An original, intelligent and multilayered plot and a masterclass in writing suspense!
An original, intelligent and multilayered plot and a masterclass in writing suspense!
Immensely different to Steadman’s sparkling debut but equally impressive, Mr Nobody skilfully combines a multilayered and unpredictable plot with knife-edge suspense to pull off a wholly satisfying conclusion in a creative psychological thriller.
When a man wakes up on a Norfolk beach with a head wound and no memory of who he is the powers that be are well aware of the potential that he could be a fraud and needs careful handling. Thirty-year-old neuropsychiatrist and workaholic, Emma Lewis, is approached to work with him as media interest grows. Despite Emma’s lack of clinical experience, the indications are that Mr Nobody’s condition is bona fide and it seems like a golden opportunity to prove her theories on fugue states. The flip side is that it also means returning to the town that she ran from fourteen years ago as a traumatised teenager and confronting the unhappy memories she left behind...
Lacking in confidence, vulnerable and protecting her former identity, events are largely relayed through the eyes of compassionate doctor Emma with snippets of her past drip-fed throughout. Alongside this, the mysterious circumstances of Mr Nobody ensure tension bristles throughout a taut first half in which her patient reveals a worrying knowledge of Emma’s undisclosed past. A fraught second half sees events go into overdrive as the twists stack up and getting to the root of Mr Nobody’s past, together with understanding what brought them together, entails Emma revisiting the very place that changed her life. As the story unravels the growing connection and chemistry between doctor and patient makes for utterly compelling reading.
The depth of research is conveyed by a well-informed and assured narrative which takes the stress out of the neuroscience and makes Mr Nobody’s condition accessible. An intelligent psychological thriller with a complicated protagonist whom I identified with, and the enigmatic figure of Mr Nobody. Confirmation that Catherine Steadman can very definitely write and a thoroughly engaging and suspenseful read.
Mr Nobody is a breathtakingly brilliant, unique novel that thrills you from the first page to the last, and should be added to your Reading List immediately!
Mr Nobody is one of those very rare novels, where no matter how many times you think you can figure out what is going to happen, you won’t even be close!
When Dr Emma Lewis, a leading neuropsychiatrist is called on to work with a man who has been found on a Norfolk beach with no memory nicknamed Mr Nobody by the press, she is torn between her career and her family.
A long time ago, Emma lived in Norfolk too, but after a tragedy within her family, she had to move away, and going back means that she will be forced to face the world she fought so hard to forget.
As Emma becomes more involved with the case, and becomes driven to discover who Mr Nobody really is, you will be turning the pages faster and faster to discover what is happening next!
Mr Nobody is a brilliant, edge of your seat read, that is unique and compelling. I can honestly say I could not see what was coming next, and that is a truly rare thing in a novel.
Catherine Steadman has written a brave and emotional novel that deals with mental health, loss and identity, in a measured and thoughtful way, and I could simply not put it down.
A psychological thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat.
Dr Emma Lewis is a neuropsychiatrist specialising in fugue states. When an opportunity arises to study "Mr Nobody" she is invited back to her childhood home in Norfolk to work with him. The problem is that Mr Nobody doesn't know anything about his past but Emma is acutely aware of hers and she's done all she can to escape it. Is this chance of a lifetime really worth taking?
I finished this book last night and I'm still not entirely sure what I think about it. It's a clever idea and I very much like the way that Emma and Matthew both have their own secrets. What I'm not sure I do like is Matthew's eventual diagnosis and how that ties him to Emma. If he really can't remember anything, I don't really see how the story works.
That said, this is a classic psychological thriller and one that will really keep you on your toes. Emma and Matthew's stories, for the most part, really kept my attention and I was fascinated to see how the story would progress. Emma, in particular, has a very clever story arc and I did really enjoy reading about her.
All in all, an interesting and different read and one to really sit and think about.
This novel draws you right in and lulls you into a false sense of security chilling you to the bone. A clever plot with well-drawn characters.
This novel draws you right in and lulls you into a false sense of security. Knowing the North Norfolk area well I was taken by the nostalgia in Catherine's accurate description of the area. Her clever depiction of the characters and the parallel stories are very clever. You build empathy with the characters and their flaws.
The novel picks up pace towards the end and it twists and turns and leaves your brain ticking to piece it together. A great read whatever the season.