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The Second Life of Amy Archer
On 31st December 1999, ten-year-old Amy Archer went missing from her local playground. Her body was never found and the lives of her parents, Beth and Brian, were torn apart.
On the tenth anniversary of the disappearance, Beth is alone, still struggling with the enormity of her grief and the horror of not knowing the fate of her only child. But the fear and confusion have only just begun, and Beth's world is turned upside down when a stranger knocks on her door, claiming to know what happened to Amy.
Beth is introduced to a little girl who is the uncanny double of her missing daughter, who knows things that only Amy would remember; the name of her favourite toy, the place where she scratched her initials, what Beth likes for breakfast. But this can't be Amy, she hasn't aged a day...
Now Beth is forced to question everything she has ever believed in, and push her faith and her sanity to the limits, if she is to find out the truth about what happened to Amy.
On the tenth anniversary of the disappearance, Beth is alone, still struggling with the enormity of her grief and the horror of not knowing the fate of her only child. But the fear and confusion have only just begun, and Beth's world is turned upside down when a stranger knocks on her door, claiming to know what happened to Amy.
Beth is introduced to a little girl who is the uncanny double of her missing daughter, who knows things that only Amy would remember; the name of her favourite toy, the place where she scratched her initials, what Beth likes for breakfast. But this can't be Amy, she hasn't aged a day...
Now Beth is forced to question everything she has ever believed in, and push her faith and her sanity to the limits, if she is to find out the truth about what happened to Amy.
432 pages, Paperback
First published July 18, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
October 25, 2013
Let me say at the outset that I do not believe in re-incarnation, but as a premise in the novel I was prepared to go along with it. I started this book really interested to see how it was going to progress. Any book that involves children going missing usually has me hooked, because it is a parent’s worst nightmare.
That’s where this one starts with the mother, Beth, living that nightmare in the area where her daughter Amy went missing ten years before. The playground has been replaced by a more modern play area and a number of courts for basketball and other sports. Unable to accept the loss of her daughter, Beth keeps going back to a psychic hoping to receive a message from Amy. One day she does receive a message but it doesn’t appear to make any sense. That is until a mother and child come into her life. The child not only looks like Amy, she shares many of her memories. But is it really Amy re-incarnated or some desperate ruse?
I really wanted to like this book. The first part of this book had me quite interested but the further it went on the less enthusiastic I became. Several times I nearly gave up. In the end I basically kept reading, skipping over some parts, to see how it ended. The ending was a complete let down and resolved nothing.
When I read the interview with the author at the end she admitted she couldn’t resolve it in her own mind so left it open. To me that’s not good enough. In my opinion, the author ought to at least know what they’re trying to do.
Consequently I found the book unsatisfying for that reason and also because I didn’t much care for any of the characters. There was something a little off-putting about each of them. However it is a debut novel so the maybe the author will rectify the problems inherent in this in the next novel.
That’s where this one starts with the mother, Beth, living that nightmare in the area where her daughter Amy went missing ten years before. The playground has been replaced by a more modern play area and a number of courts for basketball and other sports. Unable to accept the loss of her daughter, Beth keeps going back to a psychic hoping to receive a message from Amy. One day she does receive a message but it doesn’t appear to make any sense. That is until a mother and child come into her life. The child not only looks like Amy, she shares many of her memories. But is it really Amy re-incarnated or some desperate ruse?
I really wanted to like this book. The first part of this book had me quite interested but the further it went on the less enthusiastic I became. Several times I nearly gave up. In the end I basically kept reading, skipping over some parts, to see how it ended. The ending was a complete let down and resolved nothing.
When I read the interview with the author at the end she admitted she couldn’t resolve it in her own mind so left it open. To me that’s not good enough. In my opinion, the author ought to at least know what they’re trying to do.
Consequently I found the book unsatisfying for that reason and also because I didn’t much care for any of the characters. There was something a little off-putting about each of them. However it is a debut novel so the maybe the author will rectify the problems inherent in this in the next novel.
July 24, 2013
A really great idea, that needed more work to make it flourish. The grittiness of a child murder coupled with the concept of reincarnation, really hooked me and I couldn't wait to get stuck in. The first third of the book wasn't to bad, but after this it did become quite listless.
I found it very hard to connect with the main character of Beth, she seemed quite awkward and her actions seemed very forced and staged. Her paranoia and indecisiveness also irritated me as the book went on, it seemed every few pages she changed her mind about either the clairvoyant or whether she believed her little girl had been reincarnated. After awhile her internal monolouge just got a little too much.
The ending was pretty abrupt, and there is nothing I hate more than an ambiguous ending. After investing time and effort into reading a book, I expect a flushed out complete ending! Although the author may feel this will leave the reader with deep lingering thoughts, all it makes me do is think the author is lazy and gave up on finishing it properly.
I found it very hard to connect with the main character of Beth, she seemed quite awkward and her actions seemed very forced and staged. Her paranoia and indecisiveness also irritated me as the book went on, it seemed every few pages she changed her mind about either the clairvoyant or whether she believed her little girl had been reincarnated. After awhile her internal monolouge just got a little too much.
The ending was pretty abrupt, and there is nothing I hate more than an ambiguous ending. After investing time and effort into reading a book, I expect a flushed out complete ending! Although the author may feel this will leave the reader with deep lingering thoughts, all it makes me do is think the author is lazy and gave up on finishing it properly.
July 12, 2014
I have never written a Goodreads review before but was left so frustrated with this book that I had to.
A child who appears in Beth's life with an uncanny resemblance to Beth's daughter Amy who went missing 10 years ago, knowing details only Amy would know. The only problem is that this girl is the age Amy was when she went missing, not the grown woman Amy would be now.
Knowing this before I began the book, I expected a psychological story full of suspense and intrigue. I wanted to question what I would do in that situation. Instead I experienced boredom. We are introduced to the main character's quite early on yet the first half of the book is repetitive and dull. When I finally reached a part I thought was juicy and offered insight, I expected the story to pick up pace and roll forwards into an explosive ending. It fizzled out almost before it had begun.
The most notable i.e irritating, disappointing, shockingly absurd thing about this book is that there is no ending. There is no conclusion. It just ended. I was laying in bed like
I have given it two stars only because I was able to finish it, although that may have only been because I thought the ending would be the book's saving grace. The entire thing is pointless. Don't waste your time.
A child who appears in Beth's life with an uncanny resemblance to Beth's daughter Amy who went missing 10 years ago, knowing details only Amy would know. The only problem is that this girl is the age Amy was when she went missing, not the grown woman Amy would be now.
