The Doll House plays out as a psychological thriller, mixed within a contemporary family drama setting - but I was left feeling unsure as to whether it really 'thrilled' me.

The Doll House follows the lives of two sisters, Ashley and Corinne. Ashley is a married mother of three, with a husband who suddenly seems distant - working late at the office and easily distracted. Is he hiding something? When Ashley starts receiving mysterious phone calls, where the caller never speaks, she becomes deeply paranoid that her supposedly happy family might not be so perfect. Corinne is desperate for a baby after several failed IVF attempts. With one last shot on the horizon, can she finally become the mother she's always wanted to be? When she starts finding pieces from her old family doll house left around her flat and workplace, she starts to feel that something sinister is afoot. Will delving into her past help her uncover a secret best left forgotten?

The narrative for this is split mainly between the two sisters, with a few chapters also told from Dominic's (Corinne's partner) point of view. Interspersed throughout is also a narrative told from an unknown third person (at first a child), mainly as memories from the past. As the story progresses, these segments begin to intertwine with the sister's history, as well as the history of a house we are first introduced to in the first chapter. I thought this was an interesting premise, as it gave us an insight into the sister's minds, but also this unknown character with a very chequered past. I was desperate to know who this person was, and what their relationship was with the other characters in the novel.

The overall plot was ok. I felt that at times, although there was always a small amount of underlying tension, nothing really progressed as rapidly as I would have liked. The doll pieces are only deposited every now and again, and because of this they felt more like a far off threat. They definitely played more of a secondary role to the overall story arc involving Ashley and Corinne's paranoia and family dramas.

I also would have liked to have had more of a background story surrounding Ashley and Corinne. We never really get a feel for their history, or see their childhood from their perspective other than in brief glimpses. As the story progresses, and the past seems to play more of an integral part to the story, I felt this would have been helpful to further understand certain characters motives.

I was definitely more invested in Ashley's story line over Corinne's. I liked the relationship between Ashley and her children, and the normal struggles she faces as a mother of three. Her paranoia felt natural given her surrounding environment, and I was really invested in her. However, I did feel that most of the tension left Ashley's narrative half way through as her conflict with her husband reaches its natural conclusion. It was my interest in the mysteries surrounding baby Holly and Lucy that kept me reading to the end, and I will say that the climax to her story line was very well done. It was dramatic, suspenseful and shocking. I did not see it coming - which is always a big plus to my very cynical and calculating mind. I'm normally very good at guessing an ending. This time I didn't. Corinne's story, in comparison, felt very flat. I felt that as a character she was very over the top and dramatic, compared to Ashley's more composed nature. I also found the conclusion to her arc was over extremely quickly and felt a little rushed. I found that I wasn't really that bothered about what happened to her.

The premise for this was good, and at times I was really invested in certain characters and their story lines, however in the end it was the consistencies in the narrative that ended up being The Doll House's downfall.

When Corinne begins finding bits of dollhouse furniture outside her apartment, she recognizes them as fragments of her own childhood. Those broken pieces of furniture are the most intriguing part of the book. I found it easy to confuse the two female characters and the suspense just wasn't that suspenseful.

OMG!!! This book!!! THIS is how to write a psychological thriller! I had absolutely no idea where this one was heading until it hit me smack bang on the head, surprising me and making sure I trusted no one until that very last page. And did I mention it’s a DEBUT!? Phoebe Morgan has joined that exclusive list of authors where I know I will buy their next book without even reading the blurb. This author totally understands what us psychological thriller fans really want and she has certainly piled it on in spadefuls!

Everything you need in your psychological suspense is here. Unreliable narrators, unknown storytellers, red herrings, creepy houses (real and miniature!) and family secrets hidden around every corner all conspire to make this a high tension read that had me full of nervous anticipation pretty much all the way through. And for someone who claims to guess plot twists within the first 20% of a book, I was so frustrated as I could not work out where this was heading or how these intricately plotted threads were connected. I love being surprised by plot twists and this one had twists and turns aplenty to keep me happy.

I thought the characterisation of Corinne and her sister Ashley was perfectly crafted. I was full of empathy and understanding for Corinne with her desperation to become a mother. Her attitude towards women who had become mothers themselves was quite extreme as it even included her own sister, but this was a brutally honest portrayal of a woman on the edge and every emotion was captured with a flawless insight. The theme of loss criss crosses through all our characters lives but they all handle their reactions to it in VERY different ways.

