Teresa Driscoll’s latest thriller, Close Your Eyes, draws on her extensive experience as a former BBC crime reporter to craft a haunting narrative about a missing child and the devastating impact on those left behind. The story follows Matthew Hill, a private investigator whose eight-year-old daughter Amelie disappears while shopping with her mother, bringing to life his worst fears and possibly fulfilling a years-old threat.
Plot Structure and Narrative Style
The novel employs a multi-perspective narrative structure, primarily alternating between four key characters:
- Matthew Hill, the tormented ex-police officer turned PI
- Sally Hill, the guilt-ridden mother
- Melanie Sanders, the determined detective leading the investigation
- Olivia, whose connection to the case gradually unfolds
Driscoll masterfully weaves these perspectives together, creating a tapestry of mounting tension and revealing how past traumas echo into the present. The timeline spans five intense days, with carefully placed flashbacks that provide crucial context without disrupting the story’s momentum.
Character Development
One of the novel’s strongest aspects is its nuanced character development. Matthew Hill emerges as a complex protagonist, haunted by a past case where a young boy died, leading to a mother’s curse that now seems prophetic. His struggle with guilt and responsibility feels authentic, particularly as he grapples with his role as both an investigator and a father.
Sally Hill’s character arc is equally compelling, though occasionally her emotional responses feel slightly overwrought. The author effectively portrays her spiral into despair and self-blame, but some scenes, particularly her repeated collapses, begin to feel repetitive.
Psychological Depth
The psychological aspects of the novel are well-researched and convincingly portrayed. Driscoll excels at depicting:
- The immediate trauma of a child’s disappearance
- The impact of past guilt on present actions
- The complex dynamics between law enforcement and victims’ families
- The psychological toll of religious extremism and mental illness
Strengths
Close Your Eyes particularly shines in its:
- Authentic portrayal of police procedure
- Careful building of suspense
- Exploration of parental guilt and responsibility
- Integration of multiple timelines
- Resolution that satisfies while avoiding cliches
Areas for Improvement
While generally well-crafted, the novel has some weaknesses:
- The red herring involving Dawn Meadows feels somewhat prolonged
- Some coincidences strain credibility
- Certain secondary characters could be more fully developed
- The pacing occasionally lags in the middle sections
Technical Execution
Driscoll’s background in journalism is evident in her precise, economical prose style. She has a particular talent for:
- Creating tension through short, punchy sentences
- Writing realistic dialogue
- Describing emotional states without melodrama
- Maintaining multiple narrative threads without confusion
Thematic Elements
The novel explores several interconnected themes:
- The long-term impact of trauma
- The relationship between religious faith and mental illness
- The balance between professional duty and personal responsibility
- The nature of guilt and redemption
- The vulnerability of children in modern society
Comparison to Genre Standards
Within the psychological thriller genre, Close Your Eyes stands out for its focus on emotional authenticity over shock value. While it shares DNA with works like Lisa Jewell’s None of This is True or Clare Mackintosh’s I Let You Go, Driscoll brings her own distinct voice to the missing-child narrative.
Setting and Atmosphere
The author effectively uses the contrasting settings of:
- The claustrophobic caravan
- The busy shopping district
- The rural woodland
- The police incident room
These locations become characters in themselves, each contributing to the mounting tension.
Social Commentary
The novel subtly addresses several contemporary issues:
- The role of media in missing persons cases
- Mental health support systems
- The impact of social media on investigations
- The challenges facing modern policing
Writing Style Analysis
Driscoll’s writing style is clean and efficient, though occasionally the multiple perspectives lead to some repetition. Her experience as a journalist shows in her ability to:
- Create vivid scene descriptions
- Handle technical details accurately
- Maintain narrative momentum
- Balance exposition with action
Impact and Resonance
The novel’s greatest strength lies in its emotional authenticity. Rather than relying on sensationalism, Driscoll grounds her story in the believable reactions of complex characters facing unimaginable circumstances.
Comparison to Author’s Previous Works
Fans of Driscoll’s previous novels (I Am Watching You, The Promise) will recognize her talent for psychological complexity, though Close Your Eyes represents a step forward in terms of structural sophistication and emotional depth.
Final Assessment
Close Your Eyes is a solid addition to the psychological thriller genre, distinguished by its emotional authenticity and careful attention to investigative detail. While not without flaws, it successfully balances the requirements of the genre with deeper psychological insights.
Recommended for:
- Fans of psychological thrillers
- Readers interested in police procedurals
- Those who appreciate character-driven suspense
- Fans of British crime fiction
- Readers who enjoy multiple perspective narratives
Concluding Thoughts
Despite some minor shortcomings, Close Your Eyes delivers a compelling and emotionally resonant thriller that will keep readers engaged until the final page. Driscoll’s expertise in crime reporting lends authenticity to the narrative, while her understanding of human nature elevates it above typical genre fare.
The novel serves as a reminder that the most effective thrillers don’t rely solely on plot twists and suspense, but on the authentic portrayal of human beings under extreme pressure. Through careful character development and attention to psychological detail, Driscoll creates a story that lingers in the mind long after the mystery is solved.