This was an awesome mystery that kept me guessing and guessing. I didn't know that it's the second book in a series of this detective - it was no problem. The author has the ability to connect the reader with the characters and the story immediately, her writing makes sure you're in from the first until the last line. It's a winner!
Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy of this great mystery thriller!

This was a great thriller! So many twists and turns. Loved the character development in this book. Definitely dark and creepy good!!

3.5🌟
Things aren’t always as they appear...

This is the second book I’ve read by Anna-Lou Weatherley. Turns out this is book two of a series, though I didn’t realize it when I started. Yay! Lucky me!

Laurie was livid. Her estranged husband was due to stop over to discuss their future. She was planning, hoping for a reconciliation and decided a home cooked meal of all his favorites might smooth things over.

But as the hours ticked by into the night and he never shows, Laurie throws in the towel and proceeds to drink herself into a stupor. (What’s a girl to do!) When the alcoholic fog clears and she finally comes to she’s drenched in blood and oh my, her husband Robert is dead!
But there has got to be more to it...right!?

It was fun to get back to this series. While I ended up guessing the outcome early in, I still felt this was a fun, light thriller! And will be back for the next installment.

A buddy read with Susanne!☃️

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and Anna-Lou Weatherley for an ARC to read and review

The Couple on Cedar Close is the second book featuring DI Dan Riley.

When Laurie Mills wakes up, she finds her estranged husband Robert dead and her clothes covered in blood. She can’t remember a thing but she is sure that she didn’t kill him. The problem is no one seems to believe her apart from DI Riley. As DI Riley and his team begin to investigate, they uncover a sordid story of manipulation and betrayal.

An excellent psychological thriller with a gripping story line, it has plenty of twists and turns which keeps you guessing until the end.

THE COUPLE ON CEDAR CLOSE is a novel that follows Laurie Mills, a woman with a troubled past, and who is currently having problems with her husband, Robert. After they try to put troubles in the past behind them, they buy a new house in the Cedar Close community. Conveniently, Laurie’s best friend, Monica, lives across the street. When Laurie discovers Robert is still having an affair (that he swore ended ages ago) and also fathered the woman’s baby, Laurie airs the dirty laundry at the Cedar Close annual BBQ. When he ends up dead a few months later, she is the prime suspect. Everyone in town thinks she did it, as she was so vocal about her hatred for him, but she’s sure there is no way she killed him...isn’t she?

This was a gripping read that held my interest from start to finish. The book weaves between Laurie, a deputy inspector and his partner along with others trying to figure out what happened, and a seemingly separate story on Kiki, a foster home child whose only salvation is her foster mom’s biological son. I found parts of the story predictable (mainly the whodunit), but the ties between stories and characters kept me engaged throughout, and I would definitely recommend to fans of “twisty thrillers.”

Many thanks to NetGalley, Author Anna-Lou Weatherley, and Bookouture for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a real page turner and the sort of book you can't easily put down. It was dark and atmospheric and the mystery was gripping. I did work out who the culprit was early on but it didn't diminish my enjoyment of the story.

I fell for this book within the first chapter! Anna-Lou Weatherley kept me guessing until the last chapter! We meet Laurie and Robert, who seem to be the perfect couple. Robert is anything but. As the book goes on, you learn about Robert's past and his secrets he is keeping along the way. You feel for Laurie, who seems to be the victim in all of this. You begin to wonder who could have a life this tragic and yet the story continues to unroll. As the story goes on, you learn more and more about the people in Robert's life and why they are still there. This story shows you just how crazy some people are and what they will do for people they love. Overall, The Couple On Cedar Close is an awesome, keep you guessing, mystery. I liked the characters. I felt sorry for some and despised others. I liked the setting in London and the upscale neighborhood. It was so very coincidental none of the CCTV were working. I would definitely recommend this book to others. I will be checking out Ann-Lou Weatherley's other works. This book was written in a easy to read fashion, going from the present to the past. Chapters are clearly labeled so it is very easy to follow. I feel like it was also a quick read, I read it in a few sittings. Highly recommend!!

