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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
Overview: I love this series! This is number 3 however I think it can be read as a standalone. It kicks into the action straight away and hooks you in. I kept guessing and guessing and never got it right. The perfect page turner. I especially liked the letters that Louise wrote to her husband.
Good points: A brilliant twisty crime thriller and keeps you guessing. I enjoyed getting to know the police characters too which weaves perfectly into the story. I could barely stop reading because every chapter ended on a mini cliff hanger!
Not so good points: I don't really have any!
If you're looking for a crime thriller to read then pick this up (plus the others in the series), the most recent having just come out a few weeks ago.
1 - She Lies In Wait. 2 - Watching From The Dark. 3 - Lie Beside Me. 4 - Little Sister.
Good points: A brilliant twisty crime thriller and keeps you guessing. I enjoyed getting to know the police characters too which weaves perfectly into the story. I could barely stop reading because every chapter ended on a mini cliff hanger!
Not so good points: I don't really have any!
If you're looking for a crime thriller to read then pick this up (plus the others in the series), the most recent having just come out a few weeks ago.
1 - She Lies In Wait. 2 - Watching From The Dark. 3 - Lie Beside Me. 4 - Little Sister.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Audio library
This book will make you want to give up alcohol or at least binge drinking.
Gripping pageturner! And another brilliant opening chapter from Gytha Lodge... I was hooked from the start.
Louise wakes up in her bed beside a dead man, with no memory of what happened. This is told in the third person, but also via letters Louise writes to her husband. There are a lot of characters, including police officers, with details of their personal lives so I got a few of them mixed up, and there are some pretty unlikeable main characters. But it's well paced, and not terribly long. It pretty much wraps up at 90% of the way through, but I'm glad it continued on that extra 10%. It was a much more satisfying ending. 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 because it was an easy read.
3.5*, a solid crime thriller if a little uninspired. Definitely a page turner and the mystery carries on throughout - I never had the faintest idea who it was and I liked the ending although I didn't give the faintest of damns about Louise and Niall's romance arc as it never seemed as if they even liked each other, .
Amnesia (in this case due to being blackout drunk) is very overdone as a convenient driver of plot, so I was hoping when I picked this one up that Louise was a bit of a baddie, using the amnesia as an excuse, but we can see from her first-person POV that she genuinely doesn't remember. I didn't like her POV as much - in most thrillers it seems the detective POV and villain/victim POV is split maybe 70%-30% and usually the 30% is more interesting, but in this I was drawn to the detective POV and felt we were getting too much of Louise.
That said it's impressive to write a good cast of detective characters as the thriller genre is so saturated with them, but coming into this book without reading the prior entries in the series made no difference to the enjoyment of their characters. They're all likeable and interesting enough in their own ways. I do love the DCI being in a honeymoon phase with his partner too - that was the only tell-tale sign to me that this was part X + 1 in a series as this is a necessary trope in crime thrillers. I presume in the next book it all goes wrong LOL.
Also, this is very nitpicky but for some reason, the detective Ben Lightman (and Ben Lightman alone) is referred to as both 'Ben' and 'Lightman' throughout the narrative. Like in one sentence he's Ben, and then in the next he's Lightman, then back to Ben. It's not confusing because it happens enough for it to be clear Ben = Lightman's first name, but I was just like why specifically is this happening? Especially when you've got a kickass name for a detective like Lightman, why revert to Ben?
Spoiler
so it was a little disappointing the final page ended on the suggestion they'd patch things upAmnesia (in this case due to being blackout drunk) is very overdone as a convenient driver of plot, so I was hoping when I picked this one up that Louise was a bit of a baddie, using the amnesia as an excuse, but we can see from her first-person POV that she genuinely doesn't remember. I didn't like her POV as much - in most thrillers it seems the detective POV and villain/victim POV is split maybe 70%-30% and usually the 30% is more interesting, but in this I was drawn to the detective POV and felt we were getting too much of Louise.
That said it's impressive to write a good cast of detective characters as the thriller genre is so saturated with them, but coming into this book without reading the prior entries in the series made no difference to the enjoyment of their characters. They're all likeable and interesting enough in their own ways. I do love the DCI being in a honeymoon phase with his partner too - that was the only tell-tale sign to me that this was part X + 1 in a series as this is a necessary trope in crime thrillers. I presume in the next book it all goes wrong LOL.