Knowing this before I began the book, I expected a psychological story full of suspense and intrigue. I wanted to question what I would do in that situation. Instead I experienced boredom. We are introduced to the main character's quite early on yet the first half of the book is repetitive and dull. When I finally reached a part I thought was juicy and offered insight, I expected the story to pick up pace and roll forwards into an explosive ending. It fizzled out almost before it had begun.
The most notable i.e irritating, disappointing, shockingly absurd thing about this book is that there is no ending. There is no conclusion. It just ended. I was laying in bed like
I have given it two stars only because I was able to finish it, although that may have only been because I thought the ending would be the book's saving grace. The entire thing is pointless. Don't waste your time.
September 10, 2013
I was really looking forward to reading this book but somehow for me it just didn't hit the mark. The story is basically about a mother who is grieving for her 10 year old daughter, Amy, who disappeared 10 years previously. A young girl, Esme, arrives on her doorstep with her mother claiming her daughter Amy has been reincarnated as Esme. The mother questions the girls motives and wonders if it is real, a scam or just cruel. With the help of a clairvoyant, the police and uncovering information on Esme's computer that only the daughter had known, the Amy's body is eventually found and put to rest. I found the ending unsatisfying and the question remained at the very end of whether or not to believe in reincarnation. It was a different story but I'm disappointed with it.
October 24, 2013
There is something incredibly compelling about this novel, and despite the fairly lengthy chapters, the reader will keep on turning the pages to see what is around the corner.
The story is narrated in the first person by Beth Archer, the mother of Amy. Ten years ago Amy disappeared, it was the night of Millennium Eve and Amy was just ten-years-old. Beth has spent the last ten years desperately trying to find out what happened on that night. Her marriage to Amy's father Brian has collapsed and Beth lives alone - with just her memories and appears to be quite unstable and erratic. Then, out of the blue, Amy returns. Or does she? Esme is a small girl who claims that she is Amy. She looks like Amy, she knows things about Amy - but she's the same age as Amy was when she disappeared. Is this a case of reincarnation, or are Esme and her mother Libby confidence tricksters?
Beth dearly wants to believe that her little girl has been returned to her, she has visited many psychics over the years, she is prepared to believe anything - she just wants Amy home and safe. As events unfold, Beth is driven almost to distraction, she's not the most stable of characters to begin with and this new nightmare sends her closer and closer to the edge.
R S Pateman has written an exceptional debut in The Second Life of Amy Archer, he has managed to get into the head of a distraught mother very well. One would expect the reader to be wholly sympathetic to Beth, after all she is a mother who has lived everyone's worst nightmare. But she has an edge, she is an uncomfortable character and although the reader wants to believe her, it's difficult to accept her version of events and her actions at times.
This novel deals with some pretty dark and disturbing issues, it's not a read that will make you feel happy and joyful, it broods and the characters are often in despair. It is however, a read that encourages the reader to think hard about things, it doesn't serve everything up on a plate, the reader often has to make their own decisions.
A story with an unreliable narrator and a very ambiguous ending. Some readers will hate that ending, but not me. Life rarely goes the way that you want it to so why should fiction?
The story is narrated in the first person by Beth Archer, the mother of Amy. Ten years ago Amy disappeared, it was the night of Millennium Eve and Amy was just ten-years-old. Beth has spent the last ten years desperately trying to find out what happened on that night. Her marriage to Amy's father Brian has collapsed and Beth lives alone - with just her memories and appears to be quite unstable and erratic. Then, out of the blue, Amy returns. Or does she? Esme is a small girl who claims that she is Amy. She looks like Amy, she knows things about Amy - but she's the same age as Amy was when she disappeared. Is this a case of reincarnation, or are Esme and her mother Libby confidence tricksters?
Beth dearly wants to believe that her little girl has been returned to her, she has visited many psychics over the years, she is prepared to believe anything - she just wants Amy home and safe. As events unfold, Beth is driven almost to distraction, she's not the most stable of characters to begin with and this new nightmare sends her closer and closer to the edge.
R S Pateman has written an exceptional debut in The Second Life of Amy Archer, he has managed to get into the head of a distraught mother very well. One would expect the reader to be wholly sympathetic to Beth, after all she is a mother who has lived everyone's worst nightmare. But she has an edge, she is an uncomfortable character and although the reader wants to believe her, it's difficult to accept her version of events and her actions at times.
This novel deals with some pretty dark and disturbing issues, it's not a read that will make you feel happy and joyful, it broods and the characters are often in despair. It is however, a read that encourages the reader to think hard about things, it doesn't serve everything up on a plate, the reader often has to make their own decisions.
A story with an unreliable narrator and a very ambiguous ending. Some readers will hate that ending, but not me. Life rarely goes the way that you want it to so why should fiction?
April 30, 2014
One of the best ways to tell how good a book is is to see how long it takes to read. I started this book 11:30 in the morning and had finished by the evening.
I won't go into the background of the book as others already have. It's thought provoking, challenges your beliefs, takes you on a roller coaster of events that will leave you suspecting even the innocent. The ending left me wondering������. I won't say any more. I'll only say it took a long time to get to sleep!
Read this book, you won't be disappointed. I just hope RS Pateman is working on his second book!
I won't go into the background of the book as others already have. It's thought provoking, challenges your beliefs, takes you on a roller coaster of events that will leave you suspecting even the innocent. The ending left me wondering������. I won't say any more. I'll only say it took a long time to get to sleep!
Read this book, you won't be disappointed. I just hope RS Pateman is working on his second book!
May 29, 2014
Ten hours, ten minutes of cracking narrative with many twists and wholeheartedly passionate depiction of a grieving mother, a naughty daughter and the police who tried to help.
To give any review worthy, would be to spoil the whole book and yet, I'm left with an intense feeling of wanting to discuss the pain and ugliness of the story. Truly, the writing is grotesquely conversational and sensational but brilliant. This will stay with me for a while so congrats to Clare Corbett who put everything into bringing it to life.
To give any review worthy, would be to spoil the whole book and yet, I'm left with an intense feeling of wanting to discuss the pain and ugliness of the story. Truly, the writing is grotesquely conversational and sensational but brilliant. This will stay with me for a while so congrats to Clare Corbett who put everything into bringing it to life.
October 1, 2013
Every now and then you read a book that you just can't put down,this is one of those books.
I read it in two days, every little chance I had. It is a large sized paperback and the print is quite big so this helped me get through it quickly but now I want to re read it again just in case I missed something.
The book opens as Beth is laying flowers at the playground where her ten year old daughter Amy went missing ten years ago. These few pages describing the scene through Beth's eyes hooked me.
Beth relives the story for us of the nationwide search that took place and the newspaper and TV coverage. Amy was never been found and Beth has never recovered from the tragedy, and while Brian, Amy's father has moved on with his life Beth is stuck, unable to move forward.
