Nearest Thing To Crazy By Elizabeth Forbes

‘Nearest Thing To Crazy’ is the latest book by Elizabeth Forbes.

Cassandra and a group of her friends enjoy Sunday lunch together on a perfect summer’s day. They’re pleased to welcome their glamorous new neighbour and novelist, Ellie, who has rented a house in the village to work on her book. She likes to place herself in the centre of her plots, she says, although it’s hard to see what she’ll find to write about in this quiet country backwater. As Ellie slots effortlessly into the village social scene, Cass begins to feel increasingly alienated from her friends and isolated from her family but, for the life of her, she can’t fathom out why.

If you’re like books that will mess with your head and wonder who just to believe, then look no further as this book is just for you.

It’s seen through the narrative of Cassandra, lover of horticulture and mother to student, Laura. She’s happy in her marriage to Dan until sophisticated Ellie enters the small village and even though Cassandra initially takes her under her wing. Ellie repays her by spreading lies making everyone doubt what Cassandra says including Cassandra.

I loved this story, it’s dark, it’s twisty and packed with so many unreliable and unlikable characters that it was impossible to put down. The story focuses heavily on gaslighting and most books focus on men being the gaslighter so it was interesting seeing it from a female perspective. Ellie seems like a lovely woman, but she’s deceptive and no one else sees that only Cassandra but everyone thinks that there’s something wrong with Cassandra to think that way, which makes her look unhinged and the bad guy in the book.

The story is primarily seen through Cassandra’s narrative but there’s also aspects from another character and this gives an interesting slant to story that hooks the reader even further in.

There’s also a strong focus on mental health in this story, as Cassandra battles with it and her relationship with her toxic mother who is another truly vile character in the story.

‘The Nearest Thing To Crazy’ is a fast paced thriller that keeps the reader on their toes, filled with suspense and packed with doubt, it was gripping with a strong narrative throughout.

You can buy ‘Nearest Thing To Crazy’ from Amazon.