So.. this isn't my usual type of reading material but this book caught my attention and I have to say I'm very impressed and quite astounded by it's content. I found the beginning slightly dreary but the intrigue kept me reading, and I'm glad it did or I would have missed out on a whole other literature experience. Not necessarily my favourite genre, but this author has definitly opened my eyes to other possibilities and I will be looking forward to her next instalment. If you choose this breath taking read I would definitely recommend that you buckle your seat belts as your in for the ride of your life.

I love a read where just the prospect of something happening keeps you reading until it actually happens. The suspense in this book was amazing and it literally had me thinking about the next time I could pick the book up again with every moment in the day. I also loved how I was gradually creeped out by Polly's character as the story progressed. There were little one-liners that Polly would say that would kind of shock me in a way and that would build up to the point that I just knew something was wrong. It was a very realistic read with realistic characters where things were revealed from both sides to make you doubt any thoughts you had of what was going to happen and when. It's definitely an intense,gripping psychological read that can be read again and again with the same feeling of suspicion and paranoia. I loved it!

Cuckoo is the first book I have read by Julia Crouch. Unfortunatelly the title gives the plot away, so there`s no guessing, no mystery about the plot. The book is good and an easy read with a promise of a dark psychological thriller. Rose`s and Polly`s - the two main characters - characters were well written and the plot was interesting. The children were present throughout the book, but they remained in the background. I found the characters of the men very similar and uninteresting. The story was written mainly around two women, Rose and Polly and their characters provided the reader with deeply unsettling, dark entertainment. The story took us to their past and present, to their hidden secrets. Throughout the book the reader sees the power battle between these women and the mind games. I found Rose`s character a bit of a `pushover`, that`s why I found her a bit annoying and fustrating. Polly`s character was selfich, careless, dark and manipulating. Often I asked the question, why hasn`t Rose thrown her out of the house? To me the only disappointment was the ending. I thought the book was unfinished and left the reader guessing.

This book is unusual and original and was full of unexpected surprises. The two female lead characters Polly and Rose seem to be worlds apart. There are hints throughout that their are dark secrets in the past which have bound them together. When Polly comes to stay everyone except Rose seems to think it is a bad idea. Rose's husband is clearly against it and it isn't long before Rose herself is thinking along the sames lines. Polly's previous life in the public eye follows her and soon she has the attention of everyone. Rose's ordered life slowly implodes and for the reader the secret is working out whether the events are actually happening as described or if they are in Rose's head. The ending of the book is ambiguous leaving the reader to make up their own mind, although if I am honest I would have preferred a more rounded ending, The book is fast paced and at time very touching, particularly where the children of both families are concerned but at times I did feel the differences between the two women, Rose as homely and domestic goddess and Polly as messy, uncaring and aloof a little overdone. This was a good read and I don't want to give away too much of the plot but I didn't see the last but coming when the two venture to Brighton. Well worth a look.

I really enjoyed reading this book - once I started I couldn't put it down. The suspense was built up nicely and kept me wondering what would happen next. My only disappointment was that the ending felt a bit unsatisfying and rushed. But it was still an excellent psychological thriller that keeps you guessing until the end.