Book info

• Title The One That Got Away
• Author Simon Wood
• Year 2015
• Genre Thriller

Graduate students Zoë and Holli only mean to blow off some steam on their road trip to Las Vegas. But something goes terribly wrong on their way home, and the last time Zoë sees her, Holli is in the clutches of a sadistic killer. Zoë flees with her life, changed forever. A year later and still tortured with guilt, Zoë latches on to a police investigation where the crime eerily resembles her abduction. Along with a zealous detective, she retraces the steps of that fateful night in the desert, hoping that her memory will return and help them find justice for Holli. Her abductor—labeled the “Tally Man” by a fascinated media—lies in wait for Zoë. For him, she is not a survivor but simply the one that got away.

Thoughts

This was an interesting concept for a story - a girl narrowly escapes being the victim of a serial killer and spends some time trying to rebuild her life, only to find that he’s still after her. It has all the elements that should make a thrilling read, but I have to say, the actual murderer didn’t quite have me convinced.

Perhaps I’ve been spoiled by other, more careful books, but it felt like this guy made so many mistakes it was a wonder he managed to get away with it for as long as he did.

On the flip side, I thought it was interesting to read about how our hero dealt with her survivor’s guilt, and that rather than turning her into a hermit, it made her more reckless than ever. Hit and miss, really, this book, but an entertaining read nevertheless.

Rating: 2 / 5