When a child of ten turns up at Beth's door claiming to be Amy, Beth refuses to believe her as Amy would now have been twenty but this child knows so many things about Amy's life that wasn't reported in newspapers that surely it has to be true.
What mother would not cling to the hope that somehow her child has been returned to her? Beth embarks on a journey to discover the truth,is this child really Amy?
I'm finding it so hard to write this review without giving away spoilers but there are so many on Amazon that I don't want to do the same. I read this book without reading any of them and I want other people to do that too.
The author tells a brilliant story from the point of view of a grieving mother.We don't get to know what the other characters think so we have to take Beth's word for everything. I suspected a few people through the book but I was wrong. I usually like my endings finished nicely and wrapped up with a bow but you won't find that in this book. Strangely I loved the ending it made me think about the story days later and I couldn't get it out of my head.I'm still wondering.
I was surprised to discover that R S Pateman is a man, I really thought I was reading a book written by a woman so well done Rob.
I read it in two days, every little chance I had. It is a large sized paperback and the print is quite big so this helped me get through it quickly but now I want to re read it again just in case I missed something.
The book opens as Beth is laying flowers at the playground where her ten year old daughter Amy went missing ten years ago. These few pages describing the scene through Beth's eyes hooked me.
Beth relives the story for us of the nationwide search that took place and the newspaper and TV coverage. Amy was never been found and Beth has never recovered from the tragedy, and while Brian, Amy's father has moved on with his life Beth is stuck, unable to move forward.
When a child of ten turns up at Beth's door claiming to be Amy, Beth refuses to believe her as Amy would now have been twenty but this child knows so many things about Amy's life that wasn't reported in newspapers that surely it has to be true.
What mother would not cling to the hope that somehow her child has been returned to her? Beth embarks on a journey to discover the truth,is this child really Amy?
I'm finding it so hard to write this review without giving away spoilers but there are so many on Amazon that I don't want to do the same. I read this book without reading any of them and I want other people to do that too.
The author tells a brilliant story from the point of view of a grieving mother.We don't get to know what the other characters think so we have to take Beth's word for everything. I suspected a few people through the book but I was wrong. I usually like my endings finished nicely and wrapped up with a bow but you won't find that in this book. Strangely I loved the ending it made me think about the story days later and I couldn't get it out of my head.I'm still wondering.
I was surprised to discover that R S Pateman is a man, I really thought I was reading a book written by a woman so well done Rob.
October 18, 2013
Have you ever picked up a book and started reading it and not knowing exactly what it's about per se or where it could head to ? That's what "The Second Life of Amy Archer" was like for me . The other thing is that I'm not normally keen on Brit Lit as it can be kind of blah and long-winded but The Second Life of Amy Archer was awesome. The novel starts off with Amy Archer disappearing one day from School when she should have come home and then jumps to Ten Years Later - the anniversary of her disappearance and yet her body still hasn't been found. Every year Amy visits a pyschic hoping to get in contact with her daughter but nothing seems to help until she meets Ian who will help her solve the case of her disappearing daughter. Meanwhile on the night of her ten year anniversary, Amy's mother Beth Archer gets a knock on the door. It is a young mum Lily and her daughter Esme. According to the mother Esme is her daughter Amy, but how can this be and especially if Esme is the same age Amy was when she went missing . Yet she is the spitting image and has all of Amy's memories ?
The Second Life of Amy Archer is a book you will not want to put down as you are drawn into the crazy world of Beth and what mothers will do to keep and save their children if possible. This is one Brit read, that I would highly recommend to all to read.
The Second Life of Amy Archer is a book you will not want to put down as you are drawn into the crazy world of Beth and what mothers will do to keep and save their children if possible. This is one Brit read, that I would highly recommend to all to read.
June 1, 2014
(Warning - spoilers) I found this book very disturbing and mysogynistic. All the women except a few minor characters are all painted as either victims or possible manipulators. You have to decide at the end to either believe in the ludicrous possibility of re-incarnation and in doing so accept that a mother has literally let her daughter be abused and murdered - handed to the wolves because she was herself a victim of child abuse. If you don't believe the re-incarnation story then you have to believe that a 10 year old girl and her mother have deliberately made up a terrible story to supposedly gain financially - just horrible! The story of repeated child abuse is pretty nasty and quite frankly I'm a bit fed up of this kind of representation of girls and women across the media - not surprised this was written by a bloke!!
May 26, 2014
I highly recommend you reading this thriller. It will send chills right through you. This is in no question a very good page turner. So much is going on. Amy and Dana were playing on the swings in the playgroung. Amy and Dana have an argument and Amy leaves Dana in the playground alone. Once Amy returns home she has an argument with her mum and Amy opens the front door and goes off. Amy disappears. But where has Amy gone? Will Amy be found? Will Amy come back? I have a full review on this book and others on ireadnovels wordpress com
July 18, 2017
I was going to leave a five star review as I couldn't put this book down but was very disappointed with the ending! It made no sense. Such a shame as I really did enjoy the story till then. So this one gets three stars.
August 27, 2013
I would have given this 4 stars if:
1. The ending wasn't intentionally ambiguous. What's even more head-scratching is that the author herself doesn't "know" how it ended (as stated in the author's interview at the end of the book). I mean, who does that??! She said that she figured as she was writing the book the ending would become clear to her but that it didn't. Really makes no sense to me. I feel like I've just wasted time reading a story that was not fleshed out.
2. In the interview, the author also states that she intentionally left "clues" throughout the novel so the ending wouldn't be such a big surprise. That really ruined it for me. When Beth is trying to make sense of what's going on and grapples through all of her "what if" scenarios, she DOES mention key facts that come to light in the eventual "solving" of the case. As the reader, that makes the ending that much more anti-climactic since you've already been given a list of options on how it will end. Took the mystery and suspense out of it. Why the author thought this was a clever tactic (as she mentions in her interview) eludes me.
3. Ironically, I thought the book would have been much better if the author actually USED one of Beth's "what if" scenarios instead of the actual story she went with. Early on, Beth wonders if Amy's death could be a conspiracy started with her frequent visits to the psychics (thus sharing a lot of personal information about Amy) then Libby/Esme get involved through one of the psychics in order to get the reward money and inheritance. I don't know why the author gave us so many "what if" scenarios only to go with an non-ending.
3. Totally thought that Jill would be involved somehow. I was surprised that she wasn't since, especially near the end of the book, the story gives a lot of, what obviously ends up being superfluous, information about Jill -her behavior and her whereabouts (going to her sister's, repeating several times she had no cell service, calling the police on her own and Beth questioning why she would do that, appearing at Beth's at random/convenient times). I thought that was odd and unnecessary given the fact that she was not involved at all.
