YOU Are One Of Them is the debut novel from American writer Elliott Holt.
It's a mystery-thriller hybrid that tells the story of Sarah Zuckerman, a girl growing up in Washington D.C. during the latter years of the Cold War, and her best friend Jennifer Jones.
From a young age, Sarah has to contend with a constant stream of tragic deaths and defections, which have marred her childhood and left her unable to let go of the past.
As an adult, she's contacted by a mysterious source in the former Soviet Union who promises her answers, taking Sarah on a journey to finally discover the truth about her best friend.
The background of nuclear annihilation and paranoia, as well as Holt's minute attention to historical detail, makes You Are One Of Them an incredibly evocative, vivid and enjoyable read.
The intermixing of present day Russia with Eighties America is executed well, enabling the reader to piece together Sarah's story so that they too become emotionally invested in finding out the truth.
It's a gripping, easy-to-read debut, but slightly let down by the ambiguous ending, which is a bit disappointing after such a strong build up.
Rating: 7/10
Review: Ali Potter
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