Daniel Hurst delivers a chilling, edge-of-your-seat domestic thriller in The Couple Before Us, a novel that takes the classic “new house, new start” dream and turns it into a psychological nightmare.

The story follows a young pregnant woman who moves into what’s supposed to be the perfect home with her husband, Christian. But when she finds a cryptic note hidden in a forgotten corner—“Something terrible happened to the couple who lived here before…”—everything shifts. The atmosphere thickens with suspicion, dread, and the kind of anxiety that wraps around you like ivy. Her husband's repeated dismissals only deepen her unease, and when she begins to notice strange behavior from the neighbors and overhears Christian sharing a disturbing secret, the perfect life begins to crack.

What makes this novel so compelling is its claustrophobic intensity. Hurst knows exactly when to drop a clue and when to yank the rug from under you. The pacing is sharp, with short chapters that pull you along like a heartbeat spiking in fear. The protagonist’s growing paranoia feels justified at every turn, and the question of whether she's unraveling or being manipulated keeps you firmly in suspense.

This book isn’t just about lies—it’s about the stories we build around what we want to believe. The truth is buried somewhere between those stories and the silent house that refuses to forget.

This book pulled me in right away with its eerie setting and sense of unease. The secrets, the tension, and the suspicious characters kept me turning the pages. While some parts felt a bit far-fetched, I was fully invested and had to know how it would all play out. A great pick if you enjoy twisty thrillers about trust, lies, and what really goes on behind closed doors.

This was my first book by this author and won’t be my last! I really enjoyed the writing style, it draws you in quickly and builds suspense really well. I enjoyed the twists and turns throughout the book and although elements were a little far fetched at times, it was a super enjoyable read!

Daniel Hurst, the master of suspense, returns with another chilling sizzler, THE COUPLE BEFORE US. Following the success of his previous novels, this twisty thriller keeps you on the edge of your seat, delivering the same heart-pounding suspense and unexpected twists his fans have come to love.

About...

Dionne, her husband Christian, and their five-year-old son Kai have moved into their new home, awaiting the arrival of their unborn daughter (Sophia) in a few short months.

It's stressful enough with a move, and the excitement and anticipation of a new start, a fresh moment, and a memorable experience, and you want it all to go perfectly.

Then she finds a note. A warning. Who wrote this? Why was it left here?

What happened to the couple that lived there before us? Does this mean they are not safe?

But did someone lie? This is a new home. A new neighborhood. How could someone else have lived here? Is the community safe?

My thoughts...

Daniel Hurst knows how to build suspense and keeps the twist coming, with darkness lurking at every page turn in THE COUPLE BEFORE US. We all worry about the stress of moving and the potential for hidden secrets to emerge in a new home. This fear is expertly woven into the narrative, making it a relatable and intriguing read.

However, in this case, a newly built home on a freshly created estate gives all the creeps: did they fall for a sales pitch? Then, when she meets the neighbor and receives a warning, her stress level increases.

The ongoing mystery of who lived there before and what is going on gives off a palpable sense of dread. You know something bad is coming, and the wife and mother will have to find her answers. Are they trapped? This sense of impending danger will keep you on the edge of your seat.

The couple next door (Theo and Hayley) is also strange, and Di must figure out what happened at her house and what is going on in this shocking and entertaining domestic suspense novel.

What is with Cesar, the charismatic, wealthy, cocky man, the owner who also lives there? What are they hiding? A cover-up? Things are not as they appear.

Can she trust her husband, the neighbors, or anyone? What is everyone hiding? Is it the pregnancy, hormones, paranoia, or are they in danger? She must keep her son and unborn child safe.

But what if there is something more sinister? Please read it to find out the shocking secret of murder, perverting the course of justice, abduction, and more.

Recs...

If you enjoy dark, creepy, twisty books with Stepford and Stephen King vibes, and the movie Them (2021), give this twisty popcorn thriller, THE COUPLE BEFORE US, a whirl!

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for providing an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

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Pub Date: July 17, 2025
My Rating: 4 Stars
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Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for providing with this book.

I love a book domestic thriller and this book was exactly that. Here we had our main character Di who is pregnant and her husband Christian and 5 year old son Kai. They recently moved into a new house in a god neighborhood. DI was told they are the first family to live in this house but when she finds a note in the corner of their closet that says this house is not safe and the previous couple that lived here were met with terrible fate, Di can’t help but wonder if she was lied to. Her husband tells her it’s a prank.

Then we have so many different characters in the neighborhood and lots of secrets. It was really enjoyable read and lots of twists and turns which I loved.

Thanks again NetGalley and publisher for providing me with this book.

Classic Daniel Hurst! Di has a bad feeling about the house and neighborhood where her family has just moved. There are many peculiar people and situations, but why is Di the only person questioning what’s going on? What secrets are being kept by the people around her, and is this “crime free” neighborhood really safe? Di is determined to find out.

