‘The Couple On Cedar Close’ is the second book written by Anna that I have had the pleasure of reading and reviewing and in my opinion, it’s the better one of the two. I read the synopsis and couldn’t wait to get started on the book. Boy oh boy I thoroughly enjoyed reading it even if certain parts of the book made me feel very uncomfortable at times.
The married couple referred to in the title of the book are called Laurie and Robert Mills. They are a bit of a mystery couple to start with and they don’t make a point of getting to know their neighbours or socialise with them. Then the traditional street barbecue takes place and things all start to go wrong from there on in. Laurie learns that her marriage isn’t what she thought it to be, Robert does something he shouldn’t have done, which ultimately leads to a shocking and dramatic conclusion with far reaching consequences for all concerned. Is the most obvious answer the right answer? Well for the answer to that question and more, you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out as I am not going to tell you. I do apologise for being a bit vague about the specifics of the two characters but I have an unintentional habit of giving away far too many spoilers about books I have enjoyed.
I must be honest and say that at first I did wonder if I was going to enjoy reading this book given the subject matter, which is quite dark in places. I then pulled up my big girl pants, told myself to get a grip and away I went as it were. It didn’t take me long to become addicted to this book and I just couldn’t put the book down- not because it was glued to my hand (although it might as well have been) but because I couldn’t stop reading as I needed to know just what had happened to Robert and who the guilty party was as it were. I had a hunch that the most obvious solution was probably the wrong one and I just had to read on to see if I was proved right or not. I found it nigh on impossible to be parted from this book and if I did have to put it down, then I was counting down the time until I could pick the book back up again. The further into the book I got, the quicker the pages were turning and before I knew what was happening I had finished the book, which I had mixed feelings about. Don’t get me wrong I was pleased to finish because I knew what had really happened but I was enjoying reading the book so much that I just wanted the book to continue.
The author has one of those clever writing styles that grabs your attention from the start and keeps you enthralled all the way through the story.
In short I did thoroughly enjoy reading ‘The Couple On Cedar Close’ and I would definitely recommend it to other readers. I can’t wait to read what Anna – Lou comes up with next as I just know I will enjoy her next book, just as much as I enjoyed this book. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

I really really love this book. Great characters great story. kept me guessing with its twists and turns. Will definitely read some more of this authors books.

An excellent thriller with a dark plot with plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader at the edge of their seats. Nail biting stuff. I loved it, highly recommended.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Anna-Lou Weatherley for the advanced copy of this book. I agreed to give my unbiased opinion voluntarily.

I was so intruged by this book, just by looking at the cover, you want to find out what the book was about, although I guesssed what was going to happen, I enjoyed this book very much, I would definitely recommend it.

Robert Mills and his wife Laurie move onto Cedar Close and months later Robert is murdered apparently by his loving wife. Laurie has no memory of the murder and it’s down to Detective Dan Riley to find the truth.
If this is not your normal genre then the story is enjoyable but unfortunately I quickly guessed who the real culprit was and hoped to be proved wrong but wasn’t. This spoilt it for me.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for an ARC.
#TheCoupleOnCedarClose #NetGalley

A masterfully-told tale that had me sharing the wife's angst as all fingers point to her in a chilling murder. Few things in life could be as devastating as being wrongly accused of something horrendous, and you bite your fingernails right along with the heroine. Well-told story with enough twists and turns to make you keep the virtual seat belts on for the whole ride. Recommended!

** I thank the publisher and/or author for allowing me to read this novel as an ARC, without recompense, in exchange for my honest review. **

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for this early copy!

This was well-done thriller with interesting characters and plot twists. I recommend checking it out!

A very good read, with a complex story line that kept you guessing who is responsible for the gruesome murder. History is the place to find the answers. The characters are well described and show clear evidence of the authors understanding of coercive and manipulating behaviour. I enjoyed the life of the detective being woven into the story.

I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.

The Couple on Cedar Close by Anna-Lou Weatherley is the second in her Detective Dan Riley series but can standalone. I was unfamiliar with Anna-Lou Weatherley or her work but am thrilled that I found her.