#TheCoupleOnCedarClose #NetGalley

The Couple on Cedar Close was a nice, quick psychological thriller reminiscent of the Girl on the Train. In the Couple in Cedar Close, we meet Laurie Mills, who is cooking dinner for her estranged husband. That’s the last thing she remembers until she wakes up covered in the blood of her dead husband. She’s sure she didn’t do it, but all the evidence it pointing to her. Could she possibly have done it?

I know that not all people love when they can figure out the killer from the beginning, but for me, I don’t mind. I love a familiar idea told in a different manner, and Anna-Lou Weatherly has given us a new take on the philandering husband murder case. She also gives new life to the sad detective with the awful backstory.

All in all, I found this to be quite enjoyable and have already started recommending it to friends for the day it comes out.

*I received a copy of this book from netgalley in exchange for my review

Cedar close was always a nice place to live .
Until Robert Mills is found dead in his bedroom .
Laurie sits alone in the kitchen , she doesn’t understand it because she didn’t kill him .
It was a stunning book
I received an ARC book from Bookoutre

This is the first book I have read by this author but it certainly won’t be my last. I really enjoyed the variety of characters in it and loved the lead detective. Certainly hope there is more to follow!

I throughly enjoyed this book. I also have to admit I have a little book crush on Detective Dan Riley. He is a brilliant character and I hope to read more books featuring.
This story is twisted and quiet disturbing in parts. I felt sorry for Laurie from the first chapter. She is a deeply sad woman,
I can't say too much without giving spoilers, but if you like thrillers this one is a must read!

The Couple On Cedar Close is a fantastic psychological thriller. It features betrayal, incest and murder - what more could you aid for? This book is a gripping page turner, brilliantly written and full of secrets and lies. I can highly recommend it and would give it 4.5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the chance to review.

The Couple on Cedar Close is book 2 in the Detective Dan Riley series - and oh my goodness what a book it is!! Absolutely Addictive!! Although I worked out early on who I didn't know why right til the very end. I wanted to read this in one go but being the silly season that was never going to happen. A fantastic story, original and an enjoyable read.

Cedar Close is a quiet place to live. The neighbourhood is friendly and nothing much happens. Until Robert Mills is found dead in his bedroom, and his wife Laurie sits downstairs in the dark with a large gap in her memory. She knows that she didn't kill her husband but nobody believes her. Their marriage is falling apart, with Robert having an affair and a daughter with another woman. The story jumps between the present wher Laurie tries to remember the events of that night, and the past.. but who's past is it?

A fantastic read that I would tell anybody to read who likes a great story. Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased

This book read like a true crime novel. Everything felt very realistic and very thought out. I read a lot of thrillers and this was so much more believable than any other thriller I have read this year. The characters were well written and I felt attached to even the unlikable characters. The writing carefully allowed us to peak into the past to keep us drawn into the story for more. I was very intrigued and finished it in one day and could not put it down.

I highly recommend this book.

3 Stars.

Laurie’s marriage to Robert has always been cloaked In secrets - that is until that fateful day at the barbecue on Cedar Close when a drunken Laurie spills all.

Months later, Laurie prepares a fancy meal for Robert, hoping for a good outcome. Laurie, awaiting Robert’s arrival, nervous and upset, begins drinking. Hours later she awakes in her bed, groggy, drunk, the power mysteriously off in her house. Her skin is wet and sticky. Fumbling, she finds a flashlight and discovers she is covered in blood: her husband’s - his body is beside her of which she has no memory. Of course, all evidence points to her.

Detective Dan Riley however intuits that Laurie is not guilty and he sets out to prove it.

A mystery / suspense that is an easy, fast-paced read. Though this book took on a few twists that were not to my personal liking, the story itself is enjoyable one. This is a part of the Detective Dan Riley series (Black Heart being the first) by Anna-Lou Weatherly (though the synopsis doesn’t describe it as such). It was good detective story and I would definitely read the next in the series.

