mandylovestoread's review
4.0
Come a Little Closer by Karen Perry is a book that I read in a day. It was a twisty, fast story that I just could not tear myself away from. I wasn't sure where the story was going to go and didn't see the ending coming. As with other Karen Perry books you are drawn into the lives of this community and the relationships of the characters. It is hard to know who is lying to protect themselves and who is honest.
Leah and Jake move into their new basement flat to start their life together. But Leah is still competing with Jakes ex and his son. She befriends Anton, the old man upstairs, not knowing that he has just been released from prison for the murder of his wife Charlotte - a woman who looked a lot like Leah. This is neighbourhood where everybody knows everybody and the gossip soon reaches Leah but is it too late? Anton claims to be innocent, but his actions seem to prove his guilt.
Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin UK, Michael Joseph for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased.
Leah and Jake move into their new basement flat to start their life together. But Leah is still competing with Jakes ex and his son. She befriends Anton, the old man upstairs, not knowing that he has just been released from prison for the murder of his wife Charlotte - a woman who looked a lot like Leah. This is neighbourhood where everybody knows everybody and the gossip soon reaches Leah but is it too late? Anton claims to be innocent, but his actions seem to prove his guilt.
Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin UK, Michael Joseph for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased.
mazza57's review
2.0
It is around 20 years since Anton was convicted of his wife's murder despite hie pleas of innocence he has served his time. As he is released from prison Leah and Jake move into the basement flat of his home unaware of its history. In the Irish town that he lives again emotions are stirred on his return. The book reads easily enough but I would describe it as a unexciting narrative without the building of real thrill. I could feel myself sighing at the stupidity of the characters- as we learn more about each of them their own histories seem somewhat unbelievable and it is difficult to really fall into the storyline - "I kept wanting to say oh come on - really".
It was Ok but not the best read
It was Ok but not the best read
nayt001's review
4.0
A mixture of feelings about this read. It was good, and I was griped at time. I kind of guess the ending half way though... well writen, and overall a well enjoyed read.
snazzybooks's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.25
I first read this book three years ago, but realised I never wrote a review at the time – and it was such an intriguing book I was happy to read it again!
Come A Little Closer starts with a bang – a young boy appears from nowhere covered in blood in a park.
We follow Leah and Jake as they move into a basement flat belonging to Anton, who has been in prison for 19 years for killing his wife – but Anton maintains his innocence. Before Leah knows about Anton’s past, she spends some time with him and is shocked when she finds out what he was accused of (and found guilty of!)
As well as Leah and Anton’s, we also get inside the mind of neighbour Hilary, who knew Anton and his wife Charlotte before she died.
Slowly, through all of their narratives, we start to unpick what really happened back then – the secrets and lies plaguing the people in this neighbourhood. There are twists and turns as we find out more, and a surprise at the end. The plot is satisfyingly complex without feeling too convoluted, and alhough there’s drama and intrigue, it never feels too ridiculous.
I hugely enjoyed Come A Little Closer – it’s a gripping read, which is no surprise seeing as it’s written by the brilliant Karen Perry!
Come A Little Closer starts with a bang – a young boy appears from nowhere covered in blood in a park.
We follow Leah and Jake as they move into a basement flat belonging to Anton, who has been in prison for 19 years for killing his wife – but Anton maintains his innocence. Before Leah knows about Anton’s past, she spends some time with him and is shocked when she finds out what he was accused of (and found guilty of!)
As well as Leah and Anton’s, we also get inside the mind of neighbour Hilary, who knew Anton and his wife Charlotte before she died.
Slowly, through all of their narratives, we start to unpick what really happened back then – the secrets and lies plaguing the people in this neighbourhood. There are twists and turns as we find out more, and a surprise at the end. The plot is satisfyingly complex without feeling too convoluted, and alhough there’s drama and intrigue, it never feels too ridiculous.
I hugely enjoyed Come A Little Closer – it’s a gripping read, which is no surprise seeing as it’s written by the brilliant Karen Perry!
melanie_galea's review
2.0
First half of the book was unnecessarily drawn out and I had pretty much already figured out who was the killer around the 200 page mark. It was nice to see how the events in the latter half of the book played out though.
leona_omahony's review
5.0
This is the first book that I’ve read by this author and it certainly won’t be my last . An unputdownable psychological thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat . I absolutely loved it . A brilliant start and a superb ending . Highly recommend for fans of psychological thrillers.
julieviiii's review
5.0
First of all : if you read it, do it during the summer. The book's events all happen between June and October (except the flashback to 19 years ago in the summer again).
It's crazy how you keep thinking you know who killed Charlotte years ago and yet it's not until the last pages that you know for sure.
It's heavy, slow paced, hazy between the flashbacks and present events and every characters have their fair share of mystery and dark past.
All in all its the perfect thriller beach read !
It's crazy how you keep thinking you know who killed Charlotte years ago and yet it's not until the last pages that you know for sure.
It's heavy, slow paced, hazy between the flashbacks and present events and every characters have their fair share of mystery and dark past.
All in all its the perfect thriller beach read !
caomhin's review
4.0
Come A Little Closer is a domestic mystery that moves at a gentle pace. After a fairly attention-grabbing introduction to the street on which it all takes place, we settle into discovering the main characters. Interesting characters at that. There's a decent level of detail and backstory even on some of the less prominent characters, it all builds up a very balanced and believable world. In fact, despite the fact that you spend the whole story pondering a murder, the whole thing is very grounded.
