Reviewed by Rama Gaind.
By Sarah Hawthorn, Transit Lounge, $29.99.
Aptly described as a “fast-paced and emotional page turner”, A Voice in the Night is executed at a pace that’s both commanding and one that holds your interest.
Lucie moves to London to take up a position with a prestigious law firm after a bitter separation. It appeared to be an optimistic new beginning, until one day she receives a hand delivered note with the strange words: “At last I’ve found you. A shock I ‘m sure. But in time I ‘ll explain. Martin.”
Lucie hasn’t forgotten a man called Martin who was tragically killed 20 years ago in the 9/11 attacks. When she was working in New York as a young intern, Lucie had fallen in love with him and he vowed to leave his wife to be with her permanently.
Hoping that her vivid imagination was not playing tricks, Lucie experiences a curious series of events. Could her long-dead lover staged his own disappearance under the cover of that fateful day? Was someone else stalking her?
An interesting blend of apprehension and secrecy, Hawthorn’s novel fits well into a actioner mode. A wide sweeping gambit of life topics are considered including love, trust, faithlessness, hope, longing, heartbreak, frustration, mistakes and enigmas.
Full of captivating characters, A Voice in the Night is set in London, New York and Sydney as we realise anyone could be out to sabotage Lucie’s memories and ambitions, even herself.
As the book gradually works its way towards the finale, it doesn’t take much effort to get embroiled in the events. Wrapped around ample tragedy, loss, drama and confusion, it’s easy to realise that Hawthorn is good at tossing twists, turns, misconceptions, complex charades and challenges for her characters.
A Voice in the Night is an addictive thriller that immerses and transports you to some very interesting corners of life. It grips with emotional resonance.
