Thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The Couple at Number 9 by Claire Douglas is a gripping domestic thriller that you won't be able to put down! The story is told from 4 perspectives: three generations of women, and one man, who are trying to find out the truth behind what happened 30 years ago. When two dead bodies are discovered at Saffy's grandmother's house, she decides to investigate and find out who they are. Unfortunately, her grandmother has dementia, and half of what she says doesn't make any sense. Can Saffy, her mother Lorna, and a stranger put together the clues and solve the case before the killer finds them?

Here is a dark excerpt from Chapter 1, which is from Saffy's point of view:

‘While we were digging we found . . . something,’ says Darren, folding his arms across his dirt-streaked T-shirt.
‘What is it?’ Snowy strains against my hand and I tighten my grip.
‘Remains.’ Darren’s expression is grim.
‘Like . . . an animal?’ I ask. Darren and the others exchange a look.
Karl steps forwards confidently, almost gleefully, kicking up dust from the ground as he does so. ‘It looks like a hand . . .’
I step back in horror. ‘So you’re saying . . . they’re human?’
Darren regards me with sympathy. ‘I think so. You’d better call the police.’"

Overall, The Couple at Number 9 is an unputdownable domestic thriller with plenty of hidden twists and turns. I could not stop reading this book, and I ended up finishing it in a day. One highlight of this book are the many secrets that the characters are hiding. This made it fun to read when the secrets were gradually revealed. If I had to complain about one thing, I would say that after a certain point, the many character names got confusing. However, everything ties together nicely, and the plot makes sense in the end. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of domestic thrillers, I highly recommend that you check out this book when it comes out in August!

When I first started reading this book, admittedly, I wasn't into it at all. The jumping POVs bothered me, the way the story dragged, the way each chapter ended suspensefully; all of these things are pet peeves. But the more I kept reading, the more I really did get caught up in the story of the Cutler women and Rose Grey. It was really a book that kept me guessing, and to my surprise, my initial guesses about the book were wrong at first. That's always a good thing, in my opinion! Especially when Claire Douglas laid out the groundwork to flesh out this mystery so well because the twist at the end really did take me by surprise. It's not a favorite read of 2021, but it sure is up there. I definitely recommend it to anyone who likes family mysteries and dramas!

Talk about twists and turns! This was impossible to figure out. So creepy about bodies being found in your backyard while having renovations done! Literally skeletons in the closet. Really good mystery! I finished it super fast- one of those you can’t put down.

I enjoyed this book, centered on Saffy, who inherits a cottage from her grandmother and uncovers bodies buried in the garden during renovation. The book is told from multiple POVs from both past and present, including Saffy, her mother Lorna, her grandmother Rose, and Theo, a seemingly ancillary character who ends up with a connection to the story.

The mystery in the story was sound, and there were a couple big surprises. As other reviewers have said, there was a lot going on, but the author ties it all together and I didn’t have any trouble following the story. There is a sense of foreboding in all of the older chapters that connect nicely to the happenings in recent times. The characters were well-drawn and I felt like I could understand both their dynamic and their actions.

All in all, I enjoyed the book and thought it was an interesting storyline with good twists. It’s a quick read as well, with short chapters and lots of action. I’d recommend it to those who enjoy mysteries and psychological suspense. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I liked this one. An easy quick read.

Saffy and Tom move to a new cottage , inherited from her grandmother Rose. When they are renovating the place , they find two bodies buried in the backyard. Rose, now living in a home , suffering from dementia , doesn’t remember a lot. With bits and pieces , from Rose , the couple and saffy’s mother Lorna tries to figure out what happened years ago.

Told from multiple perspectives, the book was a cozy read. The characters did not make a big impact on me as the book was focused on incidents rather than character development but I liked them enough .

Since they are trying to piece a puzzle from 1980, there was no rush for the characters, so the story moved in a comfortable pace. I wouldn’t call it a thriller , but a slow unraveling mystery. For me , it was a perfect read for the holiday time. The twist was quiet a surprise but as with everything in this book, nothing shocks you .

If you are looking for a comfy, Cozy mystery .. check out this one . Thank you for Harper and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

Merry Christmas!

A very twisty novel that left me surprised through the very last chapter. I thought I was reading a cozy Cotswold mystery, but The Couple at Nimber 9 was so much more.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me an Ebook of The Couple at Number 9 In Exchange for an honest review. I found this thriller to be intriguing at first. Then I lost it I just got so confused with all the different POVS who all sound the same. This domestic thriller just bored me.. This book is well written so it was def a me thing! Boring slow paced and kind of predictable. I also found it confusing and didn't care much about the characters. It's kind of forgettable it just wasn't for me.