Also, this is very nitpicky but for some reason, the detective Ben Lightman (and Ben Lightman alone) is referred to as both 'Ben' and 'Lightman' throughout the narrative. Like in one sentence he's Ben, and then in the next he's Lightman, then back to Ben. It's not confusing because it happens enough for it to be clear Ben = Lightman's first name, but I was just like why specifically is this happening? Especially when you've got a kickass name for a detective like Lightman, why revert to Ben?
Gytha Lodge has done it again! “Lie Beside Me” is another fantastically twisty, shocking and perplexing crime thriller. Complete with great character development and a strong ability to make police procedures tense and exciting, this is not to be missed.
When Louise awakes to find a dead man lying next to her in her bed, it’s the beginning of a horrendous nightmare. With no memory of the night before and not knowing who the man is (only that he’s not her husband), Louise starts to question exactly what happened last night. DCI Jonah Sheens and his team are called in to investigate. Is Louise telling the truth about her memory loss? Or is there something altogether more sinister behind this crime?
Gyhtha Lodge’s novels keep going from strength to strength and “Lie Beside Me” is, quite simply, fantastic. Lodge manages to weave an intricate and complicated mystery together in an effortless way, layering the narrative with a thickly tense atmosphere and genuinely surprising twists. The narrative seemed to be unfolding in a particular way and just as readers think this case is coming to its conclusion, Lodge successfully pulls the carpet out from under us and hurtles the reader to an altogether more thrilling and suspenseful revelation that cracks the case. The novel is exceptionally well paced and the police investigation progresses in an engaging way, whilst also retaining an element of plausibility as the team find dead ends and struggle to reach the truth. What I found most remarkable about “Lie Beside Me” though, is Lodge’s ability to combine an excellent crime thriller with an affecting exploration of addiction. This is as much a stark and harrowing reminder of the vulnerability and danger of alcoholism, as it is a police procedural. Louise’s dependence on alcohol and her “Drunk Louise” persona for confidence, is both tragic and painfully real. Her dependency has infiltrated every aspect of her life and thrust her into a living nightmare, but her experiences are also cathartic in a sense. Through this journey, Louise finds her strength and confidence away from the bottom of the bottle and this aspect of the narrative is striking. Addiction is also explored in a wider sense and I found that Lodge’s observations on capitalist obsessions with luxury, status and living beyond our means to be similarly damaging and life-destroying. It is clear that the characters at the heart of this crime are victims of greed, excess and poor decisions, which Lodge uses to great effect whilst taking readers on a peregrination to the truth. There are definitely moments of breathtaking suspense, but also many heartfelt and tender aspects to the narrative, particularly in relation to the murder victim and his background. This makes “Lie Beside Me” so much more than a standard police procedural, but then, I wouldn’t expect anything less from Lodge who continues to be a standout voice in the genre.
The other aspect of “Lie Beside Me” that I found really enjoyable is the continuing character development of DCI Jonah Sheens and his team. Each member is interesting in a unique way, which is no mean feat. Sheens himself continues to develop as a strong and empathetic leader, who maintains a level head and steers his team into solid investigation. His relationship with girlfriend JoJo is explored a little and it helps to cement his persona as a decent bloke, but one who takes pride in his job and goes above and beyond to solve a crime. Hanson is a great character - complex and interesting. She is empathetic too, intelligent and likeable. She is equal parts vulnerability (the underlying anxiety she feels over he left ex-boyfriend Damian’s actions) and strength (her decisions to no longer accept Damian’s terrorisation). In some ways, Hanson’s journey mirrors Louise’s, as she too takes on a new confidence and approach to a negative aspect of her life. Lightfoot is the other member of the team who I really enjoyed as a character. His quiet, methodical and dependable nature lends a sense of stability to the team and in particular to the situation that Hanson faces outside of the station. He is a bit of a dark horse and I hope that his and Hanson’s relationship is explored in future novels. The dynamics between the team are really well written and add a realistic aspect to the narrative. As a reader I very much felt part of their team during the investigation and what is the true strength of a writer if it’s not to pull you headfirst into the world of their characters? Lodge does this with a powerful intensity and I genuinely didn’t want this novel to end. I can’t wait to read the team’s next case!
This is a novel that ally crime thriller fans should have on their TBR pile - I highly recommend it. You won’t be disappointed!
