Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent

This book? Oh, he waited. Sat on my TBR for a whole year, patient, loyal, like a quiet little weirdo whispering (literally), “Whenever you’re ready…” And I, chaotic reader that I am, ignored him for months. But the moment I opened Strange Sally Diamond, he looked at me like, “Finally. Took you long enough.” And yes, he was 100% worth the wait.

This is hands-down my favorite read of 2025 so far, and here’s my full dissection of Strange Sally Diamond. You’ll find a summary, my review, the timeline explained, the ending explained, and a super helpful FAQ.

Let’s jump in!

Spoiler-Free Zone
This section of the post is completely spoiler-free, no twists revealed, no key plot points given away. It’s safe to keep reading, even if you haven’t started the book yet.

💎

Strange Sally Diamond is a dark, emotional, and deeply human story that quietly broke my heart. With no need for graphic scenes or shock twists, Liz Nugent delivers a haunting, layered narrative about trauma, survival, and the messy, beautiful process of healing. Sally is one of the most unforgettable characters I’ve ever read, awkward, honest, and unexpectedly moving, and following her journey was as heartbreaking as it was hopeful.
It isn’t just a five-star read, it’s a truly diamond read.

Strange Sally Diamond – Book Synopsis

Published 2 March 2023

Sally Diamond cannot understand why what she did was so strange. She was only doing what her father told her to do, to put him out with the rubbish when he died.

Now Sally is the centre of attention, not only from the hungry media and worried police, but also a sinister voice from a past she has no memory of. As she begins to discover the horrors of her childhood, recluse Sally steps into the world for the first time, making new friends, finding independence, and learning that people don’t always mean what they say.

But when messages start arriving from a stranger who knows far more about her past than she knows herself, Sally’s life will be thrown into chaos once again . . .

Goodreads Rating

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Title	Strange Sally Diamond
Author	Julie Clark
Genre	Mistery Thriller
Format	384 pages, Hardback
Published	2 Mar. 2023, Sandycove
ISBN 10	1844885968
ASIN 13	978-1844885961
Language	English
Awards	Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Nominee for (shortlist) (2024), Best Irish Crime Fiction (2023)

Author’s Bio – Liz Nugent

Liz Nugent was born in Dublin in 1967, where she still lives. A versatile writer, she has worked across soap opera, radio drama, TV, short stories, and children’s animation. Her debut novel, Unravelling Oliver (2014), won the Ireland AM Crime Novel of the Year and was longlisted for the 2016 International Dublin Literary Award. Her second novel, Lying in Wait (2016), was a No. 1 bestseller and won the RTÉ Listener’s Choice Award. Liz has received several prestigious bursaries and was Writer in Residence at the Princess Grace Irish Library in Monaco. She also teaches, curates literary events, and speaks publicly about writing.

Check her Official Website: Liz Nugent

Consider adding Strange Sally Diamond to your TBR list on Goodreads.

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Strange Sally Diamond – Quick Summary

Strange Sally Diamond – Trigger Warnings, Sensitive Topics and Age Rating

Before we go any further, I always like to include a quick note on sensitive content. Every reader is different, and some themes in this book might be difficult for certain people.

If you prefer to check content warnings before reading, just click below to reveal the list of trigger warnings, sensitive topics and age ratting.

Age Rating

17+ / Adult
This book is best suited for mature readers due to its dark themes, psychological content, and disturbing subject matter.

Trigger Warnings / Sensitive Topics:

Child abuse (emotional, physical, and psychological)
Kidnapping and captivity
Pedophilia
Child grooming and manipulation
Death of a parent
Murder
Mental illness/psychological trauma
Institutional abuse
Suicide and suicidal ideation
Social isolation and bullying
Medical trauma/illness
Grief and loss
References to sexual abuse (non-graphic but implied)

Notes

This book includes a range of sensitive topics that may be distressing for some readers. While the writing is literary and not overly graphic, the themes are emotionally heavy and complex.

Plot Overview

Strange Sally Diamond begins with a moment that is both bizarre and deeply revealing. One morning, Sally wakes up to find that her father has died. Remembering something he always told her, “When I die, just put me in the bin,” she tries to follow his instructions exactly as he said. What she sees as a practical response quickly draws the attention of the police, the media, and her small community.

Sally is a 42-year-old woman living in rural Ireland. She has always been different, socially awkward, blunt, and deeply sheltered. Raised by her adoptive parents, both of whom were very protective, Sally has never fully understood why she struggles to connect with people or why she remembers nothing before the age of seven.

