Book review: my thoughts on The Necklace by Matt Witten

Optioned for film already, The Necklace is a gripping thriller by TV writer, novelist, playwright and screenwriter Matt Witten. Here’s what I thought about the book.

It’s been a long time since I’ve written a book review on here, so I’m really excited to get stuck in and share my thoughts on this one – particularly as I’m taking part in Goodreads’ reading challenge to read 20 books this year.

I was kindly sent a copy of The Necklace for review purposes, a book which has already been optioned for film with Leonardo DiCaprio attached as a producer! This doesn’t surprise me, considering how gripping and tense this novel is.

The Necklace follows Susan Lentigo’s journey as she travels to witness the execution of the killer that murdered her daughter. Set between two timelines, the book encompasses those heart wrenching and panicked moments that first follow an abduction and its aftermath, as well as the way the tragedy still affects people twenty years later.

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The blurb reads:

Susan Lentigo’s daughter was murdered twenty years ago – now, at long last, she will witness the killer’s execution.

But on her journey, she discovers shocking new evidence that suggests the condemned man is innocent – and the real killer is still out there. Even worse, her new suspect has a young daughter who’s at terrible risk.

The FBI refuses to reopen the case. They – and Susan’s own mother – believe she’s having an emotional breakdown. With no money or time to waste, but with the help of two unlikely allies – a cynical teenage girl and the retired cop who made the original arrest – Susan sets out to win justice for the condemned man and her daughter.

The author Matt Witten is a TV writer, novelist, playwright and screenwriter. He has written for shows including House, Pretty Little Liars, and Law & Order. His TV scripts have been nominated for an Emmy and two Edgars, and he has written four mystery novels, winning a Malice Domestic award for best debut novel. He has also written stage plays and for national magazines. The Necklace is optioned for film by Leonardo DiCaprio’s Appian Way and Cartel Pictures.

As soon as I opened this book to its first page, I was gripped. The first chapter was one of very few that shares a close moment between mother Susan and daughter Amy as we learn about their relationship and how close they are.

I will admit, here (and later on throughout the book), I felt some of the language didn’t quite suit: i.e the way Susan replies to a comment from her daughter with a casual ‘No worries’. I’m not sure about anyone else (and I can’t really pass comment as I’m not a mother myself) but that particular phase didn’t sound like one you’d say to a young child or seem like the type of laid-back slang/language you would say around your child.

I also felt some of the language felt a bit..much in later parts of the books, with plenty of swearing and explicit wording. But at the same time, it was kind of raw and made sense, reflecting the way most people would speak upon learning that their daughter had been abducted.

However, I was easily able to move past this as I got deeper into the book, learning how much Susan suffered after losing Amy, which means when it comes to her making a long trip across the country to watch the execution of her daughter’s killer, I didn’t bat an eyelid. It didn’t seem unnatural that she wasn’t over it 20 years later, nor did it feel out of place when she still had certain questions and uneasy feelings about the entire investigation.

Susan’s trip sees her experiencing the worst luck to the point that some parts even felt a little unbelievable – particularly since she still managed to make the journey in the end anyway. Along the way, she meets some unlikely characters who help her – single mother Lisa and teenager Krya. She develops a nice – but short – relationship with both, which, between all the bad luck she experiences, is a nice way to move the story along.

Without giving too much away, I felt the suspicions Susan felt about the abduction and trial ended in a reveal that could have been slightly more climatic, but it was written in such a way that I genuinely felt really tense and on the edge of my seat, eager to discover if her suspicions are correct (and in-time).

Overall, I thought The Necklace had a really strong plot (which I think will transfer well to film), with a good mix of characters and an in-depth insight into what it’s like to lose a child in such a horrific way. It genuinely made me feel like I was in Susan’s shoes. The story did have some weaknesses as mentioned above, but I still thought it was a refreshing read, particularly following the story in Susan’s shoes, as a poor and troubled lady.

If you’re looking for a new thriller to read, I’d recommend The Necklace!

The Necklace: A Grieving Mother’s Quest for Justice by Matt Witten is out in paperback on 1st March, priced £8.99, published by Legend Press.