1. The ending wasn't intentionally ambiguous. What's even more head-scratching is that the author herself doesn't "know" how it ended (as stated in the author's interview at the end of the book). I mean, who does that??! She said that she figured as she was writing the book the ending would become clear to her but that it didn't. Really makes no sense to me. I feel like I've just wasted time reading a story that was not fleshed out.
2. In the interview, the author also states that she intentionally left "clues" throughout the novel so the ending wouldn't be such a big surprise. That really ruined it for me. When Beth is trying to make sense of what's going on and grapples through all of her "what if" scenarios, she DOES mention key facts that come to light in the eventual "solving" of the case. As the reader, that makes the ending that much more anti-climactic since you've already been given a list of options on how it will end. Took the mystery and suspense out of it. Why the author thought this was a clever tactic (as she mentions in her interview) eludes me.
3. Ironically, I thought the book would have been much better if the author actually USED one of Beth's "what if" scenarios instead of the actual story she went with. Early on, Beth wonders if Amy's death could be a conspiracy started with her frequent visits to the psychics (thus sharing a lot of personal information about Amy) then Libby/Esme get involved through one of the psychics in order to get the reward money and inheritance. I don't know why the author gave us so many "what if" scenarios only to go with an non-ending.
3. Totally thought that Jill would be involved somehow. I was surprised that she wasn't since, especially near the end of the book, the story gives a lot of, what obviously ends up being superfluous, information about Jill -her behavior and her whereabouts (going to her sister's, repeating several times she had no cell service, calling the police on her own and Beth questioning why she would do that, appearing at Beth's at random/convenient times). I thought that was odd and unnecessary given the fact that she was not involved at all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 2, 2013
Whether you believe in reincarnation or not this is a gripping psychological thriller which I really enjoyed. This debut novel by a male author is written from a woman's perspective but also a mother's and I think it comes across very well.
Beth is indecisive in what she believes but I think that only makes her more of a believable character. Let's face it, the majority of people would think she was nuts and not give her the time of day if she started spouting off about her daughter being reincarnated and I could only empathise with her.
It keeps you guessing right up until the end - is she / isn't she Amy and even after you're still not 100% convinced either way. These are the best books - the ones you're still thinking about days after!
I wasn't quite sure about the past life regression session, I didn't know if it would be that easy but all will be revealed. I can't say too much without spoiling! There are so many twists and turns in this book and one point I suspected Beth's friend and confidante Gill had something to do it but I was going up one of the many garden paths there!
There are some difficult subjects in this book as well as the disappearance of Amy, such as paedophiles, child abuse and the effects this has on families and their victims so probably not for the faint hearted!
Overall it's an excellent first novel and is one of my favourite reads for this year, if you enjoyed SJ Watson's Before I Got To Sleep you should enjoy this.
Beth is indecisive in what she believes but I think that only makes her more of a believable character. Let's face it, the majority of people would think she was nuts and not give her the time of day if she started spouting off about her daughter being reincarnated and I could only empathise with her.
It keeps you guessing right up until the end - is she / isn't she Amy and even after you're still not 100% convinced either way. These are the best books - the ones you're still thinking about days after!
I wasn't quite sure about the past life regression session, I didn't know if it would be that easy but all will be revealed. I can't say too much without spoiling! There are so many twists and turns in this book and one point I suspected Beth's friend and confidante Gill had something to do it but I was going up one of the many garden paths there!
There are some difficult subjects in this book as well as the disappearance of Amy, such as paedophiles, child abuse and the effects this has on families and their victims so probably not for the faint hearted!
Overall it's an excellent first novel and is one of my favourite reads for this year, if you enjoyed SJ Watson's Before I Got To Sleep you should enjoy this.
May 25, 2016
A pull-on-the-heart-string mystery that seeps into the surreal.
The Second Life of Amy Archer, in it's essence, is a story about loss, love, hope, and anger - and then some. A mother conflicted by her want to believe and the natural skepticism that comes from loss is seeded hope in the form of her reincarnated child, Amy, showing up on her doorstep many years since her disappearance.
The skeptical side slides as hope shines that this mystery child who has a distinct physical likeness could in fact be Amy. The author cleverly weaves a web that tricks the reader into thinking one way, only to flip the script and catapult the reader in another direction.
As the plot unravels, unseen connections border on the coincidental to the point of being unbelievable - yet it works. The characters, despite being semi cardboard cut-out are written just well enough to give each a voice, luckily the plot is near pitch perfect to overcome this.
The Second Life of Amy Archer is a book that doesn't have a lot happening in it, yet the reader feels a lot reading it. The plot turns and semi open ended nature keeps the pages turning and turning.
The Second Life of Amy Archer, in it's essence, is a story about loss, love, hope, and anger - and then some. A mother conflicted by her want to believe and the natural skepticism that comes from loss is seeded hope in the form of her reincarnated child, Amy, showing up on her doorstep many years since her disappearance.
The skeptical side slides as hope shines that this mystery child who has a distinct physical likeness could in fact be Amy. The author cleverly weaves a web that tricks the reader into thinking one way, only to flip the script and catapult the reader in another direction.
As the plot unravels, unseen connections border on the coincidental to the point of being unbelievable - yet it works. The characters, despite being semi cardboard cut-out are written just well enough to give each a voice, luckily the plot is near pitch perfect to overcome this.
The Second Life of Amy Archer is a book that doesn't have a lot happening in it, yet the reader feels a lot reading it. The plot turns and semi open ended nature keeps the pages turning and turning.
September 6, 2013
A griping read, and what I think is a very carefully constructed plot by RS Pateman. My feelings towards the narrator, Beth, changes throughout the book, understandingly sympathetic at first towards the mother who has lost a child, but becoming increasingly doubtful as the twists unravel. The end leaves you wondering, but theres is nothing wrong in that.
September 9, 2013
Started this at 10am and by 10pm was 90% through - I just could not put it down.
October 29, 2017
2 stars because I did want to keep reading to find out what happened, and how; only to discover a completely unsatisfactory and ambiguous ending - such a poorly written book in every way.
March 6, 2023
Listened to as an audio book in a single day. I was absolutely riveted, loved all the twists in this harrowing story of a girl who thinks she’s the reincarnation of a girl who went missing 10 years before.
I loved how the author had me on the edge of my seat. I didn’t like being interrupted by knocks at the door and people trying to talk to me throughout the day.
I didn’t like the things that happened to the girls in the story but I was so impressed with how it was handled.
