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alienhard's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
loubielou92's review against another edition
dark
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? Yes
1.0
lias_little_book_shelf's review
4.0
What an amazing book, this was my first proper thriller that wasn't involving proper police detective work. This book focuses on the struggles of a couple moving in together for the first time and the struggles that not everyone would normally have but some people unfortunately go through from neighbours. This story took a while to get into but I really felt for the characters and as the story unfolded it showed that there are more to people than you might think!I give this book a low 4 star rating! I recommend to others!
katykelly's review against another edition
3.0
I couldn't make up my mind - tense? exciting? Or a bit of a letdown?
It did keep my attention, I did keep listening (I read an audio version), and on the whole I enjoyed it, though I did find it frustrating.
A couple manage to put a successful offer in on their 'dream' flat in London, the previous owners having left suddenly and wanting a quick sale. Jamie and Kirsty are hopeful that this will be the place from which they can start a family and their grown-up lives in the capital.
It does not take long, however, for some strange and then sinister happenings to begin. Prank phone calls, excessive junk mail, complaints about noise... which escalate and make their lives hell.
Are the neighbours who seemed so friendly really doing all this? If so - why? And if not, are Jamie and Kirsty imagining things?
A few shocks along the way keep this intense, though I never warmed to Kirsty, she doesn't develop at all as Jamie does - it's his voice we hear more from, his life we see ruined, though Kirsty's of course follows the same pattern. Unfortunately as well, the male narrator on the CD isn't averse to resorting to sexy deep female voices for his women, which does nothing to cement them as real people.
I quite enjoyed the 'are they or aren't they' aspect of the neighbours, it all seems so insane!
The sex scenes, as others have mentioned, are verging on distasteful and too graphic for a regular thriller, a little unnecessary.
When I got to the ending, I didn't feel satisfied, some decisions made didn't quite make sense though the conclusion and reasons for what has happened were mostly believable (just!).
Would make a great mini-series for autumn evenings, lots of climaxes, shocks and suspense.
A little silly and over-wrought, but a decent psychological thriller.
It did keep my attention, I did keep listening (I read an audio version), and on the whole I enjoyed it, though I did find it frustrating.
A couple manage to put a successful offer in on their 'dream' flat in London, the previous owners having left suddenly and wanting a quick sale. Jamie and Kirsty are hopeful that this will be the place from which they can start a family and their grown-up lives in the capital.
It does not take long, however, for some strange and then sinister happenings to begin. Prank phone calls, excessive junk mail, complaints about noise... which escalate and make their lives hell.
Are the neighbours who seemed so friendly really doing all this? If so - why? And if not, are Jamie and Kirsty imagining things?
A few shocks along the way keep this intense, though I never warmed to Kirsty, she doesn't develop at all as Jamie does - it's his voice we hear more from, his life we see ruined, though Kirsty's of course follows the same pattern. Unfortunately as well, the male narrator on the CD isn't averse to resorting to sexy deep female voices for his women, which does nothing to cement them as real people.
I quite enjoyed the 'are they or aren't they' aspect of the neighbours, it all seems so insane!
The sex scenes, as others have mentioned, are verging on distasteful and too graphic for a regular thriller, a little unnecessary.
When I got to the ending, I didn't feel satisfied, some decisions made didn't quite make sense though the conclusion and reasons for what has happened were mostly believable (just!).
Would make a great mini-series for autumn evenings, lots of climaxes, shocks and suspense.
A little silly and over-wrought, but a decent psychological thriller.
zenithgrimsbane's review against another edition
3.0
bu kitaba hangi puani verirsem vereyim dogru hissetirmeyecegi icin oturup ortada bir sey sectim. cunku kitap hem HARIKAYDI hem de BERBATTI. 1 de verebilirdim 5 de
lisbethssalamander's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
sarahlreadseverything's review
1.0
The one star status is a reminder for myself that I should not read creepy books. Not my thing. Bookclub's fault.
If creepy books are your thing? Maybe a two or three star. The writing style is repetitive (show, don't tell Mr Edwards) and the main characters frustrating/flat/idiotic.
If creepy books are your thing? Maybe a two or three star. The writing style is repetitive (show, don't tell Mr Edwards) and the main characters frustrating/flat/idiotic.
nikkixiuling's review against another edition
4.0
V gripping, Mark Edwards does very well in writing some creepy stuff. But wowee I have never been so mad at someone than I have at Jamie towards the end of this book. I'd maybe go more around 3.5 rating as I was so mad lol.
remile's review against another edition
3.0
Thrilling, I enjoyed the atmosphere and the subtle changes in relationships. What nagged me was that James could have done more to work out the situation, the big reveal should have been in the middle of the book. A little too much secrecy was achieved due to communication issues. The ending however shocked me enough and left me wondering about this pure evilness in some people.