Diane Saxon delivers a gripping psychological thriller in Cuckoo in the Nest, a story that is as unsettling as it is addictive. From the very beginning, there’s a palpable sense of unease surrounding Alex’s apartment—something isn’t quite right, though the truth remains just out of reach. As Alex struggles to unravel the mystery of his missing best friend, the tension steadily escalates, pulling the reader deeper into a web of suspicion and psychological twists.

What makes this novel so effective is the way Saxon balances atmosphere with character-driven suspense. Alex’s confusion and determination are written in a way that makes you feel his frustration and growing paranoia, leaving you just as uncertain about what’s real and what isn’t. Each chapter builds on that unsettling feeling, layering clues and misdirections until the shocking truth finally comes to light.

Dark, twisted, and relentlessly engaging, Cuckoo in the Nest is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers. Diane Saxon masterfully keeps the reader off-balance, proving once again that the most terrifying mysteries often hide closest to home.

While the premises of the storyline was nice. It took a while for it to get interesting with the longwinded build up. It goes from past to present between the FMC and MMC. I did like that Alex came back to find his best friend and how he grew, the discovery of him mom (that shocked me to my core), his father was pure trash. Nikki, bless her heart, just naive and dunce from childhood to adulthood, smh. I like the book but its nothing I would rave about it or put it at the top of recommend list. While its an enjoyable quick read some parts wer just longwinded for me.

I loved the dual timeline aspect — hearing about Alex’s heartbreaking past alongside the present-day events. It almost felt like two stories in one, but it was so easy to follow thanks to the clear chapter headings with dates and whose view-Alex or Nikki.

The character development was fantastic, especially watching Alex and Nikki’s relationship evolve over time. Some of the other characters… well, let’s just say I didn’t trust them from the start. But that only added to the red herrings, tension, and my constant guessing at the ending.

Cleverly written, tense, and twisty — I’ll definitely be picking up another Diane Saxon novel soon.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an ARC in return for my honest review. Cuckoo in the Nest unfolds across a dual timeline, giving us insight into Alex’s past while also exploring Nikki’s perspective, which deepens the mystery of her disappearance. The short, well-written chapters kept me hooked from start to finish—absolutely brilliant and hard to put down!

Thanks to netgalley and the publishers for an ARC of this book.

I didnt know what to expect with this book, given the title. But I really enjoyed this book. I normally find multiple pov and timelines confusing, however this was written in a way that did not make it confusing and also built the characters. There were some twists and turns that were not predicted.

The only thing I would say is that the book needed trigger warnings at the beginning. I was not triggered but I can imagine some with past trauma would be.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and would recommend this to my family and friends.

Cuckoo in the Nest
An emotional psychological suspense with captivating characters, focusing on danger, survival, and love with kindness thrown in.
4 stars

Cuckoo in the Nest by Diane Saxon is a standout psychological thriller—dark, compelling, and impossible to put down. Highly recommended for anyone who loves mystery, tension, and stories that linger long after the final page.

Wow- 5 stars

What a book i just wanted to carry on reading it.
I went in completely blind to what it was about, all the way through i had no idea only a few suspicions i absolutely loved it.
Diane saxon has made me want to read more of her books.

I love a dual timeline and this story has a past and present for Alex, present day has Alex house sharing with 3 others, past timeline is Alex as a child.
As the story unfolds you learn more about what happened to his friend Nikki.
An emotional read that progresses at a steady pace, with a mysterious and suspenseful storyline.
I have another Diane Saxon book on my TBR pile which I shall be moving up my list, I really enjoyed the writing style and plot development.

Thank you for having me on this tour

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This book was full of claustrophobic tension, every page hums with unease. If you love psychological thrillers with secrets, lies, and a slow build to something truly sinister, this’ll keep you up way past bedtime.

That was an emotional roller coaster of a book! Alex moves into a house share to try and uncover what has happened to Nikki who is like a sister to him.

The book switches between the past and the present, but it’s easy to keep up and understand what is happening! Some of the ‘past’ chapters tore my heart apart!

I would definitely recommend this book to you for a quick, easy read to keep you on your toes with a great twist at the end!

When Alex moves into a rundown shared house, he's not looking for friends, he's searching for answers. Years ago, his childhood friend Nikki vanished without a trace, and he believes that the truth lies within these walls. But the housemates are hiding secrets, and something just doesn't feel right. As Alex digs deeper, the line between past and present blurs, and the danger grows. He came to uncover the truth, but he may not make it out alive.

