Book Review: The Heatwave by Kate Riordan

Sylvie hasn't been back to her French family home in years, not since her eldest daughter, Elodie, died some years earlier. Upon returning to sell the run down farmhouse every corner holds memories of Elodie, and they aren't good ones. As forest fires burn nearby a secret tries to break free, a secret Sylvie has been hiding from her youngest daughter, Emma. A secret which tells the truth of what happened that summer. A secret that could change everything. 

This story had a great set up and showed a lot of promise. The secret was dangled expertly and I was really drawn in... at first. Then the reveal was dragged out so long that by the time it came half way through the book I had already worked out what it was. Never good to be one step ahead of the book.

Then the whole second half felt painful, I was waiting, half wishing, for someone (anyone) to die and get this book over with. A really flat ending - and we all know the ending defines the book. 

A lot of promise but failed to deliver : 3/5