What Smiled at Him by Colin Dodd

Plenty of people in their twenties find themselves looking critically at their lives as they approach the milestone that is 30, and old school friends Lynn and Marv are no different. Lynn is still trying to make a career in the music industry but is finding tours of small venues less and less appealing. Marv is the sensible one, with a corporate career beckoning but he feels something is missing and relying on his company credit card on his travels is beginning to wear thin. 


Coincidence finds them both staying in the same place on the same night. In a drunken haze Lynn calls up Caroline, who previously dated both and lives nearby. After a night of drink and drugs Caroline and Marv start an affair. Marv is exhilarated at first but then she is arrested for the murder of her wealthy husband and young son. They find themselves doing a little investigating, and surreptitiously trying to help her while avoiding becoming too involved. This entanglement ultimately has a major impact on both men.


From the blurb I had been expecting something akin to a crime novel, but that part of the plot really takes a back seat to the relationships the men have, with each other and with the women in their lives. This threw me a little and the disconnect probably affected my appreciation of the book a bit. There are moments of drama and plenty of intrigue and I found the end kept me wondering. I found it hard to connect with either of the men or Caroline, maybe because of their slightly hedonistic approach to life.


This was a good read, and I found it interesting to see how the friends made some good and some terrible choices.


Format: Kindle , review copy
My Rating: 3*