Barnes & NobleStrange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent

Good but Sad and Disturbing

I absolutely loved reading this book—though it's often disturbing, sad, and anger-inducing. The pacing was solid, with gripping moments and plenty of twists and turns from each character's perspective. However, the ending felt a bit lackluster and disappointing, especially with the son continuing in his father's footsteps. A follow-up story or sequel would probably be a great addition.

Very good. I want to read more of her books

Dark

I thought the book was great, one that's definitely hard to put down, I would give 4.5 stars, because how I felt at the end, it is dark and left me 😳

What’s with the tiny print

Struggling to read the book with the tiny print even with readers.

Loved Sally!

I found myself invested in Sally and wanted nothing but the best for her throughout this book.

Incredibly Dark

This was a lot darker than I was expecting. The description does not even hint at the darkness that is at the core of the story. I really liked it but it wont be for everyone. The character development and depth of those characters was written really well. I was left feeling like I had been punched in the stomach, all the air had been knocked out of me with that ending.

Shocking Revelations

Wow! Wow! Wow! This novel about a profoundly misunderstood woman is chocked full of sensitive topics. As we begin to learn more about Sally’s intricate past and she develops fully into her present situation . . . her oddities become more understandable. The pages turn fast and you can’t look away as each chapter delivers another shocking revelation. I'd like to thank NetGalley for an advanced copy of Strange Sally Diamond It for my unbiased evaluation.  5 stars

very highly recommended psychological thriller

Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent is a very highly recommended psychological thriller following flawed characters and dysfunctional families. Sally Diamond was caring for her dying father who always told her when he was gone she should put him out with the trash. Sally, who is in her early forties and takes everything very literally, does just that, and since they burn their trash she tried to burn her father's body. This thrust her into the limelight, with the police and the media because it also brought forth her background and the reason why she can't remember events before she was seven years old. After a very traumatic early childhood, Sally was adopted by her father, Thomas, a psychiatrist, and her physician mother who passed away years ago. Sally often tells others that she knows she is socially deficient, but she does have a few friends through her father that she trusts. She learns that her father left her three letters to read after his death, so Sally follows the advice to slowly read them one week at a time. They are supposed to help explain why she is the way she is, someone who doesn't like to talk to people, never cries, and loves playing the piano, however someone from her past is also contacting her, calling her "Mary," and sends her a toy bear she immediately recognizes. Strange Sally Diamond starts out feeling like a familiar novel, but everything dramatically changes after part one. The narrative moves back and forth in time between two different perspectives that provide incredible insight into her background but also expands the story into an even darker, traumatic tale. As Sally tries to talk to people and make her way in the world, she learns that people don't always say what they mean and you can't always say everything to them. The writing is excellent and Sally is a fully realized, complicated, and sympathetic character. The supporting cast of characters are realistic and add a depth to the plot as they help Sally navigate her way through increasing her social interactions. There is another character who is also fully realized, although not sympathetic. It isn't always easy novel to read as the topics handled are horrific and show how evil people can be. It also shows that there are good people who care and can be trusted in the world. The big change in the narrative transformed Strange Sally Diamond from an expected plot projection to something entirely different that showed the darker side of human nature. Strange Sally Diamond held my complete attention to the end. This might be a good choice for book clubs who appreciate deep discussions about human nature and evil in the world. Thanks to Gallery/Scout Press for providing me with an advance reader's copy via Edelweiss. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.