop, she becomes stronger and happier with the aid of her bolshy and outspoken friend Cassie and Nick, who wants to help Susan prove her innocence.

Throughout the story, there is also the inclusion of flashbacks that make for intriguing reading as the character seems to have quite a dark and troubled past and it keeps us guessing as to who the character is and what their role in the story is.

For fans of psychological thrillers, ‘How I Lost You’ is an absolute must, packed with tension, drama and deceit, this debut makes for an emotional roller coaster of a read.

You can buy [amazon_link id=”1472218965″ target=”_blank” ]How I Lost You from Amazon [/amazon_link] and is available to buy from good bookshops.