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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
Just brilliant, the story is told from many different POVs and keeps you guessing till the very end! I couldn’t put this book down.
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was my first book by the author, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
It had some perfectly timed reveals. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, the truth would unfold within a few pages—keeping me hooked throughout.
It had some perfectly timed reveals. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, the truth would unfold within a few pages—keeping me hooked throughout.
At first, you assume the “couple” in the title refers to Saffy and Tom, but the twist is that it’s actually about Rose and Daphne, which was such a smart and unexpected turn.
Some sections—like the parts between Saffy and Tom, Lorna and Alberto, or Theo and Jen—could have been slightly shorter, but they still added meaningful emotional layers to the story. These moments reflected how different people process trauma and truth at different points in their lives.
Some sections—like the parts between Saffy and Tom, Lorna and Alberto, or Theo and Jen—could have been slightly shorter, but they still added meaningful emotional layers to the story. These moments reflected how different people process trauma and truth at different points in their lives.
If you enjoy character-driven thrillers with emotional depth and steady twists, this one’s worth picking up.
Saffy's grandmother Rose has recently moved into a carehome, due to her increasing dementia. To everybody's surprise, it turns out that she owns a lovely little house that nobody knew about before. Saffy's mother Lorna shows no interest in the property, so it goes to Saffy and her husband Tom, who can hardly believe their luck. With enthusiasm, they set about furnishing their cozy new home and redesigning the veranda and garden.
Their excitement is short-lived, however, when the builders they hired uncover human bones, and the dream house becomes a nightmare. Does Rose know anything about it? Does Lorna? The past proves to be a kaleidoscope of identities and secrets, and Saffy uncomfortably wonders what her mother and grandmother have been hiding from her.
The tension builds quickly and remains at a high level throughout. Despite all the suspense, however, this is also a family drama that develops much more psychological depth than I had expected. How much can or should you forgive out of love? When is the path between guilt and forgiveness finally permanently blocked?
The family relationships are fraught with conflict, the relationships are complicated and problematic. Almost all of the main characters have something to hide, and lie in small or big ways. As a reader, you can never be quite sure if it's wise to believe them, but despite that, the author portrays them all in an authentic and convincing way. She skillfully switches between different perspectives, plotlines, and time periods, and even if you may doubt it every so often, everything will make sense in retrospect.
Claire Douglas writes with great sensitivity for the atmosphere of her settings and the personalities of her characters, so her writing style carries the story along in a compelling, engaging way.
Their excitement is short-lived, however, when the builders they hired uncover human bones, and the dream house becomes a nightmare. Does Rose know anything about it? Does Lorna? The past proves to be a kaleidoscope of identities and secrets, and Saffy uncomfortably wonders what her mother and grandmother have been hiding from her.
The tension builds quickly and remains at a high level throughout. Despite all the suspense, however, this is also a family drama that develops much more psychological depth than I had expected. How much can or should you forgive out of love? When is the path between guilt and forgiveness finally permanently blocked?
The family relationships are fraught with conflict, the relationships are complicated and problematic. Almost all of the main characters have something to hide, and lie in small or big ways. As a reader, you can never be quite sure if it's wise to believe them, but despite that, the author portrays them all in an authentic and convincing way. She skillfully switches between different perspectives, plotlines, and time periods, and even if you may doubt it every so often, everything will make sense in retrospect.
Claire Douglas writes with great sensitivity for the atmosphere of her settings and the personalities of her characters, so her writing style carries the story along in a compelling, engaging way.
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
fast-paced
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Enjoyed this but this is my fav trope so might be biased! I enjoyed nonetheless and did find it predictable - which isn’t a big deal to me.