The Playdate by Louise Millar

Single mother Callie has come to rely heavily on her best friend Suzy. But Callie suspects Suzy's life isn't as simple as it seems. It's time she pulled away - going back to work is just the first step towards rediscovering her old confidence. So why does she keep putting off telling Suzy about her new job?
Suzy and Callie live close to each other on a typical cramped, anonymous London street. Neighbours seem to move in, and move on, before you have even learned their names. Callie's increased sense of alienation leads her to try to befriend a new resident on her street, Debs. But Debs is anxious, odd. You wouldn't trust her with your child - especially not if you knew anything about her past.
A brilliant and chilling evocation of modern life, The Playdate is a real talking-point book for mothers everywhere.

Goodreads Summary


Callie and Suzy are your typical best friends.  They get along well and enjoy their company.  However, the two cannot be more opposite.  Callie has a young sickly daughter and no husband while Suzy has a husband and three healthy children.  Callie has spent much of her time caring for her daughter, but would also like to work more.  She has managed to get a new job, but is slightly afraid to tell Suzy.  Why would you be afraid to tell your best friend about your new job?  Callie tries to become friendly with Debs, the new woman on the block.  Debs is a teacher and seems to love kids, but she has more than a few secrets of her own.  With plenty of secrets and some sordid pasts, can the three women continue their linked friendships?

Callie is the character that the reader will most identify with and like.  She is very calm and kind through most of the book, though she has a few skeletons in her closet.  Debs is constantly jumpy and has trouble making friends.  Suzy constantly seems to be looking for anything to go wrong, she is a little "off."  The mystery makes up a large part of the plot, but the reader may find that the mystery feels like it begins almost mid-way through the book rather than right away.  Friendship seems like it should be a strong subject, but in this book the friendships are shaky and feel almost like a facade.  The reader will have to sift through the characters' pasts to figure out the key to the plot.  The author hasn't made it easy, this novel has a lot of smoke and mirrors hiding the obvious truths, but there are plenty of twists and surprises to keep the reader guessing.  As far as creating a realistic plot and set of characters, the author did a wonderful job.  The women could be our own neighbors, the plot is a little more sketchy, but fits once the reader knows the whole story.  This book is recommended to adults.

3 1/2 Stars

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