Strange Sally Diamond

By: Liz Nugent

Narrated by: Jessica Regan, Stephen Hogan, Sara Lynam, Liz Nugent

Length: 10 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

“Shocking, disturbing, and utterly original.” —Paula Hawkins, #1 New York Times bestselling author

This “haunting and poignant tale, one that won’t be easy to forget any time soon” (Mystery and Suspense Magazine), follows an enigmatic woman confronting her unknown past—from internationally bestselling author Liz Nugent.

Reclusive Sally Diamond is thrust into the media spotlight when she tries to incinerate her dead father, causing widespread outrage. Now she’s the center of attention, not only from hungry reporters and police detectives, but also a sinister voice from a past she does not remember. As she begins to discover the repressed memories of her horrific early childhood, Sally steps into the world for the first time, making new friends, big decisions, and learning that people don’t always mean what they say.

But who is the man observing Sally from the other side of the world, and why does he call her Mary? And why does her new neighbor seem to be obsessed with her? Sally’s trust issues are about to be severely challenged in this “truly incredible reading experience” (Lisa Jewell, #1 New York Times bestselling author).

©2023 Liz Nugent (P)2023 Simon & Schuster Audio

Kept me listening.

I had high expectations with all the great reviews. Definitely had me hooked. But is not a feel good story in the least. If you are down or depressed in any way do not read this book. I did not like how I felt after finishing.

Loved this!! Beautiful and tragic…

The characters were so well developed, narration was perfect. A sad story of generational trauma that was captivating with some good twists!

Great story - great narration

If you like psychological thrillers- you will love this!! Best narration I have heard in a long time. Couldn’t stop listening

Dark story with a hint of humor

Excellent character development and story. I was very invested in seeing how things would turn out for sally and I loved her honesty along the way. Example- when told that she needs some fake tan cream for her legs, she says her legs are leg-colored, and she’s okay with that. She also declines church due to it being “too boring”. Great narration. The tape recordings were a nice touch.
Trigger warning/spoiler alert- kidnapping, rape, abuse. Portions of the story reminded me of the movie “Room”, similarly disturbing but very well-done.

Could be a true story....Very good

You know how they say that truth is stranger than fiction? Listening to this story makes you feel like you're listening to something true; someone's memoir whose reality is strange rthan fiction. Everything that happens in this book feels like you're getting it firsthand, and things aren't tied up like a perfect bow" in the end like some most mystery books do, which is also very unrealistic in real life. The story just rings 'true'. This could have happened in real life, and I liked that aspect of it because it saturates the story into your consciousness making you more captivated that way. It's not a "feel-good" type boo, and I found myself feeling a but dreary (I also listened on a rainy/stormy & cloudy day which likely added to the heavy ambience of the story). But man oh man, it was a good story and you're invested in the characters for sure. It had it's uniqueness amoung other similar stories as well. Love that the Author knows how to write without "fluff". Very "to-the-point" while building up the mystery. Very, very well done in my opinion!!

Slow but great story

Could have been much shorter but loved the end twist.
A bit too slow but loved the narration

Wow. Speechless

What a unique and thrilling novel. I was enthralled the entire book. Definitely one of my top 5. It is dark.

Trigger- pedophilia and rape

Strong start, weak ending

I very much enjoyed the story until the last several chapters. Very depressing and unsatisfying ending. If felt very much like someone told the author “15 more mins” and they had to quickly wrap it up. It’s a shame as the majority of the story was interesting and well developed.

a train wreck you can't look away from

While this certainly was a page turner with superb character development, it was also so disturbing at points that I dreaded & feared listening after those chapters. As others have commented, it really needs a trigger warning as it deals with grotesque sexual and physical violence against women and pedophilia throughout. Just when I thought I was past the worst of it, more horror came. Despite having represented my state's dept of children and families for years, this was probably the most upsetting depiction of child abuse I've read... There were some bright spots, but the ending was only mildly hopeful, which I found disappointing, but concededly fitting. Read at your own risk. not for the faint of heart.

Wow!!!

Love love love everything about this story. Great narration too. Hoping no one ever has to experience these circumstances.