The Girl She Used To Be

By David Cristofano
Grand Central Publishing, $22.99, 256 pages

“Call me whatever name you want; it’s just a name, after all.” Melody McCartney has been running since the age of six when her and her parents entered into the Federal Witness Protection Program to hide from the mafia after they witness one of their murders. Two decades later, Melody is approached by Jonathan Bovaro, son of man who wants Melody dead, to come with him and convince his father into letting her live. Despite his violent past, Jonathan offers Melody protection and the chance to live as someone she’s always wanted to be: herself. With the feds and mafia after both of them now, Melody fights for her chance at a normal life and to stay with Jonathan.

For his first novel, David Cristofano creates a vivid, bittersweet tale in The Girl She Used To Be. Cristofano forms Melody not only as a girl on the run, but also as a quick-witted mathematician whose quick responses can leave even the reader blushing with embarrassment. The Girl She Used To Be will keep readers turning the page and guessing until the very end.

Reviewed by Robyn J. Oxborrow