This book was an accomplished debut written with a natural flair and a true understanding of what readers want from this genre. It was dark, creepy and atmospheric and gave me such an intense feeling of anxiety that by the powerful denouement my blood pressure was sky high!

One of my favourite books of the year so far. Very highly recommended by me.

Yes, yes, yes, The Doll House by Phoebe Morgan is another new to me 5-star author. 2017 has been a great year for discovering new 5-star authors, and it makes me grin ear to ear.

The Doll House is a dark and creepy tale with an astonishing ending to which I hope there is a sequel. (hint, hint).

Phoebe Morgan's story centers around two adult sisters, Corrine and Ashley.

Corrine

Corrine is desperate to be a mom and is undergoing IVF. Her hormones are out of control; she's anxious, jealous of other moms, scared, and maybe a little paranoid. However, her slightly paranoid gut instinct may not be too far off.

Little bits of her childhood doll house are appearing around her apartment. A baby here, a chimney there... it's enough to drive a hormonal woman nearly off the edge.

Ashley

Ashley is having her own set of emotional problems. Something is fishy with her husband's activities. She has three children. Her teenager, Lucy, is becoming a bit of a wild child, while infant Holly has night terrors. Sleep deprived and stressed to the max, Ashley isn't too far off from paranoia herself - and then the creepy phone calls start. First, they are silent, then include a woman's evil laugh.

The rest...

Creep factor to the max here!

There are three points of view. Corrine, Ashley, and the unnamed girl. Corrine and Ashley grew up rather privileged, and the unnamed girl spends a lot of time watching from the outside. Thanks to her desperate mother.

I enjoyed this book greatly. It twisted, wound, and turned all over the place. And as much as I thought I had the answer to everything pegged, boy was I ever wrong.

The ending of the book was great. Ms. Morgan left the end open, so I hope she considers writing a sequel to The Doll House.

It took me a while to read this book. You know how life can get in the way! But reading it slowly allowed me to savor the creepiness. 5-stars all the way!

Thank you, HQ Digital, Netgalley, and most of all Phoebe Morgan for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of The Doll House.  All opinions and ratings are my own.

Oh my... what a fantastic debut novel by Phoebe Morgan. I could not put this book down.
THE DOLL HOUSE has everything you need in a psychological thriller. DARK, HAUNTING, ATMOSPHERIC, THRILLING.

The Doll House is an excellent dark and creepy read. I love the way Phoebe has created a sense of foreboding in the book and I definitely recommend you check it out.

It's getting to be that time of year when I'm looking for some scary stuff to read. I was super happy to get approved for an early copy of "The Doll House" by Phoebe Morgan, because I mean, just look at the cover! This is definitely a book for those of you that like a little horror with your thrillers.

What I liked: 

1. I loved the creepy vibe of this book! Throughout the story, Corinne, our main character, is discovering pieces of her childhood doll house unexpectedly in her home. This is especially unnerving, because you know that someone is coming into her house and placing them there. I came to love the moments when Corinne would be home alone, because they always left me sitting on the edge of my seat. 

2. The formatting is great for a suspense novel. You bounce between a "then" and "now" chapters, and the mystery of the then sections (who is the narrator? When did these take place?) keeps you turning the pages. 

3. There is a lot happening, but in a good way. The book focuses on Corinne and her boyfriend, Dominic, but the secondary focus is on Corinne's family. You find more and more chapters detailing some of her family member's lives, and at first you don't understand why they're involved with the main plot. As the story progresses, however, you realize that the creepy happenings involving Corinne are much bigger than you thought. 

4. The ending! It's definitely satisfying. At first, when things started to escalate, I wasn't sure I liked where everything was going. In the end (especially those last 1-2 chapters), I was pleased! It ended on a much more eerie note than I thought it was going to, and that appeals to my horror-loving heart!

What kept it from being a 5-star read:

1. Sometimes the dialogue was unrealistic. For example, there was a scene where a mother is dropping her child off at the caretaker's and says (I'm paraphrasing here), "I'm going to have to come by a little early to pick her up. Is that okay?" IS THAT OKAY? Mothers don't ask the caretakers of their children when it's okay to pick them up. This was just one example of many. Another thing that drove me a bit crazy: [spoiler]Corinne's boyfriend, Dominic, doesn't believe her when she tells him about the little doll house stuff she's finding in the home DESPITE HER HAVING PHYSICAL EVIDENCE OF IT. That's SO UNREALISTIC. It drove me insane to read those scenes, because any normal human being would OF COURSE believe his partner when she shows him what she found, and he'd be just as creeped out as she was! It wouldn't have even changed the plot to have him believe her, it would have just made things more realistic! [/spoiler]

2. The conclusion of things is somewhat predictable. You definitely know where the ending is headed pretty early on in the book. I was hoping for a bigger twist and that my predictions wouldn't be right.

