This is an incredibly tricksy and bewitching book. Every time you think you have this book nailed down, trust me when I say you do not. The way this book is plotted is astonishing with surprises around every corner. The revelations are earth-shattering, particularly in the third act. On the other hand, it is a disturbing Gothic mystery, full of gore, blood and death. It delves into the unintended consequences of actions and the perpetuated cycle of violence and abuse. On one hand, it is a haunting exploration of trauma, illness and fractured families.

The way this story is woven together is masterful. Gailey’s control of atmosphere is deployed wonderfully in these interactions, with the tension building into a choking fog. Their interactions feel fragile and able to descend into chaos at any moment. The dynamics between characters are fascinating and provide stark, bleak and deeply perturbing moments. Instead, these are flawed and often despicable people with self-serving motives and veiled in deadly lies. The characterisation here of every major player is amazing, with none of them being likeable. The secrets surrounding her are suffocating. Her repetitions betray a mind twisted by trauma and years of repression. Guiding us through this tangled maze is Vera, who I could not help but root for. Pay attention to everything because nothing is as it seems. The slower pace masks an array of horrors, with seemingly boring or throwaway details forming a vital part of the overall pictures. I found myself jumping at shadows while reading, caught up in that foreboding sense of something deeply deeply wrong in this story. Gailey keeps the tension razor-sharp with that creeping sense of something watching at all times. There is a clear sense of beauty and power here, but also intimate moments and flashbacks of a traumatic upbringing. The sentences felt decadent and elongated, creating that mesmerising atmosphere. It was mysterious, earthy and so damn Gothic. It poisons your dreams and clouds your senses, keeping you under its beguiling spell.įrom the first sentence, I loved Gailey’s writing style. Just Like Home is an insidious book that crawls under your skin and rattles your bones.

Just like home gailey