Crushed
As seen:
By Kate Hamer
avg rating
1 review
‘Mesmerising, compulsive, deliciously dark – and so good on the complex and thorny bond between friends. Kate Hamer’s writing is incandescent.’ Lucy Foley, author of The Hunting Party
Phoebe stands on Pulteney Bridge, tights gashed from toe to thigh. The shock of mangled metal and blood-stained walls flashes through her mind as she tries to cover her face so she won’t be recognised. It wouldn’t do to be spotted looking like this. She’s missing a shoe. She feels sick.
Phoebe thought murder and murder happened. Thoughts are just thoughts, they said. Now she knows they were wrong.
At home, Phoebe arranges the scissors and knives so they point toward her mother’s room. She is exhausted, making sure there’s no trace of herself – not a single hair, not even her scent – left anywhere in the house. She must not let her thoughts unravel, because if they do, there’s no telling who might be caught in the crossfire, and Phoebe will have to live with the consequences.
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Macclesfield Library Reading Group
Macclesfield Library reading group would like to thank Faber books and The Reading Agency for providing our group with copies of “Crushed” by Kate Hamer which sparked the most brilliant conversation. Two of our Reading groups read this book; whilst some of us enjoyed the read and others found it almost too affecting - we all found the increasing tension and pace sped us through the pages. The plot focuses on three very different teenage girls and manages to involve themes of motherhood, Macbeth, Mental health, child carers, suicide, murder, and love- plenty to think and talk about!
The thoughts of some of our members;
“I really felt the characters were very vivid and a good reflection of inner teenage angst. Al though I was not sure the Macbeth theme was needed or brought a lot to the story”
“A gripping and compulsive but thoroughly unpleasant read! The story centres around three very different girls and their angst driven relationships, despite the horror that commences there always seems to be a vein of compassion between them.”
“Too many angsty teenagers for me- I found the pace frenetic however I was compelled to read to the end. After discussion in book club, I realised that there were very interesting themes.”
‘An easy read. I rather enjoyed it! A slow start but stick with it for some surprising events!’
‘A fairly slow start but built up really well with an unexpected ending. All about control and the paranoia of teenage girls. Interesting about who is the manipulator and who are the manipulated’
‘A very enjoyable but dark read’
‘Found it a bit dull initially but it definitely got better and I found it quite a page turner. Glad I persevered! A clear and good style of writing!’
‘I quite enjoyed this book and liked hearing the story from the different angles of the three girls. Unsure about the ending and whether Grace had control over Phoebe and Orla’