 The bottom line: This is a fun and creepy page-turner. While the ending might have been somewhat predictable, it's still a worthwhile thriller with excellent horror elements! I would recommend it to anyone looking to be a bit unsettled.

Thank you to Netgalley and Phoebe Morgan for sending me this book for my honest review!

The Doll House by Phoebe Morgan follows Corinne who seems to have a perfect life. But after several IVF attempts, this is her last opportunity for her and her boyfriend Dominic to get pregnant.
And when a piece of her childhood dollhouse shows up, she thinks it's a sign from her late father that this time will work and she'll finally have the family she desperately has wanted.
But when more and more pieces show up, she gets unnerved that someone has been in their apartment and at her work. She doesn't know who is doing this or why, but with each piece that shows up, it's obvious that it is meant to be a threat to her "perfect" life.

I've dedicated September and October for psychological thrillers and horror novels and this is one psychological thriller that I won't soon forget!

The plot of this novel started out a little slow, but it picked up speed after a few chapters. The POV shifts from Corinne to Dominic and then also to Ashley, Corinne's close sister, as well as a mystery person who isn't identified until the end. The suspense factor was incredible and left me on the edge of my seat and just saying "one more chapter" before bed. I felt like the twists and turns were very well executed and the loose ends wrapped up well enough. But that last page gave me the chills and it was fantastic. Not at all how I thought things were turn out and end.

The characters were well rounded and their distinct voices really stood out against one another. Corinne's anxiety during her POV chapters really held you close and gave you an unsettling feeling the entire time. Dominic was one of my favorite characters, he remained by Corinne through it all and his faithfulness and loving nature towards Corinne made you love his character. Ashley's character was well done as well, she portrayed the stressed out wife and mother and has a mainly absent husband. She was supportive as well towards Corinne and their relationship continued to touch my heart throughout the novel. The mystery character was interesting as well and completely took me by surprise.
The character development was pretty nonexistent, due to the fact that this was a plot driven novel more so than a character driven one. But the lack of development didn't take away from the characters themselves.

The writing was well done as well, it was smooth and made the plot go quickly. It was a nice quick read that was extremely difficult to put down!
If you're looking for a good and shocking psychological thriller, I very much recommend The Doll House! I can't wait to my hands on a physical copy for my own collection!

Thanks to Netgalley and HQ Digital for sending this over.

Firstly, for those of you who are unaware, this is a debut novel by Phoebe Morgan. It tells the story of Corrine and her sister Ashley. The author takes a very powerful subject, IVF, and showcases what it is like for someone who is desperately seeking a baby, so, of course, after many failed attempts, Corrine discovers a piece of a doll's house from her childhood and she instantly sees it as a positive sign. However, things are not what they seem and Corrine begins to feel paranoid and scared. As more pieces turn up, Corrine realises that someone is keeping a very close eye on her.

For a debut novel, this was intense. It was full of suspense. It kept you guessing throughout. Morgan is a fantastic writer. I thoroughly enjoyed this.

I finished The Doll House a few days ago and I’m still reeling now. One thing about this book you should probably know is this: no matter how much you endeavour to pause, make a cup of tea, get the dinner ready, even do the chores you know need to be done, this novel will not allow you to escape it’s vice-like grip. Addictive is a mild term to use for this. It’s a chilling, creepy, visceral book.



Ashley and Corrine are grieving over the death of their beloved father just under a year ago. Simultaneously juggling their hectic, emotional lives. Ashley is bringing up three children, harbouring a suspicion that her husband is having an affair and Corrine is undergoing round after round of IVF, dreaming of becoming a mother. Then strange occurrences begin to take place.

Something I really loved about this novel is the fact it isn’t just one woman who’s experiencing these strange things. It’s two sisters, bound by a past and by a fate that is growing more and more frightening each day.



