I’m happy to be on tour with damppebbles again, this time for psychological suspense novel The Memories We Bury by H.A. Leuschel. Do you like villains that look respectable, helpful, and friendly, while hiding their inner narcissistic soul? Slow-burning suspense that absorbs your complete attention? Psychological depth? Then keep reading, because this is a novel for you.
The Memories We Bury by H.A. Leuschel
Genre: psychological suspense
Publication: 29 July 2020, paperback and digital
An emotionally charged and captivating novel about the complexities of female friendship and motherhood
Lizzie Thomson has landed her first job as a music teacher, and after a whirlwind romance with Markus, the newlywed couple move into a beautiful new home in the outskirts of Edinburgh. Lizzie quickly befriends their neighbour Morag, an elderly, resourceful yet lonely widow, whose own children rarely visit her. Everything seems perfect in Lizzie’s life until she finds out she is pregnant and her relationship with both Morag and Markus change beyond her control.
Can Lizzie really trust Morag and why is Markus keeping secrets from her?
In The Memories We Bury the author explores the dangerous bonds we can create with strangers and how past memories can cast long shadows over the present.
My thoughts
I’ll admit it: It took me a while to get into the flow of this book. (This may reflect my current state of mind, rather than any problem with the storytelling.) Gradually, though, Lizzie and Morag’s story absorbed me until it commanded my entire attention. It’s a bit like how Morag gradually takes over Lizzie’s life . . . But I’m getting ahead of myself.
Narrative
There’s a lot of introspection from both women–perhaps too much?–particularly in the first part of the book. Not many big external actions happen: no bombs go off, no gruesome murders are uncovered, no one pulls a gun on anyone else. This is psychological suspense, but even for that genre, it’s low-key. The book is quiet, save the minor drama of child-birthing, and the conflict simmers for a long time before reaching a boiling point.
There’s quite a bit of backstory on both main characters, particularly Lizzie. Itching to get to the “real story,” I initially felt that much of this could’ve been cut or woven into the present-day narrative. (To an extent, I still feel that way.) However, after a certain point it became clear why Leuschel included so much about Lizzie’s background. As readers, we need to know why:
Why sweet, quiet Lizzie marries Markus-the-obvious-jerk.
Why Lizzie is so isolated.
And most importantly, why Lizzie allows Morag to take over her life, including everything related to her baby.
Without knowing that why, most readers would find it baffling that Lizzie doesn’t tell Morag to stuff it and go home. She’s susceptible to the older woman’s overly-helpful (controlling!) ways because of her family background.
As I mentioned, the book is a slow-burning suspense. But Leuschel gradually turns up the temperature as the book progresses. It’s subtle, barely noticeable, but it’s there. As I read, I developed a sense of uneasiness about what might happen. With such a warped character, what might happen if she’s pushed too far? What is she capable of doing?
Characters
Lizzie and Morag take turns telling the story. I could hear the women’s voices while I read. (In my head. Not audibly!) Morag’s voice, with her self-justified, self-centered, self-deluded thoughts, was particularly loud and clear. Leuschel does a great job diving deep into the murky psyche of a disturbed individual, enough that it was uncomfortable to read–yet I couldn’t stop reading.
Morag’s voice compelled my attention, even when I wanted to break free of her. If I felt that way as a real person, separated by the line between reality and illusion, what hope did fictional Lizzie have?
Sometimes both tell about the same incident from their respective points of view. I found those parts especially fascinating. They highlight just how abnormal Morag’s actions are and how her interpretations are different from a normal person’s. While Lizzie isn’t a poster child for emotionally healthy adult, she’s still not as “off” as narcissistic Morag.
Leuschel’s portrayal of a narcissistic (with some psychopathic tendencies, I suspect) manipulating other people is psychologically compelling and eerie.
Recommended
I recommend The Memories We Bury to fans of psychological suspense. I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Buy the book!
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/312QmDI
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/310tsN5
About H.A. Leuschel
Helene Andrea Leuschel gained a Master in Journalism & Communication, which led to a career in radio and television in Brussels, London and Edinburgh. She later acquired a Master in Philosophy, specializing in the study of the mind. Helene has a particular interest in emotional, psychological and social well-being and this led her to write her first novel, Manipulated Lives, a fictional collection of five novellas, each highlighting the dangers of interacting with narcissists. She lives with her husband and two children in Portugal.
Social Media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HALeuschel
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HALeuschel/
Website: https://www.heleneleuschel.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haleuschel/
For more psychological suspense about young mothers, read my review of Woman on the Edge by Samantha M. Bailey.
Thank you so much for reading and reviewing my book for the Book Tour! I’m so glad you liked my novel :-)
You’re welcome! A pleasure to do it.
Thanks so much x