The Perfect Girl

Gilly MacMillan

This is a story about Zoe, a teenage musical prodigy and her family. At fourteen Zoe was convicted of having caused the death of four teenagers. Now she is back trying to resurrect the career that stalled and appeared over with her conviction and time spent in The Unit. A concert with Lucas, her stepbrother (another prodigy)  is the first performance of her Second Chance Life. But plans have a way of being thwarted. The death of Zoe’s mother fractures the structure of
The story is told from several viewpoints of those involved in events that lead to the death of Zoe’s mother. Been told in different voices and in short chapters makes for an intriguing read. With themes as varied as domestic violence, infidelity, substance abuse and how we as humans try to move on from the greatest upheavals in our lives, I found it compelling reading. Rather than a great thriller, The Perfect Girl is a excellent page turner, a touching insight into a bright future comprised by one mistake.