Tangerine by Christine Mangan

Tangerine starts by introducing us to Alice Shipley who has moved to Tangier with her new husband John, when they are surprised by the sudden appearance of Alice’s old school friend Lucy. The two haven’t spoken since a dreadful accident at school.

Alice has not been coping well with the move to Tangier, barely leaving the small apartment she and her husband rent there, while John is out working most days, but she is never entirely sure what it is he does. Things are growing a bit tense between them, mostly down to Alice’s self imposed confinement and money troubles. Lucy’s arrival does nothing to calm the situation.

In fact it proceeds to cause more of a wedge between them, and brings back many painful and puzzling memories from Lucy and Alice’s shared past. Alice begins to feel that things are spiralling out of control and that she is being stifled by Lucy.

Then when John goes missing her whole life begins to unravel. This book was really very good with lots of dramatic twists which help to keep the reader engaged. Despite having some flashback scenes and switching between the viewpoints of the two main characters it is still incredibly easy to follow. The author manages to bring the streets of Tangier to life with colourful imagery and fantastic story telling as well as bright and multifaceted characters such as Youseff and others who have more of a part to play in the story than it first appears.

My favourite part of this book is definitely the ending, I don’t want to give anything away but the twist will definitely leave you shocked. The fact that an author is still able to do that in this day and age when so many stories have already been told is something I always look out for, and I’m very much looking forward to reading more by Christine Mangan. 


Here’s the synopsis from amazon

The last person Alice Shipley expected to see since arriving in Tangier with her new husband was Lucy Mason. After the horrific accident at Bennington, the two friends - once inseparable roommates - haven't spoken in over a year. But Lucy is standing there, trying to make things right.

Perhaps Alice should be happy. She has not adjusted to life in Morocco, too afraid to venture out into the bustling medinas and oppressive heat. Lucy, always fearless and independent, helps Alice emerge from her flat and explore the country.

But soon a familiar feeling starts to overtake Alice - she feels controlled and stifled by Lucy at every turn. Then Alice's husband, John, goes missing, and Alice starts to question everything around her: her relationship with her enigmatic friend, her decision to ever come to Tangier, and her very own state of mind.

Tangerine is an extraordinary debut, so tightly wound, so evocative of 1950s Tangier, and so cleverly plotted that it will leave you absolutely breathless.