Find out what Mumsnetters thought of Good Me Bad Me by Ali Land

I loved this page turner, it will not be everyones 'cup of tea' as it is dark and scary, but I found it to be gripping, thought provoking, and it is a keeper for me which I will read again. The sad thing I thought is that some people actually go though these horrors depicted in the book.

This was a gripping read which I found difficult to put down. There were many layers that this story touched on - Annie's life with a child murderer and the abuse that she herself suffered, her experience as a looked-after young person with an assumed identity and the effect that had on her, the trial and the realisation that Annie may have been more involved in her mother's actions than what you initially thought before the story concludes with Annie's future appearing to turn out the way she wanted contrary to the original plan.

This was an insightful book with some tender yet difficult moments and I found all the character weaknesses extremely believable. There was enough suggestion that all was not what it seemed throughout the novel that when you reached the end, you knew that more was yet to come. A wonderful debut novel and I will be looking out for more of Ali Land's work.

I enjoyed this book, started reading it in the hair salon and had to finish it when I got home.

Finished this last night. I am fascinated by the character of Annie/Milly, both drawn to her as a victim of an unthinkable upbringing and manipulated by her. Overall I still feel desperately sorry for her and hope that against all the odds the "Good Me" can prevail.

This is more than your usually page-turning thriller - for a start there are no details given of the murders, these are left to the reader's imagination; Milly's mental health problems, the details of the foster family's problems and the teenage bullying are all very real.

I will definitely recommend this to my fellow thriller lovers. Thank you for my free copy.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I looked forward to having a bit of time to pick it up. Nice twists and turns and I was never sure where it would go.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I looked forward to having a bit of time to pick it up. Nice twists and turns and I was never sure where it would go.

I really enjoyed this book despite it not being my usual genre. I couldn't put it down and read it over a few days. Very easy to read with an interesting plot and characters. I liked the style where a little more was given away about the main character's background chapter by chapter, rather than giving all of her background at the start. Would definitely recommend as a quick, enjoyable read.

I'm about half way through and I can't put it down

a gripping read, highly recommended!

Enjoyed this book a lot I found the story very engaging .

good read, but worrying as parents of teenage girls - glad we didnt have to go though anything like this, back in my days!

Im still reading this one but thought I would post my thoughts! It's defiantly gripping from the first chapter and has a few unsettling moments! Looking forward to reading the rest!

Gripping, I couldn't put it down!! Read within 3 days. A great book!

This was not what I was expecting at all. Way more gripping and tense than I anticipated. I found bits a bit dark and a little bit uncomfortable, but would definitely recommend it

I really enjoyed this book and admired Millie for standing up and telling the truth but was torn between that and feeling sorry for her and the consequences she had to face. Going from a mother who was a serial killer to a life of, what she hoped would be normality, and being targeted by a jealous teenager was pretty heartbreaking. A good read though.

I really enjoyed this book and felt it was very well written and gripping. It was not at all predictable and had a great ending.

I just received the book. Many thanks and I look forward to reading this.

I found this novel to be very disturbing – but isn’t that the point of psychological thrillers?
The author has told a very interesting, yet chilling, tale which I found difficult to read at times but was so hooked that I had to keep reading – and read it in a day.
I did struggle with the author’s style of writing at the beginning. It seemed more young adult fiction than psychological but once I got over the tone I did enjoy the book, although did find it predictable.

Thrillers are my favourite books to read, so this one is ideal- full of suspense and one that I had to finish as soon as possible

my child hasn't read this one just yet

First, I'd just like to say thank you for the opportunity to read this book for free!

I've not been able to finish it as of yet (children!) but what I have read thus far is gripping, well-written and certainly well thought out. The questions raised about the whole 'nature versus nurture' debate are intriguing. I'll do my best to post a more thorough review once I've finished it, which I hope to do on a road trip tomorrow!

I started this book last night and couldn't put it down. I thought when I started it might be a bit too dark for me which is saying something but I'm coping so far. Can't wait until bedtime tonight so I can carry on reading! Will be back when I've finished, thanks for the free copy.

Just finding this thread again as I'm about to start reading it

I found it quite a tough book to read. Like many of the other posters have said it is very disturbing. There was definite chills going down my spine when I was reading it. Entering the mind of Milly/Annie, seeing the inner turmoil of the character, was bound to be unnerving. A gripping read. Excellent for anyone who enjoys a tense, psychological novel.

Thank you for my copy of “Good Me Bad Me” by Ali Land who has a degree in mental health and worked for many years in young people’s units. Clearly she does know this area inside out, and her novel is very well observed.

She writes this dark history as narrated by a deeply damaged 15 year old girl who makes a statement to the police in order to gain freedom from her abusive mother. Given a new identity Annie becomes Milly, fostered in the home of a psychologist while awaiting her mother’s trial. But making a new life is never easy.......
This book is compelling, and I read it with a mounting sense of dread.

All about pain and fury, I can’t claim it was an enjoyable experience, but it is certainly not anodyne, and although I was waiting for a diabolical confrontation I did not expect the devastation of the final chapters.