1942, New Zealand. Edith's been locked away for a long time. She was just five years old when she was sent to Seacliff Lunatic Asylum. Fifteen years later, she has few memories of her life before the asylum, but longs for one beyond it.
When she survives a devastating fire that destroys her ward, Edith is questioned by the police and a young doctor, Declan Harris. Intrigued by his beautiful patient, Declan begins to doubt the official reasons for her incarceration. Is she truly mad-or could the impossible stories she told as a child actually be true?
Time is running out. With Edie awaiting a new and permanent treatment, soon there will be little of her left to save. Meanwhile intrigue has tipped into obsession-Declan needs to uncover the truth, but in doing so he will risk losing everything. As he sets out to save her mind, will he lose his own?
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(Thomas & Mercer, 1 September 2020, ebook, 297 pages, bought from @AmazonKindle, #KindleLendingLibrary)
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I had no idea what to expect when I chose this at random. I liked the cover and the blurb intrigued me. Two good reasons to check out a book if you ask me. The Other Girl is an unexpected treat. I enjoyed the way the chapters are split between 1942 with Declan trying to find out the truth before Edith has irreversible brain surgery performed on her and the past when Edith was five and the events that led to her being sent to the asylum. This is a very sad, almost shocking book at times. I had to keep reminding myself that Edith's treatment at the asylum was often typical of the time period. I enjoyed this so much.