They also have distinct parts to Jess’s character. The campus action, the time Jess is in London with Lorna and then when the action moves to Sicily. It is definitely a book with distinct parts for me. He lies and manipulates everyone and this is what drives the dark undertones of the novel. Alec is probably the enigma of the group though. For me the main characters of Jess and Lorna drive the narrative, yes there is Georgie, Nate and Alec and they do provide areas of interest but they are supporting characters. She becomes involved with a group of fellow students and begins to interact with Lorna both academically but also socially. Jess was given a copy of The Truants for Christmas which was written by Lorna and this was what encouraged Jess to apply to the University of East Anglia and to the course which Lorna teaches. The characters in ‘The Truants’ are the key to this book. Was she seen? Did she want to be seen?! It’s also the randomness of the hearse.

We enjoy the voyeurism along with Jess - the excitement of seeing something so private, the shock of seeing it and then the longing that this brings. Minor spoiler ahead! It’s when Jess is circumnavigating the lake near campus and happens upon a couple having sex in a hearse. There is one scene that has been burnt into my memory from this book and it happens very early on. It’s a coming of age narrative, an obsessive thriller, a murder mystery, a character driven narrative, a level of manipulation that gives you mind f*cks and above all else an intricately weaved and plotted tale that keeps you guessing even after you have finished reading it. There is so much wrapped up in this book that I feel hard pressed to sing its praises to the level it needs. But the clever bit was that this was acknowledged by the author by featuring Christie so much that she became an additional character. As a huge Agatha Christie fan the homage to the master in ‘The Truants’ story was outstanding. I first read this last year as my first ever buddy read and I adored it. Kate Weinburg’s debut novel is just sublime.

The truants kate weinberg