One of the Good Guys is a lesson in two things; perspectives, and how even monsters are human. The story introduces us to Cole, a man who’s moved to the remote UK coast to get over a painful breakup that we immediately feel for.
The story is divided into three sections. The first is the story of Cole trying to heal. Next we track the history of his relationship with his ex, Mel, from her point of view, and behaviour and tendencies Cole assumed made him (as the title suggests) so loving and caring, are revealed as anything but.
In the final third we join Leonora, an artist who’s moved to a cabin near where Cole now lives and works and with whom he explores the tentative beginnings of a relationship.
Like something from a Hitchcock movie, there’s a nefarious plan from the beginning. It’s all tied up with two young women moving through the area on a high profile walking tour around the country to raise awareness about issues around womens’ safety.
The story is very much comprised of tlots of twists and turns.
It’s been a very long time since I sat up late and was compelled to read a novel in a single sitting.
If you’re at all interested in how shamefully hostile it is for women to navigate the world today or just love a really rollicking read that makes you gasp inwardly at every turn, One of the Good Guys is simply essential reading.
Reviewed by Drew Turney
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Araminta Hall has an MA in creative writing and authorship from the University of Sussex, and teaches creative writing at New Writing South in Brighton, where she lives with her husband and three children. She is the author of Our Kind of Cruelty, which was named a best book of 2018 by CrimeReads and Real Simple.
0 Comments