Book Review: The Necklace by Matt Witten

Title: The Necklace
Author: Matt Witten
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
Date of Publication: September 7, 2021
Publisher: Oceanview Publishing

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Synopsis

The clock ticks down in a heart-pounding crusade for justice

Susan Lentigo’s daughter was murdered twenty years ago—and now, at long last, this small-town waitress sets out on a road trip all the way from Upstate New York to North Dakota to witness the killer’s execution.

On her journey she discovers shocking new evidence that leads her to suspect the condemned man is innocent—and the real killer is still free. Even worse, her prime suspect has a young daughter who’s at terrible risk. With no money and no time to spare, Susan sets out to uncover the truth before an innocent man gets executed and another little girl is killed.

But the FBI refuses to reopen the case. They—and Susan’s own mother—believe she’s just having an emotional breakdown. Reaching deep, Susan finds an inner strength she never knew she had. With the help of two unlikely allies—a cynical, defiant teenage girl and the retired cop who made the original arrest—Susan battles the FBI to put the real killer behind bars. Will she win justice for the condemned man—and her daughter—at last?

– Goodreads

My Thoughts

The Necklace is a fast-paced thriller that you won’t be able to put down. The story is told from the point of view of Susan, a woman whose seven-year-old daughter was brutally murdered twenty years ago. We get two timelines–one set twenty years ago, when the horrible crime occurred. The second timeline is present day, when the man put behind bars for killing her child is just days away from being executed. Susan has scrounged up just enough money to travel to the execution. This is the day that she’s waited for for twenty years. She should be ecstatic. She should be happy to finally be getting the closure she craves. But a simple piece of evidence sends her reeling. Is it possible that the man who’s being executed in mere days is not guilty?

This story is incredibly fast paced. I could easily tell that the author is ordinarily a writer for TV. The writing style is very direct–with little flowery language or description to bog down the prose. I’m a fast reader, but I can say that any other reader would also be compelled to finish this in one sitting. The novel reads a little like a James Patterson novel–you can’t help but think “One more chapter!” and before you know it, you’re at the climax of the book and there’s no way you’re stopping now.

This book deals with some very dark and dreary subject matter, but it isn’t a dark and dreary book. Fortunately, because of the writing style, we don’t get caught up too much in Susan’s thoughts. This could easily be a heavy and depressing read, because what’s more depressing than following a heroine whose daughter was brutally killed, her husband left her, and she hasn’t been able to move on in twenty years? Despite all this, Susan has a sense of direction. At first, Susan is focused on getting to the execution. Then, she’s pinpointed all her energy on finding the truth. There isn’t much time for introspection and dark existential musings, and I was happy about that. There’s a hopeful note that lingers throughout the narrative, which is a unique approach to an original storyline. 

The book is called “The Necklace”, because Susan had made a beaded necklace with her daughter just days before her murder. The necklace was never found. This simple piece of jewellery plays a key part of the plot. This book has quite a few twists, one or two of them had me gasp almost comically. 

I recommend this book to those looking for a fast-paced thriller that they can devour in an evening.

*Thank you to the publisher, Netgalley, and the author for the ebook to review*

Find the book:

Goodreads | Amazon