This book had SO much going on, I was extremely confused and had to go back numerous times to connect all of the characters and figure out what was going on. Some twists were unexpected and some you could see coming from a mile away. Overall, not my most favorite read, but can see people loving this!

Claire Douglas delivers!

I am so grateful for the opportunity to review galley. In this novel, Saffy and her husband Tom are working on their cottage extension in England when the contractors find two bodies buried on property.

The cottage was given to her mother Lorna (a bit of a wanderer) by her mother Rose and in turn, Rose has given it to Saffy and Tom. With construction halted, pregnant Saffy calls her mom Lorna to share the news and Lorna rushes to the cottage.

This story is told in alternating perspectives by Saffy, Lorna and dementia ridden Rose. Who are the bodies and how did they end up there?

I just couldn’t get into this book and it actually put me in a bit of a reading slump. Sadly, I just found the early chapters a bit boring and didn’t feel connected to the characters. Perhaps it got better, but I had to DNF this one.

What a fun ride and puzzle to piece together! It was different type of intriguing mystery and I loved it! I did find it a bit odd that the bomb dropped a little earlier than I expected but regardless it all worked well and kept my attention from start to finish.

Saffron and her boyfriend Tom are pregnant and recently moved into her gran’s old cottage that she had left to Saffron’s mother and was being rented out by others for the past thirty years. They are renovating and expanding getting it ready before the baby when right from the start the contractors discover two bodies buried in the yard. This begins the domino fall of who are they? How did they die? What does this have to do with Rose, Saffrons grandmother? Secrets begin to arise and right when you think you know, you find you are very wrong! Love love love those moments!

This is told in multiple point of views and it worked so well! It wasn’t overwhelming and it aligned perfectly. I really enjoyed this one and highly recommend if you are in the mood for a good surprise.

Thank you to netgalley and Harper Perennial and Paperbacks for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

This was a thrilling quick read. I liked it but didn't love it. It seems like another average thriller we have skeletons in our closet kinda book but will fix your need for a thriller if you want one!

I give this book 4 stars. The plot was developed incrementally and with anticipation for the reader. I enjoyed the twists and turns. The author did an excellent job organizing duel timelines. She executed this duality skillfully and with aplomb. I did not foresee the outcome. Thank you NetGalley and Harper Perennial and Paperbacks, for granting me this ARC. #TheCoupleAtNumber9 #Netgalley @dougieclaire.

What happens when your contractors find two skeletons in your backyard? Who are they and who put them there? I really enjoyed this one from Claire Douglas. Told from multiple points of view and spaces in time, it tells the tale of Rose and Daphnae and the past they are running from. The story plays out in current time with Saffy trying to figure out why there are bodies in her backyard and how is her grandmother (who has demenia) involved. Definately recommended.

This is a perfect beach read! Loved all of the twists. This book will do well especially on airport shelves this year!

I freaking loved Do Not Disturb by Douglas!
Just Like The Other Girls I was hoping to get approved for that one but I didn't.....
So I seen The Couple at Number 9 by Claire Douglas

And this book was everything!
I was simply captivated by this book.
The writing is very mature and the plot is creative, ingenious and very atmospheric with great vivid descriptions.
This is what a good thriller should be like!
Twisted, shocking and leaves you wondering, but the truth that is going to be unraveled is nothing what you think it will be.
All characters seem shifty and to be hiding something. By the end I was totally and completely taken by surprise by the turn of events.
Loved the whole book right to the last page.

Harper Paperbacks,
Thank You for this eARC!

I liked this book. I didn't love it. But at the same time, it's compelling and reading it felt like fun, not a chore like some books do.

What an fabulous mystery and twisty read! The Couple at Number 9 was told through multiple POV’s which really allows you to get into the heads of the characters. Such an intricate plot with a crazy twist! One of the best books I’ve read in quite some time. Can’t wait for the next book from Claire Douglas!

Appropriately twisty with characters who it's possible to like, but with major editorial issues (I may have read this late enough that it actually went to publication this way, which...).

Saffron and Tom move into their dream house, and during renovations, 2 bodies are found buried in their back yard. The Couple at Number 9 begins with this simple premise, and you’re quickly drawn into this entertaining mystery. There’s a lot of spokes on this wheel, with plenty of characters and an equal number of twists. Told artfully, the author weaves different timelines together in a coherent fashion, keeping the reader engaged and informed, maintaining the suspense throughout until the puzzle pieces all come together. Well done! I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.