Little Deaths by Emma Flint (Review by Erin Woodward)

It was longlisted for the Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction – one of 16 books. To start with I don’t know how I feel about the Baileys Women’s Prize – I don’t think I’ve ever sat down and drunk Baileys while reading – it’s more of a campfire drink. I feel like someone should invent The Cabernet or Shiraz Women’s Prize for Fiction – it seems a fair bit more appropriate – at least I know many of my girls would think so. Nothing against Baileys, of course, it’s delicious. Sorry, I digress. So I checked out Emma’s book on Goodreads and to be honest it hasn’t faired too well. It currently has a 3.4 rating after a couple thousand votes which is average for GR. Personally, I enjoyed the book – the main character loses her children in the first 50 pages, kidnapped and murdered and the police are convinced that Ruth killed her children because they were interfering with her loose lifestyle – she’s split up from her husband and seems to like to entertain several local gentlemen. And so it goes – that just because she’s not the perfect picture of a grieving mother she’s condemned. Of course, as in any good book, nothing is as it seems – and a crazy journalist who gets in way over his head provides us with another perspective completely. Obsessed with proving Ruth’s innocence which all seems a bit far-fetched. You won’t fall in love with any of the characters which I rather enjoy and it keeps me objective but it’s not for everyone! Check it out here on amazon.com or the book depository!