The French Girl by Lexie Elliott

 The French Girl by Lexie Elliott 

My rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads: 3.59/5

Genre: crime, thriller, mystery and romantic fiction

The French Girl is Lexie Elliott's debut novel, which was published in 2018. Its available in Kindle, Audiobook, Hardback and Paperback formats.

Synopsis 

They were six university students from Oxford--friends and sometimes more than friends--spending an idyllic week together in a French farmhouse. It was supposed to be the perfect summer getaway--until they met Severine, the girl next door. 

For Kate Channing, Severine was an unwelcome presence, her inscrutable beauty undermining the close-knit group's loyalties amid the already simmering tensions. And after a huge altercation on the last night of the holiday, Kate knew nothing would ever be the same. There are some things you can't forgive, and there are some people you can't forget, like Severine, who was never seen again. 

Now, a decade later, the case is reopened when Severine's body is found in the well behind the farmhouse. Questioned along with her friends, Kate stands to lose everything she's worked so hard to achieve as suspicion mounts around her. Desperate to resolve her own shifting memories and fearful she will be forever bound to the woman whose presence still haunts her, Kate finds herself buried under layers of deception with no one to set her free.

My Review 

I received The French Girl via my monthly book subscription and was intrigued as I it was another new author for me. 

The story is told through the eyes of the main character Kate Channing, and as the book evolves so do all the characters. They are all strong and well developed. I was captivated throughout and although there are not many twists and turns in this book its written in a way that just keeps you guessing all the way through.

This is a slow burning who done it, full of suspense, with a hint of romance. If you prefer something fast paced this book is not for you.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and from the first chapter felt compelled to find out who was covering up what, who had committed the murder, are Kate's friends who they say they are and will she finally get the man she didn't know she wanted or needed! It was packed with friendship and shifting alliances making for a very gripping read.

I was a little surprised by how it ended, I will not go into detail as I do not wish to spoil it for others but it was a perfectly plausible ending that did finish the book of nicely. 

Would I read another Lexie Elliott novel, my answer would be yes this was a wonderful debut novel that sets the bar high for her other books.

The French Girl is available to purchase through the link below

Lexie Elliott's other novel is The Missing Years please find a link below