Sally Diamond is known for being … ‘strange’. This isn’t really a problem when you never leave your house. But when her father dies and there is a bit of a ‘miscommunication’ on what to do with his dead body, the spotlight is cast directly on her. Who is Sally Diamond?
Now Sally, a middle-aged woman, has to step out into the world. Make adult decisions. Make friends. And learn about her childhood.
I went into this book completely unaware of what I was picking up. As I started reading and learning about Sally, I thought to myself, ‘Oh, another book like The Maid’. This will be cute!
Cute is the worst word to describe this book. It’s dark. It’s intimidating and it comes with a long list of trigger warnings … and I loved it.
Nugent does an excellent job staying true to Sally. Sally is complex and layered. There is a skill to present to the reader MC Sally, a middle aged adult with severe mental short comings, as well as Nugent did. The slow reveal of all the horrors, keeping the timelines weaving around each other, taking the reader on a slow motion whirlwind of a journey … Nugent excelled.
Although the overall ending gave me ‘meh’ vibes, I disagree with a few reviewers that I loved Peter’s ending. To me, it’s the most realistic outcome for him and what he has been carrying with him his entire life.
I started with 3 stars when I finished. As I was reflecting to write this review I realized what mastery this novel is. I struggle to even find the words because I want to avoid giving away too much so you, reader, can go in blind and be as curiously surprised as I was. I would recommend this novel to you, my reader friends.
Amazon Link – Strange Sally Diamond By: Liz Nugent
Stats: 312 pages – First published July 18, 2024
cmacs paperbacks 
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