In Ashley Mansour’s psychological thriller DARK UGLY PLACES, Nicola begins as a stressed hotel receptionist, widow, and single mother struggling with money and PTSD. When she sees what is apparently the same car that struck and killed her husband—belonging to famous Hollywood actor Jason Redfern—Nicola spirals into fantasies of revenge. Soon her fantasies become a reality, thanks to the well-timed machinations of her inner demons, which are more real than they seem.
Mansour deftly intertwines Nicola’s story with that of Bambi, a model and wife to the abusive Jason Redfern. Both Nicola and Bambi’s troubles escalate to propel the plot, intensifying at the same rate as Nicola loses her job and Bambi takes the brunt of Jason’s increasing violence. Suspense builds as the reader anticipates their stories merging, which they do at a chilling turning point. Tension slows to a drip in the last third as events and exposition become repetitive, but the unexpected finale and twist ending make it all worthwhile. Scenes that take place inside Nicola’s mind, delving into memories of her abusive father, provide heart-wrenching background to the combative action scenes they're interspersed with.
As Nicola's control over her life slips through her grasp and she is forced to make life-or-death decisions for herself, her daughter, and Bambi, her complexities become more apparent. Her loves, ambitions, and determination are just as compelling as her flaws and tragic past. Bambi is an archetypical model and victim of spousal abuse, while Jason is a one-dimensional villain; but with Nicola’s story layered on top of theirs, the two celebrity characters become a joy to root for and against (respectively). Meanwhile, Nicola’s teenage daughter offers a balanced and realistic portrayal of a burgeoning sense of morality in the face of unthinkable trauma; her wisdom and unique perspective are endearing.
Minor issues introduce momentary distractions. Nicola’s injured leg is described as “cold and dead” with frequency, sometimes twice on the same page in the book’s first half. Also, Emmy is a steadfast vegan who is depicted eating pork fried rice and Eggo waffles: a continuity error that was potentially missed in the editing stages. Otherwise, DARK UGLY PLACES’s fast pace and straightforward prose offer a gripping revenge story that's perfect for fans of action-driven psychological thrillers.
With fast-paced thrills and gripping psychological drama, Ashley Mansour’s DARK UGLY PLACES serves up vengeance for morally complex characters.
~ Aimée Jodoin for IndieReader