Flynn’s comments on girlhood, sex and psychology are acute and fascinating and I think very well executed. As a mystery it wasn’t unpredictable, but as a study of family, inter generational trauma and depression, it was brilliant. I only wish it had leaned more into this psychological study rather than the mystery theme because everything Flynn says about these themes are so interesting that I hate for it not to make up the whole novel.

Every time people said I was pretty, I thought of everything ugly swarming beneath my clothes.