All You Ever Wanted

Product Information

The contract between Anna and Emily is very interesting and introduces some moral questions for the reader to consider. Anna's life has been one of struggle, rejection and loneliness whereas Emily seems to have a dream life and it does encourage you to question whether you should feel sympathy for her or whether she is ungrateful. I personally felt quite a lot of sympathy for Emily as a character considering the difficulties she faces as a young mum and overworked teacher coupled with the relationship with her husband, who I felt was quite unlikeable. A gripping blend of creepy psychological suspense and powerful domestic drama. Elliot Wright uses her insight into human nature and her storytelling skills to thrilling effect.’T J Emerson, author of The Perfect Holiday Although I’ve been living happily in the North for twelve years, I was born in South East London. I left school at 16 and married unwisely at 18. At the age of 30 I took my two children, left my unhappy life and started again, reinventing myself with an education and a new surname, which I chose by drawing up a shortlist from the telephone directory and sending off for brochures so I’d receive mail in those names. I settled on Elliot; Susan Elliot sounded like ‘me’. Soon after changing my name, I met Mr Right, or in this case, Mr Wright. Within a few weeks, we decided to marry (although it took a couple of years to get round to it). We became the Elliot-Wrights, but we’ve dropped the hyphen now. Most of the novel was told by Emily’s point of view. Her concerns over her job, made worse by her marriage to Simon, who worked in the same school. Her guilt about drinking too much whilst accepting that it helped her cope. She becomes increasingly reliant on Anna, not realising that little was as it seemed. I wasn’t that keen on her until I got to know more about Anna. An unnerving, suspenseful study of what it truly means to mother and build family ties. Susan creates an authentic and compelling picture of the many facets of a woman's inner world. The way she portrays motherhood and the responsibility of care is timely, compassionate and honest. I devoured it!' Amy Heydenrych, author of Chasing Marian

I absolutely love Susan Elliot Wright's novels and so was thrilled to have the opportunity to read this advance copy. All You Ever Wanted is a change of genre for the author as it's more of a psychological thriller and it took me a while to get used to the author writing in this genre. Emily is a thirty something teacher, struggling with balancing working part time. looking after her 1 year old daughter Bonnie and living with a growing sense of paranoia regarding both her husband's fidelity and a sense of being watched. She has a challenging relationship with her adoptive mother and has felt increasingly isolated from her old friends since marrying her husband Simon. When Anna comes into her life she appears to be just what Emily needs - a friend and someone to support her with childcare.A gripping blend of creepy psychological suspense and powerful domestic drama. Elliot-Wright uses her insight into human nature and her storytelling skills to thrilling effect.’ T J Emerson, author of The Perfect Holiday

On first meeting Emily senses they may have met before, Anna smiles in the Hope something twigs but gets nothing. They form easy chatter and the next thing they are meeting up and having lunch. With her taut writing and immaculate pacing, Susan Elliot Wright has created a dark and sinister tale of toxic family relationships, full of secrets and lies, layered with a perfect example of the smothering isolation felt by so many new mothers. I was utterly gripped from start to finish.’Lisa Hall, author of The Woman in the Woods I found this to be a gripping and compelling read and I was intrigued to find out if Emily was a reliable narrator. As with all of the author's work it's well written and it's a well paced thriller. I do prefer the author's previous work but this is still a strong addition to this genre and I'd recommend it. Anna is certainly a character that the reader will feel sorry for and her actions are clearly as a result of the trauma and rejection she has faced.

Advance Praise

Dark and sinister, this creepy psychological thriller has it all. Gripping throughout, it has a satisfying and jaw-dropping ending’ My Weekly I have been a fan of this author for many. years and have read every book that she's written. It's always a joy to delve into the latest offering from her and this one really doesn't disappoint. It feels a little different from her previous novels, darker and tenser, but oh so so good. A gripping blend of creepy psychological suspense and powerful domestic drama. Elliot-Wright uses her insight into human nature and her storytelling skills to thrilling effect." - T J Emerson When a kind stranger brings their missing cat home, It’s the start of a new friendship. Anna is a confidant who gives great advice. A person who brings supportive calm to Emily’s busy days. A friend who becomes part of the family. With her taut writing and immaculate pacing, Susan Elliot Wright has created a dark and sinister tale of toxic family relationships, full of secrets and lies, layered with a perfect example of the smothering isolation felt by so many new mothers. I was utterly gripped from start to finish.’ Lisa Hall, author of The Woman in the Woods

However, Anna may not be all that she appears to be and as the story progresses, the reader certainly becomes aware of darker motives on Anna's part. Whilst Emily happily embraces a new female friendship and help with Bonnie.

Now, as a novelist, I’m doing my dream job, but if I wasn’t an author, I’d be a chef. There’s a wonderful camaraderie in a commercial kitchen, and cooking with other people can be great fun, but professional cooking is hugely physically demanding and sadly, I no longer have the stamina. I loved cooking professionally, and I still miss it, though I remain passionate about cooking at home.

Emily is a new mother, she's struggling with feelings of low self-worth, questioning herself. She often feels paranoid, as though someone is watching her. Whilst her marriage does appear strong and loving, she's never really forgiven herself, or her husband Simon about how their relationship began. Emily doesn't have the greatest relationship with her own mother, and determined that her daughter Bonnie will not feel the same way about her. All You Ever Wanted. Emily and Anna. Two women who want very different things. Emily is (perhaps) happily married with a year old baby. She’s a teacher at the same school where her husband Simon, an administrator, was once engaged to another teacher (long story.) She has a bad relationship with her mother, has lost touch with her friends, feels overworked and gets little help from her husband whose time seems to be filled with afternoon and evening meetings. Yes, she is suspicious of those meetings. So when her missing cat is rescued by Anna, who works several jobs to support herself, Emily is receptive to Anna’s offer to help. She’ll take care of the baby a few afternoons a week. The women become fast friends. And all I can tell you, without spoilers, that at this point you will not be able to put All You Ever Wanted down.I really enjoyed this book by author Susan Elliot Wright. I have not read any other books by her but I really enjoyed the way this was written, using different perspectives and shifts in chronology to show how the two women are connected.