The Girl She Wanted by K.L. Slater

A nurse is accused of killing two of her patients, one of whom was a baby. She lives with her married sister and her sister's baby daughter. The question is whether the nurse is safe to be around her niece.

The story is set in Nottingham, as are many of K.L. Slater's books, and this is something I like as I know the place so well. It follows the process of a medical professional accused of misconduct and includes perspectives of a doctor, police officer, social worker as well as from the suspect, her sister and her sister's husband. All of these points of view expand the story and the tension as we don't know whose side to take.

This is a fairly fast-paced story that is difficult to second-guess as characters have their own personality traits and hang-ups. It considers how secrecy is used as a way of control and disguised  as being protective, as well as looking at a couple of other mental health issues. So definitely a psychological thriller.

In all, this is a well-plotted book that looks at the fragility of family dynamics and instinctive trust. I have read a few of Slater's books and can say that they are getting better. A good read, recommended.

Published by Bookouture on 22 October 2020.
​Advanced review copy supplied by the publishers.