Christine Mangan | TANGERINE

Plot (via Goodreads):

The last person Alice Shipley expected to see since arriving in Tangier with her new husband was Lucy Mason. After the accident at Bennington, the two friends—once inseparable roommates—haven’t spoken in over a year. But there Lucy was, trying to make things right and return to their old rhythms. Perhaps Alice should be happy. She has not adjusted to life in Morocco, too afraid to venture out into the bustling medinas and oppressive heat. Lucy—always fearless and independent—helps Alice emerge from her flat and explore the country. 

But soon a familiar feeling starts to overtake Alice—she feels controlled and stifled by Lucy at every turn. Then Alice’s husband, John, goes missing, and Alice starts to question everything around her: her relationship with her enigmatic friend, her decision to ever come to Tangier, and her very own state of mind.

Tangerine is a sharp dagger of a book—a debut so tightly wound, so replete with exotic imagery and charm, so full of precise details and extraordinary craftsmanship, it will leave you absolutely breathless.

Review:

TANGERINE is exactly the kind of novel that draws you in immediately. With its foreshadowing and rather dark opening chapter, I was immediately curious and immersed in this novel. While the plot may seem a little lacking the details as to what is really going on with this story, it's not only genius, but works well with the breadcrumbs of information that follow this dark and twisted story into a journey between two very different women and the drastic direction their lives are about to take. I couldn't get enough.

Each word of this story is so detailed, this novel is gothic gold. I especially loved how the story took place in Morocco and was atmospherically splendid with its description, you can feel the heat radiate off from not only the pages of this novel, but within Mangan's writing as well. As we dive deeper into this unsettling story, we learn the truth about the relationship between Alice and Lucy and their time together in Vermont, which was exceptionally well-written and painted such a great picture in assisting with the contrast between the ways these women have changed, what led them to change, and how some pieces of their personalities stayed the same. 

The characters of Lucy and Alice are not only dazzling on page, but beautifully defined within their actions and alternating chapters. I am such a sucker for different character perspectives and loved the way that Mangan wrote how the women viewed each other in their chapters and how they felt in their own. It adds such depth to such a wonderfully constructed psychological thriller and also adds in small details that are intrusive and heavily important as the story wraps up in a chilling and picturesque ending. Congratulations on this story, Christine Mangan. This is one that will haunt me for years to come.

Special thanks to Ecco Books for my copy in exchange for my honest review.

Rating: 5/5