The Closer You Get

February 24, 2020
Early in this solid psychological thriller from British author Torjussen (The Girl I Used to Be), personal assistant Ruby Dean and her boss, Harry Sheridan, decide to leave their spouses after an 18-month affair and start a life together. Ruby tells her emotionally abusive husband, Tom, it’s over and moves out, but Harry never meets her as planned. At first, Ruby is sure there’s a good explanation for why Harry didn’t keep his word. Perhaps Harry’s wife, Emma, caused a scene or he had an accident. But when she returns to work, she’s fired, and Harry is off on a romantic holiday with Emma to celebrate her pregnancy. Devastated, Ruby questions her choices and even considers returning to Tom, but ultimately forges ahead. In her search for a new job, she goes to an interview that turns out to be a hoax. The tension rises as more mishaps and threatening messages leave Ruby unsettled. Ruby must ultimately decide whether to trade her physical safety for her emotional well-being. The story builds steadily to an exciting climax and then flatlines as Torjussen ties up loose ends. David Bell fans will be satisfied. Agent: Kate Burke, Blake Friedmann (U.K.).