But for all these great traits I never really got hooked by it all. It's a pleasant, enjoyable read, but I never found myself drawn in and craving a little more. Many chapters ended on a mini-cliffhanger, ones that could've come with a dramatic drumbeat to signal you need to know more, but like a soap opera, I quickly realised that I wasn't going to get that satisfaction any time soon. Don't worry, you do get the payoff eventually. You know that things are going to shift into focus in the end, and they do. Rather well in fact. It's just that the whole thing is very pleasant rather than engaging. It's a great summertime read in that respect. One you can access easily between some poolside drinks, or waiting at the gate. You can read it in a park and not be bothered by the ice cream van playing an annoying tune. It's a socially acceptable thriller that you can pass around without worrying about people thinking you're a psychopath for reading. It's great at being good.
If you want a nice easy holiday read with a decent plot and a nice dose of mystery you can't go wrong here.
But for all these great traits I never really got hooked by it all. It's a pleasant, enjoyable read, but I never found myself drawn in and craving a little more. Many chapters ended on a mini-cliffhanger, ones that could've come with a dramatic drumbeat to signal you need to know more, but like a soap opera, I quickly realised that I wasn't going to get that satisfaction any time soon. Don't worry, you do get the payoff eventually. You know that things are going to shift into focus in the end, and they do. Rather well in fact. It's just that the whole thing is very pleasant rather than engaging. It's a great summertime read in that respect. One you can access easily between some poolside drinks, or waiting at the gate. You can read it in a park and not be bothered by the ice cream van playing an annoying tune. It's a socially acceptable thriller that you can pass around without worrying about people thinking you're a psychopath for reading. It's great at being good.
If you want a nice easy holiday read with a decent plot and a nice dose of mystery you can't go wrong here.
tinamoo's review
2.0
I received a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This story is about Leah who moves into the basement of a large house with her boyfriend Jake. Anton lives upstairs and has just been released from prison for murdering his wife. Then we have Hilary and her husband who used to live in the basement before Anton went to prison. Leah strikes up a friendship with Anton but as readers we have no idea whether or not she is safe with him.
Unfortunately I really didn’t enjoy this book. I found the story far too slow and in my opinion it is marketed wrong being called a thriller. I really didn’t care very much about any of the characters. I guessed the ending from around halfway through the book. From the premise of this book I thought it would be a bit creepy but it definitely wasn’t. I have previously read a book by this author and enjoyed it so I will definitely give this author another try.
This story is about Leah who moves into the basement of a large house with her boyfriend Jake. Anton lives upstairs and has just been released from prison for murdering his wife. Then we have Hilary and her husband who used to live in the basement before Anton went to prison. Leah strikes up a friendship with Anton but as readers we have no idea whether or not she is safe with him.
Unfortunately I really didn’t enjoy this book. I found the story far too slow and in my opinion it is marketed wrong being called a thriller. I really didn’t care very much about any of the characters. I guessed the ending from around halfway through the book. From the premise of this book I thought it would be a bit creepy but it definitely wasn’t. I have previously read a book by this author and enjoyed it so I will definitely give this author another try.
nietzschesghost's review
4.0
Come a Little Closer is another cracker of a psychological thriller from Karen Perry and it is genuinely one of the most taut, tense and utterly chilling books I've read this year. I have found some of Perry's earlier novels weren't to my taste but this has blown me away as I initially expected the same average novel. It is clear the author has stepped up her game considerably.
Jake and Leah are moving into a basement together — the first step in taking their relationship to the next level. However, not everything is as rosy as it should be: Leah is suffering from crippling insomnia, something I can relate to as I have it myself, and with Jake being away from home a lot Leah feels lonely and isolated, especially at night. It doesn't take long before she seeks solace elsewhere.
This leads her to the keen listening ear of Anton, the owner of the house in which they have rented the basement. He has returned to the locale after years away. Leah doesn't understand why the residents of the small community have shunned and ostracised him. But when it's revealed that he murdered his wife some years earlier Leah wishes she could unshare some of the secrets she told to him on many a long night.
The story starts with an almighty bang — a young boy bloodied, battered and begging for help in a local park. Now if that doesn't get you interested then I don't know what will. The menacing undertone continues throughout and the deeper you read the more deliciously dark and ominous the atmosphere becomes. It's well written and intelligently plotted with a complex, multilayered structure which means you have to revise your guesses about what will happen multiple times. The conclusion, however, felt rushed and slightly anticlimactic and is the reason for deducting a star. Many thanks to Penguin for an ARC.
Jake and Leah are moving into a basement together — the first step in taking their relationship to the next level. However, not everything is as rosy as it should be: Leah is suffering from crippling insomnia, something I can relate to as I have it myself, and with Jake being away from home a lot Leah feels lonely and isolated, especially at night. It doesn't take long before she seeks solace elsewhere.
This leads her to the keen listening ear of Anton, the owner of the house in which they have rented the basement. He has returned to the locale after years away. Leah doesn't understand why the residents of the small community have shunned and ostracised him. But when it's revealed that he murdered his wife some years earlier Leah wishes she could unshare some of the secrets she told to him on many a long night.
The story starts with an almighty bang — a young boy bloodied, battered and begging for help in a local park. Now if that doesn't get you interested then I don't know what will. The menacing undertone continues throughout and the deeper you read the more deliciously dark and ominous the atmosphere becomes. It's well written and intelligently plotted with a complex, multilayered structure which means you have to revise your guesses about what will happen multiple times. The conclusion, however, felt rushed and slightly anticlimactic and is the reason for deducting a star. Many thanks to Penguin for an ARC.
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