Book Review: The Puppet Master by Abigail Osborne

The Puppet Master by Abigail Osborne

Summary:
Manipulated by fear and love…could you cut the strings and take back control?

Billie’s hiding from the world, believing it to be the only way to take control of her life as she lives in fear of the man who nearly destroyed her. But what she doesn’t realise is that she’s exactly where he wants her; isolated and afraid. A chance meeting with budding journalist Adam sparks a relationship that could free her from the terror that controls her. But will Adam be able to see the real Billie buried under her terror and pain?

Adam knows exactly who Billie is and is determined to expose her and get justice for the lives she ruined. But first, he needs to convince her to open up to him but as unwanted attraction and feelings blossom between them, Adam is forced to realise that all is not as it seems.

Most of their lives have been unknowingly governed by the desires and needs of someone who considers himself their master. He has influenced and shaped them for years, meticulously weaving a web of lies and control around them. Can Billie and Adam survive the betrayals in store and cut the strings that bind them?

One thing is for sure. The master wants his puppets back – and he’ll do anything to keep them.

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This is one of those books that even when I was only partway through it, I already wanted to recommend it to people. I was already enamoured with the book that I was thinking of the best ways to push it on people. Abigail has written a very sensitive topic with incredible skill. She’s captured the essence of all the emotions people can go through in a truly magnificent way. Her main protagonist Billie has been through a lot and it shows how talented Abigail is that she has created such a believable and truthful character in Billie. I was awed by how realistic everything was and how Abigail really got to the bottom of every single emotion.

One of the things that I am well aware can make or break a novel is how well a sensitive topic is handled and Abigail has shown that she can handle it perfectly. Repulsion flew off me in waves as I read the story as well as anger and sadness but also jubilance and hope. Abigail has not romanticized or trivalised anything but left it raw and open, like it should be represented. The bare and disturbing truth of it all.

I cannot express how much I loved this book. It was intense, powerful and full of raw emotions. It showed the world as it can be both dark and light, showing that the world isn’t just black and white too. It was just a wonderfully brilliant book and I cannot urge you enough to pick it up and read it. I am 100% sure that you will not regret it.

*please note* There are triggers in this book as it contains violence, manipulation, sexual, domestic and emotional abuse. It also contains PTSD, anxiety and depression.