An addictive and twisty psychological suspense thriller, Camilla Läckberg’s The Golden Cage is a true page-turner from the very start. Told in part through flashbacks, this is a story full of big personalities, big emotions, big sexual appetites, and big surprises.
Faye and Jack met in business school and were immediately drawn to each other. Faye’s brilliant ideas were an integral part of Jack and his friend Henrik’s now extremely successful business. Unfortunately, it seems that Jack has forgotten all of that over the years as he has subtly (and not-so-subtly) moved Faye to the sidelines. She is to be a wife, a beautiful trophy piece, the perfect mother to their young daughter, and whatever else Jack needs. Over time, Faye’s needs have been completely put aside.
Though they are extraordinarily wealthy, and treated almost like celebrities, Faye has gradually come to realise she is, in fact, living in a golden cage. All the money and the luxuries are keeping her trapped, and are slowly eroding her brilliant mind, her business acumen, and her very essence. Faye is basically losing… Faye.
But there comes a point when her eyes are opened and she sees the realities of her marriage, and her husband, and her life and the door to her golden cage swings open. Faye realises she can create the life she wants and leave as much carnage in her wake as she chooses. Her mysterious past and her exciting future are laid out in a tension-filled rollercoaster ride of a story.
As the reader, I found it so difficult to watch Faye put up with everything Jack dished out. I don’t mean that as a criticism, but rather a compliment to Läckberg’s ability to help the reader truly feel what a character is going through. Much like in a movie or series when you know a character is going to rise up out of adversity, but it is almost painful watching what they go through first. It is hard to watch another person, or character, get to their “enough is enough” level. Läckberg’s ability to convey that struggle and those emotions is truly commendable.
The only caution I would give a reader is for those who may not like, or may be uncomfortable with sexual content. There is more (and more graphic) sex in The Golden Cage than some might be comfortable with. It is an important element of the story, how characters use sex and why, as well as what it means to one person versus another, but for those who are not comfortable with sexual content, this is your note of caution.
This is my first-time reading Camilla Läckberg, but most certainly will not be my last. I am excited to explore more of her dark and twisty stories!
The Golden Cage is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore!
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Synopsis | Goodreads
An exhilarating new novel from a global superstar–a sexy, over-the-top psychological thriller that tells the story of the scorned wife of a billionaire and her delicious plot to get her revenge and bring him to his knees.
Faye has loved Jack since they were students at business school. Jack, the perpetual golden boy, grew up wealthy, unlike Faye, who has worked hard to bury a dark past. When Jack needs help launching a new company, Faye leaves school to support him, waitressing by day and working as his strategist by night. With the business soaring, Faye and Jack have a baby, and Faye finds herself at home, caring for their daughter, wealthier than she ever imagined, but more and more removed from the excitement of the business world. And none of the perks of wealth make up for the fact that Jack has begun to treat her coldly, undermining her intelligence and forgetting all she sacrificed for his success. When Faye discovers that he’s having an affair, the polished facade of their life cracks wide open. Faye is alone, emotionally shattered, and financially devastated–but hell hath no fury like a woman with a violent past bent on vengeance. Jack is about to get exactly what he deserves–and so much more. In this splashy, electrifying story of sex, betrayal, and secrets, a woman’s revenge is a brutal but beautiful thing.
I’ve read this before. Is this a remake?