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paulabrandon's review against another edition
3.0
Hannah and Will Riley move out to the country to Tornley Hall. They wish to adopt and Hannah is desperate to show that they have a suitable home in which to bring up a child (she feels responsible for the fact they missed out last time, and it was shattering). She only has a fortnight until the social worker arrives to assess the house, and it needs a lot of work, so she becomes obsessive about getting it all done within that time frame.
Suffice to say, the house has secrets, and I can't say much more than that! To do so could be considered spoilers because this is VERY, VERY SLOW to get started! If you want 200 pages of description about doing up a house and moving around furniture, then step right up. About 100 pages should have been shaved off this story, that's for sure! We spend a lot of time with Hannah and Will, and neither are all that likable, unfortunately. They're both very selfish and self-absorbed in their own ways. Will's behaviour in the later part of the book is childish in the extreme, and I wanted to give him a short, sharp slap! What a tool!
However, the last 120 pages or so are quite good as the mystery deepens and explanations eventually make their way to surface. But it takes far, far too long to get to the good stuff.
Suffice to say, the house has secrets, and I can't say much more than that! To do so could be considered spoilers because this is VERY, VERY SLOW to get started! If you want 200 pages of description about doing up a house and moving around furniture, then step right up. About 100 pages should have been shaved off this story, that's for sure! We spend a lot of time with Hannah and Will, and neither are all that likable, unfortunately. They're both very selfish and self-absorbed in their own ways. Will's behaviour in the later part of the book is childish in the extreme, and I wanted to give him a short, sharp slap! What a tool!
However, the last 120 pages or so are quite good as the mystery deepens and explanations eventually make their way to surface. But it takes far, far too long to get to the good stuff.
kybena16's review against another edition
2.0
I LOVED Louise Millar's other books, but this one just didn't do it for me. I kept waiting for the 'psychological thriller' part...and it never came. It wasn't an awful book, but I didn't connect with any of the characters and was bored through most of it.
ruth559's review against another edition
3.0
A good mystery, easy to read but slightly unbelievable 3.5
hollyj13's review
1.0
This one was very poorly marketed and advertised. It’s supposed to be a psychological thriller, yet there was nothing thrilling about it. There is one plot running through the first half of the book with little weird things going on here and there. The second half got a bit more exciting but completely changed directions. Even the “twist” was not very exciting. The characters were boring and you didn’t even want to root for them in the end. The entire side plot with Will was completely unnecessary.
mementomorel's review
3.0
Started out slow, I had to push on a little to keep going. The story line felt rushed as well. Not one of the greatest books I have read lately.
randomreader41's review against another edition
1.0
I’m surprised I made it through. The story just ran on with no clear purpose. Took too long to reach the climax and the ending was very blah.
huomenna's review
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
sarahs_bookish_life's review
5.0
I loved this book, was so easy to read and couldn't put it down. It's not the best thriller I've read but the story flows so well you just want to keep reading. Looking forward to reading more by this author.
ryndleto's review
2.0
Not impressed by this one. The characters were all weak because none of them are developed or fleshed out much at all. The main character had a tad bit of character development, but not enough to be super noticeable.
My big complaint is how long this story took. The first 300 pages can be summed up in: Main character is stressed about house. House needs fixed! Is there someone in house? Cut to main character's husband, who is upset about the house.
And that sequence got really old, really fast.
Also the title is a blatant spoiler to a plot that's only introduced in the last 100 pages.
My big complaint is how long this story took. The first 300 pages can be summed up in: Main character is stressed about house. House needs fixed! Is there someone in house? Cut to main character's husband, who is upset about the house.
And that sequence got really old, really fast.
Also the title is a blatant spoiler to a plot that's only introduced in the last 100 pages.
inthejar79's review
2.0
I loved the setting and although the story kept my interest it left me wanting more in terms of character development. I didn't find the resolution believable.