When I heard about the plans for publication of The Judas Tree by Amanda Jennings, I have to say that I was really so delighted – I read and enjoyed this wonderful book, an entirely gripping psychological thriller, when it was first published by a small publisher way back in 2014 (my first taste of the author’s wonderful writing), then under the title of The Judas Scar, and I’m so pleased that it’s available once more to be read by a whole new generation of readers. This time it’s published by HQ, out today, and available as an e-book, in paperback, and as an audiobook – and my thanks to Amanda for sending me a signed paperback copy.
I do forget sometimes though that other people might not have had the joy of discovering Amanda’s writing. This book was, as I mentioned, the first of hers I read – in my review, I called it “dark, emotional and hard-hitting” – and I’ve loved her writing ever since. Whenever people ask me about my favourite books, I always mention In Her Wake – its stunning depiction of grief and loss has never been bettered in any book I’ve since read, and it was accompanied by a totally compelling story, quite beautifully written (you can read my review again here). But I also loved The Cliff House, her first book for HQ – moving and emotional, edgy and unsettling, and again with writing that took my breath away (you’ll find my review here). When The Storm was published I was in the midst of one of my personal crises, and I haven’t managed to catch up yet (but the reviews I’ve seen were wonderful) – but that was followed in March this year by The Haven, examining the impossibility of creating Utopia, a really compelling read that engaged me throughout by the complexity of its characters and the emotional aspects of their journey (you can read my full review here).
But let’s take a closer look at The Judas Tree…
Childhood betrayal casts a long shadow…
At a bleak boys’ boarding school in Cornwall in the eighties when bullying is rife, Will and his best friend, Luke, are involved in a horrific incident that results in Luke leaving.
Twenty-five years later their paths cross again and memories of a painful childhood come flooding back to haunt them both.
Will’s wife, Harmony, is struggling after a miscarriage that has hit her hard, and wishes Will would open up about what happened. But as Will withdraws further, she finds herself drawn to the charismatic stranger from her husband’s past, Luke, and soon all three are caught in a tangled web of guilt and desire…
From Amanda Jennings, author of The Cliff House, comes a haunting thriller about betrayal and revenge.
And it’s a real pleasure to share once more my original review from 2014 – please forgive the opening paragraph (but for anyone interested, that spreadsheet is still the way I keep control of my reading!)…
Some of you who follow me on Twitter will remember my delight at producing a spreadsheet of all the books I need to read and when I need to read them. I’m sure I hardly need to tell you that this book wasn’t on that list, despite all the excellent reviews I’d read and the fact that I’d actually liked the look of it so much that I’d bought the download. What finally made me pick it up (and how sad is this?) was the fact that I knew I’d be meeting the author at the launch party for Julie Cohen’s Where Love Lies last week – I’m delighted to report that, as well as being the loveliest of party companions, her book absolutely took my breath away.
The central characters are Will and Harmony – outwardly, their relationship looks like one that we’d all like to aspire to. When they married he made it clear that he didn’t want children, but when Harmony has a miscarriage she hopes that they will be able to try again. Then Luke comes into their lives – firstly as an attractive stranger at a party, then we discover that he has a shared history (and what a history…) with Will, from when they were friends at a public school. This is a story that swoops and turns, and we slowly discover the truth about that childhood relationship, and the scars it has left that profoundly affect the lives of the characters.
This is a really gripping read, a book that puts your emotions through the wringer – it’s a book you won’t want to put down until you’ve read to the end, but one that you really have to put down just to catch your breath, and when you’re not reading it you’ll still be thinking about it. It’s very dark, emotional and hard hitting – these are very real and damaged people, whose lives draw you in so completely that you feel their pain, grief and joy and look on in horror at some of the decisions they make. The scenes from the childhoods of both Harmony and Will are heartbreaking, and the bullying theme is just one of many that is wonderfully handled.
I don’t really have to say “I absolutely loved it”, do I? If you haven’t read this one, and you like your reading to take over your life and shake you to the core, do give it a try.
About the author (from Amazon author page)
I love anything with a dark vein and secrets which affect families, and my books tend to fall into the psychological suspense category. My last book was a bit different. The Haven didn’t have any hidden secrets, but instead looks at the gradual collapse of a a dream – a utopia – and focuses on characters and their interactions, all set against the spectacular and atmospheric landscape of Bodmin Moor in Cornwall. The Storm, In Her Wake and The Cliff House, and also all set in Cornwall, in Newlyn, St Ives, and Sennen respectively. Cornwall is truly where my heart truly lies! My mother’s side of the family is from Penzance and I have many blissful memories of long summers spent here. I am never happier than when I’m beside the sea, though I’m also fond of a mountain, especially when it’s got snow on it.
When I’m not beside the sea or up a mountain or sitting at my desk, you can usually find me chatting on the radio as a regular guest on BBC Berkshire’s weekly Book Club, or loitering on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. I love meeting and engaging with readers, whether that’s on social media, or at libraries, book clubs and literary festivals. If you see me out and about at an event do say hello! You can find more information on my webpage.
