In the Blink of an Eye

In the Blink of an Eye  💔💔💔💔
by Jesse Blackadder
Published March 2019 by St. Martin's Press 

In the blink of an eye is how long it can take to lose track of where your beautiful and smart 2 year old has wandered off to, and how long to realize that someone <spoiler alert> left the pool gate unlatched and your son is lying face down in the water.

This is a very sad (understatement) rendering of something that happens all too often, as the author knows all too well.  To watch this family, already with some rips in its seams, get completely shred to pieces is difficult  and emotional.  It's really well thought out and told.  I loved the epilogue.

My only complaints are these:  Telling the mother's  version of the story  in second person.  "You" did this and then "you" did that. Who is saying this and to whom?  Caught me off guard but I did get used to it.

1/2 star deducted.

Also there are paragraphs and paragraphs of incomplete sentences, which always throws off my rhythm until I see why it is so. For example, instead of someone saying, "I got up and I walked  to the kitchen," it would be more like "Got up.  Went to the kitchen.  Remembered something."  I mean, I write personal emails like that in the interest of time, but find it unprofessional otherwise.  Just my own opinion and personal preference.

Another 1/2 star deduction. 

Otherwise, let me say that I couldn't put this down.  I cared about the family and whether they would heal themselves as individuals and help each other to heal as a unit.  A big thank you to NetGalley and to Jordan Hanley of St Martin's Press.