The emotion jumped off the page. I felt Corrine’s desire for a baby float up from the book and press against my heart as if she was standing next to me. But most of all it was her and Ashley’s sadness and fear that leapt off the page and wrapped itself round my mind. Were they being watched? Played with? Lurking beneath every word, every sentence, every paragraph lies a miasma that sends a chill down your spine.



A tense, addictive read from a very talented author. The plot thickens and thickens, and then when you think you have it sussed, it thickens again and leaves you lost for words. I’m looking forward to reading Phoebe Morgan’s second novel so much! I have no doubt it will be just as wonderful!

Tense. Dark. Chilling.

What a ride! This book is very good. Suspenseful and unputdownable!

This book is about Corrine who has been trying for a baby with her partner Dominic through IVF. She starts to receive pieces of furniture from a doll's house which are identical to those from a house that she used to share with her sister Ashley. Ashley has troubles of her own with a teenager, a four year old and a baby to look after and a husband who is never around Ashley is feeling under a lot of pressure and Corrine is worried about adding to her problems. The story goes from the characters in the present day to a girl in the past. The parts from the girl in the past were my least favourite bits of the book but I understand why they are there. I had a good idea of what was going on quite early on in the book but there were still a few details that I hadn't guessed. I really enjoyed this book and will definitely seek out this authors future titles.

This debut is stunning. I was at 90% and I don't think I drew breath for the remaining 10%. This author has a strong point with characters and their longing - the fear of never having a child was so accurate I really felt like the character was suffering, like watching a friend go through the ordeal. Chilling in places, and intriguing, this book kept me unsettled throughout. The parts set in the past are chilling. What makes a bad person bad? Nature vs nurture is challenged once more. Great with Halloween coming up!

I dare you to put this book down!

I literally read this book in one day. The blurb to this book is correct - You never know who is watching!

Corrine and her boyfriend have a wonderful life but with one exception - they are having fertility problems. After several failed IVF treatments, they are feeling the stress and Corrine is not taking their fertility problems well. One day she finds a familiar looking miniature piece near her doorway and feels that it may be a sign. It reminds her of the miniature pieces to the dollhouse her father built for she and her sister when they were children. Soon more pieces show up and it becomes evident that someone has been inside her home.

Ashley, Corrine's sister, is a married mother with three children. Her husband James has been acting strange. He is "working" late hours and takes secret phone calls. Ashley has her suspicions and is also worried about her toddler who appears to have night terrors and her teenager who has begun sneaking around and drinking. If that is not enough, someone has been calling her home and breathing heavy or laughing on the ling.

Corrine and Ashley's father was a famous Architect who died almost a year ago. As the anniversary of his death approaches, both women are experiencing strange occurrences in their private life.

But the two sisters are not the only characters in this story. There is the back story of a young girl who has a sad upbringing. She sits in the car with her Mother and also sneaks into a yard and watches a family through the windows. She is teased and bullied at school for being a "poor little rich girl". Her Mother is not the most stable person and this young girl is raised in a not so loving environment. Always an outsider...always watching...always waiting.....

I really did not know what to expect with this book. I have to say that it kept me on the edge of my seat waiting to see how the two story lines would come together. I thought they came together brilliantly. This is a very well thought out story. The plot pacing was fantastic. There were no dull moments. There is a reveal or an AHA! moment if you will. I don't want to give too much more away except to say that this book did not disappoint. Wonderful Debut Novel!!!! I will definitely be looking forward to more books by this Author.

I received a copy of this book from HQ Digital and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a story from the perspective of three characters, Ashley, Corinne and the mystery person. The start of this story is a slow steady setting out of the lives of three main characters. Ashley and Corinne are sisters and the mystery person is just that; a mystery, you are not given any details of identification, or any clues as to their part in the story for that matter. Each chapter flits between the three characters and also Dominic, Corinne's boyfriend.

We are led through the present day lives of the sisters, Ashley married to James, with three children, the youngest of which is incapable of sleeping for more than an hour, leaving Ashley exhausted. Corinne and Dominic are undergoing fertility treatment for the fourth time. The third character's story is told from years before and is peppered through the other chapters up to present day, it is a life that is dysfunctional, sad and lonely.

As the story progresses forward things start to happen and the pacing of it changes. You suddenly begin to see plots within plots, and these have been very cleverly concealed within the story. As these start to make themselves known, this is when you are really taken into the story, only then do you start to see the bigger picture. The characters have been very well-developed, they are memorable, unique and easily recognisable. The author has very cleverly worked a very good plot throughout, only revealing her intentions for the outcome when absolutely necessary.

