The Madison Gap is the second novel by talented New Zealand novelist Patricia Donovan. Her first novel, The Remarkable Miss Digby, was historical fiction, but this time around, Patricia has written a thought-provoking, tension-filled contemporary novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Opening in Sydney 2017, Lexi is enjoying a comfortable life with her husband Conor in the laid-back suburb of Glebe. She loves her husband, enjoys her work, and is content with her life. But then her older sister, Chrissy, arrives for a couple of days that turns into a visit where she is staying indefinitely. Lexi’s comfortable life becomes fraught, and her world begins to unravel when her sister contradicts the memories of their years growing up, and dark family secrets are slowly revealed. As time progresses, Lexi’s marriage is in trouble, she can’t concentrate at work, and she is increasingly paranoid about everything and everyone.
This is a superb novel that slowly draws you into the world of two utterly different sisters, one a sociopath, the other struggling to sift the truth from the lies. Patricia was inspired to write this book after learning the chilling statistic that one in twenty-five Americans is a sociopath – although most are outwardly ordinary – and that got her thinking…
The Madison Gap has well-constructed characters and a slightly claustrophobic atmosphere as the story moves to a climactic ending. It’s a study of two sisters and how the same events in families can be viewed entirely differently. A fascinating, enjoyable read.
Reviewer: Karen McMillan
Mary Egan Publishing, RRP 29.95