Vivian - discuss. That's pretty much all I feel I want to write - there would after all be so much to discuss. She adds such a weight of foreboding malevolence to the book, it's like the oppressive humidity before a really good storm - you want to escape but you're unable to find a safe refuge.
Centred around the collaboration of a historical book entitled Annabel, on which Vivian is research assistant to Professor and TV star Olivia Sweetman, The Night Visitor has echoes of gothic literature littering it throughout. There is the slow revelation of the mystery surrounding Annabel which unfolds like the petals of a flower, each adding another layer to the relationship between Olivia and Vivian. It is evident that Vivian is hiding something and she is a pretty creepy character throughout, but I was never sure of the true nature of her deception and hidden truths until the end.
Olivia's life is crumbling around her despite the illusion of her supposed stardom as a TV presenter. Whilst I did appreciate some of the personality traits that Olivia possessed, she was quite obviously manipulating her relationship with Vivian in order to get what she wanted or needed. I did ultimately feel sorry for Olivia though and she dealt with the difficult personality that was Vivian much better than I could ever have done. The question mark over what happened in France managed to add another layer to the distrust shown between the two characters, and I'm quite pleased that it was left up to us to decode the mystery.
The writing is of course, blissful to read; Atkins writes with an assured voice that carried me along with her until the end. The suspense really does bring with it a sense of disquiet, and the overwhelming secrets that each of them bring to the table just adds to this tension. The Night Visitor will ensnare you from the first page - it is deliciously creepy and unnerving - I loved it.
