I’m about to give a glowing review for another page-turner from one of my favourite writers, Louise Candlish. She has made a career out of turning her sharp observation of middle-class Londoners into binge-worthy domestic noir, and the Heights doesn’t disappoint.
I’m a huge fan of the return-from-the-dead trope, and so the premise was appealing. The story begins with neurotic lighting designer Ellen Saint visiting a client. From a balcony, she spots her arch nemesis Kieran Watts living it up in a high-end apartment. As she believed him to be dead, at her own hands, she’s beyond astounded. Years ago, the nihilistic Watts visited a devastating tragedy on her family. Barely has this sunk in before Ellen is once again overwhelmed by an unquenchable thirst for vengeance.
Candlish skilfully explores the psychology of vigilantism and its moral questions for victims. The rather sensational premise is deftly explained in a way that makes sense, but is no less gripping for it.