I read this book in two sittings, if I didn't have to go to work I would have read it in one sitting. This is a book for readers who like deep, twisted, manipulative and addictive psychological thrillers.

I would like to take the opportunity of thanking NetGalley and HQ Digital for my copy of this book. My opinions are my own and are honest and unbiased.

I received an advanced copy of The Doll House from NetGalley in exchange for an honest and fair review....

Rating: 3.5 Stars

The Doll House was all about games. Corrine and Ashley are sisters who lost their Dad a little less than a year ago when the story starts. Nearing the time of his death anniversary, Corrine, begins to get these little pieces of her childhood doll house. At first, it seems like nothing, but soon enough, nothing turns into something. Among the doll house pieces being left for Corrine, she is struggling to get the thing she wants most out of life, a baby. Ashley on the other hand has a family of three and a husband who seems a little distant lately. While she isn't receiving pieces of the doll house, she is going through some struggles of her own, that may or may not be purposefully pushed upon her.

Let me explain, the three star rating:

While the premise of the story was interesting, it was a very slow beginning. While some things happen immediately, it really takes quite a bit of time to pick up. At least, that is how I felt while reading it. Next, the story was rather repetitive which can get boring. The characters would experience something, next they would explain it to someone and then they would summarize the situation in their head a time or two. It got a bit boring to read the same bit that I just read in a new context. Some of the points just seemed a bit too stressed. As well, I found Ashley and Corrine rather frustrating. I felt many of the issues could have been resolved by simply asking or speaking up. However, I am well aware that being forthcoming doesn't equate to good drama. But it seemed like they often made very simply solutions turn into out of control situations (for example, the issue that got their son sent home). Simply speaking up from the start would have deescalated the situation that followed very easily. But I get it, what kind of story would that make?

Morgan's excerpts from the child's turned adult point of view were done brilliantly. I found it perfect the way that the author presented those bits. Never allowing that particular character their own chapter. Much like their actual life, they only got to piggy back off our main characters. That touch was so appropriate and genius for that characters position in the story.

The ending for me picked up quite a bit. It took an okay story and turned it into a thrilling little cat and mouse game. The final chapter was juicy as hell. What a horrible and delectable little punch to the jaw for our characters.

I found the very beginning of this book a little confusing as I couldn't see how the "thens" and "nows" were connected. As soon as it clicked, I was absolutely hooked in. I'm usually a "chapter or two a night" type of reader, but I eventually made myself break off from reading this book last night, and finished the book this morning. I have to say, I'm glad I did as I wouldn't have been able to sleep afterwards anyway! This book was incredibly creepy and chilling. The key moments were always just when you weren't expecting them. In fact this story is so creepy, I'd love to see it as a film! Every time I thought I'd sussed the plot there was yet another twist, and even when I did guess I couldn't be sure I was right. The ending twist was unexpected, I thought I was going to read more, but there wasn't any, and then I went back to see if I missed something! A very open ending, which I'm hoping is paving the way to a sequel....
Thank you to Net Galley and the HQ Digital Team for sending me this ARC.

I thoroughly enjoyed this gripping psychological thriller and honestly couldn't put it down. It had me gripped from the very first page. I thought I had figured it all out but then realised I was suspecting everyone and kept changing my mind. This author is definitely one to look out for in the future and I look forward to reading more by her.

Interesting read. I felt like parts dragged on and it didn't grab me as much as I thought it would have. I enjoyed the ending. I also liked the different points of view(first and third) given between the narrarators.

Suspenseful debut thriller about two sisters and a third character. This book is about family secrets and lies . The book switches back and forth between the characters . Ashley the oldest sister is married to James and they have three children Lucy , Benji and Holly . Ashley works one day a week at a cafe just to get out of the house . She has a lady watch Holly that day . Corrine is the second sister and she and Dominic are trying to have a baby . She's had three failed IVF attempts. She has one more chance . Corrine starts finding tiny dollhouse parts outside her door , in her home and at work . They look exactly like the dollhouse parts that came from a dollhouse her father built for her and her sister . Her father had passed away about a year earlier and her mother stored his things including the dollhouse in her attic . Corrine visits her mother and looks in the attic and the dollhouse is not there.
Ashley starts having problems with her children..
This book has a great plot with plenty of suspense. Thanks to HQ Digital and Netgalley for the copy in exchange for my honest review !