One Step Too Far

November 3, 2014
British author Seskis expertly depicts the new life of a runaway wife, Emily Coleman, in her exciting if not groundbreaking first novel. Leaving all that she knows in Manchester, England, for an uncertain future in present-day London, Emily reclaims her maiden name and becomes Cat Brown. With the help of her new housemate, the uninhibited but motherly Angel, Cat finds not only a new job but also a new persona, and the two party and drink to extremes that Cat would never have dared to try before. Yet at every turn Cat must push away thoughts of the often alluded to but unspecified event that drove her to restart her life. Individual readers will have to decide whether the secret that drives the plot, once it’s revealed, is sufficiently shocking. Regardless, as Cat teeters from being nearly indigent to becoming a confident if reckless Londoner, her experiences on her own make for a diverting read. Agent: Jon Elek, United Agents (U.K.).

The dual narration in this enjoyable audiobook is artful with a minor distraction. Elizabeth Knowelden handles the first-person account of gone girl Emily/Cat, a runaway wife and mother starting a new life in London. The mystery is why this blessed and lucky woman has run away from all who love her. The audio puzzle is why Emily/Cat has a Manchester accent when everyone else in the story-- voiced by Paul Fox--including Emily's parents, husband, and twin sister, speaks standard English. That aside, both performers have smooth, well-trained, and beautiful voices and handle the drama with conviction and flair. The story does not necessarily convince, but it is well made and interesting, with a twist at the end you will not see coming. B.G. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine