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Peter's Reviews > I Made a Mistake

I Made a Mistake by Jane Corry
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really liked it
bookshelves: publisher-author-direct, netgalley, crime, mystery

Indiscretion
I Made A Mistake is a slow-burn drama, that is carefully layered and very much in the style of Jane Corry. Having read most of her books, and been a fan for a long time, it is always a joy to read the latest novel from this very talented author. Using two first-person story threads and a court-room scene that teases with a fait accompli, Jane builds a story full of suspense and mystery. The reveal is that we know who is murdered and we have someone in court being questioned, you may think the mystery has been solved – but think again. What you do know is that over the next few hundred pages you will be taken on a ride that gives brilliantly drawn characters every motive why they should be the murderer.

Poppy Page was an aspiring actress, but when it didn’t work out she established an agency providing extras for film and TV roles. She is married to Stuart with daughters, Melissa and Daisy, and also shares her home with her mother-in-law Betty. Betty and Poppy are extremely close, more like mother and daughter and they both provide alternating accounts of their story. Poppy, as she encounters, at a Christmas party, an old partner, Matthew, who she loved many years before her husband. An encounter that leads to Poppy’s first of many mistakes. Jane Corry turns the tables really brilliantly from building excitement to arousal to a rapid descent into fear and dread. Fearful that her mistakes will be exposed and the continuing pursuit from Matthew will destroy her family.

Betty tells her story as a letter to Poppy and it accounts for her adult life, from meeting her husband, Jock, a selfish, controlling and an imperious man who has since passed away. A marriage that Betty considers a mistake, but behaved as the social pressures dictated at the time and stayed with him. She opens up to Poppy, revealing secrets and regrets from a very naïve and oppressed woman. Betty talks about tragic events and the pull to leave her husband but with her son, Stuart and a damning secret she endures her distressing life.

I find it very intriguing the mastery of the plot where you give up a potential surprise at the beginning of the novel but still manage to hold the suspense until the end with a multitude of possibilities. It’s a very clever way of watching the interaction of the victim with the other characters to see if we can spot clues. Jane develops characters with many layers and gradually she changes them over time. This is very evident in Betty’s story as she manages to turn the tables and challenge her husband’s authority.

The story builds to an enthralling conclusion with an ever-increasing pace. I would highly recommend I Made a Mistake as a great psychological crime drama that is fascinating and cleverly plotted. I would also like to thank Penguin Books and NetGalley for providing me with a free ARC copy in return for an honest review.
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Reading Progress

February 1, 2020 – Shelved
February 1, 2020 – Shelved as: to-read
February 6, 2020 – Shelved as: publisher-author-direct
February 6, 2020 – Shelved as: netgalley
May 9, 2020 – Started Reading
May 16, 2020 – Finished Reading
May 21, 2020 – Shelved as: crime
May 21, 2020 – Shelved as: mystery

Comments Showing 1-34 of 34 (34 new)

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message 1: by Debra (new)

Debra Wonderful review, Peter! This does sound interesting.


Peter Debra wrote: "Wonderful review, Peter! This does sound interesting."

Jane Corry does seem to find new ways of telling stories that really involve her characters. I think you may like this one, Debra. Thank you for your kind comment. :):)


message 3: by Jayme (new)

Jayme Enticing review!! I can’t wait till this is available in the US!


message 4: by Diane (new)

Diane Wallace Great review, Peter ;)


Peter Jayme wrote: "Enticing review!! I can’t wait till this is available in the US!"

Thank you very much, Jayme and I do hope you like it. Have you read her other books? :):)


Peter Diane wrote: "Great review, Peter ;)"

Thank you so much, Diane, really appreciated. :):)


message 7: by Lindsay L (new)

Lindsay L Terrific review Peter! So glad you enjoyed this!


Peter Lindsay - Traveling Sister wrote: "Terrific review Peter! So glad you enjoyed this!"

Thank you very much, Lindsay. I really enjoy Jane Corry. :):)


Richard (on hiatus) This sounds good and it’s new author to me. I’m loving thrillers at the moment, but find it a bit disconcerting that there are so many good ones out there! Another great review Peter.


