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| Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) |
"I watched you pick live insects off their glassy walls, hold them in the palm of your hand, pull off their limbs, crush them between your fingers."
If you love psychological thrillers that play with your mind and make you question every character’s motive, Roofboy by Jess Blatchley is definitely for you. This novel centers on Sasha Marsh, a mother living a quiet life in Cotswold village, who will do anything to make sure her seven-year-old son, Gabriel, grows up happy, safe, and healthy.
To everyone around her, Sasha seems overly cautious, even overprotective. People think that her behavior comes from deep trauma: she spent years living with a man she describes as a psychopath, and even after they separated, he didn’t leave them alone. In a terrifying incident when Gabriel was still a baby, her ex-husband kidnapped him. Given that history, it’s easy to understand why Sasha is so guarded, or is it?
Here’s the twist no one sees coming: Sasha isn’t just trying to protect Gabriel from the world. She is trying to protect the world from Gabriel.
This story is packed with "surprises" from start to finish, and I was hooked from the very first page. It begins by hinting that Gabriel may have psychopathic tendencies indicating that he could follow in his father's dark footsteps. But just when you think you have it all figured out, the story shifts. Midway through, a shocking revelation about Sasha’s past makes you wonder: is Gabriel really dangerous, or is everything happening just inside Sasha’s head? Maybe Gabriel is just a normal, energetic little boy, and Sasha’s trauma is distorting her reality.
Then comes the ending, a catastrophic, intense event that turns everything upside down again. Suddenly, you’re asking the same questions Sasha asks herself: What if Gabriel really is a psychopath? What if he truly is capable of hurting people? That rollercoaster of doubt, fear, and uncertainty is what I love most in a thriller. It kept me on the edge of my seat, constantly changing my mind about what was true and who I should believe.
Beyond the brilliant plot, Roofboy shines in other aspects too. Blatchley’s writing style is engaging and easy to follow, with a smooth pace that never feels too slow or rushed. The characters feel real and human, especially Sasha. I found myself deeply sympathizing with her struggles, and by the time I reached the final chapters, I was almost in tears over what she endures.
Roofboy isn’t just a story about a mother and son; it’s a gripping exploration of trauma, perception, and the terrifying question of whether darkness is something you learn or something you’re born with. If you’re looking for a thriller that challenges your assumptions and stays with you long after you finish reading, this one is a must-read.
Trigger Warning: Domestic Violence
Thank you to Cranthorpe Millner Publishers and NetGalley for providing me with the review copy.
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