I loved how the author had me on the edge of my seat. I didn’t like being interrupted by knocks at the door and people trying to talk to me throughout the day.
I didn’t like the things that happened to the girls in the story but I was so impressed with how it was handled.
June 8, 2014
On the eve of the new millennium, ten year old Amy Archer disappeared from her local playground without a trace. Her mother, Beth, has found it hard to get any kind of closure as she doesn’t know for sure whether Amy is dead or alive. Her obsession with finding out what happened was a factor in her marriage ending – her life seemingly becoming more desperate and erratic.
On the tenth anniversary of Amy’s disappearance, Beth has her annual visit to see a psychic – but this year, the outcome isn’t quite the same as previously, leaving Beth wondering if there may have been a breakthrough.
And then Libby arrives at Bath’s door with her ten year old daughter Esme, who is the spitting image of Amy – and seems to know things that only Amy could know and claims that she IS Amy. Although Libby only seems to be there begrudgingly and out of sheer desperation, are her and Esme very cleverly scamming Beth? Feeding off of her grief and need for closure. Esme can’t really be Amy reborn, can she?
At first I thought that this book would be some airy-fairy, spiritual ‘cute little ten year old girl reincarnated’ stuff to give some hope and love back to a grieving mother. And to be fair, that’s kind of how it started out. We see the depth of depression that Beth has sunk into, and we WANT her to be able to pull back out of it, and be given a lifeline to thinking that there can be more to her life – something to fill the Amy-sized whole that has dominated everything for ten years.
And I found myself rooting for Esme to be exactly who she said she was. And then, the mood shifts. Not only are we given cause to doubt Libby and Esme, but the whole thing wanders into really dark territory that I can understand many people (especially parents) wouldn’t feel at all comfortable reading.
If you don’t want to be forced into thinking about child murder or rape, then this definitely isn’t the book for you, but these things do unfortunately exist in the world, and I think the subject matter was handled very well. Yes, I felt uncomfortable in places – but that shows how well the characters had been formed. The twists and turns, trying to put the pieces together, trying to work out which version was actually the truth was well worth the occasionally uncomfortable journey.
And the climax, when it came still couldn’t have surprised me more.
If you can deal with the subject matter, then it is a very well written book. I actually had this as an audiobook and personally, I could listen to Clare Corbett narrate every single book I ever listen to – she brings all the characters to life so well.
On the tenth anniversary of Amy’s disappearance, Beth has her annual visit to see a psychic – but this year, the outcome isn’t quite the same as previously, leaving Beth wondering if there may have been a breakthrough.
And then Libby arrives at Bath’s door with her ten year old daughter Esme, who is the spitting image of Amy – and seems to know things that only Amy could know and claims that she IS Amy. Although Libby only seems to be there begrudgingly and out of sheer desperation, are her and Esme very cleverly scamming Beth? Feeding off of her grief and need for closure. Esme can’t really be Amy reborn, can she?
At first I thought that this book would be some airy-fairy, spiritual ‘cute little ten year old girl reincarnated’ stuff to give some hope and love back to a grieving mother. And to be fair, that’s kind of how it started out. We see the depth of depression that Beth has sunk into, and we WANT her to be able to pull back out of it, and be given a lifeline to thinking that there can be more to her life – something to fill the Amy-sized whole that has dominated everything for ten years.
And I found myself rooting for Esme to be exactly who she said she was. And then, the mood shifts. Not only are we given cause to doubt Libby and Esme, but the whole thing wanders into really dark territory that I can understand many people (especially parents) wouldn’t feel at all comfortable reading.
If you don’t want to be forced into thinking about child murder or rape, then this definitely isn’t the book for you, but these things do unfortunately exist in the world, and I think the subject matter was handled very well. Yes, I felt uncomfortable in places – but that shows how well the characters had been formed. The twists and turns, trying to put the pieces together, trying to work out which version was actually the truth was well worth the occasionally uncomfortable journey.
And the climax, when it came still couldn’t have surprised me more.
If you can deal with the subject matter, then it is a very well written book. I actually had this as an audiobook and personally, I could listen to Clare Corbett narrate every single book I ever listen to – she brings all the characters to life so well.
May 14, 2014
The Second Life of Amy Archer is one those high-concept thrillers that seem to be all over the place at the moment. Beth Archer's daughter Amy went missing ten years ago from a London park, leaving Beth unable to move on or find any sort of peace. Shortly after the anniversary of Amy's disappearance, Beth is contacted by Libby, a much younger woman from Manchester, who claims that she knows where Amy is - and that she's still alive. The complication is that Amy is now called Esme, and in the ten years since Beth last saw her, she hasn't aged a single day.
Can Esme really be the reincarnation of pretty, perfect Amy? Certainly she seems to know far more about Amy and her life than she could possibly have been coached to know from the newspapers. Beth, understandably, is simultaneously desperate to believe that Esme and Amy are one and the same, and yet struggles to believe that reincarnation could be possible. Can she trust Libby and Esme? What about Ian, a local psychic who claims to know something about the case? And how will Brian, Beth's former husband, now remarried with two more children, react?
I can't deny that the basic premise of The Second Life of Amy Archer is an excellent plot driver, and the author's skill in characterisation really comes to the fore in Beth, a fascinatingly unreliable narrator consumed with guilt and grief. Just when we find ourselves wholly sympathetic towards her, there'll be a flash of mistrustful paranoia, a sudden mood-swing, a surprising judgement. There are times when every character in The Second Life of Amy Archer could be deceiving another, and this constant atmosphere of fearful uncertainty is one of the book's great strengths.
The book's biggest fault lies with the ending - or rather, last one-fifth or so of the story. My issue with it is not any lack of resolution, but rather that it seems a little anticlimactic, a little out of equilibrium with the novel's structure. I could also find fault with some of the dialogue, which too often had a touch of the Radio 4 drama script about it rather than reading authentically as the speech of real, ordinary people. I also felt that there were a few things relevant to the mystery plot that were 'forgotten' only to be brought up all-too-conveniently later, which felt like a tiny bit of a cop-out.
That said, it's an intriguing page-turner with a fascinating premise, and I'd happily read more by the same author. If I could have given it three and a half stars, I would have done.
Can Esme really be the reincarnation of pretty, perfect Amy? Certainly she seems to know far more about Amy and her life than she could possibly have been coached to know from the newspapers. Beth, understandably, is simultaneously desperate to believe that Esme and Amy are one and the same, and yet struggles to believe that reincarnation could be possible. Can she trust Libby and Esme? What about Ian, a local psychic who claims to know something about the case? And how will Brian, Beth's former husband, now remarried with two more children, react?