Peter Richard wrote: "This sounds good and it’s new author to me. I’m loving thrillers at the moment, but find it a bit disconcerting that there are so many good ones out there! Another great review Peter."

I know what you mean about the number of thrillers to pick from. Jane's stories tend to offer a different format than most thrillers where it's hard to determine who is the victim or where the victim had it coming. Thanks for your kind comment, Richard. :):)


message 11: by Susanne (new)

Susanne Fantastic review Peter! I've only read one Jane Corry but this sounds great!


Peter Susanne wrote: "Fantastic review Peter! I've only read one Jane Corry but this sounds great!"

My favourite of hers would still be I looked Away but this is also a great book. Thank you, Susanne. :):)


message 13: by Kelli (new)

Kelli Wilson Wonderful review Peter! This sounds fantastic!


message 14: by Lizp (new) - added it

Lizp Great review, Peter. It sounds like an interesting read.


message 15: by Kaceey (new)

Kaceey Excellent review Peter! Sounds really good!


Peter Kelli wrote: "Wonderful review Peter! This sounds fantastic!"

Thank you very much, Kelli. Jane Corry really gets into her characters and the drama comes from there. She's great. :):)


Peter Lizp wrote: "Great review, Peter. It sounds like an interesting read."

Thank you very much Lizp, really appreciated. Jane Corry is always a safe pair of hands. :):)


Peter Kaceey wrote: "Excellent review Peter! Sounds really good!"

Thank you for your kind words, Kaceey. :):)


Fran (Not Receiving Notifications) Wonderful review, Peter!


Peter Fran wrote: "Wonderful review, Peter!"

Thank you very much, Fran, really appreciated. :):)


message 21: by Ann (new) - added it

Ann I love Jane Corry and can't wait to read this book. Fab review as always, Peter. 💖🤗


message 22: by Pat (new)

Pat Wonderful review Peter, it sounds like an interesting story.


Peter Ann wrote: "I love Jane Corry and can't wait to read this book. Fab review as always, Peter. 💖🤗"

I think you will enjoy this book, Ann. Thanks for your kind words. :):)


Peter Pat wrote: "Wonderful review Peter, it sounds like an interesting story."

Thank you so much, Pat, I don't think you can go far wrong with Jane Corry her characterisations are always brilliant. Take care. :):)


message 25: by Paromjit (new)

Paromjit Sounds good, Peter........wonderful review, my friend! :):)


Peter Paromjit wrote: "Sounds good, Peter........wonderful review, my friend! :):)"

Thank you very much, Paromjit, truly appreciate your kind words. :):)


Margaret Mary Super review, Peter. I love Jane Corry. 💜🤗


message 28: by JanB (new)

JanB I like the sound of this one Peter. Slow burn psychological drama is right up my alley. Great review!


message 29: by Jaidee (new) - added it

Jaidee I don't know this author...going to add based on your high praise Peter :)


Peter Margaret Mary wrote: "Super review, Peter. I love Jane Corry. 💜🤗"

Thank you, Margaret Mary and I do think you will really enjoy this one. :):)


Peter JanB wrote: "I like the sound of this one Peter. Slow burn psychological drama is right up my alley. Great review!"

Thank you so much, Jan, she is an author I'm very fond of. :):)


Peter Jaidee wrote: "I don't know this author...going to add based on your high praise Peter :)"

Thanks, Jaidee. Can I suggest you read "I Looked Away" first as I feel that is her best. This one is also really good. :):)


message 33: by Jane (new)

Jane Corry I’m bowled over by all these lovely comments. Thank you, Peter, for being such a loyal reader.


Peter Jane wrote: "I’m bowled over by all these lovely comments. Thank you, Peter, for being such a loyal reader."

Hi, Jane it's great to hear from you and I truly appreciate you stopping by and giving such a lovely comment. It's always a pleasure to read your work and you deserve all the wonderful success you get. Take care. :):)


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