When Louise awakes to find a dead man lying next to her in her bed, it’s the beginning of a horrendous nightmare. With no memory of the night before and not knowing who the man is (only that he’s not her husband), Louise starts to question exactly what happened last night. DCI Jonah Sheens and his team are called in to investigate. Is Louise telling the truth about her memory loss? Or is there something altogether more sinister behind this crime?
Gyhtha Lodge’s novels keep going from strength to strength and “Lie Beside Me” is, quite simply, fantastic. Lodge manages to weave an intricate and complicated mystery together in an effortless way, layering the narrative with a thickly tense atmosphere and genuinely surprising twists. The narrative seemed to be unfolding in a particular way and just as readers think this case is coming to its conclusion, Lodge successfully pulls the carpet out from under us and hurtles the reader to an altogether more thrilling and suspenseful revelation that cracks the case. The novel is exceptionally well paced and the police investigation progresses in an engaging way, whilst also retaining an element of plausibility as the team find dead ends and struggle to reach the truth. What I found most remarkable about “Lie Beside Me” though, is Lodge’s ability to combine an excellent crime thriller with an affecting exploration of addiction. This is as much a stark and harrowing reminder of the vulnerability and danger of alcoholism, as it is a police procedural. Louise’s dependence on alcohol and her “Drunk Louise” persona for confidence, is both tragic and painfully real. Her dependency has infiltrated every aspect of her life and thrust her into a living nightmare, but her experiences are also cathartic in a sense. Through this journey, Louise finds her strength and confidence away from the bottom of the bottle and this aspect of the narrative is striking. Addiction is also explored in a wider sense and I found that Lodge’s observations on capitalist obsessions with luxury, status and living beyond our means to be similarly damaging and life-destroying. It is clear that the characters at the heart of this crime are victims of greed, excess and poor decisions, which Lodge uses to great effect whilst taking readers on a peregrination to the truth. There are definitely moments of breathtaking suspense, but also many heartfelt and tender aspects to the narrative, particularly in relation to the murder victim and his background. This makes “Lie Beside Me” so much more than a standard police procedural, but then, I wouldn’t expect anything less from Lodge who continues to be a standout voice in the genre.
The other aspect of “Lie Beside Me” that I found really enjoyable is the continuing character development of DCI Jonah Sheens and his team. Each member is interesting in a unique way, which is no mean feat. Sheens himself continues to develop as a strong and empathetic leader, who maintains a level head and steers his team into solid investigation. His relationship with girlfriend JoJo is explored a little and it helps to cement his persona as a decent bloke, but one who takes pride in his job and goes above and beyond to solve a crime. Hanson is a great character - complex and interesting. She is empathetic too, intelligent and likeable. She is equal parts vulnerability (the underlying anxiety she feels over he left ex-boyfriend Damian’s actions) and strength (her decisions to no longer accept Damian’s terrorisation). In some ways, Hanson’s journey mirrors Louise’s, as she too takes on a new confidence and approach to a negative aspect of her life. Lightfoot is the other member of the team who I really enjoyed as a character. His quiet, methodical and dependable nature lends a sense of stability to the team and in particular to the situation that Hanson faces outside of the station. He is a bit of a dark horse and I hope that his and Hanson’s relationship is explored in future novels. The dynamics between the team are really well written and add a realistic aspect to the narrative. As a reader I very much felt part of their team during the investigation and what is the true strength of a writer if it’s not to pull you headfirst into the world of their characters? Lodge does this with a powerful intensity and I genuinely didn’t want this novel to end. I can’t wait to read the team’s next case!
This is a novel that ally crime thriller fans should have on their TBR pile - I highly recommend it. You won’t be disappointed!
I did not realize that this was a third book in a detective series. The biggest reason I gave it 2 stars was that I felt that we were given lots of asides and details of the lives of what seemed like minor characters but that was before I realized it was a series. Apparently the Detective Chief Inspector Jonah Sheens is the common thread among the books. That makes a lot more sense why so much time was spent on his and his coworkers stories. I feel that I need to read the other books to give it a more fair rating. Take my rating as reading this as a stand alone book outside of the series. I also recently watched a parody of these types of books called "The Woman in the House Across the Street From the Girl in the Window" which I would not recommend. Due to watching the parody it just made it to where some elements felt cliché and predictable that most likely wouldn't have if it hadn't watched that prior.