I really enjoyed the internal dialogue and first person narration. Hurst’s storytelling is very comfortable - like getting under a cozy blanket and having a close friend tell you what’s happening. That does not mean the narrative is laid back; there’s plenty of mystery, suspense, danger and secrets. Although, this book can be far fetched at times, it kept me glued and turning the pages. Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the digital ARC.

The Couple Before Us, by Daniel Hurst, is the definition of a psychological thriller. This one will grab you and take you for a ride, with twists and turns throughout. I am looking forward to reading more by this author. Wow!
I appreciate NetGalley and the publisher for providing the ARC ebook that I read and reviewed. All opinions are my own.

The Couple Before Us by Daniel Hurst is a gripping psychological thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. Hurst’s writing style is clean and evocative, effortlessly drawing readers into the tense atmosphere and vivid settings. This combination of sharp storytelling and rich characterization makes The Couple Before Us a must-read for fans of psychological suspense.

The Couple Before Us is definitely one of my favorites by Daniel Hurst! It was mysterious, a little creepy with lots of twists and turns. Could not put this book down! I really enjoyed it!
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for this ARC!

The Couple Before Us is an action packed thriller that keeps you guessing until the very end! Daniel Hurst is known for these gripping thrillers and this one does not disappoint! The twists and turns just keep on coming and you'll get whiplash trying to keep up. Yes, the book is really good! Dionne, her husband Christian, and their 5 year old son Kai are moving into a new house in a new development. Christian is excited for the move, but Dionne wishes for a house with more personality. This house looks like every other on the street and is too modern for Di's taste. She sees how excited Christian is and her son loves the yard, so she agrees to the move. Di is 6 months pregnant with their baby girl and they need to find a home soon and be settled before the baby comes.

As Di is unpacking, she finds a note that says something bad happened to the couple who lived here before. Christian told Di that they were the first to ever live in this house, so this can't be true can it? As Christian works hard to reassure Di, she feels uneasy about the note. Is Christian telling Di the truth? Why would he lie to her? At a barbecue for the community, another person mentions a previous couple to Di. The man asks her what happened to them? What is going on? As he's talking to her, the head of the development pulls the man away. Di finds the entire thing so odd. Di takes it upon herself to dig into this further because she's sure she's being lied to. Will Di discover what's really going on? Are she and her family in danger? Is the new house really new? Is the new community safe? This book will keep you guessing until the shocking end. I rate The Couple Before Us 4 stars with a high recommendation. When you start this book be prepared to lose several hours until you finish it. I'd like to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy of The Couple Before Us in exchange for a fair review. #TheCoupleBeforeUs

The Couple Before Us by Daniel hurst, I really do believe riders get so far stuck in the fake reality they write about they lose sight of what’s believable and what’s not. In this book Dion and her husband move with their five-year-old son Kai to a home Dion really didn’t want to move to but due to the fact that they already sold their home and was staying in a hotel room with a five year-old and she’s due to give birth to their daughter in less than three months with slight pressure from Christian she ultimately acquiesces andagrees to the new house. it’s on a brand new estate and they’re supposedly only the third family to move in the Neighbourhood and the first to move in the brand new home. after they move in many strange things start happening from her weird neighbor whose wife ultimately goes missing to the note she found talking about the previous couple who lived in their house before, her rich parents who she wants nothing to do with when it comes to their money moves in the neighborhood, Cesar the esstrange estate owner who seems to always be around to interrupt any conversation helping Dion get the information she seeks and on and on. The truth will change everything Dion thought she knew about the life she was making. I would love to say as I do with most Danhurst books that I loved the story but OMG I did not. For one thing the whole mystery begins because she found a piece of paper in a dresser in an upstairs bedroom talking about the couple who lived in the house before. immediately Dion starts talking about all the people who sold them the house lied to them how they’re in danger and no one wants to tell her they go to a barbecue for everyone who lives in the neighborhood and she’s questioning everyone about do you know the people who lived in my home before not to mention Haley next-door who she basically stocks. I am not going to waste much more time on this review I did not like the book I was disappointed as I look so forward to his books I just thought there wasn’t enough for deal to be upset about let alone believe her family was in danger she ultimately seemed like a busy body who was making mountains out of mole Hills and although she would ultimately be proven right if you really think about it that she said nothing she probably could’ve lived in the house peacefully with no problems. I mean minus the dead previous resident and the other stuff that happened in the book but she would’ve known none of that in most of it wouldn’t have happened if not for her interfering. I do want to say this before closing out this review at one point in the book Dion is arguing with someone because they rented a home to someone who moved in and paid no rent at all after moving in and she tried to shame them because she said these people were struggling and how dare this person go confront them when they’re having a hard time and I just want to say I don’t care if someone is a billionaire if you give your word and promise to pay someone for a service you owe them that money you cannot accept the service and then cry hard times I just thought that was Such a wishy-washy pansy way because it came out as if because these people had money that they should’ve let the other people slide and I just didn’t agree with that sentiment at all. ask for recommending this book I mean you may like it I really don’t think it was as entertaining as all of his other books but read it with the grain of salt. #NetGalley, #Bookouture, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview,#DanielHurst, #TheCoupleBeforeUs,

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher an Daniel Hurst for this read. Daniel always writes a good popcorn thriller. Once you start, you have to quickly finish his books. This was so good and quite creepy.