As the story unfolds, Sally discovers a series of letters left behind by her father. These letters begin to reveal the truth about her early life, truths that are horrifying and life-altering. With each revelation, Sally starts to piece together her identity, coming to terms with a childhood marked by trauma, captivity, and abuse.

At the same time, we follow a parallel narrative from Peter, a man living in New Zealand, whose past slowly begins to connect with Sally’s in unexpected and chilling ways. His story adds depth to the mystery and raises the emotional stakes even further

My Thoughts

What I Loved

Sally! How could anyone not love her? You only need to read the first two paragraphs from her point of view to feel completely intrigued. She’s so well-developed, layered, and authentic, and at times, unexpectedly funny. Don’t get me wrong, this story will absolutely break your heart. It’s a deeply sad story, but Sally’s presence at the heart of it draws you in even more, making you care intensely about the past that brought her here.

I couldn’t put the book down because of her. You want to follow Sally, to watch her grow, and you root for every step forward she takes. Each small victory in her emotional progress felt like a personal win. I found myself thinking, Yes, Sally! You go, girl. You deserve this!

Her journey is impossible to ignore, even as it unfolds alongside so much trauma and darkness. She’s a truly unique character, and without a doubt, one of the biggest strengths of this book.

What Surprised Me

One thing that really surprised me was how Liz Nugent handles the darker themes in Strange Sally Diamond. As someone who actually enjoys twisted, intense stories with vivid and sometimes graphic details, I was impressed by how she conveys the weight of trauma without leaning on shock value. The horror is absolutely there, but it’s felt, not shown. She focuses on the emotional and psychological aftermath rather than explicit scenes, and somehow that makes it even more haunting.

What really stood out to me was how the book explores the way relationships, good, bad, or absent, shape how someone copes with trauma. It shows how the presence or absence of love and support can change everything. The way Sally connects with people, or struggles to, adds so much emotional depth. It made me think about how recovery isn’t a straight line, and how much it depends on who’s around you.

It’s a dark story, but it’s handled with care, It left me thinking, not just about Sally, but about how people carry pain, and what it means to keep going.

Vibe Check

The overall vibe of Strange Sally Diamond is a mix of unsettling darkness and quiet hope. The story is told through a dual timeline, and each side brings a very different emotional experience. In the present-day chapters, we follow Sally’s point of view. These parts are still heavy, but easier to move through because of how Sally sees the world. She’s trying to fit in, understand people, and build a life outside the one she has always known. Her voice adds unexpected moments of humor, awkwardness, and even warmth. It can be sad, yes, but also oddly uplifting at times.

On the other hand, the chapters that take place in the past, told from another pov (no spoilers), carry most of the book’s darkness. This is where the trauma lives. These sections are cold, disturbing, and often difficult to read. There is emotional and psychological violence, and a deep sense of discomfort that lingers. The contrast between the two timelines is striking, and it creates a haunting tension that pulls you through the book. It is not just dark for the sake of being dark, it is layered, human, and deeply emotional.

What Didn’t Work for Me

If I had to mention one thing that didn’t fully land for me, it would be the ending, specifically the point where the two timelines come together. After such a strong and intense build-up, that moment felt a little too quick. I just wanted more time to see how Sally really processes everything, how her past and present collide, and what that means for her going forward. The resolution made sense, and it worked, but I was hoping for a deeper look into her emotional growth, especially after everything she’s been through. Then again, maybe that’s just me not wanting to say goodbye.

I got so attached to Sally that I would’ve happily stayed with her for a few more chapters.

About The Plot Twist

If you’re expecting a big, shocking plot twist, this isn’t that kind of story. There’s no jaw-dropping moment or dramatic reveal. Instead, Liz Nugent gives us all the pieces as the story slowly unfolds. By the time you reach the end, everything just clicks into place like a puzzle. It’s not about surprise, it’s about understanding. It’s more haunting than shocking, and honestly, that worked perfectly for me, and for a story like this.

Conclusion

Strange Sally Diamond isn’t your typical dark thriller filled with graphic violence or horror. It’s more like a fast-paced mystery with strong emotional depth, almost a psychological drama, if that makes sense. It handles dark themes, yes, but in a thoughtful and restrained way.

I honestly can’t believe I waited so long to read this book. Sally is such a unique and unforgettable character, and her story pulled me in completely. This book explores trauma, abuse, and the lasting effects of childhood horror, but it also shows how two people who experienced similar pain can cope in completely different ways.

