Christine Mangan

Arriving in Tangier with her new husband only to encounter the estranged best friend she has not seen in more than a year, Alice allows her friend to introduce her to the rhythms and culture of Morocco, only to be quickly stifled by the woman's controlling nature.--

a novel

Tangerine

'Girl on a Train meets The Talented Mr Ripley under the Moroccan sun. Unputdownable' The Times The perfect read for fans of Daphne du Maurier and Patricia Highsmith, set in 1950s Morocco, Tangerine is a gripping psychological literary thriller. The last person Alice Shipley expected to see since arriving in Tangier with her new husband was Lucy Mason. After the horrific accident at Bennington, the two friends - once inseparable roommates - haven't spoken in over a year. But Lucy is standing there, trying to make things right. Perhaps Alice should be happy. She has not adjusted to life in Morocco, too afraid to venture out into the bustling medinas and oppressive heat. Lucy, always fearless and independent, helps Alice emerge from her flat and explore the country. But soon a familiar feeling starts to overtake Alice - she feels controlled and stifled by Lucy at every turn. Then Alice's husband, John, goes missing, and Alice starts to question everything around her: her relationship with her enigmatic friend, her decision to ever come to Tangier, and her very own state of mind. Tangerine is an extraordinary debut, so tightly wound, so evocative of 1950s Tangier, and so cleverly plotted that it will leave you absolutely breathless.

A Novel

ljuza

Cindi Coan

** spoiler alert **
           I can see why there are comparisons to Patricia Highsmith because this reminded me throughout the book of the Talented Mr. Ripley. The main character's last name is even the soundalike, Shipley. That kind of put me off, I think. I wouldn't say derivative, as I don't want to seem too negative, but it was not exactly inspired either. To call it inspired would imply a freshness that this story lacked. 

The set up was promising and I like stories with unreliable narrators and this one has 2, which was a challenge, but did push me to finish. However, I didn't feel the last few chapters were as strong as the earlier ones and the writing became more ambiguous as it reached the end, and as a result, it was a frustrating ending. Maybe that was the author's intent, and it certainly had the vagueness of an old movie ending, hence the Hitchcock reference by Oates placed on the cover. I like my books to resolve clearer, making connections that were there all along, clues for me to catch which, as a reader, makes me feel I connected to the author's intent. That's my preference for this type of mystery novel, so I didn't care for the ending, which felt hasty and vague. There was even a character that showed up and seemed like he was going to be important and then never returned like he was part of an earlier draft maybe.

I just didn't know what this story wanted to be and in the end, I was not satisfied that the author did either. 2 stars because I finished it, but I won't be handing it to my friends and family.

LOVED IT SO MUCH!!!! It reminds me of the show you, but set in the 1950’s, and wlw. I love Lucy, even tho she’s the villain, she has so many traits I love. An easy read, I went through it in 3 days. I definitely recommend. One of my absolute favourites.

Ruth Parker 

I read some reviews of this before I started reading - spoiler free, of course - and the majority of them from friends are people I follow were pretty negative. 
I guess this means I went in with low expectations, which increased my enjoyment as I actually had a good time reading this book. 
My one criticism is just how much it reminded me of The Talented Mr Ripley by Patricia Highsmith. It was very familiar reading through. But I enjoyed it anyway!

Tangerine a novel

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