This book has very cultish vibes for me. Ceaser is so creepy in fact the whole estate is creepy. You go through the whole book not knowing who to trust, in fact not all of my questions were answered. But this was a great book and now need to read more by Daniel Hurst. One thing I do know is that I would probably only by older houses now never a new build.

Big thanks to Bookouture for a copy on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Couple Before Us is the latest release from UK psychological thriller master Daniel Hurst.
A chills and thrills read that I raced through as I needed answers.
Di and Christian need a bigger place to live for their family.
She is very pregnant and also they have a five year old son.
Christian is excited he’s found the perfect home but Di is not so sure.
While moving in, Di finds a note that sets off a string of chaos.
As Di gets to know her neighbours and the person involved in the original sale, things begin to get odd and dubious.
And inside the walls of many, no one can be trusted and nothing is as safe as it seems…..
As usual, this book completely hooks the reader with its clever plot, sneaky characters and eerie atmosphere.
There’s a reason Daniel gets called a genius of this genre as his stories are very addictive and his writing hypnotises you.

Incredible book, I couldn't put this book down or get through the pages fast enough. First time reading this author and I will be checking out more from him. The twists are twisty in this book, just when you think you know what's going, wrong.

Loved this one so much. It kept me in the edge of my seat and had my anxiety high.i kinda had some figured out halfway through but still had twist after twist. I would so recommend this book and any book of his. He’s my favorite author and he never disappoints

Another great read from Daniel Hurst, a master story teller. A good solid plot that had me hooked from the beginning and became a real page turner. Recommended
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for my honest review

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free copy of the book in exchange for this honest review.

Dionne has moved into a new home with her husband and young son. But she begins to suspect that they weren’t the first couple to live here. Something seems off in this new neighborhood and Di is afraid that something bad has happened–and it could happen again.

Daniel Hurst’s writing style is fast-paced and easy to read. He does a good job creating a sense of setting as well. However, our narrator (and main character), Dionne is insufferable. If you could pole-jump to conclusions, she would win gold at the Olympics. Her paranoia is completely unreasonable based on the information she has. And even if her concerns were founded in reality and not her wild assumptions, her reactions are so unbelievably stupid. It’s like she was born without any sense of self-preservation at all. Which brings up another issue. Dionne is pregnant (to what extent varies wildly over the course of the book). Sometimes, this is brought up as an excuse for her paranoia. But other times, the fact that she is a mother whose children will likely suffer as a consequence of her borderline psychotic behavior is conveniently ignored. I genuinely thought she was going to turn out to be a deranged unreliable narrator at one point. Spoiler alert: she’s not.

Overall, the “plot twists” were pretty obvious to me. Several of them were also quite far-fetched, but easy to predict based on how the rest of the book had gone. The first half reminded me of the set-up of the movie What Lies Beneath, but flavored like it wanted to be Stepford Wives.

For me, this was two stars, and that’s being generous. It was frustrating, but certainly never boring, so two stars it is. If you like mystery/thrillers, particularly of the domestic drama over-the-top variety, you might enjoy this. It’s a good distraction if that’s all you’re looking for, and surprisingly clean content-wise.

Well I certainly didn’t see that plot twist coming, and I can truly say that I had no idea what was going on until it was revealed. I enjoy seeing the story unfold as Daniel hurst built a level of suspense that definitely keeps you wondering what is going on in this suburban neighborhood, and where is “The Couple Before Us”? The story was well written, and the author did a good job of diving into the complex complexities of each character. Overall a decent read that fans of domestic thrillers, with quite a few twists and turns may enjoy. I will be reading more from his catalogue, this was my second read by this author and have enjoyed them both overall. Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

The Couple Before Us is a suspenseful psychological thriller with twists and turns.

The premise of the book was good, however I found the start slow and drawn out, with the drama being amped up towards the end of the book. I found the main character annoying and at times over dramatic. Part of the story seems very far fetched and hard to believe.

That said, the twists towards the end of the book were good and unexpected. However I felt that some questions were left unanswered.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and Bookoutour for access to this eARC in exchange for an honest review.