Close My Eyes

May 27, 2013
At the outset of British author McKenzie’s uneven first adult novel and U.S. debut, Geniver Loxley receives shocking news: her child, apparently stillborn eight years earlier, may actually be alive—and her devoted husband, Art, may have been responsible for the deception. The information understandably shatters Gen’s world, and assisted by attractive bad-boy Lorcan Byrne, she begins unraveling the mystery. While the plot unfurls nicely, some readers may be impatient with the bland, waffling Gen, who spends much of her time debating which man she ought to trust in helping her uncover the truth. Foregrounding Gen’s inner feelings hampers the development of genuine tension. McKenzie (Missing Me) works diligently to fulfill genre expectations, providing shoals of red herrings and blithely killing off auxiliary characters before they reveal anything more than fragments of useful information. Those who like their thrillers with heaping spoonfuls of romance will be satisfied. Announced first printing of 150,000. Agent: Zoë Pagnamenta, Zoë Pagnamenta Agency.

Starred review from July 29, 2013
Imagine losing a daughter at childbirth and living your life in a depression, only to have a mysterious stranger inform you years later that the girl is actually alive and well. This is the premise of Sophie McKenzie’s new novel, which is skillfully narrated by Marisa Calin in an inspired, emotional performance. Calin’s ability to capture the essence of the novel’s troubled, ravaged heroine, Geniver Loxley, is extraordinary. Calin’s pacing is steady, her tone is simple and understated, and yet her voice possesses a slight tremble during Geniver’s dialogue. In this audio edition, McKenzie and Calin—by the power of her performance—force listeners to wonder how they might act in a similar situation. A St. Martin’s hardcover.

September 15, 2013

This chilling psychological thriller is British YA author McKenzie's U.S. debut as well as her first title for adult audiences. Geniver Loxley hasn't yet recovered from losing her daughter at birth eight years ago. After she and her husband, Art, endure several failed fertility treatments, Gen is quite depressed, often feeling her life is bereft of meaning. Then a stranger shows up at her door claiming that Gen's child was not stillborn but was secreted away as a healthy baby, per Art's wishes. While narrator Marisa Calin's pacing is perfect for the slow unraveling of the story, her voice may be a bit too shrill for some listeners. Most, however, will hang in there for the incredibly unsettling conclusion. VERDICT Recommend to Tami Hoag and Lisa Gardner fans. ["Told in Gen's voice, the story's tension mounts with palpable dread, and, at first, it's not quite clear if her suspicions are real, or the delusions of a woman still grieving for a lost child. The suspense throughout this creepy novel is exquisite, and the twists are true shockers. This one packs an emotional punch," read the starred review of the St. Martin's hc, LJ Xpress Reviews, 6/14/13.--Ed.]--Beth Farrell, Cleveland State Univ. Law Lib.

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