I can't deny that the basic premise of The Second Life of Amy Archer is an excellent plot driver, and the author's skill in characterisation really comes to the fore in Beth, a fascinatingly unreliable narrator consumed with guilt and grief. Just when we find ourselves wholly sympathetic towards her, there'll be a flash of mistrustful paranoia, a sudden mood-swing, a surprising judgement. There are times when every character in The Second Life of Amy Archer could be deceiving another, and this constant atmosphere of fearful uncertainty is one of the book's great strengths.
The book's biggest fault lies with the ending - or rather, last one-fifth or so of the story. My issue with it is not any lack of resolution, but rather that it seems a little anticlimactic, a little out of equilibrium with the novel's structure. I could also find fault with some of the dialogue, which too often had a touch of the Radio 4 drama script about it rather than reading authentically as the speech of real, ordinary people. I also felt that there were a few things relevant to the mystery plot that were 'forgotten' only to be brought up all-too-conveniently later, which felt like a tiny bit of a cop-out.
That said, it's an intriguing page-turner with a fascinating premise, and I'd happily read more by the same author. If I could have given it three and a half stars, I would have done.
June 6, 2013
On New Year's Eve in 1999 ten-year old Amy Archer goes missing. Her parents, Beth and Brian, are shattered and the strain of not knowing what has happened to their daughter, coupled with the accusations of the press and public, leads to them splitting up.
Now dealing with the ever present grief by herself, Beth is alone on the evening of the ten year anniversary of Amy's disappearance when she is contacted by two strangers; a young woman called Libby and her ten-year old daughter Esme, who not only looks like Amy's double but even claims she's Beth's missing daughter.
While Beth is initially reluctant to accept their story, it doesn’t take much for her to believe them when Esme is able to provide private details about Amy's life that never made it into the press.
Needless to say it is hard to digest for not only Beth but also the reader that Amy has really returned and what follows is a roller-coaster ride as the reader cannot help but mistrust everything that is written on the pages of the book until everyone and everything becomes suspect.
The novel is greatly disturbing in parts (a necessity considering the topic it deals with) as it paints a horribly realistic picture of the details surrounding the disappearance of a child and the trauma the event leaves on those implicated.
I was on the edge of my seat for the duration of this highly intriguing read and while the ending was not whole conclusive, leaving some things open to the imagination of the reader, it was certainly a satisfying one.
The Second Life of Amy Archer is a fantastic debut by author R.S. Pateman and right up there with recent acclaimed psychological thrillers Before I Go To Sleep by S.J. Watson and Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn; disturbing, gripping and suspenseful until the final page.
4.5 stars
Many thanks to Lovereading for providing me with a copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review.
Now dealing with the ever present grief by herself, Beth is alone on the evening of the ten year anniversary of Amy's disappearance when she is contacted by two strangers; a young woman called Libby and her ten-year old daughter Esme, who not only looks like Amy's double but even claims she's Beth's missing daughter.
While Beth is initially reluctant to accept their story, it doesn’t take much for her to believe them when Esme is able to provide private details about Amy's life that never made it into the press.
Needless to say it is hard to digest for not only Beth but also the reader that Amy has really returned and what follows is a roller-coaster ride as the reader cannot help but mistrust everything that is written on the pages of the book until everyone and everything becomes suspect.
The novel is greatly disturbing in parts (a necessity considering the topic it deals with) as it paints a horribly realistic picture of the details surrounding the disappearance of a child and the trauma the event leaves on those implicated.
I was on the edge of my seat for the duration of this highly intriguing read and while the ending was not whole conclusive, leaving some things open to the imagination of the reader, it was certainly a satisfying one.
The Second Life of Amy Archer is a fantastic debut by author R.S. Pateman and right up there with recent acclaimed psychological thrillers Before I Go To Sleep by S.J. Watson and Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn; disturbing, gripping and suspenseful until the final page.
4.5 stars
Many thanks to Lovereading for providing me with a copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review.
July 12, 2015
This book was indeed a suck-you-in page turner and from the middle I couldn't put it down because I was so eager to see what happened in the end (and I can see a lot of reviews griping about the ending so I'm not going to go there). But that was what I didn't like about it - I felt that the book threw in a lot of quite dark and weighty subject matter but didn't explore it in an appropriate degree of depth, so that the themes were treated like plot twists and nothing more, and that made me uncomfortable.
I attribute this to two things - one, it's Pateman's first novel and I don't feel that they have matured enough as a writer to put themselves in the shoes of someone experiencing something serious that they (maybe?) don't have experience of. The other is that by choosing to use Amy's mother as the narrator rather than, say, a detective who needs to maintain some emotional distance, you are obliging yourself to have them react in an emotional way to everything that happens and if you don't hit the mark it doesn't feel believable.
This also came across in the characters - when I was 10, I thought of myself as quite mature so I got annoyed when adults patronised me, now when I try to talk to children that age on an even level I realise how babyish they are and I think this not-sure-how-grownup-they-should-be issue came across in how Esme and Amy were written, so that these very central characters felt false - whether it was deliberate or not I can't say.
Essentially, I would read whatever the writer does next, because I think if their wording and plotting develop and eensy bit more they could produce some interesting stuff, but for now, I was aware that I was reading a book that was flawed than simply getting swept into the experience and being affected by it, and that didn't work for me.
I attribute this to two things - one, it's Pateman's first novel and I don't feel that they have matured enough as a writer to put themselves in the shoes of someone experiencing something serious that they (maybe?) don't have experience of. The other is that by choosing to use Amy's mother as the narrator rather than, say, a detective who needs to maintain some emotional distance, you are obliging yourself to have them react in an emotional way to everything that happens and if you don't hit the mark it doesn't feel believable.
This also came across in the characters - when I was 10, I thought of myself as quite mature so I got annoyed when adults patronised me, now when I try to talk to children that age on an even level I realise how babyish they are and I think this not-sure-how-grownup-they-should-be issue came across in how Esme and Amy were written, so that these very central characters felt false - whether it was deliberate or not I can't say.
Essentially, I would read whatever the writer does next, because I think if their wording and plotting develop and eensy bit more they could produce some interesting stuff, but for now, I was aware that I was reading a book that was flawed than simply getting swept into the experience and being affected by it, and that didn't work for me.
March 2, 2015
December 31 1999. Ten year old Amy Archer goes missing, and is presumed dead. Her body isn’t found, and ten years later, her mother Beth is still struggling to cope with her grief. On December 31 2009, there is a knock at her door, and a young woman claims to know where Amy is. Beth is then introduced to a girl who looks exactly like her daughter, and knows things that only Amy could have known. But this girl is only ten years old. As Beth tries to understand the truth behind ‘Amy’s’ sudden reappearance, her enquiries take her down dark paths and reveal secrets long hidden.
