Reviews of Beautiful Malice
"I didn't go to Alice's funeral." So opens Australian author James's impressive debut, a searing coming-of-age novel that deftly intertwines two violent backstories... James, gifted with unusual insight into teenage agonies, probes Katherine's raw-nerve guilt over her sister Rachel's murder, Alice's self-destructive narcissism, and the healing power of young love. This unflinching exploration of psychological manipulation and the tragedies it creates introduces a promising new talent in literary suspense. Publishers Weekly.
"In the lead-up to its publication Beautiful Malice provoked a much-publicised international bidding war. For once, the anticipation seems warranted. The success of James's book arises from its sophisticated presentation of cataclysmic themes, as well as its satisfying conclusion that is uplifting yet, in accordance with the rest of the narrative, more bitter than sweet." Australian Book Review.
"This compelling, haunting psychological thriller will stay with readers long after they have finished. The dialogue is powerful and the interaction between characters authentic. A chilling and addictive read." Romantic Times.
"With surgical precision, Australian author James draws us into the close-knit bosom of the teenage girls' developing friendship and with equal skill, fillets it to the bone. We know Katherine will survive, but the cost she bears for trusting the wrong person provokes years-long repercussions -- and signals the beginning of what should be a splendid career in suspense for Rebecca James." Sarah Weinman, Salon.
"...The prose is direct, clear and inexorable in its description of the growing horror...There is nothing arcane or fantastic about Beautiful Malice. It is a book that addresses the core of our fears, the seed of doubt that exists whenever something is too good to be true." Ian Nichols, The West Australian.
"...Rebecca James has the potential to assert herself as a major voice on the world stage." Bookseller and Publisher.
"I havent been so impressed by a book in quite a while...James has written a psychological thriller that will grab you from page one." Daisy Chain Book Reviews.
"This novel delivers in spades with its masterful plot." The Australian Women's Weekly.
home