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By: Paula Daly
ISBN: 9780802124098
Publisher: Grove Atlantic  
Publication Date:  9/15/2015
Format:  Hardcover 
My Rating:  5 Stars +  

A special thank you to Grove Atlantic and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

S C A N D A L O U S!

Paula Daly delivers an enthralling domestic psychological suspense page-turner, THE MISTAKE I MADE -- a gripping 5 stars+, making it to the my Top Books of 2015!

Roz is a single mother, a physiotherapist, a sister, a friend. She’s also desperate.

Was utterly delighted when I scored an early reading copy- "Christmas Comes Early,” with a stunning front cover, drawing you into the temptation. Anytime I see the name, “Paula Daly”my eyes light up, anxiously awaiting her next suspense masterpiece. One of my favorite authors, she delivers creativity, top shelf quality, wit, and intensity.

In her third electrifying domestic thriller, Daly takes us into the home of single mother, Roz Toovey. Roz is a hard-working single mom, struggling to keep her professional and home life balanced. She has all sorts of financial issues; a failing business, a mountain of debt, and a no-good cheating ex-husband, Winston— of little support, or assistance with their nine-year-old son, George.

Winston is like a little kid himself, a grown man with no responsibility, living with his mother, bouncing from one woman to another. Poor George loves his mom and just wants to fit in at school. He knows they need money, and your heart goes out to him, while sympathizing with the mother.

Roz, formerly a self-employed physiotherapist in England’s Lake District. When there was no more money left, she found herself at a chain on clinics, working fifty hours a week, cooped up in an airless cubicle with a production line of patients. Of course, the fruits of her labors go straight into someone else’s pocket and at the mercy of a practice manager, named Wayne. She is always rushing every day to get to the ferry, balancing her clients, with continuous calls from the school--parenting, financial, and work stress has reached its limits.

Roz is being evicted, has lost her furniture, her pride, her business, and has borrowed all the money she can from her sister. She is DESPERATE. George has issues at school, and they need money in order for food and survival. She has no clue what she will do.

When she attends her sister’s birthday party, her sister’s best friend and husband is in attendance. Scott Elias is wealthy, powerful, and married. However, the conversation turns to a subject which leads Scott to believe, she is liberal and open-minded. Could Roz be open to being his mistress? He can pay for her services. Appears to be simple. What could go wrong?

Scott shows up at her office the next day and makes a proposition. He wants one night with her. He will pay her. She can get out of debt. No strings. There is NO way she can even consider this. Or can she? Why would someone be interested in her? She does not even date?

Could this be a simple business transaction? Clean and clear-cut? Nothing is as simple as it seems. She does not see herself as sexy or a package any man would want. However, when George gets caught stealing at school, she knows she has to do something.

What comes next is a series of complex events which spirals out of control. How in the heck can this be happening? What has she gotten herself into? How does Wayne (creep) fit into the equation?

Blackmail, murder, conspiracy, illegal activities, fraud, an investigation, a stalker? A devil in disguise? What if her sister finds out about her new little side job? Little does she know, she may put her own son and herself in harm’s way?

Loved, loved this psycho-suspense! Would love to see this one played out, on the big screen--can only imagine the cast of characters. As a single mom, sympathize with Roz, as most of us have been there, trying to raise our children, and circumstances making it difficult. Desperate times call for desperate measures.At what cost?

The twists and turns are heart-pounding with head spinning action. Fans will love the revisit with DC Joanne Aspinall (from previous books). She was the perfect tenacious advocate for Roz, in order to assist her, out of this mess.

What really adds to the intensity, is the insurance guy, Henry with his background and connections--brilliant; keeping you on the edge-of-your seat to see how his character will play into the complicated saga. Loved the ending, which will leave you smiling.

Once again, Daly exceeds all expectations with an “Indecent Proposal-like” domestic addictive drama. If you have not read Daly’s previous books, highly recommend.

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