All in Her Head by Nikki Smith
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Nikki Smith‘s debut work is a deft, psychological thriller that puts you on a tightrope and then ever-so-gently shakes the line as you walk across it. You’re never secure in your footing, but you also trust that you aren’t going to fall.
As for the plot, the best description I’ve seen is from Lou on Goodreads. In her review, she wrote “All in Her Head is Nikki Smith’s debut psychological thriller and is one of my favourite debuts of the year so far as it explores perception, mental illness and many other interesting and intertwining topics. It also packs a real emotional punch. It follows Alison who is struggling due to trauma suffered in her past but seems to be suffering from amnesia so she can’t quite remember all of the details of what actually happened to her. She’s paranoid and feels she’s been stalked by various people and most people tell her it’s all in her mind but is it, or does she have more reason to fear than most?”
And it’s that last part that sets Smith’s book apart from others: She places you in Alison’s point of view, always keeping you on uneven ground. You aren’t sure what is real and what isn’t, but you also won’t feel manipulated. It’s not an easy slight of hand, and yet she brilliantly pulls it off.
This is definitely a beach read because it’s fast, it’s tight, and it’s not a book you’re going to be able to put down. The more clues pile up, the more you want to turn the page to find out what it all means! (Seriously, don’t start reading this at 9 pm. Take it to the beach early in the day. Trust me. You’re welcome.)
You can listen to my interview with Nikki Smith on Episode 72 on The Downtown Writers Jam podcast.
