Title: The Last Broken Girl
Author: Cynthia Rice
Publisher / Publication date: Wild Rose Press (June 3, 2024)
Language: English
Paperback, eBook: 342 pages
Genre: Psychological Thriller
ISBN-10: 1509255397
ISBN-13: 978-1509255399
Reviewed by: Jennifer Trethewey
The Last Broken Girl by Cynthia Rice is the kind of teeth-grinding, nail-biting novel all lovers of the genre hope for when they pick up a psychological thriller. The writing sparkles, the characters lift off the page, and the plot sucks in threads voraciously. The pace is brisk throughout, but like a thoroughbred, powers toward the finish line. Readers will be hard pressed to believe this is Rice’s debut novel—it is so elegantly told.
The story picks up as Erin Moore learns that the man who abducted her when she was a teen, is about to have a parole hearing only 20 years into his 25-year sentence. Now married with two young girls and working as a psychologist, all the old trauma Erin thought she had shed has her in its grip again. Her abductor’s release is shocking, but only the beginning of her problems. She falters at work, her husband’s drug problem resurfaces, and a reckless, newspaper reporter dogs her every step. Erin has always maintained there was a second kidnapper, but the police are skeptical even when she produces fresh evidence. In the end, her friends, family, husband, and law enforcement all fail her until she is left to find her own justice.
Nothing in this story feels forced or artificial. Erin Moore’s descent is believable, the greed of those who would profit from her misery is credible, even the frustration on the part of the police rings true. I will warn you that the last 50 pages of this novel will not release you from its grip until you read to the end. Such a great book. The first of many, I hope.
Reviewer Bio: Jennifer Trethewey is the pen name of Jennifer Rupp. She writes sexy, sweeping Highland romance combining on-site research, wonderfully flawed characters, and a liberal dose of humor. Her first four historical romances from the Highlanders of Balforss series, released by Entangled Publishing, have achieved critical success. She has placed in numerous regional writing contests and is a member of Chicago North Romance Writers of America, Wisconsin Writers Association, Red Oak Studios, Off Campus Writers Workshop, Regency Fiction Writers, and Chicago Writers Association. She is also Co-Founder and former Co-Artistic Director of Milwaukee’s Renaissance Theaterworks.
