Bitter Nothings by Vicki Tyley

In Bitter Nothings, Vicki Tyley presents another complex and thrilling tale of dysfunctional families, determined women and mysterious deaths and disappearances. Graphic designer, Dervla Johns, and her brothers, Gabe and Emmett, are still missing their mother, following her suicide two years earlier. Several years before that, their father, Warren, had left home to move in with his mistress, Lucinda, and had since had two more children. At the start of the book, the siblings are now shocked by the news that, not only have Lucinda and her children been found dead in their beds, shot as they slept, but that Warren is missing and has become the police’s number one suspect. Dervla appears to be the only one to doubt their father’s guilt, and starts to investigate who else might have had reason to want Warren’s new family dead.

I absolutely love Vicki Tyley’s suspense books, and Bitter Nothings is certainly no exception. Her skill in weaving the various strands of the story together, and in dropping just enough hints and clues to keep you on both the tips of your toes and the edge of your seat, is immense. Each time you think you’ve got a handle on the plot, it veers off in a new direction and throws you a curve ball. Yet again I did not see the end coming, and her ability to consistently mislead and blindside her readers is remarkable. I think I suspected every single person at one time or another. Her characters are always vivid and realistic and she often sneaks in a bit of humour and a smidge of romance. Once again, I have no hesitation in wholeheartedly recommending this book. Reviewed by Julia for Readers’ Favorite.