Keeper, by Jessica Moor

Katie’s story alternates between Then and Now; Then details her relationship with controlling boyfriend Jamie from its very beginning to its very end, Now looks into its aftermath. Then shows how Katie’s family background and lack of self-esteem contributes to her submission to Jamie’s control. Now includes the stories of women living in the refuge where Katie works, each affected by male violence in various ways. They are totally diverse in age, class, education, socio economic background, religion, everything. This can happen to anyone and societal institutions – the police, the justice system, even families – are set up to fail women and children at every turn. This is deeply uncomfortable and confronting reading, but also compelling in its truth. A twist at the end is unsurprising as it explains all, including a few small elements that don’t quite gel during the tale. All is indeed revealed, but the small nugget of hope that the truth may eventually out is counteracted by a deeply depressing suspicion that there will be no justice for Katie, or anyone else in her situation.