Beautiful Malice is by far the most gripping book I've read all year, or ever, actually. I've been impressed by quite a few books this year already, you know, but Beautiful Malice just took it to the next level. I was lucky enough to get this for review from the fab Laura at Faber, and this is (nearly) the most excited I've ever been about a book.

The story begins with, "I didn't go to Alice's funeral.", when an older Katherine is narrating the novel, unfolding the traumatic events that changed her life. All grown-up and with a child of her own, Katherine retells the story of the life she left behind.

Following the death of her sister, Katie decides to move away from her parents to start a new life in Sydney with her Aunt. A fresh name along with her fresh start, Katherine has a total personality change, quiet and reserved; until she meets Alice. The enchanting and charismatic Alice, who is content with living for the present.
But Alice has a malicious, edgy side to her that Katherine is struggling to understand. And when it's time for Alice to really unleash herself, it's too late for Katherine to prevent yet another heartbreaking disaster.

Alice made me feel really uncomfortable from the moment we met her. What scared me the most, was that I knew that there was something wrong, that she couldn't just be the enchanting, fun one. There was just something really suspicious about her. She was quite random and unbelievably intimidating at times. And her stalking abilities were just downright creepy. The cracks were beginning to show.
James has created such a chilling villain in Alice, that even though she makes you tremble with fear and shake your head with disgust, you can't help but feel utterly mesmerized by her.
Whilst reading this I was gasping out loud, in shock, in fear, in worry. I smiled, I cried and I laughed. I couldn't believe some of Alice's actions, how far she could actually go, her behavior was tested thoroughly throughout the novel..and there was just a point where I felt so sick, but somehow strangely fascinated. Alice is just..one of the most outrageous female villains I've ever read.

I am *actually* speechless. I've been hearing that this is the must-read of 2010, and that Rebecca James is the next JK Rowling. In my eyes, she is, so if you choose to read only one book this year, let it be this one, because, I believe this is the psychological suspense novel of the year, sophisticated and evocative, Beautiful Malice is a novel that will always haunt me.

That is all.