It’s emotional, dark, and deeply human, and one of the best reads I’ve picked up in a long time.

Some Book Quotes

“Dad told me that my mind worked perfectly but that I was emotionally disconnected. I was his life’s work, he said. I asked him if he could reconnect the emotions and he said all he and Mum could do was love me and hope that, one day, I would learn to love them back.”

“I’m not a child locked in a room. Violence is almost never an appropriate response. You can use your voice. You can walk away.”

“He was no longer he, it was a body, an ‘it’, in a domestic incinerator beside a barn in a field beside a house at the end of a lane.”

Strange Sally Diamond – Full Spoilers

Contains Major Spoilers
If you haven’t finished the book yet, you might want to bookmark this page and come back later. I’ll be diving into important plot points, big twists, and key character details.
Read on only if you’re ready for the full story!

Strange Sally Diamond – Character List

Character Name	Character Role
Sally Diamond (Mary Norton)	The protagonist, a socially deficient woman uncovering her traumatic past as Denise and Conor’s daughter.
Peter Geary (Steve Armstrong)	Sally’s biological brother, who reconnects with her under a false identity and later flees.
Amanda	Sally’s niece, born to Peter and Lindy, adopted out, and performs at a concert in the epilogue, symbolizing hope.
Angela Caffrey	Sally’s mother’s business partner and friend, a GP who supports Sally after Tom’s death and uncovers Mark’s true identity.
Anubha	A divorced Indian woman in Carricksheedy, a friend of Sally who briefly suspects Mark’s intentions.
Aunt Christine	Sally’s mother’s sister, who provides emotional support and reveals details about Sally’s past.
Caroline	A local woman in Carricksheedy who clashes with Sally, escalating tensions at a party.
Conor Geary	Sally and Peter’s biological father, a psychopathic kidnapper who abducted Denise and died in a car fire in 1985.
Denise Norton	Sally and Peter’s biological mother, kidnapped by Conor, gave birth to them in captivity, and died in a psychiatric hospital.
Detective Inspector Baskin	A Dublin detective who investigates the origins of the teddy bear Toby sent to Sally.
Detective Inspector Howard	A detective who informs Sally about Conor Geary’s crimes and Peter’s potential involvement.
Elaine Beatty	Mark’s ex-wife, who provides Angela with information about Mark’s true identity as Peter Geary.
Fernanda	A Brazilian woman in Carricksheedy, part of Sally’s new social circle.
Fergus	A child in Carricksheedy who throws stones at Sally’s window, prompting community interaction.
Geoff Barrington	Sally’s solicitor, who handles Tom’s estate and advises her on legal matters.
Ger McCarthy	A Carricksheedy neighbor who attends Sally’s party and supports her integration into the community.
Georgia (Auntie Georgia)	Rangi’s aunt in New Zealand, who searches for him after his disappearance.
Ian	A librarian in Roscommon who runs community groups, mentioned in Tom’s letter to Sally.
James Armstrong	Conor Geary’s alias in New Zealand, Sally and Peter’s father, who died in a car fire.
Jean Diamond	Sally’s adoptive mother, a compassionate doctor who died when Sally was young, shaping her upbringing.
Kate Ngata	A podcaster from Hoani Mata Productions, investigating Peter’s past and contacting him about his origins.
Kieran	A Carricksheedy neighbor who attends Sally’s party with his wife, Stella.
Laura	A Carricksheedy neighbor who joins Sally’s social circle and attends her party.
Lindy Weston (Linda)	A woman kidnapped by Conor and later Peter, Amanda’s mother, who died in 2012.
Lorraine	Aunt Christine’s friend, who attends Uncle Donald’s funeral and interacts with Sally.
Lucas	A man at Sally’s music job who interrupts her playing and offers her part-time work.
Maduka	A child in Carricksheedy who breaks Sally’s window, prompting her to engage with the community.
Margaret	Conor Geary’s sister, who wrote to Sally about their mother’s death and family history.
Mark Butler	Mark is Sally’s biological uncle who enters her life under the guise of a stranger, eventually becoming a supportive but sometimes tense presence as she uncovers her past.
Martha	A Carricksheedy neighbor who befriends Sally but later reveals harsh truths about Tom and Jean.
Nadine	Angela’s partner, an interior designer who helps Sally with her new cottage and social integration.
Nurse Crawley	A nurse at St Mary’s Hospital during Denise’s institutionalization, distressed by an inquiry.
Rangi	Rangi was Peter’s neighbor and only friend in New Zealand.
Rodrigo	A Brazilian man in Carricksheedy, part of Sally’s new social circle.
Sandra	A librarian in Roscommon who runs community groups, mentioned in Tom’s letter.
Sean	A child in Carricksheedy who throws stones at Sally’s window, prompting community interaction.
Stella	A Carricksheedy neighbor involved with a homeless charity, who attends Sally’s party.
Stuart Lynch	The bank manager who handles Sally’s financial arrangements after Tom’s death.
Sue	A Carricksheedy neighbor and friend who supports Sally’s social growth and shopping trips.
Tina	Sally’s therapist, who helps her manage anger and navigate social interactions.
Tom Diamond	Sally’s adoptive father, a psychiatrist who raised her protectively and left revealing letters.
Uncle Donald	Aunt Christine’s husband, whose funeral Sally attends, prompting further revelations.
Udo	A Carricksheedy neighbor who hosts a party where Sally socializes and meets Mark.
Valerie	A Carricksheedy neighbor who plays the accordion at Sally’s party, fostering community bonds.

