Not so much of a psychological thriller but more of a slower paced, psychological family drama, with vivid and suspenseful writing dealing with the aftermath of a traumatic event in a couples marriage. As with the author’s previous book, The People At No. 9, which I enjoyed very much, she writes again of wonderfully thought out characters that have that slightly untrustworthy and suspicious nature about them. Are they really what they appear to be? Are they telling the truth or do we have an unreliable narrator? Coupled with the seemingly remote aspect of their new village life, all in all, made for a claustrophobic and suspenseful read. Karen, her husband Nick and their older teenage son Ethan, have moved out of London to an idyllic sounding country cottage. Something immediately feels slightly off though, as Karen’s husband appears to have done all the renovations and plans by himself, with Karen seemingly seeing the place for the first time as she arrives to move in. There is a definite undercurrent as the author slowly introduces you to the main characters in the story. Karen seems to struggle with paranoia and nerves, Nick has a obvious flirtatious natures which he doesn’t seem to even try to hide and there appears to be a strained relationship with the son. Clearly something has happened to them all as a family but has it all been left behind back in London? A novel that isn’t one with a big plot but a wonderfully intense observation on a couple trying to paint over the cracks in their marriage, with other side stories as Karen meets her new neighbours and tries to integrate herself in village life. Invites to charity auctions, making new friends and a suspicious man squatting in a nearby barn, all add to the slightly sinister edge of the novel, but all relating back to Karen and her feelings towards her husband. A surprising ending but one that suits the book marvellously. An absorbing read!

The story begins after the main event that brought Karen and Nick to the affluent side of this picture-perfect village from the hustle and bustle of London, where there is a tight circle of ‘those who have’, that seems to rule the roost. Karen had a mental break-down in London and is still recovering, the only thing is, is that her husband was a major contributor, not that he would admit to that. The story centres around Karen and how she sees the people around her. She is certainly not fully recovered, with everyone under suspicion as she reads more into everything they do. The story is quite a way in when it drops back to a more detailed explanation of what had gone on. Nick doesn’t do much to help Karen, in fact, he seems to pour oil on the fire. I didn’t like Nick much although he loved himself enough to make up for it. When their son returns home unexpectedly, I felt he wasn’t much better. Demanding and spoilt, he was just another person to use Karen as a doormat. Things are happening in the house which you wonder if someone is trying to push her over the edge. Where there really isn’t much ‘care in the community’ to help her get better. A look into domestic noir and a troubled mind. I wish to thank NetGalley and the publisher for an e-copy of this book which I have reviewed honestly.

Not so much of a psychological thriller but more of a slower paced, psychological family drama, with vivid and suspenseful writing dealing with the aftermath of a traumatic event in a couples marriage. As with the author’s previous book, The People At No. 9, which I enjoyed very much, she writes again of wonderfully thought out characters that have that slightly untrustworthy and suspicious nature about them. Are they really what they appear to be? Are they telling the truth or do we have an unreliable narrator? Coupled with the seemingly remote aspect of their new village life, all in all, made for a claustrophobic and suspenseful read. Karen, her husband Nick and their older teenage son Ethan, have moved out of London to an idyllic sounding country cottage. Something immediately feels slightly off though, as Karen’s husband appears to have done all the renovations and plans by himself, with Karen seemingly seeing the place for the first time as she arrives to move in. There is a definite undercurrent as the author slowly introduces you to the main characters in the story. Karen seems to struggle with paranoia and nerves, Nick has a obvious flirtatious natures which he doesn’t seem to even try to hide and there appears to be a strained relationship with the son. Clearly something has happened to them all as a family but has it all been left behind back in London? A novel that isn’t one with a big plot but a wonderfully intense observation on a couple trying to paint over the cracks in their marriage, with other side stories as Karen meets her new neighbours and tries to integrate herself in village life. Invites to charity auctions, making new friends and a suspicious man squatting in a nearby barn, all add to the slightly sinister edge of the novel, but all relating back to Karen and her feelings towards her husband. A surprising ending but one that suits the book marvellously. An absorbing read! I received a digit proof copy of this book from the publisher to read and review

I really enjoyed this book. I liked the main character, Karen. The story is told from her point of view and is very well written. I am hoping there is a follow up book as I wasn’t quite ready to stop reading about her when the story abruptly ended. I enjoyed all the detail in the book, from the beginning I found it very hard to put down. I definitely recommend this book, thank you #netgalley

This was a book of two halves - it started with some really witty sentences and brilliantly dark humour then progressed to something quite sobering and poignant. The story wasn’t fast-paced or particularly gripping but something about it compelled me to keep reading, and to that end I rather enjoyed it. A tale that is written really well and ambles along nicely.