Cuckoo in the Nest is a tense, slow burning psychological thriller that will keep you guessing. Diane Saxon is an expert at building suspense through a dual timeline and blending past trauma with present-day danger. Alex as our main character is emotionally layered and the eerie, claustrophobic setting adds to the unsettling atmosphere. If you are looking for a dark character driven thriller with well-placed twists and an ending that ties everything up, Cuckoo in the Nest is a great addition to your TBR!

Thank you to NetGalley, Diane Saxon, and Boldwood Books for this eArc! Publication date was August 12th 2025.

Cuckoo in the Nest by Diane Saxon.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I love this author. I loved the cover of this book. I only signed up as it was Diane. I got into this book straight away. I read this in a few days. I couldn't put it down. I liked Alex. I really felt for him. I really didn't like his dad. He was awful. I liked the short chapters. I really didn't trust Saul at all. This was dark. The ending had me. I would most definitely recommend this book.

Cuckoo in the Nest by Diane Saxon was another excellent psychological thriller for this author. Every book I have read by her has been a 5 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ and this one was no different, it was Brilliant with lots of twists and turns throughout and I loved the characters. Plus, it will have you guessing till the very end which made this book one of my favourite written by Diane.

Cuckoo in the Nest was told by various POV but the main one is Alex, and told in multiple timelines throughout the book.

Alex moves into a shared house with three others, he doesn't need to be there in the shared house. But, when they all introduce theirselves to each other, Alex feels a lot of tension within the room as well as a big chill around him, this makes him feel so uneasy around them all.

But, he is not here to make friends, with them all he is only there for one reason only, to find out what happened to his good friend Nikki.

Nikki was not only a good friend to Alex, she was like a sister and they were so close. But they don't know I knew Nikki and how close they were. . . .Alex has so many secrets, he has to keep this one about his past locked up, if this secret comes out into the open, everything Alex is trying to find out will be out in th open and he will never find out what happened!!!!

But where is Nikki?

Alex, is so convinced someone within this house knows more than they're letting on.

Is Nikki simply missing?

Or has something far more sinister occurred within these walls?

Why? Alex, is not leaving until he finds out what happened to her! Is she alive or dead?

But, where is she and if she is dead where is her body??

I'm not leaving until I find out if Nikki is alive or dead.

WoW this book was excellent and I highly recommend Cuckoo in the Nest. . . a great holiday read etc. You will be hooked!

Big Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my ARC.

This is a dark psychological thriller that will keep you turning pages . The author has created a intriguing fun read to keep her readers captivated.
Alex moves into a house as the 4th roommate. His reason is investigating the roommates to find out why his childhood friend disappeared from the location. The creepy elements begin as past history is a revelation to Alex and the mysteries take shape each leading him down a dark path. I loved this fascinating read.
Thank you for the opportunity to the publisher, the author and Net Galley. My review opinion is my own.

‘Cuckoo in the Nest’ is a fabulous psychological thriller that keeps you guessing right up to the end! Diane is an author I have had on my tbr for ages but this is only the second of hers that I have read! Also, pro tip if you are an animal person follow Diane on Facebook, and see her adorable new puppy, Willow.

Set over two timelines, we see Alex both as a young child and as part of this scary house share. It is clear that Alex has had a horrible childhood, but it is neglect in the main instance. However, this is a dark book, and I loved it! I felt a lot of empathy towards Alex and his adoptive family of Nikki and Julia. The scenes between those three were beautifully crafted and tugged at the heartstrings.

The dual timelines allow the author to keep the reader engaged and I flew through this book in about a day. It was as if she was reeling you in and occasionally the rod slips and those red herrings appear. It was an entertaining read and I am looking forward to seeing what comes next from the pen of Diane Saxon.

Let me know if you pick this one up!

Told from the point of view of two main characters, Alex and Nikki, across multiple timelines - from their childhoods to present day.
Alex is 11 when he meets Nikki aged 5 and her mum in the park, when he saves Nikki from hurting herself on a slide. They could not have imagined at that point how interwoven their lives would become, culminating in Alex’s desperate search to find Nikki 20 years later when she goes missing.
The story is unsettling and heartbreaking, revisiting scenes from Alex’s past, and dark and graphic descriptions of what has happened within the walls of the house they lived in. Really interesting stuff and well worth a read!

