All You Ever Wanted

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I have been a fan of this author for many. years and have read every book that she's written. It's always a joy to delve into the latest offering from her and this one really doesn't disappoint. It feels a little different from her previous novels, darker and tenser, but oh so so good. A gripping blend of creepy psychological suspense and powerful domestic drama. Elliot Wright uses her insight into human nature and her storytelling skills to thrilling effect.' T J Emerson, author of The Perfect Holiday With her taut writing and immaculate pacing, Susan Elliot Wright has created a dark and sinister tale of toxic family relationships, full of secrets and lies, layered with a perfect example of the smothering isolation felt by so many new mothers. I was utterly gripped from start to finish.’Lisa Hall, author of The Woman in the Woods

Anna is certainly a character that the reader will feel sorry for and her actions are clearly as a result of the trauma and rejection she has faced. Emily is a new mother, she's struggling with feelings of low self-worth, questioning herself. She often feels paranoid, as though someone is watching her. Whilst her marriage does appear strong and loving, she's never really forgiven herself, or her husband Simon about how their relationship began. Emily doesn't have the greatest relationship with her own mother, and determined that her daughter Bonnie will not feel the same way about her.

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But there’s a reason Emily can’t shake the feeling that something isn’t right. Someone is keeping a life-changing secret from her. And they know hers, too… A family argument in a car ends in tragedy. The parents are gone but someone hurts themselves to get help while the baby is trapped in the car. This story is predominantly told from two points of view. The first person is Emily we hear a lot about her how she met her husband and got married and now have a child. She knows she is adopted but her mother has always refused to discuss the subject. But now Emily has a daughter of her own Bonnie, her mother remains tight lipped. Most of the novel was told by Emily’s point of view. Her concerns over her job, made worse by her marriage to Simon, who worked in the same school. Her guilt about drinking too much whilst accepting that it helped her cope. She becomes increasingly reliant on Anna, not realising that little was as it seemed. I wasn’t that keen on her until I got to know more about Anna. A gripping blend of creepy psychological suspense and powerful domestic drama. Elliot-Wright uses her insight into human nature and her storytelling skills to thrilling effect." - T J Emerson

With her taut writing and immaculate pacing, Susan Elliot Wright has created a dark and sinister tale of toxic family relationships, full of secrets and lies, layered with a perfect example of the smothering isolation felt by so many new mothers. I was utterly gripped from start to finish.’ Lisa Hall, author of The Woman in the Woods With her taut writing and immaculate pacing, Susan Elliot Wright has created a dark and sinister tale of toxic family relationships, full of secrets and lies, layered with a perfect example of the smothering isolation felt by so many new mothers. I was utterly gripped from start to finish." - Lisa Hall On first meeting Emily senses they may have met before, Anna smiles in the Hope something twigs but gets nothing. They form easy chatter and the next thing they are meeting up and having lunch.

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However, Anna may not be all that she appears to be and as the story progresses, the reader certainly becomes aware of darker motives on Anna's part. Whilst Emily happily embraces a new female friendship and help with Bonnie.

I found this to be a gripping and compelling read and I was intrigued to find out if Emily was a reliable narrator. As with all of the author's work it's well written and it's a well paced thriller. I do prefer the author's previous work but this is still a strong addition to this genre and I'd recommend it. When I read the synopsis for this novel I expected it to be similar to my usual type of book but it was a little bit different. Yes there was a criminal element but this was more about the characters, the small family whose lives are disrupted by Anna. And their realisation that she wasn’t really who she said she was. For most of my life, I’ve managed to avoid a full-time ‘proper job’, although after leaving school I did put in five years as a civil servant – talk about a misspent youth! Since then, I’ve been a cleaner, barmaid, washer-up, market researcher, cake decorator, FE English tutor, chef, freelance journalist, features editor, non-fiction author and creative writing tutor. When a kind stranger brings their missing cat home, It’s the start of a new friendship. Anna is a confidant who gives great advice. A person who brings supportive calm to Emily’s busy days. A friend who becomes part of the family. With her taut writing and immaculate pacing, Susan Elliot Wright has created a dark and sinister tale of toxic family relationships, full of secrets and lies, layered with a perfect example of the smothering isolation felt by so many new mothers. I was utterly gripped from start to finish.' Lisa Hall, author of The Woman in the Woods

As Simon seems to carry on with normal life, working late, going for drinks, meeting friends. Emily tries to cram her working life into three days, whilst also doing most of the child care. An unnerving, suspenseful study of what it truly means to mother and build family ties. Susan creates an authentic and compelling picture of the many facets of a woman's inner world. The way she portrays motherhood and the responsibility of care is timely, compassionate and honest. I devoured it!' Amy Heydenrych, author of Chasing Marian

A gripping blend of creepy psychological suspense and powerful domestic drama. Elliot-Wright uses her insight into human nature and her storytelling skills to thrilling effect.' T J Emerson, author of The Perfect Holiday Although I’ve been living happily in the North for twelve years, I was born in South East London. I left school at 16 and married unwisely at 18. At the age of 30 I took my two children, left my unhappy life and started again, reinventing myself with an education and a new surname, which I chose by drawing up a shortlist from the telephone directory and sending off for brochures so I’d receive mail in those names. I settled on Elliot; Susan Elliot sounded like ‘me’. Soon after changing my name, I met Mr Right, or in this case, Mr Wright. Within a few weeks, we decided to marry (although it took a couple of years to get round to it). We became the Elliot-Wrights, but we’ve dropped the hyphen now. Anna arrives on Emily's doorstep to return their missing cat, she's seen the posters and phoned to arrange to bring Oscar home. There's an immediate bond between the two women, especially as Emily's old friends have drifted off since Bonnie was born, and it's not long before they are meeting for coffee and lunch, and Anna becomes something of a confidante to Emily.In the second part of the novel the narrative switches and the reader starts to realise exactly who Anna was and the lengths she was prepared to go to so she could get what she wanted. There wasn’t that much focus on her but I found it just enough. I could see her determination, but also her weakness and her loneliness. Dark and sinister, this creepy psychological thriller has it all. Gripping throughout, it has a satisfying and jaw-dropping ending' My Weekly I really enjoyed this book by author Susan Elliot Wright. I have not read any other books by her but I really enjoyed the way this was written, using different perspectives and shifts in chronology to show how the two women are connected.