Layers by A.G.R. Goff

Layers by A.G.R. Goff is a riveting thriller that keeps you on edge throughout; it’s claustrophobic, tense, and contains a mystery that is revealed slowly, while still reading at a fast pace.

Miranda, seemingly a stranger to Dave, knocks on his door and is let into the house. She is looking for answers – but to what? Dave himself is harboring some intense secrets of his own. The undercurrents between the two are violent and dark and swim just beneath the surface, but reveal a much darker past for them both.

What Goff does best is layer (no pun intended) the dialogue with subtext, keeping the story mysterious and just out of reach, without ever being frustratingly opaque. It’s a fine line, and Goff walks it exceptionally well. At times, the prose is a bit oversaturated – imagery sometimes comes in quick succession, so it is sometimes difficult to ground yourself before moving on to the next element of the story. This makes for a quick read, but the narrative could have slowed down and still kept up its quick pace.

Overall, however, Layers is a highly satisfying read. The exploration of these two characters is handled deftly and the mystery and tension are sustained throughout – which is impressive given this is a relatively pared down story with two main characters in one central setting. A.G.R. Goff shows herself to be a uniquely talented author with this first novel.

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