The Mistake
by
Katie McMahon
Can one decision change everything?
Publisher: Echo PublishingPublication date: 2nd March 2021
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Pages: 400
RRP: $29.99AUD
Format read: Paperback
Source: Courtesy of the publisher
About the book
Kate and Bec are sisters, but they could not be less alike.
Bec
lives the perfect life: perfect house, perfect husband, perfect
children. That is, until she meets Ryan - ten years her junior, wild and
exciting, his arrival makes her question everything she thought she
wanted.
Her sister Kate's life is anything but perfect. Her
career as a model ended dramatically over a decade ago; now she lives
alone miles from her family, and has been lonely for a long time. That
is, until she meets kind, funny Adam. But something doesn't quite add
up, and as he avoids Kate's questions, she begins to wonder if he is too
good to be true.
Bec thinks Adam is only after her sister's money, and Kate can't see why Bec would throw her life away for Ryan.
But as tensions mount and secrets are revealed, which sister is about to make a mistake?
My review
The Mistake is an outstanding and impressive debut by Australian author Katie McMahon.
Kate was a successful model working around the world when her career ended suddenly. She now pursues an academic career. Her younger sister Bec, a doctor's wife, lives the perfect life; a handsome husband, a beautiful house and three gorgeous children. Everything Kate aspires to.
There is something between the sisters, simmering menacingly, something that's never been discussed but changed the course of both their lives irrevocably.
The dual narrative gives the reader a greater sense of the sisters' relationship and how each of them feels. With Kate's in first person I found her character more open and vulnerable, than the third person narrative of Bec.
As Katie's life finally starts to be looking up in the romance department Bec's life and marriage are falling apart. When Bec starts to get attention from the much younger Ryan she can't resist the urge to break free. Kate and Bec will always be there for each other and tell each other everything. Or do they? Katie McMahon explores the bond between sisters, beauty, sexuality and fidelity.
I had a small idea of what was going on but I had no idea where McMahon was taking this and found this shrewdly plotted novel both believable and well executed.
McMahon gives the reader a deep insight into the sisters innermost thoughts, fears and the events that bind them together and tear them apart. Delivered in two intertwining plot lines The Mistake held my interest from start to finish.
In this genre defying novel McMahon mixes family drama with romance, suspense, humour and satire. Her writing is sharp, succinct and delivered with a wry wit.
The Mistake is honest, heartfelt and engaging. I'm looking forward to more from Katie McMahon.
4.5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
About the author
Katie McMahon wrote The Mistake while attending a masterclass run by the internationally bestselling author Fiona McIntosh. Previous writers discovered at the masterclasses include Tania Blanchard, author of the runaway bestseller The Girl from Munich (50k+ copies sold in ANZ). Katie has lived in London and Melbourne and is now based with her family in Hobart, Tasmania. She is a trained doctor, works as a GP and teaches communication skills to medical students. The Mistake is her first novel.
Challenges entered: Australian Women Writers Challenge #AWW2021
Aussie Author Challenge #AussieAuthor21