Book Review: Second Life by S.J. Watson

Second Life: A Novel by S.J. Watson
Publisher: Harper
Release Date: June 9, 2015
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Publisher’s Description:

How well can you really know another person? How far would you go to find the truth about someone you love?

When Julia learns that her sister has been violently murdered, she must uncover why. But Julia’s quest quickly evolves into an alluring exploration of own darkest sensual desires. Becoming involved with a dangerous stranger online, she’s losing herself . . . losing control . . . perhaps losing everything. Her search for answers will jeopardize her marriage, her family, and her life.

After Julia’s sister Kate is murdered, Julia learns that Kate had been a member of an Internet hookup website. Julia joins the site with the intention of investigating her sister’s murder but soon finds herself in way over her head.

I really liked the author’s first book, Before I Go to Sleep, and was hoping that this book would be just as good. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. Firstly, Julia is supposed to be a devoted mother but she appears to have little to no interaction with her son, even at the beginning of the book before she gets involved with the Internet hookup website. Secondly, parts of the book are repetitive and could have been edited down. Finally, there are plenty of surprising plot twists but they required a healthy suspension of disbelief and relied too much on improbable coincidences.

I’m afraid Second Life is the victim of the dreaded sophomore slump.

(I received a complimentary  review copy of this book.)