Love the cover of the book!! Greenwich Park is a debut novel about an extended family, Helen is married to Daniel, her brother Rory is married to Serena, and her other brother Charlie & his on again off again girlfriend Katie, who is a journalist. Helen and Serena are both pregnant. Serena agrees to go to a prenatal class with Helen, but doesn't show up and neither does Helen's husband Daniel. Another unaccompanied pregnant girl, Rachael does show up though and so Helen & Rachael are grouped as a couple. Here is where the story gets more than a bit strange. Rachael brings wine to the prenatal class. WHAT?! A pregnant woman not only is drinking but brings wine to the class, and not only does she bring it but she pours a glass for Helen and she pretends to drink it. The teacher would allow this?? As the story goes on Rachael also smokes. Helen has had several miscarriages in the past so you would think she would be appalled at Rachael's behavior and would distance herself, but no they become friends. I thought this was too much of a stretch to be authentic so as I did continue to read, I am thinking okay...whatever.... I don't like that at all. Overall it was a decent read, and it is a debut novel but where is the editor, does there not need to be any authenticity in a novel anymore? I want to thank Netgalley for allowing me to read this book for a honest opinion.

This book starts a bit slow but definitely picks up the pace as it goes along. You find yourself wondering what twist is next and what is about to happen.

Wow! I have a lot to say...but the ending! I smiled a wicked Grinch smile because the ending was so good!

Never before have I read a thriller that ties everything up so sublimely, so perfect. This book was IT. At first I really puzzled over how each of the character’s stories interconnected. And then once you find the remaining puzzle piece, it all connects and it’s like a spark goes off in your brain and you begin to scramble. I loved it. I loved every wild twist and turn. Read this NOW.

Creepy. This book gives you the sense you should look over your shoulder. Helen and Rachel are realistic characters, but the plot itself seemed pretty contrived. 3.5 stars

A complex family thriller that keeps you on your toes, Katherine Faulkner's Greenwich Park does not disappoint. I look forward to reading whatever she puts out next!

This was a fast and fun read, with a sense that something bad is getting ready to happen almost the whole way through. It centers on Helen, who is heavily pregnant with her first child after having a series of miscarriages. She meets Rachel at a pre-natal class and gets sucked into Rachel's vortex without ever really making the decision to be friends with her. The book gives great insight into those dynamics, as well as Helen's relationships with her husband, brothers, and her brothers' wives and girlfriends.

There are a lot of characters but it's not hard to keep everyone straight, and it was fascinating to read about their shared history that ends up pulling the whole story together by the end. I did find myself frustrated with Helen, who should probably have learned to stand up for herself at this stage in her life, but I also felt sorry for her as secrets came to light.

I had all kinds of ideas about what was really going on but the ending threw me for a loop when it was all revealed. There are some pieces that I kind of figured out but I was legitimately surprised by the biggest secret. The author did a great job of tying up loose ends and pulling it all together by the end. I feel like this is a book that will stick with me and I'd recommend it to those who like psychological thrillers.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A fantastic debut novel I was wound up on what is wrong with Helen being so gullible. I loved how everyone was suspect, but why. It has plenty of characters, and I kept right up with everyone. It was crazy how my jawed dropped the last few chapters. The book was a pandora's box ...and finished wrapped in the bow. Amazing for me.

I really enjoyed this slow-burning, character driven thriller by talented newcomer Katherine Faulkner. This book has all the ingredients I like in a slow-burn thriller: complex and thoughtful characterization, twists and turns, suspicious friends and intimate partners, and excellent writing.

I was intrigued by this story from the start and never wanted to put it down. Faulkner ably casts a sense of dread and foreboding over the story from the beginning - something a lot of less capable writers are unable to do in the glut of thrillers out these days. The story centers on Helen, who meets a mysterious and somewhat sketchy woman named Rachel in her prenatal class. As Rachel insinuates herself into Helen’s life, you, the reader, will be screaming at Helen “STOP! Do not trust her!” and yet, you’ll sympathize with Helen and the web she’s suddenly caught in with this strange new and imposing friend as her long-awaited baby grows inside her.

Oh, and did I mention Helen’s dear husband is acting strangely? And so are several of her other friends and relatives. Faulkner does an impressive job in balancing suspect motives, red herrings, and potential villains, particularly for a debut author. There was never a moment I wasn’t interested in the characters ant Faulkner does a great job unfolding the mystery at the center of the story. The story moves from a slow burn to a faster burn, and the ending really satisfies. I did not have it fully figured out, and was pleasantly surprised, but I had enough of it figured out to make me feel smart, which is always fun.

A very impressive and compelling debut by a talented writer to watch. I’ll be excited to be on the lookout for Faulkner’s next book and I hope it’s another thriller. 4.5 stars for this well-written mystery.

Thanks to Gallery Books, NetGalley and the author for the ARC.

3.5 stars -I thought this was a good twisty debut that held my interest throughout. Slightly different from how the blurb reads but that didn’t make a huge difference.

This book was sent to me by Netgalley on Kindle for review. Character driven with some likeable people in the book. Try it. A quick read.