Strange Sally Diamond FAQ

Strange Sally Diamond isn’t your typical mystery thriller. It reads more like a character-driven drama with a touch of mystery. The pacing is fast, but instead of big plot twists or shocking discoveries, the story unfolds gradually, focusing on emotional depth and character development.

The story is set primarily in two countries. Sally’s present-day narrative takes place in rural Ireland, where she has lived her entire life. The second point of view, which explores events from the past, also begins in Ireland but later shifts to New Zealand. Toward the end, we learn that Peter eventually fled to America under a new identity, although that setting is mentioned briefly and never fully developed.

Sally’s biological parents are Conor Geary and Denise Norton. Conor was a disturbed man who worked as a dentist and had a long history of abuse. He kidnapped Denise when she was just eight years old and kept her captive for over a decade. During that time, Denise gave birth to two children: Peter (also known as Steven) when she was only 12, and Mary (later renamed Sally) when she was 19.

Mark is Sally’s biological uncle, the brother of her birth mother, Denise Norton. He enters Sally’s life later in the story, initially as a stranger, and eventually reveals his family connection. Mark becomes a supportive figure, showing a genuine interest in Sally’s well-being and encouraging her to reconnect with her past and her identity. Though their relationship is sometimes tense, Mark represents a link to Sally’s real family and plays a quiet but important role in her emotional journey.

Peter is Sally’s biological brother, born when their mother, Denise, was still a child and being held captive by Conor Geary, their abusive father. He was raised in complete isolation. After a break-in at the house where Conor was keeping Denise and Sally, he decided to flee the country under a new identity, taking Peter with him. They changed their names, and Peter became known as Steven (or Steve) Armstrong. From a young age, Peter was deeply manipulated. Conor made him believe he had an incurable and highly contagious illness, convincing him that no one could touch him. This lie kept Peter away from school, friendships, and any outside contact, creating a deep and lasting sense of fear, confusion, and isolation.

Amanda Heron is the daughter of Peter (also known as Steven Armstrong) and Linda Weston. Her mother, Linda, was abducted and held captive by Conor Geary, making Amanda Sally’s biological niece. Amanda was adopted and raised in New Zealand, unaware of her full family history for most of her life. She is briefly introduced earlier in the book, but the epilogue, set in 2022, gives her a voice and perspective. Amanda is now a young adult, a talented musician performing in Auckland, and her appearance in the final chapter adds a note of hope and continuity to the story.

The two new uncles mentioned at the end of the book are Paul and Gary Weston, the biological brothers of Amanda’s mother, Lindy Weston. After Lindy’s death, DNA testing confirmed her identity and linked her to her surviving family. Paul and Gary had lived their entire lives not knowing what happened to their sister, and in the epilogue, they finally meet Amanda, their niece, for the first time.

In the UK/Irish edition of Strange Sally Diamond, the story ends on a somber and unresolved way. After the major revelations about her past and Peter’s departure, Sally also learns the painful truth about her adoptive parents. Tom, who she believed had cared for her, was in fact abusive toward Jean and had treated Sally more like an experiment than a daughter. What makes this even more devastating is that people close to her, like Angela and Auntie Christine, had known the truth and kept it from her.

This betrayal, combined with the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, pushes Sally further into isolation.
She cuts off contact with friends and family, stops therapy, and withdraws completely from her community.