I am in two minds about this book. I think the premise is interesting – I don’t personally believe in reincarnation, psychics or mediums, all of which are discussed in this book, but I don’t think that you need to to invest in the story. The narrative moved fast, and was interesting enough to keep me reading for hours, but the main issue for me was that I did not like any of the characters. Not Beth, not Libby (the young woman who knocks on her door) and not even Amy/Esme, the young girl who claims to be Beth’s daughter reincarnated. The other problem was that this author really REALLY liked his imagery and symbolism, and initially that annoyed me a little. However, as I got further into the book, I must have got used to his way of writing, because I noticed it less and less.
Much has been made of the ending – I am not going to reveal anything about it here, but I personally did not mind it so much as other reviewers appear to have done. I think if you are a fan of psychological thrillers, I would probably recommend this book, but beware that it does detail some particularly dark scenarios, which could make for uncomfortable reading. Overall, I wouldn’t say it was a book I’d rave over, but I enjoyed it enough to read further books by this author.
I am in two minds about this book. I think the premise is interesting – I don’t personally believe in reincarnation, psychics or mediums, all of which are discussed in this book, but I don’t think that you need to to invest in the story. The narrative moved fast, and was interesting enough to keep me reading for hours, but the main issue for me was that I did not like any of the characters. Not Beth, not Libby (the young woman who knocks on her door) and not even Amy/Esme, the young girl who claims to be Beth’s daughter reincarnated. The other problem was that this author really REALLY liked his imagery and symbolism, and initially that annoyed me a little. However, as I got further into the book, I must have got used to his way of writing, because I noticed it less and less.
Much has been made of the ending – I am not going to reveal anything about it here, but I personally did not mind it so much as other reviewers appear to have done. I think if you are a fan of psychological thrillers, I would probably recommend this book, but beware that it does detail some particularly dark scenarios, which could make for uncomfortable reading. Overall, I wouldn’t say it was a book I’d rave over, but I enjoyed it enough to read further books by this author.
September 10, 2017
This book is frustrating. I adored the first half of it and was taken in by Beth, Libby, Esme, Jill, Dave the taxi driver and the memories of missing Amy.
The second half is where things get frustrating. I thought Dana's confession tape was an excellent plot idea but then everything went weird.
Beth annoyed me. She grew weaker as a character in the second half.
I didn't get how Beth could accuse her husband like that, I am not sure the pulling of a reward would lead to that conclusion.
I thought the library man suspect just confused everything and came from nowhere.
The character of Jill in the second half was odd, what was she hiding with all those excuses for Beth not contacting her whilst she was at her sister's?
Amy making up the stuff about Dana's grandfather was like the author wanted yet another plot twist.
The ending was hard to read with Esme being asked to relive what actually happened to Amy.
I was emotionally weary by the end.
Too many twists and the story just stops with no real conclusion about Esme and Libby.
The second half is where things get frustrating. I thought Dana's confession tape was an excellent plot idea but then everything went weird.
Beth annoyed me. She grew weaker as a character in the second half.
I didn't get how Beth could accuse her husband like that, I am not sure the pulling of a reward would lead to that conclusion.
I thought the library man suspect just confused everything and came from nowhere.
The character of Jill in the second half was odd, what was she hiding with all those excuses for Beth not contacting her whilst she was at her sister's?
Amy making up the stuff about Dana's grandfather was like the author wanted yet another plot twist.
The ending was hard to read with Esme being asked to relive what actually happened to Amy.
I was emotionally weary by the end.
Too many twists and the story just stops with no real conclusion about Esme and Libby.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 12, 2015
I loved this book from start to about 10 pages before the end, the story was gripping and the question of 'is she really Amy?' was incredibly gripping, even more so as you found out more and more details. However I started to feel concern as we approached the end as it dawned on me that there were not enough pages left to give the story a satisfying conclusion.
Turns out I was right, the story just ends with NO conclusion whatsoever. It's obviously an attempt by the author to let us come to our own conclusions but as the entire story is based around a few mysteries - only one of which is answered - it just felt like lazy writing.
I still recommend reading it as it is a very good and well written story but I'd steel yourself for a disappointing ending.
Turns out I was right, the story just ends with NO conclusion whatsoever. It's obviously an attempt by the author to let us come to our own conclusions but as the entire story is based around a few mysteries - only one of which is answered - it just felt like lazy writing.
I still recommend reading it as it is a very good and well written story but I'd steel yourself for a disappointing ending.
September 13, 2017
book ends no closer to a conclusion of what happened than it starts with.... Wasn't sold with the writing at first but powered through to get to the end - so not impressed with lack of conclusive ending. Writer clearly knows very little about reincarnation or just chose to ignore conventional ideas and it didn't fit his story. This is an awesome idea for a book but in my opinion, it completely flopped.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 11, 2019
worthwhile, page turner...
March 19, 2017
I almost gave it 2 stars but I thought 3 might be better considering the ending did pick up and get interesting. Still not sure what to believe. Is Esme Amy or is Beth lying about her similar past?
October 26, 2021
Дебютный роман Пейтмана. Вышел 18 июля 2013 года.
Десятилетняя Эми Арчер бесследно пропала 31 декабря 1999 года. Ее мать, Бет, погрузилась в депрессию и психозы. Со временем, от Бет ушел муж, Брайан. Теперь Бет живет одна в большом доме. Все надеется узнать, что же случилось с ее дочерью. Даже ходит к экстрасенсам.
Однажды, аккурат на десятилетие исчезновения Эми, в дом Бет стучатся гости. Либби и ее десятилетняя дочь Эсме. Которые утверждают, что Эсме является реинкарнацией покойной Эми. Мошенники — первая мысль Бет, но Эсме знает много подробностей о жизни Эми. Подробностей, которые она никак не могла узнать, если только и в самом деле не случилось чудо и Эми не вернулась с того света.
Ох, и тяжелая же эта книга оказалась. Там страниц-то всего ничего — 384 с крупным шрифтом. (Не сравнить с многотомными фэнтези-опупеями.) Но как же тяжело «Вторая жизнь Эми Арчер» читалась. И персонажи сложные, и написано тяжело, и тематика тяжелая. Но ничего, победили.
Во-первых, главная героиня. Бет. От лица которой ведется повествование. Истеричная, с сильно накрененным чердаком и ворохом чудаковатостей. И вот за таким персонажем автор предлагает следовать читателям. А этот персонаж большую часть книги вызывает отвращение.
