Book Review: You Don’t Want To Know by Lisa Jackson

You Don’t Want To Know by Lisa Jackson is a gripping mystery thriller that holds the reader’s attention from the first page to the very last.

The story centres around Ava Garrison, wealthy, supposedly mentally unstable, living on a private island surrounded by family and staff. Two years ago, her baby son disappeared and her mental disintegration began soon after.

Hazy recollections plague Ava’s present and she is desperate to find out why she does not believe what she is told about her health and state of mind. She is perplexed by the constant vigilance from her carers to prevent her from self-harm and wonders why the scars on her wrists do not feel like those of a suicide attempt. Torn between the facts put before her and how they do not reconcile with her most heartfelt instincts – she is isolated, bereft and unable to trust the very people living under the same roof as her.

Before her son’s disappearance, Ava was strong and successful. Now confused and alone, she has to find the strength to take control of her own life once again and find a way to discover the truth before the inexplicable hatred directed at her succeeds in completely destroying her.

There is no-one she can trust: nothing is what it seems on the island. She is surrounded by a web of treachery, betrayal and evil, tormented by strange occurrences which make her question her own sanity. People connected with her in some way are viciously murdered.

How will her fragmented memories gradually piece themselves together to enable her to unravel all the inconsistencies and inexplicable clues concerning her son’s disappearance?

There is enough hatred, jealousy, greed, envy, anger and duplicity in this story to advocate never taking anything at face value.

Vulnerable but with immense determination and inner strength, Ava is a true heroine – one who has suffered and been unfairly victimised most cruelly.

Lisa Jackson portrays loss and betrayal in epic fashion, yet manages to weave, within that mire, redeeming love and real friendship in the midst of all that is evil in human nature.