The book closes with Sally living alone, emotionally shut down and disconnected from those who care about her, leaving readers with a deep sense of sadness and no clear resolution. This ending reflects the long-lasting effects of trauma and the reality that healing is not always straightforward. Unlike the US edition, which includes a hopeful letter encouraging Sally to reconnect, the Irish version stays darker and more emotionally complex, offering no easy closure, just the weight of everything Sally has endured.

The epilogue, set in 2022, shifts to Amanda’s point of view, Peter’s and Lindy’s daughter and Sally’s biological niece. Now a young adult living in New Zealand, Amanda is a talented pianist performing at a music festival in Auckland. Earlier in the book, we learn that Amanda was involved in developing a podcast about her mother’s disappearance. But in the epilogue, she shares that she chose to step away from it. While she still allowed the podcast to be released, she didn’t want her name associated with it.

Amanda explains that she wants to be known for who she is, not defined by a story full of trauma and sadness. It’s a quiet but powerful moment that speaks to her desire for a future shaped on her own terms. She also mentions meeting two new uncles, Paul and Gary Weston, her mother Lindy’s brothers, which suggests that some family connection and healing is beginning to take root.

Conor Geary, Sally and Peter’s biological father, is the main antagonist of the story. He abducted Denise when she was just eight years old and kept her captive for over a decade, fathering two children with her, Peter and Sally. After a burglary threatens to reveal his secret life, Conor flees Ireland with Peter, assumes a new identity (as Steven Armstrong), and begins a new life in New Zealand.

There, he continues to manipulate Peter by convincing him he has a rare and dangerous illness that makes physical contact unsafe. This lie keeps Peter completely isolated from the outside world. Eventually, Peter learns the truth about his past and Conor’s abuse. In a moment of emotional breakdown, while driving with Conor as a passenger, they get into a car accident. Peter escapes the wreck but chooses to leave his father behind. Conor dies in the resulting explosion, effectively ending his cycle of control and abuse.

Lindy, also known as Linda Weston, is a deeply tragic and significant character in Strange Sally Diamond. She was abducted as a young girl by Conor Geary. the same man who had kidnapped Denise Norton, Sally’s and Peter’s birth mother. Conor kept Lindy captive in brutal conditions, and after his death, his son Peter (also known as Steve Armstrong) continued to hold her prisoner in New Zealand, manipulated by years of psychological control.

Lindy’s relationship with Peter is complex. At first, she sees him as a continuation of his father’s cruelty, but over time, their dynamic becomes more layered and conflicted. In 1996, she becomes pregnant and gives birth to a daughter, Wanda, who Peter later abandons at a hospital. That child grows up to be Amanda, the young woman featured in the book’s epilogue.

Lindy dies in 2012 after becoming seriously ill. Peter, leaves her body at a remote lake, an act that eventually raises suspicion. Her story is one of prolonged abuse, lost identity, and resilience in the face of unthinkable trauma. She serves as a parallel to Denise’s character and plays a crucial role in revealing the full scope of Conor’s crimes and their ripple effects across generations.

Not exactly, but it does have a slightly different tone depending on which edition you read. The UK/Irish edition ends on a darker, more unresolved note, with Sally isolating herself from those around her after a series of painful revelations. There’s no closure, just a quiet sense of emotional weight and loneliness.

The US edition, however, includes a short extra letter in the second-to-last chapter. It doesn’t change the events or offer a different outcome, but it adds a more hopeful tone. The letter, likely from Angela, gently encourages Sally to reconnect with her community. It’s a small addition meant to soften the emotional impact of the ending, not an alternate ending in terms of plot.

So while the core story remains the same, the US edition offers a slightly more uplifting closing note, while the UK/Irish edition stays true to the book’s darker, more open-ended emotional reality.

Toby, the teddy bear, is a deeply symbolic object in Strange Sally Diamond, representing memory, connection, and the lasting scars of childhood trauma.

Originally, Toby belonged to Mark, Sally’s biological uncle. As a child, Mark adored his sister Denise (Sally’s mother) and gave her the bear before she was abducted. Toby was part of their shared childhood, and Mark recalls how Denise used to hide the bear in the garden during their games.

After Denise’s abduction by Conor Geary, Toby became a source of comfort for her during her years in captivity. When Sally was born, the bear remained with her as well, quietly passing from one generation to the next through layers of trauma. Years later, Peter, Sally’s biological brother, held onto Toby and eventually sent it back to Sally under the alias “Steve,” hoping to reconnect with her without revealing his identity.

Toby’s return stirs something deep in Sally. Although she doesn’t fully remember its origin, the bear triggers emotional distress and fragmented memories. It becomes a quiet but powerful catalyst in her journey to uncover the truth about her past, linking her to Denise, Peter, and Mark, each shaped by the same dark legacy.

