I really enjoyed this one. After falling into debt and at risk of losing it all ,neighbours in an exclusive estate muse about how they could commit a crime that would solve their financial difficulties. What began as an after-dinner conversation soon becomes reality and the consequences have the potential to be devastating.

This was the definition of a page turner, a strong start which pulled me into the story immediately and once it hooked me, it was hard to put down. A cast of characters none of whom are what they seem, all with secrets or something to lose. Well -paced, dark and twisty with parts that were genuinely creepy all culminating in a deliciously dark conclusion. Recommend.

I haven't read any of Olivia Kiernan's books before, I am looking forward to reading some of her others now.

Explored, Exposed…
A decision between new neighbours turns murderous in this dark, tension fuelled and claustrophobic suspense with a menacing edge. It was a decision based upon desperation or, perhaps, greed and made between people who didn’t know each other that well. Was it it even serious? Perhaps not, but it was almost certainly a mistake. The dark side of human nature is explored and exposed through well drawn and credible characters and a plot that is impossible to put down.

A gripping read that hooked me right from the start and left me not knowing what to think or believe. It is so well written with a dark and tense atmosphere and a high level of unpredictability throughout. I loved it.

4-5 stars
Dr Myles Butler is feeling very guilty over the large secret he is keeping from his wife Lana. It all comes down to some foolhardy investments using equity on their large Wimbledon house being chief among the things he has concealed. It’s a very real situation, he’s in a terrible mess and the bailiffs are but a few steps away. How to get himself out of the big financial hole he has dug himself is the big question. When Lana finds out the truth she is understandably less than happy. Well, new neighbours, Gabe and Holly may just have the solution, it’s audacious if not dangerous. Do they dare????

Myles doesn’t half take us on a journey. To begin with, although he’s been an idiot his intentions seem good, his fears of letting Lana down are palpable. As time goes on being inside his head becomes less than comfortable but it makes for gripping reading. The plot begins quite slowly, but it doesn’t half ramp up! The characterisation and the couples dynamics are very good as you watch the changing dances of various power plays and much much more. A mystery element begins to feature too and then becomes centre stage.

There is tension in spades, actually in great shovelfuls and there are some dynamite scenes. Implosions, explosions, characters acting like Rottweilers for varying reasons and the unpredictable plot twists just keep on coming. It becomes oh so darkly devious as people are ensnared and caught between rocks and hard places and it’s lipsmackingly good reading. The moral if there is one is how well do we really know someone?

Overall, it’s an extremely well written novel in a style that is most engaging and I really enjoy it. As for that ending…. that is dark!! That gets a great big tick from me!!

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Quercus Books, river run for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review

A tense read with plenty of ‘what would you do?’ moments. The story hooks you in and the characters are developed in a way that keeps you wanting more at the end of each chapter. You never know who to trust and when you think things are going to go one way, they end up taking another. It’s a read in 24 hours kinda book as you need to know how things pan out.

This is an amazing read and one that I would highly recommend.
It’s definitely one of my favourite books this year and makes for a great thriller. There’s plenty of twists and turns, it’s well written and it’s deliciously dark.
I loved it and it’s definitely a 5 star read.

Thank you for the advanced copy, another new author for me.

I could not put this down, twists and turns, incredibly tense and dark and some great characters.

Well written

Highly recommended