Sleeping with a Psychopath - Carolyn Woods

Reading Challenge Category: Book club September read

Official Blurb:

A Divorced Woman. A Dangerous Man. A Devastating Affair.
‘You’re right. It is totally extraordinary. My life is like a film; you couldn’t make it up … But there’s something I have to tell you,’ he confided, as he leaned across the table towards me. ‘I’m not normal.’
Carolyn Woods was living happily in a quiet Cotswolds village when an attractive stranger abruptly arrived in her life.
Introducing himself as Mark Conway, he exuded confidence and to her surprise Carolyn quickly became captivated by this mysterious man. A rich Swiss banker (who later confessed to being a spy), he offered Carolyn companionship and introduced her to an exciting, glamorous world.
In fact, some things were so astonishing she began to question her new lover. Was all as it seemed? The truth was even harder to believe. For a start, his real name was Mark Acklom, he was wanted by Interpol, and he was rich but for one reason only…
A true-crime story that reads like a thriller, Sleeping with a Psychopath is a blow-by-blow account of the power of manipulation and a testament to the human will to survive.

My Thoughts:

Reviewing “Sleeping with a Psychopath” was quite a challenge for me. It’s difficult because I’m well aware that this is a true story that genuinely destroyed Carolyn’s life, and she often comes across as the ‘stupid woman’ in the narrative. However, it’s crucial to remember that none of us truly understands what it’s like to be in her shoes, so it’s not easy to pass judgment.
I couldn't help but chuckle at one point while reading as I indignantly thought about how I would never lend money to a new boyfriend. Then, a distant memory popped into my head about how I lent my now-husband £13,000 when we had only known each other briefly. I even teased him about it, and we've discussed it at length. Ultimately, I was fortunate that my husband never let me down and turned out to be genuine. However, it was eye-opening to realise how easily one could be deceived.
At the beginning of the book, I found it challenging to get into the story. The differentiation between the characters in text messages was confusing until I got used to the convention of bold for her and not bold for him. The repetitive use of 'bubba' and 'darling' grated on my nerves, and I couldn't help but think I would have left him immediately for using such sentiments. Right from the start, he comes across as sleazy, but I suppose it would be challenging to write impartially about him, given what Carolyn now knows.
This is undeniably a compelling read. The book effectively conveys Carolyn's desperation, especially when she is left with nothing. It paints a vivid picture of her destitution and feeling trapped in her situation.