Later in the novel, when Peter flees Ireland using a fake passport, he takes Toby with him. This deeply upsets Sally, as the bear had come to represent a fragile but meaningful connection to her lost family.
In the end, we learn that Peter sent Toby to Amanda, his daughter. Amanda forms her own quiet bond with the bear, even placing him on top of her piano as she performs, an act full of gentle affection and continuity.

More than just a childhood toy, Toby carries the emotional imprint of everyone who once held him. His journey through the novel mirrors Sally’s own, scarred, passed from hand to hand, sometimes forgotten, but never truly lost.

Tom and Jean Diamond are married psychiatrists who adopt Sally to give her a safe life after her traumatic early years with her biological mother, Denise Norton. On the surface, they seem like a quiet, caring couple living in rural Ireland, but as Sally begins to uncover the truth, their relationship is revealed to be far more complex and unsettling.

Tom, a retired psychiatrist, was emotionally controlling and quietly abusive. He created a household ruled by silence and fear, often dismissing Jean and making all major decisions himself. More disturbingly, he treated Sally less like a daughter and more like a psychological case study. Throughout her childhood, he kept her heavily medicated, not to protect her, but to suppress her memories and control her behavior.

Jean, on the other hand, was more nurturing and genuinely cared for Sally’s well-being. She encouraged Sally to have a more social and independent life. Jean wanted her to attend school, go to therapy, make friends, and even study music in college. But Tom disagreed and overruled her, keeping Sally isolated under the guise of protecting her. Despite her efforts, Jean often remained passive in the face of Tom’s control.

Later in the story, it’s revealed that before her sudden death from a stroke, Jean had been secretly planning to divorce Tom, suggesting she had finally seen the damage he was causing and wanted to break away.

For Sally, learning the truth about her adoptive parents is deeply painful. What she once believed was a loving and safe home turns out to be another form of abuse, control and betrayal. This realization becomes a major emotional turning point in her journey toward understanding and healing.

What Is the Letter in the US Edition of Strange Sally Diamond?

In the US edition of Strange Sally Diamond, there’s a small but meaningful difference, a letter included in the second-to-last chapter that isn’t found in the UK or Irish versions. This letter was added to bring “a bit more hope” to the story, most likely in response to the emotional weight of Sally’s isolation after Peter’s departure.

For more details, Liz Nugent discusses this change in her interview on the Sarah’s Bookshelves Live podcast.

I got so obsessed with Sally that I couldn’t rest until I tracked down the US edition and read the letter for myself. I had to know what it said and why it was added. Below is a version of the letter, along with my comments and thoughts on what it means for Sally’s story and why it matters.

This summary refers to a letter found only in the US edition of Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent. It is shared here for the purpose of commentary and discussion. All rights remain with the author and publisher.

Summary of the Letter to Sally in the US Edition of Strange Sally Diamond

Angela writes to Sally during the pandemic, acknowledging that recent events have been deeply traumatic for her. The letter is dated December 2020.

Angela expresses concern about Sally returning to isolation and emphasizes that many people care about her.
Angela admits that some choices, like withholding the truth about Tom and Jean’s relationship, may have been mistakes, but encourages Sally to focus on the future rather than the unchangeable past.
Sue regrets speaking to the podcaster and only did so to protect Sally’s name. The podcast was never aired.
Mark is recovering from the ICU and asked about Sally. Angela reminds Sally that Mark is family and encourages her to reconnect with him.
Christine is open to reconnecting as well but asks that Sally return to therapy with Tina first. Angela also notes that Sally owes Christine an apology.
Several others, Martha, Stella, Anubha, Rodriguo, Fernanda, Kenneth, Udo, and their children, miss Sally and want to reconnect.
Nadine and Angela plan to gather everyone outside Sally’s door the following Saturday at 1 p.m. to sing and invite her on a socially distanced walk and picnic.
The tone of the letter is gentle, hopeful, and supportive, offering Sally a chance to reconnect with her community.
Angela closes the letter with warmth and encouragement: “We are not taking no for an answer… wrap up warm.”

Let’s Chat!

Did you feel connected to Sally? Were you rooting for her the whole way through? And if you read the US edition, did you notice the extra letter near the end? I’d love to know what you thought about that added touch.

Drop a comment below and let’s talk about it! Whether you’ve already finished the book or just added it to your list, I’m always up for a good book chat.

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