Shelf Control: Secret Smile by Nicci French

It's Wednesday and that means it's time for a Shelf Control post!

Shelf Control is a weekly meme hosted by Bookshelf Fantasies, giving book junkies like me a chance to highlight some of the lingering titles in our TBR stacks!

Title: Secret Smile

Author: Nicci French

Published: 2006

Length: 384 pages

What it's about (from Goodreads):

Miranda's sister, Kerri, has a new boyfriend. He's a raven-haired, handsome charmer who seems to dote on Kerri. But Brendan isn't the man he says he is. Miranda should know, because she broke off her own affair with him just a few weeks ago when she found him reading her diary. Now Brendan claims that it was he who ended their short-lived relationship-and everyone believes him. When he and Kerri announce their engagement, Miranda's parents are thrilled for their shyer, less confident daughter. Then Kerri and Brendan beg Miranda to let them live in her apartment until their new home is ready. Against her better judgment, Miranda agrees.

Like a virus, Brendan starts spreading destruction throughout her life. He invades her privacy and disrupts her relationships with her family and friends. And then the real nightmare begins...

Like the obscenities he whispers into her ear, his onslaughts are as undetectable as they are devastating. Those closest to her begin to doubt her mental stability and accuse her of the very thing she believes drives Brendan: obsession. When Miranda decides to take off the gloves, fight back, and discover what is behind her enemy's bemused, secret smile, the consequences will be unlike any readers have ever encountered before.

How I got it:

Barnes and Noble

When I got it:

2006 I guess. Mine's got the same cover below so that must be right!

Why I want to read it:

At the time, I just thought it sounded interesting. I'd not actually read Nicci French then but have since devoured each installment in their (Nicci French is a husband and wife writing team) completely fantastic Frieda Klein series. 

Secret Smile was actually adapted into a TV movie in the UK and stars Kate Ashfield (of Shaun of the Dead) and David Tennant. While Tennant does technically play a bad guy in Harry Potter, this was the first time I really saw him play a villain. I didn't like it one bit! But the movie was good. (Of course Tennant is now playing the villain in Jessica Jones.)