За псевдонимом Р.С. Пейтман скрывается самый обычный дядька по имени Роберт Пейтман. Это модно стало — если мужчина пишет романы от имени женщины, то скрывает имя за инициалами. (Вспомнить хоть А.Дж. Финн.) То есть немолодой дядька написал роман от имени 50-летней женщины. Со своей точкой зрения на то, как должны выглядеть женские психозы. Ну-ну.
Во-вторых, тематика. Педофилия, инцест, детская смерть. Не самое легкое чтиво. И автор нагнетает так, чтобы оно и не было легким.
В-третьих, финал. Не, виновные найдены, труп Эми тоже найден. Но оставлен открытым вопрос с Бет. И как относится к мистике в романе — тоже отдано на откуп читателям.
Вы верите в мистику? Отлично. Эсме действительно реинкарнация Эми. Экстрасенс говорил правду. Бет виновна. И ее не ждет ничего хорошего — самое первое видение экстрасенса было про табличку «Продается». Вероятно, это про дом Бет. А сама Бет после последней страницы книги окажется либо в дурдоме, либо в могиле. За эту версию в книге отвечают подробности, которые знает Эсме о жизни Эми — не всё могла ей рассказать Дана.
Вы не верите в мистику? Тоже неплохо. Либби и Эсме всё разыграли. Отомстили за Дану. Воспользовались информацией Даны, чтобы п��карать виновных в смерти Эми — аккуратными намеками и через экстрасенса выводя Бет и полицию на педофилов. А финальный наезд на Бет — просто еще один привет от Даны, которую Бет никогда не любила. За эту версию говорит то, что Эсме после терапии осталась «Эми». До этого в книге заострялось внимание (история с мальчиком-летчиком), что после выдачи в мир информации дух покинет занимаемое тело. В этом варианте Бет оклемается, закончив свои десятилетние поиски.
То ли из-за недочетов перевода, то ли из-за неопытности автора некоторые вопросы в романе так и остались неосвещенным��. Бывает. Кстати, об авторе. Р.С. Пейтман — немолодой уже мужчина. И «Вторая жизнь Эми Арчер» был его дебютным романом — до этого он никогда не занимался литературой. И у нас «Азбука» сразу запихала его в серию «Звезды мирового детектива».
В 2014 году Пейтман напишет еще один один роман, «The Prophecy of Bees». Который на русском уже не будет издан. Да и за границей интерес к Пейтману был сильно умеренный. Оба его романа издавались там только в мягких обложках и никогда не переиздавались в твердом переплете. (В Забугории это показатель.) Пейтман, вероятно, догадался, что пишет он неважно. И с литераторством завязал — с 2014 года больше не вышло ни одной его книги.
3/10
Оригинал отзыва - https://cahier.ru/pateman-second-life...
Десятилетняя Эми Арчер бесследно пропала 31 декабря 1999 года. Ее мать, Бет, погрузилась в депрессию и психозы. Со временем, от Бет ушел муж, Брайан. Теперь Бет живет одна в большом доме. Все надеется узнать, что же случилось с ее дочерью. Даже ходит к экстрасенсам.
Однажды, аккурат на десятилетие исчезновения Эми, в дом Бет стучатся гости. Либби и ее десятилетняя дочь Эсме. Которые утверждают, что Эсме является реинкарнацией покойной Эми. Мошенники — первая мысль Бет, но Эсме знает много подробностей о жизни Эми. Подробностей, которые она никак не могла узнать, если только и в самом деле не случилось чудо и Эми не вернулась с того света.
Ох, и тяжелая же эта книга оказалась. Там страниц-то всего ничего — 384 с крупным шрифтом. (Не сравнить с многотомными фэнтези-опупеями.) Но как же тяжело «Вторая жизнь Эми Арчер» читалась. И персонажи сложные, и написано тяжело, и тематика тяжелая. Но ничего, победили.
Во-первых, главная героиня. Бет. От лица которой ведется повествование. Истеричная, с сильно накрененным чердаком и ворохом чудаковатостей. И вот за таким персонажем автор предлагает следовать читателям. А этот персонаж большую часть книги вызывает отвращение.
За псевдонимом Р.С. Пейтман скрывается самый обычный дядька по имени Роберт Пейтман. Это модно стало — если мужчина пишет романы от имени женщины, то скрывает имя за инициалами. (Вспомнить хоть А.Дж. Финн.) То есть немолодой дядька написал роман от имени 50-летней женщины. Со своей точкой зрения на то, как должны выглядеть женские психозы. Ну-ну.
Во-вторых, тематика. Педофилия, инцест, детская смерть. Не самое легкое чтиво. И автор нагнетает так, чтобы оно и не было легким.
В-третьих, финал. Не, виновные найдены, труп Эми тоже найден. Но оставлен открытым вопрос с Бет. И как относится к мистике в романе — тоже отдано на откуп читателям.
Вы верите в мистику? Отлично. Эсме действительно реинкарнация Эми. Экстрасенс говорил правду. Бет виновна. И ее не ждет ничего хорошего — самое первое видение экстрасенса было про табличку «Продается». Вероятно, это про дом Бет. А сама Бет после последней страницы книги окажется либо в дурдоме, либо в могиле. За эту версию в книге отвечают подробности, которые знает Эсме о жизни Эми — не всё могла ей рассказать Дана.
Вы не верите в мистику? Тоже неплохо. Либби и Эсме всё разыграли. Отомстили за Дану. Воспользовались информацией Даны, чтобы п��карать виновных в смерти Эми — аккуратными намеками и через экстрасенса выводя Бет и полицию на педофилов. А финальный наезд на Бет — просто еще один привет от Даны, которую Бет никогда не любила. За эту версию говорит то, что Эсме после терапии осталась «Эми». До этого в книге заострялось внимание (история с мальчиком-летчиком), что после выдачи в мир информации дух покинет занимаемое тело. В этом варианте Бет оклемается, закончив свои десятилетние поиски.
То ли из-за недочетов перевода, то ли из-за неопытности автора некоторые вопросы в романе так и остались неосвещенным��. Бывает. Кстати, об авторе. Р.С. Пейтман — немолодой уже мужчина. И «Вторая жизнь Эми Арчер» был его дебютным романом — до этого он никогда не занимался литературой. И у нас «Азбука» сразу запихала его в серию «Звезды мирового детектива».
В 2014 году Пейтман напишет еще один один роман, «The Prophecy of Bees». Который на русском уже не будет издан. Да и за границей интерес к Пейтману был сильно умеренный. Оба его романа издавались там только в мягких обложках и никогда не переиздавались в твердом переплете. (В Забугории это показатель.) Пейтман, вероятно, догадался, что пишет он неважно. И с литераторством завязал — с 2014 года больше не вышло ни одной его книги.
3/10
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