Told from various POV but mainly from Alex, and multiple timelines.
The story unfolds and you read about Alex's past. And what a heartbreaking past it was.
I was hooked from the very beginning and couldn't wait to see this unfold. I definitely could have read this in one sitting if it was 1. Not the summer holidays and 2. If I didn't have to be a adult and be responsible for other things.
This was my first book by this author, but I already have another that is already downloaded on my kindle that I am debit going to be bumping up my list.
The main characters are great.
This is a dark and gripping read.

Cuckoo in the Nest by Diane Saxon is a gripping psychological thriller that weaves suspense with deep emotional resonance. While entirely fictional, the heart of the story lies in the raw and painful background of the main character, Alex. Growing up in an abusive and neglected home, his early life is difficult to read about, both heartbreaking and painfully realistic.

Diane Saxon doesn’t shy away from showing the emotional scars and survival instincts that such a childhood can create. For me, this part of the book hit hard because I know many people who’ve come from similar backgrounds and gone on to become truly remarkable adults. What makes Alex’s story stand out is the unwavering support he receives from Nikki and her mother, Julia, who love and guide him every step of the way. The twists keep coming, making it impossible to predict what will happen next. Honestly, I can easily see future books where Alex transforms into an FBI-like figure, using his unique life experiences to help others.

Alex is the kind of character who stays with you long after the book ends. His quiet resilience and ability to read people make him both endearing and intriguing. He’s not perfect—far from it—but that’s what makes him believable. The trauma from his past has shaped him into someone hyper-aware of danger and able to pick up on subtle cues most people miss. Watching him slowly learn to trust and accept love, especially from Nikki and Julia, is one of the most rewarding parts of the book. You can’t help but root for him, not just to survive, but to thrive.

Nikki is a strong, compassionate presence throughout the story. She’s not just a passive supporter; she’s proactive in protecting Alex and standing up for him when others might doubt him. Her loyalty is fierce, and it’s clear she sees the good in Alex long before he sees it in himself. Julia, Nikki’s mother, is equally important—her warmth, understanding, and gentle guidance create a safe environment Alex has never known. Together, Nikki and Julia form a sort of emotional shield around Alex, helping him find stability in a world that has given him very little of it.

Diane Saxon’s writing is sharp and emotionally intelligent. She knows how to pace a thriller so that the tension never really let’s go, even in the quieter, more reflective moments. The psychological depth she gives her characters makes the suspense all the more powerful, you’re not just worried about the plot twists, you’re invested in the people they’re happening to. This blend of character-driven storytelling and pulse-pounding suspense is what kept me turning the pages.

What really makes this book stand out is the balance between darkness and hope. Alex’s backstory is tragic, and parts of it are difficult to process, but there’s always a thread of possibility running through the narrative. You can feel him evolving as the story progresses, taking cautious steps toward a future that might be better than his past. The ending leaves you both satisfied and curious about what’s next for him, especially if Diane Saxon does decide to create more stories where Alex uses his insight and instincts to help others in an investigative role.

In short, Cuckoo in the Nest isn’t just a psychological thriller—it’s a story about survival, trust, and the power of compassion to change a life. It’s suspenseful enough to keep you hooked, but it’s the characters, especially Alex, Nikki, and Julia, who make it unforgettable.

Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the Advanced Readers Copy. All opinions expressed are my own since I have freedom of speech.

A cracking thriller!

Alex has his own memories of childhood, but what made it all improve was Nikki and her mother; he owes them everything. So when Nikki goes missing, he will do whatever it takes to find out what's going on, so he begins by taking on a room in the flat she was living in when she disappeared . . .

This is a tale of two halves; Alex, in the present day and recounting - via his memories - of how Nikki came to be in his life. It pulls you in from the very beginning and before you know it, you're glued to the pages wanting to read just a bit more ... which turns into the early hours of the morning! As I carried on, my heart rate increased and my stomach somersaulted - a bit like being on a roller coaster. Exciting, and very unpredictable this is a stunning thriller written, it has to be said, by a lovely woman with a spectacular puppy - who would ever suspect what's going on in her head? I've never been disappointed by a Diane Saxon book yet, and this one definitely raises the bar! Highly recommended and oh so easily meriting all five sparkling stars!

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley.