Jess’s evasive, cagey and defensive behaviour immediately raises alarm bells for someone who, on a daily basis, works with child abuse victims. Although it unfolds slowly, it’s this gradual unravelling of both the characters and the question of what happened to Betsey Curtis that lulls you into a false sense of security and self-confidence in knowing what happened.These two women’s stories highlight the misconception that all women are born to be perfect mothers and that it comes naturally. Why did she ignore Betsey’s cry and choose to hide away in bed when her child was clearly in trouble?Betsey Curtis has a depressed fracture to the back of her skull, bruising and a subdural haematoma, and her mother Jess can’t explain how the child was injured. Sarah’s protagonist, Liz, is faced with a tough decision when her good friend, Jess, arrives at the hospital, where Liz works as a nurse, with her young daughter. Once you pick it up you will want to keep reading so be warned. Prior to having Betsey, Jess had it all together – the perfect mum.
Despite the warning signs, Ed fails to step in and relieve Jess of the pressure of raising three children alone. Pragmatic, no-nonsense, approachable, emphatic and occasionally a little blunt, Liz gets the job done, even if she experiences resistance from her stubborn and authoritative superior Neil Cockerill.
The complexity of motherhood and the fallibility of relationships, friendships and trust are issues we can all relate to – and it’s this reliability that will make Little Disasters’ appeal universal.Jess’s narrative is an eye-opening account of what many women silently struggle through on their own. Along with Charlotte and Mel, they met at antenatal class and a tightknit friendship group was born. The author looks at mental health and anxiety in mothers from all angles and treats the subject respectfully. But everything can be broken.
However Ed also starts to question his wife’s behaviour. Understandably Liz makes a decision she deems essential for the protection of the child – but she also puts into motion a series of events which could lead to devastating consequences for Jess and her family.Adding to the complexity of relationships and abuse is Liz’s dysfunctional relationship with an alcoholic mother who physically abused both her and her brother Mattie. 'Sarah Vaughan manages to hit that rare sweet spot between satisfying, literary writing and a plot that grips you by the throat. 'Little Disasters takes on another topical and emotive issue with the same skill and command Vaughan showed in Anatomy of a Scandal' Cara Hunter, author of All The Rage 'An emotionally terrifying story. While Jess’ husband Ed is supportive, he leaves most of the parenting to her. But how well do they really know each other?#MeToo and The Timeliness of Anatomy of a ScandalWhen Jess arrives at hospital with Betsey and a story that doesn’t add up, Liz is the doctor on call. If it doesn’t, they have to deal with the difficulties of motherhood by themselves or be judged severely for their so-called inadequacies. But dark thoughts and carefully guarded secrets surface—and Liz is left questioning everything she thought she knew about her friend, and about herself. But since Betsey’s birth, she’s been struggling.Little Disasters Author, Sarah Vaughan on Why Domestic Thrillers are so PowerfulI was Meticulous About Doing my Research: Q&A with Little Disasters Author, Sarah VaughanTold through multiple points of view, Sarah Vaughan expertly builds the tension throughout this tightly plotted story. Take a Sneak Peek at Sarah Vaughan's Thought-Provoking New Novel, Little DisastersThis event and Liz’s involvement completely changes the dynamic of their friendship group, and a decade of easy friendship makes way for blame, secrets and distrust. It’s not a fast-paced, action-packed read, but rather an in depth exploration and revelation of the complicated psychology of early motherhood. With Sarah Vaughan’s signature “clever and compelling” (Claire Douglas, author of Last Seen Alive) prose, Little Disasters is a tightly-wound and evocative page-turner that will haunt you long after you finish the last page. Liz Trenchard is senior registrar in paediatrics at St Joseph’s Hospital in West London. Sarah Vaughan captures the smothering feeling of claustrophobia Jess experiences, as well as her struggle to keep her head above water. Once you pick it up you will want to keep reading so be warned. Sarah’s protagonist, Liz, is faced with a tough decision when her good friend, Jess, arrives at the hospital, where Liz works as a nurse, with her young daughter.