Book Review: All Is Not Forgotten by Wendy Walker

Format:  Hardback
Publisher: Harper Collins UK
Published:  12th July 2016
Pages: 310 Pages

The Blurb
In the small, affluent town of Fairview, Connecticut everything seems picture perfect.

Until one night when young Jenny Kramer is attacked at a local party. In the hours immediately after, she is given a controversial drug to medically erase her memory of the violent assault. But, in the weeks and months that follow, as she heals from her physical wounds, and with no factual recall of the attack, Jenny struggles with her raging emotional memory. Her father, Tom, becomes obsessed with his inability to find her attacker and seek justice while her mother, Charlotte, prefers to pretend this horrific event did not touch her perfect country club world.

As they seek help for their daughter, the fault lines within their marriage and their close-knit community emerge from the shadows where they have been hidden for years, and the relentless quest to find the monster who invaded their town – or perhaps lives among them – drive this psychological thriller to a shocking and unexpected conclusion.

---

The Review
Now, where do I even begin? All Is Not Forgotten is a psychological thriller, packed with punch, with droplets of emotion and pain. I loved the book to the moon and back, yes that far, and would highly recommend you go buy yourself a copy, after reading my review, of course!

Teenager, Jenny Kramer, is brutally raped at a party, but All Is Not Forgotten is not her story, it’s an account from Dr. Alan Forrester. It’s a first person narrative, which definitely gives it an edge and adds some questions – why is he telling her story? and what is his involvement?

Given the nature of the crime, I would say that be prepared for scenes of sexual violence and descriptions of rape because they do feature heavenly.

Whilst Jenny is in hospital, she is given a form of PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) treatment, typically used by patients to rid their memories of situations that have caused them distress. The drugs essentially means they will forget everything. Jenny isn’t given the choice to whether or not she wants the treatment, the decision is made be her parents.

Not only do you learn of Jenny’s recovery and the need to find out what actually happened, but you too find out some secrets about the Kramer family in general. There’s Jenny’s mother Charlotte, her father Tom and brother Lucas – Lucas doesn’t really make that much of an appearance, but Charlotte and Tom play heavily in the story. Tom is determined to find out who the rapist is and Charlotte, well, without spoiling it, she’s got secrets that effect Jenny’s treatment directly.

I do say this quite often and I’m sure you’re reading this and rolling your eyes, but I can honestly say I did not expect certain things to happen. Quite near the beginning, you automatically presume it’s one person that raped Jenny and you’re done, but no, don’t be fooled! It’s like a garden maze, one minute you’re confident that you’ve found the end, but as you turn the corner you’ll realise that you’re just not sure!

I loved this book and as I expressed at the beginning, you should definitely buy a copy!

I did read one review on Goodreads that blatantly disliked the novel, and do you know what?

I totally disagree.

I’m all for ‘everyone is entitled to an opinion’. but I’m gonna be a big hypercrite and say that they are wrong. It’s very rare I feel the need to comment on such a thing, so apologies and all, it’s just that I honestly believe this book is one of the best of 2016 and everyone should know it!

---

Connect with A Book and Tea!
Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram