2 Book Lovers Reviews

Read Greg's review of

We Spread.

See more of Shelley's

 Suspense/Mysteries

Please feel free to comment or share.

​Having read Iain Reid’s other two novels, I should have been better prepared for We Spread. It is a chilling, emotional page-turner that kept me riveted to the pages, but this novel hit a little close to home.

Growing old is not only a privilege, but it can also be scary and worrisome. We all hope to be the ninety-year-old who is in good physical health, still sharp as a tack, and able to live independently in our home, partaking in hobbies and visits with family and friends. The prospect of growing old comes with the fears that we may not be one of the lucky ones.

We Spread is told entirely from Penny’s perspective. She was recently admitted to a small long-term care facility to live out the rest of her days. The residents were well fed, cared for, and encouraged to pursue their passions, but was there something a little bit off or sinister about the lady who owned the care home?

I wanted the best for Penny and her fellow residents. Did I trust what was going on at the care home? Nope. Did I trust Penny to be a reliable narrator? Not quite. Was something malevolent going on or was Penny just succumbing to old age? That’s what I wanted to find out.

Iain Reid has a unique writing style. It pulls the reader in, keeps them glued to the pages, and makes them question everything. I had so many theories going through my mind as I was reading this novel. I still have so many theories even after finishing it. It’s the type of book that makes you ponder life, loneliness, and the effects of aging. Iain Reid took a subject that is a normal and realistic part of life and made it feel personal, he amped it up and still managed to give it an eerie feel that chilled me to the bone.

I am a huge fan of this author. His writing and storytelling are among my favorites. We Spread left a strong impression on me, in fact, I’m still thinking about it.

*5 Stars