The Long Weekend by Gilly Macmillan

 The Long Weekend by Gilly Macmillan 

The blurb of this book grabbed my attention straight away. As soon as I started reading in knew I wasn’t going to be disappointed. After only 30 pages and me raving about the plot to my husband he had also declared it would make a great film. (High praise from someone who isn’t really interested in anything I read) - I have since found out it is indeed inspired by a film. 

The book moves at a fast pace. There isn’t a moment that drags and with each page you are pulled further in to the secrets of each of the characters. 

The story is told through the eyes of each of the characters. There are no clunky subtitles to separate the sections and this helps the flow. It is obvious when the point of view changes but it flows seamlessly.

We start by meeting the Elliotts who own the farm land. John battling dementia is not happy about them letting out the converted barn. Maggie however, knows it’s their only lifeline if they are to stay on their land as John’s condition worsens. Told with heart and compassion it is an honest look at life for those dealing with such a cruel demon. Could the visions of shapeshifters and John’s mysterious outings have anything to do with what is happening to the visitors at the barn? 

The main story centres around a group of friends (wives and husbands) who are staying in the middle of nowhere for a long weekend. 

Ruth (married to Toby) has her own secrets and is battling demons that the others don’t know about.

Emily (married to Paul) is younger than the others and very much seems to be an outsider. 

Jayne (married to Mark) seems to be in control of everything, however there is something she is hiding from the start. 

All three wives start the weekend annoyed that their husbands have coincidentally been unable to join the trip for the first night away. Can that really be a coincidence or is something else going on? 

The final character from the group is Edie(along with her daughter Imogen). Edie’s husband has recently died and she is not joining the group on the trip. Her presence is however very much felt when a very suspicious and cruel note threatening the lives of the husbands who are not there is left at the barn. Simply signed with an E - the ladies are sure it’s a horrible hoax but they can’t be sure and inch by inch they begin to unravel. 

Secrets are revealed dripping through the text with each new paragraph. Twists in the plot keep you guessing and desperately clawing on to find the answers - even when you know you should have put it down and gone to sleep long ago. 

Suspense is high and tension grows quickly throughout the story. I won’t give any spoilers but this really is a must read book.