This was another buddy read with Kaceey!

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and Anna-Lou Weatherly for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Published on Goodreads and NetGalley on 12.21.18.

Such a gripping tale of betrayal.  I never saw it coming as to who would be the person masterminding the entire thing.  It was a shock but at the same time made complete sense to me.

The story was unique and very gripping throughout the entire thing.  I loved the little flashbacks of Bertie and Kiki.  Didn't at first pick up who they were referring to so when I first started reading I didn't really catch that these were two of the characters in the book that would be starring in it.

Lets start with the pace of the story.  This was an extremely fast paced novel that I didn't want to put down.  I love that as it shows such a variety of ways to keep someone interested in the books.

The characters were how should I say this not ones that anyone could really like.

Robert is a player of epic proportion and really doesn't have a lot of redeeming qualities.  I mean he married Laurie but still kept on being the way he was and didn't think of what he did to his family.

Monica is just plain cruel and while she shows sparks of humanity it is all fake and fleeting very quickly.  When you first see her you think she is the sweet widow who wants to help her friend who has been through a terrible ordeal in her life.

Claire is the other woman and was one that I found not as objectionable though I do find her choices questionable and that she really wasn't thinking of anything other than herself.  She basically ruined a marriage and kept seeing a person she knew was married.  It is harsh but she didn't really come across in a good light either but she wasn't as bad as some.

Laurie who is probably my favourite character in this book is a deluded and very naive woman.  She was easily manipulated for years and she still seems to think good about people despite what her experience shows her.  Her story is heartbreaking and all you can think about is that she is never going to be mentally strong enough to be with another person or have a normal relationship.

Agnes the mother of Robert is objectionable even though I know that she is sick from alcoholism the fact that she didn't act as many mothers would and treated her kids like nothing.  No wonder the kids didn't really have a lot to do with her or her husband Stan.  It seemed like they used religion as a way to mistreat people instead of taking what the true messages are supposed to be.

This book really was wonderful and I am sure will get people to have very strong opinions about it.  It was hard as some of the story of what happened just trigger very unpleasant thoughts and images in my head.  It is such a strong book and I am really looking forward to more from this author as well since she has such a great talent of getting into the minds of those people.

This book had me hooked. Absolutely lived it and this is why I keep reading thrillers. Can't wait for more from this author.
Thank you for letting me know me review

I am sure what Laurie goes through in this book is everyone’s worst nightmare. To be accused of something you know you haven’t done. Couldn’t think of anything worse.

Detective Dan Riley and his team seem to have it all worked out. Dan though isn’t entirely convinced. I am a true believer of going with your gut instinct as it’s never proven me wrong so far and Dan can’t get rid of that niggling feeling. Even though the pressure is on from above to make a conviction.

The story alternates between present and past to a little girl who we don’t quite know who she is or how it all ties in with what is happening in present day. Things do become apparent quite early on though and the story has a cat and mouse feel to it which I really enjoyed.

The murders are pretty gruesome in this story which I absolutely loved but may not be for the more faint hearted of readers. It was good to see how even the police who get quite hardened to death are still affected. I also felt like I got to know Dan a bit better throughout this novel and he truly is one of the good guys in life.

The Couple On Cedar Close goes to show that people never know what truly goes on behind closed doors. I enjoyed the battle of intelligence between the police and the killer and the author keeps the reader on their toes as to who will win. A dark and gripping read with plenty of thrills and chills.

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.

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…
Gripping, page tunner, disturbing, just a few words I would use to describe this fantastic read! I loved this book, it reminded me of Girl on the Train and quickly became one of my new favorites!

Thanks to #NetGalley for the ARC of #TheCoupleOnCedarClose
Pub Date: 18 Jan 2019

Solid psychological thriller that was easy to read. the plot was fascinating and true to form. My only complaints are that DI Riley's voice was a bit over the top and longwinded and the whodunnit was figured out quite quickly. Otherwise a good read.