She Treads Softly: Message Deleted

Monday, February 10, 2025

Message Deleted

Message Deleted by K. L. Slater
3/3/25; 418 pages
Michael Joseph/Penguin

Message Deleted by K. L. Slater is a very highly recommended, twisty, psychological thriller.

Saffy is waiting for a job interview when she receives a text message from her best friend, Leona. It says: Can’t speak. Don’t text or call. Please just come. The next time she looks at her phone it says the message was deleted. Saffy leaves before her interview and immediately goes to Leona's house. She has reason to be concerned for Leona's safety and that of her daughter, Rosie. When she arrives, Leona opens the door. She looks upset but denies sending the message or needing help. Her husband, Ash, is there too, looking threatening with a smile on his face.

Six hours later, the police are at Saffy's door. Leona, Rosie, and Ash are missing and there was a large amount of blood at the home. Apparently, Saffy was the last one to see the family and now may be a suspect.

This is a highly entertaining, suspenseful, twisty psychological thriller that held my complete attention throughout. It is even-paced at the beginning as characters are introduced, background information is provided, and clues begin to emerge. Interspersed between the present day action are chapters from the past of the characters that show their relationships and history. As Saffy follows clues, the mystery is intriguing to follow and the tension rises.

All of the characters are portrayed as realistic individuals, with flaws and insecurities. Saffy is so overprotective of her sister, Poppy, and Leona, you may begin to question her grip on rationality, but the reason for it is explained. There is some suspension of disbelief required, mainly the actions of the police, which is easily done.

Message Deleted is a great choice for those who enjoy twisty unpredictable psychological thrillers. Thanks to Penguin for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

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John Updike's six rules for reviewing:

1. Try to understand what the author wished to do, and do not blame him for not achieving what he did not attempt.

2. Give him enough direct quotation--at least one extended passage--of the book's prose so the review's reader can form his own impression, can get his own taste.

3. Confirm your description of the book with quotation from the book, if only phrase-long, rather than proceeding by fuzzy precis.

4. Go easy on plot summary, and do not give away the ending.

5. If the book is judged deficient, cite a successful example along the same lines, from the author's oeuvre or elsewhere. Try to understand the failure. Sure it's his and not yours?

To these concrete five might be added a vaguer sixth, having to do with maintaining a chemical purity in the reaction between product and appraiser.....Review the book, not the reputation.... Better to praise and share than blame and ban. The communion between reviewer and his public is based upon the presumption of certain possible joys in reading, and all our discriminations should curve toward that end.