I tore through Greenwich Park, a page-turner that combines a domestic thriller with a satisfying jaunt through posh British upper middle class that includes home remodeling, drinks parties and Cambridge memories. Greenwich Park centers around a group of siblings and their college friends who then become spouses. The relationships are complicated and complex but its the longhand secrets that hold them together. And ultimately tear them apart. Well plotted and well paced. Enjoyed very much.

Quick Synopsis: Helen is pregnant, bored, and feeling alone until she meets fellow mother-to-be, Rachel. Rachel is in need of a friend and quickly inserts herself into Helen’s life. The events that transpire soon after force Helen to question whether their friendship was a coincidence or if Rachel had ulterior motives all along.

Thoughts: I love a good book with alternating character POV and never knowing who to trust. Although I felt like Helen was a bit too naive and trusting sometimes, overall I really felt for her. Daniel, her husband, is a total piece of crap who neglects his pregnant wife and does nothing but argue with her when he is around. Rachel is a total nut case from the start but by the end you have no choice but to feel for her as well and understand why she is the way she is. A little slow to start, but once things got rolling I had a hard time putting this one down. Every time you think you have it figured out, Faulkner throws a wrench in your theory. A great read that keeps you guessing until the last page. Can’t wait to pick up a physical copy once it’s released this fall!

Mystery woman Rachel turns up. She interrupts the lives of Helen and Daniel, who are about to have their first baby.

As the story progresses, Rachel turns out to be a mystery. Her past is sketchy at best. The reader eventually finds out why she attaches herself to Helen and those close to her.

This book was more suspenseful than I initially thought! Amazingly written and intriguing for a debut novel.

Greenwich Park is the author’s debut novel. The premise of this book was intricate, involved, and utterly unpredictable. The story is told through the view points of the three women in the family, Helen, Serena (Helen’s sister-in-law), and Katie (Helen’s brother’s girlfriend). Helen is the primary narrator, but Serena and Katie fill in very important detail for the reader. Helen and Serena are both pregnant and their relationship seems strained, at best. It takes the majority of the book to make sense of why.

I loved the character development. Helen was far from my favorite lead character, I wanted to yell at her several times, but she was complicated and nuanced, as were the other players in the book as well. The husbands/boyfriend of each of the female narrators are also intertwined in ways not really thought possible. Several times I thought I knew where the story was going, but I was wrong multiple times. If you like complex thrillers, this is the book for you!

Trigger Warning: Pregnancy and infant loss

Disclaimer: I received the ARC from the publisher through Net Galley. All opinions are my own. Greenwich Park is set to be released in September of 2021!

A fantastic debut novel — I’ll be anxiously awaiting this author’s next work!

Helen is finally in her second trimester with her rainbow baby — after numerous losses, she and her husband are anxiously awaiting the birth. They’re renovating their gorgeous home, Daniel is thriving in the family architecture business, and her beloved sister in law is even pregnant at the same time! She begins prenatal classes and meets Rachael, a young single mom that is living a flighty, untethered life. She seems to see Rachael everywhere around town, so the two fall into an unlikely friendship. Helen seems to see more and more of Rachael and eventually wants some space — which is where everything begins to go wrong. Will Helen get the happily-ever-after that she believes is coming?

I found this book fast-paced, thrilling, and a bit heartbreaking. I found myself irritated with Rachael, cheering for Helen — despite some of her flaws — and anxiously awaiting the arrival of the babies. I did anticipate some of the thrills, but I was quite surprised by the end. Superb! A writer to watch.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

B o o k R e v i e w

🌟🌟🌟🌟/5

Greenwich Park by Katherine Faulkner

I was a bit between a 3 & 4 with this book, but the many twists and turns helped me quickly settle on a 4! Greenwich Park is a thriller that really kept me guessing to the very last chapter. You think you have it figured out, but the author did a great job slowly revealing the plot, which I loved!! Also, who doesn’t love to read about huge beautiful houses in London?!

This thriller is based out of London & follows the children of a famous architect, Helen, Rory & Charlie. The story is told from the women’s point of view, everyone leading seemingly perfect lives in their beautiful large houses. Of course, things are never perfect. When Rachel comes into the picture out of nowhere, inserting herself into Helen’s life, things start to unravel. Why is Rachel so obsessed with this family? I recommend picking this up on September 7th when it releases!

Thank you NetGalley for this gifted copy! 💚

Slow paced the first half, moves a bit quicker the second half. I’d suggest this one to anyone looking for a new genre and one to help ease into it.

This book was a page turner from beginning to end. I literally couldn’t put this book down and finished in one reading. A mom meets a new friend in prenatal class and they become fast friends. Then it turns into a sinister friendship where intentions might not be what they seem. This page turner has a lot of twists and turns to an end I did not see coming. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was a fun read, or at least the second half was. I get that the first half was setting the scene, but it definitely felt slow at times. For the most part, I didn’t find any of the characters all that likable, but I didn’t mind. I think it worked for this particular story. I also was able to guess about 95% of the “twists”, but at the same time it didn’t ruin the story for me. I felt like the author was leaving clues and as long as you followed everything then you could guess what was happening and what had happened.

After reading the summary and seeing so many glowing reviews, I was excited to read Greenwich Park. But unlike some of reviewers, the pacing didn't work for me. I need a thriller to hook me in the first few chapters, and this one didn't. I'm glad others really like it, but I just couldn't get into it.