Review: The Flatmate - Gemma Rogers

Review: The Flatmate - Gemma Rogers - June 2023

There's something deeply unsettling about grief mixed with suspicion, and Gemma Rogers captures this toxic combination perfectly in The Flatmate. This psychological thriller grabbed me from the first page and didn't let go until the final, shocking revelation.

The story centers on Ria, whose world shattered when her best friend Livvy died from a drug overdose at a work event. But Ria knows something the rest of the world doesn't—Livvy would never have taken drugs willingly. Someone is responsible, and Ria is determined to find out who. After a five-month sabbatical trying to process her grief and suspicions, Ria returns to work only to find that Amanda, her new flatmate, has seamlessly slipped into every space Livvy once occupied—both at home and in the office. It's unsettling, to say the least.

What makes this thriller particularly chilling is the psychological warfare that unfolds. Ria begins receiving messages supposedly from Livvy, blaming her for her death. The gaslighting is expertly crafted . Is she losing her grip on reality, or is Amanda orchestrating something sinister? I found myself constantly second-guessing my own theories, which is exactly what a good thriller should do.

The discovery of Livvy's diary adds another compelling layer to the mystery. Through her entries, we learn that Livvy was being stalked by someone at work before her death. This revelation transforms the story from a simple whodunit into a complex exploration of how little we truly know about the people closest to us. Gemma Rogers poses uncomfortable questions: Do we really know our colleagues? Our flatmates? Do we share everything with our friends and family, or do we all keep secrets?

What I particularly appreciated was the dual revenge narrative. As the plot unfolds, we discover that Amanda has her own agenda—she's seeking vengeance for a loss that mirrors Ria's pain. Are these two grieving women hunting the same person? The parallel journeys create a fascinating dynamic that elevates the story beyond typical thriller territory.

Gemma Rogers's writing is taut and atmospheric, maintaining tension throughout while exploring deeper themes about trust, grief, and the masks people wear. The Flatmate is a compelling reminder that we often know far less about the people in our lives than we think we do—and sometimes, that ignorance can be deadly.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4mXq5gA