Gist:
When a call comes to Sandbeach Child services about a 17-year-old boy Dylan Meredith, Kit remembers how her brother who was let down by the same services 10 years ago. In a bid to investigate she finds herself in an area that takes her back to her childhood.
Perhaps it is gut instinct or just her personal experience clouding judgement but Kit feels something is not right. Her superiors do not support Kit especially with their team being scrutinised through a staff inspection. Will Kit give in to the pressure or go against her bosses and risk consequences?
My Review:
- Adams' debut novel The Allegation introduces Kit, a social worker who goes out of her way to discover the truth. It was great to meet Kit again and learn some more about her turbulent life in this latest novel.
- The character of Kit with her fallacies is perfectly placed to investigate the cases that come through to her team.
- The juxtaposition of Kit's personal life with her professional life layers the story well. At one point it feels that there are two narratives and Adams's skill ensure that the two disparate threads echo similar sentiments.
- The psychological theory behind Dylan and Rhian's behaviour is not an easy one to explain and there are times when the information tends to bog down the story. However, it picks up pace once Kit defies the system to follow her gut instinct to save the family.
- Adams deftly weaves in her work experience in the sector to deliver a story about a system as fascinating as the NHS and yet never gets the attention it deserves.
Kit as the protaganist is truly an unusual character and with each book, I feel a bit more invested in her life and cases. I will certainly be looking forward to Adams' next one and I am sure you will too if you like engaging and enlightening reads.
The Last House is published by Riverrun books and is out now.