Shortly after Laurie Mills found out her husband was having an affair, she in a serious car accident. The couple move to Ceder Close to put the affair behind them and to be near a mutual friend that is willing to help with Laurie's recovery. Laurie discovers the affair has not stopped and Robert is planning on divorcing her and move with his mistress and their child. Laurie attempts one last time to make Robert reconsider and prepares a fabulous meal. He does not show up but is later found dead with Laurie covered in his blood. DId she kill him during her blackout? If not her, then who?

The story is engaging and I found myself reading quickly to find out how the story ended. The basic premise is not new but Weatherley makes the story feel new. Her characters are well developed and, while they have their issues, you find yourself rooting for them.

I'm looking forward to more from Anna-Lou Weatherley.

Review published on Philomathinphila.com, Smashbomb, Goodreads, Twitter, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble on 2/18/19.

I had not read any books by this author before and so wasn't sure what to expect, but from the first page I was gripped, I notice this is book 2 so will be buying book one to read and have signed up for a email when anna-lous next book is out. Thanks to netgalley for the advanced copy.

Estranged philandering husband turns up dead in the guest bedroom and wife can't remember if she did it. Point of view changes between a cast of characters. Readers of the latest psychological thrillers will enjoy this one.

This book kept me gripped and guessing from the beginning. Credible characters and twists and turns a plenty.

This was an enjoyable thriller and I certainly would read another by this author. This was an enjoyable thriller and I certainly would read another by this author.

I love the summary of this book, it really drew me in right away. However, I struggled with the writing of it. It just fell short for me. The writing felt a little clunky, and the story jumped around too much for me to keep everything straight. I wasn't able to finish it.

I didn't like the characters.

I didn't actually like the writing style.

I didn't like the way everything ended.

Yet, I was absolutely compelled to finish the book and see how it all would end.

Honestly, I'm not sure I would read the author again, but I was entertained.

*ARC Provided via Net Galley

A well described thriller although I didn't realise this was the second book in a series. Not having read the first book didn't spoil it though

Are you looking for a domestic psychological suspense novel with constant twists and turns? Then this book is for you. Well written and a well developed story. Kept me guessing until the very end. The constant change in POV is confusing and slows down the reading process as you try to figure out who is speaking, but overall a good suspense novel.

3.5 stars rounded up. A pretty standard domestic thriller/police procedural, but the writing is crisp and clear and the dialogue is well-written. I could have used a bit more in the way of character development, but I haven't read the first book in the series, so perhaps that one develops the character of Dan Riley a bit more

One sunny August afternoon, the residents of Cedar Close throw their annual summer barbecue. Children play in the cherry-tree lined street, tables are laden with food, and the wine is flowing. For Laurie Mills, it’s her first time meeting the neighbours. And it’s the first time she discovers her husband Robert is having an affair.

Cedar Close has always been a nice place to live – a quiet suburban street where everyone looks out for one another and bad things don’t happen.

Until late one evening, when Robert Mills is found dead in his bedroom.

Downstairs, in their beautiful kitchen, his wife Laurie sits alone in the dark with her head in her hands.

She can’t remember the last few hours, but she knows she didn’t kill Robert.

The trouble is, no-one believes her…

The description and cover of this book had me anxious to read this thriller. However, less than halfway through I figured out who the killer was which then made the rest of the book drag on. I also didn’t really like how the chapters would alternate between so many different characters POV. It usually took me a couple sentences before figuring out which characters I was reading about.

Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture & Anna-Lou Weatherley for the opportunity to read and review a digital copy of this book.

The book description drew me in, especially the comparison to Gone Girl, one of the best surprise mysteries. I was not disappointed. A crime is committed with no witnesses and the only suspect could easily be the murderer. She had plenty of motive and cannot truthfully say she didn't kill her husband.
The story is set in the first few pages. The author then takes the reader through the couple's recent history to prove(?) who committed the murder. You are given many choices and many clues, each one kept me changing my mind on who done it. This book is such a good read you'll be sorry when it's done. The good news is it's part of a series so we'll meet again. Now I have to find book 1 and meet the characters as they started their journey. Being book 2 did not detract from the story but it's so good I felt like I missed something but not having read book 1.