I Know What I Saw: A Psychological Thriller Novel About Perfect Memory and Murder Mystery | Crime Fiction for Book Clubs & Suspense Lovers

SK Sharp is the pseudonym of Stephen Deas, one of my favourite fantasy authors. And he shows an enviable ability to switch genres in this taut, but moving and realistic, thriller. Anyone who thinks fantasy authors can't write convincingly about "real people" (as if character consistency and empathy are unimportant just because the characters inhabit a different world) should check this out.The "hook" is that the protagonist, Nicola, has a perfect memory - she can recall every detail of an incident from decades ago and recount any conversation she has ever had verbatim. It's a genuine condition affecting a handful of people in the world. But as the novel makes clear, total recall isn't the same as understanding the truth of these forensically remembered situations, or why the people involved acted as they did.When a body is found near her childhood home - Arty Robbins, businessman, fundraiser and local "character", who disappeared thirty-five years ago on the night of his 50th birthday - her memories of that night are vital. Because Arty's son Declan, her ex-husband has been charged with the murder. But as she revisits that night - also a pivotal moment in her relationship with Declan, when a teenage crush turned into something more - she remembers the secrets and lies that have made a lasting impact on her life.Alternating between brilliantly detailed flashbacks to a close-knit north London suburb in the mid-80s and the present day, when Nicola has to confront all the ghosts and mistakes of her past, it soon becomes apparent that the events of that fateful night were not quite as they seemed at the time. And that someone is very keen to ensure - by any means necessary - that Nicola doesn't uncover the truth.The author sets up a satisfyingly rich set of false trails and red herrings. But they emerge in a convincingly realistic way from the actions of a compelling cast of supporting characters - Nicola's loyal best mate Kat; her "local bad lad" boyfriend; the mother and stepfather from whom Nicola is virtually estranged.And the reason all this becomes a compelling novel rather than just another logic puzzle for armchair sleuths is because at its heart is Nicola's troubled, passionate, decades-long relationship with Declan. In the end, finding out the truth, and coming to terms with it, is the key not just to solving the mystery but learning some hard lessons about her life.A terrific page-turning suspense thriller, but a lot more besides. Thoroughly recommended.