The book opens with high drama, when an unknown woman walks into a medical centre, and guns down the receptionist and a doctor. This was not what I was expecting - the cover suggests a gentle story from the middle of the 20th century, whereas this is contemporary, and rather dark in places.

The woman - Susan - is arrested, and won't speak to anyone until she realises that her assigned lawyer is, by strange coincidence, a long-lost childhood friend. Beth, the lawyer, has a reputation of being rather cold and unemotional, but her meeting with Susan brings many memories flooding back, and is the catalyst for some healing. Beth's story is quite uplifting, if shocking at times, but Susan's is not; I found it a bit depressing, really. I kept reading, wondering what would happen - and if Beth's eventual outcome was predictable, Susan's certainly wasn't.

I found the writing a bit long-winded and somewhat repetitive - more suited to a 1950s saga, really - and there were some scenes that made me feel decidedly uncomfortable. It was quite readable - I found it hard to put down in the final part, wondering how it would all work out - but could have benefited from some editing.

Not one I'm likely to read again. ( )

http://tantoslivrostaopoucotempo.blogspot.pt/2012/07/opiniao-nunca-digas-adeus.h... ( )